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Arnold kickboxing celebrate incredible weekend of success at ICO World Championships

Arnold-based BKS Martial Arts & Fitness is celebrating an incredible weekend of success after its elite competition squad, Team BKS (TBKS), brought home an astonishing haul of World Championship titles at the ICO World Championships, held in Swansea, Wales, last weekend.

Representing Team England, eight talented fighters from BKS faced fierce competition from some of the world’s best martial artists: including opponents from across Europe, South Africa, the USA, and South America.

Their hard work, discipline, and teamwork paid off in spectacular fashion, as the team returned to Nottinghamshire with an impressive collection of medals, including multiple World Champion titles.


Together, the TBKS team achieved an incredible 10 World Champion titles, four silver medals, and 5 bronze medals, marking one of the club’s most successful appearances to date.

These are the athletes who delivered outstanding performances on the world stage:

• Ethan Varley (9) – 4 x World Champion and TBKS Fighter of the Championships

• Reece Wells (14) – 1 x World Champion

• Kacie Danvers (13) – 2 x World Champion

• Jake Kerr (11) – 1 x World Champion, 1 x Silver, 1 x Bronze

• Sophie Smith – 2 x World Champion, 1 x Silver

• Henry Myers (10) – 1 x Silver, 1 x Bronze

• Zach McKinnon (14) – 1 x Bronze

• Zack Cutts (14) – Competed strongly across his divisions, showing impressive effort and sportsmanship throughout

Head coach Warren Bennett, proprietor of BKS Martial Arts & Fitness and ICO England Head Coach, praised his team for their unwavering effort and spirit throughout the event:

“I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” he said.

“They’ve trained incredibly hard all year, showing real maturity, focus, and drive. To see them perform so well on the world stage and bring home so many titles for England and for Nottinghamshire is incredible. Every single one of them gave their all and represented the club brilliantly.”

“The ICO World Championships is one of the largest and most prestigious events in the international kickboxing calendar, bringing together elite competitors from across the globe. For many of the TBKS athletes, this was their first time competing at world level; a testament to their dedication and the quality of training provided at BKS.

Under Bennett’s leadership, the Arnold-based club has become a powerhouse for martial arts in Nottinghamshire, developing national, European, and now multiple world champions through its TBKS competition team.

You can find out more about BKS and their programs here: https://www.bksmartialarts.co.uk/

Historic England donate £100k to Newstead Abbey repairs as councillors promise ‘maintenance plan’ to limit future problems

Councillors at Nottingham City Council have promised they will create a maintenance plan for Newstead Abbey after the historic building was found to have defects that would cost in the region of £8m to repair.

A report brought before the council’s Executive Board at a meeting on October 22 detailed a five-phase programme to fix the historic building’s “rapidly deteriorating” parts.

Faced with the potential £8,498,886 bill, the council mentioned within the report that they will be seeking grant funding from various sources, which applications have been submitted for and could be confirmed by spring next year.

Two sources of funding, totalling around £1.6m, were already announced earlier this year, from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

At the Executive Board meeting on Tuesday, councillors unanimously agreed to accept the funding along with five other recommendations listed in the report, including the approval of the urgent repair programme, to authorise the procumerent of contracts to the work programme, to approve additional grant award applications and to consider holding earmarked reserves and donations received by the council to use for the programme in the future.

Presenting the report, Labour Clifton South councillor and executive member for neighbourhoods, waste and equalities Corall Jenkins said: “A failure to act represents a financial risk to the council.”

Councillor Cheryl Barnard said: “(The funding) is really good news. (Newstead Abbey) has really needed some urgent work and its got that significant and cultural heritage.”

But Independent councillor Andrew Rule asked those in charge of the report whether there would be a maintenance plan formulated as part of the programme, suggesting the repairs were pointless if plans were not going to be put in place to prevent the deterioration of the abbey in the future.

He said: “It’s really good news, but once the reinstatement work is completed, I assume there’ll be an ongoing maintenance plan to ensure that it isn’t left until the last minute as it has been this time.”

Affirming that there should and would be a maintenance plan, corporate director for communities environment & resident services, Colin Parr said: “These are heritage assets.

