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Volunteers come together to fix up former railway station building in Gedling that locals want to transform into community hub after suspected vandal attack

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Volunteers come together to fix up former railway station building in Gedling that locals want to transform into community hub after suspected vandal attack

Volunteers have today banded together to repair the damage done yesterday by vandals to an empty building locals are hoping to transform into a community hub

12 volunteers turned up at the former Gedling Youth Club and Gedling Station building on Shearing Hill to clean up the mess created following a suspected vandal attack on Sunday.

Windows were smashed, tables overturned, chairs broken and a microwave was destroyed during the incident.

BEFORE: Damage at the former railway station building on Shearing Hill (IMAGE: Francis Rodrigues)
AFTER: Volunteers clean up after yesterday’s suspected attack (IMAGE: Francis Rodrigues)
BEFORE: Damage at the former railway station building on Shearing Hill (IMAGE: Francis Rodrigues)
AFTER: Volunteers clean up after yesterday’s suspected attack (IMAGE: Francis Rodrigues)

The group met at the building and managed to tidy it up and have it secured by 1pm.

A number of community groups in the area have ambitious plans for the empty property and want to transform it into a youth centre and community hub.

Chairman of the Gedling Youth Club Management Committee, Francis Rodrigues said yesterday’s incident wouldn’t hamper their transformation plans.

He told Gedling Eye: “Today we saw a fantastic response from the community after the damage caused yesterday.

12 volunteers gave up their time to wash, hoover and secure the building. People are understandably angry about what happened but today we witnessed a great display of public community sprit.”

‘I still go and stand in the House of Commons Chamber when it’s empty, and just take it in’:Gedling’s new MP Tom Randall reflects on a whirlwind few months

Gedling Eye Reporter
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‘I still go and stand in the House of Commons Chamber when it’s empty, and just take it in’:Gedling’s new MP Tom Randall reflects on a whirlwind few months

In August last year, Tom Randall essentially had two separate lives.

The trained solicitor would work in London from Monday to Thursday, then clamber on to a National Express coach and head to his second life in Gedling.

For all he knew, it would all be in vain. He’d have thrown himself into a bruising, and physically-demanding General Election campaign and, in his own words, walked away with nothing. 

He – and everyone else for that matter – didn’t even know when the election would be called. For all he knew the two lives could have gone on for years.

But from Thursday night to Sunday night, 38-year-old Mr Randall would hit the doorsteps, talking with the people who are now his constituents.

On the best night for the Conservatives for generations, he replaced Labour’s Vernon Coaker, who Mr Randall describes as a ‘well-liked, well-respected constituency MP’.

When the returning officer read out the result in the wee hours of Friday, December 13, the old life was jettisoned and Mr Randall dived head-long into the new.

“I had to decide. Until the election was over this had to be the most important thing in my life,” he said.

“I was either working in London, or I was campaigning. There was nothing else. 

PICTURED: Gedling MP Tom Randall meets with other elected Conservatives across Notts

“I missed friends’ birthdays, I had no social life. This was it.”

When the election was finally called after those febrile, treacly days in Parliament, Mr Randall took unpaid leave from work and gave even more of himself to what was widely seen as one of the most grueling campaigns in decades.

The 38 year old said: “Gedling is a very hilly constituency, and I was walking between seven and 10 miles a day, usually in appalling weather, so it was a hard campaign.”

Usually at election counts, you have a fairly good idea of who’s going to win before the result is announced. 

Party activists count the ballot papers at the same time as the counters do, so they tend to know which way it has gone.

But at Gedling it was clear as mud.

“While they were counting, I had a slight inkling we were fractionally ahead, but I didn’t want to believe it, because you have to be prepared to walk away with nothing, you have to cushion yourself for that.”

Did it sink in straight away? Not really. 

“I’ve looked back at the footage of that moment, and I certainly don’t look very happy. But I definitely was. 

“I still feel like I’m me, but there are those moments that you realised ‘I’m not just who I used to be’.”

“Obviously I’ve always opened my own doors like everyone else. 

“But when the Parliamentary door keeper opened a door for me and said ‘Good Morning, Mr Randall – having memorised my name and face – I thought ‘ah OK, this is new’.

