Scores of people took up the challenge from Gedling borough police officers to tell them where they want to conduct speed checks carried out in the area.
Officers put out an appeal last week on social media inviting locals to let them know where they should be targeting their efforts.
Officers said that drivers stuck to the speeding limit whilst they monitored a section of Spring Lane in Lambley. But despite not catching anyone going over the limit, they did seize a 4×4 which had been declared off-road.
Officers seized this 4×4 during a patrol in Lambley
Police teams seized class B drugs and stopped three speeding drivers during a return visit to Main Street in Calverton after a similar operation last week. This time they targeted a different section of the main route through the village.
Only one speeding motorist was spotted and stopped on Church Road in Burton Joyce.
On Bank Hill in Woodborough three speeders were caught in around 30 minutes with the highest being 45mph in a 30 mph area.
A police spokesman said: “Following your suggestions we have been making the rounds at the areas you feel need us most.
“Anyone that has suggested a location that we haven’t been to yet, we will get there soon.”
“Drivers: please remember to stick to the limits, which is especially important in residential zones. The cold dark days and nights are upon us and the weather and road conditions are only going to get worse.”
A virtual Christmas carol and Remembrance service will be held next month at Gedling Crematorium to help give people the chance to feel festive during these uncertain times.
The crematorium, on Catfoot Lane, near Lambley, will be webcasting the one-hour service on Wednesday, December 16, at 7pm.
The Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent operator of cemeteries and crematoria, usually hosts Christmas Carol and Remembrance services at all its 34 sites nationwide, including Gedling, which people can attend in person.
Covid-19 restrictions mean that, like many other live events, this is not going to be possible this year, so the Westerleigh Group has come up with an alternative so ensure that people don’t miss out altogether.
Earlier this year, the group announced it had invested in new webcasting services because of restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend funeral services.
Now, that technology is going to be used to ensure everyone can view a virtual service, which will feature a mixture of traditional carols and readings.
PICTURED: Gedling Crematorium
Kevin Browne, site manager at Gedling Crematorium, said: “We wanted to make sure we could provide something this year that would definitely be able to take place, regardless of whatever lockdown restrictions may, or may not, be in place.
“We know that it won’t be quite the same as our popular live services, which we very much hope to be able to return to hosting again next year.
“But Christmas is likely to be different for most people this year. And with so many other seasonal events being cancelled, such as live concerts and Christmas markets, we wanted to ensure we could still offer a way for people to join in a festive activity and to remember their loved ones at this time of year.
“In some ways, the fact that it is going to be so different this year may make these webcast services even more memorable.”
A link to the service will be put onto the Gedling Crematorium website so that people will be able to view it on December 16. It will then be available on-demand.
There is no need to register in advance in order to view the services, and no tickets are required; people just need to visit www.gedlingcrematorium.co.uk and click on the link.
Gedling resident Paul Mace produces a regular Notts County podcast featuring former club players and managers. This week it’s the turn of Bob Worthington who recalls the Jimmy Sirrel era when a young Kevin Keegan christened Meadow Lane as ‘the land of the giants’. Each week at Gedling Eye we’ll be sharing the podcasts with our readers.
Kevin Keegan, Neil Warnock, Sir Bobby Charlton, Harry Redknapp and Brian Clough all have one thing in common ….
… all have been on the receiving end of some defensive ‘treatment’ from former Notts County left back Bob Worthington.
Worthington, a mainstay of Jimmy Sirrel’s all-conquering side of the early 1970s, lifts the lid in a revealing Magpie Circle podcast about Notts’ fearsome defensive wall which also included Brian Stubbs and David Needham.
His alumni of opponents who didn’t get past him included Keegan (Scunthorpe), Warnock (Rotherham reserves), Charlton (Preston North End), Redknapp (Bournemouth) and Clough (Sunderland reserves).
