A man was arrested after cops spotted a suspected arson attack while carrying out a warrant in Arnold.
Officers from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team were about to search a property in Duke Street when one of them spotted a man acting suspiciously a few doors down.
As the officer approached, she saw the man try to set fire to a front door Christmas wreath with a lighter.
She managed to stop him before a fire took hold and detained him with the help of her colleagues.
The 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and having an article with the intent to commit criminal damage.
He was later bailed with conditions pending further inquiries into the incident, which happened shortly after midnight on 11 December.
Sergeant Graham Whitt, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an excellent example of officers being alert to what’s happening around them.
“As a result, a very serious incident may have been averted. Setting fire to property can have catastrophic consequences which is why we treat incidents like this very seriously.”
A parish councillor says he now accepts the findings of an investigation that said he intimidated a colleague and acted in a way that brought his office and council into disrepute.
Cllr Patricia Marks, a member of Calverton Parish Council, raised a complaint against Cllr Paul Winfield, also a Calverton parish councillor, in February 2021.
Cllr Marks alleged Cllr Winfield had failed to treat her, her family and others with respect and that he had bullied and harassed her and others.
A complaint was made against a councillor on Calverton Parish Council
On June 14 Cllr Winfield received papers in relation to the complaint and two days later on June 16, while the complaint was in the initial assessment stage, he confronted Cllr Marks during a working group meeting of the parish council.
During this confrontation, it is alleged he made various comments calling her a “sad woman and swearing”.
This was reported as a breach of the council’s code of conduct and formed part of the complaint.
Lincolnshire-based solicitors Wilkin Chapman undertook an investigation and Dave Hayward, the investigating officer, produced a final report in June 2022.
It concluded Cllr Winfield had breached the code of conduct in regards to the incident on June 16 only.
In an attempt to resolve the matter by way of a local resolution Cllr Winfield was asked to apologise to his colleague and attend training in relation to “civility and respect in office”.
The resolution offer was made on July 22, 2022, but Cllr Winfield rejected it on July 28.
On November 10 it was determined there had been a breach of the Calverton Parish Council code of conduct on June 16, 2021, in that “he did intimidate a complainant and this conduct could reasonably be regarded as bringing his office or the parish council into disrepute”.
The decision was noted at a Gedling Borough Council Standards Committee meeting on December 15.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Winfield told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he would be remaining as a parish councillor and added: “I just accepted it and that was it.”
During the meeting on December 15 monitoring officer, Francesca Whyley, noted the sanctions applied as a result.
She said: “The complaint was ultimately sent out to external investigators, because it was considered potentially there might be a breach of the code which needed further investigation.
“During the course of the complaint on June 16, the subject member received the complaint papers and an incident then followed, when that subject member then attended…a working group meeting that was taking place at the time, and confronted the individual who had made the complaint against them.
“The decision that was taken by the hearing panel, who sat on November 10 of this year, was that they supported the findings that had been made by the independent investigators and they felt there had been a breach of the Calverton Parish Council code of conduct, specifically the breaches related to the paragraphs five and seven of the code.
“Paragraph five states you must not intimidate or attempt to intimidate any person who is, or likely to be, a complainant, and paragraph seven [says] you must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or your council into disrepute.
“Ultimately the sanction that was recommended to the parish was that the parish include the decision notice in their next full council meeting.”
No training was given as a sanction because Cllr Winfield had already taken part in two training events recently.
Committee chairman Councillor Michael Boyle (Lab) added: “I thought it was a very fair process, and not everyone was pleased with the outcome I’m sure, but I think it was done seriously and with due regard.
We love the big screen and with big blockbuster film releases, original plots, and new and familiar characters, there has never been a better time to get lost in a great story on the silver screen.
The Bonington in Arnold has some great films lined up over January for those planning a cinema trip, from exciting new films to big screen sequels…
Matilda The Musical (PG)
A brand-new take on the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical tells the story of an extraordinary girl, with a vivid imagination, who dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.
The film is available to watch from Tue 27 December – Tue 3 January
Armageddon Time (15)
(L to R) Michael Banks Repeta as “Paul Graff” and Anthony Hopkins as “Grandpa Aaron Rabinowitz” in director James Gray’s ARMAGEDDON TIME, a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Anne Joyce / Focus Features
From acclaimed filmmaker James Gray, Armageddon Time is a deeply personal story on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship and the generational pursuit of the American Dream. The film features an all-star cast including Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong.
