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OPINION: We could be much more powerful by speaking as one

Gedling Eye
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OPINION: We could be much more powerful by speaking as one

Councillor Kay Cutts is Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council. She is urging people in Gedling borough to have say on unitary council plans…

This week sees the start of our public engagement work about changes to the way local government is provided in our area – a really important debate we hope you will take part in.

You will have seen a lot of information recently about severe financial pressures facing councils across the country and how, locally, we are considering changes to how services are provided so we can afford to keep running them.

In Nottinghamshire, our main source of Government funding has fallen by £120m since 2013/14, at a time when demand for services – especially social care – has increased considerably.

Despite the Council saving over £270m in the last few years, under different political leaderships, we still face a budget gap of £54m. We have exhausted options to make the savings we need and without fundamental change we face the prospect of huge cuts to frontline services and increasing council tax, year-on-year.

We believe a reorganisation of local government is the only alternative.

Wherever you live in Nottinghamshire, you have at least two councils – the County Council and one of seven District or Borough Councils.

Your County Council provides most services, spending 91% of local government funding for the area, including social care for older and disabled people, care for vulnerable children, education, highways, transport, country parks, trading standards, economic regeneration, refuse disposal and recycling, some planning and libraries.

 

Your district or borough council provides services such as refuse collection, street cleaning, leisure centres, social housing, local parks and some planning.

It stands to reason that services like refuse collection and refuse disposal, social care and social housing, trading standards and environmental health and the whole planning function could be run much more effectively under one roof.

Because you have two Councils, it means you pay for two Chief Executives, two management teams, two sets of councillors, two council headquarters and all the associated bureaucracy of running large, multi-functional public bodies – twice. And there is a disparity in the services you get – and how much you pay for them – depending on where you live in the county.

It stands to reason that services like refuse collection and refuse disposal, social care and social housing, trading standards and environmental health and the whole planning function could be run much more effectively under one roof.

And we could be much more powerful by speaking as one when we are trying to attract the funding for economic growth our area needs.

Starting this week – and running throughout October – we are asking your views on the future of local government in Nottinghamshire.

We will also be talking to local stakeholders, from businesses and voluntary organisations to parish and town councils, to gain their initial views and thoughts.

An impartial, independent company is leading this work and will report back with your views as we consider all the evidence to develop a preferred choice for councillors to consider in December.

I would urge you to read the background information and complete the questionnaire online at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/futurenotts  or at your local library and share your views.

Wildlife lovers urged to help native bee species being wiped out by invading Asian hornet

Gedling Eye
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Wildlife lovers urged to help native bee species being wiped out by invading Asian hornet

Wildlife lovers in Gedling borough are being urged to keep a look out for a species of invading hornets that pose a huge threat to the survival of the UK’s native bee population.

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is a species of hornet which is not native to the UK. It is smaller than our native hornet and poses no greater risk to human health than other hornets or bees.

However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) say they do pose a risk to honey bees and pollinating insects. The government agency working hard to stop this insect establishing in the UK, and are now urging people in the borough to report suspected sightings.

When a sighting is confirmed, in the area, experts from the National Bee Unit (NBU) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will be alerted and tasked with finding and then destroying any active nests in the area.

To date, twelve confirmed sightings of the Asian hornet in England and six nests have been destroyed.

HELP: The European Hornet on the left, Asian Hornet on the right (Image: Defra)

Eight of these sightings occurred in 2018; an individual hornet in Lancashire (April) and Hull, three in Cornwall, two in Hampshire and the latest sighting in Surrey (all September).

Nicola Spence, chief plant health officer at Defra, said it was crucial people in the borough report any possible sightings so experts can take quick and effective action to eradicate Asian hornets.


She said: “By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets.

“While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than a bee, we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.

“Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.”

