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‘Lessons to be learnt’: Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service response times above national average

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service says there are ‘lessons to be learnt’ as figures showed their average response time is higher than the national average.

England’s average response time, across all fire and rescue services, is seven minutes 37 seconds, while Nottinghamshire’s is nine minutes 48 seconds.

But Area Manager Mick Sharman, Head of Response, told a Fire Authority meeting on October 8 he was “confident to defend” the fire service’s position because Nottinghamshire is compared to ‘urbanised’ cities such as London and Manchester which have fewer remote rural areas.

The latest Home Office response times figures from April 2019 to March 2020 show Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is above average for the total response times and above average for all three sub reporting categories – call handling, crew turnout and drive times.

notts-fire-engine

Mr Sharman said the report “really draws attention to Nottinghamshire having a higher than average response time”.

He said: “Because of the geographical boundaries, we are classed as predominately urban. Our call handling times are compared to metropolitans [like] London, Manchester and the West Midlands which is really quite strange.

“Our turn out time is slightly above average but I feel confident to defend that situation.

“There are still lessons to be learnt and work for us to do as a service.”

He added different services record call times in different ways, meaning weighing up NFRS performance to the England average “is not
comparable”.

He said it was better to compare it to nearby services – Derbyshire and Leicestershire, where response times are between nine and 10 minutes.

A report to the authority on the issue added: “It is believed due to the urban and rural nature of Nottinghamshire drive times will be above average, and when comparing times with other counties of a similar demographics there are no areas of concern to report.

“Members should be assured that officers maintain a focus and are commitment as detailed in the Services’ 2019 – 20 Strategic Plan to ensure that incidents are attended in an average below eight minutes.”

Tesco, Morrisons and Asda customers are being warned about about new email scam – here’s how to spot it

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A new scam is targeting Asda, Morrisons and Tesco customers in Gedling borough.

Fake marketing surveys are being sent out on email impersonating the likes of the supermarket giants.

The emails offer gift cards of up to £100 for filling them out.

Which? have gotten hold of the some of the emails, and are warning what you should look out for so that you don’t fall victim to the new scam.

Asda

The email claiming to be from the supermarket giant wants you follow a link to fill out a customer survey. It promises a large reward in return for doing very little, which Which? describes as a “very common phishing tactic”.

Asda confirmed that the survey is not being run by them.

Morrisons

Using the same tactics as the Asda scam, the fake Morrisons version promises a £90 reward.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “These social media posts are designed by third-parties posting as Morrisons, for the purpose of fraudulent activity. Please do not click any links, open attachments or enter personal information. This is not a genuine post from Morrisons.”

Tesco

The Tesco iteration is exactly the same as the Morrisons version. Tesco confirmed that it was aware of these emails and that it is working to stop them. Tesco has a dedicated email for customers to report phishing emails to: phishing@tesco.com

The Ferry Boat Inn Hungry Horse, in Stoke Bardolph, introduces Vimto burgers as part of new menu launch

Vimto burgers are now on the menu at The Ferry Boat in Stoke Bardolph now that changes have been made to their food offering.

The popular eating spot next to the River Trent has introduced the Berry Cheesy Vimto One burger along with Loaded Cheesy Vimto Loaf sharer.

The new additions are part of a menu revamp that took place recently.

Hungry Horse, who run the pub, say for the new Vimto burger they have taken the the real fruitiness of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants and incorporated that into a Camembert sharer and burger.

Other new additions to the menu include the Tikka Tower, Crown of Burgers and American Sizzler.

The Tikka Tower is made up of grilled naan bread piled high with fries and cauliflower wings, smothered in tikka sauce and topped with mint yoghurt and fresh herbs. It is served with mango chutney and deliciously dippable poppadoms.

The Crown of Burgers is made up of a crown of slider burger buns (2 cheeseburgers, 2 bacon cheeseburgers, 2 southern fried chicken goujons). and is served with fries and a ketchup dip pot.

The American Sizzler features a 8oz* 28-day matured rump steak served on a sizzling bed of peppers and onions. It is topped with burnt-end BBQ beans, 2 fried free-range eggs and a splash of hot sauce. The Sizzler is Served with five hash browns and a ketchup dip pot.

