It was a case of “Never Gonna Give You Up” for school children in Netherfield after they mounted a campaign on Twitter in the hope of getting a chance to sing with 80s pop icon Rick Astley.
The star responded to the campaign and promised to give Class 8 pupils from Netherfield Primary School the opportunity to share the mic when he visited the city as part of his tour.
The children travelled to meet Rick at Nottingham’s Royal Concert hall – ahead of his gig there on Tuesday – where they were lucky enough to get a tour behind the scenes and gather some autographs.
The children had selected Rick’s smash hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” as their class song for 2018 and were delighted when they got the chance to sing it with him on stage during the visit.
Teacher James Payne explained how the visit came about.
He said: “We were looking for a new class song to sing in assemblies and my class chose Rick’s song because it fit in nicely with our positive mind-set learning and they really enjoyed singing it.
“We realised afterwards that Rick happened to be in Nottingham on the day of our assembly and thought it would be great if he could pop along, so we stated a campaign asking him to meet us.”
The entire class wrote letters to Rick, emailed his website and were even on the radio calling for the 80s star to meet them.
Among the pleas for this ‘once in a lifetime’ visit, the youngsters wrote: “We weren’t born in 1987 but we all know you’re the best singer ever.”
A man from Arnold has been jailed for 16 months after a one-punch attack which left a 17-year-old boy with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.
The victim was an innocent passer-by as a group of men were fighting but unwittingly got caught up in the melee. He was punched to the side of the head and the force of the impact knocked him to the floor and he hit his head on the pavement, knocking him unconscious.
The unprovoked attack has set back the career of the soldier, now 18, as he was unable to complete his training as planned later this month.
Because of the injuries he could not undertake any live firing during the current course – and won’t be able to complete training until April next year.
His attacker, 20-year-old Connor Gillan handed himself in for a voluntary interview after seeing the police’s CCTV appeal on Facebook following the assault in Burton Street, Nottingham city centre, on Sunday, February 25 2018.
Gillan, of Killisick Road, who was of previous good character, admitted causing grievous bodily harm when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court and was sentenced yesterday (Monday, November 12 2018).
Detective Constable Dionne Love, who led the investigation, said: “This incident shows the huge impact a single punch can have on people’s lives.
“The victim, who has been described by his senior officer as one of the strongest recruits he’s ever witnessed, was very seriously injured through no fault of his own and as a result has been set back in his ambition to serve in the Rifles Regiment. Hopefully he will be able to go on to achieve his ambition but it won’t be in line with his peers.
“Gillan is now spending time in custody because of his violent actions. I think it was a shock to him to receive a custodial sentence when he had no previous convictions but it shows how seriously the court takes violence and hopefully it should act as a deterrent to other young men when they go out in town.”
The leader and deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council today vowed to stop any super council takeover that will ‘shift focus away from our residents and local communities’.
Nottinghamshire County council is proposing abolishing Gedling, and all other district and borough councils, in order to create one ‘super council’ for the whole of Nottinghamshire, excluding the city.
The Conservative-led county council said it would streamline council services, and could save between £20 and £30 million a year.
Now, councillors John Clarke and Michael Payne, who are in charge of the Labour-run Gedling Borough Council, have set out why they oppose the idea, in an opinion piece due to be published this week.
Cllr Clarke, who represents Netherfield for Labour, and Councillor Payne, who represents Redhill for Labour, said: “Our duty as leader and deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council is simple – ‘serving people, improving lives’.
“We’re proud of the people and communities we serve in the borough we call home.
“We’ll never apologise for fighting fiercely to stop any and all attempts to scrap Gedling – our residents put their trust and faith in us and in return we’ll always put them first.
“The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council wants to scrap Gedling Borough Council and every other district and borough council in Nottinghamshire to replace them with one ‘super council’ for the whole of our county.
“This is nothing more than a smash and grab on our local assets and services. The county council faces a shortfall of £54 million over the next three years and Councillor Kay Cutts (The Conservative leader of Nottinghamshire County Council) has repeatedly said creating one ‘super council’ for our entire county is the only way to avoid bankruptcy or further severe cuts at the county council she leads.
BACKING: Cllr Kay Cutts wants the ‘super council’ plans to go ahead
“At best, this is a smokescreen for a political takeover. At worst, it is disingenuous and far removed from the truth.
“There’s simply no evidence Councillor Cutts’ plan to create a ‘super council’ is the answer to the county council’s financial woes.
“Wiltshire went to ‘one council’ unitary status in 2009 and this year it needs to slash £26 million from its budget.
“Cornwall went to unitary status in 2009 and this year is proposing cutting 338 jobs to deliver another £77 million in savings.
“Likewise, County Durham went to unitary status in 2009 and has cut 2,720 posts and still needs to find another £39 million in savings by 2020.
