Gedling borough residents, especially the elderly, are being warned by police to stay alert following a sharp increase in courier fraud in the area.
Courier fraud is a crime in which the victim is tricked in advance into handing over cash, bankcards or valuable items to a suspect (the courier), who visits them in person.
Nottinghamshire Police said that typically, the fraud takes place within a number of telephone calls in which a suspect (the victim communicator) persuades the victim to withdraw cash or obtain items and hand them to the courier via an arranged appointment.
In recent cases, victims have been targeted by fraudsters claiming to be police officers from Essex Police and Scotland Yard in order to lure people into their trust.
PHOTO: Deposit Photos
With casing rising police are reminding residents of how they can protect themselves.
Fraud Protect and Prevent Officer Laura Murdock said: “There are many ways in which you can protect yourself from scammers but when it comes to courier fraud, you need to remember that it is okay to ask someone over the phone to verify who they are.
“A police officer would never call you to recommend that you move money to another account or convince you to buy something. Neither will your bank.
“If you get a caller and you are unsure if they are telling the truth, you can also hang up the phone and call the business or police force they are claiming to be from in order to establish if this is genuine.
“It is also incredibly important that people report fraud to the relevant authorities if they are a victim.“Remember, all fraud must be reported to Action Fraud via their website (https://crowd.in/SVxIES) or on 0300 123 2040.
“If you believe a fraudster is at your address, please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or in an emergency, dial 999.”
The A60 Mansfield road is one of the oldest in the country.
Before it became a road it was an animal migration track through the thick Sherwood Forest that covered the local area.
Animals of all types and sizes used this road, some common and some not so common – but none as strange as the animal that was travelling along the road through Redhill on March 13, 1754. The animal in question was in fact a female Indian rhinoceros, a unique animal, as it was the only one of its species in Great Britain at the time.
‘The Real Unicorn’, as it was called, had arrived in the UK onboard the Shaftsbury under Captain Bookay, who had sailed from Calcutta.
The ship arrived in Britain on October 1, 1737.
A male and female rhinoceros had originally been shipped but the male died during the voyage from India.
By the beginning of the 18th century exotic animals had become all the rage and were toured around the country. They were exhibited at inns, houses, fairs, wakes, parades, circuses and other events.
The ‘Unicorn’ and its strange and unique character is recorded in adverts and reports at the time. This animal was quoted as ‘being 5′( 1.54mts ) high and 12′ 2″ ( 3.7m ) in length’ and ‘weighed over 80cwt (about 40,654kg)’.
PICTURED: Mansfield Road in Redhill in 1925
Moving a creature of this size in the 18th century must have been a major logistics problem with the limited transport and bad roads.
It was first known to be exhibited in London in 1740-41; it was then moved to Derby in 1742 where the Derby Mercury announced that it would be on display at the White Hart on Iron Gate in the city centre on January 6 that year. From Derby it moved on to Burton-on-Trent and then Lichfield before returning to Derby in the December of 1742.
The animal was toured over the whole kingdom over the next few years. It was in Norwich in 1744, up to Edinburgh in 1747 and down to Nottingham in March 1749. Finally being taken back to London where it was exhibited at several Inns by the end of 1751 – a much travelled creature.
The rhino tour was covered in the Derby Mercury
The rhino would have been transported in a wheeled cage drawn by eight horses.
The owner of this Rhino by 1754 was a Mrs Parsons who early in that year sold the animal to Christopher Pinchbeck.
Pinchbeck was a clockmaker and mechanical toy maker who’s father invented the fake gold Pinchbeck, which was named after him.
Christopher toured around the country exhibiting and selling his clocks and models.
He had decided to buy this unique animal to draw people to his own exhibitions.
Unfortunately for him, while they were travelling up the Mansfield Road – the now A60– the animal died just as the wagons reached the steep hill at Redhill.
We don’t know what then happened to the body. Was it buried at the side of the road?
If anyone in the Redhill area finds Rhino bones in their garden, you will know who put them there.
Gedling-based counsellor Elaine Bond aims to help those feeling anxious about restrictions being lifted
No matter whether we think it is the right thing to do or not, lockdown is being eased and that means that we are getting more freedom than we have had for weeks. Now we must create a ‘new normal’ as we are already used to such things as home schooling, home working, isolation, or no privacy and now we have to deal with the change.
No one knows what the next few weeks will look like, but most of us will share the same concerns: what is the true risk of meeting up with our social bubble, what about going to the pub or hairdressers, will our workplace protect us from infection and what happens if we get coronavirus now the measures and treatment regimens have been relaxed.
Of course, before easing, the government has given us instructions on how to work, travel and exercise. This was a bit like being institutionalised and controlled to keep us safe. We now have to make our own risk assessments and decisions on how we behave. This can be stressful especially if the instructions we have are vague and we cannot control how other people behave. The best way we can deal with this is to take control of what we can, such as hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing. Thus controlling how we keep ourselves safe.
