Home Blog Page 514

Gedling borough Christmas bus timetables: All the changes to our services over the festive period

Gedling Eye
-
1
Gedling borough Christmas bus timetables: All the changes to our services over the festive period

Many people across Gedling borough will be making plans to meet up with friends and family or head into the city over the Christmas period.

Some of you might still even have to go into work – boo!

But, if you intend to use public transport to get around this month, there are a few things you need to know about.

Public transport is limited over the Christmas period so make sure you plan in advance. Some taxis are available but may charge more on Christmas and Boxing Day.

Nottingham City Transport and Trent Barton have put together a summary of their services over the busy Christmas period to help people plan ahead.

Nottingham City Transport services

On Thursday, December 23 normal weekday timetables will be in place.

A Lilac 25 bus in Carlton
PICTURED: Lilac 25 bus in Carlton

On Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24), Saturday timetables will be in operation with buses running until 20:00.

There will be no service on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Buses will be running to Saturday timetables on Bank Holiday Monday (December 27) and December 28, 29 and 30.

Saturday timetables will be in place on New Year’s Eve, (Friday, December 31) with last buses in both directions by 20:00pm on most routes. The NightBus network is operating until 3.15am.

There will be no service on New Year’s Day (Saturday, January 1).

Normal Sunday timetables will be in place on Sunday, January 2.

Saturday timetables will be in place on Monday, January 3.

Normal services resume on Tuesday, January 4.

Trent Barton services

On Christmas Eve, (Friday, 24 December) a normal Thursday service will be in place with last departures around 6pm. 

There will be no service on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

A Sunday service will be in place on Sunday, December 27.

A Sunday service will be in place on Monday, December 28 and a Saturday service will operate on Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 29.

A Saturday service will be in place on New Year’s Eve (December 31) with last departures around 6pm. 

No services will be operating on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1.

There will be a normal Saturday service in place on January 2 and Sunday service on January.

Normal timetables will resume on Monday, January 4.

Boris Johnson gives his seal of approval to winning Christmas cards by Gedling borough pupils

Gedling Eye
-
0
Boris Johnson gives his seal of approval to winning Christmas cards by Gedling borough pupils

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received a much-needed Christmas tonic thanks to two pupils in Gedling borough.

Gedling MP Tom Randall presented Christmas cards to the Prime Minister that had been designed by two pupils from Killisick Junior School and Mapperley Plains Primary School

Their designs were chosen as winners of Mr Randall’s Christmas card competition, which was launched back in October when he asked local school children from across the borough to submit designs.

The winning design was drawn by 10-year-old Annabelle who attends Killisick Junior School. Her reindeer and snowy chimney design will appear on the front of all the cards sent by the MP to businesses, schools, community groups and residents across Gedling.

PICTURED: Christmas card competition winner Annabelle, with her signed picture of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Gedling MP Tom Randall

The runner-up design was drawn by Thomas who attends Mapperley Plains Primary School and will appear on the inside of Tom’s 2021 Christmas card.

Both Annabelle and Thomas won tickets to pantomimes in Nottingham, kindly donated by the Theatre Royal and the Arts Theatre. Tom met both children to hand them a signed photograph by the Prime Minister of him receiving a copy of their designs.

Mr Randall said they had received hundreds of entries from school children across Gedling.

“Thank you to school children from across Gedling for submitting drawings to my Christmas card competition, he said.

“The designs are fantastic. Judging all of them and picking a winner and runner-up has not been easy.

“I met the Prime Minister in the House of Commons to show him Annabelle and Thomas’s designs. He was very impressed by both of them. The Prime Minister himself will be one of the many recipients of my Christmas card that includes these designs.

He added: “I am very grateful to Thomas, Annabelle and all those children who entered my 2021 competition. I wish them all a happy Christmas.”

Boost your skills with new courses at libraries across Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Boost your skills with new courses at libraries across Gedling borough

Libraries across Gedling borough are giving residents the chance to learn a host of new skills this New Year.

