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Inspector Chris Pearson: Operation Reacher team gets off to flying start across Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Inspector Chris Pearson: Operation Reacher team gets off to flying start across Gedling borough

We received some excellent news in January when it was revealed that a new proactive police team will be landing in Gedling.

The team is known as ‘Operation Reacher’ and the Gedling team will be looked after by Sergeant Matt Sisson. Along with Matt there will be six Police Officers working on the team and they will work closely with the existing Neighbourhood Policing Team. I’m sure you will agree that this is a great opportunity for us in that we will be able to better respond to the needs and concerns of our local communities.

The ‘Operation Reacher’ model was first launched in Bestwood and saw some excellent results. Whilst the challenges in Gedling are different I’m sure that the team will make a huge contribution towards dealing with some of the communities concerns such as burglary and drug dealing.

The force has plans to have a Reacher team across each area and I’m really pleased that Gedling was selected to be one of the first.

The team got off to a good start on Wednesday afternoon (29th January) when they assisted with a drugs warrant on Westdale Lane, Mapperley working jointly with the neighbourhood policing team and other resources such as Trading Standards. The team were joined by the local media and Insp Marcus Oldroyd who is now overseeing the development of Reacher across the force. The warrant resulted in a 36 year old male being arrested on suspicion of drugs supply offences following the discovery of drugs and illicit tobacco at a local convenience store.

This was a two tiered approach as following the warrant the neighbourhood policing team and I worked closely with licensing colleagues from the police and Gedling Borough Council. The result was an application for a ‘closure order’ made to Nottingham Magistrates Court on Friday, January 31. I’m pleased to report that the order was supported by the Magistrates and the property will now remain closed and secured for the next three months to prevent further criminal offences and nuisance to the local community.

This really was an excellent result all round and the policing activity came about by information received from members of the public. I really would encourage you to report concerns to us. Information we receive is always carefully assessed and prioritised. In some cases we can act immediately, whilst in other cases the information we receive has to be developed before we can take action. With the Operation Reacher team now working so closely with the Neighbourhood Policing team I’m confident that this will put us in an even better position to take action where required.

Cannabis found in shop
PICTURED: Police found cannabis at a shop in Gedling (IMAGE: Notts Police)

The investigation into the drugs supply offences is ongoing and I would encourage anyone with information to contact us.

Following this the Op Reacher team have been working in the Gedling South area which has resulted in further vehicle and drugs seizures. The team will be publishing a lot of their work on our social media pages and I’d encourage you to give these a follow.

On 17th January I met with Gedling Borough Council and police colleagues including PS Helen Walker, PS Mike Ebbins and Cllr David Ellis to discuss our policing priorities for this quarter. Following feedback through our website and Police and Crime Commissioner Surveys these have now been set as Residential Burglary, Drug Supply and Shop theft. We have chosen to look closely at shop theft as we know that the offenders are often linked to other acquisitive crime such as burglary and autocrime. The priorities will be refreshed again in time for April this year. The public surveys indicated that drug use and supply are of significant concern to the local community so we have adopted this as a priority.

I wanted to provide an update regarding Burglary as this continues to be a top priority for us across Gedling.

We have seen late evening and overnight offences with hotspots of Gedling and Carlton in the Gedling South area. Offenders have largely gained entry to properties by smashing windows. Across Gedling North offences have taken place in Woodthorpe and Redhill with windows smashed in order to gain entry. The county burglary team continue to work closely with us in order to investigate the offences. The neighbourhood teams have also worked later into the evening and have been joined by operational support colleagues in order to provide high-visibility patrols in the area.

Pleasingly progress is being made as a number of people have now been arrested and charged with burglary offences over the last couple of months. A 29 year old male was arrested last week on suspicion of a burglary offence in Woodthorpe back in October 2019. He has since been released on police bail but the investigation is very much ongoing.

In terms of other crime vans have been targeted across the area with hotspot locations of Gedling, Mapperley, Colwick and Arnold. Offenders have gained access by damaging locks or bodywork in order to take tools left in vehicles overnight. Patrols are ongoing and local officers will be joining colleagues from Rushcliffe to carry out overnight operations to target offenders.

