. December 2021 - Wilcop Media

December 2021

Nottingham News, Notts Leisure, Notts What's On

Kieran Powell (Alan-a-Dale)

It is a delight for all the family, from the youngsters all the way up to the grandparents in the audience. This year the Theatre Royal has pulled out all the stops to give families a brilliant Christmas evening out with their production of Robin Hood with amazing sets, fabulous song and dance routines, bright and colouful costumes, lots of ventriloquism and off colour jokes to try and explain to the kids on the drive home, delivering an inch perfect panto

This year’s must-see pantomime stars X Factor champ Matt Terry as lead Robin Hood, TV Stars Tristan Gemmill (Sheriff of Nottingham), Matthew Kelly (Dame Tilly Tuck) and Jodie Prenger ( Spirit of Sherwood) . Joining them are Dance act Flawless, Phil Walker, Kieran Powell, Lucy May Barker and special guest Denis Remnevfor an eye watering circus act.

Brought to you by Crossroads Pantomimes, Robin Hood features a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh out loud comedy, stunning scenery, special effects and plenty of boos and hisses for all the family to enjoy.  

 Robin Hood is high energy and infectiously good fun from the moment the curtain goes up in act one. There is a constant stream of local references, great dance routines, plenty of laughs and a high energy performance by Tristain Gemmill playing villain The sherriff of Nottingham.   

 Robin Hood runs at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Sunday January 9th with tickets available now.   You can book online at www.trch.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0115 989 5555

Images credit – Whitefoot Photography



Nottingham News

Newark and Sherwood District Council launched the Crop Drop scheme 12 months ago and it is aimed at giving allotment holders the chance to support residents across the district with fresh fruit and vegetables.
One year on and the project is making great progress. A special ‘thank you’ event was held at Feel Good Gardens in Edwinstowe and it was a small way for the District Council to not only celebrate the success of its first year but to say thank you to all those that have contributed to the scheme.

The scheme has grown from strength to strength throughout the year attracting not only numerous allotments holders locally but also various organisations willing to take donations of the produce to distribute to families. The scheme was initially promoted to parish and town council allotments holders but very quickly attracted large scale growers, community allotments and even the NTU Brackenhurst horticultural research team.

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “This is a great initiative and it’s been rewarding to see it flourish and grow in the past year. “Not only has it helped our keen allotment growers find willing outlets for their excess crop, it also provided families across the district with delicious ingredients while teaching our younger generations about how food is grown, harvested and enjoyed. “It’s pleasing to see allotment owners supporting our communities and this initiative really brought the community together.”

Miles Harriman who lives in Winthorpe in Newark is one of the growers who contributes to the project, he said: “I moved back to the town three years ago and when I heard about the scheme I was really excited to get involved. It’s been brilliant so far and it gives those people the opportunity to try vegetables they would never have thought about getting. “It’s really gratifying to introduce these new vegetables to people and knowing that the donated food goes to those that need it most is a rewarding feeling.

“We regularly donate to Bean Block café in Newark and some weeks we could be giving them 40 cucumbers a day! “The scheme is making a huge impact in the community and I want to start getting more people involved in the growing of vegetables and trying it out for themselves.”

The growers not only volunteered to grow and donate produce but supported with transporting the crop drop boxes weekly to food clubs, food bank, local schools, colleges, emergency food provision centres and Beaumond House Hospice Care. It’s estimated that volunteers took donations and distributed food to more than 200 families per week.
Throughout the scheme recipe cards were given to families to support them and showed different ways to use the produce creating tasty healthy meals.

The District Council is currently getting ready to roll out Crop Drop again next spring, creating a newsletter and mapping the wonderful array of growing opportunities that exist in Newark and Sherwood.

Nottingham News

There are numerous liqueurs which can be located and, depending on liking and tastes, are every good, too. For hundreds of years liqueurs have been made, loved and appreciated, being one of the most popular alcoholic drinks around. Different herbs and fruits are included in the ingredients for the recipes, many of which are closely-guarded. If cocktails are a passion, then liqueurs will add a ‘zing’ and turn ok into the ‘WOW’ factor.

