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Nottingham’s Goose Fair returns with special ten-day event

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Nottingham’s Goose Fair returns with special ten-day event

The world famous Goose Fair is set to return to the Forest Recreation Ground at the end of September for a special ten-day event.

It’s been two years since the fair last welcomed the crowds due to Covid.

And now for the first time in the fair’s long history, it will last ten days – running from Friday 30 September to Sunday 9 October.

With over 250 rides and attractions with thrills aplenty for all ages, the fair is one of the largest travelling fun fairs in Europe.

New rides to Goose Fair include the ‘Void Extreme’ as well as lots of returning favourites such as ‘Ice Jet Matterhorn,’ ‘Star Flyer’ and two ‘Giant wheels’ giving panoramic views across the fair and the city beyond.

All the Goose Fair classics will also be in attendance such as ‘Gallopers’ and the ‘Cake Walk’ – the only ride still operating that featured when the fair was still held in Old Market Square – plus of course lots of side-show games such as Hook-a-duck.

Food is always a highlight at the fair and along with the traditional fairground favourites of mushy peas, Grantham gingerbread and Cock-on-a-Stick, visitors will be able to eat their way around the world with a diverse range of food from Spanish Churros, handmade Italian pizza, Mexican tacos, Nigerian fried plantain and Hawaiian Poke bowls, to name but a few.

Visitors can get money off ride vouchers, that save 50p off participating rides and attractions Monday – Friday.

Vouchers are available as e-vouchers downloadable to your phone from http://www.whatsonnottingham.com

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “Goose Fair has a special place in the life of our city and it’s great to see it back this year, bigger and better than ever after two years away. We are very proud of its more than 700 year history and so many Nottingham people have a story to tell about it.  

“Whether you are looking forward to the big rides or just having a go at hook-a-duck, it’s great to welcome Goose Fair back to the city.”

Showman’s Guild (Notts & Derby branch) chair, William Percival, said: “Nottingham Goose Fair is one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe that welcomes over 400,000 visitors each year. 

“Members of the Showmen’s Guild are thrilled to be back in Nottingham, and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region and beyond during the specially extended ten-day fair.”

Opening times

Friday 30th 4pm to 11.30pm

Saturday 1st 12noon to 11.30pm

Sunday 2nd 12noon to 9pm

Monday 3rd 4pm to 10.30pm

Tuesday 4th 4pm to 10.30pm

Wednesday 5th 4pm to 10.30 pm

Thursday 6th 4pm to 11.00pm

Friday 7th 4pm to 11.30pm

Saturday 8th 12noon to 11.30pm

Sunday 9th 12noon to 9pm

New Nottinghamshire chief constable will make sure communities ‘feel safe and listened to’

Gedling Eye Reporter
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New Nottinghamshire chief constable will make sure communities ‘feel safe and listened to’

Kate Meynell has been confirmed as Nottinghamshire Police’s new chief constable.

She is the current Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary and is now set to return to work at the force where she began and spent most of her career.

Meynell was questioned by a special Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel hearing yesterday, before being officially and unanimously confirmed in the role.

The new police chief vowed to build on positive work to promote public confidence and teamwork.

“What is really important is making sure communities feel safe and listened to,” she said.

PICTURED: New chief constable Kate Meynell

“I want to make sure we have a service that is fit for the future, where we use data effectively and are evidence-led in the way we do our work.

“It is really important if we are to be successful as an organisation that the public have trust and confidence and we are seen to be legitimate.

“It is about putting the public first, working as a team with really clear standards so everyone is clear what Nottinghamshire Police is about.”

The appointment follows recommendations received by the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel, following a special confirmation hearing held at County Hall yesterday.

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry named Kate Meynell as her preferred candidate for the role in August following a rigorous assessment and interview process.

She will take the helm from current Chief Constable Craig Guildford in December, after he departs to take up the top job at West Midlands Police.

Kate added: “I’m looking forward to coming back to Nottinghamshire. I grew up in Nottinghamshire and it’s a place I’m proud to call home.

“I have enjoyed my time working in Derbyshire alongside some great colleagues, but this is a dream job for me.

“Nottinghamshire Police has a positive, strong workforce and I do feel we have the opportunity now to continue the improvements that Craig Guildford has started. The force has moved a long way forward under his leadership.

“I genuinely care passionately about the force and want to build on the good work that has been done and build relationships with external partners and communities.”

