1. family and parenting
2. children

Issue 112
nottsinfocus
#nottsinfocus | www.nottsinfocus.co.uk
HOUSING CONCERNS
IN BURTON JOYCE
| 31 Mar -
6 April 2015 | 20p
(Where Sold)
NEWS IN BRIEF
Breast is Best
Breastfeeding Mums in Gedling joined together
recently at an event aimed at making the Borough
Breastfeeding friendly. The aim of the event was
to promote breast feeding and make it a natural
occurrence in public spaces.
Read the full story on page 2…
Egg-Citing Donations!
A Nottinghamshire family business is helping to
ensure families dependent on food banks don’t
miss out on Easter this year after donating 100
chocolate Easter eggs to Framework. The Easter
eggs will be distributed to Framework service
users at Forward House and Elizabeth House in
Nottingham.
Read the full story on page 4…
School Meals
Success
The number of school meals provided across
Nottingham City since the Universal Free
School Meals scheme in September last year
has successfully increased.
Figures taken from the first census day in
October 2014 reported an average uptake
of 90% of free school meals and this figure
was maintained in the latest census day in
January 2015 which again showed an average
uptake of 90% of free school meals. Every
day between 81% and 83% of pupils in Key
Stage 1 receive a free school meal across
Nottingham City Council serviced schools.
Read the full story on page 8...
Quite a stir has been created in the village of Burton Joyce
following a Council meeting in which residents were asked what
they thought about various house building proposals in the village
By Gemma Allen
The possible sites to build on
in Burton Joyce include Glebe
Farm and Lambley Lane, the
consultation was put in place to
hear what local people thought
about building on each of the
sites.
Burton Joyce Resident, Sue
Riley was at the meeting and
said that the majority of people
who attended opposed the builds
due to the nature and ethos of
the village. Concerns that were
Price 20p
raised included damaging effects to
the wildlife and ruining the village’s
infrastructure.
Gedling Council has confirmed that
no plans have been submitted nor
have any applications been made,
so as of now the consultation was
and is just a proposal to discuss
future growth of the area.
A spokesperson for the Council
told the Nottinghamshire in Focus:
“The meeting was a chance to talk
to our planning policy team, not our
planning team, about possible sites
for development.”
The Council is unable to comment
on planning as no applications
have been submitted, so in
essence the ideas are just ideas
for the time being, on how and
where to build. In the current
economic climate along with
the national housing problem,
it’s evident that houses do need
to be built but it’s also apparent
that many local residents are not
happy about having this on their
doorstep.
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Linndcaashire
La
07764 466381
01773 762675
E: [email protected]
www.lindalancashire.co.uk
Three men who forced their way into
a Sutton-in-Ashfield home, assaulting
the owner, have been jailed.
Lee Johnson, 30, of Manor Crescent,
Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Matthew
Hutchinson, 38, of Outram Street,
Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Darren
Lee Kenton, 37, of Fisher Close,
Sutton-in-Ashfield, appeared at
Nottingham Crown Court recently
after previously pleading guilty to
aggravated burglary at an earlier
hearing.
Johnson was sentenced to seven
years and six months, Hutchinson
received a seven year and six month
sentence and Kenton was jailed for
four years and six months.
Breast is Best!
By Gemma Allen
The breastfeeding Mums of Gedling
joined together recently at an event
aimed at making the Borough breast
feeding friendly.
The aim of the event was to promote
breast feeding and make it a natural
occurrence in public spaces, as appose
to the taboo subject that it is commonly
thought of.
The event provided a wealth of
information about the benefits of
breastfeeding and the support available
to families, along with advice for
businesses who may be considering
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
Keeping the
Memory Alive
The long awaited Gedling County Park
is now officially open to the public
(L-R): Theresa Drozdowska
(Infant Feeding Lead from NHS),
Cllr Henry Wheeler,
Cllr Roxanne Ellis and Cath
Conley with her son Jacob.
Justice Served
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becoming a breastfeeding
friendly venue.
Gedling Borough Council was the first
district council to sign up to the scheme
and will now work towards providing
suitable facilities for breastfeeding in its
buildings and will encourage partners
and businesses to do the same.
Although the county-wide
scheme in Nottinghamshire
will officially launch in
May, Gedling Borough
Council is keen to start
working towards being
breastfeeding friendly and
By Gemma Allen
Despite the gloomy weather, over
2,000 people turned up to the
opening of the beautiful Country
Park at the week end. Throughout the
day there were numerous positives
comments and feedback, including
that of ex miners who have only ever
known the land as a colliery.
For many years it was the site for
soil heaps and pit wheels but it has
certainly been turned around into a
are a pilot area for the scheme.
The general aim of the scheme is to help
mums make the most of their community
and shopping areas, by encouraging
businesses to become breast feeding
friendly areas where mothers can feed
their baby comfortably and without
judgment.
WHERE
YOU ARE
Radcliffe
Streetwise and Cityscape Greening are
adding a new woodland walk to Radcliffe on
Trent’s hidden gem - the cliff-top Rockley
Memorial Park.
Streetwise Environmental ensures
Rushcliffe remains clean and tidy, as well as
ensuring parks and open spaces are well cared
for and professionally designed and planted.
Streetwise is expanding to offer professional
landscaping services for organisations
such as parish councils and is partnering
with Cityscape Greening of Nottingham to
offer this extra service. Andy Boulton (in orange vest) and Ben Pope
John Scott-Lee, MD of Streetwise explains:
“Streetwise is excited to be working
with Cityscape and it shows what can be
achieved within the local community when
companies join forces.”
The three organisations are also working
with Mencap who will design and make homes
for birds, bats and hedgehogs, as well as the
Bat Conservation Trust and Notts Wildlife.
Other new features include a willow tunnel and
tree stump stepping stones to attract schools
and families.
The Mayor’s Escort, Ken Hollingsworth and Mayor of Gedling,
Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth
The grand
opening took
place on Saturday
28th March and
hosted lots of
events including
face painting
and archery as
well as local
entertainment
throughout the
day.
Mayor of Gedling
Councillor Jenny
Hollingsworth
was over the
moon with both
the turnout and
Graham Tavner, former colliery electrician
the feedback
magnificent feature and a brilliant attraction from the general public on the day.
She told the Nottinghamshire in Focus:
for Nottinghamshire.
“We had a fantastic turnout despite the
The 240 acre site boasts nine and a
wet and windy weather. People are so
half miles of pathways and cycles tracks
which are accessible come rain or shine and thrilled to have such a wonderful country
with a choice of 4 different scenic routes to park on their doorstep. The Country Park
preserves the history and the legacy of
take throughout the park,
the miners and the colliery, we are also
you will certainly be in for a breathtaking
planning to open a
day out.
The views from Gedling Country Park are Visitor’s Centre at the
simply outstanding and on a clear day you park that will educate
people and keep the
can see both Belvoir Castle and Lincoln
memory alive.”
Cathedral.
Helping People in a Crisis
upporters of
service that’s desperately needed in and on Saturdays from 10am to
a Nottingham
the financial climate that we are in. noon.
food bank which We are feeding about 3,000 people It provides three days of
annually helps
emergency food to people who
a year, which tends to be about
3,000 people
30,000 meals, and over a year we are given vouchers by care
in crisis have
deal with about 25 tonnes of food professionals such as doctors,
been officially
health visitors, social workers,
in total.”
thanked for their generosity.
Part of the Trussell Trust network, CAB and police who have
Bestwood and Bulwell Food Bank the food bank was launched
identified people in crisis.
invited a number of companies,
Schools, churches, businesses
in 2012 and is one of four in
organisations and individuals to
Nottingham run under the Trussell and individuals all donate nonits home at St Philips Church, Top banner. It is open Tuesdays and
perishable, in-date food to the
Valley, to thank them for throwing Thursdays between 1pm and 3pm food bank.
a lifeline to
the charity.
Each has
provided a vital
contribution to
the food bank,
which is run in
partnership with
local churches
in Bestwood,
Bulwell, and
Basford.
The Rev Andy
Morris, vicar of
St Philips and
St Matthews
Church, and
secretary of
Bestwood and
Bulwell Food
Bank, said:
“The support
that all these
organisations
and individuals
have given
us has been
incredible and
it enables us
L-R: Nick Murphy - Nottingham City Homes, Kerry Durrance - Nationwide Windows, Diana Copestake - food bank volunteer,
to provide a
Coun Jackie Morris - Sheriff of Nottingham, Nikki Foreman - J Tomlinson Ltd, Nigel Webster - Food Bank Manager
3
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Egg-Citing Donations!
A Nottinghamshire family business
is helping to ensure families
dependent on food banks don’t
miss out on Easter this year after
donating 100 chocolate Easter eggs
to Framework.
Pellacraft, which is based in
Mansfield, Nottingham, supplies
a wide range of promotional
merchandise to companies, trade
unions and other memberships
based organisations. The company
Sam Pella of Pellacraft with Framework Easter Egg donation
was founded in 1981 and has built
its reputation based on placing
people before profit.
The Easter eggs will be distributed
to Framework service users at
Forward House and Elizabeth
House in Nottingham, who
will be given an egg after
their Easter meal.
