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UPDATED Wednesday 30th April 2008.
SOCIAL
CLUB FUTURE THROWN INTO DOUBT AGAIN
The future of Sun Valley Leisure Centre and
Social Club is under major threat once again. Another planning
application has been put forward for the site on Green Lane in
Clifton. An initial application was submitted to
Nottingham City Council late last year but this was withdrawn
for minor amendments to be made.
Your Clifton Local News understands that plans are being made
for new retail premises on
the site - possibly a supermarket.
Area Manager for Sun Valley, Steve Race, told The Local News:
“Customers here at the club are already sending in their
objections. We have some very loyal customers who would be very
disappointed to lose this facility.”
One of those customers is June Robinson and she emailed us to
say: “I was sorry to hear that Sun Valley is closing down. My
husband and I recently rejoined after a few years and have
enjoyed smoke free and enjoyable Saturday evenings. We are very
disappointed by the news.”
Councillor for Clifton South, Ian Malcolm, said: “I can
understand there will be some frustrations at losing this
facility, but on the other hand people in Clifton have expressed
a desire for more retail choice.”
The new plans include room for 63 car spaces and 12 cycle
spaces. The shop frontage and entrance will look out onto Green
Lane. Comments and objections on the plans can be submitted by
logging onto the planning section of the City Council website at
nottinghamcity.gov.uk/planning. The Planning Reference
Number for the application is 08/01065/POUT
LARK HILL VILLAGE ON SCHEDULE
More than 150 people will be recruited to work in the £49million
Lark Hill Retirement Village which opens in Clifton next year.
Close on 460 local residents over the age of 60 will be housed
in the village, which will be made up of 327 apartments and
bungalows and will include health and leisure facilities. This
will include a gym, shop, greenhouse, arts and crafts centre, IT
suite, restaurant and bar. Development is making good progress
and is expected to be completed on time.
Village Manager, Ian Finnie, told The Local News: “I can now
visualise how it’s going to look. Before it was just a building
site and now it is starting to look like a village. The views
from each property will be spectacular and the village itself is
going to be a commanding and extremely impressive site from
whichever way it’s viewed.”
Appeal Fund Manager, Louise Hadley, added: “£300,000 of the
£500,000 required to provide health and leisure facilities in
the village has now been raised. The Appeal Patrons are planning
to launch the Freeman Concept in May/June time. This will result
in people who make a four figure donation becoming a Freeman and
receiving a signed parchment from the Honorary President, the
Duchess of Rutland, and the Appeal President, Mich Stevenson
OBE. The donors names will appear on a Roll of Honour Board
which will hang in the Freemans Lounge in the Village Centre.
“Other plans include a Golf Challenge Day, an unwanted gift
auction and a number of soirees once the show bungalows are
open.”
People interested in registering for a place in the village can
phone 0870 777 4800.
TRAM
DEBATE RAGES ON IN CLIFTON
Despite there being no official confirmation that Nottingham’s
tram system will be extended to Clifton and Silverdale, this
hasn’t stopped local people continuing the raging debate which
has caused so much controversy. After our March edition revealed
campaigners were still planning to fight any extension, your
Local News has been inundated with letters and emails. Here’s a
selection…
George Painter emailed to say: “I see the Compton Acres
anti-tram brigade are making a last minute desperate attempt to
stop the inevitable tram being built next to their back-yards.
At the inquiry they claimed the trams would fall down Clifton
Mine Shaft and get washed away in the floods. The trams are 99%
reliable and TrentBarton tried to compete with Line One but gave
up.”
Chantelle said: “I read that the anti-tram group from Wilford
admitted that their opposition to the tram line to Clifton is
pure snobbery. The toffs living along the route in Compton Acres
do not want us working class folk to travel past their miserable
houses. I have three kids who have different fathers and all of
them live in Wilford - so the kids will get to see their fathers
every weekend.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Skie added: “The Clifton route will have
enough stations to cover half of the estate within walking
distance. It's long overdue to give public transport a big boost
to the Clifton area - bring on the trams.”
SCHOOL TRAVEL SITUATION DISCUSSED
The travel situation for youngsters in Clifton who attend Harry
Carlton School in East Leake has been made clearer following a
crisis meeting last month. Nottingham City Transport recently
doubled some fares on school routes without prior notice to
parents or pupils.
A meeting took place between NCT, School Governors,
representatives from Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County
Local Authorities, plus a representative from the school parents
body, to discuss future transport arrangements from Clifton and
Gotham to the school. The main points from the meeting were...