The film is available to watch from Friday 30 December – Wednesday 11 January
Aftersun (12A)
At a fading vacation resort, 11-year-old Sophie treasures rare time together with her loving and idealistic father, Calum. Twenty years later, Sophie’s tender recollections of their last holiday become a powerful and heartrending portrait of their relationship.
The film is screening Wednesday 4 & Thursday 5, January
Confess, Fletch (15)
In this delightful comedy romp, Jon Hamm stars as the roguishly charming and endlessly troublesome Fletch, who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case while searching for a stolen art collection. The only way to prove his innocence? Find out which of the long list of suspects is the culprit–from the eccentric art dealer and a missing playboy to a crazy neighbour and Fletch’s Italian girlfriend.
The film is screening Friday 6, Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 January
Call Jane (12A)
Call Jane explores the true story of the “Janes,” an underground collective of women, who in Chicago during the 1960s, came together to secretly provide nearly 12,000 women and girls with safe and secure abortions.
The story is told through the eyes of Joy (Elizabeth Banks), a suburban wife, and mother to a whip-smart teenage daughter. Joy’s happy life, filled with caring for her family and sharing confidences with her best friend, Lana (Kate Mara), is derailed when her much wanted pregnancy becomes life threatening.
Screenings on Friday 6, Saturday 7 & Monday 9, January
Event Cinema : Andre Rieu in Dublin (12A)
Visit the Emerald Isle in style with André Rieu in Dublin, the maestro’s first filmed concert in the delightful Irish capital in over 20 years – exclusive to cinemas. Join André and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, sopranos, tenors and guests for a whimsical celebration, with romantic melodies, popular classics, party tunes and beloved waltzes. Bring your loved ones to your local cinema for an incomparable experience of music and dance filmed in the land of a hundred thousand welcomes. Céad Míle Fáilte!
The film is screening Saturday 7, Sunday 8 & Wednesday 11, January
All Quiet on the Western Front (15)
All Quiet on the Western Front tells the gripping story of a young German soldier on the Western Front of World War I. Paul and his comrades experience first-hand how the initial euphoria of war turns into desperation and fear as they fight for their lives, and each other, in the trenches. The film from director Edward Berger is based on the world renowned bestseller of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque.
The film is available to watch on Thursday 12 January
Event Cinema : The Royal Opera House Live- Like Water for Chocolate (12A)
A modern Mexican classic of magic realism provides the basis for The Royal Ballet’s new full-length work, reuniting Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon with the creative team who transformed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale into dance, composer Joby Talbot and designer Bob Crowley.
The ballet is inspired by Laura Esquivel’s novel – a captivating family saga where the central character’s emotions spill out through cooking to influence everyone around her in startling and dramatic ways. In this co-production with American Ballet Theatre, Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra also acts as musical consultant for Talbot’s newly commissioned score, and Wheeldon has worked closely with Esquivel to reshape her richly layered story into an entertaining and engrossing new ballet.
BALLET Choreography – Christopher Wheeldon Company – The Royal Ballet Music – Joby Talbot
This screening is available to watch on Sunday 22 January at 2pm
She Said (15)
Two-time Academy Award® nominee Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman, An Education) and Emmy nominee Zoe Kazan (The Plot Against America, The Big Sick) star as New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, who together broke one of the most important stories in a generation— a story that shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood and impelled a shift in American culture that continues to this day.
From Academy Award®-winning director and writer Sam Mendes, Empire of Light is a moving drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times. Set in and around a faded old cinema in an English coastal town in the early 1980s, it follows Hilary (Olivia Colman) a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward), a new employee who longs to escape this provincial town in which he faces daily adversity.
Both Hilary and Stephen find a sense of belonging through their unlikely and tender relationship and come to experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.
The film is available to watch from Monday 23 to Thursday 26, January
Corsage (15)
Faced with a future of strict ceremony and royal duties, Empress Elisabeth of Austria rebels against her public image and comes up with a plan to protect her legacy.
The film is available to watch from Friday 27 January to Thursday 2, February
Avatar: The Way of Water (12A)
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar The Way of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive and the tragedies they endure.