Commissioner Henry said she was delighted Kate had been confirmed.

“Kate is an outstanding leader and I am looking forward to working closely with her,” she said.

“Craig Guildford has been an excellent Chief Constable over the last five years at Nottinghamshire Police, during which crime has fallen, officer numbers have reached their highest in over a decade and neighbourhood policing has expanded.

“I’m delighted that the panel agreed that Kate has all the qualities to succeed in this role. I believe Kate is the right person to take this work forward as we continue to Make Notts Safe.”

Kate Meynell’s career in policing

Kate joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1993, where she was posted to Bulwell. For the first few years she worked across Bulwell, Hucknall and Eastwood in uniform roles before joining CID, undertaking investigation roles in Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Divisional CID and Homicide Team.

Progressing through the ranks in both uniformed and detective roles, in 2011 she was part of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU): Major Crime Unit before becoming head of the unit in 2015, overseeing major crime investigations across the East Midlands.

Kate has performed the role of SIO (Senior Investigating Officer) on a number of homicide investigations, including the investigation into a fatal house fire, where the six Philpott children were killed, resulting in the conviction of both their parents and a family friend of their manslaughter.

In 2017, Kate transferred to Northamptonshire Police to the role of Chief Superintendent, Head of Crime. While there she was responsible for CID, Public Protection, Intelligence and Serious and Organised Crime.

In 2018 she returned to Nottinghamshire Police as Assistant Chief Constable, leading the force’s knife crime strategy, before leaving to become Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary in January 2021.

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy encourages prospective pupils to attend open days and discover what opportunities await them

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Arnold Hill Spencer Academy encourages prospective pupils to attend open days and discover what opportunities await them

A secondary school in Arnold is to throw open its doors to parents and carers so they can see what exciting opportunities are available for their children.

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy will hold two open days and a tour over the coming weeks.

An open evening will take place on Thursday, September 29 for future Year 6 students between 6pm until 7,30pm with no need to book.

Tours of the Academy for future students, parents and carers will take place between October 3-10. Places are limited and those interested will have to book a place using this form: https://forms.gle/9idXfe1hAphbqCrGA

A sixth form open evening has also been planned and will take place on Thursday, October 6.

The evening will run from 6pm to 7:30pm with two presentations from the Principal and the Head of Sixth Form.

These will take place in A Block Hall at 6pm and again at 6.45pm. You will have the opportunity to visit the many subject areas to find out about the different courses we offer, have a look around the Academy and see our fantastic facilities.

No need to book – just turn up on the night

An Academy spokesman said: “We look forward to welcoming prospective students and their parents and carers to the Academy.”

Patients will be promised GP appointments within two weeks, Coffey to say

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Patients will be promised GP appointments within two weeks, Coffey to say

Patients with non-urgent needs could get an appointment see a GP within two weeks under new plans to reform health care.

Health and Social Care Secretary Thérèse Coffey will announce the changes today (22) as part of her ‘Plan for Patients’.

NHS Digital figures show that 15% – 3.9 million – of the 25.9 million GP appointments made in England in August occurred at least two weeks after the appointment was made.

Patients who have urgent needs will still be offered same-day access.

PICTURED: Highcroft Medical Centre in Arnold was blighted by phone system problems several years ago (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
PICTURED: Health and Social Care Secretary Thérèse Coffey

Ms Coffey – who is also Deputy Prime Minister – will also try to help ease the 8am scramble for appointments as the NHS rolls out new telephone systems.

The systems, already used by some surgeries, will mean that patients are not automatically cut off if there is no-one available to take their call.

Patients will be told their place in the queue and maybe asked a few simple questions or offered information about practice opening times while waiting.

Ms Coffey will also outline plans for patients to be able to look at how local surgeries are performing compared to each other with regard to patient access.

Patients will be able to access data showing how their GP practice is performing compared to other local surgeries with regards to the number of appointments delivered and how long people need to wait for care.

But leading GPs have slammed the plans saying they will have “minimal impact” on patient care.

And publishing “league tables” of surgeries will not “improve access or standards of care”, the Royal College of GPs said.

Meanwhile Ms Coffey, will say the Government will “free up funding” for practices to employ more roles, including GP assistants and more advanced nurse practitioners, but officials have not outlined how much money will be made available.

Government officials have estimated 1.2 million appointments each year can be handled by other surgery staff.

