A Gedling MP is urging older people in the borough to apply for pension credit – as the Government has updated its guidance.
Mr Randall revealed only around 63% of people who are eligible to receive Pension Credit claim it, making it is one of the lowest take-up levels for an income related benefit.
Last year, Randall signed up to become a Pension Credit Champion to support the charity Independent Age’s campaign on Pension Credit take-up across Gedling.
On Tuesday, the MP was hand delivering his Pension Credit Factsheet to Carlton residents on Manor Green Walk.
He said “I signed up as a Pension Credit Champion because I want to see every pensioner in Gedling who is entitled to Pension Credit receive it.
“I have created a Pension Credit Factsheet that explains what this benefit is, who can claim it, how people can find out if they qualify for it and how a claim can be made.
“I will be posting my Pension Credit Factsheet out to over 650 residents across Gedling”
Pensioners across Gedling are encouraged to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator and can apply for Pension Credit online at apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/start or by phoning 0800 99 1234.
After delivering his Pension Credit Factsheet to residents in Carlton, Tom said “Anyone in Gedling who would like a copy of my Pension Credit Factsheet is welcome to contact my office and I will post one out to you”.
On Friday, A woman from Gedling will be among 60 local climate activists travelling to London as part of Extinction Rebellion’s April Rebellion which starts tomorrow.
Extinction Rebellion has planned the disruptive protests in London in order to push the UK government to meet its demands, which are: no new fossil fuel investments, no new fossil fuel licences and an end to fossil fuel subsidies.
Some of them have said they are prepared to be arrested as they take part in peaceful civil-disobedience on the streets of the capital, and some will avoid arrest, but swell the numbers on the streets, and speak to passers by.
Some protesters will stay behind in Nottingham to explain to the public the aims of the massive London protest and invite new people to join the group.
“I have every intention of being arrested again this weekend” said Amanda Pumo, 62.
“For years I have signed petitions, voted thinking about who will do the best for the environment, and what’s happened? Everything has got worse, that’s what happened.”
The property manager from Gedling added: “No one in their right mind wants to spend a weekend in police cells, but I feel compelled to do the right thing for my grandchildren – and it feels like civil disobedience is the only thing left to try to make the government listen.”
Etienne Stott, 42, London 2012 Olympic champion from the Meadows has been arrested 7 times. “Our government has no right to make decisions that’ll destroy my future as they cosy up to their fossil fuel pals. I’m outraged that they act in contradiction to scientific facts and against the advice of respected international bodies. And more and more juries are acquitting activists when they hear the evidence activists give in defence.”
Dorry Lake, 71, retired psychotherapist, Carrington, has been to all the London ‘Rebellions’ since the group began in 2018 and has been arrested previously said “The war in Ukraine, and the massive increase in gas prices both show we need to decarbonise our economy. Our government has consistently underfunded solutions, such as investing in renewable energy and public transport, and it’s slashed support for home insulation. These things could create lots of high quality jobs and make people warmer and healthier.”
Instead the government permits energy companies to make huge profits, whilst many people are forced to choose between heating or eating. Extinction Rebellion has repeatedly called for a Citizen’s Assembly formed of a randomly selected cross-section of UK society to create a decarbonisation plan that would benefit everyday citizens. Ordinary people advised by top scientists could chart a rapid and fair path to free politicians from the political difficulty of making long term decisions.
Dorry Lake added “It is such a tough time, people really struggling to pay their bills, and the horrors of war in our faces. But we can’t let the government put the Climate Emergency on the back burner. It dwarfs everything, and if we want any kind of future, I feel we have to keep bringing home that this is urgent. The Climate Crisis has to be our number one priority.”
Nottingham will see Extinction Rebellion activists on Goosegate in Hockley from 10.30am on Saturday 9th April and on Tuesday 12th April, outside the Europe’s biggest banker in fossil fuels, Barclays, (behind the Council House) from 10.30am, letting passers by know how simple it is to switch bank.
The headteacher of a new school being built on the Rivendell housing development off Colwick Loop Road has been announced.
The Rivendell Flying High Academy will be run by Caroline Armstrong, who brings with her a wealth of experience and says she is already at work alongside the Flying High Partnership team, putting the final touches in place for what she describes as an opportunity of a lifetime.
Caroline says that it’s a dream come true to be able to shape a new school.
