People can learn more about getting the chance to walk the Great Wall of China and raise funds for charity at an event this Wednesday in Arnold.
Marie Curie the leading UK charity for people with terminal illness are encouraging people in Gedling borough to sign up for the event.
An information evening will be held at the Arrow Pub in Arnold this Wednesday (September 18) from 6.30pm – 8pm.
Those interested can meet with local community fundraiser Rebecca and Marie Curie helper volunteer Sue for first-look information on the trek and great tips on fundraising.
The Great Wall of China Trek 2020 will take place on September 19-27, 2020 and gives supporters the chance to trek for 5 days along the incredible Ming Dynasty Great Wall. The personal cost to participants to see this wonder of the world, just £299.
Challengers brave enough to
take on the trek will explore the beautiful scenery of Hebei Province and the
vibrant city of Beijing, visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City – as
well as the silk market.
Trekkers will spend time with
like-minded people from the East Midlands, to help raise much needed funds to
support the Marie Curie’s Volunteer Helper initiative, which is a service that
is growing by demand in Nottinghamshire.
Rebecca Davies, Marie Curie Community Fundraiser for Nottinghamshire said: “Many people don’t know that Marie Curie trains volunteers to a high level so they can help support terminally ill people in their homes in between nursing support.
“We believe it is essential that we find effective ways to supplement care for people in Nottinghamshire at the end of their life.
“Our helpers in Nottinghamshire are invaluable to families facing terminal illness, which is why we’re encouraging local people to help us fund their training by signing up to the Great Wall of China Trek and raising sponsorship.
“With a little training this trek can be within everyone’s capabilities and is the experience of a lifetime. “
Everything from the flights,
to the accommodation, to the food and drink is all organised by Marie Curie and
the challenge company they work with. All participants must do is focus on
their fundraising, the walk and having an incredible time.
Participants will also have
the opportunity to ‘lend a hand’ to locals by repairing a section of the Wall
that’s being reconstructed.
You can place your brick on
the Wall in support of a Marie Curie Nurse, in memory of a loved one or in
support of someone who is currently fighting their own battle back at home.
A hairdressers in Gedling has proved it’s a cut above the rest by being the chosen as a finalist in this year’s National Hair and Beauty awards.
Snips and Tips, which is based on Main Road, is in the running to be named as ‘Best Hair Salon’ at the awards event.
Salon owner Kirsty York said she was proud to have been nominated.
She said: ” Myself and team are looking forward to attending our first award ceremony.
“We have been in Gedling for only three years this October, so we feel in a short amount of time to receive over 400 5* customer reviews.
“We are so excited to be a finalist for the National best hair salon award. We carry out train ourselves with Joico training four times a year to ensure we have up to date knowledge on all current fashion trends.
“Our skills and knowledge means we can provide excellent hair care to clients both in salon and at home. We believe every client should look as beautiful as they are on the inside.
The week-long amnesty starts today (16) across Nottinghamshire and will run through to September 22.
A total of 635 bladed weapons were handed in at the last amnesty, and
Assistant Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said she
hoped the growing support from the community would lead to more weapons being
taken out of circulation.
She said: “Knife amnesties are a chance for people across Nottinghamshire to play their own individual part in making their communities a safer place to live, work and visit by removing potentially dangerous weapons from the grasp of those who might use them to cause fear and harm,”
“This will be the third amnesty we have held in 18 months and each time
we have seen more weapons handed in and more support from external partners
wanting to help us to make a difference. That is really encouraging because it
shows more and more people are recognising that they can have an impact and
that every weapon recovered has the potential to save lives.
“It is also pleasing that we now have so many amnesty bin locations that
are in community locations, because we recognise that not everyone feels
comfortable visiting police stations.”
As well as the amnesty, Nottinghamshire Police will also showcase the
work it does to tackle knife crime all year round with a series of events
during Operation Sceptre all next week.
This will include educational sessions on knife crime for
schoolchildren, community weapons sweeps and proactive operations. Paddy
Tipping, Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has been successfully
lobbying for additional funding to tackle the scourge of knife crime.
