The Sherwood April 2017 by Chloe Bowers

April 2017

Olly Murs to play at Sherwood Pines Forest in the summer DUE TO phenomenal demand for tickets, Olly Murs has added an extra date as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series organised by the Forestry Commission, playing Sherwood Pines Forest in June. Last year saw Olly Murs celebrate his fourth consecutive Number One album 24 HRS, making him the most successful solo artist ever to come from the X Factor. Since he shot to fame in 2009, Olly has recorded four multi-platinum albums and produced four Number One singles with total record sales exceeding ten million. 24 HRS is the follow up to the acclaimed million selling Never Been Better. (Continued on page 17)

Pikes, plunder and mayhem return to Newark for major civil war festival OVER 300 civil war re-enactors will descend on Newark, Nottinghamshire, during early May Bank Holiday as the clock is turned back to the mid-17th Century. The National Civil War Centre has confirmed that the 3rd Pikes and Plunder annual civil war festival will take place on 30 April and 1 May, 2017. So far 14 regiments have signed up to take part, along with two artillery compa-

nies, a baggage train and scores of living history exponents, making it a much bigger event than last year. The historic Queen's Sconce fort â&#x20AC;&#x201C; built in 1644 - will be the stunning venue for musket fire and fighting, whilst Newark Castle hosts major living history displays, recreating the dark days when the besieged citizens of Newark struggled to cope with food shortages.

News & Information Page 3 & 5 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Page 17 & 19 Rainworth Local News Page 23 Blidworth Local News Page 25 Edwinstowe, Bilsthorpe & Farnsfield Local News Page 27 Ravenshead Local News Page 29 Sport Page 32

The National Civil War Centre will also stage exciting demonstrations to bring the period vividly back to life. (Continued on page 21)

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News & Information Local Libaries Bilsthorpe Libary Libary 01623 Bilsthorpe 01623 870216 870216 Wednesday 9.30am Wednesday 9.30am -- 1.00pm 1.00pm Friday 1.30pm Friday 1.30pm -- 5.00pm 5.00pm Saturday 9.30am Saturday 9.30am -- 1.00pm 1.00pm Blidworth Libary Libary 01623 Blidworth 01623 793775 793775 Monday 9.00am -- 12.30pm Monday 9.00am 12.30pm Wednesday 2.00pm Wednesday 2.00pm -- 6.00pm 6.00pm Friday 9.00am -- 12.30pm Friday 9.00am 12.30pm Saturday 9.00am 9.00am -- 12.30pm Saturday 12.30pm Farnsfield Libary 01623 883917 Farnsfield Libary 01623 883917 Monday 9.00am - 12.30pm Monday 9.00am - 12.30pm Wednesday 9.00am - 12.30pm Wednesday 9.00am - 12.30pm Friday 2.00pm - 6.00pm Friday 2.00pm - 6.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm Rainworth Libary 01623 791038 Rainworth Libary 01623 791038 Tuesday 9.00am - 1.30pm Tuesday 9.00am - 1.30pm Friday 1.00pm - 5.00pm Friday 1.00pm - 5.00pm Ravenshead Libary 01623 794634 Ravenshead Libary 01623 Tuesday 9.00am - 12.30pm 1.30pm 794634 6.00pm Tuesday 9.00am - 12.30pm Thursday 9.00am - 12.30pm 1.30pm 1.30pm 6.00pm6.00pm Friday 9.00am - 12.30pm 1.30pm Thursday- 9.00am 5.30pm - 12.30pm 1.30pm Saturday 9.00am- - 12.30pm 6.00pm Friday 9.00am - 12.30pm 1.30pm - 5.30pm Saturday 9.00am - 12.30pm

Send your news and photos to chloe@news-journal.co.uk

Local Contacts Rainworth Health Centre 01623 794293, Warsop Lane Dentist 01623 798611 AMG Surgery 01623 695461, 59 Mansfield Rd Ravenshead Surgery 01623 795461, 30 Longdale Ave Joseph Whitaker School 01623 792327

Late Night Chemists Boots - St Peters Retail Park Station Street, Mansfield NG18 1BE 01623 653 926 Opening Times Mon - Sat 9:00 - 00:00 Orchard Pharmacy - Orchard Medical Practice, Stockwell Gate, Mansfield, Notts NG18 5GG - 01623 656586 Opening Times Mon - Fri 7:00 - 23:00 Sat 9:00 -23:00 Sun 10:00 - 16:00 Asda Pharmacy, Priestic road, Sutton in Ashfield Notts NG17 2AH – 01623 516222. Opening times mon 8:00 – 23:00 Tue, Thur, Fri 7:00 – 23:00 Wed: 8:00 – 22:00 Sat: 7:00 – 22:00 Sun: 10:00 – 16:00

Abbey Medical Group Giving patients a voice AS THINGS change in health and care nationally, locally and within our GP surgeries, it becomes so important to involve patients and carers in improving our services. Who better to speak out for what is needed by patients than those who use the practice? We are fortunate that our health team want to work with us to deliver the best possible care. Following our successful open evening, we now have some new members and are still keen to attract more. We also have a monthly Memory Group for people living with Dementia and their carers on the first Wednesday of the month at 2.30 in Blidworth Library. Our members are involved in discussions about the wider transformation plans that are being developed across Nottinghamshire. We run information sessions throughout the year focussing on a range of conditions and supporting people to improve their own health and wellbeing. A Community Cancer Pop-up Centre will take place on Saturday, 13th May from 1012 in Blidworth Library. These information and support sessions will take place monthly. Please come along. Did you know you can register to book

and cancel routine appointments and order repeat prescriptions on-line by taking your photo identification to the Reception desk? Some national health awareness events are taking place in April: Bowel Cancer Awareness – Bowel Cancer UK 10-16th Parkinson’s Awareness Week 28th On Your Feet Britain – fun events to encourage us to sit less and move more Want to know more? Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 18th May 2017 at 5.30pm at Blidworth Surgery. For an informal chat to find out how you can get involved contact: Kath on 01623 792388 or Gilly on 01623 797138 or Rick Gooch, practice manager on 01623 795461 Visit www.blidworthandravensheadsur gery.co.uk

Sainsburys Pharmacy Nottingham road, Mansfield NG18 1BW 01623 557144 Mon – Sat: 8:00 – 22:00 Sun: 10:00 – 16:00 Rosemary St Pharmacy Rosemary street Mansfield, Notts, NG19 6AB 01623 622413 Mon- Fri 7:30 – 22:00 Sat:8:0022:00 Sun 8:30-22:00

Useful Contacts Domestic Violence Helpline 08082000247 Frank 0800776600 Shelter 08088004444 Newark & Sherwood Homes 01623 860740 N&S District Council 01636650000 Mansfield District Council 01623 463463 Notts County Council 08449808080

Methodist Church services

Blidworth 10.30am 3rd Sunday All Age Service, 3th Sunday Holy Communion Rainworth 10.30am 1st Sunday All Age Service, 3rd Sunday Covenant & Holy Communion Farnsfield 10.15am 4th Sunday Holy Communion Bilsthorpe 10.30am 2nd Sunday All Age Service, 4th Sunday Holy Communion Evening Services Blidworth No evening services in February Rainworth No evening services in February Farnsfield 2nd Sunday 6pm Bilsthorpe No evening services in February Blidworth Midweek – Tuesday 21st February 11.30am – 12noon followed by Soup Lunch.

