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UPDATED
Wednesday 30th April 2008.
RETAIL
OUTLET DETAILS ANNOUNCED
After months of rumours and mutterings,
details of the first confirmed retail outlets at the Giltbrook
Retail Park have been announced by British Land.
For a long time
the cranes and machinery have dominated the skylines of
Kimberley, Eastwood and Glitbrook and now finally the Local News
can reveal which applications were accepted. British Home Stores
Homeware section, Barker and Stonehouse, Laura Ashley Home
Furnishings, CSL Home Suites, Mamas and Papas, ScS and Comet
will all trade from the estate near IKEA.
It had been suggested Pets At Home have had an application
accepted, but the Local News understands (at time of going to
print) this has run into problems as local Councillors are
concerned about the effect it would have on current local pet
shops. Also it had been rumoured Argos would occupy one of the
buildings but again, this has been unconfirmed and there are
said to be problems with the application. Also trading from the
vast site will be fast food franchise Subway, as well as
restaurant Frankie and Benny’s and coffee shop Starbucks.
Definitely not occupying outlets are Peacocks and Woolworths.
This is believed to be because of impact on local trade (both
have existing stores in Eastwood
One issue that is being discussed more than others is the
transport links to the new estate. Recently an IKEA sale really
tested the local road network and ground the A610 bypass to a
halt. That is with the current IKEA store and two other smaller
stores (Next and Decathlon). Many people believe having an extra
10-15 outlets will create similar traffic problems on a more
regular basis. Over £400,000 is being invested on a new entrance
from the A610 but details of this are still being discussed and
it is unlikely it will be complete before the stores begin to
open in October. A lot of the issues will be resolved if people
can get into the new car parks without delay and there has been
an application submitted for more car park spaces than the
current 2350. Roy Plumb, Chairman of Kimberley town Council is
concerned companies my wait until it is too late before making
improvements to the roads.
He told The Local News: “What we are concerned about is the
possibility of the Retail units opening and then the County
Council having to react and resolve the issue themselves.”
As reported in last months Local News, there will be a bus
service operating from the retail park linking it with Tesco
Ilkeston and the Phoenix Park tram stop. This is likely to be
sat in the traffic though at weekends although it is hoped it
will prove very popular and help ease the congestion.
Kimberley Town Councillor, Steve Brunt, added: “We are hoping to
attract some of the people using the outlets to visit our town
whilst they are here by putting up signs and making Kimberley
more attractive.”
The first outlets are likely to begin fitting their units out
from August.
EASTWOOD CARE HOME TO CLOSE
Despite several campaigns and heated debate, the Beauvale Court
Residential Home in Eastwood has announced it will close.
Campaigners had asked for the council to delay the decision for
a period of three months, whilst they made plans to re house the
existing residents. However the council has decided there will
be ample time for people to make alternative arrangements as the
home will not close until as late as 2011. The authority
announced the decision to go ahead with their plans after a
meeting on Thursday 10th April, which was said to have been very
intense as both parties argued their points with the campaigners
using a solicitor to help argue their debate. In total
£19million will be spent building ExtraCare villages to enable
over-55s to live more independently with 24-hour care, but it is
thought the disruption to people will be substantial and could
cause a lot of stress to existing residents. It is thought the
plans could see tenants able to buy the lease.
EASTWOOD
TOWN WIN THE CUP AND MAKE THE PLAY-OFFS
For the first time since entering the Unibond league set-up in
1987, Eastwood Town won the Unibond League cup. Three first-half
headed goals were enough to lead the Badgers to victory in the
final over
Skelmersdale United.
Captain Craig Swinscoe lead by example,
scoring two of the goals, with Anthony Howell getting the other.
Eastwood have also made the play-offs thanks to a 3-1 win at
Leek Townlast month. The defeat condemned Leek to relegation but
that wont matter to Paul Cox’s men who now go on to push for
promotion, via the end of season play-offs.
