The newly-elected leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, was in Gedling today telling leaders that revitalising town centres post covid is vital for our sense of pride.
He was speaking during a visit to Gedling Country Park at which he spoke to carers and families of people in care.
He also said the social care system was in need of significant structural change, and could not return to ‘business as usual’.
Sir Keir was joined on the visit by the leader and deputy leader of Gedling borough council, and the former MP for Gedling Vernon Coaker.
With Nottingham City Centre and all high streets under significant pressure, and with the collapse of the Broadmarsh Centre project, the Labour leader was asked about what sector-specific help high streets like Nottingham should get.
He said: “The high street is really important.
“There’s a huge amount of pride in our high streets, and it really matters to towns, to cities and to villages.
“What we the Labour Party have called for is a high street hospitality fund.
“Quite a bit of the money that was being made available for business loans and support grants hasn’t been used. Put that into your high street and your hospitality because there’s a huge amount of pride in our high streets and we cannot allow our already-struggling high streets to be put under further stress and strain.
PICTURED: Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (PICTURE: Marie Wilson)
“We need to reinvigorate the high street and regenerate our centres, and I’ve been through Nottingham this morning, and I can see how important the area is, and we need to preserve and build on that.
“The high street is not just a string of shops and post offices etcetera, it’s a place that people have pride in, and we need to recognise that.”
Sir Keir was also asked about his conversations with carers, what needed to be done to improve the care system, and whether he supported Labour’s previous manifesto commitment for a National Care Service.
He said: “We need to put more money into our social care system, we need a long-term plan, we need to recognise the skills that are used by the staff in our care homes, and we need a framework around it.
“Whether that’s national or local is a debate that we need to have, but we need a common set of standards, a common and understood framework for our social care sector. It’s desperately needed.”
When asked whether Labour had a ‘long term plan’ for the care system, he said: “The plan has to be, in the end, a cross-party plan, because this is a long-term project, so therefore we need to bring the various sectors together.
“But any long-term plan has to have an agreed framework, standards and recognition of the work and skills that go on in the sector.
“We can’t continue to underpay and undervalue those that have been on the front line.”
For the final part of this fascinating series, Angie Keyworth dips into the archive of her influential Carlton family The Godfreys to see how the First World War affected those living in the town…
The years between 1914 – 1918 were very different times for Carlton as they were for the entire country. These years described in John Godfrey’s diary are the most fascinating of all his entries. I’ve chosen a few.
August 2, 1914: “While in service at the chapel Sunday evening, boys calling out special paper, war declared Germany and Russia.”
August 7, 1914: “I saw the Carlton Territorials leave for Newark.”
On November 7, 1914: “I was sworn in as a Special Constable to act if called upon in case of riots or German invasion. I never thought to have just an experience”
December 1914: “Defence meetings at Park House. Duties. To make use of carts, horses, cattle, shovels, picks, ladders, barrows, barbed wire, petrol etc with the aid of Special Constables. We are under the military authorities of York.”
February 1915: “Agriculture and Labour Committee. After much consideration we have agreed to liberate children over 12 if it is proved the farmer cannot get adult labour and he is unable to grow his crops and so find food for the people. Duration of the war only. The moment the boy can be spared he must go back to school.”
October 7th, 1915: “Amusement park at Goose Fair not held this year on account of the war. I suppose the first time it has been omitted for over 200 years. Not the same. I had a walk round part of the market place. Instead of the shows there were about 25 motor ambulance wagons. Red Cross. gifts for helping the wounded soldiers etc. The Mayor and others at the inspection.”
December 24, 1915: “Christmas Eve. Harold, Cecil and Emma called for ‘stocking’ presents. We decorated the hall with lanterns, but the war hangs upon us like a pall and makes us quiet.”
February 13, 1916: “Churches and chapels commence evening services 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm so as to have all lights out early. Zeppelin. The zeppelins and aircraft are terrible and cruel, attacking men, women and children. The Germans appear to have gone mad, no regard for non-combatant life or property.”
PICTURED: Frank Clay
John and Emma’s son Cecil joined the army in 1915. John wrote a very touching entry on August 24, 1916…
“Thursday 11.10 p.m. Bade Cecil goodbye at station, gone to France. Oh, this war! As the train steamed away into the night throwing showers of sparks, it seemed to mock me as I stood with full eyes, but I believe God will take care of him and bring him home safely.”
August 25, 1916: “Yesterday I said goodbye to Cecil, gone to war. Today I said goodbye to Donald, he has gone to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Matlock, his first circuit. What a contrast August 24th and 25th.”
September 24, 1916: “Sunday, about 12.30 midnight, I had been on duty as Special Constable and gone to bed when we were awakened by exploding bombs. Several in cricket field at bottom end of Carlton and on the other side of the LNR line.