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News & Information

Working on the issues that matter I MET recently with INEOS who are one of the companies involved in exploring areas around Notts for shale gas. A number of residents have written to me on this issue, which can be emoMark Spencer MP tive, so I met them to get reassurances about the technology and any plans locally. I will, of course, be keeping in regular touch with them for regular updates. It's worth knowing that whilst there are areas with exploration going on, there are no current plans or applications to do any fracking in my Sherwood constituency or in Sherwood Forest, where I know there have been rumours that have caused a particular concern. I worked with local residents in Bilsthorpe recently to clean up a local park, prior to the grand opening of their new play equipment. I was really pleased that loads of local

residents responded to my call for help, to get out and litter pick around the area and support their community. Just an hour’s work made the place look much brighter, so thank you to all those who came along. I’ve also been to visit a Community Pharmacy in Blidworth, to find out more about the work they do and the potential of pharmacies like this. You’ll have seen a lot of coverage over the winter as always about trying to educate everyone on what services are available for

THE Abbey Medical Group is the GP Practice that covers primarily the areas of Blidworth and Ravenshead . The practice is totally committed to delivering the highest quality of patient care at all times. I would like to take this opportunity to update our communities on practice matters. First of all the practice wishes to extend a heartfelt apology for any frustration caused over the past few weeks in respect of our telephony services. The practice also wants to say a big thank you for the understanding that the community has shown during the recent difficulties with the telephone system. As many of The Sherwood’s readers will be aware there have been occasions when our patients have found it difficult to contact the surgery by telephone. The reason for this difficulty was out of the control of the practice. There was a technical issue that our telephony provider needed to investigate in order to identify the root cause. This investigation has been difficult and our patients have unfortunately encountered occasions when the practice telephone lines were either ringing out as engaged or placing patients in a queue and at ‘position 1’ cutting them off. I am pleased to announce that the technical issue which was affecting the surgery telephones has been corrected. I am assured by the telephony provider

that there should be no repeat of the faults that were being experienced. The practice is often criticised for the lack of appointment availability to see a clinician. We consistently review the appointment system and look to see patients at the earliest opportunity. However, there is a developing trend of patients booking appointments and then not attending the surgery. These missed appointments are commonly known as DNAs - Did Not Attend. In February 2017, over 53 hours of clinician time was lost owing to patients failing to attend for their appointment. In real terms this equates to 318 appointments that could have been offered to other patients. If you cannot make your appointment , please let us know so we can make good use of the appointment. Please note – Reminder Text Messages for appointments are no longer sent to patients. If you have signed up to receive text messages when booking an appointment, the system will generate one confirmation text only shortly after the appointment being made. Your support is sought on maximising attendance for your appointment is needed please. The practice offers several online services that include the booking of routine appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and

different illnesses and problems to prevent everyone queuing at GPs or A&E, and pharmacies can be an under-used resource. It was really interesting to heard directly from the pharmacists about their take on the issues, and to have a look around.

The Abbey Medical Group — Updates on practice matters

viewing of your Summary Care Record. The online services are safe and secure and are password protected. We are currently encouraging as many patients as possible to sign up for the online services we have available. To do so, please call in at either reception desk at Blidworth or Ravenshead along with some photo identification such as a current passport or drivers licence. The reception staff will enrol you for the online service and issue you with a password which you will be expected to change the first time you log in. In the near future, we will be holding dedicated sessions for patients to attend either our Blidworth or Ravenshead site when one of our staff who is very experienced in many computer matters will be available to assist patients setting up the online services on their Ipad, Iphone or Android. These dates will be advertised in the near future on the website and in our waiting rooms. Use of the practice website is encouraged and can be found at www.blidworthandra vensheadsurgery.co.uk Thank you Rick Gooch Practice Manager Abbey Medical Group Telephone – Surgery 01623 795461

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Security & Safety

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Border Force counterfeits crackdown is under way at East Midlands Airport BORDER FORCE officers at East Midlands Airport have seized thousands of fake items during a recent crackdown on counterfeit goods entering the UK. More than 8100 items were seized over three days last week which, if genuine, would have an estimated retail value of more than £1 million. Officers seized sports footwear, including 280 pairs of fake Asics trainers and 850 pairs of fake Nike trainers worth about £28,000 and £85,000 respectively; make up, including 260 fake Urban Decay pallets worth approximately £7,800; and designer handbags including 189 fake Louis Vuitton bags worth around £151,200. Electrical items were also discovered, including 1,450 fake Samsung products (car chargers, USB leads and earpods) worth around £15,250 and 750 fake Beats headphones which would sell for about £75,000. Border Force officers carry out regular intensification exercises targeting known routes used by smugglers, which supplement checks that are carried out every day to prevent counterfeits entering the UK. Since last November, officers at East Midlands Airport have seized more than 114,000 items with an estimated retail value of more than £4.5 million. Paul Harper, Border Force assistant director at East Midlands Airport, said: “Border Force officers work every day of the year at ports and airports to stop counterfeit goods coming into the UK. “People may think that buying a cheap product from a website or market stall is harmless, but the fact is that money from the sale of counterfeits often goes to fund organised crime. “Anyone buying into this trade may be funding all sorts of illegal activities like drug smuggling, human trafficking, or child labour. “People should also think about their own safety – counterfeit electrical goods like phone chargers and hair straighteners undergo none of the safety testing of genuine products, making them potentially lethal. “Fake make-up can contain all sorts of nasty ingredients like arsenic, lead and cyanide. “The criminal gangs making huge profits from counterfeiting are organised and savvy — constantly developing new products which they know will sell. Border Force’s efforts to stop them will continue and I urge members of the public to think twice before buying products which put money into their pockets.”

Border Force links with a variety of partners, including Trading Standards and the Intellectual Property Office to take co-ordinated action against criminals who attempt to import counterfeits. Once items are seized, Border Force’s specialist international trade teams work with the owners of big brands to establish whether or not goods are genuine. “If they are fake, the goods are destroyed and the rights holders can then decide whether to privately prosecute the importers. Anyone who has been sold counterfeit goods or knows someone who is selling them should contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

