New community hubs with vibrant libraries at their centre are to be created in Burton Joyce and Woodthorpe.
Nottinghamshire County Council has partnered with Inspire to create the hubs after being awarded a grant of £170,000 by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, delivered by Arts Council England.
The villages’ current libraries spaces will be reimagined and re-configured to create more flexible library and community spaces.
Councillor Cottee, chairman of the Communities Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “With libraries already at the heart of Nottinghamshire life, the grant will help us provide further support to key communities.
“Partnering with Inspire who deliver culture, learning and libraries on our behalf, our shared vision to create community hubs with re-imagined library spaces underlines our commitment to delivering a great library service.”
The Libraries Improvement Fund is helping transform library services in England by helping them upgrade their buildings and digital infrastructure so they can respond to the changing ways people use them.
Three months of roadworks that will close a section of a main road in Gedling start on Wednesday (March 23).
A section of Arnold Lane is being closed for three months to allow it to be realigned and linked onto Colliery Way – the new name for Gedling Access Road.
These works will also see changes to the existing traffic signals at the Arnold Lane / Mapperley Plains junction.
The road will be closed between the junction with Linsdale Gardens and Plains Road.
PICTURED: Arnold Lane (Google)
This is the final stage of roadworks to link existing roads to the new Gedling Access Road, which opens on Tuesday (22) to traffic.
Arnold Lane will fully reopen to traffic on June 30.
A spokesman for VIA East Midlands who are constructing the new road said: “We would like to thank you for your patience throughout the construction and apologise for any inconvenience that these works may cause.”
We trawled through the Gedling Eye archives to see what we were reporting on over the past six years.
2021
Rescue crews were called out to assist an ambulance that had become stuck in mud next to a road in Gedling.
PHOTO: Sharleen Whiley
Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue teams were on the scene at around 4.30am to help stabilise the vehicle and ensure it didn’t topple over after it ran into difficulties near the bottom of Priory Road and Apple Tree Lane.
Tape was placed around the scene to keep pedestrians away while the rescue operation took place.
The emergency vehicle was finally removed and put onto a recovery truck at around 10.30am.
2020
Pictures from supermarkets across Gedling borough showed shelves remained empty as the coronavirus crisis caused many people to panic buy.
PICTURE: David Murphy
Queues were reported outside Tesco in Carlton at 5.30am in the morning, with customers waiting for the 6am opening.
A lot of stock was gone in moments.
In a bid to stop the unnecessary panic, stores including Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Aldi put restrictions in place, including limiting products and reducing opening hours.
The main Co-op in Netherfield was putting down the shutters at 8pm, despite having original opening hours of 6am- 10pm.
Asda CEO, Roger Burnley, also asked shoppers using the store in Arnold to be thoughtful of other customers.
He said: “I’d also ask that you try to shop responsibly and not buy more than you need so that everyone, including the vulnerable, have access to the essentials.
2019
Diggers moved in to demolish two dilapidated properties on Burton Road in Carlton.
PICTURED Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration, at the demolition site on Burton Road, Carlton.
The council took ownership of the properties in October 2018 due to the dangerous state of the buildings – which locals have described as ‘an eyesore’.
Since taking on the buildings, the council had been working with CMEC and neighbouring properties to ensure that the buildings could be taken down safely, with minimal disruption to businesses and residential properties nearby.
The area was set to get a big boost with plans in place to transform the nearby Carlton Square shopping centre and help improve trade for local businesses.
Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration said she was looking forward to work starting to help revitalise the area.
“I’m delighted that works will be starting on these properties,” she said.
“This is part of the wider regeneration of the Carlton Square area and I’m excited to see how things progress in the near future.
2018
Leaders from Gedling Borough Council slammed the gritting operation that was being carried out in the borough.
Cllr. Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council released a joint statement with other leaders criticising the gritting operation that was carried out by Nottinghamshire County Council.
In the statement from Mr Payne, which was also agreed with Cllr. John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council and Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling; said: “Residents in Gedling Borough have raised serious concerns with us about Nottinghamshire County Council’s gritting operation on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, March 17.
“Severe weather was predicted for our local area but Nottinghamshire County Council’s gritting operation across Gedling Borough – including Arnold, Mapperley Plains, Woodthorpe, Daybrook, Redhill, Carlton, Gedling, Netherfield and Colwick seemed to be slower and less effective than it has been previously.
“Once again we find ourselves having to call for an urgent review of the county council’s response to severe weather in Gedling Borough, which is one of the hilliest and steepest boroughs in the County of Nottinghamshire.
