Rushcliffe’s new Digital High Street Adviser is helping further West Bridgford and Rushcliffe based businesses to develop their digital offer, offering wide ranging business advice to complement their in-person sales at the Borough’s retail premises.
RBC's Charlotte Gault, Cllr Abby Brennan, The Fruit Basket owner Rachel Hyman and Steve Phillips from EMC
Pictured from left to right: RBC's Charlotte Gault, Cllr Abby Brennan, The Fruit Basket owner Rachel Hyman and Steve Phillips from the East Midlands Chamber
Steve Phillips from East Midlands Chamber is an experienced Business Adviser contracted by Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver the project in the Borough and courtesy of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).
The authority is one of the first in the region to utilise the funding, aware of some impact on the recent retail climate in West Bridgford and responding to the pressures high street businesses are currently facing. Steve is now out and about chatting with business owners, listening and exploring how he can assist development of their websites, online marketing and use of social media.
It’s with the aim of aiding sales and assisting further footfall and routes to more specialist business advice such as with The Fruit Basket in West Bridgford.
Chair of the West Bridgford Growth Board Cllr Abby Brennan joined him at the business in the town to listen and chat to business owner Rachel Hyman about where they can support traders even further.
Cllr Brennan said: “We are focussing our energy on supporting local businesses in West Bridgford and across the Borough, listening and responding in as many ways as we can such as this digital project with local business owners, Steve and the Chamber.
“Maintaining our vibrant high streets is a priority for us and we know the importance of our independent businesses. We are here to listen and will be flexible in responding to their needs, very much aware owner’s skills needs continue to change quickly.
“The outlook in West Bridgford is positive and there is still considerable interest from businesses coming in here.
“We’re exploring a study of our town centres that will look at what opportunities there are to help shape the future of our high streets.”
Rachel added: “This year we are celebrating 15 years of trading here in West Bridgford and we think the project is a good initiative as we continue to adapt our business to changing trends.
“It’s been great to meet Steve who is set to help us with perceptions of our business on social media which will prove really useful to help open us up to new customers and reach new audiences.
“I recommend any business owner has a chat with him about where he can help.”
The digital project will include businesses being supported through a set of short ‘how to’ films, guides and webinars that will provide advice on a range of topics and examples of good practice, previously identified as helpful by business owners in other recent Council projects.
Businesses wishing to contact Steve di-
rectly can complete an online expression of interest form over the phone 0330 053 8639 or email steve.phillips@emc-dnl.co.uk
The Digital High Street Adviser project has received £25,000 from the UK Government through the UKSPF.
Steve said: “I’ve met and chatted with many business owners across Rushcliffe already and it’s heartening to see where we can find ways to maximise their online presence even further and ultimately raise revenue.
“I refer businesses to our specialist colleagues, tailoring owners’ needs to particular support and advice they need in their sector.
“Business owners are exceptionally positive here in the Borough and we want to reach out even more, assisting them in this currently unpredictable economy by offering expert insight.”
The project runs until June with initial contact and adviser visits from Steve made to all participating businesses by the end of March. For more information email econdev@ rushcliffe.gov.uk
Two men have been jailed after a violent attack that left a man seriously ill in hospital.
The victim, a man in his 20s, was attacked in the Newgate Lane area of Mansfield at around 9.30pm on Monday 18 July 2022.
In the minutes that followed he was repeatedly punched and even hit over the head with a metal gas cannister as he was chased through the streets.
He suffered significant head injures in the attack and later underwent life-saving brain surgery.
Several suspects were
later identified on CCTV and arrested.
They appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.
Macs Watson, aged 23, of Mellish Road, Langold, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for seven years.
Thomas Payne, aged 26, of Birkland Street, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to affray and was jailed or 16 months.
Kyle Gregg, aged 34, of Bamford Drive, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to affray and was handed a community order.
Detective Constable Adam Penn, of Nottinghamshire
Police, said: “This was a vicious, sustained and wholly unnecessary attack that left the victim with very significant injuries.
“This kind of violence has no place in our society and will never be tolerated.
I am pleased the offenders have now been held to account and hope these sentences provide some degree of comfort to the victim.”
Gyms at Harvey Hadden Sports Village and Clifton Leisure Centre are in line to receive a share of £1.5m for new equipment over the next few months.
Active Nottingham, which is part of Nottingham City Council, is set to invest the money over five years across all of its six leisure centres –Harvey Hadden, Clifton, Ken Martin, Southglade, Victoria and Djanogly.
Harvey Hadden and Clifton will be the first in line to receive new equipment from Spring 2023.
The average lifespan for a cardio machine is five years and the costs to repair will
outstrip the value of the machine, resulting in a higher repair bill.
This £1.5m cash injection will make sure each centre has new kit for gym-goers to use.
Active Nottingham has set money aside to support the income generated from customers, allowing the investment to be made without the need for borrowing or impacting on wider day-today council services.
With increasing membership numbers and by listening to members, replacing old equipment will improve customer satisfaction as well as mental and physical health
and wellbeing.
It will also allow Active Nottingham to remain competitive in an ever-growing sport and leisure marketplace – especially as today’s gym-goer wants to see smart technology on fitness equipment to enhance the gym experience.
Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I am pleased we are investing in our residents’ mental health and wellbeing by replacing the current gym equipment. This will play an important role in the promotion of getting more people active within our community.”
John Wileman, Head of Sport and Leisure for Active Nottingham, said: “This is great news for our members and local residents at each of the six Active Nottingham locations. We are always looking to improve and replacing our equipment means our gyms are not just great to use, but we are directly helping the city of Nottingham.” The state-of-the-art fitness equipment will be purchased by Active Nottingham over the next five years, providing an enhanced gym experience to residents and members at Active Nottingham’s six leisure centres.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Council Tax level will again be the lowest in Nottinghamshire and those in bands A-D could see no increase in Council Tax for the 12 months from April, subject to a Full Council vote.
The authority’s Cabinet will discuss the proposals at its meeting on February 14 where it will set out figures which means its Council Tax charge could remain in the lowest 25% in the country and again the lowest in Nottinghamshire.
In a move to further reflect the cost-ofliving crisis, the Cabinet will also discuss proposals to discount Council Tax bills for those in bands A-D which includes over 60% of properties in the Borough.
The discount will be applied from April when new bills are issued for the new Council Tax year.
It means most residents will not pay the proposed below inflation increase of £3.02 or 2% on a band D property for the Rushcliffe part of the bill.
The discount could be introduced in addition to central government’s Council Tax Support Fund providing up to £25 reduction on Council Tax bills for those in receipt of Local Council Tax Support.
The Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Access Cllr Gordon Moore said: “We will discuss this proposed budget mindful of the current cost of living issues and we are proposing to remain the lowest council tax charge in Nottinghamshire and within the lowest 25% in the country.
“Should it be agreed at Cabinet and then at a Full Council meeting in March, it will mean no increase in council tax for those residents in Council Tax Bands A to D.
“We need to ensure the Council’s services and resources are sufficient to meet both current and future needs in the face of the challenge of a tough financial climate.
“However we are doing so without impacting further on a majority of resident’s
pockets, appreciating the financial pressures households are facing.
“We are committed to providing excellent value services for our residents whilst delivering major new infrastructure include our new Bingham Arena leisure centre and
Enterprise Centre, Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium and a commitment to our climate change reduction initiatives.
The Full Council meeting on March 2 will discuss the Cabinet’s proposed outcome on the budget from the February 14 meeting
Consumers in Nottinghamshire can be confident that they are getting what they pay for on the forecourt, following recent petrol measure inspections that were carried out by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards Officers.
During the routine petrol and diesel measure checks, Trading Standards Officers in Nottinghamshire were pleasantly surprised to discover petrol pumps, some from the era of flared trousers and glam rock, that were still working hard and giving customers correct measure. At one forecourt in Bilsthorpe officers discovered one pump that dated back to 1971. Along with the other pumps on the site it was given a clean bill of health for delivering the correct amounts of fuel.