“Then I was asked by a couple of people for a selfie in Arnold. Funnily enough that didn’t happen to me before.

“I still go and stand in the House of Commons Chamber when it’s empty, and just take it in.

“I’d been and done the tourist thing before, but it’s just different when you’re a member, and you feel it.”

He puts his hand to his heart. He has become the MP for his hometown – Arnold. 

“And that’s a very special thing,” he says, with a smile.

New CCTV camera goes live in Arnold and will help tackle anti-social behaviour problems in the area

Gedling Eye Reporter
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New CCTV camera goes live in Arnold and will help tackle anti-social behaviour problems in the area

A new CCTV camera which has been installed to help deal with increasing reports of anti-social behaviour in and area of Arnold went live over the weekend.

Gedling Borough Council has erected the CCTV camera on a pole on Rolleston Drive in a bid to help cut down on crime.

The camera covers the junction of Rolleston Drive and Brookfield Road, near the Major Oak pub.

PICTURED: The camera in Smithy Crescent, Arnold

The council decided to install the camera at the crime hotspot after incidents were reduced when surveillance equipment was installed at Smithy Crescent in the town.

In a social media post the council wrote: “The CCTV camera on Rolleston Drive has been installed and is now operational. One of our priorities is to reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and fear of crime in areas where residents have raised concerns.”

New £50k machinery ensures ‘the real deal’ for customers of Colwick packaging manufacturer

Gedling Eye Reporter
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New £50k machinery ensures ‘the real deal’ for customers of Colwick packaging manufacturer

A packaging manufacturer in Colwick has invested £50,000 in a new sampling machine which will give its clients a more realistic idea of the products it can produce.

Colwick-based The Wilkins Group – whose customer base includes all of the leading retailers in the UK – has taken delivery of this new machine.

It is a next-generation direct-to-object flatbed ink-jet printer which uses UV LED lamps to cure the ink as it goes.

It can print on almost any surface up to 150mm thick – opening up possibilities of printing on materials such as wood and slate.

Justin Wilkins, sales and marketing director with the Colwick firm, said it was his father Andre’s idea to bring the machine in and added: “We will mainly use it for presentations to customers.

“When customers come to us, we will design some packaging around their idea, that suits their requirements and put the graphics to it, either using the retailer’s graphics and placing them on the product, or designing them from scratch.

“The difference with this is we print directly onto board, or whatever the material is.

A sample produced by the new machinery at Wilkins Print

“We have 4,000 to 5,000 pallets of board, all of varying grades, from all over the world, each one is different and of different surfaces and strengths – this can print on all of those now, for creating samples for our customers.”

The machine, which has a 71cm x 51cm print area, also puts a varnish onto the product, giving it a finish that other devices haven’t previously been able to replicate.

Justin said the new printing process enabled Wilkins, which has 270 employees in Nottinghamshire and 500 across its UK, Romania, Sri Lanka, China and Bangladesh sites, to show mock-ups of products in a more realistic, impressive way, rather than showing clients a proof that may turn out differently once it has been finalised.

He added: “Customers always ask us for innovation and ‘what’s the next thing?’ This machine replicates the final product and gives a great result.”

This machine has precise ink drop placement of up to 1,200 dots per inch, is faster and is more cost-efficient than previous machines used for this purpose by Wilkins. It has six staggered print heads, increasing the speed of the printing process.

It follows a purchase last year of a £1m Bobst Expertcut 106 PER die-cutter to expand and enhance Wilkins’ die-cutting capabilities.

For more information, visit www.wilkins.co.uk

Two arrested after police execute search warrant in Colwick and recover stolen camper vans

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Two arrested after police execute search warrant in Colwick and recover stolen camper vans

Police have arrested two people after executing a search warrant at an industrial unit in Colwick yesterday.

Officers recovered two stolen camper vans during the search that were about to be stripped of parts.

Police executed a search warrant at an industrial unit in Colwick yesterday. (IMAGE: Notts Police)
IMAGE: Notts Police

Two males, aged 25 and 33, have been arrested on suspicion of theft and are currently in custody for questioning.

