Papplewick Pumping Station is one of 70 cultural organisations across the country set to be given a financial boost by the Government in a bid to improve people’s access to arts, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations.
The pumping station will have a share of a pot of £58.8 million which will see arts venues transformed, upgraded and created as part of the government’s plans to make sure everyone, no matter where they live, can access the UK’s world-renowned culture.
PICTURED: Papplewick Pumping Station (IMAGE: Papplewick Association)
Papplewick Pumping Station will receive £518,000 from the Museum Estate and Development Fund and the funds.
The annual Notts County Foundation funday is just days away, with a host of free games and activities in the offing for kids and parents alike.
The event is taking place this Saturday (25), at the Padel Centre behind the Kop Stand at Meadow Lane.
Running from 12pm until 2pm, there will be a climbing wall, padel tennis, aeroball, penalty shootouts, rides and more for all to enjoy. There will also be refreshments on offer from local vendors.
The day’s league game against Scunthorpe United is also part of the occasion, with ticket prices cut to £10 for adults, £5 for 17-22 year olds and over 65s, with under 16s getting in for just £1.
A further 1000 tickets have been donated to schools, charity partner organisations and people in the community.
Notts County Foundation is the official charity of Notts County Football Club. They serve the local community and are passionate about using the power of sport to transform the lives of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Sam Crawford, chief financial officer at Notts County Foundation said: “The charity is in a really positive position at the moment, and we are very much looking forward to welcome everyone at the Padel Centre for what is shaping up to be a really exciting pre match event.
“I would also like to take this moment to thank everyone who has continued to support us, your generosity has helped us transform the lives of local people.”
The Foundation operate a range of schemes throughout Nottinghamshire that get people exercising and develop positive minds. One such venture is Premier League Kicks, with a programme operating in Carlton.
Kicks is a free programme for 8 to 18 year olds which gives children the opportunity to play football and take part in other multi-sport activities.
Pictured: A Premier League Kicks Session (Courtesy of Notts County Foundation)
Marketing and Events Officer for the Foundation, Sonali Davé, said: “After last years event, the Foundation are looking to improve the offering for this year’s rendition of the Community Fun Day. The primary approach for doing this has been to move it from The Portland Centre, to the Padel Area at Meadow Lane.”
By moving locations, the Foundation have made it easier for those attending the event to join in on the matchday action come 3pm.
A spokesman for County said that “We’re delighted with the incredible response we’ve already seen to this year’s Community Day, with well over 13,000 tickets sold with three days to go.
“Our friends at Notts County Foundation, who do so much good work in the city, deserve the day to be a huge success and every indication suggests it will be.
“We know there’s a strong element of Notts County support in Gedling and the surrounding areas and we’d encourage everyone to take this opportunity to bring the family along to watch this very exciting team in action and enjoy the family fun zone at Nottingham Padel Centre.”
Tickets can be purchased by Supporters by calling the ticket office on 0115 955 7210, online at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/nottscountyfc/ as well as through the main ticket office on Meadow Lane.
There will be a bucket collection for the Foundation going around the stadium during the Match.
Located in Calverton, Ramsdale Park Golf Centre has smashed its record for the amount of money raised for the captain’s charity in a single year, with close to £20,000 presented to Maggie’s Cancer Care in 2022.
This incredible sum was accrued at various events throughout the year at the Gedling borough club, as well as via season-long fundraising initiatives. The most significant portion was raised during the annual Captain’s Charity Day, last year held on Saturday 6th August. 180 members and guests teed it up in a team style competition. The bulk of the money raised on the day was generated by the sponsorship of holes, competition entries, a raffle, and an evening auction. A variety of prizes were kindly donated by members, local businesses, and other golf clubs in the area.
Speaking on this record-breaking achievement, Chairman of Ramsdale Park Golf Centre, Mark Northern, said: “We are thrilled to have raised a record amount of money for our wonderful captain’s charity, Maggie’s. This fantastic feat would not have been possible without the help of all staff, members, and volunteers, who have each played a crucial role.”
Pictured: Ramsdale Golf Club (Courtesy of Ramsdale Golf Club)
Further fundraising initiatives at the Gedling borough club included the club’s Senior Section sponsoring ‘hole-in-one’ prizes in support of the Charity Day, raising in excess of £1,000. An additional £500 was raised through donations and unclaimed prize vouchers, while the Ramsdale Park Ladies Section bought in a total of £1,220 via the Lady Captain’s Charity Day in June, among other events.
