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Learn to sing for free with Carlton barbershop chorus

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A barbershop chorus based in Carlton are inviting male singers from across the borough to sign up for a free six-week course to fine tune their singing abilities.

The Major Oak Chorus – Nottingham’s only male Barbershop Chorus – will be hosting the course from Tuesday, September 25, between 7.30pm and 9pm.

The course will take place at the Carlton Junior Academy on Foxhill Road in Carlton

The course is for men that may already sing in a choir, ensemble, sing karaoke or perhaps they are an accomplished solo singer; it will also be ideal for those lapsed singers who want to return to singing.


Chorus Director Andy Salter says “Barbershop is four-part acapella close harmony. It’s not all straw boaters and waistcoats. It can be demanding but the exhilaration experienced when everything locks and rings is something that has to be experienced to appreciate.”

The main body of the course will be about fun exercises and learning some songs in the Barbershop style. Advice and tuition will be incorporated in the song learning.

At the conclusion attendees will perform both songs with the rest of the chorus.

To find out more or to enrol call 07957 838387 or email signmeup@majoroakchorus.com

If there are women interested in having a go at singing ‘Barbershop’ they can find details of courses at https://lacecitychorus.org/

Become a ‘Mischief Maker’ at Gedling borough libraries this summer

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Children can take part in a summer of mischief at libraries across Gedling borough this summer.

The borough’s libraries are calling for children to sign up to read six books over their summer holidays as part of Mischief Makers, the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Aimed at four to 11-year-olds, the theme is inspired by the much-loved children’s title Beano, which celebrates its 80th anniversary.

The Challenge requires youngsters to borrow and read any six library books over the summer.

Children can sign up for the scheme at their local library, where they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their reading journey.

As children read at least six library books over the summer, they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells. By adding these stickers to their map, young readers will help Dennis, Gnasher and friends solve clues and discover the treasure.

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Challenge: Cllr John Cottee, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities and Place committee is taking part in the summer scheme

Children choose the books they want to read on their challenge – as long as they are borrowed from the library, all reading counts.

There’s a certificate and medal for every child who completes the challenge by reading the six books.



Last year in Nottinghamshire 9,732 children took part in the scheme.

Peter Gaw is chief executive for Inspire, who run librieries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. He said he hoped lots of children across the borough would get involved in this year’s challenge.

He said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great scheme to encourage children to keep up the reading habit over the summer, with research showing it can help prevent the ‘dip’ in reading that can occur over the long break.  We also know from the feedback we receive each year from children and families that the challenge can inspire and enhance a love of reading which can support children through their school years and beyond.”

Councillor John Cottee, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities and Place committee has joined in this year’s challenge by pledging to read six library books himself.

He said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a great way to encourage youngsters to read from an early age.

“I’m sure this year’s Beano theme will capture the imagination and I hope that local young people will be making full use of their local libraries by borrowing and reading six books over the summer holidays as I have pledged to do.”

Mischief Makers will be running in all Inspire libraries from 14 July – 9 September. www.inspireculture.org.uk/summerreadingchallenge

Eviction notice served after travellers set up camp on Colwick Recreation Ground

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An eviction notice has been served on travellers who have set up an illegal encampment in Colwick.

The group has been asked to leave Colwick Recreation Ground by Gedling Borough Council – or enforcement action will be taken.

A hearing us currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 31 at 10am.

A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “We have served eviction notices on the occupiers. We are reviewing the situation on an hour by hour basis, we’ve increased our warden patrols in the area and are working with the Police to increase our presence around the site.


They added: “We want to reassure residents that we are moving as swiftly as the legal process allows to remove the occupiers from the site. We like to thank residents for their patience whilst we continue to make every effort to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, contacted Gedling Eye and said they thought a permanent site should be set up in the area to accommodate the camp in future years.

They said: “This group visit every year. Why not set up somewhere proper for them to go around here instead of this group and the locals being upset each year when an illegal camp is established.”

Gedling Borough Council appoints Karen Bradford as new chief executive

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A new chief executive has been appointed at Gedling Borough Council.

