. November 2021 - Wilcop Media

November 2021

Nottingham News

Join Green Rewards today and earn great discounts, vouchers and prizes at local businesses and projects in your community for playing your part to combat climate change and achieve net zero! That’s the message from all nine local Councils in Nottinghamshire who have joined forces with local universities and creator Jump for a trailblazing partnership!

It provides a new Green Rewards app and web platform which means Notts residents can accumulate points and earn the prizes for many activities they do every day at home or out and about that help lower their carbon footprint.
It is part of the Universities for Nottingham civic collaboration which aims to improve the way the universities work with each other and their local partners to help change the lives of local people for the better. Sign up for free now or download the Green Rewards app on iOS and Android. Search for ‘Notts; Green Rewards’ in your device’s app store.
In similar fashion to rewards points at retailers, all residents need to do is log their day to day activities that highlight how they are decreasing the amount of carbon they create, such as:

• Walking to work or school instead of taking the car
• Cycling or using public transport
• Putting your recycling bin out with all the correct recyclables
• Switching off a light or switch at home
• Taking a shower of four minutes or less and many, many more!

There’s a full list of how you can redeem points or it’s available on the app and when you accumulate sufficient points you can then earn the discounts, vouchers and prizes and in Rushcliffe 10 per cent discounts or other offers at these participating outlets.

There’s also £20 worth of vouchers for the top two residents in each council area who earn the most points each month, to claim at local businesses, donate to worthwhile causes or projects and in some districts and Boroughs there’s prizes too for the top points earning wards.

All the Councils across Notts including Ashfield District Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council have come together to drive forward and fund the platform and app to residents. They have followed the lead of Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham who use the app to encourage their staff and students to log their every-day activities.

Through the Universities for Nottingham initiative partners have pledged to tackle sustainable travel and transport and develop joint programmes to change behaviour, ensuring the lessons learnt are passed on to all in the region.
The first collaborative sustainability engagement programme of its kind in the UK, it features the simple carbon-reduction activities that residents can complete.

It means Nottinghamshire is the first County in the country to see all its major local authority and education partners collaborate on a climate change reduction project in this way ahead of next month’s COP 26, providing an easy to use platform and incentives for all. Speaking on behalf of the council partners, Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change Cllr Abby Brennan said: “We are excited to launch Green Rewards to our residents and provide them with the tools and motivation to join the fight against climate change. Register or download the app today!

“Small actions really can make a difference, and we’re confident of this scheme’s ability to show how much of an impact our residents can have. “This scheme has already been a huge hit with University students and staff so we’re delighted many residents can now join them to be rewarded for everything they do to help lower carbon levels.
“Every time you go for a walk, cycle or use green public transport instead of using a car, recycle responsibly or just turn a light switch or plug off at home, you can earn points and enjoy the rewards.

“The environment and climate change are at the forefront of all of our priorities as partners and this project is a unique opportunity for Councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to work together and achieve something extraordinary.” Nottingham Trent University’s Head of Sustainability Charmaine Morrell said: “We launched Green Rewards at Nottingham Trent University in February 2019, so I’m delighted that the app is being rolled out across the whole of Nottinghamshire. “This is a huge achievement given that all the local authorities within Nottinghamshire have come together, united in their desire to get everyone involved to combat climate change. At NTU alone 360,000 kilograms of carbon has already been saved, the same weight as 90 elephants.”

Andy Nolan, Director of Sustainability at the University of Nottingham said: “We’ve been delighted with the way our staff and students have used the Green Rewards App to log the positive actions they are taking to help achieve our sustainability goals and it’s great to see how commitments made through the Universities for Nottingham initiative are expanding across the county. “We’ve already seen 23,000 positive actions, saving over 25,000kg of CO2.”
The partnership will support each council’s target of reaching net zero carbon emissions before 2040, with some committing to an earlier date of 2030. Each councils’ residents will see different activities and content when they access the Green Rewards platform, ensuring it is tailored to their council’s goals.

Graham Simmonds, Chief Executive, Jump, says: “We are delighted to be celebrating the launch of Notts Councils’ ground-breaking Green Rewards programme. “This is a significant step in the race to reach net zero and it’s very exciting to see the eight District and Borough Councils plus the County Council and two universities coming together and collaborating so effectively. “I’m excited by the range of carbon busting activities for residents to get involved in, and with lots of people taking lots of individual actions this will collectively add up to a big difference.”

