Gedling MP Vernon Coaker was given a first-hand insight into the challenges facing frontline police officers in the borough when he went on patrol around the area.
The MP spent most of the day with police officers and was invited to attend the morning briefing, visit crime hotspots in the area and join officers on the beat.
Mr Coaker said: “I regularly meet and discuss issues or potential issues with our local police officers, but it is also important that I go out and see for myself the challenges they face locally and also see first-hand the issues that constituents tell me about.
“The Police are doing a great job under extremely difficult circumstances. We do need more police on our streets, we need more community policing. In addition to more police officers, they also need the police staff to support them.
“We will be getting some new local community police officers here in Gedling, thanks to the support of Gedling Borough Council, but local police forces also require the funding from the Government in order to not only serve and protect our communities, but also to ensure they can protect themselves and stay safe.
He added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in policing across Gedling borough for their continued hard work and dedication”
Inspector Chris Pearson said: “It was great to welcome Mr Coaker so that he could experience what officers in the area deal with each day.
“We hope he enjoyed the visit and like last year, we tried to give him a real sense of what local policing in Gedling looks like.
“Every day the local response and neighbourhood officers deal with diverse issues including dealing with many immediate incidents where life is at risk and problem solving longer term issues in partnership with other agencies in the area.
Wildlife lovers will soon be able to experience a new reed bed safari path which is being unveiled during an open day at Netherfield Lagoons this weekend.
The Gedling Conservation Trust, who own and manage the site, is holding the open day at the popular nature reserve this Saturday (September 7) from 1pm.
The new safari path is being officially opened to the public at 2pm and will enable visitors to immerse themselves in the reedbed habitat and see its inhabitants up close. A new interpretation board will also be unveiled.
Visitors can access the nature reserve via Victoria Retail Park. Drive straight on at both roundabouts and parking is available at the end of the road. You can access the lagoons via the gates.
For more information about the event contact Mark Glover on 07850 768337
Tyler Blake struck a second half hat-trick as Carlton Town
came from two goals behind to beat Frickley Athletic 3-2 in a pulsating game at
Stoke Lane.
Blake’s treble meant the Millers maintained their 100% start
to the season with four wins from four league games. Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey’s side sit
second in the table, with Leek Town ahead on goal difference only.
With Carlton having won all their games so far and Frickley
having lost their three league games, it was no surprise that the Millers began
the better.
Aaron Opoku went close to opening the scoring on 12
minutes. Blake’s headed flick saw Opoku
run at Nathan Newell on the right hand side.
Opoku strode past Newall and from a narrowing angle hit a fierce drive
against the post.
Two minutes later he had an even better chance to
score. A lofted ball saw the striker
head over the onrushing goalkeeper Thomas Jackson. With just Jack Harrison on the lie protecting
the goal, Opoku fired wide from 12 yards.
Little had been seen of Frickley as an attacking force in
this early part of the game but they served notice of their intent with a quick
fire break and shot just wide from Jake Currie.
As the half progressed Frickley became more of a threat and
the impressive Johnny Pugh saw one 25-yarded fly just over and a free kick
deflected over the bar by the Carlton defensive wall.
From one Frickley corner Carlton showed some of the fluid
pass and move football that has characterised their fine start to the
campaign. Oliver Clark won possession,
played a lovely ball to Blake who held it up and then fed Smithson. Smithson advanced before feeding Chris
Marshall whose shot was saved comfortably by Jackson. It was a fine passing move from one end of
the pitch to the other and was a joy to watch.
Niall Davie had been causing Frickley all sorts of problems
with some fine crosses from the left. On
35 minutes the Millers should have scored from one such delivery. He whipped over a free kick which Blake just
failed to connect with at the near post with the goal at his mercy.
It was from a Carlton corner that the visitors opened the
scoring on 37 minutes. They cleared the
ball and broke quickly on the right, lifting the ball over Daniel Fletcher and
then playing a Crossfield pass that went through the legs of Martin Ball. Cody Prior shot at goal from the left,
Steggles parried and Rieves Boocock fired home from close range. It was the first goal Steggles had conceded
in 307 minutes of league football this season.
It took only two minutes for him to concede his second as
Boocock hit a shot from the edge of the box that went in via the post.
The striker was desperately close to a three minute hattrick
as 60 seconds later he saw Steggles tip his effort over the bar.
The managers brought on Johal at half time to add pace on
the flank and effectively give up possession in the middle of the pitch.
The Millers knew they needed an early goal in the second
period to give them a chance. They got
it on 47 minutes. A fantastic free kick
was diverted past Jackson by a combination of Blake and Newall, with Blake
being awarded the decisive touch.
Confidence can be everything in football. Carlton have it in spades at the moment,
given their start to the season and Frickley plainly don’t, given their
start. The goal changed the complexion
of the game as Carlton pushed forward for an equaliser.
