Join the party and discover a unique experience that celebrates the best Gin and Rum right now and promises the party of the year. If you’re thirsty for knowledge or just want to party the night away, the Gin and Rum Festival is for you! Discover new favourites with samples from hand-picked guest distillers, treat yourself at the themed Gin and Rum bars, and let your hair down with your friends.
Whether you are a gin-genius or a new convert, expert staff and complimentary masterclasses will help you discover new flavours to savour, while the resident DJ and amazing live entertainment keep the party going. Remember to bring your dancing shoes!
Paying for your drinks is quick and easy – just purchase tokens at the token station and swap them for drinks at one of the themed bars. Premium mixers and tonics are all included, and your Gin and Rum guide includes expertly crafted garnish suggestions so you can take the perfect serve home with you.
Perfect for hen parties, lad’s night out or date night.Friendly staff, tasty street food and buzzing party atmosphere will guarantee a night to remember! Over 18s only, www.drinkaware.co.uk
Headliner Supergrass, Special Guest James and Pop Icon Belinda Carlisle. Wollaton Park, Nottingham. Saturday 18 July 2020
The wait is now over with the first wave of artists today announced for Splendour 2020, set in the stunning grounds of Wollaton Park on Saturday 18 July.
Bona fide music legends Supergrass make their Splendour debut headlining the Main Stage alongside very special guest James. Global pop icon Belinda Carlisle will be performing on the Confetti Stage, with all three bringing impeccable back catalogues to Nottinghamshire’s biggest summer party. Supergrass have been described as one of the most important bands from the 1990s. Made up of members Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn, Danny Goffey and Rob Coombes, the award-winning Britpop Oxford outfit have achieved an unbroken run of five Top 10 albums, including three platinum sellers – ‘I Should Coco’ (1995), ‘In It for the Money’ (1997), and ‘Supergrass’ (1991) – generated millions of worldwide sales and spawned 10 Top 20 singles, with ‘Caught By The Fuzz’ crowned NME and Melody Maker Single Of The Week and ‘Alright’ an international hit.
Throughout the band’s illustrious career they have scored the biggest-selling debut for Parlophone since The Beatles, helicoptered into Glastonbury, toured the world and supported everyone from Blur and Arctic Monkeys to Foo Fighters, Radiohead and The Cure. Superfans will remember their multiple gigs at Rock City throughout the nineties and early noughties.
James will generate plenty of excitement joining Supergrass as the next act confirmed for the Main Stage. With a career spanning more than three decades, the Mancunian rock band fronted by Tim Booth have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and produced a string of huge hits including ‘Come Home’, ‘Sit Down’, ‘She’s a Star’ and ‘Laid’.
The band brought a crowd-pleasing set of classic hits and new material showing their continued relevance when they performed at Splendour five years ago. Since then, they’ve gone on to produce two new UK Top 10 albums – ‘Girl at the End of the World’ (2016) and ‘Living In Extraordinary Times’ (2018). There’s nobody quite like James. American singer Belinda Carlisle gained worldwide fame as co-founder and lead vocalist of groundbreaking all-female new wave rock band The Go-Go’s. The group achieved worldwide sales in excess of 15 million albums and singles and produced international Top 10 hits including ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ and ‘We Got the Beat’, all before going their separate ways in 1985.
Belinda went on to have a prolific career as a solo artist regularly selling out stadiums across the UK. With an acclaimed catalogue of timeless pop hits, the gifted and glamorous singer-songwriter is sure to have everyone singing along to songs such as ‘Mad About You’, ‘I Get Weak’, ‘Circle in the Sand’, ‘Leave a Light On’ and the global smash ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’, which turned Belinda into a superstar.
George Akins, DHP Family owner, says: “As one of the biggest and best festivals in the East Midlands, each year thousands of people await the exciting news of who will feature in the line-up. We’re over the moon to welcome Supergrass and international superstar Belinda Carlisle to Splendour for the first time ever, plus James returns with what will no doubt be an epic set. With last year’s event selling out in record time, don’t hesitate in purchasing your ticket.”
Supergrass, James and Belinda Carlisle are the first of more than 40 acts announced to perform at the Wollaton Park music festival, with many more artists, comedians and entertainers to be revealed in the coming months. With lots happening across the festival aside from the three music stages, including comedy in the courtyard, an array of food stalls featuring local suppliers, a funfair and entertainers out and about in the crowd, the event is a fantastic day out.
