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Mapperley and Sherwood Issue Seven / March 2010
Greening Carrington Members of Carrington Residents Association planting Snow Drops and Blue Bells.
Get to the point with your Community Arrow!
Inside:
Valley Road Park project Tree o’clock record attempt Sycamore Park volunteers Making your Neighbourhood Bloom Woodthorpe Park facelift Decade of Investment Dates for your diary
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You tell us – it’s your area, it’s your news...
Valley Road Park PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MULTI USE GAMES AREA VALLEY ROAD PROJECT We are a group of young people from Sherwood who have taken on the challenge of working together to raise funds to build a sports and recreation area for children and young people. We all live on Sherwood estate where there is no open space or youth centre for us to go to, and because of this, the only place we can meet is on the streets. Although we cause no problems adults tend to look on us with suspicion. With the support of youth workers we approached Sherwood Ward Councillors who allocated funding to have plans and costings drawn up. We held a sports day to ask other young people what they wanted on the site. We then held a meeting with Groundworks, the landscape architects, to design and cost our project. Ward Councillors then
allocated £85,000 towards the cost of the project. We have undertaken to raise the rest of the funding. We are filling in grant applications and writing letters. We have the full support of the police, with Inspector Rob Wilson doing a sponsored Kilomathon, this is a run from Nottingham to Derby, on the 14th March 2010. We are organising a sponsored stay awake on the 23rd January 2010. We have approached three supermarkets so we can help shoppers pack their shopping bags in return for a donation. On our sports and recreation area we want to include basketball, football, a skateboard/cycle track, a children's play area and outdoor keep fit equipment for adults. We are going to name the basketball area after Jason Spencer, a close friend who loved basketball and who was tragically killed. PLEASE SUPPORT US. For further information please contact Peter Maxfield on 915 1394 or peter.maxfield@nttinghamcity.gov.uk
Valley Road Team
ATTENTION ALL LOCAL FILM MAKERS If you would like to see your work shown at SHERWOOD SHORTS, AS PART OF SHERWOOD ART WEEK 2010 then please email sherwoodshorts@yahoo.co.uk or visit sherwoodartweek.blogspot.com Submit anything from experimental films to animation. All ages welcome, films no longer than 10 minutes. Closing Date 26th March 2010
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Tree O'clock record attempt On the 5th December both Mapperley and Sherwood helped in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most trees planted in one hour. The record of 653,143 is held by the Philippines. Urban Nature, a group of volunteers working to conserve the wildlife of the St Anns Allotment site, jumped at the chance to work with allotment staff and volunteers to take part in the BBC Breathing Places campaign 'Tree O'clock'. 35 volunteers, from existing gardeners and site volunteers, to new visitors, joined together to plant an impressive total of 422 Hawthorn saplings on the allotment site. They recreated and restored hedgerows as part of the heritage site, and created wildlife 'hubs' for shelter, nesting, feeding and dispersal.
One hours hard work has restored entire sections of hedge; the saplings are young now, but in a few years, resident Bullfinches, House Sparrows, Dunnocks and Wrens will be feeding and perhaps nesting, as well as Voles and Mice who seem to thrive on hawthorn berries. There may also be some frogs, toads and newts hiding and resting in the shade at the base. Meanwhile, over in Sherwood Senior Park Ranger John Simpson organised 33 volunteers on Woodthorpe Park and planted a total of 382 trees. These trees will eventually form a copse that will bring in more wild life which will help to improve Woodthorpe Park. Julian Phillips from the Robin Hood Pub said, “I have never done anything like this before. I had a really good time, it was great fun.”
Woodthorpe Park Tree O'clock
Allotment tree O'clock
Get Involved in Sycamore Park Nottingham City Council's improve the lines of sight Park Rangers Service are through the woodland working with volunteers to which we hope will make improve Sycamore Park. people feel safer when they Over the coming year they are moving through and will be organising a number improve accessibility to the of 'cleanup' and woodland by making path environmental days to improvements. Over the Two volunteers Angela Walton from improve the park. Matt Hall course of the year we aim Nationwide Windows and Lynne told our reporter, “With to develop a sense of Row Nottingham City Homes respect to the ongoing ownership for the park by, vegetation work at Sycamore Park the diversifying the structure of the Park Ranger service will be leading woodland by selective plant removal regular works sessions. During the and/or plantings of some species, and a course of the year we will be aiming to general tidy and hard rubbish collection.
We hope people will become interested in the park and form a new Sycamore Park Friends group.” Other developments for the park include a new children's play area, multi sports area and a football pitch. Children from three schools were consulted about the type of play equipment they would like to have. Ward Councillors from both Mapperley and St Anns have supported this project with funding. If you would like to get involved please contact Matt Hall tel. 07908 488725.