They got it just after the hour with a wonderful goal. Davie fed Johal on the left. Johal and Fletcher played a one-two before
Johal pushed the ball to the right hand side with Robinson pushing
forward. The right back slipped the ball
to Smithson before overlapping down the wing and receiving the return
pass. He then beat Newall, got to the
bye-line before whipping over a cross which Blake fired home gleefully at the
near post.
Carlton’s tails were up now and the managers brought on
Mamoke Akaunu as they went for the win.
Frickley though were not lying down. They had plenty of space in midfield and Todd
Jordan saw one header go just over the bar from a Pugh free kick.
The Millers completed the turn-around by taking the lead on
70 minutes. Davie, again, won the ball
on the right hand side of midfield. He
looked up and sprayed the ball to Johal on the left. The wing back sped past Joel Feirn like an
Olympic sprinter, but had the presence of mind to look up and play a lovely
ball across to the onrushing Blake who fired home to complete his hattrick. Another superb piece of football from the
resurgent Millers.
Blake then fed Akaunu whose shot was saved by Jackson.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes Carlton sat ever
deeper, inviting pressure and Fricklet poured forward looking for an
equaliser. Liam Carrick shot just over
the bar, as did Luke Hogg with Martin Ball and Toby Moore once again
marshalling the defence and forcing the visitors to keep shooting from
distance.
They failed to seriously test Steggles again and the Millers
recorded their first ever win against Frickley, but more importantly maintained
their perfect start to the league campaign.
Three teenagers are due to appear in court for sentencing having admitted offences in connection with an incident in Calverton.
Ross Hedley, 18, of Duke Street, Arnold, and a 15-year-old boy, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to charges of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and affray when they appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (August 27, 2019).
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier court hearing.
The teenagers are due to appear for sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on September 26, 2019.
The charges relate to a reported incident that happened on Flatts Lane, Calverton, on March 23, 2019.
Local entrepreneurs are being invited to hear from experts on how to prevent a cyber attack from destroying their business.
Cyber crime is the theme of the next gathering of The Gedling Business Partnership, which takes place on September 12.
Ian Hickling is a cyber security adviser from the East Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit and will be explaining the risks and dangers local businesses are exposed to and what local firms can to do to protect themselves.
As well as the presentation, there will also be opportunities for local businesses to network at the event, which takes place at Bonington Theatre from 7.30am and is free to attend.
Anne Phillips, who helps organise the events, said: “It’s a forum for local businesses to network with each other and develop business opportunities. It provides support and information to local businesses and provides a link to us at the council and other agencies that deal with commercial matters.”
Gedling Business Partnership meets on the second Thursday of every month at the Bonington Theatre. The meetings start at 7.30am and go on until 9.30am.
Significant changes are happening across Gedling borough, with huge new housing estates, a multi-million pound road, and retail developments on the way.
With Gedling Borough Council being given the ambitious target of building at least 7,250 new homes over the next few years, whole new communities are planned.
Construction work is already underway at some of the developments. Some already have planning permission but are yet to get started, while others are a little further down the pipeline.
As well as the larger developments, a host of smaller estates are planned, with several projects already under way.
We’ve had a look at some of the biggest developments and infrastructure projects likely to change the face of the borough over the next decade.
Chase Farm
This is the largest of the new developments planned for the borough, with more than 1,000 homes eventually being built.
The land, which is nestled next to the 240-acre Gedling Country Park, was sold to developers Keepmoat in 2015.
Planning restrictions imposed on the site mean only 315 of the 1,050 houses can be built before the new dual-carriageway Gedling Access Road (see more below) is complete.
Already more than 100 of the new homes have been built, including six which were modular-built, meaning the main construction was done off-site, and they were carried in.
A spokesman for Keepmoat Homes said: “To date we have completed 113 new homes which are a mix of open market sale and affordable homes for our partner Gedling Homes.
“Following the completion of the new road, which is expected in Autumn 2021, we look forward to delivering the remaining 735 homes on the site and completing the transformation of this former colliery into a thriving new community.”
There are also several other, smaller developments which are waiting for the completion of the road before they can get started.
After decades of speculation and several failed attempts to build the road, the latest project remains on schedule, with the 2.3 mile (3.8km) route expected to open to traffic in Autumn 2021.
Funding has been secured, but Nottinghamshire County Council – which is running the project – is waiting for the Secretary of State to notify that the compulsory purchase order required to buy the land can be confirmed.
This will start the process to access land which is crucial to constructing the new route. Land acquisition – by agreement with the land owners – is also ongoing.
Drainage work required for the road started earlier this month near Gedling Country Park.
