Robin

New leisurediscount offer

What’s on at thePalace Theatre

Enjoy a safe World Cup New garden wastecollection

returns

Win

£100 worth of

garden centre

vouchers

Tread the footsteps of our local legend

This magazine is produced four times ayear by Newark and Sherwood DistrictCouncil for local residents.

Voice costs around 10p per copy toproduce and is distributed by ourrefuse and recycling crews on theirnormal rounds.

We would like to know what you thinkof our distribution method. To tell us,you can email pr@nsdc.info, write tothe address at the bottom of thiscolumn or call 01636 655716.

Voice is printed on 100% recycledpaper using vegetable inks and thewrapper is biodegradable.

The printing company that we use isFSC (Forest Stewardship Council)accredited, supporting the growth ofresponsible forest managementworldwide.

When you have finished with thisedition, please recycle it.

To help reduce the cost of Voicefurther, advertising opportunities areavailable in the magazine at acompetitive rate.

There are many benefits for you as anadvertiser. Voice is produced by acredible source, it has a long shelf lifeas residents keep it for futurereference, adverts are available indifferent sizes and the magazine alsohas ‘green’ credentials.

*The council reserves the right to refuseadvertising

About Voice The police,district counciland otheragencies havebeen making ahuge effort tolower crime and

anti-socialbehaviour in our communities. We’vemade a big impact over the last yearin reducing the number of robberies,burglaries and vehicle crimes. We’realso working hard to reduce anti-social behaviour, particularly whenit’s fuelled by excess alcohol.

We’ll be working very hard duringthe World Cup to encourage sensiblebehaviour when it comes to drinking.We know from past experience thatmajor events like the World Cup canlead to more crime. Too muchalcohol and excitement can meanmore violence, criminal damage and nuisance. This doesn’t just happen

during the World Cup. Towns andvillages across the district regularlyexperience the negative impact ofalcohol during weekend eveningsthroughout the year. So, we’reworking with the police to tacklethis problem, targeting under-agedrinking in public places, clamping-down on abuse of licensingconditions and making sure there’sa visible presence where there’sbeen trouble in the past.

We need communities, parents andyoung people to work with us tosupport this approach. Together wecan make the best use of theadditional police officers nowworking in our district, making ourcommunities safer and stronger.

Andrew MuterChief ExecutiveNewark and Sherwood District Council

This magazine can be madeavailable in other languages,large print, Braille, on audiotape, audio CD or computerdisc.

For more informationcontact us at pr@nsdc.infoor write to: The Editor,VOICE, Newark andSherwood District Council,Kelham Hall, Newark, NG235QX Tel: (01636) 655716

It’s good to beback after aperiod ofpolitical changeat a nationallevel. With anew politicallandscape for

the country, life is bound to be verydifferent.

We know that the money thecouncil receives from Governmentwill be significantly reduced nextyear. This was always going to be achallenge but it isn’t that we havenot had the practice.

Ever since I became leader of thecouncil we have had year on yearcuts, but at least our Governmentgrant was keeping pace withinflation. Next year’s grant willprobably be reduced, and for thenext three years. It is a challengewe must meet and we are closelyexamining how we deliver services.

We are finding better and moreefficient ways of working to savemoney. However, we can only besqueezed so much and we cannotcontinue to provide the range ofservices and facilities we’ve had in the past.

Not all is doom and gloom. In thisedition of Voice you will see there ismuch to celebrate; we live in adistrict that is thriving and vibrantand has a positive outlook. Businessseems to have shaken off much ofthe pessimism caused by therecession. There is still some way togo, but if we all work together thenwe will flourish once again.

No doubt holidays are next oneveryone’s agenda. Wherever yougo, do spend some time exploringthe district you live in. There ismuch to be enjoyed and admired.

Councillor Tony Roberts Leader Newark and Sherwood District Council

Welcome

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STRONGERgreener

A PARK TO BE PROUD OF

A £1.6m regeneration of Newark’s Sconce and DevonPark will be officially unveiled this summer, providingmodern facilities for visitors who would like to learnhow Newark played a pivotal role in the English CivilWar.

The project, part-funded by a £1.13m Heritage LotteryFund/Big Lottery Fund (HLF/BLF) grant, includesinstalling a footbridge to the Queen’s Sconce, a 17thCentury Civil War earthwork fortification, as well astop-class facilities for visitors and locals alike.