The search was carried out as part of Operation Reacher, which has been set up to tackle local issues and crime across Gedling borough and target organised crime gangs.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “The vans were the owners pride and joy and they will now be reunited with them soon. Thankfully officers were able to act before any significant damage could be caused.”

TV writer brings poetry show to Gedling borough libraries

Gedling Eye
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TV writer brings poetry show to Gedling borough libraries

An award-winning TV and film writer is to bring his poetry show to Gedling libraries this spring.

Nottingham’s own Henry Normal will be at Arnold, Burton Joyce, Carlton, Carlton Hill, Ravenshead and Gedling Libraries during April and May.

The Royle Family writer and Gavin and Stacey producer will be there to present a one-hour show packed with fun, poetry, jokes, stories and more.

His show will also feature an open invitation to attendees to read their own poem in front of the audience.

The New Poetry Society Tour is part of Nottingham Poetry Festival 2020.

Henry is co-writer and producer of some of the biggest hits of British TV and film of recent years. He co-wrote Mrs Merton and The Royle Family amongst others, and produced Gavin and Stacey, Alan Partridge, the Oscar-winning film Philomena, and many more.

Henry’s poetry books include his last collection Strikingly Invisible and the new collection The Escape Plan, and he has performed his poetry widely across the UK. Henry has written and performed six BBC Radio 4 shows, including A Normal Universe.

You can see his poetry show on the following dates:

Burton Joyce Library, April 2, between 3-4pm

Carlton Hill Library on April 20, between 2-3pm

Carlton Library on April 20, between 4-5pm

Ravenshead Library on April 2, between 3-4pm

Arnold Library on April 23, between 5.30 -6.30pm

Gedling Library on May 2, between 9.30-10.30am.

Go to www.inspireculture.org.uk/HenryNormal for more information and the full touring calendar.

Animal lovers in Gedling borough warned ‘Petfishing’ could lead to puppies and kittens dying and big vet bills

Emily Sanchez
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Animal lovers in Gedling borough warned ‘Petfishing’ could lead to puppies and kittens dying and big vet bills

Purchasing a pet from a dodgy breeder could cost owners in Gedling borough an extra £5,000 in vet bills over just 12 months, a new government study has revealed. 

The stark new findings from a poll of vets revealed that poor conditions of puppy or kitten farms can lead to illnesses and complications which would incur treatment costs of over £1,500 in the first year of the animal’s life.

In some severe cases, the costs could rise to £5,000 or even result in the pet being euthanised.

The figures have been realeased to coincide with the launch of a new government campaign which urges the public to spot “red flags” in pet sellers before buying a puppy or kitten.

The campaign launched today introduces a new phrase ‘Petfished’ – much like ‘Catfished’, when someone is lured into a relationship by a fictional online persona – and refers to online sellers using a similar tactic to trick people into buying mistreated animals, selling them at high-volume to line their pockets.

The government has already changed the law to ban commercial third party puppy and kitten sales, known as Lucy’s Law, and is going further to improve the lives of animals including supporting a Private Member’s Bill to raise the maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months to five years, and consulting on tackling excessively long journeys for live animals.

Pet_Stock

Today’s launch of a government campaign will call on the public to also play their part to tackle the cruel trade of puppies and kittens by encouraging prospective owners to be aware of illegal, low-welfare breeders and look for ‘red flags’ when buying a new pet. This will help to disrupt the demand for these animals and further suffocate the trade alongside the introduction of Lucy’s Law.

Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “Vets see the tragic effects of ‘Petfishing’ first-hand but so too do the public who may be put through the pain and cost of looking after, and even losing, a sick puppy or kitten due to the conditions it was bred in.

It’s vital that prospective pet owners take responsibility for where they get their pets from and avoid puppy-farms and unscrupulous dealers. The campaign launched today sets out the simple steps that can be taken by the public to spot the warning signs and ensure their puppy or kitten is given the best start in life.”

Animal Welfare Minister, Lord Goldsmith, said: “I am delighted that a ban on third party sales of puppies and kittens is coming into force – it is a crucial piece of legislation that will help us tackle the abhorrent and heart-breaking trade of pets.

