January 2018

Tel: 01623 707017

January 2018

Credit union’s birthday celebration THE Mansfield branch of Nottingham Credit Union celebrated its second birthday by raising more than £100 for its chosen charity, Mansfield Arthritis Support Group.

The credit union, based at 3 Clumber Street, marked the milestone with a tombola and cupcakes to fundraise.

Branch manager Marie Haywood said: “We moved into this office so that we could be more visible and closer to people in the local community.

“We have 650 members in the Mansfield area who we serve with affordable, ethical, financial products and to date we have lent out over £525,000 to the local community in loans.

“We place a strong importance on financial education and offer our members a one-to-one based service.

“Our staff take the time to sit with members and go through a budget planner, income and expenditure and look for areas where we might be able to save money for members — for example, we just helped one lady save half the cost of her water bill.

“We look to try to improve everyone’s financial situations as a whole.

“Come in and see us to find out if we can help. Every person who takes a loan from the credit union at the moment also pays into a savings account so they can save while they borrow.”

The Mansfield branch of Nottingham Credit Union also gives talks and visits the community to help with financial education.

The Mansfield branch is open Tuesday to Friday, from 9.30am to 2.30pm. For more information, go to 3 Clumber Street, Mansfield, find the branch on Facebook @NottinghamCU, call 0115 828 3121 or email info@nottinghamcu.co.uk

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New face to lead town centre A GROUP of 20 young performers from a Mansfield theatre school took part in a special performance at Disneyland Paris.

The youngsters from Razzamataz Mansfield rehearsed for several months to perfect their work from Aladdin in The Dome Disney Village, where they joined other Razzamataz schools within the network to take part in a gala event called RazzaMagique.

They performed the school’s own song in the iconic Disney Performing Arts Pre-Parade down Main Street USA in the Disneyland park.

Mansfield students also joined Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall for their Home tour.

“I am proud of every student,” said principal Claire Blower.

“It has been a very busy time for us but to see our students shine, both with Collabro and in Disneyland Paris, was just fantastic.”

This year, students will be performing at the Indigo Centre at London’s O2.

Razzamataz offers a wide range of performing arts styles for youngsters aged two to 18.

To find out more about the Saturday classes at Create, West Notts College, call Claire on 07402 179891 or email mansfield@razzamataz.co.uk or visit www.razzamataz. co.uk

MANSFIELD BID has appointed a new chief executive to take the organisation forward, see page 5.

Visitor centre taking shape

THE new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre in Edwinstowe will give tourism a boost, see page 29.

Sporting champions

THE best in sport was celebrated at the 2017 Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards, organised

by Mansfield District Council in association with The Armchair Club and the Chad, and sponsored by the Schools Advisory Service, The BBC’s Mark Shardlow compered the awards evening at at the Civic Quarter in the Civic Centre, where sidecar world champions Ben and Tom Birchall were named sports personalities of the year. Their Birchall Racing team also took the team award.

There were 10 categories and two further special awards. Some of the winners are pictured, left. pSEE pages 30 and 31 for more photographs and full report.

Store opens

A NEW Costcutter convenience store has opened in the former Swallows pub, Cottage Lane, Warsop, createding more than 10 jobs. It is run by Sam and Mandy Malhi Mandy, who have made a donation to Sherwood Junior School.”

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The queen, an accomplished pianist, was presented with the rosewood boudoir grand piano – model number 22,204 — by John Broadwood & Sons, the leading piano maker in the country — to mark her golden jubilee.

She used it for the next five years and then, following royal custom, it was later given to her former ladyin-waiting, a Mrs F. Boston, on the occasion of her marriage.

Eight years ago a couple from Oxfordshire found the piano neglected in the aisle of a local

church, where it had been used for decades for choir practice and amateur recitals.

In 2012, the owners embarked on an extensive project of restoration and research lasting more than a year.

Stephen Pringle, founder of Sherwood Phoenix, Mansfield, a leading antique piano specialist that is handling the sale, said: “This piano is such a one-off — with such an incredible provenance — that it is actually quite difficult to put a value on it.

“Objects with similar provenance have attracted serious money — in 2009, Harrods was offering Queen Victoria’s billiard table for $1.6m and even her undergarments made £16,250 at a Christies auction in 2016.

“I can see this piano going to a modern-day royal family, serious collector or, perhaps, a great female performer on the international concert circuit.”

Celebration for solicitors

AWARD-WINNING Fidler & Pepper Solicitors, which has offices in Mansfield and Sutton, has won more accolades for its work.

The firm, which focuses on wills, trusts and probate matters, as well as conveyancing, scooped the people development award in the Chad annual business awards.

Apprentice Phoebe Killeen was highly commended in the apprenticeship of the year category.

Mark Slade, managing partner, said: “We are a people-focused business in everything we do. Our staff do some great work as individuals and when they work as teams, they are the key driving force of this business.

“That’s why we invest time and resource into people-oriented activities, such as training and support. We are proud of what we do.”

Joanne Godson, people and operations manager, said; “While it is great to be recognised in this way, we know that it is an ongoing process and we continue to strive to do the best we can for our staff.

“Well done to Phoebe too, who clearly demonstrates just what an apprentice FIDLER & Pepper’s Mark Slade, managing partner, and can achieve in the workplace.”

Joanne Godson, operations and people manager.

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Best beard MANSFIELD MP Ben Bradley has won the Parliamentary Beard Of The Year competition, an online competition run by the Beard Liberation Front where members of the public vote for the MP with the best beard.

Ben, 28, is the first Conservative to win the title. Previous winners include Robin Cook, David Blunkett and Jeremy Corbyn.

He said: “It’s a bit of fun. I have enjoyed winning, of course, but on a serious note it’s a lovely compliment about the work I have been doing.

“It’s not an award for ‘best beard’ as such, but it’s about who has made an impact in politics, so it’s nice to be recognised.’’

Festive spirit MANSFIELD’S Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, part of the Diverse Academies Learning Partnership, opened its doors on Boxing Day and invited people to a free festive brunch. Principal Helena Brothwell said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can give something back. We wanted to extend the invitation to anyone alone or not able to spend time with other family at this time of year.”

Big splash

MANSFIELD swimmer Huw Morgan, 35, swam across the English Channel in 12 hours 48 minutes and raised more than £3,000 for three charities.

Hospice help

THE John Eastwood Hospice, Sutton, has received cheques for more than £7,000 from the Edwinstowe Hospice Support Group, which has now collected more than £100,000 for the charity.

News

3

This page sponsored by: Mansfield Building Society

Museum celebrates top education award MANSFIELD Museum has earned another prestigious accolade — the Sandford Award, which independently assesses heritage sites, museums, archives and collections across the British Isles on the quality of their education programmes.

The award, managed by the Heritage Education Trust in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, focuses on curriculum-linked education opportunities offered to schools by heritage sites, as well as informal learning, such as family programmes.

Museum manager and curator Liz Weston, who received the award with museum education officer Geoff Liptrot at a ceremony in Bath, said: “It shows that our education service is of a high standard and it is also fantastic recognition for Geoff.”

Lead judge Jean MacIntyre said the museum was highly rated for the overall quality of experience.

Geoff Liptrot was singled out for particular praise for providing “an engaging and inspirational educational programme”.

“The museum education officer is charismatic and inspirational and brings the museum to life,” said the report.

“He was very skilled at engaging and informing the pupils. He told captivating anecdotes about the artefacts he presented, providing social and historical contexts for the form and function of each

GEOFF Liptrot with Lucy Worsley, TV presenter and chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, which presented the awards. one to ensure the pupils would remember them.”

The judges assessed a school visit to the museum by a group of Year 3 pupils and noted the youngsters were made to feel welcome in an effectively structured, well thoughtout, well paced tour. The pupils also undertook practical activities.

The report, which commended the museum’s Made In Mansfield exhibition and the way the museum collaborated with teachers to develop its educational programme, said: “Mansfield Museum is absolutely worthy of a Sandford Award.

“Throughout increasingly challenging times the education team have crafted and delivered an excellent programme that meets the needs of a range of local schools and institutions.

“The museum attracts many school groups simply because teachers know that an interesting and innovative day will be provided.”

Coun Dave Saunders, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth, said: “This is a well-deserved award because the museum and its staff work so hard to ensure the experience for all the museum’s visitors is interesting, enjoyable and worthwhile.”

The town’s museum has joined an illustrious list of almost 500 sites that have received a Sandford Award since the scheme began in 1978, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the official residence of the Queen in Scotland; Worcester Cathedral and London Transport Museum.

Use it or lose it warning on business help SMALL businesses in Mansfield could lose out on their share of a remaining £100,000 in Government handouts to alleviate rates rises, Mansfield District Council has warned.

The council, responsible for sharing out a £360,000 of business rates relief over four years, said almost half of the first year’s £210,000 fund has yet to be allocated.

If it is not shared out by 31 March, it will be clawed back by the Government.

The Discretionary Business Rates Relief scheme aims to support small enterprises most affected by business rates revaluation.

Relief of up to £1,600 can be allocated to businesses on a discretionary basis by the council in the first year of the scheme.

Coun Roger Sutcliffe, Mansfield District Council’s portfolio holder for finance said: “This is a gift from the Government to small businesses.

“I urge business owners to check if they are eligible and make an application. It is a case of use it or lose it.”

Among the types of enterprises to benefit so far are filling stations, restaurants, shops, factories and warehouses.

More information and application forms are at www.mansfield.gov.uk/ businessratesreductions

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Dedication to community highlighted by top award MANSFIELD Building Society has been recognised for its support and dedication to the community.

The Mortgage Finance Gazette awarded the society its prestigious highly commended award for community service at its 16th annual awards.

The accolade recognised a momentous year as the society helped establish a Prince’s Trust team programme in Mansfield, raised more than £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, and increased its total Community Support Scheme donations to more than £150,000 since the scheme’s formation.

The Mansfield began the year having chosen Macmillan as its charity partner, with the aim of raising £5,000 for the charity over 24 months.

Staff soon rose to the challenge with a variety of fundraising activities, including scaling Mount Snowden, a branch-to-branch walk covering more than 20 miles and a 40-hour bikeathon in its Mansfield branch.

All the money raised — £6,000 that is still being added to — by The Mansfield is being used to support those affected by cancer

FROM left, Dale Twigger, Mansfield Building Society marketing manager; Joanne Atkin, Mortgage Finance Gazette group editor; and Gev Lynott, Mansfield Building Society chief executive. in the Mansfield, Ashfield and Chesterfield area.

In 2017, the Society’s Charitable Trust awarded £10,000 to the Inspire and Achieve Foundation to help it establish the Prince’s Trust team programme in Mansfield.

Along with the donation, staff at volunteered to work with the charity to help educate young disadvantaged adults to develop

the skills necessary for them to progress into work or further education.

The society awarded accreditation certificates to the schemes first phase of successful graduates in July with a further phase scheduled to pass out.

Every year The Mansfield donates around £20,000 to various community groups and charities

through its Community Support Scheme. This year, the scheme’s total donations will exceed £150,000 since it was established in 2008.

Richard Crisp, commercial development executive at the society, said: “Mortgage Finance Gazette is a leading publication for the mortgage industry.

“With the awards now in their 16th year, we are proud to receive the highly commended award in recognition of the contribution we make to support the local community.

“As a regional building society, it’s great to be noticed on a national scale for the hard work and energy that all our staff put into community projects and fundraising events.

“The foundation of our community work is embedded in our mutual ethos, whether it’s our fundraising and community involvement, our personal approach to mortgage lending or the value we pay to our local and loyal savers.

“We have been supporting our heartland community for over 147 years and we intend to carry on this tradition for at least 147 more.”

Good Ofsted rating for specialist college

PORTLAND College, which creates meaningful opportunities for young disabled people, has been rated good in an inspection report by Ofsted.

College principal Dr Mark Dale said the report showed the college was making strong progress since it was last inspected in 2014.

“The lead inspector praised many aspects of our work with learners, who feel safe and confident at college.”

The inspector drew attention to the considerable work the college carries out in safeguarding, the Government’s PREVENT agenda — a nationwide anti-radicalisation programme —and promoting fundamental British values.

Dr Dale added: “The college’s expertise in assessing the needs of learners with complex disabilities was highlighted.

“The skill of staff in managing challenging behaviour, supporting

the needs of learners and providing the majority of learning activities to a good or better standard were all highlighted.

“We are working hard to build on this success by encouraging more employers to give young disabled people the chance to show what they can achieve in the workplace.”

Chairman of governors Tim Richmond OBE, said: “We have supported senior managers

to invest in the training and development of our hard-working staff and the success of that approach is highlighted in the report.”

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New BID chief sets out her aims for the group HIGHLY-EXPERIENCED town centre regeneration specialist Nikki Rolls has been appointed to head up Mansfield Business Improvement District (BID).

Nikki, who succeeds Sarah Nelson as chief executive, said the organisation had already made a positive difference to the town and she wanted to take it further forward.

Nikki said: “The BID in Mansfield has been an extremely proactive organisation in the town centre, working with partners such as the local authorities and the businesses on a number of initiatives that have really made a difference.

“In fact, I have never come across a BID that does as much as Mansfield does for its levypayers.

“One of my first aims is to get the BID officially accredited for what it does. I am confident this can happen and that the BID will become one of just 30 out of 205 across the UK to have this recognition.

“My key role is to take the BID

NIKKI Rolls with Mansfield BID chairman John Sankey. forward, using the foundation it has already built. I will be working on a strategic vision for the town centre, in particular the public realm areas (community spaces), attracting more national inward investment and the potential regeneration sites.”

Nikki has a wealth of experience that includes stakeholder partnership development,

community safety initiatives, delivering events, marketing strategies, and developing and delivering environmental and public realm improvements.

