Issue. 105 - October - 2021 0115 6972670 | www.nottingham-now.co.uk | sales@nottingham-now.co.uk
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Gedling Lotto Birthday
Nottingham Care Home Hero Recognised at Ideal Care Awards
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Belvoir Castle Announces Spectacular Christmas Season
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Since its launch in September 2020, the Gedling Lotto has raised almost £19,000 for the local community and more than £6,400 has been given away in winnings. So far, more than 31 local groups have signed up and been using the Lotto as a fun and effective way to raise funds for their valued services in the community. Supporters can win weekly cash prizes up to the £25,000 jackpot for just £1 per ticket and if they enter before 30th October they will also be in with the chance of winning £1,000 in John Lewis Vouchers.
50% of the £1 ticket goes directly to the cause they choose, with a further 10% going to the community fund, which is used to further support local good causes. Gedling Youth & Community Hub has been using the Lotto since it launched in September 2020 and has raised nearly £2,000 from Gedling Lotto ticket sales. The group is working on ambitious plans to convert a former railway station building in Gedling village into a youth centre and community hub. Francis Rodrigues, Chair of the Gedling Youth &
Community Hub said: “The money we have raised from the Gedling Lotto has helped us with our monthly running costs to keep our regeneration project going. We sell between 70 – 75 tickets per week and the monthly income we make is a real help. We are very grateful to Gedling Lotto for creating a lottery that is so supportive of local good causes like ours.” Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “Good causes across Gedling borough have not only benefited from receiving
regular funds raised from their ticket sales, they also received a host of marketing materials as well as their own Gedling Lotto webpage to help them to get started promoting their tickets and it’s all free for them to use. If you work or volunteer with or support a local not-for-profit group, maybe you’re in a local school’s PTA, a member of a sports club, or support a local charity that it looking for a sustainable way to raise funds, then let them know that Gedling-based good causes can sign up for free to use the Lotto and raise funds, it’s so easy to do, they just visit www. gedlinglotto.co.uk to register.” To support a local good cause, visit the website, pick which cause you want to support from the list www.gedlinglotto.co.uk. Good causes can register to start fundraising at the same website.
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Statement On Future Of Kimberley Leisure Centre
The Joint Use Agreement for Kimberley Leisure Centre between the East Midlands Education Trust and Broxtowe Borough Council will end on 22nd April 2022. This means control of the land and buildings will revert to The Kimberley School and will be used during the school day for the benefit of the students who attend the school and local primary schools. The school, however, is committed to providing community access to the leisure facilities during evenings, weekends and school holidays. Kimberley School and Broxtowe Borough Council will now create a joint planning group. The role of this group will be for both organisations to work together to ensure that there is a smooth transition so that members of the community can continue to make use of the leisure facilities outside of school hours from April 2022. Any community groups who are interested in accessing the facilities from April 2022 should contact the school at kimberleysportscentre@kimberleyschool. co.uk
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Customer Services Pandemic Role Praised After More Than A Million People Helped The county council’s customer service centre has been praised after answering more than a million enquiries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure features in statistics released by the county council examining how the centre responded to people getting in touch by telephone, email and online over the last 18 months. Despite the high number of queries, people only had to wait an average of 46 seconds before getting assistance from a member of staff. Personnel Committee Chairman, Councillor Gordon Wheeler, said: “Answering over a million enquiries is no easy task and the customer service centre should be very proud of the remarkable work it has carried out. “The service it has delivered during the pandemic can only be described as exemplary. “The pandemic was a horrendous and stressful experience for many, and the help our customer services team offered would have made a tangible difference
to countless lives in Nottinghamshire. “Because of our team, the council has helped people get answers on services including children and adult social care, school places, food vouchers and local roads, but perhaps most importantly on COVID-19 and the support available.” COVID-19 help offered by the customer service centre included arranging care
and support for vulnerable individuals shielding and providing information and answers about vaccines and vaccination centres. Customer service centre staff also worked closely with NHS Test and Trace to help stop the spread of the virus, including reaching people that the national system was unable to contact. Group manager of complaints and information,
Marie Rowney, said: “Our customer services team really stepped up during the pandemic and were happy to be on hand to answer people’s queries and to provide that muchneeded support, particularly to those who were isolating for such a long time. “The team took part in some outstanding partnership work with NHS colleagues to help keep Nottinghamshire residents safe and informed. “I cannot praise our customer service team highly enough.” The county council’s customer service centre is located in Annesley.
Nottinghamshire County Council Working In Partnership With The British Deaf Association Nottinghamshire County Council is to take part in a wide-ranging
consultation process with the British Deaf Association (BDA) to help understand the group’s needs and shape its services for individuals. The audit will highlight what the County Council has achieved since signing and adopting the British Sign Language Charter and map the improvements it has made to ensure access to services is available for the deaf community. County Council officers will work with the BDA in the coming weeks to identify any areas where deaf people still have barriers in accessing services
– as well as celebrating the good work the authority has carried out and sharing best practice. Councillor Gordon Wheeler, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, says the County Council is committed in its support of the charter and highlighted the importance of engaging with the deaf community as part of the audit to ensure the correct processes are in place. He said: “Having this audit and communicating with people from the deaf community will allow us to understand their needs and ultimately create better services for individuals and, where needed, make changes to achieve the standard we strive to achieve. “I am really looking forward to engaging with our Equalities Officer and the British Deaf Association to look at practical ways
of developing our services further and making sure people from the deaf community feel they can access Nottinghamshire County Council without any barriers. “We need to understand the issues they have experienced which can help us shape our services and identify solutions going forward. Together, we can create inclusivity for people from the deaf community.” The BDA works closely with the deaf community and those who use British Sign Language (BSL). It campaigns to empower people who use BSL and works to improve access to services for the deaf community as
well as encouraging them to feedback and take part in local services. The organisation also carries out training and advocacy and encourages local authorities, health service providers and other local services to adopt the BDA’s BSL Charter to improve access and rights for deaf people who use sign language.
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‘Encouraging And Positive’ Work Hailed As Youth Crime Rates Remain Below National Average Nottinghamshire County Council has highlighted the ‘encouraging and positive’ work being carried out to prevent young people from committing crimes and reoffending. Figures published as part of the Youth Justice Service Strategy Review 2021/22 show the county continues to perform better than the national average, with the number of first-time offenders reducing by 14 per cent – the third successive year there has been a decrease. Nottinghamshire’s rate of 147 first time offenders per 100,000 10 to 17 year olds compares favourably to figures of 224 per 100,000 nationally. Meanwhile, rates of children and young people
reoffending have also fallen and remain below national statistics – while the number spending time in custody has ‘significantly’ reduced. The strategy reveals the county’s Youth Justice Service (YJS) is fulfilling its main functions, which are to: • Reduce the number of young people entering the criminal justice system; • Reduce the frequency and rate of children and young people from reoffending; • Keep the numbers of young people experiencing custody to a minimum. Councillor Tracey Taylor, Chairman of the Children’s and Young People’s Committee, said: “In all these three measures, our Youth Justice Service is
performing better than the national average, is improving year on year and generally improving at a faster rate than statistical neighbours. “The report shows that the service continues to strive to do even better for the children and young people of Nottinghamshire. “The Youth Justice Strategy is a three-year plan in which we are in year one. “It details the priorities for service development which are to promote a holistic approach to meeting young people’s needs, to increase the number of young people accessing early intervention, to strive for every young person in contact with the service to have education, training and employment
Photo courtesy of Ian Dearman Media.
and also to improve the resettlement offer for young people leaving custody. “At the heart of the strategy are plans for robust consultation processes to enable young people and their parents and carers to have an opportunity to shape Nottinghamshire Youth Justice Service. “This strategy is the work of officers and partners and I thank them for that. They are the people who work with young people every day. “The partnership is working hard on prevention and diversion, which are key to stopping young people from entering the criminal justice system.” The county council has a ‘proud’ record of working collaboratively to stop young people getting involved in crime and entering the youth justice system, with key factors in securing the best outcomes for them including: • Ensuring every young person in contact with the Youth Justice System has the appropriate education, training and employment
Find Out The Latest On New Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium Residents and businesses have another chance to view plans for Rushcliffe’s new crematorium, Rushcliffe Oaks. Further information about the new facility and community space in Stragglethorpe near Cotgrave can now be found on its dedicated website www.rushcliffeoaks.co.uk or by picking up a leaflet from the Cotgrave Hub, NG12 3UQ, during operating hours. Many residents and stakeholders, including local funeral directors, attended the recent information event on September 23 hosted by Rushcliffe Borough Council to learn more about the project and share their thoughts. The Council is seeking
to be carbon neutral in its operations by 2030 and this is reflected at the heart of the design and thought process for the new facility. An extensive landscape management plan has been developed for the project which focuses on retaining and enhancing boundary planting and a living roof on the single-storey building aims to reduce the visual impact from the surrounding area. Rushcliffe Oaks development will focus on reflecting a connection back to nature and wildlife. Through the use of innovative
technologies and renewable energy sources, there are plans for a greener electric powered cremator rather than the more traditional use of gas, lowering CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent. Rushcliffe Oaks will be one of the first in the country to invest in this new technology. Development is due to commence on
site soon and it is anticipated it could open in Autumn 2022. Rushcliffe Oaks will be operated and managed directly by the Council with potential opening hours of 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
provision in place; • Ensuring their health needs are met and transitioned into adult services; • Offering work, mentoring and activities to help them build on their strengths to help them be safe from exploitation and to make positive choices for their future; • Making sure they have the best available support to them on leaving custody. The YJS also demonstrates Nottinghamshire’s commitment to young people by involving them and their parents in how the service is run, giving them
an opportunity to shape its future and ultimately improve it. One mother, who is quoted in the strategy, praised the work carried out with her son at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She said: “He seems more grown up, is not losing his temper and not lashing out. Brilliant communication, I couldn’t ask for a better team and although it has been remote, it has been positive. Thank you.” The report was approved by the county council at a recent Full Council meeting.
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Page 4. Full Council Meeting Recommends Improvement Board For Bingham Town Council
A Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) Full Council meeting has approved recommendations that include working collaboratively with Bingham Town Council and an offer to create an Improvement Board to review its governance. Earlier this year RBC received a petition from 635 local signatories in the town calling for changes to the Town Council and it has now outlined where it could assist the authority going forward. Following a report discussed at the meeting last night (September 30) it outlined a unanimous recommendation on the creation of the Board that will offer to review governance and improvement issues. The recommendation that was passed also asks RBC’s Monitoring Officer to make any necessary changes to the constitution to allow the authority to establish such a group.
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said: “We now wish to work with Bingham Town Council and offer assistance with the Improvement Board that can see it make strides forward. “This is not a talking shop, we want to take action, we want a more efficient and fit for purpose Council. “We want Bingham Town Council to be a better place to work and its ability to deliver. Bingham is a wonderful unique place that deserves better. “We’re aware of the points the petition raised and wish to assure Bingham residents who signed it we want to do what we can to steer governance in the right direction if the Town Council accept the assistance. “Once we engage with the Town Council on this offer of support, we will ensure details of the Board’s proposals will be communicated to all.” In line with the report, a recommendation was also passed to provide a written response to the petition organisers, indicating its reasons for rejection of the petition and writing to Bingham Town Council and Nottinghamshire County Council to share the contents of the report and what the Full Council meeting resolved.
Worksop Turbine Helps To Fuel Post-PanDemic Economic Recovery A pioneering Nottinghamshire business centre is going from strength to strength as the post-pandemic economic recovery in the county continues to gather pace. For little more than a few months after the country fully reopened for business following the easing of lockdown measures, it’s full steam ahead at Worksop Turbine where it currently boasts an impressive 97 per cent occupancy rate and has a waiting list for office space. Based at the Shireoaks Triangle Business Park on the outskirts of Worksop, The Turbine has been home to some of the area’s creative and entrepreneurial talent since April 2006. It is a purpose-built, Nottinghamshire County Councilserviced business and innovation centre which is managed by Claire Gregory together with assistant centre manager Adele Davies and centre support assistants Katy Sanderson and Fran Thornton. Claire joined The Turbine eight years ago as a part-time receptionist and
enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks before being appointed manager in 2016. Adele started as a receptionist in July 2017 and her development, overseen by Claire, led to her being appointed assistant manager two years later. The Turbine is an innovation centre designed to help entrepreneurs ‘grow into their own and make a business for themselves’. It offers firms, especially fledgling start-up businesses, a range of services to flourish and establish themselves with a helping hand from Claire and her team. Claire said: “We offer a virtual floor to get them off the ground and to give them a professional image for their business, once they are more established they are encouraged to grow into the centre as their company thrives.” The Turbine boasts 59 offices and workshops ranging in a variety of different sizes to cater for the needs of individual companies – some of whom
have been at the centre since it first opened. It is home to a diverse range of sectors, all of whom complement and collaborate with one another. One of the businesses which has thrived since it moved into The Turbine a decade ago is the Ortus Group, a successful technology company that provides industry-leading medical and telematics solutions to the emergency services and other specialist industries across the UK. It began life at the centre with a single office but today occupies multiple offices reconfigured to include engineering rooms, a warehouse, photography studio and general office space – all of which are required to operate successfully to serve various NHS trusts and other critical sectors throughout the UK. However, the company’s chief executive Craig Hall says it was during the Covid-19 pandemic that the support of The Turbine proved crucial. At the height of the crisis, the Ortus Group continued with its vital work servicing
and delivering defibrillators to ambulance services on the frontline – while it also answered the Government’s call to provide ventilators. Craig said: “The Turbine has remained flexible with our requirements throughout the pandemic. “When most of the UK was informed to work from home, we had to continue our vital operations servicing defibrillators and procuring additional ventilators, and having access to our offices and workshops was imperative to be able to service the need for the critical situation everyone faced. “We established a dedicated number of staff who needed to be in our engineering department to service and dispatch the medical equipment. We were able to access our office space at all hours and adapt the environment to meet Government guidelines to ensure we were operating safely. “Our staff and The Turbine really pulled together, it was a great team effort from all involved and I am immensely proud of the role our business has played throughout these challenging times.” However, The Turbine experienced a significant drop in occupancy rates shortly after the country was plunged into lockdown in the spring of 2020 – falling from 93.6 per cent at the beginning of the pandemic to 70.6 per cent shortly afterwards. Claire said: “Over an eightweek period, 12 businesses handed in their notice, we dropped around 26 per cent in occupancy – (which
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equates to) around £8,500 in revenue per month. “It was just sheer panic at first because nobody knew what to say, nobody knew what to do. We were in limbo. “Using our experience and knowledge as a team, we put things into place that meant we could continue offering the services required and as restrictions eased we managed to safely welcome back all of our customers. “I have a huge passion for the centre and our customers and knowing that we needed to remain open for those critical businesses was the most important thing, our business community had been rocked and were experiencing individual pressures so the help and
support was more crucial than ever. “Safe to say, it was a challenge we certainly learned a lot from and from a personal aspect it was quite scary not knowing what was going to happen.” The centre has been unable to hold its usual networking events during the pandemic but it’s fair to say with an occupancy rate of 97 per cent, the future is once again looking brighter. It has also recently benefitted from a significant cash injection to install the latest digital connectivity, which Claire says has been ‘long overdue’. She said: “It has now given us full access around the centre for new connectivity in terms of WiFi, improved customer internet and a
VOIP (telephone) system which is the way these kind of places need to be now, as things are always moving forward.” But how has the centre successfully attracted new occupants? “The service we offer, and I might be biased, is second to none,” said Claire. “We’ve built a reputation on the quality of service that we provide. “We’ve got a good social media following, we’ve got a good marketing network, we’ve got a good reputation and we’ve got companies from within the centre that didn’t want to work from home coming out of Covid so expanded themselves – freeing up smaller space for people who needed a small
Page 5. office and couldn’t work at home. “So, the moving around of companies that wanted to remain here but needed more space provided that little bit of extra room for other people to then step into us. “I’m also a massive advocate of word of mouth and it's recommendation from people, who know who we are and what we offer, that aids our success. “Every day is a new day and every day is different at The Turbine, it always has been, and I am almost certain it always will be!” For more information about The Turbine and how it could support you or your business, visit https:// worksopturbine. nottinghamshire. gov.uk.