Cllr David Trimble, Portfolio holder for Leisure, Culture & IT, said: “This July, we look forward to once again having some of the UK’s top musical talent descend on our beautiful Wollaton Park, as Splendour returns for another year. The festival is truly one of the highlights of a summer in Nottingham, and with the £10 discount for residents it’s no surprise that the festival remains such a popular part of our annual events programme.” A standard ticket is £58.85, including a booking fee, coming down to £47.85 when the Nottingham City discount is applied. Tickets for Nottingham City residents aged 11-17 are £23.10. VIP packages are also available and start from £90.35 for a Nottingham City adult. Children under 11 will once again be admitted for free.
Tickets can be purchased from splendourfestival.com or in person from the Nottingham Tourism Centre. To claim Nottingham City resident discount, a copy of your council tax bill is required. To stay in touch with festival news, follow Splendour on social media: Facebook: @splendourfestivalUK Twitter: @splendourfest Instagram: @splendourfest
Skegness is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with amazing beaches and an abundance of local restaurants, but there is so much more to this amazing destination than meets the eye.
Fantasy Island is one of the most popular attractions for those on holiday in Skegness, providing a great time for all the family! With rides to please the thrill-seekers among us, a shopping market to get all your souvenirs, and a high-class arcade to play with friends and family, there is always something to sink your teeth into.
The Rhombus Rocket One of the most popular rides at Fantasy Island, and for good reason, is The Rhombus Rocket! With twists and turns at every sight, it truly is a ride for the adrenaline junkies, and perfect for those looking to step out of their comfort zone.
The Millennium This is not a ride for the fainthearted! This ride measures 150 ft high, travels a whopping 55.9 mph, features two vertical loops and a sidewinder, and it is guaranteed to make your heart race and your knees go weak!
Log flume No amusement park is complete without a log flume, and Fantasy Island is no exception. Sail your way to the top, and then plummet to the water below at a breathtaking speed. This ride is fun for all the family, as long as you don’t mind getting a bit wet!
The Magic You will also find magic here at Fantasy Island. Maybe not wand-waving, potion brewing magic, but magic of a whole different kind. The Magic ride takes you up on a swirling adventure, leaving you amazed and dazed at the same time!
The Twister The Twister brings the nostalgia of a funfair directly to an amusement park! One of the most popular rides at Fantasy Island, each summer sees families having the time of their lives on The Twister. Give it a go!
With events running throughout the summer season, there is something for everyone to enjoy, so start organising next year’s trip today!
Following a remarkable recovery from a diagnosis of terminal cancer, Wilko Johnson the original Dr Feelgood guitarist, actor (Game of Thrones character Ser ilyn Payne) and all round national treasure has enjoyed a rousing return to the live arena, including a number 1 album with Roger Daltrey (Going Back Home), a sold out show at The Royal Albert Hall to mark his 70th birthday and, most recently, the release of Blow Your Mind, his first album of new material in decades.
Wilko is famed for his blistering chop-chord strumming action (the ‘stab’, as he describes it), a technique inspired by his admiration of the late Pirates guitarist Mick Green. With this electrifying sound, his trademark black-suited, scowling look and his characteristic strut, Wilko became one of the guitar heroes of the 1970s and beyond, not to mention on of rock ’n’ roll’s most extraordinary characters. He, alongside his original Feelgood bandmates, is also widely acknowledged as a forefather of punk on both sides of the Atlantic, fans ranging from Joe Strummer to Blondie.