How to spot an Asian hornet

Asian hornets:

have a dark brown or black velvety body
have a yellow or orange band on fourth segment of abdomen
have yellow tipped legs
are smaller than the native European hornet
are not active at night

You can download the app from Apple and Google Play stores or report it online here http://www.nonnativespecies.org/home/index.cfm 

New bus services will help shoppers in borough villages isolated by public transport cuts

Gedling Eye
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New bus services will help shoppers in borough villages isolated by public transport cuts

New bus services for shoppers will bring bargain hunters between villages in the borough and town centres and larger supermarkets.

Services will run from Lowdham, Calverton, Woodborough and Lambley to Arnold town centre on Mondays and Morrisons at Netherfield on Wednesdays and Fridays.

There will also be a bus running from Bestwood Village to Bulwell and Morrisons.

Local bus operator CT4N, which is part of Nottingham Community Transport, has decided to launch the new services now that routes connecting local communities and villages with town centres and supermarkets have now been lost.

Sherwood MP, Mark Spencer attended the launch of the new service at Calverton on Monday (October 1)

He said: “I am delighted that CT4N are offering these new services that not only cover Calverton but connects to many local villages then onto both Arnold and Netherfield.

“This service will be a huge benefit to many of my constituents and I am grateful to CT4N for taking on these new routes.”


CT4N Managing Director, Ian Combellack, said: “We’ve had lots of requests from residents for better bus links from these areas, so are delighted to launch these new Shopper services to serve the local community.

“Our friendly drivers are looking forward to welcoming lots of new customers” Ian added.

Concession pass holders can travel free and single and return fares are also available.

As part of Nottingham Community Transport, CT4N already operates a number of contracted services including Medilink, Centrelink, Ecolink and all Locallink services.

You can download the new timetables from the CT4N website www.ct4n.co.uk

People in Gedling to have say on ‘super council’ plan for Notts

David Bratton
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People in Gedling to have say on ‘super council’ plan for Notts

People in Gedling borough are being given the chance to have their say on plans to create a ‘super council’ across Nottinghamshire.

An informal consultation was launched today (3) by Nottinghamshire County Council, who wants residents, businesses and councils to share their views on future plans for the local government in Nottinghamshire.

The council have said that this isn’t a formal consultation, but they are now seeking the views of local people “as they will help to shape any potential future plans for restructuring in the future.”

Councillors will consider responses to this first phase of public engagement alongside a raft of other evidence at the the Full Council meeting on December 13, when they will decide whether or not to pursue plans for a unitary council — which the Council would then formally consult the public on next year.

Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Local government in Nottinghamshire is at a crossroads.

Cllr Kay Cutts: “Local government in Nottinghamshire is at a crossroads. “

“Due to significant reductions in the funding we receive to provide services and continually increasing demand for our social care services, we are facing the prospect of huge cuts to frontline services and increasing council tax, year-on-year, unless there is a fundamental change in the way we operate.[irp]


“Since 2010 – under different political leaderships – the Council has saved over £270m in running costs, yet we still face a budget gap of £54m. We have exhausted all the options available to make the cost reductions we need without significantly impacting local people and reorganisation of local government in the county appears to be the only alternative.

IMAGE: Map shows how Notts is currently governed (PICTURE: NCC)

She added: “Local government services impact every one of us, every day of our lives, so this is a very important debate. I would urge everyone to read the Future Nottinghamshire document and let us know their views.”

The public engagement work is being carried out by independent social research company, ORS.

The first phase of the public engagement work taking place this month will include:

  • An online survey at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/futurenotts
  • Focus groups with members of the public from across the county
  • Meetings with district councils, parish councils, businesses and the voluntary sector

Further details, including the Future Nottinghamshire public engagement document which contains comprehensive background information, are available from all 60 Nottinghamshire libraries or online at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/futurenotts

The survey closes on Wednesday, October 31.

D-Day veteran Ray hailed a hero on his return to Normandy

Emily Sanchez
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D-Day veteran Ray hailed a hero on his return to Normandy

D-DAY veteran Ray Mellors was given a hero’s welcome while paying an emotional return visit to the beaches of Normandy for the first time in 74 years.