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Travel Choice Programme Back On The Road Nottinghamshire Travel Choice will continue with new funding. Nottinghamshire County Council has won further funding from the Department for Transport to continue the Travel Choice programme. Travel Choice has provided information and advice to thousands of people on
different ways to travel in Nottinghamshire, promoting more environmentally friendly transport choices since 2018. The programme has successfully: • Developed 47 travel action plans for businesses in Nottinghamshire, helping them to reduce single occupancy car journeys, encouraging active and
sustainable travel, improving the health and wellbeing of employees, and improving their impact on the environment • Provided paper and digital travel packs to over 6,000 employees • Given ten grants to businesses to help with the cost of facilities like bicycle shelters, Electrical Vehicle charging, and installing showers • Worked with Job Centre Plus staff to help people looking for work get to job and training opportunities. This includes helping jobseekers get to their first pay day by providing: • 339 public transport tickets • 42 bicycle loans and 31 moped loans to help those going to work where suitable public transport isn’t available, for example, shift work. The mopeds were provided by RCAN (Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire). The new funding will mean that we can: • Continue to promote active travel to more businesses across Nottinghamshire,
with more grant money available • Continue to provide free ‘Dr Bike’ cycle maintenance sessions for employees at their workplaces • Continue and expand our work with Jobcentre Plus centres in Ashfield, Mansfield, and Worksop, helping jobseekers as they look for work and training opportunities • Start working with ten primary schools to promote more walking, cycling, and travelling by scooter to school, building on the development of our School Travel Toolkit. • Work with ten health centres in a pilot project to encourage greater use of active travel by patients by providing electric bike and push bike loans, as well as and Fitbit activity trackers and walking / cycle travel information packs. Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Transport and Environment Committee, said: “I’m very pleased that the Travel Choice
project is continuing in Nottinghamshire. It’s great news for the county and it means that we can continue helping local people and businesses, by supporting them with more sustainable travel. The team have helped reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys in our county, easing traffic congestion, and promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly options. I’d like to congratulate the team for winning this extra funding. It’s a stamp of approval from the Government and a recognition of the good work that the team have been doing.” The programme has had very positive feedback from residents, employees, and businesses across the county: "The service we have received from the team has been fantastic. We have always received positive feedback from staff who have accessed the information and services. Thank you for coming along to the college to raise awareness.” Nottinghamshire College
“The welfare, wellbeing and safety of our Team Knowhow colleagues - in work, travelling to work, or at home – is incredibly important and something we take very seriously here at our Newark Campus. We appreciate the support and work the Travel Choice team do and look forward to welcoming them back again." Glenn Hawksworth, Head of Supply Chain Operations at Team Knowhow. “The NHS and social care are busy, pressurised environments to work in and many of us have long commutes to work. But irrespective of the distance, as a large employer I think Travel Choice is a great opportunity to support colleagues with their physical and mental health." Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust For more information about Travel Choice please visit www.nottinghamshire.gov. uk/travelchoice or email travelchoice@nottscc.gov.uk
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Who Benefits From Pilates? The short answer is … everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are someone wiser in years (like me at almost 50 years wise), an athlete, or someone recovering from injury. Pilates is suitable for all ages and at Stretch Fit Pilates & Therapy Ltd
we have clients of all ages who benefit from a regular, steady paced, Pilates class. In fact, the majority of our clients are middle-aged wise or more. As our bodies progress in years, it is important to keep the body strong, supple and balanced. Pounding the ground and doing heavy weights with mass repetition builds bulky, short muscle that can put pressure on joints and make
you more prone to injury as you age. Where as Pilates develops long, lean and functionally strong muscles and limbs. Pilates exercises are low-impact and partially weight-bearing, which is good for the prevention of osteoporosis and other joint problems. The creative routines of our classes build strength and improve posture, flexibility, agility and balance. Our clients know from experience that our Pilate’s programme is one of the best ways to energise the body, alleviate aches and pains and put that spring back in your
step. I am a testament to the benefits of Pilates as almost 12 years ago I was seriously injured and told I may not be walking unaided ever again. Pilates and a great teacher (my husband) had me walking, running, mountain
climbing and tree climbing pain free again. At almost 50 I’m in the best shape of my life and it just gets better. This could be you too! We have classes in person and also zoom & pre recorded classes.
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Nottingham Care Home Hero Recognised at Ideal Care Awards Fairway View, Front of House Manager, Alison Fry, was awarded ‘Support Star of the Year’ at the Prestigious Awards. Alison Fry, who has worked at Fairway View care home since 2019, has been recognised for her enthusiasm, insightful care home knowledge and dedication to help others. The award was particularly poignant, as Alison spent much of her time throughout the pandemic offering guidance, updates, and regular check ins with residents friends and families, whilst also organising socially distanced visits and skype calls so loved ones could keep in touch throughout the lockdowns. The annual Ideal Care Awards were created in 2019 to recognise, reward and pay tribute to the Ideal Carehomes staff team who go above and beyond their roles. After a callout for nominations, the group received a record breaking 1200 entries across 14 categories, ranging from Housekeeping Hero and Resident Outstanding Contribution to Home Manager and Home of the Year. Internal judging days took place in July which determined the finalists who were invited to celebrate their achievements at a gala dinner at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield. The awards
Photo Description: Allison Fry, Support Star of the Year, winner, with Regional Director, Lisa Harding.
were hosted by Shaun Williamson, well- known for his role as Barry Evans in EastEnders. Shaun entertained the finalists with stand-up comedy before announcing each category winner. He said, ‘It was a real honour to have been asked to join Ideal Carehomes at their awards ceremony. The stories of each finalist were incredibly moving, and it made every award extremely meaningful. Congratulations to the winners, you are all such a deserving bunch of people!’. Speaking after the awards, Alison, said, ‘I am so thrilled to have been presented with the 'Support Star' award. There were so many incredibly talented people within the category, so to have won makes me feel incredibly proud. Thank you to everybody who took the time to nominate me, it really means so much to me that my work brings such comfort and support to others'.
Home Manager, Gaynor Smart-McCann, said, ‘I am incredibly proud of Alison and her achievements, she is an extremely deserving winner! Alison is an extremely valued member of our team, however, her work throughout the pandemic has been invaluable. Alison devoted herself to reassuring families, providing a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. Alison also helped us to welcome so many new starters, putting them at ease throughout the course of their training and explaining just how everything works around our home. Congratulations Alison!’. Fairway View is a residential and dementia care home, which is rated ‘OUTSTANDING’ by the Care Quality Commission. If you are interested in current opportunities to work at Fairway View, visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk/ careers or contact Home Manager, Gaynor, on 0115 975 8770.
Mayor Of Broxtowe Gets On His Bike For Charity Cycle The Mayor of Broxtowe, Councillor Richard MacRae lead a charity bike ride on Saturday 25 September to help raise money for his chosen charity, Broxtowe Youth Homelessness. The Mayor and 20 fellow riders set off from the Heritage Centre at Beeston Rylands and cycled seven miles to Notts County FC on Meadow Lane and then returned to Beeston. Participants were asked to pay £5 to take part and were also encouraged to raise additional sponsorship from family and friends. In total more than £2000 has been raised so far with more donations still to come. Mr MacRae said: “As a keen cyclist, I wanted to encourage others to get on
their bikes and help me raise money for a fantastic charity. Big thanks to the local businesses who donated some great prizes, Rocky Riders, Bike Inn and The Cycle Lounge. It was great to see you all and we hope to do another one next year.” Jessica Brannan from Broxtowe Youth Homelessness said: “Last year over 120,000 young people across the UK experienced homelessness. Broxtowe Youth Homelessness works with 16–25 year olds across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, who are at risk of, or have experienced homelessness, empowering
them to build a better future for themselves. The money we raise from the bike ride will help us to continue providing our vital services – everything from the dropin centre to training and volunteer opportunities, as well as emergency food and toiletry parcels. In the past year alone we have helped over 200 young people.” You can find out more about Broxtowe Youth Homelessness via their website www. broxtoweyouthhomeless. org.uk
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Dine In Style: Gurkha Express (Nottingham)
Nottinghamshire – as well as many other shires and counties in the UK – has a lot of history. Renowned for numerous places of interest, along with venues, plus things to see and do, Nottinghamshire attracts visitors from worldwide origins. The area in and around Eastwood, in the Broxtowe district, approx 8 miles northwest of Nottingham and approx 10 miles northeast of Derby, became known during its history, for coal mining. On the borders of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, Eastwood
experienced major growth, during the time of the Industrial Revolution, which brought about improved, notable changes,
in everyday lives. The Gurkha Express restaurant, located in Eastwood, has gained much interest and recommendations, from local residents and visitors alike, since opening in 2017. The friendly greeting from Hira (Proprietor and Head Chef), puts customers at ease. Various different types of cuisine are available, from Nepalese to Indian Classics. Starter dishes include Tandoori Lamb Chops, plus fish, meat and other choices. I opted for Malai Tikka (Tender chicken pieces cooked in light spice with freshly ground white pepper corns and cashew nuts).
Perfectly cooked and just right (for me), to begin the meal. On to the main course and, certainly, there is something for everyone. Good descriptions and advice by staff is always very welcoming and helpful. From Prawns and Chicken dishes, plus lamb, curries, vegetable options and more, I selected Salmon Tikka Gurkha Platter (Marinated grilled salmon chunks flavoured with fenugreek leaves, garam masala and yogurt, including salad and chutney), also Peshwari naan and vegetable fried rice, from the list of sides and sundries.
Again, perfectly cooked and presented, with superb flavours, ‘Compliments to Chef’ – without hesitation. Desserts offer excellent choices and I decided on Matka Kulfi (Served in a ceramic bowl with pistachios and almonds). A great way to end a (most) splendid dining occasion. Wines/drinks have quality offerings of much interest. Takeaways, deliveries and gift vouchers are available – perhaps surprise someone special? Many thanks to Kamal, for exemplary service throughout. Highly recommended. Other Gurkha
Express locations are at Beeston and also Belper (Derbyshire). Gurkha Express, 28 – 30 Nottingham Road, Eastwood, Nottingham NG16 3NQ Tel: 01773 530 810 E-mail: chefsapkota@ yahoo.co.uk www. gurkhaexpressnottingham. com
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Nottingham from the Air
This month’s aerial photo shows Nottingham University Jubilee Campus. This modern site covers 65 acres and the initial phase was opened by the Her Majesty the Queen in 1999. The photo was taken by Robin Macey who is a member of Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club. The club is currently looking to expand. Members take turns being on the chase crew as well as flying in the basket. For further details about how to get involved phone 0115-8541028 or visit www. facebook.com/ndhabc. Photo by Robin Macey
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Council Listening To Feedback From Over 12,000 Nottinghamshire Residents More than 12,000 Nottinghamshire residents had their say on the future of the county in the Big Notts survey which closed last month. The public engagement was the biggest ever undertaken by Nottinghamshire County Council and the feedback will be central to its ambitious new Council Plan that will be launched later
this autumn. The Council Plan will share a vision for Nottinghamshire for the next 10 years and beyond whilst detailing its priorities for the next 4 years. The total number of responses to the Big Notts Survey came from online surveys including versions tailored to business and young people, a face to face survey conducted in town
centres across the county and from printed versions that were made available in council public buildings whilst the engagement was open between 2 August and 19 September. The council are currently busy analysing all the feedback from the surveys and from the further research carried out over the summer with groups that regularly use
its services. In keeping with the council’s commitment to transparency and keeping residents informed at every stage, they have published some of the early findings, these include: • 63% of people ranked their biggest concern since the start of the pandemic as the physical health of themselves, their friends, family, and others. • Over the next two years the two main concerns are climate change and a return to restrictions due to a resurgence of COVID 19. • When asked about the biggest changes people would like to see made to their local area in the next 10 years, 47% identified improving the condition of the roads as a priority, • Considering the county’s future, 46%
ranked improving the quality and access to health services would most help make Nottinghamshire a better place to live and work. Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The response to the Big Notts Survey has been incredible and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey and for contributing to improving the future for our county. "We now have a wealth of data from the survey and are busy analysing it all, so we get a clear and detailed picture of people’s priorities and what matter most to our residents. This is will be core to our Council Plan where we want to share a bold vision for how Nottinghamshire can emerge from the pandemic and prosper by making the most of any opportunities and from our many resources and assets.”