Eggs will also be handed out to the
young persons service group based
in Ashfield, who are now planning
an Easter egg hunt, as well as
other service users that attend
other Framework support service
locations.
Commenting, Pellacraft Director,
Sam Pella said, “Pellacraft wanted
to donate Easter Eggs to show that
people do care.
All too increasingly the use
of food banks and homelessness is
fast becoming the norm.
This is a heartbreaking thought
in this day and age and should not
be happening in places like
the UK.”
Andrea Carver, from Framework
said, “We’d like to thank Pellacraft
for thinking of our service users
at Framework at Easter. The
Easter eggs will help to make the
people who live in our services
feel valued and show that their
community care.”
Framework is a charity and
WHERE Time For Tapas…!
YOU ARE
West
Bridgford
A Nottingham teacher who
used her first aid skills to treat
herself is encouraging more
people to undertake potentially
lifesaving first aid training.
Vanessa Lloyd, 45, from
West Bridgford, a year two
teacher at Jesse Gray Primary
School reached for something
from a cupboard only to
dislodge a broken glass bowl
which fell, severing the tendon
in her hand.
Vanessa explains: “The minute
the bowl hit my hand I knew
what that my tendon had been
severed. I am first aid trained
because of my job, because of
the training I felt surprisingly
calm as I knew what to do.
I grabbed a tea towel and
applied pressure to the wound
to stem the blood flow. Due to
my first aid training I felt quite
calm when it happened as I
knew instantly what to do, to
limit the damage done.”
St John Ambulance Director
for the East Midlands Chris
Thornton said: “Our goal is
to make sure that wherever
a first aid emergency occurs,
someone is on hand who
can help. Vanessa acted
quickly and calmly to
deal with her injury and
our training gave her the
knowledge and confidence
to know what to do.”
By Gemma Allen
I was recently invited along to
The Rocket at Saltwater and after
a rather busy week and I have to
say it was a blessing in
disguise.
The minute I
walked into
Saltwater
I felt at
ease, the
open space,
friendly staff
and genuine
sense of
relaxation
really started
things off
perfectly.
The reason for me going along
was to sample their new Tapas
Wednesday menu that now runs
every week and I can certainly
recommend it if you have had a
busy day, a late shift or just don’t
fancy cooking. Admit it, we all
have those days!
Before anything even
crossed my
lips, I was
already
impressed with the presentation;
everything was set out beautifully
and had my mouth watering in an
instant.
The first dish to face the taste
test was a plate of Tuscan
meatballs in a tomato sauce,
now I am huge fan of
meatballs and these
did not disappoint!
Slightly sweet in
flavour which isn’t my
usual preference but
nevertheless
the succulent
beef was truly
complimented
by the port; a
new combination
for me but one that
definitely works!
Next up were
the ‘Patatas al la
Brava’, deep fried
potatoes served in a
fiery tomato sauce,
topped
with aioli.
This
one
surprised me as I am a real meat
and fish lover, I’m not really one
for ordering anything else, but
these were delicious! The chilli had
a brilliant kick to it, nothing too
harsh but enough to keep you alert!
Also featuring was the Chicken
Souvlaki, spiced chicken served
with minted yoghurt. This is really
refreshing dish and great if you just
want to pick at something.
One of my favourites had to be the
Sautéed garlic wild mushrooms,
served on sun dried tomato bread.
The mushrooms were bursting with
flavour and the dish is actually
housing association dedicated
to helping homeless people,
preventing homelessness, and
promoting opportunities for
vulnerable and excluded people to
change the direction of their lives.
Danger Warning
Nottingham City Council’s
trading standards team is
warning parents and guardians
about the potential dangers
of gel tablets used to wash
laundry.
A lot of people are unaware of
the risks posed by the bright,
colourful detergent cubes which
often attract the interest of small
children.
In the worse cases, injuries
can be life-threatening and
increasing numbers of children
are being treated at hospital
after swallowing liquid from the
capsules, or from exposure to
the skin after the products have
burst.
something I would order as a
main course!
The dish that topped everything
off for me has to be the
Gambas al pil pil, king
prawns pan fried with
garlic and chilli. I
love prawns, I love
chilli and I love
garlic so I was in
heaven! The spice
element is perfect,
slightly creeping up
on you as you pop
your fork down but
still allowing the
burst of amazing
flavours to come through.
All in all, my visit to
Saltwater was definitely
a success, I would highly
recommend anyone who
fancies some decent food without
the need for a 3 course meal to pop
in for Tapas Wednesday. A relaxed
environment, friendly atmosphere
and amazing food, what more
could you want?
In case of a child’s
accidental exposure:
• If the capsule/packet is
put in the mouth and the
liquid is swallowed, rinse
as much of the detergent
as possible from the child’s mouth;
• Do not induce vomiting;
• If the child’s eyes or
hands are exposed, rinse
them carefully;
• Call a doctor, a poison
control centre or go to
accident and emergency
at your nearest hospital.
Get the right
treatment
over Easter
The NHS in Nottingham is
reminding people of the different
ways they can get advice,
support and treatment over the
Easter weekend.
GP surgeries will be closed
on Good Friday and Easter
Monday, but there are plenty
of other ways to access health
services.
If you need help
fast but don’t
think it’s a 999
emergency, you
can call 111.
The service is available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, and is
free to call from landlines and
mobile phones.
If you need advice for minor
health problems you can speak
to your pharmacist for on-thespot advice and remedies for a
wide range of problems such
as stomach upsets, coughs and
colds.
Information is also available
online via NHS Choices - here
you will find a wide range of
online health and symptom
checkers at www.nhs.uk.
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Calling WWII
Veterans!
useum
staff and
volunteers
are
currently
making
plans
for Victory Days 2015;
a two day event in
July (Saturday 25th
& Sunday 26th
2015) that will
commemorate the
70th Anniversary
of VE and VJ Day
at the Newark Air
Museum.
Our organisers
are keen to hear
from any veterans
of any of the
military or civilian
forces during
World War II, as the
museum is keen to
invite these veterans
along to the event
as its special guest.
Details of a former service
number or membership of
an appropriate armed forces
veteran’s organisation can
secure them free entry to the
event at the museum’s site
in eastern Nottinghamshire,
close to the border with
Lincolnshire.
For the younger visitors the
museum is
planning
to operate
a World War II style sweet
shop in the Dambusters Hut,
where visiting children will
be able to collect their free
World War II sweet ration.
there will be a host of World
War II related activities and
entertainment taking place
around the site, including
alongside its famous
To collect their ration they
will need to bring along
some pre-decimal coinage –
so parents and grandparents
will need to look out for
those sixpences, three-penny
bits, pennies, half-pennies or
even farthings – and make
sure that they bring them
along.
Throughout the two days
Anderson Shelter and Dig
for Victory Garden. Visitors
will also be able to sample
some examples of wartime
food delights, such as bread
& dripping, spam, corned
beef and jam sandwiches.
Everyone at the museum
is looking forward to two
days of nostalgia and
commemorations.
Don’t Miss Out!
Irish Pop Sensations Boyzone are
set to headline Newark Festival
on Saturday June 20th 2015 at
Riverside Park, Newark. Now in
its fourth year, the festival has
gone from strength to strength,
previously attracting bands like
Human League, Marc Almond,
Heaven 17 and Madness and so
Newark based organisers LHG
Live and Newark Town Council
are delighted to have secured
Boyzone for the towns’ biggest
event of 2015.
Promoter Liz Doogan-Hobbs
MBE from LHG Live commented:
“Boyzone are a great band to
work with and they truly represent
the values of the festival. There
are very few shows out there as
exciting as Boyzone and we are
very pleased to be bringing them to
Newark Riverside Park. It’ll be a
great atmosphere again throughout
the town; it’s certainly going to be
a weekend to plan to be out and
about in Newark!”
Ronan Said: “We love the chance
to play outdoors through the
summer so I’m looking forward to
a great night in Newark”. Shane
added: “The crowd in the East
Midlands are always superb.”
It’s not just Saturday night that
will respond to the towns’ request
for more music. There will be two
more days of entertainment to
keep you coming back to the park
all weekend, with all the family,
as there will truly be something
suitable for all ages. Friday
June 19th will see the launch of
‘Riverside Rocks’, with the UK’s
best tribute bands and following
success over the last two years
Sunday June 21 will continue to
be a free Family Day at Riverside
Park, which includes the growing
WHERE
YOU ARE
Hyson Green
A man who threatened a
woman with a knife after
following her into her home
has now been jailed.
Mukith Miah, 33, of
Brushfield Street, Bobbersmill,
was sentenced to three years
for possession of an offensive
weapon and six years for
trespass with intent to commit
a sexual offence, after pleading
guilty. The sentence will run
concurrently, and he will be on
the sex offenders’ register for
life and be given a restraining
order on release.
The victim arrived home at
her address in Hyson Green
around 7.30am on Tuesday 3
February, when she noticed
Miah hanging around outside.
As she went to put out her
bin, he followed her, putting
a knife to her throat and
dragging her inside the house,
closing the door.
