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Last chance to back historic Gedling Station levy bid

Justin Doddy
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17
Last chance to back historic Gedling Station levy bid

A charity wanting to steam ahead with plans to renovate Gedling’s historic station building are hoping that their bid for fresh funding will help pay for the project.

Their bid for £75,000 from Gedling Borough Council’s local Community Infrastructure Levy is part of a four-week consultation that commenced on January 16 and closes today (13).

The charity managing the station project is Gedling Youth & Community Hub. It’s chairman is Francis Rodrigues.

Francis Rodrigues, said: “I would now ask all our brilliant supporters & volunteers to support our CIL application by completing the comments section on the consultation.”

Full details of the CIL and a link to the comments form can be found HERE

The charity continues it’s good work at the historic building with the old gymnasium having been demolished and made safe in the last couple of weeks.

Pictured: The old gymnasium has been demolished and made safe (Gedling Eye)
Pictured: The gym has been demolished (Gedling Eye)

The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge which can be levied by local authorities on new development in their area. It is an important tool for local authorities to use to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area.

Gedling Borough Council introduced CIL in October 2015.

The levy can be used to fund a very broad range of facilities including, but not limited to play areas, open spaces, parks and green spaces, cultural and sports facilities. Local authorities must spend the levy on infrastructure needed to support the development of their area, and they will decide what infrastructure is needed.

The public can have their say on who is awarded funds from the Levy through a consultation.

A planning application recently submitted revealed exciting new plans for the building on Shearing Hill.

You can find the details about the renovation project by viewing the project’s recent planning application 2022/1359 .

Volunteers are always welcome to support the project. 

Further information and contact details can be found on https://www.gedlingyouth.co.uk/

The station has a long history…

Gedling station was originally built by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) and opened to goods traffic in 1874, passenger services began to use the station on 1 February 1876. 

On 4 April 1960 Gedling Station was closed to passenger traffic and in 1967 the former station site was converted into a youth club.

Investments from various sources saw the former sidings converted into an outside football pitch.

A large gymnasium was also constructed on the front side of the station, although the main fabric of the old building remained in place beneath it (and continues to do so today). 

The building operated successfully as a youth club for over 40 years and was finally closed in 2012, in large part due to the need for improvements in order to ensure that this historic building met modern health and safety standards.

The above is just a snippet of the history of Gedling Station to be found on www.gedlingyouth.co.uk.

Police begin arson investigation after ‘deliberate’ fire at bungalow in Mapperley Park

Gedling Eye Reporter
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2
Police begin arson investigation after ‘deliberate’ fire at bungalow in Mapperley Park

Police officers have launched an arson investigation following a ‘deliberate’ fire at a bungalow in Mapperley Park.

Emergency services were called to Redcliffe Road shortly after 8.20pm on Saturday night (11) after reports of smoke coming from a property.

The blaze caused significant damage but thankfully no-one was inside the property.

Officers believe the fire was started deliberately and are appealing for information which could help them in their investigation.

Detective Sergeant Scott Walker, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We have launched an arson investigation following this incident and would now appeal to the public for information.

“Thankfully no individuals were present in the property at the time of the fire and no injuries were sustained.

“Deliberately starting a fire is absolutely unacceptable. The consequences can be devastating and we will work with our colleagues at the fire service to fully investigate reports of arson and bring offenders to justice.

“We would urge anyone with information to get in touch with Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 688 of 11 February 2023.”

Five of the biggest stories from the last week on Gedling Eye

Gedling Eye
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Five of the biggest stories from the last week on Gedling Eye

Have you had a busy week and missed the main Gedling borough news stories during the week?

If so, don’t panic, here’s a quick rundown of the biggest stories on Gedling Eye over the past few days:

One: The sorting office in Ravenshead is under threat from closure

There are fears that the Post Office could close in the near future if this move goes ahead

Petition to save Ravenshead sorting office attracts more than 600 signatures

Two: More cash will be paid out by householders to fund police

A tax was approved earlier in the week.