The statement claimed a ‘slower than normal gritting response by the County Council left a number of main gritting routes closed by the middle of the evening’ it also claims ‘bus routes were severely affected, leaving many residents to walk home from Nottingham and surrounding areas – which he said was “clearly unacceptable.”
2017
Campaigners were calling for more trains to stop at Netherfield Station.
PICTURED: Netherfield Station (IMAGE: Gedling Eye)
They organised a meeting to present their fresh plans to the public.
A number of local councillors and consultants had been working on putting together a case for more trains to call at stations on the Nottingham to Grantham line – which includes Netherfield – when the new East Midlands franchise commences.
Councillors and consultants gave a presentation detailing their plans and format for a convincing case to be submitted to the Department for Transport.
The meeting was held at St. George’s Centre in Netherfield.
2016
Nottinghamshire was being overlooked for any infrastructure investment the budget according to the county council, while Manchester and London reaped the rewards.
Pictured: Councillor Alan Rhodes
Chancellor George Osborne announced a raft of investment in road and rail schemes, including £80m for Crossrail 2 in London, £50m for HS3 between Manchester and Leeds and £161m for M62 motorway upgrades around Greater Manchester.
But the council said there was nothing in the budget for Nottinghamshire.
Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I am extremely disappointed that funding for projects such as the extension of the Robin Hood Line to Ollerton, funding for faster east-west rail services from Nottingham to Birmingham and desperately-needed new Enterprise Zones have once again not been forthcoming – despite the Chancellor previously saying that he supported them.”
“We will continue to lobby Ministers and local MPs for funding for individual projects – we cannot and will not allow Nottinghamshire to be left behind while resources go elsewhere.”
2015
Dog walkers were being urged to keep their pets on their leads in Gedling Country Park during the bird mating season due to the appearance of two rare bird species who were using the site for ground nesting.
Gedling Country Park has numerous ground nesting birds using the site, including two Red Listed (extremely endangered) species, the Skylark and Lapwing.
A spokesperson for Friends of Gedling Country Park said at the time: “Dogs roaming freely over the grassland could disturb the nesting potential of these already threatened species, so we request that during the nesting period (March to September) you keep these areas dog free please.
“Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to raise monies to fence these nesting areas during the breeding season and therefore protect them. “
Shoppers will no longer be able to buy free-range eggs from supermarkets from Monday because of restrictions to stop the spread of bird flu.
Chickens have been in bird flu lockdown since November, meaning eggs previously classed as free-range must now be labelled ‘barn’.
The length of time they have been kept indoors means their eggs can now no longer be labelled free-range.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told The : “The 16-week grace period we allowed for free-range eggs has now been exceeded, and eggs must now be marketed as ‘barn eggs’. We have worked closely with the sector and retailers to implement these changes as smoothly as possible.”
The British Retail Consortium said supermarkets will put up signs notifying customers of the change but added: ‘When the measures are lifted, eggs will go back to being free-range.’
The National Farmers’ Union’s chief poultry adviser, Aimee Mahony, said: “Shoppers may notice different labels on egg packs explaining that the eggs have been laid by hens temporarily housed to protect their health and welfare. Once the risk levels have reduced and the housing measures have been lifted by Defra, birds will be able to go outside again.”
Police have issued a new CCTV image of Arnold man Christopher Henson in a renewed appeal to help try and trace him.
The new image was captured in the Daybrook area on the day the 45-year-old was reported missing from the Arnold area at around 6:00 Pm on Tuesday, March 15 2022.
Christopher is described as a white male, of slim build and is around 5ft 9ins tall.
PICTURED: This CCTV image shows Christopher Henson in Daybrook on the day he was reported missingMissing man Chris Henson, pictured above
He is described as having long brown hair worn in a ponytail, a beard and was last seen wearing a green jacket, black trousers, black boots and carrying a black bag (described as rucksack).
A police spokesman said: “We believe he will be in or around the city centre.
“Officers are concerned for Christopher’s safety.”
If you have seen Christopher or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 116 of 15 March 2022.
If approved by the council’s planning committee, developers would demolish the buildings at 343, Westdale Lane to make way for the new apartments.
10 apartments are planned for the site along with 11 car parking spaces and 10 cycle spaces.
PICTURED: The site where new apartments are planned on Westdale Lane in Mapperley
The block would consist of eight two-bedroom and two one-bedroomed properties.