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House & Home

Help your garden grow this spring with Taylor Wimpey’s top green-fingered tips IT IS the month to get organised if you’re planning to enjoy your outdoor space to the max this summer – but when it comes to the green-fingered business of gardening, it can be a daunting task to work out where to begin. Fortunately, leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, which is building new homes across the East Midlands region, is on hand with some helpful hints to get your growing year off to a great start! Don’t worry about those long-term jobs, like planting trees or shrubs – they’re best done in the autumn. Spring is all about making an impact this summer, whether you’re looking for lovely organic fruits or veggies, fragrant herbs or beautiful blooms. Rob Curry, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “With our experience helping people find the perfect property to suit their needs, we really understand how important gardens are for family life. “We’ve come up with some simple ideas to get people growing and really making the most of their outdoor space this year – the key is to get started in plenty of time so they can sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour this summer!” •Easy peasy veggies: Choose vegetables that are expensive in the shops, taste better when they’re squeaky-fresh, and are comparatively quick and easy to grow. Salad leaves, courgettes, runner beans and peas are good, while once you’ve had corn on the cob fresh from the garden, it will never taste the same from the supermarket again! •Fabulous flowers: Cornflowers, sweet peas, marigolds and nasturtiums are all

easy to grow from seed and can all be sown directly into pots or flower beds outdoors to add some colour to the garden within a few weeks. •Dates to meet: Once you’ve bought your seeds, check out the planting dates on the back of the packets and list them (a spreadsheet is ideal if you like that kind of thing!). Don’t leave it too late, otherwise your tomatoes – for example – won’t be ready to ripen in the hottest part of the year and you’ll end up with a crop of green tomatoes in the autumn instead. •The perfect plot: Some seeds need starting off on a sunny windowsill or green-

house, while others can be planted direct into a vegetable plot, flower bed or pot. The key thing is to provide your plants with good soil – remove weeds, add plenty of compost and dig it in well – in a spot which gets plenty of sunlight. Then you just have to keep it weed-free and water regularly! •Thyme for a change: Creating a herb garden is a simple project that can instantly transform a corner of your garden – and add flavour to your cooking too! Herb plants are often available on multi-buy offers and can be planted in a large pot or planter close to the back door for easy access whatever the weather. •Love your lawn: Mowing regularly keeps the lawn in good health, so once the weather warms up in early spring, you can start mowing. For the first mowing, set the cutting height to the highest setting and then for subsequent mowings, you can gradually lower it until your lawn is the height you want. When the soil is moist, you can also use a spring or summer lawn fertiliser – this will increase vigour and help prevent weeds and moss from establishing. Taylor Wimpey East Midlands offers a wide range of high-quality homes for sale at developments across Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Further information is available by calling 0116 2816470, or by visiting the website www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

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Local agent responds to Southwell’s new-found fame NOTTINGHAMSHIRE has made it back into The Times’ top places to live in the UK – analysing average house prices, local amenities and education statistics to compile a list of the best 142 towns, cities and villages. Amy Tillson, director and branch manager at Richard Watkinson & Partners’ Southwell office, is delighted that Southwell has reached national acclaim. “I’m so glad that Southwell has been nationally recognised for its natural beauty, fantastic local amenities and great opportunities,” said Amy, who has 18 years’ experience selling properties in the county. “The supplement has given special mention to our town’s own personality, the annual music festival, the beautiful Minster and the wealth of independent shops available. “It’s true that Southwell is more than just a hidden gem – a ‘sparkler’ as the article rightly suggests – with cafes, culture and a thriving business community to offer residents. “There is no doubt that the fantastic status of The Minster School also has a great deal to do with the town’s popularity - judged as ‘outstanding’ in 30 of the 31 judgments made in the latest OFSTED report. “Location-wise, buyers are often attracted to the town due to its proximity to Nottingham as well as fast links to the capital via

rail as Newark station is just 20 minutes away. “Being in the Midlands also offers buyers a lot better value for money in terms of homes compared to London. “Nottinghamshire has always been a region of strong investment in terms of properties and this trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing. “It’s a fantastic place to live and work and I hope that profiling what a fantastic place Southwell is will bring more investment into the town.

WHILE spring may have sprung in some parts of the country, older people are being urged to seek help to keep warm at home.

homes are being urged to reach out to their local handyperson to access free grants.

More than 1.14 million older people in England live in fuel poverty which can lead to worsening health, risk of injury, social isolation and even death.

Foundations Independent Living Trust (FILT) is raising awareness of the programmes it delivers via handyperson and home improvement agencies (HIA) in England.

“We’ve had a presence in the town since the early 1990s, with the business having started in Newark more than 25 years ago. Richard Watkinson & Partners is still a family run firm, which means that it fits right in within Southwell, which has a very tightknit, community feel to the town – another positive attribute assessed by The Times. “We’re incredibly proud to hear that Southwell has received this accolade and I look forward to seeing the town continue to thrive and prosper,” concluded Amy.

Get help to stay warm at home Foundations Independent Living Trust offers grants to older people and other vulnerable adults for vital home improvements that allow them to stay safe, well and warm in their own home. •2.4 million households (inc 1.14m older people) in England live in fuel poverty (1) •Estimated 43,900 excess winter deaths occurred in England & Wales in 2014/15 – majority of those aged 75+ (2) •Over 8,000 people in vulnerable households helped by FILT in 2015 Older people and vulnerable adults who are struggling to keep warm in their

FILT programmes fund life-changing interventions to make homes more energy efficient and/or easier to keep warm. Measures range from draught proofing and fitting reflector radiator panels to replacement of boilers and central heating systems. Sara McKee, chair of FILT, said: “Cold, damp and poorly insulated housing can lead to worsening health, risk of injury, social isolation and sadly death. “People don’t have to suffer in silence — there is support available to improve the warmth and safety of their homes.”

In 2015/16 the charity’s Warm at Home programme distributed £637,000 grants to 3,600 people across the country, helping them stay safe warm and well in their home and saving the NHS an estimated £2.4 million. People at risk of fuel poverty and who need help, should contact their local home improvement agency who can then apply for the funding on their behalf. To find your local HIA visit www. findmyhia.org.uk and use the searchable directory, or phone Foundations on 0300 124 0315.

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Is your stressful life making you SCREAM? SYMPTOMS of stress often build up gradually before you start noticing them. Stress can affect how you feel, how you think, how you behave and how your body works. It affects people in different ways but if you are stressed you may have some of the following symptoms. You may feel irritable, anxious, moody or overwhelmed? You may find that you worry constantly, always imagine the worst, and go over things again and again? Your behaviour may start to change and you may drink more, smoke more or start to smoke, feel guilty if you try to relax, become forgetful or clumsy, have temper outbursts, and struggle to focus or concentrate. Your body may also react and you can suffer headaches, muscle tension and pain, stomach problems, feeling dizzy, dry mouth, sweating, breathlessness and even

sexual problems? We always recommend you see a GP with any health issues of concern, but you can consider helping yourself too by eating healthier food and taking more exercise. There are many things you can do but have you considered using an

alternative therapy? Clem Turner runs a therapy practice in Sutton-in-Ashfield and at the Rosegarth Clinic in Mansfield. He and his wife Margaret have been specializing in anxiety and stress management for many years now. They have developed a five-week programme that has proved to be successful in helping people with stress and anxiety. Clem said: “Around 75% of clients who ask us for help are suffering from anxiety, stress or panic attacks. Our therapeutic methods help to calm a client’s anxiety levels and we also teach our clients coping skills so they can manage their stressful lives better.” If you would like to know more details or to book an appointment phone Clem or Margaret Turner 01623 556234 – or visit their website at www.clemturner.co.uk

up you A trip to London Make can wake up in Fashion Week TO KEEP myself up to date with the Spring/ Summer Fashion trends this year, earlier I attended the London Fashion Week event. It is the first time I have ever been to this event and I enjoyed every moment of it. When I arrived there, it was busy with loads of ladies taking selfie outside the doors. Upon entering the show, I found the rooms were buzzing with stands decked up with clothes, jewellery and accessories. I couldn’t wait to try some of these on as the

designs indeed looked different. Off to the Trend Show I went. I was sitting between all these stylish ladies for the show to start. I noticed that floral, ruffles and off-the-shoulder are very much in trend this season. Here are some photos of the designs that caught my eye. Show us your style if you are also wearing a design which is in trend this season. Send it to www.facebook.com/CrowdCapture/ Tarannum Shad