“The real problem facing Nottinghamshire County Council is the 60p in every £1 central Government will have stripped from councils’ budgets in the ten years leading up to 2020.
“No new Government funding will be allocated to any new council created, so the real risk is the new ‘super council’ would levy you with a council tax bombshell to help clear up the financial mess it would inherit from the existing county council.
“Why should you be asked to pick up the tab for a problem you didn’t create? Why should you be asked to pay even more for even less?
“Currently residents of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood pay more in council tax than residents living in our own borough of Gedling.
“With the equalisation of council tax would be implemented across the new ‘super council’ area this would change – hitting you in the pocket.
“It’s a 60 mile drive from top to bottom of Nottinghamshire county – ask yourself what residents of Arnold have in common with residents of Harworth in the north of our county who live closer to Doncaster than they do to Nottingham.
“We firmly believe decisions about local public services are best made at the most local level by local councillors and councils whose primary focus is their local community.
“Currently Gedling Borough Council only retains nine percent of the total council tax bill each household pays but our prudent financial management means in spite of severe cuts by central Government we’ve managed to continue delivering excellent public services and improvements for local residents.
“It would make much more sense for all the council tax you pay to be spent locally rather than potentially being sent elsewhere across Nottinghamshire to prop up services in communities which may be over an hour’s drive from your front door.
“Working with the people of Gedling borough we’re proud to have created Gedling Country Park; introduced two hours free parking; purchased Arnold Market which had long been neglected by private owners; refurbished our popular Bonington Theatre and Cinema while also prudently managing our finances.
“What level of attention and priority would such issues be given by a ‘super council’ focused on an area covering 830 square miles as opposed to your local Gedling Borough Council responsible for just over 46 square miles.
“The simple fact is – the closer local government is to its citizens, the more likely it is to be able to respond to local needs.
“Our residents deserve better than being told how to run their local affairs by a ‘super council’ whose headquarters could be an hour’s drive from our local community.
“We won’t allow a takeover of Gedling borough that would shift focus away from our residents and local communities.
“That’s why we’re asking all residents and businesses in Gedling borough to respond to the straightforward consultation we’re launching on this issue.
“Every household and business in our borough will receive a copy of this through their letterbox shortly but you can also respond online now by visiting: www.gedling.GOV.UK/yourviewsmatter
“Make your voice heard to stop this ludicrous takeover in its tracks.”
Residents in Gedling borough are being given an early Christmas present with the launch of the council’s popular free bulky waste collection service from this week.
Gedling Borough Council today announced they are to extend their annual collection service – which normally begins in January – due to popular demand.
The council will collect large household items for free, subject to availability and on a first come, first served basis.
The first collections will initially be collected on Saturdays only, until January when residents can choose weekday collections up until the scheme ends in February.
To take advantage of this limited offer, residents need to visit www.gedling.gov.uk/bulkywaste enter their address and details of the items to be collected. The system will then tell them when the next free collection is available.
This scheme is an extension of the council’s annual bulky waste amnesty which normally starts in January however, the council have decided to bring it forward and offer more collections between now and February.
The aim of the free service is to reduce fly tipping and to allow residents the opportunity to get rid of unwanted large items which would normally be chargeable. Collection dates are limited and residents must book in advance on a first come, first served basis and any collection is subject to availability.
Deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr Michael Payne said: “I’m delighted to announce that we’re starting our popular free bulky waste collection service earlier this year and residents can book slots now.
“We think it’s important to offer residents the chance to dispose of large items that can’t go in their household bin. This can reduce fly tipping and give residents a chance to get rid of unwanted large items easily and for no extra cost at a time when it can be financially challenging due to Christmas demands.”
Drivers are being warned to expect traffic and travel delays due to roadworks across Gedling Borough during the week.
This list contains only the roadworks considered to be most likely to cause delays on key routes as well as those involving road closures and temporary traffic lights.
It is not exhaustive and does not feature some minor or emergency repairs that come up after publication. Other roadworks may finish or start before schedule or be cancelled altogether.
All information from Highways England, local authorities and utility companies.
Works description: Access required to overhead Openreach structure to provide service – No structural changes. Work being carried out on existing Openreach Plant.
Gedling Road
November 21— 26
Delays possible due to some carriageway incursion
Works description: 1 joint hole in tarmac footway and 2m trenching in tarmac footway for new supply
Mapperley
Kent Road
November 13 — 15
Delays possible due to traffic control (give & take)
Works description: Long Comm Pipe Repair 25mm Job in Footway (6mm Bitmac (Tarmac) )
Woodthorpe
Shortcross Avenue
November 19— 22 November
Delays likely for road closure
Works description: Long 6.6-12m Full Ex 25mm MDPE new water connection to excavate 10.5m to connect new plots water supply to mains located in carriageway Job in Carriageway (10mm Bitmac (Tarmac)
Rail services at Netherfield and Carlton stations are to be disrupted over the next two weekends due to engineering works.