“Our campaign will help raise awareness of the dangers associated with buying pets online and deceitful sellers. The animals reared on puppy farms are often in awful conditions which can lead to chronic health problems, behavioural issues, and, in the most tragic cases, death. This simply has to stop and the public can do its bit to help.

We urge anyone thinking about getting a pet to do the right thing. Do thorough research and ensure you go to a reputable breeder in the UK – don’t get ‘Petfished’.

The poor conditions suffered by puppies and kittens include early separation from their mothers, huge numbers of animals cramped in unhygienic spaces, and the likelihood of long journeys from the place they were bred to their new home. All of these can contribute to an increased risk of disease and behavioural issues.

Anyone looking to buy a pet can get tips and advice on the new website: getyourpetsafely.campaign.gov.uk

People should follow these tips to help spot warning signs that a puppy or kitten has been raised in low welfare conditions:

  1. Research. Have a look at the seller’s profile and search their name online. If they are advertising many litters from different breeds, then this is a red flag.
  2. Check contact details. Copy and paste the phone number into a search engine. If the number is being used on lots of different adverts, sites and dates then this is likely a deceitful seller.
  3. Check the animal’s age. Puppies and kittens should never be sold under 8 weeks old – do not buy from anyone advertising a puppy or kitten younger than 8 weeks.
  4. Check the animal’s health records. Make sure the seller shares all records of vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and microchipping with you before sale.

Notts FA Senior Cup: Carlton Town 1-1 Gedling Miners Welfare (AET: 5-4 pens)

Alan Murphy
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Notts FA Senior Cup: Carlton Town 1-1 Gedling Miners Welfare (AET: 5-4 pens)

Jack Steggles saved twice in a penalty shoot out as Carlton Town narrowly overcame a spirited Gedling Miners Welfare in the Notts Senior Cup.

This quarter-final tie had to be played at Radford’s Selhurst St ground due to the continued waterlogging of Stoke Lane and it looked to be going to the way of the East Midlands Counties side as they led through Josh Thornton’s first half header with just two minutes remaining.

But Aaron Opoku levelled for the Millers from the penalty spot and after a goalless extra 30 minutes it was ultimately Carlton who prevailed in the shoot-out.

It was a touch harsh on Miners who seemed to have dealt with all that Carlton could throw at them but the Millers had the vast majority of possession and had enough chances, particularly in the first half, to have put this game out of sight long before the dramatic end.

Carlton made three changes to the side which won at Wisbech 17 days earlier in their last game.  Out went Jacob Sturgess plus the injured pair of Danny Elliott and captain Tom Maddison.  In came Dan Brown, Eli Bako and Tyler Johal.

Gedling featured a host of ex-Carlton players, including former player of the year Thornton and Stoke Lane legend Dean Gent, for the first competitive meeting between these close neighbours in 10 years.

The pitch was a touch slippery but Radford had done really well to get the game on at all and Carlton started much the better.  In the opening 30 minutes they swarmed all over the Gedling goal and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored.

Oliver Clark had the first effort, a fierce drive over the bar on five minutes, and when the same player found Johal in a wide position, his cross was fired just wide by Aaron Opoku.

Opoku then advanced down the left before pulling back to Niall Davie unmarked just eight yards from goal but the wide man lifted his shot high over the bar from a glorious position.

Gedling’s only real chance of that first 30 minutes came following a fine move but Joe Meakin hit his shot high and wide.

Opoku then went closest to scoring on the half hour.  He simply ran at the Gedling defence on the left, bamboozled another ex-Miller Felix Hogg and fired across goalkeeper Keeton Sharpe only to strike the foot of the post.  The rebound fell to Tyler Blake but he couldn’t get enough purchase on his shot and Sharpe was grateful to smother the effort.

With the half all but over Daniel Fletcher brought down Thornton near the Carlton left corner flag.  Ross McCaughey delivered an absolute peach of a free kick to the near post and Thornton evaded his marker to head the visitors in front.

Carlton almost levelled straight away but Opoku just missed the ball after Clark had headed on a Davie free kick.