In particular, she has a thorough understanding of regeneration schemes and how to bring them forward, working to resolve issues that might prevent them from being successful.

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Awards to showcase businesses

BUSINESSES have been invited to enter the Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 Business Awards 2018 and showcase their success.

The longest-established awards in North Nottinghamshire celebrate excellence in business and recognise achievements.

Held for a 12th year, the event is open to all businesses based in North Nottinghamshire, including non-members of 2020.

The awards acknowledge and reward the achievement of local businesses for showing entrepreneurial and enterprising fortitude while recognising their contribution to the economic development of the area.

Entries must be submitted by 8th February. Categories are: Community Award, New Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, Business Innovation and Design Award, Customer Focus Initiative Award, Business Of The Year Award, Young Apprentice Of The Year Award.

Go to www.mansfield2020.com/ news/2020-business-awards for details. The 2018 awards evening and annual ball when winners will be announced will take place on 20th April at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme.

Tickets, priced £65 plus VAT, are available by emailing admin@ mansfieldandashfield2020.com

2020 meeting invitation

THE next Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 breakfast meeting will be at Portland College, on 25th January at 7.15am. Book a place at www.mansfield2020.com

Scan here for more Mansfield and Ashfield news in January

National award hope for Mansfield company

MANSFIELD-BASED Dalmatian Systems is a finalist in the UK Blog Awards 2018 — and needs your votes.

It has been nominated in two categories — digital and technology, and social influencers — for its blog, Talk Dalmatian, which deals with all things career and recruitment related.

The blog covers topics such as how to act at an interview, how to deal with awkward workplace situations and taking care of the health and wellbeing of staff.

A guest blogs section looks at days in the life of people from a variety of professions, including magazine editors, ghost hunters, radio presenters, driving instructors and beauticians.

Dalmatian Systems, based at Ransom Wood Business Park, is a software company that provides e-commerce business solutions.

It has created a revolutionary software system that works in two parts.

A cut above at Mark Leeson A MANSFIELD hair salon has won two national awards.

The Mark Leeson team won the men’s and Eastern hairdresser of the year titles at the British Hairdressing Awards.

The event was hosted by Hairdressers Journal at London’s Grosvenor House in London.

Sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, it was hosted by David Walliams.

The men’s hairdresser of the year award went to Terri Kay and Andrea Giles and the Eastern hairdresser of the year trophy went to Joseph I’Anson and Lisa Graham, from Mark Leeson.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Hairdressers Journal International’s executive

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director, said: “This award cements the Mark Leeson team as a leading hair talent. Not only does a win

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School report

8

This page sponsored by: The Evolve Trust

Building society brings festive spirit

BERRY Hill Primary School welcomed eight employees from The Mansfield Building Society into its Foundation Unit to help children take part in an array of Christmas crafts.

A team of eight staff members from The Mansfield spent a morning making, sticking, cutting and glittering all things Christmassy at the Mansfield school.

Leanne Swain, a teacher in the unit, said: “We would never be able to do a whole morning of Christmas craft activities on this scale without help from The Mansfield team.

“With 60 children in the unit, we needed many more adult hands to make this a successful event.

“I hope The Mansfield staff enjoyed it as much as the children.”

CHILDREN at Berry Hill Primary School were able to picture Christmas thanks to staff at The Mansfield Building Society.

The Mansfield school welcomed employees from the society on two occasions to help pupils make picture frames, which were taken home as presents for their families.

The staff, who are allowed to take two days of paid leave each year to take part in voluntary work in the community, approached the school to help with Christmas-related activities.

Teacher Kerry Senior said: “It can be frustrating for the children if they don’t have adult support with complex projects.”

Other staff from The Mansfield helped run a morning of Christmas crafts with Foundation classes (see left) and also went to Asquith Primary School, helping to raise £1,200 at its Christmas Fayre.

Berry Hill head Susan Brown said: “Support from our local community makes

a real difference in school as working with different adults makes a huge impact with our children.

“We love having visitors to school.”

Vickie Preston, human resources manager for the society, said: “Our staff thoroughly enjoyed helping Berry Hill with this project and supporting a local school.”

THE Beech Academy in Mansfield has been presented with Stonewall’s silver School Champion award in recognition of its inclusivity.

Only eight schools nationally have been awarded silver in the past two years.

Rob Butler, deputy head and the school’s Stonewall champion, said: “I’m very proud of this award as it reflects the inclusive nature of our academy and our students who are accepting of others regardless of special need, race, gender or sexuality.”

Stonewall said: “The bronze, silver and gold awards give greater recognition to schools tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and celebrating diversity.

“They also enable schools to

effectively benchmark their progress and give direction to their ongoing work in this area.”

The academy, graded good by Ofsted, caters for children with a wide range of special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and moderate learning difficulties.

Asquith pupils get recycling message

Inclusivity accolade for Beech

The academy is a member of The Evolve Trust and has inclusivity as one of its core values.

A RECYCLING expert from Nottinghamshire County Council, Lydia Powles, ran sessions at Asquith Primary School, Mansfield.

The years 3 and 4 classes learned what to put in Mansfield’s blue bins, why that is important and how the rubbish is made into new items.

Each class took part in a workshop that explained why we should recycle and how to do it more effectively.

They then took part in a team competition to find out who could apply their new knowledge to a real-life situation, and sorted out the recycling to reflect the different bins in Mansfield.

All the children received a pencil made from newspapers plus information leaflets to take home to help parents and carers understand more about recycling.

The school is looking at ways to save energy across the building and improving awareness about recycling is one of the ways it is tackling the issue.

Head Clare Harding said: “As a regular contributor and this year’s winner of a district council Clean Up Mansfield outstanding school award, we are always striving to do better when it comes to saving energy and recycling.

“Our year 3 and 4 pupils should now be our experts to help us in the rest of school do better.”

Teacher James Westerby said: “Our children need to know what can be recycled and which bin it should go in. We are going to try to improve our school’s recycling rate and make sure we put things in the correct bins.”

To achieve the silver award, the academy demonstrated a commitment to equality, including members of the LGBT community.

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College Round-up

9

This page sponsored by: Vision West Nottinghamshire College

Students quiz town’s MP

BREXIT and budgets were two of the topics of discussion among students at Vision West Nottinghamshire College and Mansfield MP Ben Bradley.

The Mansfield college hosted a visit by the MP at the Derby Road campus, where he spoke to more than 80 health and social care, politics and public services students about current government issues as well as the importance of voting at elections.

Students asked questions around not only education but also the impact of government changes on the health and social care and public services sectors.

Eighteen-year-old health and social care diploma student Billie Jennison said: “It was interesting to have Ben join us to tell us more about his job and to listen to our questions.

MANSFIELD MP Ben Bradley met students at the college.

“We addressed policing in the always the most engaged with local Mansfield area as well as the politics. They are actively learning impact of Brexit and the NHS, and about matters every day when mental health services.” studying at college. They had some Ben said: “I find that students are particularly relevant questions

around health and care, especially mental health. It really is great to see people so very engaged.

“Young people are getting more into politics. The EU referendum opened up a whole new discussion and got a lot of people interested in politics outside of general party politics and it’s continuing.

“People appear to have a more educated opinion on things and are more willing to put their voice across. It’s good to see people getting involved.”

Student experience team leader Robert Pearce said: “This was a great platform for students to be able to ask an MP educated questions that were relevant to both their studies and their lives.

“Ben was good in the way he communicated with the learners, which put them at ease so they felt confident to ask their questions. He also provided fulfilling answers.”

Bringing ethnic glamour to college STUDENTS received a specialist tutorial from a renowned hair and make-up artist.

Jatinder Grewal, of Nottingham, travels the world transforming Asian brides for their wedding days.

He showed students on the Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up how to apply professional make-up on Asian clients.

He detailed the range of shades for an Asian skin, the types of brushes he uses for a flawless finish, and went through the palette of shades that suit a glamourous wedding theme.

Student John Theobald-Bee, 17, said: “It has broadened my

horizons towards make-up.

It made me understand and appreciate different aspects of make-up and how to apply brighter colours that are suited to a vibrant wedding theme.”

Jatinder, 22, who has been in the industry for six years, is selftaught and is well-known for his YouTube tutorials.

He said: “I’m very lucky that I get to travel worldwide for my clients’ weddings. So far I’ve been to Italy, Monaco, Canada and India and I’ll be off to Dubai and Thailand soon.

“This is the first time I’ve led a tutorial for students and it has been a privilege and honour to be at West Notts College.”

PUBLIC services students took part in a mock mission with the RAF’s Corporal Ben Martin.

Mercy mission

SAVING civilians from a disaster was the mission for 30 public services students at Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield.

Operation X, a two-hour interactive operation based on a humanitarian aid mission staged by the Royal Air Force (RAF), was designed to test their emergency planning and tactical skills. It was led

by Corporal Phill Davison and Corporal Ben Martin from the RAF. Public services tutor Helen Grundy said: “Operation X was a brilliant way for students to work together on a true-to-life interactive scenario.”

BTEC Level 3 Public Services Diploma student Jasmine Wood, 17, said: “The exercise tested how you react in stressful situations.”

Creative challenge

STUDENTS on creative media courses learned how a brand consultancy and digital marketing agency operates.

Alex Traska, creative director, and digital marketing executive Molly Waring-Moore, of Makermet, based in Nottingham, spoke about the creative processes within a design agency, describing the collaborator timeline and how colleagues combine their experience and ideas on projects.

After the seminar, Alex set the HND Interactive Media class a marketing project — to develop Nottingham City Libraries’ initiative, Storysmash, which is aimed at getting people aged 11-25 active with creative writing, reading and digital games.

JATINDER Grewal and his model, Aman, gave a tutorial to students.

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School report

10

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Primary schools branch out to work together

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Positive messages written in stone

YOUNGSTERS at Berry Hill Primary School, Mansfield, hid and found pebbles they made to reflect Remembrance and anti-bullying week.

Children in year four created their unique pebble by painting a remembrance poppy on to a stone.

They added a kind slogan to also celebrate anti-bullying week.

The pebbles were then varnished to help them stay waterproof and hidden around the school site.

During afternoon break the rest of the school was invited to try to find the pebbles.

Teacher Tella Durham said: “We are always thinking of ways to help the children learn and remember.

“Painting the pebbles and hiding them around the school site will be one of the key things they remember about year four.

“If our pebbles find their way into the community, please let us know.”

Head Susan Brown said: “This was an imaginative activity that reflects the current trend for pebble or rock painting.

“We hope our positive slogans will be a reminder to the children about anti-bullying week.”

High note for choir

YOUNGSTERS in the choir at Forest Glade Primary School, Sutton, won a Christmas choir competition at Colwick Hall Hotel, Nottingham.

Naomi Tupoulahi, of Colwick Hall, said: “The personality and talent of Forest Glade blew us away. They stood out as firm winners with the judges.”

FOUR primary schools strengthened the links within their formal collaboration by working with Forestry Commission staff and volunteers to organise a family woodland skills and den building activity at Sherwood Pines.

Most of the families offered the opportunity to take part were members of the eco clubs at Asquith, Berry Hill, Oak Tree and Wynndale schools.

Up to 60 children and adults worked with four Forestry Commission rangers to learn how to safely cut down saplings that needed thinning out.

They used what they had cut to make the structure of a den, which was completed by foraging in the undergrowth for bracken, smaller trees and grass to create a covering.

They also made a fire and prepared a warming drink on it.

The den-building activity was one of the first events

organised to increase the links between the schools as part of the Open Door Collaboration.

The idea came from a joint training event for staff from the four schools.

Leanne Swain, teacher and eco lead, said: “Working with the Forestry Commission has been brilliant.

“We have taken families to visit the woods before so we

knew this was a great opportunity.

“When the Forestry Commission offered a Saturday morning event we wanted to make sure more people got the chance to take part, so offered it to all the schools in our collaboration.

“Families have had a go at activities that they might not have tried before. Everyone had a marvellous time.”

Striking up the band for shoppers MUSICIANS and singers from local schools joined forces to serenade shoppers with carols and festive favourites in Shirebrook.

Year seven students and members of the wind band from Shirebrook Academy gave a 45-minute performance in the town’s Market Place.

They were accompanied by student choirs from Whaley Thorns Primary School, Model Village Primary School, Shirebrook, and Anthony Bek Primary School, Pleasley.

The concert also featured a series of readings, which were given by Shirebrook Academy students.

It brought to a close another busy year for the wind band,

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who had been practising carols since October.

The concert was the second musical performance in 24 hours for many of the students, who had taken part in the

school’s Christmas event at Holy Trinity Church the previous evening.

They also performed carols and songs at care homes around Shirebrook.

Adam Case, head of music at the academy, said: “We perform carols in the Market Place every year so it’s a real school tradition.

“It was wonderful to have the primary schools and parents along to share the occasion too.

“We had never held our Christmas concert at the church before and it was extremely well-attended.

“It was candlelit and very atmospheric, so it was a lovely way to prepare for Christmas.”

News

11

This page sponsored by: Ultimate Print Ltd

Student’s mental health mission aim in Sri Lanka A CARING Mansfield Woodhouse student is appealing for donations to help spread her passion for volunteering and supporting people with mental health issues.

Georgina Walters has gained a five-week placement to work in Sri Lanka next summer, where there is a shortage of qualified mental health professionals.

She said her time in Sri Lanka on the placement with SLV. Global would be challenging, but she hoped her efforts in cognitive stimulation sessions and workshops would benefit children and adolescents with mental health difficulties.

Georgina will also teach English to both children and adults during her time in Sri Lanka.

But she needs to raise £2,500 to fund the trip — and has set up two websites for people to make donations.