Coupled with the recent news that the Old MagnusBuildings in Newark could become a national learningcentre for the Civil War, Newark will be able to educatepeople on, and display evidence of, the Civil War.

Visitors could learn of Newark’s role as a Royalistgarrison as well as viewing a surviving Royalistfortification at the park.

Newark and Sherwood District Council successfullyapplied to the HLF/BLF under the Parks for Peopleinitiative. The district council, Nottinghamshire CountyCouncil, the WREN and Veolia environment trusts, theAlliance Sub-regional Strategic Partnership and theFriends of Sconce and Devon Park have alsocontributed.

Work began in August 2009 on phase one of theproject - the ranger’s office, toilets, café and play area- which is now complete. Phase two has seenfootpaths resurfaced and new signs installed to guidevisitors around the park to explain its history andecology. Phase three will see the new bridge forpedestrian access to the Sconce installed. Plantingand landscaping will round the project off in time forthe park’s official opening in July.

The project, which is being overseen by Newarkarchitects and project managers, MHI, also includeseducational, training, volunteering and employmentopportunities, and a visitor information area.

The council’s cabinet member for clean and green, CllrNora Armstrong, said: “Thanks to all the organsiationsthat have backed this imaginative scheme, we nowhave facilities in this park that befit its historicalimportance.

“The park looks great so is more inviting to visitors andlocal users, while also conserving the historicalQueen’s Sconce.

“The end results are a credit to all those involved andwe look forward to welcoming people to the park wheneverything is complete.”

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The name’s Bond…Who’s your favourite Bond? Do you prefer Sir Sean Connery’s original portrayal, or DanielCraig’s modern action hero? Whoever you prefer, all tastes are catered for throughout thePalace’s James Bond film season in June and July. Dr No (PG), Goldfinger (PG), The SpyWho Loved Me (PG), A View To A Kill (PG), Casino Royale (12a) and Quantum of Solace (12a)will all be shown on the big screen.

Treading the boards…The Palace continues to attract top-class, original touring drama to the stage, and thissummer’s line-up is no exception. William Shakespeare’s ‘The Rape of Lucrece’ (June 16)will be performed in the bar by RSC actor Gerard Logan. If opera’s your thing, why not tryCaruso and the Quake (June 25) telling one man’s story of the 1906 San Franciscoearthquake. ‘Allo ‘Allo star Vicki Michelle arrives at the Palace starring in ‘Wife Begins at

Forty’ on July 21-24. This comedy tells the story of Linda Harper’s marriage and life crisis as sheapproaches the milestone birthday.

Play it again…There’s a wide variety of music on offer this summer including The Drifters (June 12), theAmerican soul and R&B group who’ve sold 114 million albums worldwide. The Johnny CashRoadshow (July 6) celebrates the life and music of the ‘Man in Black’. The Platters (July 16)take you through their back catalogue of hits from as far back as the 1950s, and VOCES8(July 13) – the international award-winning British a cappella group, perform their unique

repertoire.

Something for the family…Looking for something to keep the children entertained during the summer? BlunderbusTheatre Company’s The Dragon’s Daughter (June 18 and 19) uses music and hand-carvedpuppets to tell the story of Hans and Dotty the baby dragon. The New Youth Theatre’sversion of The Wizard of Oz (July 8) will take you down the magical Yellow Brick Road withclassic songs including ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ and ‘We’re Off To See The Wizard’.

The new film version of Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp is showing on August 2 to 5, and bypopular demand, The Gruffalo (August 6 and 7) returns for another ‘monster’ show.

Don’t forget your panto tickets…. This winter’s pantomime has been confirmed as Sleeping Beauty,starring Vicki Michelle. Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on 01636 655755.

There’s something for everyone in the summer edition of the Palace Theatre’s eye-catching guide to what’s on, between May and August.

The guide is available in most council buildings and tourist information centres. We’ve picked out some of the highlights but for full listings, times and prices,grab a copy of the guide, go to www.palacenewark.com or call the Box Office on01636 655755.

A spectacular summer at Newark’s Palace

Book tickets online at www.palacenewark.com or call the box office on (01636) 655755. The new Palace Theatre programme is available to collect from the theatre or to view online.