It is inevitable that we will feel anxious about all of these changes, and we need to give ourselves and our families time to get used this. The routines we set up when we went into lockdown have had a positive affect on our mental health and give us a reason to get up, exercise, work, do schoolwork etc. We are now able to change that routine by giving ourselves more freedom and choice., A period of transition will help us to work with the changes and create a new routine to help us with our mental health. It is okay to set boundaries about socializing with people if you are not ready to start this or feel the risk is too great right now.
No matter what we feel during this transition, which could be fear, joy or anything in between, is valid and even if everyone around us is okay, we do not have to be.
PICTURED: Elaine Bond is a counsellor based in Gedling
Covid 19 will have had an effect on all of us., For a key worker there maybe burnout, for those who have lost a friend or relative during lockdown there will be grief and maybe a lack of closure as we could not attend the funeral. For others, issues that could be distracted from normally, will become obvious or obsessive., Some of us may have turned to self-medicating with food, alcohol or drugs and isolation will have caused some of us to feel depressed, self-harm or even suicidal. With the easing of lock down, this is the time to get help with all these issues, as we can now access more services either online or face to face.
For some of us there will be a sudden return to work or school and that can make us feel overwhelmed. We can take small steps to return to work/school etc, such as starting with setting an alarm everyday and getting up when it goes off and maybe even move it away from you so you cannot press snooze! We can add some exercise everyday if we were not already doing so, contacting work/school to check out what they expect from us and how they will protect us on our return can be helpful too.
We need to be kind to ourselves, stop the critical voice we all have that says ‘you should be okay, get on with it‘ etc. We need to treat ourselves with compassion and patience.
Being able to acknowledge and name our emotions as they arrive will help. The more we try to stop feeling sad or scared the more it will persist. With feelings we need to remember what we resist persists, (this is the favourite saying of a really good therapist I know).
A great way to deal with any of our anxieties is to have a worry window, which is a thirty minute period every day to review your concerns , reality check them and find ways to mitigate any risks you are concerned about. Also, planning how we will do the essential things we need to do with the least risk and soothing our worries the best ways we can is also useful.
Looking after ourselves is key right now, by having a healthy diet, limiting caffeine and alcohol, not smoking, exercise, sleep and spending time being mindful will all help us through the transition.
Finally have a balance between having enough reliable information to protect ourselves vs a media overload. Watching the news once a day and limiting our social media will stop some of the paranoia we may have because bad news sells , good news does not !
Officers were called to a pub in Arnold following reports of anti-social behaviour yesterday evening.
Following the incident, police said the pub chose to close their own premises.
Police haven’t named the pub they attended.
Pubs in Mansfield and Newark also reported incidents, including a broken window, and also took the decision to close.
Inspector Craig Berry said: “Officers were quickly on the scene to deal with a number of alcohol related anti-social behaviour reports and we supported Licensees who chose to close their own premises.
“No pubs have been closed by the police.
“We’d like to thank the majority of the public who have acted responsibly throughout Saturday, especially whilst watching the much anticipated Derby v Forest match.
“There will be a large number of uniformed officers on duty across our communities overnight to ensure people are safe, as well engaging, educating and encouraging people to stick to the government guidelines.”
If you have any concerns or witness something suspicious over the weekend, please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101. In an emergency, dial 999.
Police in Gedling borough have urged drinkers to stay safe and know their limits when pubs reopen later today (July 4).
The warning has been issued by Inspector Chris Pearson, neighbourhood policing inspector responsible for policing in the Gedling Borough.
Pubs will reopen their doors for the first time in three months today on what is being called ‘Super Saturday’, with hairdressers and restaurants also being allowed to trade again as lockdown rules are lifted.
All venues reopening have put social distancing measures in place.
But despite the hype around today’s event, police said that most pubs in the borough have decided to remain shut, with only ‘a handful’ choosing to open later.
Inspector Pearson said: “To date, only seven pubs in the Gedling borough are confirmed to be reopening today which are in Arnold, Mapperley, Calverton and Gedling.
PICTURED: Inspector Chris Pearson (IMAGE: Notts Police)
“We appreciate that some people will want to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a drink at the pub, especially after having been unable to do so for so long.Whilst we of course want people to have a good time and enjoy themselves, we want them to do so safely and with respect for others.
“It’s vital that people remember that Coronavirus is still a serious risk to health. As such they need to continue to follow the Government’s guidance to mitigate the transmission of the virus, including social distancing, increased hygiene measures and following the instructions of staff.
“We urge people to drink responsibly, follow the guidance set out and maintain a safe environment for everyone.“
He added: “The vast majority of drinkers are responsible but we know some people will drink to excess and become vulnerable to harm or indeed cause harm to others.