Theresa Plimmer, General Manager of Ramsdale Park Golf Centre, added: “The entire membership here at Ramsdale Park have been absolutely phenomenal in their efforts to raise as much money as possible this year for Maggie’s Cancer Care. In particular, our Club President, Danny Harkin, who has led the fundraising efforts and been instrumental to the total raised.
Ramsdale Park Golf Centre has been raising money for local charities since the mid-1990s, and since the introduction of an annual charity event in 2004, the club has raised a whopping £250,000 to support a number of incredible local causes.
“As a central part of the community, we are all delighted to have broken our fundraising record yet again, allowing us to give back even more to a charity that does so much for people across the country.”
The club hosted a presentation evening on Saturday 12th November, during which a cheque for £19,275 was handed to representatives of Maggie’s Cancer Care. Further funds were contributed right the way through to Christmas.
In addition to the money raised for main club charity, Maggie’s Cancer Care, the Ramsdale Park Par-3 Club raised a further £1,500 in support of the Eye Care Health Organisation (ECHO). The Par-3 Club, made up of close to 100 members and visiting golfers, meet every Tuesday to play on the Lee Course. Throughout the year, they have run numerous club events that have helped them raise this substantial amount.
The latest fundraiser was a ‘firewalk‘ held in February, 2023.
Scottish ex-footballer, Robert ‘Bobby’ Tait, took a trip down memory lane when he was given the VIP treatment at his ‘old stomping ground’, Meadow Lane, home to the Notts County Football Club.
84-year-old Bobby started his career as a footballer in 1960, playing for Aberdeen. In 1962, Bobby joined Notts County, and in his two-years as a player for the club, he appeared in 60 games and scored 11 goals.
Bobby carried on his football career until 1968, playing 169 professional games in total, until he retired to run a snooker club in Arnold with his wife, June.
PICTURED: Bobby Tait during his playing days
In 2022, Bobby moved to Coppice Lodge care home in Arnold, and was soon followed by June, so that they could spend more time together.
After learning of Bobby’s incredible football career, the staff at Coppice Lodge arranged for the couple to attend a football match at the Notts County home ground, accompanied by their son, Jonathan.
The family were given the VIP treatment from the moment they arrived. They were shown to the hospitality suite before the match, where they met Head Coach, Luke Williams.
Bobby and his family were escorted to the Derek Pavis stand to watch the match and Bobby was ecstatic when Notts County beat Southend, 4-0.
After celebrating the big win, Bobby met the man of the match, Matt Palmer, and even bumped into fellow ex-Notts County player, Les Bradd.
Mr Bradd said: “It’s fantastic to see Bob and June, we have remained friends for many years. There are lots of legends in this room tonight!’
Buzzing with excitement from his day at the football club, Bobby said: “What a treat to revisit my old stomping ground.
“It brought back so many memories, and to get back here really does mean the world to me.
“Thank you to everyone at Coppice Lodge for making it all happen, I feel truly touched to have shared this with my family.
“Come on you Pies! I’m glad they didn’t ask me to play though!”
Wife June added: “Football has been Bob’s life, he loves it, and to be treated like royalty was just amazing. I can’t thank the club enough.’
Rachel Squire, the Home Manager at Coppice Lodge, said: “We’re always looking for ways to ensure our residents continue to enjoy the things they love and want to offer them an aspirational lifestyle that they can be proud of.
“Bobby was in his element during his visit to Notts County Football Grounds, it was such a pleasure to see and we’re so glad we could give him that experience, with the help of Notts County Football Club.’
Councillors have raised concerns about a Gedling school’s Ofsted rating amid a major expansion project.
Carlton le Willows Academy was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted after an inspection in November 2022.
Since 2012, it had been consistently rated ‘good’ with some of the best exam results in the country.
Concerns were raised during a meeting between councillors at County Hall in West BridgfordPICTURED: Carlton le Willows Academy in Gedling (PHOTO: Neil Slack)
But the academy, which has over 1,700 pupils, was rated inadequate for leadership and management in a report published in January 2023.
Inspectors rated it ‘requires improvement’ for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and for the sixth-form provision.
After the Ofsted report, in February 2023, the school was give an ‘inadequate’ rating overall and issued with a Termination Warning Notice by the Department for Education – meaning the Government can terminate the trust’s funding unless improvements are made.
The Government is in the process of finding a new academy to take over the trust.
A project to expand the school costing around £14m is due to be completed in September 2023 which will create an extra 600 pupil places.