Georgina, 20, a first-year psychology student at the University of Leeds after graduating from West Notts College with an A* and two As at A-level, said: “I have always had

a passion for volunteering and giving back to my community.

“I have previously offered my help in schools, to others and with the Samaritans as a fully-qualified listening volunteer.

“I would love to expand my volunteering to the other side of the world.”

Georgina is a recovering anorexic and said her positive experience with the NHS in England had also inspired her to want to help people in Sri Lanka, where people with similar conditions do not receive the same support.

“Sri Lanka is so far behind.

The lack of sufficient mental health care there has a personal importance to me,” she said.

“I am a recovering anorexic and have suffered with anxiety and depression.

“I was lucky to receive the best support through the NHS for my conditions, but others in Sri Lanka are not so lucky.

“Travelling to Sri Lanka would help to broaden my understanding of psychology and give me skills that I could take back to use in the UK. “With few psychologists, the primary method of treatment for those with mental health issues in Sri Lanka is drugs not therapy.

“Beds in psychiatric hospitals are scarce and there is a great deficit

GEORGINA Walters needs help to spend five weeks helping people in Sri Lanka next summer. of formally qualified mental health professionals.

“I want to help improve mental health care in Sri Lanka, but I need support to help me get there.

SLV.Global cannot cover the cost

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of anything — accommodation, meals, transport, travel insurance, flights or visas.

“Any contribution could make a massive difference and help me to get to Sri Lanka to help their mental health care.

“Every penny will make a difference, every pound will take me one step closer to getting there.”

Georgina said she would be staying with a family in Sri Lanka, where there would be no hot water and the regular comforts enjoyed by people in the UK. She added: “Engaging with patients who have mental health issues can be very beneficial for them.

“Creative activities like art and crafts and playing sports can improve confidence and wellbeing and help them back into the community.

“I want to put on sessions that can make a difference and give people the opportunity to feel better and healthier.”

Anyone wanting to help Georgina can make a donation at www.gofundme.com/pph6ymental-health-volunteersri-lanka or shop at www. easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ georginawalters/?q=Georgina%20 walters%20Sr&cat=causeautosuggest where retailers will make a donation.

Follow us @ MansAsh News

School report

12

This page sponsored by: Banner Jones Solicitors

Lifesaving equipment loaned by business High note for walk

OAK Tree Primary School, Mansfield, worked in partnership with Oak Tree Children’s Centre, Oak Tree Neighborhood Management team and the local Tesco store to organise a community lantern walk around the estate.

The children’s centre arranged for a reindeer and crafts. Oak Tree Neighborhood Management worked with Tesco to provide refreshments.

During the hour before the lantern walk people gathered at the children’s centre to hear the school choir sing Christmas carols. The Samba Band performed a rendition of their performance pieces.

Participants walked around the estate, singing Christmas songs.

Music lead Kathryn Greenwood said: “It was great to give our choir and Samba Band performers an opportunity to show what they could do. They did so well.

“We have been supported by funding from JN Derbyshire to purchase samba equipment and

by Inspire from the Old Library Theatre, which funded a drumming expert to help us get going.”

p PUPILS and staff at Berry Hill Primary School, Mansfield, took part in a series of activities to mark Road Safety Awareness Week.

The school worked in partnership with the Road Safety Team at Via East Midlands, which provides highways and fleet management services in Nottinghamshire.

Via ran a floor mat game with pupils in years 1 to 4, hosted an interactive presentation with years 5 and 6 classes, and talked to reception-aged children about the

A CARING Mansfield business has stepped in to provide a school with specialist lifesaving equipment to meet the specific needs of one of its pupils.

Lifting and safety hire company FLG Services loaned a defibrillator to Wainwright Primary Academy, part of Diverse Academies Learning Partnership, in Mansfield.

Year 6 pupil Benjamin Jones has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart that can cause irregular heartbeats, weakness and fatigue, heart failure and in extreme cases, cardiac arrest.

Staff wanted a defibrillator to be centrally located in case of emergency.

Academy pastoral officer Julia Hallam contacted its local equipment hirer to discuss leasing a machine and that led to the generous offer.

“When I spoke to the manager of the centre and explained why our requirement was so urgent for a defibrillator, he was very understanding.

“He spoke with one of his managers at FLG Services, which provides safety equipment to the lifting industry, who kindly offered to loan us a portable machine

‘stop, look and listen’ message as they cross the road.

Junior road safety officers led assemblies and devised activities for other children to do during Berry Time, the school’s pupils-led enrichment time.

Via and emergency services, including Nottinghamshire Fire Service, right, set up an advice session in the school car park.

District councillor Andrew Tristram funded a banner about safe parking around the school.

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BENJAMIN Jones is pictured with, from left, his mum, Emma Friar; Dameon Hallam, sales executive for Tool Hire Express; Julia Hallam, pastoral officer at Wainwright Primary Academy; and Benjamin’s father, Andrew Jones. until Benjamin leaves us in summer 2018.

“We are absolutely delighted by their generosity, and this young boy’s family now have additional peace of mind for the rest of his time at Wainwright.”

Matthew Hood, regional operations manager at FLG Services, said: “We are delighted to have been able to assist. As soon as we heard about Benjamin we wanted to help and providing this

vital piece of equipment will give him, his parents and his teachers peace of mind.”

The portable defibrillator, which will be located directly outside Benjamin’s classroom, can deliver a lifesaving shock and provide visual and verbal information about the rate of CPR required.

Statistics show that survival rates can increase by up to 74% if CPR and a defibrillator are administered within three minutes of a collapse.

News

13

This page sponsored by: Dijitul Internet Marketing

Litter champion cleans up with community spirit award AN estate litter champion, two volunteers who set up a suicide bereavement support group, and a council worker who organised Mansfield’s knitted poppy display, have received civic commendations.

They were awarded Mayor’s Commendations by mayor Kate Allsop at a full meeting of Mansfield District Council.

Ian Carnell, a Forest Town takeaway worker, was nominated by deputy mayor Coun Mick Barton.

He spotted Ian, who works at the Forest Town KFC outlet, regularly picking up litter on the estate.

KFC has an obligation to clean up its immediate area, but Ian was litter-picking the whole estate — every morning.

The mayor said: “Ian is always the first to volunteer whenever there are clean-up days, whatever the weather.

“He is always willing to go the extra mile to help to ensure that the estate is lovely and clean.

“His attitude shows great community spirit and civic pride for Forest Town.”

Coun Barton added: “I have known Ian for a couple of years and he leaves his home in Pleasley to cycle five miles to KFC in Forest Town at 6am.

“Before he starts work, he spends time litter-picking the whole area — and he does this every day. He is an absolute star.”

Coun Barton also nominated council events officer Abbey Clarke who, working with the Royal British Legion, was behind a project to

FROM left, Abbey Clarke, Kelly Morgan, mayor Kate Allsop, Vicky Zurek, Ian Carnell and deputy mayor Cllr Mick Barton. decorate the old Town Hall with knitted poppies for the Remembrance Sunday parade.

Abbey, who also organised the scheme to yarn-bomb the town centre last year for the Queen’s 90th birthday, masterminded and co-ordinated the poppy appeal, which saw more than 8,000 knitted and crocheted flowers flood into the Civic Centre over eight months, from community groups, residents and schools.

Officers, councillors and members of the public set about the huge task of attaching the poppies to more than 60 square metres of ex-Forces

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camouflage netting. The project raised an extra £1,700 for the RBL. Abbey said: “We were overwhelmed by the amazing response from the people of Mansfield and I would like to thank everyone who got involved by making the poppies, attaching them to the nets and even selling some of them to raise money for the Legion. It was a massive team effort.”

Also receiving commendations, after being nominated by councillors Sean McCallum and Stephen Harvey were Vicki Zurek and Kelly Morgan, who set up SSG (Suicide Support Group) last January to help people bereaved by suicide.

It meets at the Friends’ Meeting House every Thursday from 10.30am to noon and has helped about 30 people since its launch.

It was set up after Vicki lost her brother, Lee Boughton, to suicide.

Kelly said: “The family of Lee suffered after his death and felt that there was a lack of support in the Mansfield area for people and family members who have experienced suicide.

“Both Vicki and I felt we didn’t want anyone to suffer in silence and wanted to give people who are in crisis a safe place to go where they can feel supported and not alone, and

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where they can talk confidentially about suicide without judgement, and where they can explore their mental health and emotional well-being.”

Vicki added: “It’s a self-referral group run by volunteers who are suicide-assist trained. It deals with issues such as grief, stress and bereavement, but most of all it offers support and comfort to those who really need it.

“We would like to thank the mayor for awarding us the commendation and for recognising the work we have done in the community.”

Kate Allsop said: “We are very lucky to have this kind of service in the area and I would like to thank them for all the good work they are doing in the community to help people to cope at such a terrible time, with such a tragic loss of a loved one.” l THE Mayor’s Commendations are awarded to a person or a community group that goes the extra mile for Mansfield. Anyone can make a nomination.

Email mayorkateallsop@mansfield. gov.uk giving reasons why the nominee should be commended.

Successful nominees will be invited to attend a full council meeting to receive their certificate.

Community News

14

This page sponsored by: Dalmatian Systems

Double boost for Amazons

Helping the homeless MEMBERS of Girlguiding Nottinghamshire handed over cheques totalling more than £1,200 to Nottinghamshirebased homelessness charity Framework.

The presentation was made during 19th Mansfield Guides’ weekly meeting in Big Barn Lane Methodist Church.

The girls were among 100 members of Guide units from around the county who were sponsored to spend a night in makeshift cardboard shelters at Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Elton campsite earlier this year.

The Night In A Box initiative was been held to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Accepting the cheques on behalf of Framework, Olivia Wood promised that the money would be well-spent.

“This wonderful donation could fund several weeks of early morning Street-Outreach sessions to support rough sleepers,” she told the girls.

“Or (it could) provide starter packs of the bare essentials to help people who have literally nothing when they move on to a new home.”

Talking after the sleep-out in May, the Guides admitted the experience had been a challenge,

and it had enabled them to better appreciate some of the issues associated with homelessness.

“You would have to get a new box every night,” said Sami Hurst, of 19th Mansfield Guides.

“Our box collapsed and I used three pairs of socks because they got so wet.”

Jess Atkin, also from 19th Mansfield Guides, added: “It was a fun experience as my friends were there, but I wouldn’t stay for another night.”

Girlguiding Nottinghamshire is recruiting additional adult volunteers to reduce waiting lists and create more events and opportunities like Night In A Box. Anyone interested in finding out what is involved should call 0115 987 7220 or visit www. girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk For details on Framework and its work with the homeless, visit www.frameworkha.org lABOVE: Members of 19th Mansfield Guides present the money raised during Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Night In A Box to Olivia Wood, of Framework. Far left is Assistant County Commissioner Kirsty Pogson and far right is Gillian Kendall, chairman of the Elton campsite committee.

THE Amazon Breast Cancer Support Group that works to help breast cancer patients at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, received a £2,350 cheque from Jenny Chambers and family members Tara, Melanie and Samantha.

Their fundraising in 2017 included jumble sales, tombolas, raffles and a medium night, all held at Huthwaite’s Victoria Club.

At the presentation (right) fundraising started towards their 2018 donation.

A spokesman for the Amazons said: “A huge thank you to Jenny and her family, to all the people who have supported her, and to Denise and Gary Waring at the Victoria Club.

Pictured, above right, from left, are Tara, Melanie, Sandra, Julie, Amazon chairperson Beryl Perrin and Jenny Chambers. lTO promote breast cancer awareness, the Amazon Breast Cancer Support Group held a Halloween-themed coffee morning (right) at the Mansfield branch of NatWest, selling cakes and handing out newsletters.

The event raised £174 for the charity, which thanked cake-makers and the bank.

Market was fundraising success

THE Inner Wheel Club of Warsop raised a record amount at its Christmas market at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme.

Pictured are club president Helen Tomlinson, Elaine Hopkins, Christine Parkin, Gloria Humphrey and Sue Lunn.

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It’s panto time still... oh yes it is!

IT’S still panto season in Mansfield with two amateur dramatic productions to enjoy at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield, this month.

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Mansfield Hospital’s Theatre Troupe is putting on Cinderella, from Saturday, 27th January to Saturday, 3rd February.

All profits from the troupe’s shows are donated to local charities.

The 2016 production of Jack And The Beanstalk resulted in £4,334 being presented to Mansfield area causes — Mansfield Soup Kitchen, Portland College, HomeStart Mansfield and the Lee Bonsall Memorial Fund.

It took the total raised by the troupe since it began in 1980 to around £125,000.

The troupe is made of people aged from 13 to pensioners and its musicians and choreographers also all provide their services free.

A spokesman said: “It promises to be bigger and better than ever “It’s time to be charmed by the classic rags to riches fairytale of downtrodden Cinders, forced to serve her jealous step-sisters and wicked stepmother.

“She’s off to the ball, so why don’t you come too?

“With best buddy Buttons and a magical fairy godmother on hand, Cinderella looks certain to escape the misery of her dastardly stepsisters and find true love in the arms of a dashing prince. But the course of true love never did run

MANSFIELD Hospital’s Theatre Troupe are staging Cinderella with all the proceeds again going to local charities. smooth…”

The pantomime performances are: Saturday, 27th January — 2.15pm.

Monday, 29th January to Friday, 2nd February — 7.15pm.

Saturday, 3rd February — 2.15pm and 7.15pm.

The spokesman added: “Regular patrons of our shows will know that you not only watch but are cordially invited to participate with the cast and enjoy the

humour as we prove that laughter is the best medicine on a cold winter’s afternoon or evening.”