“They require more than just love and care, they require money and resources. to invest in their upkeep. Often, some of the defects are beyond our day-to-day revenue capabilities.

“That’s why I think it’s greatly reassuring that the team have got these positive relationships and have demonstrated in the past and continue to demonstrate their ability to work with partners to draw in investment.”

Since the meeting, another funding source has been confirmed, with Historic England pledging £103,000 towards the job.

Their funding will enable roofing and stonework repairs and support “project development work,” including feasibility studies that will help to inform future funding bids.

Historic England has previously given money to Newstead Abbey, with donations totalling more than £260,000 since 2018.

Newstead Abbey is a Grade-I-listed asset and a scheduled monument which is owned by Nottingham City Council despite being in the north of the county.

It is on the Heritage Risk Register due to decades of repair work being deferred.

The main issue with the building is the roof – which in a 2014 condition survey was highlighted as being in need of urgent repair.

How CNC Cutting Is Shaping the Future of Manufacturing

In the fast-evolving world of manufacturing, precision, efficiency, and scalability have become more crucial than ever. Among the technological advancements transforming this sector, CNC cutting stands out as a game-changer.

By leveraging computer numerical control (CNC) technology, manufacturers can produce intricate designs, reduce errors, and streamline production processes. This innovation is not just improving quality—it’s reshaping the way businesses approach manufacturing.

Understanding CNC Cutting Technology

CNC cutting is a process that uses computer-controlled machines to cut, carve, or shape materials with extreme precision. Unlike traditional manual cutting methods, CNC systems follow pre-programmed instructions, ensuring consistency across each piece produced. These machines can handle a wide range of materials, including metal, wood, plastic, and composites, making them versatile tools in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and furniture manufacturing.

The main advantage of CNC cutting lies in its precision. Even the most complex designs can be executed with minimal error, which significantly reduces waste. For manufacturers, this translates into cost savings and higher product quality. Additionally, CNC machines operate continuously with minimal human intervention, boosting productivity and allowing businesses to meet increasing demand without compromising standards.

Benefits of CNC Cutting for Modern Manufacturing

Increased Accuracy and Consistency

One of the most significant advantages of CNC cutting is its unparalleled accuracy. The computer-controlled system ensures that every cut, drill, or carve follows the exact specifications. This consistency is particularly critical in industries where small deviations can lead to product failure or safety issues.

Enhanced Production Speed

CNC cutting dramatically accelerates production timelines. Automated processes eliminate the need for manual adjustments and reduce downtime between tasks. Manufacturers can complete more projects in less time, giving them a competitive edge in fast-paced markets.

Cost Efficiency

Although the initial investment in CNC machinery may be high, the long-term cost benefits are substantial. Reduced material waste, fewer errors, and lower labor requirements contribute to significant savings. Businesses can reinvest these savings into innovation and expansion, driving further growth.

Versatility Across Materials

CNC technology is compatible with a wide range of materials. Whether it’s metals for automotive components, wood for furniture, or plastics for prototypes, CNC machines can handle diverse requirements. This versatility allows manufacturers to cater to different industries without needing specialized equipment for each material type.

CNC Cutting Applications Across Industries

The applications of CNC cutting are vast and varied. In the automotive industry, CNC machines produce high-precision components such as engine parts, dashboards, and custom interiors. In aerospace, they help manufacture complex parts that require exact specifications to ensure safety and performance. Even in furniture and interior design, CNC cutting enables intricate designs that were previously impossible to achieve by hand.

Additionally, prototyping has become faster and more accurate thanks to CNC technology. Designers can create detailed models and test them before mass production, reducing errors and saving time. This approach is particularly valuable in research and development, where innovation depends on rapid iteration.

Finding the Right CNC Services

For businesses looking to integrate CNC cutting into their operations, selecting the right service provider is crucial. Accessing reliable and high-quality CNC router services near me ensures that manufacturers receive precise cuts, expert support, and timely delivery. Partnering with experienced CNC service providers can also offer insights into optimizing designs and production processes, further enhancing efficiency and product quality.

The Future of Manufacturing with CNC Cutting

CNC cutting is more than just a tool—it represents a shift in how manufacturing operates. As technology continues to advance, CNC machines are becoming smarter, faster, and more capable of handling complex tasks with minimal human intervention. Integration with artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced software promises even greater efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility.