People in Gedling borough ‘should be on high alert’ for energy-related scams, Which? warns

Gedling Eye Reporter
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People in Gedling borough ‘should be on high alert’ for energy-related scams, Which? warns

Consumers in Gedling borough should be on high alert for energy-related scams, consumer group Which? warns.

Over 40 million people have been targeted by scammers amidst the cost-of-living crisis. Out of this, 12% of scams are related to energy.

Scammers pray on vulnerabilities, such as financial worries. As more people are worried about paying their bills right now, more people are at risk of being scammed.

Luckily, there are some easy ways to protect yourself and the people around you from energy scams.

What are energy scams?

Energy scams involve people pretending to be energy companies or regulators to get your money or personal information.

They can use the availability of grants, promises of cheap energy, and energy efficiency claims as tactics to trick you.

Scammers can contact you in many ways:

  • By a knock at your door.
  • By phone call.
  • Via social media.
  • By email.
  • Via a pop up on a website.
  • By text message.

What are some common energy scams?

Ofgem energy scams

A scammer may contact you claiming to be from the energy regulator Ofgem. They may ask you to change your bank details or provide personal information to receive funding or cheap energy.

Ofgem will never ask you for personal information and you don’t need to do anything to receive £400 off your energy bills this winter. Ofgem will also never sell you energy or show up at your house.

Which? also warned earlier this month about bogus emails using the Ofgem logo and branding sent to consumers claiming to offer an ‘energy bill rebate scheme’.

Energy rebate scams

Recently, scammers have been using the £400 government energy bill rebate scheme to trick people into handing over their details. Other tactics have included promises of sums of money to people of pension age or with disabilities. 

Energy efficiency and home improvement scams

Another way a scammer might try to trick you is by telling you that your home is unsafe, and changes must be made immediately to prevent harm to you and your household. This can be extremely worrying, and it’s always best to put your mind at rest by calling Citizens Advice or checking with a qualified and accredited professional.

For more information, see this blog from Citizens Advice on common energy efficiency scams.

How can you spot an energy scam?

The best way to spot an energy scam is to stay vigilant and know what to look out for. Citizens Advice have provided a list of some key signs that a scammer is at work:

  • A deal looks too good to be true.
  • You’re being pressured to transfer money quickly.
  • You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way.
  • You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company.
  • You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords or PINs.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Fraudsters are always on the lookout for new ways to part people from their hard-earned cash and unfortunately, the energy crisis is no exception.”

“It is important to remember that the energy discount will be automatically applied by your supplier and they will never ask for bank details. Customers on traditional prepayment meters will receive the rebate via vouchers.”

“Consumers should be on high alert for energy-related scams and if in any doubt, should verify the email directly with the company before giving any personal information.”

What to do if you think you’ve spotted a scam

If you think you’ve spotted a scam but haven’t yet given over any personal information or money, you can contact Citizens Advice for support.

If you’ve handed over any financial and personal information or made a payment, you should talk to your bank or card company immediately. You should also report the scam to Action Fraud and report it to Citizens Advice. By reporting scams, you can help reduce the chances of someone else getting defrauded.

Chancellor set to announce tightening of Universal Credit rules on Friday

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Chancellor set to announce tightening of Universal Credit rules on Friday

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to announce a tightening of Universal Credit rules on Friday (23) that could result in 120,000 benefit claimants seeing their benefits reduced.

The new measures will aim to push more workers claiming Universal Credit to increase their hours or face a cut in their benefits.

The Chancellor will announce changes to the welfare system in a mini-Budget on Friday which is intended to “boost people’s earning by putting pressure on them to work longer hours or find a new job.” Reports the FT.

Part of the plan targets Universal Credit claimants working up to 15 hours a week at the national living wage to meet a work coach regularly and take active steps to increase their earnings.

Universal Credit

Currently, Universal Credit claimants working up to 12 hours a week at the National Living Wage risk having their benefits reduced if they do not take steps to increase their earnings and meet regularly with a work coach.

The move will bring an additional 120,000 benefit claimants into the “intensive work search regime”. Benefits can be withdrawn from those who fail to comply. The FT says.

It is reported that certain groups will remain exempt from sanctions, including people who cannot work due to long-term sickness or a disability.

Kwarteng will say that eligible claimants over 50 years old, including new claimants and the long-term unemployed, will also get extra support from work coaches.

Chancellor Mr Kwarteng said: “While unemployment is at is at its lowest rate for nearly fifty years, the high number of vacancies that still exist and inactivity in the labour market is limiting economic growth.”