Councillor Bruce Laughton, Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council added: “From looking at the initial findings a clear picture is already emerging of what people want to see in their communities and for the future of Nottinghamshire. "This year we have got off to a good start in addressing some of these issues, by setting up the first cross party Highways Review Panel to review how we can best keep our roads in a good state of repair and by declaring a climate emergency with a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. But this is just a start and we want to do much more and the results from this survey will help ensure we’re going in the right direction for the people of Nottinghamshire.” The draft Council Plan will be presented for approval at the Full Council meeting on 25 November 2021.
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Belvoir Castle Announces Spectacular Christmas Season A Regency Christmas: 15 November 2021 – 2 January 2022
Enlightened Light Trail: 26 November 2021 - 1 January 2022
The biggest and most spectacular festive season ever staged at Belvoir Castle will see the fairy-tale home transformed for A Regency Christmas and its historic gardens illuminated with a magical light trail. Opening 15 November, the Regency Castle will be transformed into a festive spectacular by leading interior designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber. The hilltop castle is one of the finest surviving examples of Regency architecture and boasts a treasure trove of
is that Christmas was largely invented by the Victorians. However interior trees were used by the Georgians, following the German tradition particularly in aristocratic houses but would more commonly have been a Yew tree. We will be adding our own interpretative twist and the house will display contemporary decorations that hark back to this beautiful decorative period.” Archivists at the Castle are poring over the diary entries and other memorabilia to bring out stories of the era as part of the festivities. Emma, Duchess of Rutland, said: “This Christmas, we invite you to become our guest for the festive season at Belvoir and allow us to transport you back to a world ruled by elegance and etiquette. We are so excited to be presenting A Regency Christmas set in what is surely England’s finest Regency home, the scene of many glamorous balls, elegant parties, intimate suppers along with a good dash of romance and intrigue.” There’s more to see and do at Belvoir Castle this Christmas than ever before. Brand new for 2021, the Enlightened Light Trail will see the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Spiral Walk transformed into a magical trail lit by thousands of twinkling lights. A 3D projection
stunning binge-worthy interiors to thrill the most avid Bridgerton fan. With the Netflix blockbuster igniting interest in all things Regency in popular culture today, and the eagerly awaited season two in production, the appetite for an authentic Regency experience this Christmas is set to be huge. Taking inspiration the Duke and Duchess of Rutland’s family insignia, the castle will be dressed with Regency inspired décor; trees will be draped in the Belvoir colours
of blue and gold along with a festive palette; opulent rooms set in readiness for a party and other surprises to whisk the visitor into the world of Regency romance. Rooms will be decorated to highlight the High Regency interiors from the Guard Room, Ballroom, Elizabeth Saloon, State Dining Room and Picture Gallery to the Kings Suite Bedrooms and Regents Gallery. The key decorative notes of individual rooms will inform the designs with an immense Peacock Tree in the Elizabeth Saloon. Inspiration is taken from other stunning Regency interiors such as the Brighton Pavilion built for the Prince Regent who was a frequent visitor to Belvoir along with his brother the Duke of York, reportedly the lover of Elizabeth, 5th Duchess of Rutland. A Regency tree will be decorated in the style of the era while a spectacular Kissing Bough will add to the features typical of the time. Charlotte Lloyd Webber said: “We are delighted to be working with Belvoir to design its first major Christmas event that will highlight in spectacular festive fashion some of the most famous and gorgeous interiors of this fairytale Regency castle, which happily is currently very in vogue on the back of the Bridgerton Netflix series. “A common misconception
will be beamed onto the facade of the castle while interactive light up games and a custom soundscape will create a breathtaking experience suitable for all the family to enjoy. The Old Kitchen will be transformed into a Regency Santa’s Grotto for weekend visits while the Engine Yard will have its own Santa’s Grotto open every weekend over Christmas. Tickets available online. During the run-up to Christmas 2021, there will be late night shopping events at the Engine Yard with quirky, not-on-the-high-street presents and treats as well as plenty of festive food and drink enjoy on site. Individual Christmas experience tickets for Castle and Garden and Combined tickets are available for the
Regency Christmas and Enlightened Light Trail with pre-booking for the timed slots essential. Peak and Off Peak Tickets are available for children aged 4-15, adults and families (2 adults, 2 children) starting from £12 child, £ 21 adult and £62 family for A Regency Christmas; £13 child, £17 adult, £56 family for Enlightened and £18 child, £27 adult and £90 family for the Combined offer. Discount for groups of 15+, coach parking included, free entry and lunch for coach driver/ group tour organiser. Email groups@belvoircastle. com To explore Belvoir at Christmas and prebook visits, go to www. belvoirchristmas.com/eventcategory/christmas-2021/
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Ruddington Allotment Project Receives Vital Reach Rushcliffe Funding A group that manages a Ruddington allotment has received vital funding from Reach Rushcliffe to help redevelop their gardening space to aid local residents’ health and mental wellbeing. The Rushcliffe Social Prescribing Group run a plot at the Ruddington Paradise Gardens Allotments that has received funds that will assist with the purchase of a summer house, planters, plants, soil and paving to give the allotment more accessibility at its Wilford Road site in the village. The space was donated by Ruddington Parish Council and will give those at risk of social isolation or loneliness a quiet space to socialise, learn about gardening and to meet with likeminded residents, now linking with Rushcliffe Borough Council’s initiative which launched last year. The Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and
Climate Change Cllr Abby Brennan met with Social Prescribing Group and Parish Council representatives to view the colourful and welcoming site. Cllr Brennan said: “What a fabulous space this is and even more so once all the new features are installed, it’s brilliant to be able to support initiatives such as this. “As we continue to adapt to a post COVID restrictions environment, it’s vital we continue to support those who may be vulnerable within our community and at risk of social isolation and loneliness. “We know the importance of fresh air and being outdoors and the positive impacts it has on our health, so I’m sure not only that the allotment will be thoroughly enjoyed by group members but that it will bring them health benefits too. “We would encourage any organisations also looking
to reduce social isolation in their part of Rushcliffe to apply for funding through Reach Rushcliffe.” The space is also set to be utilised by those suffering with mental health issues and obesity and offers a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and residents on low income. Morgan Sharpe, Rushcliffe Social Prescribing Group Team Leader said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from Reach Rushcliffe which will transform the allotment space even further as lots of hard work has already gone into making it even usable! “Being in nature is really calming and we hope that this will offer tranquillity to those in the local community
that need it, as well as giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, meet people and improve their physical health.” The pilot project for the scheme was successful
last year prompting Parish Councillors in Ruddington to donate the space for the project in the longer term. Cllr Graham Fletcher said: “We were really happy to donate the allotment area to
this project. “It’s great that this funding boost will see the site further developed so more local residents who may be at risk of loneliness or are isolated from their community will benefit.”
Spooktober, Ghostober… Call It What You Will, It’s The Most Spooktacular Time Of The Year, And There’s Plenty To See And Do Round Notts. Let’s dive in shall we? ROLL UP, ROLL UP to the Labyrinth’s latest show For 11 nights only at Notts Maze, THE CORN EVIL invites you to discover its darkest secrets. The freaks you'll encounter here are like no other, years on the road can send you a little…stir crazy. The entrance won’t be hard to find but the exit certainly will be. Try not to scream, you don’t want to upset them. Pre-booking is recommended as there will only be so many tickets on the gate. (If that seems a little scary for you, you can still experience the 12 acre maze in other ways. You could immerse yourself in a Laser Tag outdoor adventure game or Forestry School - Suitable for 5-10-year-olds takes place during October)umes and Mayhem Film Festival returns this to showcase the best in international horror, sci-fi and cult cinema, with
the festival’s 17th edition planned to run for four days from Thursday 14 Sunday 17 Oct. If you’ve not had chance to catch it, Wollaton Hall’s Titus: T. rex is King exhibition continues, showcasing the first real Tyrannosaurus rex to be displayed in England for over a century continues indoors, and Notts goes dinosaur crazy as Dino Kingdom takes over Thoresby Park for two weeks historic beasts are set to be unleashed to roam across the plains and woodlands of the beautiful historic landscape! (15-31 Oct) The It's In Nottingham Halloween Trail is back! You are invited to discover more of Nottingham City Centre with your family for FREE! Put on your favourite fang-tastic cost Trick or Treat your way around their fun map to hunt their 7 hidden spooky characters. To help you find your way
around they've created a handy map which you can collect for FREE from the Nottingham Tourism Centre. The map will also be available on their brand new app. To take part simply go to your mobile app store and search 'It's In Nottingham' and download the app. The app will be available 18 31 October 2021. You can also walk in the steps of the condemned on a special tour of Nottingham's historic County Gaol at the Justice Museum throughout October for a series of chilling events culminating in a final fright night on All Hallow’s Eve. Stand in the dock where the condemned heard their fates. Visit the dark cells where they spent their final hours before finally being escorted to the courtyard, where the gallows loom and bodies were laid to rest. Hear twisted tales of true crime and discover the horrible
histories of those who came before you on this new socially distanced guided tour of our 18 century Gaol. (21 - 23 Oct, 28 - 31 Oct) This event is for over 18’s only, but if your younger Ghostbusters are brave enough, they can help the overworked Ghost Hunter
catch the pesky ghosts which are causing mayhem throughout the museum? In an event for 5-10 years olds Explore the Historic Newstead Abbey at night and meet some of its most famous spectral residents on the ‘Meet the Ghosts’ evening house tours.Through darkest
corridors, and haunted rooms, join your guide at the ancestral home of the Poet Lord Byron. (Thurs 21, Fri 22, Fri 29 and Sun 31 Oct) Again, there is also a Family Ghost Walk in the grounds. Meet the friendly witches who will tell you the stories of some of the most famous
It's In Nottingham Halloween Trail
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including pies, chocolates, jams, chutneys, pickles, sausages and much much more along with live cookery demonstrations including one from Chef Laurence Henry, Masterchef The Professionals winner 2018. (16 Oct) Thoresby Park Craft and Artisan Food Market also returns (16 Oct) offering a range of stalls from homemade dog treats and homemade bee products to gin, chutneys, jewellery and many more.(16) If you prefer trying your hand at crafts yourself, get over to Debbie Bryan in the Lace Market where you can have a Original Nottingham Ghost Walk go at a candle making class. (14 & 18 Oct) Learn how to spectral residents. Dare to be less involved in the show, Holds 2021 Tour, stopping melt, dye and fragrance your explore the darker side of head over to The Theatre off at the Motorpoint Arena history at Belvoir Castle on Royal and Royal Concert Nottingham on Wednesday 3 wax as well as designing your own candle glassware a family friendly Halloween Hall where the international November 2021! and lid with surface pattern trail through the dooms and musical phenomenon If theatre and live design painting and gilding. into the formal gardens. Be Hairspray also returns (11-16 entertainment is your Nottingham CAMRA's careful not to disturb the Oct) as does Chicago (18-23 passion, throw in a bit of annual Robin Hood Beer and undead as you enter, meet Oct), and we get a visit from history (19 Oct) at Arnold Cider festival also returns frightful guides in disguise, Dolly Parton’s smash-hit Methodist Church. Join the solve spooktacular mysteries musical 9 to 5 (26-30 Oct) Arnold Local History Group and will once again be held at and activities. (Sun 17 – We also have our first as they delve into the past of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (13-16 Oct) Finally, don’t Sun 31 Oct) Join Lakeside sighting of Christmas at Nottingham's many beloved forget that the local tours Theatre for EULOGY, a the local theatres with A theatres. The evening's talk communal experience lasting Christmas Carol (29/30 Oct). will be given by Bob Massey, have resumed. My picks for October are two fitting ones. 30-minutes, using binaural There’s a touch of nostalgia a local historian. After a Explore the historic sound and speech recognition with the gig offerings as lifetime working within limestone caves of Creswell technology to immerse Jason Donovan visits with the theatre industry, Bob's Crags. Witch Marks focuses each audience member into hits and numbers from the talk will give a brief insight on the early modern a dreamlike, labyrinthine musicals(30 Oct) there’s also into the fascinating history apotropaic marks in the cave hotel that is imagined in the Michael Bolton (11 Oct) and of those once much loved – carved in the depths of the darkness. Audience members Level 42 (13 Oct) Down the and frequented theatres of are transported through road at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, sadly, now long cave to keep away evil spirits. The site rooms and down corridors, The Drifters are back (15 forgotten! has more Witch into a car park, a canteen Oct) with a brand-new show If it’s comedy you’re after, Marks in one cave and a lift which transports performing all their classic The Canalhouse Comedy than anywhere else them between floors, taking hits from the last six decades. Night is back featuring a in the UK. them deeper into the dream. Nothing But Thieves also mixture of new acts and There’s also the EULOGY is both an intense visit (16 Oct) and three years established acts trying Original Nottingham and exhilarating ride and after they staged the UK’s new material. (13 Oct) Ghost Walk, a a deeper exploration of most successful comeback Meanwhile comedian Rob storytelling tour the relative merits of an of the decade, Steps return Brydon visits the Royal embodied human conscious once again with their new Concert Hall (12 Oct) with A around the Castle experience versus one that album, What The Future Night of Songs and Laughter Quarter of the city. Hear about the only exists in the imagination Holds and the sure-to-be telling Rob’s personal Cursed Galleon (19-31 Oct) If you’d rather epic, What The Future musical journey from South of Ye Olde Trip Wales to the West End and and Nottingham's beyond. There’s something only pirate, tales Autumnal about apples, of Queen Isabella's apple pie, apple crumble, screams; the 28 and of course the return of Welsh princes left the Bramley Festival which to hang and their celebrates the origins of the Bramley Apple in Southwell. bodies to rot from the castle walls; Dozens of stallholders the mysterious will be there offering all 'Lady in the Light' manner of food and drink
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Newstead Abbey ‘Meet the Ghosts or a police dog who had a strange encounter in the castle's galleries, the Baby in the Wall and many more before ending in ancient, haunted caves below Ye Olde Salutation to hear stories of a Haunting Highwayman and a little girl, who lived and died, and still remains there, to this day.