“I am delighted to be appointed Head Teacher at Rivendell Flying High Academy.
PICTURED: The school’s new logo
“We are working hard to embed best practice and begin this academy’s journey with the highest of standards, both to serve the children and the community of Rivendell. We want children to have the best start in their educational journey and their best interests are at the source of all of our decision making.
PICTURED: Work on the new school is nearing completition
“We are currently recruiting staff of the highest calibre and I know that this is going to be an exceptional school from day one.”
Opening its doors in September 2022, the school will fill to 210 pupils as the development grows and in the first year will welcome admission applications for all year groups from Foundation 2 to Year 6, as well as nursery places.
The new build academy, now nearing completion, is set to be handed over to The Flying High Trust during April or May and families will be invited to visit the new academy before children attend in September.
Caroline said, “We have recruited an office manager and we are currently purchasing resources for the academy including IT equipment and furniture.
“We want this school to be a beacon of education for this community, with the best facilities and environment for children to learn.
“It is so exciting to be able to shape a school to be its best from the first day it opens its doors in state-of-the-art facilities. I am passionate about providing every child with the support they need to succeed in a warm and nurturing environment. Rivendell will be a true community school, where partnership and support for families is at the heart of its ethos.”
Chris Wheatley is CEO of The Flying High Partnership and said, “We are thrilled with Caroline’s appointment and together we know that Rivendell Flying High Academy will open its doors as a shining example of the impact a good school can have on children and their community.
“Our philosophy is to make every day count for children and their education, and this is why we will work ceaselessly to create a school the community can be proud of and one which nurtures children to flourish in their education.”
A team of brave volunteers taking essential supplies donated by Carlton and Netherfield residents to Ukraine have shared a video of them travelling by road into the war-torn country
The footage shows them whizzing past military forces who are heading to the frontline to battle the Russian army trying to invade parts of the country.
Ukrainian-born Krystian Rease, who works in Netherfield, has travelled with a group of friends to deliver supplies donated by the towns in two ambulances that will also be handed over to help his fellow countrymen as they try to fight off the Russian invasion.
More than 100 bags of vital supplies were collected after generous pub regulars at It’s Inn The Bank in Netherfield and Fox and Hounds in Carlton donated essential supplies that included nappies, baby food, toiletries and medicines for those trying to flee the county or hide as towns and cities are bombarded by Russian forces.
PICTURED: It’s Inn The Bank landlord David Murphy, left with Monika, centre, and Krystian Rease (PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)Ambulances full of donations from residents left Netherfield for Ukraine on Thursday (PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
The two ambulances, which will be used to help treat those injured during the conflict, were paid for following donations from Nottingham’s Dusk Till Dawn, with owner Rob Yong and members raising £10k to pay for the emergency vehicles.
Mr Rease is hoping donations continue and hopes to make a follow up journey in the coming weeks if more donations are made.
Landlord of It’s Inn The Bank, David Murphy praised the community last week when Krystian left with the donations sent in by residents in Carlton and Netherfield.
He said: “Krystian was overwhelmed by the generosity of local residents. He picked up 30 bags from us and 110 bags in total.
“He filled the ambulances up with our donations and with four of his friends has now headed out to Ukraine.
“Everyone at the pub wishes them all a safe journey and applauds his bravery.”
Those eating out at some of Gedling borough’s larger pubs and restaurants will see calories on menus from today (6).
Establishments with more than 250 staff must now display how many calories are in the meals shown on their menus, websites, and on delivery platforms.
The new rule is part of government plans to tackle obesity by helping people to make healthier choices.
Some High Street chains in the borough already publish information about the calorie content of their food on their menus, such as Wetherspoons pubs and McDonald’s who have been doing it for more than a decade.
Some restaurants fear it will increase their costs, while an eating disorder charity says it could contribute to harmful thoughts and behaviours.
Kate Nicholls, boss of the industry group UK Hospitality, told BBC News that the new rules had come at the “worst possible time for thousands of businesses struggling to survive”.
“We’ve long called for a delay to the implementation of calorie labelling, and we’d like to see a grace period post-April to allow businesses breathing space in which to implement the new rules without the risk of unnecessary enforcement action from day one,” she said.
