A man has said he is ‘devastated’ after being robbed of items totaling more than £1,600 as he walked down an alleyway on a Carlton housing estate.
The victim was on his way to catch a train to a friend’s house and headed towards an alleyway that connects Bramble Drive and Old Brickyard when he saw a man and a woman at the entrance.
He went passed them then felt his black leather satchel being snatched off his shoulder which contained a number of expensive items.
He was so terrified during the incident, which happened at around 4.25am on Friday (May 21, 2021), he also gave in to their demands to hand over the coat and trainers that he was wearing.
Detective Sergeant Julian Eminson-Ferry, said: “This was an appalling attack on a man who was innocently walking to catch a train when he was set upon by two thieves.
Police are appealing for information about the robbery
“We are carrying out lots of enquiries and have made substantial headway with the investigation.
“We’re appealing to anyone who was in the area, perhaps driving through, who might have seen anything suspicious. We’d also ask drivers to check dash-cam footage in case they captured the two offenders walking in the area either before or after the incident.
“The victim thankfully was not injured and is recovering from the ordeal. We are supporting him as we carry out our robust enquiries.
“Police patrols have increased in the area and we want to reassure residents that we are determined to find those responsible. We will not tolerate violence on our streets.”
People with information are asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 quoting incident 66 of 21 May.
Alternatively, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Ben Bradley, has told Gedling Eye that he does not want to “permanently rule out things beyond my control” when asked if the authority would again revisit controversial plans to create a ‘Super Council’.
The idea of a joint ‘Super Council’ of local authorities – put forward by the Conservative county council in 2020 – would see all extra-city councils disbanded, including Gedling Borough Council.
A single body would represent approximately 828,000 people who would then also be part of the electorate electing a mayor of the East Midlands.
When asked if it was definitely off the table, Councillor Bradley said he does not know whether the Government will in future decide that local authorities should be restructured.
“Certainly in my mind… I don’t intend to revisit” it, but if structures are discussed again in the future, “so be it”.
When asked if he would rebut any future government proposals, Cllr Bradley suggested that the Government may “change their tune” and “decide in the future that they’re going to make all councils… unitary councils. In which case we’ll have to do it”.
“I’m not going to say that it’ll never happen because I’m not in control of that”.
“I certainly have no intention of bringing it forward at the minute”.
He said his focus is to rebuild the area after the pandemic.
Ashfield Independent, Cllr Tom Hollis, accused Cllr Bradley of trying to “ride both horses” on the issue during Thursday’s first county council assembly of the new term.
His group colleague, Cllr Zadrozny, said that the restructuring would make “a mockery” of local democracy.
Elsewhere, Cllr Bradley said that there will be a “full review” into the borough’s roads, focusing on which processes and equipment would best be utilised.
PICTURED: County Hall
Conservative John Ogle emphasised Thursday’s council meeting that patching and rough tarmac would prove potentially hazardous for cyclists and vehicles.
Gedling’s Jim Creamer (Labour, Carlton West) highlighted how the state of pavements also needs to be considered as they are used by mobility scooters and push bikes.
Via the council’s control over land and highways, work with the East Midlands Chamber, and government money, Cllr Bradley also helps to aid investment into Arnold and Carlton’s local businesses.
With regards to lower business rates and rents for local firms, the council will “support where we can”.
Mr Bradley says he wants also to attract new businesses, changing the purpose of local buildings and making them “more attractive” – “where people want to spend more time”.
On the region’s fight against climate change, during Thursday’s council meeting, Ashfield Independents suggested that the will to combat the climate emergency was there but not the means.
When asked about this, Cllr Bradley told the Gedling Eye that “we have to get our head around exactly what it does mean”.
“Every major decision, every… development that we make” has to have “an element of looking at the environmental impact within it”.
Carlton’s Cllr Creamer has called for this consideration as of late within council committees.
Mr Bradley suggested “cutting the verges differently” at the side of local roads so that habitats are protected, or using more sustainable methods – e.g. planting trees and conserving grassland – in large scale investments like the Gedling access road.
With regards to the area’s young people and adult social and health services, including mental health, Mr Bradley said the council needs to be ‘more preventative and proactive’.
Dealing with issues “further up the chain” would “stop people needing these services wherever we can”.
Another issue, raised by Labour’s new leader in the county council, Kate Foale, on Thursday, was how local politics had become “nastier” of late.
When asked how this could be rectified and if any group in particular was responsible, Cllr Bradley talked about how “all parties” had been “guilty” of “personality clashes” recently.