Eastwood now look forward to defending their Notts Senior Cup
trophy against Ollerton Town. The final will be played at Meadow
Lane on Wednesday 7th May. Victory would not only be a massive
achievement to defend their cup, but Eastwood will have done it
the hard way, having not played a single home tie throughout the
entire competition.
Speaking to the Local News, Chief Executive Paddy Farrell said:
“Not only have we had to play all our ties away but some have
been against teams who play at grounds with no floodlights. This
means sometimes trying to schedule games at times which
interfere with our league commitments. The fact 72% of our cup
ties in the competition have been away seems to suggest
competition organisers favour the smaller clubs we still take
great pride in our success in the competition.”
INTERNAL REVAMP FOR CHURCH
Work has finally been completed at the catholic church ‘Our lady
of good counsel’ in Hilltop. Renovation work was undertaken as
Fr John Berry had reported leakages in the church and so work
begun on
strengthening the ceiling and redecoration of the entire
building.
Speaking to the Local News, Father Berry said: “The new
insulation has done wonders for the heating and acoustics of the
place. The choir have found their voice carries better and now
that we don’t lose
so much heat from the ceiling we can keep everybody warmer.”
There has also been a new altar installed for the first time
since the church was built in 1897. There was a Service of
Rededication for the new altar, attended by other priests from
around the diocese and also many members of other local
churches. In total the work done to the inside of the church
took a little over three months to complete. During this time
the congregation had to attend mass in the “social centre” at
the side of the church.
WORK GATHERS PACE IN KIMBERLEY
The colourful Kimberley initiative has
continued making a big difference throughout the town this
month. Beginning as an idea by Kimberley Town Councillor, Steve
Brunt, the work has continued to bring colour and life to the
whole of Kimberley. The project especially focuses on the
precinct, Nottingham Road and the memorial near Sainsbury's.
Since its launch in September 2007 Steve, along with fellow
councillor Shane Easom have tidied up areas and planted colour
into places that needed brightening up. Speaking to the Local
News, Cllr Brunt, said “It’s the little things that make a big
difference and the work we are doing will help to give a lot of
shops a lighter and more approachable feel. We do this work for
free but the difference we are making is reward enough”.
Kimberley Town Council Chairman, Roy Plumb, added: “The
fantastic work will improve the environment and give Kimberley a
much wanted brighter appearance.”
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GROUP LAUNCHES IN EASTWOOD
Broxtowe Women’s Project is a
Women’s Aid organisation offering outreach support to women
experiencing domestic violence, primarily operating in the North
of Broxtowe and Stapleford area. Their information and awareness
raising extends across the whole of the borough. The work
assists to reduce isolation, empower and equip women with
knowledge and skills and ensure that vulnerable women
have access to a wider range of resources.
Research reflects that women supported by women's aid
organisations have increased confidence. They have made
life-changing decisions through being able to talk through what
is happening in their lives. Broxtowe Women’s Project is
delighted to be able to offer to women who live in the Broxtowe
Borough the opportunity to attend an eight week free domestic
violence programme which aims to raise women’s awareness of
domestic violence, improve self-confidence and encourage women
not to self blame for the abuse experienced. The course began in
April and continues until Thursday 17th July. It will be held in
the Eastwood area every Thursday morning.
Transport can be provided to women from other areas in the
borough. Childcare is also offered to enable women with young
children to access the programme. If you are interested in
joining the group please call the agency phone line on 01773 718
555.
At Broxtowe Women’s Project, the group have to take the safety
of everyone very seriously, for this reason their workers will
ask a few simple questions to make sure its safe for all of the
group. They will also need to have some details about you and
your situation, this information is held confidentiality by
Broxtowe women’s Project. They also operate a confidential
support line every Monday to Friday 10am-1pm, the number is
01773 719 111.
LEARNING
ABOUT LOCAL HERITAGE
In the
year 2000 a group of local people united to form the Heritage
Group and to formulate aims to build upon, and to increase
involvement of all people in the community. It has created a
picture library/archive of documents and photographs which is of
historic and educational value and works in partnership with
local authorities and many interested parties. It offers help
and encouragement regarding the discussion of past events, the
writing of books, stories, plays and film scripts to promote
community output and entertainment. Visitors and new members are
welcome, any who are elderly or who have mobility problems and
wish to visit the centre can have transport arranged for them.