The courses, being offered by Inspire Learning, are free to those in receipt of eligible benefits and include maths, English, ESOL, and ICT as well as accredited courses at levels 1 and 2.

There’s even courses to help people make improvements to their health and wellbeing, explore a new hobby, or interest, or spend quality time with the family whilst learning something new.

Available at local libraries and online, courses are offered alongside free careers and benefits advice to help people into training, employment, or to make that next career move.

People can also use their local Inspire library, free of charge, to support their learning with free bookable computers, free WiFi and quiet study spaces.

Inspire Learning’s spring term course guide is available at local libraries or online at inspireculture.org.uk/learning

Renowned hypnotist Paul McKenna wants to convert Gedling borough’s sprout haters to lovers using mass online hypnosis

Gedling Eye
-
0
Renowned hypnotist Paul McKenna wants to convert Gedling borough’s sprout haters to lovers using mass online hypnosis

Renowned hypnotist Paul McKenna is hosting the world’s first mass online hypnosis to convert Gedling borough’s sprout haters to lovers of the vegetable this Christmas.

The 10-minute ‘Save Our Sprouts’ trance, which is available on Aldi’s YouTube channel, could see up thousands of sprouts saved from the bin on Christmas Day.

In the first ever mass hypnotism of this kind, McKenna hopes to use the power of mind over matter to help viewers create positive associations to the mini brassicas, eradicating previous fears and apprehension regarding sprout consumption.

The 58-year-old hypnotist said: “I was excited at the prospect of being part of a fun, festive project, with a good cause at its heart.

“This sprouts hypnosis is all about increasing food choices for Brits over Christmas, at a time that is all about enjoyment.

“Not only are sprouts an essential part of Christmas day, but they are also a great source of vitamins and minerals. Here’s to coming together as a nation to keep them on our Christmas dinner plates for good.” 

To put the trance to the test, Aldi recruited two sprout hating members of the public to undergo hypnosis with Paul. 

Brussel-sprouts

By asking that they imagine the texture and taste of their favourite food when eating brussels sprouts, Paul was able to refocus their brains to let go of previous negative thoughts towards the vegetable.  After the session, which took approximately 15 minutes, both had been converted into sprout lovers, and happily ate them when offered.  

Scott Garson, who works as a Finance Manager, said: “I’m shocked. I think the most surprising outcome of this experiment is that after eating one sprout, I went in for another.  I never thought that I would like them, let alone want more! I just hope it lasts and it’s a merry sproutmas.” 

Enoch Ogbonnaya, a student studying in London, said, of tasting the sprouts: “The flavour has changed…I don’t know how, but it has! My mum is going to be absolutely shocked, and she’s going to be buzzing. Now, when she puts brussel sprouts on the plate, I’ll ask for seconds.”

In a survey carried out by the discount supermarket giant, sprouts came at the bottom when participants were asked to rank their festive dinner items on preference.

Christmas dinner items in order of Brits’ preference: 

1.      Roast potatoes 

2.      Turkey 

3.      Yorkshire puddings 

4.      Stuffing 

5.      Pigs in Blankets 

6.      Parsnips 

7.      Carrots 

8.      Sprouts 

Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Sprouts are a polarising vegetable that has the nation divided.

“Not only will our online hypnosis help customers to enjoy every single element of their Christmas dinner, but it could also help to save millions of sprouts from being tossed in the bin.

“We hope that sprout haters up and down the country are encouraged to give the hypnosis a go.”

Developers want to transform former Virgin Media offices near Colwick

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
1
Developers want to transform former Virgin Media offices near Colwick

Developers want to tear down a former Virgin Media office block and build more than 80 homes between Sneinton and Colwick.

Nottingham City Council is to decide the proposals at a planning meeting on Wednesday, December 22. Planning officers have recommended approval is granted.