Unless stated, always assume there is a charge for the event. I would still recommend you ring ahead or check online before making any journeys, and adhere to and respect any social distancing measures that remain in place. All details correct at the time of going to press.
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Do You Dare Visit Fear Island? The Clink By Stephen Jeffreys
Stand up comedians, Queen Elizabeth 1, dungeons and executions, insult-hurling matches, alchemists with spells to conjure the dead, – all these elements combine to make a wildly quirky, darkly comic play that is
a mixture of Blackadder, Monty Python and William Shakespeare. A fast moving plot driven by ambition, conspiracy and a desperate attempt not to end up on the gallows – or worse!
Halloween fans and fearloving families, get ready for some eerie-chills and spooky-thrills this October, as Fear Island returns to Fantasy Island. This year is expected to be bigger, better and even more spooktacular than before, with four brand-new ghoulish interactive scare mazes popping up around the Skegness theme park. Combining fun and fear for the whole family, Fear Island’s month of scares
kicks off from October 9th until 31st October, so there’s plenty of time to conquer any fears. Guests can take on the fright of their lives in four new live scare mazes which are sure to see visitors running in absolute terror, as only the brave can handle the new Hellhole. With only a glowstick to light the maze, visitors must make it through a dark netherworld faced with a lost band of WW2 soldiers biologically modified and hungry to feast on human flesh. Not so brave? Experience The Haunting 2, it’s our more child-friendly Halloween
adventure. Let them take part in a haphazard ghost hunt led by the zany Doctor Highgate. The paranormal investigation takes the younger guests on a spooky quest with just a hint of friendly frights along the way. On top of the hair-raising mazes, guests can also enjoy the Circus of Scream, there’s fun for the whole family. Ahoy me hearties! Visitors will also be able to join the conquering Captain Jackie and her crew aboard their ship, The Flying Dutchman in Pirates of Fear Island. Once aboard, guests will enjoy an interactive stage show celebrating all thing spooky as they join the quest to find the lost treasure of Fear Island. Paige Harris, Head of Marketing at Fantasy Island, said: “Fear Island was a huge hit last year and we’re ready for all the spooks and ghouls to arrive at the theme park once again. This year there’s even
more petrifying fun and Halloween horrors for guests to enjoy. “Fear Island is the perfect destination for families looking to get into the spooky spirit this Halloween. We’ve introduced new attractions and experiences this year which we guarantee will scare the socks off the whole family!”. Fear Island will also host a mesmerising firework display at Island Beach on Saturday September 30th after sunset. So, if the horrifying hosts don’t give guests a fright, the colourful booms and bangs might. Fear Island will open at 11:00am and close at 6:00pm on the following dates: 9th – 10th October 16th – 17th October 20th – 24th October 27th 31st October Please see below for opening times of each scare attraction: Hellhole – 1pm – 6pm The Haunting 2 – 1pm – 6pm Killer Villa – 1pm - 6pm Psycho Vault Death Game – 1pm – 6pm The Pirates of Fear Island – 12pm, 3pm, 4:30pm Circus of Screams – 12:15pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm Times are subject to change. For further information, please visit the Fantasy Island website here: https:// www.fantasyislandresort. co.uk/
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J.K Conservation Projects
My name is Jack kacynski I started J.K Conservation Projects in 2015 with the outlook of improving gardens and green spaces after I finished my Degree in Environmental Conservation. I recently started a seperate website gardensofwildlife. co.uk to focus more on Wildlife gardens and wildlife ponds. I offer many services with my businesses from design to completion of Wildlife gardens, bespoke ponds, waterfalls and streams, sensory gardens,
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All The Things That Might Be In Short Supply For Christmas 2021
It's beginning to look a lot like... well, sort of Some may be reluctant to admit it, but Christmas is around the corner. In just over 10 weeks, we’ll be sitting around our respective dining tables eating, pulling crackers, and then eating again. After the washout of Christmas 2020, where Covid restrictions made it impossible to enjoy a "normal Christmas", many hoped that 2021 would bring a return to the Yuletide cheer of yesteryear. Except, there might be a different kind of spanner in the works this year. Supermarket bosses have warned that there may be a shortage of some of our favourite Christmas goodies as we approach December, the result of a lack of drivers to deliver those goodies around the country. Be it because of Brexit, Covid rates leading to isolation periods and a lack of staff, or a combination of both, there is a risk that some of your favourite festive items will be missing from your home this Christmas. “We’ve already had one Christmas cancelled at the last minute. I’d hate this one to be problematic as well,” said Richard Walker, the chief executive of supermarket chain Iceland in recent weeks. Tesco chairman John Allan, meanwhile, said: “Normally the supermarket industry would start building stocks from now in readiness for Christmas. Longer-life products first, things like Christmas puddings and so on, shorter-life products, like
fresh turkeys, very late in the day. “At the moment we’re running very hard just to keep on top of the existing demand and there isn’t the capacity to build stocks that we’d like to see.” So what could we be short of come December 25? Turkeys There are concerns that poultry farmers will only be able to produce 80% of their usual output this year, due to a shortage of workers. Richard Griffiths, chief executive at British Poultry Council, said: “It would be irresponsible to grow more birds than can be slaughtered and processed, which is incredibly frustrating when the demand is there for quality British products.” Pigs in blankets Ah, a lot of people’s favourite Christmas lunch treat, crispy bacon wrapped around a small crispy sausage. We can’t have Christmas without them, surely? A spokeswoman for British Meat Processors Association said it’s a possibility. “Given the current workforce shortages, meat companies are finding it difficult to see how they’ll dig themselves out of this,” she said. “Part of the issue is that it’s more difficult to time the supply of pigs in the same way that you can for Christmas turkeys, so production of Christmas favourites like pigs in blankets has to be done well in advance, and normally should have started at the beginning of July. “The problem will continue to spiral until something changes. That ‘something’ must be an injection of new workers.” Gifts Now hang on a minute, no turkey or pigs in blankets is one thing, but no presents?
Retailers, like other industries, are being hit hard by a lack of drivers, and that could mean a delay in delivering toys and other gifts, or enough of them, to stores in time for Christmas. Experts in the toy industry fear that consumers will face higher prices this Christmas as a result of economic pressures that have disrupted their plans. Bins We all generate even more waste over Christmas, thanks to more packaging, more food waste, more wrapping paper, but rubbish collection is something else which could be affected due to driver shortages. Veg Surely there’ll be enough veg to go around? Labour shortages in the fruit and vegetable market could have a real impact this Christmas, according to experts. Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, said: “If you cannot get the labour, you end up going through the crops and you might just pick out the class one and leave some of the other produce that could have been picked from those fields. “I think the longer term issue is it just continuously erodes the confidence of growers.” Christmas trees What the hell are we supposed to hang our baubles on if we run out of Christmas trees? One farmer explained this week why even the most important festive item of all might be harder to come by this year. "With Brexit, the paperwork involved with importing the produce to grow has increased significa-ntly,” said Rob Morgan. “There’s also a huge lack of drivers and general transporta-tion, as most us will be aware by now, as well as lengthy shipping delays, which is really driving up demand for local producers and farmers. “Many wholesalers are too afraid to buy from abroad
these days, because of the delays and the paperwork and so on. It’s great for local farmers like me to have that extra support, but there simply aren’t enough trees at the moment to meet this sudden increase. A Christmas tree takes around 12 years to grow, so we can’t just produce more overnight.”
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Christmas 2021: Experts Predict The Bestselling Toys For This Festive Season toys every child will want. We've also gathered advice on the best time to buy to avoid disappointment. Here's everything you need to know... Christmas 2021 trends to From the toys that every expect child will want to the best What toys will be popular time to start shopping, here's for Christmas 2021? what you need to know. "Some of the top toy trends Christmas is a magical time we’re seeing for 2021 are for all the family. Whatever those tied into films, with your age, it's a time to catch the lack of new releases last up with loved ones, reflect on year meaning we saw very the year and - of course - give little along these lines in presents! 2020," says Peter Jenkinson, If you have a little one in AKA "The 'Toyologist," a your life and aren't too UK-leading toy expert who sure what to get them this regularly features on popular year, we've spoken to top television programmes. industry experts to find the "This year, we’ll have a new Ghostbuster film, Paw Patrol hitting the big screen and a Top Gun movie, too." The consensus is also that big-brand toys will remain popular. "There are lots of brands we’re
excited about for Christmas 2021," says Gary Grant, Founder and Executive Chairman of toy shop The Entertainer. "This includes Paw Patrol, following the movie this summer. Other popular brands will include CoComelon (based on the popular children's TV show), Super Mario, L.O.L. Surprise! (mini baby dolls), Barbie and Bluey (another popular kids TV series)." We can also expect people of all ages to fall in love with toys and games for Christmas 2021. "This year we’ve seen a huge surge in the popularity of traditional toys and games that can be enjoyed by the whole family," says Rachael Larkman, Toy Buyer at John Lewis. "For example, sales of construction toys and puzzles such as Lego have risen 50% in the last 12 months, and we predict this trend will continue for Christmas
2021." What toys will children ask Santa for this Christmas 2021? Having insight into what your kids might want is great for surprise gifting, but what can we expect them to ask Santa for? John Lewis may well have the best predictions for this. The retailer enlisted a panel of five under 12's to help select and approve the top 10 toys for Christmas. The Toy Testers spent hours playing, testing and competing in the John Lewis Toy Testing Lab and then selected their favourites. To give you some insight into a little one's Christmas wish-list or letter to Lapland, John Lewis' tiny toy testers revealed the top 10 toys will be: • Scalextric Batman vs Superman • Lego Elf Clubhouse • John Lewis FSC Wooden
My 1st Train Set • Space Puzzle Ravensburger • John Lewis FSC Wooden Waitrose Supermarket • Gravi Pro Starter Extreme • Kaloo My first Doll • Harry Potter Games Compendium • Tonies Soft Cuddly Friends - Hoppie Rabbit Audio Play • Secret Garden book Should I order toys online for Christmas 2021? With some people still feeling uncertain about shopping on the high street at busy times, it’s totally understandable that you may be looking to buy toys online for Christmas 2021. Not sure what to order? Amazon has released its Toys We Love list, which is curated by experts to give insight into the most popular toys for Christmas 2021. “We’re so excited to unveil this year’s Toys We Love list, which features more new products
and Amazon exclusives than ever before,” says Anne Carrihill, Director for Toys and Games at Amazon. “Customers will discover family-friendly gift ideas that spark imagination, promote inclusion, and help kids learn in fun and engaging ways.” Many toys made the list, but here are 10 recommended by Amazon that we think will be perfect for kids of all ages:
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Best Unusual Christmas Gifts: Quirky And Unique Present Ideas To Stand Out From The Crowd In 2021 Show how much you care this Christmas with an offbeat gift that shows you know them better than anyone else Stuck for ideas when it comes to Christmas gifts this year? After all, you can only buy socks, chocolate or aftershave so many times before they become a bit samey. Even a small twist on a generic gift can show a loved one you care, and that you’ve put thought into choosing something that screams unique. However, there are so many present options out there it can be difficult to know where to begin – from wacky food and drink gifts to novelty clothing (that you know they'll never wear). But do not fear – we have written this guide to cut through the noise. Whether you're looking for a present for a partner, friend or family member, our philosophy is the quirkier the better. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best unique gifts to buy your loved ones for Christmas 2021. Best unusual Christmas gifts Polaroid Originals OneStep+ Camera
A 70s-style instant camera with modern Bluetooth connectivity is the best of both worlds. The OneStep+ allows you to connect to the Polaroid app and access extra effects and features so, no, it’s not quite as analogue as the original – but it looks just as cool. Throw Throw Burrito Card Game This game isn’t for the faint of heart. Though it’s
described as a ‘card game’, that’s under-selling it. It’s a bonkers card game crossed with dodgeball in the form of squishy toy burritos. It’s stacks of fun, but beware: it could get messy. Sculpd Pottery Kit
For a gift that will outlast Christmas, consider buying a friend or family member a new hobby. For the creative minds in your life, this kit includes everything they need to get started with pottery – they'll be making plant pots, candle holders, coasters or mini-sculptures before you know it. LuckyVoice Karaoke Set
This stylish at-home set from London and Brighton’s leading karaoke bar would make the perfect gift for someone who likes to belt ballads like Beyoncé. That’s the Boxing Day entertainment sorted. Oxfam Poverty Busting Pig
whether it’s personalised PG Tips tea or a monogrammed whiskey glass, but what’s not to love (or loathe, depending on which camp you’re in) about personalised marmite?
The School of Life Conversation Menus The School of Life (cofounded by philosopher Alain de Botton) creates a range of thoughtful gifts, from charming children’s books to an ‘emotional first aid kit’.
We love this pack of Conversation Menus, which consists of curious, thoughtprovoking questions that promise to connect you to others and make every dinner party a delight. The Big Cheese Making Kit
If you count a ‘turophile’ (that’s a cheese enthusiast to you and I) among your nearest and dearest, this is a gift worth knowing about. The Big Cheese kit contains everything you need to create 10 different cheeses across 40 batches, including mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, halloumi, feta and paneer. Chefly Pasta Maker
Part of a series of charity gift cards, this poverty-busting pig makes a donation to Oxfam in your loved one’s name, which enables the charity to set up farming co-operatives and provide training for farmers living in poverty. A thoughtful gift that gives back. Personalised Marmite Personalised gifts always go down a treat with trickyThis pasta maker will allow to-buy-for friends and you to take your tagliatelle to family. You really can find new heights. It won’t break something for everyone,
the bank, either, so it’s a great choice for budding chefs who are dipping their toe into pasta making for the first time. Personalised Floral Liberty Framed Picture
Another personalised gift that will go down a treat, especially among loved ones who are into interior design. The print is backed with gorgeous Liberty floral fabric and finished with bespoke lettering. It’s completely personalisa-ble, comes framed and is made in England.
