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.
Police are now appealing for information following a robbery at a store in Carlton.
A man entered McColls in Westdale Lane and demanded for a shop worker to give him the till, putting them in fear, before he fled the scene in a grey vehicle.
The incident happened at around 5.45am yesterday (Thursday, November 19, 2020).
The suspect is white, of stocky build, and was wearing a grey hoody.
Detective Sergeant Gary Hewson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our lines of enquiry into this incident are ongoing and I’m appealing to anyone who recognises the suspect from the description or who has any other information which could help us with our investigation to please call us on 101.
“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have captured footage of the incident on CCTV on dashcam as we continue to work hard to identify the person responsible.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 72 of 19 November 2020, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Paddy Tipping has voiced his support for a national awareness week urging the public to show greater respect towards shop workers and retail staff during a visit to a store in Mapperley.
The PCC is one of many officials backing Usdaw’s National Respect for Shopworkers’ Week – a week-long, annual event running from 16 to 22 November – aimed at protecting retail workers from abuse and violence from customers.
Usdaw said incidents of violence and aggression against retail workers had doubled during the pandemic as a result of shop workers being given more responsibility to protect the public – triggering high levels of abuse and aggression.
Usdaw has fought to prevent violence and abuse since 2002 through its ‘Freedom from Fear Campaign’. It is also calling on the Government to legislate to protect shop workers and has amassed more than 70,000 signatures.
This year, Usdaw teamed up with Central England Co-op, which runs its own Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign, to host an online listening event attended by PCCs and Chief Constables across the country.
The event, due to be chaired by Usdaw’s Divisional Officer for the Midlands, Gavin Dadley, was set to take place today (Thursday 19 November) and attended by frontline retail workers sharing their experiences of violence, threats and abuse while at work.
Mr Tipping, who appeared in a video to show his support for the campaign, said: “I wholeheartedly support National Respect for Shopworkers’ Week and the Freedom from Fear campaign. Retail workers play a crucial role in our communities and this has been demonstrated throughout the pandemic when as keyworkers they put their own safety at risk to serve others.
“The fact that assaults have doubled during this period is shocking and warrants urgent attention.
“Retail workers provide a public service and deserve respect and appreciation for what they do. It is simply unacceptable that any of them should face abuse while performing their job.
“I would encourage employers to support this awareness week and give staff the confidence to speak out and report abuse. Any shop worker who feels threatened, intimidated or is assaulted by a customer should report the matter to police for full investigation.”
Usdaw’s 2019 survey found more than 400 shop workers are attacked every day. A total of 68 percent of workers reported they had been verbally abused at least once and 43% said they had been threatened with physical violence.
The retail union said the average shop worker had been assaulted, threatened or abused every 6.5 days during the first wave of the pandemic.
It said trigger points included age-related sales restrictions and the enforcement of coronavirus rules including social distancing, the 10pm curfew and the requirement to wear facemasks.
Nottinghamshire Police, working with partners, released a video earlier this year about assaults on key workers in a bid to combat increased assaults.
Police clocked three drivers in just half an hour speeding in Calverton as they tackled lockdown racers during a campaign against those breaking the speed limits.
Officers were out with the speed gun on Main Street following a number of complaints about speeding.
A spokesman said: “We were there for just 30 minutes and managed to catch three cars being driven in excess of the 30mph speed limit.
“The cars were recorded at 37, 38 and 39 mph; all 3 drivers were issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR).
They added: “We intend to get around the borough to places where speeding is an issue so let us know where you would like to see us.
“We do this to save lives; the money doesn’t go towards our Christmas party, as a few drivers believe..”
Police have carried out similar patrols in Arnold and Carlton Hill over recent months in abid to cut down on those speeding on the borough’s roads.
Plans to create a house of multiple occupancy and convert a former garage into a nursery are among the planning applications that have been made this week across Gedling borough
Every week dozens of planning applications are submitted to the council – and the coronavirus pandemic has not changed that.
Here is the list of applications that have been submitted and validated by Gedling Borough Council in the last week.
