Gedling resident Paul Mace produces a weekly Notts County podcast featuring former club players and managers. This week it’s the turn of Belgium midfielder Stanley Aborah to step into the hot-seat. Each week at Gedling Eye we’ll be sharing the podcasts with our readers.
Stanley Aborah has revealed for the first time exactly what happened behind the scenes during his infamous fall-out with manager Jamie Fullarton and Notts County.
The Belgium midfielder was a popular figure with fans during his two year stint at Meadow Lane from 2015-17.
But controversy was never far away during his time in Nottingham and the highest profile episode came when he was accused of refusing to play for the club after Ricardo Moniz was sacked.
But, in an exclusive interview with the Magpie Circle podcast, Aborah insists he was always ready, willing and able to play for the club.
Aborah explained: “I knew when Ricardo was sacked that it was likely I would be out of the team.
“The manager called me in to see him and said that I was not part of his plans and he did not feel I was good enough to play for him.
“I asked if I could look for another club and he said yes.
“Shortly afterwards, I received a call from Aileen Trew (Notts County director) to say the club wanted to keep me and I should wait to get my place back.
“At no point did I say that I wanted to play only for Ricardo Moniz. Why would I say that. I had no idea when he would get another job.
“The club said that I was injured when they did not play me but that was not true. I was always available but was told to train with the kids away from the first team.”
Aborah reveals he had his ups and downs with Moniz but was a fan of the Dutchman’s football philosophy.
And he singled out fellow midfielder Curtis Thompson – who has gone on to enjoy a successful move to Championship club Wycombe Wanderers – as a special talent.
A new episode of the Magpie Circle podcast is posted every Thursday evening. Check it out and follow on:
A large number of smaller charities across Gedling borough could now be facing financial ruin following a decline in donations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The cancellation of all participation events since March has seen overall donations to non-NHS charities drop by 46% on a leading fundraising site.
And new research has found that smaller charities – without the reserve levels of their larger counterparts – are at far greater risk of having to cease operating entirely.
Gedling borough has around 90 small charities – with an annual income between £10k and £100k, and 72 micro charities – with an income of under £10k.
The leader of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) said the declining income from collection tins, charity shops and community events such as fetes and raffles had already hit the incomes of smaller operations by “hundreds of millions of pounds”.
Even though he said overall giving in 2020 was up by £800m compared to 2019 – the majority of those funds were absorbed by NHS charities.
Many of these charities have been able to access part of a £750m support package released by the government for the not-for-profit sector – or some of a further £300m released by philanthropic bodies.
But many of the grants, charity leaders say, cover just six months of operational costs.
The Small Charities Coalition says parts of the sector face a “slow death”, the true scale of which will not be realised until early next year when that grant funding runs out.
Donations to non-NHS charities in the borough has dropped considerably
Public polling also suggests particular types of charity are at greater risk.
Results from YouGov show the nature of giving has shifted since March towards hospitals and NHS charities and away from those dealing with homelessness, disability and animal welfare.
Rita Chadha, chief executive of the Small Charities Coalition, which provides support to 14,00 small charities across the UK, said many smaller charities in Gedling borough could now be facing a ‘slow death’.
She said: “With smaller charities being the focus of the emergency funds they have got some access to that money.
“But nearly all of the funding is a six-month emergency grant.
“Most of the grants came out at the beginning of June. At the moment there is a fear about the long term because there’s just not that certainty.
“In the run up to the next financial year we anticipate people will be asking us: ‘how do we let people go?’ and ‘how do we wind down a charity?’”
“The real pinch point will be next year when these charities officially start closing .
“Many of our charities are already having to decrease their operations already. They are telling us they are having to turn people away when demand for them is increasing.
“A domestic abuse charity I spoke to was having two referrals a day. They’re now having 20.
“Their programmes and activities tend to last for two years. If they take in someone today they don’t know whether they will be able to see them through the whole programme.
“Services are changing. People are finding things they have used for years and years are disappearing overnight.
“The government feels like it has to tackle covid entirely on its own – when all the resources at a local level are locked in charities. If you are not allowing them to amplify their services it will cost more money further down the road.
“Something like increasing Gift Aid to 30%, that’s a nominal cost to the Exchequer, but would make a big difference to a small charity.”
Mr Garton took over the club 20 years ago and the club is thriving despite facing many challenges during his two decades at the helm.
In recognition for his efforts, Mr Garton was handed the Lifetime Achievemnt Award at this Year’s Pride of Gedling ceremony – which was held online.