Alice in Wonderland

Johnny Cash

Gerard Logan

007

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active

Theatre The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given thegreen light for the council to work up plans todevelop the Old Magnus Buildings in Newark intoa new museum with a national centre for theEnglish Civil War.

Funding of £203,700 was awarded to helpprogress the plans. The council is nowprogressing to the second stage of the HLFapplication process and will submit more detailedplans before applying for the £2.8m of HLF

support needed for the £4.43m project.

Exhibitions at a new museum will becomplemented by visitor facilities and educationspaces. The exhibitions will tell the story of thetown and surrounding area within a local,regional, national and international context.

It will feature an English Civil War gallery andhighlights from the district’s archaeological andother collections, including the Newark Torc.

Creating national centre for English Civil War

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SHAPE UP FOR SUMMER

30-day

For something different, why not try these classes which are included:

Power your way to fitness with Power PlatesIt’s claimed that 10 minutes on a Power Plate gives the same results as 60 minutes’ conventionalworkout. A Power Plate is a machine that vibrates at high speed, causing muscles to contractand relax and boosting a standard workout when carried out on the machine. Power Plates arealso great for people with disabilities who can’t train conventionally.

Dance yourself slim with new dance workout, ZumbaHeat things up this summer and try a new fitness craze, Zumba, which mixes dancing stylesincluding Salsa, Merengue, Bhangra and Hip Hop to help you step, shake and shimmy your way toa healthier you. Victoria Beckham, Kelly Brook and Michelle Obama are all said to be fans. Classesare now available at the Grove and Dukeries leisure centres.

Not forgetting your band of merry little ones… junior passes include tickets for ourrural cinema showing of ‘Robin Hood’.

Dive into free swimmingFollowing the success of free swimming sessions last year, Newark and Sherwood District Councilhas been given further funding from the Amateur Swimming Association to run more free lessonsfor those aged 60 and over and 11 to 13-year-olds.

For more information on our ‘Shape up for Summer’ offer or to book free swimming lessons contact :

Blidworth Community Leisure Centre: 01623 466266Dukeries Leisure Centre: 01623 862469Grove Leisure Centre: 01636 655780Southwell Leisure Centre: 01636 813000

Including unlimited use of:• our state of the art fitness suites• an induction and personalised programme• more than 35 different exercise classes• off-peak badminton and squash• swimming

Between June 15 and August 15, we’re giving you a 30-day pass for just £25.

£25

www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/leisureservice

Dangerous dog prosecution

Farmers using bird scarers are being asked to take partin a voluntary registration scheme to help the council

reduce time spentdealing with noise

complaints.

The scheme involves farmers filling out asimple form or contacting the council’senvironment department to let themknow when, where, and for how long,

they will be using the bird scarer.Bird scarers and deterrents are

essential for protecting crops from damage by wild birds.Some scarers imitate the sound of gunfire (left), usesirens, a constant hum or mimic the distress call of abird.

The scheme will help the council track down devicescausing a disturbance but will also help reassureresidents who are concerned about the kind of noise andhow long it may continue.

Registration forms are available from www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/birdscarers or by calling 01636655606.

Register your scarer

Newark and SherwoodDistrict Council hasprosecuted a manwhose Rottweilerkilled another dog.

Philip Justice of BoatLane, Bleasby, wasproven guilty in hisabsence at NewarkMagistrates’ Court ofallowing his dog to bedangerously out ofcontrol in a publicplace, and two countsof permitting his dogto be in a public placewithout a collar.

In September lastyear the Rottweilertook a YorkshireTerrier in its jaws andshook it violently. TheYorkshire Terrier diedthe next day from itsinjuries.

Both this dog andanother Rottweilerwas one of two seized

by the council’s dogwarden for beingunattended on apublic highway on twooccasions.

The council’s cabinetmember for clean andgreen, Cllr NoraArmstrong, said:“These are veryserious offences. Petowners have aresponsibility to makesure their animals areidentifiable, are undercontrol and do notbehave dangerously ina public place.

“Although this is aparticularly upsettingincident, such attacksare rare in our district.

“However, the councilwill not hesitate toprosecute dog ownerswho allow theiranimals to becomedangerous.”

Clean, modern and attendedtown centre toilets costingaround £¼m are set toopen in the new year.