“The key advice is to know your limits, plan your day and consider how you will get home safely.
“Anti-social and criminal behaviour is not acceptable and over the course of the weekend officers from Op Reacher and the Gedling Neighbourhood Policing Team will be focusing on visiting licensed premises to deter alcohol-related disorder.
“The teams will be engaging with door supervisors and staff to ensure a safe re-opening and licensing officers will be on hand to support the team.
“We will be working closely with colleagues at Gedling Borough Council, including CCTV operators, and the team will also focus on any drink/drug driving offences.”
An MP and councillors have vowed to tackle growing traffic problems outside a recycling centre in Calverton.
Vehicles are often backed up along Hollinwood Lane as people wait for access to Calverton Recycling Centre – causing anger amongst residents.
The queues have become a growing concern since the tip was reopened several weeks ago after being closed during lockdown.
Following complaints by residents, local MP Mark Spencer and councillors Boyd Elliott and Phil Rostance have been summoned by village activist Jane Walker to tackle the problem.
Mr Spencer, who is MP for Sherwood, said: “I’ve been out in Calverton to discuss some issues we’ve been having with the recycling centre in the village.
“We’ve had a number of constituents get in touch about the size of the queue and how it’s affecting local residents.
PICTURED: Queues outside the recycling centre in Calverton (Linda Watson/Facebook)
“Jane and Boyd looking to see what measures can be put in place to try and make sure that local residents aren’t negatively affected, all whilst making sure we try and keep the centre open and running safely and smoothly.”
Boyd Elliot said a number of issues were affecting residents and these needed to be resolved.
He said: “We are looking at the anti-social issues when cars are queuing with the idling vehicles and loud music.
“We’ve also got access issues to North Green, where residents have to go on the other side of the road, so what we’re going to be looking at is these issues plus keeping the recycling centre open.”
Councillor Phil Rostance, vice-chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s communities and place committee, said: “The county council has been working with Veolia, who manage the site, to put processes in place to get more cars off the highway and into the recycling centre at any one time.
“But we need residents’ help to only use the recycling centres when absolutely necessary. Please try and use your bins at home as we try and get over the spike.”
Planning proposals for a new ‘urban square’ at Chase Farm in Gedling have been submitted to the council this week.
In documentation attached to the proposals, developers want the space to become ‘the primary area for public recreation and play on the £140m site.
A more detailed planning document among those submitted describes how the square will look and feel.
It reads: “The Urban Square is a large space approximately 3385m2 and provides a useable, high quality space providing opportunities for play.
This design document shows where the new ‘urban square’ will be situatedPICTURED: Chase Farm
“The landscape here creates an urban character and provides a focal point linking the local centre and school with the surrounding new dwellings.”
A community centre and new school are expected to arrive in the years to come.
“The space is accessed from the primary street and emphasises the green corridor from the development through to the Country Park.
“Providing the main access for the area is the tarmac pathway, which not only adds balance to the space but provides a focal point and seating area to the centre; encouraging social interactions at a key ‘meeting point’.
“The picnic benches at the inner circle also allow a pleasant communal space which gives an optimal location for the rest of the space to be admired, taken in and supervised.”
The plans for the new urban square have now been submitted to Gedling Borough Council for consideration.
The Bonington Theatre in Arnold will be lit blue this weekend as part of national celebrations for the NHS’ 72nd birthday.
The building is one of many being used to turn the Nottingham skyline into a beacon of blue as buildings and landmarks across the city get illuminated tomorrow on the eve of the anniversary.
Other buildings taking part include The Queen’s Medical Centre, Wollaton Hall and Nottingham Council House.
The #LightItBlue illuminations will not only pay tribute to NHS staff but to all the key workers who helped the NHS during its most challenging period since its 1948 inception.
It was created back in March by the events and entertainment industry to show a united display of gratitude for those risking their own health to look after those who are ill with COVID-19.
The Richard Herrod Centre was lit blue during the covid-19 crisis to celebrate the bravery of NHS workers
Since then, eminent landmarks across the world including Windsor Castle, Niagra Falls, Komazawa Park Olympics Memorial Tower and the Prince’s Palace of Monaco have taken part and been lit up blue in tribute to our NHS heroes.
Neil Pease, chief people officer for Nottingham University Hospitals, said: “The support the local community has offered to NUH during this pandemic has been truly fantastic, and the #LightItBlue campaign is a great way to celebrate the dedication, commitment and sacrifices our staff and volunteers have made during the past few months to help patients and their families.”
On Sunday (July 5) at 5pm organisers hope people will take part in the biggest, loudest and final clap for carers and key workers. Afterwards, people will be encouraged to stay outside to show their thanks and appreciation to their neighbours or reach out to someone who is lonely, isolated or shielding, to let them know they are supported.