The film is available to watch on Friday 27 and Sunday 29, January
Cinema prices at The Bonington are very competitive, with tickets at £6.50, and concessions at £5.50. Concessions are open to those Under 18, Students with valid student ID, and over 60s. Tickets for 16-25 Year Old’s are £4 via a free membership here- Young Person’s Membership – The Bonington (boningtontheatre.co.uk)
Temporary pothole repairs have decreased by nearly two-thirds in Nottinghamshire since a review into highways maintenance led to more permanent improvements.
Nottinghamshire County Council says the use of Viafix – a form of asphalt treatment to temporarily fill potholes – has decreased by 61 per cent in the past year.
The authority commissioned a cross-party highways review last summer because the state of county roads was described by some councillors as the “biggest issue on doorsteps” in the May 2021 election.
PICTURED: A pothole repaired by the council’s new machinery (IMAGE: NCC)
It aimed to move towards a “right repair, right-first-time” approach where roads were resurfaced rather than holes being temporarily filled.
Some politicians reported seeing road repair teams returning to the same pothole shortly after using Viafix and complained of “substandard work”.
But now, 18 months on from the review, the authority says fewer roads are being temporarily fixed and more permanent road replacements are taking place.
Data discussed in a cabinet meeting on Thursday (December 15) said 96.5 square metres of road have been patched on average per day since the review concluded last year.
This was up from 46.9 daily square metres before the review was commissioned.
It follows the authority doubling the number of patching teams from four to eight earlier this year and committing to a £15m, three-year repair programme.
The three-year plan was a shift away from a one-year approach, which the authority said in February would give residents “certainty” over when their area will be resurfaced.
Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Councillor Neil Clarke (Con), cabinet member for transport and environment, said the data shows progress is being made.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Residents are telling us themselves that they can see a vast improvement in their roads.
“The statistics are there for people to see – we’ve doubled the repair teams, the productivity each team is achieving, and we’ve quadrupled the number of repairs.
“Not only that, we’ve changed the emphasis from small pothole repairs to large patch repairs, and we’ve reduced, already, the amount of Viafix temporary pothole repairs by more than 60 per cent.
“We will never cancel Viafix pothole repairs completely – there’s always going to be [used in] an emergency somewhere – but there will be a major reduction in the number of pothole repairs.”
The figures were broadly welcomed by cabinet members in Thursday’s meeting.
However, Cllr Bruce Laughton (Con), deputy leader and divisional member for Muskham and Farnsfield, said there is still more work to do.
It follows figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service last year showing 476,043 potholes were repaired countywide between 2016/17 and 2020/21.
Cllr Laughton’s division had the most repairs of any area in Notts, with 30,904 over five years, and he says people are still finding problems.
He said: “There’s still work to be done as far as my areas are concerned.
“It’s not all good news, there’s still a lot of work to be done in those areas where there is a high density of potholes, and we need to make sure we address this.”
Opposition councillors have also raised some concerns and say the situation on Nottinghamshire’s roads is far from fixed.
Cllr Helen-Ann Smith (Ash Ind), who represents Sutton North, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “2022 will be remembered for a complete lack of progress from a council failing to get to grips with fixing our broken roads and pavements.
“The council is utterly failing at the basics and no amount of figures and spin can change that.
“People can see the Tory failures with their own eyes. They don’t believe what they say anymore.”
Responding to this comment, Cllr Clarke said: “This is completely outdated, old rhetoric that is no longer relevant.”
Police were called to an industrial unit in Daybrook on Tuesday (13) morning after ‘dodgy’ modifications were discovered by an energy company.
Officers searched the warehouse property in Edwin Street and found around 1,000 cannabis plants inside.
The drugs, with a street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds, have been taken away and will later be destroyed.
PICTURED: Edwin Street, DaybrookPolice investigated after the discovery by an energy company
A large amount of growing and electrical equipment was also put beyond use.
Nobody was present at the property and investigations are ongoing.
Sergeant Stuart Howe, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Cannabis grows of this nature are big business. They take a lot of time and money to set up and are often linked to violent organised crime groups.
“It is not uncommon for us to also discover slavery and human trafficking offences linked to this kind of professional drugs factory.
“That’s why we take these offences so seriously and why we will continue to pursue the criminals involved in this illicit trade.”