Demijohn, a liquid deli, was established during 2004 by Angus and Frances Ferguson. This family-run company quickly gained a reputation for high-quality liqueurs. Multi award-winning Demijohn goes to great lengths to source new ingredients, liqueurs, spirits, oils and vinegars from many locations in the UK and Europe. Eye-catching, beautifully-shaped glass bottles, decanters and containers, of various sizes, are an added bonus for the impressive presentation of products. The bottles, decanters and containers are reusable and a complimentary personal message can be included, on request. From the popular productions, utilising many fruits, including raspberries, damsons, cherries, blackcurrants and gooseberries, to Rhubarb Vodka and Apricot Brandy, plus so much more, there are plenty of choices and something for all tastes and palates, including organics. Several have a ‘following’ of devotees and regularly grace a great number of dining occasions – particularly a fine, favourite liqueur, for accompanying desserts or to enjoy afterwards. I located Chocolate Rum Liqueur and found this exceptional, with outstanding balance, texture and flavour. Toffee Whisky Liqueur is very popular, as are Demijohn’s Limoncello Liqueur and also Walnut Liqueur, plus Grapefruitcello – superb!

Online ordering is available (and easy), too. Deliveries are efficient and reliable. Liqueurs, whiskies, wines and spirits are all within their excellent ranges, plus superb oils and vinegars. Hampers and attractive gift packages are available, plus gift vouchers – perhaps surprise someone special? The website has all details and includes information on products, recipes, as well as particulars about gifts, weddings and ceremonies, also how to book a tasting event – now there’s a thought!

Excellent and impressive products, presented with distinction.
Tel: 0845 604 8350
Email: info@demijohn.co.uk
www.demijohn.co.uk

Nottingham News

As part of the Council’s £110k investment into Huthwaite Welfare Park, work has begun this week to create a brand new play area.

The initial stage of the works on the upper part of the park will see the installation of exciting new equipment including a zip wire, adventure trail, toddler and junior climbing multi units, and a single point swing. The new equipment should be ready to use by early next year. Cllr Tom Hollis, Ward Member for Huthwaite and Brierley, said “I am so excited to see this state of the art play area come to life. We really listened to what local residents wanted here and I hope they will enjoy it for years to come once it is completed.

“Huthwaite Welfare Park is just the latest of our parks to be refurbished and modernised as part of the Council’s wider £3million investment into parks across the District. We are investing a huge £110k on this park and bringing in new dynamic equipment that I’m sure our younger residents will absolutely love.”

Lancashire News, Lancs Health & Care

The Benefits of an Active Social Life
We have all heard the saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine’, many of us know that this can be true in many cases. The main reason is because we usually share these funny moments with other people. No matter what our age, maintaining an active social life and making new friends is so important for our overall health. Spending time with people you love and respect affects our happiness and can relieve a massive amount of stress. When paired with other healthy habits such as eating well and staying fit, socialising frequently can help us all keep cognitively active and improve our memory.

Nurturing strong social bonds isn’t just good for our mental health though, it also improves our physical health too. Research shows that reduced stress also reduces the likelihood of heart disease, strokes, and diabetes.
Reasons to Nurture Strong Relationships with Elderly People Cross-generational friendships are enlightening for both sides. From simply making strong social bonds to giving us important life lessons, there are a whole host of reasons to make friends with people from different generations. Older people can teach us life lessons which will impact our resilience, confidence, and empathy. Some more reasons to make friends with elderly people include:

