Home Blog Page 515

Work to create new school at Rivendell off Colwick Loop Road ‘on track’ and will welcome first pupils next year

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Work to create new school at Rivendell off Colwick Loop Road ‘on track’ and will welcome first pupils next year

Work to build a new school at the Rivendell estate off Colwick Loop Road is ‘on track’ and will welcome its first pupils in September 2022.

Building work on the Rivendell Flying High Academy is taking shape with The Flying High Partnership, the multi-academy trust responsible for the school, working in partnership with builders, Persimmon Homes.

The school building is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2022, giving families and children who are successful in securing a place, an opportunity to visit ahead of their first term in September 2022.

Nick Layfield, operations manager at The Flying High Partnership said:“It has been great to see the development of the school taking shape and running to schedule. But to also to have the opportunity to shape the school environment and grounds to ensure they provide an inspirational and creative learning space for children.

“The school is being designed to make children’s experience and education the best it can possibly be, and we are delighted that it is shaping up to be a school filled with inspiration and possibility for its children, -and as a hub for the new community.”

“We want to be able to welcome the community, the families and children who will attend the school, in ahead of their first term to meet staff and to familiarise themselves with the new school. This will allow children to undertake their transmission and induction days in the new building.”

Whilst building work is underway, families will need to go online for information at: rivendellfha.co.uk and on Flying High Partnership Facebook and Twitter.

A series of events are being planned where parents can gather the information they need about the new school.

Mr Layfield added: “We would welcome contact from families wishing to join the school and look forward to the day we can welcome those families into the new school building.”

Rivendell Flying High Academy 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.

School places can be applied for via Nottinghamshire County Council admissions page at https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/education/school-admissions/apply-for-a-school-place and nursery places from Spring 2022 direct to the school.

New group formed to help enhance play park in Arnold

Gedling Eye
-
0
New group formed to help enhance play park in Arnold

A new group has been formed to protect and improve a park in Arnold.

The Friends of Church Lane & St. Mary’s Play Park & Recreation Ground has been launched with the ambition of creating a new and improved children’s park and recreation ground.

Work to improve the site has already taken place after local councillor Michael Payne secured funding to improve access points to the recreation Ground, with new steps being put in place.

Steps St Mary's Recreation Ground Arnold
BEFORE AND AFTER: Steps have been created to improve access to St Mary’s Recreation Ground

The group will now campaign to try and secure improvements to the children’s play park and has been formed by local councillor Michael Payne.

Councillor Payne told Gedling Eye: “Working together we can make this and other local parks and green spaces great places for all.

“We are blessed to have such lovely green spaces in and around Arnold. I’ll always fight to improve and protect them.

“Please join our Friends Group and help me improve and transform our local children’s play park”

Those interested in getting involved can join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/923229978609542/

They can also e-mail Councillor Michael Payne on cllr.michael.payne@gedling.gov.uk using the email Subject ‘FRIENDS’

He added: “Together we will improve this popular children’s play park for local families to enjoy.”

Man arrested after ‘waving knife and making threats’ in Colwick

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
2
Man arrested after ‘waving knife and making threats’ in Colwick

Police have arrested a man and recovered a weapon in Colwick as part of a crackdown on knife crime

Police were called to reports of a man waving a knife and making threats in Colwick Road. 

A 50-year-old suspect was swiftly detained on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and affray. 

No-one was hurt during the incident which happened shortly after 8.50pm yesterday (November 14). 

It comes as Nottinghamshire Police puts its weight behind the national Operation Sceptre knife crime campaign this week.  

Positive action taking place during the week will include weapons sweeps and patrols and educational sessions on knife crime for schoolchildren and awareness-raising workshops for young people.

notts police

Stop and search activity will also be carried out to help keep people safe and a metal-detecting knife arch will be used to help detect and remove blades from the streets.

The force’s dedicated knife crime and Operation Reacher teams and schools and early intervention officers will continue their hard work across the force area to prevent incidents and steer young people away from crime.

A knife amnesty is also being held across Nottinghamshire during Operation Sceptre, enabling people to leave their unwanted knives in amnesty bins.

