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Gedling Borough Council launches free gym membership for armed forces on Armistice Day

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling Borough Council launches free gym membership for armed forces on Armistice Day

Gedling Borough Council has today launched a new gym membership offering free access to residents who are part of our Armed Forces.

The membership is being launched today (November 11) on Armistice Day, and will give armed forces personnel and veterans free use of the gyms at Calverton, Redhill and Carlton Forum Leisure Centres.

To apply for a membership, applicants will need to visit the council’s leisure website and fill out a form. The application is open to anyone who is currently serving or has previously served in the armed forces (Navy, Army or Royal Air Force). Terms and conditions will apply which are detailed on the website.

The Armed Forces Leisure Card is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to support our Armed Forces in the borough. The council signed an Armed Forces Covenant, which supports personnel with healthcare, employment and housing while they are serving and when they leave the forces.

The covenant ensures that the borough recognises the contribution made by our Armed Forces Community, remembers the sacrifices they have made and offers an opportunity for them to contribute their skills and experience to help improve our understanding of what these brave men and women do for our country.

Members of the armed forces will be able to use the council-run gym at Redhill for free

As well as providing support for the Armed Forces, the council says one of its priorities is to promote health and wellbeing for its residents and support people to have a more physical and active lifestyle. This membership scheme is part of that commitment.

To find out more about the scheme, the terms and conditions and how to apply for a membership, visit www.gedling.gov.uk/armed-forces-leisure

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, John Clarke said: “We are very pleased to be launching this free gym membership service to our Armed Forces personnel on Armistice Day.

“We made a manifesto pledge to support the men and women who have done so much for our country. This membership will give personnel members the chance to use our gyms at no extra cost and give them an opportunity to stay healthy and physically active.”

Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Henry Wheeler said: “This offer is available to Armed Forces personnel serving and retired, all they need to do is fill out a form and provide some proof of their status.

“Our gyms are currently closed but as soon as they open, we will look forward to seeing some of our Armed Forces personnel in our gyms across the borough.

“We thought it was a fitting way to say thank you to our brave men and women on a day when we remember all of the sacrifices they have made for all of us and we are very proud to be launching this offer today.”

Mapperley sex offender jailed after sending explicit images to ‘children’ – who turned out to be online activists

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Mapperley sex offender jailed after sending explicit images to ‘children’ – who turned out to be online activists

A man from Mapperley who sent explicit sexual images of himself to two people he wrongly believed to be 13-year-old girls has been jailed.

Kieran White, 35, made contact with the first girl in an internet chat room in September 2018 and – aware of her apparent age – shared explicit images and encouraged her to perform a sex act.

Around two months later he made contact again, this time asking for her to send explicit images to him.

Unbeknown to White, however, the ‘girl’ was actually an adult member of an on-line activist group, which later shared its evidence with the Police.

White, of Westdale Lane East, Mapperley, was snared again by another activist group when he committed the same offences with another victim he also believed to be a teenage girl.

PICTURED: Kieran White (PHOTO: Notts Police)

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, White, was sentenced to a total of eight months in prison for two counts of attempting to cause a child to look at sexual imagery.

He was also given six month sentences (to run concurrently) for two counts of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

Detective Constable Anna Yates, of Nottinghamshire Police’s public protection team said: “White committed serious sexual offences with people he believed to be only 13 years old. Thankfully this was not the case and no children were harmed by his actions.

“But he knew perfectly well that what he was doing was wrong and he has rightly been punished.

“Although online activist groups work at their own discretion, Nottinghamshire Police has always responded positively to information provided by members of the public including OCAGs and that will not change.

“Protecting children from harm is a priority for us, and every month we take actions that safeguard hundreds of young people. If people want to contribute to our efforts to protect children I would urge them to visit www.citizensinpolicing.net for more information.”

Drive-thru Costa Coffee planned for former KFC site on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Drive-thru Costa Coffee planned for former KFC site on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield

New jobs could be created by plans for a drive-thru Costa Coffee at the former KFC site on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield.

Plans have been submitted this week to Gedling Borough Council which reveal designs for new signage which would replace the KFC branding on the unit which can be found at the entrance to the retail park.

They show designs for new Costa branded signs in the car park, on the side of the building and on top.

Before becoming a KFC in 2016, the site used to house the old LMRCA club, which was knocked down to make way for the drive-thru back in the same year.

The club was moved to Carlton and renamed The Crossings Club.

LMRCA site
PICTURED: The LMRCA site that was demolished back in 2016.
The current site (PHOTO: Neil Slack Photography)
Proposed new signage (PIC: GBC)
PICTURED: Proposed new Costa signage at the site in Netherfield
The site plan

KFC Netherfield was closed down when the country went into lockdown back in March but didn’t reopen after the lifting of restrictions back in July.