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call 101 quoting incident 246 of 13 December 2022.
Here’s our latest round-up of latest events taking place from now to Christmas Eve across the borough – happy Christmas everyone !
Friday, December 16
Christmas Carol Service – Woodthorpe, 7pm – 8pm
A fabulous festive experience involving a top class choir FREEOF CHARGE at the Good Shepherd Church (NG5 4HT) Friday 16 Dec, 7pm. Free parking behind the church and outside (please park considerately). Mulled wine and mince pies served afterwards. All are welcome.
Woodborough Hall Christmas Market – Woodborough Hall, 10am – 5pm
Nottingham Video Games Expo– Richard Herrod Centre, 11am – 5pm
Day one of two action packed gaming, activities, guest speakers plus more! Nottingham Video Games Expo plans to bring the local community together to celebrate all things gaming and beyond.
Festive markets, held by Gedling Borough Council and organised by The Rural Retailer, in Arnold every Saturday until Christmas. The events will include live music and independent market stall traders selling items such as wax melts, cakes, homewares, gifts, sweets, artwork, handmade cards and craft items. The markets will take place outside The AMP in Arnold Town Centre in the newly created event space, and take place from 10am-2pm on 3, 10 and 17 December in the run up to Christmas.
Woodborough Hall Christmas Market – Woodborough Hall, 10am – 5pm
Carols by Candlelight – Lambley Church, 4.00 pm
Carols by Candlelight Sunday afternoon, 18th December at 4pm. Singing favourites in Lambley church which is beautifully decorated for Christmas with mulled wine and mince pies after the service. All welcome
Nottingham Video Games Expo– Richard Herrod Centre, 11am – 5pm
Day two of action packed gaming, activities, guest speakers plus more! Nottingham Video Games Expo plans to bring the local community together to celebrate all things gaming and beyond.
Spontaneous Folk Club – The Pit at Newstead, 7.30pm
Come and start your Christmas in style… at the not quite so spontaneous SFC ‘Christmas Joy’ special. Come sing, drink, tell a tale, recite a poem and be merry. You know you want to!
A ‘pay what you can afford’ show hosted by Joel Fox, Sam Tucker? and other friends. A lovely Christmassy way to end the year with friends and singalongs. Contact venue to book tickets (limited no. available). 10.30pm finish.
The alleged fraud was uncovered by the council and reported to the police.
Chief Executive of Gedling Borough Council, Mike Hill said: “Gedling Borough Council recently uncovered a significant fraud allegedly involving a member of staff from within the organisation. The matter was referred to the Police as a potential criminal act at the earliest opportunity in accordance with the Council’s Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy. The Council has taken all necessary steps to deal with this matter internally.
The Council has a zero tolerance towards all types of fraud, and will be seeking full recovery of losses. The Police investigation is ongoing and no further comment will be made at this time to ensure that the criminal investigation is not impacted in any way.”
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “We are in the process of investigating an allegation of fraud reported by Gedling Borough Council.
“Nottinghamshire Police’s fraud team is working with the council to establish the full facts of this case and inquiries are still ongoing.”
Gedling MP Tom Randall has announced that a Westdale Infant School pupil has won the competition to design his official Christmas Card for 2021.
The winning design was drawn by five-year-old Ruari who says he ‘loves dinosaurs’.
His ‘roarsome’ dinosaur hand design will appear on the front of all the cards sent by the MP to businesses, schools, community groups and residents across Gedling.
The runner-up design was drawn by Blake who attends Netherfield Primary School and will appear on the inside of Tom’s 2022 Christmas card.
PICTURED: Gedling MP Tom Randall with Christmas Card design competition winner Ruari and familyPICTURED: Gedling MP Tom Randall with Blake, who was runner up in the design competitionThe Prime Minister with Blake’s Christmas card design
The winning card has now been presented to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Both Ruari and Blake won tickets to pantomimes in Nottingham, kindly donated by the Theatre Royal and the Nottingham Arts Theatre.
Mr Randall met both children on Monday (12) to award them the pantomime tickets and hand them a framed photograph of the Prime Minister receiving a copy of their designs.
After receiving a record number of entries from school children across Gedling, Mr Randall said: “Thank you to school children from across Gedling for submitting drawings to my Christmas card competition. The designs are fantastic! Judging all of them and picking a winner and runner-up has not been easy.”