The new menu is available to try now.

Police recover stolen Range Rovers from address in Colwick

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Police investigating the theft of a pair of high-value cars have arrested two men after recovering the vehicles in Colwick.

The Range Rover vehicles were taken from separate locations in the Lady Bay area on the afternoon of Sunday, September 12.

Both vehicles were later found at an address in Colwick.

Nottinghamshire Police

Officers raided two addresses on Friday (8) morning  – one in Colwick and one in Carlton.

Two men, aged 25 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of theft and remain in police custody.

Detective Inspector Kayne Rukas, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: We have been looking into these thefts for several weeks now and our investigations are continuing.

“I am pleased we have now arrested two suspects and would urge anyone with additional information to call 101 quoting incident 564 of 12 September.”

Prominent historians to speak about World Wars at Remembrance evening being held in Carlton

Three prominent local historians are to give talks at an event being held during the run up to Remembrance Day.

The Lest We Forget event is being held at the Crossing Club in Carlton and will take place on Tuesday, November 9.

History experts Andy Smart, Chris Weir and Gareth Howell will be giving talks during the evening.

Andy Smart will be hosting a talk titled Their Names Will Live On.

VENUE: The event is being held at the Crossing Social Club in Carlton

Chris Weir will be sharing information about Nottinghamshire during World War I in his talk titled ‘Mud, Munitions & Memorials’.

‘The Creation of the British Legion’ will be discussed by Gareth Howell in the final talk of the evening.

The event begins at 7.15pm and tickets are £12, witha donation being made from sales to the British Legion.

You can book tickets online using the following link: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/swoopevents/event/view/148311

For more information contact enquiries@swoopevents.co.uk

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome donates part of salary to refugee charity

A Labour MP for Mapperley has pledged support to a local charity by donating thousands of pounds out of her salary.

Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, has donated £3,000 to the Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum as part of her salary donation commitment.

Upon her election to Parliament in 2019, Ms Whittome pledged to take home £35,000 of her MP’s salary after tax, the average UK household income, and donate the remainder to local causes.

The Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum offers practical advice, information, support and friendship to refugees and asylum seekers, and also campaigns on issues affecting them. Last year, they helped over 1,700 people. 

Whittome visited the Forum this week, meeting staff, volunteers and clients. They discussed asylum seekers in destitution, the hostile environment, the severe impact of the no recourse to public funds policy during pandemic, and resettlement schemes for Afghan refugees.

Ms Whittome has previously donated to a number of other local organisations, including St Ann’s Advice Centre, POW Nottingham, the Nottingham branch of the App Drivers and Couriers Union. and the Nottingham couriers’ branch of the IWGB.

Ms Whittome said she made the donation after being inspired by the plight of Afghans who were forced to flee the country after the Taliban took back control of the country.

She said: “We all watched the situation unfolding in Afghanistan with horror as the Taliban assumed control and thousands attempted to flee.

“I was inundated with emails from Afghans in Nottingham East but also many other constituents, all urging the government to do more. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of the right to asylum and the need to support people fleeing conflict and persecution.

“The Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum do incredible work to support asylum seekers and refugees, and campaign to make their lives better.

So many of my constituents have told me that their assistance has been invaluable since they arrived in our city. I hope that by sharing part of my salary with them, I can make a small contribution to NNRF’s continued growth and success.”

Community invited to explore historic Gedling House by new owners who want to transform it into Buddhist meditation centre

Gedling House is to fling open its doors to the community for an open day next month.

The historic property is to become a Buddhist meditation centre – if planning approval is granted.

And before plans move forward, new owners Kadampa Meditation Centres will open up the property to the community so they can have a look around the Grade II listed building and also see plans for the new centre.

A spokesman said:” By way of thank you to all our new neighbours we will be having an ‘open house’ event.

PICTURED: Gedling House and Woods

“Come and have a look around Gedling House, find out about its history and our plans for the future.

“So whether you are a history buff, want to revisit old memories or just want to enjoy the beautiful building – or maybe just nosy(!), you are welcome to join us.