FOR most women in the UK, applying make-up in the morning is like getting dressed or having breakfast — it's just part of the normal routine. But what if you didn't have to spend a fortune on regularly buying beauty products or spend hours prettifying yourself? What if you woke up every day with your make-up looking as fresh as a character from TV? It may be possible, if you opt for semi-permanent make-up. One woman who investigated this area a few years ago and has since become an expert on it is Debra Robson-Lawrence. Based in Harley Street, Robson-Lawrence pioneered semi-permanent make-up over 20 years ago and is acknowledged as a leader in her field. She is sought out by everyone from actresses desiring high-definition perfection through to women who've lost their eyebrows through chemotherapy or alopecia and who want to look their confident best. So, what is semi-permanent make-up? The whole point is that it's subtle enough to make you simply look fresher and prettier, which is the main reason that it's good to visit a practitioner who really knows what they're doing. Semi-permanent make-up can be an option for a number of looks, including enhancing brows, contouring and defining lips or adding a flattering infusion of rosiness to lips that are grey or have a lifeless appearance. It can be used to successfully recreate the appearance of eyelashes. Robson-Lawrence has trademarked a micro-pigmentation technique called Fame (Facial Aesthetic Micro Enhancement), which is ultra-delicate. For more information visit www.permanent-makeup.com.

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Youth Zone

Send your news and photos to chloe@news-journal.co.uk

Aunty Mavis and the Woollilots AUNTY MAVIS was doing some spring cleaning and washing her bedding and towels and curtains. She was tidying things up too and she felt happy at clearing out clutter and preparing to take some things that she no longer needed, to the charity shop. It was as though she had been carrying an unnecessary weight and was gradually feeling lighter. The Woollilots were busy helping to dust and sweep around the house and put things in their proper place so that Aunty Mavis could find things easily. When she had finished, she had a nice cup of tea and then had a little nap and while she was snoozing she dreamed of hot cross buns. She awoke to the delicious aroma of

buns ... the Woolilots had been baking! 'Thank you so much,' said Aunty Mavis, you are all so kind. Now I can give my visitors a yummy bun when they come round on Friday because it will be Good Friday at the end of this week.' 'We've put a cross on every bun,' said the Woolilots as they gathered round Aunty Mavis to share stories of Jesus in the special week called Holy Week. When Friday came so did visitors and they all enjoyed the buns.' 'Choose a bun to put on one side,' said Little Angel. It has to be home baked.'

When the visitors had gone, Aunty Mavis picked out one to keep and put on the bookshelves. 'There was a man called William Skinner who owned a bakery in London' said Little Angel, 'and he saved a fresh baked hot cross bun many years ago in 1821 and put it on one side. It has been passed down through his family and to this day it has never gone mouldy and is as hard as rock.' 'I wonder if that will happen to the Woolilots' bun,' said Aunty Mavis. 'Keep it and see,' smiled Little Angel ........... more to follow next time! © Christine Michael

The Joseph Whitaker School’s young engineers — senior engineering champions! ON 16 MARCH, our young engineers picked up the top UK Senior Engineering Award 2017 at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham, following the fantastic success of their STEM Community Rocket Project. This is a prestigious national award and our youngsters fought off competition from around 500 other schools to clinch the top prize. Along with their ongoing project to smash the sound barrier with their rocket cars, the group have also developed and produced a Rocket Car Launch Kit for other schools and community groups to buy and develop. On top of this, they are working directly with other schools in Saturday workshops to develop STEM skills locally, using their expertise. Electronics teacher Phil Worsley – who has been nominated for the prestigious Clark Prize by the ERA Foundation – leads the group and is delighted with their

success.

“It’s unbelievable what this team has achieved,” he said. “We’ve been working collaboratively with the Bloodhound project to develop our own rocket cars, and now the Young Engineers have developed timing systems beyond what even Bloodhound are currently working with. We’ve even got the RAF interested in joining us. “Thanks to a £3000 grant from the Royal Society, we’ve been able to develop a ‘Rocket Community’ in the Midlands area and work towards our aim of smashing the sound barrier at Santa Pod this summer.” The MP for Sherwood, Mark Spencer, added: “It is amazing what they’ve done. “There are people who have worked in Science and Engineering for a lifetime, and haven’t achieved what this young team have done recently. “I’m enormously proud of what the Joseph

Whitaker School Young Engineers have achieved for Technology and Science on a national level.

“I follow the group on Twitter and will be watching closely to see what they can do in the summer.”

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What’s On

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Garden bird of the month IT IS quite easy to get rooks confused with carrion crows. So, how do you tell the difference between a carrion crow and a rook, especially when they are a similar size? The most noticeable feature of the rook is its bare whitish-grey face at the base of the long pointed bill. It has a more raggedy appearance than the carrion crow and it looks as if it is wearing baggy trousers. It is at this time of year they start visiting my garden. At one time I would hang out those cylindrical blocks of suet and this would entice birds such as starlings and various members of the tit family. One day, however, I noticed a new visitor, a much larger one who looked totally incongruous sat on top of the feeding pole and he was eyeing up the suet. It was a rook. Being an intelligent bird it did not take long for it to realise this large barrel of suet would make a fine meal and a few beakfuls later, the suet was a quarter of its original size.

As rooks are sociable birds, it brought its pals along and over the next two days they soon got through my suet barrels. I am not averse to having rooks in my garden, in fact I find it fascinating to watch them at such close quarters. I do, however, feel that I need to restrict the amount they eat; otherwise there will be nothing left for the smaller birds. To get over this problem, I now hang out suet pellets which so far seem to work. Rooks, however, are canny creatures and it may be only a matter of time before they find ways to get the pellets out of the feeder. Jean Powley Jean is a voluntary Ambassador for the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Garden BirdWatch scheme in Nottinghamshire. If you enjoy watching birds and other wildlife which visit your garden, Garden BirdWatch may be perfect for you. If you would like a free

information pack about the scheme, contact Jean at jpbirds@outlook.com

Olly Murs announces additional Forest Live concert date (Continued from Page 1 )