Ray, 93, who is a patient at Nottinghamshire Hospice in Mapperley, had not been back to France since he fought in the allied invasion of Western Europe back in 1944.

He took part in a week long remembrance tour organised by the travel arm of the Royal British Legion, during which he placed a wreath at the spot where he lost a close comrade.

His trip took in the five Normandy beaches of Sword, Juno, Gold, Utah and Omaha, Bayeux Cathedral and War Cemetery as well as Grimbosq Bridge, where he was invited to place the wreath.

Ray, with others from the South Staffordshire Regiment, landed on Sword beach in 1944 shortly after D-Day and was heavily involved in the liberation of Caen before moving further into France and on to Belgium. He later joined Blackwatch regiment and took part in the Rhine crossing.

PICTURED: Ray Mellors pays tribute to the fallen during his visit to Normandy where he was involved in the D-Day landings

Ray said: “Looking at the beaches when the tide was out you realise how much beach we had to cross before we got onto the sand banks. It’s no wonder so many people were killed. I had tears in my eyes, especially when I placed the wreath. It really tugged at the heart strings.”

French villagers came out to meet the veterans and many wanted to thank Ray personally for his part in the liberation of France.

“People of all ages came up to me, grabbed me by the hand and said ‘Thank you!’ including one young woman whose mother was an Auschwitz survivor,” he said.

“Even though I said when I got home after the war I’m never going to cross that channel ever again, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Ray’s daughters Sharon and Carol responded to a call for surviving World War II veterans to join tours provided free by the Royal British Legion after staff at Nottinghamshire Hospice spotted the opportunity.


Carol said: “Dad has had a brilliant time and he’s been on a high ever since. We thought he might be tired but he is still buzzing from the trip.”

She praised Ray’s carer, Jim Kenyon, a former paratrooper sourced by the Royal British Legion to accompany Ray on the tour.

“Dad hadn’t met Jim before he set off, but he was perfect and he kept in touch with us, sending us photos so we could follow Dad’s progress.”

Jim has promised to keep in touch and has offered to come to the hospice to talk to patients.

Jim said: “It was an absolute pleasure to accompany Ray and share his experiences. To listen to Ray and the other veterans is something money can’t buy.”

Liz Morgan, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said it was important for patients to take opportunities like this while they can.

She said: “Ray really benefitted from his trip and was overwhelmed by the welcome he received, he hadn’t realised people were so grateful.  We are enjoying looking at his photos and hearing all about it.”

Over 1,000 cannabis plants found inside house in Gedling

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Over 1,000 cannabis plants found inside house in Gedling

Police have uncovered over 1,000 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to £1.1 million inside a house in Gedling.

An officer was called to an address in St Michael’s Avenue at around 1pm yesterday (2) following reports of suspicious activity.

He found the kitchen door wide open at the property and also two Asian men inside, who offered few details before making off on foot.

PICTURED: Plants found inside the property in St Michael’s Avenue in Gedling (PICS: Notts Police)

Following a search of the house, over 1,100 cannabis plants covering three bedrooms were found.



Police say that had the plants been given the opportunity to reach maturity, they would have had an estimated street value of up to £1.1 million.

The Drug Support Team attended and dismantled the cannabis plants and inquiries are on-going.

The two Asian men who fled the property are believed to be in their twenties.

If you have any information, or can help with the investigation, contact police on 101, quoting incident number 376 of 2 October 2018.

RACHAEL FOSTER: Hallowe’en can be a right horror show in my house

Gedling Eye Reporter
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RACHAEL FOSTER: Hallowe’en can be a right horror show in my house

Well, the summer has now passed and being a single mum of five made if felt like 6 years – not 6 weeks!

I considered purchasing a wig at one point during the holidays due to the amount of stress which left me regularly pulling my hair out — decent wigs are surprisingly cheap on eBay as it goes!

Finally, the miracle of September arrived and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. How siblings can argue and wind each other up deliberately is beyond me; I’m sure its a form of sadistic personal entertainment. The thing is, it’s always me that ends up having to deal with!

