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Borough residents urged to join community volunteer day in Arnold park next month

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People in the borough are being asked to ‘muck in’ for a community volunteer day taking place in Arnold next month.

Gedling Borough Council and the Arnold branch of McDonalds have teamed up to stage what they hope could be the biggest environmental volunteer day the Borough has ever seen. 

On Wednesday, November 8, between 10am and 3pm, volunteers from across the borough can join the teams from Gedling Borough Council and McDonalds in clearing fallen leaf waste from Arnot Hill Park ready for the annual remembrance service the following weekend.

People are being asked to meet in Arnold McDonalds at 9:30am for tea and coffee before heading into the park at 10am.

Volunteers are encouraged to give the time that they can, even if it is just one hour.

Tools for the event are kindly being provided by the Frank Key Group.

Adam Hales is an urban park ranger for Gedling Borough Council who is helping to organise the event.

He said: “It looks set to be a great community focused day, so why not come along and meet some of the people who live and work in your local area.”

Volunteers should wear suitable clothes for working outdoors, suitable footwear and gloves. 

Secondary school place reminder to borough parents

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Parents of pupils in who are due to start secondary school in Gedling borough next year are being reminded they just over a week left to apply online for a place.

The application process for children transferring from primary schools to secondary schools in September 2018 closes at midnight on Tuesday, October 31 (Halloween).

Parents in Gedling borough will need to apply through Nottinghamshire County Council, even if they wish to apply for schools in other areas such as Nottingham City or Derbyshire.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s service director for education, learning and skills, Marion Clay, said: “Applying within the deadline is key. The good news is that last year 98% of families who applied for a secondary school place on time were offered one of their preferred schools.

“If a child started in Year 6 at primary school this term, parents need to apply for a place at secondary school for next September by the end of this month.”

The importance of applying on time cannot be stressed enough and failure to do so could severely restrict a parent’s chances of their child getting a place at one their preferred schools.

If parents miss the October 31 deadline, their application will only be processed after all the on-time applications. Parents should be aware that, by that time, the schools they would really like their child to attend might all be full. In that case the county council will make an alternative offer of a place at a school which could be at a distance from their home address.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online at
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions

When making an application parents are also strongly advised to:

1) Use all of your preferences – parents should make sure that they use all four of their preferences rather than just making one preference and limiting their options. This way they are more likely to be offered a place at a school they are happy for their child to attend

2) Check the admission oversubscription criteria – parents are urged to include at least one school within the four preferences where their child will have high priority within the school’s admission oversubscription criteria and is therefore most likely to get a place. Information about the criteria can be found on the Council’s website.

The previous priority given to children living out of catchment who have a sibling connection has been reinstated in relation to 2018/19 admissions for schools where the County Council is the admissions authority.

However, academies are able to set their own admission oversubscription criteria and parents are advised to check these carefully as they can differ from school to school. They should also note that there are only two schools in the county where the Council is currently the admissions authority and these are in the process of converting to academy status

3) Include other relevant information – in the application, parents also need to make sure they mention any information that is relevant to their application which may affect how the admission oversubscription criteria are applied.  They should also tell the Council if they are moving house as this may affect how their application is considered.  It is important to read the relevant sections in Admissions to schools: Guide for parents 2018-2019

4) Schools with an intake in Year 10 – children due to move into Year 10 in September 2018 may also wish to consider other opportunities for education.  University technical colleges and studio schools have an intake at Year 10.  Children living in Nottinghamshire will have received a letter informing them of schools within a reasonable travelling distance of the local authority area and how to apply

Over 70% of those 168 parents who didn’t get one of their preferred schools for September 2017 had made only one preference.

Secondary school offers will be made on Thursday 1 March 2018 by email to those who apply online. Parents and carers who apply by post will be sent notification by second class post that day.

For more information about the application process, schools, the number of places available or how places are allocated, please visit the website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions  or call 0300 500 80 80.
ENDS

iPhone users in borough warned over Apple ID phishing scam

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iPhone users in Gedling borough are being warned of a new phishing scam that tricks them into handing out their Apple ID.

The attack works by hiding a malicious fake ID login within apps which will pop-up in the hope users will enter their passwords.