Petrol and diesel measure inspections are an important part of routine cost of living checks that are carried out by Nottinghamshire Trading Standards to ensure that the prices paid for food, fuel, postal services and home heating oil are correct across the county. Officers have a range of testing equipment that can be used to check that businesses are delivering what they say they are. So far during these petrol and diesel
spot checks the majority of businesses that have been visited are complying with their legal obligations. Less than 3% of the nozzles that were tested were found to be giving less fuel than stated at the pump. Following notices to fix their equipment, the petrol station owners have fixed the deficient nozzles, so they now deliver legal measures.
Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“By carrying out these checks we can reassure residents that they are getting their money’s worth in Nottinghamshire, which is crucial at a time when costs are rising. Retailers have also welcomed the opportunity to have their business independently checked, and in cases where we have found they are giving customers less than required, I am pleased to say that they have willingly adjusted their equipment to ensure customers receive the correct amounts.”
If residents have concerns about the goods or services they receive from a business located in the county, they can report it to Nottinghamshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
A taxi driver who was battered by a drunken and violent passenger was left requiring urgent medical attention after being pushed from the car as it was moving.
The victim, who worked for a taxi firm, had been on shift on Saturday 17 September 2022 on Arnot Hill Drive, Arnold, when he was approached by a man and woman asking to be taken home.
The victim noticed the man, now known as Reuben Commons, was in drink but despite this he agreed to take them and asked for them both to get into the back seats.
Before Commons even got into the car he attempted to open to driver’s door and sit on his lap. After being told to move he then reluctantly got into the front passenger’s seat and immediately became hostile and shouted directions at the driver.
Just after 1.20am things began to turn violent after the taxi driver asked for the fare upfront, causing 25-yearold Commons to call him a ‘tramp’ and repeatedly threaten him with violence.
He then threw a plastic bottle full of water over the
driver which hit him on the head causing the victim to try and stop the car. Commons then began to kick and punch the victim over and over as he climbed into the drivers jumped over the dashboard and attacked him.
During the struggle, Commons pushed the victim out of the car while it was still moving. He then continued to attack the victim on the road, kicking him to the head causing him to lose consciousness.
Leaving the driver unconscious on the road, he then stole the taxi in an attempt to get away but only managed to drive around 50 yards before getting out and letting it crash into a parked car.
Commons, of Ulgham Close, Arnold, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (3 February) after pleading guilty to wound or inflict grievous bodily harm and aggravated vehicle taking and property damage.
He was jailed for a total of 32 months and also ordered to pay £187 to the victim.
Detective Constable Colin Jones, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an act of sheer drunken violence out
of nowhere against someone who was simply doing his job.
“No-one deserves to be treated like this and viciously battered to the point of losing consciousness.
“Commons’ actions on this night, as shown in the dashcam footage, show his complete disrespect for members of the public and the
sheer brutality of his actions against a completely innocent man.
“I hope his sentence will not only bring the victim some comfort but also give Commons some time to reflect on his actions that night and hit home to him that behaving in this way will never be tolerated by any police force.”
Police have safely arrested a man and evacuated a number of people from their homes following an incident this evening.
Officers became concerned for the safety of both the man and his neighbours after being called to the property in Main Road, Underwood, at around 4.20pm today (Monday 6 February 2023).
The 38-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
Inspector Usha Madaraa, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The road has been
closed while the incident was being dealt with, and a small number of residents were briefly evacuated from their homes and taken to a community centre as a precaution.
“They have now returned to their homes and I’d like to thank them for their patience and understanding while we carried out our work to resolve the incident safely.
“A suspect is now in custody but our investigation continues and anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 541 of 6 February 2023.”
A persistent shoplifter who went on a twoweek thieving spree has been locked up and banned from entering or loitering near shops.
Neighbourhood policing teams in The Meadows and West Bridgford worked together and successfully applied for a criminal behaviour order against 25-year-old Daniel Higginson - to allow swift and robust action if he repeats his criminal behaviour.
Safer Streets wardens, provided thanks to Safer Streets funding secured by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, as part of a partnership with Nottinghamshire Police and Rushcliffe Borough Council, also helped gather evidence used in the investigation.
The terms of the order mean Higginson, of no fixed address, is banned from entering or loitering near the Co-op stores in the Bridgeway Centre, The Meadows, in Bridgford Road, West Bridgford, and the Sainsbury’s Local store in Melton Road, West Bridgford, for three years.
The order also prohibits him from loitering by any cash machine or car park ticket machines in West Bridgford and from sitting or otherwise placing himself in a position to
beg or ask for charitable donations of cash, food, or other articles in a public place in West Bridgford town centre.
The order was imposed after Higginson committed seven thefts, including stealing meat and cleaning products, from the Co-op in the Bridgeway Centre, The Meadows, between 13 January 2023 and 20 January 2023, and stole bottles of spirits from the Co-op in Bridgford Road, West Bridgford, on 27 and 28 January 2023.
Higginson was subsequently arrested and charged and went on to plead guilty to nine counts of theft.
He was jailed for eight months and made subject of the criminal behaviour order when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (2 February 2023).
Inspector Karl Thomas, district commander for Nottingham South, which includes The Meadows, said: “Higginson is a prolific criminal whose persistent offending has had a hugely detrimental impact on local businesses and their employees who simply should not have to put up with his appalling behaviour.
“I’m pleased that following excellent joint work, which involved our two neighbour-
hood policing teams, the Co-op, our business crime officers, Safer Streets wardens and the Crown Prosecution Service, we were able to obtain this criminal behaviour order which will protect our communities from further harm at Higginson’s hands.”
Inspector Rob Lawton, neighbourhood policing inspector for Rushcliffe, which includes West Bridgford, added: "We know shoplifting and antisocial behaviour has a significant impact on areas causing distress to local businesses, residents and visitors.
“I would like to thank everyone, including our partners, for their dedication and support. We will not hesitate to take positive and robust action against those who carry on offending.
“Successfully obtaining this order sends a clear message people cannot get away with this type of behaviour and we hope this also reassures our wider communities that we will use all powers available to us to crack down on offenders and protect residents and businesses from harm.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for environment and safety councillor Rob Inglis said: “It’s testament to the work of the wardens secured as part
In National Apprentice Week (6 to 12 February), award-winning apprenticeships employer Nottingham City Homes (soon to become Nottingham City Council Housing Services) has announced that some of its apprenticeships case studies are to be included in a best-practice report that goes out to businesses nationwide including Coca-Cola, the Royal Navy, Barclays bank and the BBC.
The case studies feature in the area of the Government’s Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network report concerned with roles for women in the science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM) sector, and focus on areas such as pre-employment and in-work retention.
Nottingham City Homes (NCH) Apprentice Advisor Lisa Porter says: “I’m delighted that we’re getting recognition on the national stage for the great work we do with apprenticeships, and it’s great to think that we can share what we do with organisations such as the BBC to help
them develop their approach to apprenticeships.”
National Apprentice Week also heralds the start of a recruitment drive for office-based apprentices in the areas of customer service, human resources, and learning and development.
Asiyah Hall, who has just completed her Business Administration apprenticeship at NCH and passed with a distinction, says: “NCH has helped me to develop as a person, as well as in a professional, workplace context.
I’ve learned so much, and been given so many opportunities to develop myself, with support from others in my team. I’m so much more confident and knowledgeable now than when I started, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next steps in my career will take me.”
To apply for an apprenticeship, applicants can visit the Nottingham City Homes website and go to the Work for Us link from the homepage.
Mansfield District Council has been awarded a total of £20m from the Government's flagship Levelling Up Fund.
The Mansfield Connect project is one of 11 projects in the East Midlands that has been allocated more than £176 million from round two of the Levelling Up Fund.