The site has remained closed ever since.

A Starbucks drive-thru is currently being constructed on land near Morrisons at the retail park.

More details about the plans can be found here: https://pawam.gedling.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QIAM9UHLM6M00&activeTab=summary

Police to carry out week of action in Gedling borough to tackle knife crime

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Police to carry out week of action in Gedling borough to tackle knife crime

Local police teams in Gedling borough will conduct a week of action to combat knife crime this week as park of Operation Sceptre – a national knife crime initiative

Officers from Gedling’s Operation Reacher have pledged to support the week of action and will target combating knife crime in the borough during the week.

As part of the initiative, officers have been visiting people at home across the borough that have had packages intercepted by UK Border Force, which contain knives, which aren’t standard domestic knives.

knife_amnesty
PICTURED: Knives handed in during a previous week of action (PIC: Nottinghamshire Police)

A spokesman said: “The reason for the visits is to assess any risk that person poses to the public and to identify and divert risky people away from a criminal lifestyle.

“Please be mindful when you are ordering items online that a company may sell you an item and even post it out to you but if it is unlawful to possess it in the UK. It will be seized and you may end up being out of pocket and in the worst case scenario you may be liable to prosecution.”

Operation Reacher cops also managed to locate and arrest a 53-year-old male that had failed to attend court. This male was due to attend after a stop search by police on the Knife Crime Team where a knife was found.

Gedling leader welcomes news that mass testing will be rolled out in Notts

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling leader welcomes news that mass testing will be rolled out in Notts

The leader of Gedling Borough Council John Clarke has welcomed news that 20,000 rapid tests are soon expected to be rolled out in Nottinghamshire, following a trial in Liverpool. 

It is expected the testing kits – which can give a result within the hour – will be sent out to top-level local councils this week. 

However, it is not yet clear exactly when the testing will start, or how the scheme will be administered. 

Further details are expected to be made public today (Tuesday, November 10).

Jonathan Gribbin is the Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, and said: “We can confirm that Nottinghamshire has been offered a supply of lateral flow tests.

“It’s too early to comment on how this will be deployed across the county, but we welcome any measures that strengthen our test and trace capabilities.”

Alison Challenger,  Director of Public Health in Nottingham, said: “Nottingham has been approached to be included in the new testing programme for Covid-19 that is being rolled out across the country.

“We are waiting for more information from the Government and will work with partners in the city to understand how we could use this to benefit our communities.

john-clarke-gedling-elections
PICTURED: Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke

“Cases of Covid-19 have been falling in Nottingham. People have been following the ‘hands/face/space’ guidance and we’ve worked hard as a city to stick to the restrictions set out in Tier 2 and 3 – and now as part of the national lockdown.

“We will look at how best we could incorporate this additional testing as part of our city’s ongoing response to Covid-19.”

The leader of Gedling Borough Council, John Clarke, said: “I understand that the government last night, informed our colleagues at Nottinghamshire County Council about this new mass testing roll out and we are now waiting for an update on what involvement we will have and when the testing will start.

“We welcome anything that will help us to continue to reduce the rate of infection in the borough, which is still too high compared to the national average.

“We have already offered our services to the County Council to pilot door to door testing and we are here, ready and able to do whatever is needed to fight this pandemic.”

Gedling MP, Tom Randall also welcomed the news.

He said: “We have already reached a major milestone for testing – delivering on our target capacity of 500,000 a day.

“Mass testing will play a crucial role in tackling coronavirus, and it is excellent to see the Government deploying these new rapid-turnaround tests across Nottinghamshire which can help identify thousands of people who don’t have symptoms but can still infect others without knowing.”

Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, which covers Mapperley, was more cautious.

She said: “I’m seeking further details on implementation and time scales as well as assurances on local funding to support the full rollout for all residents, so none of my constituents miss out.”

Burglar jailed after being caught red-handed on CCTV with items taken from house in Netherfield

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Burglar jailed after being caught red-handed on CCTV with items taken from house in Netherfield

A 36-year-old burglar has been given a four-year prison sentence after being caught on CCTV after raiding a home in Netherfield.

Michael Clifford, 36, was caught on camera as he walked down the road – clearly in possession of items he’d just stolen from a nearby property in Deabill Street.

The burglary took place on the afternoon of September 19, this year.

Clifford broke in through the back door when his victims were out, using a neighbours wheelie bin to help climb over their garden gate.

Once inside the house he stole thousands of pounds worth of items from inside, including jewellery, watches, a laptop computer and a games console.

After reading a plea for information on social media, a neighbour checked their CCTV footage from the afternoon in question and spotted Clifford walking by with a distinctive laptop bag.

This and other items stolen in the burglary were later found at an address he was staying at.

Netherfield burglary CCTV
CCTV images released by police

When he was interviewed by officers Clifford admitted it was him in the footage but claimed to have bought the items from an unknown man in the street just minutes before it was recorded.