Tickets, priced £8/£7concessions, are available from the Palace Theatre box office, call 01623 633133 or go to www.mansfield. gov.uk/palacetheatre or through cast members. l WESTFIELD Folkhouse is staging Sleeping Beauty from 13th to 21st January, including Sunday morning shows.

Go to www.mansfield.gov. uk/palacetheatre or call 01623 633133 for details. Tickets are priced £6.

Westfield Folkhouse has been producing pantomimes in Mansfield since 1942 and this year has added an extra Sunday morning show.

Last year’s production was a sell-out.

Tree events A TREE felling workshop is to be held in Sherwood Forest Country Park, Edwinstowe, on Sunday, 14th January, from 10.30am to 3pm.

It will give participants the chance to go through the stages of felling and processing a tree — and can take their tree home as processed firewood.

Advance booking is essential. Call 01623 823202. lON Saturday 20th there is the chance to take part in a tree identification workshop, from 10.30am to noon, at the country park.

Scan here for more what’s on news and to submit your event listing

Archaeological society talks

THE Sherwood Archaeological Society is holding a series of monthly talks at the St Peter’s Centre, Church Side, Mansfield.

Visitors do not need to be a member to attend, but a £2 donation is requested to cover costs.

Refreshments and car parking are free. For more information go to www.sherwood-archaeology.co.uk or look for the group on Facebook.

The subject of the next talk on Wednesday, 17th January, at 7.30pm, is The Napoleonic Wars At Home, by Edward Hammond.

Money being raised for The National Autistic Society (Charity Number 269425) Kick off 2pm Forest Town Arena Free Parking Gates open from 1pm Raffle and Drinks at forest town arena with fully licensed bar.

Some raffle prizes can be seen at www.fullcirclecatering.co.uk/charityfootball-match Go to justgiving www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frenbot

In association with The Forest Town Arena 01623 624678 & Full Circle Catering 01623 404311 www.fullcirclecatering.co.uk

Craig French & Russ Talbot aka Frenbot

We are raising money for The National Autistic Society with a charity football match. Tickets are £2.50 which includes a raffle ticket.

Please email for more information frenbotfootball@gmail.com We are not going back to our roots but simply raising money

What’s On - The Guide

16

This page sponsored by: Mansfield 103.2

Your diary of events for January TO submit an event listing, go to www.news-journal. co.uk/ book-an-ad/create-whats-on-listing. Events in January include:

EVENTS Monday 1st Toddlers, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 9.30am-11am, pre-school children, £1.50 per family.

Toys, music, crafts.

Messy Church With New Cross Community Links, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, all ages, under8s must be supervised, free but donations welcome.

(Monthly, call 01623 515540 for info).

Spinning, Ravenshead Leisure Centre, 6.30pm, call 07729 283975. Weekly.

Weekly Tea Dance, St John’s Centre, St John’s Street, Mansfield, 1.45pm-4pm, £2 incl refreshments. Weekly.

Tuition available. Call 01623 609001.

Tai Chi for health sun style, Kingsway Hall, Forest Town, 6-7pm, weekly, beginners welcome. All abilities.

Closed bank holidays. Elaine Gunn 07703 065655.

Gloop Messy Play (for up to five-year-olds), St Paulinus Church and Community Hall, Ollerton, 10am-11am or 1pm-2pm, weekly, £3, call Emma 07703 593688.

Valuation Day with Bamfords of Derby, Mansfield Museum, 1pm-3pm.

Tuesday 2nd Zumba Fitness, The Regency Dance Centre, Regency Ballroom, Market Place, Sutton, 7pm-8pm. Call 01623 552737. Every Tuesday.

Spinning, Ravenshead Leisure Centre, 6.30pm, call 07729 283975. Weekly.

Bingo, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 2pm4pm.

New Cross Community Choir, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 7pm-9pm, all welcome to join. Weekly.

Care For Coffee Morning, Arena Church, Mansfield, every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-noon. Free.

After School Gardening Club, Little Roots Children’s Community Allotment, Longyards Allotment, off Slant Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, free, every Tuesday, 3.30pm-5pm (term time). For 5-11 years. Booking essential, call Richard: 07748 990509. Weekly.

Mansfield Centre of the National Trust, St John’s Centre, St John’s Street, Mansfield, 7.15pm, Old And Curious Occupations talk, open to all, meetings every first Tuesday of month until May. Wednesday 3rd Coffee Stop, New Cross Community Church, Sutton,

Leeming St, Mansfield NG18 1NG www.mansfieldpalace.co.uk 01623 633 133

10.30am-11am, drop-in for cuppa and chat, weekly.

Care For Coffee Morning, Arena Church, Mansfield, every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-noon. Free.

Hetty’s Bereavement support group, Marlborough House, Woodhouse Road, Mansfield, every Wednesday, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Phoenix Choral, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 7.15pm-9pm. Call Anne 01623 627636, weekly.

Weekly Sequence Dance Night, St Augustine’s Church Hall, Abbott Road, Mansfield, 7.30pm- 9.30pm, £2.50 incl refreshments. Weekly. Call 01623 609001.

Thursday 4th Card craft, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 10am, £4 per session, weekly.

Mingle, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 9.30am11.30am, cuppa and chat £1, weekly.

Book Club, 281 Rooms And Restaurant, Mansfield, 7pm.

Free Dance School - In To The Streets, Clipstone Village Hall, 6.15pm-7.45pm, 5-15 years. Every Thursday. Dance includes street, break-dancing, freestyle and more. Call 07703 767262 or 01623 456827 or visit Facebook page.

Tai Chi for health sun style, Kingsway Hall, Forest Town, 2-3pm, weekly, welcome. All abilities. Closed bank holidays. Elaine Gunn 07703 065655.

Friday 5th Fitsteps (7-8pm) and Ballroom and Latin American Dance (8pm-10.30pm), The Regency Dance Centre, Regency Ballroom, Market Place, Sutton. Call 01623 552737. Weekly.

R&B Dance, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, for 5s and over, 5.45pm-6.45pm, £1. Every Friday term-time.

Coffee Mates, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, meets in community, currently at King’s Mill Farm. Call 01623 515540.

Happy Days playgroup, Bethel Methodist Church, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, Fridays, 12.30pm-2pm.

Children’s activities, refreshments, raffle, all welcome especially mums suffering from post-natal depression, advice and support given.

WI group, The Oakham Suite, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, 7-9pm, first Friday of month. Email missrebecca8119@yahoo.com Knit And Knatter, Ravenshead Library, 10am-11.30am, free. Weekly.

Saturday 6th Mansfield & Ashfield Wildlife Watch Group for 8 to 13-year-olds. Meets first Saturday of the month at St Mark’s Church Hall, Nottingham Road, Mansfield,

Tuesdays - Open Mic Night Acoustic Thursdays Friday Night Live Sunday 28th January An Afternoon with Barry White

To advertise your events on this page call the team on 01623 707 017

Sunday 11th February An Afternoon with Michael Bublé Wednesday 14th February Presents Valentines Day Sunday 25th February An afternoon with Stevie Wonder

Sunday 11th March -

Mothers day at andwhynot

Thursday 29th March

An Evening with Celine Dione

Bank Holiday Monday 2nd April Easter with Elvis

10.30am-12.30pm. For information or to book first session, contact Sarah Spurry, Watch Leader, on 07885 169111 or email:sarah.spurry@ntlworld.com or Lynn Victor at NWT on 0115 958 8242 or email lvictor@ nottswt.co.uk More is at www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/ watchgroups/mansfield-ashfield Community market (first Saturday of every month) Ladybrook Community Centre, Mansfield, 10am-2pm, free, free children’s activities provided by St Mary’s and St John’s churches. Stalls £5 (annual Christmas Fair) must be booked and paid for in advance, no stalls available on day. Email on ladybrookcommunitycentre@ btconnect.com or call 01623 624208.

Introduction to spinning, Ravenshead Leisure Centre, 11am-noon, call 07729 283975. Weekly.

Coffee & Car Park, Bridge Street Methodist Church, Mansfield, 10.30am every Saturday. In exchange for buying a drink and cake, park your car for two hours and shop or just sit and chat. Drinks and cakes 50p.

Children’s Saturday Craft Club, Forest Town Library, 10.30am-noon.

Gloop Messy Play (for up to five-year-olds), St Paulinus Church and Community Hall, Ollerton, 10am-11am, first Saturday of month, £5, call Emma 07703 593688.

Coffee morning, Skegby Methodist Church and Anchor Centre, cooked breakfasts, cake stalls etc, 10.30am to 12.30pm.

The Skies Above exhibition, Mansfield Museum, with Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Societym until 3 February.

Sunday 7th LIFE Church, South Mansfield Community Centre, Mansfield, 10.30am, service including children’s church, open to all, weekly.

Mansfield Artisan and Craft Market, Market Place, 10am to 4pm. Award-winning food and drink plus handcrafted goods not currently available on the High Street.

Locally-sourced traders and stallholders selected on the quality and diversity of items they offer. Every first Sunday of the month.

Monday 8th Tenfifty, inclusive club night for people with learning disabilities, andwhynot, Mansfield, 6.30pm-10pm, £5.

Call 07724 143784.

Tuesday 9th Breathe Easy, Mansfield and Ashfield, every second Tuesday in the month. Self-help support group for information, support and friendship, days out and activities, The Towers, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, 1.30pm–3.30pm. All welcome.

Sunday 28th JanuaryAn Evening with Luther Vandross

Wednesday 14th February The Junction presents Valentines Day

Monday 19th February Pies, Peas & Peter Kay Sunday11th March Mothers day, Love your mum at The Junction Sunday 18th March An evening with Diana Ross Buy your tickets online at: www.suttonjunction.co.uk Telephone - 01623 557 539

Sunday 22nd AprilAn Afternoon with Gary Barlow Bank Holiday Monday 7th May - An Afternoon with Dolly Parton

Buy your tickets online at: www.andwhynotworld.com Telephone - 01623 633 330 Or pop into andwhynot

Mansfield Leisure Park, Park Lane NG18 1BU

www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/mansfield/110/ 0333 014 4501

Contact details

andwhynot, Mansfield — 01623 633330.

Clumber Park — www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park 01909 544917.

Black Market, Warsop — www.blackmarketlive.co.uk 01623 842105.

The Diamond, Sutton — www.thediamonduk.com / 01623 456617.

Hardwick Hall — www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick / 01246 850430.

Il Rosso, Nottingham Road, Mansfield — www.ilrosso. co.uk / 01623 623031.

John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme — Mark Waterfield 847468.

Mansfield Create Theatre, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Derby Road — www.createtheatre.co.uk / 413363.

Mansfield Folk Club, Black Bull, Mansfield — www.mans field-folk-club.org.uk / email tshirtedwinstowe@gmail.com Mansfield Odeon Cinema, Mansfield Leisure Park — www.odeon.co.uk/mansfield / 08712244007.

Mansfield Library — www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk / 651337.

Mansfield Palace Theatre, Leeming Street — www.mans field.gov.uk/palacetheatre / 633133.

Mansfield Museum, Leeming Street — www.mansfield. gov.uk/museum / 463088.

Mansfield Town FC — www.sandypatesportsbar.co.uk / www.wegottickets.com/mansfieldtownfootballclub 482482.

New Cross Community Church — www.newcrosscom munitychurch.com / 515540 Newstead Abbey — www.newsteadabbey.org.uk / 455900.

Nottingham Theatre Royal / Royal Concert Hall — www.trch.co.uk / 0115 989 5555.

Nottingham Playhouse — www.nottinghamplayhouse. co.uk / 0115 9474361.

Nottingham Arena — www.capitalfmarena.com / 0843 3733000.

Nottingham Rock City — www.rockcity.co.uk / 0845 4134444 (box office) 0115 941843.

Portland College — www.portland.ac.uk / Rachel Hensleigh 499105.

Regency Dance Centre, Regency Ballroom, Market Place, Sutton — 552737.

Rufford Abbey Park — www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk / 821338.

Sherwood Forest Country Park — www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk / 823202.

Southwell Workhouse — www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ theworkhouse / 01636 817260.

Sutton Rambling Club — www.suttonramblingclub.com / John Price 01623 796396.

The Talbot pub, Nottingham Road, Mansfield — 623357.

Warsop Ex-Servicemen’s Club — www.warsopexservice mens.co.uk/ 01623 842183.

281 Restaurant and Rooms — Nottingham Road, Mansfield www.281restaurantandrooms.co.uk / 01623 622308. p To submit an event listing, go to www.news-journal. co.uk/ book-an-ad/create-whats-on-listing

What’s On - The Guide EVENTS TO submit an event listing, go to www.news-journal. co.uk/ book-an-ad/create-whats-on-listing. Events in January include: Monday 1st Toddlers, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 9.30am-11am, pre-school children, £1.50 per family.

Toys, music, crafts.

Messy Church With New Cross Community Links, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, all ages, under8s must be supervised, free but donations welcome.

(Monthly, call 01623 515540 for info).

Spinning, Ravenshead Leisure Centre, 6.30pm, call 07729 283975. Weekly.

Weekly Tea Dance, St John’s Centre, St John’s Street, Mansfield, 1.45pm-4pm, £2 incl refreshments. Weekly.

Tuition available. Call 01623 609001.

Tai Chi for health sun style, Kingsway Hall, Forest Town, 6-7pm, weekly, beginners welcome. All abilities.

Closed bank holidays. Elaine Gunn 07703 065655.

Gloop Messy Play (for up to five-year-olds), St Paulinus Church and Community Hall, Ollerton, 10am-11am or 1pm-2pm, weekly, £3, call Emma 07703 593688.

Valuation Day with Bamfords of Derby, Mansfield Museum, 1pm-3pm.

Tuesday 2nd Zumba Fitness, The Regency Dance Centre, Regency Ballroom, Market Place, Sutton, 7pm-8pm. Call 01623 552737. Every Tuesday.