Current child fares between Clifton and the school will continue
to be held until Whitsun half-term begins on Thursday 22nd May.
- From Monday 2nd June until the end of term, the cash child
return fare between Clifton and the school will increase to £3.
- From Monday 2nd June until Friday 18th July, NCT has agreed to
limit the increase in the child return fare to and from school
using a Fare Card to 20p taking the new fare to £2 child return.
- From the start of the new academic year in September 2008 the
child return fare between Clifton and Harry Carlton School using
a Fare Card will increase by a further 40p to £2.40.
- NCT also confirmed that Service 1 for the new academic year
starting in September 2008 will continue to provide the capacity
to carry students from the Clifton area to Harry Carlton School.
Chair of Governors, Stuart Nobles, said: “We are delighted with
this outcome and believe this will ensure parents have time to
plan future travel arrangements for their children next year.”
WHITEGATE PUPILS PLANTING IN CLIFTON
Children from Whitegate School have been
helping brighten up Clifton by planting boarder flowers at
Haworth Court. The children were asked by Nottingham City Homes
to plant blubs at the sheltered housing complex.
Head Teacher at Whitegate School, Steve Farr, told The Local
News: “As a school we are heavily involved in protecting the
environment. Even though we’re in the middle of Clifton we’ve
got tremendous grounds to work with. We have a Gardening Club at
the school and many of our students are keen participants in
this group.
“We’ve even grown our own vegetables and potatoes for use at the
school. Our cook has used these for meals and then served them
up in the Dining Hall. It’s a great way to help the environment
and the children have fun at the same time.
“We were invited by Nottingham City Homes to plant some bulbs at
Haworth Court. I am very keen for the children to work with the
local community. It’s great they can help the elderly and put a
bit back into Clifton.
“We are always keen to work with the people of Clifton. Another
project we keenly worked on involved Nobel Road when we worked
with the residents in the area.”
CLIFTON FESTIVAL BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR
The annual Clifton Music & Flower
Festival will run this year between Thursday 3rd and Saturday
5th July. Performances take place at St Mary’s Church in Clifton
Village each evening from 7.30pm.
Thursday 3rd July: Northern Saxophone Quartet
Friday 4th July: New Orleans Heat
Saturday 5th July: The Newstead Abbey Singers
Tickets are priced at £10 per performance or £25 for all three
and includes interval refreshments. On Sunday 6th July there
will be a Choral Festive Service beginning at 10.45am. Flower
arrangements can be viewed on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm.
For more details about the weekend contact Lynne Smith on 0115
921 6604 or Clare Ashton on 0115 921 3937.
FLOWER
FESTIVAL IN THRUMPTON
Thrumpton’s Flower Festival takes place on Saturday 14th and
Sunday 15th June from 1-5pm. The flower displays will be on show
in All Saints Church and the Village Gardens will also be open.
There’s a Scarecrow Trail, Ploughman Lunches and special teas.
On the Saturday there will be stalls and live music on offer and
on Sunday a special Songs of Praise at 6pm in the church. The
Nave of church is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
NEW
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION OFFICER FOR CLIFTON
Clifton has a new Neighbourhood Action officer following the
arrival of Elaine Stenson. She will work with Don Bulmer and
Dawn Simpson, with Don covering south Clifton and Elaine and
Dawn working in the north.
Elaine told The Local News: “I work for Nottingham City Council
as a Neighbourhood Action officer, part of the neighbourhood
management team based at the Clifton Cornerstone. I joined the
team in March which was the city’s big spring clean month. This
provided me with the ideal opportunity to work with members of
the community, Streetscene, and other relevant officers on
environmental clean-ups in their neighbourhoods, which have
proved very successful.
“As well as tackling areas in need of environmental
improvements, the events are an ideal way to build on community
spirit and to enable residents to take pride and responsibility
of their neighbourhoods. What’s next you may ask? “We have
secured some funding to improve and revitalise some of the parks
in Clifton. I will be focusing on developing the Sunninghill
Drive Park, and would welcome local people and families to be
involved in developing the area. So please get in touch if you
are interested. I am really looking forward to working with the
people of Clifton, Silverdale and Wilford.
“My role is to provide opportunities for the local community to
get involved and influence decision making that helps to deliver
the services that are important to you, your community and your
neighbourhood. I will be working together with residents, the
police, housing, Streetscene and a range of other service
providers to address local concerns and ideas.
“I would welcome attending local events in the north of Clifton,
Silverdale or Wilford, so please give me a call if I can be of
any help to you.”