The site called Diamond Plaza in Daleside Road was used by Virgin Media as offices and a technical hub which supplied a large part of the East Midlands with fibre optic broadband services.

The offices have been vacant since December 2019, but the technical hub remains active.

Developers want to create 82 homes with parking and landscaping on the site.

The application proposes the demolition of the majority of the existing office buildings, but with the partial demolition of one of the buildings to allow for the retention of the technical hub.

Loxley_House
PICTURED: Loxley House

The proposed redevelopment of the site would then comprise of 40 one and two-bed apartments in four-storey pitched roof buildings to the south-west of the site and 42 two and three-bed houses in two and three-storey pitched roof buildings on the remainder of the site.

The applicant proposes that the homes would be offered in a mix of shared ownership and affordable rent tenures.

Residents living in the area who have commented so far are mostly in favour of the application.

One said: “The principle of the residential development of this site is welcomed and we hope with time that a community will thrive. The project should in time become an asset to the area.”

Another added: “Overall I am supportive of the site being used for social housing and like the design. However, it is on a busy and noisy road with traffic continuing through the night.”

Councillors will need to consider whether the application is a loss of employment land. A decision will be made on December 22.

Ben Bradley and Government issues assurances to Gedling leader over ‘super-council’

Andrew Topping (Local Democracy Reporter)
-
2
Ben Bradley and Government issues assurances to Gedling leader over ‘super-council’

The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has written to the leader of Gedling Borough Council and other district and borough authorities to assure them over suggested Government plans that their councils could be scrapped.

Councillor Ben Bradley MP (Con) penned the letter in response to concerns raised by Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), the leader of Ashfield District Council, following an alleged leak of the upcoming Levelling Up White Paper.

The apparent leak, reported by The Independent, suggested Whitehall plans to bring in top-down local government reorganisation (LGR) as part of its new devolution ‘County Deals’.

Reports suggested areas such as Nottinghamshire – which are governed in a two-tier system where district or borough authorities and county councils share service provision – could be reformed into a single-tier, unitary system.

This new system, the reports suggested, could involve proposals similar to the ‘super-council’ plans unsuccessfully attempted at length by former county council leader Kay Cutts (Con).

However, Cllr Bradley, who replaced Mrs Cutts as leader in May, confirmed on Friday (December 17) he has written to Cllr Zadrozny and all other district and borough leaders on the issue.

In the letter, the Mansfield MP provides assurances directly from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) that “top-down reorganisation” is off the cards.

The Government assurance states reorganisation of Nottinghamshire’s council structure is “not a pre-requisite” for the attempted devolution deal currently being sought by all authorities in the county.

And it adds reorganisation would be a ‘locally-led’ process requiring support across the board – something the proposals do not have.

John Clarke Gedling
PICTURED: Cllr Jon Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council has received a letter from NCC leader Ben Bradley

The Government did not, however, rule out LGR in other parts of the country.

Writing in the letter to leaders, Cllr Bradley said: “It looks likely the White Paper will lay out a number of options. Some of these may include LGR but Government has made it very clear there will not be ‘top-down reorganisation’.

“It seems possible different models of governance may come with different powers and/or funding.

“I imagine one such option will be a County Deal with all councils working together in their current structure, as we have proposed publicly.

“We all know Government has never been willing to force single-tier governance, and that the criteria as it stands would not enable that to happen in Nottinghamshire, given there is not a ‘good deal of local support’.

“When I was elected as leader of the county council I said LGR was not in our plans and I stand by that.”

Supporters of the changes say the current system “no longer serves the interests of residents and taxpayers”, with Kay Cutts previously describing having eight Nottinghamshire authorities as “wasteful and confusing”.

But the proposals, which could have led to what many described as a ‘super-council’, were unanimously opposed by district and borough leaders and described as “undemocratic”.

Objectors feared decision-making could be taken away from communities under the plans and also lead to job losses across the eight authorities.