Spinning, Ravenshead Leisure Centre, 6.30pm, call 07729 283975. Weekly.

Bingo, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 2pm4pm.

New Cross Community Choir, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 7pm-9pm, all welcome to join. Weekly.

Care For Coffee Morning, Arena Church, Mansfield, every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-noon. Free.

After School Gardening Club, Little Roots Children’s Community Allotment, Longyards Allotment, off Slant Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, free, every Tuesday, 3.30pm-5pm (term time). For 5-11 years. Booking

MUSIC essential, call Richard: 07748 990509. Weekly.

Mansfield Centre of the National Trust, St John’s Centre, St John’s Street, Mansfield, 7.15pm, Old And Curious Occupations talk, open to all, meetings every first Tuesday of month until May.

17

Wednesday 3rd Coffee Stop, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 10.30am-11am, drop-in for cuppa and chat, weekly.

Care For Coffee Morning, Arena Church, Mansfield, every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-noon. Free.

Hetty’s Bereavement support group, Marlborough House, Woodhouse Road, Mansfield, every Wednesday, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Phoenix Choral, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 7.15pm-9pm. Call Anne 01623 627636, weekly.

Weekly Sequence Dance Night, St Augustine’s Church Hall, Abbott Road, Mansfield, 7.30pm- 9.30pm, £2.50 incl refreshments. Weekly. Call 01623 609001.

Thursday 4th Card craft, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 10am, £4 per session, weekly.

Mingle, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, 9.30am11.30am, cuppa and chat £1, weekly.

Book Club, 281 Rooms And Restaurant, Mansfield, 7pm.

Free Dance School - In To The Streets, Clipstone Village Hall, 6.15pm-7.45pm, 5-15 years. Every Thursday. Dance includes street, break-dancing, freestyle and more. Call 07703 767262 or 01623 456827 or visit Facebook page.

Tai Chi for health sun style, Kingsway Hall, Forest Town, 2-3pm, weekly, welcome. All abilities. Closed bank holidays. Elaine Gunn 07703 065655.

Friday 5th Fitsteps (7-8pm) and Ballroom and Latin American Dance (8pm-10.30pm), The Regency Dance Centre, Regency Ballroom, Market Place, Sutton. Call 01623 552737. Weekly.

R&B Dance, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, for 5s and over, 5.45pm-6.45pm, £1. Every Friday term-time.

Coffee Mates, New Cross Community Church, Sutton, meets in community, currently at King’s Mill Farm. Call 01623 515540.

Happy Days playgroup, Bethel Methodist Church, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, Fridays, 12.30pm-2pm.

Children’s activities, refreshments, raffle, all welcome especially mums suffering from post-natal depression, advice and support given.

WI group, The Oakham Suite, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, 7-9pm, first Friday of month. Email missrebecca8119@yahoo.com Knit And Knatter, Ravenshead Library, 10am-11.30am, free. Weekly.

Saturday 6th Mansfield & Ashfield Wildlife Watch Group for 8 to 13-year-olds. Meets first Saturday of the month at St Mark’s Church Hall, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, 10.30am-12.30pm. For information or to book first session, contact Sarah Spurry, Watch Leader, on 07885 169111 or email:sarah.spurry@ntlworld.com or Lynn Victor at NWT on 0115 958 8242 or email lvictor@

FREE ONLINE VALUATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

www.castlegateproperty.co.uk

Visit our website to get your FREE online and instant valuation NOW! OR Book your FREE valuation with our Valuer Joe. Call us on:

01623 889 989 info@castlegateproperty.co.uk

This page sponsored by: Mansfield 103.2

nottswt.co.uk More is at www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/ watchgroups/mansfield-ashfield

THEATRE Community market (first Saturday of every month) Ladybrook Community Centre, Mansfield, 10am-2pm, free, free children’s activities provided by St Mary’s and St John’s churches. Stalls £5 (annual Christmas Fair) must be booked and paid for in advance, no stalls available on day. Email on ladybrookcommunitycentre@ btconnect.com or call 01623 624208.

Introduction to spinning, Ravenshead Leisure Centre, 11am-noon, call 07729 283975. Weekly.

Coffee & Car Park, Bridge Street Methodist Church, Mansfield, 10.30am every Saturday. In exchange for buying a drink and cake, park your car for two hours and shop or just sit and chat. Drinks and cakes 50p.

Children’s Saturday Craft Club, Forest Town Library, 10.30am-noon.

Gloop Messy Play (for up to five-year-olds), St Paulinus Church and Community Hall, Ollerton, 10am-11am, first Saturday of month, £5, call Emma 07703 593688.

Coffee morning, Skegby Methodist Church and Anchor Centre, cooked breakfasts, cake stalls etc, 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Sunday 7th LIFE Church, South Mansfield Community Centre, Mansfield, 10.30am, service including children’s church, open to all, weekly.

Mansfield Artisan and Craft Market, Market Place, 10am to 4pm. Award-winning food and drink plus handcrafted goods not currently available on the High Street.

Locally-sourced traders and stallholders selected on the quality and diversity of items they offer. Every first Sunday of the month.

Monday 8th Tenfifty, inclusive club night for people with learning disabilities, andwhynot, Mansfield, 6.30pm-10pm, £5.

Call 07724 143784.

Tuesday 9th Breathe Easy, Mansfield and Ashfield, every second Tuesday in the month. Self-help support group for information, support and friendship, days out and activities, The Towers, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, 1.30pm–3.30pm. All welcome.

Wednesday 10th International Mini Market, Mansfield Market Place, 10am-4pm, authentic artisan foods and products from around the world, including postcards, toys, homemade honey products, personalised wooden gifts, handmade bracelets and crocheted accessories as well as Latvian and Lithuanian cakes and treats, Caribbean, Czech and Slovakian food. Every second Wednesday of month.

Mothers Union, New Cross Community Church, Sutton,

2pm. Every second Wednesday of month.

Sunday 14th Sutton Rambling Club, Errwood Reservoir, Goyt Valley, meet Staff of Life pub, Hack Lane, Sutton, 9.17am; Langford Street end, Priestic Road, opposite Asda, Sutton, 9.20am; Eastfield Side (Blue Bell pub), Sutton, 9.22am; Sir John Cockle bus stop, Sutton Road, Mansfield, 9.25am; Bancroft Lane end, Stockwell Gate (near Asda), Mansfield, 9.30am; coach fare £10.

Wednesday 17th Reading Group, Mansfield Library, 2pm, third Wednesday of the month, free.

Sherwood Archaeological Society AGM and talk, The Napoleonic Wars At Home, St Peter’s Centre, Church Side, Mansfield, 7.30pm. £2 donation requested. Coffee and free parking. www.sherwood-archaeology.co.uk Saturday 20th Knit And Knatter, Mansfield Library, 10am-noon, third Saturday of the month, free.

Monday 22nd The Skies Above, Mansfield Museum, free family event, 7.30pm, Contact Jodie Henshaw for more information or to book a place. Call 01623 463088 or email jhenshaw@ mansfield.gov.uk Sunday 28th Sutton Rambling Club, Stanage Edge, meet Staff of Life pub, Hack Lane, Sutton, 9.17am; Langford Street end, Priestic Road, opposite Asda, Sutton, 9.20am; Eastfield Side (Blue Bell pub), Sutton, 9.22am; Sir John Cockle bus stop, Sutton Road, Mansfield, 9.25am; Bancroft Lane end, Stockwell Gate (near Asda), Mansfield, 9.30am; coach fare £10.

Friday 5th Hello Again - The Story Of Neil Diamond, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30pm, £22.50.

Saturday 6th National Youth Orchestra Of Great Britain, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30pm, £10-£26.

Monday 8th Mansfield Folk Club, open singers and musicians night, Black Bull, Mansfield, doors 7.45pm, music 8.30pm, £1.

Tuesday 9th Thriller Live, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30pm, £18-£35.

Wednesday 10th Thriller Live, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30pm, £18-£35.

Thursday 11th Thriller Live, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30pm, £18-£35.

Friday 12th Thriller Live, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 7.30pm, £18-£35.

Community News

18

This page sponsored by: Dalmatian Systems

Regional care award accolade for Rebecca

Carving out support help AGE UK Notts’ Men In Sheds Project in Blidworth has been awarded £500 from The Mansfield Building Society Community Support Scheme for materials and equipment.

The project promotes positive mental health in older men through work, socialising, learning and skill development.

Men aged 60 and above attend sessions from Monday to Thursday to share and improve their woodworking skills, while also getting the chance to make new friends.

Age UK Notts provides the ‘shed’ – a workshop, tools and equipment as well as a co-ordinator for support, but the day-to-day running is undertaken by the group who choose projects and activities.

Members come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from highly-skilled carpenters to absolute beginners.

Once activities have been chosen, the men work together to produce various wooden items which are then sold. All money made is then re-invested back into the group.

Nicky Wheddon, Men In Sheds project manager, said: “We have lots of members who love attending our sessions.

“They enjoy the camaraderie each activity brings and creating goods that we can use to further fund the project.

“The feedback we receive is fantastic with many men feeling less lonely, more confident and valued once they have completed sessions.

“It’s good to know our project is serving its purpose, helping to promote positive mental health.

“The donation from The Mansfield has allowed us to keep our members active.”

Nicola Caulton, branch and community development manager at The Mansfield, who is pictured above with members of the group, said: “After speaking to the members I learnt just how significant the project is and how it has helped every one of them in a very different way.”

The society’s community support scheme funds groups and organisations in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and meets twice yearly in May and November to consider applications.

To find out more or to download an application form, go to Mansfieldbs.co.uk/ community-support-scheme

p 8th MANSFIELD SCOUTS were one of three local charities that collected a cheque for £2,489, which was raised

by Co-op members swiping their loyalty cards while shopping and earning 1% for local causes on Co-op branded products. The Scouts are pictured at the Southwell Road store in Mansfield, where they also held a tombola to raise funds, recruit members and explain how they benefitted from the scheme.

A MANSFIELD-BASED home care company is celebrating after one of its workers won a top regional award.

Rebecca Hale was one of five staff members from Premier Care to make it to the regional final of the Great British Care Awards at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

Rebecca impressed the judges in an interview and won the regional award for home care assessor.

“It was a fantastic night and it was really nice to receive the award,” she said. “The awards do a great thing by celebrating people who work in care.”

Rebecca, who has worked with Premier Care for more than six years, started with the company as a care worker.

Through progression and gaining relevant qualifications, Rebecca is now one of its leaders in care planning and assessing an individual’s care.

Throughout her career with Premier Care she has demonstrated her ability to assess service users with complex needs and create a care plan that provides effective, person-centred care.

Premier Care managing director Daniel Isterling said: “Becky is a hardworking, compassionate and technically-gifted care manager who always puts her service users first.

“She has grown and learnt while working for

REBECCA Hale with her award. us. She is the perfect example of what we try to achieve for our staff in terms of development and nurturing.

“Becky now has a career to be proud of and a bright future ahead of her.”

Premier Care, which has provided home care services to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire for more than 20 years, is rated good by the Care Quality Commission. l FOR more details on Premier Care call 01623 810100 or go to www.premiercarefamily.co.uk

Amazons raising awareness

A TOMBOLA and breast cancer awareness event was the ideal opportunity for members of the Amazon Support Group to chat and give out information and newsletters to visitors to King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton.

The tombola raised £212 for the charity, which works to support breast cancer patients at King’s Mill.

01623 491 164 v1jjl@aol.co.uk

Focus On Food & Drink

19

Looking forward to Spring The long, cold nights of winter will soon behind us and we can slowly look forward to warmer and brighter days as we make our way into spring!

It’s that time of Year when we all jump on the weighing scales and we can’t believe how much weight we have put on over the Christmas period.

Far too much Roast Turkey, Christmas pudding and Mince Pies. Not counting all the Chocolate’s that we have all eaten.

Now all the Christmas decorations have been put away. There will be a big meeting held by all the Head’s of departments to discuss all the positive and negatives issues from December.

Chef’s will be busy planning their Valentines

Menu. Something light, something full of flavour, something romantic and not containing Garlic as we don’t want to spoil that very special moment between two love birds.

This would be quickly followed by planning of the new Spring menu. Spring is my favourite season of the year to do menu planning.

Spring Lamb, Jersey Royals, Spinach, Savoy Cabbage, Spring onions, Tender-sweet Carrots and Baby Broad beans just to name a few that are best in spring. Believe it or not but Mussels are still in season at this time of year. When I was a Commis Chef I was given this saying from my Head Chef. Mussels are only in season when there is an R in the month.

Craig French, Full Circle Catering.

While the positive ripples are having a lifechanging effect in the sporting and health fields, this tide of revived appreciation has swept through countless strata of UK life.

And it seems that one of these is a return to the country's classic staples - the Royal family and traditional family dinners.

UK mothers have certainly come home to roost with Royal guests and classic dishes as the ultimate dinner party wish list, a new survey by The Red Tractor reveals.

One in four mums said they would most like to invite the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge over to dinner ahead of Dame Judy Dench, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and David Beckham according to research by Red Tractor Assurance.

And while most households enjoy watching cookery programmes, the reality of juggling the kids and running a busy household makes mums play it safe when it comes to cooking the evening meal, with over a quarter of families reluctant to take inspiration from television chefs.

Just two out of 10 mums seek tips and recipes from home-grown mover and shaker Jamie Oliver ahead of Delia Smith and Nigella Lawson, Gordon Ramsey, Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal don't come get a look-in.

Despite all the wild and wonderful cooking books, TV shows and ethnic restaurants, over 50 per cent of households opt to cook a traditional roast dinner with over a third taking the easy route and preparing the great British classic, apple crumble for pudding.