The prospect of local authority reform had provoked “real differences in opinion”.
“It sometimes wasn’t handled well”, there were “some individuals that were quite childish”.
“I’ve made a big point over the last few weeks of reaching out to opposition members and parties”.
Yesterday’s meeting was “much nicer”.
Lastly, Cllr Bradley stated that he did not watch all of Dominic Cummings’s appearance in front of House of Commons select committees on Wednesday, but had “seen clips”.
On whether it was credible in his experience, Cllr Bradley suggested that “people’s views of the PM are pretty fixed”.
“What Cummings was saying will probably feed into people’s existing view”.
“If you’re predisposed to like the PM then you’ll disbelieve it. If you don’t like him then it probably proves you right”.
“In my mind”, “he’s [Cummings] not built himself up to be character worthy of a great deal of trust”.
Boris Johnson’s ex-right hand man claimed that the PM treated Covid-19 as a ”scare story” and was more concerned about damage to the economy.
Tens of thousands of deaths, he said, were ‘avoidable’.
The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, was also accused of lying to cabinet and the public about care home testing and NHS capacity, and should have been fired “15-20 times”.
When he was asked if he would like to see Cummings back in government under a potential future Michael Gove or Rishi Sunak premiership, Cllr Bradley replied, “I don’t think I’d like it at the minute”.
“People should probably learn and stop employing him”. A very Cameronian stance.
Frontline NHS teams across Notts are asking people in Gedling borough to do their bit and use the correct health services this Bank Holiday weekend.
From treating a cold or food poisoning to burns and sports injuries, health bosses say there are a host of NHS services here to help borough folk over the weekend.
They say if you are unsure where to go for treatment and advice over the Bank Holiday Weekend call 111 or go to 111 online where a trained operator will advise you on the best place to go for your needs.
As we all start to get out and about more and visit friends and relatives, minor accidents will happen. The Urgent Treatment Centre on London Road can treat all those minor scrapes that can happen when falling off a bike or a burn from an over enthusiastic BBQ chef.
Jim Quinn, head of Nottingham Urgent Treatment Centre, said: “If you need urgent care over the Bank Holiday but it is not life-threatening you can visit an urgent treatment centre. The treatment centre can help with many conditions such as strains, suspected broken bones, minor head injuries, as well as minor burns, rashes and emergency contraception.
“With restrictions easing we want to ensure the people of Nottingham know that they can visit us and we are open for them when they need it. This Bank Holiday if you are unsure where to go, call 111 first or visit the website.”
If it’s a cold you need to look after or you want some over the counter advice for a bee sting the Community Pharmacists are open and can help treat the problem there and then. You can find opening hours for your local pharmacy over the Bank Holiday Weekend here.
If it is not an emergency you can use a range of service, such as:
Once a patients calls 111 or visits 111 online they will be navigated to the most appropriate service, first time by a trained operator. The operator will even be able to book appointments and timeslots at the most appropriate health service for your needs.
Visit the NHS Urgent Care Centre
The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-9pm. It deals with non-life threatening injuries and health problems. You don’t need an appointment to attend.
Almost 100 people took up the invite to get a glimpse inside a new £12m care home on the Rivendell Estate off Colwick Loop Road before its first residents move in.
The new £12m home, situated on Magenta Way, hosted its official open day and received a very warm welcome from local artists who generously donated paintings and other works of art to display around the home.
One local artist who attended the open day bearing a touching housewarming gift of a portrait of the local woodlands which he presented to home manager, Samantha Kavanagh.
PICTURED: Luxury Cinema Room for residents at Rivendell View to enjoy movie evenings
Samantha said: “The response from the local community has been overwhelming, I am very grateful to the community for their many ‘home warming’ gifts – they are all taking pride of place in our home for our future residents to see and appreciate.”
During the open day, local people were able to get their first glimpse of the luxurious care home which has been under construction for nearly a year.
Nearly 100 local people visited the home, adhering to current government guidelines.
Samantha, said, “I am thrilled our preview day was such a success. It was a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people from around our community. I look forward to welcoming our first residents and assisting them to live the next chapter of their lives to the fullest!’.
The team say they have been delighted to have such a warm welcome from the community, with many housewarming gifts being delivered throughout the day including interesting artwork for the walls, sculptures and even art kits for residents to use once they move in. As a token of their gratitude, the Rivendell View team say they plan to host monthly art classes taught by local artists once restrictions allow.