In the second half Carlton kept the majority of possession but Miners looked increasingly comfortable as the game progressed.  Indeed, they had the first real chance of the half with Jimmy Spiers volleying just wide of target.

Davie and Bako combined to create a chance for Opoku but although his shot beat Sharpe, it never had enough power and was easily cleared.

Carlton brought on Sturgess and Kyle Stovell to pep up the attack.  The next chance fell to Blake who reacted quickest to a goal kick that was headed straight back at Sharpe, but the striker lifted his attempted lob over the bar.

Blake then played a clever ball to Opoku who whipped over a dangerous cross from the left but no-one was there to convert.

Gent and Hogg were looking ever-more impressive at the back as Carlton desperately sought a way back into the game.  The Millers brought on Daryl Thomas as a final throw of the dice but salvation came in an unlikely form.

With the game in the last three minutes of normal time, a fierce Dan Brown shot struck Gent on his right arm and the referee awarded a penalty.  It looked harsh at the time – Gent was only a couple of yards away from Brown – but the referee was in a good position and said the defender’s arm was outstretched, as indeed later photographic evidence confirmed.

With regular penalty taker Maddison out it was left to Opoku to take the spot kick and he made no mistake, blasting the ball past Sharpe.

There were five minutes additional time and Carlton had three chances to win the game.  Thomas ran onto a Steggles clearance, rounded Sharpe but fired wide from a narrow angle.

Then the same player fired just wide from a Davie cross.

With the final action of the 90 minutes Opoku headed a Davie corner towards the corner of the goal only to see Charlie Roberts clear off the line.

Extra time it was, just as it had been when Carlton beat Bingham in the previous round.

Davie had the first chance, drawing a decent save from Sharpe with a low angled drive, before Hogg went desperately close for Gedling, heading just over the bar from a Thornton corner with Steggles beaten.

Gent made a superb headed clearance from a dangerous Davie corner and Carlton were camped inside the Gedling half but unable to really test Sharpe before time ran out and penalties it was.

Carlton went first and Sharpe saved Davie’s effort to give Miners an early advantage, but Steggles saved Gedling’s second penalty from McCaughey, diving to his left and so after two penalties each it was 1-1.

Each side scored their remaining three penalties to bring on sudden death.  Brown then coolly slotted home for Carlton, sending Sharpe the wrong way, and that was followed by Steggles diving to his right to save Hogg’s effort and secure a semi-final berth for the Millers.

It was a fiercely competitive game in front a crowd that seemed somewhat more than the official attendance of 47 and the Millers were grateful that they had just about managed to see off a spirited Gedling team.

Carlton Town: Steggles, Brown, Fletcher (Thomas 84), Ball, Moore, Bako (Sturgess 63), Johal (Stovell 63 (Robinson 91)), Clark, Opoku, Blake, Davie.  Unused substitutes: McDonald

Goals: Opoku 88 (pen); Josh Thornton 42

Penalties:

Carlton – Davie (miss), Clarke, Thomas, Opoku, Blake, Brown

Gedling MW – Luke Smith, Ross McCaughey (miss), Courtney Hastings, Kieran Harris, Josh Thornton, Felix Hogg (miss)

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Aaron Opoku

Attendance: 47

Gedling Access Road: How is work progressing? What happens next?

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling Access Road: How is work progressing? What happens next?

It’s now nearly two months since work began on the £40m Gedling Access Road.

The 3.8km road is being built to ease congestion in Gedling Village and facilitate the building of over 1,000 new homes on the former Gedling Colliery and Chase Farm sites.

The Gedling Access Road, which will run from Mapperley Plains to the A612 at the Burton Road/Nottingham Road and Trent Valley Way junction, will also improve access to Gedling Borough Council owned Gedling Country Park.