Only one in 20 wanted to add some va-v-avoom to the dinner table and invite Shades of Grey author EL James.

Interestingly, over a quarter of husbands polled said they would like to cook something new for their guests but over a half agreed that sticking to tried and tested favourites was the safest bet.

And a remarkable 13 per cent of the respondents confessed that they wouldn't cook anything for their guests.

Richard Cattell, Head of Marketing at Red Tractor which commissioned the study of more than 2,000 families, says: "We're aware that shoppers are faced with a variety of choices, both from the high street supermarkets and also when eating out.

"The survey tells us that shoppers like to support British food, with more than 55 per cent already

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Proudly going back to our roots With the world's spotlight bathing the UK in glory this year, national pride is at an all-time high.

Much has been written about the benefits the Olympics have brought and it seems that one of the boons is a renewed sense of self-confidence and a refreshed respect for the best of British.

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And when it comes to cooking and eating out, over a third of the shoppers surveyed like to know where

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Community News

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Farm charity to get Healthy donations support from business RHUBARB FARM has been named as one of the charities to benefit from fundraising efforts by East Midlands Chamber in 2018.

Chamber president Rob Mayo announced the Langwith-based community interest company as one of three charities that will receive an equal share of money raised by the Chamber throughout the year.

The three charities — the others are Huncote-based Leicester and Leicestershire Animal Aid and Leicester-based Hope Against Cancer — were revealed at the Chamber’s Christmas Lunch, in Leicester, when £2,959.70 was raised towards the 2018 charity pot.

At the event, the three beneficiaries of 2017 fundraising efforts — Leicester-based LOROS, Nottingham-based Maggie’s and Blythe House Hospice, of Chapel-en-le-Frith — received an equal share of £3,000 raised by the Chamber during the year.

The beneficiaries were the second trio of

charities to benefit from the East Midlands Chamber Charitable Fund, which was set up in 2016 and is administered by the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation.

Rob said: “It gave me great pleasure to present three very worthwhile charities with much-needed donations and also to name three more charities to which the chamber will donate next year.

“Charities rely on donations for their survival and whether it is a large or small amount I would encourage businesses to take part in events that help to raise money for charities during the year.”

GETTING patients back to fitness is one of the aims of the therapy services at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, and new exercise equipment in the physiotherapy department will help that.

Pictured are some of the Amazon Breast Cancer Support Group committee trying out the equipment, which was bought with

an £8,0000 donation from the charity and a £13,000 donation from the hospital’s Daffodil Café and trolley volunteers.

Post-operative breast cancer patients are just some of the recovering patients who will benefit from the opportunity to take part in physiotherapy courses using the equipment.

SHERWOOD Forest Hospitals has been named one of the best in the country and top in the East Midlands for recognising and treating patients who have had a stroke.

The trust has the second highest score in the country out of 140 trusts, after being given an A rating by the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) for the way it handles patients suspected of having a stroke.

The audit is carried out quarterly and this is the third increase in performance for the team — stroke consultants, thrombolysis nurses, stroke nurse specialists, ward nurses, ward doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists, clinical audit assistants, emergency department staff, early supported discharge, members of the discharge team, radiographers, clinical pharmacy, dieticians and East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The clinical lead for stroke, consultant Martin Cooper, said: “This is all thanks to the dedication of the team here, who have all worked hard to get us to this level and they should be proud.”

Keith Scutt, 62, of Blidworth who was a

patient on the stroke ward, went home just three days after his stroke thanks to the Early Supported Discharge Team.

He said: “The team were brilliant, everyone got involved with my care and made sure that there was support for me to go home as soon as I felt ready to.

“The aftercare from the team was brilliant.

They came to my house for six weeks and provided cognitive tests for me to do along with practical tasks to help me get about and get my confidence back. It really helped, and I have now returned to work.”

Talking about when he first noticed he might be having a stroke, Keith added: “I had been going to my GP to get dressings changed on a wound and while in the waiting area I read about recognising the signs of stroke and the FAST message (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call emergency services).

“I remembered this when my symptoms first came on and knew I needed to act quickly, so I called my son-in-law who is a First Responder for the Fire Service. He called for an ambulance straight away.”

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KEITH Scutt and Martin Cooper with the strike team.

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Health

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National award for trust’s sonographers

A TEAM of sonographers from Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, which runs King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, had their efforts to provide a top-quality service recognised by winning a prestigious national award.

The health care professionals collected the regional Radiography Team of the Year award at a special ceremony in London.

It recognised how the ultrasound specialists supported other areas of the hospital by providing excellent and timely ultrasound services, expediting the diagnosis of serious illnesses and ensuring the health of babies.

The team solved staffing issues by fostering an open learning environment and encouraging the next generation of radiographers to take up the profession.

Louise Cordon, lead sonographer, said: “We are excited,

surprised and extremely proud to have won.

“The team worked incredibly hard over the past 12 months to increase the ultrasound workforce.

“To achieve this, many of our established sonographers have extended their roles to share their extensive knowledge and to deliver a positive, supportive learning environment for our students.”

l PICTURED are team members Amy Berriman, Louise Cordon and Robert Cain receivingd the award from Charlie McCaffrey (far left) of the awards sponsors, Carestream, and Suzanne Rastrick (far right), chief allied health professions officer for England.

Aiming for a safe and healthy winter SHERWOOD Forest Hospitals Trust has made a public commitment to patients, visitors and staff for a safe winter across all of its hospital sites.

The commitment, signed up to by all members of the trust’s executive board, details the behaviours and actions that hospital users can expect during

what is traditionally the busiest time of year for NHS services.

Chief executive Ricard Mitchell said: “Winter is a challenging time of year. However, we are all clear that this does not change what patients and visitors to our hospitals should expect.”

PEOPLE wanting music requests played on Millside Radio for patients at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, should call 01623 737737 and leave their message or go to www.millsideradio.co.uk for more information.

The station has a free app for android phones

(Millside Radio app), which allows people to listen to the station.

Go to the station’s website or download the Tunein app and search for Millside Radio to listen on other devices.

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Good news for mental health help A PROJECT that aims to boost the wellbeing and employment levels of people with mental health needs is being protected with £206,000 in Government funding.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Co-production project encourages participants to share their skills, experiences and passions with others through group sessions, activities and workshops on areas of interest such as music, art, gardening and support groups.

The funding is coming from additional Government help to support social care locally and will prevent reductions to the service.

There are 38 groups across the county connected to the project, benefitting around 460 people.

The groups include: l A bowling group meeting every Monday at Mansfield Superbowl. l A peri-natal wellbeing course at Rainworth and Ollerton Children Centres. l A summer fishing club at Sutton Lawn in Sutton-in-Ashfield A survey of 90 new members found that 73% of users felt an improvement in wellbeing and 37% increased their time in employment following their involvement in the sessions.

The project is also being expanded thanks to money from the Community Covenant Aged Veterans Fund to link up ex-Service veterans aged over 65 with local activities.

To find out more about the help available to people with mental health problems, contact the Council on 0300 500 80 80 or visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

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Graduation celebration UNIVERSITY-LEVEL students at West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield, donned their caps and gowns for two graduation ceremonies at Kelham Hall.

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More than 250 students graduated from university-level courses in the last academic year — and the college organised two ceremonies to enable everyone to take to the stage to celebrate their efforts.

Students collected their graduation certificates from Dame Asha Khemka DBE, principal and chief executive, while Professor Nikolaos Antonopoulos, pro vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, and Professor Julian Beer, deputy vice-chancellor at Birmingham City University, presented the students with their university-level qualifications.

Attending the event were special guests and keynote speakers, former Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Baronness Morris of Yardley, and High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire David Sneath.

The graduation ceremonies also saw students collect outstanding student of the year awards – with two receiving the principal’s student of the year award for outstanding performance on their courses.

One of the principal’s awards went to BA (Hons) Sport Studies student Teresa-Maria Higgins.

Teresa-Maria’s tutor praised her for her conscientiousness and diligence during her studies as well as noting the personal sacrifices she made. Her excellent dissertation project was based on the impact of wearable technologies on exercise behaviour in sedentary groups.

Having gained a first class honours degree, Teresa-Maria is moving into the teacher arena, delivering modules on the HE sport programme at the college.

Teresa-Maria, 40, of Mansfield, said: “I felt incredibly proud to have been presented with both of the awards. When I received

SPECIAL award winners from the University of Derby graduation ceremony (above) with Professor Nikolaos Antonopoulos and Dame Asha and, below, special award winners from Birmingham City University’s graduation ceremony with Dame Asha and Professor Julian Beer.

the letter informing me that I had won an outstanding student award, I was overwhelmed.

“I knew that I had worked hard for my degree, but in my opinion, I had worked no harder than my peers. “ “To hear the lovely explanation as to why I’d been awarded the outstanding student award was humbling and made the hard work feel worthwhile, and I had no idea that I had won the principal’s award, which was a wonderful honour.”

The other principal’s award winner was Hayley Watkins, who graduated from the

Foundation Degree in Tourism and Event Management.

Hayley was praised for her consistent positive attitude and professional approach as well as her great attributes of leadership and organisational skills. She showed competence in her research activities, resulting in first-class theory work. She is now moving on to the next level of higher education.

Hayley, 21, of Forest Town, said: “I knew that I had been nominated for the outstanding award, which was really great, but I had no idea that I’d get the principal’s award too. It’s made

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me reflect that all that hard work is worth it. It certainly brought tears to my mum’s eyes.”

The event also saw members of the college’s own staff graduate from courses held at the Mansfield-based college.

Future Focus awards were presented to BA (Hons) Criminal Justice student Gerda Griskonyte and BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-Up) student Kirsty Aram.

The Future Focus award was created by the college to provide students with an opportunity to develop, evidence and effectively communicate their employability skills in preparation for getting their dream job or promotion, recognising that a degree is not enough; a degree alone will not automatically open doors after students graduate.

Principal and chief executive Dame Asha Khemka said: “We live in a world full of change and economic uncertainties, so it’s critical that each of us develop to prosper and be strong during these challenging times.

By continuing a passion for knowledge and learning, our students are preparing themselves well.”

The college works in partnership with Birmingham City University and the University of Derby to teach a wide range of university-level courses. l MANSFIELD mayor Kate Allsop was awarded the Honorary Fellowship Award — the first of its kind given by the college.

The award honours prominent members of the community.

She said: “I believe passionately that education is a most precious gift we can give not just to our children but to everyone – a lifelong education.”

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Mum’s academic success is hailed an inspiration A “truly inspirational” adult learner, who overcame incredible adversity and battled mental illness, has scooped a national accolade for her academic success.

West Nottinghamshire College student Lisa Woodward received the runner-up prize in the Keith Fletcher Award for outstanding academic achievement, awarded by CAVA (Cambridge Access Validating Agency) — a body that designs and validates Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas.

Mother-of-three Lisa, of Mansfield Woodhouse, was nominated by learner development coach and tutor Jason Hanson for excelling on the Access to HE Combined Humanities and Social Sciences course, which she passed with 10 distinctions and two merits, at the Mansfield college.

The 36-year-old had not stepped foot inside a classroom for a decade, after reluctantly having to quit a nursing degree and healthcare career in 2007 due to family commitments and the need to support her husband, who suffers from physical and mental health problems.

That led to Lisa experiencing intense feelings of isolation and her own long-running battle with anxiety, depression and self-harming.

Sadly, that resulted in Lisa experiencing a breakdown in 2015

and being detained in Millbrook Mental Health Unit, Sutton, where she remained as an outpatient for 18 months.

In another devastating blow, Lisa and her children — Oliver, 8, Alice, 10, and LucyAnn, 15 — lost their family home due to financial difficulties.

After hitting “rock bottom”, Lisa resolved to get her life back on track and made the brave decision to enrol on to one of the college’s Access to HE courses — designed specifically for adults returning to education. Feeling nervous and anxious, she attended the initial interview with a support worker.

Determined to make the most of her “second chance”, Lisa threw herself into her studies and proved to be an outstanding student — achieving a 99.4% attendance rate and passing the course with almost-perfect marks, which saw her top the class.

She also attended a host of extracurricular activities.

With help from housing charity Framework, Lisa and her children have been re-homed and she is studying the Foundation Degree in Criminal Justice (Human Rights) at the college’s £6.5m university centre, with ambitions of a career as a probation officer.

She also volunteers for 16 hours

each week with Nottingham-based organisation Adkam Homes, which provides supported accommodation for homeless and ex-offenders who are facing social exclusion.

Furthermore, she is working with the college to introduce a peermentoring service, after coming up with the idea to provide extra support to students that may be struggling for various reasons.

Lisa said: “Two years ago I had no home, a husband repeatedly in and out of hospital, and I was an outpatient on an almost daily basis due to my self-harming.

“It felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel and I had no idea how things would ever get better.

“I’m so pleased I decided to apply to college. It was difficult settling in at first but things became easier once I accessed the support of tutors and slowly gained in confidence.

“Managing my home life with fulltime study has been a challenge but the new and exciting opportunities that have come my way have once again given my life purpose.

“I’m so proud of my exam results.

I’ve had to put everything into them and the hard work has paid off.

“College hasn’t just been about academic achievement – it’s changed me as a person and made me want to achieve even more.

LISA WOODWARD is pictured receiving her award for outstanding academic achievement from CAVA acting chair Tom Levinson (left), joined by tutor Jason Hanson.

“Jason was a fantastic tutor and extremely supportive whenever I had a panic attack in class, which happened a lot last year and made it difficult for me to physically speak.

“But the compassionate way he managed those situations made me want to come to college the next day, and the day after that.

“Knowing how it feels to hit rock bottom, it’s great to know I’ve got an exciting future ahead of me. College has given me a new lease of life.”