Moreover, as customization becomes increasingly important in the consumer market, CNC cutting offers the ability to produce tailored products at scale. Businesses can meet unique customer demands without sacrificing efficiency or quality. This adaptability positions CNC cutting as a cornerstone of modern and future manufacturing strategies.

Conclusion

CNC cutting is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by offering precision, speed, and cost efficiency. Its applications span across numerous sectors, from automotive to furniture design, enabling manufacturers to produce high-quality products with minimal waste. As technology continues to evolve, CNC cutting will remain at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of manufacturing and opening new possibilities for businesses worldwide.

SAM SMITH: ‘Where is the money coming from to pay for Reform’s unbudgeted County Hall repair plan?’

Cllr Sam Smith is Conservative Leader of the Opposition on Nottinghamshire County Council. He also sits on Gedling Borough Council representing Trent Valley. Here he shares his fears over Reform’s plan for the council to remain at County Hall and how it could result in extra costs for the taxpayer…

We are accusing the Reform-led administration of breaking their key election pledge to cut waste and save taxpayers’ money now it has it emerged that their decision to remain at County Hall will cost taxpayers millions in lost savings and unbudgeted spending.

A new council report confirms that continuing to occupy County Hall will wipe out the £1.7 million annual saving built into the budget under the previous Conservative administration. 

The move to Oak House, on the border of Hucknall, had been carefully planned to modernise the council’s estate, reduce running costs, and free up funds for frontline services.

Instead, the Reform administration has approved over half a million pounds in urgent repairs and maintenance just to keep the ageing County Hall building operational.

On top of that, taxpayers face duplicate running costs for both County Hall and Oak House, along with additional staffing expenses that were never budgeted for.

County Hall Nottingham
The Conservatives say to occupy County Hall will wipe out the £1.7 million annual saving built into the budget under the previous administration.

Cllr Sam Smith outside County Hall
PICTURED: Cllr Sam Smith outside County Hall

It is claimed a move to Oak House, on the border of Hucknall, will modernise the council’s estate and reduce running costs

Even more wastefully, Reform are still pressing ahead with plans to spend over £500,000 to renovate Trent Bridge House in West Bridgford so staff can vacate County Hall – a move that will now no longer happen.

Under the previous plans, these investments would have delivered savings of around £30 million over the next ten years. Instead, Reform’s decision to keep both County Hall and Oak House open will add millions more to the deficit.

“This isn’t good financial management – it’s complete chaos”

The financial chaos doesn’t end there. By choosing to cling onto County Hall, Reform are also putting one of Nottinghamshire’s most iconic public assets at risk. Under Cllr Khan’s A46 local government reorganisation plan, ownership of the site could pass to the City Council – a move that the Conservatives fear will lead to the site being sold off to help pay off the City Council’s debts.

In contrast, the Conservatives had plans to develop the site to generate income for the council, helping to fund vital services and keep council tax low – something the City could now benefit from on the back of Reform’s reckless decision.

Reform promised to make savings and cut waste, but within months of taking charge they’ve done the exact opposite. The £1.7 million annual saving in the budget has vanished, and they’re now spending hundreds of thousands more to keep a second building open – all while blowing £500,000 on Trent Bridge House for staff who aren’t even moving there. This isn’t good financial management – it’s complete chaos.”

We can debate the future of County Hall – many of us value its history and significance – but the fact remains that this decision completely contradicts everything Reform claimed to stand for. They talked about efficiency, yet their first major decision has created a financial black hole that taxpayers will have to fill. And by clinging to County Hall, they’re putting the site at risk of falling into City Council ownership and being flogged off to pay for their mistakes, putting County taxpayers’ money and assets at risk – a disastrous outcome.”

The Conservatives are calling for full transparency on how Reform intends to fund these unbudgeted costs and whether council tax rises or service reductions will now be needed to fill the gap.

The question now is: where will the money come from to pay for this? Will Reform close libraries? Cut youth services? Slash the highways budget? Or will they come after residents’ wallets with higher council tax bills?

They inherited a financially sound council on track to deliver more savings – and have turned it into one heading straight for cuts and higher bills. Nottinghamshire residents deserve better than empty promises and broken finances.”