“Members of the community will be on hand to show you around and answer questions and our historian, Mo Cooper, will share her fascinating ‘pen portraits’ of previous occupants of the house.

They added: “We are also very interested to hear your memories of the house and especially welcome any pictures.”

The event, which takes place on November 13 between 2-5pm is free but numbers will be limited.

Refreshments will also be available

You can book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/188462013957

VIDEO: Secret Takeaway Eater – Kalimera, Mapperley

This week our Secret Takeaway Eater paid a visit to Kalimera on Plains Road in Mapperley. to give their Greek Breakfast a try.

See how they got on in the video below…

120-home development near Colwick Loop Road in Gedling is to be recommended for approval

Councillors will be recommended to approve the next stages of a 120-home development close to the Colwick Loop Road in Gedling.

The plans are up for debate at Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee next week, with council officers advising the development should be given the go-ahead.

The development would be based to the south of Burton Road, across from the playing fields of Carlton le Willows Academy, while its eastern boundary would border the busy link road.

The scheme is being submitted in its reserved matters stage after councillors previously approved outline permission for the development in January 2021.

The proposals to be debated by councillors on Wednesday (October 13) involve the development’s layout, scale, landscaping and appearance in the reserved matters stage.

Documents to be reviewed next week suggest there will be a central area of open space on-site, as well as recreational space to the south of the land.

The majority of existing trees and hedgerows are expected to be retained, with more trees and hedges planted.

Carlton le Willows School
The houses will be built opposite Carlton le Willows playing fields PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography

The overall development proposes a range of two, three and four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached houses, including two wheelchair-accessible bungalows.

Up to 24 will be affordable homes.

The documents state: “The application is for the erection of 120 dwellings.

“This will include 96 open market dwellings with a housing mix comprising 10 two-bedroom properties, 53 three-bed properties, 33 four-bed properties, all of which would be two-storey.

“Twenty-four [will be] affordable dwellings, comprising 17 affordable rented and seven intermediate units, with the housing mix [comprising] two two-bed bungalows, 12 two-bed houses, eight three-bed houses, and two four-bed properties.

“There would also be two main areas of public open space, [with] a more conventional equipped area of play located toward the centre of the site.

“There would also be narrow green strips along the front of the site and to the eastern boundary with Colwick Loop Road.”

Ten letters of objection have been sent to Gedling Borough Council in response to the plans, all from neighbours on existing streets such as Linden Grove.

Concerns have been raised about the loss of greenbelt land, the impact of this development and the ongoing Gedling Access Road works, its impact on ecology, traffic and potential flooding.

Residents also view services including doctors and schools are “at capacity and not able to accommodate the increase in population”.

But the council’s planning department views the scheme as acceptable and has recommended the development for approval.

A spokesperson for Miller Homes, the developer behind the scheme, previously said: “With the site already allocated for housing by the local council, and having an outline planning consent, our proposed development, which will range from two-bedroom starter to four-bedroom family homes including affordable homes, would bring much-needed new residential properties to the area to help meet local demand.

“If our application is successful, we anticipate work starting on site in late autumn.”

Man charged in connection with Top Valley pub stabbing

A man has been charged after a teenager was left fighting for his life following an incident at a pub in Top Valley.

Officers were called to the Duke of St Albans pub on Bewcastle Road at around 11.15pm last Saturday (October 2) after receiving reports of a teenager who had been stabbed.

Shaylon McCalla, 22, of North Street, Heanor, has now been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today (October 8).

The 16-year-old victim, who was stabbed while at a private party, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Detective Inspector Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This incident has left a teenager fighting for his life in hospital and our thoughts remain with his family and friends.

Nottingham Magistrates Court
PICTURED: Nottingham Magistrates’ Court

“We have now charged a 22-year-old in relation to this matter and do believe it was an isolated incident with no wider risk posed to the public.

“We have worked incredibly hard to bring a charge in this case and dedicated a lot of our resources into investigating it, as well as increasing patrols in the area to provide community reassurance.

“Nottinghamshire Police remains committed to tackling knife crime through enforcement and education, working in partnership with partner agencies and the public.”Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting incident number 758 of 2 October 2021.