Dozens of smaller plots
PICTURED: Vernon Coaker at the blaze site in Rolleston Drive, Arnold
The edges of the urban parts of Gedling borough, including in Arnold, are set to change significantly, with a necklace of new developments around them. House building plans are at various planning and development stages, but an overarching plan approved by the borough council earlier this year has set aside 12 sites for a total of 1,580 homes. Among these are: Rolleston Drive, Arnold – 140 homes on a county council-owned brownfield site which was formerly offices and is currently the subject of a row between borough and county council. The borough council says the county council is dragging its heels, and has offered to buy the site from them. But the county council says it is marketing the site, and has had 20 expressions of interest. Brookfields Garden Centre, Mapperley Plains – 90 homes just off the B614. This now has permission. Willow Farm, Gedling – 110 homes on a site which is currently agricultural land near where the Gedling Access Road will be built. Development dependent on the completion of the GAR. Linden Grove, Carlton- 115 homes on land in the south east of Carlton, close to the Carlton-le-Willows Academy. This development is also dependent on GAR. Lodge Farm Lane , Arnold – 150 homes on a site which is currently greenfield land to the north of Arnold Spring Lane, near Gedling Country Park – 150 homes on a site which already has planning permission, and work is well under way. Howbeck road, Arnold – 205 homes – At the North East of Arnold, adjacent to the Brookfields Garden Centre. This also now has planning permission. Killisick Lane, north Arnold – 230 homes. Approval was granted earlier this year. Mansfield Road, Arnold – 220 homes on two separate plots just off the A60. The first of these was granted permission in August.
Teal Close
The second-largest new housing development currently under way in Gedling, this will see new leisure areas built, including play pitches with changing facilities, allotments and children’s play areas.
There will also be an ecology park, a new community building and a new primary school.
The new facilities will serve the more than 800 properties which are expected to be built, on land off the A612 Colwick Loop Road, between Netherfield and Stoke Bardolph.
A spokeswoman for Persimmon Homes, the developers behind the scheme, said: “This is a popular development and we are delighted to have already handed over the keys to 43 customers.
“More than 40 properties are reserved or in various stages of construction, with a further 107 homes yet to be released for sale, from a total of 199 on this phase of the site.”
There are already three phases of the development, with full planning permission being granted in stages. The latest 250 homes were granted permission in June.
Tram extension
The reality of someone getting on a tram in the city and travelling to Gedling is – in reality – still a long way off.
But early stage plans are being put together, and maps drawn up, to extend the current tram network along the old mineral lines into the borough.
There are also hopes a new park and ride could even be set up near Gedling Country Park, to ease congestion in and out of the city.
While the scheme would likely be cheaper than previous extensions – due to the majority of the route being off-street – it would still likely run into the hundreds of millions, and is yet to receive the funding commitments needed.
Carlton Square shopping centre
PICTURED: A new design for Carlton Square
Plans are afoot to upgrade the unloved old shopping centre with a £790,000 investment from the borough council.
It is hoped the facelift will be ready in time for next Christmas.
As part of the improvements there will be upgrades to the entrance areas, new paving and lighting changes to the car park layout and new street furniture.
It is hoped this could be a catalyst for wider changes in the area.
Arnold town centre redevelopment
The first stage of the upgrade was the changes to Arnold market, which the council has bought outright.
Temporary stalls were put in place, ahead of more-permanent structures being erected.
The council had hoped the town centre would be shortlisted for up to £5 million from the Government’s high street redevelopment fund.
But these hopes were dashed earlier this month, when the town centre missed out on the funding.
New Sainsbury’s in Colwick
The retailer was granted planning permission a new Sainsbury’s supermarket on land next to the Total fuel site, off Colwick Loop Road, in 2013.
Work is yet to get under way, but a spokeswoman for the chain confirmed on Friday, August 30, that they remain committed to opening a store.
Council bosses have said it would be very welcome for the area.
Top Wighay Farm site
North of Hucknall, this will potentially be a major development for the borough, with new housing, but also plans for a school, local centre and public open spaces.
It is thought there could be enough land for around 1,000 new houses, as well as office, industrial and commercial space.
This development is still at an early stage, but could become one of the biggest developments in the county.
A night support service offered by a hospice in Mapperley is set to grow after a donation of nearly £1m from an anonymous donor secured its future.
Nottinghamshire Hospice‘s Night Support service was launched last year and has been so successful there are plans to treble provision, with three teams working each night to meet demand.
In
the first six months, the service, which provides short visits to patients with
terminal illness in the night, responded to 1,343 call-outs, with the team
visiting up to 11 patients a night.
Funding of nearly £1 million pledged from an anonymous donor will see the Night Support Service, originally piloted for one year, continue for at least the next three years.
Jo
Polkey, Director of Care at Nottinghamshire Hospice said: “The Night Support
service clearly meets a real need in the community and offers us the ability to
see more patients at night. It also offers choice to patients and their
families to call for support, have a planned visit or a whole night’s care. It
has been hugely successful and our existing team is extremely busy.