Netherfield M&S cafe set to shut from this weekend

The café at a Netherfield branch of retailer M&S is set to close this weekend.

The M&S Foodhall café at the store on Victoria Retail Park will shut for good this Saturday (October 25) as part of changes to the premises.

Marks & Spencer revealed plans earlier this month to shut 11 cafés within its smaller food outlets. The overhaul forms part of a £300million investment and store rotation scheme, designed to boost the number of M&S food halls.

The retailer said the closures will impact just 4% of the group’s 316 food shops. No redundancies will result from the move, with affected employees retaining positions within their stores.

A sign outside the cafe in the Foodhall at Victoria Retail Park (IMAGE: Supplied)

The Foodhall at Victoria Retail Park

Margeret Mills travels from Bingham to meet a friend at the cafe and said she is ‘devastated’ by closure plans.

“It’s ideal for me,” she said.

“I come a few times a month to meet a friend for a drink and pick up shopping at the same time. It’s such a shame it’s going. It is nice to have a sit down and a treat after a trip around the shops.”

M&S is bouncing back from a cyber attack in April, which led to a halt in online orders and is estimated by investors to cost the retailer around £300million.

Customer personal data, potentially including names, email addresses, postal addresses and dates of birth, was compromised during the attack.

Police appeal for missing teen with links to Netherfield

Police have appealed for the public’s help to find a missing teenager with links to Netherfield.

Riley was last seen in the Milton Keynes area on Thursday, October 16. He is described as 5ft 4ins tall with short brown hair. Riley was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket and a grey tracksuit.

A police spokesman said: “We are concerned for his safety and urgently want to hear from anyone who has seen him. Riley is known to frequent the Netherfield, Sneinton and City Centre areas of Nottingham.”

If you have seen Riley or have any information on his whereabouts, please police us on 101 quoting incident number 304 of 20 October 2025.

Section of Woodborough Road in Mapperley set for three-day closure period, motorists warned

Drivers are being warned to plan ahead for the closure of a section of Woodborough Road in Mapperley from weekend as a new electricity connection is installed.

The road will be shut (southwest bound) from its junction with Robinson Road in a north easterly direction for 100 metres.

A section of Woodborough Road will be closed from Saturday

A diversion will in place during this time, with vehicles being told to use an alternative route. The route will be as follows: Westdale Lane East – Burton Road – Porchester Road and vice versa.

The section of road will be closed between 8am on Saturday (25) until 4pm on Monday (27).

No vehicle travel will be allowed along this section of road during this time.

Two bus services will also be forced to divert during this time. Both Sky Blue 60 and 61 to City will take a different route during the road closure.

After departing Mapperley Shops, buses will turn right onto Woodthorpe Drive, left Mansfield Road, left Winchester Street, continue Mapperley Rise, right Woodborough Road to normal route.

A Nottingham City Transport spokesman said: “Buses will not stop on the diversion route. Severe delays are expected on these routes throughout the works.

“Buses towards Gedling and Calverton will follow their normal route.”

Watch spooky and scary films at The Bonington in Arnold this Hallowe’en

An Arnold cinema is bringing a spooky season of scary films to Gedling borough over the Hallowe’en period.

The films will be screened at Arnold’s Bonington theatre from October 27 to November 1.

A full line-up of family favourites and horror classics will be screened, including KPop Demon Hunters, Night of the Zoopocalypse, Corpse Bride, The Long Walk, Bat Out of Hell- The Musical and Silents Synched- Nosferatu x Radiohead.

Back by popular demand at The Bonington in time for Hallowe’en is the KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along event . Fans can enjoy a full-length sing-along version of the hit animated original film — which is returning to cinemas just in time for spooky season.

Another highlight will be the latest Silents Synced screening, which pairs classic silent movies with epic rock music to bring audiences a unique big screen experience. The Hallowe’en offering will be 1920s classic Nosferatu soundtracked by Radiohead’s Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001) albums

Tickets for the films showing over the Hallowe’en period can be bought direct from The Bonington website here: https://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/

£500,000 to be spent on repairs to County Hall as council announces plans to remain in iconic building while future is reviewed

Nottinghamshire Council County has announced it plans to spend £500,00 to remain at County Hall while it reviews the future of the iconic building.

