The creators of the award-winning Lightopia Festival present, Dino Kingdom: an epic prehistoric exploration landing in Nottinghamshire from 15th– 31st October.
Step back in time and explore roaring and moving Dinosaurs and state-of-the-art 3D and AR technology. Immerse yourself in unforgettable interactive activities and enjoy a range of thrilling fairground rides, delicious food and drink and much more.
Dino Kingdom is dinosaurs like you’ve never seen them before…
Sink your teeth into a spectacle like no other
A new reign dawns this autumn as the beasts of prehistory roar back to life. Wade through the long grass, part the reeds, step into an ancient kingdom, and behold… Thoresby Park is now the domain of the ancient kings and queens of prehistory. This is Dino Kingdom.
Let your imagination run wild
Roam in the footprints of giants, trekking through this vibrant, prehistoric kingdom and experience our regal beasts in all their majesty.
Dino Kingdom is a place of marvels, majesty and wonder, perfect for friends, family and children of all ages.
Tickets on sale
Tickets to Dino Kingdom are available now. Due to the wide interest in Dino Kingdom, we advise booking early to guarantee that you don’t miss out.
To enter the competition simply send your name and contact telephone number to competitions@nottingham-now.co.uk by Friday 15th October at 5pm. Two winners will be selected at random. Each winner will receive a family ticket to Dino Kingdom vaild for any day time visit between 10am and 4pm with a 3 hour window on site from 16-31 October 2021. Each family ticket will admit 1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children.
If you are unfortunate enough not to win the family tickets you can buy tickets from www.dinokingdom.com/tickets/
The train company LNER is consulting on proposals to reduce the ticket office opening hours at Berwick-upon-Tweed; Darlington; Doncaster; Durham; Edinburgh; Grantham; London King’s Cross; Newark North Gate; Newcastle; Peterborough; Retford; Wakefield Westgate and York train stations.
The proposals would see the ticket offices at these major stations open later and close easier, and in many cases would lead to a significant reduction in opening hours.
RMT is calling on the passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch to oppose all of the proposed cuts to ticket office hours and for LNER to withdraw its proposals.
Why is this important?
Staffed ticket offices make the rail network more safe, secure and accessible for passengers. Ticket offices and travel shops provide a wide range of services and advice in addition to ticket sales that passengers cannot access from Ticket Vending Machines and online ticketing platforms.
RMT believes that LNER’s proposals to reduce ticket office hours at these 13 stations would worsen passenger safety, security and accessibility and make it easier to reduce staffing at these stations.
The cuts would also make it harder for passengers to get the cheapest and most appropriate tickets and restrict the advice they can access at the ticket office.
The cuts will also deter passengers from using the rail network and are completely at odds with the the UK Government’s climate change targets.
RMT believes that the cuts will be particularly damaging for some groups including disabled passengers, elderly passengers and people on lower incomes who may not have access to digital ticketing.
Transport Focus’ own passenger research, published in October 2020, found that ‘staff play a central role in helping passengers feel safe and secure’ and that passengers want to see more rather than less rail staff. Cuts to ticket office hours run counter to this.
For these reasons, RMT believes that the proposals must be withdrawn and the current ticket office hours protected.
As the final whistle blew at the City Ground on Sunday, I was in no doubt that Nottingham Forest and Chris Hughton would finally be parting company. Ironically, at the time of writing (20:30 Sunday 12 September 2021) the NFFC manager is still in his role, but perhaps more telling is the fact that we are also still rock bottom of the Championship table. At the time of publishing however, I predict that circumstances will have changed, not the league standing though.
Those who know me are familiar with my Groundhog Day mantra when it comes to all things NFFC during the last two decades. And this fully vindicates my opening article of the season where I used the term “make or break season!” Some laughed this off as an overly dramatic sentiment but I’m a man of my word and steadfastly stand by my statement. The Nottingham Forest supporters are at breaking point and will not tolerate another season of insanity. Insanity: don’t take my word for it, absorb the rhetoric of some dude by the name of Albert Einstein who is credited with the following diction: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Does this sound familiar?
If we take the Cardiff City game in isolation (not Covid style) there were indeed many positives from which to draw. The acquisition of two new full backs certainly added a balance and solidity to the back four, and for the first forty-five minutes all seemed well in the world of Nottingham Forest. Perhaps most telling of all was something I’ve perpetually referred to during, not only my commentary, but in my writing also, and that was is the body language of any given footballer. You can analyse, pontificate, and compartmentalise a football team but the most accurate indicator of commitment to the cause will ALWAYS be the body language of the players. In the first half versus Cardiff the commitment of every Forest player was tangible. To a man they threw themselves in front of every goal bound shot, cross and through ball. Even Lyle Taylor, despite a poor overall performance, chased down the City keeper at every given opportunity, when he wasn’t on the floor.