A small window at daughter Emma’s at Blackhill house was broken. In Nottingham much damage was done and several lives lost. Canaan Primitive Methodist Church badly damaged. Terrible experience.”
“On two nights recently, we have had a house full of friends and family. In case of bombs we go into the cellar, this we think is the deepest place. Do all we can and put trust in God to help us.”
Emma Godfrey and her youngest children, twins Sandford and Kathleen aged 12. The photo is taken at Sutton on Sea in September 1914. There were already soldiers in Sutton protecting the station, coast guard station and post office et
During the bombing of Carlton, mentioned above, a single bomb was dropped on the corner of Cross Street and Dunstan Street obliterating six houses. The houses were never rebuilt and the site was used as a children’s play park. In 2018 6 new properties were built on the site and this is now known as Dunstan Court.
There are more entries relating to the war in my booklet ‘John and Emma Godfrey of Park House, Carlton’, a copy of which can be found in Carlton Library, Gedling Library, the Notts Archives and Nottingham Central Library.
John Godfrey’s cousin CSM Frank Clay had been a regular soldier as his father was before him. Frank’s father Philip Isaac Clay was born in Carlton in 1842 and baptised in All Hallows, Gedling.
In 1897 Philip was in the regular army and Frank was born in Winchester.
Frank served in the Boer War where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal serving with The Kings Royal Rifle Corps, now known as the Green Jackets.
In 1909, Frank was married, working as a postman and living at 47, Gedling Road in Carlton with his wife Emily, son Philip and sister Minnie who worked from home as a music teacher.
On August 27th 1914 Frank enlisted into the regular army once again, but sadly died at the Battle of Hill 60, just south of Ypres on July 8, 1915.
Frank Henry Clay’s name is on the war memorial in All Hallows Church, Gedling and also on gravestone of his father Philip Isaac Clay, which is in Carlton Cemetery.
Frank’s son Philip Ernest Isaac Clay had a successful elastic yarn business in Radcliffe-on-Trent and gave the money for the Robin Hood statue to be built at Nottingham Castle.
Although their son Cecil survived the war, it was bittersweet for John and Emma as their son Harold died in the flu epidemic of 1918 at the age of 37.
Cecil arrived home from France a few days after Harold died. Emma was so distraught she did not attend Harold’s funeral.
Harold is laid to rest in Carlton Cemetery with John and Emma and next to his grandparents John and Ann Maria Godfrey.
Ann Maria died in January 1918. John and Emma’s nephew 2nd Lieutenant John Wesley Lewin of the 5th Leicester Regiment died in France on September 24, 1918. John Wesley was married but hadn’t any children and lived on Blackhill Drive in a house built by his father John Lewin.
John Wesley Lewin’s name is also on the All Hallows Memorial.
A call has gone out to people in Gedling borough who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate plasma this summer.
NHS Blood and Transplant has issued the public appeal to help make sure there is enough plasma to enable a trial and treat patients.
The blood plasma from people who have recovered from the virus could save the lives of people who are still ill.
More than 150 donations of COVID-19 convalescent plasma have already been taken at Nottingham donor centre.
However NHS Blood and Transplant needs people to come forward to help make sure appointments are filled.
There is a particular need for male donors and also female donors who have had a positive test.
Professor Dave Roberts, Associate Director for Blood Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Every new offer to donate is incredibly valuable. We particularly need men to come forwards as they generally have higher antibody levels.
Blood donor centre
“We need to collect convalescent plasma now, to make sure plasma is readily available for the trial to treat people currently in hospital.
“Donations can also be frozen to ensure convalescent plasma is readily available, should there be a rise in infections in the coming weeks.
“Please, help the NHS fight COVID-19 by donating at Nottingham donor centre. You could save lives.”
Convalescent plasma is being collected at NHSBT’s 23 donor centres around the country, and several pop-up donor centres.
Donation takes about 45 minutes. Your body usually replaces the plasma you’ve donated in 24-48 hours. Your body also quickly replaces the antibodies. People can donate plasma as often as every two weeks.
The donor plasma contains antibodies against the virus which can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.
Potential donors are being prioritised according to who is likely to have higher antibody levels. Some people will be asked to make a short visit first to give a blood sample, to confirm their antibody levels are high enough for the trial.
NHS Blood and Transplant’s Clinical Trials Unit is collaborating on the trial with the RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP platform trials.
Please offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23 completing the webform at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk
Work is well underway to lay the groundworks for a huge new development on the outskirts of Linby, councillors have been told.
The carbon neutral ‘flagship garden village’ at Top Wighay Farm will see at least 805 homes, and is designed to be a ‘self-sufficient settlement’, with its own primary school, shops and a community centre, as well as employment opportunities.
Construction work is under way to upgrade two road junctions on the A611, and 10 developers have expressed an interest in developing the site – now whittled down to five.
A meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council yesterday (15) discussed a report which shows the scheme remains on track despite COVID-19.
Councillor Chris Barnfather is a Conservative councillor for the area where it will be built, and said: “It’s a site which has been on my radar since 2009 when I was first elected and there are some very mixed emotion in the local area as to the impact it will have on the small conservation village (Linby)next to it.
“I think it’s important as decisions have been made to move this forward, that we remove the uncertainty in terms of the concept.
Work gets underway on a new junction outside the new Top Wighay Farm development
“It’s an exciting concept to create effectively a new garden village on the outskirts of Hucknall, albeit within the boundary of Gedling borough, hopefully with a strong degree of self sufficiency, but which will have a strong economic impact for the good of Hucknall as an important economic and retail centre.
“It’s good to see the two road junctions have now commenced off the A611, and that we can now progress with the legal issues that will allow this to move forward positively by the end of this year.”
However some concerns were raised over local infrastructure.
Developers behind large developments such as Top Wighay Farm have to pay a local levy, known as Section 106, towards local infrastructure.
Despite the scheme being on the outskirts of Hucknall – which is part of Ashfield – the Section 106 money will go to Gedling, and could be spent elsewhere in the borough, rather than on infrastructure in Hucknall.
Councillor David Martin is the Ashfield Independent councillor for Selston, and said: “It’s a bit of a bone of contention. I like the site as a whole, but again Ashfield is at the behest of Gedling where Section 106 money is concerned.
“I’ve seen this before on Wighay Road when the last development was put in. No 106 money came to Hucknall, infrastructure was not improved or increased, it went to Bestwood Country Park.
“This time there’s been no commitment by Gedling to use 106 money to improve any of the infrastructure in Hucknall whatsoever.”
The update report was approved today by 17 votes to zero, with two abstentions from the two Ashfield Independent councillors.
They’re supposed to be the wisest of birds, but this barn owl didn’t look too clever when it had its dinner snatched by a daring kestrel during a flight over Newstead and Annesley Country Park.
Photographer Tim Cook witnessed the incident while out walking in Newstead and Annesley Park with his camera and reacted quickly to catch the impressive pictures.
The barn owl attempts to return home with their prey (PHOTO: Tim Cook)The owl and kestrel fight for food over Newstead and Annesley Country Park (PHOTO: Tim Cook)PHOTO: Tim Cook
He said: “I was watching two barn owls hunting in the same field. One of the birds flew off in an easterly direction and I saw the other one go to ground over the brow of the hill.
“A few minutes later it got up again having successfully caught something.
PHOTO: Tim Cook
“It was flying directly towards me probably returning to feed young when all of a sudden it was intercepted by a Kestrel which promptly flew off with its catch. These majestic creatures never cease to amaze me.
“The Barn Owl then went and sat on a post for 15 minutes in a sulk.”
You can see more of Tim Cook’s pictures via his Facebook page HERE
A section of the A612 will close this weekend while essential drainage works take place as part of the Gedling Access Road construction.
The stretch between Whitworth Drive in Burton Joyce and the Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield will be closed to traffic from 8pm on Friday, July 17 and is scheduled to re-open from 6am on Monday, July 20.
Three new pipes will be laid while the road is closed to drain water away from the Gedling Access Road and into a nearby lagoon and the River Trent.
The works will ensure that the ongoing closure on Burton Road in Gedling can be lifted ahead of schedule to reduce the impact on school traffic during the Autumn term.
Motorists should divert via the A6011, A52, A46, A607 and A612 or by using a local diversion route through Mapperley Plains.
PICTURED: Gedling Access Road from above
Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities and Place Committee, said: “The construction of the Gedling Access Road is moving along at pace, despite the coronavirus outbreak.
“Although not originally planned, the closure of the A612 will mean that Burton Road can open earlier than planned in October, which will be of significant benefit to motorists travelling through the area when the school term begins.
“Residents in the Rivendell/Teal Close development and Stoke Bardolph will be able to access their properties via Stoke Lane where traffic restrictions are currently in place. These restrictions will be lifted for the duration of the closure for residents’ and business access only.
“I would like to reassure bus passengers that we have consulted with Nottingham City Transport to prioritise keeping buses moving so that journey times are not significantly impacted.
“Buses will be taking a local diversion through Mapperley Plains meaning they will not be able to serve stops in Burton Joyce.
“We would like to thank residents and motorists for their ongoing understanding and patience while we carry out works in the area.”
Gedling MP Tom Randall has welcomed new legislation to protect military personnel and veterans from prosecution for alleged historical offences in conflicts overseas.
At Defence Questions last week, Tom Randall MP raised the concerns from veterans in his constituency with Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer MP.