The new term brought joy to me and a cloud of doom to my older children: days of lessons, routine and the dreaded homework. As a full-time single mother nothing pleases me more than them returning to their educational institutions. It may seem like a daily prison to them, but it’s a form of relief for myself!

However, now comes the lead up to Hallowe’en, Bonfire night and Christmas. All of these involve purchasing items and entertaining children in a way they will only appreciate monetarily, making a huge dent in a parents pocket. I feel obliged to involve my kids in all these celebrations so they ‘don’t feel left out’ (Christmas is a must obviously, even though we are not religious? Hmmm).

Hallowe’en  — or All Hallows Eve as it’s also known — is an imported ritualistic festival that is believed to be the one night where ghosts, ghouls and spirits can be seen by all mortal beings, therefore we feel obliged to buy a considerable amount of cheap black and orange plastic tat to celebrate, just to keep our children amused for one evening.

Halloween_stock

The idea of dressing up as a masked murderer brandishing plastic swords or devil with a pointed killing stick is acceptable once a year, to, er, get sweets and chocolate from your neighbours — does anyone else think this is odd apart from me? Oh well.. its a few weeks away and the shops will relish the financial rewards from Hallowe’en in which many of us will take part in..  and that’s just because we do.. for our kids.



I try and limit new purchases and have a box in the loft containing many a Hallowe’en decoration and sweet bowl accumulated over the 13 years I have been popping children into the world. Unfortunately, my children grow so new costumes have to be brought every couple of years.

Part of me resents the amount of effort one has to go to for only one evening of a few hours of activity. Pumpkin carving alone with five kids can take up so much time, time I would be rather be doing watching Coronation Street on catch-up. The mess these huge round orange fruits make once cut and attacked by several children is indescribable… but its a ‘fun activity’ and a necessity. Annoyingly  it always falls to me to spend hours scooping out the crazy amount of flesh and seeds these wonderful objects hide within themselves. The kids start attacking the inner contents with joy but after 3 scoops soon get bored and that’s when I am summoned to finish the job — sigh. Then comes the inevitable ‘face carving’. As quite a creative person I cannot help but to subtly infringe my ideas on my kids ‘designs’, constructive pumpkin design criticism from ‘Mum’ I have learnt over the years is really not altogether appreciated. As a borderline perfectionist I cannot cope looking at wonky cut eyebrows, or uneven jagged teeth, so the prep for this inherited ‘one night of fun can be quite hard for me on a personal level.

And then comes Bonfire night only a few days later. As a youngster I always thought It was spelt ‘bombfire’, relating to the meaning of explosion, in the sense that Mr Faulks was going to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Years later I’ve come to discover that its actual meaning is from the old English word for bone and fire. The term originally denoted a large open fire in which bones were burnt, sometimes as part of a celebration.

This celebration is more pleasing to me as I can purchase a few inadequate over-priced rays of spouting colour, along with sparkly sticks that can be appreciated in my own back garden (minimal preparation and planning). I have to remain hopeful I don’t set fire to my fence while staring at the wonders of a ‘Catherine wheel’ — God bless Catherine.

Rachael Foster is a single mum to five children and lives in Netherfield. You can read her popular blog about parenting at  www.yummymummy-5.co.uk

MATCH REPORT: Lincoln Utd 1-1 Carlton Town

Alan Murphy
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Jack Steggles made a series of outstanding saves as Carlton Town drew 1-1 at Lincoln Utd.

Steggles made three excellent saves in particular in the first half as Lincoln looked much improved on the side that went down to the Millers in the league cup just ten days earlier.

The Whites, featuring ex-Miller Rob Norris in their starting line-up, began well and should have taken the lead on 11 minutes.  Tom Garrick saw a volley from a corner hit the post and his follow-up shot drew a stunning save from Steggles at point blank range.  The loose ball fell to Matt Cotton who looked certain to score but he blazed high over the bar.

Kallum Smith then fired low into the corner from the edge of the box only for another flying save from Steggles to deny him.