Council tax increase to fund Nottinghamshire Police approved by councillors

Three: Jail for burglar who left fingerprints at scene of burglary

Dean Holm from Gedling was jailed after being captured by police

Gedling burglar captured after leaving fingerprints on jewellery box he plundered

Four: Bus route temporarily spared the axe after injection of council cash

People are being asked to support a local bus service that’s been awarded council cash or face losing it in the future

‘Use them or lose them’: Council steps in to save Gedling borough bus service

Five: Plans for a new primary school at Chase Farm have been scrapped

The cash will be spent on secondary education in the area instead

Council axe plans for new primary school at Gedling Chase Farm due to ‘lack of demand’ for places

Nine-year-old girl’s ‘postbox to heaven’ idea to be rolled out across UK after successful trial at Gedling Crematorium

Emily Sanchez
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2
Nine-year-old girl’s ‘postbox to heaven’ idea to be rolled out across UK after successful trial at Gedling Crematorium

More crematoriums across the UK are to install a ‘postbox to heaven’ after the heartwarming idea proved popular in Gedling.

The postbox was first trialled at Gedling Crematorium and allows grieving people to send letters to their lost loved ones.

The idea for the postbox came from nine-year-old Matilda Handy who wanted to look for a way to express her emotions after her grandparents died.

PICTURED: Leanne Handy with the postbox

Her mum, Leanne, decided to approach her bosses at Gedling Crematorium in Lambley, asking if a postbox could be installed at the site.

The postbox was put up at the beginning of December and almost 100 letters were posted in the first month by grieving relatives visiting the Gedling site on Catfoot Lane.

The postboxes are now set to be implemented at 36 other sites across the country after Matilda’s idea proved so popular.

Mum Leanne Handy said: “I’m thrilled by how well the post box has been received and I feel very proud. We’ve had amazing comments from members of the local community who have used it.

“It all came about because Matilda was always saying she wished we could send Mamma and Grandad Birthday and Christmas cards for them to read. She was four when my mum died, and never met my dad.

“Now the post box is in place, I am so pleased that local people are using it, and taking some comfort from it, as another way of feeling connected to their loved ones.

“The Letters to Heaven post box is accessible within the grounds of Gedling Crematorium, even when the crematorium office itself is closed.

“We also want to let people know that you do not have to have held a service for a loved one at our crematorium in order to be able to use the post box.

“It is available to absolutely anyone who wants to write a message to someone who’s no longer here.”

Gedling Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest owner and operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Gedling site manager Giulia McDonough said: “Like all Westerleigh Group’s sites, it’s our aim to have a very positive presence within our local communities, and I am delighted that the Letters to Heaven post box seems to have captured the imagination – and interest – of many people.”

Matthew Brook, head of memorialisation at Westerleigh Group, said: ‘Matilda’s postbox has touched the hearts of so many bereaved people across the country.

‘Priding ourselves on serving our communities with exceptional care, we are delighted to be installing similar postboxes across all Westerleigh Group crematoria and helping many others who are grieving the loss of their loved one in a similar way.

‘We look forward to welcoming more people to our beautiful crematoria grounds and finding comfort in placing their letters to loved ones in a post box.”

Council axes plans for new primary school at Gedling Chase Farm due to ‘lack of demand’ for places

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
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5
Council axes plans for new primary school at Gedling Chase Farm due to ‘lack of demand’ for places

A new primary school at Gedling’s 1,050-home Chase Farm development will no longer be built due to a lack of demand for places.

Cash allocated for the 210-place school will instead be used to tackle pressure in secondary education, including support for an academy’s expansion.

The new primary school was promised during the planning process for the major housing development at the old Gedling Colliery site.

Developer Keepmoat Homes pledged to provide £3.6m in contributions towards the school, which would have been based on the development itself.

Chase Farm Gedling
Plans had been in place to build a primary school at Chase Farm in Gedling

However, Nottinghamshire County Council has now written to the developer, Homes England and Gedling Borough Council to confirm plans for the school have changed.