The victim, fearing for her life,
fought him off, hitting him
and scratching at his face and
biting his finger. He eventually
ran out of the house, but not
before leaving his bank card at
the scene.
PC Katie Nolan, who
investigated the attack, said:
“The victim showed extreme
bravery and courage to fight
Miah off, fearing for her
life. Despite having a knife
held to her neck, she refused
to give up her struggle. On
arrest Miah told officers that
he knew they were there
because he had just tried to
rape someone, so I believe the
victim’s reaction saved her
from enduring an even more
traumatic experience. The
sentence reflects the severity
of what happened, and when
he is eventually released
he will have to sign the sex
offenders’ register for life.”
Newark Carnival and closes the
festival with traditional fireworks
over the Castle. There will also be
lots of local produce available in
the towns market square across the
weekend.
To book you tickets visit
www.newarkfestival.co.uk.
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IF YOU’VE GOT A STORY
9
[email protected]
Getting
Children’s
Votes!
A new book called ‘The
Election’ is helping children at
Nottingham primary schools
learn all about voting.
Nottingham City Council has
provided more than 2,500
copies of the book to 40 primary
schools for children to use in the
classroom and at home.
And with the Local and General
Elections on 7th May now
less than two months away,
the Council is hoping parents
and carers reading it at home
with their children will be
encouraged to register to vote
ahead of the 20 April deadline.
Eleanor Levenson, the author
of ‘The Election’, will be
visiting Seely Primary and
Nursery School in Sherwood,
Nottingham at 10.30am on
Thursday 26 March to meet
children, parents and teachers
and see how her book is being
used in class and at home.
Media are welcome to attend for
photos and interviews.
The book explains, through
a fun story with engaging
illustrations, what an election is
and how voting works. Alex’s
family backs the party whose
posters have stripes on them.
Evie’s family backs the party
whose posters have spots on
them. But which party will win?
Either way, the two will remain
friends. This is the first UK
book of its kind and has backing
from elected representatives of
all major political parties.
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New
‘super
nursery’
Grosvenor House
Day Nursery &
Pre-school opens in
the former Grosvenor
School building
A Shining Future
orty-three
young people
were confirmed
in Southwell
Minster recently
by the Rt Revd
Richard Inwood,
Acting Bishop of Southwell
& Nottingham, and the
Rt Revd Tony Porter, Bishop
of Sherwood.
The young people, who came
from churches across the diocese,
were: Brandon Burrows, Connor
Robertson, Alix Aitchison,
Aleena David, Rimsha Mendis,
Clement Mendis, Shaun Mncube,
Grace Fynn, William GranthamWoodhouse, Elizabeth GranthamWoodhouse, Luke GranthamWoodhouse, Finlay Hyde-Barker,
Elizabeth Jones, George McNish,
Oliver Rogers, Ella Spencer,
Matthew Britton, Philip Coe,
Anna Henderson, Elizabeth
Smith, Joe Taylor,
John Byrom, Molly Sharpe,
James Daniels, Emily Aikens,
Lottie Aikens, Imogen Birkett,
Abi Burgess, Ellie Burgess,
Imogen Burgess, Ben Conley, Jess
Gale, Lisa Lesowiec, Elisabeth
Mole, Hannah-Maria Mole, Ellie
Moppet, Honour Place,
Gen Poon, Nikhita Srinivasan,
Emily Townshend, Thomas
Gibson, Jacob Langley and
Jaguar Hurst.
Bishop Tony said: “The
confirmation of 43 young people
at the Minster was an inspiring
And The Winners Are…
Two local school children’s designs
of a pair of theatre masks and a teddy
bear have been chosen as the winners
of this year’s Floral Trail design
competition organised by Nottingham
occasion. A number of young
people shared their personal
stories and their journey of faith
and were involved in the readings
and the leading of prayers. One
of the most moving parts of
the service was the conclusion,
when prayers were read by a
grandparent, a parent and a
young person.
What a future for the Diocese of
Southwell & Nottingham when our
young people are so excited about
Jesus.”
City Council’s Nottingham in Bloom
team and the Nottingham Business
Improvement District (BID).
The fun theatre masks idea was
conceived by Mille Fenton, age 10,
from The Milford Academy in Clifton
and the teddy bear was designed by
Mya Murden, also age 10, from Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic
Primary Academy in Bulwell.
They will now be transformed
into giant wicker sculptures by
Topiary Art Designs and planted
by the team at the Nottingham
City Council Nursery at
Woodthorpe Grange Park before
making their big debut in the Floral
Trail around the city centre this
summer.
care but also catering for the needs
of busy parents.
Nicola and Tony, who also own
the highly successful Handkerchief
Day Nursery in Kegworth, bring
with them a wealth of experience
and they have a clear and distinct
vision of how exceptional
childcare should be provided.
They have also spent the last few
months in close consultation with
local parents to find out exactly
what they want most from nursery
life.
Nicola explains:
“We want
to create a
place where
children are valued,
safe and cared for.
The key thing for us is that
children feel a sense of belonging
and that they are in a place that
embraces healthy risk taking,
nurtures confidence and self
esteem, and looks to meet the
needs of the whole family.”
Nicola and Tony have recruited
a fantastic, dedicated team
combining both experience and
enthusiasm. The team includes
two teachers, Sue Walker and
Eileen Newbold who both looked
after the pre-school years at the
former Grosvenor School. They
work along renowned speech
and language therapist, Louise
Usher, who will also be basing her
services from Grosvenor House.
Their attention to detail follows
through to design and layout
including the type of
furniture they have
invested in, the separate
sleeping areas for
the children and
the ipads in each
room, so the staff
can communicate
regularly with the
parents through the
use of photographs
and video.
suppliers
such as
the local
fishmonger and
butchers and where
possible, we will provide a
healthy, organic, locally sourced,
seasonal menu for our children”.
Children aren’t the only ones
spoilt for facilities at this new
setting. Parents are met with
fresh snacks to take with them on
school
building
continues,
future plans for
the building include
hot-desking facilities for
parents, a holiday club for school
children, private tuition and other
useful services to help the busy
family life run smoothly.
Director Tony Pritchard adds:
“Being busy parents ourselves, we
After
Before
School Meals Success
The number of school meals
provided across Nottingham City
since the Universal Free School
Meals scheme in September last
year has successfully increased.
Figures taken from the first
census day in October 2014
reported an average uptake of
90% of free school meals and
this figure was maintained in the
latest census day in January 2015
which again showed an average
uptake of 90% of free school
meals. Every day between 81%
and 83% of pupils in Key Stage
1 receive a free school meal
across Nottingham City Council
serviced schools.
Implementing the scheme into
schools required Nottingham City
Council to conduct a number of
kitchen refits and extensions and
to provide strong operational and
marketing support to schools
during the transactional period.
Pupils have been dining from
new menus, each tailored to the
preferences and requirements of
the individual schools and now
containing clear allergen and
The exciting new Grosvenor
House Day Nursery and Preschool opened its doors recently
offering high-quality care for
children aged between 6 weeks
and 5 years in the Edwalton/West
Bridgford area.
Since acquiring the former
Grosvenor School in October
last year, the new owners Tony
Pritchard and Nicola Wood, from
nearby Tollerton, have been busy
converting this beautiful period
building into an exciting and
unique ‘super nursery’, not only
offering children a stimulating and
safe environment through nursery
nutritional information.
The next new menu
will be launched on
5 May.
The
introduction
of the Free
School
Meals
Scheme
has
continued
to provide
positive
benefits
across
the city,
in addition
to providing
quality nutritional
food to children, 30
new employment posts
have been created increasing
the number of staff to 390.
There are still exiting changes
to come; more schools under
Nottingham City Council are
preparing for entirely new kitchens
and Executive Chefs are being
employed directly into certain
schools
to
support the
ever improving
service. Staff training
is ongoing and many of the
dedicated Catering Supervisors
will soon be trained as Executive
Chefs, working with their team
to develop innovation and deliver
excellent customer service.
Children at
Grosvenor
House will enjoy
generous outdoor play
areas designed for
access whatever the
weather.
Activities such as yoga, music
and wood work plus optional
extra clubs such as the popular
Little Wickets and languages
with La Jolie Ronde.
Nicola and Tony also
recognise how a good
diet is particularly
important for young
children, both for future
eating habits and for
behaviour patterns, as
Nicola explains: “It is
important to us that
we provide freshly
prepared food from
our spacious
kitchen. We
have
been
talking
to local
their journey to work and a coffee
area for families to grab a quiet
moment during their busy day.
There will also be a concierge
service for families, ranging from
a pick up laundry service, parcel
delivery/signing service, help with
babysitting, take away meals and
other useful services to
help busy family life
run smoothly.
As the conversion
of the old
understand the crucial roles
nurseries can play in the lives of
families. We have a wonderful
building and a varied and
diverse team and it gives us the
opportunity to be really innovative
in the way we support our families,
however at its centre has to be
exceptional childcare.”
10
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VISIT US ONLINE
11
www.nottsinfocus.co.uk
Seal of Approval
The Right Honourable Kenneth
Clarke CH QC MP recently
opened The Grand Care Centre,
a £7million purpose-built 82 bed
care home in West Bridgford,
Nottingham.