He added: “These gradual changes focus on getting people back into work and maximising the hours people take on to help grow the economy and raise living standards for all.”

Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary John Ashworth responded by tweeting:

Arnold firm nets £500 for hospitals charity by holding penalty shootout challenge at Notts festival

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Arnold firm nets £500 for hospitals charity by holding penalty shootout challenge at Notts festival

An Arnold firm reached their goal of raising £500 for the Nottingham Hospitals Charity with a football shoot-out challenge.

Lindleys, who are based on Nottingham Road, held the charity challenge at the Riverside Festival on Nottingham’s Victoria Embankment over the weekend of Saturday August 6 and Sunday 7

Festival goers at the event were invited to have three penalty shots at the inflatable football goal & receive a goody bag from Lindleys in return for any donation to the chosen charity.

Lindleys raised over £355 during the two days and as a gesture of good will the auto firm decided to top up the total donation to £500.

Joanne Burr, corporate fundraising manager at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to all the staff at Lindleys Autocentres for helping raise this fantastic £500 for Nottingham Hospitals Charity.

“The money they’ve raised will make a real difference to patients and staff at Nottingham’s NHS hospitals by helping to fund things like enhancements to the hospital environment, specialist equipment, medical research and staff wellbeing programmes.

“Thank you to everyone who took part in the penalty shootout on the day.”

The Nottingham Hospitals Charity supports Nottingham’s four NHS hospitals – including Queen’s Medical Centre, City Hospital, Ropewalk House & the Nottingham Children’s Hospital.

Ryan O’Donnell, marketing director at Lindleys Autocentres said “We would like to thank everyone who took part in our initiative contributing towards this greatly appreciated donation.

“It gives us huge pleasure to have raised this money for such a fantastic charitable organisation and great satisfaction knowing that the money we have raised has gone to such a worthy cause in the Nottingham Hospitals Charity”

Lindleys Autocentres have over 8 branches across Nottinghamshire in Arnold, Basford, Carlton, Colwick, Hucknall, Kirkby-In-Ashfield & West Bridgford. Offering MOT, servicing, engine repairs, new tyres & many other broad range of vehicle services.

The generous Mapperley secondary handing out free uniforms, food and school trips to help families through the cost of living crisis

Gedling Eye Reporter
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The generous Mapperley secondary handing out free uniforms, food and school trips to help families through the cost of living crisis

A secondary school in Mapperley has reached into its own pocket to provide free uniforms food and trips to help families through the cost of living crisis.

The Wells Academy is providing hundreds of pounds’ worth of free equipment including school blazers, ties, calculators, musical instrument lessons, food and even trips.

Marcus Shepherd, principal of the school on Ransom Drive has been the driving force behind the measures, saying he does not ever want cost to be a barrier to young people benefiting from a full range of opportunities during their time at secondary school. 

“I myself grew up in a single parent family, and now I’ve become a principal, I think it’s very important that opportunity is for everybody,” he said.

“Some people may say that we are only talking about a little bit of money for some of these items, but I know that for my family, a little bit was a lot.”

PICTURED: The Wells Academy in Mapperley
PICTURED: The Wells Academy headmaster Marcus Shepherd

All new year seven students, plus anyone joining The Wells Academy in another year group, are now given a free school blazer and tie. These items can cost parents around the £30 mark for the blazer and six or seven pounds on top for the tie.

All students are also given their first calculator, plus a reading book, and revision guides for years 10 and 11.

The academy also provides free ingredients for food tech lessons; offers a free outward bound residential trip; year sevens benefit from free food for the first two weeks and there is no charge for any extra curricular clubs. Pupils even have the opportunity for free instrument lessons outside of the school’s normal music curriculum. It all adds up to hundreds of pounds worth of benefits. 

Mr Shepherd said: “Once you make money a barrier, you are creating a barrier that shouldn’t be there. If one student cannot do something like an instrument lesson because their family is struggling financially, it’s not right, and it’s not fair.

“But the point that I also make to my students is that providing equipment to them free of charge also brings responsibility with it too. Once I provide you with a free calculator, as we do, then it’s then that student’s responsibility to look after it. The Wells Academy provides the equipment, and we expect our pupils to show us the respect of looking after it and bringing it to classes.