“I met the Prime Minister in the House of Commons to show him the designs drawn by Ruari and Blake. He was very impressed by both of them. The Prime Minister himself will be one of the many recipients of my Christmas card that includes these designs.
“Judging all the entries was very difficult because the designs were so good. I am very grateful to Ruari, Blake and all those children who entered my 2022 competition and I wish them all a happy Christmas.”
A revamped hardware store reopened its doors on Friday, December 9 – much to the delight of locals.
Carlton Hardware is based on Carlton Hill and the owners recently demolished the old store, that had housed the business for 37 years, to make way for a new premises that now provides more space for products and services that will delight locals.
The business was first opened up back in the eighties by Mustafa Ali, known locally as ‘Steve’ and is now run with the support from family members Muza, Hussein, Ammar and Mo.
PICTURED: Crowds gather outside the new store
An opening event was held on Friday and attended by Mayor of Gedling Peter Barnes and Gedling MP Tom Randall who were invited to cut the ribbon and officially open the new store.
Mayor of Gedling Peter Barnes said: “It’s a privilege to be to open this wonderful store and we wish them well for the future because it’s needed and the community will support it. 37 years – that is fantastic.
Gedling MP Tom Randall said: ” A big congratulations to Steve and what he’s done here, I mean, we’ve seen this building he’s built it up. Look at all the people here for the opening; they have all got smiles on their faces and ready to do some shopping. I wish Steve the best of luck.”
Ammar Ali is one of the family members who runs the business and he told Gedling Eye that plans for a new building have been in the pipeline for the last few years.
“Many things have stopped us rebuilding the store over the past few years, whether it be manpower, finances or the financial climate, but we decided to just bite the bullet, pull our sleeves up and get the new building done, he said.
“We now have an upstairs which is being used for storage and have plans to turn the space into three apartments – but at the current time the shop is our main concern.
Business founder Mustafa ‘Steve’ Ali added: “We’re part of the community and part of the furniture on Carlton Hill. We’re not just here to make money; we want to help the locals and solve their problems’. ‘
More than 30 drivers have been stopped as part of ongoing efforts to crackdown on a noisy “boy racers” in hotspots across Gedling borough.
Police teams focussed their efforts on tackling dangerous driving in hot-spot areas including Colwick Industrial Estate.
Patrolling officers spoke to drivers and provided education – and took enforcement action where necessary.
During the crackdown, 30 vehicles were stopped, 22 people received words of advice, five individuals received warnings and four vehicles were seized
Officers launched the crackdown at the beginning of October.
Police have launched a crackdown on ‘boy racers’ across Gedling borough
Inspector Mark Stanley, District Commander for Gedling borough, said: “My teams are targeting individuals whose antisocial behaviour is causing alarm or distress and is having a detrimental impact on the lives of others.
“We understand the impact antisocial driving has on our local community and our ongoing operational activity, including high-visibility patrols, will continue to target those people and educate them about the consequences of their behaviour.
“We will not tolerate anyone who breaks the law and we will not hesitate to use enforcement action, where appropriate, to keep people safe and protect the community from harm.”
Tackling and reducing antisocial driving is among a brand new set of policing priorities being put into action across the Gedling borough over the coming month.
The other two priorities being focused on are preventing and cracking down on the ‘fatal four’ driving offences (not wearing seatbelts, drink diving, speeding and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving) and tackling illegal drug supply.
Insp Stanley added: “We are regularly contacted by members of the public and councillors about concerns over speeding vehicles.
“During December the force is continuing with its annual drink drive campaign so we will also be focusing on this issue.
“We also understand how the supply of illicit substances and the related criminality involved can have serious impacts on our community which is why my teams remain dedicated in cracking down on those breaking the law.
“When it comes to tackling drug supply we will develop lines of intelligence to target those responsible, targeting houses and premises, and where necessary prosecute as well as looking to divert those with a substance misuse issue to specialist support services.
“I’d like to reassure people we will continue our proactive work to tackle issues of concern raised with us, working closely together with our partners, and we will act on information provided to us in order to make our streets safer.
“I’d urge people to continue to tell us about any incidents or talk to us regarding any concerns so we can investigate and take appropriate action.
“Any information can be reported to Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency call 999.”