The landmark 1930s former Beales building is set to be modernised and extended to provide a new headquarters for the council. It is expected to house a variety of other public, educational, enterprise and health and wellbeing services alongside spaces for private sector investment.
Elected Mayor Andy Abrahams said he was thrilled that the bid had been successful and hoped it would now unlock the town’s full potential with the Mansfield Connect project.
He said: “The wait may have been agonising, but I am elated to see that we have received approval for our full bid of £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The Mansfield Connect project will offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop new solutions to some of the district’s challenges.
“The scheme forms a vital part of our ambitious long-term town centre regeneration plans. Our new multi-agency civic and community hub at the former Beales department store will see a new multi-partner facility and provide a new headquarters for the council.
“But it’s not just about the council. This new hub will see the co-ordination of services across a range of partners including, the County Council alongside community, health, work
and education and skills agencies. It will also be a beacon for evening activities with potentially dining, lifestyle and business opportunities.
“The building has long needed repurposing and will be brought back to life to rejuvenate our town centre. This repurposing will then have a knock-on effect, stimulating our local economy and encouraging private-sector investment into Mansfield District, which benefits everybody.
“Mansfield Connect will improve the coordination
and delivery of public services to our residents –acting as a one-stop shop. Mansfield Connect is all about connecting our place, our communities and our services for the benefit of the district and its residents.
“It will also generate extra footfall in the town centre and act as a catalyst for wider development, stimulating both the day and night-time economy in the town centre. Linked to our Towns' Fund programme, this marks a radical step forward for
Mansfield.
“I look forward to sharing more updates on this project in due course, but in the meantime, my thanks go out to all our partners and organisations who helped bring this successful bid to fruition.”
To date, the Department for Work and Pensions, Nottinghamshire County Council, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Nottingham Trent University, NHS health partners, and volunteering co-ordinator the CVS have all expressed interest in being involved
in the new hub.
Levelling Up Secretary
Michael Gove added: “We are firing the starting gun on more than a hundred transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential.
“This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from,
you can go as far as your talents will take you.”
Mansfield Connect forms part of the council’s wider ambitions for the town, being drawn up in the emerging Town Centre Masterplan and aligns with broader Mansfield District Council strategies promoting Growth, Aspiration, Wellbeing and Place.
The Government has also confirmed there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund, providing more opportunity to level up places across the UK.
This month’s aerial photo shows the Radford Flats on Hartley Rd which has been a prominent landmark in Radford for over 50 years. 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 details about getting involved phone 0115-8541028 or visit www.facebook. com/ndhabc.
Schoolchildren joined Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams to officially launch a new learn-to-ride track on a Mansfield estate today.
The facility, off Egmanton Road, on the Bellamy Road estate, is aimed at helping children aged two to eight to learn to cycle in a safe, traffic-free environment.
It was devised after consulting with residents about how best to help families in the neighbourhood and is part of a multi-million scheme to redevelop the centre of the estate with new homes and retail outlets along with the £290,000 of improvements to recreational amenities on the estate.
A bicycle 'library' is also being set up so that families with children who don't have access to bikes, can also use the track. Local schools will also be able to use the track and loan bikes for bike ability sessions.
Mayor Andy said: “These new facilities and housing
will bring about a huge improvement to the quality of life for people on this estate.
"As a council, with an eye on improving the environment and wellbeing of all our residents, we want to encourage more families to be physically active.
"Cycling is a brilliant activity. Not only is it an effective way to get fit, it is also kind to the environment as we all seek ways to tackle climate change."
The new track was partly funded by British Cycling’s Places to Ride programme and EEM Ltd, a not-for-profit procurement consortium, of which the council is a partner. As part of its service, EEM accumulates a pot of money which is shared out among partners for community projects.
Steve Johnson, the Cycling Delivery Manager for British Cycling in the East Midlands, and Rebecca Dermody-Simmons, the CEO of EEM, were among those
attending the official launch the track today.
Also there were the council's CEO, Adam Hill; Head of Health and Communities, David Evans; Cllr John Smart, ward councillor for Ransom Wood and pupils from St Peter's Church of England Primary Academy Mansfield.
Rebecca Dermody-Simmons said: “We are so pleased to support the council to deliver this innovative project to boost wellbeing in the Mansfield community.
It is clear that the track adds real vibrancy to the area and will benefit hundreds of children by providing a safe environment to socialise and be physically active.”
The track, and a new play area which opened last year next to it, forms part of a multi-million pound scheme to upgrade the estate.
The first stage of the scheme saw a new play area created and then the cycle track on a "village green"
area. The last stage of the Bellamy Road Community Heart Housing Development will see 22 high quality, eco-friendly and affordable family council homes built around the green. The scheme includes demolishing existing shops and five flats in Egmanton Road and building a new single storey parade of retail outlets with a convenience store, cafe and takeaway. There will also be a
community orchard planted and a new traffic-calmed through road connecting Thorpe Road and Egmanton Road, which will allow for improved bus connections through this part of the estate.
All the new homes, comprising three four-bedroom semi-detached houses, eight three-bedroom semi-detached houses, nine two-bedroom semi-detached houses and two two-bedroom
detached houses, will be offered at affordable rents and will be owned and managed by Mansfield District Council.
They are a key part of its priority neighbourhoods focus and strategic priorities for Growth, Wellbeing, Aspiration and Place and will align with government carbon reduction targets and to the Future Homes Standard, expected to be adopted nationally by 2025.
The Elephant & Peacock (formerly Strutt Arms) has new ownership and management. This venue, located in a picturesque area, continues in its popularity, attracting locals (always a good sign), as well as tourists and visitors, many of whom come by way of a
enjoyment.
To commence (following a most acceptable poppadom and pickle tray selection) I opted for CHICKEN TIKKA (Juicy tandoor-cooked fillets, in a spiced yoghurt marinade). This made a grand start to the dining experience, with aromas and flavours being appreciated by both nasal and palate sensations.
For main I selected FISH POLLICHATHU
ani, plus Railway Lamb – A hearty curry, as served first class on Indian Railways. Desserts offer various delectations. I decided on GULAB JAMUN (Indian fried sweet dumplings in rose syrup. Served with ice
recommendation. George Herbert Strutt (born 1854, Belper, Derbyshire) was a renowned cotton mill owner. The wealth of the Strutt family came from their cotton mill businesses. The contributions and gifts of Strutt are legendary, being appreciated and recognised from times past, through the present and into the future.
The Elephant & Peacock building dates from 1901. Facilities now include a restaurant and hotel accommodation. Warmly greeted by Kallum, the welcome is genuine, with the ambience and decor adding to the
(Sea bass with masala shallots in a banana leaf, with rice). Also, I chose PESHWARI NAAN, from the sides, to accompany. This dish arrived with excellent presentation. Being perfectly cooked, Compliments to Chef’, were duly sent. Head Chef, Bhagwan, ensures, with the brigade, that all dishes are very memorable. Ingredients, including spices, can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. The complementing flavours of ingredients surpassed my expectations – very impressive! Other popular main courses can include Tariwala Chicken, Puff Pastry Biry-
cream or kulfi). A perfect (towards) ending of an excellent dining occasion. Quality wines/drinks, including splendid coolers and cocktails, offer something or all. Collections, deliveries and gift vouchers are available
(perhaps surprise someone special?). Parties/occasions can be easily accommodated. Thank you to both Kallum and Alex, for exemplary service throughout. Very much recommended.
The Elephant & Peacock, Derby Road, Milford, Nr. Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0QW. Tel: 01332 300818 E-mail; info@elephantandpeacock.co.uk www.elephantandpeacock.co.uk
White wines or red wines – perhaps, something between the two? Each to their own preferences. White wines tend to accompany fish dishes and white meats particularly well and red wines complement red meats wonderfully. If a rosé is preferred (maybe for when dining al fresco), these productions come in varying shades of pink, adding a most pleasing colour to a dining occasion, be it inside or outside. They are very much enjoyed on their own, too. A good
sparkling wine is always a plus point (for me), to commence, creating a ‘friendly atmosphere’ and ‘setting the taste buds in the right direction’.