The Wells Academy has funded the raft of free opportunities from its own school budget, plus some funding streams that have become available to as a result of the need for pupils to catch up with their learning as the UK emerges from the Covid pandemic. 

The Wells Academy opened under its own name in September 2020 having previously been a campus of Nottingham Academy.

Wholesale energy costs for Gedling borough businesses to be capped during winter months

David Bratton
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Wholesale energy costs for Gedling borough businesses to be capped during winter months

The government has announced that wholesale energy costs for businesses in Gedling borough will be slashed to less than half their expected price through the winter months.

Local businesses will now see government-funded cuts to their energy bills in line with reductions announced for homes two weeks ago.

The level of discount being offered will depend on what a business is already paying.

Like the energy price promise for homes a maximum price will be placed on the unit price cost of electricity and gas being charged.

Liz Truss
PICTURED: New Prime Minister Liz Truss announced the new support this morning

The energy bill relief scheme will mean those on fixed-term contracts, agreed on or after April 1, see wholesale prices for electricity capped at £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) and £75 per MWh for gas.

Those businesses on other contracts, including those on variable rates, will come under a maximum discount band likely, the government said, to be around £405/MWh for electricity and £115/MWh for gas.

The scheme will run for six months, with a review planned after three months to consider whether it should be extended.

The energy bill relief scheme will also apply to public entities such as schools, hospitals and charities.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said of the package: “We know that businesses are very concerned about the level of their energy bills, that’s why we are putting in place a scheme for business that will be equivalent to the scheme for households, to make sure that businesses are able to get through the winter, we’re going to review it after six months.

“We’ll make sure that the most vulnerable businesses, like pubs, like shops, continue to be supported, after that.”

Can a smart meter help me reduce the impact of soaring energy bills?

David Bratton
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Can a smart meter help me reduce the impact of soaring energy bills?

With energy bill prices predicted to soar this autumn, many of us are looking for ways to use less and save money.

Many of us are now turning to smart meters in a bid to save cash – but can they really make a difference to our bills and are they safe to use?

Here’s what we found out….

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter is just a more modern version of your old meter; the way your gas and energy bills are calculated per unit is still the same as before.

The advantage is that smart meters automatically transmit data about your energy consumption to the energy provider.

Smart meters are becoming increasingly popular, making up 31% of all energy meters in the UK last year, according to government figures.

Does it mean no more meter readings?

Yes. Having a smart meter “means no more scrabbling around in a cupboard with a torch as you try to see the numbers”, said Compare The Market, as these handy pieces of technology work out your energy usage and relay that information to your supplier automatically.

Having a smart meter means your energy supplier won’t need to pay someone to come out and read your meter.

Gas stove

Will it save me money?

The simple answer is yes – not just from watching the display screen but, as a result, knowing more about the way devices are used around your house.

Those with a meter can monitor exactly what is being used by a particular appliance, from putting the kettle on to make a cup of tea to running a washing machine cycle. 

Having this information helps consumers understand which of their appliances is an energy guzzler and which ones are the most energy efficient. “Even well-informed people and frugal savers may be clueless about what appliances are causing the most damage to their energy bills,” said Loop, the app that monitors energy usage.

Once you learn which appliances are costing you the most, “you’re likely to be able to prioritise your energy use and cut back on the biggest power-drainers” so you shouldn’t get any nasty surprises at billing time.

Some smart meters also allow you to set daily targets for energy use. They don’t cut you off if you go over this set limit, but they will show that your target has been reached.

What data does a smart meter share? Could hackers access my information?

Privacy campaigners have raised concerns that smart meter information relating to customers’ energy usage could be passed on to third parties without customers’ permission. Although there are laws prohibiting energy companies from sharing this information without express permission, the laws determining how tech companies can use data are more complex.

“Some people have expressed concerns that the meters could be hacked,” said Household Money Saving, which “could allow potential burglars to know when people are in or out due to their energy consumption”.

But it is worth noting that, so far, there have been no known hacking instances involving smart meter data, said This Is Money.

What happens if I switch suppliers? Will there be issues?

There are currently two types of smart meters on the market: SMETS1 and SMETS2. If you have a first-generation SMETS1 smart meter installed, it could lose its functionality when you switch suppliers, meaning you have to go back to manually reading your meter as this will no longer be done automatically.

But, explained the consumers’ rights publication Which?, “second-generation smart meters should not lose their smart functions when you switch because they’re connected to the central wireless network which all energy suppliers should be able to use”.

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