Following a stint with Ian Dury & The Blockheads in the 1980s, he formed the Wilko Johnson Band, with Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy. Featuring former Blockhead Dylan Howe on drums, the trio is known as one of the most exciting r’n’b bands in the world today. Special guest ‘Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure John Otway. Tickets for the WILKO JOHNSON – April / May 2020 shows are available from: Thursday 9th April WORTHING – Assembly Box Office No: 0844 249 1000 Website – https://www.eventim.co.uk/artist/wilko-johnson/?affiliate=GCL Tickets – £32.50 Friday 10th April POOLE – Lighthouse Box Office No: 0844 249 1000 Website – https://www.eventim.co.uk/artist/wilko-johnson/?affiliate=GCL Tickets – £32.50 Saturday 11th April ABERYSTWYTH – Arts Centre Great Hall Box Office No: 0844 249 1000 Website – https://www.eventim.co.uk/artist/wilko-johnson/?affiliate=GCL Tickets – £32.50 Friday 24th April NOTINGHAM – Albert Hall Box Office No: 0871 220 0260 Website – https://www.seetickets.com/event/wilko-johnson/albert-hall/1443664 Tickets – £32.50 Saturday 23rd May BLACKPOOL – Grand Theatre Box Office No: 01253 290190 Website – https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/wilko-johnson/ Tickets – £32.50 For further information on WILKO JOHNSON, check out the following website / social media links: Website – https://wilkojohnson.com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WilkoJohnsonBand Twitter – https://twitter.com/wilkojohnson You Tube Links: Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey ‘I Keep It To Myself’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwLeTPVuD3c Wilko Johnson on Later With Jools Holland – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXP889rLBQ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WILKO JOHNSON INCLUDING IMAGES / INTERVIEW REQUESTS AND COMPETITION TICKETS – PLEASE CONTACT: Maria Philippou @ M P Promotions Tel: 0161 494 7934 / Mobile: 0780 119 1784 / Email: maria@mppromotions.co.uk / Website – www.mppromotions.co.uk
West Bridgford has a new Customer Service Centre for residents to access key Rushcliffe Borough Council services, contact Nottinghamshire Police and connect with a host of local partners. Conveniently located in the centre of West Bridgford and close to bus links and car parks, the new Centre is on Gordon Road, opposite the Council’s Gordon Road car park, postcode NG2 5LN.
You can drop in to see to a friendly advisor during opening hours, or access partner services by appointment for the Police, Nottinghamshire County Council, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, Homesearch and Citizens’ Advice.
The authority is also excited to announce it has opened a new Customer Service Point in East Leake Library, providing face to face access to services for residents living in the south of the Borough.
All of the Council’s walk-in Council facilities now have the same opening times and residents can see a customer advisor in West Bridgford, Bingham, Cotgrave and East Leake from Monday to Friday at the following times: Monday 8.30am to 5pm Tuesday 8.30am to 5pm Wednesday 9.30am to 5pm Thursday 8.30am to 5pm Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Other ways to contact the Council are by calling 0115 981 99 11, emailing customerservices@rushcliffe.gov.uk or visiting the website. Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Cllr Simon Robinson, said: “The new Centre in West Bridgford is still your one stop shop for local services and is now based in an even more accessible location on one of our great bustling high streets.
“It’s just yards from public transport stops and car parks. We can’t wait to give a warm welcome to customers, or if you can’t call in, why not visit our website or contact us on social media, where we can answer your questions. “We know our face to face services across the Borough are still vital to so many people even in such a digital age, so we’re now delighted to offer extended opening hours on weekdays in Bingham, Cotgrave and East Leake.”
Whether it’s lunch with work colleagues or an evening celebrating with friends, most of us tend to eat less healthily when we eat in restaurants, pubs and cafes. Senior Dietitian Victoria Taylor offers her tips for eating out without overdoing it.
Believe it or not, it is possible to eat, drink and be merry without overdoing it. Here are my tips for having a good time while keeping an eye on your waistline and good health.
How often are you eating out?
A one-off meal out probably won’t make any difference to your health in the grand scheme of things, so enjoy it. However, if it’s one of many, consider carefully how it fits into your overall diet. This could mean having a lighter meal in the evening, like soup or a sandwich, if you had a big meal earlier in the day. Or you could choose the healthiest menu options to make the meal fit into your normal diet, rather than just going for your favourites.
Check what’s on the menu
Don’t be afraid to ask the restaurant to adapt dishes
One of the best ways to ensure you make healthy choices when eating out is to check the menu before you arrive, whether online or in person. It means you can choose your meal without others influencing you. Many larger restaurant chains offer nutritional information online.
How many courses?
The tendency when we eat out is to have more than we would at home. Sticking to just one course once you see what everyone else is having is hard. Decide before you begin if you are going to have a starter or a dessert, and which one you’ll find easier to decline. Having a coffee or cup of tea while others have a pudding is a good way to round off a meal, or you could share a pudding with others.
Adapt your dishes
Don’t be afraid to ask the restaurant to adapt dishes. It’s not usually a problem to replace chips with a jacket potato, salad or vegetables. You can also ask for no extra cheese, butter or oil, and to put sauces in a dish on the side.