Chief Inspector Clare Dean, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We remain committed to doing everything we can all year round to tackle this serious crime and protect people from knife crime.

“Our message to those who carry a knife, or who are thinking of carrying one, is that it does not protect you. It only increases your vulnerability, putting you in dangerous situations, not to mention the legal consequences of being found in possession of a knife. Knives destroy lives, affecting you, and those around you.    

“Every blade surrendered to us during Operation Sceptre is one less dangerous weapon that can be used to cause serious harm or injury – potentially resulting in someone’s life being lost.

“We all need to work together to combat knife crime and we’re urging anyone with information on knife crime in their local community to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

Arnold-based charity Bag of Blessings launches Christmas appeal

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Arnold-based charity Bag of Blessings launches Christmas appeal

An Arnold-based charity which distributes donated gifts to deprived young people across Nottingham has launched its Christmas appeal.

The charity put collection boxes in local schools, churches, and businesses, with the request for small, pocket money toys, stationery, books, or items of confectionery. 

They then sort the donations into age groups, gift wrap each item and put 4 or 5 gifts into a red cotton bag to be distributed to young people aged 0-16 via food banks, homeless and refugee charities or organisations which support disadvantaged children.

The charity, which has its headquarters in Daybrook, are now appealing for Christmas donations so they can hand gifts to youngsters and those in need over the festive period.

PICTURED: The charity’s youngest volunteer Niamh Fletcher, 9, of Stanhope School in Gedling

The gifts will be distributed around foodbanks and other charity organisations.

People who want to make a donation can drop them off at 1A Morley Street, Daybrook, Nottingham, NG5 6JX – please call 07812 589191 to arrange a time.

A number of local businesses and organisations are also accepting collections which will be passed on to the charity:

  • Co-op store – Plains Road, Mapperley.
  • Haywood Road Community Centre – Mapperley
  • Dexters Bar – Arnold
  • Longbow Pub – Arnold
  • Heidis Cafe – Gedling
  • St Judes Church – Gedling
  • Nags Head – Carlton
  • Carlton Pentecostal Church – Carlton
  • and Milton Court

For more information visit the charity’s website: https://www.bagsofblessingsnottingham.org/

Carlton Town fans condemn ‘revolting’ racist abuse sent to Stourbridge striker Montel Gibson on social media after cup defeat

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Carlton Town fans condemn ‘revolting’ racist abuse sent to Stourbridge striker Montel Gibson on social media after cup defeat

Carlton Town fans have described racist social media abuse directed at Stourbridge striker Montel Gibson as “revolting and wholly unacceptable”.

The centre forward received the racist abuse on Instagram following his side’s victory 2-1 victory against The Millers in the FA Trophy on Saturday (13).

The striker, who previously played for Notts County and Grimsby Town, scored both goals in the victory.

Carlton Town fans posted a statement on their supporters website condemning the abuse.

They wrote: “We are left feeling deeply distressed and disgusted that following yesterday’s game Montel Gibson received racist abuse on social media.

PHOTO: Montel Gibson (IMAGE: Stourbridge FC)

“We want to say that we are appalled that this has happened and stand in solidarity with Montel in calling out this revolting and wholly unacceptable behaviour. we hope he is okay.

“We will be urging everyone involved at Carlton Town to do everything they can to root out this behaviour and ensure that people who behave in this abhorrent way are not welcome anywhere near the club.

“After an excellent game of football we are sorry that this experience has been tainted by what happened after the game.

“We will do all we can to make sure this type of behaviour is nowhere near our football club.”

Carlton Town first team manager Tommy Brookbanks also condemned those sending abuse.

On Twitter he reached out to Gibson, posting: “Montel you was absolutely superb today and were the difference between the two sides.

“No idea who does this kind of thing but as a club we certainly find it sickening and abhorrent. Enjoy your night and let the coward crawl back under the rock he came from.”

Stourbridge FC confirmed they had been in contact with police.

In a statement they said: “We are now in contact with the dedicated hate crime officer for West Midlands Police.”