Lest we forget the goal. Max Lowe’s brilliant run from the full back position to opposition by-line was fantastic, but the composure he portrayed when he got there was even better. I fully expected the loan man to dink the ball to the back post like I would have done, hence the reason why I write/commentate about football and no longer play it, but the intelligence he showed by rolling it back to Lewis Grabban was exemplary. In commentary, Elliot Stockdale, my co commentator, had alluded to the fact that aerial balls were futile when you had the likes of Aden Flint and Sean Morrison in defence so I’m guessing that Max was listening?
Half time and all is well in the world of NFFC. But then came the second forty-five, which well and truly belonged to Cardiff City. It was like a switch had been flicked, as Forest reverted to the same old siege mentality that has been their Achilles heel for, well, as long as those crazy millennial’s can remember. And then came the changes; brilliant, tactical substitutions by Mick McCarthy which invariably changed the game as Rubin Colwill bagged a brace whilst Kieffer Moore wreaked havoc in close attendance.
Truth be told, the manager will almost certainly go but the burning question is this: does the root cause of our embarrassment lay deeper than the ground upon which the manager walks? I simply cannot answer this, sorry to disappoint but I’m not an ITK!
Written by Steve Corry
Similarly, I’m devoid of all ideas when it comes to a solution for the progression and development of the club; honestly, I have no idea about who could manage the club, the best system to play, or how we can improve. Okay, I do have ideas, but this is Nottingham Forest, and we are the destroyer of worlds, we have become the archetypal poison chalice!
I shall leave you with the words of a former NFFC hero David Johnson; DJ tweeted the following statement after the defeat to Cardiff: “Just so angry and disappointed how the club is ran. It’s embarrassing (the whole board should of gone). They are a disgrace. Last time I said anything bad about the club. Gainnis called me. I’ll wait for his call I guess as I was right the first time.”
A little overzealous or too emotional? Again, I don’t know what David knows but what I do know is this; the results under the current manager are beyond indefensible and the inability of the club to do something different, as opposed to the same thing over and over again constitutes insanity.
Nottinghamshire Members will have the chance hear from the club’s Director of Cricket, Chief Executive, Chairman and Head Coach at a virtual forum event on Monday 13 September. Mick Newell, Lisa Pursehouse, Jeff Moore and Peter Moores will be in attendance for the event, which is being held online via Zoom from 6.30pm.
Members who have not received an invitation to register and submit their questions, either via email or in the post, should contact questions@nottsccc.co.uk for further details. Trent Bridge welcomes England, India and New Zealand in 2022 for a splendid summer of international cricket. Kane Williamson’s World Test Champions pay Nottingham a visit from 10-14 June, with the two leading sides in IT20 cricket doing battle at our venue on Sunday 3 July.
Powell and Silcock appointed…Basford United is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Powell and Neville Silcock as Lead Foundation Phase Coaches in the Club’s Community section.
Familiar faces to those at Greenwich Avenue, Rob and Neville will begin their role this week alongside Head of Football and First Team Manager Steve Chettle, Lead Academy Coach Josh Law, and Youth Development Phase Lead Coach David Boafo, and help oversee the younger age groups.Continuing the great work that has been ongoing at the Football Club, they will predominantly work with the under 7-11 sides to develop players and coaches with their expertise and experience at this level. Rob has worked beside the academy coaches throughout the Soccer Camps, specifically with the younger players and, with Neville, has coached and managed the very successful under 7 squad. Tuesday night (September 7) sees the first of the club’s midweek Soccer Camps, which run every Tuesday and Thursday evenings (17:00-18:00), with additional sessions on Saturday mornings (09:00-10:00).
The coaching sessions will be for players aged between 6-11 years of age and is aimed at promoting the foundation section, in the hope to find more budding stars to join Basford’s community sides, progress through the age groups and eventually join the flourishing Academy programme. It gives everyone joining the coaches the opportunity to have fun, learn and develop skills and make new friends. To book your child onto the Soccer Camp, please contact Jessica Munroe at jessmunroe@basfordunitedfc.com. All at United would like to wish both Neville and Rob the best of luck in their new roles.
After months of waiting and an extended pre-season the team would finally get their chance to play competitive league football once again. July and August were very busy months down at Stoke Lane with personnel changes and many fixtures in the build up for the new season. A whole crop of players came in to the club and still many players from the previous two seasons remained as we continued to build . A reserve team was also introduced to the fold to enhance the selection process for the future and former first team coach Paul Rockley has taken responsibility for this side.