Visit the council site HERE the links below to find out more and to have your say…
Retention of a 2.06m high fence adjacent to highway
131 Coronation Walk Gedling NG4 4AR
Ref. No: 2020/1081
Linby
T1 Beech: reduce crown on property side by approximately 2-3m or suitable growth points protruding towards balcony of property; G1 group of 12 Limes bordering driveway: reduce height by approximately 5-8m or suitable growth points
Lawful Development Certificate as C3 dwellinghouse (re-submission of 2020/0756)
32 Axmouth Drive Mapperley NG3 5SX
Ref. No: 2020/1116
Conversion of garage to increase nursery capacity by 12 child places (from 42 to 54)
384 Westdale Lane West Mapperley NG3 6ES
Ref. No: 2020/1100
Ravenshead
Proposed rear single storey extension
98 Main Road Ravenshead NG15 9GW
Ref. No: 2020/1090
Single storey front extension to the western side of the dwelling to create a sun room and a front and side extension to the eastern side of the dwelling with the creation of a balcony above, along with changes to fenestration detail and application of render and timber cladding to the dwelling
Wildacre 5 Haggnook Wood Ravenshead NG15 9HE
Ref. No: 2020/1086
Fell 1no. Silver Birch
Newstead Abbey Park, Brackenwood Nottingham Road Ravenshead NG15 8GD
Ref. No: 2020/1069TPO
Woodborough
Proposed first floor extension over the existing bungalow, two storey extensions to the front, side and rear of the dwelling and the application of render and stone/slate cladding to the property.
16 Old Manor Close Woodborough NG14 6DJ
Ref. No: 2020/1098
T1 Copper Beech – reduce by a third
The Farm House Bank Hill Farm Bank Hill Woodborough Nottinghamshire NG14 6EF
Ref. No: 2020/1113TPO
Crown reduction (T1) to sycamore tree to reduce height by approx 6 metres
Stables To North Of Bank Hill Farm Bank Hill Woodborough Nottinghamshire
Plans to roll out what the Government called ‘mass testing’ for people in Gedling borough are still a way away from being off the ground.
Despite health secretary Matt Hancock saying that tests would arrive to be rolled out across the county last week, Nottingham City Council has confirmed it is still yet to receive any, and it is understood none have been received by Nottinghamshire County Council either.
The council has also not received details from the Government on how it expects them to be used, what the learnings from the Liverpool pilot were, or what outcomes the Government hopes to see from their use.
Since the Government announcement on Tuesday, that an initial 10,000 tests were being sent out to each council, the Government has also said it plans to mass test all students wanting to return home, and roll it out in all care homes by Christmas.
It was promised 10,000 tests would be sent out for use by residents
The Government also said after the initial 10,000 tests, it would be releasing enough for each council to test 10 percent of its population on a weekly basis. It is also not yet known when the councils will begin receiving these tests.
A webinar was held on Friday, October 13, between Matt Hancock and the local councils hoping to take part in the scheme, but one insider said it had left health experts in the city and county ‘none the wiser’ about how to proceed.
A spokesman for Nottingham City Council said “We haven’t received the test kits yet. A webinar did go ahead on Friday but it hasn’t moved things forward – we’re still not in a position to say how and when testing will be rolled out.”
Nottinghamshire County Council has been approached for comment.
The Department for Health and Social Care has also been approached for comment.
New support grants have been launched to provide financial support to Gedling borough businesses affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Gedling Borough Council will distribute the funding on behalf of the government according to nationally-set eligibility criteria and has now opened up grant applications.
The cash grants are for businesses that have been affected when entering Tier 2, Tier 3 and National Lockdown restrictions.
Local businesses that can receive these grants include non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, accommodation and businesses supplying or servicing businesses in these sectors.
There are five different grants available, all of which are detailed on the council’s business support webpages.
The grants cover a number of scenarios for businesses affected by the restrictions. This includes grants for businesses that were affected before the national lockdown was announced, during the Tier restrictions.
PICTURED: Civic Centre (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
There are also grants available to businesses who had to close during the restrictions. There is a discretionary scheme that will be available for the council to provide support to businesses who may not meet the criteria for the other grants.
The online application form takes less than five minutes to complete. Businesses will need to provide evidence of their business bank account, with business name, sort code and account number, along with any other required evidence, depending on their business type. Based on the information provided, the council will make the assessment and decide what grant the businesses is eligible for.
Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne said: “These grants will be a vital lifeline for hundreds of businesses in Gedling borough who have been hit so hard by this second wave of closures despite all of their efforts to become covid secure.
“Now we have received the information about how these grants will work from Government, we are acting as quickly as possible to get the funds out to our businesses and we will be contacting them over the next few days.
“The grants are different to the ones that were announced during the first lockdown and we are urging businesses to fill out the online form and provide all of the required documents and evidence so that we can make sure they receive the right grants.”