Colwick firm will again light up shelves at M&S Foodhalls this Christmas with gin and liqueur range

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Colwick firm will again light up shelves at M&S Foodhalls this Christmas with gin and liqueur range

A Colwick packaging firm is lighting up the shelves at M&S Foodhalls for the second Christmas running with its sell-out range of illuminating snow globe liqueurs.

The Wilkins Group, which has its headquarters in Colwick, has once again been asked to add an innovative sprinkle of magic to Marks and Spencer’s 2021 range of Christmas gin and rum liqueurs.

Last year, the firm refined an idea it had presented several years previously, of adding a special label to the base of the glass bottles, each containing four integrated LED lights that, when pressed, illuminated the flakes of edible gold leaf floating in the gin liqueur. 

The result – which effectively turned the bottles to a snow globe and perfect Christmas table decoration – took the nation and social media by storm, with stocks rapidly selling out. 

The 2020 product has even led to the Wilkins Group being shortlisted in the Label of the Year category of this year’s UK Packaging Awards, with winners being announced in November.  

Now, the Wilkins Group has done it again, with the recent launch of the M&S Clementine Gin Liqueur and Spiced Sugar Plum Gin Liqueur. And, for the first time, M&S has added a Madagascan Vanilla Spiced Rum Liqueur to the range.

Wilkins_group
PICTURED: The Wilkins Group headquarters in Colwick

Justin Wilkins, sales and marketing director of the family run Colwick-based firm, said: “Everyone at the Wilkins Group is absolutely delighted to be able to assist Marks and Spencer with this Christmas project again.

“On the back of last year – with the M&S gin range selling out and customers really trying their hardest to get their hands on them – there’s already quite a lot of excitement surrounding this year’s range.

“It’s fantastic, as well, to see new flavours and to see rum being added to the mix. The finished products look stunning. I can see why they are so popular with customers.”

In addition to the LED base labels, the Wilkins Group designed the gift tag swing labels that are fastened around the neck of the 70cl bottles. 

The part-transparent body designs of three products in the 2021 Christmas range take their inspiration from the classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. And, this year, the bottles contain edible silver leaf in the Sugar Plum flavour, as well as gold leaf in the Clementine gin and rum.

The huge interest in last year’s M&S snow globe Christmas liqueurs spiked almost as soon as the firm announced the product launch on social media. As a result of its ensuing retail success, Wilkins Group was also commissioned to create a Cherry Blossom Gin Liqueur bottle design, which was launched earlier this summer.

To find out more about the services offered by the Wilkins Group, visit www.wilkins.co.uk.

Police launch amnesty to take knives off Gedling borough streets

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Police launch amnesty to take knives off Gedling borough streets

TO combat knife crime, Nottinghamshire Police is urging people in Gedling borough to hand in any unwanted knives for disposal.

Operation Sceptre campaign is being launched today to take weapons off the street.

Knife surrender bins will be available across the borough.

Superintendent Kathryn Craner, the force’s knife crime lead, said: “Every knife handed in to us is one less dangerous weapon that can be used to cause serious harm or injury – potentially resulting in someone’s life being lost.

“While we have seen a sustained reduction in knife crime in Nottinghamshire we will never rest on our laurels and we remain determined to drive it down even further.

“We understand the devastating impact knife-related crime has on people’s lives on all sides, both victims and perpetrators, and the immense harm and upset it can cause within wider communities.

“That’s why we continue to work closely with our partners all year round to educate people from an early age about the consequences and dangers of carrying a knife and getting drawn into violent crime.

“The continued support of the community is absolutely vital in tackling this issue.

knife_amnesty
PICTURED: Knives can be handed in using a number of bins located across the borough (PIC: Nottinghamshire Police)

“As well as encouraging people to safely dispose of knives we are asking them to help us make young people aware of the consequences of carrying or using a weapon, that they feel they have someone to talk to about their worries, and to help us spread the message that carrying and using knives will not be tolerated.

A knife amnesty will also be held across Nottinghamshire during Operation Sceptre, enabling people to leave their unwanted knives in amnesty bins.

People can hand in their knives without fear of prosecution for doing so for the duration of the amnesty.

There will also be a bin at the shared service at Carlton Fire Station.

A bin will also be located at Oxclose Lane Police Station in Arnold.