Crime prevention advice is available on the force website and can be found at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice.

I know that road safety continues to be of concern to many. The Gedling South team are continuing to develop the ‘Community Road Safety’ scheme with PCSO Trevor Parkinson leading on this work. Further training sessions have taken place the team have deployed in both Lambley and Burton Joyce following concerns from the local community. A number of days of action are scheduled this year and as a Gedling team we will be fully supporting these.

Finally I wanted to end by mentioning that we are recruiting ‘Senior Cadets’ within the Carlton area and this is an excellent opportunity for young volunteers who might want to learn more about policing or get involved in communities initiatives. There is information available on our social media or the recruitment pages of our website which can be found at https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/volunteer.

Pupils get chance to dine with ‘very special someone’ during Valentine’s meal at Arnold school

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Pupils get chance to dine with ‘very special someone’ during Valentine’s meal at Arnold school

Restaurants and cafes will be busy serving up the finest foods this Valentine’s Day – and a school in Arnold is now looking to get in on the act.

Pupils at Pinewood Infant School and Foundation Unit in Pinewood Avenue, are for the first time able to invite their ‘very special someone’ to a Valentine’s Day Dinner at the school on Friday (February 14).

As the School’s 200 pupils are only three to seven-years-old the ‘romantic dinner’ will be mid-day in the dining hall rather than candle-lit and their ‘guest’ must be an adult (16+) family member, but a tasty menu of incluing chicken or Quorn tagliatelle with garlic bread and mixed salad followed by desert might even give some professional eateries a run for their money.

At £3 per head (for adults, pupils will eat for free) it’s also unlikely to be beaten on value.

Headteacher Rachel Otter said: “We often put on special celebrations during the year, to which parents are invited, but this is the first time we’ve held a Valentine’s Day Dinner.

PICTURED: Kai Speed Elkin, aged four.

“The children have got very excited about the idea of inviting someone to eat with them. As long as they’re aged over 16 it can be mum, dad, grandparent, other family or carer.

“At what can sometimes be a bit of a grey time of year, we’re looking forward to helping our pupils show a bit of love to their special someone.”

Teachers at the School will be decorating the dining hall with hearts and flowers, to add to the ambience. 

Pinewood Infant School and Foundation Unit has around 200 pupils aged from three to seven-years-old; split over Foundation 1 and 2 classes, and Year 1 and Year 2 classes. The school’s lively curriculum includes outdoor areas, a school garden and pond, and a double-decker bus converted into a reading library.

In its last OFSTED report (2009), Pinewood was ranked as ‘outstanding’. Its Headteacher is Ms Rachel Otter and its Chair of Governors, Ms Rachel Makey.

For more information on Pinewood Infant School and Foundation Unit see its website at www.pinewood.notts.sch.uk/

Carlton Town FC begin fundraising campaign to help repair ground damage caused by Storm Ciara

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Carlton Town FC begin fundraising campaign to help repair ground damage caused by Storm Ciara

Carlton Town FC are having to ramp up fundraising efforts to help pay for repairs to the ground which was badly damaged during Storm Ciara.

Dugouts were damaged along with floodlights areas of the car park and parts of the 3G pitch. Perimeter fencing was also ripped out of the ground during the high-speed winds on Sunday.

The club are now being forced to find extra funding after it was revealed the insurance won’t cover all the damage caused by the storm at the Bill Stokeld Stadium on Stoke Lane

Club secretary Trevor Wells said: “We have now been hit badly by storm Ciara.

“The perimeter fence to the stadium is destroyed in parts with fence posts completely ripped out the ground. There is damage to the car park floodlights and electrics

“I understand there is a significant excess on the policy given our past problems with floods, breaks in and of course the fire a few years ago, before my time here”

“We will all rally round as we always do, but we really could have done without this after the efforts that have gone in to getting the pitch right to avoid hopefully further postponements”

The club have since revealed on their website that the perimeter fencing will not be covered by the club’s insurance policy. A substantial number of posts and panels now need replacing after the damage and tis is expected to be costly.

