A social club in Colwick is inviting pensioners in the local community to a free Christmas party.
The Vale Club on Vale Road will run the Christmas party nights for the over-60s on Monday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 15.
50 people will be able to attend each event and although the events are free – a £5 deposit will be required to book a place.
Pensioners must be over 60 and live in Colwick to be eligible to book a place oat the events.
Those attending the nights will receive a two-course Christmas meal and be able to play cash bingo. Entertainment will also be on offer with Dave the Banjo Man performing a comedy and sing-a-long show.
The event has been made possible after donations from local businesses and people in the community .
General manager Nathan Woodward said: “The Parish Council voted not to hold the event this year due to Covid-19.
“We are normally just the venue for the annual pensioner party and don’t organise it but a lot of people have been calling us to find out if it’s going ahead this year and we decided to try and run it ourselves.
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has made a donation so far as without everyone’s help we wouldn’t be able to put this night on free of charge for the village pensioners.”
Those wanting to book a place at one of the events can visit the club or call 0115878576.
A freelance graphic designer has shared his views on UK councils’ logos in a new blog rating the emblems that represent all of the UK’s local authorities.
Robin Wilde, who is based in Seattle, Washington, gave a review of all 399 local authority logos in the UK, placing Gedling Borough Council’s branding in the top 150.
Mr Wilde wrote: “The large slab N and the fancier leaf device gives a nod to the county’s age (and consequently large oaks) and the Robin Hood/Sherwood Forest legacy, while also hinting at sharp edged modernity. A nice contrast.”
Ranking in the bottom 25 at 376th was Rushcliffe Borough Council’s logo, although it did raise a smile from Mr Wilde.
“We have our first bonus points for a visual pun, as the R appears to be rushing — geddit?” he wrote.
“Unfortunately the ornate R is let down by the boring rest of the logo. Next.”
Coming in first place and crowned best local authority logo in the UK was that of Bedford Borough Council.
Mr Wilde wrote: “Ask me for a council logo that can reproduce at scale across your bin lorries and also strike fear into your enemies carried aloft on a banner into battle, and I’ll show you Bedford.
“A very strong use of pretty much every element here, this tells you the mighty Bedford is not going to let your bins go uncollected or your planning application go unprocessed — you have it on the Chief Executive’s honour.”
Gedling borough residents have reacted to the news that masks are now compulsory for the first time since ‘Freedom Day’ in July 2021.
Omicron, the latest virus mutation was first identified by researchers in South Africa last week.
It is expected to replace Delta as the dominant variant.
Scientists are confident the vaccines protect against all variations but there are concerns regarding their effectiveness in fighting Omicron, especially with re-infection and transmission.
Several countries have been added to the UK’s red list and the vaccine approval body has extended the Covid booster to everyone who is eligible by the end of January.
The government have decided to make it a legal requirement to wear a face covering in all shops and public transports unless individuals are exempt.
Boris Johnson has also confirmed the measures are only “temporary and precautionary” and insisted Christmas will not be cancelled by a lockdown this year.
On social media, opinions are divided.
Most users said they welcome the new restrictions if that means protecting other people.
Councillor Meredith Lawrence said: “I have been wearing a mask in shops and on public transport since they were first made compulsory and will continue to do so.”
Dee Evans said: “A mask is no real hardship is it.
“Why people can’t just wear them and move on with their otherwise unrestricted day.”
Wayne Purchase also added: “For me, I have not stopped wearing masks, and think they need to be made mandatory.
“If they help 10% that’s lives saved! What the anti and that brigade don’t realise is this virus is like playing Russian roulette, you might be lucky, but you also might not!”
Similarly, Helen Auld said: “Never took it off. I struggle with them but am also an NHS employee, so it is ingrained.
“I don’t understand why some without medical exemption have an issue with it.
“Defiance for the sake of defiance is different to those who simply can’t for medical reasons.
“Medically I’m exempt, but I manage for prolonged periods and will continued to do so.”
Some think the restrictions should have never been removed in the first place.
Tracy Hatcher-Atkinson said: “They shouldn’t have changed the guidelines in the first place and should have brough them in sooner.”
Stan Coupland said: “They should have been maintained.
“There were still 120 deaths per day when Boris said you can leave them off.
“Scotland did not stop wearing them.”
But, some people were sceptical about these new measures and thought people should try to cohabit with the virus.
Emma Haywood said: “This was always going to happen. If masks were working why is the virus so high still in Melbourne.
“And their vaccination rate is 90% in Melbourne with over 1000 cases a day.
“Most people have had COVID by now. Or been jabbed and boosted. Let life carry on and stop living in fear.”
Nicola Rose said: “So you need to wear a mask in a hairdresser but not a pub? It’s ridiculous all or nothing or no one is going to adhere to it.”