The award was presented to Lisa by CAVA’s acting chair Tom Levinson at its annual conference, held at Churchill College, Cambridge. Lisa was accompanied by proud Jason.

The 11 Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) across England and Wales joined together to sponsor and support the award for the seventh consecutive year, in memory of Mr Fletcher, who worked tirelessly promoting Access to HE throughout his career.

Speaking of her award, Lisa said: “It was a wonderful day and an unforgettable experience. I hope future Access to HE applicants and potential students will be inspired by

my story and empowered to achieve all that they set out to do.”

Access to HE sociology and social policy tutor Jason said: “Lisa’s journey has been one of incredible determination and resilience. The tenacity she has shown has been nothing short of remarkable and truly inspirational.

“Watching Lisa collect her award was an immensely proud moment for me, because I remember the selfconscious individual I first met, who doubted her own ability to successfully complete the course.

“When you consider the obstacles that Lisa has overcome, her achievement is nothing short of outstanding and she is fully-deserving of her award.”

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Project to develop facilities at reservoir moves forward PLANS for a visitor centre as part of a project to preserve and promote King’s Mill Reservoir, Sutton, have been revealed to the public.

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The work is being carried out

by Ashfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and partners.

Last year the councils secured £121,000 from the National Lottery for the King And Miller To Kingfisher scheme to enhance the historic site’s sustainability and visitor experience.

Improvements will: lDevelop the existing visitor café into a new visitor centre, which will tell the story of the site’s history, increasing information and site access. lConnect residents of Ashfield and Mansfield with the 18th Century industrial heritage at the reservoir through a new Maun Trail footpath and cycle route between the towns and the reservoir. lUndertake critical development work on-site to de-silt parts of the reservoir, improve access, signage and habitat and improve parking.

Plans for the all-new visitor centre have been developed by architect Guy Taylor Associates, appointed to transform the existing visitor café into an all-purpose facility.

The new-look visitor centre would increase seating capacity within the café, create a backdrop of the history of the site and frame the views of the reservoir from the café to improve the visitor experience.

Other plans include possibly restoring the viaduct on-site, dredging strategies, silt deposit management and ecological survey work.

A second stage Heritage Lottery Fund bid to be submitted this year will seek funding to implement the proposals.

A ranger is also set to be

PARTNERS involved in the project to develop a visitor centre at King’s Mill Reservoir, Sutton.

appointed to work with volunteers on the site and there has been work with schools, heritage societies and dementia awareness groups to hear their views on the future of the reservoir.

County council leader Coun Kay Cutts said: “This exciting project will enhance the visitor experience and protect wildlife at King’s Mill Reservoir and we are very pleased with the progress that is taking place as we invest in this popular reservoir and historic site.”

Coun Tracey Taylor, vicechairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Our Mill Adventure Base is already popular with school pupils and young people’s groups and this scheme could help us to attract

more visitors, including families, to explore what the area has to offer.”

Ideas that could be explored by the outdoor and environmental education team at the adventure base could include accessible cycle hire, water-based taster activities such as canoeing for groups and families, and increasing the availability of both the climbing wall and artificial caving opportunities, school holiday activity breaks and one-night residential stays.

Coun Cheryl Butler, leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “With such fantastic participation in the summer consultation programme, we can already see this is a project our residents are fully supporting and getting excited about.

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Public Notices Mansfield District Council Licensing ACT 2003

LICENSING ACT 2OO3 MB Trading 2 High Street Warsop NG19 7BH

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE /CLUB PREMISES CERTIFICATE

MB Trading are applying for a new premises Licence at 2 High Street, Warsop NG20 0AG. The application is made to Mansfield District Council, Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield NG19 7BH.

The Licensable Activities are: Off sales retail of alcohol from 6am – 10pm Monday - Sunday

Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice in writing to: The Licensing Manager, Mansfield District Council, Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield NG19 7BH.

th

Representations must be received no later than 18 January 2018.

(This should be no less than 20 working days after the day on which the application was received by the Licensing Authority)

The Application Record and Register may be viewed during normal office hours at the above address.

It is an offence under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (£5000)

Premises – Valvonas, 7a Albert Street, Mansfield NG18 1EA Notice is hereby given that Giustin Valvona has applied to Mansfield District Council Licensing Authority for a premises licence or Club Premises Certificate under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Licensable Activities are: Regulated Entertainments: Mon – Wed 08:00 – 23:00; Thurs – Sun 08:00 – 24:00 indoors & outdoors Late night refreshment: Mon – Sun 23:00 – 24:00 Supply of Alcohol: Mon – Wed 09:00 – 23:00: Thurs – Sun 09:00 – 24:00 Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 24:00 Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice in writing to: The Licensing Manager, Mansfield District Council, Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield NG18 7BH

Representations must be made by 1st February 2018 The Application record and register may be viewed during normal office hours at the above address.

It is an offence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003 knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in relation to a license application. The maximum fine on summary conviction is £5000

“Providing something for everyone, the plans for the new visitor centre can only build on this excitement.”

Mansfield District Council portfolio holder for the environment, Coun Andrew Tristram, said: “King’s Mill Reservoir is an important visitor attraction for both local authorities — a key location for walking and trails that connect the site to our towns and recreational spaces.”

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This page sponsored by: The Evolve Trust

Reaching out to say thank you VERA Dilks and Judi Parkinson.

Festive fun for Inner Wheel club AT the December meeting of the Inner Wheel Club of Kirkby, district chairman Vera Dilks joined in members’ mini-panto based on Snow White.

Members exchanged Secret Santa gifts and cards, and several members made a charitable donation in lieu of cards.

A spokesman said: “Our thanks to the Summit Centre staff for an excellent Christmas supper.”

Club members (below) dressed as Christmas elves to help Santa Claus at Kirkby Rotarians’ charity collection and grotto at the Reuben Shaw Garden Centre, Moorgreen.

From left are Inner Wheel club president Judi Parkinson, Santa Claus, Susan Smailes and Barbara Williams.

A CHARITY with a base in Mansfield smashed its £25,000 fundraising target.

The Not Lonely This Christmas appeal, run by Reach Learning Disability, featured a week of special events and online donations.

Part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge, it aimed to raise money to help Reach’s activities and courses as well as awareness of the problems faced by people with learning disabilities such as loneliness at Christmas.

Donations made online during the Christmas Challenge week were doubled by a Big Give pledge — the UK’s largest match-funding campaign.

The money raised will fund activities and courses that help people with learning disabilities build their confidence, make new friends and feel part of their community.

Throughout the challenge week, Reach held events and open-house sessions to raise awareness and funds for the campaign.

They included the annual Reach Mansfield Charity Christmas Auction at the St John’s Centre, where around 30 lots — including

REACH users said thank you to fundraisers.

Individual donations plus funds from events run across the Reach bases in Mansfield, Southwell

and Newark during the challenge meant the charity reached its £25,000 target within the week.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Reach would like to thank all those who supported the Big Give Christmas Challenge, including the volunteers who helped make their events in Mansfield, Newark and Southwell such a success.”

efficient and cost-effective central heating systems to each home.

The current district heating schemes on Skegby Lane, Newcastle Street, Park Hall Road and at Beech Court will be

decommissioned once individual gas supplies and central heating systems are installed in each property. The council wants to improve customer choice and comfort.

food hampers and luxury items — were auctioned to raise funds for the appeal.

Reach Mansfield also held a raffle as part of the event, raising a total of £950.

Plans to improve heating to council homes MANSFIELD District Council has approved the decommissioning of communal heating to more council-owned properties over the next two years to make way for the installation of modern, energy-

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Music divas’ high note for pub re-launch A COMMUNITY pub in Mansfield Woodhouse has reopened its doors to the sound of diva tribute nights.

The Park Hall Tavern has been given a £120,000 investment by UK community pub group Admiral Taverns.

Experienced licensees Marc and Stephanie Kershaw and the pub’s manager, Tracey Gunner, took over the pub last year and have worked closely with Admiral Taverns, undertaking a complete refurbishment of the pub’s exterior and interior.

Customers can choose from a new and extensive wine list, a signature gin list and newly-launched bar menu, featuring a broad range of light bites and bar snacks.

The pub reopened in December with a programme of music diva tribute nights to the likes of Pink and Diana Ross.

Stephanie said: “The Park Hall Tavern has been at the heart of its community for a number of years. Through the refurbishment we wanted to give the pub the sparkling new look it deserves, offering its loyal locals a warm and welcoming environment.

“Whether it’s a big sports match, quiz night, a charity fundraising evening or just a quiet drink with friends, the Park Hall Tavern will offer something for everyone.”

Community News

26

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p PUPILS at Oak Tree Primary School, Mansfield, sung to shoppers at the Jubilee Tesco store.

Donations collected by pupils towards school funds raised £112.

Two classes worked with Oak Tree Conservation Group, Sherwood Forest Trust and Tesco staff to create bird feeder pine cones, fat balls and string peanuts.

Pupils also went to Oak Tree Heath to hang the feeders and to bless a Scots pine tree with prayers and songs. The blessing was led by Phil Stead, vicar of St Alban’s Church, Forest Town.

Pupils, teachers and community leaders were given refreshments at Tesco store and the youngsters received a present.

School head Mark Thrower said: “Our school choir is going from strength to strength. Tesco is one of the children’s favourite places to perform.

“We are pleased the annual tree dressing has continued for another year. It is one of our established Christmas traditions.” l RIGHT: Tesco and Oak Tree Conservation Group staff helped pupils to make bird feeders. p PRE-SCHOOL children from Bright Sparks Private Day Nursery, Mansfield, visited elderly residents at Westfield Care Home in the town.

The children, dressed up for Christmas, received a warm welcome from residents, staff and the owners.

Children shared their favourite festive songs and classic pre-school story The Paper Dolls

by Julia Donaldson. The story was brought to life with props.

The youngsters were given a wrapped gift to take away and residents were left with clementines to remind them of their Christmas stockings of the past.

The home said the residents’ pleasure at seeing the children lifted their spirits and stimulated thoughts and conversation.

Nursery owner Laura Gapski encourages youngsters to interact with the elderly.

She said Bright Sparks held a grandparents’ day each year to celebrate “the unique and mutual admiration that exists between young and old.”

Spirit of Christmas SEEN presenting the gifts to Anne Callaghan, at Mansfield District Council, are Soroptimist branch president Diane Milner, with members, Kam Britland (far left) and Lorraine Newby (far right).

For more information on the group go to sigbi. org/mansfield

MEMBERS of Soroptimist International, Mansfield and District, collected games and puzzles for their local Christmas gifting.

This year’s beneficiaries were local, challenged and vulnerable families.

A spokesman said: “Hopefully the gifts will engage all members of the families, encouraging communication and interaction.”

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Focus On Home & Garden

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Favourite photographs at Mansfield Museum MANSFIELD Museum is continuing to bring NewsJournal readers a selection of the favourite photographs from its collections.

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This month’s choices, in keeping with the time of year, look at Christmas at Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital.

These photographs show how Christmas was celebrated at the hospital in 1942.

Nurse Ringrose, who worked at Harlow Wood from 1929 to the 1940s remembered: “We put some good shows on at Christmas.

Nurse Cooper was good at organising.

“We did reviews such as the Siegfried Line... we always devoted all Christmas Day to the patients.

“No one went off duty. They devoted time to the children and made sure they had toys, filled their stockings for them.”

Mrs Briggs, who worked at Harlow Wood from 1930-1934, recalled: “Fresh air — we never had the doors closed, not even at Christmas when it blew down the decorations.

ABOVE: Staff and patients at Harlow Wood Hospital, believed to be in 1942.

BELOW: Christmas on the women’s ward.

“We had a dance every Christmas.”

Some of the patients also remembered their experiences.

One said: “As it was Christmas, I had it all arranged to get two lots of presents from Santa Claus, one in Harlow Wood and one at home.

“I had some lovely presents in the hospital, one of which was a blue Teddy Bear given to me by an aunt. I can still recall the pain

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I felt when I had to leave all my toys in the hospital.”

A. Cousins recalled: “We were only 13 to 15 years-old at the time, on the boys’ side of Ward One. “At Christmas, there was a concert in the Recreation Room with doctors and sisters taking part.

“It was quite an occasion to be pushed down the corridors in bed to the Recreation Room.”

News

29

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Growing the legend of Sherwood Forest A NEW chapter in the legendary woodland home of Robin Hood has begun with the foundation-laying of the new visitor centre at Sherwood Forest.

The centre has been designed to provide a welcoming gateway to Sherwood’s legendary landscape for the 350,000 annual visitors to enjoy and celebrate the forest’s rich and diverse woodland, wildlife and heritage.

It is part of an investment of more than £5m to provide a new visitor experience and preserve the forest for generations to come.

The centre is being built by a consortium led by the RSPB, on behalf of and in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, which currently manages the site and have invested more than £4m in the scheme.

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership — a private sector-led partnership promoting jobs and economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire — has pledged £500,000 from its Local Growth Fund allocation towards the cost of the new visitor centre.

A further £200,000 has come from the Garfield Weston Foundation and £40,000 from the Supporting Local Communities fund.

The consortium includes the Sherwood Forest Trust, Thoresby Estate and Continuum Attractions, together with The Woodland Trust.

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity came on board earlier this month as an associate

COUN John Handley, chairman of the county council, and Coun John Cottee, chairman of the Communities and Place Committee. partner to help further support the woodland management plan for Sherwood, and to collaborate on interpretation around the forest’s most famous ancient tree, the Major Oak. The new centre will include information about Robin Hood and the wealth of wildlife, spectacular trees and legendary stories of the forest, which is famous the world over thanks to Robin Hood. It will also feature a shop and a café, with a terrace and amphitheatre outside, as well as a brand-new play area.