Karen Bradford, who is currently the deputy chief executive and monitoring officer at North Kesteven District Council, will become the first female chief executive at Gedling Borough Council since it was created in 1974.

She was born in Netherfield and lived in the borough for 30 years, attending Carlton Le Willows School and starting her career at Nottingham City Council.

Karen was selected from a long list of 26 applicants, shortlisted down to six candidates who were all rigorously tested over the two days.

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said:“Karen’s strong track record in local government, her range of experience and skills, along with her clear passion for Gedling as a place and community made her the stand out candidate to be our new Chief Executive.

“Karen will bring a real passion, energy and drive to the role of Chief Executive and will contribute significantly to helping us continue to serve people and improve lives in challenging times.”

PICTURED: Karen Bradford

Karen Bradford said: “I am delighted to take up this position with Gedling Borough Council and look forward to being able to join the team in the autumn, focused on building financial stability, investing in services and exploring opportunities for economic development.


“I am honoured to be able to lead the Gedling team in delivering The Gedling Plan for the future growth and prosperity of the borough and its communities.”

Leader of North Kesteven District Council, Cllr Richard Wright, said:

“Our loss is Gedling’s gain and we wish Karen all the best in her new role. It is a fantastic opportunity for her, and we are confident that Gedling will benefit greatly from her leadership, drive and enthusiasm.

“Here in North Kesteven she has had a significant impact in leading an extensive and transformative investment across our leisure and cultural services, and in the sphere of economic development, guided by her passion for community engagement and her inestimable personal skills; collaborating with partners to deliver the highest quality services whilst achieving best value for all.”

Karen’s appointment will now be subject to Full Council approval on August 8. It’s expected that Karen will join Gedling Borough Council at the start of November.

Councillors approve plans to build 7,250 new homes in Gedling borough

A total of 7,250 new homes will now be built across Gedling borough over the next decade after councillors voted to adopt the council’s Local Planning Document.

The plan sets out the future development of the borough and was drawn up by Gedling Borough Council in consultation with members of the community.

At Full Council, Councillors voted unanimously in favour to adopt the Local Planning Document and make it the council’s policy document for future development.

The Local Planning Document is a 200-page planning policy document and together with the Aligned Core Strategy will guide development in Gedling Borough up to 2028.

The document sets out several planning policies including, site selection, urban regeneration, types of housing to be built, economic development opportunities and infrastructure requirements.

It includes details of proposed sites to accommodate 7,250 homes around the borough to be built by 2028, although over half of these have already been built or granted planning permission.

It details plans for sites allocated for new homes that maximises the development on brownfield sites and minimises the release of green belt, with over 75% of the housing provision within or next to urban areas.

It also sets out a strategy for improved sustainable development that recognises the need for regeneration in areas where brownfield sites are available such as on the former Gedling Colliery/Chase Farm where 1,050 houses have been allocated.


The Local Planning Document contains 71 policies covering a wide range of issues such as climate change, flood risk and water management, environmental protection, retail and community facilities, protecting garden land and transport.

There are policies that set out how land will be used to secure a mix of housing to reflect the housing needs and demographic of areas across the borough, including smaller housing and specialist housing for the elderly in certain towns and villages.

The Local Planning Document also protects land from development. The council say it will ensure there is a five-year supply of land which will help reduce proposals for development in inappropriate locations. The site selection process for allocating land for development has taken into account the impact on heritage and landscape and protects those areas from development.

The document was supported by the Local Plan Inspector, subject to main modifications, who concluded that it provided an appropriate basis for the planning of the borough.

The Inspector also commented that the consultation process, during which the council received over 2,000 comments, had exceeded the standards normally required.

Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Growth & Regeneration said:“The Local Planning Document addresses the key planning issues in Gedling Borough and sets out a clear and locally distinctive vision for the future development of the borough.

“With the Local Plan in place we will be able to provide certainty for investors, co-ordinate the delivery of infrastructure and seek funding to support infrastructure and growth. It will allow us to provide much needed new homes, encourage economic growth and support regeneration.”

Calverton couple treated to vivid hair makeover for wedding anniversary

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A Calverton couple have celebrated their first wedding anniversary with a vivid hair makeover at an Arnold salon.