“Kevin Keegan christened us the ‘the land of the giants’ because we had such a tall team. I didn’t used to worry too much about marking Kevin, he was a young, small lad in those days,” recalls Worthington.
“Neil Warnock did a bad tackle in a reserves game on one of our lads. I caught him and the ball at the same time and he went six feet up in the air.
“When I clattered Bobby Charlton playing for Preston at the end of his career, he just looked at me from the ground in disdain.
“I was 16 playing for Halifax reserves at Sunderland in Brian Clough’s comeback game from injury. I wished him all the best.
“I came up against Harry in Notts v Bournemouth games which were always very tasty. Before the warm-up as we walked onto the pitch, I threw Harry a ball and said take a touch, ‘cos you won’t get one in the game.’
Worthington’s hilarious anecdotes also include how he celebrated his only goal for Notts in over 200 games by dropping his shorts and giving a V sign to Magpies supporters for barracking the team.
And his vain attempt to try to help younger brother Frank Worthington pass his medical for Liverpool at the second time of asking.
A consultation is being launched by Gedling Borough Council on its new Equality and Diversity Policy, with residents being invited to have their say.
The new policy sets out clearly the commitment that the council has to promote equality and diversity both within the organisation and through service delivery and how it aims to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and challenge inequalities.
A survey has been launched today and will be open until December 18.
A report was presented to the council’s cabinet members in November to announce the plans. The report highlighted how the council has already embedded into its corporate plan objectives to reduce poverty and inequality, provide support to the most vulnerable, to improve social mobility and life chances, improve health and well-being, reduce health inequalities and reduce levels of loneliness and isolation.
The draft policy also sets out how equalities and diversity will be further embedded across the council. This includes senior leaders, members and officers, acting as ambassadors for equalities and diversity.
The policy includes an action to establish a corporate Strategic Equalities and Diversity Group, chaired by the Portfolio holder for Young People and Equalities, Councillor Viv McCrossen.
As part of the consultation, residents can read and review the action plan proposals for the policy and the draft version of the policy itself.
The council has been carrying out a number of actions as part of its work to improving equalities, which includes carrying out a Disability Confident Employer assessment, the adoption of the Menopause in the Workplace Policy and the creation of specific roles within the cabinet that focus on equalities.
Portfolio Holder for Young People and Equalities, Councillor Viv McCrossen said: “I am very pleased that we have launched this important piece of consultation to show our commitment to equality and diversity in our organisation.
“We hope that we can get a significant response to this policy proposal so we can make sure that the final document is fit for purpose that will help us to meet the objectives set out in our plan for the borough.
“The deadline for residents to have their say is Friday, December 18 and I hope as many of you as possible take part.”
Businesses based on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield are reminding shoppers ‘you can still get everything you need’ despite lockdown regulations being in place.
While non-essential retail is closed at the retail park until the planned reopening on Wednesday, December 2, several essential stores that remain open, as well as some for click & collect and takeaway.
Essential stores that remain open to the public are B&Q, Boots, B&M, M&S, Pets at Home and Halfords.
Also, Click & Collect is open for Next and Argos. Greggs, Costa and Subway remain open for takeaway, as well as the Mcdonald’s drive-thru for any late-night snacking.
A spokesman for the retail park said: “The management team have taken every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors during this period. This includes additional cleaning and hygiene measures, asking visitors to comply with social distancing rules at all times, and introducing queue-management where necessary.
“Whilst the park plans to reopen on the Wednesday, December 2, government advice will continue to be adhered to, and any announcement of store updates will be included on our website and social media pages.”
To keep up to date with the latest reopening details and social distancing rules, please visit Victoria Retail Park, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter:
A couple from Arnold have become the first new residents at a housing development on a historic site in Gedling despite challenges caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
Dan Straw (38), an HR software business manager and Nick Penlington (36), an International learning development manager, have now moved into their new home at the Hunters Wood Development.
Dan and Nick, had told developer Peter James Homes that they hoped to be in by Christmas and are are delighted that lockdown wasn’t allowed to derail the process.