Olly welcomes Louisa Johnson as his special guest. She became The X Factor’s youngest-ever winner, features on Clean Bandit’s massive hit Tears and releases her debut album this year. Forest Live is an independent programme promoted by Forestry Commission England to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 16 year history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere. Before his summer tour, this Spring will see Olly play 23 UK shows including 3 O2’s and the opening night of the Teenage Cancer Trust shows, confirming his reputation as one of Britain’s very best live performers. Olly Murs + special guest Louisa Johnson play the following Forest Live dates: Friday 16 June: Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Glos. Friday 23 June: Sherwood Pines Forest,

near Mansfield, Notts – on sale Friday 3 March Friday 30 June: Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk. Tickets £42.50 (plus £4.75 booking fee) for the Sherwood Pines Forest show are on sale at the Forestry Commission box office tel: 03000 680400, or buy online at www. forestry.gov.uk/music

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What’s On Diary Dates for April 2017

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Rainworth Miners’ Welfare

Mon: 8-10:30pm Sequence dancing in concert room to live music. Admission £2 plus cash bingo, card bingo & treasure chest (Lounge & Concert room) Tues: Pool League (Home Matches) evenings. Wed: 7:15-9:15pm Family bingo, children welcome with adults. Fri: Evening Cash bingo, card bingo & treasure chest, plus Domino knockout. (Lounge only) Sat: Family bingo in Lounge 8-10:30pm, children welcome with an adult. Sun: Evening ‘‘Quiz for cash’’ in Lounge bar & cash bingo. Card bingo & Treasure chest.

The Venue

Royal British Legion - Rainworth, Blidworth & District branch meet at The Venue every first Thursday of the month - at 7:30pm and everyone is welcome. Mon: Mens dart home matches. Tues: (Every other Tuesdays) Ladies Social Night, Darts, Dominos & Card Bingo. Tues: Pool League Matches. Wed: 2pm “ Eyes down” Bingo Snowball every week. Thurs: 8:30pm Poker Night. Sun: 12pm to 2pm Sunday Carvery £6 Adults, £3 Children, £5 Snr Citizens. Sun: Evenings, Snooker Handicap.

Rainworth Village Hall

Mon: 10:00 - 11:00- Swing into shape 18:00 - 19:00 Kids Taekwondo 19:00 - 20:00 Taekwondo Tues:13:30 - 16:00 - Tea Dance (Ball Room) 18:00 - 19:00 - Yoga with Lynn 20:00 - 23:00 - Jive Junkies (Ball Room) Wed: 19:45 - 20:45 - Zumba (Ball Room) Thurs: 10:00 - 11:00 - Senior Stretch + Tone 12:00 - 16:00 - Over 50s club (Full at present, waiting list available) 18:00 - 19:00 - Taekwondo 19:30 - 20:30 Yogalates Fri: 18:00 - 19:00 Yoga 19:30 - 22:30 - Sequence Dance Sat: 10:00 - 12:00 Sewing Group, alternate saturdays Sun: 19:30 - 22:30- Sunday Sequence

Mansfield Museum

Mansfield Society of Artists - Annual Exhibition! Saturday 8th April until Saturday 6th May at Mansfield Museum.

Edwinstowe

Events at Sherwood Pines Bushcraft for Families Join the rangers for a day of bushcraft activities. Forest Live 2017 - Elbow Elbow’s rise over the past two decades has seen them become one of the most important bands in contemporary British music. Check them out at Sherwood Pines Forest on Sunday 25th June. Fungi Foray Join expert, Patrick Harding, for this ever popular talk and walk on how to find and identify various fungi. Overnight Bushcraft for Families Could you survive a night in the woods? Join the bushcraft team at Sherwood Pines to find out Wild Food Foray Join expert, Patrick Harding, for illustrated talks and forest forays to learn how to identify edible and medicinal plants. Wednesday 5th April - Kids Crafts Kid’s Crafts are every Wednesday of the school holidays.

Ravenshead

BLIDWORTH & RAVENSHEAD MEMORY GROUP Support for people living with dementia and their carers Meet to Chat - Have fun - Get advice and Support First Wednesday of the month At Blidworth Library, New lane, Blidworth, Notts. NG21 0PW Next meeting Wednesday, 5th April 2017 2.30pm – 4.30pm Interested? Ring Jayne on 07971039832, Email bandrmemorygrp@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page: Memory Group (Blidworth &Ravenshead) for more information. OR just turn up on the day – see you there!

Ravenshead Village Hall MONDAY Messy Play, Folk Dancing, Retro Step Aerobics, Fitness & Swing TUESDAY Pilates, Yoga, Mahjong, Fit Chair Based Exercise, Cribbage, Scrabble, Family History, Canasta

WEDNESDAY Ladies Badminton, Theatre Group, Abbey Gates WI, Garden Group, Current Affairs, Photography THURSDAY Jo Jingles, Art Group, Badminton, Bridge, Zumba FRIDAY Licenced Bar Available in evenings Fun Chorus Choir, Knitting & Crochet Group, Beginners Tai Chi, Various Concerts etc. SATURDAY Licenced Bar Available in evenings A good day for Parties, Dances and all types of social gatherings SUNDAY A good day for Children’s Parties (Bouncy Castle Friendly) and all types of social gatherings

Farnsfield

Monday 24th April: FARNSFIELD Flower Club’s Meeting will be a demonstration entitled “Spring Time” with Sarah Bryan at 2.0 pm in the Lower Hall, Farnsfield Village Centre, News Hill and visitors are very welcome.

Blidworth Bards Poetry Club at Blidworth Bards at Blidworth meets every 3rd Saturday of the month at Blidworth library 10a.m. - 12 p.m. for poetry workshop, discussion, readings and a cuppa! Budding poets welcome.

Bilsthorpe

Wednesday 19th April: BILSTHORPE Garden Club’s Meeting will be a talk entitled “Composting” with Jenny Street from “Rhubarb Community Farm” at 7.30 pm in the Lounge at Bilsthorpe Miners’ Welfare. Sunday 30th April: BILSTHORPE Heritage Museum will be participating in Radio Nottingham’s “Big Day Out” from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm. Admission and refreshments are free-of-charge and we are situated in Cross Street at the rear of Bilsthorpe Village Hall.

Theatre Royal Tuesday 4th - Saturday 15th April - The Curious incident of the dog in the night time. Christopher, fifteen years old, has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world…

Good food atVenue The Good food at The

Venue

Easter Carvery 16th April! 12 - 2pm Adults £6 & Seniors £5 Booking is advised.

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The Venue (Formerly Potters)

Snooker at The Venue

Music at The Venue Boogie on down! A 70’s, 80’s & 90’s night

Friday 14th april 8pm onwards

Saturday 29th APRIL

Per table

Mansfield’s got talent Final heat, last chance to qualify next month - 12th May - martin gregory

The Venue Kirklington Road, Rainworth NG21 0JR

What’s On

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Pikes, plunder and mayhem return to Newark for major civil war festival

(Continued from Page 1) “We are working closely with the English Civil War Society to stage this major event,” explained Michael Constantine, manager of the National Civil War Centre. “Their expertise will make it an unforgettable weekend with musketeers, pikemen, cannons and colour.” Jo Sarney, Commanding Officer of Robert Overton's Regiment, who is co-ordinating the re-enactors, added: “The chance to use the Queen's Sconce in particular is an unmissable opportunity for re-enactors. “It's by far the best preserved earthen fort of its kind anywhere in Britain, providing an atmospheric setting with excellent viewing points for the public.” Newark was a Royalist stronghold during the war between crown and parliament and during the last of three sieges over the winter of 1645/46 it was assailed by 16,000 English and Scottish troops. The ordeal lasted until 8 May, 1646 when it was ordered to lay down its arms by King Charles.