Rivendell View is due to welcome its first residents in the next couple of weeks.
For more information or to book a tour of the home, contact Samantha on 0113 385 3575 or live chat on the Ideal Carehomes website https://www.idealcarehomes.co.uk/.
You can also keep up to date with the home via the Rivendell View official Facebook page @rivendellviewcarehome.
Car drivers and passengers in Gedling borough are being asked to count ‘bug splats’ on their number plates and aid a UK study into insect decline.
Smartphone users can take part in the survey by downloading the free Bugs Matter app from their app stores.
The concept is simple; before making an essential journey in a vehicle, clean the number plate. When you reach your destination count the bugs squashed on a section of the number plate by placing a ‘splatometer’ grid featured on the app against the plate. A photo and details are then submitted. You don’t even need to be the driver of the vehicle you are travelling in (though you will need their permission).
The new app has been created by insect charity Buglife to help people join in with the new study.
PICTURED: A bug splattered on the windscreen
The survey is based on the ‘windscreen phenomenon’, a term given to the observation that people tend to find fewer insects squashed on the windscreens of their cars compared to several decades ago.
There is growing evidence of insect decline on a global scale, caused by habitat loss and pesticides. The charity say the consequences are potentially catastrophic for the integrity of our ecosystems, the future survival of other wildlife and the pollination of crops.
However, evidence is still lacking or only partly understood for many insect groups and species. Gathering evidence to show the need for urgent action is the first step in making a difference. In the UK only butterflies and moths have been monitored in enough detail to allow trends to be fully understood.
Andrew Whitehouse, countries manager for Buglife said: “Many people remark on not having to clean bug splats off their car windscreens as much as they did twenty or thirty years ago. The falling abundance of flying insects should be a major concern to everybody as these essential creatures are, quite simply, the small things that run the world.
“Bugs Matter gives everybody the opportunity to take part in essential monitoring that will help us to better understand the health of our insect populations, and our environment as a whole.”
The survey period runs from 1 June to 31 August 2021.
The newly-elected council chairman, Mike Quigley MBE (Conservative), set the tone by telling councillors that they are here to “work together”, “not to slag each other off”.
He aims to establish a “new relationship” in the chamber, as meetings are to be “succinct & to the point”.
“Don’t boil your cabbages twice”.
Acknowledging the local swing towards the Conservatives on 6 May, Labour’s new council opposition leader, Kate Foale, said that getting elected this time round was “harder”, and “clearly it was a disappointing day for Labour”.
But she congratulated the new Conservative council leader, Ben Bradley, and his new team.
“We look forward to working together”
She then raised an issue raised by many during the meeting, stating “at times this was nasty election”.
“It doesn’t have to be”.
She urged “Reasoning” rather than “insults”.
‘We will not descend into name calling and will vote for motions which will benefit residents’.
Conservative councillor for Newstead Chris Barnfather also advocated reconciliation.
“Politics is a brutal game”, but people voting for different candidates “is democracy”.
Cllr Tom Hollis (Ashfield Independents, Sutton West), meanwhile, summed up the mood by stating that he was glad that agenda papers are now green and non-partisan rather than blue or red.
This atmosphere was interrupted soon, however, as Foale asked how Bradley, given his two roles, as MP and councillor, what assurance he can provide to residents that he will be able to work for them.
Bradley reverted to his default response to this concern by suggesting that his is not a unique situation and there is “a lot of crossover” between the two roles.
The council’s Conservative group will ‘hold me to account on my delivery’.
He then announced that the council will launch a large consultation with communities to put together a wider council plan for the way forward.
This will possibly be via the internet and forums.
Carlton West’s Errol Henry (Labour) highlighted how “It is again disappointing that I am the only BAME member in this chamber”.
He said that there is, therefore, still “some work to do” with regards to local representation.
Bradley, outlined new bodies to replace current place and covid recovery committees.
Gedling’s Cllr Barnfather (Newstead) seconded this motion, adding that it will “empower” members and committees to make decisions and use resources. “More bottom up than top down”.
New committees will include
Communities committee.
Transport and environment.
Economic development (Covid recovery)
Labour’s new Nottinghamshire leader, Cllr Kate Foale, supported these committee changes but also wants joint Health Scrutiny Committee with city.
PICTURED: Ben Bradley is new leader of Nottinghamshire County Council
Steve Carr (LD, Bramcote and Beeston North) added that parts of Gedling use health services in the city.
