Nottingham Local News

OLIVER RACING HIS WAY TO SUCCESS

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:14:52 +0000

Six-year-old Oliver Smith from Radcliffe is taking his first steps in the world of motorsport in a similar fashion to former world champion, Lewis Hamilton. We’ve all seen the pictures of a young Lewis racing his way around a karting track and now Oliver is doing exactly the same.
His Dad, Stuart, told The Local News: “The usual age to begin karting is eight, but over the last couple of years a less powerful kart has been developed to assist young drivers in motorsport. Even though the engines are less than 3hp, they can still reach speeds of 40mph.”
Earlier this year, Oliver was one of nine drivers to take part in the UK’s very first official Motor Sports Association (MSA) Bambino Time Trial competition. This was held at Buckmore Park Kart Club in Chatham, Kent. Due to the drivers age, they are not permitted to race each other but are set a target time, which over two sessions, each of six timed laps, the drivers have to try and get as close to as possible.
If the driver gets within 5% of the target time they are awarded a Gold Certificate. Between 5% and 15% is Silver and between 15% and 25% is Bronze. Despite tricky icy conditions, Oliver raced his way to a Silver and was only a couple of seconds away from Gold. He was placed fourth out of the nine drivers. Apart from a very short practice session a couple of weeks earlier, Oliver had never raced at Buckmore Park, but the top three drivers are all based at Buckmore Park. Oliver’s home circuit is the PF International Circuit, near Newark.
Oliver followed up his excellent performance in Kent with another fantastic drive at the same circuit last month. He obtained his second Silver, clocking a combined time of 6 minutes 52 seconds, which was 12 seconds quicker than his last race.

DAN’S THE MAN IN RADCLIFFE

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:11:54 +0000

Daniel Hegarty is a local motorbike racer who competes in the National Superstock 1000 Championship.
The competition is one of the support classes within the British Superbike Championship. The Radcliffe resident has now submitted and had his entry confirmed for the coming race season. Dan is currently pulling together all the final details with his team to prepare to go racing.
The first round this year is at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend and will be televised via British Eurosport, as will all the rounds over the course of the upcoming season. Dan is also looking to further his career this year by entering some of the UK’s most prestigious road racing events over the course of the
season. He will shortly be visiting the Isle Of Man to confirm his entry into this year’s TT races. He also plans to compete in the North West 200 in Ireland in May and several road racing events in Scarborough in July and again in September.
For the latest news, photos and details of Dan’s progress, please visit his website online at www.hegoracing.com. They also have a group on Facebook, Hego Racing, which provides messages to all of its members with updates on Dan’s latest racing information – please feel free to join this group.
Dan would like to pass on his thanks to all those people who continue to support him, and as ever, would be happy to discuss any offers of support or sponsorship with anyone who has a passion for bike racing or who would like to help him realise his true potential in this sport.

COUNCIL UNVEIL THEIR STANCE ON GOVERNMENT HOME PROPOSAL

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:09:07 +0000

A recent cabinet meeting has revealed Rushcliffe Borough Council’s ‘Core Strategy – Option for Consultation’ document, which outlines the vision and proposals for development in Rushcliffeover the next 16 years. One of the key issues to come out of the meeting, was the Cabinet’s desire to stress that the
Government’s target for the number of new homes in Rushcliffe (15,000) is far too high, but whilst continuing to oppose the figures, the Council must retain control of the planning process.
Rushcliffe Borough Council leader, Neil Clarke, said: “I wish to be absolutely clear – we’re in a no -win situation or between a rock and a hard place in terms of allocating land for this many homes.
“There are simply too many homes proposed. Whilst identifying land for potential development is our major dilemma, we need to continue with the process otherwise we risk losing control. This is a consultation document and we want as many people as possible to give us their views on the subject.
“This document outlines potential land allocation for homes to be built at Gamston and on land south of Clifton, as well as development around the six major towns and villages, for example, at Cotgrave Colliery. The Government has said that most of the new homes must be within or adjacent to the principal urban area which in Rushcliffe means West Bridgford and Clifton. This area is greenbelt and the Council’s policy is to do all it can to protect the greenbelt.
“The Council wants to emphasise that no approvals of development have been made. This document is still very much open for consultation and the Council urges as many people as possible to give their views on the proposed sites.”

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTION?

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:04:59 +0000

While the date for this year’s general election is not yet known, Rushcliffe Borough Council is urging residents not to wait until the official date has been announced before they secure their right to vote.
Jeff Saxby, Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Elections Manager, told The Local News: “The time between the election date being announced and the last chance to register to vote can be a matter of a few days. If you are not on the electoral register, you won’t be able to vote.”
Chris Hinde, the Midlands Regional Manager of the Electoral Commission, added: “Sometimes people don’t realise they need to re-register every year. Rushcliffe Borough Council sent you a registration form last autumn.
“If you are not sure you returned it, or if you have moved house since then and have not registered with your new details, you need to register now. Don’t let anything stop you having your say on Election Day.”
Registering to vote only takes a few minutes. You can print off a form from the Electoral Commission website, the independent elections watchdog, at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or call Rushcliffe Borough Council on 0115 981 9911 for an application form.

‘BIN’ THERE, DOING THAT

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:01:27 +0000

A member of staff at the Rushcliffe Borough Council has been selected to mentor other authorities to help them improve their waste management departments. Waste and Fleet Operations Manager, Darryl Burch, was chosen following an accreditation process where Rushcliffe became a national mentor.
He said: “I am really pleased to have been selected to help others improve and share our experiences. It allows me to promote our waste collection service.”