Dan said: “We were looking for a small, new build development on the edge of the countryside near Nottingham, where we could be part of an intimate, tight-knit community – and having visited the site for the first time on February 22, we immediately knew that we wanted it.
“We put in our reservation there and then and, despite the uncertainty created by the pandemic, Peter James Homes did an amazing job in hitting the original completion date, and keeping us updated despite Covid19. We really couldn’t be happier.”
The Hunters Wood development, just off Wood Lane, comprises of 14 luxury homes.
PICTURED: Hunters Wood
Simon Gardiner, managing director at Peter James Homes, said: “Hunters Wood is our most exclusive development yet.
“The unique location, in the grounds of historic Gedling Manor, makes the houses feel like they’ve been nestled at the site for years. It’s got a fascinating heritage, and I know that Dan and Nick fully appreciate how special the place is.”
In terms of the house itself, having previously lived in a 70s property, Dan and Nick were always clear that they wanted something brand new, ready to move into.
Dan added: “We’re both keen cooks and socialising is really important to us, so we feel like this house has enabled us to plan for the future.
“In addition to four bedrooms and a good-sized garden, it comes with a huge open-plan kitchen and diner, so it’s going to be an amazing place for big gatherings of friends and family.
“Of course, the pandemic makes parties impossible at the moment but with a new house, Christmas just round the corner and a new set of neighbours on the way, it’s fair to say that our new wine cooler has already seen a lot of action!”
Temporary traffic lights will be installed on a section of the A612 while further works on the Gedling Access Road take place.
Contraflow signals will be in place at the Burton Road junction between November 24-27 and will operate on an off-peak basis between 9:30am and 3pm.
Access to properties will be maintained while the signals are in operation and motorists are advised to allow extra time for journeys through the area.
Mike Barnett, Team Manager at Via East Midlands, said: “The designs of the Gedling Access Road includes a new traffic signal-controlled junction with the A612 and Burton Road.
The Burton Road junction with the A612 where work is taking place on the Gedling Access Road (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
“Before the junction can re-open to traffic, further surfacing works are needed, and the installation of temporary traffic signals will allow our teams to carry out this work as safely and efficiently as possible.
“We are working hard to keep delays to a minimum for motorists by operating the signals at off-peak times.
“Once again we would like to thank residents and motorists for their ongoing understanding and patience whilst we work in the area.”
Once complete, the new Gedling Access Road will provide a link between the B684 Mapperley Plains and the A612.
Spectacular murmurations of starlings are once again thrilling nature lovers visiting Netherfield Lagoons.
Tens of thousands of birds have been swooping and diving in unison in the skies above the popular nature reserve this week.
Their wheeling aerial displays have been taking place at dusk before they roost for the night.
The video showing their display was captured by Mark Glover who is chair of the Gedling Conservation Trust, the group who manage the Lagoons.
What is a murmuration of starlings?
Murmurations are huge groups of starlings that twist, turn, swoop and swirl across the sky in beautiful shape-shifting clouds.
Just before dusk, small groups of starlings from the same area come together above a communal roosting site. The group grows ever larger, moving in unison in an aerial dance that casts gorgeous shapes against the waning daylight.
It is believed murmurations of starlings form for several reasons.
Grouping together offers safety in numbers as predators, such as peregrine falcons, find it hard to target one bird in the middle of a hypnotising flock of thousands.
They also gather to keep warm at night and to exchange information, such as good feeding areas.
The number of starlings in a roost can swell to around 100,000 in some places.
Officers from Gedling Borough Council have secured a closure order on the Mustard Seed in Gedling following a number of breaches related to covid regulations.
The cafe on Main Road has today (November 20) been served with an order issued under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.
The order requires the business to close with immediate effect and failure to do so can result in imprisonment, a fine or both.
Anyone found entering the premises could also face a fine or imprisonment.