Ross Frazer, the RSPB’s project manager, said: “We are so excited to start work at the new Sherwood Forest visitor centre.

“It’s a privilege to be custodians of the Robin Hood legacy, to continue the traditions of this ancient

legend and to tell it afresh to new generations.

“For the RSPB and our partners, we couldn’t be more proud to be involved in this fantastic landscape, which we hope to protect and conserve for many years to come.

“Around 350,000 people visit this world-famous site each year.

With the help of our new centre, we want to inspire them to enjoy and celebrate Sherwood’s magical woodland, wildlife and enviable heritage.”

Coun John Handley, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to continue to be part of this iconic forest, and of a new era for Sherwood — for Robin Hood, local communities and for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come

to explore this historic site each year.

“This new modern centre will be wonderful for everyone and will bring a real boost to the visitor economy.”

When the new building opens in the summer of 2018 at its new position in Forest Corner, the current 1970s visitor centre and car parks will be removed, and the site where they stand returned to nature.

As well as the new centre, the partnership will also manage the ancient woodland within Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve (NNR).

The internationally important NNR contains almost 1,000 ancient oaks, the highest density in Western Europe, many of them more than 500 years-old. The most famous, the Major Oak, is thought to be nearly twice that old, and was crowned England’s tree of the year in 2014.

Edwinstowe-based contractors Robert Woodhead are building the new centre, having already completed phase one of the project, which included adding a new car park.

Find out more about the project by visiting the new website at www.visitsherwood.co.uk

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Proud of Mansfield

30

This page sponsored by: Les Marshall

Celebrating our sporting W INNERS at the 2017 Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards, organised by Mansfield District Council in association with The Armchair Club and the Chad, and sponsored by Les Marshall, are featured across these two pages.

Coach of the Year (sponsored by Collins Wealth Management) Richard Massey (athletics) RICHARD has been a member of Mansfield Harriers AC for more than 40 years as an athlete, coach and coach mentor.

Away from Mansfield Harriers, this selfless and tireless coach managed the England Cross Country team in Spain and has also become a staff coach for the British Milers Club.

Richard creates inspirational and challenging sessions and is developing world class athletes whose mental and social skills match their on-track ability. l RICHARD (right) is pictured receiving his award from Mike Collins.

The awards celebrate the district’s best teams, coaches, volunteers, sportsmen and sportswomen.

Staged at the Civic Quarter in the Civic Centre, the event attracted 41 nominations across 10 categories.

The presentation evening was compered by the BBC’s Mark Shardlow.

The sportsperson of the year award (sponsored by Les Marshall) was shared by sidecar racing champions Ben and Tom Birchall and Birchall Racing also scooped the team of the year award (sponsored by Adkin Sinclair).

The sportsperson of the year award was presented by Les Marshall, a long-time supporter of the awards.

In 2017, Birchall Racing won their third world sidecar championship. They set a new lap record, won pole and won every race at each round.

They were also runners up in the British 600 Sidecar Cup, despite being unable to attend every round because of date clashes with the world championship.

They won every round they competed in and just missed out on the British title by two points.

Birchall Racing were overall winners at the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy).

There were also two additional awards at the recognition night — the Mayor’s Special Achievement Award, which recognises the work of an individual promoting sport within the district, and the Ian Bagshaw Memorial Award, in memory of Water Meadows manager Ian Bagshaw, who lost his life to leukaemia in May 2014, aged 57.

This year, the council recognised 25 years

TOM Birchall receives the team of the year award, which he won with his brother, Ben, and Birchall Racing, from Chris Adkin, of accountants Adkin Sinclair. of the Nova Centurion Swimming Club for the achievement award, which Glenn Smith, Mansfield District Council’s swim coach and development officer, has coached for 22 years.

Within that time the squad has achieved four Paralympic gold medals over three Paralympic Games and a total of 10 Paralympic medals.

Among the success stories was Callum Lawson in Athens 2004, Sam Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw in Bejing 2008, Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw in London 2012, and Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw in Rio 2016.

The winners of this year’s Sports Awards were:

Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Pinders Opticians) Jemma Arbon (running) JEMMA founded the Fit to Run: Mansfield group back in 2015 to fulfil a need for an access route into running for those new or returning to the sport.

Since then she has supported more than 150 people to take their first steps towards a happier, healthier way of life with many recruits moving into the greater club community and taking part in the full range of club activities.

Jemma is heavily involved with Parkruns at Sherwood Pines and Hucknall.

She is also a voluntary member of the England Athletics Regional Council for the East Midlands, ensuring that the needs of the county are met at a national level. l JEMMA is pictured receiving her award from Pete Herniman, a director of Pinders.

Junior Team of the Year (sponsored by Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies Ltd) Mansfield Harriers under-11 Cross Country team THE team was crowned Nottinghamshire champions with Beth Hamilton coming first, Alex Foster third and Grace Manson eighth.

Beth also won the County Schools Championship and competed with Alex for Nottinghamshire in the National Primary Schools Championship.

In the Nottinghamshire Mini League, the team had two good victories and were strong throughout. l TEAM members are pictured, above, receiving their award from Malk Hall.

Coach of the Year (sponsored by Collins Wealth Management) — Richard Massey (athletics).

Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Pinders Opticians) — Jemma Arbon (running).

Junior Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored

by Hopkins Solicitors) — Gretel Bennett (powerlifting, All Saints’ Catholic Academy).

Junior Team of the Year (sponsored by HallFast Industrial Supplies Ltd) — Mansfield Harriers Under-11 Cross Country team.

Roger Copestake Mayor’s Special Achievement Award (sponsored by Linney Group) — Sally Beeley (tennis).

Maurice Brackenbury Team of the Year Award (sponsored by Adkin Sinclair) — Birchall Racing team.

Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Mansfield District Leisure Trust) — Ben Foulston (swimming).

Junior Sports Leader of the Year (sponsored

by Belvoir Lettings) — Ben Worboys.

Ian Bagshaw Memorial Award (sponsored

by SP Fabrications Ltd) — Philip Bartram, Sherwood Colliery Cricket Club.

Club of the Year (sponsored by Fidler and Pepper) — Mansfield Junior Badminton Club.

Barry Gibson Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Tyler Bros (Sutton) Ltd) — Ollie Hynd (swimming).

Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Les Marshall) — Ben and Tom Birchall (sidecar racing).

Coun Andrew Tristram, portfolio holder for the environment at the district council, said: “Mansfield is extremely proud of its athletes, teams, coaches and volunteers, who have made 2017 yet another memorable sporting year.

“The winners have excelled themselves by performing well both nationally and internationally, putting Mansfield on the map.

“These awards have demonstrated yet again the amazing sporting talent we have in the district so I would like to celebrate all our winners and thank them for all their outstanding contributions to sport this year.”

Roger Copestake Mayor’s Special Achievement Award (sponsored by Linney Group) Sally Beeley (tennis) SALLY has played for Mansfield for over 65 years, mostly in the first team, since being a 15-year-old.

She has been county captain, chairman of Nottinghamshires tennis and is now vice-president.

Mansfield president, in 2017 she won the national singles clay court

championships at Bournemouth and the British indoor doubles at Dudley for the over-80s.

Sally was then selected to play for Great Britain, who won a silver medal at the world championships in Croatia. She won silver in the doubles. l SALLY is pictured, above, with Gary Mee from Linney Group, Ben Copestake and the interim chief executive for Mansfield District Council, Hayley Barsby.

Ian Bagshaw Memorial Award (sponsored by SP Fabrications Ltd) Philip Bartram, Sherwood Colliery Cricket Club

Junior Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Hopkins Solicitors) Gretel Bennett (powerlifting, All Saints’ Catholic Academy) GRETEL’S achievements have been at an elite level in the world for her sport and age.

Gretel, 14, has become British and European champion for powerlifting in her age category.

On the same day she became European champion, Gretel set a world record lift for her age in only her first year of competition. l GRETEL is pictured receiving her award from Martyn Knox, managing partner of Hopkins Solicitors.

PHIL was introduced to cricket at an early age. Joining the youth team at Thoresby Park CC, he quickly took to cricket, keeping wicket and batting with enthusiasm. He carried on playing for the senior sides.

Phil moved to Sherwood Colliery Cricket Club so that he could train and eventually play in the same teams as his sons.

He played in the first XI at Sherwood Colliery CC and trained the youth team.

Phil is a talented mentor and has been a good role model for any young and upcoming cricketer. l PHIL is pictured, above, receiving the award from Ian’s widow, Mary, and his daughter, Ashleen.

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Proud of Mansfield

31

This page sponsored by: Les Marshall

heroes and winners TOM Birchall receives the sports personality of the year award, which he won with his brother, Ben, from Hayley Barsby, of Mansfield District Council.

Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Mansfield District Leisure Trust) Ben Foulston (swimming) BEN swims for Mansfield’s Nova Centurion Swimming Club and is also on the British Para-Swimming World Class Podium Potential Programme.

In 2017, he competed at his first Great Britain international, where he swam five best times. Ben also made three senior finals at the British Summer Championships. l BEN is pictured with Mansfield District Leisure Trust chairman Geoff Waller.

Junior Sports Leader of the Year (sponsored by Belvoir Lettings) Ben Worboys ONCE Ben completed the Junior Football Leaders Award, he achieved his football refereeing qualification.

He now regularly volunteers to referee school football matches. l BEN is pictured, right, receiving his award from Michael Keywood, franchise owner of award sponsor Belvoir Lettings.

Club of the Year (sponsored by Fidler and Pepper) Mansfield Junior Badminton Club MANSFIELD Junior Badminton Club has existed for 38 years, providing a safe environment for children to experience and enjoy the sport of badminton.

Run by a small group of dedicated and appropriatelyqualified volunteers, it aims to achieve the best from everyone

through skill development and competition. Taster sessions have been run at primary schools and membership is on the increase.

Previous players have include Chris Adcock, Shaun Round and Elizabeth Goodall — all England and GB internationals.

Emily Witts also played in the National Badminton League, where she was runner up with Team Notts. l MEMBERS are pictured with the award and Richard Howard from Fidler and Pepper. in 2017 in the SM8 200m individual medley, which also earned him gold.

Ollie is focusing his efforts on the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April and the European trials in late May, before the end of season European Championships in Dublin in August.

The award is named after Barry Gibson, a founder member of the Armchair Club who died in July. l RIGHT: Ollie’s parents, Helen and Darrell Hynd, right, received the award from Andy Tyler, of Tyler Bros (Sutton) Ltd, and Barbara Gibson.

Barry Gibson Memorial Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (sponsored by Tyler Bros (Sutton) Ltd) Ollie Hynd (swimming) IN July, Ollie had a fantastic British Summer Championships, smashing his own S8 category world record in the 400m freestyle in a time two seconds faster than he swam in the Rio 2016 Paralympic final.

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Sport

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Civic honour for sidecar champions

THE mayor of Mansfield, Kate Allsop, invited brothers, Tom and Ben Birchall to a civic event to celebrate their world-class achievements in sidecar racing.

The Mansfield duo claimed the world championship for a third time in 2017 and won the Isle of Mann TT races, making them the only sidecar team in history to win both prestigious titles in the same year.

The pair were also the Southern 100 race winners and British Championship runners up, making 2017 their most successful year to date.

After already being awarded Freedom of the district in 2009, the highest honour the town can give to its citizens, when they won their first world championship title, the mayor wanted the council to provide the brothers with a celebratory evening to congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.

At the evening there was a civic procession, led by

Coun David Smith, chairman of the Charter of the Trustees, who carried the golden mace, followed by a question and answer interview.

Kate Allsop said: “The boys have done Mansfield proud yet again and I wanted to give them an evening to remember so that we could celebrate their achievements together.

“We are immensely proud of Ben and Tom and would like to thank them for all of their commitment and hard work.”

Ben said: “We are so grateful to have this civic reception in recognition of our success on the track and can’t thank our supporters, friends and family enough for being behind us all the way.

“We are just local lads who have a passion for our sport and hope many other youngsters can follow in our footsteps.”

COUN Mick Barton, Ben Birchall, Tom Birchall and mayor Kate Allsop.

Racing brothers are on top of the world MANSFIELD race aces Ben and Tom Birchall received their world sidecar champion medals at the 2017 FIM awards ceremony in Andorra.

The best in Europe SUTTON youngster Lyla Easom (above) is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu European sporting champion — again.

She completed a terrific year, having already won gold at the British and Nottingham opens, by More at www.news-journal.co.uk

also winning gold at the Junior European Championships for a second successive year.

Lyla, a pupil at Croft Primary School, trains at the 5 Rings Grapling Academy, Sutton.

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The Mitchells of Mansfieldsupported riders, along with team-members James Brindley and Tom Mitchell, rubbed shoulders with 35 fellow FIM world champions and members from the International Motorcycle Federation.

The team attended a fan signing session before heading to the awards ceremony.

Ben said: “What an amazing experience.

“I was blown away by the whole weekend and how we were treated by FIM during our time in Andorra.

“To attend such a prestigious event, surrounded by other world champions, is something I’ll never forget.

“I feel honoured to be a world champion myself and the whole experience has only strengthened my desire to defend our title in the 2018 season.”

Tom added: “It was awesome to be there with other riders such as Marc Marquez and Jonny Rea – as bike fans ourselves it was an honour and a privilege to be included in such company.

“With the capacity changes over the past couple of years in the Like us at news-journal.co.uk/facebook

sidecar world championships, I think FIM made the right decisions and the championship is stronger than ever.

“A massive thank you to all our sponsors, friends, family and supporters, without whom this wouldn’t be possible.

“2017 was our best yet, but let’s see if we can go even better next year.”

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