Pease added: “We encourage the public to place a light in their windows on Saturday and share their reflections on social media using the hashtags #NHSBirthday and #ThankYouTogether.
Pubs, restaurants and hotels in and around Gedling borough are preparing to reopen tomorrow – but how different an experience will it be?
Two landlords talked to us about what safety measures will be in place to keep both staff and customers safe on Super Saturday.
Justin Askew is general manager at the Cross Keys in Arnold. He said he was looking forward to welcoming customers safely back to the popular pub after three long months.
“We have been working endlessly to ensure our pub is ready for reopening tomorrow,” he said.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming our customers back.
“As we embark on a new way of working and providing a safe experience for our customers by following government guidance and putting in place new safety measures.
“When we open we will be operating with a sit down only policy while also implementing the no vertical drinking rule. This in turn will mean our total capacity is lowered so we have tried to encourage customers to pre-book their table to avoid disappointment.
“To ensure we remain fair and give all our customers a chance of returning to their favourite local we are allocating time slots throughout the day, with reduced trading hours put in place it is important to us we give all our customers the opportunity to enjoy our pub.
PICTURED: New measures have been put in place at the Cross Keys in Arnold
Justin said the team were now up to speed with the new safety measures in place, had completed risk assessments and also been briefed on their new job roles.
He said: “Our first priority is to ensure our teams feel safe and are comfortable in delivering our new service cycle.
“We now have designated roles which includes a PPE Professional whose job is to solely ensure touch points are sanitized every 15 minutes and tables and chairs are made safe ready for new customers entering the premises.
“We are making ordering safety too by introducing our ‘my pub’ app, customers will be encouraged to download the app and order through it, they can simply sit back and relax and wait for us to deliver their products.
He added: As we gear up for our first day of trading in more than three months we are asking our customers to consider the safety of everyone else in our pub.
“It is all our responsibility to ensure we are proactive in social distancing measures put in place. We can’t wait to get started and look forward to serving those refreshing cold pints.”
Ben Pennell is manager at the Lord Nelson Pub & Kitchen in Burton Joyce. He said he hopes customers will be patient with staff as they get used to the new ways of working.
He said: “As there have been many changes to day-to-day life, we as a business have also had to adapt, so please bear with us through this period of transition.
“From tomorrow (July 4) all areas of the pub will be open, and we will be continuing our popular takeaway service (Food and drinks). Bookings are advisable and our phone lines are open.”
“We will not be taking bookings for the garden area and you won’t need to book a table for drinking inside or outside, – just please be aware you may have to wait.
PICTURED: Staff at the Lord Nelson Pub & Kitchen in Burton Joyce get used to the new ways of working (IMAGE: Lord Nelson/Facebook)
“The pub will have an appointed ‘Buddy’ whose job it will be to ensure safe quotas of customers inside and outside, and safe queuing.
“We will be adhering to the latest government distancing guidelines. Additional cleaning schedules have been put in place. We are actively promoting good hand hygiene, by encouraging cashless payments and providing easily accessible sanitiser for both customers and staff.”
“We are providing all staff with all that is necessary for them to work safely and confidently, including relevant PPE.”
The pub will be reducing contact by offering full table service for both food and drinks.
There won’t be no cutlery, napkins or condiments on tables as single use cutlery and condiments will be provided instead.
Tables will be thoroughly sanitised between each use and all allergen information will be available online for customers to check themselves.
All the menus will be also sanitised after every use.
Be added: “It’s been a long time since the doors have been open at the Nelson and we cant wait to see you all again.”
Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, who represents residents in Carlton, will donate a slice of her salary to a charity in St Ann’s
Ms Whittome, who at 23, is Britain’s youngest MP, announced the St Ann’s Advice Centre will be the first good cause to benefit from her workers wage pledge.
During her election bid last year, Nadia announced that, if elected as an MP she would only take home a salary in line with the national average, or ‘Worker’s wage’.
St Ann’s Advice Centre will be the first of many local organisations to receive a donation from Nadia.
Nadia Whittome said: “St Ann’s advice centre is a lifeline for so many people in Nottingham and holds a really special place in our community.
PICTURED: Nadia Whittome with the team at St Ann’s Advice Centre
“The advice centre takes a holistic approach to supporting individuals, whether its through the foodbank, fuel support, benefits advice or the many more facilities on offer. Against the backdrop of COVID-19 and years of austerity, the advice centre team has continued to go the extra mile to ensure they don’t have to turn people away.
“I am therefore delighted to have chosen the St Ann’s Advice Centre as the first local organisation to share my MP salary with me”.
Debbie Webster, Centre Manager, said: “We are so proud to be given Nadia’s first charitable donation from her MP wages. It is really reassuring to know that she recognises and appreciates the work we do here. We are grateful for her support and want to commend her for her real commitment to this community”.