Firstly, Crémant de Loire from France (12% vol). This sparkling brut production is very popular and a great start to any occasion – as well as being splendid by itself and fabulous for events and parties. This pleasantly-coloured pink wine I found to have a most appealing flavour of light red fruits for the mouthfeel.
Crisp and with a very good finish on the palate. For an easy-drinking white wine a favourite is Cotin Jaillet from France (12.5% vol). This dry, white production, has many devotees and graces numerous dining tables, constantly. Great to accompany fish, seafood and a good number of other dishes, adding a complementing flavour – and complementing enjoyment – to dining times.
Going for a still rosé? Certainly, the Vallée du Sud from France (13.5% vol) will not disappoint. I
found this production most pleasant, whilst adding colour to the dining table. Excellent to pair with a lot of dishes of cuisine, too. Pink wines are now enjoyed all through the year.
Red wines are often chosen by wine lovers and Tuffeau Saumur Cabernet Franc from France (13.5% vol) ‘ticks many boxes’. The deep ruby-red colour entices to the bouquet, where an abundance of ripe, red fruits continue on to the mouthfeel and palate sensation. Excellent with cold meats, red meats and cheeses.
I located these productions at a Lidl store, amongst their most impressive range of wines and drinks that offer very good value indeed. Advice is always available in store, too. For all details and information, please visit www.lidl.co.uk
Just under £7 million in funding for local improvements in the East Midlands has been approved by the Government.
The funding which has been given the green light is part of an early investment offered to our area as part of devolution negotiations. It is not dependent on devolution proposals going ahead.
It is part of £18 million on offer from the Government to the region for investment in different projects supporting local priorities, which relate to housing, the environment, infrastructure, skills, and transport in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham
The programmes which are being funded are:
• £750,000 for a new cycling and walking route in Derbyshire, a 1¼ mile link connecting Markham Vale to the existing cycle route in Staveley.
• £1.5 million for the new roundabout on the A6 at Fairfield in Buxton, Derbyshire, allowing access to housing development land. The roundabout provides access to sites for 461 new homes, including 30% classified as affordable. It also brings work to an area of social deprivation. This work has been completed, with the funding which has just been approved going towards the cost.
• £1.5 million for a new growth through green skills. The investment will enable
the creation of a new £5.4 million flagship skills centre and low carbon demonstrator in our region, to be operated by West Nottinghamshire College, as well as two electric minibuses for getting students to and from the site, to support the growth of a future low carbon economy as we work towards net zero.
• £2 million for a new long-term private rental scheme to address homelessness in Nottingham City and Derby City and reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for housing.
• £1.22 million for more affordable housing in Derby City, where there is currently a shortage, to provide 15 extra social houses to be let at an affordable rent. It will mean less reliance on temporary bed and breakfast placements and shorter waiting times for longer-term accommodation.
Other regeneration and net zero projects are also in the pipeline, with decisions on these expected soon.
Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council have been working with the Government on devolution plans including a package of local powers and funding worth £1.14 billion, from 2024. If the plans go ahead, it would also mean a new regional mayor.
The leaders of the four councils signed up
to work on a devolution deal on 30 August this year at Rolls Royce in Derby. Since August, the councils have developed a more detailed proposal, which includes more information about how devolution would work in our area. The proposal was the subject of a public consultation, which took place from
tant projects.
“More affordable housing, tackling homelessness, cycle paths and foot paths, a multi-million-pound green skills programme; they are all important, and needed for our area.
“I’m really pleased that devolution will pay-off in the short term as well as the long term, to directly benefit local people.
“We’ve been working together to get these projects funded, and we’ve got confirmation that they can become a reality. Fantastic news.
Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said:
“The approval of these projects is a solid example of the benefits that devolution are bringing to our region.
“These schemes will make a measurable difference to people’s quality of life through opportunities to gain new skills, environmental and health benefits from walking and cycling, better housing and new infrastructure.
“This is the East Midlands levelling up, and finally getting the benefits that we have missed in the past.”
14 November 2022 to 9 January 2023.
Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“It’s great that we’ve got the go ahead for these local programmes, and I hope that we will soon get approval on these other impor-
Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said:
“We want to make the most of every penny so this can be used to make a real difference to people’s lives, and the approval of these
projects is just the start of bringing that to fruition.
“The East Midlands has long been overlooked in terms of funding. This deal can offer Derby and our wider region real opportunities for much needed investment, which we are starting to see already.”
David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said:
“It’s important that we reduce the number of homeless families and individuals in B&Bs and support them into housing, so it is great that this £2 million will help create a new long-term private rental scheme in Nottingham City and Derby City.
“This is just the start of the investment the region would get with this deal. Devolution gives us the opportunity to bring in more money and to fund more projects like these for the benefit of Nottingham and the whole region.
“We will continue to champion the city and the East Midlands area to get the investment we need. The Devolution deal collectively will help create jobs and training opportunities and improve transport infrastructure and create more homes for local people.”
Devolution would mean a new guaranteed funding stream for our region of £38 million a year over a 30-year period. Covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, the devolved area would cover
around 2.2 million people, making it one of the biggest in the country.
The devolution deal includes an extra £16 million for new homes on brownfield land and control over a range of budgets like the Adult Education Budget, which could be better tailored to the needs of people in our communities.
The regional mayor would lead a new combined authority, which would include representatives from existing local councils, with decision making powers and resources moving from London to the East Midlands. Local businesses would also have a voice, as well as other organisations.
Devolution would not mean scrapping or merging local councils, which would all continue to exist as they do now and would still be responsible for most public services in the area. The mayor and combined authority would instead focus on wider issues like transport, regeneration, and employment across both cities and counties.
The public consultation on devolution, open to residents, businesses, community groups and other organisations, took place from 14 November to the 9 January. For more information, please visit www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk.
It is only between 10cc’s sell-out, bi-annual UK tours that the band’s co-founder Graham Gouldman is able to fully indulge his Heart Full of Songs project and take it on tour.
The semi-acoustic four-piece performs a broad spread of Graham’s song-writing catalogue, including chart hits for 10cc, the Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck and his time in Wax with Andrew Gold.
The band line-up comprises Graham, 10cc live band members Iain Hornal and Keith Hayman, and Dave Cobby.
When Graham formed what became Heart Full of Songs nine years ago, it was purely for the pleasure of playing his songs in their simplest form, acoustically.
For lovers of perfectly-crafted music performed by the composer, a Heart Full of Songs concert is truly an exquisite experience.
Tickets for the following 10cc’s GRAHAM
GOULDMAN – March 2023 UK Tour Dates are available from:
Monday 6 March
BURY ST EDMUNDS – Apex Arts Centre
Thursday 9 March
BUXTON – Pavilion Arts Centre
Friday 10th March
HOLMFIRTH – Civic
Sunday 12th March
STAMFORD – Corn Exchange
Monday 13th March
LYTHAM ST ANNE’s – Lowther Pavilion
Tuesday 14th March
SOUTHPORT – The Atkinson
Saturday 18th March
BASINGSTOKE – Haymarket
Monday 20th March
LINCOLN – Drill Hall
Tuesday 21st March
SHREWSBURY – Theatre
Severn
Thursday 23rd March
MANCHESTER / SALFORD – The Lowry
Ticket available from - https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/10ccs-Graham-Gouldman.htm
For further information on GRAHAM GOULDMAN, check out the following website / social media links: Website – https://grahamgouldman.info/ Facebook – https://www. facebook.com/GrahamGouldman/ Twitter – https://twitter. com/grahamgouldman Instagram - https://www. instagram.com/grahamgouldman/
Two icons of UK music have been announced as headliners for the 15th birthday edition of Splendour. Madness and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are a couple of the biggest acts to ever headline the East Midlands’ signature summer music festival taking place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July.