He said: “Every knife and sharp instrument that is handed in is off the
streets and no longer a potential deadly weapon. But the police cannot
tackle knife crime in isolation, enforcement alone will not succeed. I am
grateful to see so many of our partners joining the multi-agency operations
against knife related violence, working to make people aware that merely
carrying a knife is highly dangerous and helping offenders to rehabilitate and
move away from a life of violence and criminality.
“Help us to make our streets a safer place by using this opportunity to
surrender these lethal bladed weapons and, if you know or suspect that someone
carries a knife, please contact your local police or Crimestoppers.”
People can hand in their knives without fear of prosecution for doing so
for the duration of the amnesty. They are advised to check the opening times of
their nearest participating amnesty bin location before they visit. Anyone
wishing to hand in an oversized item such as a sword should go to a
participating police station rather than a partner agency site.
A fire has broken out on Moor Street in Netherfield.
Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze.
The road has been closed.
Local resident Neil Slack told Gedling Eye: “The fire service has closed the road off. Lots of people are outside seeing what’s going on.”
David Murphy, who is landlord at It’s Inn The Bank pub, on Victoria Road, said: “Some of our customers noticed black smoke pouring into the sky so I went outside to see what looked like the start of the bad fire coming over the Corner Cafe and the Netherfield post office.
“A crowd had gathered in front and then went round the back and we were told a motorbike was on fire against the wall at the back of the cafe and the Post Office, which had set fire to some of the building
He added:”I rang the fire brigade but they said they’d already had a call and were on the way.”
Train enthusiast Tony Cave keeps us updated with news on the local railways…
New franchise
In addition to what I mentioned in my last column, by the end of 2022 there will be high quality wi-fi on all services. ‘Delay Repay 15′ has been introduced for any delays over 15 minutes. Direct debits for season tickets. Double the funding for the Community Rail partnerships, of which there are three in our area: “The Poacher Line’ (Nottingham to Skegness), Derwent Valley Line (Derby to Matlock), and North Stafford Line (Derby to Crewe). 30 pre-apprenticeships will be created each year as part of the EMR franchise, promoting work experience across the network. On ticketing there will be a price promise of best value through EMR ticketing channels. Finally the new livery is aubergine (deep purple.).However, the dates shown in purple print on a lighter-purple background on the engineering notices are difficult to read.
Carlton Station news
Numbers of people joining the 06.78 to Matlock has continued to increase even during the holiday period. For example on the 5 days ending 16th August, 151 were recorded compared to 108 in 2017.
It was similar in 2018 but this train only ran to Nottingham becacse of the Derby station remodelling. One or two have told me they have noticed an increase in numbers, including on off peak trains.
The 16.55 to Newark is popular, and I have seen as many as 27 alight from this train. There is of course a lot of new housing development in the area, and people also travel in from Mapperley and Arnold to join train, which means the car park is often at capacity by 09.00, although not everyone who parks is going by train.
A good percentage of passengers travel beyond Nottingham long distances, and the cross city service, is also useful. Some have to travel to Nottingham first if they are going to Lincoln or ‘stations on the Skegness line. We really do need two trains per hour, especially at ‘peak times. Other stations along the line have also seen increases in passengers, and the 11.24 from Carlton to Leicester on Saturdays is usually full to capacity, so try and use the 11.08 to Nottingham if you can.
Netherfield Station news
Even Netherfield has seen an increase in passenger numbers, and more are using the two morning trains into Nottingham. On Wednesday 14th August there were 37 joining and alighting from these trains, ‘compared to the previous average of 25. It does of course fluctuate from day to day, but the general trend is upward.
Arriving at the station on the first weekday of the new franchise, I found the waiting shelter being dismantled, to be replaced by a new one, and thought that’s a good start to the new franchise, I’m in no doubt it was planned a long while ago. The new shelter is wider, but still open at the front and the 3 seats are to one side, so there is room for 3 more when passenger numbers increase!