Also, Abbie Jade thinks the government have not been consistent with their Coronavirus measures.
She said: “If the government actually followed its own poor guidance, I don’t think so many would be frustrated.”
Gedling Borough Council has revealed that Arnold Market Place is to be rebranded following the completion of a multi-million pound revamp of the site.
The town’s shopping will be named ‘The AMP” once work is completed early next year.
The council said they chose name is an acronym of the famous Arnold Market Place and also because it can also mean amplification and amphitheatre, as it will be a space used for events and entertainment.
The new name will be officially unveiled tomorrow (December 1) on new hoardings outside the development by councillors and partners involved in the project.
The concept was unveiled following a consultation with local residents and businesses and after looking at several options – with The AMP standing out as the obvious choice for this exciting project.
The announcement of the new name coincides with a launch of a new website www.the-amp.co.uk where residents can find out about all the latest news about the development. There is also details about how businesses can find out more information about the units and how they can enquire about letting them.
The site is being constructed by developers G F Tomlinson, the company, who previously built the council’s iconic Café 1899 at Gedling Country Park. Works are well underway with the installation of the first floor, elevator shafts and stairways as well as the installation of the exterior steel works.
PICTURED: Delegates at the topping out ceremony at Arnold Market
The project means that Arnold Town Centre will receive the most significant investment it has ever had with up to £4 million allocated to the project as part of the council’s plan to revitalise the centre and create a new space that will help boost visitors to the town centre and support local businesses.
A new public space will be created as a central focal point for The AMP. The new building will provide seven small outlets for local independent businesses with flexible space above, which could be used for a variety of commercial options.
Funding for this project is coming from the council’s capital programme budget, boosted by a successful bid for £1.25 million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund that supports town centre improvements. The project will create around 40 new jobs through business employment and through the construction of the new buildings. The building is expected to open in spring 2022.
Craig Stopper, framework construction manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to see the new name be unveiled to the public as we continue to make great progress.
“We are thrilled to have already begun the next phase of the build, which includes installing key elements of the interior, such as stairways and elevators shafts.
The AMP will provide Arnold with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will serve the community and many businesses for years to come. The website will also be a great addition in allowing the local community to access regular updates on the project as it takes shape.”
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “We’re very pleased to reveal the name for this exciting project for Arnold Town Centre and residents of Gedling Borough.
“The AMP will attract up and coming independent businesses to our town while ensuring that the history of the market place is not forgotten. I would like to thank all of the local residents and businesses for their contributions during the consultation on the proposals for the new name.”
Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “We are now at a critical moment for the project where we are now inviting businesses to come forward who are interested in working in this fantastic building and the launch of the new website will help us bring in new ventures to the area.
“As you can see, The AMP name is bold, innovative and it is a great development that will help revitalise the town centre and create a more vibrant economy when it opens in spring 2022.”
A new housing development in Calverton welcomed its first few visitors last month as the first homes were released for sale.
The homes are based on the Willow Rise development, off Flatts Lane.
Bellway East Midlands say they are delivering 82 new homes at the development, including 16 affordable properties for local people, alongside public open space and a children’s play area.
The housebuilder says it also investing more than £900,000 in the area as part of the planning agreement.
Kenny Lattimore, sales manager for Bellway East Midlands, said: “Construction is already underway on the first properties at Willow Rise and the work is progressing well.
“We wanted to coincide the launch of the first homes for sale at the development, with the opening of the on-site sales office at Willow Rise – which was a great success.
“The launch welcomed visitors and prospective buyers to the site, which has already generated a good level of interest.
“This development is already appealing to a wide range of buyers, including first-time buyers and growing families, and we are expecting the first selection of new homes to be snapped up quickly once they are released onto the market.”
Willow Rise is Bellway’s latest development in Nottinghamshire and will provide a mix of three and four-bedroom houses for sale. Each home will feature a private garden and parking.
As part of the scheme, Bellway will provide more than £460,000 in financial contributions towards primary and secondary education.
Kenny said: “Willow Rise is in a thriving village location in Nottinghamshire, with excellent transport connections to Nottingham city centre and well-regarded schools in the area – all of which makes this a particularly sought-after development.
“The significant financial contributions by Bellway will also further enhance local infrastructure and facilities for both existing and future residents in the village.”
Prices for the first homes released for sale at Willow Rise currently start from £285,000 for a three-bedroom home.
Plans for apartments on the site of a former care home in Carlton and a proposal to create a new care home in Woodthorpe are expected to get the green light at Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee meeting tomorrow (December 1).
20 new residential apartments could be built on the site of Highclere Lodge on Burton Road if the thumbs up is given.
The site was previously in use as a 28-bedroom care home, accommodated in a detached building of a traditional design with modern additions. This building was demolished circa 2017.