Joining the headliners in Wollaton Park will be The Kooks, Rudimental, Sugababes, Sam Ryder, Confidence Man and Altered Images, with further acts to be added across all five stages for the epic weekender. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 3 February.
Madness is one of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s two-tone revival, known for their “nutty sound”, blending ska rhythms with catchy melodies and a showman’s sense of humour. During the 80s, the band’s songs spent a total of 214 weeks on the UK Singles Charts, with 15 tracks reaching the UK Top Ten, making them one of the most popular bands in Britain at the time. Ever since their 2009 Splendour headliner slot, Madness has been a fan favourite and the most requested act by the festival crowd. With their superlative back catalogue including ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘House of Fun’, ‘One Step Beyond’ and ‘Our House’, they are a dead cert to get the crowd jumping along to their two-tone beat.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds first emerged in 2011 with their eponymous album released in October that year. The album went double platinum in the UK, platinum in Ireland and has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. This show is part of an extended run of open air summer shows that will follow the release of Gallagher’s much anticipated new album ‘Council Skies’ released on 2 June. The album features recently released ‘Pretty Boy’ and the brand new single ‘Easy Now’. Noel’s continued success with the High Flying Birds cements his
position as one of the most gifted, successful and enduring songwriters to come out of the British music scene in the last 50 years.
Indie rock band The Kooks broke into the musical mainstream with their debut album ‘Inside In/Inside Out’ (2006), which went on to achieve quadruple platinum status in the UK within a year, overseas in the form of a platinum certification in Australia and two times platinum in Ireland. Almost two decades since forming, The Kooks continue to experience career highs and are sure to have everyone singing along to hits such as ‘She Moves in Her Own Way’ and ‘Naive’.
Rudimental is one of the UK’s most successful dance acts of the last decade. Multiple chart entries, two number one albums, three number one singles, five billion streams, four albums, world tours, platinum-selling singles plus a plethora of awards have cemented their position as trailblazers with a formidable reputation for producing hit records.
Sugababes will also be making their Splendour debut. The pop superstars are one of the most successful British girl bands of the 21st century with six number one singles including the perfect pop tracks ‘Round Round’, ‘Freak Like Me’ and ‘Push The Button’, millions of global sales and several multi-platinum albums. Fast forward two decades, the original line-up of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy are back in full force and becoming the talk of the summer festival scene.
Sam Ryder has quickly become a household name after his Eurovision success. Following his incredible run with ‘Space Man’ and the Eurovision Song Contest, bagging the highest charting UK Eurovision entry in 26 years, his single is one of the biggest selling singles of 2022. Ryder is also nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 Brit Awards, becoming the first Eurovision act to
be selected in this category.
Indie electro pop act Confidence Man will fire up the party vibes. The Brisbane band is unarguably one of the hottest acts on the planet right now, with their performances custom designed to make the crowd dance and lose their cool. Formed in 2016, they have already played at some of the biggest festivals in the world.
Scottish post-punk band Altered Images quickly found success in the early 80s, achieving worldwide fame selling millions of records, which topped the charts in several countries. They recorded three Top 10 Albums and had six UK Top 40 hits, including ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘I Could Be Happy’, and ‘Don’t Talk to Me About Love’. Singer Clare Grogan will also be familiar to many from the Scottish coming of age film, Gregory’s Girl.
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, new for this year is the introduction of a payment plan ticket option, offering ticket buyers a flexible option to split the cost of their ticket into more manageable monthly instalments between now and the event in July.
To make sure families from across the East Midlands can enjoy Splendour together, a new 11-17 year old youth ticket has also been introduced, while children aged 10 and under can attend for free with an accompanying adult. Keen festival fans can also act fast to get their hands on an exclusive Early Bird Weekend ticket on sale from 10am on Friday morning.
Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s great that Splendour is returning to Nottingham this July for its 15th year, following the huge success of last year. We are proud that Wollaton Park will once again host Nottinghamshire’s leading music festival for two days, giving local artists and musicians the chance to perform alongside internationally
renowned acts. This year’s line-up looks set to be one of the best yet.”
Tickets for Splendour Festival 2023 go on sale at 10am on Friday 3 February, with an exclusive early bird price for weekend tickets priced at £92 for adults. City residents weekend tickets are priced at £82.80. Accompanied children aged 10 and under go FREE. Day tickets are also available, along with VIP tickets.
Thousands of Nottingham children have benefitted from free holiday activity clubs each Summer, Easter, Christmas and October Half Term break since 2021.
Now, two of the city’s biggest names in sport, Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Trent Bridge Community Trust, will jointly hold the role of Lead Provider. This means the community arms of these two sporting giants will be working with Nottingham City Council to provide holiday activities for Nottingham’s children.
Background
Nottingham City Council has secured £1.8m from the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme to provide Free Fun & Food holiday clubs for the 17,800 city pupils who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) in the city.
At the holiday clubs – which are delivered by community groups, under the guidance of the Lead Providers – young people receive a free lunch, alongside a programme of activities focused on physical wellbeing, educa-
tion and mental health.
Nottingham Forest Community Trust will yet again deliver the Free Fun and Food programme, working alongside Nottingham City Council and other local organisations to deliver high quality sporting and enrichment activities including a wide variety of sport, healthy exercise, and creative industry workshops for children and young adults aged between 6 and 16.
Trent Bridge Community Trust’s educational offering includes STEM lessons, a cooking academy, social media and social awareness training, and trips to landmarks around the City.
This is in addition to a range of physical activity and self-development opportunities, such as refereeing courses and dance classes. Emphasis has also been placed upon mental health, with trained professionals overseeing the wellbeing of those on the programme. Big names in City Sport
Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “Nottingham Forest and Trent Bridge are huge names in the sporting world. We are very proud to be working with the community arms of such celebrated sporting organisations.
“The opportunities these providers can bring to Nottingham’s children are truly fantastic and will surely inspire our young people to be healthy and active over the school holidays.
“But don’t worry if you’re not keen on sports, there will be arts, drama, music and all kinds of activities, so definitely something for all interests and in every area of the city.”
Nottingham Forest Community Trust Deputy Chief Executive Officer Calum Osborne
said: “We’re delighted that the Trust will be delivering the HAF programme in 2023. This will be our third year working on the programme and we’re eager to continue the great momentum we’ve established by working with families, organisations and other partners across the city since 2021.”
“Our HAF delivery will provide a fully inclusive and accessible programme for all young people and we’re looking forward to offering a diverse range of activities and healthy meals.”
Mark Clifford, Community Projects Manager at Trent Bridge Community Trust, said: “We have worked really hard to expand our delivery at HAF, so that we have provisions for young people with a range of interests, sporting or otherwise.
“The atmosphere is incredibly positive because the attendees are enjoying themselves, but also taking something away, be it a qualification or new skill; they are using the time away from school to better themselves, and that is brilliant.
Parents can book places by visiting www. asklion.co.uk/funandfood where all Holiday Activity Clubs are listed before the holidays start.
There are a limited number of places available for children who aren’t eligible for FSM and these will be allocated on a first-comefirst-served basis.
Nottinghamshire County Council is to increase its package of foster care allowances as part of an ongoing drive to retain its current carers and attract more people to its fostering service.
The decision means the county council’s payments will rise from between £28 and £139 per week to £80 and £230 respectively from April 1 – ensuring that its allowances are competitive in the East Midlands region.
All foster parents receive a weekly allowance to help cover the costs of providing care for a child, with the level of payment they get dependent on the age of the youngster and the complexity of the care needs as well as their years of service to fostering.
Foster carers registered with the county council will also benefit from an increase in the annual holiday allowance they receive, with the one-off payment rising from between £250 (0 to four years age group) and £400 (16 to 17 years) to £282 and £420.24.
There will also be a rise in the amount paid in babysitting allowance, which allows foster parents to take a break from childcare, from £3.50 per hour to £7.50.