There will be no trains at Netherfield on Sunday, November 18 and also 25 while the work takes place.
The 08.32 Liverpool train won’t be running from Netherfield on Saturdays 17 & 24 (diverted via Melton) and no replacement buses at Netherfield, only for the other stations on the line. This train could also probably be affected in the coming weeks.
Buses will replace trains at Carlton on Sunday, November 18 until 14.00. Replacement buses go from the bus stops in Netherfield about an hour earlier to Newark Northgate and passengers can take a train from there to Lincoln.
First trains 14.41 to Lincoln and 15.17 to Nottingham.
A normal Sunday service will resume on November 25.
An investigation into police contact with a man who died following his arrest in Carlton, found that officers acted appropriately and did all they could to save him.
The investigation was carried out by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).
Cain Hargreaves, 21, was arrested at home in Carlton on suspicion of drink driving on January 5, 2018. His car had been involved in a collision.
Mr Hargreaves suffered a seizure in the back of a police car as officers began to drive him to the Bridewell custody suite.
ACC Kate Meynell said: “I would like to send our condolences to Mr Hargreaves’ family and friends, following this tragic incident.
“The officers who dealt with Cain Hargreaves after he was arrested in January did everything they could in an attempt to save his life after he became unwell.
“The IOPC’s investigation confirmed that Mr Hargreaves wasn’t showing any signs of injury before the officers decided to take him into custody, and once they were aware that he had taken ill, first aid and CPR was carried out at the roadside. I am immensely proud of the officers involved; they did everything they could to try and save his life. Sadly, despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
“I have no doubt that since that day; these officers will have questioned whether they could have done more, replaying the situation in their minds again and again. I hope that today’s findings of this IOPC report gives them some reassurance that they acted appropriately and did all that they could.”
An inquest which finished on Friday (November 9) recorded a narrative conclusion which found that the death was drug related, contributed to by a developmental brain abnormality.
Chair of Nottinghamshire’s Police Federation Dave Keen, said: “Having attended on the night and spoken with the officers both at the time and subsequently afterwards, I have to say their conduct and behaviour were nothing but extremely professional throughout.”
IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “This is a tragic case where a young man who appeared fit and healthy died after becoming unwell shortly after his arrest. We found nothing to suggest that anything the police did contributed to his death.
“The information gathered by our investigator indicated that police acted appropriately and in accordance with policy throughout the incident. There was also clear evidence that when Cain became ill the officers did everything they could to try to help him and save his life, in what was a traumatic situation.”
A new badminton club is proving to be a hit with people in Gedling borough after attracting over 40 members in just eight months.
The Handy Badminton Club holds sessions at Carlton Forum and Redhill Leisure Centre in Arnold every week.
The club are one of the only ones in the area to take on beginners with the aim of coaching them so they can compete in the county leagues.
They entered four teams into the Notts League and currently sit top of the league after four wins in four.
James Hand runs the club and says it is open to everyone.
He said: “Our club started out in March with just six people turning up to a beginner’s session. Eight months later and this has turned into a Badminton England affiliated club with a 30-40 players attending regularly.
“We want to include anyone that wants to play badminton from the age of 16+ irrelevant of age, sex or ability. We are the only Club in Nottingham that is taking beginners with the aim of improving them to be able to play in the Notts Leagues in the future.
The club hold a badminton night between 6-10pm every Tuesday at Carlton Forum and a beginner session between 6-8pm on Friday nights.
Two members of Nottinghamhsire Police have saved the life of a man after finding him collapsed in Ravenshead
The officers from Professional Standards Department were in the village on Wednesday morning when they saw a man collapsed in Sheepwalk Lane.
They noticed that the man was not breathing so commenced CPR. Two off-duty Derbyshire officers were also there and called an ambulance.
They gathered blankets from their cars and continued to work on the man until a paramedic arrived shortly afterwards.
Miraculously, the man survived and is recovering in hospital.
Detective Inspector David Bola said: “We wish the man a full recovery and would like to commend Sergeant Abigail Goucher and Complaint Support Officer Emma Kent for their actions as well as our Derbyshire colleagues. The group undoubtedly played a part in saving this man’s life.”
Pupils from schools in Colwick and Netherfieldpaid an emotional tribute to those who lost their lives in the First World War at a ceremony earlier today.
Youngsters from Netherfield Primary School and also St John The Baptist Primary School in Colwick attended a ceremony earlier today where they laid down crosses marked with the name of the fallen from their villages and towns during World War I.