Carlton-Town
PICTURED: The Bill Stokeld Stadium on Stoke Lane

The Millers say they are covered for repairs to the dugout area and electrical repairs as well as damage to other parts of the stadium – but also face a £500 excess for those repairs.

Club chairman Mick Garton and vice chairman Barry North put out a joint statement to supporters following the damage.

It read: “There has been substantial damage at the ground and we are not currently in a position to host fixtures. We have spoken to the league regarding Wednesday’s game against Chasetown. We will speak urgently to Notts FA to see if the home tie in the cup against Gedling Miner’s Welfare FC on February 18 can be rescheduled at Mapperley Plains”

“Supporters are aware we have spent a substantial amount on moving two Academy fixtures to Long Eaton United, calling in drainage expects and having the pitch Vertidrained, they are not aware that we have also had to spend a significant sum of money for our next ground grading inspection”

“Given the positivity on the pitch and generally within the camp, we will move heaven and earth to get these urgent repairs carried out as soon as possible so that the home game against Stamford on Saturday, February 22 can go ahead.

The club now hope to raise the extra funds needed by organising a number of events.

Former Nottingham Forest and Derby County legend John O’ Hare will be guest speaking at Stoke Lane on Friday, March 20. Tickets are now on sale for the event at the price of £40 each and this includes a two-course meal.

A fundraising afternoon will also be held at The Dragon public house in Nottingham City Centre on Sunday, March 29, with a raffle taking place and is also the opportunity to make a donation to pay for the work.

For tickets to the John O’ Hare talk or for more information about the event at The Dragon call commercial manager Brian Dennett on 07850 234543 or visit https://www.carltontownfc.co.uk/

Gedling Borough Council leader says new bridge over the Trent is urgently needed

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling Borough Council leader says new bridge over the Trent is urgently needed

The city and county need a new Trent bridge urgently, a senior figure at Gedling Borough Council has said. 

Roads have been gridlocked for days, and journeys which should take minutes are taking hours, after the partial closure of the A52 bridge.

The closure has put enormous pressure on the existing bridges, with severe traffic building on both sides of Trent Bridge.

Three road bridges currently serve the city – Trent Bridge, Lady Bay Bridge and the A52 at Clifton Bridge which is currently partially closed.

Further downstream are Gunthorpe Bridge and the A46 bridge, while upstream there are bridges at Sawley and the M1.

Even 16 years ago, Nottinghamshire County Council agreed there was a need for the bridge to the west of Radcliffe on Trent. 

But those plans for a new Trent bridge have stagnated, and no plans are currently in the pipeline.

Now, the leader of Gedling Borough Council, John Clarke, has said the whole area urgently needs a new bridge ‘for the future’.

New Trent bridge
Cllr Clarke has said a new bridge could be constructed at the back of Victoria Retail Park

Councillor Clarke, who represents Netherfield for Labour,  has long advocated a new bridge, and says the last few days demonstrate just how important it is, and how close to capacity the current bridges are running.

He said: “It’s not a political thing any more, this is about the livelihood and the economy of the city and county.

“Two hours it took me yesterday to get from County Hall to Carlton. It was mayhem. 

“I think the best place to build it is at the back of Victoria Industrial Park and bring the road up to Colwick Loop Road.

“It would take and divert traffic from having to go towards the city.

“I think we have got to be bold and ambitious with this, and build a bridge for the future that can take all forms of transport, with a vision for the tram eventually.

“I think it would be a massive boost, I think it would be as powerful and transformative as the A453.

“Yet we’re putting our collective heads in the sand and doing nothing.

“The economic cost for the city of the last few days will be in the millions, with people not getting to work on time, goods not arriving and people not going out. It’s been a clear reminder.

“This is the perfect time to put pressure on to build the bridge, the Prime Minister has said he wants a ‘infrastructure revolution’, and this is doable, it’s not quite spade ready but it’s already there.

“If we’re going to keep this city and county’s economy moving then we need this bridge as soon as possible. We can’t afford not to build it.