Currently, there are 230 foster carers registered with the fostering service in Nottinghamshire – of which 203 are eligible for the allowances – but more are needed to support the many vulnerable children who need to live in a stable and loving environment.
Therefore, it is hoped the increase in allowances will attract new foster carers and help to retain our existing carers.
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said it was vital foster carers are recognised for the important role they do and rewarded appropriately.
She said: “Our foster carers come from all walks of life and provide a hugely vital service, carrying out an incredible job to support and provide loving care for
some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Nottinghamshire.
“I cannot stress enough the role they play in helping to shape a child or young person’s life by providing a safe and secure home; that’s the best place for a youngster to thrive.
“Foster carers are not primarily motivated by financial rewards, but it is crucial we recognise the role they do and support them appropriately.
“As the number of children looked after by the county council has increased, we need more foster carers to provide good and loving homes for them.
“Therefore, we hope that by increasing our package of allowances we can encourage more people to register with the county council’s fostering service as well as help to retain our existing carers.
“Strengthening our service can only benefit Nottinghamshire’s children and young people and reduce our reliance on independent agencies.”
In addition to the rise in allowances for foster carers, the county council is to also make an additional payment of up to a £1,000 to help foster households to improve their health and wellbeing as we continue to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The county council has set aside £220,000 from its Communities Outbreak Management Fund for the one-off payment, which will be awarded to existing and new carers approved before April of this year.
Gemma Scott, 44, of Newark, is a single foster carer who currently provides support care.
She has fostered a number of children of all ages since becoming a registered carer with the county council nearly 20 years ago and has welcomed the increase in allowances.
Gemma, who has two birth children, said: “I’m really grateful for the support
Nottinghamshire County Council provides to myself and my fellow carers and also grateful that they are thinking about us at a time when people are struggling with financial pressures.
“The increase in allowances is wonderful news. It will take a lot of the stress away, especially for those who worry about having an extra child to care for in addition to their own children.
“We don’t do fostering for the money but with the current situation surrounding cost-of-living, it will help carers with the activities we do with the children – which ultimately help to make a difference to their lives and make them feel loved and wanted.
“It’s brilliant that we will be able to carry on going to places with the kids, because they deserve it.
“This is a dream job; in fact, it doesn’t feel like a job – it’s just brilliant. I’ve done a lot of placements and I love it; it’s so rewarding.
“I think Nottinghamshire is a great place to foster because everything you need is on your doorstep. We are listened to, and we are really lucky to have the support we do from Nottinghamshire County Council. They really do care about us and the support that we get is invaluable – and the increase in our allowances proves that.
“I get so much satisfaction out of fostering and if you want to look after children and make a difference, the reward is fantastic.”
As couples plan for their big day for 2023 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
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!
Choosing who will be standing by your side on your wedding day will need to be taken with some careful thought and discussion with your partner. Your close family and friends will probably be hoping or assuming they will be asked, so choosing who to ask can be a bit of a nightmare, and you may be worried about upsetting someone. The key is to prioritise what is important, you can hopefully create a squad that will please everyone.
The best way to start is to write down a wish list of who you would like to ask to be matron of honour, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, or ushers, think of who would be most suitable to take on the role at your wedding. It may help knowing what responsibilities and duties traditionally expected of the wedding party.
Maid of Honour
The role of maid of honour is
usually given to the bride’s sister or best friend. Choose your maid of honour carefully, as the role comes with a lot of responsibility.
It is the maid’s duty to help with any pre wedding arrangements including helping the bride with some of the planning and preparations, accompany her when she shops for her wedding dress and to arrange the hen night. On the day itself, the maid of honour will support you and the bridesmaids and ensure everything runs smoothly and give you emotional support.
Bridesmaids
You can have two bridesmaids or several, it’s up to you. Traditionally your sisters and closest friends are chosen to be bridesmaids. A bridesmaid’s duties will include attending wedding dress fittings, rehearsals, looking after the flower girls, and walking down the
aisle with you as part of the procession and standing with you at the alter until being seated for the ceremony.
Best Man
A groom will usually ask his brother or best friend to be his best man at his wedding. The best man will have a lot of responsibility, so you really need to think of who will be the best for the job. The best man will have the task of organising the stag do, help the groom get ready, keep the rings safe, great guests, stand with the groom at the altar and make a speech at the reception.
Groomsmen and Ushers
At a wedding the groom will have groomsmen who will be by his side just like the bridesmaids are for the bride. You may also wish to have ushers at your wedding. The general rule is that you need one usher for every 50 guests. The role of an usher
is to escort guests to their seats and should traditionally escort ladies on their arm. The ushers will also pass out Order of Service books, hymnals and carry out other duties at the ceremony.
Flower Girls and Page Boys
Flower girls and page boys are usually aged between four and eight years old. The role of the flower girls is to look pretty and walk down the aisle before the bride and her father. Flower girls sometimes carry baskets, and scatter rose
petals along the way. The page boy will walk down the aisle carrying the wedding rings or will enter before the bride with the flower girls, holding hands with one of the flower girls to up the cute factor.
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 well-heeled 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.’
Figuring out what to get the man in your life for Valentine's Day can be tough. He probably doesn't want any of the usually-advertised gifts (there are only so many money clips one person can use), so finding a way to make him feel special and loved can be tricky. The key to getting it right is to determine what he really cares about, then find a way to either honor that or make it easier for him to accomplish.
Another strategy? Pump up the romance. Need a little help figuring out how to get there? Here are some ideas to get you started. To make your guy really swoon this Valentine's Day.
Surprise Him With His Favorite "Thing"
Something simple and thoughtful is all it takes to make him feel appreciated. "Whether you coordinate with his coworker to have his favorite coffee order dropped and waiting at his desk or you simply slip his favorite candy or a nice love note in his work bag, a small, thoughtful action can easily take away the financial pressures of Valentine's Day and show your partner that you care," says Jim Antonsen, relationship expert and matchmaker at LuvBiz Chicago.
Of course, if you've got money to burn, you can do the same with something pricier, but it's really the thought here that counts. If his favorite thing is sneakers, we've got you covered with The Coolest New Sneakers for Stylish Men on the go.
Make Love… and Art
Looking for some extra-meaningful art to display in your home? Gift him with this Love Is Art kit, where you—ahem—get busy making some art, if you catch our drift. It comes with all the clean up supplies you'll need, and just think of the inside joke you'll share every time someone compliments you on your unique abstract painting.
If you've already had plenty of romantic Valentine's Days solo, consider organizing a fun group date to celebrate or even hosting a dinner party at home. It's an entertaining way to do something totally different, plus, research shows that hanging out with another couple can actually help reignite passion in a relationship. And for advice on what not to do, know the 40 Relationship Tips That Are Actually Terrible.
Featuring all his favorite films, obviously. If there are any movies you watched together early on in your relationship, those are definitely good candidates too. Want to take this idea to the next level? Book a hotel room and order room service, so you can both enjoy the movie marathon without lifting a finger. And for more inspiration, check out the 50 Relationship Quotes to Reignite Your Love.
You know the one. Whether it's video games, beer collecting, or golf, set aside your feelings about your least favorite of his hobbies and enjoy it with him—for the day. Surprise him with a brewery tour, video game marathon (complete with his favorite snacks), or a prepaid day out on the links together.
Plan A Surprise Night Out
Guys can be swept off their feet, too. "Dress up and meet your partner at the office—just don't tell them you'll be coming," suggests Rebecca Cooper Traynor, founder and CEO of Match Me Canada. "Plan a memorable night of food, good conversation, and lots of touchy feelys."
Try Something Totally New Together
New experiences have a bonding effect on couples, research shows, so check out Airbnb experiences or Groupons in your city and book something neither of you has ever tried before! Whether it's indoor skydiving, a cooking class, or an art workshop, the novelty of trying something fresh together is a new twist on romance.