Rachel (49) a psychotherapist, and Pippa (52) a publisher, writer and bookseller, wanted to mark their first wedding anniversary by re-creating the bright colours they’d had in their hair for the big occasion in 2017.

The couple were completely transformed at KH Hair in Arnold by stylists, Louise Wagstaffe and Mollie Howell,

“We had to go up to Sheffield to have our hair coloured for the wedding as no one in Nottingham did the bright colours we wanted.” said Rachel.

“We were really happy when Louise and Mollie showed us their new range; it was exactly what we were looking for.

I wear a lot of purples and pinks,” she added, “so it was easy to choose my three shades. Pippa was really drawn to the bright blue and ultra-violet which look so vibrant together.”

Rachel and Pippa, who originally met through the Nottingham Writers’ Studio, say they’ve had nothing but positive remarks about their new look. “Everybody has been really complimentary.” said Rachel, “and we’re thrilled with our chosen colours.”


Stylist Louise said the salon’s new Colour Fresh Create range is extremely popular with all ages.

DELIGHTED: Pippa and Rachel were given a vivid hair makeover at KH Hair in Arnold to celebrate their first wedding anniversary

She said: “To be honest, we thought just young people would go for it, however, people of all ages are loving it which is really great.”

“We had a fabulous time in the salon.” said Rachel.

“Louise and Mollie really spoiled us and we felt very well looked after. It was a great atmosphere on the day as a group of girls were there having their hair done for a prom that evening so were all very excited. Our thanks go to the team for a really lovely day.”

Carlton student secures place at London School of Fashion

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A student from Carlton has secured a place at the world-renowned London School of Fashion

18-year-old Elliot Prince recently completed his Level 3 Fashion Design course at Nottingham College – and he’s encouraging other male students to consider fashion design as a career.

Elliot will be studying on the prestigious Cordwainers footwear: product design and innovation degree course.

Elliot secured the place after successfully completing a fashion course at Nottingham College.

Elliot said: “I’d one hundred percent recommend the course, and I’ve already mentioned it to people. Not a lot of lads do fashion design, but it’s definitely something they can do.

“I’d encourage other lads by saying that if you like clothes then you’ll love it when you can make your own.

ON SHOW: Carlton fashion student Elliot Prince takes to the catwalk to show off his latest designs

“I actually feel pretty confident about going to study in London because the skills I’ve learnt here have been pretty amazing, from pattern cutting and sewing machine skills to illustration.”


Elliot showcased his final design pieces at the Nottingham College end of year catwalk fashion shows in June.

He said: “For my two final outfits, I created my own brief based on something I’d like to find out more about. My design inspiration came from an exhibition I saw at the Tate gallery in London. It was called Red Star over Russia and so it’s about the military and communism.

“The title of my work is ‘Suspect Revolution’ and it’s based on what’s been happening over the last two years – on events worldwide, and the fact that some people are suspicious of what’s going on in the world. So, my designs are a bit like trying to disguise yourself in everyday life, the idea of not being a suspect. There is also a military influence, for example in the holster and pouch design.”



New heritage nature trail comes to Gedling Country Park

A new heritage nature trail will be officially opened at Gedling Country Park this Thursday (July 26).

The new trail features eight 3ft wooden sculptures of the wildlife found across Gedling Country Park – a heron, badger, hedgehog, fox, rabbit, mole, pipistrelle bat and a green woodpecker.

Each carving will have information signs with facts about each animal set at wheelchair friendly height and interactive ‘rubbing plaques’ where children, using crayons, can create animal impressions in their booklets. The booklets will be available from Café 1899, along with crayons.

The trail follows the ‘High Hazels’ accessible footpath, which is a 1.4km (0.87miles) wheelchair and pushchair friendly circular route.

PICTURED: An example of a sculpture set to appear on a new heritage nature trail in Gedling Country Park
Gedling_Country_Park_Heritage_Trail
PICTURED: (from l to r) Members of the Friends of Gedling County Park group, Councillor Sandra Barnes; Portfolio holder for Community Development Councillor, Gary Gregory; The artist Peter Leadbeater, Portfolio Holder for Environment Councillor, Peter Barnes and local children.