Labour councillor Michelle Welsh raised concerns that many parents will shy away from choosing the academy due to its recent Ofsted rating.
But Cllr Tracey Taylor (Con), cabinet member for children and families, said there was a need to be “measured” about the situation, adding that Ofsted is not “everything”.
Cllr Welsh said: “We’re seeing a huge inspection of Carlton Le Willows school which has recently been rated inadequate.
“I would say for many people in the area it has come as a big shock.
“How does that work with regards to the expansion? If you’re growing a school with more pupils while it’s inadequate, how are we going to work with them?”
She added that the issue “should not be dismissed” by the council.
She said: “I think we are going to have a further problem in Gedling.
“As long as Carlton Le Willows remains inadequate, there will be a problem when it comes to applications. People will not put down Carlton Le Willows and then we will have a problem.
“Families would move into that area so their kids could get into Carlton Le Willows.
“You’re expanding places at what is now an inadequate school. I am not saying there are teachers who are not working all out.”
Cllr Taylor added that “it is an academy, and therefore it is out of the direct influence of this authority to lead on improvements”.
Cllr Jim Creamer (Lab), who represents Carlton, said many residents in his area attend the school.
He said: “We can show as a county council that we are extremely concerned about what happened.
“The parents come to us as councillors and they are concerned. To brush it off is out of order. We should be showing our concern.
“In Carlton, we’ve got two secondary schools. Only 50 per cent of our schools are good.
“To me, that is a crisis and it is certainly a crisis for residents.”
Peter McConnochie, Service Director for Education, Learning and Inclusion, said: “It plays a lot of significance in terms of the preferences parents have.
“Often that is linked to Ofsted ratings or perceptions of schools. We know they change over time.
“It won’t change the expansion as this is well under way and due to be completed this year.
“It’s a school that had a challenging Ofsted that will lead to some difficulties for the school.
“Currently there is a notice out about the brokerage of that academy and that will transfer to a new multi-academy trust who will be responsible for rapid school improvement.
“I would expect that school would not remain inadequate for long.
“There will be a short term impact in terms of perception of the school, but long term I would expect to see that eased.”
Cllr Tracey Taylor (Con), cabinet member for children and families, said: “My plea would be that we try to exercise calm and moderation and reassure families.
“The notion of families suddenly turning their back on Carlton Le Willows because of one Ofsted judgement is something I think we do need to be measured about.”
A dedicated off-road motorbike police team is cracking down on nuisance bikers and antisocial behaviour in Gedling borough.
Officers conducted high-visibility patrols on their off-road motorbikes as part of ongoing efforts to prevent and combat the issue in the borough.
It follows a number of complaints from members of the public concerning off-road bike activity in parks and green areas.
While on patrol at the Calverton pit site, officers located an off-road bike and issued the rider with a Section 59 warning notice, which give police the power to seize vehicles if they are seen being driven or ridden in an antisocial manner again.
The rider, who was also dealt with after being caught with some cannabis, left after being escorted from the site.
Several other riders were given warning notices with regards to off-road bike activity.
Officers also engaged with members of the public and dog walkers during their proactive patrols and listened to their concerns.
Further off-road bike patrols took place in areas including Netherfield, Calverton, Arnold, Carlton, Mapperley and Lambley, during Sunday’s operation (19) which was led by PC Tom Packer and PCSO Trevor Parkinson.
Offenders involved in the illegal and antisocial use of off-road bikes can face prosecution and run the risk of having their bikes seized.
Inspector Mark Stanley, Gedling’s Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, said: “This was targeted intelligence-led activity based on information provided by the public. We had a number of positive interactions with members of the public and dog walkers who were all happy to see us.
“It shows we are continuing to listen to people’s concerns, taking them seriously and responding to them.
“I want to reassure members of the public we will be continuing our efforts, working with our partners, to prevent and reduce this type of antisocial behaviour which we know is an ongoing issue of concern in our communities.”
Nottinghamshire Police is asking members of the public to report off-road bike activity so further targeted patrols can be conducted in hotspot areas. Please call 101 to report any concerns.
Aldi will reveal a fresh new look for one of its stores in Gedling borough when it re-opens to customers later this week.
The discount chain’s Daybrook store re-opens to customers on Thursday, March 23 at 8am.
Standing at 1,006 sqm of retail space, a more customer-focused layout allows for the products customers know and love to be found more easily, whilst browsing new ranges.
The transformation is part of Aldi’s £600m investment into further improving its stores and services across the UK.