Vehicle Procurements (VP) director Mark Campbell told Gedling Eye: “In the face of global supply shortages we have made the strategic decision to consolidate our resources in order to maintain our market competitiveness and enable us to raise our customer service standards.
“VP will be moving in with My Garage Nottingham within the next few weeks at 293-295 Westdale Lane.
“We have undertaken an extensive programme of renovation at the site.
“This move not only secures a strong future for both companies, but also frees up land for much needed residential properties. We have put in planning for a very attractive building that will contain 6 – 8 flats at 343 Westdale Lane.”
10 employees are currently based at the car dealership and the documentation states they would be deployed to another site.
A Carlton-based property magnate is travelling to Hungary to offer support to Ukrainians who have already fled the war-embattled country.
Arran Bailey, of ALB Group, is part of an 11-man team heading out to deliver 10 tonnes of aid to refugees.
The team are initially driving five vans full of supplies to Poland after being inundated with £25,000 in donations through a GoFundMe campaign.
Arran set up the fundraiser with Rob Cassidy, of Mansfield-based New Century Windows, who is also on the expedition.
They will then continue their 3,000-mile round trip through Slovakia to Hungary, distributing essential aid bought from cash and carries in the UK before they left.
The pair have been appalled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and were determined to help after seeing news footage of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing to neighbouring countries.
Originally the team had hoped to deliver the aid to Moldova, because they both felt the 230,000 refugees ending up there had been largely overlooked, but were unable to locate a refugee camp in Moldova to arrange delivery.
Rob and Arran launched their joint GoFundMe campaign last week, with a target of reaching £5,000 in cash donations. But within just 24 hours the campaign had raised £15,000, topping almost £18,000 by Monday morning and a whopping £25,000 within a week.
The team also had two “overwhelming” donations, from Stena Line, which donated the ferry crossing, and fashion brand Paul Smith, which donated around 3,000 items of clothing.
PICTURED: The team are on their way to deliver supplies in Slovakia and Hungary
All of the money donated is being used to purchase essential items such as toiletries, blankets, clothing, baby milk, nappies, food and torches. ALB and New Century Windows will be funding all fuel, tolls, accommodation and other expenses incurred on the trip from their own pockets.
Arran said: “When Rob and I chatted about the awful situation in Ukraine, we both shared the view that we had a duty to help those poor civilians who have been forced out of their homes and their country.
“We hoped to raise £5,000 so we’ve been absolutely bowled over by the support and donations we’ve received that has seen our original target more than quadruple. It’s overwhelming. This war has really tugged at people’s heart strings, and we are proud to be able to do something of value.
“These people need all the help they can get. We believe our aid delivery will go a long way towards helping those fleeing the conflict and providing some short-term relief from this appalling situation.”
Arran and Rob have this week been converting the GoFundMe cash donations into aid items, including towels, solar-powered phone chargers, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and cutlery.
The aid team, consisting of work colleagues Lee Donnelley, Wayne Rosegreen, Nathan Lee, Arran Bailey, Piotr Kozera, Rob Cassidy, Joe Rafter, Harry Whyte (of HBW Developments Ltd), Sam Gunning and Pete Gunning, began their epic journey on Thursday (March 17th).
Arran added: “All funds raised will go directly to buying essential aid for refugees, so I’d urge anyone who’s able to help to make a donation, however large of small. It will all go to an extremely worthy cause.”
Gedling borough is home to a huge selection of Indian-style restaurants and takeaways that have been commended for achieving the highest food hygiene rating from inspectors.
Here we’ve listed the Indian eateries in the borough that achieved five stars for cleanliness from the Food Standards Agency and the date of the inspection.
Opened in June 2021, Rivendell View care home has been awarded a Band 5 rating by Nottinghamshire County Council in recognition of its ‘excellent’ standards and the high quality of care it provides to residents.
The care home, located on Magenta Way in Stoke Bardolph, is a residential and dementia home.
The Council carried out its first Quality Monitoring Audit at Rivendell View on February 8th and found it to be either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ across all five of the standards assessed.
The audit covered a wide range of areas and contained detailed observations. It highlighted the care home’s ability to provide an ‘excellent’ level of person-centred care through personalised support plans, which inspectors identified as incorporating residents’ “personal choices, preferences and equality and diversity needs”.
The standard, availability and choice of suitable and nutritious foods at the care home, as well as the kitchen staff’s knowledge of residents’ preferences and dietary needs were found to be ‘excellent’. Inspectors observed mealtimes and praised the care home for its skilled staff in “assisting residents where needed” and noted how “kind and respectful” the staff were to the people they cared for.