The fake form appears almost identical to the original Apple users are familiar with

If the user is fooled, their full Apple ID and passwords could end up in the hands of hackers who could then access personal account information including, name, address and credit card details.

Even Apple iOS code researcher Felix Krause has demonstrated just how simple it is to create a fake login form and steal personal details.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: The original and scam pop-up iTunes ID prompt (Source:

In a blog post Mr Krause wrote: “Users are trained to just enter their Apple ID password whenever iOS prompts you to do so.

“Those pop-ups are not only shown on the lock screen, and the home screen, but also inside random apps.

“Even users who know a lot about technology have a hard time detecting that those alerts are phishing attacks.”

 

In the blog post he also urged users to be cautious

He wrote: “If you’re left feeling unsure as to which pop-ups are real and which are fake, simply avoid them all together and enter your Apple ID login details via settings instead.

Mr Krause also said if you hit the home button and the login box closes the app, and with it the dialog, then it was likely a phishing attack.

Police warning after distraction burglaries in Lowdham

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Elderly and vulnerable residents in Lowdham are being warned to be vigilant after a spate of distraction burglaries in the area.

There have been five distraction burglaries across Nottinghamshire between October 14 and 18 – including Lowdham.

Previously, there had been only one since the start of September.

Elderly residents in Ollerton, Forest Town, Mansfield and Cotgrave were also targeted.

On each occasion, burglars claimed to be doing official work in the area before they or an accomplice steal from the homes.

The offenders claim to be from the council or water board, doing gardening or guttering work, or even checking homes following a gas explosion.

Detective Inspector Pam Dowson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our message is simple – if you are not expecting someone coming to your home, don’t answer the door. Official callers will always make an appointment in advance.

“Unfortunately these unscrupulous people tend to prey on the most vulnerable people.”

Anyone who sees anything suspicious should call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

Labour holds on to Bestwood seat in city council by-election

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Georgia Power has ensured Labour hold on to their Bestwood ward seat after victory in yesterday’s city council by-election.

Power was elected as the ward’s new city councillor after securing 1280 votes; UKIP candidate Francesco Lari came second with 301 votes.

The by-election was held after Labour councillor for Bestwood, Mick Wildgust, announced in September he would be stepping down due to ill health.

The result in full:

Georgia Emily Power (Labour) – 1280 – ELECTED

Francesco Lari (UKIP) – 301

William Raymond Scott (Conservative) – 297

Christina Morgan-Danvers (Liberal Democrat) – 57

Liam Elliott McClelland (Green) – 50

David Laurence Bishop (Bus-Pass Elvis Party) – 34

Electorate – 12,475

Turnout – 16.27%

Firework safety warning to borough shopkeepers

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Trading Standards are set to clamp down on shops in the borough that do not safely store and sell fireworks in the run-up to Bonfire night (Sunday, November 5).

The warning was issued by Cllr Gordon Wheeler, Vice-Chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community and Place Committee, who said that shops need to ensure they meet regulations.

He said: “We will be carrying out inspections of smaller independent shops along with premises where there have been issues identified on previous inspections.

“All shops selling fireworks are required to meet the Explosives Regulations (2014) relating to the storage and sale of fireworks.

“Our officers will be checking that fireworks are being stored safely and away from combustible materials and other potential sources of ignition, and ensuring traders understand the current age restrictions applied to the sale of fireworks and sparklers.

“We would also like to remind local residents to follow carefully the instructions for storing and using the fireworks correctly, and encourage them to use ‘Category 2’ fireworks designed for gardens rather than ‘Category 3’ fireworks, which are more appropriate for organised displays.”

  • Residents who have concerns on particular products or to receive consumer advice should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.

Young boxer wins debut fight for Arnold club

A young boxer proved he definitely belongs in the boxing ring after winning his debut fight for Arnold School of Boxing.

The club’s junior boxer Zahraan Asif Suleman secured a win on his debut during a competition in Forest Town.

Zahraan,16, from Radford took on Mackenzie Eascott of Forest Town Bulls. Mackenzie came out flying in the first round forcing Zahraan onto the back foot.

But in second and third round Zahraan stuck to his boxing catching Eascott with some eye-catching straight shots. Zahraan was declared the winner on a points decision.