With the plague rampant, one in five buildings destroyed and turf stripped from surrounding pasture land to build fortifications, it took Newark 100 years to recover.

Trying something new AT THIS time of year we see flowers appearing in the hedgerows and gardens and our thought turn to new life and new beginnings. The prospect of having to try something new can be scary. As someone once said, ‘We know what we like and we like what we know!’ But in order to experience life to the full we do have to try new things so the churches of St Mary of the Purification, Blidworth and St Simon & St Jude, Rainworth are stepping out in faith and trying something different. It all began in Autumn 2015 when we began a process of reminding ourselves of who we were as church communities. This meant telling our stories of what had been important in the life of our churches over the years. We asked some people from the villages what they thought or knew about the churches – some knew lots and others knew very little about us.

Finally we looked at lots of information from the government census to help us understand more about those who live in our villages. All this took a year to achieve. In Autumn 2016 we began exploring how we might get to know the organisations and the people in our villages better. This, of course, will take time but we are at the stage of beginning to speak to groups and individuals who have a heart for our communities. We don’t have an agenda. We don’t have a fixed idea of what might come next. But we do want to discover what we might do together to make a difference in our communities. It is never easy trying something new and often we are afraid of making mistakes but we are giving it a try. Please do talk with us and let us know what is important to you. Who knows what new things we might discover if we give it a go!

Church of England Services - Blidworth and Rainworth 1st Sunday 9am St Mary’s Blidworth Sung Communion 10.30am St Simon & Judes’s Rainworth Morning Service 2nd & 4th Sundays 9am St Mary’s Morning Service 10.30am St Simon & Judes’s Sung Communion 3rd Sunday 9am St Mary’s Sung Communion 10.30am St Simon & Jude’s All Age Service 5th Sunday 10am St Andrew’s Mission Blidworth United Benefice Communion

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Rainworth Local News

Rainworth Rangers Football Club news THIS small, friendly, local club has been going for many years, and has grown from strength to strength over the past years, which we hope to continue with the support of the committee, our fellow coaches and most importantly our players. We are particularly proud of our links to Rainworth Miners’ Welfare Football Club, and are indebted to their coaching team for their support and help during coaching sessions. We are proud to be able to provide a pathway for our players to progress into a professional club, and to enjoy the excellent facilities they offer. As a well-run club, the committee, managers and coaches are all volunteers and are committed to investing time and effort in all players that join us, whatever their ability, to help introduce them to football in a well-organised, safe and fun way. We want to ensure that every child that joins us, enjoys playing football and develops their skills to be the best they can possibly be. To achieve this, all coaching is overseen by qualified coaches who are trained to a minimum of FA’s Level 1 Certificate in

Coaching Football and have been screened for their suitability (D.B.S.) for working with children. We are also proud of our Young Coaches Programme which currently sees 3 youth coaches actively taking responsibility for their teams coaching, progression and personal development. In due course each of these young coaches will be put through their FA Level 1 course, supported by Rainworth Rangers FC. Our coaches are encouraged to increase

their qualifications so as to improve all aspects of football coaching. We also have excellent facilities for both training and match days, so why not come down and see us? The energy and enthusiasm that can be seen at each training session, and match, is something we are all very proud of and reward for all the hard work. However, we ensure respect and integrity is shown and instilled in all our activities from an early age. Coaches or parent assistants are always needed. We will train you if you wish, or just support you for giving us and your child a helping hand. Don’t just watch your child develop through the next 10 years, get involved and enjoy the time with us and them. We are currently recruiting for new players — all ages and abilities are welcomed. Training is currently on Wednesday nights at Rainworth Miners’ Welfare Football Club ground on Kirklington Road at 6pm. Contact Phil Colledge, chairman, on 07513 954786 for more details. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Good news for local apprentice Leah at Sam’s Workplace SAM’S WORKPLACE is pleased to announce that our apprentice, Leah Payne, has passed her apprenticeship in hospitality and catering. She has worked so hard on all her coursework and we are pleased to say she is now a full time employed member of staff. Our young adults have been very busy these past few months. Their Valentine’s Day goods sold exceptionally well, and we

have now moved on to making Easter gifts, all of which are available at exceptionally low value and cost. Our Easter bags come in three choices, all with two chocolate eggs, and only £1.50 each. We are also running a competition to win this fantastic Easter bouquet - simply like and share our Facebok page to be in with a chance to win. The winner will be announced on Facebook on Thursday 13th April - good luck! We will also be running Easter craft

activities within the shop, please keep checking our Facebook page for details. As part of our community involvement we are also baking cupcakes to benefit the R.A.I.D. team — our rainbow cakes are on sale at 70p each, with 50p going towards R.A.I.D. costs, as well as biscuits to support Lake View School, as part of an fundraising enterprise with their fantastic School Council members. Biscuits available for 50p each, freshly baked every week. We are holding cake sales to benefit Red Nose Day and, as usual, our popular Macmillan Coffee Morning. Be sure to get there early for a slice of your favourite cake. We look forward to seeing our usual customers, and welcoming all our new ones to Sam’s Workplace.

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Blidworth Local News

25 Send your news and photos to chloe@news-journal.co.uk

Blidworth & District Historical & Heritage Society news OUR March meeting on the 7th was also the date of our Annual General Meeting. Chairman Alan Higgins gave a comprehensive overview of the society's activities over the last year and reported that we were one of the most successful history societies in the county. Treasurer Eric Hall confirmed that subscription rates and the cost attending meetings would remain at the past years level of £5 and £2 respectively. There were no new nominations for the committee and so the present members agreed to continue for a further year. After the break we heard from Michael Harrison, who told us of a journey he took by barge from Gunthorpe to Hull. It was titled, A Trading Voyage On The River Trent. Fully illustrated with slides he described the journey from the loading of 250 tonnes of sand and gravel near Gunthorpe, through Newark to the discharging of the load at the old docks in Hull. It was not a voyage for the faint hearted and he recounted many accidents that resulted in near or actual fatalities. Where the Trent meets the Humber Estuary the water can be very rough and by now the barge had to dodge the much

bigger sea going ships that ply the Humber. The presentation was particularly poignant for our treasurer, Eric. As a boy and living in North Lincolnshire, he used to accompany his grandfather, a barge skipper, during the school holidays on the very same journey and with similar cargoes.

ON SATURDAY, 4th March Marriott Lane play Area was reopened following its refurbishment by County Councillor Yvonne Woodhead and chairman of Blidworth Parish Council Terry Hurst. Guests included Paddy Tipping and several other councillors. At the same time a commemorative seat was set in the grounds of the park to commemorate 25 years of the work Coun Yvonne Woodhead has given to Blidworth Parish Council. Our external auditors will soon be sending us the documentation in order to finalise our final accounts for the year 2016/17. The Annual Parish Meeting is on Saturday 22nd April at the Methodist Church Hall from 10am – 12noon. This is an opportunity to see what goes off in our local

community. Everyone is welcome to attend, Coffee and tea provided. Invitations have gone out to local organisations.