The new-look store offers increased space, dedicated to fresh British meat and fish, as well as popular Lacura health and beauty products, award winning beers, wines and spirits, famous Mamia babycare products, and a new and improved Food to Go section, offering a choice of fresh salads, sandwiches and sushi for busy customers.
The format has been created to make shopping easier for customers and the store will now have more space and clearer signs to make shopping effortless. Fresh bread and cakes have been moved to the last aisle, preventing them getting squashed under customers’ shopping, and the store will now offer new, easy to browse freezers.
The store employs 35 members of the local community, and the refurbishment will create additional jobs.
Daybrook customers can also take a walk down the ‘Aisle of Aldi’, where they will find legendary Specialbuys which are available every Thursday and Sunday. During re-opening week, the store will be offering a range of outdoor accessories, including a patio heater for £29.99, a walk-in greenhouse for £34.99 and a steel chiminea for £49.99.
Aldi Store Manager Charles Raynor said: “The store is looking fantastic, and we can’t wait to welcome our loyal customers back so they can see it for themselves. We’re committed to making sure that the shopping experience each customer enjoys in our stores is on a par with the products and service they’re used to.”
The store, which has 80 car parking spaces, is located on Mansfield Road, Daybrook, NG5 6BH and will be open between 8am – 10pm on Monday and Saturday and on Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
A new £45,000 Holocaust memorial garden was yesterday (20) officially opened at Gedling Country Park.
The memorial garden will commemorate the millions of people who lost their lives in the Holocaust and other genocide atrocities that followed across the world.
The focal point of the memorial garden is a sculpture of a flame to represent the Holocaust Memorial, surrounded by a circular footpath, lined with cherry trees and native wildflowers, as well as several benches. The garden offers visitors a peaceful place to reflect and remember the millions of men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust.
The garden was opened by the Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke and Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne who will be joined by members from the Nottingham Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “The duty to remember the victims of the Holocaust is an integral part of our shared history and humanity.
“By remembering those who lost their lives during this dark period in our history, we pay tribute to their memory and reaffirm our commitment to a world built on the principles of equality, justice, and respect for all people. Let us never forget the lessons of the Holocaust and work together to build a better future.”
Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “No one should ever forget the horrors of the Holocaust – this permanent Holocaust Memorial in Gedling Country Park will ensure we always remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust and in all subsequent genocides around the world. This addition to Gedling Country Park will offer residents a quiet place to remember and reflect on these tragic atrocities.
Sadly, we still have many lessons to learn from history – it is the responsibility of all of us, to be the light in the darkness, ensuring atrocities like this can never happen again.
It is right that we pay tribute to all of those affected by the Holocaust by creating our own, permanent memorial, right here in Gedling Borough.”
Gail Samson from the Nottingham Hebrew Congregation said: “We have been happy to support Gedling Borough Council with this very important and worthwhile project.”
Carlton Town made it three away wins in succession with a dramatic 3-2 win at Cleethorpes Town.
The win, Carlton’s first ever at Clee, saw Carlton move out of the automatic relegation positions and in touching distance of safety after an enthralling afternoon on the east coast.
The only sour note of the day came with an injury time red card for Nat Watson for picking up a second booking. It was his third sending off of the season and the Millers await to see if the usual one match ban will be extended.
Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made two changes to the side which had won at Grantham Town in midweek. Lawrence Gorman came in for the absent Khyle Sargent while Alex Howes replaced Charlie Marzano who started on the bench.
The Millers, backed by a vociferous 40 or so away supporters, started well, with Niall Davie and Howes causing problems for the Owls. But the home side too had some good moments and showed why they are still in the battle to make the playoffs.
PICTURED: Carlton Town manager Tommy Brookbanks (PHOTO: Twitter)
Mikey Emery, outstanding all afternoon, did well to deal with a couple of dangerous deep crosses early on. He then had to be alert to dive at the feet of the threatening Will Annan as the striker looked set to score.
Carlton responded and a Watson corner was heading directly into goal until Leon Dawson cleared it off the line at the back post, with Kyle Tomlin claiming he had been pushed over in the area.
Gorman then played a lovely ball into the path of Davie who cut inside Paul Walker but his effort went out for a corner.
The Owls pushed forward in what was becoming an end-to-end encounter and the impressive Harvey Tomlinson fed Annan who was only denied by a superb block from Dan Brown.
Brown was alert again moments later to deny Curtis Bateson before Carlton then pushed forward with Watson, Tomlin and Howes combining only for Alex Flett to clear ahead of the onrushing Tomlin.