“Because why come and invest in Nottingham when you can’t get into it?”

However Nottingham City Council’s transport boss Adele Williams gave the age-old proposal a luke-warm reception, saying building more roads was ‘not necessarily’ the best way forward.

Councillor Williams, who represents Sherwood for Labour, said: “The current situation with Clifton Bridge is very unusual and while it shows how vulnerable Nottingham’s road network is to becoming gridlocked, building our way out of it with more roads is not necessarily the answer. 

“Our focus is on providing viable alternatives to using cars to get into the city. 

“For example, we are currently awaiting a Government announcement on a bid for funding which among other things will expand our park and ride facilities, encouraging more people to leave their cars outside the city and take public transport in – thereby reducing the amount of traffic on our roads. 

“The only extra bridge over the river we have in our thinking at the moment is a cycle and pedestrian bridge between Colwick and Lady Bay.”

Prime Minister recognises man who set up Mapperley-based charity to tackle loneliness and social isolation across Notts

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Prime Minister recognises man who set up Mapperley-based charity to tackle loneliness and social isolation across Notts

A man who set up a charity in Mapperley to combat loneliness and social isolation has been recognised today by the Prime Minister.

Damien Reynolds has been handed a Point of Light award, which are given out by the Prime Minister to inspirational volunteers across the country.

Mr Reynolds has been recognised for his work with the Wolfpack Project, which he established last year, to create social opportunities for those experiencing loneliness.

The charity helps people by providing 1-2-1 support through a buddy scheme. Buddies offer in-person support such as company for a walk, coffee or a football match to combat loneliness.

Over 250 isolated young adults have benefitted locally from the buddy scheme since the charity began.

The Wolfpack Project also encourages individuals to join their social groups, where people can make new friendships and further widen their support network.

The Wolfpack Project aims to tackle loneliness in the region

In a personal letter to Mr Reynolds, Boris Johnson wrote: “I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how ‘The Wolfpack Project’ is tackling loneliness by bringing young people together in innovative ways, building friendships and a sense of community.”

The volunteer also won praise from Gedling MP Tom Randall after receiving the Point of Light Award.

He said: “Loneliness can affect people at different stages of their lives and I really enjoyed meeting Damien earlier this year to hear about the work that he has been doing to reduce loneliness amongst younger people in Gedling and across Nottinghamshire.

He added: “This is a well-deserved award and I congratulate Damien on his success.”

Mr Reynolds said he was ‘thrilled’ that his work has been recognised by the Prime Minister.

“I am honoured to receive the Points of Light Award, and for my work with ‘The Wolfpack Project’.

“Loneliness is an epidemic and significant challenge of society today, and never more so than in young adults whom are more likely to experience this than any other age group.

“‘The Wolfpack Project’ is reducing loneliness in young adults across Nottingham through our Buddy Scheme and upcoming ”Wolfpack” social groups.

“The recognition and exposure in receiving this award will help us reach more individuals and further our ambition in working nationally in the future.”

Ann celebrates remarkable 103rd birthday in style at Carlton residential home

Emily Sanchez
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Ann celebrates remarkable 103rd birthday in style at Carlton residential home

Carlton resident Ann Eaton described 103 as “just a number” as she celebrated her remarkable birthday in style yesterday (10).

Steamed fish with hollandaise sauce and vegetables and a variety of puddings were on the menu as friends, family and staff at Braywood Gardens Residential Home in Carlton came together for a big party (10) to celebrate Ann’s special day.

The 103-year-old said the secret to a long life was ‘having a good family’.

She told people at the party she used to enjoy going out on the town when she was younger.

Ann enjoys her party with friends and relatives

“I used to go dancing in the dance hall at the other end of Nottingham every Saturday as I didn’t care much for The Palais,” she said.

Ann also enjoyed cycling as a teenager and regularly took trips out into the country with her husband, who was her boyfriend at the time.

She said: “We used to do a lot of cycling and stop over at youth hostels. They were a shilling a night.

“I wouldn’t ride a bike now because back then there wasn’t a lot of cars. There’s too much traffic these days.”