COUNCIL PROSECUTES THREE LOCAL LANDLORDS

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:00:05 +0000

Rushcliffe Borough Council has thrown the book at three negligent landlords who let their tenants freeze while they collected the rent. Rushcliffe successfully prosecuted the three owners at the magistrates’ court on Monday 15th February.
Kevin Cassells, Anthony Lincoln and Amanda Bates managed the Bridgford Lodge HiMO on Bridgford Road in West Bridgford, and were found guilty of not licensing their HiMO (House in Multiple Occupation) and leaving tenants without any gas for over six months last winter.
The tenants contacted the Council when their gas was cut off and Rushcliffe stepped in to install an emergency boiler so they could wash up and keep themselves clean. The owners had forced tenants to live in unhygienic and unsanitary conditions, and despite being contacted many times by the Council and advised to get things fixed, they proved difficult and uncooperative. The Council then had no choice but to act firmly.
Mr Cassells and Mr Lincoln pleaded guilty and both received fines of £3,000, plus had to pay the Council’s costs of £2,000. Total fines and costs were £8,000. Ms Bates received a discharge.
Rushcliffe and other Councils can now stop the three from becoming landlords of licensable HMO’s, as they would now fail the ‘fit and proper person’ test.

RADCLIFFE COMMUNITY CAFE

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:57:13 +0000

The Radcliffe-on-Trent Community Cafe opened its doors in November, aiming to offer a space for all members of the community to meet, find friendship and discover what is on offer in their community.
It takes place at the Methodist Church Hall every second Saturday of the month from 9.30am until 12noon, offering fair-trade beverages, home-made cakes and also craft activities for small children and games for the older children.
The cafe was set-up by two Radcliffe residents, Wendy Layhe and Rachael Glover, who are both mothers with young families.
Wendy told The Local News: “We wanted to create a place where people in the village can share issues and most importantly find friendship and good company.
“We want to build relationships with groups in the village such as the scouts, to find ways of involving young people either by them helping on the mornings in the cafe or with the young children or by using the space for displaying their own work.
“We feel that providing this regular meeting space will create a closer sense of belonging in all age groups in this vibrant and busy village.”
Each month there is a traidcraft stall and an open table providing a shop window for local crafts people to exhibit.
Wendy added: “Any profits are to be reinvested into the project initially to make further improvements and long term they hope to support both local youth ventures and community projects in developing countries.”
Future café opening dates: March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12 and July 17. The café will be closed in August.

BOROUGH COUNCIL SEEKING LOCAL VIEWS ON CORE STRATEGY

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:54:50 +0000

Rushcliffe Borough Council is seeking the views of local residents on the latest stage of development of its ‘Core Strategy’. This is a strategic planning document that sets out how Rushcliffe should develop up to
2026, addressing topics such as the provision and location of new homes, facilities, new areas for jobs and climate change issues. The Council has published an ‘Option for Consultation’ report. This includes the
Council’s suggestions for major developments at Clifton, Gamston and Cotgrave. Even though the Council is opposed to the level of housing required by the Government, they need the views of local residents about what they think of these sites and to help us begin to decide what they could look like and what facilities they would require. In addition to these major sites, the Council has set out, in broad terms where other housing should be provided in Rushcliffe, along with other types of development such as new areas for jobs. We also want opinions from local residents as to whether a small amount of new housing should be allowed in the smaller rural villages including affordable housing intended to meet local needs. A series of consultation events will be held during March and April. The dates for those already arranged are…
Thursday 11th March: Bingham Market
Saturday 13th March: West Bridgford Farmers Market
Monday 15th March: St Peter’s Rooms, Ruddington
Tuesday 16th March: Grange Hall, Radcliffe-on-Trent
Thursday 18th March: Gotham Village Hall
Friday 19th March: Thrumpton Village Hall
Wednesday 24th March: Gamston Community Hall
Friday 26th March: Bingham Town Hall
Monday 29th March: Tollerton Parish Rooms
Tuesday 30th March: East Leake Village Hall
The Council have identified some questions that they believe most people would want to comment on. These can be accessed, together with some maps and background information, at thebigpicture-rushcliffe.com. The full Option for Consultation Report and details of how to respond will be available at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/planningpolicy or phone 0115 914 8449 for further details.

TEAMWORK IN SAXONDALE

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:49:37 +0000

Over the past few months the Upper Saxondale Residents Association (USRA) have worked with the parish councils of Radcliffe-on-Trent and Cropwell Bishop and also Balfour Beatty, to raise money for a new notice board.
Dr Claire Martin, USRA chairperson, told The Local News: “Our old wooden notice board was rotting away so we approached our parish councils, Cropwell Butler and Radcliffe, to ask for funding to add to the money residents had already raised.
“They very kindly agreed to donate money and we were just about to purchase a new notice board when Balfour Beatty approached us and offered us £500 for a new one.
“With Balfour Beattys money we were able to buy a cast aluminium notice board, which we sourced from Malcolm Lane & Son Ltd of Cropwell Bishop.
“We were attracted by the fact that they are located in our parish, and as we are a charity they very kindly installed the notice board for free.”
Peter Lane, a director of Malcolm Lane, said: “All the people at my company live nearby and it makes us very proud to see our notice boards in our local areas. We were delighted to help the residents association out, the sign is a great addition to this village.”
Pam Hobson from Balfour Beatty added: “Balfour Beatty understand the disruption to daily life caused by major road works, such as the widening of the A46, keeping communities up-to-date with progress benefits everyone.”