Newark and SherwoodDistrict Council is working inpartnership with OakgateGroup, owners of St Mark’sPlace, Newark, to providethe new public toilets whichwill be built under anoverhang on the corner ofthe NCP building, betweenthe properties at the rear ofCartergate and St Mark’sPlace (pictured above).

The public will have theopportunity to feed into thedesign aspect of theprocess by telling thecouncil what facilities they

want. Plans will be displayedin public places socomments and feedbackcan be given. The toilets willbe attended and openduring normal shoppinghours.

In order to cover therevenue costs of the newtoilets, the facilities atLondon Road car park,Newark will close but willremain in use for disabledusers and key holders suchas users of the Beaumond Gardens bowling green.

Leader of the council, CllrTony Roberts, said: “Thesetoilets will be of the highestquality, user friendly andaccessible to everyone.

“The public will be able toinfluence and comment onthe design but toilets in thetown centre is whatresidents have been tellingus they want.”

NEW TOILETS ON THE WAY

safer

OUR REMEDY FORFOOTBALL FEVER

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Remember, emptycans can be placedin your wheeledrecycling bin.

Empty glass bottlescan be taken to oneof the 60-plusrecycling pointsacross the district,which include bottle

banks.

To find your nearestbottle bank visitwww.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Alternatively, emailwaste@nsdc.info orcall 01636 655600.

Here are a few tips tohelp you enjoy a safebarbecue thissummer:

• If you're barbecuingfor lots of people, youcould cook meatindoors and finish itoff on the barbecuefor added flavour

• Wait until thecharcoal is glowing

red, with a powderygrey surface, beforeyou start to cook• Make sure frozenfood is properlythawed

• Turn the foodregularly and move itaround to cook itevenly

• Keep raw meataway from ready-to-eat food to avoidcross-contamination

• Always wash yourhands after handlingraw meat.

Don’t score a food poisoning‘own goal’ this summer

Have the bottle to recycleyour empties

Want to try ‘bending itlike Beckham’? Someof the council’s GreenFlag parks are idealfor a kickabout,including Sconce andDevon Park in Newarkand Vicar WaterCountry Park inClipstone.

If you’d like to join ateam, why not speakto the council’s SportsDevelopment team on01636 655701 or

e-mailsportsdevelopment@nsdc.info

What about a regulargame of five-a-sidewith your friends?

Indoor and outdoorfacilities can bebooked at our leisurecentres (subject toavailability). Contact your localcentre for moredetails.

Have a kickabout to cure WorldCup fever

Help kick World Cupviolence into touch

While most people will be makingthe most of a summer of football,behaving responsibly and withrespect for others, those whodon’t could face a costly penaltyand a ban from local pubs.

A World Cup boosts the localeconomy and creates a carnivalatmosphere, but can lead todisorder, especially when alcoholis involved.

The Bassetlaw, Newark andSherwood Community SafetyPartnership is encouraging localpeople to enjoy the competitionsensibly in a bid to reduceincidents of disorder.

Those who fail to heed this advicewill find themselves hit with an£80 fixed penalty notice and aminimum of a ban from towncentre pubs for the remainder ofthe tournament.

To help enjoy the World Cupresponsibly, the community safetypartnership recommends you:

• Eat before or while you are outdrinking

• Alternate alcoholic drinks withwater or soft drinks

• Always make sure you know inadvance how you will get home

• Know your limits and don’tdrink to excess

Chairman of the communitysafety partnership, Andrew Muter,said: “We want to ensure thatpeople enjoy the World Cup andwe fully expect some people toenjoy a drink while watching thefootball, but those who behaveviolently or irresponsibly must beaware of the consequences oftheir actions.

“As well as ruining the experiencefor others, they face beingbanned from public places for theremainder of the World Cup.Serious offenders face longerbans or even the prospect ofprison terms in more seriouscases.”

Fountain Dale

Thieves’ Wood

King John’s Palace

Major Oak

In the heart of SherwoodForest, Edwinstowe isknown as Robin Hood’svillage. The Church of StMary was built around1175 and is reputedlywhere Robin Hood andMaid Marian weremarried. In the centre ofthe village you will alsofind a statue of Robinproposing to Marian.