Speaking following Cllr Bradley’s letter, Cllr Jason Zadrozny, who raised the initial concerns, welcomed the intervention.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I thank Ben for replying to my letter, setting out my opposition to leaked plans from Government to scrap councils like Ashfield.

“I welcome his opposition to his own Government but this will not go away.

“I will continue to pile pressure on both Ben and the Conservatives to use whatever influence they have to ensure plans to scrap local councils are consigned to the dustbin.”

A Government spokesperson has also since confirmed parts of the assurances in Cllr Bradley’s letter.

They said: “We do not comment on leaks. Work is progressing well on the Levelling Up White Paper, which will be published in January.

“There are no plans for top-down local government restructuring. Our approach is to empower local leaders.”

GP vaccination effort steps up a gear with Covid jab appointments available for everyone at Netherfield medical centre

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
1
GP vaccination effort steps up a gear with Covid jab appointments available for everyone at Netherfield medical centre

A GP surgery in Netherfield is offering booster vaccine appointments to anyone wanting a jab in a bid to help control the spread of Covid.

Trentside Medical Centre on Knight Street is offering the booster to jabs to all patients from any GP surgery.

Flu-jab

It is also offering second jabs to those still seeking one.

The centre won’t be offering a walk-in service and it’s appointment only.

Those seeking a vaccine can call 0115 8832409 or email NNCCG.C84010@NHS.NET

‘It was so magical’: Killisick pupils bring tears of joy to eyes of Arnold care home residents with carol service

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
‘It was so magical’: Killisick pupils bring tears of joy to eyes of Arnold care home residents with carol service

Pupils from Killisick Primary School brought tears of joy to the elderly by singing carols outside their Arnold care home.

Coppice Lodge, situated on Coppice Road is a residential and dementia care home.

The school choir sang Christmas carols from the care home gardens while residents listened from the comfort of the lounge.

Tonie Owen, a resident at Coppice Lodge, said: “It was so magical to see the children again, it really warmed my heart that they have taken the time to do this, it has made my year.”

Lifestyle Manager, Lorna Thornley, added: “It was an emotional afternoon as the residents loved it so much, they were all in tears, all the children and residents were waving to each other as they sang ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’, Silent Night’ and ‘King of all the world’. 

PICTURED: Pupils from Killisick Primary School in Arnold sing to pensioners at Coppice Lodge care home

“Afterwards we gave the children hot chocolates and gingerbread men. We also presented them with a cheque for £200 which we have raised for the school to buy their own radio station equipment.”

Linsey Clark, Killisick Primary School head teacher, said: “Coppice Lodge has always supported our school, we can’t thank them enough for everything they do and this is just the icing on the cake. We cannot wait for the day that we can all come in and visit their wonderful residents again in person.”

Street signs and a noisy manhole cover: the Gedling borough complaints made to FixMyStreet over the past few months

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Street signs and a noisy manhole cover: the Gedling borough complaints made to FixMyStreet over the past few months

From potholes to parking problems, it is fair to say residents across all council areas often have a problem or two to contend with.

When issues arise, it is best to report them to the council or whoever is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of roads, pavements and pathways in your local area.

Many do so, but others sometimes take to the app and website of FixMyStreet which sends the reported problem on to the relevant council on residents’ behalf in the hope of having it seen to.

Honing in on Gedling borough, here are eight problems that appear to be outstanding as reported by residents in the last few months.

Traffic lights at Victoria Road/Colwick Loop Road/Victoria Parkway badly timed.

This was reported on Sunday, October 17, 2021. The user complained that the traffic lights on Victoria Road don’t stay green long enough. They wrote: “I had to wait for two cycles of the lights to get out. When they went green, only 3 cars in front of me got out before the lights changed. In contrast all of the cars from the Retail Park and everything else on the Loop Road got through first time. Its been like this for years.”