Designed by development-led care
home operator New Care Projects
and built by award-winning
construction company, McGoff
& Byrne, The Grand is a ‘New
Generation’ care facility.
Designed by architects,
Street Design, with specialist
clinical staff input, all the new
requirements of the Care Quality
Commission have been achieved.
The Grand is designed to provide
the highest standards of safety,
comfort and care.
The home features a high
specification finish and is
decorated by an interior designer
creating stylish yet comfortable
and practical spaces. The wellappointed bedrooms benefit from
en suite wet rooms, while the rest
AncientBiotics
Fighting
Crime
Nottinghamshire Police is to
benefit from almost £3m of
funding to be invested into
advanced technology to help
fight crime, it has been revealed.
The Force will receive financial
support to fund a series of
improved investigation facilities
following a successful bid by
Nottinghamshire Police and
Crime Commissioner Paddy
Tipping for a slice of the Home
Office’s Innovation Fund for
2015-16.
The new technology will
enhance the force’s public
protection capabilities,
and improve the way in
which the region as a whole
can proactively safeguard
vulnerable children and adults
and respond to those at risk.
Chris McGoff, CEO of New Care
Projects, comments:
“It is a huge honour to have Ken
Clarke officially open The Grand
and we appreciate him taking time
out of his busy schedule to visit
the home and enjoy a pre opening
of the home offers a variety of
communal lounges, dining rooms tour.”
On opening The Grand, Ken
and secure landscaped gardens.
Clarke said: “The Grand is a
It also offers a cinema,
gymnasium, Snoezelen, hairdresser modern, high quality care home.
I’d like to wish both the staff and
and retail coffee shop. Infection
control and safety are all built into the residents well.”
The Grand will offer residential
the finished environment.
and nursing services, providing
additional support and services to
L to R Ken Clarke, Chris McGoff, James McGoff and Dylan Southern
Housing Concerns
in Burton Joyce
Continued from the front page…
By Gemma Allen
Karen Thrumpton lives on Millfield
Close in Burton Joyce which is
one of the proposed sites, she was
extremely concerned recently as on
the Tuesday of the Council meeting
there was a hedge on the Millfield
Site and when she returned the
hedge had gone and was replaced
with a fence. Her initial thought
was that this could be making way
for a build but Gedling Council
has confirmed that this is nothing
to do with them and is not making
way for any builds. Regardless of
this Karen does not welcome the
idea of having new housing in the
village, certainly not so close to
her home.
I wanted to find out what the
residents of Burton Joyce thought
of the proposals and if they would
welcome new housing into their
village. There were some people
who welcomed the idea of growth
but didn’t wish to comment, but
here are some of the other views I
came across…
Sue Riley, Burton Joyce
“The privacy of the surrounding
houses will be gone, and the
floods will probably get even
worse because the flood water
will have nowhere to go. Also, the
infrastructure of the village cannot
cope with any extra housing.”
John Riley, Burton Joyce
“We have some fantastic wildlife
here in the village and with more
houses there will be less wildlife,
we have badgers that often come
into our garden, we don’t want to
lose that. More houses will ruin
the ethos of this village.”
Lynne Chanin, Burton Joyce
“This village is big enough
as it is. The roads aren’t big
enough to cope with what’s here
already so having a new housing
development would just be
horrendous. I’m certainly not a fan
of the idea to build more houses.”
Please keep in mind that if you want to have your voice heard, you can share your opinion with Gedling
Borough Council by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0115 901 3971 .
Alternatively you can contact your local Parish Council, contact numbers can be found online
at www.burtonjoyceparishcouncil.org.uk.
A one thousand year old AngloSaxon remedy for eye infections
which originates from a manuscript
in the British Library has been
found to kill the modern-day
superbug MRSA in an unusual
research collaboration
at The University of
Nottingham.
Dr Christina Lee,
an Anglo-Saxon
expert from the
School of English
has enlisted the help
of microbiologists
from University’s
Centre for Biomolecular Sciences
to recreate a 10th century potion
for eye infections from Bald’s
Leechbook an Old English
leatherbound volume in the British
Library, to see if it really works as
an antibacterial remedy.
Early results on the ‘potion’, tested
in vitro at Nottingham and backed
up by mouse model tests at a
University in the United States, are,
the local health economy.
It will also offer specialist
dementia care with a dedicated
facility. Respite care will also be
available.
Whether it is long-term care,
respite care, convalescence or
simply a welcoming home-fromhome in which to reside, New Care
strives for excellence and seeks
to always provide the best levels
of care.
For further information on The
Grand, please call Dawn Collett on
0115 923 3056 or visit
www.newcarehomes.com.
in the words of the US collaborator,
“astonishing”. The solution has had
remarkable effects on Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) which is one of the most
antibiotic-resistant bugs costing
modern health services billions.
The team now has good, replicated
data showing that Bald’s eye salve
kills up to 90 per cent of MRSA
bacteria in ‘in vivo’ wound biopsies
from mouse models. They believe
the bactericidal effect of the recipe
is not due to a single ingredient
but the combination used and
brewing methods/container material
used. Further research is planned
to investigate how and why this
works.
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THE COUNTRY COTTAGE
HOTEL AND RESTAURANT
Beautifully Bespoke
On entering The Country
Cottage I was instantly taken
aback by its beauty and the
picturesque surroundings. It is
the most bespoke, welcoming
place to stay that I have ever
had the pleasure of coming
across.
With many of you planning
a spring or summer wedding,
The Country Cottage has
everything that you could
wish for. It’s the ideal place
to choose as a venue, the staff
will ensure that everything
goes smoothly and you won’t
need to venture anywhere else
- it’s all done for you. You
can enjoy every part of your
wedding here and the best part
is that it’s all available under
one roof.
The hotel is licensed to
hold weddings and civil
ceremonies so you can begin
and end your wedding day at
the hotel, leaving the minor
breakfast can always be taken
in the bridal suite.
Whether you prefer a large
scale wedding or more of an
intimate affair, both can be
details in the capable hands
catered for at The Country
of the experienced staff.
Cottage. There’s the option of
There are stunning bridal
having up to100 day guests,
honeymoon suites available,
or a more intimate number
each with a different character.
of around 36, with space
They truly are all beautiful,
for 200 during the evening
bespoke and like no other.
celebration.
Owners Julie and Andrew
Sturt, together with Linda, the
are more than enough rooms Wedding co-ordinator, are on
if your guests wish to stay the hand to ensure that you have
night. It also means that you
everything you need for your
can all enjoy
wedding day.
the morning
breakfast
together,
There are a number of spots
sharing your
for you to choose from as a
stories of the
back drop for your wedding
wedding in
photographs, whether that be a hotel that’s
the secluded courtyard or one more like a
of the stunning gardens. All
home from
areas are of a high standard
home. If the
and are lovingly maintained, happy couple
providing you with only the
desire more
best view for your big day.
privacy in
With 22 rooms in total there
the morning,
Garden Suite
If they can do something or
change anything to make
your life easier and create the
perfect wedding venue, you
can rest assured that they will
do their very best in order to
accommodate your wishes.
Call 0115 921 4721 or visit
www.thecountrycottagehotel.
co.uk to find out more.
Courtyard Suite
Outstanding
Dining
Pop in to The Country Cottage
to see for yourself how beautiful
the hotel is, or perhaps try out
the restaurant’s fantastic menu.
From a warm goats cheese tart
to a roasted pork loin and seared
scallops to a cumin duck breast,
the options are wonderful and
the results are outstanding.
Traditional afternoon teas are
served daily from 2.00 - 5.00
pm whilst Sunday Lunch is an
absolute must, catering
for large family groups or
smaller tables of two,
from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
Your Pull Out & Keep Guide
13
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How to spend your
Easter Holidays
Children’s
Easter Craft
Make an insect glider
16 April 2015 2pm – 4pm
Free – no need to book,
just drop in
Forest Town Library,
Mansfield NG19 0AA
01623 623395 foresttown.
[email protected]
Big Art MatEaster
10 April 2015
3.00pm – 4.30pm
Free – no need to book,
just drop in
Children’s Event - Make a
mobile in the quirky style
of famous artist Matisse
Forest Town Library,
Mansfield NG19 0AA
01623 623395
hether you are
planning a relaxing
Easter break or
looking for
something to keep
the kids entertained
during the holidays you will find
plenty of things to do in
Nottinghamshire.
Families will love the Cadbury’s
Easter Egg Trails at Clumber
Park, which take place
between 3rd and 6th April.
Explore the beautiful
parkland, which will be
full of the signs of spring,
as your little ones go in
search of chocolate treats.
Beautiful gardens and rolling
countryside surround Deene Park,
the Brudenell family home since
1514. The most famous of the
centre piece of the garden is the parterre
designed by David Hicks.
Opening hours
Garden & Tea Room: 12pm – 5pm (last
Brudenells was the 7th Earl of
Cardigan who led the Charge of the
Light Brigade during the Crimean
war in 1854.