The council says the Chase Farm development would generate enough pupils to sustain a primary school but there is no “projected need” for a new school.

It expects there to be enough supply for places across the borough after the creation of the new primary school at Stoke Bardolph’s Rivendell development.

However, the council says Chase Farm is putting “increased pressure” on secondary education and will instead use this £3.6m to increase spaces.

In the letter, the council said: “Pupil demand forecasts indicate there will continue to be a sufficiency of primary school places over the next five years, adequate to accommodate the remainder of housing planned at Chase Farm.

“This change in requirement is a result of a decline in demand across Nottinghamshire and an increase of supply in places locally.

“However, ongoing development at Chase Farm and the surrounding area is now placing increased pressure on secondary school provision.

“There is forecast to be insufficient secondary school places in the locality to accommodate the projected housing growth.

“The council has funded a 300-place expansion of the Carlton Academy, which completed in 2020, and is presently working to deliver a further 450 places at Carlton-le-Willows Academy.

“The county council, therefore, does not require the site which has been reserved for a primary school.”

Gedling Council meeting
PICTURED: Councillor Michael Payne called the move ‘unforgivable’

Councillor Michael Paye (Lab), deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, has hit out at the primary school not being built, describing it as “unforgivable”.

Cllr Payne, who is also the county council member for Arnold North, said: “It’s bitterly disappointing and utterly unacceptable.

“Conservative-run Nottinghamshire County Council has reneged on its promise to build a new primary school on the Chase Farm housing estate in Gedling.”

Speaking in Thursday’s county council budget meeting, he added: “A few years ago I was accused, alongside former MP Vernon Coaker, of scaremongering about the lack of secondary school places in Gedling.

“We were told this ‘simply is not true’.”

The council says it has a team of place planners who have forecast education needs for several years and determined there’s no need for a new primary school.

Cllr Tracey Taylor (Con), cabinet member for children and families at the council, added: “Pupil place planning demands are constantly evolving, with ebbs and flows between the primary and secondary phases.

“Officers are only permitted to seek developer contributions based on forecast needs at the point in time that a planning application is being considered.

“Assessments first made in 2016 and reviewed in 2020 were correct, and plans made accordingly.

“Likewise, in light of latest information regarding likely pupil place need, officers are making appropriate plans and corresponding with the developer and the borough council as part of this process.”

The authority says the school would cost more than £10m to bring forward in total, which could instead be used to tackle pressures in secondary education.

The ongoing expansion of Carlton le Willows Academy, in Gedling village, is expected to lead to the first larger intake of Year 7 pupils joining in September.

The £13m project will include new buildings and refurbishments, 29 new classrooms and a ‘state-of-the-art’ dining hall.

We asked Elon Musk’s AI chatbot ChatGPT what it knew about Gedling borough – here’s bot it came back with

Graham Finch
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0
We asked Elon Musk’s AI chatbot ChatGPT what it knew about Gedling borough – here’s bot it came back with

Want to write a news website headine, a sparkling CV or chat up line?

ChatGPT, Elon Musk’s latest cutting edge project promises to be able to create any piece of writing or give you information on a subject using artificial intelligence, or ‘AI’ — that gives a machine the ability to “think” for itself.

And the website that plays host to the new AI chatbot, rolled out by tech company OpenAI, has been an instant hit with people online.

Users have already been asking the free service to write CVs, job applications and even create chat up lines for those they are trying to woo on dating app Tinder..

So we decided to put the new smart software through its paces and find out what this artificial intelligence knew about Gedling borough.

Here’s bot it told us…

We asked ChatGPT to name ‘the best pub in Gedling borough‘…

The AI bot wouldn’t commit to naming the best pub but did make a few suggestions about few places to visit for the borough’s best beer. These included ‘The Chequers in Netherfield, The White Hart in Gedling, and The Stag and Hounds in Carlton.’

Good luck finding those boozers!