Tree overgrown onto nearby roof of house

An overgrown tree was reported

The user complained that a tree that is rooted on Steedman Avenue needs cutting back, with all neighbours thinking the tree is an eyesore. They wrote: “There is constant bird excrement on the pavements and cars which are parked on driveways , a sticky sap is currently causing a problem with cars and windows being affected and the pavement is not passable where the tree is rooted.” They want a thorough cutback in line with other trees that have been given one on a more regular basis.

Speed Limit Sign not facing on coming traffic

On the B684 Lime Lane A614 End near Redhill it was reported that a speed limit sign was not facing on coming traffic.

Parking on pavement obscuring vision

This was reported on December 3 by an anonymous user in Arnold. They wrote: “I live off Dalton Drive and have to go out of the bottom onto Rolleston Drive in my car several times a day. Due to parked cars on the pavement on both sides of the road you are on a wing and a prayer as to whether anything is coming when you pull out. This is an accident waiting to happen.”

Very noisy manhole cover

A noisy manhole cover on Sandford Road in Carlton was reported on November 16th. The user reported that it had been looked at and some blue paint sprayed near it but no further action. “The noise is getting worse and I believe the road surface is slowly sinking.”

Inconsiderate and dangerous parking on Arno Vale Road

Back in November one user reported parking problems in Woodthorpe. They wrote: “I live at the junction of Whernside Road and Arno Vale Road. Cars regularly park across my drive making it difficult and dangerous to drive out of my drive. There are so many cars parking on Arno Vale Road often making it difficult for vehicles to pass, particularly large trucks and ambulances etc.

Overhanging bushes

On Tuesday, October 19 it was reported that overhanging bushes makes it hard to walk past to get to and from the bus stop on Victoria Park Way in Netherfield.

Street light not working

It was reported that the street light next to the lay-by on Broom Road in Calverton isn’t working. “The small LED’s work but the main light doesn’t which makes it very dark.”

Netherfield charity lands £50k boost from Christmas council cash handouts

David Bratton
-
0
Netherfield charity lands £50k boost from Christmas council cash handouts

A Netherfield charity is one of many to benefit from a round of council cash handouts awarded this week in tome for Christmas.

The Netherfield Forum has been handed £49,910 by Nottinghamshire County Council, with the money being used to covers some of the costs associated with converting a the town’s former GP practice on Forester Road into a wide-ranging community hub to provide a new youth centre.

Almost £900,000 is to be handed out in total to nearly 40 Nottinghamshire charities and projects which provide support to vulnerable people in their communities.£610,182 has been taken from the council’s from the Covid-19 Partnership Social Recovery Fund and £282,817 from the Community Hub Food Plan Fund.

The cash handouts were approved during a council meeting of the Communities Committee on Wednesday. 

Other charities across the borough have also benefitted from the festive funding.

£8,060 has been awarded to City Arts in Gedling. The funding will be used to pay for a co-ordinator to engage with and target between 80-120 residents, offering weekly sessions over a six-month period as part of a project for people over 55 who are isolated, lonely, and experiencing mental health issues.

Phoenix Farm Open Door Project, which runs The Ark Gedling will use their £7,279 to appoint a Covid Recovery Income Support Worker for 12 months providing 25 hours of support each week.

£25,000 will be paid to Gedling Borough Council and will fund project co-ordination and food costs, volunteer training and expenses as part of the Reconnecting through the Food Programme – a 12-month partnership to engage with 1,500 people by using food and nutrition to combat loneliness and isolation.

Councillor John Cottee, chairman of the Communities Committee, said he was delighted so many good causes in the borough would now receive the funding to continue with their invaluable work.

He said: “We have a great number of charities and organisations in Nottinghamshire that have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to provide a lifeline to the more vulnerable members of society who have needed support. 

“Therefore, it goes without saying that I hope the funding we have approved this week will support and enable them to continue with their tireless efforts, which will ultimately improve the lives of so many in their communities.

“I would like to thank the charities and organisations who have taken the time to put together application bids for funding and would like to wish them every success for the future.”

1...513514515...1,026Page 514 of 1,026