Our next three meeting details are as follows; • 4th April - Ian Morgan - Inspector Hopkinson's Discovery. This presentation will tell the sad and tragic tale of one night's events in 1895. The audience will be the jury in this true story of murder. Was Henry Wright guilty of calculated murder or was he insane? Using original archives and witness statements hear how one man tried bravely to save a family from a burning house and the discovery that was to shock a nation. Was Jack the Ripper at large once more? See if you agree with the original jury. Guilty or not and what happened next? •2nd May - David Amos - D. H. Lawrence and the Eastwood Connection.

•6th June - Howard Healey - History of the Newark Air Museum. The meetings are in the Function Room of the Blidworth Welfare. Doors are open at 6.45pm. Ample parking is available. New members are always welcome; just turn up on the night. There is a small charge on the door of £2 to cover refreshments. We will be showing a selection of our archive of photographs at our meeting in April and also a film on a local aspect of the district's history. We are pleased to announce that the Society's book on Blidworth & World War 1 has been reprinted and will be on sale at future meetings and through our website. We would like to see any photographs of the village and its people that we may copy and add to our extensive archive. If you would like more information please contact us through our website. You are also invited to submit articles relating to our local history for consideration for publication on our website. Please refer to the website for further details. Looking forward to hearing from you. www.blidworthhistoricalsociety.co.uk Email: blidworthhistory@virginmedia.com

Blidworth park reopens with tribute to work of councillor The Summer Fair is to be held on Saturday 22nd July by Blidworth Parish Council. This will be held at Blidworth Welfare. Several stallholders will attend as per the Christmas Fair with opportunities for charity stalls and activities for children. The Annual Christmas Light switch on event will be at approximately 4.30pm on Saturday, 25th November 2017 at Blidworth Welfare following the Christmas Fair. The fair will include face-painting and children’s rides, hot food and drinks, stalls, games and craft area plus of course a visit from Santa.

On the 10th January 2018 there will be the Annual Pensioners’ Party at Blidworth Miners Welfare – further details will be provided later in the year. Blidworth Parish Council are again entering the Britain In Bloom Competition and are looking for volunteers to help with the project mid-April to help with the planting. It would be great if we could maintain our usual success as last year we were awarded a Silver Gilt Award and Blidworth Oaks School achieved a Gold Award. Unfortunately, the largest number of complaints we have each month are dog fouling, litter and fly-tipping. All these are throughout the village. We, as a parish council do our best to keep the verges and play areas clean and tidy but we need your help.

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Edwinstowe, Bilsthorpe & Farnsfield Local News

27 Send your news and photos to chloe@news-journal.co.uk

The Hole in the road The hole in the road is coming of age. It's been there for ever, That's what it seems. I wrote on the calender The day it emerged. What is it for? No-one knows.

Bilsthorpe Heritage Museum WE ARE looking forward to participating in Radio Nottingham’s Big Day Out on Sunday, 30th April from 10am until 4pm. As always, admission and refreshments are free-of-charge. We are situated in Cross Street at the rear of Bilsthorpe Village Hall. On Saturday, 13th May, we shall be holding a Coffee Morning in the Village Hall from 10am until 12noon. Admission is 25p and includes a drink and a biscuit. This event will feature our popular Memory Lane photo-boards. The Memorial Garden is looking very pretty at the moment with lovely Spring

flowers everywhere. We now have some bird-boxes in the trees (purchased from the excellent Men In Sheds with some kind donations from our wonderful supporters) so we are hoping to have some nesting birds in the garden soon. Do come and visit the garden – it is a very pleasant place to walk around or just sit for a while. Afterwards, if you visit on a Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Wednesday, come and have a cup-of-tea with us in the Museum. We have lots of lovely gift ideas and publications and craft items in the Museum Shop, all at very reasonable prices.

OUR meeting on Wednesday, 19th April will be a talk entitled Composting with Jenny Street from Rhubarb Community Farm, at 7.30pm in the Lounge at Bilsthorpe Miners’ Welfare. Our meeting on Wednesday, 17th May will be our popular Plant Swap and Auction

evening (time and venue as above).

ELEVEN members enjoyed attending a Spring Practice on Monday, 6th June with demonstrator, Christine Baggaley, who showed us a choice of two delightful, rustic designs using Spring flowers and seasonal foliage with very pleasing results for everyone. Over a well-earned cup-of-tea, Christine discussed each member’s arrangement in turn.

Our next meeting on Monday, 24th April will be a demonstration entitled Spring Time with Sarah Bryan at 2pm in the Lower Hall, Farnsfield Village Centre, New Hill and visitors are very welcome.

Bilsthorpe Garden Club We have a coach trip to Chatsworth for their RHS Flower Show on Friday, 9th June. For more details ring Jenny on 01623 870789

Farnsfield Flower Club Our meeting on Monday, 15th May will be a demonstration entitled The Spirit Of Sherwood with June Borrowdale (time and venue as above).

When we meet with a neighbour it's not the weather But 'when are they going to fill in this hole?' Each day we have a look at it's inside walls, all knobbly and smooth and crumbly and sandy. The neon light flashes at night, in the dark. The barriers change sides it seems, on their own. Today is the day! The hole is one year. Let's have a party with cake and balloons. The camera flashed and the picture ran On the six o'clock news. Oh what fun! The noise, the next morning, awoke me from slumber; The workmen were there with trucks and rubble. The hole it was filled, the light it was gone. Our friend, the hole, fore ever lives on. © Gillian Baguley

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Ravenshead Local News Charity partnership a success CHARLENE BURTON-BETTS, from the Peaceful Trust, presented Sharon Baum, from the Cornwater Club Charity Shop, with a cheque for £1000, the result of a collaboration to collect donated furniture. Just over a year ago The Cornwater Club Charity Shop formed a partnership with the Peaceful Trust that enabled them to offer the free collection of large pieces of furniture from donors in Mansfield and the surrounding areas including Blidworth and Ravenshead. The Cornwater Club Charity shop, established eight years ago, sells a variety of high quality second hand goods, making a major contribution to the sustainability of the Cornwater Club, an older people’s charity. However, due to limited space the shop does not have the facility to handle large items. Under the partnership, the trust collects the furniture and sells it through their larger outlets. Trustee Charlene Burton-Betts said: “The trust is delighted with the new working

arrangement we have with the Cornwater Club. I’m looking forward to more collaborative and exciting projects in the future.” Cornwater Club Charity Shop manager Sharon Baum commented: “This co-operation enables us to offer the collection service to our customers and we receive cash donations from the trust, so everybody wins.”