If you or a friend or relative is celebrating a landmark birthday, let us know here at Gedling Eye and we’ll try and feature it on our site. Contact our news desk at news@gedlingeye.co.uk

MP Tom Randall hails Government funding boost for Gedling Borough Council but deputy leader slams figures as ‘smoke and mirrors’

David Bratton
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MP Tom Randall hails Government funding boost for Gedling Borough Council but deputy leader slams figures as ‘smoke and mirrors’

Gedling MP Tom Randall has praised the government for increasing spending power in Gedling borough, saying a planned 2.3% council budget boost will ‘help ensure everyone lives in a community they can be proud of’.

Mr Randall said that Gedling Borough Council would now receive a share of £49.2 billion local government funding this year – a 4.4 per cent real terms increase and the largest year-on-year real terms increase in a decade.

The government increase in council spend is being hailed as ‘the biggest funding boost for local councils in a decade’.

The MP for Gedling said the increase ‘would ensure key public services would be protected, with significant extra resources dedicated to areas where they are needed most’.

He said: “Thanks to the investment being made by the Conservatives, Gedling Borough Council will have an extra 0.2 million pound to spend this year.

But earlier today, the deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne accused the Gedling MP of ‘spinning figures’.

He said a potential uplift in funding for Gedling Borough Council would not be provided by the government, but instead is from the collection of Council Tax.

In the latest government budget announcement Mr Randall revealed…

  • The Local Government Finance Settlement will include an additional £1.5 billion for social care. When added to the existing social care package, local authorities will now have access to over £5.5 billion of dedicated funding across adult and children’s social care in 2020-21.
  • Local authorities will also be rewarded for building new homes, with another £907 million committed to the New Homes Bonus scheme for 2020-21 to encourage development that benefit local communities.
  • Local authorities will be able to prevent excessive Council Tax rises – striking the right balance between the interests of council taxpayers and addressing pressures on services.
Figures provided by Mr Randall’s office above show core spending power by local authority in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20.
PICTURED: Gedling MP Tom Randall has praised the government for increasing Gedling Borough Council’s budget
Cllr_Michael_Payne
PICTURED: Cllr Michael Payne said the MP has been ‘spinning figures’

Tom Randall MP said: “Local authorities play a vital role in our communities, providing the crucial local services that people rely on every day.

“I am delighted that the Conservative Government has confirmed Gedling Borough Council will have an additional 0.2 million pound funding this year, which will help our local councillors make positive change in Gedling.

“The Conservatives were elected on a promise to level up local communities across the whole country, and with this funding increase, we can start to do exactly that, ensuring everyone lives in a community they can be proud of.”

But deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council Cllr Michael Payne said the funding announcement was ‘smoke and mirrors’.

He told Gedling Eye: “This is pure spinning of facts and figures from our local Conservative MP. The so called ‘increase in funding’ he is celebrating does nothing to alter the fact Gedling is the worst hit council in England in terms of change in its Core Spending Power since 2015/16 as a result of cuts by the Conservative Government.

“This year’s £220,000 (£0.2m) potential uplift in funding for Gedling Borough Council, quoted by Tom Randall MP, is not provided by this Conservative Government, it is from the collection of Council Tax. This isn’t an increase in funding from the Government’s coffers, it is the Conservative Government expecting our local residents to pay more in local tax.

“Why have Conservative-run Rushcliffe Borough Council and South Derbyshire Council received 5% and 13.2% increases respectively in their core spending power over the last five years when we’ve had a 21.3% cut – making Gedling the hardest hit in the country.

Mr Payne produced figures from the MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) website in reaction to Mr Randall’s claims

“No amount of smoke and mirrors from Tom Randall MP can hide the facts – Gedling has been hit by a £5.38m cut to its funding from central government since 2010, that’s a 61% reduction. 

He added: “It’s a real shame Tom Randall MP is more interested in spinning figures than spending time taking real action to reverse the decision to make Gedling Borough Council the worst affected council in the country as a result of his Conservative Government’s cuts.”