The first fixture of the season was a trip down the road to Shepshed Dynamo and a team that had been elevated to the restructured pyramid this season after more than ten years away from this level of football. ‘The Millers’ would find that the opposition on this day were hungry and would give no inch on every blade of grass in a fixture that they were keen for the league to notice them. A tight game throughout would see Carlton take the lead midway through the second half with a fine finish from Aaron Opoku. The lead would only last eight minutes as the tigerish like Dynamo would equalise at the far post from a set piece. The score line would remain until the end of the game as the fixture continued to be a real thunderous affair.
Three days later and the team would be at it again with our first home fixture in the form of Bedworth United. Again we would have to be patient and wait until well into the second half before again that man Opoku would open the scoring. This would be the only score in a very accomplished performance against a team that also never stopped working hard.
Four days on and with the fixtures coming thick and fast we travelled north to Yorkshire and Maltby Main for an F.A.Cup tie. This one was also a tough ask on the day and the team found themselves not firing on all cylinders for the most. Both sides would hit the woodwork more times than the back of the net in a game that both felt they should have won. With the scores level at half-time ‘The Millers’ would set the ball rolling at the start of the new half when Tyler Blake with a reverse half volley surprised everyone in the ground to open the scoring. Aaron Opoku would miss a penalty before ten minutes from time Whitfield for the home side would score an unstoppable shot after some good solo work before. Maltby would now find themselves at Stoke Lane for a replay three days later in another close encounter and would lose by a single goal after Nat Watson had put ‘The Millers’ ahead with an early finish. A home tie next against Cambridge City and an unknown that last season were playing their football in the Isthmian League North. This one was expected to be probably the toughest opposition so far that we had encountered ,but again the resilience of the ‘The Millers’ and not allowing the opposition to play proved fruitful.
Nat Watson on the hour mark opened the scoring and this was how the game would finish. Two days later and a Bank Holiday Monday fixture would see the team travel to Daventry and would see them produce their best performance of the season so far. The game was a pleasure to watch and Carlton controlled the game throughout with some nice interplay for many parts. Goals from the now fit again skipper Maddison and Nat Watson would see us home safely with the points in the bag and set us up nicely for the forthcoming F.A Cup fixture in a few days time.
Article by Phil Jennings
So, we hit the first weekend in September and the First Qualifying Round of the F.A.Cup. Along to Carlton came Stratford Town from the Southern league Central and an expectancy to win the game. Carlton for the first half completely dominated the opposition and after twenty-five minutes were rewarded with a tremendous finish from Nial Davie to take the lead into half-time.The opposition would come out for the second half and turn this one around scoring three times to leave ‘The Millers’ speechless at the end.
Forthcoming Fixtures: 18th Sept. Ilkeston Town (h) 21st Sept. Belper Town (A) 25th Sept. Wisbech Town (A)
Paul Nyland is to leave his position as commercial manager following 10 years in the role, the club can confirm. Paul has been instrumental in reforming the club’s commercial department in the past decade and has achieved significant success as part of the Stags’ business objectives. A well-known figure within the club and community of Mansfield, he will leave the club following our home match against Barrow on 02 October, with our gratitude and highest regard. Paul said: “The past ten years has been an experience I’ll never forget and to leave the club I have supported since a boy was not a decision I took lightly.
“I will miss the One Call Stadium and in particular its staff, who work so hard for the success of the football club, day-in-day-out.
“They have become like a second family to me, in particular: Diane Ceney, Mark Stevenson, Laura Cooper, Ryan Johnson, Lynn Millward, Jessica Burt, Ollie Jankiewicz, Tobias Rowan, James Gilliatt, Mike and Scott Merriman as well as all the staff and everyone at Football in the Community. A special mention must go to Chris Revill, our hospitality MC, who has helped create a special experience in the 1861 Suite on a home matchday. “My gratitude of support is extended to the chairman, Carolyn, David Sharpe, Paul & Tina Broughton, Steve Hymas and Mark Burton. “It was a great privilege to be offered the position a decade ago and I’m proud to have forged special links with a number of local and national businesses, sponsors and supporters. “Mansfield Town is a special club and as I now look to begin a new chapter in my professional career, I wish everyone associated with the Stags the very best of luck.”
The club places on record its appreciation for Paul’s endeavours and wishes him every success in his future career. The club is now advertising for a new commercial executive, details of which can be found here at https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/september/vacancy-commercial-executive/
An injured swan has been reunited with its offspring after police worked with colleagues from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and the RSPCA to rescue it.