Will Scarlet, Robin Hood’sfriend and nephew, is saidto be buried in thechurchyard. His grave ismarked by a fragment ofthe Old Church and severalyew trees.

Some believe thatBlidworth was also hometo Maid Marian.

Blidworth Church

Edwinstowe Church

Ravenshead

Kings Clipstone

Oll

Near Blidworth,Fountain Dale wasonce the site of aholy well. It is saidthat it was here thatRobin Hood first metFriar Tuck. Robin Hoodis also thought tohave met Little Johnnearby.

It’s said that, atThieves’ Wood,Robin Hood andhis men droveaway a particularlynasty band ofrobbers who hadbeen harassing thevillagers of nearbyRavenshead.

King John’s Palace, Kings Clipstone, wasa royal hunting lodge named after themonarch due to his frequency of visits.The site was originally a chapel built byKing Edwin (the namesake ofEdwinstowe). Robin and his men are saidto have liberated the prisoners in thedungeon.

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Newark Castle

pride

Southwell Minster

Wellow Church

Legend has itthat Robin Hoodconcealed hisstolen loot herein Oxton. RobinHood’s Pot is abarrow upon themound known asRobin Hood Hill.Many Romancoins have beenfound in thebarrow.

Robin Hood Hill

NewarkSouthwell

lerton

Newark and Sherwood is the heart of RobinHood country, being the home of SherwoodForest. To coincide with the release of thenew Robin Hood film, the council hascreated the Robin Hood trail. Taking in thesites, the history and the legend, this trailtakes you across Newark and Sherwood insearch of the magic of Robin Hood and hismen.

For more information on Newark andSherwood - the home of Robin Hood - visitwww.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/robinhoodwhere you can also download a copy of thistrail; visit Newark or Sherwood (Ollerton)Tourist Information Centres, search for ‘VisitNewark and Sherwood’ or follow us onTwitter @homeofrobinhood, @sherwoodticor @newarktic

King John died here in 1216. Legend hasit that Friar Tuck poisoned King John asrevenge for the murder of Maid Marian.This 12th Century castle stands on thebanks of the River Trent in award-winning grounds. Guided tours available.

One of the pagan symbols carved intothe Minster is of the ‘Green Man’ – anearly interpretation of what Robin Hoodmight have looked like. The NormanNave is one of the finest in England andthe Chapter House carvings arerenowned. Guided tours are available.

Robin and hisoutlaws gathered atthe Major Oak toplan their ambushes.The hollow trunk ofthe Major Oak alsoprovided the menwith a place to hidefrom the Sheriff ofNottingham.

St Swithun’s Churchdates back to the 12thCentury so is the samebuilding that Robinwould have known,despite restorationwork. Robin is said tohave made his bowstaves from theancient yews in thecourtyard.

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A new look for an empty shopwas revealed when thedistrict council launched anew initiative to helpindependent retail businessesimprove their shop fronts.

Shop windows at 37Cartergate, Newark, havebeen adorned with imagespromoting tourism highlightsfrom around the district ofNewark and Sherwood.

The new-look shop windowsare the result of a new grantscheme from Newark andSherwood District Councilwhich makes money availableto independent retailbusinesses in Newark,Southwell and Ollerton thatwould like to make a visibleimprovement to ground floorshops or retail units.

The initiative is completelyfunded by a £3m Departmentfor Communities and LocalGovernment scheme to helpboost town centres duringthe recession.

Newark and SherwoodDistrict Council was awarded£52,632.

The shop front improvementgrants are up to £1,000 forthe renovation and/orimprovement of shop fronts.

Anyone who wants to applywill need to show a definiteneed for the improvementwhich will both benefit thebusiness and make a visibleimprovement to the towncentre.

The grants can coverprofessional painting anddecorating services, repairsand the replacement offascias and signs.

Grants will only be given toindependent retailers - largerchains or multiple retailorganisations will not qualify.

More details are availableonline at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/shopfrontgrant or call 01636 655295.

Cllr Roger Blaney launches the shop front improvement grants

New look shop windows launch town centre regeneration project

An initiative to link local people lookingfor jobs with companies searching foremployees is becoming increasinglysuccessful in Newark and Sherwood.

Making the Connection is aNottinghamshire County Councilinitiative that helps local people accesstraining and job opportunities withbusinesses moving into or expandingwithin Nottinghamshire. The districtcouncil plays a part in this process byintroducing local businesses to thescheme and promoting opportunities tolocal residents.