Clifford, of Lambley, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft – his third such conviction.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday and was sentenced to four years and six months in prison.

Three years of his sentence was the almost guaranteed by so-called “third strike” rules, which mandate an opening tariff of at least three years for a third offence.

Detective Constable Christopher Copley, of Nottinghamshire Police’s county burglary team, said: “This kind of CCTV is proving to be more and more useful in our investigations, and I would urge everyone to think carefully about how such technology may add to the security of their home and their neighbourhood.

“They not only act as a visible deterrent, they are also absolutely invaluable to helping us locate offenders and place them at the scene of their crimes.

“I’ve investigated a lot of burglars in recent years and it is it not always easy to prove their guilt beyond doubt. However, as Mr Clifford discovered in this instance, it is extremely hard to argue with CCTV footage that places you near the scene of the crime in possession of the stolen items.

“I hope he will use his time in custody to reassess his life and move away from this kind of offending when he is released.”

Watch out for these roadworks across Gedling borough over the next week

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Watch out for these roadworks across Gedling borough over the next week

This list contains only the roadworks considered to be most likely to cause delays on key routes as well as those involving road closures and temporary traffic lights.

The list is not exhaustive and does not feature some minor or emergency repairs that come up after publication.

Other roadworks may finish or start before schedule or be cancelled altogether.

All information is from Highways England, local authorities and utility companies.

CARLTON

Redland Grove

16 November – 30 November

Delays likely – Diversion route

Redland Grove

16 November — 30 November

Delays likely – Road closure

Works location: 72-92 Redland Grove (Carriageway)

Walton Crescent

13 November — 14 November

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

GEDLING

Westdale Lane East

16 November — 20 November

Delays likely – Traffic control (two-way signals)

Avon Road

10 November — 12 November

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Roadworks

Exeter Close

10 November — 12 November

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Exeter Close

13 November — 14 November

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Saltford Close

10 November — 12 November

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Saltford Close

November 13

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

NETHERFIELD

Victoria Road

14 November — 15 November

Delays likely – Traffic control (two-way signals)

Manvers Street

November 13

Delays possible – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Arthur Street,

November 13

Delays possible – Traffic control (two-way signals)

WOODTHORPE

Gresham Gardens

12 November – 16 November

Delays likely – Road closure

Breck Hill Road

November 15

Delays likely – Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)

Gresham Gardens

November 12 — 19

Delays likely – Road closure

Parked cars cause chaos as people flock to Gedling Country Park during first weekend of lockdown

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Parked cars cause chaos as people flock to Gedling Country Park during first weekend of lockdown

Visitors flocked to Gedling Country Park over the first weekend in lockdown and caused chaos by parking on roads leading to nearby housing estates – blocking access for residents.

Many angry residents took to social media, blasting visitors who had decided to park their vehicles in numbers on nearby roads when car parks at the popular attraction became full.

Dozens of cars parked along Hartland Drive, off Spring Lane, making it near-impossible for residents on the Spring Park estate to access or leave their homes.

Resident Anne-Marie Rollins posted on Facebook: “If an emergency vehicle needed to reach someone on our estate there would have been no chance of them getting through.

Car park at Gedling Country Park
Extra spaces have been created at Gedling Country Park, but these became full up as people flocked to the attraction during lockdown

“The park has added a second car park and it’s still not enough to stop selfish people putting us in danger by parking irresponsibly.”

Many people trying to use footpaths along Spring Lane were also forced to walk into the road with blocked by vehicles parking on the verge.

Nikki Dewing wrote: “They were parking opposite the entrance to the country park up the curbs then when I went for a walk with my baby I couldn’t get passed with my pram so I had to go on the road,

Gedling Borough Council has now issued a plea, asking for those visiting the attraction to ‘park sensibly’.

A spokesman said: “Gedling Country Park is likely to be very busy throughout lockdown and despite extra car parking spaces.

The council is aware that people have been parking on nearby roads, causing traffic problems.

“Please park responsibly when visiting the park. If you are coming for a walk, and the top car parks are full, you can try the quieter car park on Lambley Lane and access the park from there – please be aware that entrance is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.“

Gedling woman calls on local businesses to support ‘pay it forward’ scheme – with donations being made to feed needy children

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling woman calls on local businesses to support ‘pay it forward’ scheme – with donations being made to feed needy children

A woman from Gedling is calling on businesses across the borough to support her scheme to help feed children in need during school holidays.

Francine Southall has set up the ‘pay it forward’ scheme, which allows customers to make a donation at participating outlets which will be used to pay for a meal for a child.

Francine decided to set up the initiative after experiencing poverty herself as a child.

She said: I have long been concerned at the rise in families needing additional financial support, which has increased exponentially since the start of the pandemic.

