Beestonian 58 by The Beestonian

The

Beestonian The Legendary Fill-in Issue!

Issue no.

and now for something completely

different! T

here were two events last summer, one wonderful, one tragic, that occurred within days and metres of each other. Together, they both summed up what it means when the phrase ‘Beeston community’ is used.

The tragedy was the drowning of 12-year-old Owen Jenkins; while the wonderful event was the transformation of the canal side cottages from derelict wrecks seemingly only fit for the bulldozer into an incredibly beautiful public space. While the event was tragic, Owen’s death saw something wonderful emerge from it. Spontaneously, thousands displayed their sorrow by donning purple: for a while the whole town was festooned with shades of mauve to mulberry, plum to raspberry. On the day of his funeral, Beeston’s streets were lined with those paying their respect; the hundreds of motorbikes that formed the tale of the procession was a sight that will live long in the memories of Beestonians.

The Canalside Heritage Centre wasn’t transformed into a topclass attraction, café and garden by some top-down project. Rather, locals decided to take the dilapidation into their own hands and create something wonderful. After a great year of events, development, and ambition its looking like a place we will treasure for generations: and while our grandkids will enjoy the gardens overlooking the weir, they will solemnly acknowledge the land it backs onto, which will be known by all as ‘Owen’s Place’. Stories like these, stories that illustrate how a community works, are what makes us all proud to put together The Beestonian. I personally started writing about Beeston a decade ago, and swiftly discovered that not only were people interested, but that there were more stories out there than I ever imagined. Putting them out through a magazine seemed like a natural step, and 7 years on I’m delighted that we have become part of Beeston’s fabric, with our issues disappearing from stockists so fast our drop-boxes are scorch marked. Ctd. overpage

different!

and now for something completely Continued from front page.

write it. We want a truly community magazine, and we want YOU to be part of it.

However, we realised some time ago that to keep it free and accessible was a difficult job. We are staffed by volunteers, and rely on local advertising to cover print costs. This generally works well, but we were unable to get out as many issues as we’d like. Surveys we ran always came back with the same conclusion: readers wanted to actually read the thing!

We have a wonderful town. We have more stories to tell than we can fit in a magazine, so we’d love you to help us. Write for us. Report for us. Tell us what you are doing. Read us. If you own a business, consider advertising with us. This is YOUR magazine.

We’ve now found a way to expand our accessibility, keep the magazine free and run sustainably for years to come thanks to a helpful community grant (thanks National Lottery!). This will be the last issue in the current format, and at Beeston Carnival in July we are returning with something beautiful, something colourful, something that you are part of us much as those who

This town, this unique gem of a place cosied between the city, the Trent, and the rolling hills of Bramcote is not just where we live, it is our home. As became clear in both awful and wonderful ways last summer, that is precious. We are all delighted that we get to shout that out to the world each issue. LB

John Flynn

opticians in beeston

now open on saturdays

Do you want to see the same Optometrists & Staff every time? Do you want to be seen by UK Optician Award Finalist Optometrist 2018? Do you want to be known as a name and not a number when you visit the Opticians? Do you want to see the most individual, fashionable and independent frames with the finest optical quality ophthalmic lenses from around the world? Do you suffer from Dry Eyes or Blepharitis?

Director and senior Optometrist at John Flynn Opticians, Sheeraz Janjua was recently awarded the degree of Doctor of Optometry from Aston University for his research in Dry eye syndrome. Doctor Janjua is one of only 25 Optometrists in UK with this qualification. Having been at the helm in Beeston since 2016 and leading a small team of Dr. Janjua Optometrists, this year he has been shortlisted for the prestigious award of Optometrist of the Year 2018. There are over 14,000 Optometrists in the UK and he has been included in the final 4. The winner will be announced at a black tie event in Birmingham very soon. Supported by longstanding staff the new services have been introduced including dry eye and blepharitis appointments and treatment plans in a practice which uses a state of the art examination suite with Optometric eye testing software. Doctor Janjua takes great pride in what he calls precision calculation of spectacle prescriptions – using techniques honed over twenty years in optometry.