Brooklyn Care Home, Newark, whichspecialises in helping people withlearning disabilities, has recruited fourmembers of staff through this scheme.Newly appointed support worker Ben, aformer painter and decorator, said: “I’veretrained in health and social care. I’vecome out of the course not just with abrand new career ahead of me but as adifferent person.”

Making theconnection

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Newark Bus Station has now closed inpreparation for the beginning of theredevelopment of the Potterdyke carpark which will include an ASDAsupermarket, bus facility (artist’simpression above), doctor’s surgery,health centre, retail units, housingand 411 car parking spaces. The newstore and bus station will open byChristmas 2011.

Buses can now wait on-street atCastlegate, Lombard Street and theTown Wharf until the new bus station

opens. On-street car parking at theTown Wharf, from Bargate toBeastmarket Hill, is not allowed duringthe temporary arrangements.

Bus timetables and information areavailable at new on-street bus stopsand at the temporary bus waitingroom at the Gilstrap Centre onCastlegate. When the Potterdyke carpark closes in July, temporary carparks will be provided at the rear ofthe site, off Pelham Street, and theRiverside Arena, off Tolney Lane in

Newark, providing about 200 spaces.

The district council’s cabinet memberfor sustainable development andregeneration, Cllr Roger Blaney, said:“This is undoubtedly an excitingscheme which will help regenerate apart of Newark town centre to helpmaximise the area’s economicpotential.

“There will be some disruption but afull bus service is still available andthere is plenty of car parking availablein the town centre.”

For information on bus services go towww.nottinghamshire.gov.uk or thecounty council’s customer servicesline - 08449 808080. For informationon car parking, call the district councilon 01636 655721 or emailcommunity.services@nsdc.info

Station closes as work begins at Potterdyke

stronger

Major home improvement scheme completed

Council leader, Cllr Tony Roberts, and the chairman of NSH’s board, Ginette Hughes, meet Yorke

Drive tenants, Mary and Brian Daniels, following completion of the Decent Homes programme.

Inset: The completed exterior scheme at Queen’s Court in Newark.

Important planningdocument published The latest stage of Newark andSherwood’s Local DevelopmentFramework (LDF), the publicationCore Strategy, has been completed.

The LDF is the development plan forthe district and will be used to shapedecisions on investment and planningapplications up to 2026. The LDF,including the Core Strategy, will beput through a public examination laterthis year. It could be adopted by thecouncil early next year.

The document is available atwww.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/planningpolicy. For more informationcall 01636 655852 or emailplanningpolicy@nsdc.info

Leisure centres are inclusive All of the council’s leisure centres arenow accredited with the InclusiveFitness Initiative Mark (IFI).

IFI status is given when a leisurecentre and its fitness equipment aredeemded accessible and useable bypeople of all physical abilities.

The council’s head of leisure andculture, Sarah Dawes, said: “We wanteveryyone to be able to use ourcentres to help lead a healthy, activelife, irrespective of ability orbackground.”

Support our armed forcesThe Band of the Royal Air ForceRegiment will play at this year’sArmed Forces’ Day at Kelham Hall onSunday, June 20, 1.30pm to 4pm.

Parts of Kelham Hall will be open tothe public on the day, refreshmentswill be available, and there will bevarious displays and entertainment.Entry is free but there will be acollection for Help for Heroes.

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Newark and Sherwood Homes(NSH), the organisation whichmanages the council’s housingstock, recently celebrated thesuccessful completion of the‘Decent Homes’ programme afterfive years.

In 2004 the council successfully bidfor £49.5m of funding for DecentHomes standard works to be carriedout by NSH, which has nowdelivered the programme by thetarget date set.

The funding, provided in the form ofa loan, has paid for improvementsto more than 5,000 council homesacross the district, installing newwindows, kitchens, bathrooms, androofing.

The programme also included anumber of external improvementsto tackle issues such as anti-socialbehaviour and car parking. Theproject was delivered in partnershipwith Bullock Construction,

Connaught and the district council.

NSH asset management andinvestment manager, AndyDewberry, said “We’ve delivered ontime, within budget and mostimpressively, ahead of the target.