He told the Carlton Town website: “I was invited to the event earlier this year and it was mentioned I had been nominated for something, but I had no idea for what or in what capacity as I have also ran a business in the borough for 31 years. I genuinely thought it might be something to do with that”
“I was told the other week that the event would now be on line and I spent an hour with my daughter, Shannon, trying to link up to it online , but had to give up in the end.
“I’ve now watched it all back online and to be able to take my place alongside some fantastic people who won awards on the night is something I am very proud of ”
PICTURED: Presenter Gareth Evans presented the ceremony virtually
“I would like to thank Tommy and Roger for their kind words on the night and Gedling Borough Council Leader John Clarke and his team for putting me forward.”
“A football club of our standing desperately needs a local council who get our role in the community and this Council certainly does that and their support particularly during this awful pandemic has been vital to helping ensure we have a future”
In the interview, Mr Garton reflected on his time in charge of the club, which has its home on Stoke Lane.
He said: “There have certainly been more good times than bad however, the success we had at the start of the decade with Tommy Brookbanks with repeated promotions, winning back to back Senior Cups with Les McJannet and Mark Clarke, a competition the club had never won, before winning it again against all the odds at Meadow Lane under Wayne Scott”
“After Wayne’s departure, the club needed a reboot and Tommy coming back and Mark Harvey have certainly given us that and last season was certainly one of the most enjoyable in that 20 years”
And, although things have been ‘challenging’ due to coronavirus impacting finances over recent months, Mr Garton said he has no plans on leaving the role.
He sadi: “I’m not planning on going anywhere at the moment if that’s alright with you guys. Hopefully, we’ll be celebrating many more victories under managers Tommy and Mark.”
Gedling Police inspector Chris Pearson gives his latest update on policing activities that have taken place across the borough over the last month.
It’s been another busy month where we have been focusing on our policing priorities of drug supply, speeding and residential burglary.
Priorities
Drug supply
In terms of Drug Supply, the Neighbourhood Policing team have continued to work closely with Operation Reacher colleagues to carry out a number of further drugs warrants across the area. During October the team executed the warrants at the following locations:
Coronation Walk, Gedling resulting in the recovery of Class B drugs, weighing scales and drugs paraphernalia
Calverton Avenue, Carlton resulting in the seizure of Class B drugs (Cannabis), cash and drugs paraphernalia
Manvers Street, Netherfield resulting in the seizure of Class B drugs
Incher Mews, Carlton resulting in the seizure of a large quantity of cash and suspected criminal property. This was part of a wider investigation and included the search of an address on Carlton Hill
The warrants were mostly carried out in relation to ‘Operation Thistle’ which is our proactive investigation into drugs supply in the Gedling South area.
The Operation Reacher team will continue to work with the Neighbourhood Policing team to act on community concerns around drug supply and we will continue to take robust action around this which will remain a policing priority.
Speed Enforcement
We have continued to receive reports of speeding vehicles across Gedling.
On Saturday, October 10 the Operation Reacher team joined forces with our Special Constables to carry out a day of action around Speeding and Road Safety.
The team started their work on the A612 leading into Burton Joyce where nine motorists were dealt with for a number of different driving offences ranging from excessive speed to using a mobile phone whilst driving.
The team then moved on to Main Road in Ravenshead where the first driver stopped was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and insurance offences. The vehicle was seized and the driver remains under investigation.
Local teams will continue to focus on the issue of speeding and we are working closely with Gedling Borough Council around education and an increased Community Road Safety scheme.
Residential Burglary
Burglary across Gedling has reduced by around 41% since the beginning of April this year. Despite this it remains a priority for us and October saw a slight increase in offending with 19 crimes recorded compared to 17 in September.
October saw an increase in car key burglaries around the ‘Gedling North’ area with overnight offences in Ravenshead, Mapperley, Woodthorpe and Arnold.
We are carrying out a thorough investigation into these offences and a 16-year-old male has been arrested in relation to a car key burglary in Arnold.
Officers also attended to a report of a burglary in Woodthorpe on the morning of October 23, which resulted in a 29-year-old male being located and arrested nearby.
Following a car key burglary in Mapperley a vehicle was also recovered in the City and a male was arrested by detectives investigating the offence.
It’s been a very busy time for the Operation Reacher team here at Gedling.
The team have continued to work very closely with the Neighbourhood Policing team and this has enabled us to make real progress around our policing priorities.