“We’re
delighted to be able to extend the provision to reach more patients and their
carers and we’re extremely grateful for this significant extra funding which
will secure this service for years to come.”
PICTURED: Nottinghamshire Hospice
The
hospice originally recruited four staff to run the pilot scheme, with just one
team of two working each night. It is now recruiting at least four more staff
to join the new team with further recruitment planned.
“We’re
looking for experienced healthcare assistants or support workers who will
ideally have extensive experience of working in a community setting,” Jo
added.
The
night support service featured in a CNN piece in April when a journalist from
the global network shadowed the team for a night.
One
of the first patients to use the service was Alice Toseland, (80), of Bulwell,
Nottingham who was given just a few weeks to live when she learnt her kidney
cancer had spread. She was keen to get home from hospital. The hospice stepped
in to help which meant she was able to be discharged.
Alice
lived on her own and the Night Support service took pressure off family
members, offering emotional support as well as helping Alice get to the
bathroom in the night. Her daughter Lynda, said: “It was such a relief when the
hospice stepped in. They pulled out all the stops. Mum was desperate to get
home and it meant she could come home a lot quicker than she would otherwise
have done. I’d recommend this service. They are absolutely superb.”
In
December, Alice became very poorly again and went into Hayward House, the
hospital-based palliative care unit, but was determined to be home for
Christmas, so the team once again enabled her to come home, where she spent
Christmas with family around her before dying early in 2019.
Lynda
added: “The night service helped us all through Christmas and new year. It was
important that she was at home surrounded by family. The hospice staff were a
constant help not only to my mum but also me, especially at times when I was
there on my own at night.
“It’s
not nice to watch someone you love struggling to breathe at the end of their
life but thanks to the hospice support it was as nice as it could be in an
awful situation. Your help and support has been beyond words.”
The
service is available seven nights a week, 52 weeks a year from 10pm through to
7.00 am for adults with a terminal illness in greater Nottinghamshire. The team
can help with personal care, moving and handling, medication and emotional
support for patients and carers. The team works closely with District Nursing
teams in the area.
Vandals have been condemned by the leader of Gedling Borough Council after a park in Carlton was closed following repeated attacks over the past few months.
The children’s play park on Carnarvon Grove and Foxhill Road is now off limits after the council took the decision to close it to the public following the latest attack by vandals.
The council said the park was now ‘unsafe’.
Most of the play equipment at the site has now been removed.
The cost of repairing the damage in recent years is believed to have totalled £15,000.
Gedling Borough Council leader Cllr John Clarke said they would now move forward with plans to revamp the play area so it could be reopened to the public.
He said: “The children’s play park on Carnarvon Grove and Foxhill Road was closed following yet another severe vandalism attack because it was too unsafe to be used.
“This park has been subject of repeated attacks by vandals who seek to destroy a facility that is enjoyed by local families. The cost of vandalism in the last three years alone to the taxpayer has been £15,000.
He added: “We will be replacing equipment at the play park as soon as possible so that it can re-open. We will also be bringing forward plans in the future for a bigger and better children’s play park in the Foxhill Road area.”
A graffiti attack on a Conservative club in Arnold earlier this week has been called ‘unacceptable’ by a Labour councillor.
The phrases ‘Stop the Coup’ and ‘Undemocratic’ appeared on the front of the Balfour Conservative Club in Arnold during the early hours of August 29.
The graffiti has since been removed.
Labour councillor and deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Michael Payne, slammed the attack.
He said: “I was made aware of graffiti sprayed on the Balfour Conservative Club in Arnold. Graffiti and vandalism of any sort is utterly unacceptable. A desire to strongly express views about an issue is never an excuse for vandalism of someone else’s property. “
It is believed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent decision to suspend Parliament could have inspired the vandalism.
Gedling Country Park has been awarded a ‘much loved’ park status in a national competition to find the UK’s best park.
This summer’s UK’s Best Park award, organised by the Fields in Trust, has seen all-time high numbers of nominations and a record votes tally, with 36,832 park users casting votes to help decide the UK’s Best Park 2019.
In the East Midlands, 17 local parks and green spaces were nominated for the award. These nominations were then championed by park users, communities, Friends of groups, landowners and elected representatives as part of the public vote.
PICTURED: Cllr John Clarke and Vernon Coaker MP had supported the award bid
Following close of voting, the top four parks with the most votes received the ‘much loved’ status that included Gedling Country Park. The park will receive a certificate to recognise the support of the people who voted for it.
Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr Michael Payne said he was delighted by the award.
He said: “I’m delighted Gedling Country Park has been granted ‘much loved’ status after it came in the top four parks in the entire East Midlands when the votes had been counted.
“This award by Fields in Trust is yet another recognition of Gedling Country Park as a stunning jewel in the crown of Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands.
“Thank you to all of you who took the time to vote for our beautiful park”