This picturesque country house
is largely sixteenth-century
incorporating a medieval manor
with many fine collections of art,
furniture and porcelain displayed
in elegant rooms alongside family
keepsakes and mementoes. The
house is still lived in and the
service in the Tea Room 4:30pm). House:
2pm – 5pm Easter Sunday & Monday;
Sundays and Bank Holidays from May
to end of August; Wednesdays through
September. Last admissions 4pm
House & Gardens: Adults £9.00,
Concessions £8.00, Children (5-16yrs)
£5.00 under 5’s F.O.C
Gardens Only: Adults £6.00, Child (516) £3.00
weekend. Over the four days you will
be able to meet characters from the
past, such as kings, Roman centurions
or monks.
Continued on page...
Later in the month you
will be able to see the
new-born lambs and
other baby animals.
There is more holiday fun
at Bolsover Castle with the Easter
Adventure Quest,
which takes place over Easter
Footgolf is now open at
Oakmere Park Golf Club
Footgolf is probably one
of the fastest growing sports
in the Country.
Their motto is “The greatest
game ever invented…”
I’m not sure that is entirely
true when you’ve got the big
hitters of the likes of Cluedo,
Monopoly & tiddlywinks
however Footgolf is great fun
and for all members of the
family.
The game is played the same
way as golf, except players
use a football instead of a golf
ball, and the ball is kicked
rather than struck with a club,
working towards a 21-inch
“cup” in place of the usual
golf hole.
The player
who plays
the 9
or 18
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holes with the fewest shots wins.
Footgolf as a sport is played
on golf courses only.
The first shot has to
be played from the
tee box, and to
reach the hole,
bunkers,
trees, water
and hills
have to be
crossed or
avoided.
This
means a
powerful
shot is
useful, but
not decisive.
Reading the
course, a smart
approach and
accurate putting are
even more important.
The game is played with a
regulation Size 5 Football. Because
footballs travel less distance than
golf balls, Footgolf is played on
holes shorter than those used for
golf, Oakmeres course has holes
ranging from a par 3 of 48 yards to
a par 5 at 127 yards.
Paul Collinson of the UK
Footgolf Association has
observed that compared to golf,
Footgolf is quicker to play, more
accessible to players, and does
not require expensive equipment.
Oakmeres Footgolf course
has been rated as the best in
Nottinghamshire however new
courses are opening all the time.
It’s also currently taking over
as the must-do children’s party
destination with catering available
on site.
To book your tee off time phone
Oakmere on 0115 965 3545
rooms used by the family,
friends and house-guests.
Light lunches, cakes and
refreshments are served in
the Old Kitchen tea room;
ideal after a stroll through
the beautiful gardens full of
old fashioned roses, summer
perennials and bedding. The
Location: Off the A43 between Stamford
and Corby
Private Group visits available by
appointment
For further information or to book a
group visit go to:Info: www.deenepark.com or
Contact The Administrator on
01780 450278 or e-mail
[email protected]
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17
This Easter enjoy a great value Stay Play
and Explore a short break In Leicestershire.
It’s not too late to book a fun,
family break for just £129. This
package includes overnight
accommodation for the whole
family plus breakfast and free
use of the hotel’s pool and gym
facilities. You also receive tickets
to three exciting attractions from a
choice of five!
Staying on the Stay Play Explore
Family Fun package over Easter
you can be one of the first
visitors to see the new giraffe
family at Twycross Zoo or
Spring Festival at
Springhead Brewery
Join local award-winning craft
brewery Springhead in celebrating
their 25th anniversary, with a
fantastic weekend of fun for adults
and children alike!
The Spring Festival is free entry,
and takes place on the 3rd-5th of
April, at their brewery in Laneham,
near Retford, Notts.
The festival promises to be a
great weekend, with plenty of
entertainment lined up to keep
the whole family happy
this Easter. For the little ones,
there’s a free bouncy castle
throughout the weekend, and on
Saturday, circus skills and kids
entertainers will be performing
from 12pm.
For the adults, there is an
excellent selection of real ales
available, as well as top quality,
locally-sourced home-cooked
foods. In the evenings, enjoy live
music from INDIGO (classic
rock/indie) on the Friday,
BURLESQUE (70’s/80’s rock ‘n’
roll & pop classics) on Saturday,
and on Sunday, enjoy brewery
tours at a special festival
rate, with or without 2 hours
of unlimited Springhead
drinking (!), followed by
live jazz from BODGER’S
MATE, and to round up the
evening, Springhead’s popular
ELECTRIC JAM NIGHT –
not to be missed!
For more information on the
festival please call
01777 228090 or email
[email protected].
enjoy Easter activities,
including feeding the lambs
at Stonehurst Farm, Eggstreme
Easter at Twinlakes or
Grossology at the National
Space Centre.
Choose
three from
a selection
of five
attractions:
• Twinlakes Themepark;
• Twycross Zoo;
• National Space Centre;
• Stonehurst Family Farm;
• Conkers.
Standard packages are based
on 2 adults and 2 children for
one nights accommodation,
extra nights are available at a
discounted price and an extra child
ticket can be added to you package
for £20.
Booking couldn’t be easier,
please visit
www.stayplayexplore.co.uk
choose which hotel you’d like
to stay at and select your short
break package dates.
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18
Cadbury Easter Egg
Trails at Clumber Park
Continued from page...
Visit Ye Olde Bell and indulge in
the Chocoholics’ Afternoon Tea
which is a celebration of all things
chocolate. Ye Olde Bell, which
is in the pretty village of Barnby
Moor near Retford, is also hosting
an Easter Sunday luncheon giving
you the chance to spend time with
your loved ones while enjoying
delicious food.
Show your creative flair
by taking part in an
Easter bonnet competition
organised by Nottingham
hotel and restaurant
Hart’s.
Adults have the chance to win an
overnight stay at the luxury hotel
including a meal in the Park Bar,
while youngsters could get their
hands on a family pass to White
Post Farm, as well as a chocolate
prize. Tweet your pictures to @
HartsNottingham with the
#HartsEasterBonnet or
upload it to the Facebook
3rd – 6th April
2015, daily
11am - 4pm
Clumber Park
It’s almost that time of
the year again when
Cadbury teams up
with the National Trust
to offer families the
ultimate day out with
their popular Easter
Egg Trails.
page before 21st April. Also in the
city, Nottingham Contemporary
will be running a series of free
creative workshops.
Or why not make the most of
the long weekend by planning
a night out with dinner and
dancing? At Tom Brown’s
Brasserie, on the banks of the
River Trent, you you
can tuck into a threecourse meal and listen
to live music, while
The Riverbank will
be hosting a pop-up
party with live music
from funk and disco
star Dimitri from
Paris.
Bring Cadbury magic to your
family by joining in! Follow the
clues, answer
the questions and
complete the challenges to
find your way to a prize just for
you!
Clumber Park’s
Easter Eggs have
gone missing!
Come and help us solve the
mystery and find them during
the Easter Weekend and you’ll
be rewarded with a Cadbury
chocolate Egghead.
Trail cost is £3
Family Star
Party - Drop in
11 April 2015
11pm-1pm
Free
As part of BBC2’s Stargazing
LIVE event, we’re hosting
a drop in star party with
fun craft activities with an
astronomical theme.
Sutton in Ashfield Library,
NG17 1BP
01623 556296
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19
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20
E: [email protected] | Tel: 01159 314380
explorative mood and the
second you enter the main
room you just want to get
down there and start playing.
What’s great about The Lost
City is that when you initially
walk in you don’t have to rush
into playing, you can relax in
the brand new bar area which
overlooks the courses below
but is still in keeping with the
overall ‘Lost City’ theme. If
you’re waiting for a group of
friends it’s ideal because the
staff are incredibly friendly and
welcoming making your visit
even better.
The Lost City is situated in
the Cornerhouse and houses
two separate, 18 hole indoor
adventure golf courses – The
Sacred Skull Pass and The
Temple Trail!
Experience the challenge
of playing amid a thunder
and lightning storm on
our “carpeted” greens,
risking our venomous
talking snake, talking idols
and crumbling walls. Both
courses have been designed
to be wheelchair user friendly,
so all adventurers can play!
Plus, if you can keep a steady
nerve to the end and satisfy
our Sacred Skull or Temple
God - much Inca Gold will
come your way......
Whatever the weather,
The Lost City is open to all
from 10:30am – 11:00pm
weekdays and 10.00am
- 11.00pm on weekends.
It has quickly become a
hugely popular Nottingham
destination for families,
students, children’s birthday
parties and corporate events.
There is no need
to book if the group
size is 10 or less.
What a Transformation!
The Lost City is now
bigger and better
than ever before
with the brand new
bar area and a VIP
extension.
Since opening in
August 2013, the Inca
themed golf courses
have become
increasingly popular with
customers of all ages, from 3
years old to 103!
The past twelve months
have been spent working on
ways to maximise customer
experience and The Lost City
is now ready to
unveil its new
and glorious
event space
and licensed
bar, designed
exclusively by
London based
team, Cheeky Tiki.
It is now, more
than ever, the perfect
entertainment destination
for any special occasion or
ages and requirements, The
Lost City has something for
everyone!