People are advised to check the opening times of their nearest participating amnesty bin location before they visit.

Police will also be carrying out weapons sweeps and patrols during the week of action. Educational sessions on knife crime for schoolchildren and awareness-raising workshops for young people will also be held.

Stop and search activity will also be carried out to help keep people safe and a metal-detecting knife arch will be used to help detect and remove blades from the streets.

As part of its ongoing efforts to stop knives from falling into the wrong hands, Nottinghamshire Police is reminding people of new legislation under The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – meaning it is now illegal to have certain types of knives and other items even at home in private, as well as it being an offence to carry them in public.

Some of the weapons now covered by the new laws include zombie knives, flick knives, butterfly knives, swords, throwing stars, knuckledusters and telescopic truncheons.

To find out more about the changes to the Offensive Weapons Act legislation, meaning it is now illegal to possess certain items in private as well as in public, search ‘Offensive Weapons Act 2019’ online.

Crowds return as Gedling borough honours war dead in poignant Remembrance Sunday parades and services

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Crowds return as Gedling borough honours war dead in poignant Remembrance Sunday parades and services

Gedling borough fell silent to honour the country’s war dead at a number of annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations this morning.

Civic dignitaries, servicemen and women, service and ex-service organisations, faith leaders and uniformed organisations came to pay their respects along with members of the public during services in Gedling, Arnold, Mapperley and Daybrook.

Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council Michael Payne attended the memorial service, parade and wreath-laying ceremony at Arnot Hill Park in Arnold.

He was joined by Councillors Henry Wheeler, Michelle Welsh, Sandra Barnes and Kathryn Fox.

He said: “It was an outstanding turnout by Arnold’s community this morning on Remembrance Sunday for our local Remembrance Parade and Service at St Paul’s Church and Arnot Hill Park War Memorial.

“Thank you to our community for such an overwhelming turnout.Our thanks to those who have served and continue to serve our Queen and country.”

PICTURED: Mayor of Gedling Meredith Lawrence with Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mark Goldby during the Remembrance service at All Hallows Church (PHOTO: Instagram/cllr_meredith_lawrence)
PICTURED: Crowds gather to pay their respects at the war memorial in Arnot Hill Park (PHOTO: Facebook/Michael Payne)

Gedling MP Tom Randall attended the Daybrook church service and the wreath-laying ceremony in Arnold.

He said: “It was lovely to see so many people out today. Thank you to everyone for attending.”

Mayor of Gedling Cllr Meredith Lawrence attended the service at All Hallows Church in Gedling and wreath-laying service at the war memorial in Gedling village.

A service of Remembrance will take place in Mapperley next Sunday (21).

Education Minister to meet Gedling green champions

Irene Bisoni
-
0
Education Minister to meet Gedling green champions

The Minister for School Standards has agreed to meet two young Gedling green warriors who won a Pride of Britain award, to discuss further ways to rid schools of single-use plastics. 

Sisters, Amy (18) and Ella (16) Meek have recently been crowned Green Champions at the prestigious British awards as well as being recognised Environmental Heroes at the Pride of Gedling awards for their commitment to help fight the global scourge of plastic pollution.  

They also launched the Charity Kids Against Plastic back in 2016 and since founding their youth-led organisation, the girls have worked hard to inspire kids and adults alike to take action to reduce plastic consumption or become ‘Plastic Clever’, as they call it. 

Their plastic scheme has since been adopted my thousands of schools as well as many businesses, cafes, councils, and festivals all over the UK. 

As well as speaking with aviation leaders and at the UN, the siblings have personally collected 100,000 pieces of rubbish, one for every sea mammal killed by plastic pollution every year. 

Their first book, Be Plastic Clever, was published last year. 

Speaking about their environmental work, Amy said: “We take our gloves and litter pickers with us wherever we go at weekends and fill our pockets with plastic if we’re on a bike ride. Once you start picking it up, you start seeing it everywhere and then you end up feeling uncomfortable about driving or walking past it without doing something.” 

Ella added: “We are all part of the problem, which makes us part of the solution.” 