“Tenants were at the heart ofshaping and delivering the project,and were given a range of choicesand colour schemes, helping tomake their house a home.”

The council’s cabinet member forhealth and homes, Cllr David Payne,said: “The Decent Homesprogramme is a huge task and ison-going if we’re to continueproviding high quality homes for ourresidents.

“Newark and Sherwood Homesshould be congratulated fordelivering the scheme on time andon budget, and the results are someimpressive looking homes which arefit for a modern lifestyle.”

Taking PRIDE in Newark and Sherwood

Residents in certain parts of the district are being asked toshow their interest in plans to launch a bin service for gardenwaste.

The council is gauging interest in the scheme by askingresidents to fill in a form if they’re interested.

The new scheme would provide subscribers with a bin for grasscuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, small branches and twigs,plants, weeds and cut flowers. The bin would be collectedfortnightly except during November, December and Januarywhen collections would be monthly.

The council is initially asking for local people to express theirinterest in the scheme before a pilot is launched. The servicewill cost £26 a year for the one bin, but extra bins can be paidfor.

For the pilot scheme, the survey is being conducted in theparishes of Averham, Kelham and Staythorpe, Bathley,Bilsthorpe, Bleasby, Blidworth, Boughton, Bulcote, Caunton,Caythorpe, Clipstone, Eakring, Edingley, Edwinstowe, Egmanton,Epperstone, Farnsfield, Fiskerton-cum-Morton, Gonalston,Gunthorpe, Halam, Halloughton, Hockerton, Hoveringham,Kirklington, Kirton, Kneesall, Kersall and Ompton, Laxton and

Moorhouse, Lowdham, Maplebeck, Ollerton, Oxton, Perlethorpe-cum-Budby, Rainworth, Rolleston, Rufford, South Muskham,Southwell, Thurgarton, Upton, Walesby, Wellow and Winkburn.

Organic garden waste is the largest and easiest waste groupcurrently not recycled.

Currently the council recycles around 26% of all the waste itcollects but is aiming for 30%. Compostable organic gardenwaste makes up around 21% of the contents of a typicalrubbish bin. Unfortunately, all the garden waste put in the greenresidual bins is buried in landfill.

By providing a separate garden waste collection the council canensure grass, hedge cuttings and weeds are composted,therefore reducing the pressure on landfill space and cuttingthe harmful greenhouse gases landfill produces.

Anyone who lives in the survey area can fill in the form below orthrough our website at:www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/gardenwaste or can call thecouncil on 01636 655600.

All responses to this survey will be entered into a prize draw towin £100 in garden centre vouchers!

I’m interested in a garden waste bin!

Fill in the form below and return it to: Waste Management, Newark andSherwood District Council, Brunel Drive, Newark, NG24 2EG, call 01636 655600during office hours or log onto: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/gardenwaste and fill out the online form.

This is a survey to gauge potential demand and does not constitute a formal agreement to provide or

purchase any resulting service.

Name:........................................................................................Address:...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Postcode:..................................................................................Telephone (optional):.............................................................Email (optional):.....................................................................How many bins would you be interested in?1 2 3 other........................

Tick here to enter the prize draw

!

gardenb in survey Are you interested in a new recycling scheme?

greener

If interest in the scheme is low it may not go ahead. If the scheme provespopular in the pilot area the council will look to extend it across the district.

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As there’s no trace of a west country ‘twang’ in hisnorth Nottinghamshire accent, it’s hard to tell Cllr MickJefferies’ life began in wartime Bristol. His parentsworked for British Aerospace in the city. At just two-years-old he became a wartime evacuee and wasmoved to Berry Hill near Mansfield to live with hisgrandparents.

His father later went to work as an engineer at RuffordColliery near Rainworth, and the family moved into acolliery home in the village. He attended Python HillSchool in the village, leaving at 15 to follow his fatherto work at Rufford Colliery.

After five years working down the pit, he took a jobwith Securicor as a team leader in London and itsairports, organising a security team which involvedworking with armed police and Special Branch.

Cllr Jefferies returned to Rufford Colliery and Rainworthin 1975 where he worked until the pit closed and hisretirement in 1993.

His political career began with the National Union ofMineworkers (NUM) as a committee member, and he

also became a member of the Labour Party at thattime.

