Cotgrave Leisure Centre is one of eight across the county to benefit from new changing facilities for disabled children. The scheme has now been completed thanks to money from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.
Councillor John Cottee, Nottinghamshire County Council’s cabinet member for culture and community, said: “Our aim is to help transform the lives of disabled children and their families across the county.
“We want Nottinghamshire to be a great place for all children and young people to grow up. I am delighted with the new facilities and equipment and hope that they will help young people across the county lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”
The changing room revamp includes a changing bed, a hoist in the changing room, support rails and a pool chair.

Local bus operator Premiere Travel has cut some fares to make them simple and easier to use. On the companies Red1 service, from Bingham and Radcliffe to Nottingham, a single fare has been cut by up to 30p to just £2 and 10trip tickets reduced by a £1 to only £15. Some new fares have also been added,
including a reduced price 10trip ticket for under 22s – this costs just £10. The 10trip tickets do not expire until all 10 single trips have been used up. The company has also introduced a 2trip ticket, again with no expiry date for £3.50, a Duo ticket for two people travelling together and a Trio ticket for three people using the bus at the same time. Under-16s can also travel for free with Duo, Trio and all unlimited travel tickets.
Premiere brand manager, Jamie Swift, said: “At a time when the price of everything else seems to be rising, we have decided to actually cut the price of some fares. The new fares, such as the group Duo and Trio tickets, include up to two under-16s travelling for free. Also, the Buzz tickets for under-22s are proving very popular, so we have added a new 10trip ticket for just £10. All are available to buy on the bus.”
For more information on Premiere’s services visit their website premierebuses.co.uk.

Former Keyworth resident, Peter Hough, has recently published his latest book – a supernatural thriller called ‘Stench of Evil’ on Amazon as a Kindle ebook and a quality paperback. Peter was born in Arnold, then moved to Keyworth, before his family moved up to the north-west.
Peter said: “Stench of Evil is not so much a ‘who done it’, but more a ‘what done it’. It begins with the ritual
killing of a man in a country park. The investigating police officer, detective inspector Roger Flowers, becomes suspicious when local journalist Benjamin Tallis seems to know more about the murder than he should.
“Tallis’s daughter was killed by a hit and run driver a year before, and the case was never solved. Things quickly escalate as Flowers realises there are dark forces at work beyond anything he has previously experienced in his role as a detective.
“People often ask me where I get my ideas from. In this case it was the claims of satanic ritual abuse that swept America and the UK in the 1980s. Scores of children were taken from their parents by police and social workers in Manchester, Rochdale and the Orkneys. In fact, the allegations first came to light in the UK here in Nottingham. Months later, when the cases came to court, nothing was proven, and they fell through.
“Over several years the newspapers were filled with lurid tales of ritual abuse and human sacrifice. I wrote a book about it at the time. During my research I spoke to a senior police officer about the lack of proof. He told me that despite this, he always had a strong suspicion that something sinister had been going on. Years later this became the spark that gave me the genesis of my novel. What if, I asked myself, it had all been true, but covered up by the authorities? I still have relatives in the Nottingham area, and I visit my aunt in Keyworth. I was actually part of the first intake to South Wolds Community School and I was a member of the scouts there. It was a great place to grow up in.”
Peter’s novel is only available online through Amazon at amazon.co.uk.

The Vale of Belvoir Lions held their now annual Boxing Day Duck Race and once again it was a great success.
Andy Potts told The Local News: “This was a marked difference to last year’s race. We actually had fair weather, mild for the time of year at around 10 degrees, a flowing river, well sort of, and no ice to break through.
“Due to the popularity of last year’s event, despite the bitter weather, the Lions increased the number of ducks available to 1,400 this year. Guess what? Every single one of them sold out again. This is
a testament of how well-liked and received this event is. After a day celebrating Christmas, it is nice to get out for a walk on Boxing Day.
“The turn out spectator-wise was nothing short of amazing. It seemed like the whole of Bottesford had come out for the event. After speaking with a few people, it was clear that some had travelled from afar. Bingham and Birmingham were mentioned, and one couple were from Swanage. They were obviously visiting family at Christmas, but still the event is proving popular outside the community, as well as within it.
“The Foresters Morris Dancers attended providing entertainment at the finish line, whilst also carrying out a charity collection. This raised £200. The total raised from duck sales was £1,100. It really was a fantastic event.”

Over 25 members took part in Bingham Leisure Centre’s annual Christmas special fitness class. They then joined their instructors for a social drink afterwards to celebrate Christmas and a great year of exercise, which has seen popularity in the classes at the Leisure Centre soar.
Sarah Wake, a fitness instructor, said:
“It was great to see people and, after a few days rest, everyone was raring to go. They soon managed to burn off their Christmas pudding.”
The Christmas special consisted of a mix of the popular BodyPump and BodyAttack classes with a few extra special circuits to celebrate.
Members also got a tantalising taste of the new routines to be launched this month. The classes are designed for maximum fat burning, toning and weight loss, and are suitable for all fitness levels.
The new releases consist of new moves and new music to accompany the workouts, keeping members energised and motivated with every visit. There have been some minor changes to the timetable and the Tuesday Body Pump class will now run from 7.10-8.10pm.
Classes cater for all abilities and are a great social atmosphere in which to train, helping you to get fit for the year ahead. You can take advantage of the centre’s special offer – join before the 1st February and pay no joining fee, receive a free fitness starter kit and a free extra month membership. Call Bingham Leisure Centre on 01949 838 628.