Block
Especially if you have kids, chances are high your guy doesn't get to spend as much time with his buddies as he used to. Let him know you support his friendships (and his right to a night off!) by setting aside an evening when you'll take care of everything at home while he enjoys some quality time with his friends.
Married to or dating a serious sports fan? Sure, game tickets are an incredible gift, but if that's not in the cards this year, a FanChest for his favorite sports team is seriously thoughtful. You can choose from different levels of extravagance, but regardless of which one you decide on, this is a super sweet gift for any dedicated fan.
Take A Trip Down Memory Lane
How you do this is up to you, but options include: going through old photo albums, looking through your Instagram and Facebook feeds, or just sharing your favorite memories of each other out loud. The idea
here is to look back on your relationship, remember all the good times, and toast with a great bottle of vino to what lies ahead. And if you're feeling particular funny, wow him with one of the 50 Pick-Up Lines So Bad They Just Might Work.
There's a plethora of research showing that couples who sweat together stay together. Help him stick with his New Year's Resolution to get in shape by scheduling a workout class for the two of you to try together, booking a joint personal training session, or planning a special hike to complete together.
He'd probably never think to do this for himself, which is precisely what makes it such an amazing gesture. "People feel stressed from work and life and need a mini break, so booking a spa day for you and your partner to relax and take a load off will make them him like you've been paying attention and listening to their needs," says Traynor. Chances are, he won't even realize how much he needed it until you're there!
Treat Him to Breakfast in Bed
This idea is an oldie, but a goodie. Even if you cook for him frequently, it's not likely that you regularly bring him his favorite breakfast while he's still waking up. Not into cooking? Order in!
Get Him a Subscription Box That’s Actually Useful
There are a ton of box-of-the-month services out there, but the key to finding one that will make him feel truly special is figuring out which one he can actually put to good use. Is your S.O. always forgetting to pick up new razors? Try Harry’s. Do his socks keep getting mysteriously eaten by the washing machine? Go for Sock Fancy. Plus, a subscription box is something that will remind him of you—and how thoughtful you are—all year long.
Rent Him a Sports Car
That is, if he doesn’t already have one. Getting the chance to cruise around in the car of his dreams is sure to make his day.
Earlier this year, the County Council and Notts Outdoors launched A Home for Wildlife competition to primary schools across Nottinghamshire.
West Bridgford Junior School pupil Bella Emmerson, age nine, created the winning design with support from the school’s ‘eco team’ – thirteen classmates who meet regularly to work on environmentally-friendly projects.
Bella’s animal house design features a hedgehog house, bug hotel, birdhouse and pond and is made mainly of wood.
Students from West Nottinghamshire College fully constructed the design which Councillor Mike Adams unveiled to Bella and her classmates last month. The animal house now takes pride of place in the school garden.
Bella said: “It’s so good to see the design in real life. I really love the hedgehog house and hope lots of bugs come and enjoy it!”
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Environment Ambassador, Councillor Mike Adams said: “Bella's brilliant design and their schools motivated eco team, guided by their teacher Alex Nelson, shows what engaging young people in the challenges of our time can yield.
“This competition highlighted the importance of encouraging wildlife into our gardens and open spaces, but it has also shown what great partnership working can deliver.
I would like to personally thank all those involved, from colleagues at the County Council, Bella and her classmates, West Notts
College and the Children in Care Council who judged the primary school entries, Notts Outdoors for providing the prize for the winning design and finally the students from West Notts College that then built the winning design, bringing it to life – they’ve done a fantastic job.
“Hopefully this new animal house encourages more wildlife into the garden here at West Bridgford Junior school.”
Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) representing Nottinghamshire, who are supported by the Council’s Youth Service, sat in the House of Commons to discuss issues facing young people, specifically the cost of living and health, as well as mental health challenges.
Youth Parliament members Oliver Key, MYP for Rushcliffe, Muhammed Malik, MYP for Gedling, Darcy Griffiths, MYP for Bassetlaw and Gemini Tait, MYP for Pioneers, were among more than 100 young people from across the country who participated in the sitting, which provided a platform for them to voice their concerns and offer solutions to important issues.
This annual debate held in the House of Commons chamber was chaired by Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Sir Lindsey Hoyle MP. The MYPs debated five
issues chosen by a ballot of young people from across the UK, and a vote was held to decide which two issues should become the UK Youth Parliament’s priority campaigns for 2023. UK Youth Parliament has chosen to focus on the cost of living and health.
During the sitting, the Nottinghamshire members emphasised the need for increased mental health support for young people and highlighted the growing costs of living, including food, transportation and other day-to-day essentials. They proposed several solutions to address these issues, including improved mental health and more affordable public transport for young people.
Speaking about her experience of sitting in the Chamber, Darcy Griffiths said:
“Speaking in the House of Commons, though daunting, was an incredible experience.
I am so appreciative of the opportunity to attend.
“Public speaking has always been an issue of mine, but now that I have joined a televised debate in the Houses of Commons, I feel much more confident about speaking up in the future.
“I was amazed by the extensive knowledge and passion that all members of the Youth Parliament have. I know that we can trust these people to be the leaders of the future.”
This participation in the sitting is a positive step for Nottinghamshire, as it gives young people in the county a chance to have their voices heard and contribute to important discussions on problems faced by young people. It also shows the commitment of Nottinghamshire to supporting the future leaders of the county.
Gemini Tait, MYP for Pioneers, said: “This was a
fantastic opportunity and was very interesting to see other young people’s views on topics that not only effect adults but young people as well.”
The members of the British Youth Parliament will continue to work on these and other issues affecting young people
and will continue to engage with local and national decision makers to advocate for positive change.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader, Councillor Ben Bradley MP, said: “I am proud of the Nottinghamshire members of the Youth Parlia-
ment and their commitment to raising important issues affecting young people. Their presence at the House of Commons is a great example of how young people can make a real difference in their communities.”
East Midlands-based, family-run home builder, Fairgrove, is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from the 6th – 12th of February with this year’s national theme focusing on Skills for Life which aims to bring together businesses and apprentices across the country.
With a long history of developing apprentices, several senior Fairgrove team members joined the business on initial apprenticeships. This highlights the importance of
young talent that Fairgrove is looking to add to its existing workforce in order to help to ease the current skill shortage gap in the construction sector.
Fairgrove highlighted their commitment to their future workforce as a business when hiring their latest and biggest group of apprentices to date in 2022.
Fairgrove’s developments include The Brewery Yard and Nine Corners in Kimberley, as well as Swanwick Fields, near Alfreton. The family-run firm are keen to support new apprentices entering the industry to feel a part of the family business.
Steve Midgley, Fairgrove’s Managing Director, who co-founded the company in 1995 alongside his wife Christine Midgley, said:
“Over the years, we have recruited many apprentices and
trainees who have worked with us, developed, and become outstanding assets to our family-run business. We think an apprenticeship is a fantastic way for young people to invest in themselves. “Supporting National Apprenticeship Week is really important to us at Fairgrove. We’re incredibly proud of how far our most recent cohort of apprentices have come already, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they progress and develop. We hope they will stay with us for years to come, once they’re qualified, and work their ways up the ranks, eventually becoming leaders for our future groups of apprentices.”
Apprentice Bricklayer, Jack Deaton said: “I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship. I train at the NHBC Training
Hub at Nottingham College, it’s a mix of 70% building and 30% learning at the moment, which is a good balance for me.”
Fellow Apprentice Bricklayer, Sam Cooke, explained: “The team look out for you and encourage you to develop as an individual. No day is the same, and I’ve learnt so much already.”
Another recent Apprentice at Fairgrove, Sam Oakland, said: “I’ve had a good time since I joined Fairgrove last year. I’ve learnt so much from my colleagues on the building site, as well as in the classroom at college. The support from the company has been second to none, too. “I’ve even been on local TV and had the chance to share how much Fairgrove have helped my education and passion for the industry – it’s
been great!”
