An Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant from Newark, Nottinghamshire is hoping to curry favour with judges at the British Curry Awards after being shortlisted for Best Indian Restaurant in the Midlands.

THE CURRY OSCARS

On hearing the announcement, owner of the Ashiana Saiqul Miah said: “We couldn’t believe it when the letter came from the British Curry Awards judges telling us that we had been shortlisted from thousands of excellent Indian restaurants across the UK down to just three now competing to be named Best Restaurant in the Midlands!

“It’s such an accolade to be shortlisted. We know we have some stiff competition amongst the other nominees, some of whom already have Michelin Stars for their Indian food, but I know my team are already stars in my eyes.”

“BETTER THAN ANY MICHELIN STAR”

Known as the Curry Oscars, the British Curry Awards have been dubbed by Prime Minister Theresa May as “special, better than any Michelin Star, better than any accolade”.

A thrilled Sai continues:

“Learning that we had been nominated for a British Curry Award by our customers was just wonderful. We’re all delighted that our customers have enjoyed themselves so much that they wanted to nominate us for the British Curry Awards 2018.”

AN EXCEPTIONAL INDIAN DINING EXPERIENCE

“All of us at the Ashiana are so happy; our restaurant in Newark is now very well established and loved by our diners. We have worked tirelessly to create an exceptional Indian dining experience and knowing that people are really enjoying our food makes all the hard work worthwhile,” he added.

Mr Miah and his team are looking forward to this year’s British Curry Awards ceremony at the black-tie gala event being held at Battersea Evolution in London on Monday 26^th November 2018, where they will join the other excited nominees.

Nottinghamshire County Council Chairman Councillor John Handley has raised £12,119.33 for his chosen charity during his term in office.

Councillor Handley concludes his term this week, with the total raised since last May for Nottinghamshire Hospice also being announced.

There have been many fundraising activities and celebration events which have contributed to the money raised.

Elaine Hopkins, Community Fundraiser, at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “Councillor John Handley and his lady Margaret have been excellent ambassadors for Nottinghamshire Hospice from day one.

“John’s initial target was to raise £5,000 so he has far exceeded what he was hoping to achieve. John and Margaret do not miss an opportunity to promote the hospice in all that they do.”

Councillor Handley said: “Nottinghamshire Hospice does incredible things. It does a phenomenal amount of work and it is vital that they and other hospices raise funds. It is difficult because they are voluntary organisations and they have to find funding through charitable work – but money is not a bottomless pit. I have been delighted and proud of everyone who has helped me to fundraise for Nottinghamshire Hospice and raise its profile during my term in office.”

Meeting patients and volunteers has been high on the Chairman’s agenda over the last year. He has been to numerous events at the hospice’s headquarters in Woodborough Road, Nottingham, and has visited 11 hospice shops across the county.

John attended the volunteers’ annual thankyou event and hosted three volunteer thank you parties at County Hall.
Other key highlights include a civic service at Southwell Minster, two concerts at Brinsley Parish Hall, a hog roast at Beauvale Priory and an event at Welbeck Abbey to promote artisan food and drink producers.

Councillor Andy Brown’s wife Sylvia who herself has had cancer, raised £900 on a sponsored parachute skydive.

The couple worked with staff to organise a Christmas raffle at County Hall, promoting the hospice and its work in each council department. And they have been to Veolia, the county council’s waste management contractor which managed a recycling fundraising initiative. During January, Veolia donated £2 to the hospice for every tonne of recyclable plastic bottles and cans collected from kerbside recycling bins.

Margaret has also knitted and sold Christmas stockings and Easter chicks, while the couple encouraged County Hall staff to donate Easter eggs for an Easter egg hunt.

Elaine added: “I cannot thank them enough for their dedication and support that they have shown to me and the hospice during the last 12 months. The money raised will make a real difference to our patients and their families. John and Margaret have both been teachers and wanted some of the money to be spent on education, which has allowed us to train 12 new counsellors to work in our counselling and bereavement service.”

Founded in 1980, Nottinghamshire Hospice is a community-based palliative care centre providing high quality care services to adults who have terminal and life-limiting illnesses, and their families and carers. As a registered charity the hospice is regulated by the Care Quality Commission and all services are delivered and based on individual patient needs. For future fundraising events and ideas, please contact: Elaine Hopkins on elainehopkins@nottshospice.org or 0115 910 1008 ext 251.