  1. The older generation can pass on their life lessons and experiences
    Older people have generally been through a lot. In other words, they have ‘been there and got the tshirt’. They have had children, gotten married, and they may have experienced living through a war. Their lives have been full of positive and negative experiences and not to mention, they have done some very interesting things that the younger generation simply couldn’t imagine. Learning about these experiences can teach younger generations a lot about resilience, hard work, and confidence. Listening to their stories will also help them reminisce about times gone by.
  2. You and and your elderly companion can both learn a lot
    Both sides will get some interesting cultural lessons that they simply wouldn’t learn from peers in their own age group. Everything from music and art to literature and film, you’ll learn a lot about the kind of culture that shaped their perceptions and you can teach them more about modern culture too.
  3. You and the elderly can share similar interests
    Maybe you like playing a musical instrument or you enjoy being creative and making art? People across different ages can share the same interests and enjoy them together. Not only that, but you can also take it a step further and learn a new hobby or skill from the older generation or you can teach them something new.
  4. You are able to gain a different perspective by listening to the older generation
    As we grow older our opinions and perceptions change a lot. In fact, they are changing all the time and this is a positive thing because it allows us to be open minded and receptive to different ways of doing things. We all have perceptions and stereotypes, so why not challenge them by speaking to people with different ways of thinking?
  5. You might help an older person feel more connected to the world
    Everyone can experience loneliness, but it is particularly prominent in elderly people. Keeping in regular contact with elderly friends can help alleviate any feelings of isolation. The use of technology has contributed to this too, it is always on the rise and people who were around before the rise of technology can sometimes feel quite lost. This is an opportunity for the younger generation to teach the older people in their lives to navigate the digital world, or atleast help them when they need to use technology in their daily lives.
Lancashire News, Lancs Leisure

Thanks to a £220,000 boost from Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund to kickstart planting, this funding will see a tree planted equivalent to every resident living in Barrow, Copeland and Allerdale. Defra has approved Cumbria’s proposal for a new coastal community woodland – which will provide a series of connected community woodlands down the western coast of Cumbria. Thousands of trees will be planted over five years (up to 150 hectares) and in the next 25 years, a minimum of 5,000 hectares of woodland will be created. These will provide direct and real benefit for people living within these communities through the development of new tree planting and woodland creation. It will offer opportunities for decarbonisation and enhance the county’s natural capital, making Cumbria a more attractive place to live and work. The development of the Cumbria Community Forest bid has been led by Cumbria County Council, The National Trust and Cumbria Woodlands, in close partnership with other local councils including Barrow Borough Council, Copeland Borough Council and Allerdale Borough Council. It has also been supported by a range of other organisations including Art Gene, The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Britain’s Energy Coast.
Councillor Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“This is incredibly exciting, and I’m delighted that the county council will be taking the lead role in this initiative. Trees and woodlands are vital in our fight against climate change but not only this; they also provide far reaching physical and mental health benefits too. Being able to connect local people with local nature without the need to travel will be fantastic.”

Jez Westgarth, Lakes Future Farming Programme Manager from the National Trust, added:
“We have been delighted to support the development of this exciting initiative, that will provide local opportunities for people to enjoy nature and beauty within easy reach of where they live and work. Through a range of different opportunities that the community forest will provide, we can help support and encourage everyone to be able to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature and the great outdoors.” Neville Elstone from Cumbria Woodlands, said:

“The development of Community Forests will provide a rich local focal point to attract visitors and make the area a more attractive location to live and work. Importantly, it’s not just increasing woodland cover. It’s about opportunity, engagement and enjoyment for local communities and visitors alike. The complimentary opportunities for green jobs, nature recovery, carbon storage and environmental resilience are endless.” Lord Goldsmith, Forestry Minister, added:
“This announcement further expands and strengthens England’s network of Community Forests. All across the country we are growing more trees and woodland than ever before, including in and around some of England’s most deprived communities. “Forests are vital for the future of our planet and this exciting new project will contribute towards our commitment to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament.” Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission Chair, said:

“The incredible value of trees has never been clearer, and it is my personal passion to make sure as many people as possible get to experience their benefits. This initiative will offer local opportunities for people to enjoy nature from their doorstep, providing people of all ages and abilities with fresh air and spaces to breathe.
“I look forward to working with all partners involved and will ensure that, through careful planning and expert management, the trees of Cumbria and elsewhere can continue to thrive as they grow.” There will now be extensive further engagement with a range of communities to help shape and agree the final plan.”