“It’s completely unfair to expect businesses devastated by Covid to all of a sudden introduce complicated and costly new labelling when they’ve much more pressing matters to attend to – recouping their losses of the past 24-months for a start.”
Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, claimed that making calories on menus mandatory could contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening.
Tom Quinn, the charity’s director of external affairs, said there was evidence that calorie information causes anxiety and distress for people affected by eating disorders.
“It can increase a fixation on restricting calories for those with anorexia or bulimia, or increase feelings of guilt for those with binge eating disorder,” he said.
“There is also very limited evidence that the legislation will lead to changed eating habits among the general population.”
Some of the world’s top cyclists will be racing up the new Colliery Way bypass when the Tour of Britain comes to Gedling borough in September.
Nottinghamshire is hosting the fifth stage of the event on Thursday, September 8, which begins on Central Avenue, West Bridgford, and ending outside Mansfield’s Civic Centre on Chesterfield Road South.
It marks the return to Notts of one of the biggest annual events in the sport, four years after the county last hosted a stage.
And it has now been confirmed the event, which has previously appeared in Nottinghamshire in 2017 and 2018, will pass through several towns and villages on a 190km route announced today.
The 2022 Nottinghamshire stage will pass through East Leake, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Calverton, Southwell, Retford and Worksop, as well the recently-opened Colliery Way – formerly known as the Gedling Access Road.
The route, which works out at about 118 miles, will also take in some of the county’s key landmarks including the legendary Sherwood Forest and the iconic Trent Bridge cricket ground.
Ashfield and Broxtowe will miss out this time, however, despite being on the route in previous stages.
The Nottinghamshire stage attracted thousands of spectators to the county in 2018 to mark what Nottinghamshire County Council described as the biggest sporting event in the county’s history.
Stage two of the 2012 event also started in Nottingham city centre before heading into Derbyshire, and attracted huge crowds to the start line outside Nottingham Castle.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service ahead of the 2022 stage’s confirmation, Councillor John Cottee (Con), chairman of the communities committee, said the county will be “buzzing” when the event returns.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m a big sports fan and it’s one of the biggest events we’ve ever held.
“2018 was a bumper year, bringing in a large amount of tourism to us and a record number of people out on the streets cheering it on.
“To see it’s coming back again this year, after all the trials and tribulations of Covid, I can’t wait to see it happen. It’s really going to be buzzing.
“It means hotels bring used, it means people coming for the day who all want something to eat, to find a nice spot to see it all.
“Some of the villages it’s going through will put on community events and will be working with primary schools to make sure they have a good day.
“I’m buzzing for it, it’s one of the best things that happens in Nottinghamshire.”
Cllr Cottee was joined at County Hall by members of the Ribble cycling team, including Nottinghamshire-based cyclists Ross Lamb and Ollie Peckover.
Ollie told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The route goes through the village I live in, it starts three miles down the road from where I live and I’ve been to watch the start before myself.
“It’s going to be mad to be actually riding along these roads. When [the Tour] has been through the region before, everyone comes out to watch and will have banners out.
“It creates a really good environment for you to go through and the crowds here are among some of the best I’ve seen.”
The event in September will be the second time a stage has started in West Bridgford and culminates in Mansfield, having followed followed a similar route in 2018. The tour also started a stage in Mansfield in 2017.
Andy Abrahams (Lab), Mansfield’s mayor, welcomed the return of the event and said there will be a “festival finale”.
He said: “Mansfield was keen to support Nottinghamshire County Council and district councils to secure the Tour of Britain for a third time, and the opportunity to host a stage finish once more in our district.
“With support from the Towns Fund, we will be able to have a festival finale at the Civic Centre.
“We’re looking forward to giving the tour the warmest of Mansfield welcomes again.”
The eight-stage 2022 tour starts in Aberdeen on Sunday September 4 before heading through Scotland, the north east, north Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset, finishing on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, September 11.
Live TV coverage of the event, which could include Tour de France stage winners, Olympians and world champions, will be aired on ITV4
Police say they are concerned for a missing 60-year-old man from Mapperley.
David Gamble is believed to have disappeared yesterday (April 4).
He was last seen at 11:00am on Rutland Road in Gedling.
David is described as 6’2” tall, large build with grey hair, beard and moustache.
Police say it is not known what David was wearing when he went missing.