Delays on Gedling borough bus services due to bad weather

Gedling Eye
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Delays on Gedling borough bus services due to bad weather

Nottingham City Transport said there are delays on services to Gedling borough due to poor road and weather conditions, with services also affected by the ongoing closure of Clifton Bridge.

*UPDATED AT 5PM* – The following borough bus services are affected:

  • Red 43 and 44 are back to normal route.
  • Lilac 25 are operating between City, Carlton, Westdale Lane and Mapperley only
  • Blue 39 are operating between City and Thorneywood Mount only
  • Sky Blue 45 is operating between City, Mapperley and Holyoake Road only
  • Lime 56, 57, 59 are operating between City, Sherwood and Thackeray’s Lane / Breckhill Road roundabout only
  • Lime 58 is operating between Arnold Town Centre and Killisick via Coppice Road and Beechwood Road in both directions

Customers can access the latest information online at https://www.nctx.co.uk/badweather as well as following NCT on Twitter – @NCT_Buses and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NottinghamCityTransport/

Storm Ciara: Fallen trees close roads and railways as borough is battered by high-speed winds

Emily Sanchez
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Storm Ciara: Fallen trees close roads and railways as borough is battered by high-speed winds

Storm Ciara lashed Gedling borough with heavy rain and winds of more than 90 miles an hour (145 km/hour) yesterday (Sunday, 9), forcing the cancellation of train services and closing major roads in the area.

A number trees were brought down during the storms which blocked major routes in and out of the borough.

Traffic was brought to a standstill on Main Road in Gedling, after a tree fell, closing the road for several hours while it was removed. Traffic had to be diverted back up Arnold Lane via the roundabout and away from the village by police during the incident.

IMAGE: Nathan Dye
IMAGE: Francis Rodrigues

Spring Lane at the junction with Mapperley Plains was also closed off to traffic after a tree fell into the road.

Lowdham Lane in Woodborough and Calverton Road near Dorket Head were also closed to traffic.

Trains serving Netherfield Station were cancelled during the morning and early afternoon after a tree was brought down onto the tracks. It was eventually cleared by Network Rail.

This trampoline, featured in the video above, was one of many carried out of gardens by the winds as they battered the borough. This one being blown into the road was captured on camera by Arnold resident Andrew Jackson.

PICTURED: A tree was brought down into the road outside The Longbow Pub on Calverton Road in Arnold

Businesses were also left damaged in Arnold town centre, with tiles crashing to the floor after being brought off the roof during the storm.

Councillor Roxanne Ellis surveys damage in Arnold town centre (IMAGE: Ernhale Councillors/Facebook)

The fastest gusts of 97 miles per hour were recorded on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, with 93 miles per hour winds hitting Aberdaron, a village at the tip of the Llyn Peninsula.

The situation in Gedling borough mirrored what was happening across the country as Storm Ciara caused chaos.

Inland, Manchester Airport recorded gusts of 86 miles per hour, while 178mm of rain fell in Honister Pass, in Cumbria, in the 24 hours to 4pm on Sunday – around one-and-a-half times the average February rainfall of 112mm.

Some 539,000 people experienced a power cut on Sunday with 118,000 left without power by 4pm across the whole of the UK, according to Energy Networks.

The national meteorological service said it had recorded a maximum wind speed of 93 miles an hour at Aberdaron in Wales, on a day of storm disruption that stretched into northern continental Europe.

If you have any pictures of the devastation so far caused by Storm Ciara, please email news@gedlingeye.co.uk

Man in hospital after stabbing in Daybrook

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Man in hospital after stabbing in Daybrook

A man is now in hospital after a stabbing in Daybrook.

Officers were called just after 1.30am today (Sunday, February 9) to a report of an incident on Rosecroft Drive.

A man was taken to hospital with injuries which are not currently believed to be life-threatening.

Police-notepad
Police are investigating

Detective Inspector Ed Cook, who is investigating the incident, said: “Officers are working hard to establish the circumstances of this incident.

“Police will be in the area while we conduct our enquiries and I would encourage any residents who may have concerns to speak to one of our officers.

“If you have any information about what happened you should call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 71 of 9 February 2020, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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