Portion control
A small portion of saladIt can be easy to eat more than you intended when eating out. If you don’t want to feel too stuffed, consider a starter (perhaps with a side order of vegetables), instead of a main course, or ask for a smaller portion.
Keep it lean. Choose dishes which are based on lean proteins like chicken or turkey (where you can remove the skin) or lean red meats like fillet of pork or beef. Avoid fattier cuts of meat like belly pork or rump steak and remove any visible fat like the fat around the edge of a chop. Watch out for battered and deep fried dishes – even if the contents are lean (like chicken, fish, tofu or vegetables) the coating means they will come with lots of extra fat and calories.
A bit on the side
Having a coffee or cup of tea while others have a pudding is a good way to round off a meal
Having a good helping of vegetables with your meal will add vitamins, minerals and fibre and help you towards your five a day, but beware vegetables that come with added butter, cheese sauce or salt. Ask the server for more information and see if there are any healthier alternatives.
Be drink aware
Keeping alcoholic drinks within the guidelines is important, particularly if you are going to be socialising more than usual. Try not to exceed the recommended 2–3 units a day for women and 3–4 for men. Don’t forget the calories that drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, can add. If you can, choose sugar-free drinks or water, and alternate these with any alcoholic drinks you are having.
Entertain at home
A dinner partyWe all enjoy eating out sometimes, but have you considered inviting family or friends round for a meal? That way you can control what’s on the menu, and it’s often cheaper, too. Ask your guests to bring a dish if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by cooking, although don’t forget to let them know if you want them to bring a healthier option.
Fancy a nibble?
Nibbles are always a very tempting option. It’s fine to indulge in a shortbread biscuit, or a chocolate sweet, but sticking to a regular pattern of meals and snacks will help to make sure you aren’t hungry between meals and help maintain your willpower.
Nottinghamshire County Council has approved plans for the construction of two highway junctions to pave the way for a proposed major development at Top Wighay Farm.
Proposals include the expansion of a roundabout on the A611/Annesley Road and a new signal-controlled junction as well as a new, three-metre wide, shared use footway/cycle lane along the northern side of the A611 north of Hucknall and to the west of Linby.
The move comes just days after councillors approved a report at their Policy Committee to seek Outline Planning Permission to regenerate 42 acres of former farm land which belongs to Nottinghamshire County Council.
The Top Wighay development would create more than 1,000 full time jobs as part of a new flagship village on a 40-hectare site near Linby, which includes more than 800 homes, a new primary school, playing fields, potential for allotments and a village hall.
The creation of the new village could generate £873 million* economic output contribution over a ten-year period. Councillor Kay Cutts MBE, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted and excited that this decision now means the Top Wighay Farm development is moving closer to becoming a reality.
“This development is one of this Council’s flagship projects and it will create a real sense of community by integrating new homes, a new primary school, areas of communal open space and a neighbourhood centre with potential for facilities such as a medical centre. There will also be new offices for County Council staff that will act as a catalyst for local economic growth.
“The creation of more than 1,000 jobs will also be a tremendous boost to the economic prospects of the whole area over the next decade. “The investment in community facilities, infrastructure and education facilities means that the Top Wighay development will be positive for everyone as it will have the needs of the local community at its core.” The site will feature carefully thought-through cycling and pedestrian routes and conservation concerns will remain a key objective throughout the build phase, with trees and hedgerows being maintained.
The roads around the new school will be protected and traffic calming measures will be introduced with the residential area well served with footpaths and cycle routes within easy reach of the school. The site will build upon existing landscape character to create an extensive and diverse framework of green infrastructure which encourages biodiversity and quality landscaping. Attenuation ponds and innovative drainage systems to help the site to cope with surface water while supporting wildlife.
Councillor Cutts added: “The Top Wighay Farm development will improve the quality of life for people moving into the area with excellent education, medical facilities, and green open spaces. The traffic calming, and cycle and footways will make it is a safe area for parents to take their children to school by reducing the need for parents to drive their children right up to the school gates and encouraging students to walk to school.
This is the next significant step towards realising the overall vision for the site as Chairman of the Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee Councillor Chris Barnfather commented: “Top Wighay is a once in a lifetime development that I hope will become a strong and sustainable community. A well designed and effective road system is an essential element of the development. The cycle and footways will make the school run a pleasurable experience too for parents and children alike and I look forward to seeing the plans develop further.”