If you have seen David or know where he might be, please call us on 101, quoting incident number 731 of 04/04/2022. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Frontline teams at East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) can now refer patients directly to Nottinghamshire Hospice in Mapperley for intervention at night to prevent emergency admission to hospital.
In a scheme launched today (5) and trialled since February, crews attending end of life patients can contact the hospice to arrange an urgent visit from the hospice night support teams, to help families care for their loved ones at home.
The night support teams will then provide care and emotional support to patients and their carers throughout the night.
Rachel McCarty, director of care at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “A crisis that happens out of hours is much harder to manage than in the daytime and when someone is approaching the end of their life it can be disruptive and traumatic for them and their family members if they get rushed into hospital. It also increases pressure on the hospital trust.
“This new scheme allows the patient to stay in their home environment where we will support them. It means ambulance crews can feel comfortable leaving patients in their own homes, knowing they have the hospice on hand, and families get the help they need to care for their loved ones at home.”
As well as visits from the night support team the hospice can also advise families over the phone and refer patients to its other services.
Suzie Matthews, senior clinical lead for EMAS in Nottinghamshire said: “As an ambulance service, we do much more than simply transport patients to hospital.
PICTURED: EMAS teams and Nottinghamshire Hospice teams
“Often we attend patients who are in physical and/or mental distress when coming to the end of their life and they need urgent assistance rather than a trip to hospital.
“Our highly-skilled frontline clinicians are experienced in performing concise and thorough medical assessments and interventions for their patients at the scene.
“Even when our ambulance clinicians know that the right thing for a patient is to stay in the comfort of their own home, this can sometimes be a difficult decision.
“Thanks to the partnership between ourselves and Nottinghamshire Hospice, our ambulance crews can have these complex discussions with the Night Support Team and ensure the right care is put in place for the patient and their family.
Helen Marshall, an Ambulance Technician at EMAS explained the impact the service had on her and her patient when she contacted the Night Support Team recently.
She said: “After assessing my patient at the scene I realised that while they didn’t need to go to hospital, they required additional on-going care to meet their end of life requirements.
“Being able to refer my patient to the hospice meant they got the most appropriate support to meet their needs, ensuring that the end of their life is as dignified as possible.
“I was informed by the hospice that the family will also be supported with access to a 24-hour helpline which definitely helps us feel reassured that the patient and their family don’t feel they are left to deal with anything on their own during this difficult time.”
A new housing development for people aged over 55 is set to be completed later this month in Burton Joyce.
Stockinger House will be managed by local housing provider Jigsaw Homes Midlands.
It has been built on the site of the former Lendrum Court on Lambley Lane. The 50-year old building was recently demolished to make way for the new stylish and modern apartment complex.
The name Stockinger nods to the former industrial history of 17th century Burton Joyce where ‘stockingers’ in the area produced stockings, often made from lace, using mechanical knitting frames.
The new three-floor development consists of 31 one-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom apartments, each complete with their own kitchen and shower room.
The top floor also has an additional guest suite which can be booked out for friends, family members or carers and includes a self-contained kitchenette and wet room. There is also an assisted bathroom with a bath seat and hoist available for residents if needed.
Each apartment is fitted with social alarms, including pull cords and push buttons and a scheme coordinator will be available on site to provide additional support including wellbeing, rent and property advice.
Residents – either single people or couples – will also have the freedom to decorate their apartments to their own taste with their own carpets, furniture and curtains.
As well as a dining room and large main lounge, the scheme also boasts a mezzanine area which residents can use as a communal space for church services, IT classes, committee meetings and private parties.
A large, landscaped garden with an additional patio also allows residents to enjoy a scenic view of the local church.
There will be 20 car parking spaces alongside two mobility scooter stores and electric vehicle charging points.
Work on the Homes England funded development started in May 2019 by contractor J. Tomlinson Ltd and is set to be ready for residents to move in, from May 2022.
Marcia Stock, Head of Housing for Over 55s at Jigsaw Homes Group said: “This is set to be one of our flagship schemes in Nottinghamshire and will offer residents a fantastic high-quality, spacious living environment.
“With our expertise in running housing for people aged over 55s we knew exactly what our residents enjoy and need so we were able to put that into this lovely new development, with support from our partners Homes England, Gedling Borough Council and J Tomlinson. We know there is a real need for housing of this type in the borough and are looking forward to being able to welcome residents to their new home very soon.”