Maintaining this ongoing activity during the Coronavirus pandemic has been a real challenge but the results so far are pleasing and there is more to come. Since the end of January this year the team have:
Arrested or voluntarily interviewed 97 Suspects
Seized 45 cars
Issued 62 Traffic Offence Reports
Recovered 5 stolen vehicles
Carried out 31 warrants
72 drugs seizures
Seized £241,000 in suspected criminal money
Seized 24 weapons
Generated 142 pieces of intelligence
Incident Updates
I wanted to talk about the incident of disorder in Arnold Town Centre back on the October 9, 2020.
This was clearly a very serious incident with a weapon recovered and our CID colleagues are carrying out a thorough investigation into the circumstances.
As a result of the police attendance on the night, seven males were arrested on suspicion of Affray and remain on police bail at this time.
I want to be clear that together with our partners we will never accept violence in our communities and we will do everything within our power to stop incidents of this nature.
Since the incident we have increased patrols in Arnold Town Centre with the Neighbourhood team, Operation Reacher and force colleagues carrying out daily patrols.
We are working together with our Neighbourhood Wardens, Gedling CCTV and wider partners to disrupt those involved in this type of incident or anti-social behaviour. This has included detached youth workers in the area of Front Street and we are now working with businesses to target harden our town centre.
PICTURED: McColl’s on Westdale Lane
We have also received reports of youths throwing fireworks in Arnold Town Centre. As a result of this I authorised police dispersal powers and a dispersal zone was set up in Arnold in order to prevent those likely to be involved in Crime or ASB from gathering in the area.
I also wanted to mention a Robbery reported at the McColls store on Westdale Lane, Gedling on the morning of 27th October 27.
A masked male entered the store at around 06:20 hours with a cricket bat and left with takings from the till. CID colleagues are investigating this incident and the investigation is very much ongoing. I’d ask that anyone with information contacts us quoting incident 69 of 27th October 2020.
Coronavirus
I wanted to touch on our continued response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
We have now moved into another England wide ‘lockdown’.
The Neighbourhood Policing team are carrying out extra patrols in support of ‘Operation Bion’ and we will be working very closely with our colleagues at Gedling Borough Council to ensure that individuals and businesses are working to the latest regulations which can be found on the government website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november
I know this is a very difficult time for all but we must collectively work to the regulations in order to slow the spread of the virus, save lives and protect the NHS.
We will not hesitate to deal positively with those individuals who blatantly disregard the regulations as this puts them others at risk.
Feedback
As ever I’m keen to ensure that we are focusing our time and resources on the things that matter most to our local communities so I would encourage you to complete the #WhatMatters survey which can be found online at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/whatmatters
I review the survey results every quarter and the feedback will be used to refresh our policing priorities.
Bricks were hurled at firefighters who were tackling a moped blaze in Top Valley.
Officers were called out to the fire at 10.52pm yesterday (November 4).
Whilst trying to extinguish the fire, bricks were thrown at officers.
Matt Reavill, Group Manager for Notts Fire & Rescue, said: “This act is unacceptable, and we are working with Nottinghamshire Police to identify those responsible.”
“Each fire appliance has eight CCTV cameras and footage is now with Nottinghamshire Police for the investigation.
“We have now put control measures in place to support and protect our crews when attending incidents.”
Police are investigating the incident
“We do not condone anti-social behaviour and it is not acceptable for emergency service staff to be hurt when they are out doing their job.”
A dispersal order has been put in place in the Top Valley area for a 48-hour period following a series of incidents, including this one last night.
Nottinghamshire Police Sergeant Oliver Vale, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are investigating all of the reports which came to us yesterday and we are taking them very seriously. I can assure people that we will be taking robust action against those who were involved.”
Nottinghamshire Police are appealing to anyone who saw the incident to help with their enquiries. Please call 101, quoting incident number 460 of 4 November 2020, with any information.
Some supermarkets in Gedling borough have updated their safety measures and rules now that we are in lockdown.
What rules and measures have Asda put in place?
Asda has announced it is putting in the folloing measures over the coming weeks:
Extending the hours Covid Safety Marshals will be on duty at the front of every store from 8am to 8pm. These colleagues will be on hand to manage access, help customers with safety queries, and remind them of the need to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing when they shop.
Applying a protective antibacterial coating to all trolley and basket handles to prevent the spread of bacteria. The same coating is successfully used to kill bacteria in the NHS Nightingale Excel Hospital.
Installing an additional sanitisation stations at the front of stores. More sanitisation stations have been added within stores including a minimum of 10 in each superstore.
Automatic counting technology will be installed to manage capacity and help customers socially distance. In addition, Asda is trialling a queuing app where customers can wait in their cars before receiving a notification to enter the store.
All tills will be opened at the busiest times to reduce queues and speed up the checkout process for customers.