Foale stated that the new Economic Development Committee needs to have a “real focus” on developing and supporting local economy after the impact of the pandemic.
Cllr Sue Saddington (Con) emphasised how the Health Scrutiny Committee will aim to improve Queens Medical services, including those focused on maternity and diabetes.
Ambulance services, primary care and mental health will also be prioritised.
The latter has been exacerbated by lockdown, she says, and the council will treat patients “As a person, not given a tablet and told to go away”.
On special needs resources, Cllr Tracey Taylor (Conservative, Misterton) emphasised “direct engagement” with families which will inform a strategic action plan.
There are an “estimated 11,000 young people with additional needs” in the county, and the council’s priority is to “understand the needs” of this group with a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment completed in “6-12 months”.
Gedling’s Jim Creamer (Labour, Carlton Hill) was the most vocal of Gedling’s councillors.
He asked about local social care reform.
The Conservative grouping quoted the Queen’s Speech – “Proposals on social care reforms will be brought forward” and suggested that the £300bn spent on pandemic response meant there had not been “bandwidth” for proposals for social care reform.
Creamer also agreed with a motion to reduce the use of single use plastic.
He urged work with partner councils, including Gedling, and contractors, as well as the use of Ben Bradley’s second position and push it in Parliament.
We can “encourage” at local level, but national law is more influential.
Plastic masks and other material are “clogging the Earth up”.
He also urged a climate impact assessment for committee decisions.
Cllr Neil Clarke MBE (Conservative, Radcliffe), Transport and Environment Committee chair, stated that the council is “making carbon reduction a priority” and “discussing” with officers to initiate a review of the county’s existing contract in order to streamline local recycling.
A motion to declare a climate emergency was passed convincingly by members.
Carlton East Cllr Mike Adams said “we need to all agree that we need to change.
‘For our kids, for everybody we care about, and for the future of our area’.
Hydrogen, he suggested, could be used for independent energy generation and car fuel.
Perhaps the most acrimonious issue was the idea of a ‘Super Council’ which would disband borough councils like Gedling in the county.
Cllr Zadrozny of the Ashfield Independents – predictably leading the charge – called the notion that the disbandment of local and borough councils will save money is “a fallacy”.
A ‘Super Council’ of Nottinghamshire would make “a mockery” of local democracy.
He then went on to say the council leader Ben Bradley cannot “walk on water” as he had sent a letter stating that unifying councils was not the council’s priority after Cllr Zadrozny put forward a motion against it.
Despite being a good politician, he’s “not the Messiah. He’s a very naughty boy”.
Bradley read out the said letter which read “I can’t predict the future”, but “I hope that we can avoid having a massive debate” about unitary local councils.
Although it’s “not an imminent priority” formally, “I’m sure we wouldn’t want to rule out future conversations on how we can work closer together”.
Nevertheless, he did say that the plans had been “put to bed” and are “not on the table”.
Another Ashfield Independent, Cllr Tom Hollis, accused Bradley of trying to “ride both horses”.
The scheme, put forward by the Conservative-controlled county council last year, would see all extra-city councils disbanded, replaced with one super council.
This would have represented approximately 828,000 people.
There would also have been an elected mayor of the East Midlands.
The prospect has been in the hands of the Government since September.
On roads, particularly potholes, Cllr Neil Clarke warned that expectations need to be managed, but we should still ask are we “using the latest innovation”, are we doing this the most efficient way? “Is there a better way?”
“This is a countywide problem” and it “needs to be cross party”.
First report expected on 15 June agreeing “scope and terms of reference”.
Conservative John Ogle urged that quality needs to be assured as well as quantity.
Damage to cyclists and vehicles is a potential hazard with patching and rough tarmac.
Gedling’s Jim Creamer added that the council needs to look at the state of the pavements also, as they are used by mobility scooters and push bikes.
Police have launched an appeal after a dog and her eight puppies were stolen during a targeted day-time burglary in Arnold.
They are appealing for witnesses to come forward after the theft, which took place at an address in Coppice Road between 1.55pm and 2.10pm Tuesday afternoon.
The French bulldog puppies – four black and four white – are said to be around six weeks old and were each wearing coloured Velcro collars.
The mother, Luna, is described as grey / blue with a white patch on her chest and is said to be loving and attentive.
Detective Sergeant Gary Hewson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a brazen theft that appears to have been targeted specifically at these animals, which were taken from the scene in a large cage.