For more information and all
the latest news and offers visit
www.lostcityadventuregolf.
com, like www.facebook.
com/lostcitynotts or follow @
lostcitynotts on Twitter.
gathering of friends, family,
customers and colleagues.
Special packages have also
been designed for birthday
The Perfect
Date Night
With refreshments available in
the new bar area overlooking
the courses, and party
packages available to suit all
parties, team building days,
off site meetings and staff
celebrations, all within the
Polynesian setting and
available in the VIP area.
Pop in and see for yourself how
great it all looks, you definitely
won’t be disappointed with the
transformation.
On entering into The Lost City
the scene is set right from the
word go, with a rainforest
hallway making different
sounds of tropical birds and
lots of colourful flowers and
trees that you know aren’t the
type that you would expect
to find in your back garden.
You instantly feel in a fun and
expense has been
spared when it
comes to setting
the scene. You are
certainly in for an
adventure around
every corner with a
humongous snake
and alligator being
brought to life
among the
carpeted
greens.
There are
talking
idols and
crumbling
walls, some
of which you
have to keep
an eye out for
as I can warn you,
they will make you jump!
You don’t have to be
playing golf to visit The
Lost City, pop in for
a drink and witness
the transformation for
yourself.
The Ideal
Setting
There are two 18-hole indoor
adventure golf courses to
choose from-The Sacred
Skull Pass and The Temple
Trail. The themes for both are
simply amazing, everything
has been thought of and no
This indoor adventure golf
entertainment isn’t just for
families, it’s the perfect place
for a date night. It’s chilled
out enough to relax and enjoy
each other’s company but
with a competitive edge your
21
place to begin a great night
out or even to make a day
of it, there’s so much to
do and don’t forget there
are two courses for you to
play on.
playful side comes
out which makes
the night incredibly
amusing! It’s not
like being forced
into uncomfortable
conversation during
dinner or at the opposite end
of the scale, having to sit
through silence as you watch
a movie. The crazy golf at the
Cornerhouse gives you the
perfect date night opportunity
to have a drink and a chat,
compete against each other
with a very light hearted but
highly amusing game and
then follow the evening on
with dinner at one of the many
surrounding eateries.
If you don’t fancy playing
one-on-one then bring your
friends along for a night of
couple’s competition, there’s
discount available for groups
of 10 or more and with more
people playing there can
only be more fun to be had.
The Lost City is in the centre of
Nottingham and is the ideal
Hen and
Stag Parties
Welcome
If you or someone you know
are trying to think of an
innovative way of hosting
a hen or stag party
then look no further than
The Lost City.
As well as group bookings
there are hen and stag
party packages available,
for just £9 per person you get
to play 18 holes and get a
drink thrown in too. It’s not the
generic way of doing things
but I can guarantee it will be
a lot of fun for either party, the
price is great and everyone
can get involved. Why not
spend an hour in the brand
new bar before you start
playing?
There are lots of offers
available on drinks with
enough space for you all to
gather around for a chat, or
perhaps a bit of pre-playing
competitive talk. It’s the
perfect way to start of your
party in style.
The Lost City Adventure Golf
The Cornerhouse, Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4DB
To contact The Lost City you can call 0115 985 9455
or to find out more you can visit
www.lostcityadventuregolf.com
Admission fo
r
the Temple T
rail or the
Sacred Skull
Pass
18 HOLES
A
d
ve
nturers £7
Students (Mo
nday, Tuesd
ay and Wed
Senior citize
nesday) £5
ns (includes
complimenta
ry
hot drink Mo
n-Fri) £6
Early bird (b
efore 12 noo
n) £5.50
36 HOLES
Adventurers
£12
Students (Mo
nday, Tuesd
ay and Wed
nesday)
£10 + A free
beer
Senior citize
ns (includes
complimenta
hot drink Mo
ry
n-Fri) £10
Early bird (b
efore 12 noo
n) £9
Dr and Mrs Waller
from Nottingham
“This is the first time we have been
here. We’ve played crazy golf at
the seaside but never anywhere
like here. It’s great fun especially
for just the two of us!”
Emma Gaymer and Kyle Harrison
from Leicester
“We have been here before it’s a
great place for a date night with
just the two of you. It’s relaxed,
you can have a laugh and there
are loads of places around to grab
something to eat as well.”
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23
The Enormous
Crocodile Craft
Activity
9 April 2015 | 11am-1pm | FREE
Come and hear
this famous Roald
Dahl story and
have a go at
making your own
crocodile model
and other crafts.
No need to book.
Worksop Library,
01909 535353
worksop.library@
nottscc.gov.uk
Family Fun at Nottingham
Contemporary
Easter Family Fun at Nottingham Contemporary
- 3rd - 19th April 2015 (closed 13th April)
During the school holidays youngsters will
be able to take part in creative activities
to explore identity – we’ll make 3D portraits
and all kinds of disguises. We’ll share stories
using photobooth pictures and a mountain of
“fortune sweets” with secret messages inside.
Easter Chocoholics’
Afternoon Tea
3rd - 6th April 2015
Enjoy this speciality
Afternoon Tea with a twist
over the Easter Weekend.
Served on fine vintage china,
a selection of dainty sandwiches,
homemade chocolate chip
cookies, rich squares of chocolate
cake, chocolate éclairs, mini
chocolate eggs and a frothy hot
chocolate
topped with
marshmallows.
Cost is
£16.50 per
person.
Call 01777
705121 to book
your table.
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E: [email protected] | Tel: 01159 313879
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Lincolnshire
Under Fives
Storytime
Lincoln is a historic city with a vibrant
and contemporary edge that adds an
exciting dimension to any visit
An ideal destination for
a city break, Lincoln
offers an experience
rich in history combined
with independent
boutique shopping,
great arts and culture and a
wealth of places to eat and
drink.
The city is easily walkable
for visitors with good
mobility - the main
shopping and tourist area
stretches from St Marks
Shopping centre in
the south up to the
Cathedral Quarter
- known locally as
‘Uphill’.
Steep Hill, voted
Britain’s Great Street
2012, connects ‘downhill’
and ‘uphill’ Lincoln.
Yes it is steep as its name
suggests, but well worth
the walk!
Lincoln Performing
Arts Centre, Lincoln
Drill Hall, Terry O’Toole
Theatre and The Collection
have come together to
present a fabulous festival
of arts events and activities
for children across Lincoln,
bringing together some
of the very best theatre,
workshops, films and music
available for children and
families.
‘If I Were the Easter
Bunny’
Join us at Play! for
an interactive and
engaging Storytime,
guaranteed to delight
the little ones. Come
down to The Collection,
every Thursday at
11:15am to take part.
This event is absolutely
free and suitable for
babies, toddlers and
small children.
The Collection, 11:15am,
FREE
Take a
look at our
fantastic
feature to see
what catches
your eye.
25
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27
Lincolnshire
Delightful puppet show
Suitable for ages
3-7.
but Douglas soon discovers that
there’s only one hug that will do –
Hugless Douglas wakes a big bear hug from his mum!
up one morning in need Blunderbus is proud to present
of a hug. He tries to this delightful new show featuring
music, puppetry and high energy
find the perfect
storytelling.
one, but none
of them seem Drill Hall, 2pm, adults
quite
right… £8 children £6
Creative clay
adults
workshop
£10 children
Saturday 11th April
For ages 8-16, The
Collection, 10am - 12pm, £4
Three Little Pigs, puppet
comedy show, LPAC, 3pm,
Traditional Seaside Fun
Skegness Pier is one of the
largest amusement centres in
Europe so if you are looking
for traditional family fun
then no visit to Skegness
is complete without a walk
through the Pier and out
onto its Decking. There is
something for all members of
the family. Youngsters can
enjoy the large children’s play
area known as Captain Kids
Adventure World which has
ball pools and big slides and
shooting cannons. There are
lots of the latest videos and
simulators to enjoy as well as
the latest fruit machines some
£8
The Ugly Duckling, puppet
show based on the famous
tale, Terry O’Toole
Theatre, 3pm, £6
Camel racing where you race your for details of the various events
that we offer throughout the Pier.
own camel against others. The
winners receive a voucher to spend
in our prize shop where we have
with £500 jackpots available in our Hollywood Diner there is a choice loads of prizes. You can collect
Casino area.
of delicious gourmet burgers
tickets from our many and varied
served on a wooden platter with
ticket machines with all sorts of
a mini basket of fries. The New
games on.
Bar area known as the Hollywood We have new machines each
bar has a very interesting display
year to keep up to date with the
of American memorabilia and has latest trends and innovations in
many special drinks offers to enjoy technology.
either inside the bowl or in our
We also have several catering
outside patio area.
outlets including a Coffee and Tea
All Laser Questers should be
lounge where we serve traditional
excited to see the arena with its
Afternoon Tea in china cups and
Skegness Pier now boasts a
many features and improvements. saucers. On our outer Pier Deck
refurbished Qubica AMF Bowling Fright nights are particularly
you can take a stroll to the end
Centre along with an updated
popular where monsters lurk
of the Pier and look across to
Laser Quest arena. The Piers
around inside the arena adding to
Hunstanton which is clearly visible
AMF Bowl has been given a
the thrill.
on occasions.
truly American theme and in its
For some extra fun why not try our Follow us on Facebook or Twitter
Classic
Rhythm
Lunchtime classical
music concert,
This fabulous group
present a special
family friendly concert
as part of our Eastival
Children’s Festival
celebrations. Helen
O’Connell, flute, Adrian
Sutcliffe keyboard,
Chris Brannick
percussion.