Elaine can be contacted by calling 0115 878 6245.
SHORT MAT
BOWLS
Short Mat Indoor Bowls takes place at Highbank Community Centre
on Farnborough Road throughout the week.
Sunday: 2.30-4.30pm
Tuesday: 10-12noon & 2-4pm
Friday: 10-12noon
All equipment is provided and for more information telephone Ken
on 0115 921 2962.
IT’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL TIME
Do you like 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll music? Can
you play either the guitar, drums or bass? Karl, in his 60’s
from Clifton, seeks similar minded people to form the ‘Clifton
Comets’. Enthusiasm more important than any band experience.
Call 0115 974 5182.
STUDENT PICTURES INSPIRE THE CITY
Back in November of last year, One
Nottingham asked a student from South Nottingham College to
photograph positive news stories around the area and the
difference the Partnership is making to people’s lives. One
Nottingham is a local strategic partnership, bringing together
the public, private, community and voluntary sectors, so that
everyone living or working in the city has the chance to have
their say about its future. The photographs were taken by Toby
Neal, a student on the Higher National Diploma in photography at
South Nottingham College.
They show the people behind the statistics. The 28% reduction in
crime, 100 neighbourhood wardens on the streets of Nottingham,
and the best ever GCSE results are all well known good news
stories.
The exhibition and book, One Nottingham – Two Years 2005-07,
marks a milestone in the continuing efforts of One Nottingham to
improve the lives of individuals and their communities within
Nottingham. The project has proved to be such a positive success
and inspiration in Nottingham that the exhibition will now be
extended to other venues across the city.
Andrew Balchin, Chief Executive of One Nottingham said: “This is
an exciting collaboration between One Nottingham and South
Nottingham College. It is about showcasing the good work
happening across the city and getting the message out to as many
people as possible.”
Sharon Townes, Head of School for Visual Arts and Digital Media
at South Nottingham College, added: “Our Photography Department
has a history of outstanding student achievements and they are
regular winners of prestigious prizes in national competitions.
We are thrilled to be able to present this exhibition to the
public and work with One Nottingham to continue to improve the
opportunities and daily experiences of individuals in Nottingham
from Clifton to Top Valley.”
The exhibition is to be staged at South Nottingham College’s
Charnwood Centre in Clifton until Friday 9th May. If you don’t
get chance to visit, the photographs and accompanying
publication can be viewed online at
onenottingham.org.uk or
www.snc.ac.uk
MORE FOOTY FEVER FUN IN CLIFTON
Children from around Clifton and beyond
enjoyed some special football coaching in the recent Easter
holiday. Local resident John McNicholas set up Footy Fever to
give youngsters a chance to play the game they love so much.
John told The Local News: “We had 33 children attend our first
week Easter course and 37 on the second week. Both weeks were
packed with loads of fun, laughter and football. Each day
started off with warm-up games like football tennis, football
rounders and the kids favourite football cricket.
“The rest of the morning would then involve the kids learning
different skills with our fantastic training drills. All our
drills are integrated with passing, shooting, tackling and
movement techniques. Then it’s lunch followed by a football
tournament when the kids have the opportunity to win prizes.
“Each day medals and certificates were given out, but at the end
of the week all kids went home with a Footy Fever Easter Egg or
medal for attending. It was fantastic to have so many happy kids
attend and we at Footy Fever would like to thank all the parents
and kids for their support.
“We are now starting two new after-school courses in Clifton at
Milford Primary School and Glapton Primary School, with current
courses running in Dovecote and Whitegate.”
For details call 0115 846 1692 or visit
footy-fever.co.uk
CLIFTON YOUNGSTERS CELEBRATE CUP SUCCESS
CLIFTON UNDER 11 BLUE 2-2 HUCKNALL REDS
(CLIFTON WIN ON PENALTIES) NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FA UNDER 11 SHIELD
FINAL
By Neil Frazer
It’s been a fantastic season for Clifton Under 11’s. This Cup
Final success was followed by confirmation of the Division One
Championship - the only disappointment was defeat in the YEL Cup
Final sandwiched in-between. After an enthralling 90 minutes and
with Hucknall having the lions share of the game, it was still
even stevens at 1-1. The first period extra time saw no change.
However early in the second period Clifton got what looked to be
the clincher, 2-1 to the Whites. However, with just two minutes
to play the Reds piled on the pressure and made it 2-2.