Ravenshead Diary Dates

Ravenshead Village Hall MONDAY Messy Play, Folk Dancing, Retro Step Aerobics, Fitness & Swing TUESDAY Pilates, Yoga, Mahjong, Fit Chair Based Exercise, Cribbage, Scrabble, Family History, Canasta WEDNESDAY Ladies Badminton, Theatre Group, Abbey Gates WI, Garden Group, Current Affairs, Photography THURSDAY Jo Jingles, Art Group, Badminton, Bridge, Zumba

Ravenshead Flower Club WE ARE a friendly group of people who love flowers and gardens. We meet monthly at Ravenshead Village Hall where we relax and enjoy a NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) trained demonstrator on the stage entertaining us with wonderful flowers and foliage, whilst telling us stories, giving us an insight into their lives and sharing their knowledge of flowers and plants. The designs are raffled for those lucky enough to win, and the evening closes with a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits and a chat with like-minded people. This year we are organising a coach trip to Harrogate Spring Flower Show, a visit to Floral Media at Caunton, and a coach trip

to Trentham Gardens. We also have a stall each month in the Brammar Room with books, plants, sundries, and other items of interest. We meet ten months a year – February to November, on the last Tuesday of the month (except where there is a Bank Holiday and then it’s the Tuesday one week earlier). Membership for the ten meetings is £38 (that’s great value at £3.80 for an entertaining evening) with visitors welcome at a charge of £5 per evening. Come along for a warm and friendly welcome, or for more information telephone Jill on 01623 796497, or email jillbewick@ hotmail.com.

FRIDAY Licenced Bar Available in evenings Fun Chorus Choir, Knitting & Crochet Group, Beginners Tai Chi, Various Concerts etc. SATURDAY Licenced Bar Available in evenings A good day for Parties, Dances and all types of social gatherings SUNDAY A good day for Children’s Parties (Bouncy Castle Friendly) and all types of social gatherings For more information please call us on 01623 792148. Ravenshead Village Hall is a community Hall located in the centre of the Village. NG15 9BN is the nearest post code.

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Caring in our Community

Rotary Club Of Sherwood Forest

THE 200-mile Sherwood Forest Rotary Bike Ride Challenge for Cancer Research is from Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire, to Sherwood Forest on Saturday 20th May to Sunday 21st May. The bikes are out and the training miles are adding up. Rotarians Laura Harmer and Dave Dennis, who are taking part in the bike ride, have now driven the full 200 mile route for safety checks and to make sure they will not be biking up a one-way street. This has taken them through some lovely countryside in North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Laura is most looking forward to stopping in Pickering for a chocolate orange Danish pastry. Seven bike riders are aiming to complete the full 200 miles over the weekend. Three more riders are joining them at Collingham for the final 50 miles to South Forest Leisure Centre, Edwinstowe. These are police colleague Sophie Dickinson, Tim Wildgust, president of the Rotary Club of Sherwood Forest, and Mark Spencer MP for Sherwood. Now we need your help in supporting Cancer Research UK to win the battle against Cancer by donating to this very worthy cause. You can donate by preferably going online, to our website site www.justgiving. com/SherwoodForestRide2017 or visiting us on Facebook at Sherwood Forest Rotary Charity Bike Challenge 2007 – Shore to Sherwood and donate and also let us

know if you can help us in any way with fundraising. By donating on line it enables your donation to be increased by Gift Aid. You can also send a donation by cheque payable to Rotary Club of Sherwood Forest to the Rotary Club of Sherwood Forest, c/o Sherwood Forest Leisure Centre, Robin Hood Crossroads, Edwinstowe, NG21 9JF. Thank you for supporting Sherwood Forest Rotary and Cancer Research UK Support Sherwood Forest Rotary and help people and charitable causes in Ollerton, Edwinstowe and surrounding communities and support overseas humanitarian causes and disaster relief. Please email sherwoodforestrc@btinternet.com follow Rotary Club of Sherwood Forest on Facebook –or visit www.rotary1220.org/she Tim Wildgust, president

1 in 2 people in the UK will get Cancer CANCER RESEARCH UK tell us that one in two people will develop cancer at some point in their lives, and according to the most accurate forecast to date and published in the (British Journal of Cancer). Thanks to research, the UK’s cancer survival has doubled over the last 40 years and around half of patients now survive the disease for more than 10 years. The new figures highlight a need to bolster public health and NHS cancer services so they can cope with a growing and ageing population and the looming demands for better – diagnosis – treatment and earlier diagnosis. Prevention must also play an important role in the concerted effort required to reduce the impact of the disease. TO DO THIS THE PUBLIC NEED TO BE CANCER AWARE

To help people to be more informed about the signs and symptoms of cancer, and to support those with the disease and their carers we at the Abbey Medical Group Patient Participation Group along with the Mid Notts Cancer Forum and Inspire are starting the first in Notts: COMMUNITY POP-UP CANCER CENTRE

Where – BLIDWORTH LIBRARY, When – SATURDAY 13TH MAY – 10am to 12 noon Come along and get some information or advise, we will have speakers and consultants who can guide you, or just drop in for a cuppa and a chat. Everyone is welcome and the centre will be open monthly. If you want to know more ring Gilly on 01623797138 or Jane 01623 480038.

The 2016 charity bike ride at Rufford Ford.

Sport

32 Send your news and photos to chloe@news-journal.co.uk

Fighting to stay in Premier Division RAINWORTH Miners’ Welfare Football Club will go into the final month of the season with their future in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League’s Premier Division still hanging in the balance, and their hopes of a place in the Notts Senior Cup final and the League Cup final thwarted for another year. They did give an excellent account of themselves in the Senior Cup semi-final before going down 2-0 to higher league Basford United, but fell 3-0 to Emley in the quarter-final of the League Cup, in between which they served up possibly their poorest display of the season to lose 4-1 at local rivals AFC Mansfield. Things have taken an upturn since, though, with a fine 2-0 win at Staveley, Nick Langford and Matt Harris with the goals. A week later on 12th March the Wrens were just a couple of minutes away from recording their first back to back victories since October. Leading Maltby 2-0 with three minutes to go in a cracking encounter, in which both goalkeepers played out of their skins, they then conceded two goals in a minute and had to settle for a draw. Ironically in the earlier season game at Maltby it was Rainworth who came back from 2-0 down to force a draw late on. Those two points dropped as a result could prove costly come the end of the season, as they hover above the drop zone, both Barton Town and Parkgate winning on the same day to close the gap on the Wrens. Crucially, Rainworth still have to play both, and the outcome of those matches could dictate whether the Wrens drop into the relegation zone at just the wrong time of the season. By the time this article is in print Rain-

worth will have made the long trek to high flying Bridlington Town, and they are due to travel to the shadow of the Humber Bridge to play rapidly-improving Barton on 25th March. April kicks off on 1st with Worksop Town due at Kirklington Road, followed on Tuesday 4th by the longest journey of the season to Pickering Town … the Wrens are understandably fuming that this trip, the longest in the whole league, happens in midweek. At least they get the following Saturday off before that ‘six-pointer’ at home to Parkgate, then the season ends with a trip to Garforth Town on 22nd and a home game against Hemsworth on 29th. Do come along and support the Wrens in their home games as they look to finish outside the bottom three and prepare for the next campaign come the autumn.

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