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Dare To Meet The Dinosaurs In The Dark For New Halloween Special Dino Kingdom, Thoresby Park 15-31 October 2021
Tickets have been released today (Monday 4 October) for a spooky encounter with the majestic dinosaurs of Dino Kingdom for Halloween. The newly released evening slots are available on the weekends of October 22-24 and October 29-31. When the sun goes down,
lanterns blowing eerily in the breeze to see the dinosaurs come to life by moonlight. There will be some surprises on route so watch out for scary holographic projections, the fire pit with real fire, smoke effects and don’t miss out on the trick and treat sweets that make up the Dino Kingdom Halloween Special. All the fun available during the day will be on offer too including the outdoor play areas, fair rides, food outlets & shops. With the official opening on 15 October coming up fast, the Dino Kingdom team has come up with lots of good things to know to get the Dino Kingdom will most out of the experience. transform into a land of When is it open? spooky surprises with creepy 15 October - 31 October ghosts, skeleton skulls and (closed for a private event 17 zombies, evil spiders and bats October). Open from 10am to and weird witches lurking in 7pm daily with the last entry the shadows. at 5pm (apart from the late For those who dare, the Halloween Special dates). special evenings will take Each visitor will be able to them on an adventure down explore the kingdom for up a trail lit only by the light of
to 3 hours. When is the Halloween Special? The weekend evenings on Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th Oct, and Friday 29th - Sunday 31st Oct is Dino Kingdom - Halloween Special Night. What Dinosaurs will I see? Life-size moving and roaring dinosaurs including the undisputed king of the Jurassic Era, the ferocious T-rex as well as Triceratops, Spinosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Velociraptor and more. Stand in the shadow of an 18m Apatosaurus and discover other creatures such as hatchlings, crocodiles, frogs and spiders. What is the Dino Kingdom Mobile App? The special App is available on apple and android devices and offers three experiences: Dino Kingdom Discovery Explore and meet all of the dinosaur friends that live in Dino Kingdom. To get the most out of the visit, scan the QR codes in the app. Dino Kingdom Egg Hunt Experience Five Dino Kingdom virtual eggs are hidden amongst the dinosaurs. Make sure to scan all the QR codes to find all the eggs! Each egg can be used to gain a discount at one of the concessions/ activities at Dino Kingdom. Dino Kingdom AR Experience To get the full immersive experience, hold the camera over the image to access the AR Experience bringing ancient history back to life right in front of your eyes. What else can I do?
At the excavation sandpit, budding palaeontologists can unearth dinosaur eggs and fossils, volcanoes and giant dinosaur skeleton heads. As well as dinosaurs to be found in the natural outdoor setting, there will be indoor activities including lots of fun interactive features from designing a dinosaur to see it come to life in a virtual kingdom or feeding the hungry beasts in a Dino Keeper VR experience. Is there a fairground? There will be theme performances and fairground rides for all the family to enjoy. Whether it’s dino dodgems or other traditional fairground activities, there’s plenty to choose. Please note the rides are not included in the admission price. What if I get hungry? There will be a selection of delicious street food and drink vendors to keep
visitors (and dinosaurs!) fed and watered throughout your journey through the Kingdom, including vegan and gluten-free options. Coming from the creators of the award-winning Lightopia Festival, Dino Kingdom Thoresby is coming for two weeks only from 15 to 31 October 2021 with prebooked timed slots available every day. Check the website for prices and availability. Join the Jurassic journey here www.dinokingdom.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ dinokingdomuk Instagram www.instagram.com/ dinokingdomuk
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Dining Out: The Maharaja’s Retreat
Nottingham is classed as a ‘must visit’ city – not just by UK residents, but by many travellers, from worldwide origins, too. Numerous shops (including designer fashions), independents and high street names, are located in Nottingham. World-class entertainment and venues, including the National Ice Centre, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, attract many visitors. The Old Market Square has events and various markets throughout the year, being transformed at Christmas time, with its own ice rink adding to the splendour. With the Castle, Robin Hood, Caves, River Trent, Sports, plus inns, taverns, eateries and restaurants, there is
something for everyone, all year through. I had a particular recommendation for finedining at The Maharaja’s Retreat. Close to the Castle, Old Market Square and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, it is ideal for pre and post-theatre dining, also. Utilising the most
finest and freshest food and ingredients, The Maharaja’s Retreat is often booked well in advance. Authentic Indian regional dishes include Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Lamb Cutlets, Punjabi Vegetable Samosa, Amritsari Masala Fish and more. I chose Tandoori Mango Prawns (King prawns in a marinade of fresh mango, Kashmiri chilli, ginger, garlic, fresh coriander). This proved to be an excellent start to the evening’s dining, with the taste buds duly recognising and appreciating the complementing flavours. Timeless classics and favourite main courses include South Indian Seafood Biryani. I opted
for Chicken Tandoori (Fillet of chicken breast marinated over night with an eclectic mix of freshly pounded herbs and spices, hung yoghurt and cold press mustard oil. Served with fresh leaf salad and a side sauce). The flavours for this dish were outstanding. Absolutely, ‘Compliments to Chef’. Gulab Jamun with Pistachio and rose water kulfi delivered the ‘end of meal sensation’, perfectly. The range of drinks has something for all palates – including Maharaja’s Lager (4.9ABV). Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available also, as are rice, breads and sundries, plus Chefs Specials, collections,
deliveries and gift vouchers. The 20% ‘early bird’ dining discount is an added bonus. Many thanks to Shindi and Savita for exemplary service throughout. Highly recommended.
The Maharaja’s Retreat, 28 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6GF Tel: 0115 958 0115 E-mail: info@maharajasretreat.co.uk www. maharajas-retreat.co.uk
Drinks Time: Gin O’Clock The South Ormsby Estate is located in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Classed as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, this region can justifiably boast history and tradition. The Estate spans some 3000 acres, with Jon and Jan Thornes being the current custodians. Tristan Jorgensen is the Head Distiller at South Ormsby Estate. Tristan gained distillery experiences
in Scotland and is now utilising that knowledge and those experiences to great advantage, having created a multi award-winning brand for South Ormsby Estate’s own craft gins, with several of the botanicals used coming from the estate. History dictates that Charles Burrell Massingberd (1749 – 1835) became the squire of South Ormsby Estate during 1802. I found Burrell’s Dry
Gin (43% vol) superb. This elegant, refined production is classic and fresh. Burrell’s Dry Gin has botanicals that include juniper, angelica root, coriander seeds, lemon peel, apple and almonds, plus some more, that make this gin the very worthy and excellent quality production that it is. Fragrant, smooth and crisp is how I would describe this gin. The mouthfeel and
palate’s sensation enjoy the fruitiness. I found that with an added tonic, this production came into its own., having delights of citrusy overtones and really great for a G&T mix, garnishing with citrus fruits. Marie Jeanne Rapigeon of Versailles (1764 - 1863) refurbished and transformed South Ormsby Estate, bringing further elegance and glamour. Marie Jeanne became the second wife of the squire and the gin created by Tristan Jorgensen pays a great tribute to this lady. Red fruit aromas and flavours are evident, in this splendid, pink gin (43% vol) production. Also, fabulous for adding colour, to any occasion. The botanicals used for this gin include juniper, angelica root, coriander seeds, cassia bark, pink peppercorns, strawberries, raspberries and cranberries. Again, I
found this to be another extremely well-balanced production. Certainly, the bouquet is fruity and, with the palate following through, having further highlights of complexity and depth, this much appreciated and
respected delectation is a ‘pink gin’ lover’s delight. South Ormsby Estate, South Ormsby, Lincolnshire LN11 8QS. Contact details, information and ordering: www.southormsbyestate. co.uk/gin
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Leivers & Millership: A Family Business You Can Trust Since 1990
We are all for supporting local businesses and we feel Leivers & Millership, from Newstead village in Nottingham, Deserve to be congratulated for their success. First established in 1990, they have recently celebrated thirty years of business which continues within the same family, specialising in manufacturing and installing quality home improvements at very Reasonable prices. Leivers and Millership were inspired to start up their business following time working for other similar companies that didn't seem to have the customer caring based work ethic. They then decided to launch their own business with customer satisfaction and fair treatment to be at their core. Throughout
the years, Leivers and Millership have seen a massive change within the industry and have battled to keep the faith and remain an honest, reliable local double glazing company that their customers have learned to rely on. Many of Leivers & Millership staff have been with them since they first began their business in 1990 and they feel its a very nice family business to work for. High praise is deserved for the local business for sticking to what they believe in and not following suit with the stigma attached with many other companies within this industry. They work within 10 miles of Nottingham and have no aspiration to become too big to care or have a nationwide status. The reason they are so
competitive is due to being one of the few companies that still make their own products, therefore, can deliver on shorter time scales and keep their margins down passing the saving on to their customers. They believe in offering an honest price first time and their guarantee really means guarantee, and is fully insurance backed, they also voluntarily push for accreditations with the most neutral bodies in the industry, including the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (Fensa) and Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF). Speaking to many of their customers who have been using Leivers & Millership for many years, they have received great feedback. One customer said “They have old fashioned morals, always going the extra mile and there's not many companies about like this anymore.” Another said “I like the fact that when they quoted for our
Manufactured in Newstead Village
conservatory, they gave us their best price and didn't try to reduce the price for us to order on the day. We love our conservatory and use it all year round." Call: 01623 754048 or visit: www. leiversandmillership.co.uk
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Hope Valley Explorer Seasonal Bus Returns To Peak District For 2021 More summer capacity on tourism bus route as staycations lead the way The Hope Valley Explorer summer bus service will return to the Peak District from Saturday 24 July. Following a successful pilot season in 2019, the service was paused during the Covid-19 restrictions of 2020 but will now operate from 24 July to 30 October this year. The Peak District National Park has again partnered with regional operators Stagecoach to offer the service across weekends and bank holidays throughout the summer, with onward links via bus and train to Sheffield, Manchester and Chesterfield. Although the route will no longer take in Edale, larger capacity buses will be in use to allow more visitors to benefit from the service and provide traveller confidence
following the impacts of Covid-19. In line with government guidance, Stagecoach and the National Park Authority are encouraging people to continue wearing face coverings when using the service. For the first time, space for two bikes will also be available on the service - via racks - on a first-come, firstserved basis. Stagecoach and the Peak District National Park have also confirmed that ticket prices have been frozen at 2019 rates - starting at £4 for a single journey and including £6 return and a £12 family ticket. Some additional Stagecoach passes also apply. The Hope Valley Explorer aims to reduce the number of car journeys within the National Park during its busiest season and the school summer and autumn
holidays. As well as a flexible hop-on, hop-off service, the Explorer continues to feature an audio commentary of the rich natural and cultural history of the area; from its extensive cave network and wildlife, to the Dambusters of the Derwent Valley. The route will include key stops at Castleton, Hope and Fairholmes visitor centre in the Derwent Valley. Iconic locations like Winnats Pass, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge will all be available to enjoy from the route. The initial three-year, seasonal pilot scheme (now extended to 2022) funded by the National Park Authority - will assess the viability of running similar services long-term, to help ease pressure from private vehicles in the National Park and support linked sustainable transport by the use of rail services.
Andrew McCloy, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back the Hope Valley Explorer with our partner operators Stagecoach this summer, especially as so many people may be looking closer to home for days out and a holiday break. “That’s why we’ve worked to provide increased capacity across the service in 2021, which we’re pleased will run through until the October half term. “With onward bus links and the chance to join via train from Sheffield and Manchester along the route, the Explorer is a great
car-free choice to discover a wonderful corner of the Peak District this year. “Our continuing aim is to support a reduction in private car journeys in these areas and help promote more sustainable ways of getting to, and enjoying, the UK’s
first ever National Park.” Further information is available at www. peakdistrict.gov.uk/ hopevalleyexplorer or by post by calling Peak District National Park customer services team on 01629 816200.
Rural Action Derbyshire is based in Matlock and for 15 years has been running a scheme called Wheels to Work. The scheme provides transport solutions for people who struggle to get to work or training because of a lack of suitable public
or private transport. This problem can be particularly acute in isolated rural communities. Wheels to Work already offers moped loans, reconditioned bicycles, and help towards transport costs in some circumstances. The
addition of six electric bikes will be welcomed by users needing to travel greater distances and in hilly terrain. We have contributed £52,500 to help fund Wheels to Work this year and some of the money will be used to pay for this initial e-bike pilot. Laura Mitchell, Wheels to Work Project
Manager said: “There are many well-known benefits to e-bikes, from environmental to health, but for us, it is the opportunity to offer an affordable transport solution to people in rural Derbyshire.” Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Kewal Singh Athwal said: “The
introduction of electric bicycles to the Wheels to Work fleet is an excellent addition to their current offer. As well as improving transport options for people in Derbyshire it also helps Derbyshire County Council meet its environmental commitment to cut carbon emissions and encourage the use of more sustainable
modes of transport.” There are a limited number of electric bicycles available now on a first-come firstserved basis. There is a small loan charge of £30 a week (£25 for students) and the scheme is open to anyone who is struggling with access to education, training, or employment in Derbyshire.
We Back Electric Bike Scheme
Laura Mitchell and Cllr Athwal
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Diwali & Christmas Celebrations To Return To City’s Streets LEICESTER’s annual Diwali and Christmas celebrations will be returning to the city's streets this year. The city council has announced that the day the Diwali lights are turned on, Diwali Day itself, and the switching-on of Leicester’s Christmas lights will all be marked with on-street entertainment, although in a slightly different format to previous years. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, last year’s events were marked virtually with online content. This year, the council plans to take the festivities back on to the streets, with a new approach that will reduce the need for people to congregate in one place at the same time. The council plans to close Belgrave Road to traffic as usual, for both switchon day on 24 October and Diwali Day on 4 November. In a change to previous years, the stage usually
sited near to the Belgrave roundabout will be replaced with two giant screens located on Belgrave Road showing a pre-recorded cultural programme that will run throughout the evening. A third giant screen will be located on Cossington Street Recreation Ground. This will enable visitors to view the entertainment in different locations and at different times, reducing the need for crowds to gather in one place at a fixed point in the evening. With the covid security of visitors a key consideration, the annual firework displays will be replaced this year with a Fire Garden on Cossington Street recreation ground, and a Global Rainbow that will beam light across the city. Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also host a Diwali Village featuring food stalls and funfair rides. Deputy city mayor for culture Cllr Piara SinghClair said: “We have been
determined to do all we can to bring the Diwali and Christmas celebrations back to the streets of Leicester, while making public safety our priority. “The new format of the Diwali events means that people can enjoy the sights and sounds of our Diwali celebrations at any point during the evening, and won’t need to congregate in one space. “Our plans for Christmas activities are currently being finalised, but we will be taking a similar approach.” Belgrave Road will close at 5pm on Sunday 24 October to mark the Diwali lights being turned on. The cultural programme will be shown on the giant screens every hour from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. It will include a religious ceremony performed by the Hindu Festival Council as well as entertainment from Nupur Arts and local dance groups. The lights will be turned on before the road closure to
prevent crowds gathering. Diwali day festivities on Thursday 4 November will also start with the road closure at 5pm, and the showing of the cultural programme from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. The council is currently
finalising its plans around the Christmas light switchon which is set for 18 November, and other Christmas activities, and will publish these in the next few weeks. The return of the ice-rink to Jubilee Square has already
been announced, and this will be in place from 2 Dec to 3 Jan, with tickets going on sale in October. The council’s annual bonfire and firework display on Abbey Park is also set to return this year. More details will be available soon.