Emphasis is placed on personal service, correctly fitted frames and accurately dispensed ophthalmic lenses by exceptional manufacturers such as Carl Zeiss, Nikon, Seiko, Rodenstock, Essilor, Hoya and many other superior independent lens suppliers. The team are genuinely passionate about providing the best possible product for the needs of the client. The largest range of quality independent eyewear such as Etnia Barcelona, Face a Face, ProDesign, Salt, Silhouette and Woow, and sunglasses such as Ray-Ban, Oakley and Maui Jim are stocked. In a market dominated by larger optical groups here is a practice dedicated to providing patients with a reassuring, individual and professional service. Indeed, Dr. Janjua advocates the following guidance “The prescribing and dispensing of spectacles are very closely linked and it would be in your best interests to have your spectacles dispensed where you had your eyes examined. It is more difficult to resolve problems you may have with your spectacles when prescribing and supply are separated.” The College of Optometrists, which is the professional, scientific and examining body for optometry in the UK working for the public benefit, has issued this advice regarding your spectacle prescription. The practice also offers a contact lens fitting and aftercare service. Contact lenses have never been more affordable since the launch of the monthly ‘Eyeplan’. Now open all day Monday to Saturday. Off street parking is available in the The Last Post practice’s own car park.

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Established in Beeston, Nottingham over 70 years ago, John Flynn Opticians is located on the corner of the leafy Devonshire Avenue and Chilwell Road. The aim is to create a warm and welcoming environment within the traditionally furnished surroundings.

The practice continues to advise and provide a clinically enhanced eye examinations and complete eye health checks; using an OCT instrument to produce a macular, retinal and optic nerve scans to aid early diagnosis of various ocular conditions.

John Flynn Opticians welcomes the registration of new patients. The practice is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm. Saturday 9am-5pm. Telephone 0115 9255051 to make an appointment.

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The practice dispenses specialist spectacles, tints and coatings which can help people with macular degeneration (AMD) and other visual impairments.

CLINICAL EyEwEAR - QUALITy EyEwEAR

1a Devonshire Avenue, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1BS enquiries@johnflynnopticians.co.uk www.johnflynnopticians.co.uk

0115 925 5051

The Beestonian is... Lead Writer/Founder Lord Beestonia Co-Founder/Resident Don Prof J Editor Christian Design & The Beest Dan Business Manager Jade History Editor Joe Earp

Printed by Pixels & Graphics, Beeston

Stockists:

Berliner Milk Lounge The Hive Rye The Hop Pole The Crown The White Lion The Sta Flying Goose Mish Mash Gallery The Malt Shovel The Guitar Spot Broadgate Laundrette Bubba Tea The Bean Beeston Library Cafe ROYA Newsagent on Chilwell Road Metro Beeston Marina Bar and Cafe Attenborough Nature Reserve Pottle of Blues Greenhood, Beeston Nursery Oxfam Books L’Oliva Two Little Magpies Local not Global John Flynn Opticians

The Beestonian is... Meet the people who will be bringing you the brilliant new Beestonian!

matt turpin - lead writer/ founder Lord Beestonia isn’t a real lord, which is just as well as he’s most likely allergic to ermine and /or being in the same room as Alan Sugar. However, it seemed an amusing pen name to bestow upon himself when he began writing about Beeston, and it stuck. His wife, an actual doctor who earned her title, remains unimpressed when people refer to her as ‘Lady Beestonia’. He was born in Scotland and has lived in Kent, Newcastle and Portugal. However, he grew up in Stapleford and moved here the moment his visa to progress through Bramcote cleared. He was persuaded to set his online ramblings about Beeston onto paper by Prof J + a Vic hotel halloumi salad + a few quid seed capital. “I’ll give it five issues” he thought, and seven years later he has come to realise that all the paper pulped from all of the timber lopped from the thickest forests of the world wouldn’t do justice to telling Beeston’s stories. He remains committed to banging on about this town, and is amazed by the wonderful people he has sharing his enthusiasm.

matthew jones - co-founder/ resident don Matt has lived in and around Beeston for 14 years and founded the Beestonian with Matt. Since then he’s stayed involved with the magazine (can actually almost call it that without infringing any trade description issues!) in one-way or another. He reads it occasionally, and edits the ramblings of Prof J and other contributors from the university. Matt is excited, and secretly a little proud, by seeing the Beestonian take its next steps.