Nottingham News

Six parks in Ashfield have once again been awarded with the Green Flag Award. The six parks that have been awarded the Green Flag 2021 are Brierley Forest Park, Kingsway Park, Portland Park, Selston Country Park, Sutton Lawn and Titchfield Park, Hucknall.

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Cllr Samantha Deakin, Cabinet Member for Parks, Town Centres and Neighbourhood Services said: “We are so pleased to have received six green flags in our fantastic parks again this year. We have invested heavily into our parks and green spaces to ensure that they are places that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Our parks are popular with our residents as a place to escape and to enjoy connecting with nature. “These past two years people have really seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep. We are proud of the hard work that our teams have put into maintaining our parks to such a high standard that they are nationally recognized as being some of the best parks in the country!”

Commenting on the news that Ashfield has achieved the Green Flag Award standard at six parks, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Ashfield worthy of their Green Flag Awards.” “To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that Ashfield has high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

Lancashire News

Three recently planted cherry trees have been vandalised in Walker’s Field, in the Moorside area of Bury.
It follows an incident at Peel Brow in Ramsbottom, when four out of five trees were snapped in half just one day after they were planted. Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Yet again, mindless neanderthals have vandalised our precious newly planted trees. We need to plant 10,000 more trees just to keep pace with the those we are losing due to Ash Die Back. Our trees clean the air, provide habitat to diverse species and take up the rain that can lead to floods.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism can report it to the council: www.bury.gov.uk or 0161 253 5353.

Lancashire News

Over 50 of the UK’s most celebrated craftworkers and artists are exhibiting at a Clitheroe gallery’s glittering annual festive showcase. If you are looking for a unique one-off Christmas gift, with prices starting at just £3, head for the much-anticipated Northern Star exhibition at the Platform Gallery in Station Road.

The exhibition, which runs until Christmas Eve, features a festive feast of handmade items, including textiles, ceramics, glass, woodwork, jewellery, lighting, decorations and cards. Exhibitors include East Lancashire ceramicist Katie Timson, whose work captures the beauty of the natural world, and silversmith Lou Gillett, whose Atlantic Design Studio is based on the coast of Northern Ireland. Former architect Lou has been designing and making silver jewellery for more than two decades and her work features sharp clean lines and organic forms inspired by the built environment.

Also exhibiting is Hampshire surface pattern artist Claire Morosi, whose quirky, intricate and multi-layered prints and fabric pendants feature flowers, birds and fish interwoven with abstract elements, and Cornwall textile artist Claire Armitage, whose luxurious silk scarves, clutch bags, purses and brooches blend floral, avian and nautical imagery with poetry and folklore.

Ricky Newmark, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community services committee, said: “Northern Star is one of the Platform Gallery’s most anticipated annual events and this year we scoured the country to bring the very best British craftwork to Clitheroe for Christmas. “We are inviting art and craft enthusiasts, or shoppers looking for a unique one-off festive gift, to join us at the Platform Gallery for a fantastic day out in Clitheroe.” Situated in a renovated Victorian railway station, the multi-award-winning Platform Gallery and Clitheroe Visitor Information Centre is open from 10am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays from 28 November until Christmas Eve.

Further details about Northern Star are available from the Platform Gallery on 01200 425566.

Nottingham News

A bid for over £40m of Government funding towards further redevelopment of the Broad Marsh and The Island Quarter sites have received backing from a range of politicians and captains of industry. The city has put forward a bid for the Levelling Up Fund set up by the Government to fund major regional infrastructure projects that can make a real difference to local communities by creating jobs and opportunities for people and businesses. Nottingham has submitted a bid for two major projects – asking for £20m towards the next phase of preparing the Broad Marsh shopping centre site for complete redevelopment, along with £20m towards the ongoing development of The Island Quarter. Both are among the largest city centre regeneration sites in the UK, presenting huge opportunities for major investment, new jobs and fresh ways to boost the local economy. The City Council has also submitted a bid for a further £18m from the fund for citywide transport improvements.

The city’s three MPs, along with the Leaders of Nottinghamshire and Broxtowe councils, and senior bosses at Experian, Boots, BioCity, East Midlands Chamber, the Local Enterprise Partnership, both universities and Nottingham College, among others, have joined the City Council’s Leader and Chief Executive, Cllr David Mellen and Mel Barrett, in signing a letter to Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing, Michael Gove, and his ministers, urging them to support the bid. In it, they set out the compelling reasons for both bids to receive Government backing. On Broad Marsh, they outline how the site presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvent and reimagine the city post-pandemic and the widespread support for its redevelopment, with expert input from designer Thomas Heatherwick and the Broad Marsh advisory group. They explain how transforming Broad Marsh will unlock jobs and investment and allow the city to flourish while also contributing towards Nottingham’s goal to become a carbon neutral city by 2028.