Heritage Panels Celebrate Leicester’s Diversity NEW heritage panels have been installed telling stories from Leicester’s diverse communities. The panels are part of a series of more than 150 scattered on streets and in public locations across the city, documenting the people, places, buildings and events that make Leicester special. Among the panels most recently installed is one outside Leicester’s African Caribbean Centre, on Maidstone Road in Highfields. It tells the story of the centre’s inception in the 1980s and the first Caribbean Carnival in Leicester in 1985, as well as recounting some of the famous visitors to the centre over the years. Also in
Highfields, the development of St Peters’ estate will be reflected by the Highfields Centre panel, which is due to be installed soon. The panel has an image of the HMT Windrush on it, and focuses on how the Highfields Centre provided a community space for the Windrush generation as well as allowing South Asian immigrants to develop numerous groups which went onto flourish throughout the city. Nearby, a heritage panel at Spinney Hill Park tells the story of the Highfields neighbourhood’s historic diversity, from Jewish settlers around the time of the Second World War, to African Caribbean people in the 1950s, and new arrivals from India and East Africa in the 1960s and 70s. Meanwhile a new panel marking the site of Bow Bridge House, near Leicester’s Bow Bridge, tells the tale of two local women who campaigned
for the abolition of slavery in the early 19th century. The elegant house – home to Elizabeth Heyrick, who set it up as a school – was demolished in the 1960s, but the story of its campaigning owner lives on. Together with her friend, Susannah Watts, Elizabeth went door-to-door in Leicester asking people to stop buying sugar from West Indian plantations. She also wrote a leaflet calling for the immediate abolition of slavery, which was distributed across England and America. Cllr Sue Hunter, assistant city mayor for diversity and tackling racism, said: “Leicester has a reputation for championing diversity, so it’s fantastic to see the latest of Leicester’s heritage information panels unveiled during Black History Month. “All of our diverse communities contribute positively to life in this city and play a vital role in Leicester’s past, its present
and - I am sure - its future too. It’s right that we celebrate and recognise these contributions through these new heritage panels.” The panels are grouped in themes to tell different chapters in the city’s story, and each theme is colour-coded to make them easy to identify. They are part of the city council’s Story of Leicester project, run by the museums service. The project celebrates the city’s 2,000-year history by remembering the people, places and events of Leicester’s recent and distant past. To find out more about the Story of Leicester, visit the website at www. storyofleicester.info
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Boosting Understanding Of The County's Blow Wells The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project has secured almost £9,000 to help survey and train volunteers to boost understanding of the county's blow wells, their geology and the animals that live there.
Funded by Natural England's Nature Recovery Seed Corn Funding scheme, the project is part of the Government's bid to help further the aims of the Nature Recovery agenda and connect people with nature.
Ruth Craig from the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project explains: "Blow wells are an extremely rare form of artesian spring habitat found only in North and North East Lincolnshire. We hope to raise awareness
of their importance as geological features within the greater Lincolnshire landscape which have 'Local Geological Site' designation. "Between Louth and Barton upon Humber, there are around 37 known blow wells, including Tetney Blow Wells, which has been designated as a Site of
Special Scientific Interest. "Tetney is such a special place because of its history as a water cress farm and the now restored damp woodland and reedbed habitat supporting a diverse system of plants and animals across five blow wells. "As well as raising awareness about these
amazing spaces, we're planning on training a number of volunteers to monitor and protect the sites for the future." To find out more about the project or to register your interest, visit www. lincolnshirechalkstreams. org.
Christmas At Belton
It’s the most wonderful time of the year when over a million lights and seasonal sounds fill the air with festive fun at Belton House. Relive Christmas traditions
and create new ones at Belton. Christmas magic returns as Belton is dressed in glitter and sparkle, and it’s our favourite time to spend with loved ones and relive traditions. Now is when you wrap up in your brightest winter woollies and head off into the parkland for a bracing walk, then warm up afterwards with a hot chocolate in the Joinery. After that, why not bring the
family to the new Creation Station in Percy the Park Keeper's hut where everyone can get creative with a paintbrush, or write a letter to Father Christmas and let him know what you love most about Christmas? This year we’re placing a Memory Tree in the stable yard. You’re invited to write and hang a memory that commemorates a happy time, or in honour of someone who can’t be with you.
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Yorkshire Air Museum
The Yorkshire Air Museum has burst back to life celebrating the wonder of Aviation, which we proudly proclaim as Yorkshire’s greatest invention! Did you know that the aeroplane was first invented in our own county? Museum Director Barbara George explains: “Scarborough born nobleman George Cayley was so inspired by the passenger carrying hot air balloons of the Mongolfier brothers in France that he
defined the principles for a ‘flying machine’ in 1799, designing the very first outline of a ‘conventional’ aeroplane with fixed wings, a ‘fuselage’ and using the acts of propulsion and lift as individual functions to make it fly.” This ultimately led to the creation of his full-size glider which, in 1853, made the first man-carrying flight at his family home at Brompton by Sawdon. The Museum is proud to display the unique replica
of this amazing craft which now takes take centre place in our huge hangar, strikingly mounted on a plinth, along with other iconic Yorkshire designed aircraft, such as the Blackburn Buccaneer, the last of a long line of aircraft from the company founded by Leeds born Robert Blackburn, and, of course, own unique WWII Halifax Mk. III bomber, “Friday the 13th”. This is so named after the most successful Halifax,
flying from its Yorkshire base at RAF Lissett near Bridlington. We know you will be inspired after visiting our wonderful museum, based on an original WWII Bomber Command base, with all the history and heritage of the period. Enjoy discovering our amazing aircraft collection amongst our extensive, spacious grounds and take a stroll around our woodland nature area. Discover a tranquil, fragrant spot in our ‘Jardin des Papillons’ or Memorial Rose Gardens and enjoy a family picnic on our lawns. Open Daily 10:00am to 17:00pm. (Winter
10:00am – 16:00pm) Admission: £12 Adults, £5 Child (4-17). Family £30
(2A + up to 3 Children.) Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award.
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Next Step Of The D2N2 Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan Approved By Councillors Nottinghamshire residents will be able to have their say on proposals to improve walking and cycling infrastructure. The intention to run a public consultation on the proposals was granted approval at Transport and Environment Committee. Nottinghamshire County Council has been working with the three other D2N2 local highway authorities to develop a D2N2 area wide Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The next stage of the LCWIP development is to undertake public consultation and the Council has secured funding from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Capability Fund to undertake the consultation this year.
The County Council has also secured £50,000 from the DfT Capability Fund to start design work on the routes identified as priorities through the development of the LCWIP. This funding will help the county council to start to develop feasible and deliverable schemes along these priority routes in readiness should funding for their delivery become available in the future. Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Chairman of the Transport and Environment Committee, said: “When the DfT suggested that local authorities should develop a local cycling and walking infrastructure plan, we decided to develop a D2N2 area wide plan in partnership with the other highways authorities in D2N2 area to
help ensure crossboundary links and consistency of infrastructure in the immediate area around Nottinghamshire. “Our collective strong commitment to improving cycling and walking infrastructure means that we have been able to secure £10,000 from the DfT’s Capability Fund to undertake a public consultation on the plan and its priorities in Nottinghamshire. “This will be an excellent opportunity for our communities to comment on the proposed walking and cycling networks which we hope will make
New Litter Picking Kits Help Visitors To Look After The Peak District National Park Caring visitors can help to look after the Peak District National Park by looking out for litter as they enjoy the stunning landscapes. Litter picking kits can now be borrowed from two Peak District visitor centres. The kits - containing a picking guide, bags, a hi-vis jacket and a litter picker - are currently available from Castleton and Bakewell visitor centres on a free dayhire basis. Kits have been funded by the Peak District National Park Authority, Peak District National Park Foundation and the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The initiative is part of the Peak District Proud Ambassador scheme to encourage more people to appreciate and care for the national park. Volunteer co-ordinator Rachel Mora-Bannon said: "The Peak District National Park is a fantastic landscape enjoyed by many, so much so that many people are keen to help in practical ways.
"So, we’ve been thinking of things people can do. Alongside welcoming people back to the Peak District after the challenges of Covid-19, we want to help everyone to understand and respect our national park. "We know that many local people are already picking up litter and monitoring issues as they happen – and, of course, we urge people not to leave their litter behind in the first place.
But we hope that our new initiative will encourage a fresh and positive attitude among our visitors and help to create a new and growing team of Peak District Proud Ambassadors. "Please help us to look after this beautiful area and support those who live and work in the Peak District by keeping it tidy." Litter picking kits can be booked online right now. https://peakdistrict.cinolla. com/peakdistrictproud
Nottinghamshire an even better place to live, work and bring up your family. “We are keen to stress that the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan will be a live document
which will be reviewed regularly. This means that any scheme or route can be evaluated and assessed for inclusion in the network. “Bringing this plan to life to put cycling and walking at
the heart of our communities remains a priority for us and we look forward to hearing the views of Nottinghamshire residents once the consultation goes live later this year.”
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How To Get An Upgrade On Your Honeymoon! Getting married isn’t just about going on honeymoon, but it sure is an exciting plus to the whole shebang! But how do you go about milking the special occasion for all its worth? Everyone loves an upgrade and if you can’t get one when you’re going on your honeymoon then when can you? It’s
the perfect opportunity to be pampered and spoiled, especially after all the stress of the wedding planning is over. Calling first class! There are so many moments where you might be able to wangle an upgrade when you go on honeymoon. The first is the flight. This is
a lot easier to accomplish if you haven’t booked a package deal through a high street travel agency. If you’ve booked flights and accommodation separately then turning up at the airport in your finest clobber, rather than like a scruff bag (albeit a very comfy one), is a great way to find yourself boosted
up to First or Business class. This is an important fact to consider as the area you want to be moved into is usually full of very wellheeled people. The next step is to arrive at the airport early. This gives you the best opportunity of nabbing any last-minute upgrades.
Don’t forget to check again when you reach the gate in case an upgrade has become available since you checked-in. Another hot tip for making it more likely to receive an upgrade is to fly on a Saturday as this is when business travellers are usually at home, meaning you have less competition. Tell the world you’re here for your honeymoon Once you’ve made it to your honeymoon destination the next step towards getting an upgrade is to tell everyone that you’re on your honeymoon! It’s important to do this at the right time though. Telling businesses that you’re going on your honeymoon when you make the booking tends to hike the prices up. So, you’re better off waiting until you hit the runway to mention that you’re newly-weds on honeymoon. If you’re staying in a hotel then mention at check-in that you’re on your honeymoon and ask if there are any honeymoon suites available for you to upgrade to or if there is anything they can
do for you to help make your honeymoon more memorable. Then as you go about making your precious memories whilst you are away, you need to keep speaking up. Tell everyone you meet that you’re there on your honeymoon. You never know, it might lead to a couple of free glasses of champagne over dinner at any of the restaurants you might visit! The same can be said for any activities, excursions or day trips that you intend to do whilst you’re away. Live like an A-lister Of course, before you even get to this stage you need to decide on where to go! If you’re at a loss for ideas, other than knowing that you want the A-list treatment, then take a leaf out of @ RocknRollBride’s book. She says that ‘If you’re looking to really go all out on your honeymoon, to have a once in a lifetime experience and to truly live it up like a rock star, then the Maldives has to be top of your list.’
Make an appointment with your chosen florist 6 months before... Give Notice of Marriage Purchase or hire menswear Select your wedding rings 4 months before... Send out your wedding invitations Arrange fittings for the wedding dress and menswear 1 month before... Arrange a final fitting of your wedding dress your bridesmaids, ushers and best man.
Enjoy your hen and stag parties! 2 weeks before... Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal to the relevant people 1 week before... Arrange to collect your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and the menswear Have all your beauty treatments Drink plenty of water and have some early nights Relax and enjoy this time – all your hard work is about to come to completion!
Planning For Your Wedding Day 2022 As couples plan for their big day for 2022 now is the time to get into shape. and start organizing for what will be the best day of their lives. For the bride, you can’t start earlier enough. You want to arrive at the alter looking vibrant with health and beauty, so what better
excuse do you need to invest a little bit of time, money and energy in getting you there? Whether it is planning a few pampering trips to some spas or joining a gym, not only can you trim your figure, you’ll do wonders for your complexion and overall energy levels.