The supermarket chain added that they currently have good product availability in store and online and can reassure customers that they do not need to buy more than they normally would before or after the lockdown comes into effect.
Roger Burnley, CEO and President at Asda, said: “Providing a safe environment for our customers and colleagues to shop and work has been our priority throughout the pandemic and we are stepping up the measures we have in store to provide additional protection.
“We would ask customers to play their part by respecting social distancing and shopping responsibly when they visit our stores.”
What rules and measures have Sainsbury’s put in place?
Simon Roberts, the CEO of Sainsbury’s issued a letter to customers informing them of the latest measures.
He wrote: “As we are seeing increased restrictions across the nation, I am writing to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to keep you and our colleagues safe when you shop with us.
“As we approach winter, we know that queuing will become harder for some of our customers.
“From Thursday (November 5), we will offer elderly and vulnerable customers and NHS and care workers with an NHS ID priority access to our stores. This means you can skip the queue at any time so that we can welcome you into our stores quickly and safely.
“We will continue to have socially distanced queuing systems in place outside our stores, supported by a greeter at the front of stores at busier times of day and we ask that you please queue at a safe distance of two metres apart.
“We are following government guidance and encourage you to please do the same by wearing a mask when you are in our stores. However, we completely understand if you are medically exempt from wearing a mask.
“Where possible, we ask that you only send one adult per household when you shop with us. This will help us manage the number of people in our stores and make your shop quicker and smoother.
“As we keep working hard to feed the nation, we are focused on getting as much food and other essential items as possible onto shelves. We have a good supply of stock so please also continue to buy what you need for yourself and your family and there will be enough for everyone.
“We have been working hard to increase the number of online orders we can carry out and we are on track to fulfil 750,000 online orders per week across home delivery and Click and Collect.
The supermarket chain posted an update on their website.
It read: “We’re continuing to do all we can to ensure that everyone can get the food they need in a safe environment.
“We have installed a simple ’traffic light’ system in some of our larger stores to help us manage the flow in and out. Once in-store, please keep to the social distancing markings.
“If there’s a queue outside and it’s raining, we’ll be handing out sanitised umbrellas.
“Hand sanitiser and cleaning stations are available around our stores, and we continue to have social distancing guidelines and signage in place.
“There are screens at the checkouts to keep everyone safe, and we encourage you to use contactless payment where you can.
“When you visit our stores, please follow the legal guidance on wearing a face covering.
“If you forget to bring one, we have packs available to buy at the front of our stores, which you can open immediately and pay for with your shopping later.
“As a reminder, the police can issue fines for not wearing a face covering, unless you’re exempt.
“We’re continuing our dedicated hours for vulnerable customers.
“We’re giving NHS, emergency service, and care workers priority access to our stores to help them shop when they have the time. If there’s a queue, please come to the front with your valid ID to enter.”
What rules and measures have Morrisons put in place?
Supermarket chain Morrisons have re-introduced limits on a number of products following concerns of panic buying.
The full list of products that have been capped are:
Bar soap – maximum of three items
Hand sanitizers – maximum of three items
Hand wash – maximum of three items
Calpol – maximum of two items
World foods rice – maximum of three items
World foods flour – maximum of three items
World foods oil – maximum of three items
Toilet paper – maximum of three items
Bathroom cleaning – maximum of three items
Floor cleaning – maximum of three items
Glass and window cleaning – maximum of three items
Kitchen cleaning – maximum of three items
Multi-purpose cleaning – maximum of three items
Bleach – maximum of three items
Disinfectant – maximum of three items
Toilet care bleach and disinfectant – maximum of three items
Kitchen roll – maximum of three items
A Morrisons spokeswoman said: “We are introducing a limit on a small number of key products, such as toilet roll and disinfectant.
“Our stock levels of these products are good but we want to ensure that they are available for everyone.”
A service of thanksgiving and commemoration for Remembrance Sunday will be live streamed from All Hallows Church in Gedling on Sunday (8), in line with Covid regulations.
The service will now be held without a congregation in line with the Government’s new national restrictions to control the spread of the Covid-19 infection.
The service will be streamed on the YouTube channel of All Hallows Gedling and Holy Trinity Lambley from 10.30am.
Gedling borough’s parks and play areas will remain open to the public during the nationwide lockdown which starts today and is expected to last until Wednesday, December 2.
They said: “Parks across England can stay open during the lockdown to help with health and wellbeing” Gedling parks, their toilets and play areas will remain open.”
Sadly, it was also revealed that this time outdoor gyms and tennis courts would remain closed.