Staff at the Rivendell View care home in Stoke Bardolph
Rivendell View was found to have ‘excellent’ and “robust” recruitment and induction procedures for staff, and that its staff were well trained and responsive to residents’ needs. Inspectors evidenced that staffing levels were good. Inspectors also commented that staff members delivering care had “all the relevant knowledge and experience to provide safe and effective care”.
The management of the care home was also found to be ‘excellent’ with staff feeling supported. Inspectors identified that the registered manager has a “wealth of experience” and a “passion for good quality care”.
The environment within the home was found to be “well maintained to a high standard” with the accommodation described as “safe, comfortable and promotes well-being”. One resident was quoted in the report saying, “it is a very lovely home” and is “always clean and tidy”.
Rita Hubbard (87), a resident of Rivendell View care home, said: “Rivendell is a warm and friendly place to live. There are lots of activities to get involved in and the facilities here are wonderful.”
Lisa Tungate, home manager at Rivendell View care home, said: “We are thrilled to receive this report from Nottinghamshire County Council, only ten months after opening our doors.
“The Council’s care home banding system involves an annual audit to ensure that residential and nursing care in the county meet the highest standards and we are very proud to have achieved the highest possible banding from them after such a short time.
“Our staff and our residents have a wonderful and fulfilling relationship and they enjoy being here, and being together, every single day and I am incredibly proud to lead such a compassionate and dedicated team.”
Rail minster Wendy Morton has agreed to meet with Gedling MP Tom Randall to discuss how rail services can be boosted in the borough.
The invitation for talks was made by Randall during Transport Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.
The Gedling MP told the House: “There is a widespread view in Gedling borough that rail services could be improved.
“For example, Carlton has recently lost its service to Matlock and many trains pass through Burton Joyce station without stopping.
“I continue to have discussions with East Midlands Railway (EMR) about how they might reach the maximum services in the agreement between them and the Department.
“I welcome the opportunity to meet the rail minister to discuss how Gedling borough’s stations might fulfil their potential.”
The Minister of State for Transport, Wendy Morton, MP, replied: “I can assure him that we are working with the operator to consider what further changes might be possible, subject to passenger demand and the cascade for trains into East Midlands Railway.
“I would be very happy to meet with [Randall] to discuss this in more detail.”
During the Coronavirus pandemic, as a result of lockdowns, East Midlands Railway (EMR) reduced its train services throughout Gedling borough.
PICTURE: Tom Randal in the House of Commons
Following feedback from residents and community groups, Mr Randall and local Gedling Borough Councillors met EMR in August last year to discuss their post lockdown plans for increasing services again.
The MP now has a follow-up meeting scheduled for April between EMR, the Borough Councillors for Trent Valley and local community groups to get an update on progress.
Speaking after Transport Questions, Mr Randall said, “Residents across Gedling borough tell me that they would like more train services at stations in Carlton, Netherfield and Burton Joyce.
A train pictured leaving Carlton Station
“I have been and will continue to discuss this with EMR and am grateful to the rail minister for agreeing to meet with me to discuss this too.
“The Department for Transport have an agreed contract with EMR on the train services we should receive. This is not being fulfilled to its maximum and I hope to help improve that by meeting with the Department for Transport and continuing discussions with East Midlands Rail.”
Deputy Gedling Borough Council leader Michael Payne has also been angered by the lack of services at the stations.
The removal of the direct service from Burton Joyce and Carlton stations to Matlock prompted the councillor to write to Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport and urged him to bring reinstate the route.
He wrote: “Residents across Gedling borough are disappointed and angry about East Midland Railway’s decision to permanently remove the service
“The direct route into the popular destination of Matlock provided excellent accessibility to the beautiful Peak District for local families.
“It is such a retrograde step for East Midlands Railway to have removed this important service.”
East Midlands Railway responded at the time to Mr Payne’s call for the return of the service.
The said they had ‘no plans to operate the direct link’ following last year’s timetable change.
They said there will be consultations into timetable changes in the coming years and ‘residents can feed into that process’.
An EMR spokesman said: “Overall, our timetable change provides more seats, quicker journeys and a simpler and more resilient timetable for passengers.
“This includes the introduction of an additional train every hour between Nottingham and Derby as well as additional weekday evening services between Nottingham, Newark Castle and Lincoln.
“By extending our services from Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent through to Nottingham and Newark Castle we are introducing new direct journey opportunities between some of the largest towns and cities on our network.”