ChatGPT added:”These pubs are known for their good food, selection of drinks, and friendly service.”

Really?

ChatGPT was then asked what the biggest town in the area was…

It rightfully responded with ‘Arnold’ and was full of praise for the town claiming it’s ‘known for its good transport links, including a railway station and several major roads, making it easy to travel to and from the area.’

I didn’t even know it was possible to get to Arnold on train.

We then asked the chatbot to name a famous person from Gedling borough – and its response was rather cutting…

It said: “While Gedling borough is a vibrant and thriving community, it is a relatively small local government district located in Nottinghamshire, England, and it may not be well-known for producing famous individuals.

It tried to soften the blow: “There may be well-known local figures who are widely recognized (sic) and respected within the Gedling community, but who are not widely known outside of the area.”

Ouch!

We then asked it what park would be best to visit in Gedling borough.

ChatGPT really had to think about this one for while but eventually came back with a number of options…

It praised Arnot Hill Park for its “beautiful gardens, large lake, and variety of walking trails” and said the green space was “a great place for a leisurely stroll or picnic”.

It also recommended we pop along to Gedling Country Park, although the description seemed strangely familiar…

“It features beautiful gardens, a large lake, and a variety of walking trails.”

PICTURED: The response from ChatGPT

ChatGPT was asked what we could do to solve the pothole problem in Gedling borough…

ChatGPT wasn’t very sympathetic about the borough’s pothole plight and even seemed to side with the council.

ChatGPT said: “It’s important to remember that repairing potholes is a complex and resource-intensive process, and it may take some time for the council to address the issue. However, by reporting the pothole and providing detailed information, you can help the council to prioritize (sic) its repair work and ensure that the pothole is repaired as quickly as possible.”

And finally, we asked it to write a headline for our latest story about a sorting office in Ravenshead being under the threat of closure.

It came back with: “”600+ Residents Sign Petition to Save Ravenshead Sorting Office from Threat of Closure”

Not too shabby. It seems I might not be needed here for too much longer.

You can try out the ChatGPT software for yourself here: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/

Lincoln Christmas Market could end after four decades

Emily Sanchez
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4
Lincoln Christmas Market could end after four decades

A popular festive market visited by people across Gedling borough is to be replaced after 40 years.

Many visit Lincoln Christmas Market each year, taking the train from Carlton Station, but The Lincolnite is reporting that the event will now be replaced by all-year round events.

Latest figures reveal that the 2022 event drew record crowds of 320,000 across four days.

But there were many complaints about overcrowding in Lincoln Castle and delays and disruption across uphill parts of the city.

Proposals to scrap the Christmas market will be discussed at the council’s Executive meeting on Monday, February 20.

City of Lincoln Council leader Ric Metcalfe told The Lincolnite: “In spreading events through the year, we would be able to give businesses the opportunity to have ongoing financial boosts through increase footfall across the year.

“These will be smaller events, so will have less impact on city residents in terms of road closures and disruption.

How to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in Gedling borough council elections

Gedling Eye Reporter
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0
How to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in Gedling borough council elections

Voters in Gedling borough can now apply for a free photo ID needed to cast a ballot in elections from this May.

From May 4, 2023 voters in England will need to show photo ID to vote at polling stations in a host of different elections, including local, parliamentary, Police and Crime Commissioner elections and referendums.

The plans will see voters being turned away from polling stations across the North East under the new rules if they are unable to provide a valid photo ID.

Votes in local elections across Gedling borough are due to take place on May 4.

Fears have been raised that the new rules will see thousands of residents excluded from voting, including those in poorer communities who may be least likely to have a valid photo ID.

A new free photo ID, called a Voter Authority Certificate, which can only be used to vote has now been launched ahead of the policy coming into force on May 4.

Applications for the ID are now open with the Electoral Commission launching a campaign to prepare voters for the changes.

How to apply online for a free photo ID to vote

If your current photo ID is not accepted, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online by clicking HERE. You can check whether your current ID is accepted below.

