Mini News Stories

From coal power station to incinerator: Ratcliffe-on-Soar’s “backward step” against climate change

In June of this year, it was decided that the Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal power station, visible from University Park Campus and one of the largest of its kind in Europe, would be converted into a waste incinerator.

The decision came as the Ratcliffe-onSoar site was found to have a predicted electrical efficiency 5.9% percent lower than the average UK coal power station, despite the EMERGE (East Midlands Energy ReGeneration Centre) facility supplying energy to on-site businesses.

During a Nottingham County Council meeting, the £330 million proposal was approved by nine votes to three, despite protests from environmental campaigners who have called the plans a “backward step” for tackling climate change. They say that the incinerator will discourage recycling and continue to burn fossil fuels through petroleum-based products in the form of plastic. Other concerns include significant carbon dioxide emissions.

Doctor Andy Read, the redevelopment manager for Uniper, said: “Our vision for Ratcliffe is for development that creates high value jobs based on modern industry and manufacturing served by an on-site energy hub.” Nottingham Castle reopens post £30 million makeover

After three years and a £30 million regeneration project, Nottingham Castle has reopened its doors to visitors.

The project included repairs to preserve one thousand years of Nottingham’s history. New additions to the Castle include landscaped gardens and a café that uses local produce, as well as gallery and exhibition spaces showcasing the ‘city of rebels’ and the region’s past. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the caves, which run beneath the Castle’s grounds. For younger visitors, there is a Robin Hood themed playground.

The highly anticipated project was pushed back due to the pandemic. However, just a five minute walk from Nottingham’s Old Market Square, there are hopes that the Castle will welcome more than 300,000 visitors each year, boosting tourism in Nottingham as a whole.

General admission tickets, which can be purchased in advance on the Nottingham Castle website, are £13 for adults and £12 for students.

MP for Nottingham East and former UoN student Nadia Whittome, revealed in May that she had been advised by her doctor to “step back” from work, after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In a statement posted online, the Labour MP announced that she had been battling with “some persistent health issues” over recent months. Her doctor then advised her to suspend work duties in order to aid her recovery.

Ms Whittome, 24, hopes that by being “open” about her own mental health struggles, others will feel more comfortable talking about theirs. She seeks to encourage greater acceptance and healthier discussions around the issue.

Whittome faced some online backlash, however, notably from the likes of political blogger Paul ‘Guido Fawkes’ Staines, who published a post entitled ‘Nadia’s shell shock shows politicians need life experience’. Despite this, there seems to have been an overwhelmingly supportive response for Nadia, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wishing her all the best and praising her bravery.

Ms Whittome stated that her constituents should continue to contact her office as normal. “Representing Nottingham East is the greatest honour of my life,” she added.

By India Rose Campbell

New Nottingham Police and Crime Commissioner wants to put “more police officers on the streets” Plaudits for two UoN medics recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Professor Hywel Williams, a leading dermatology expert based at UoN, and Dr Joseph Manning, a children’s nurse and clinical academic nurse leader at the University, have both been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Williams, Co-Director of the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology at the University, has been awarded an OBE for services to the national Covid-19 response and his lifelong research commitment on skin diseases.

Williams is a key medical advisor to numerous funding groups which were formed to manage the Covid-19 research response, alongside ensuring patients received effective treatments in record time.

The accolade follows previous recognition for his tireless work, including the 2017 Sir Archibald Gray medal for outstanding services to British dermatology. On receiving the news, the Professor said: “This came as a bit of a shock, but it feels good to be appreciated.”

His colleague, Dr Joseph Manning, has been awarded an MBE for services to nursing. Manning is a registered children’s nurse at the University and has developed an international reputation within the field.

Manning said: “I work with some of the most talented and amazing individuals.” He added that the award “is testament to the support of my family, patients, colleagues and leaders at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Nottingham and beyond”.

By Lauren McGaun

Conservative candidate Caroline Henry, spouse to local Conservative MP Darren Henry, has been elected as Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), beating Labour’s Paddy Tipping, who had previously held the post since it was created in 2012.

The vote was held on Thursday 6th May, with a turnout of 34 percent, and resulted in Henry winning 138,658 votes. Due to the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic led to a year-long postponement, she will serve a three-year term until 2024.

The role of PCC is to hold the police to account and advocate for the local community. Due to her previous experience in the business sector, Henry aims to “always ensure value-for-money for the taxpayer and that maximum investment goes to frontline policing”.

Furthermore, Henry states that her main priorities during her time in office are “putting more police officers on the streets and investing in policing presence in towns across Nottinghamshire”.