Ticketing news
Some are taking advantage of m-Tickets which allow you to download your ticket straight to your mobile or tablet via the EMR app. This avoids the problem of being unable to buy your ticket on the train into Nottingham, when it is busy, and then having to buy a ticket at Nottingham and perhaps missing your connection, something that has stopped a few getting the train from Carlton. On the other hand, people have booked tickets in advance using a web site other than the EMR one, and not been given the cheapest fare, whereas if you buy a ticket from the conductor guard on the train, they have all the information at their finger tips, and will make sure you get the best fare for your journey.
New trains for London services
An order has been placed with Hitachi for them to supply 33 x 5-car bi-mode trains for the Midland Main Line from St. Pancras to Nottingham, Sheffield and Lincoln, to enter service between 2022-23. These will be built in the UK with many local suppliers benefiting from the order.
They will be able to run in electric mode from Market Harborough to St. Pancras and diesel north of Market Harborough. However in diesel mode they promise a 90% reduction in harmful particulate emissions compared to the current High Speed Trains.
These trains will be similar to the ‘Azumas’ now running on the East Coast line through Newark Northgate, and will pass through Carlton on the Lincoln to St. Pancras services (2 each way per day), and if we are lucky, one or more might call at Carlton. Information, for this item obtained from ‘The Railway ‘Magazine’ and ‘Today’s Railways UK’.
In brief
Engineering work: Sunday 15th September on the Grantham and Lincoln lines until 11.00. Trains replaced by buses including from Carlton the 09,36 to Lincoln and 09.56 to Nottingham. Normal service after 11.00
Correspondence: An e-mail received on 2nd July regarding the item in newsletter 52 about proposed changes in train services under the new franchise, said it was the first they had seen about this subject. “Living in Grimsby I am pleased that we can look forward to better services.” This person is a reader of Gedling Eye
Fire update: A person has been charged with starting the disastrous fire at Nottingham station in January 2018 and sentenced to 25 months in prison. The fire should not have spread as it did, but there was no sprinkler system or smoke detectors and a large gap had been left in the ceiling area when the station was renovated, allowing the fire to spread. Repair costs were £5.6m
I have seen a couple of childrens books left at Carlton station as part of a scheme to get children to read books by searching for them in various places. The Nottingham Look For A Book facebook group has recently been set up.
Stay alert: I was on the station one morning when I saw, a person walking along the line. He came on the platform and I asked what he was doing. He mumbled something and carried on walking and went into Netherfield. There was a small delay to one train, but I got through to Derby to say the line was clear. If you do spot anything suspicious ring 0800 405040 or text 61016 to British Transport Police.
A wanted man was arrested for vehicle crime in Arnold by police officers on Friday (September 13).
Michael Wilson, 44, of no fixed address, has been charged with vehicle interference following an incident in the Killisick Road area of Arnold, overnight (Friday 13 September).
The male was also further arrested after the special constables who apprehended Wilson established that a warrant was out for his arrest.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Michael Wilson will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
“He will now be escorted and put before the court.”
Two people have been arrested following a police raid in Arnold.
Officers were called to a property on Mapperley Plains yesterday (Thursday, 12) as part of a pre-planned operation.
A 26-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and possession with intent to supply drugs and remain in police custody.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Officers remain at the scene as detectives and search teams continue to understand the circumstances.
“The force has increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.”
An environmental group from Gedling are hoping two local awareness events they’ve organised will help hammer home the serious message about climate change.
Members of the Gedling Climate Change Group‘s (GCCG) have two events planned, which take place on consecutive Saturdays.
The group will be hosting a drop-in session at Morrisons supermarket in Netherfield on Saturday (September 14) and will be on hand to advise shoppers on how to cut unnecessary packaging, promote local recycling and demonstrating how
The event will run from 10.30am until 1pm.
The group has also organised a community screening of climate action film ‘Tomorrow’, The Bonington in Arnold on Saturday, September 21, at 2pm.
‘Tomorrow’ follows Cyril Dion, a French activist, author and journalist, who becomes aware of the potential impact on humankind unless we make dramatic changes. He embarks on a road trip around the world in search of in the fields of food, energy, transport, economics and education, with amazing, inspiring results.