The proposed highways improvement have been funded by a £5.8 million grant from the Homes England Local Authority Accelerated Construction Fund and with additional funding from Nottinghamshire County Council.
250 Nottinghamshire food outlets have now signed up to a healthy food scheme run by the County Council. Lady Jayne’s Tearoom in Broxtowe has signed up to the Healthier Options Takeaway (HOT) scheme and have committed to offering healthier ways of preparing, cooking and serving food and drink to customers.
The scheme was launched in 2015 and is run in partnership with local district and borough councils and Everyone Health. Karen Townsend, owner of Lady Jayne’s said: “We are proud to be the 250th outlet to be signed up to the Healthy Options Takeaway scheme in Nottinghamshire. We signed up to the scheme to make people aware that we offer a wide variety of healthy alternatives including low fat spread, soya milk and only using rapeseed oil on the griddle.
We make everything fresh to order so we can suit all dietary requirements. We make our own soups and full salads and we don’t do chips!” Councillor Steve Vickers, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, at Nottinghamshire County Council said:
“More than two thirds of adults in Nottinghamshire are currently overweight or obese which can have a negative impact on their health. Meals eaten outside of the home tend to be associated with higher fats, sugars and salt, and portion sizes tend to be bigger, so this scheme is an important step to offering healthier choices.
“We are delighted to reach this milestone of 250 businesses signed up to the HOT scheme. Together with our district and borough council partners, we’re aiming to increase the amount and variety of healthier options in takeaways across Nottinghamshire to help consumers maintain a more balanced diet.”
Councillor Hannah Land, local councillor from Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “I am really happy that the 250th business to sign up to the HOT scheme is here in Broxtowe and it’s great to see that healthy options are firmly on the menu.
We’ll continue to work closely with Nottinghamshire County Council to encourage more local businesses to sign up and communities to take advantage of these options to improve their health and wellbeing.” There are lots of simple steps businesses can take to make their food healthier without compromising on taste, for example:
• Offering to grill, bake, poach or steam food instead of frying
• Removing salt from tables and counters so customers don’t just add it automatically
• Switching to wholegrain pasta, brown rice or wholegrain bread • Offering a vegetable side or salad as a part of a meal option
• Switching from double cream to single cream, yoghurt or half fat crème fraiche
• Promoting water or low sugar drinks, or
• Offering smaller portion options for adults.
The scheme forms part of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which promotes healthy food and environments. It is part of the strategy aimed at delivering healthy and sustainable communities. Businesses who sign up to HOT also benefit from free marketing material to help promote the scheme. In order to sign up, businesses must have a Food Hygiene Rating of three or above and must make three healthy pledges.
They need to contact the local Environmental Health Food team at their local district or borough council. To find a HOT approved takeaway near you or sign up to the scheme visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/HOT
This month’s aerial photo shows the Queen’s Medical Centre which was the first purpose-built teaching hospital in the UK. It was officially opened by the Queen in 1977. The photo was taken by Robin Macey who is a member of Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club. The club is currently looking to expand. Members take turns being on the chase crew as well as flying in the basket. For further details about how to get involved phone 0115-8541028 or visit www.facebook.com/ndhabc Photo by Robin Macey
It was a busy year for Councillors and Officers at Ashfield District Council. 2019 started with the second BIG Ashfield Spring Clean. Even bigger and better, residents were able to dispose of their extra waste via kerb side collections, flying skips and free bulky waste collections. 266 tonnes of side waste was collected, and 3245 households took advantage of the free bulky waste collections. February saw the Council receive the planning application for Summit Park in Sutton. A 162,781 sq.m distribution centre is currently being built on the site which is set to bring 1800 jobs to the District later this year.
Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said “This is the biggest single private sector investment in the district for quite some time, maybe ever. It is great to see that a large organisation wants to bring part of its distribution network to the district.” March saw the unveiling of the newly refurbished Kirkby Clock, now back in its original position outside the Nags Head. The first of three elections took place on 2nd May with the local Council elections. The European elections followed on 23rd May and the General Election took place on 12th December. Both leading up to an election and on Election Day itself, the Elections team at Ashfield District Council work around the clock to ensure casting your vote is as easy as possible.