Fellow Bricklaying apprentice, Kian Statham, has recently obtained his Level 2 Bricklaying Diploma. Steve Midgley presented Kian’s award to him, and added: “We’re incredibly proud of Kian, and the work he has carried out since being at Fairgrove. His efforts don’t go unnoticed, and we’re pleased to see that we’ve been able to support him whilst gaining his qualification at College, and moving to the next level in the industry.”
Fairgrove Accounts Manager, Carly Trueman, joined the company over 20 years ago as a trainee and many of the companies’ bricklayers came through on an apprenticeship and stayed with them, something that the family-run business is keen to encour-
age, and continue.
Fairgrove has a well-established relationship with Nottingham College at Basford Hall, which has supported the home building industry for several years, while the National House-Building Council (NHBC) Training Hub has also been used to develop young talent.
For more information about the ongoing developments of Fairgrove, please visit: https://www.fairgrove.co.uk
Graham Moran BEM, Chief Executive Officer of Nottingham Forest Community Trust has decided to retire from his role at the end of March 2023.
Graham has dedicated the last 15 years to his role at the Trust building it to the significant service provider it is today. Graham has worked tirelessly to promote the Trust, and for this he was recognised by Buckingham Palace with the British
Empire Medal in 2021.
In the interim, Graham will be handing over to Calum Osborne, the Trust’s Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO, who will now be the main point of contact for all stakeholders.
The Trustees would like to thank Graham for his service and wish him well in his retirement.
Having started the New Year with a last gasp equaliser against local rivals Long Eaton United to share the local bragging rights we looked at the forthcoming fixture list with a lot of hope that we could pick up some useful points. How wrong we were with that analysis, we would go the whole month without gaining any points as we succumbed to three consecutive league defeats against opposition that had all had decent form prior to our engagements. To add to our woes, we would also not score in the league from open play since our last fixture at the back of November when Kyle Tomlin would find the net on that day in a four-one defeat at home to Lincoln United.
Our encounter with the visitors on the day was expected to be a tough fixture despite our early season victory over them. We knew that the game would be intense and that the opponents would be difficult to break down, but we were confident that we would get a result against a team that had been in good form. The scores were level at half-time and as we usually do, we took the game to the opposition straight from the break. The game had been very balanced throughout with both sides carving openings but with no end results. It would be ten minutes into the second period when the away side would break the deadlock in what was still a very open game. Despite all Carlton’s efforts we couldn’t capitalise on our good play, and we would be undone again with five minutes to go when Edwin Essel for the visitors put the game beyond doubt.
Our next fixture was an away day in South Yorkshire and again we were up against a side that had in recent weeks gained some useful points and consistency. Another form side and another difficult opponent beckoned on what was possibly the coldest day of the season so far. We went about our business as usual by taking the game to the home side. Our passing for the most was neat and accurate, and our play was some of the best that we had seen for many a week. Again, we reached the end of the first period all-square and content that we had been the better side. We opened the second period on the front foot and again took the game to the home side in the hope of getting an early reward. Our efforts continued to go unrewarded and with twenty minutes gone in the second half the home side would score against the run of play. Not being defeatists, we continued to mount the pressure on the home side and would still not find the back of the net as all our efforts passed by in vain. The next
addition to the scoresheet would be from the home side again with only three minutes left on the clock and this would see us return from a fixture that we had mostly overrun and outplayed the opposition. Our fortunes on the day saw us hit the woodwork three times in a fixture we were just not meant to get anything from.
Carlton Town 0-2 Shildon
Two weeks on and our next league fixture saw the return leg of a team that we had thumped four-nil back in October. The opposition were sitting second from bottom in the table but had also like our previous two opponents had been in good form. Again the game was scoreless at half-time and again we opened the second period as the advancing team. Ten minutes in and the opposition would find the net after Carlton lost possession in midfield. The ball was moved down the left flank and as the cross came in Dan Brown would head into our net to give the visitors the lead. Still an open game and still a lot of time for this to be avenged was what we thought as we still stuck to our tac-tics to find an equaliser. Seven minutes on and the net was found again, unfortunately for ourselves it wasn't in our favour as the visitors would shock us to gain a two goal lead. This is how the score would remain to the end of the game as our visitors overall were justified winners in a game where Carlton failed to
convert our chances.
Mansfield Town 1-1 Carlton Town (2-4 penalties)
Our next fixture was the semi-final of the Notts Senior Cup against a side that had despatched Notts County six-one in the previous round. We went into this one as the current champions but also as the underdogs due to the status of the home side and also due to our recent run of poor results. Not being given much chance of a result and the thoughts of a possible hiding to come we had nothing to lose. Our play on the night was superb, we took the game to the home team and played with much exuberance and at times flair. We passed the ball well, got in amongst our opponents and played with a passion that had not been apparent for a while. Our efforts would be rewarded five minutes before half-time when a Mansfield defender would handle the ball in the box and give our goalkeeper Mike Emery the opportunity to score from the spot. This he did and we would go into the break with a well-deserved lead. Out came the opposition from the restart to put us on the backfoot and within ten minutes they had equalised with a neat finish by Knowles who slotted the ball in from a tight angle. Carlton despite the setback would still stand firm and with the returning Niall Davie from injury causing all sorts of problems down the right flank would still fight for every
second and every blade of grass. With Nat Watson pulling the strings and super sub Alex Howes playing probably the game of his life The Millers would still finish the game the stronger side as neither team were able to add to the scoreline. So to penalties it went and Carlton were first up, Kyle Dixon had his saved, Mike Emery would save two as well as convert his own spot kick and then it was left to Alex Howes to finish the job off via the goalkeeper’s hand and post to leave us in the pink.
With a barren month behind us on the points side of things in the league and with no goals scored by any outfield player since the back of November we go into our next block of fixtures needing to turn these facts around. Our joy in the Senior Cup is something to build on and we hope things will progress from our successful night at Field Mill as our league position needs to improve quickly. We know there are still many fixtures to come and that there is still a lot of work to be done. The league is our bread and butter and our status within it is the most important of all.
Forthcoming Fixtures:
4th February Tadcaster Albion (a)
7th February Brighouse Town (h)
11th February Bridlington Town (h)
18th February Sheffield (a)
25th February Hebburn Town (h)
28th February Ossett United (a)
Elite athletes across Rushcliffe are being invited to apply for grant funding to support their efforts in their chosen sport.
The Rushcliffe Elite Sports Grant is available with grants of up to £300 that aim to reduce some of the financial burden of competing at an advanced level that can often create a barrier to achievement.
Funds may help with costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees and equipment, specialist coaching and other specialist support deemed appropriate by the National Governing Body over the next year.
Applications to the grant scheme are being encouraged from athletes who are currently performing at international level within
their sport with priority given to competitors in sports or disciplines represented at the Olympic and Paralympic Games or Commonwealth Games.
Applicants have until Monday February 13 to apply online and must be:
• A resident of Rushcliffe Borough
• 14 years old or over
• Competing in a Sport England recognised sport
• Part of the NGB performance pathway and competing for a Home Nation Country (GB, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and/or in the national training squad in their chosen sport (This varies with different sports but applicants should, at
least, be competing with performers from other counties in their sport, in recognised competitions)
• Amateur status
• Fully endorsed by their National Governing Body and National or International coach (who must be suitably qualified and affiliated)
To accompany the application, a photograph and confirmation letter from their National Governing Body confirming an athlete’s level of performance is required.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change Cllr Abby Brennan said: “We’re proud that Rushcliffe is a great place for sport
and home to a diverse range of sports clubs and teams.
“The Borough also boasts state-of-the-art training facilities including our £1.2m newly developed Gresham Sports Park which is accessible for all.
“With such a big talent pool here in Rushcliffe it’s fantastic that we can offer some financial support to local athletes with their future sporting aspirations.
“All eligible sportspeople can apply on our website before the February 13 deadline. We anticipate a large number of applicants, so we encourage you to provide as much information as possible to support your application.”