The screening will be followed by a special question and answer session with a panel of experts. The movie tickets cost £2.50 and the price includes entry to the panel session after the screening.
The following experts will be taking part in the environmental panel:
Julian Marsh, retired
professor of architecture, involved in the design of low energy buildings,
currently project co-ordinator of a community energy group in the Meadows
Penney Poyzer,
developed her own carbon neutral home, presented the TV series, ‘No waste like
home’, currently chair of the Nottingham Good Food Partnership
Stephen Selby, worked
in a variety of community projects, particularly therapeutic gardens with the
charitable sector, currently supporting the WasteNott community interest
company.
Bob Vaughan Newton, chairman of Gedling Climate Change Group said: “Gedling Climate Change Group is keen to support and encourage people to make choices which benefit our environment.
“So often it is not an easy choice for a consumer, so we are delighted to be working with Morrisons – a supermarket which is making changes and working towards reducing its packaging. We aim to show people that there are other affordable options to reduce packaging and to showcase the recycling options that are available locally too.
“We are also excited to be bringing the hugely successful international
film Tomorrow for a special community showing. The film is not focused on
warnings, but what we can all do on a practical level to help safeguard our
planet now and for future generations. We do hope that people will come along
and support our events and find out more about how they can get involved at a
local level.”
Clare Wainwright, community champion at Morrisons said: “Morrisons as a company are reducing their use of plastics. In our store in Netherfield we already have in place paper carrier bags and paper produce bags. Many of Morrison’s branded products have either been taken out of plastics or had the plastic packaging reduced.
“We also no longer stock or use plastic straws in store. “
She added: “We are always looking for new ways to reduce our use of plastics.”
Plans for an extra 100 parking spaces at Gedling Country Park have been submitted for approval.
Documents publicly available onlinedetail a proposal to create the extra car parking spaces on the north boundary of Gedling Country Park, off Spring Lane.
There will also be new connecting footpaths, landscaped bunds and a drainage system.
The planning documents also reveal how the proposed improvements will benefit local wildlife, with new earthworks being constructed ‘to provide a variety of aspects of maximum benefit to local wildlife and in particular the dingy skipper butterfly which Gedling Country Park is known to support.
The application was submitted on June 29.
PICTURED: The plans for extra parking (IMAGE: GBC)
Gedling Borough Council said the improvements would be funded ‘using existing budgets and £100,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)’.
The CIL is a levy local authorities can use to charge on new developments in their area. The money gained is then used for funding infrastructure the council, local community and neighbourhoods want
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke, said: “In January 2019, the council launched a consultation on how to spend this CIL funding. The proposals included a car park extension at Gedling Country Park. The feedback from the consultation was widely supportive of the proposals which were then agreed by Cabinet Members.
“During popular days and times the existing car park at Gedling Country Park quickly becomes full which then causes visitors to park on adjacent roads and open spaces, often in an unmanaged and disruptive manner. With the increasing demand on the Gedling Country Park, due to its growing popularity this car park extension, if approved, would ensure even more residents can enjoy this fantastic facility.”
One local resident who has seen the proposals online is now hoping the extension plan is approved.
Ryan Lowe, from Mapperley, told Gedling Eye: “I have a young family and we love the park, but finding a parking space can be impossible on some weekends and it’s too far to walk there with little ones. If the plans go ahead, we’ll go more often.”
But a neighbour to the country park is hoping the plans are rejected.
Jayne Green, who lives at Crimea Farm on Spring Lane, said she thought the need for extra spaces ‘was being exaggerated’.
She said: “We live opposite the park, so our farm and family will be directly affected by this further expansion
“On street parking has not been as bad or as frequent as has been reported and has mostly been limited to an hour on Saturday morning when park runners have parked on the road, even though there has been plenty of spaces in the Lambley Lane carpark. The recent double yellow lines have been a success.
“They could build a carpark from the Gedling Access road when built, which would make more sense than currently from a country road.
She added: “The carpark will be an eyesore from the road and the money could be better spent on more pressing matters in the borough. “