The Friends of Gedling Country Park and Gedling Borough Council jointly commissioned the trail. Also part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which is money generated by players of the National Lottery, the trail is part of a wider £74,000 HLF grant to explore and celebrate Gedling’s heritage.  In addition, the trail has received financial support from Co-op Gedling’s community fund.


Attending the opening will be the artist, Peter Leadbeater, who designed and created the sculptures.  Local councillors and children will also be attending the opening to try out the new trail on the first official day of the summer holidays.

Portfolio holder for Environment, Cllr Peter Barnes, said: “The heritage nature trail is fantastic. The walk, the sculptures and the booklets will be great for children to enjoy over the summer holidays and beyond.

“I’d like to thank the Friends of Gedling Country Park, the artist Peter Leadbeater and all who have all been involved in making this wonderful interactive nature trail.”

Sarah Benedek, fundraiser for Friends of Gedling Country Park, said: “This nature trail is something we’d hoped to develop since the park opened.

“As well as offering an additional activity for local children and visiting school trips, it has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. This will complement the existing DDA compliant equipment in the children’s play area and the Changing Places toilet to make Gedling Country Park one of the most accessible destinations for wheelchair users in the Midlands”

Kay Cutts: ‘Super council’ plans could save £30m a year

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Nottinghamshire County Council is developing a business case for replacing the current two-tier system of local government in the county with one new Council, responsible for providing all services.

Under current arrangements, your local district or borough council provides services such as council housing, bin collections and leisure, adding up to £83m (9%) of council services in your area, while the County Council delivers the ‘big ticket’ services like adult and children’s social care, schools and highways, worth a total of more than £888m (91%).

The seven district / borough councils and Nottinghamshire County Council all have elected councillors and senior management teams, chief executives and back office functions to ensure they run smoothly – but this means you are effectively paying twice for people to do a similar job for you.

And people are often left fed-up at being passed from authority to authority and frustrated by the lack of joined-up thinking – a consequence of the current system, no matter how closely the two tiers of local government try to work together.

There is a better way.

A unitary council for Nottinghamshire would enable us to pool resources and bring together best practice from existing councils. You would still have local councillors to represent you, locally-based services and local people delivering them – just as you do now.

But it would mean better services being provided consistently across our whole area and an end to the disparity in the type and quality of services you receive, depending on where you live.

Having bin collections and waste disposal working as one, for instance, would bring obvious improvements to the service you get, as would closer working between social care, housing and benefits.

By doing away with unnecessary duplication, we estimate that we could save up to £30 million in annual running costs and bureaucracy without impacting frontline services.

Government Revenue Support Grant funding to the County Council has fallen by almost £100 million, from £122.1 million to £22.6 million over the past five years and will disappear altogether by 2020, leaving a projected budget deficit of £55 million over the next three years.

The savings achievable from forming a unitary authority would make a huge difference in protecting services and ensuring a secure future for local government in this county. It’s in all our best interests to make savings in this way, as opposed to cuts, closures and council tax increases which will happen without fundamental change.

My own position – and the County Council as we know it – would be dissolved under these proposals, so I certainly cannot be accused of acting out of self-interest or of wanting to seize control.

In fact, my support for a unitary council is borne out of my passion for delivering good quality, value-for-money services to Nottinghamshire residents. Local people would decide who is in charge of the new authority through the ballot box.

There are numerous good examples of how unitary councils are working well throughout the country.

The business case we are working up will provide much more clarity about how this system could work for the people of Nottinghamshire. I look forward to sharing this with you and hearing your views when it is fully developed.

Appeal after suspected hit and run in Daybrook

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POLICE investigating a suspected hit and run in Daybrook are appealing to the public for information.

Officers are appealing for information after a man was hit by a car, believed to be a black ford focus, on Wednesday (July 18).

The 22-year-old was hit at around 5pm in Mansfield Road.

A police spokesman said: “Were you in the area at the time? Do you have any dash-cam footage? If you have any information, please call us”

  • If you have information you can contact police on on 101, quoting incident number 751 of 18 July 2018.