The pair is now set to meet Robin Walker MP, the Minister of State for Education, to see what more can be done to limit single-use plastics in schools. 

Tom Randall
PICTURE: Tom Randal in the House of Commons
Amy and Ella Meek
Ella, left and Amy Meek (PHOTO: instagram/kidsagainstplastic

During Education Questions on November 1, Gedling MP Tom Randall invited the minister to meet with the sisters and celebrate their great work.

He said: “My teenage constituents Amy and Ella Meek created the charity Kids Against Plastic to campaign against the use of plastic, and they are currently running the very successful Plastic Clever Schools initiative to encourage schools to reduce plastic usage.  

“Their work was recognised at the weekend, when they were crowned Green Champions at this year’s Pride of Britain awards.” 

He added: “Will the Minister join me in congratulating Amy and Ella on their success and meet them to discuss their ongoing work and to see what more can be done to rid schools of single-use plastics?” 

The Minister for School Standards replied: “I would be delighted to join Tom Randall MP to meet Amy and Ella to discuss their idea and the resources they have created through their Plastic Clever Schools campaign. 

 “Only last week, in a debate in the House, I discussed the importance of teaching about climate change and sustainability in schools. I am looking forward to visiting, this Friday, the Rivers multi-academy trust, to learn about how it incorporates sustainability into its curriculum.”  

 Speaking after Education Questions, Randall MP said, “Gedling constituents Amy and Ella Meek’s fantastic Kids Against Plastic campaign is reducing plastic usage by so far making over 1000 schools and over 50 cafes, businesses, festivals and Council’s plastic clever.   

 “They are well deserved winners of this year’s Green Champions Pride of Britain Award, and I am delighted that the Minister for School Standards has agreed to meet them to discuss what more can be done to rid schools of single-use plastics.”  

Independent Alliance say Gedling Access Road costs are ‘out of control’

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Independent Alliance say Gedling Access Road costs are ‘out of control’

The Independent Alliance at County Hall have accused Nottinghamshire County Council of letting the Gedling Access Road costs get ‘out of control’.

They have accused the Conservatives of ‘financial mis-management’ after leader Ben Bradley this week confirmed the road is now £8.6million over budget. 

The road was originally meant to have cost £40million. 

Last month, the Council estimated that this will cost £5.4million more – this has now gone up to £8.6million.  The Alliance said the overspend must now be met by Nottinghamshire’s tax payers.

Councillor Tom Hollis, Transport and Environment Spokesperson for the Independent Alliance said: “The £8.6million overspend is completely out of control and getting worse. 

“It will have a detrimental impact on all council services – despite repeated attempts to find out the Council have refused to identify where this money is coming from.  Is it from the roads budget?  The children’s budget?  The social services budget? 

Ben Bradley Gedling Acces Road
PICTURED: Nottinghamshire County Council leader Ben Bradley says the advantages outweigh the financial difficulties

“The Tories who run County Hall have basically undertaken a costly, major infrastructure project without due diligence and with an open cheque book.  The contractors have serious questions to answer as do the Conservatives. 

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Gedling Access Road is our version of HS2.  I will be asking the Council some searching questions about financial mismanagement that will cost us dearly at a time we can ill-afford. It’s inconceivable that the pain caused by this decision will have a detrimental impact on every part of this County.  

“Residents will be quite rightly asking if they get value for money from an under performing Council on the brink.”

Mr Bradley told Gedling Eye earlier this week that the advantages of the long-awaited Gedling Access Road will outweigh current financial and scheduling difficulties.

He said: “A global pandemic has meant that construction has had to cope with unexpected problems.

“Inflation has also meant that the cost has risen and poor weather and alterations to planned groundworks has unfortunately resulted in a delay.

“When you dig a hole it doesn’t always look like you thought it would.

“The choice was to delay even further, waiting another 18 months to two years, or crack on. I think the latter is the right thing to do.”

“However, the benefits of the finished project, including improved journey times, links to expanded housing, the creation of local jobs and the overall easing of congestion outweigh the difficulties we are currently experiencing big time.”

“I also think the project could bring in £73m to the local economy. It will more than pay for itself.”

1...514515516...1,015Page 515 of 1,015