Lancashire News

Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter could be fully pedestrianised under new plans which are to be put to the public. A final consultation is being launched which sets out Manchester City Council’s ambition to make the Square one of the most attractive destinations in the city. Hundreds of people have let the Council know what they wanted from Stevenson Square and the surrounding area through two earlier consultations. Through these exercises the Council learned the main priorities for residents and businesses in the area were:

• The full pedestrianisation of Stevenson Square.
• Having a space where people could sit and relax.
• A safe, traffic-free space that they could move through.
• Elements which reflected the character of the Northern Quarter including space for outdoor dining, public art and planted areas allowing a ‘connection to nature’.

With this in mind the public will be asked for their views on the Council’s proposals before improvement works begin in 2022. A consultation is now live, running to Tuesday 21 December. This can be found by going to www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations

Some of the key changes to the area include:
• The pedestrianisation of Stevenson Square. New seating and bike racks will be installed, new trees planted and sustainable draining systems (SUDS) installed.
• A two-way cycle lane will run through Stevenson Square at the same level as the pavement, with tactile crossings put in place and new signage for cyclist wayfaring.
• Pedestrian and cyclist crossings will be installed at the junctions of Oldham Street/Hilton Street, and Newton Street/Hilton Street. Footpaths will be widened in the area to give more space over to pedestrians.
• Pay and display bays in Hilton Street will be removed.
• Some loading bays in the area will be relocated to allow for these changes to be made, whilst still retaining important space for businesses to trade.
• Additional planting of trees and SUDS where possible will be added to the south-eastern side of Lever Street as part of the City of Trees project. This will be subject to future surveys to find optimum space, and make allowances for underground utilities (gas, water, electric).

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that we’re able to take the next step towards creating a more accessible and thriving Northern Quarter.
“Making more space available for people to walk and cycle as well as introducing more green space were just two of the many priorities highlighted to us by residents and businesses throughout the consultations we’ve run. “The experience of the past year, when more space was given over for pedestrians and cyclists was incredibly positive and signalled a shift in how people want to interact and engage with the city of Manchester. “I look forward to hearing people’s feedback on this final round of consultation and would encourage residents and businesses to take part.

Nottingham News

Two bridges on the Sustrans Track in Newark have been given a fresh new look thanks to a graffiti project organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council last week. Barnby Road bridge and Clay Lane bridge were given the make-over by students from Barnby Road Academy and Newark Academy. Both bridges had previously been a hot spot for criminal activity and had caused residents great concern especially through the dark winter months. With approval from Sustrans and support from graffiti project specialist’s iMAGESKOOL, both bridges have been brightened up with the hope it will make the area a more welcoming place. One of the bridges incorporates a wildlife theme into its design. Wildlife crime in the area has been one of the key issues the Council has identified over the summer and it’s hoped this new artwork will send out a positive message.

Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Councillor David Lloyd, said: “The work that’s been done is fantastic, the artwork shows some important messages on wildlife crime and recycling and will hopefully make the area more vibrant. “We’ve been engaging with local people and schools to do this work and address the concerns residents have had about the area.

“I want to thank the many partners involved in this project but especially the school children who have taken part. I encourage nearby residents to come down, have a look and see the fantastic artwork that’s been put together.”
Before any work could take place, the District Council Street Scene team cleared the area of any overgrown hedges, weeds and put a blank first-layer on the bridges ready for the students to begin their drawings. Students, members of the community and Councillors spent three days completing artwork on the under passages of the bridges.

Sustrans Land Manager for Midlands and East, Martyn Brunt, said: “The new graffiti art looks brilliant and is a great addition to the path; it’s brilliant to see local young people producing something for the benefit of the whole community.” Sergeant Robert Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It’s great young people can get involved in doing something productive benefiting the whole community and we will continue to support young people and our partners in valuable youth work and engagement.” This project follows on from the successful day of action in Clipstone at the start of November where residents and young people in the community gave the local hub a fresh look with their own graffiti project.

Nottingham News

Retailers and businesses have noticed a substantial increase in footfall and business vitality in Newark town centre due to activities funded by the Welcome Back Fund. Footfall sensors in Newark have recorded an increase of 116% since July, with 146,700 visitors recorded as visiting Newark in October, mirroring sentiments observed by retailers and businesses in Newark.