This concert is
organised by
the Lincolnshire
International Chamber
Music Festival
Drill Hall, 1:05pm, £7
Tuesday 7th April
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IF YOU’VE GOT A STORY
WHERE
YOU ARE
Mansfield
Shoppers will be glad to know
that the first two levels (1A and
1B) of Walkden Street multistorey car park in Mansfield will
reopen on Tuesday 7th April
following improvements.
The remaining levels 2A, 2B,
3A and 3B are expected to
reopen by 27th April.
The contractor, Makers of
Shenstone, Staffordshire, are
carrying out major structural
repairs, waterproofing,
redecoration and improved
lighting.
The number of car parking
spaces will be reduced from
433 to 370 to allow all spaces to
be the same width as standard
parent/child spaces and bays for
blue badge holders.
The improvements will make
the car park more familyfriendly and ideal for larger
vehicles.
Although the entrance and
exit will remain in the same
positions, the layout will be
changed to improve traffic flow
and new signs will be installed.
The Council’s Shopmobility
service is operating from the
Four Seasons multi-storey car
park while the work takes place.
The businesses under the car
park - B&M, Poundstretcher
and British Heart Foundation are open as normal.
[email protected]
National Show Attracts
Thousands
ore than 5,000
visitors attended
the Shire Horse
Society’s
National Show
– the largest
gathering of Shires in the world.
With almost 300 entries from
across the UK and Europe, the
event was held over two days
at Arena UK, Allington near
Grantham.
The King George V
Champion Challenge
Cup for the best
stallion in the show
was awarded to
Schumann’s Eregon, owned by Mr
Volker Schumann from Hattingen,
Germany. It was the first time that
a German stallion had taken the
top spot.
Woodhouse Calendar Girl,
shown by Mr Martin Fountain,
from Ashbourne, Derbyshire,
was awarded The Henry Young
Perpetual Memorial Cup as
champion mare in show.
The Shire Horse Society’s
event is believed to be one of the
oldest, almost continuous, horse
shows in the world, having been
held for the first time at the Royal
Agricultural Hall in Islington,
London, in 1880, when the charity
was named the English Cart Horse
Society.
The show is the flagship event of
the Shire Horse Society, the only
charity dedicated to the protection,
The Best of
UK Food
promotion and improvement of
the Shire horse. Since 1878 the
organisation has been working to
protect the breed, which was then
known as the Old English Breed of
Cart Horse.
As well as the show classes,
with horses shown in-hand,
ridden and in harness, the event
also featured a range of trade
and other stands, as well as a
food hall. For the first year the
Shire Horse Society welcomed
as a partner the Lazy Jacks
clothing company, who
provided brand new society
merchandise.
brands found in the city centre
which are on the list of the
top 25 performing brands in
Europe.
Nottingham city centre is home It is also reported that once
expansion plans are complete at
to 12 of the 15 eateries which
Bella Italia, which has an outlet
have made the UK
in Nottingham, it could join the
the best represented country
rankings, too.
on a list of the top 25 casual
The food and drink scene
dining brands in Europe,
in Nottingham city centre
confirming the Nottingham
has grown visibly in recent
Business Improvement
District’s (BID’s) assertion that years and this thriving sector
appears to be more lucrative
Nottingham is one of the best
centres for food and drink in the than ever.
If the performance of the
country.
whole UK food service sector,
According to recent research
which is currently valued at
by Horizons, Nando’s,
£46.6bn and is due to grow by
PizzaExpress, Frankie &
more than £10bn by the end of
Benny’s, Harvester, Prezzo,
Carluccio’s, Ask, Zizzi, Jamie’s 2019, is anything to go by, then
Nottingham is well-placed to
Italian, Wagamama, Chiquito
enjoy continued growth.
and TGI Friday’s are 13 UK
National Shoe Fitting Week
Don’t Be
Foolish
Care For Every Step
When does my child need its
first pair of shoes? This is the
first question most shoe fitters
are asked!
The simplest answer is, when the
child is walking most of the day by
itself and wants to walk outside.
At that time the child needs a pair
of shoes to protect its feet. This
can be between seven months and
two years. Never push your child
on to walk if it is not ready just
because your friend’s child has
been walking for months; your
child may have more important
things on their mind
Children’s feet grow erratically in
fits and starts during infancy and
feet can grow by a half size in a
matter of weeks. Having bought
the shoes it is advisable to have
them checked after eight weeks to
29
see if they still fit. Admittedly this
time in the child’s development
can be an expensive one!
Children’s feet are vulnerable – but
adult feet need care too! Most of us
suffer from rheumatism or arthritis
in our senior years, which affects
damaged or worn joints - causing
pain or even immobility. Badly
fitting shoes in childhood often
alter the way we walk, wearing
joints unnaturally.
SHOE FITTING
IS NOT JUST FOR
CHILDREN
Feet change size and shape
throughout our lifetime. Protect
your feet and get shoes fitted, it’s
simple, easy and could save you a
lot of pain.
Sadly the public do not
realise that footwear
is the only article of
clothing that can seriously
damage their health and
that it is foolish to buy
shoes without a fitting
service at any age. A
gauge is merely a starting
point in the fitting process
as shoes are not like tins
of baked beans, they are
all made differently and
will fit differently. A fitting
service does not cost any
more money. It is not
just basic problems like
corns, blisters, hammer
toes, etc. but ill fitting
footwear can affect our
entire physiology. If your
feet are uncomfortable
and hurt, then you adjust
your gait accordingly to
relieve from any pain - or
to keep a shoe on, this in
turn unnaturally ‘wears’
other joints and tendons,
so neck, back, hips, knees
etc. can all be affected.
30
VISIT US ONLINE
E: [email protected] | Tel: 01159 313879
www.nottsinfocus.co.uk
Derelict
Daybrook
Work to transform former
Daybrook public house, The Grove
into affordable housing starts this
week.
The site on Mansfield Road is
set to become 20 new homes in a
mixture of one and two bed flats
and a semi-detached property. The
council’s development partner
on this project is Nottingham
Community Housing Association
(NCHA).
In return for the council’s
contribution, Gedling residents
will receive first choice for
the new homes which will be
allocated through the council’s
housing lettings scheme when the
development is complete in the
summer of 2016.
This development is part of a
wider project to tackle some long
From left to right, Cllr Peter Barnes, Nottingham City Housing Association Bob White,
Cllr John Clarke (Leader of Gedling Borough Council)
standing empty sites across
the borough, which also includes
the former play area on
Dunstan Street in Netherfield and
a derelict pub on Cavendish Road,
Carlton.
These developments will attract
£5.6m investment, of which £1.2m
is part of the future programmes to
be procured with the Homes and
Communities Agency (HCA).
Coming Soon
Star Casting Announced!
Following a record-breaking
production of Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs last Christmas,
Nottingham Theatre Royal has
announced its star casting for the
forthcoming family pantomime,
Aladdin.
Leading the cast of this
year’s spectacular panto is
the nation’s favourite pantomime
Dame, Christopher Biggins,
in the role of Widow
Twankey. Christopher has
previously entertained
pantomime audiences in
Nottingham in Aladdin at the
Theatre Royal in 2006.
Pop sensation Simon Webbe
also makes his pantomime
debut in Nottingham in the title
role of Aladdin. Simon is best
known for being a member of
the chart-topping boy band Blue.
Between 2005 and 2009 the band
Refreshing
It’s Fleet
Leading Nottingham recycling
and resource management
company Wastecycle has adopted
an innovative approach to
refreshing its fleet, opting for
the remanufacture of some of its
vehicles rather than purchasing of
new ones, saving on replacement
costs and enabling it to recycle
older vehicles.
The company usually purchases a
proportion of new vehicles every
year to keep its 50 strong fleet up
to standard however the company’s
directors were keen to find an
alternative solution that was both
more cost effective and more
environmentally friendly too.
This forward-thinking strategy
is just the latest example of how
Wastecycle continually exemplifies
the environmentally friendly
service it provides to clients in its
own operations and demonstrates
just why the company has
recently been shortlisted for the
Renewable Technologies award at
the upcoming Chartered Institute
of Building (CIOB) Construction
Awards.
took a break, which saw
Simon launch his own solo
albums and singles as well as
writing songs.
Nottingham pantomime
stalwart and funny man Ben
Nickless returns for his third
consecutive pantomime at the
Theatre Royal. Ben’s talent
has seen him become a firm
favourite with Nottingham
audiences over the years and
this Christmas he will play
Aladdin’s brother Wishee
Washee.
Aladdin runs at the Theatre
Royal from Saturday 5th
December 2015 to Sunday 10th
January 2016. Tickets for this
unmissable Christmas show
start from as little as £15 along
with generous group discounts.