The council said County Hall has the potential to be a headquarters for one of the new unitary authorities due to be formed in 2028.

Under the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, all nine existing local authorities would be abolished and replaced with new unitary councils serving larger populations.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s LGR preference is for the City Council to join with Broxtowe and Gedling to form one of the new unitary authorities and for the County Council and remaining district and boroughs to join to form the second unitary authority.  

A series of options will be now worked on until February 2026 to focus on what development work may be needed to maintain County Hall as a long-term asset, including capacity for a larger council chamber.

This review will also look into revenue and commercial opportunities for the land around the site to help regenerate the area.

Nottinghamshire County Council now plans to remain at County Hall in West Bridgford

Council leader Mick Barton said the council was taking a common-sense approach in light of authorities across Notts

In 2023, a vote took place in Full Council to move out of County Hall by the Summer of 2025 due to the maintenance costs of the building. Given this planned move, maintenance investment in County Hall was reduced to a minimum.

To ensure that the older site remains safe and operational, the council has authorised a £500,000 package of urgent maintenance and compliance works. These will include improvements to fire safety systems, repairs to utilities and water tanks, reinstatement of functional kitchen and toilet facilities, maintenance of car parks and grounds, and the removal of redundant cabins.

Nottinghamshire County Council leader Mick Barton said the council was taking a common-sense approach in light of LGR.

“County Hall is an iconic building and been the home of this council since the 1950s, he said.

“With its prominent location and good transport links, we know this building is highly likely to be needed as a HQ for one of the new authorities when the time comes. It makes no sense to move out and sell this building, as we prepare for one of the biggest shake-ups in local government for a generation.

“We are taking a practical approach by preparing for the future needs of these new authorities.

“In the meanwhile, we do need to make some urgent repairs and so that County Hall can remain a functional building.”

Oak House became operational in May 2025 and is home of the Customer Services Centre and The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Both teams were previously in rented accommodation. It continues to host Full Council meetings, where all 66 members travel from across the county to take part, as well as other council meetings.

The energy-efficient building, which is located in Gedling borough, was originally designed to be the home of these two front-line services. Designs were updated in 2023 to include a council chamber, when it was decided that the building should also become the corporate HQ.

Gedling borough’s latest petrol and diesel prices – and where’s the cheapest to fill up

Gedling Eye has compiled a list of the cheapest petrol pumps in Gedling borough. The data is sourced from PetrolPrices.com, which covers major service stations including brands like BP, Shell, and Texaco as well as supermarkets, smaller chains and independent stations.

The website combines price data from Catalist with its own crowdsource data, which comes from website users and forecourt owners. The site says it hopes to have “the most up to date and reliable price data across the industry”.

The UK’s average fuel price is 133.02p per litre for Unleaded and 139.33p per litre for diesel, according to data from RAC

The following prices were reported locally on 14/05/25

Here are the latest prices from across the borough…

UNLEADED…

Arnold

Sainsbury’s Arnold – 129.9p

Asda Arnold129.7p

BP Daybrook (Mansfield Road) – 131.9p

Esso Maid Marion (Mansfield Road) -132.9p

Carlton

Texaco Burton Road – 134.9p

Texaco Carlton Square – 134.9p

Texaco Westdale Lane (East Lane Service Station) – 134.9p

Petrol_pump

Colwick

Sainsbury’s Colwick – 131.9p

Lambley

Lambley Motors – N/A

Mapperley

Asda Express Mapperley – 132.9p

Netherfield

Morrisons – 131.9p

DIESEL…

Arnold

Sainsbury’s Arnold 136.9p

Asda Arnold – 135.7p

BP Daybrook – 138.9p

Esso Maid Marion (Mansfield Road) – 139.9p

Carlton

Texaco Burton Road – 143.9p

Texaco Carlton Square – 143.9p

Texaco Westdale Lane (East Lane Service Station) – 142.9p

Colwick

Sainsbury’s Colwick – 138.9p

Lambley

Lambley Motors – N/A

Mapperley

Asda Mapperley – 138.9p

Netherfield

Morrisons – 138.9p