Then came dreaded penalties. Clifton missed the first and hearts
sank as Hucknall scored their first. With Hucknall skying two
shortly after, the ground erupted to chants of ”Champions.”
Clifton had won 4-2 on penalties. With a great crowd and tears
from the Clifton Chairman, this was a truly proud moment for
Clifton FC. Both teams, the officials and the facilities were a
great credit to Nottinghamshire junior football.
CHARITY CYCLE APPEAL
Clifton Football club is seeking sponsors
for a charity cycle ride to transform facilities at its ground.
The football club are backing on their leg power to cycle 79
miles from Skegness to their clubhouse in July.So far players,
their families and club members and volunteers have held race
nights and discos to help raise their £50,000 contribution
towards the £1.75million scheme.
Club chairman Mark Woodford said: “We've managed to collect
around £15,000 and desperately need help to raise even more.
Since the club opened 16,000 kids have come through the door and
we need the money to continue to help our youngsters. Our
changing rooms were built in the 1970’s and they need to be
updated to cater separately for male and female teams.”
The project is being jointly funded through the European
Regional Development Fund and the Football Foundation. The goal
is to raise the standard of the facilities to meet FA
guidelines. The club is also planning to extend its work across
the community and allow schools to use its facilities.
Clifton FC has four girls' teams, one ladies' team, 13 junior
boys' squads and three adult men's teams. Former players include
England and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas and Norwich
striker Darren Huckerby.
Donations by cheque should be made payable to Clifton FC and
sent to: Clifton All Whites Football Club, c/o 516 Farnborough
Road, Clifton, Nottingham. NG11 9DF.
ADVICE ON COLD CALLERS
The tactics used by some telephone cold
callers can sometimes leave you bewildered or pressured into
buying things you neither want or need, but there are ways to
get the upper hand. Consumer Direct East Midlands are offering
free advice on how to handle these phone calls.
Sara Barry, Manager for Consumer Direct East Midlands said:
“Cold calling isn't against the law, but callers can sometimes
ring at the most inconvenient times and if you're caught out you
can agree to things you later regret. The good news is that you
often have cancellation rights so it's worth checking where you
stand.”
Here are some of their top tips...
- Be wary of agreeing to contracts over the phone. If you are
interested in the offer, ask for details to be sent to you to
consider in your own time.
- If you don't know who you're dealing with, never divulge any
financial or personal details.
- If you do agree to a contract, make sure you keep a record of
who you are dealing with and how to get hold of them. Ask for a
name, phone number, address and written confirmation.
- If you agree to a contract you later regret, you will
generally have seven days after you receive written confirmation
to cancel. If you don't receive this confirmation in writing,
you may have up to three months. For more details call 08454 04
05 06 or visit
consumerdirect.gov.uk
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMES TO NOTTINGHAM
Global garden maintenance phenomenon, Jim’s
Mowing, has arrived in Nottingham. Keith Long is the man who
brings this iconic Australian-originated franchise to the
region. Like its tagline suggests, Jim’s Mowing does ‘more than
just mowing’, offering the full range of garden maintenance
services, which include hedge trimming, pruning, gardening,
clean-ups, rubbish removal and other odd jobs.
Jim’s Mowing has all the equipment necessary for a multitude of
gardening tasks. Keith, formerly a
warehouse and distribution manager, is relishing his opportunity
to work outdoors and to develop some lasting relationships with
his clients.
Keith told The Local News: “Many people just don’t have the time
to maintain their gardens to the high standards they like to
enjoy. They need to be able to rely on a professional and
reliable service backed up by the quality assurance a global
company like Jim’s Mowing can offer.”
From a one-off lawn mowing to regular mowing, lawn treatments,
garden clean-ups, hedge trimming and tree pruning (up to four
metres) - Keith can carry out any of these gardening jobs for
you.
Residents won’t be able to miss Keith’s Jim’s Mowing vehicle out
and about on the streets of Clifton and Silverdale. Anyone
wishing to ask Keith for a quote or to learn more about Jim’s
Mowing can visit
jimsmowing.co.uk or call 01949 829 364. The first 20 people
to have work carried out by Keith will receive a 10% discount on
the completion of the work.
PERCURRA CARE SERVICES
Simple enough social activities can be
difficult, if not impossible, tasks for the housebound, elderly
or infirm. PerCurra, Nottingham’s latest care agency, is one of
the first of its kind in the country to offer support and
practical assistance for a wide range of social as well as
personal needs. One of the problems facing the elderly or
housebound is a loss of independence for whatever reason. This
means that many of the things we take for granted become very
difficult for people without outside assistance. Matters like
gardening, shopping or even attending family events are often
seen as impossible tasks. But PerCurra can help with these, and
in doing so they aim to restore a feeling of normality for their
clients and lessen their sense of isolation. To arrange a no
obligation meeting in your own home with a Care Manager call
0844 544 7780.