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News
Area News
Making your neighbourhood bloom Do you fancy brightening up your neighbourhood this summer? Last year 80 communities joined Nottingham in Bloom's campaign to encourage small, resident-led communities to achieve long-term improvements through horticultural, environmental and cleanliness initiatives. This year, it's hoped that even more will join in.
baskets and planters, inspiring other streets to join in too.
Participants in 2009 included seven groups in the Mapperley and Sherwood areas, such as Ball Street, where community spirit blossomed as residents worked together to spruce up their road as part of a big effort to tackle anti-social behaviour. Residents of Drayton Street also put out hanging
To find out more about getting involved, and having your efforts recognised through the Royal Horticultural Society's new 'It's Your Neighbourhood' Award scheme, contact Nottingham in
Benefits include building pride in the area, as well as cleaner and greener surroundings for a healthier community.
Bloom on 0115 915 2745 or email bloom@nottinghamcity.gov.uk www.mynottingham.gov.uk/bloom
Facelift for Woodthorpe Park Woodthorpe Park is about to get a facelift with a new cafĂŠ - including toilets - and a unique playground created by an award-winning video game designer. Pupils from Haydn School met awardwinning video games designer Keita Takahashi last year to see and comment on his plans to design a children's playground at Woodthorpe Park.
Twenty pupils saw Takahashi's elaborate suggestions for the futuristic park that include mindboggling features like a four-metre-wide slide that goes from the current playground site all the way down a grassy hill plus a magic woodland area with illuminated toadstools. Consultation is currently underway on the plans and it is hoped the work on the scheme will begin this summer.
Video games designer Keita Takahashi
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www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Area News
Decade of Investment Already three months into the New Year, it's hard to believe that we're also three months into a whole new decade in Nottingham. So, let's take a look back at the first 10 years of the new millennium and see how 10 years of investment in our local area has made a difference.
Artists’ impression of the front entrance of Nottingham Academy
£35K for new play area in Carrington In 2008, the Council received over £2.5m from Government to create 'destination' playgrounds for children in the City. 29 playgrounds have been improved, including the Pirates Park Playground on Loscoe Road in Carrington. The new park offers adventure climbing frames, giant slide and much more.
£55m for Nottingham Academy The City's ambitious Building Schools for the Future and Academies programme is receiving nearly £300m investment from Government. £55m is being invested in the new Nottingham Academy on Ransom Road in Mapperley. The new academy will be Europe's largest school, offering state of the art facilities for school pupils and the wider community.
Sycamore Park
£150K for Sycamore Recreation Ground Work has just commenced on the development of Sycamore Recreation Ground, with Park Ranger led clearances that will look to clean up the site. The investment will see a new play area for kids along with a multiuse games area.
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Councillor News
Local News From Your Area Councillors Councillors Your local City Councillors want to improve the quality of life for all residents, and support local people to get involved in making decisions about the things that matter to you. If you have anything you wish to discuss or would like their view on a story you wish to contribute to the Community Arrow, do feel free to get in touch.
Sherwood Councillor Penny Griggs Tel: 0115 962 6362
Bloomin’ Brilliant 2009 was a very successful year for the many residents of Nottingham and of Sherwood that took part in Nottingham in Bloom. The Nottingham in Bloom campaign is a city-wide partnership which includes: residents, businesses, schools, community groups, and a wide range of volunteers. The scheme aims to encourage more people to get involved to improve their local area. Together local residents and the Council work hard to produce horticultural excellence and enhance the local landscape, the environment and the character of Nottingham. From talking to Sherwood residents at their regular surgeries, Councillors Penny Griggs, Brian Parbutt and Jane Urquhart know that some streets and groups were left disappointed last time as they were unable to get their applications in early enough. So, even though the weather may not make you think of flowers just yet, Penny, Brian and Jane are encouraging you to think ahead and to get involved with the
Councillor Brian Parbutt Tel: 0115 962 3059
Councillor Jane Urquhart Tel: 0115 960 3003
scheme. If you call them they can point you in the right direction! As well as Sherwood contributing to making the city look colourful the ward has also been doing its bit to protecting the planet. As you may know in 2007 the City Council set an ambitious target of doubling the rate of recycling by 2011. So far we're on track to do so but we need to do more. In Sherwood most of us are now on the three-bin system but now more and more people are getting the new roll out of food waste and glass collection. Over time this will be rolled out further so make sure you look out for that.