Shopping for the wedding dress is probably the part of the wedding plans you are looking forward to more than any other aspect. The majority of bridal gowns bought in the UK are classed as ‘off the peg.’ You try on a sample of the gown in the shop; they take your
measurements and order the most appropriate size for you which is then delivered to the shop for alterations to fit your exact shape and size. Don’t panic, there may be a huge amount to do but here is a handy checklist with some of the main points to take into consideration in the build up to the big day! 12 months before… Choose a wedding date Decide on a budget Make a list of guests and decide on numbers Book your Church/ Ceremony location. Book your reception venue/ caterers. Choose your Bridesmaids, Ushers and Best Man. Start looking for The Dress!. Choose and book your photographer 8 months before… Choose bridesmaids’ dresses Book entertainment Choose and order your wedding cake
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Easy Ways To Look Better Instantly
Whiten Your Teeth or Let Lipstick Help You Do It Nothing makes you look prettier and more approachable than a bright, healthy smile. As Charla Krupp once famously proclaimed, yellow teeth are aging! Fortunately, they are so easy to fix! A friend recently told me that she gets her teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist’s office three times a year instead of twice, and I immediately decided to do the same thing. Change Up Your Manicure I am not saying that there is anything wrong with a French manicure. Wait, yes, yes I am. I know this is controversial, but for now, the classic French manicure in either soft pink or white tips is dated. Don’t be afraid to break out of the French manicure box! Ditch the Boring Bag Your bag should be a beautiful, high-quality statement piece. It should not be boring, or frumpy, or dated. After all, you carry it every day, and a blah bag can bring down your whole outfit. A stiff bag with a faux exotic print embossed onto the leather looks so dated. Invest in a status bag, if you
can, or, for more affordable options that are still on-point stylewise, look to lines like Z Spoke from Zac Posen, Michael Kors, and Rebecca Minkoff. Grow Your Hair Out or Have It Cut Shorter Some women immediately cut their hair after having kids. It’s like a rite of passage. 1. Have baby. 2. Buy yoga pants. 3. Chop hair off. Some women still have the same long straight hair they sported so cutely in high school or college even though they graduated in 2007. Here’s a question: “How many times has someone complimented you on your hairstyle in the last 12 months?” Why is that an important question? Because the number of compliments you’ve received on your hairstyle in the last 12 months is an indicator of how many compliments you’re going to receive about your hair in the next 12 months. If you’ve had two or fewer compliments, it’s time to make a change because your hair isn’t doing you any favors. Your hair frames your face! It should enhance your look every day! Go to the most expensive salon you can afford, at least for the initial cut and style. Then, take photos from every angle that day so that other stylists can duplicate it for you. Ditch the Baggy Clothes So, so, so many women think they are bigger than they are. They wear long baggy tees and slouchy sweatshirts in an attempt to hide it, which actually ends up making them look bigger. Next time you’re shopping, try the smaller size. Or, if you are used to wearing your clothes a little too snug, try the next size up. Clothes that don’t fit are unflattering, unattractive, and most of all, aging. Pick a Fresh, New Lipcolor So we’ve heard how a too-dark, too-matte lipstick can age you, and how the opposite – a nude, washedout lip – is also true. Your best pick? An ultrahydrating color with a little bit of sheen in a mid-toned
flattering color. Whether you prefer the subtlety of a lip stain or the pop of a bolder shade, make sure the color complements your skin tone and brightens your complexion. Upgrade Your Denim I find that there’s plenty of room for trendy, disposable denim in a girl’s life. The boyfriend jeans, the updated “mom jeans,” the highwaisted jeans — all these are of-the-moment trends and are best bought at discount prices, either at off-price stores, or fast fashion outlets like H&M. Don’t spend a lot on anything with a short shelf life. The dark-wash skinny jeans or dark-wash trouser jeans are today’s best choices: sleek, flattering to many, and versatile enough to dress up or down. And Your Bra I know you think your tired, stretched-out, old bra is fine. It isn’t. Unless you struggle to fill in an A-cup, you need some support. The right bra will make absolutely everything you wear look a million times more expensive. You will look taller, slimmer, and chicer. If you’re a full B-cup or higher, an underwire is required, not optional; and if you can only choose one bra, pick a seamless, neutral style with convertible straps for maximum versatility. Use Sunscreen Every day. Even when it’s gray. Use an antioxidantpacked formula on the face, neck, chest, ears and back of the neck every morning, and a body lotion with SPF on extremities. In sunnier months, switch your regular hand cream for a moisturizing sunscreen. Use a Skin-Firming Body Cream I have been told that a cream can’t take the place of exercise, but who has time for that kind of negativity? I personally love the way firming creams leave skin taut, glowing, and, well, firm. I am always on the hunt for the perfect allpurpose body cream, one that makes you firm and glowy, with just a hint of color.
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How To Feel Better In Less Than 15 Minutes Clear Your Mind Take a brief meditation break. It’s simple: Sit quietly, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. When you get distracted, just bring your attention back to your breath. When you’re done, you could feel more positive and patient. That’s just what you need to shift the energy of your day and help you bounce back from stress. Get Outside Step outdoors for a few minutes to pull some weeds, sit in the sunshine, or just get some fresh air. Research shows that time outside can give you more energy, a better memory, and less anxiety. Even if you’re in a city, notice trees, flowers, and parks. Soak up nature to give yourself a boost. Have a Laugh Read a few pages of a funny book, watch a clip
of your favorite comedian, or call a friend who always cracks you up. Laughter obviously lightens your mood, plus it stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles. It makes your brain release more feel-good endorphins. And it can relax your muscles and help your circulation. Count What’s Good Pick up a pen and list at least a few things you’re grateful for today. Think about your relationships, things that went well, and any positive parts of your life -- big or small. People who do this feel better and are less bothered by stress. And it can take very little time to do. Wish Someone Well Practicing compassion for others tends to make you feel better, too. Choose someone: a friend, family member, co-worker, or even a stranger. In your mind, send them wishes to be happy and healthy and live with ease. This quick exercise can make you more satisfied with your own life.
Take a Walk Lace up your shoes. A stroll around the neighborhood can lift your mood and bust stress. Stuck in a rut? Research shows your next big idea could be just a walk away. It can boost creative thinking. Turn on Some Tunes DJ, put on something peppy! Play a few of your favorite songs to relax and lighten your mood. Research shows music has all kinds of benefits -- it can reduce anxiety and pain. If you feel moved to get up and dance, even better. Check a Chore Off Your List What small task has been lurking in the back of your mind for too long? Change that burned-out light bulb, return that email, make that appointment. The satisfaction of getting something small done could stop stress and give you the momentum to tackle more. Connect Call a friend to catch up, email a family member to check in, or text a colleague to meet you for coffee. Making contact with other people builds social
Grooming For The Mature ‘Gentleman’ Author – Dawn Cragg MBE Why is it that most men ‘over a certain age’ are not – in general – encouraged to nurture their skin, from both inside & out? With Christmas (if you are Christian) and other festivals around that time that are appropriate to your culture, why not consider substituting the more common presents – hankies, alcohol, or car accessories -
for skin products and nutritional supplements? The skin shown in the photograph is of Dave, a 67-year-old gentleman who uses both. I am very happy to advise anyone who contacts me how this can be achieved without spending a fortune on skin and/or nutritional products. Of course exercise and diet also play a very important part in keeping healthy, joining a gym, or going for a daily walk, would be a good start. Of course I don’t know whether any of you have health issues which would restrict what type of exercise would be beneficial to you. There are dietary considerations to consider also. Would not the New Year be
a good time to start with a resolution to continue with healthy solutions in your life? So, if you want to look and be as healthy as Dave, who follows a healthy Lifestyle, I can point you in the right direction. My contact details are on www.dawncragg.com. The website is being constructed at present but my email & phone number will be there now. It may be of interest also for your wives and partners to view some of my YouTube videos on skin care and makeup. ‘Makeup Masterclass – Uncensored’ https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=4w WhJYxzew&t=95s ‘Makeup Masterclass 2’ https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=pI7x2_ SkO4k&t=46s
connections and gives you more support. Studies support this: Better relationships are one of the best ways to become happier. Eat a Smart Snack Fuel up, but keep it healthy and simple. Some ideas: Oranges. Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which is good for your immune system. Nuts. Enjoy a small handful of walnuts, almonds, or pistachios for some omega-3 fatty acids that even out your stress hormones. Whole grains. A bowl of oatmeal or a piece of whole wheat toast could help your brain make more serotonin, which can improve your mood.
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New Plan To Deliver Day Services For People Who Need Our Care The County Council is planning to change the way it offers Day Opportunities and is calling for people who need adult social care support, their families and carers to have their say on its proposed new Strategy. Day services are currently offered to 1500 people, mainly in day service buildings. These include older people, people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, dementia, autism and mental health needs. The pandemic has resulted in some different approaches being offered, including the use of digital technology, small scale local community responses and more personalised support such as use of Personal Assistants
or Shared Lives carers. These have been welcomed by some people who have benefitted from the newfound flexibility, friendships and support. A draft Day Opportunities Strategy has been developed following a period of engagement with people who currently use the services, their families and carers, where people told us that they wanted to do more things in the community, meet friends and do things in the evenings and at weekends. The strategy sets out a vision where mainstream leisure and employment support is accessible to people, either by giving them the skills and confidence to use services independently, or
by being supported by a Personal Assistant or Shared Lives carer. Shared Lives is similar to foster care but for adults and paid carers support people to live as independently as possible in the community. The strategy proposes four levels of support, but the ambition will always be to focus on a person’s individual strengths and helping them to be as independent as possible. Those people requiring more specialist or higher levels of support may continue to need building-based services in order to meet their needs most effectively but the aspiration will remain that everyone should be able to access their communities if they choose to.
Councillor Boyd Elliott, Chairman of Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “People have told us they want to access more services in places like cafes and pubs. Carers have also said it’s important to them that services are available outside of traditional 9 – 5 weekly hours. Our draft strategy sets out how we plan to offer more opportunities for people in the community and support people to be as independent as possible. “We recognise that some people with higher levels of need will still require the specialist support offered by our day services, but we also want to offer more diverse opportunities for people to learn new skills and hobbies
in their local communities. I encourage anyone who uses our services, or may use them in the future, to give their views as part of our
consultation process.” People can find out more and give their views on the draft Day Opportunities Strategy.
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‘Baked With Love’ – Care Home Star Bakers Raise Funds For The Alzheimer’s Society Care home residents from Fairway View, in Bulwell have been ‘baking up a storm’ in an effort to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Residents were inspired by the charities’ commitment to supporting older people throughout the pandemic, deciding on a tasty treats themed fundraiser. The care team and residents set to work to bake delicious cupcakes for their bake sale. Residents enjoyed sharing their favourite recipes and even hosted a ‘Bake Off’ style challenge Complete with awards for ‘Messiest Baker’, ‘Star Baker’ and ‘Most Creative Design’! Resident, Brenda Walton, said, ‘I have always loved to bake, growing up I learnt from my family and always enjoyed making delicious treats for others when I had
the chance. It was great to be involved in each step, from weighing out the ingredients, mixing to decorating and knowing it was all for a great cause made the cupcakes all the sweeter!’. The cupcakes were later sold to staff, friends, relatives, doctors and nurses who all made a charitable contribution for the worthy charity. Home Manager, Gaynor Smart-McCann, said, ‘We are always looking for ways that we can support charitable causes, if that be on a national scale or contributing to a local go fund me here in Bulwell. To join forces together to make these delicious cakes was a brilliant bonding activity that was filled with fun and laughter. We are thrilled to have raised so much money during our bake sale for
the Alzheimer’s Society and we are proud to know our donation will go towards supporting people affected by dementia’. Fairway View, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is rated ‘OUTSTANDING’ by the CQC and provides 24-hour residential and dementia care on an inclusive fee basis. Residents can enjoy a full programme of health, leisure and wellbeing activities managed by a dedicated team of carers. All 60 bedrooms are en-suite, enabling staff to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible. For more information about Fairway View, contact the team on 0115 975 8770 or visit https://www.idealcarehomes. co.uk/
Star Baker, Brenda Walton, piped beautiful icing decorations onto each cupcake.
Fairway View Carer, Rebecca Bagley, was proud to support the Alzheimer’s Society.
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Market For Young Entrepreneurs A Success Newark’s first Teenage Market, which provided a platform for young entrepreneurs to have a first free taste of market trading, has been hailed a success. The market took place last month on Sunday 19 September at The Wharf car park in Newark and saw several a range of keen and ambitious young people selling items, ranging from hand painted canvas’ to homemade jewellery, cakes and treats. Newark Town Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council partnered with the nationally renowned Teenage Market Company to bring the market to Newark. A portable footfall sensor installed at the Town Wharf recorded 1,161 unique visitors to the market, a contribution of nearly 30% towards the total footfall in Newark that day. Live music was provided throughout the duration of the event from SteelGen, a steel band that played Caribbean style popular music, and a DJ set by The Roscoe Bros. Given the first market’s popularity with stallholders and visitors alike, it is hoped
that a full programme of events across Newark and Sherwood can be developed to sustain and grow the potential for young traders. Councillor Keith Girling, Chair of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Economic Development Committee, said: “It was fantastic to see so many talented young people showcasing their abilities at what was a very successful market. Hopefully we can now look to set up a network of events across the whole district to give more young people a free platform to experience market trading.” Ian Harrison, Markets Manager at Newark Town Council, commented: “The market industry needs young entrepreneurs and that is the purpose of these teenage markets which we hope will provide successful market traders for Newark Royal Market and other markets in the region. The event was a success and we will work with other market operators to mentor and grow the skills of the young traders and our thanks to everyone who visited the market on the day.” Sarah Payne, Tourism and
Economic Growth Officer at Newark and Sherwood District Council, added: “We would love younger people to feel more engaged with retail in our district. They know best what their contemporaries would like to buy and sell.” Joe Barratt, Co-Founder of The Teenage Market, commented: “It was a real
pleasure to have our first Teenage Market since lockdown be delivered in Newark, with the event
supporting a number of young traders who, for many, was their first time trading at a market. I believe
it’s really important to support our nation's young people as we recover from the pandemic.”