Mr Randall said: “A veteran with an exemplary record from his two tours in Afghanistan recently confided in me his concerns—and, more worryingly, those of soldiers he served with who come from towns in my constituency such as Arnold and Carlton—about being prosecuted as a result of vexatious claims in the future. Does my honourable friend agree that it is our duty to ensure that we end the unfair trials of people who have served their country?”
PICTURED: Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer MP
In reply, the Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer MP said: “My honourable friend is absolutely right. This has been one of my driving missions since I entered Parliament. I am delighted to be part of the first Government to have really taken on a very difficult issue, carefully walking down the path of making sure that we can always prosecute those who break the law—uniform is no hiding place for those who do—but that the days of lawyers rewriting history in order to line their own pockets and run amok in lawfare come to an end.”
Commenting after Defence questions, Mr Randall said: “I know that the issue of vexatious claims worries many. I have raised this issue for the second time in the House of Commons after listening to the concerns of a veteran who had served in the Mercian Regiment. Having heard his reply, I am re-assured by the minister’s commitment to stand by those who have served our country.”
Prices have been slashed at borough branches of McDonald’s from today (July 15) after the VAT cut announced last week.
That means favourites like the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, Quarter Pounder and coffee will be coming down in price at branches of Maccy D’s in Arnold and Netherfield.
It also includes a a 40p reduction on Extra Value Meals, 30p for every Happy Meal, and 50p on breakfast meals.
It’s the first time that McDonald’s has cut back prices across its menu with a Big Mac meal now costing the same as it did in 2015.
PICTURED: McDonalds on Sir John Robinson Way (IMAGE: Google)
This is what you’ll save:
50p on breakfast meals.
30p off the price of single McMuffins.
Black and white coffee for 99p, instead of £1.39.
Premium coffees such as cappuccino and latte for £1.49 instead of £1.79.
20p off McNuggets, the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
20p off other burgers such as the Filet O’Fish, McChicken sandwich and Veggie Deluxe.
A 40p reduction on Extra Value Meals.
30p reduced for every Happy Meal.
Be aware that the roll back on prices only applies to takeaway and drive thru orders – not McDelivery.
The new prices are in place from today.
It is also worth noting that franchisees can set their own prices – so customers are encouraged to check when they visit or use the My McDonald’s app for the prices at their local branch.
A section of Colwick Loop Road will be closed this weekend between Burton Joyce and Victoria Retail Park this weekend for work on the new Gedling Access Road
The section of the A612 is set to close from Friday, July 17, at 8pm until 6am on Monday, July 20.
Nottinghamshire County Council said the closure is ‘to enable drainage works to take place as part of the £40m project to built a new bypass between the A612 and Mapperley Plains’.
PICTURED: Gedling Access Road from above
To gain access to Burton Joyce, people would have to go through West Bridgford to Radcliffe-on-Trent, cross the river at Gunthorpe and access the village via Lowdham
A spokesman said: “Please note that the closure will be in place day and night
“Thank you very much for your patience while we carry out these works
The Gedling Access Road (GAR) is a new 3.8km single carriageway road which will provide a link between the B684 Mapperley Plains and the A612 Trent Valley Road / Nottingham Road.
The road is expected to open to traffic in the autumn of 2021.
Officials have been investigating reports of dead fish in the lagoon at Gedling Country Park.
Around 100 fish are thought to have died in the incident and the Environment Agency and Gedling Borough Council have been working to try to establish what happened.
Officers from the agency visited the site on Sunday after concerned visitors contacted them via their emergency hotline after hundreds of dead fish were spotted floating in the waters.
Dead fish spotted in the lagoon at Gedling Country Park (PICTURE: Facebook)PICTURED: The lagoon at Gedling Country Park with dead fish floating to the surface (IMAGE: Facebook)
Residents have also contacted Gedling Eye to report that a large number of birds, like ducks, who use the waters regularly have also not been seen for days.
A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “Looking at the evidence presented, the issue was likely to do with an unusual spike, then drop in oxygen levels, brought about by the recent mixed weather along with pond weed and algae.
“The Environment Agency visited site at the weekend and as a result have appointed a member of their staff to come up with mitigation measures that should prevent the issue happening again in the future.
“Gedling Borough Council Rangers have removed any remaining fish from the area today and will be monitoring the situation closely.”
The Environment Agency said the cause of the deaths was ‘unknown’.
Matt Buck, fisheries technical specialist for the Environment Agency, said: “Thanks to a call from a member of the public, we worked with Gedling Borough Council to respond to a report of dead fish in the lake at Gedling Country Park at the weekend.
“The cause of the fish deaths is unknown at present and we’re continuing to monitor.
“Gedling Borough Council, as park landowners will shortly be removing the dead fish.
“We rely on members of the public to report possible pollutions to us, so if anyone sees an environmental incident, such as fish in distress, an oil slick on the water or any river with a strong odour, please report it to us 24 hours a day on 0800 80 70 60.”