Companionship at the Cricket
PerCurra have arranged, as part of their companionship services,
a day at the Test Match at Trent Bridge on Thursday 5th June.
Treat yourself, one of your friends, or relatives to a fantastic
day. For more details please call 0844 544 7780.
EQUITY RELEASE CREATES FREEDOM IN LATER
YEARS
Releasing equity from your home may sound
like a good idea but may also appear to present some risks in
the present turbulent property market, but one couple from
Nottinghamshire has gone ahead and done just that. Mr and Mrs
McCormick have sold their home of 25 years to release funds
which will enable them to have more freedom in their later years
to move wherever they like and live a more convenient and
comfortable lifestyle.
Although the couple did not have any urgent need to sell their
house quickly due to debts or worries over repossession, they
did not want to sell privately through an estate agent, where
they would have little or no control over prospective buyers. So
they decided to contact a number of ‘sell and rent back’
companies. Many unscrupulous sell and rent back companies have
been offering equity release schemes for the elderly and, in
some cases, have bought their homes for 25-30% below the market
value to rent the property back.
The couple were turned away by a number of these shark companies
because they wanted to hang onto as much equity in their home as
possible. They eventually approached The Property Buyers, a well
respected national sell and rent back company. The Property
Buyers bought the McCormicks’ home for less than its market
value and then rented it back to them at a low rate. Having
sought advice on this method of cash release, the couple are
happy with the decision they made, and are looking forward to
moving to their next property without any of the usual added
complications attached with selling your home.
Mrs McCormick said: “We didn’t have any family to leave our
property to and so we felt this was the best way for us to sell
our home. We found The Property Buyers very helpful and honest
during the sale process. Now the world’s our oyster and we can
move as soon as we find our next home! We’re even thinking of
looking for a home in Scotland or Ireland.”
Baggy Tiwana, Managing Director of The Property Buyers, added:
“Mr and Mrs McCormick’s situation is fairly unique and we don’t
advise that this way of selling a property quickly necessarily
suits everyone. It’s important to take sound professional advice
from a reputable company like ours before committing yourself to
anything.”
For more information and to contact The Property Buyers please
call 0800 012 2335
ITALY - THE COUNTRY OF FOOD
By Travel
Whispers
"Frozen potatoes! Has Delia gone mad?” I sat
open-mouthed as I watched frozen mash being produced. I squirmed
at the mention of tinned mince, cried at the pre-chopped carrots
and swede! Now it seems Delia Smith, doyenne of the British
kitchen, has come out of retirement with a new book - a "Cheat's
Guide" to cooking. Sacrilegious with its references to frozen
mash and tinned mince, but this was Delia, so any doubts could
be laid aside. Or could they? Alas for Delia, something had
changed since her last foray into our kitchens. I needed
therapy...
Therapy came from a conversation with a foody friend of mine who
encouraged me to look up the Slow Food Movement (SFM). The SFM
is a non-profit organisation founded in 1989 to counteract fast
food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions
and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it
comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the
rest of the world.
They have over 80,000 (well 80,001 now actually) members all
over the world. Where else could such a thing happen but in
Northern Italy. In Piedmonte to be precise, known as the
gastronomic king of Italy - it’s a region where food comes
first. There’s a whole host of specialities in an area which
boasts centuries’ old culinary traditions and also outstanding
top quality local produce and raw materials.
This refined gastronomic panorama is complemented by the
region's focus on the quality of life. There’s truly picturesque
places which offer not only good food and wine but also many
tourist and cultural points of interest. The wines of Piedmont
need no introduction: Barolo and Barbaresco are the kings of a
court thronged by whites and reds.
For those of you, like me, who think that Delia might have sold
out and are in need of food therapy, look no further than
Piedmonte. The name literally means “at the foot of the
mountains” which definitely gives something away about its
location. Bordering Switzerland on the north and France on the
west, it is basically surrounded by the Alps and Apennines, a
paradise for lovers of good food, wine and culture. Best visited
in September and when combined with the beautiful Italian Lakes,
the majestic Dolomites, the stunning and romantic cities of
Venice and Verona, there’s surely no better way to feel better
about life.
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