Tickets can be booked on
0115 989 5555 or online at
www.trch.co.uk.
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31
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33
Celebrate 25 Years Of The UK’s
Largest Outdoor Motorhome
Show At Peterborough!
Warners famous ‘Peterborough
Show’ returns to the East of
England Showground on 17-19
April 2015 for its 25th year at
the venue.
The National Motorhome Show
is not only the UK’s leading
outdoor motorhome event
but also the largest, with over
300 exhibitors bringing more
than 800 new and pre-owned
models. With the UK’s leading
dealers attending, you can
browse an unbeatable variety of
motorhomes featuring everything
from compact van conversions
and entry-level coachbuilts,
through to the most luxurious
coachbuilts, A-class ranges and
American RVs.
To celebrate 25 fantastic years
of show success, 25 campers
and day visitors will have the
chance to win 25 amazing
prizes! You could be in with
the chance of winning a week’s
break with Park Resorts, a new
motorhome awning, a new TV
and much more. All the prizes
are worth £200 or more and
have been kindly donated by
exhibitors at the show. For the
full list of prizes, visit www.
nationalmotorhomeshow.co.uk.
As always four nights of
entertainment is included in
your camping ticket price, but
for those looking for a little
extra, the hilarious Jim Davidson
will be headlining the main
Def Leppard and
Whitesnake Play
Capital Fm Arena Nottingham
entertainment
on Saturday
evening. He will be
joined by 70s favourites The
Rubettes and 60s pop and rock
group Vanity Fare. Camping
from Thursday to Monday is
£60 and from Friday to Monday
is £57. Entertainment tickets
can be purchased at the show,
costing £17 for adults and £9 for
children.
If you can’t camp at the Show,
you can still visit for the day.
Admission
rates are £8 for
adults and children
are FREE. FREE parking and
a FREE show guide will be
available to all show visitors.
The Show will open at 9.30am
and close at 5.00pm on Friday &
Saturday, 4.30pm on Sunday.
To find out more, visit www.
nationalmotorhomeshow.co.uk
For more information call us on
01778 391123 (Mon-Fri 9am5pm)
Rock icons Def Leppard and Whitesnake have
announced a joint headline UK & Irish arena
tour with support from Black Star Riders. They will
perform at the Capital FM Arena Nottingham on
13th December 2015.
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Wednesday
1st April are priced at £50.40 (includes
administration fee).
Tickets can be booked online at www.
capitalfmarena.com/online/DefLeppard,
via 0843 373 3000 or in person at Ticketing &
Customer Services, Bolero Square, The Lace
Market, Nottingham, NG1 1LA.
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CROSSWORD
(Answers in Issue 113)
ISSUE 111 CROSSWORD ANSWERS
ANSWERS ACROSS
1 Zebra 4 Peppers 9 Lava 10 Robot 11 Floret 12 Order 14 North 15 Shed 16 Tweezers 17 Grease 19 Chum 22 Seventy 24 Lid 26 Dance 27 Apple 29 Tangerine 32 Dolphin 35 Luggage 37 Emergency
39 Enemy 41 Crook 43 Doe 44 Emerald 47 Copy 48 Pellet 51 Adequate 52 Male 54 Vivid 55 Metre 56 Arable 57 Acute 58 Moor 59 Sausage 60 Misty
ANSWERS DOWN
1 Zilch 2 Boredom 3 Altitude 4 Parmesan 5 Property 6 Spring 7 Trance 8 Bottle 13 Dissolve 18 Sin 20 Hop 21 Penny 22 Setback 23 Egg 25 Dad 26 Delayed 28 Plug 30 Rum 31 Nor 33 Home
34 Flock 36 End 37 Elephant 38 Ear 40 Map 42 Ore 44 Et cetera 45 Excuse me 46 Lukewarm 47 Compass 48 Prince 49 Lodger 50 Thames 53 Lolly
35
1 Tumblers, mirrors
and specs (7)
5 Post-flight
exhaustion (3,3)
8 Artist’s paint board (7)
10 3-D square (4)
11 Buy-in from abroad (6)
12 Pong or whiff (5)
14 Speed on foot (3)
15 Enigmatic person (4,5)
16 Nibbles munchies (4)
17 Location (4)
19 Lisbon or Madrid (7)
22 Muscle spasm (5)
24 Decreases (7)
26 Sparrow or buzzard (4)
28 To steam iron (5)
29 Man’s purse (6)
31 Railway locomotive (6)
33 Moves along slowly (6)
35 Area of woodland (6)
38 River mammal (5)
39 Spool for thread (4)
40 Domestic help (7)
43 Sweeping line (5)
45 Little kids (7)
47 Rate of progress (4)
49 Small earring (4)
50 Kitchen towel (9)
53 Weeding tool (3)
54 Band’s trumpet
section (5)
55 Academic attainment (6)
56 Antlered animals (4)
57 Curly, kale or savoy (7)
58 Jaffa fruit (6)
59 Public speaking
stage (7)
1 Twanged instrument (6)
2 Postal worker’s bag (4)
3 Asparagus shoot (5)
4 Thaw before cooking (8)
5 Wood repairer (6)
6 Gambling advisor
at the races (7)
7 Be sacked (3,3,4)
9 A round trip (4)
13 Pickling onion (7)
15 Drug (4)
17 Plausible excuse (5)
18 Sour tasting (4)
20 Freshwater duck (4)
21 Of Man or Wight (4)
23 Fair to middling (7)
25 Hullabaloo (5)
27 Farmyard cock (7)
28 Assail with stones (4)
29 Dam in a stream (4)
30 In the vicinity (5)
32 A narrow escape (5-3-2)
34 Eroded rock (4)
35 Smelting oven (7)
36 The rear end (4)
37 Garlic bulb (5)
39 Coarse file (4)
41 Proof required to
indicate guilt (8)
42 Netting (4)
44 Old soldier (7)
46 Stick fast (6)
48 Social ritual (6)
51 Flat chunk of stone (4)
52 Request in a
restaurant (5)
54 Obnoxious child (4)
Urban Hotel Grantham
Goes All-Inclusive
The Urban Hotel Grantham has recently launched
all-inclusive breaks. This Midlands hotel, situated
off the A1 in Grantham, re-branded from a
Ramada Hotel last year and has since introduced
a range of new products and services aimed at
today’s business and leisure travellers.
Speaking to the Nottinghamshire in Focus, Natalie
Gratton from the Urban Hotel Grantham explains:
“Last year we launched a new conference package
which was fully all-inclusive and it has been
extremely popular, so we thought we’d extend
this to our weekend leisure guests too. We tested it
during January and have been overwhelmed with
the response, so have now extended it throughout
the year.”
The Urban Hotel all-inclusive break offers Dinner,
Bed and Breakfast plus all beers, house wines and
spirits and soft drinks. Guests can also make free
use of the leisure club and gym.
Those wishing to make an all-inclusive booking
can do so for only £99 per room per night at www.
urbanhotelgrantham.co.uk and use the promotion
code ALLIN.
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38
Ashfield Post 16 Centre:
Your Future Starts Here
Over the last few months, Ashfield
Post 16 Centre has been deluged
with applications from students
currently studying at other schools:
more than at any time previously.
Young adults very much vote
with their feet, so what is it about
Ashfield that is drawing students
into its Post 16 Centre?
In Year 11, as students prepare
to take exams, one of the biggest
decisions facing them is where
to study post 16 – in a school
sixth form or a college? Students
often opt for the bright lights and
‘freedom’ offered by a college,
whereas parents generally prefer
their children to stay within the
supportive confines of a school.
Where Ashfield steps into this
dilemma is…it offers students
(and their parents) the best of both
worlds.
The Post 16 Centre stands apart
from the main school in its own
grounds and is accessible to Post
16 students only. This, coupled
with the 600 students in Post 16,
means it looks and feels like a
small college. Add to the mix the
huge variety of subjects on offer
– not only A Levels, but an array
of vocational subjects taught by
industry specialists in purpose-built
salons and workshops – and hey
presto, a 6th Form becomes a mini
college.
But it’s not. What Ashfield Post
16 Centre has done is take the best
bits of a college, mixed in with
some of the best facilities in the
area, and then added that special
ingredient that so draws parents
to 6th Forms…fastidious support,
encouragement and care to ensure
that students are happy, on target
(and stay so) to achieve their
potential and reach their goals. In
the last Ofsted report, the Ashfield
Post 16 Tutor Team was described
as ‘outstanding’. And it is.
Not least, the school offers students
a first class education (99% pass
rate at A Level) in state-of-theart, purpose-built facilities that
cannot be equalled by any school
in the area. The social life is to be
admired. The atmosphere is happy,
yet focused. Students know they
are expected to work hard and in
return, they will receive whatever
support they need to achieve their
potential and succeed. With this
combination, it’s not difficult to see
why the applications are still rolling
in for September.
Ashfield Post 16 Centre: your
future really does start here!
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Published by Nottinghamshire in Focus Limited, 53a Main Street, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5ED. Printed by Mortons Print Limited
All content is copyright of Nottinghamshire In Focus © 2015