“As a child, I lived in extreme poverty and therefore understand what it feels like to go hungry, which is why I came up with an idea. 

“So far, I have four businesses signed up and agreed to be on a database I have designed. All the businesses had already made a commitment to support local children in need out of their own pocket, which is testament to their goodwill.

The scheme would be reliant upon word spreading and people getting on board, which is why we need people to champion the scheme.

She added: I am thinking ahead to Christmas and spring half-term school breaks and I am hopeful that a number of additional local businesses will sign up before then.

“At least one of the businesses signed up has stated they hope to put together around 10 food hampers for families at Christmas. 

Retro Pizza Shack in Carlton is one of the local businesses to get on board with the pay it forward initiative.

The owners of Retro Pizza Shack: said: “We decided to help families out as we have struggled in the past, so know how it feels.

“When we saw that the Government weren’t going to help families we decided to do something about it.

We made over 35 pizzas for families in need the other day. We will do other things to help this worth while cause.”

How the ‘Pay it Forward’ scheme works

  • During school holiday periods between now and April 2021, people can choose to make a pay it forward donation to a participating shop/café/food outlet.
  • Parents and carers of eligible children arrange collection of food direct from participating establishments.
  • The food provided will vary dependent on the establishment. Details of food and collection guidelines are listed below.
  • Shops and food outlets taking part will manage donations.
  • Eligible children are those eligible for free school meals or whose parents are struggling due to the effects of Covid-19. Shop owner’s discretion advised.
school-meal

Who is taking part and what’s on offer?

Retro Pizza Shack

41 Burlington Road, Carlton, Nottingham. NG4 3JJ. Contact: 07480878445

  • 12 inch Pizza included in offer.
  • Donations to pay it forward can be made at any time. Please ring to arrange collection (10 min slots available.)
  • Collections will be every Friday during school holidays from 11:30am.
    Masks must be worn and social distancing maintained. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Offers also extend to NHS workers.

Ali Food Store

165-167 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, NG2 4HU. Contact: 0115 924 0406

  • Fresh fruit/veg OR small milk and bread included in offer.
  • Donations to pay it forward can be made at any time.
  • Please ring in advance to arrange collection.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Heidi’s Cafe

43 Westdale Lane, Gedling, Nottingham. NG4 3JN. Contact: 07494399115

  • Packed lunch for children included in offer. Packed lunches for the week can be arranged in advance.
  • Current opening hours are 9am to 12 noon daily. Donations to pay it forward can be made at any time during these hours.
  • Please ring to arrange collection.
  • Masks must be worn and social distancing maintained. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Mustard Seed Christian Bookshop and Tea Room

2 Main Road, Gedling, Nottingham. NG4 3HP. Contact: 07940446457

  • Selection of sandwiches and toasties included in offer.
  • Donations to pay it forward can be made at any time.
  • Please ring to arrange collection or pop into the shop.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Marie’s Kitchen

308 Carlton Hill, Nottingham. NG4 1GD.Contact: 07480 471857

  • Selection of cold cobs, hotdog or fish finger sandwiches, drink and cake included in offer.
  • Donations to pay it forward can be made at any time.
  • Please ring to arrange collection or pop into the shop.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Face masks and social distancing to be maintained.

Local businesses that want to get involved in the scheme can contact Francine Southall via email: f.southall2020@gmail.com

Health chief urges people in Gedling borough to ‘do their bit’ and avoid Tier 3 after lockdown

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Health chief urges people in Gedling borough to ‘do their bit’ and avoid Tier 3 after lockdown

Gedling borough has just braved its first weekend in lockdown – and with three weeks to go, the end can’t come soon enough.

But once we emerge from this, what restrictions will be in place?

If you remember – and we’ve had a LOT to remember recently – Gedling borough had been placed into Tier 3 restrictions just a week prior to lockdown.

These restrictions meant that pubs could only serve alcohol with substantial meals, people were being urged to work from home if they could and meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble was banned.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted last week that the Tier system would remain in place at the end of lockdown – so does that mean Gedling borough will be placed back in Tier 3?

It seems a little unfair after all our efforts in lockdown.

PICTURED: Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Gedling Eye asked the question on a call with Public Health Chiefs Jonathan Gribbin and Alison Challenger.

Mr Gribbin, who is Public Health director for Nottingham said: “I would ask the people in Gedling to follow and stick to the lockdown rules.

“We want to work towards having no additional restrictions, and that is only going to come by following lockdown rules”.

Alison Challenger, Public Health director for Nottingham City, said “We don’t know yet.”

“We’ve heard the tier system will be brought back and there will be some form of local management.

“Discussions are taking place on the escalation or de-escalation of areas, but it really all depends on lockdown.

She added: “Any changes are all speculation right now and our focus should be on sticking to the measures.”

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