“Our investigations are ongoing and we are determined to reunite these animals with their rightful owner as quickly as possible. To this end we would like not only to speak to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the Coppice Road area yesterday afternoon, but also to anyone who may have seen or been offered one of these dogs for sale.
“We understand how important people’s dogs are to them and are treating this offence with the utmost seriousness.”
In March Nottinghamshire Police became the first force in the country to appoint a dedicated senior officer to address the growing nationwide issue of dog and pet theft.Chief Inspector Amy Styles-Jones, who has three dogs of her own, is working to ensure that all thefts are thoroughly investigated and that as many incidents as possible are prevented.
She said: “I want to make it clear that dog theft is an offence we take extremely seriously and that we are working very hard to address this issue and to spread some key messages to all dog owners. We are not only concerned about a burglary in this instance, we are also concerned for the welfare of these animals.
“I would also like to offer some words of advice to anyone thinking of buying a dog; ensure that the seller is a reputable breeder who should specialise in one or two breeds and have considerable expertise in them. If you have any concerns about the transaction you are undertaking – or if something just does not feel right – it probably isn’t and you should walk away.”
Anyone who saw the incident or has any information is urged to get in touch on 101, quoting incident 348 of 25 May 2021.
Arnold-based healthy cooking company The Skinny Food Co has handed over a phenomenal £56,000 to Nottingham’s NHS hospitals.
Thanks to its customers choosing to ‘round-up’ their transactions by making a donation to Nottingham Hospitals Charity, the company, based on the John Rann Business Park, were this week able to present the generous cheque.
It was presented to Nottingham Hospitals Charity’s Chief Executive, Barbara Cathcart, by The Skinny Food Co’s two founders and directors, James Whiting and Wayne Starkey.
The charity is a cause particularly close to James Whiting’s heart, after his daughter Evie was treated on the Neonatal Unit at Nottingham City Hospital last December, when she was born 12 weeks premature. Thanks to the care she received at the hospital, Evie is now a happy and healthy five-month-old.
During the presentation presentation, James was reunited with clinical support worker Tracey Richards who helped to care for Evie on the Neonatal Unit.
Mr Whiting said: “It’s a great honour to be able to raise so much money in a short amount of time for Nottingham Hospitals Charity. The work they do is fantastic and the money is going to a great cause and will be very helpful in many different departments.
“Being on the receiving end of what they do, I am very happy to reward their efforts for all the help and support that was provided to me and my family at such a challenging time on the Neonatal ward. Thanks again, it’s an absolute pleasure and we are very pleased to be giving into the local community.”
After receiving the cheque from Wayne and James, Barbara said: “We’d like to give our sincere thanks to The Skinny Food Co and all its customers for raising this truly remarkable amount of money for Nottingham’s hospitals. The staff and patients at our hospitals have had an extremely difficult year, and it means so much to see a local company supporting its local NHS in this way.
“The money raised will make a huge amount of difference to patients and staff at our hospitals, by helping to fund added extras such as specialist equipment and enhanced facilities, which would otherwise not be possible.”
For more information about Nottingham Hospitals Charity, or if you or your company would like to support Nottingham’s hospitals, please visit www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk
Two police officers were assaulted whilst arresting a man after a bag full of cannabis was found in a Mapperley hotel room.
The bag was discovered by hotel staff who called police. Whilst officers were conducting searches a man entered the hotel’s reception and reportedly tried to leave the scene when he spotted officers.
In an attempt to detain a man, two officers were punched, kicked and thrown across the room. They both suffered head and leg injuries and needed hospital treatment.
A large quantity of cannabis was seized by police as well as an alleged stolen handbag, bank card and laptop from a woman who reported a theft on a train in Leicester earlier this month.
Police Constable Jeremy Beard of Nottinghamshire Police is leading the investigation. He said: “Officers were called to a hotel in Mansfield Road at around 3pm on Tuesday (May 25, 2021).
“Both officers bravely continued to detain a suspect despite suffering injuries. They used PAVA spray and needed further emergency assistance from officers to make the arrest.
“A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two police officers, theft and possession with intent to supply cannabis.
“Officers were taken to hospital with head injuries.
“This kind of violence against police officers simply doing their job is utterly unacceptable and will never be tolerated. Officers pull on their uniforms and head out on patrol every day with the same objective in mind – to protect the public from harm and return home in the same condition.
“They simply do not deserve to be assaulted and abused during the course of their duties. In this instance both officers involved have since been discharged from hospital and their welfare is being fully supported, but it is certainly a timely reminder of the risks faced by officers every day.”