Carlton’s first good move of the game involved Oliver Clark, Hutchinson and Luke Smithson with the latter seeing his shot deflected wide.

Oliver Robinson then combined with Smithson before firing over the bar from a tight angle.

Back came Lincoln and when Norris beat Davie and crossed to Cotton the striker looked certain to score, only for Steggles to make his best save of the game and somehow keep the ball out.

At the other end Carlton did look capable of scoring, and Kieran Walker went close with a header from a Hutchinson cross.

Still, Lincoln had the majority of the play and Smith fired just wide while James Blunden put a free header over the bar.

Carlton punished Lincoln for their profligacy on 43 minutes when they opened the scoring.  Connor Bartle’s vicious angled free kick was met with a glancing Hutchinson header into the corner of the net to the delight of the travelling support.

The goal inspired Carlton and for the first 15 minutes of the second half they pushed forward trying to kill the game.  Clark met a Bartle throw-in and saw his effort deflected onto the cross bar with Lincoln desperately clearing the ball.

Smithson then fired over the top from a Walker throw-in, while Aidan Austin saw a dangerous cross cleared.

Lincoln regained their composure and enjoyed a series of corners which tested Steggles in bright sunshine, with Hutchinson having to head off the line at one point.

Carlton survived and a lovely move involving Smithson, Hutchinson and Austin saw a cross just tipped away from the on-rushing Hutchinson.

Kevin Hemagou then volleyed high over the bar before the Whites levelled on 72 minutes.  A corner wasn’t cleared and Andy Hutchinson rifled a powerful strike home from inside the area.

That led the Whites to storm the Carlton goal for the final period of the game.  All of the Carlton players battled hard, but struggled to keep possession.  Sean Wright put one effort over the bar and Steggles made another save, this time from Liam Dickens.

In the second of seven added minutes Carlton scrambled the ball off the line from a corner and Michael Jacklin headed over the bar at the far post.

The Millers kept their wits about them and saw out the extended end to the game to pick up a point definitely gained.

Watch CBeebies Christmas panto live at cinema in Arnold

Gedling Eye
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Watch CBeebies Christmas panto live at cinema in Arnold

Tiny tots will be able to enjoy this year’s CBeebies panto on the big screen for the first time at Bonington Theatre this December.

The BBC channel’s annual Christmas show is being shown at cinemas around the UK via a live stream from the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, where the festive extravaganza is being recorded.

Arnold‘s Bonington Theatre is host to one of the screens which has been chosen to show the live production on Saturday, December 15 at 2pm.

This year, the classic tale of Thumbelina is being performed by a number of Cbeebies favorites and follows in the footsteps of previous productions which include Alice in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol and Snow Queen.




A BBC spokesman said: This CBeebies Christmas Show recreates on the big screen the live Thumbelina performance and includes an exclusive, additional show made for cinema audiences only starring the much-loved Justin Fletcher (Something Special) in “Justin’s Countdown to Christmas”.

“This holiday season, laugh and sing along with your favourite CBeebies Stars and be part of a fabulous interactive show for all the family.

You can buy tickets online now from the Bonington Theatre: http://www.boningtontheatre.co.uk/whatson/event/cbeebies-christmas-show-thumbelina.php

CCTV images released of offenders wanted after robbery at Mapperley convenience store

Emily Sanchez
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CCTV images released of offenders wanted after robbery at Mapperley convenience store

Police hunting for two offenders after a robbery at a Mapperley convenience store have released new CCTV images.

Officers were called to Bargain Booze in Westdale Lane West at around 8.10pm on Sunday, September 16 to reports that two men had threatened the shop worker and fled with cash.

Police are now hoping the public can help them trace both men.

PICTURED: Images from CCTV during a robbery Bargain Booze on Westdale Lane West (IMAGE: Notts Police)



A spokesman said: “We appreciate that you can’t see the faces of those in the photos but you might just recognise their clothing.”

Anyone with information that could help should contact police on 101 quoting incident 813 of 16 September. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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