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County Council Wins National Award For ‘Swift’ Introduction Of Apps Aimed At Vulnerable Young People Nottinghamshire County Council has won a national award for the way it has introduced a new range of apps, designed for and by young people who are supported by social workers. The County Council scooped the ‘Swiftest Implementation’ Award at the national Mind of My Own awards. Judges praised the Council for getting the apps up and running quickly and for getting a high volume of use in a short space of time. Hundreds of children and young people receiving support from the Council’s Children’s Services team, including those who are looked after, have been benefitting from the app as an additional way to share their views, thoughts and feelings with their worker. The apps, known as Mind of My Own, were co-designed by young people and available to safely download to a young person’s phone so in their own time and words they can tell their social worker – who are able to access the app - what support they need and the things that are important to them. The app has already been used almost 1,000 times in this way. Cristal from Newark* is one of around 300 young people across the county who has been using the app since last summer. She is encouraging other looked after children and young
people to try the app. She said, “I recommend the Mind of My Own App for people who are like me, in care. “It helped me when I recently had a meeting and I could send a message to my social worker to help put my point of view across. It’s very easy to use.” “Ask your social worker about how to access and download the app.” Councillor Philip Owen, Chairman of the County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “In these difficult times,
I’m delighted to hear that this innovative project has been recognised nationally and more importantly, is proving to be very helpful for young people like Cristal and is growing in popularity across the county, shown in the high number of times the app is being used. “This technology is helping our social workers get more insight into young people’s daily lives and emotional wellbeing. This will help us give them better care and support. “We will continue working with young people to develop and improve this range of apps” Social worker Natalie Bontoft is one of 650 workers across the county who are supporting children to use the apps. She commented “I have found this app really helpful, especially when working with two, quiet young children. Via the app, I had information to hand which provide me with a good conversation point and helped promote wider discussions with the children.” *Watch Cristal explain why she recommends the app https:// youtu.be/VqqHHnhLhWU
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Opportunity For Parents-To-Be, Young People And Families To Shape Services In Retford
Nottinghamshire County Council is encouraging families to guide plans for the future development of services provided from the Retford Central children’s centre building. Views are being sought from local families, parents-tobe, young people and other interested parties, about their preferences for local services provided from the building. Residents can have their say about options for developing either a Family Hub or a Maternity Hub in the area. Family hubs aim to provide opportunities for families to access a wide range of support services and would be the first of its kind in Nottinghamshire. Services would range from maternity services, through to early years and children 0–19 (25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities). It is intended that it would be a more joined up range of council services, working alongside bespoke partner services. An alternative option being considered is for a Maternity Hub managed and delivered by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospital Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This would provide a local centre focused on maternity care for expectant parents. The council’s children’s centre service would aim to offer family and oneto-one appointments at the centre, with activities remaining in the nearby Hallcroft children’s centre building alongside continued outreach work. The Retford central children’s centre property is owned by the council and at the council’s most recent children and young people’s committee (Monday 13 September), it
was agreed to consult locally with families and other relevant stakeholders on the options being considered. The council’s children’s centre service is delivered through a network of premises and properties across Nottinghamshire, with increasing amounts of work being delivered through outreach work including home visits. To ensure families have local access to a range of services to suit their needs, the service’s properties host sessions and clinics delivered by relevant service providers. Since the move to a more targeted service,
there is more space on the timetable for such services, alongside the service’s own provision. Councillor Tracey Taylor, Chairman of the Children and Young People’s committee, said “The council is committed to offering the best service to children, young people and families. We are consulting because we very much want local people in Retford to have their say on the future of services in the area so that we can find the best fit for families. “Both of the options being considered would be beneficial for local families and increase
the service provision in the building. “The consultation is open until Friday, 29 October, and the findings will help to shape our recommendations for the development of services for children and families. “
Residents can complete the online survey at https:// consult.nottinghamshire.gov. uk/children-and-familiesservices/8f797519 or by picking-up a printed copy from Hallcroft Retford children’s centre. Young
people can complete the survey at https://consult. nottinghamshire.gov.uk/ children-and-familiesservices/4cf0294f or by picking up a printed copy from Retford young people's centre.
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East Midlands Freeport Reaches Important Milestone Plans for the UK’s only inland freeport have taken a major step forward after an outline business case was submitted to the Government. The document is part of the process that Government has designed to make all of the planned freeports in England operational as soon as possible and builds on the success of the initial East Midlands Freeport bid earlier this year. The technical information contained in the document includes analysis that demonstrates how the freeport will contribute around £8.4 billion to the East Midlands economy over the next 30 years alongside its potential to support and create around 55,000 jobs. The blueprint centres on the East Midlands Freeport’s unique strengths as the UK’s best-connected freeport, located at the heart of the nation’s advanced manufacturing and logistics economy, with plans to boost skills and accelerate the region’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions. The next stage of the development process will see further plans submitted in December with the ambition to make the freeport fully open for business by March next year. A wide range partners are behind the bid which is founded on strong public and
private sector collaboration. Freeports are designed to attract major domestic and international investment they allow places to carry out business inside a country’s land border but different customs rules apply. At a freeport, imports can enter with simplified customs documentation and without paying tariffs. Businesses operating inside designated areas in and around the port can manufacture goods using the imports and add value before exporting again, without ever facing the full tariffs or procedures. If the goods move out of the freeport into another part of the country, however, they have to go through the full import process, including paying any tariffs. Penny Coates, Independent Chair of the East Midlands Freeport Board, said: “I’d like to thank all our partners for the huge amount of hard work they have undertaken to get to this stage. The close collaboration between the public and private sector right across the region demonstrates the strength of our shared ambition, and it has been great to see the Government’s support for our work throughout. There is still much work to do but we’re ready to continue to work together and alongside
Government to deliver the exciting potential that the freeport offers for our region. “The freeport creates a huge opportunity for the region to level up some of our most deprived areas, as well as to create much needed jobs, increase further education
and skills, and to encourage business innovation and relocation into the UK. Being the only inland freeport, with its central location and excellent rail, road and air links, it also creates fantastic global connections for all other UK freeport sites.
“The freeport has net zero, innovation and skills at its core. The idea that we can create a freeport that unites education, innovation and skilled jobs, creates new opportunities and attracts and retains talent within the
region is hugely exciting.” The outline business case contains commercially sensitive information so remains confidential – but more information about the East Midlands Freeport can be found on its new website. https://www.emfreeport.com/
To advertise here please call our friendy staff on 0115 6972670
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Children’s Charity Golf Day Raises More Than £26,000
A golf day in Nottingham organised in aid of Warwickshire children’s charity Molly Olly’s Wishes, which supports children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses, has raised an incredible £26,252. Jointly organised and sponsored by Nottingham companies, Oakland International (which also has a site in Redditch) and Avanti Print and Packaging, 17-teams from across England, Scotland and Wales took part despite the challenging weather to compete for golf titles including Beat the Pro, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin. The event took place at the Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and was followed by an evening
auction and raffle of items donated by suppliers and supporters of the charity. Molly Olly’s grants wishes, helps with emotional support and donates therapeutic toys and books to children directly and through hospitals across the UK. It grants around 40 wishes per month, an increase of 100% during lockdown, and at a time when funding has significantly reduced. Charity co-founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said; “The golf day and auction were a huge success. We are extremely grateful to Jane, Lee, Paul and Holly at Oakland and Avanti for organising such a great day and helping to widen the reach of the charity with introductions to a new audience. All the golfers
were very generous and big thanks to all the sponsors. Molly Olly’s has seen a sharp rise in the number of requests for support and the funds raised are much
Continued From Back Page... opposition and who will dare to deviate from the monotony of 4-2-3-1! Well, it seems to all and sundry that the hierarchy at Nottingham Forest are willing to adapt and throw caution to the wind having appointed Steve Cooper. Interestingly too, the club have retained the services of Steven Reid on the coaching staff, another indication that communication between the players, staff and owners is positive. Reid gave Forest their first Championship win of the season when he deployed a 3-4-3 formation and humbled Huddersfield Town in their own back yard; interestingly, that
very formation has been the preferred choice of Cooper since his arrival, coincidence? One can only assume, and I use the word assume carefully, that the employment of Dane Murphy has impacted things behind the scenes prior to the arrival of Steve Cooper. Much has been made of the loan recruitment of both Max Lowe and Djed Spence in the last transfer window, whilst Hughton was still in charge. Many NFFC supporters were quick to notice the potential for wing back duties by the aforementioned players should we ever dare to change the shape. At this point it would be easy to get carried away,
seven points from three games and lots of goals to regale upon. However, as the new gaffer touched upon, there is still a lot of work to be done, especially at the back, comments he made shortly after the Birmingham victory in which we could well have conceded as many as we scored to be honest. I speak for thousands when I say that I’m delighted to have Steve Cooper at Forest, a man who knows how to attack, a man who’s achieved back-toback play-off qualification and a man who’s won a World Cup with England; quite simply, a breath of fresh air.
needed to enable us to fulfil those wishes which help to put a smile on poorly children’s faces.” Oakland’s Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting commented: “Molly Olly's Wishes is an amazing charity which supports so many ill children throughout the UK. We
would like to thank everyone who joined us and supported this, our first ever joint event of this nature, which we are now going to make into an annual event, setting our fundraising target even higher next year!” Like so many other charities Molly Olly’s Wishes has found it difficult to fundraise
over the last year due to the pandemic. An average wish costs around £500 and can range from a family day trip to a computer game to supermarket food vouchers. To find out all the ways you can donate to Molly Olly’s Wishes, please visit https:// www.mollyolly.co.uk/learnabout-donating/
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Congestion Charge!
After a very solid start to our season the road to glory would continue throughout September with no less than seven fixtures in twentyone days. What a huge ask this was to be from a group of people playing semi-professional football that also had daily work commitments to attend to also. But this is what we all enjoy and this is what was asked of us by the Football Association in their wisdom to ensure that we aren’t caught out by the pandemic as we have been so over the previous two seasons. So after our departure from the F.A. Cup at the hands of Stratford Town at the beginning of the month the team would now venture back into the league with a mid-week fixture at home to Sutton Coldfield Town. Two goals in the final fifteen minutes would see this one out and get the team back
to winning ways after our disappointment three days earliar. Yaxley 1-3 Carlton Town Next up was a trip to Yaxley and this one was a bit of an eye-opener as we knew little of the opposition. We would go behind in the game after twenty-five minutes ,but two goals in three minutes just after half-time including another from Aaron Opoku continuing his rich vein of form would see us take a grip of the game. Tyler Blake two minutes from time would put this one to bed and ensure that we had the points in the bag. Halesowen Town 2-2 Carlton Town Three days later and we were at it again, a top of the table clash and potentially a large crowd to contend with also. This one was a real cracker played at a high tempo and with a lot of quality and was well worth
the admission fee. The home side would take the lead ten minutes from half-time but the ever industrious Niall Davie would soon silence the home fans with a leveller five minutes later. To take the teams in at half-time all square. ‘The Millers’ with our never say die attitude came out in the second half and would take the game to the home side whom hadn’t been beaten thus far in the campaign and we would be rewarded for our efforts when Niall Davie would give us the lead with twenty minutes to play. This encouraged the home side to open up their game and Carlton had to dig deep to maintain the lead until we succumbed to the pressure and conceded a last gasp equaliser. Carlton Town 1-1 Ilkeston Town Local rivals Ilkeston Town
were next on the list and some renewals with some old friends. This one was again another tight affair after ‘The Miillers’ took an early lead from Tol Omotola after only five minutes. This surprised ‘The Robins’ who to be fair on the day brought the game to Carlton. The game was evenly balanced throughout and a last minute equaliser from the away team would mean the points would be shared. Belper Town 3-0 Carlton Town Three days on and a trip up to Derbyshire was the venue for our next fixture and to a team that were sitting mid-table in the division. This one was a real slap in the face for ‘The Millers’ as the home side on the night would frustrate and combat us and never allow us to play our true game. The home team would hit the target three times in the last twenty
minutes and send us home with our tails between our legs. Wisbech Town 0-3 Carlton Town So after our unfortunate result in mid-week the team would travel to Wisbech and to a team that in recent seasons have struggled at this level of football. It was important that after that defeat that the team returned to winning ways immediately, and this we did. Two goals in the first half from Louis Czerwak and Niall Davie took us into half-time with a good lead and a comfort zone. Tyler Johal two minutes from time made it three and the points were secured against a team that at times didn’t look like they should be at the wrong end of the table. So with one defeat so far the team have had a very consistent start to elevate us
up in to the top five of the division. Obviously there is still a long way to go and we are only approaching completion of a third of the season with many more tales to come. The new players at Stoke Lane have fitted in very well so far making the team even stronger than it ever has been and the outlook is good as we pursue our goals. Forthcoming Fixtures: 9th Oct Bedworth United(h) (F.A. Trophy) 16th Oct Loughborough Dynamo(h) 23rd Oct Soham Town Rangers(a)
Article by Phil Jennings
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Breath Of Fresh Air
Nottingham Forest’s procurement of Steve Cooper as manager is the most positive news for years at City Ground. His appointment ends a long list of aging, household names that invariably relied on the 4-2-3-1 formation and a worryingly familiar mantra of “avoid defeat rather than attempt to win a football match.” Seven points from his first three games in charge certainly constitutes an immediate effect and more importantly the goals for column looks wonderful in comparison. Chris Hughton’s last game in charge prompted some furious fan reaction across the social media platforms which is no surprise these days, let’s face it, the vitriol and distain sometimes expressed after a solitary defeat is enough to break the resolve of the most ardent of manager and supporter alike. The comments alluding to his playing style and the results it manifested were completely justified in my opinion, but as usual, the necessity to target certain players for hate wasn’t too far behind. Perhaps the most
controversial angle of attack from the fan base was that channelled toward the Greek owners of the club. It’s fair to say that the tenure of Evangelos Marinakis and Sokratis Kominakis hasn’t been a bed of roses. Since taking over at Nottingham Forest, which was in a horrendous state, on and off the field of play, they have failed to win over the NFFC supporters by relying on a perpetual string of average, overseas imports, and an unconvincing link to Marinakis’s main club Olympiacos. So, when things reached rock bottom following the defeat to Middlesbrough, I wasn’t surprised to see Twitter erupt like the volcano on La Palma. I read several comments requesting a protest against the owners, to hopefully be spearheaded by a flag and banner brigade of the Forest supporters. Whilst I sympathized with a handful of valid points, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between our rivals down the A52. Derby County are in an unbelievable mess and face a realistic possibility of going out of business
like Bury FC; a situation which certainly puts things into perspective when our owners, despite their misgivings, are pumping around twenty million pounds a year into the club. In an article I wrote shortly after the capitulation versus Middlesbrough I asked for change as opposed to replacement. I used the term insanity to describe the Modus Operandi of our club given the regurgitation of the same behaviours time after time. But as I alluded to, I pleaded for change of direction as opposed to a Bolshevik revolution. In layman’s terms, end the baffling transfers of highly paid nobodies and hire a manager who wants to attack the
Written by Steve Corry
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