The police action was ordered following a visit from council officers to the premises where it appears that the business was open and it had people inside the property, in clear violation of a prohibition order issued to them on Tuesday that stated they could only operate as a takeaway.
The business owner has repeatedly breached covid regulations set out by the government during the lockdown period, which have resulted in them being issued with fines totalling £17,000.
Following the latest intelligence that the business was breaching the regulations, the council’s Legal Team were granted a closure order from Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “Following repeated breaches of the notices we served on the Mustard Seed, which clearly stated that they need to follow the guidance and regulations during lockdown, we have no option but to close it down.
A notice on the door of the Mustard Seed last week.
“We have given the owner several chances to do the right thing and they’ve made the decision to ignore our message. Things are now so serious that they risk imprisonment, which nobody wants to see.
“Our priority has always been to protect our residents and to support the many businesses that have been affected so badly by this pandemic yet are following the rules.
“It is clear, that the owner believes that they do not need to adhere to the government guidelines and we are now in this position.
“We would urge people not to visit the premises, it is closed and we will be monitoring it closely.”
Inspector Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We all need to play our part to help stop the spread of Coronavirus and keep our local communities safe.
“This closure order shows that no-one is above the law when it comes to that and, working with our partners, we will not hesitate to take action against businesses which persistently flout the regulations set by the Government, putting lives at risk and increasing the risk of the virus spreading.
“We all have an incredibly important responsibility to adhere to the rules to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
“The vast majority of people are following the rules and we want to thank them for making those personal sacrifices.
“We will continue to work with our partners, including Gedling Borough Council, to tackle this virus and we are committed to ensuring communities are kept safe.”
Director for Public Health for Nottinghamshire, Jonathan Gribbin said: “I wholly support any action by partner organisations that will protect the health and wellbeing of people in Nottinghamshire.
“The national restrictions in place are there to protect everyone and there are many businesses who are remaining closed despite the challenges this poses for them.
“To those businesses who work hard to comply with the current restrictions, I want to offer my thanks. We owe them a debt of gratitude for the consideration they are giving to their local community, for setting aside their immediate interests and concerns in order to keep people safe and to protect our local NHS and care services. They provide a strong example to us all of what it means to serve your community.”
People from Gedling borough are being encouraged to apply for paid work supporting the potential roll-out of a vaccine against Covid-19.
As the NHS and local councils gear up for the biggest vaccination programme ever seen, a number of new roles have been created to help deliver vaccinations over the coming months.
Nottinghamshire health and care organisations are now recruiting for a number of roles to support and administer vaccinations to the general public.
The new vaccinators will work as part of a dynamic team delivering a safe and effective service for the mass delivery of vaccinations for both flu and Covid-19.
The role involves supporting health workers across the county to set up vaccination stations, help administer vaccines, support with disposing of clinical waste and change of PPE, while following infection control practices in place.
Dr Andy Haynes, Executive Lead, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in an important piece of work that will benefit the general public of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. We are looking to recruit people to help support our successful flu vaccination programme while it expands to encompass the possibility of a Covid-19 vaccination.
A Covid vaccine could be rolled out across the borough (PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
“The NHS has well established plans for delivering vaccinations, including the annual flu jab and children’s immunisations, and work is underway to build on these tried and tested approaches, so that when a Covid-19 vaccine is ready, we can deliver it safely. While GPs, hospital doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff will all be part of the plan, we need to employ more people in order to support the system further.
“We would encourage applications from people who don’t currently work in the NHS. If you have advanced first aid experience or have worked in a role which involves caring for people then please do get in touch. This might include people who have lost their job during the pandemic such as airline cabin crew or life guards for example. All successful candidates will be given a package of training and support to assist them in their role.”
The post holder will be expected to work as part of team of staff for various hours over a seven day period and will be based at one of two sites in Nottingham or the Mansfield area.
Successful candidates will receive extensive training and support in their role prior to starting.