You can contact the heritage centre at Groundwork, 43 Cromford
Road, Langley Mill, Nottinghamshire, NG16 4EF. You can telephone
for information on 01773 535 232 or drop by for a chat to see
what they are all about. The group meet every Monday 10am until
noon (except Bank Holidays). You can also check out the groups
website by logging onto
langleymillheritage.org.uk
GARDEN
OPENS ITS GATES FOR CHARITY
Gordon and Irene Middleton are opening their garden for the
National Garden Scheme on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May.
This year
they celebrate 40 years since starting their garden and the duo
have won numerous awards. They have even been featured on the
BBC’s Up The Garden Path with Martin Fish and John Stirland.
Admission into the garden is £2 for adults and accompanied
children are free. Visit them between 1pm and 5pm at “Gorene”,
20 Kirkby Road, Beauvale Estate, Newthorpe. NG16 3PZ.
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. Anyone wishing to ask
Keith for a quote or to learn more about Jim’s Mowing, visit
jimsmowing.co.uk or call 01949 829 364
QUALITY IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY AT ANDY’S CHIPPERY
When Andy, owner of Andy’s (Angelo’s)
Chippery in Langley Mill, entered the chip shop business, he had
a very clear intention – to change the perception of the old
fish and chip shop. Although obviously a very popular meal,
Andy’s vision was derived from the view that people do not only
“eat with their eyes”
but also with their brain. This means people do not just want
something that tastes good, but also contains healthier and
tastier ingredients. Andy only uses the UK’s best frying fat,
meaning no hydrogenated fat and trans fatty acids are under 1%.
The fish is always freshly delivered on a daily basis and again,
only the highest quality fish makes it into the fryer, with
alternatives such as Hake and Pollock never being used.
Speaking to the Local News Andy said: “Although it is sometimes
tempting to use ingredients which are cheaper and frying oils
which contain Hydrogenated fat, we have always kept the same
ethos that people will come back for the quality and we are
proud to have built up a loyal base of customers locally.”
As well as the traditional fish and chips, Andy's kebabs have
become very popular in the area. Again, these are only the best
meats available. The chicken used in the chicken kebabs is fresh
‘Grade A’ chicken meat and the donner kebabs are Lamb meat,
rather than cheaper alternatives such as beef or beef/lamb mix.
Andy added: “Whilst some people may say hydrogenated fats and
MSG (monosodium glutamate) enhance flavour they are often used
to mask the poor taste of inferior products. These unhealthy
products have been banned in America and Canada and with good
reason!”
NATURE NOTES FOR MAY
by Neil Pinder
The hills around Old Dalby
are the westward extent of the Belvoir escarpment and the source
of three
of Rushcliffe’s major watercourses: Kingston Brook flows
westward through East Leake and spills into the Soar near
Kegworth; Fairham Brook turns northwards after passing through
Bunny and discharges into the Trent near Clifton Bridge, whilst
the River Smite, after wending its way to the north-east through
the Vale of Belvoir, becomes the River Devon and reaches the
Trent near Newark. These so called ‘wildlife corridors’ are
vitally important to the dispersion and connectivity of our
fauna and flora and not just the aquatic animals and plants. The
bankside vegetation, though sometimes quite narrow, is usually
fairly natural, though it has suffered from the drift of
pesticide sprays and artificial fertilisers.
Nevertheless, such creatures as grass snakes and harvest mice
use these undisturbed routes to re-establish themselves at
locations where they may have disappeared through natural
pressures such as harsh winters or flooding.
The field hedgerows which lead away into the wider countryside
also serve as wildlife corridors but uncultivated headlands and
sympathetic hedge management, now encouraged through
agricultural subsidies, are needed for certain species, such as
Brown Hairstreak butterflies, which needs the full cycle of
hedgerow growth, to survive.
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