Cafe 1899 at Gedling Country Park will also stay open and continue to offer drinks and snacks from the hatch, but the indoor and outdoor seating areas are closed until further notice.
Burton Road Jubilee Park will remain open
Leisure centres
The national lockdown restrictions mean that the borough’s leisure centres will have to close temporarily from today (November 5).
The leisure team has put together a number of online videos aimed at those working from home during the locdown.
The Bonington theatre and cinema will also temporarily close.
The venue revealed that booked tickets will automatically be held on customers’ accounts for when they reopen. Those wanting a refund should contact the venue directly.
Since reopening in July the venue has sold 4,500 tickets and held 415 screenings of over 60 films.
The team at Arnold Registry Office has been contacting bridal parties to help them reschedule their wedding or civil partnership ceremony due to the national lockdown rules which comes into force tomorrow (November 5).
The new Government guidance states that weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.
Councillor Kay Cutts, MBE, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said: “I know that there will be many disappointed people across the county who were planning their special day, some of which may have already delayed their plans once or more.
“I can assure you that we will do everything we can to work with couples to help them reschedule in line with the latest guidance which we will keep under review. The important thing now is that we all follow the new guidance in full to help us slow the spread of the virus.”
Other registration service updates in light of the national lockdown include funerals and birth registrations.
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, and it is advised that only close friends and family attend. Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Anyone working as part of these events are not included in these numbers. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
The Arnold offices is also taking new birth registration appointments for residents where the baby was born in the city.
Wedding or civil ceremony notices are still being taken but only three months prior to the ceremony. Citizenship ceremonies have been cancelled until further advice is received.
Non-statutory services such as change of name deed, baby naming will not be available.
Not to be defeated by ongoing Covid restrictions, Gedling Borough Council took its annual awards ceremony online to ensure the achievements of people in the local community didn’t go unrecognised.
The celebrated awards ceremony attracted a much bigger audience this year by being beamed into living rooms via Microsoft Teams and Facebook Live.
The Pride of Gedling awards are held each year to celebrate the work of local people who are not often recognised anywhere else for their dedication and community spirit.
Awards are handed out in a range of categories including business in the community, young achiever and lifetime achievement.
When it became clear that running the event was not going to be an option, Gedling Borough Council got to work preparing a virtual ceremony, which was held online on Tuesday (November 3) evening and hosted by Smooth FM presenter Gareth Evans.
The first award of the night was for Business in the Community – which was won by the Gedling Road and Mapperley Plains Co-op, who have supported community schemes across the borough and also given £15,000 towards projects at Gedling Country Park.
The Community Heroes Award was scooped by Mick Ball who was rewarded for his efforts with Gedling Play Forum over the last 16 years, helping young people with a host of craft activities.
The Environmental Heroes Award was handed to Kirsty Oswell who was recognised for transforming how Richard Bonington School in Arnold recycles, with residual waste being reduced by 25% under her leadership.
PICTURED: The awards were streamed live on Facebook and Microsoft Teams
The Heritage Brought Alive project secured the Outstanding Community Project Award. The project was recognised for bringing alive the entire history of the borough through booklets, videos and walks. A Special Judges Award was also handed to Arnold Foodbank and The Village Lunch, who were both also nominated.
Inspirational Healthy Lifestyle Award was won by Joseph and Cath Warren who run the Breathe Easy Gedling group that helps and supports people with lung conditions by arranging meetings and outings for members.
Two youngsters were recognised during the Dylan Barker Young Achiever Award. Young Danny Andrews-Duggins was handed the Special Judges Award after getting help for his mum who had passed out whilst they were home; he cared for her while they waited for an ambulance and also looked after his two-year old sister who was in the house at the time.
The award was won by Benjamin Neal. The youngster was on his way to Thorpe Park with his family when an 86-year old man in the vehicle in front started having a heart attack. Benjamin calmly and bravely carried out CPR on the gentleman whilst the ambulance made its way to the scene – saving the pensioner’s life.
The overall Pride of Gedling Award was won by Gwen Woolley, who was recognised as someone who has gone above and beyond for the community.
Gwen has supported many different organisations over the past 30 years and her work with Carlton Brass and also teaching music was celebrated.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was handed to Carlton Town chairman Mark Garton who was recognised for all his hard work in supporting the club over the past 20 years.
Current manager Tommy Brookbanks called him ‘the best chairman he’d ever worked for’.
Club president Roger Smith said: “Mick is tireless and so full of energy. It’s a pleasure to work with him.”
The award will be handed to Mr Garton at a later date.