Tony Shenton, Managing Director, Care at J Tomlinson said: “We are delighted to have been involved with Jigsaw Homes on the new Stockinger House. We have used our unique skill set in the care sector to help develop and construct quality apartments which will serve the community for many years to come.”
Apartments are now available to rent both through Jigsaw Homes Midlands via Rightmove or by calling 0115 905 1515 and Homesearch, Gedling Borough Council’s choice-based lettings system.
Two Gedling cops have been recognised after they risked their lives by rushing over to a man who was about to set himself on fire.
PC James Gill and PC Joe Taylor have been handed the Ged Walker Award in recognition for their bravery. The award is named in Ged’s memory after he was killed on duty in 2003. The award winner is each year chosen by his widow Tracy Walker.
During the incident in Gedling, the man doused himself in petrol and was about to ignite a lighter when PC Gill ran towards him and fought desperately to stop him.
In doing so, the officer also became soaked in petrol and, while wrestling with him, he could feel the tendons in the man’s hand moving as he tried to spark the lighter.
Thankfully, PC Gill and PC Taylor, who bravely came to assist, managed to remove the lighter from the man’s grasp and prevent them all from being engulfed in flames.
PC Gill, who is part of the Gedling Response team, said it was a huge honour to win the accolade.
He said: “When an officer joins Nottinghamshire Police you hear the story of Ged Walker and other officers who have lost their lives in the execution of their duty.
“It’s quite a moving thing to think about. We all put ourselves in positions of risk occasionally and there is always the prospect that one of us might not make it home.
“It means a lot to be considered worthy of winning such an award.”
PC Taylor also said he felt incredibly proud to win the award. He said: “It does mean a lot. It means more to me than any other award I could have received. I feel genuinely honoured.”
The incident happened at a property in Gedling in July last year.
Recalling what happened, PC Gill said: “It was dark and we found the man in the back garden with a petrol canister and a lighter. I was negotiating with him but there came a point when he poured the petrol over his head.
“That’s crunch time – either you leave him to set fire to himself, which isn’t an option, or you rush forward and take hold of him. I charged forward as fast as I could, grabbed hold of his arm and that’s when I could feel the tendons working in his wrist and hand as he tried to spark the lighter.
“I could feel the fuel going over me and the wetness of it splashing over my head. It was probably the closest I’ve been to becoming seriously injured for a number of years.”
PC Taylor – who had asked accompanying officers to get some fire extinguishers ready – also rushed over to help.
He recalled: “I remember seeing him trying to activate the lighter and thinking, ‘we’re about to go up in flames – but at least there are people with fire extinguishers behind us’.
“A moment later I was covered head to toe in foam. I’d never felt happier to be freezing cold and soaking wet in the middle of the night, because it meant we were safe.”
PC Gill and PC Taylor were nominated for the award by Inspector Kylie Davies for showing tremendous bravery on the night in question.
Insp Davies said: “The actions of PC Gill and PC Taylor were truly outstanding. Their bravery and determination in the face of life-threatening danger was remarkable and typifies what it means to be a police officer.
“They remained concerned for the man’s welfare throughout this incident and risked their own lives to protect his. By putting themselves in a position where they could have been harmed and didn’t know what the end result would be, they are worthy winners if the PC Ged Walker Award.”
THE GED WALKER STORY
On Tuesday, 7 January 2003, a car, previously stolen from the Borrowash area of Derbyshire, was sighted in the Piccadilly area of Bulwell, Nottingham.
The driver of the vehicle abandoned it and fled across the rear of house gardens situated adjacent to the Bulwell Common Golf Course.
A number of police officers including PC Ged Walker attended the scene and commenced a search.
The offender sought refuge in a house, but upon being discovered, used the telephone to order a taxi.
Shortly after 1pm the same day, Ged, accompanied by police dog Kai, saw the offender run from the house in St Albans Road and jump into the driver’s seat of the stationary taxi.
Ged ran to the driver’s door to detain the offender. He reached into the taxi through a partially open window where he attempted to pull the keys from the ignition, but without success.
The offender with total disregard for the safety of the officer, accelerated up the road with Ged still attempting to detain him.
The vehicle reached speeds of up to 30mph before Ged was thrown from the vehicle, sustaining serious head injuries.