When he retired he was elected to Rainworth ParishCouncil. He’s been a member of Newark and SherwoodDistrict Council since 1999, serving as Chairman of theCouncil in 2003/04 and vice-chairman the followingyear.

He’s currently the deputy leader of the Independentgroup on the council, and is a member of the council’slicensing and general purposes, audit and accounts andstandards committees.

He said: “As a parish and district councillor, you’renever going to be able to change the face of politics.I’m in the job purely for the people of Rainworth andNewark and Sherwood.

“I’m proud of some of the things I’ve achieved, likehelping to get a bypass for Rainworth. Before thatopened, up to 32,000 vehicles a day passed throughthe village, going past homes, schools and a doctors’surgery. It was badly needed and is still well usedtoday.”

WardWalks

Cllr Mark Buttery Cllr Mick Jefferies

Independent councillors Mark Buttery and Mick Jefferies are both lifelong Rainworth residents, andit’s not difficult to see that they have their village’s best interests at heart. Ward Walks went tomeet the former colliery workers who enjoy representing their constituents at Kelham Hall.

taking in PRIDE in Newark and Sherwood

Cllr Mark Buttery, the son of a collieryworker, is literally Rainworth born and bred.After finishing his education at SherwoodHall Grammar School in Forest Town, hiscareer choices were simple - join the Armyor work down the pit.

He said: “Both the Army and the CoalBoard’s recruiting offices were in Mansfield.On the day I went there after leavingschool, the Army’s office was full, so I wentinto the Coal Board’s office and the rest ishistory.”

Cllr Buttery went to Blidworth Colliery in1974. Around the time of the miners’strikes in 1984, he became more prominentin the NUM. When he progressed to adeputy, in charge of health and safety andthe welfare of the miners, he joined theNational Association of Colliery Overmen,Deputies and Shotfirers (NACODS). WhenBlidworth Colliery closed in 1989, hetransferred to Bilsthorpe Colliery, thenWelbeck Colliery in 1994, where he workeduntil his retirement due to ill-health in2004.

He said: “When I retired my union businessended, but I wanted to continue helpingpeople and remain close to the public.”

In 2007 he was elected to Rainworth ParishCouncil and Newark and Sherwood DistrictCouncil. He is currently chairman of theparish council and is a member of theservices overview and scrutiny committee.

He added: “My main aim is to see thevillage looking good and I’m enjoying it tothe full. We’ve managed to get a buildingrefurbished after gaining some fundingfrom a county council regeneration fund.We also got 15 new public benches forpeople to use around the village which arevery popular.”

Contact Cllr Jefferies at 8, CambridgeRoad, Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, NG210AX or on 01623 793709.

Contact Cllr Buttery at 10, ChurchfieldDrive, Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, NG210BJ or on 01623 430030.

Grants support home adaptations People with disabilities can now apply for a share of£325,000 of national funding to help them adapt theirhome.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has been awardedthe funding to offer grants of up to £30,000 forimprovements ranging from better lighting and ramps to stair lifts and one and two-storey home extensions.

Any eligible disabled person can apply, whether they are ahomeowner, private tenant or council tenant.

Since 2003/04 the council has given out 437 separateDisabled Facilities Grants, totalling more than £3.5m. Formore information call the council’s environmentdepartment on 01636 655647 or emailenvironmental.services@nsdc.info

Donate unwanted furniture onlineFurniture and other reusable household goods can bedonated to The Furniture Project through its website.

The Boughton-based charity collects reusable unwantedhousehold furniture, electrical items, bric-a-brac andclothing for free. These are then given to those in need andcan help turn a house into a home for families andindividuals. Donations of items are vital to the continuinghelp the charity provides.

Call 01623 836410 or visit www.thefurnitureproject.net formore information.

Understanding older people’s housing needsNewark and Sherwood District Council has joined withother Nottinghamshire councils and Erewash BoroughCouncil in Derbyshire to carry out research into the housingand housing support needs of an ageing and growingpopulation.

Many homes are not designed to meet people’s changingneeds as they grow older, and more and better homes forolder people are needed now and into the future.

The council would like to find out more about what localresidents aged 50 and over will want now and in the future.

Some people will be selected and sent a postal survey,while anyone who is aged 50 and above and lives in theNewark and Sherwood can participate in the survey via thecouncil’s website at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/housingsurvey

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