Additional public funding such as the Levelling Up money would help to complete the work already underway on site and act as catalyst to secure private investment to help fully realise the huge potential and opportunity of Broad Marsh, the letter says. It points out that The Island Quarter is another major Nottingham development, with over two million square feet of mixed use development planned on the edge of the city centre, set to extend the central business district and create up to 4,000 jobs, which deserves the Government’s financial support. City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “The signatories of this letter, and many more people in our city, can clearly see that both Broad Marsh and The Island Quarter represent opportunities to deliver what the Levelling Up Fund sets out to achieve – supporting investment in infrastructure that can make a real difference to local communities. “Our region has seen the lowest level of public investment of any region in the UK and so we hope the Government agrees that our ambitions for Broad Marsh and The Island Quarter embody what Levelling Up is all about. The scale and significance of the Broad Marsh project alongside the Island Quarter can help to significantly raise the profile of Nottingham as a Core City nationally and internationally and be a catalyst to generate and increase investment and prosperity across the whole city, the county and wider region, spreading the benefits to more of our people.”

Robert Ware, CEO of Conygar Investment Company PLC, which is currently progressing on phase 1A Canal Turn at The Island Quarter, said: “We are not just supporting, but partnering, Nottingham City Council in this bid for the Levelling Up Fund. The fund will mean a great deal to The Island Quarter, allowing us to accelerate our building programme and will ensure the city can rise from the pandemic, proud and successful – bringing jobs, homes and opportunities, and boosting the local economy.

“Our 36-acre £1 billion development is vital for Nottingham, and alongside the Broad Marsh development will bring tremendous opportunity to the city. We are urging everyone to back the Nottingham bid and we are, with the City Council, campaigning for support. “Government should not forget mid-sized cities like Nottingham – they are central to realising the aspirations of the Levelling Up agenda. With the backing of ambitious private sector developers like ourselves, this core city can and will make the most of itself – and won’t be overlooked again.”

Further comments from some of the bid’s backers: Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, Scott Knowles, said: “Nottingham City Council’s Levelling Up Bid seeks support for two vitally important regeneration schemes in the heart of the city that will has a long lasting transformative effect on the city, its residents and the business community. This investment will act as a beacon for further investment from the private sector and subsequently the creation of thousands of new jobs and ensuring the city centre’s future prosperity.” Director of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, Sandeep Mahal, said: “We are proud to back the city’s bid to the Levelling Up Fund and the enormous opportunity if offers to set a vision for the future prosperity of the City. The Levelling Up Fund offers huge potential for attracting investment and growth that will in turn transform the lives of people in Nottingham, create jobs in the area and showcase the talent and creativity that our UNESCO Creative City has to offer. “Nottingham is an ambitious, young and diverse city with a culture of grassroots collaboration and a rich heritage of rebellious innovation. As a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, Nottingham is important, not just locally and regionally, but also on the global stage; working to harness the power of creativity to build a better, more sustainable, more equitable world.” Founder & CEO of Switch Up and the Nottingham School of Boxing, Marcellus Baz, said: “The success of both schemes is incredibly important not only to the economic prospects of Nottingham but to the bright future of the disadvantaged young people I support in the city.

“Seeing these significant regeneration projects realised with the support of the Levelling Up Fund will provide them with opportunities for employment as well as giving them a sense of pride in where they live. This feeling of being part of the community will drive their aspirations to contribute and make Nottingham a fantastic place to learn, work, and live.” Experian’s Global Head of Social Innovation & UK & Head of Corporate Responsibility, Richard Donovan, said:

“At Experian we are proud of the deep roots we have here in the East Midlands. As a leading employer in the region, we recognise the importance of transforming the Broad Marsh and Island quarter in supporting the economic development of the city and inspiring the next generation of talent within our local commu-nities.” Executive Director of BioCity, Toby Reid, said: “Nottingham is an exciting city full of potential but for too long the two sites of Broad Marsh and Island Quarter have blotted the cityscape, masking the ambition and thwarting the city’s ability to fulfil its potential. The private sector can play its part, but nothing catalyses activity and drives confidence in a development like public sector support.”