Council planning officers were originally against the application as some of the trees on the site are protected by a Tree Preservation Order and there is a “potential” for archaeological remains to be present.
Changes to the plans have been made to address the issues raised.
Seventeen residents have sent letters to the council about the development.
The planning officer’s recommendation was that plans should be approved as “the proposal will not have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties in terms of overlooking or massing / overshadowing.
They added: “Parking and access at the site is acceptable. The proposal will not increase flood risk in the area nor will it have an unacceptable impact on ecology in the area.”
Plans are also being discussed for a new care home for 40 residents in Woodthorpe.
The new home would be built on Woodthorpe Drive.
New apartments could be built on teh site of Highclere Lodge in Carlton
The planning officer has recommended the scheme gets the green light.
They wrote: “The development is visually acceptable, results in no undue impact on the neighbouring properties or the area in general.
“There are no highway safety or parking issues arising as part of the proposal. Taking the above into account, it is considered that the proposal is appropriate.”
Two failed appeals over planning decisions will also be discussed.
Plans to demolish garages and erect a triple garage in Arnold were rejected on the grounds that “The design, location and scale of the proposed garage would result in an unduly prominent addition to the street scene which would visually prominent from both Mansfield Road and Birch Lea.
“The proposal would also be overbearing upon the host dwelling, competing in scale with the host dwelling and neighbouring properties and therefore would not respect the character or appearance of the local area.”
A planning inspector also ruled against plans to build a large five-bedroom family home within the grounds of Newstead Abbey.
The inspector had objected to the development arguing it would affect green belt land.
The proposal was to demolish a single-storey, stone-clad, two-bedroom home with a number of outbuildings and create a five-bedroom family home.
Planning permission was refused by the council on April 9, which felt the proposal would result in the construction of a home in the green belt which would have ‘a significantly greater floor area than the original dwelling’.
An appeal against this decision was lodged with the planning inspectorate, but has now been dismissed.
A report to the council’s next planning committee meeting includes the inspector’s conclusion, stating the frontage of the new house would ‘encroach’ into an area currently undeveloped.
Families across Gedling borough are being urged not to turn to predatory loan sharks to help pay for Christmas presents this year.
The warning forms part of a hard-hitting nationwide social media campaign by the Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) and backed by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team as the festive season fast approaches.
It comes as research shows that Christmas is the second highest reason people borrow money from loan sharks.
Now the IMLT has launched its annual Christmas campaign today (Monday, November 29) which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks and promote the support available to victims and their families.
The #AllIWantForChristmas campaign will run across Stop Loan Sharks’ social media channels from today until Sunday, December 5 and features advice and tips on how to stay safe from illegal money lenders over the festive period.
It also includes harrowing ‘Dear Santa’ stories to highlight the detrimental impact illegal money lending has on families and how the crime can cause serious physical, emotional and psychological damage to children.
The heart-breaking letters to Santa do not ask for expensive gifts such as laptops or game consoles, instead children plead for help to stop loan sharks terrorising their families.
Tony Quigley, head of the England IMLT, said Illegal money lending is a ‘horrific crime’ which affects many individuals and their families as well as entire communities.
He said: “At this time of year people can be more susceptible to falling prey to loan sharks due to the financial pressures of Christmas.
“Loan sharks will target people who feel under pressure financially and may not be aware of the services that are there to help them.
“Borrowing from a loan shark might feel like your only option when you’re in a pinch and need cash fast this festive season, but it’s important to remember that these lenders operate illegally and can turn quite nasty when demanding payments from victims.
“We encourage anyone with information about this crime to come forward and report.
“We will provide specialist support and take action against the loan shark. If you need help with money worries, contact your local Citizens Advice for free, confidential and impartial advice.”
Loan sharks rarely give paperwork, exorbitant extra amounts and interest payments are usually added at random, and items including passports, bank cards and driving licences are taken as security on the loans.
As the debts often cannot legally be enforced in many cases the loan sharks will resort to threats, violence and other bully tactics to extort money from people.
Councillor John Cottee, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities Committee, said: “There is a tremendous amount of pressure put on people at this time of year to deliver but whatever the costs involved and, however great that pressure is, I would desperately urge residents across Nottinghamshire to avoid using loan sharks.
“Christmas is meant to be the most wonderful time of year and, therefore, I very much welcome the work of the Illegal Money Lending Team in launching its annual #AllIWantForChristmas campaign to highlight the dangers of using predatory loan sharks and ultimately make this year a safer and better one for people.”
How to protect yourself and your loved ones from loan sharks this Christmas
If you need to borrow money, check the lender is reputable and find out what interest and fees they charge. You can find out whether a money lender is authorised by checking the register on the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk;
Be wary of people you do not know sending you messages through your social media accounts. Loan sharks might offer you a quick deal, but they will soon trap you in a spiral of debt with extortionate rates of interest;
Never send money or give credit card, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust;
Be careful about how much personal information you share on social network sites. Loan sharks have been known to use online platforms to find, threaten and control people in debt.