Jade moore - Deputy Editor/ Literature & Poetry Nerd Jade joined The Beestonian almost by accident, but mostly through various acts of serendipity. She studied English with Creative Writing at NTU, then, after flirting with the idea, decided to do an MA in Magazine Journalism. After somehow surviving it and graduating, she now spends 99% of her time meeting Matt in coffee shops or performing poems in front of people. She ran the Buzzword poetry competition, and is now preparing for other exciting projects and the much-anticipated revamp of the mag (alongside trying to make freelance life work). She can also be spotted shelving and selling books in Oxfam.

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The Beestonian is... christian fox - editor Christian started at the Beestonian when it was just in its teens and Christian his twenties, writing content and generally assisting Matt wherever he could, albeit with the grumpy demeanour of all writers. Fresh out of Uni with an MA in Creative Writing he dedicated his time to helping make the mag, and the Beestonian brand, as great as possible. Eventually, as Matt became more in demand in wider media, Christian took over as editor, but remains quite grumpy.

john cooper - Optimistic Cynic Because the realities of life can sometimes be too much, John is most comfortable when subverting them. Sometimes he does this so much he even ends up writing seriously. Originally from north east England, John has lived in Nottingham since 1995, and Beeston since 2002. He has contributed to the Beestonian for about five years, which have flown by in a blur of spoofs, satire, sarcasm, silliness, and lots of other things beginning with 's'. John says he loves living in Beeston because, "It's a great place to have a pint, go for a walk, get a good feed, bring up kids, buy things, help each other out, and use one of the many methods of public transport to easily go somewhere else if you really need to."

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debra urbacz - Creative Enthusiast' and Editor If you’ve ever found a butterfly folded from a bus ticket or receipt, the chances are it was probably made by Debra. Partly because she likes to spread joy and partly because she’s like some ‘uber-efficient hippy’ who loves to make people smile and who can’t actually sit still unless she’s sewing, doing origami and writing all at the same time with a glass of wine in hand. Debra came to Beeston to study but now supports creative people and bridges the gap between artful procrastination and showcasing local talent. She joined the Beestonian team eighteen months ago and this is mainly what she writes about.

Christopher Frost - Community and ‘I Am Beeston’ Editor Beeston born Christopher has been taking photographs and writing articles for the Beestonian for a number of years now. In fact his photo of the Beeman appeared on the front cover of the very first edition. Besides writing articles for both the magazine and Facebook page, Christopher looks after the ‘I Am Beeston’ project. It is now in its third year, and nearly 200 people have talked about themselves, and said why they think Beeston is the best place in the world to live. Christopher can often be seen wandering around the streets of Beeston, in search of his next victim. Sorry, subject.

Charlie Foggs Shoe repairs, key cutting, engraving and trophies 0115 9224466 charliefoggs.com 135 High Road, Beeston NG9 2LL charliefoggs@btconnect.com

The Beestonian is... daisy leverington - motherhood Daisy had a baby in 2011. She's still trying to get over it. Daisy doesn't think she's entirely adult enough yet, despite being on the wrong side of 35. She wrote for Standard Issue Magazine for 3 years before Matt granted her honourary citizenship of the Isle of Beeston. She is currently trying to type this while her 6 year old asks her whether colour exists. She doesn't know. She doesn't feel like she knows much any more. Daisy tries to be funny on Scott Bennett's pubcast but is mostly just tired.

lulu davenport - music editor The lesser spotted lulu bird, seen here in her natural habitat, the lulu Bird has a diet consisting of chocolate hobnobs, bananas, cookies and an occasional naughty tipple of cider/ beer and quite possibly alcoholic shots. Her natural surroundings are usually among loud repetitive beats and more commonly sighted at gigs and festivals. Quite commonly heard using the call ‘whoz awwt this wkend then?’ Although she may frequent local festivals from time to time Beeston has become her home and stomping grounds include Pottle of blues and Totally Tapped. Caution is required, as the lulu bird may attack if provoked with silence or a peanut butter kit Kat chunky. #please tell me you read that through with David Attenborough narrating, if so you are awesome!!