Nottingham News

Gedling Country Park, Arnot Hill Park, Burton Road Jubilee Park and for the second year, Bestwood Country Park, joined a record number of parks and green spaces collecting a Green Flag Award – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Arnot Hill Park retains the award for the 15th consecutive year, Gedling Country Park for the 6th year in a row, Burton Road Jubilee received the award for the sixth time and Bestwood Country Park has received the award for the second year in a row since the management of the park was taken over by Gedling Borough Council.
The four parks in Gedling Borough join over 2,000 sites across the country in collecting the award for 2021.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of a Green Flag Award. To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that these areas have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and that they are places that support people to live healthy lives.”
Councillor Peter Barnes, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “Over the last 20 months, our parks and open spaces have played a vital part in the health and wellbeing of our residents as, for a long time, they were one of the only places people could go to enjoy exercise and to meet friends and family. We have seen unprecedented demand on our four main parks and we are delighted that Keep Britain Tidy has recognised the value of all four and awarded us with the Green Flag Award.

We work very hard every year to meet the standards and criteria set by the awards so I would like to thank our hard working parks and open spaces staff for their dedication. We know residents of Gedling are very proud of our parks, and this achievement goes to show what wonderful spaces we have in the borough.”

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of Communities Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“It is great news that Bestwood Country Park has been recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme. We are committed to ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy our country parks, come rain or shine. I would like to congratulate, and thank, all of our partners, staff and volunteers who put so much time and care in to this fantastic green space. Throughout all the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, parks like Bestwood have provided Nottinghamshire residents with an opportunity to exercise, socialise and come together as a community safely.”

Lancashire News

Details have been confirmed about the eagerly awaited visit to Rochdale of Little Amal – a 9-year-old refugee girl in the form of a 3.5 metre puppet. The Walk is a public art projected produced for Good Chance in association with Handspring Puppet Company, world famous creators of the horse puppets in War Horse. Little Amal has travelled from the Syrian border across Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium in search of her mother, stopping at 65 places on the way, including Rochdale on Tuesday, 2 November 2021. Her journey represents those taken by millions of people who have been displaced by war or persecution, especially children.

At this time of multiple global crises her urgent message to the world is ‘don’t forget about us’.
‘Changing the conversation and bringing us all together’ Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council said plans are well under way to give her a warm Rochdale welcome. “We are so pleased Rochdale has been chosen to meet Amal on her journey. We hope she will raise awareness of the journeys refugees are forced to take and show how welcoming we can be in Rochdale. This epic walk has an important role to play in changing the conversation and bringing us all together.”

Manchester International Festival (MIF) is working on the Greater Manchester finale of The Walk, an epic 8,000 kilometre journey. On Tuesday, 2 November 2021, Little Amal will be welcomed to Rochdale town centre where, from 12.45pm, she’s due to walk from Cheetham Street down Yorkshire Street in the town centre. She’ll pause at the Better Together building, home of Caring and Sharing (formerly Marks and Spencer). She will meet community groups who provide vital help and support to local asylum seekers and refugees. From there she’ll be greeted by Littleborough folk group Oakenhoof and led towards The Esplanade and into Rochdale Memorial Gardens.

In the gardens from approximately 1pm until 1.30pm, Amal will be welcomed by the mayor, Councillor Aasim Rashid, along with young people from local schools, colleges and other community groups. There will be music performed by Wardle Brass Band and eye catching displays from Skylight Circus Arts. Everyone is invited to help ensure Amal receives a warm reception, by gathering on Yorkshire Street or in Rochdale Memorial Gardens on The Esplanade near the town hall. The Walk is produced by Good Chance, Stephen Daldry, David Lan and Tracey Seaward in association with Handspring Puppet Company and is produced and presented in Rochdale by Rochdale Borough Council and Your Trust in partnership with Manchester International Festival.

Lancashire News

In a record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award, as the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, with six of Preston’s Parks included in the 2,127 celebrating success. Preston City Council is raising a Green Flag Award at six sites across the city. The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After 18 months that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that Preston’s parks has again achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the gardeners, friends groups and volunteers that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy.

The list of awards for Preston are:
• Ashton Park
• Avenham & Miller Parks
• Fishwick Bottoms
• Haslam Park
• Moor Park
• Winckley Square Gardens

The Friends of Haslam Park have again been awarded the Green Flag Community Award for their volunteer management of the sensory and rose gardens, and the Local Nature Reserve. Winckley Square Gardens has also achieved the much coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.