Councillor Surgeries: Sherwood Sherwood Community Centre, Mansfield Road 1st Tuesday of every month 7.00pm-7.30pm
Street Surgery, outside the Co-op, Mansfield Road, Sherwood 3rd Saturday of every month 10.30am-11.30am
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www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Mapperley Councillor Mohammed Munir Tel: 0115 915 9677
In September the Nottingham Academy opened its doors for the first time. The Academy, incorporating the old Elliott Durham, Jesse Boot and Greenwood Dale schools, is building on the hard work of Elliott Durham School and will ensure the best possible start for local children. Mapperley Ward Councillors, Emma Dewinton, Michael Edwards and Mo Munir know how important it is that the young people in the area get the best start possible so they welcome this investment from the Government. Elliott Durham joining the Academy is a great lift for Mapperley and local children and parents are as keen as the young people and staff. The year 7 intake at the Ransom Drive site is up by 10%, and Emma, Michael and Mo know that residents are pleased to see the smart uniform and enthusiasm of students. These new facilities will really make a difference. Nottingham Academy adds former Head of Greenwood Dale, Barry Day's leadership and expertise to match the hard working pupils and top level teaching of Elliott Durham school.
Councillor Emma Dewinton Tel: 0115 960 8198
The Council and central Government are investing to improve the area but the community has been doing its bit, too! Throughout 2009, there's been a lot going on in our parks, events, sports and community work days. A diverse range of community groups have contributed, such as the Friends of Coppice Park, the Soldiers of the Mercian Regiment, St Augustine's School and Members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Nottingham to name a few. Your Councillors have been proud to fund these activities and events plus more community volunteer sessions in the year ahead. If you've got an idea and need a bit of help, get in touch!
Councillor Michael Edwards Tel: 0115 960 4536
Question your Council As a City of Nottingham resident you can now play an active role in City Council meetings by voicing your concern about an important council related issue that is affecting your community. You can either submit a Public Question or a Public Petition to full Council meetings. For further details visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/ publicquestionsandpetitions or phone 0115 915 4592
Councillor surgeries are an opportunity for you to speak to any of your local councillors should you have any issues about your area you wish to discuss. Times, dates and venues of surgeries in your ward are listed here. Councillor Surgeries: Mapperley
St Ann’s Library, Robin Hood Chase Every Wednesday 6.00pm-7.00pm
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Dates For Your Diary / What’s On... Useful Contacts Sherwood Police Beat surgeries at Sherwood Community Centre on Saturday 13th March and Saturday 24th April between 2pm and 4pm and Saturday 17th April at Seely Infants School Fun Day 11am - 2pm Sherwood Fooball Club FREE Summer Soccer School, Woodthorpe Park. Starts Sunday mornings in May. Open to boys and girls in year 1 or year 2. Call Simon on 910 7242 to book a place.
Chlamydia Screening also available Sherwood & Edward's Lane Children's Centre, Seely School Site, Perry Rd, Sherwood. Tel: 915 3801 Are you a Father, Step-Father or Male Carer for a child aged 0-7 years? Sherwood & Edward's Lane Children's Centre provides a Father's only Stay & Play Session. Held Wednesdays 2 - 4pm @ The Children's Centre, Seely School Site, Perry Road, Sherwood, NG5 3AE Tel: 915 3801
Easter Egg Hunt - Sycamore Park Wednesday 31st March - 1pm - 3pm Meet Hungerhill Road entrance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. History Walk - Woodthorpe Park Wednesday 21st April - 5.00pm Meet at Woodthorpe Grange main entrance. FREE condoms from C-Card a confidential service. To register onto the scheme you will need to complete a registration process, ask at the gate for Kate. C-Card sessions run every Friday between 3.30pm - 5.30pm at Sherwood & Edward's Lane Children's Centre
Why not join Sherwood Sunrisers Rotary Club and help make a difference. If you are 18 or over come for breakfast on a Tuesday morning in the Cityside Restaurant, City Hospital Campus at 7.00am to 8.30am? Sunrisers are a modern club with all ages and gender. If you are interested call Noel Harrison on 07974 713315 Area 5 Nature Conservation Day Saturday 13th March 10.00am - 2.00pm. Volunteer with the Park Rangers to help improve a park or nature reserve in Area 5. Please call the Parks and Open Spaces team on (0115) 9152733 to volunteer and for details.
Your Community Arrow Written by you, printed and distributed by Nottingham City Council.
Nottingham City Council's Neighbourhood Management teams work hard in each area to bring people and services together. For all the ways you can get involved in local decision making, or to report an issue in your area, you can contact the Mapperley & Sherwood Neighbourhood Management team below. Sherwood Police Station 621 Mansfield Rd Sherwood Nottingham NG5 2FX 0115 915 1390 myvoice.mapwood@nottinghamcity.gov.uk www.mynottingham.gov.uk/whereilive We realise that everybody needs extra help and support at some point in their lives and these are difficult times for us all. There are many places you can go to get free advice on debt, financial and legal matters. You can also find out if you're entitled to receive additional support through grants and benefits. Nottingham City Council Customer Contact Centre Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BT, 0115 915 4944 For advice about Council Tax and Housing benefit as well as free school meals and the school clothing allowance.