Nottinghamshire County Council has provided an update on how work is progressing…

Work begins on Gedling Access Road
(IMAGE: D2N2 Partnership)

The council said the following work had taken place during February…

  • Works to move earth continued along the stretch of the route 
  • Site clearance works continued southwards from Mapperley Plains towards the Colliery Yard and north from Whitworth Drive towards the Walled Garden
  • Works to install a boundary fence along the route began 
  • Regrading works at the Carlton-le-Willows field got underway 

Here’s what the council have said is planned for March… 

  • Site clearance and earthworks will continue 
  • Drainage works across the route of the Gedling Access Road will commence 
  • CCTV cameras will be installed at the Burton Road Junction with Shearing Hill to enable remote monitoring of the traffic before GAR, during GAR’s diversion, and after GAR opens. This is an area where residents have raised concerns, and we want to ensure we take appropriate measures for identifying problems and making informed decisions

Planned roadworks in March

A short section of Burton Road will be closed from March 23. Two-way traffic flow on the A612 will be maintained throughout the works, but residents of Whitworth Drive and Nottingham Road Service Road will have their current access changed and will receive a letter explaining this.

Off-peak restrictions will also be in place on B684 Mapperley Plains from March to allow for construction works to take place. 

Pub couple raise a glass after 21 years running It’s Inn The Bank in Netherfield

David Bratton
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Pub couple raise a glass after 21 years running It’s Inn The Bank in Netherfield

While many of our pubs are closing their doors for good, one boozer in Netherfield is today (28) bucking the trend by celebrating its 21st anniversary.

It’s Inn The Bank first opened up to the public on February 28, 1999 and has since gone from strength to strength.

The couple who have been at the helm for almost a quarter of a century are David and Nicola Murphy.

David was first brought in to project manage the building’s transformation from a Lloyds bank into a pub and manage the business – but was then invited to take over as landlord two years later.

Over the past 21 years, Mr Murphy said he’d experienced many highs and lows whilst running the public house on Victoria Road, but was quick to point out his most memorable moment.

“It was when I met my wife while working here,” he said.

“She came in for a drink one night and I fell in love with her immediately. She then started working behind the bar a few months later and we eventually got together.

Wife and co-owner Nicola Murphy said the pub’s continual success was down to having so many loyal customers who continually support for their endeavours.

“It’s an absolute honour to serve the people who drink here in Netherfield,” she said.

PICTURED: The pub’s very first customer Darren Featherstone, left, with landlord David Murphy pictured together earlier today
PICTURED: Landlord David Murphy, left, with pub chef Michael Mulligan, who has worked there for 21 years
Married couple Nicola and David Murphy run It’s Inn The Bank, which has been open for 21 years

“Our customers are the real stars of the show and time and time again come along and get involved in all of our events we hold here – whether it be fancy dress theme nights or donating their time and money to our charity events.

“They make it a joy to come to work every day.”

Mrs Murphy said becoming landlady of the pub wasn’t something she ever expected.

She said: “When I first walked in here 18 years ago, I would never have guessed I’d be running the place, let alone married to the guy behind the bar I bought a drink for that night.”

Pub chef Michael Mulligan, who the owners now describe as ‘family’, has also been with the business for 21 years and remembers the day he applied for the job.

He said: “I was working at a pub in Thurgarton and I remember driving past during a split shift and noticed the scaffolding. I soon learnt it wasn’t going to be a bank anymore and was being transformed into a pub.

“I put a note through the door asking for work and a few days later sat down with David and he offered me the job.

Mulligan’s cooking proved a hit at the venue and when The Bank had a restaurant space upstairs, he was cooking up over 500 meals a month for hungry customers.

His weekday menu and Sunday dinners remain popular and are available to eat in or takeaway each weekend.

A number of celebrities have also walked through the Bank’s doors since its opening. They include footballers Martin O’Neil, Andy Reid and Roy Carrol along with French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and Coronation Street star Chris Gascoigne, who have all supped ale in the legendary Netherfield boozer.

But not every celebrity spotted drinking in the pub was the real deal, as David Murphy recalls.

He said: “One night when we were off work we got a call from a regular who told us that the woman who played Janice Battersby in Coronation Street was drinking in our pub. We quickly drove down hoping to meet her and it turned out to be Helen, who worked at Bargain Booze across the road who looked a bit like her. A case of mistaken identity”

To this day, the pub remains a popular drinking spot locals in the town.

Mr Murphy said he didn’t know what the secret was behind their continual success, but said: “We know we must be doing something right due to the amount of local people that still walk through those doors each day after 21 years.”

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