Councillor Robert Boswell, Cabinet member for environment and community safety at Preston City Council, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to yet again receive awards as part of the Green Flag Awards Scheme here in Preston.
“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, especially during the pandemic when our parks offered a sanctuary to residents during lockdown, and these awards celebrate the dedication that goes into maintaining Preston’s parks and green spaces to such a high standard. “It’s great recognition for all the hard work by park rangers, gardeners, staff, volunteers and Friends Groups to keep all our parks and open spaces looking at their best all year round.”

Commenting on the news that Preston’s parks had once again achieved the Green Flag Award standard, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making the parks in Preston worthy of a Green Flag Award.” “To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that Preston’s parks high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Preston’s parks and open spaces are a few of the 2,127 sites across the country to collect the award for 2021.
A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available on the Green Flag Award website. https://www.greenflagaward.org

Nottingham News

Progress on the Gedling Access Road is continuing at pace despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and is set to be opened in spring 2022. Once complete, the new 3.8km route will reduce congestion through Gedling village for motorists and local residents and will enable the sustainable redevelopment of the former Gedling Colliery/Chase Farm site, which includes the construction of 1,050 new homes.

Since construction began in January 2020, teams have been busy with excavation works, surfacing, roundabout construction, habitat enhancement for local wildlife and drainage works. The new route was initially programmed to take 18 months to complete but is now set to open in spring 2022. This revised timescale is due to the various knock-on effects caused largely by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The Gedling Access Road is a major investment for Nottinghamshire and we are proud that we have made a significant amount of progress on the project despite the challenges we have faced. “Back in March 2020 we could have halted works, as was the case with many other projects at the time. If we’d done that, the Gedling Access Road would have been many more months behind schedule, but we chose to press on, and that was the right choice.

“In the circumstances, just an extra few months on a project that’s been in the pipeline for several decades, delivered during a global pandemic, is a pretty good effort in my view and I am very proud that we are the ones delivering this for people in Gedling. The road will make a huge difference to motorists who will notice faster journey times, and local residents, who will benefit from less congestion through Gedling Village and for the further investment it will unlock in the area.

“I want to thank local residents for their patience and understanding about the project. We are really looking forward to completing the scheme soon, and delivering its benefits for local people and Nottinghamshire as a whole.”

Nottingham News

Nottinghamshire County Council has appointed Councillor Mike Adams as its first ‘Environment Ambassador’ ahead of the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26) starting on Sunday in Glasgow. The Environment Ambassador will lead on the county council’s ambition to become carbon neutral in all its activities by 2030 after it declared a climate emergency in May.

The council has already commissioned a new greenhouse gas report to pinpoint where carbon emissions are greatest across its buildings and services. Once complete, a targeted plan will be put in place to reduce these emissions.
It is also set to transfer its electricity supply to a green tariff which will provide energy exclusively from renewables thereby avoiding fossil fuels.

Cllr Adams said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed the county council’s first Environment Ambassador. It is a big responsibility and one I take very seriously. “We were already working towards carbon neutrality in our buildings, but the climate emergency declaration provided a clear signal of our commitment to Nottinghamshire’s environment.
“I’m going to be rolling my sleeves up to make sure we meet our promise to become carbon neutral by 2030 – it is an opportunity we can’t miss.

“I’m really glad to have taken up this role with COP26 just around the corner too.” The Environment Ambassador will also work closely with partner organisations to deliver local climate friendly projects to help the UK reach its ambition of reaching net zero as a country by 2050.

This includes working with Greenwood Community Forest to deliver the DEFRA-funded ‘Trees for Climate’ programme, which will see at least 250 hectares of new woodlands created across the county in the next five years. The county council has committed to planting 250,000 trees on its own land and is also working closely with the three other D2N2 highway local authorities to develop cycling and walking infrastructure for the benefit of both the environment and tourism.

Cllr Adams added: “Our climate emergency declaration promised we would secure net zero emissions in all our activities, but we want to go further and contribute to carbon neutrality across the UK. “We have got some fantastic joint projects in the pipeline like the Trees for Climate scheme, where we have already planted the first five hectares of new woodland and will be planting a further 60 hectares this autumn and winter. “I’m looking forward to working with our partners to help deliver a cleaner and greener future for both Nottinghamshire and our country.”