There was disappointment for young 11-year-old boxer Joel Severn, from Arnold. Joel started slow in the first round but really picked up the pace in the second and third rounds using his long jab to great effect. Judges awarded the other boxer the spilt decision points win, much to the disappointment of Joel’s coaches who believed the youngster did enough for the win.

Also making his debut in a skills contest was 11-year-old Miles Louttit from Bestwood Park. He took part in a skills bout where there is no winner or runner up. Miles, who hasn’t been boxing long, showed great heart and determination against a taller boxer. Miles will have learned a lot by taking part in this contest and will move on to his next contest soon.

Liam Mcphilbin,10, from Bulwell took part in his third skills bout and showed great improvement.  Young Liam showed what great boxing ability and skills he has against another very talented boxer, Max Reeves from Langwith ABC

Nobody doughs it better than Sherwood bakery

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An artisan bakery in Sherwood is today celebrating after walking away with gold at the prestigious World Bread Awards.

The Bakehouse’s garlic and herb sourdough bread was awarded a gold certificate during the ceremony in London on Tuesday night.

They also were awarded with  Bronze overall in the Wholegrain category, a silver certificate for their wholemeal and large farmhouse white; and bronze for their Bakehouse multiseed.

The Bakehouse is the first Nottinghamshire bakery to have made the winners’ final event since the awards’ inception in 2013.

In addition, the bakery secured award certificates for all four of its entries: gold for its garlic and herb sourdough; silver for its wholemeal and large farmhouse white; and bronze for its Bakehouse multiseed.

Owner Craig Poynter said: “The World Bread Awards celebrate the very best of traditional breadmaking, and we are delighted to have secured such a high number of accolades at this prestigious awards.

“To reach the winners’ final was unprecedented, and to then also receive award certificates for every loaf we entered is truly special.

“We’d like to thank our outstanding team who have helped us achieve so much in what is only our first year, and look forward to building on this success into 2018 and beyond.”

For further information or bookings please visit www.facebook.com/thebakehousenotts or www.twitter.com/bakehouseNotts , or call 0115 956 9430.

Multiple vehicles ‘keyed’ in Woodthorpe street

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A number of vehicles on a Woodthorpe street have been ‘keyed’ during a vandalism spree.

Cars were targeted on Coronation Road on Tuesday (17) evening and officers believe the incident took place between 8pm and 8.30pm

INCIDENT: Cars were reportedly damaged on Coronation Road in Woodthorpe

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “A number of vehicles have been damaged on Coronation Road and it appears that numerous vehicles have been keyed along this road between these times.

“Did you witness the criminal damage being committed? If you can help us with this investigation, please call 101 quoting incident 113 of 17th October.”

New state-of-the-art disabled facilities installed at Gedling Country Park

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New facilities have been installed at a country park to help it better cater for people with disabilities. 

A special toilet and new changing facilities were this week opened at Gedling Country Park to make it a fully accessible for people with severe disabilities.

The newly installed Changing Places toilet is the first of its kind in the borough, and one of only 1,000 across the country. It will meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis who often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.

The facilities next to the newly opened Café 1899 were built by G F Tomlinson and will include height adjustable changing benches, a tracking hoist system, space for disabled people and carers, a central toilet and a non-slip floor. Access to the facilities will be available with a radar key.

The installation is part of a wider ranging promise made by the council to make the destination country park accessible to all. The pathways around the 200 acre site are compliant with legal requirements for the disabled which includes wide pathways for wheelchairs, easy access including ramps and radar key doors, disabled parking bays and the children’s play area was also designed to ensure children with disabilities can enjoy the park too.

Craig Stopper, Framework Manager at G F Tomlinson said “This has been a project that the team at G F Tomlinson has been proud to have delivered. Every aspect of this new centre has been created with inclusivity in mind and with the aim to bring everyone in the community together. Specialist facilities like these will have a positive impact on the lives of the people who use them and I’m confident will be used for years to come.”

Leader of the Council, Councillor John Clarke said “When we initially designed the new visitor centre and café it was of vital importance that we provide facilities for the disabled and the Changing Places toilet is an excellent facility and the only one of its kind in the borough. This alongside the other things we’ve done makes this park a truly accessible park that is open and available for everyone to enjoy.”