In the spring the Council announced a number of investments within the District. These included Weatherspoon’s in Sutton announcing plans for a major investment in the Picture House. Sutton business Really Good Group Ltd. who own local business RGMM as well as the sportswear brand QSW invested in new state of the art premises and have transformed the former DWP building on High Pavement into their design and manufacturing studio. Romo fabric & wallpaper design and manufacturers are currently building new state of the art premises on Oddicroft Industrial Estate, having outgrown their current premises on Lowmoor Road, Kirkby.
The summer saw six of the Districts parks retain their green flag status. Brierley Forest Park, Selston Country park, Kingsway Park, Sutton Lawn, Portland Park and Titchfield Park, Hucknall received the prestigious award that recognises the very best parks in the world. Over £2.6million will have been invested into parks and green spaces across Ashfield by March 2020.
2019 marked 100 years since the Addison Act and the start of Council housing in England. To mark the occasion the Council have unveiled a new road sign on Addison Drive in Hucknall, and placed a blue plaque on one of the first Council houses in the District. Records show that a property on Moorland Close in Sutton in Ashfield was the very first council house to be built in Ashfield back in 1922. With over 7000 houses under its management the Council is committed to increasing this number. Having recently added nine new properties to the housing portfolio in Hucknall, we are building over 20 new homes on Davies Avenue in Sutton. There are also plans to build or acquire around 100 more properties over the next few years. In July ADC announced the departure of Chief Executive Rob Mitchell. Carol Cooper-Smith joined as interim Chief Executive, making her the first female Chief Executive for Ashfield District Council or the Urban Councils that proceeded it.
Carol Cooper-Smith said “I am delighted to be back at Ashfield District Council as the first female CEO. The Council has a strong history of female senior leaders, with three of the Council’s five current senior leaders being female. I am proud to lead an organisation that values equality.” In September a public consultation was held allowing residents to have their say on the new Kirkby leisure destination. Over 300 residents responded, with 75% of respondents saying they were looking forward to a swimming pool coming to Kirkby. As part of the Council’s Green Agenda the first Community Orchard was planted in October. Over 1000 trees will be planted across the District over the next four years and the Community Orchard at Sutton Lawn saw a selection of apple, pear a nut trees planted. Once established the orchard will provide local residents with fruit and nuts they can pick and take home.
Electric vehicle charging points were installed at the Council offices, Kirkby, New Street car park, Kirkby, Kings Mill Reservoir and Piggins Croft car park, Hucknall.
The Community Protection team celebrated their tenth anniversary and have been working hard throughout the year tackling anti-social behaviour. In October the Council obtained its first ever Criminal Behaviour Order, issued to a resident for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice. We continue to work closely with the Police and the CID have now moved into the integrated HUB alongside their community policing colleagues and the Council’s Community Protection team.
In preparation for Remembrance Day the four main war memorials in Titchfield Park, Kingway Cemetery, Sutton Cemetery and Huthwaite Cemetery were cleaned and restored. This marked the beginning of a rolling programme which will see all the Districts war memorials cleaned and restored over the next few years. Idlewells indoor market ended the year at over 80% capacity. Kirkby and Sutton are in line to receive millions in funding thanks to the Future High Streets and Towns Funds. Each town will receive up to £25million as part of the Governments Towns Fund, and Sutton is in line to receive up to an additional £25million from the Future High Streets fund. The focus will be to widen the appeal of the town centre, with less reliance on retail to create a thriving centre with a mix of retail, leisure and services.
We rounded the year off with three Christmas festivals in Kirkby, Sutton and Hucknall. New Christmas lights were installed, including new feature lighting, attracting visitors into the town centres. Feedback on this year’s lights has been phenomenal and has proved to be a fantastic way to round off a busy year for Ashfield District Council.Looking forward into 2020, Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said “The Council faces huge challenges this year in terms of budgets. With no money coming directly from the Government for the first time, we are looking to build on our current investments to ensure we are generating enough money to continue providing high quality services to residents. “We will be holding The BIG Ashfield Spring Clean for the third time in February.
This will be the biggest yet and we will be providing residents with details over the next few weeks. We’ve also got the opening of the Byron Cinema in Hucknall to look forward to in the spring. It’ll be fantastic to have all the latest blockbusters available in the District. “The Mill Waters project will also make strides with the new Café opening at Kings Mill Reservoir in the spring. The new leisure destination will continue to move forward and is on track for its 2021 opening. This is an exciting year for the Council and the District and we look forward to delivering a wide range of projects to benefit residents.”