Carlton opened the scoring on 37 minutes from the penalty spot. Tomlin flicked a lovely pass into the path of Davie and he was brought down by Dawson. Alex Troke made no mistake from the spot, sending James McKeown the wrong way to the delight of the Millers fans behind the goal.
Troke was desperately close to extending Carlton’s lead five minutes later. Emery played a long ball forward which Tomlin flicked on into the path of Troke. He spotted McKeown off his line and lifted a delicious lob which beat the keeper but just cleared the crossbar.
Cleethorpes had a chance to level just before the break but a scramble in the penalty area saw Carlton eventually clear.
The home side came out on the front foot at the start of the second period and Carlton were lucky not to concede straight away when Emery miscued an attempted clearance and was grateful to see the ricochet go out for a goal kick.
However Clee did level on 49 minutes when a ball from the left found Annan in all sorts of space and he took one touch before cooly firing into the corner of the net.
The Owls had their tails up and only another splendid Brown clearance denied Annan a second goal moments later.
But Carlton have showed in the last two games that they are made of sterner stuff these days and by 54 minutes they were ahead again. Kyle Dixon, on as a half time substitute, did well to win the ball in midfield. He advanced forward before the ball ended up with Davie. Davie slipped it left to Howes who hit a superb shot from outside the area over McKeown and into the top corner.
Now it was Carlton’s turn to push forward and when Dixon again won the ball in midfield Tomlin and Howes combined to send Davie away, only for the Carlton man to be downed by a crude challenge from Jordon Cooke.
Cleethorpes weren’t giving up and on 66 minutes they equalised for a second time. Watson gave away a soft free kick near the left corner flag. The free kick was sent to the back post when Cooke headed it back into the danger area and Walker fired home.
Carlton reacted by bringing on Marzano and Niall Hylton and Marzano was involved straight away as he attacked down the right after some fine play from Brown, Howes and Watson.
Howes then sent Watson away on the left. McKeown was off his line again but Watson elected not to chip but instead set up Davie who fired wide of the post.
With 15 minutes remaining Carlton scored what turned out to be the winning goal. Marzano once again ran into the area on the right hand side. His ball into the box took a heavy deflection off Cooke and looped over McKeown and into the net sparking pandemonium amongst the travelling support.
Still both sides attacked. Howes won the ball on the left, combined cleverly with Troke whose cross to the back post was just beyond Marzano.
Clee kept pushing forward but Hylton and Gorman stood firm on the flanks and Dean Freeman and Brown dealt with the threat down the middle.
The referee signalled six minutes of added time and in the third of those minutes Watson became in an altercation with a Cleethorpes player. He had already been booked for handling the ball when he thought it had gone out of play and the referee showed him a second yellow card for a push.
The ten men held on for the further five minutes that were played and once again the entire squad and staff came across to celebrate with the joyous away fans at the end.
Carlton Town: M Emery, L Gorman, L Durow (N Hylton 67), D Brown, D Freeman, J Holmes (K Dixon 46), K Tomlin (C Marzano 67), N Davie, A Troke, N Watson, A Howes. Unused substitutes: R Stainsby, O Wilson
Goals: A Troke 37 (pen), A Howes 54, C Marzano 75; Will Annan 49, Paul Walker 66
Gedling Club completed their unbeaten league winning season with a draw against Calverton’s Admiral Rodney.
Although the league has been over for a number of weeks the Gleaners and Calverton Working Men’s Club (CWMC), both from Calverton won again to cement their runners-up and third places respectively.
It was a successful season for the Gedling borough teams as the top four teams all play in the borough.
Pictured: The final league standings for 2022/2023 (Courtesy of Neil Lincoln)
It is now onto the eagerly anticipated and always well attended finals night on Friday, March 24 with doors opening at 7.00pm at CWMC.
The line-up has been confirmed with five more trophies up for grabs –
Triples – S Croft, R Sallis, J Hemmings v A Beasley, S Savage, N Lincoln.
Captain & Secretary – Gedling club v CWMC
Pairs – S Kirk, I Gregson (Gleaners) v R Sallis, A Beeres (Rodney)
Singles – K Hallam (Gedling) v P O’Keefe (Gedling)
KO Cup – Gedling Club v Admiral Rodney.
If anyone would like to support the league they can donate raffle prizes for finals night or indeed sponsor some of the events.
New players and teams are always welcome and with five of the eight teams based in the borough it’s a great way to spend your Wednesday evening. If you want to get involved or learn more, you can visit the league Facebook page here .