Anyone with concerns about illegal money lending can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline in confidence on 0300 555 2222, while additional information is available at www.stoploansharks.co.uk.
Live Chat is available on the website, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
A Colwick opticians has donated high-visibility vests to a nearby primary school to help keep pupils safe on outdoor trips.
Specsavers Colwick, situated in the newly opened Sainsbury’s, donated vests to Burton Joyce Primary School to help ensure children stay safe when they are on school trips or volunteering to help with outdoor projects in their local area.
Burton Joyce Primary School have already put the vests to good use while out and about helping the Friends of Lowdham and Burton Joyce Stations.
“Part of our vision for the new store is our commitment to helping improve the safety of the local community,”said Specsavers Colwick store manager, David Tye.
“It’s great we have already been able to support the local schools as they often take part in outdoor activities. We hope the vests will provide some peace of mind for parents and for the teachers who look after them.’
“The donation is part of the store’s commitment to help local children stay safer. It’s especially important at this time of the year now the clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in.’
Lorna Hunter, teacher at Burton Joyce Primary School, said: ‘We’d like to say a big thank you to Specsavers Colwick for this kind donation. Our children were very excited to wear the vests.’
Specsavers Colwick situated in the new Sainsbury’s opened on November 10 – marking the 70th store to open inside a Sainsbury’s since the two companies entered a partnership together in 2016.
Fans of John Smiths and Strongbow should make the most of downing the drinks at their local borough Wetherspoons – as they are coming off the menu.
The budget pub chain, which has pubs in Arnold, Carlton and Mapperley is axing pints of John Smiths and Strongbow from the menu as part of a shake-up of the pub chain’s drinks options.
The company recently signed a new 20-year deal with Budweiser Brewing Group to become its largest supplier.
This means Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Leffe Blonde and Bud Light, as well as Bathtub Gin, Bud Light Seltzer and Mike’s Hard Seltzer will be available at all Wetherspoons in Gedling borough,
It brings the pub chain’s partnership with Heineken to an end after 41 years.
Strongbow and Strongbow Dark Fruits will be replaced by Stowford Press Apple and Stowford Press Mixed Berries, made by Westons Cider, from December 15.
John Smiths bitter is being replaced by Worthington’s bitter, supplied by brewer Molson Coors.
Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman Tim Martin said: “Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I will now become our biggest supplier, with new beers Budweiser, Corona and Leffe Blonde, in addition to their existing products, Stella Artois and Bud Light – as well as a range of bottled beers.
“We are also pleased to have agreed long-term supply deals with BrewDog, Westons Cider, Carlsberg and Molson Coors.
“Wetherspoon will continue to sell a wide range of traditional ales and craft beers from regional and micro brewers at competitive prices.
“We’re very pleased to have such a brilliant group of brewers supporting our efforts.”
The pub chain recently announced it will extend its discount on drinks for an extra three months – meaning thirsty punters can still get some beers for 99p until the end of February.
The deal was supposed to end on Tuesday, November 30, but now customers will be able to get their drinks in for less during the festive period and new year too.
Families are being welcomed back to Gedling Crematorium ‘in person’ for this year’s Christmas Carol and Remembrance Service.
The service takes place on Thursday, December 9 at 6pm.
It will provide a valuable opportunity for families and friends to come together and remember their loved ones in the run up to Christmas.
Covid-19 restrictions meant that people were unable to visit the on-site chapel for the annual flagship service last year, which had to be streamed on-line instead.
This year, families will have both options available; attend the event in person or, if they are not able to get to the crematorium, the service will also be webcast so that no one misses out.
Gedling Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner-operator of crematoria and cemeteries, with 35 sites across England, Scotland and Wales, all set within beautifully-landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.
Last year’s service was held online due to the pandemic
The one-hour service will include a mixture of readings and popular Christmas Carols.
Giulia McDonough, site manager at Gedling Crematorium,said: “We are so pleased to be able to welcome families back into our chapel for the Christmas Carol and Remembrance Service this year.
“This event is always popular and while webcasting it last year meant that we were still able to share the seasonal service, there’s nothing quite like being here in person.
“Of course, we know that this is not always possible, which is why we’re providing both options this year. For those who do want to come to the chapel and be part of the service, they can.
“But not everyone will be able to attend. Some may have health or mobility issues, or simply live too far away and not have any transport, so we will still be webcasting the service, too, so that everyone can join in and remember their loved ones in the run up to Christmas.
“We very much look forward to seeing our local families – on line or in person – on 9 December.”
If you wish to view the Webcast, visit https://events.obitus.com/, enter the username ‘Gedling’ and the password ‘Tree’.