Tim Pollard - Robin Hood Just to be clear, I don’t actually think I’m Robin Hood. My heroes are James Bond or Captain Kirk but bizarrely Robin Hooding is genuinely my full time job – although it’s more fun than work, meeting incredible people and VIP’s, guiding tours, supporting charities and doing lots of very silly things! I married my beloved and brilliant wife (and Maid Marian) Dr Sally Pollard in September 2016 but heartbreakingly she died of breast cancer in June 2017, aged just 39 - so these days I concentrate more on bringing up our beautiful four-year old daughter Scarlett than pretending to be a hero – except in Scarlett’s eyes, and now that’s what really counts.

dan cullen - the beest/design Having realised at an early age that he wasn't able to hold down any sort of proper job, Dan was delighted to discover an advert for Graphic Designer in the back of an old Evening Post. He's been 'working' in design ever since and sincerely hopes that no-one catches him. Dan got involved with the Beestonian because he thought it'd be 'a bit of fun'. He now takes 14 types of medication and looks like Beaker out of the Muppets. This is unrelated. The Beest is Dan's inner demon; his dark reflection - a twisted creature that growls from deep in his soul. A bit like trapped wind but, you know, darker and shit. PS - check out that photo! That's TWO pancakes biatches!! BOOM!!! (Yes, they both ended up on the floor but that's not the point.)

Scott Bennett yorkshireman Beeston based Stand-up Comedian Scott Bennett, writes the regular “Yorkshireman Speaks” column, normally from the relative comfort of his shed. Insulated, with three power points, electricity and superfast broadband, it’s been the perfect portal to broadcast his ill thought opinions on society. Scott has worked as a writer for The Chris Ramsey show on Comedy Central and the BBC News Quiz on Radio 4. As a stand-up he has supported Rob Brydon on his nationwide tour. He also writes and produces his own pilots with his supremely talented wife Jemma. Their mockumentary “Caravan of Love “made the official selection for the Beeston Film Festival in 2018. You can also hear his actual voice on the Scott Bennett Pubcast on Itunes, with some other Beestonian regulars. He’s an English Comedian of the Year runner up and can be found most weekends slogging up and down the nation’s roads, spreading mirth to places as exotic and as far afield as Hull. Twitter: @scottbcomedyuk Scottbennettcomedy.co.uk

Joe earp history editor The Beestonian's History Editor Joe Earp has been writing about the history of Beeston and It's district for the magazine for just over 5 years now. Joe was a fan of the magazine long before he began writing for them. He regularly picked the magazine up in his Beeston local and noticed that the magazine was lacking in history content. After approaching the team at the magazine they welcomed him with open arms to contribute regular local history articles. Since then the magazine has gone from strength to strength. The future of the magazine looks bright. Joe hopes to keep contributing to the magazine by exploring our local history which he hopes will not only help readers understand our past but also understand our present and future. He also hopes that the history sections in the magazine will only get bigger and better!

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Call us now on

0115 7750185 to book a visit and find out why our families love us! www.beestonnursery.co.uk

BEESTUMPED CAN YOU FACE OFF AGAINST THESE PROBABLY NOT FIENDISH QUESTIONS? 1. W hich Jack Nicholson film was based in a mental hospital? 2. George Michael Dolenz Jr is best known for being in what band? 3. Which musical play by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill features the song Mack the Knife? 4. Who created Cthulhu? 5. What children's book was turned into a 1996 film starring Danny DeVito? 6. What is the name of the musical comedy starring Tommy Steele that was based on HG Wells' novel Kipps? 7. What is the name of the musical film starring Howard Keel, which is based on the Rape of the Sabine Women? 8. What is the other name of Fallopia Japonica? 9. The Garden of Earthly Delights is a tryptich by whom? 10. Where is your scaphoid?

ANSWERS: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest/The Monkees/Threepenny Opera/H.P.Lovecraft/Matilda/ Half a Sixpence/Seven Brides for Seven Brothers/Japanese Knotweed/Heironymous Bosch/Hand

Thanks!

Huge thanks to all of our contributors, sponsors, stockists, regular readers and anyone who has picked this up for the first time (hello!)

Sponsorship Rates Want to advertise with us? We rely on advertising to keep running. email us at thebeestonian@gmail.com for rates.

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The Beestonian

c/o 106 Chilwell Road Beeston Nottingham NG9 1ES