To apply you will need a recent photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.

How to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by post

You can also apply for a free photo ID by post by downloading a form from the link above and returning it, completed, to your local Electoral Registration Office.

Is my current photo ID accepted to vote?

If you have any of the following types of photo ID or travel pass you will be able to vote:

  • a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
  • a UK passport
  • a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
  • a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • a Blue Badge
  • a biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
  • a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • a Voter Authority Certificate
  • an Anonymous Elector’s Document
  • an older person’s bus pass
  • a disabled person’s bus pass
  • an Oyster 60+ card
  • a Freedom Pass
  • a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
  • a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

Petition to save Ravenshead sorting office attracts more than 600 signatures

Justin Doddy
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0
Petition to save Ravenshead sorting office attracts more than 600 signatures

A petition to save Ravenshead‘s sorting office has received more than 600 signatures, as a local councillor leads the charge to save the community facility, which is under threat of closure.

Residents are very concerned that they may lose the Royal Mail sorting office that forms a major part of the village Post Office.

Postal delivery workers have been informed that the sorting office will close at the end of March and they and their work will be transferred to Mansfield Woodhouse.

Villagers in Ravenshead are concerned about the closure

Gedling Borough Councillor (Con) and Chairman of Ravenshead Parish Council, Martin Smith is really concerned about the impact the closure will have on the community.

He told Gedling Eye: “Residents, particularly the elderly ones, are concerned that if letters or parcels need to be collected from the sorting office after a missed delivery, they will be faced with a long journey to collect their post.

“Questions are being asked about the mileage that that the postmen and women will need to drive to return to Ravenshead, coupled with the journeys made by residents when needing to collect. Surely not very environmentally friendly.

“The sorting office is an integral part of the business of the village Post Office. Without the income received for the sorting office, the future of the Post office itself looks precarious.”

An online petition has been organised by local Conservative members, led by Gedling Borough Councillor (Con) and Chairman of Ravenshead Parish Council, Martin Smith.

“Without the income received for the sorting office, the future of the Post office itself looks precarious.”

Cllr Martin Smith

The online petition can be accessed here

A paper version of the petition will also be available both in the village post Office and local shops.

The MP for Sherwood, Mark Spencer is also backing calls to keep the office operational.

He said: “I call upon Royal Mail to reverse their decision and keep the office open. This is a vital resource for Ravenshead and the wider area.”

Shopping at supermarket convenience stores could cost you an extra £800 a year

Gedling Eye Reporter
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0
Shopping at supermarket convenience stores could cost you an extra £800 a year

Convenience shops like Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local are likely to cost shoppers up to £800 more each year, new research shows.

According to data from Which?, leading retailer Tesco was found to charge higher prices at its Express convenience stores than at its larger supermarkets.

Tesco and Sainsbury’s have convenience stores in Arnold, Carlton, Gedling and Mapperley.

The consumer watchdog found that purchasing 75 items at a Tesco Express would cost £15.73 more for an average weekly shop, rather than buying the same items online or at a larger store.

Tesco Express on Carlton Hill
PICTURED: Tesco Express on Carlton Hill

As a result, this could add up to £817.91 more over a year’s worth of food shops.

The data also found that shopping for 69 items at a Sainsbury’s Local convenience store would add an extra £9.19 to a weekly grocery bill and £477.93 over a year.

The Big 4 grocer’s Local stores were found to be more expensive on items including Heinz Cream of Tomato soup with a 19% higher price tag than at a larger store.

At Tesco’s convenience outlets, sweet potatoes saw the biggest price difference at 37% more expensive, with a 28% difference for Mr Kipling Bakewell slices.

“Shopping at a supermarket convenience shop comes at a cost,” Which? head of food policy, Sue Davies said.

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said that the differences in price were down to its Local stores typically being based in city or town centre locations, where operating costs are higher.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We work hard to ensure our customers get great value at Tesco, whether they shop with us online, in a large store or in an Express store.”

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