In July, Newark and Sherwood District Council, as part of the Welcome Back Fund, allocated all town councils in the district funding to re-energise footfall and retail spend. Allocation of funding took into account size and population density. Using this funding, Newark Town Council has compiled and delivered a programme of entertainment to provide a unique experience for visitors when they come to Newark.

The programme has included nationally acclaimed street performers and local musicians, focusing on Saturdays to create a buzz in the town centre to complement the Saturday market. Tom Blakemore, owner of GH Porter Provisions, a deli and butchers shop in Newark, said: “Recent weekend street performers and live music have been fantastic. They have created a buzz in town and made Newark stand out as a fun place to visit.

“Newark is such a beautiful town. The geography and architecture are awe-inspiring, and we have a fabulous mix of national chains and independent retailers. Our cafes and pubs are second to none, but visitors often need more. They expect “an experience” and want to be entertained. These initiatives do that!” Ian Harrison, Markets Manager for Newark Town Council, said: “Since compiling and delivering this programme of entertainment in July, the atmosphere in the town and particularly Newark Market Place has been buzzing. The increased footfall has attracted more market traders, with the Saturday market now often at 95% capacity.

“This activity has emphasised to us that the world has changed and visitors now expect more than just retail, they want an experience too. Once visitors have tasted the rich heritage of our town centre and the lively atmosphere in the marketplace on Saturdays, they are likely to return.”

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am delighted to see that Newark town centre is experiencing a marked increase in footfall. It has been an incredibly challenging time for our local businesses and retailers as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it is extremely encouraging news that our town centre is experiencing a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

“Through our continued partnership with town councils across the district, we hope this increase of visitors continues and is further observed in all of our towns.” The Welcome Back Fund provided councils across England with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets. This funding has built on the Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF), which was introduced in 2020 as part of the UK government’s wider support to communities and businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nottingham News

Gedling Borough Council is launching a new campaign to get more people to shop in their local town centres. The #Rediscover campaign will be running throughout the festive season to support and promote local businesses and also to encourage residents to shop locally this Christmas. This campaign has been funded through the recently announced European Regional Development Fund ‘Welcome Back Fund’, whose aim is to promote coronavirus safety messages while getting more people to shop locally.

As part of the campaign, Gedling Borough Council is launching a new web page for local businesses to promote themselves for free, providing residents with shop overviews, contact details, locations and information about the businesses. The campaign is aimed at getting residents to rediscover old and new local businesses, including all high streets within Gedling Borough following the lifting of lockdown measures. As well as a web page, the funding will be used to improve the look of the town centres visual appearance with plans for temporary signage and decorations to be installed promoting the campaign.

An online advent calendar will be launched on 1 December promoting local businesses in the borough. Every day in December, as we countdown to Christmas, a local business will be highlighted on the council’s social media platforms. Businesses and residents will be able to take part in the #Rediscover campaign by taking photos with selfie cards made up for each town centre and posting them on social media. So far, over 40 businesses have signed up to the scheme and Gedling Borough Council is encouraging as many small and independent businesses to sign up too.

The campaign will also promote upcoming free events and activities including Christmas Craft Markets, Christmas light switch ons and Santa’s Grotto. Shops in Arnold Town Centre are also being invited to take part in a Christmas window competition which will be judged by the Mayor, Leader and Deputy Leader in December. The campaign is also supporting the national Small Business Saturday event, which takes place on Saturday 4 December across the country.
The project is receiving over £100,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.
Leader of the Council, Councillor John Clarke said:

“We’re very pleased to be launching the #Rediscover campaign over the Christmas period to help our local businesses and encourage residents to shop locally within Gedling Borough. It’s a great way for everyone to reunite and essentially rediscover their high-streets, by experiencing some normality after the unfortunate events over the last couple of years. This would not be possible without the funding from the European Regional Development Fund, we greatly appreciate your support. We have some exciting activities coming up on the lead up to Christmas and the campaign is part of the council’s priorities to revitalise our town centres and help create a more vibrant economy.”
Any businesses that want to add their details to the #Rediscover database and be part of the campaign can visit www.gedling.gov.uk/rediscover and fill out a short form.