A member of the public had spotted that the bird had ingested a hook and fishing line in the River Trent, Newark, last Thursday and contacted the local neighbourhood team. Officers attended along with colleagues from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and the RSPCA. Crews used a boat to get to the swan which was swimming out on the water with two other swans and four cygnets.
They captured the swan using a reach pole with a soft hook on. The RSPCA provided a net which was used to secure the rescue. The hook and line was removed at the side of the river and the teams ensured the swan was safely returned to its bevy. Charlotte Allardice, district commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “Officers are sometimes asked to assist in incidents that are sometimes a little out of the ordinary in relation to police incidents but we will take action wherever we can.
“It’s sad to hear that the swan was suffering after ingesting the hook and fishing line which we believe had been left behind by an angler which is really careless. “We’re asking fishing enthusiasts to please be mindful of this and to all members of the public to pick up their rubbish. It can have devastating effects on the wildlife and environment.” Graham Chapman, crew manager at Newark fire station, said: “As a firefighter, we don’t just deal with fires, we attend a lot of other incidents including many animal rescues.
“On behalf of White Watch at Newark fire station it was an absolute pleasure to assist with this rescue. “Crews helped catch the mother swan, remove the hook from her beak and return her to her family.” A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We are grateful to everyone who was involved in the rescue of this poor bird. “Once the swan was rescued our officer was able to remove the hook and the line and return the bird back to the wild. “We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind. Most anglers are very responsible when disposing of their litter, but it only takes one piece of snagged line to be left in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal.
“We ask that all those who enjoy fishing to follow the Angling Trust Take 5 campaign and make use of the recycling scheme to dispose of their waste tackle.”
The Killisick Recreational Ground in Arnold will be refurbished with new equipment, including 30m zip line, basket swing, roundabout and multi play unit, as well as accessible play equipment such as a wheelchair friendly roundabout, pod swing, play house and more.
Works at the park start on 6 September, and are expected to be completed by the end of October. Improvements can be made thanks to funding from FCC Communities Foundation, a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by waste and resource management company FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund. FCC Communities Foundation will be providing a grant total of £100,000.
The funding bid was made jointly by Gedling Borough Council and The Friends of Killisick Park, a local residents’ community group who undertook community consultation and identified a strong community need for the project. Cheryl Raynor, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager for Nottinghamshire said; “It’s always nice to see something we have funded start to take shape. We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile project and look forward to it benefitting children across Nottinghamshire.”
Councillor Henry Wheeler, Chair of the Killisick Localities Initiative said; “In September 2019, myself and Councillor Marje Paling brought local residents together by holding an afternoon tea event to discuss how to get funding for new play equipment at Killisick Playground.
That initial meeting led to the formation of the Friends of Killisick group, and now two years on from that event, it’s fantastic to see that the hard work of Friends of Killisick has paid off and work will begin on Killisick Recreation Ground to replace the old play equipment. This will be fantastic for the health and wellbeing of children who I am sure will love the new play area.” Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor Michael Payne Said; “I’m excited to see that works have started at the site, and cannot wait for this new facility to open for our residents to enjoy.
A key priority for the council is to enhance our parks and open spaces and provide an attractive environment that local people can enjoy, and by working closely with local community groups and funding providers we’ve been able to achieve that here for the community in Killisick. I’d like to thank the Friends of Killisick Park for working with us on the funding bid for this new play area and to FCC Communities for providing the funding for what is sure to be a fantastic addition for the borough.
Nottinghamshire residents will be able to have their say on proposals to improve walking and cycling infrastructure. The intention to run a public consultation on the proposals was granted approval at Transport and Environment Committee.
Nottinghamshire County Council has been working with the three other D2N2 local highway authorities to develop a D2N2 area wide Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The next stage of the LCWIP development is to undertake public consultation and the Council has secured funding from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Capability Fund to undertake the consultation this year.
The County Council has also secured £50,000 from the DfT Capability Fund to start design work on the routes identified as priorities through the development of the LCWIP. This funding will help the county council to start to develop feasible and deliverable schemes along these priority routes in readiness should funding for their delivery become available in the future.
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Chairman of the Transport and Environment Committee, said: “When the DfT suggested that local authorities should develop a local cycling and walking infrastructure plan, we decided to develop a D2N2 area wide plan in partnership with the other highways authorities in D2N2 area to help ensure cross-boundary links and consistency of infrastructure in the immediate area around Nottinghamshire. “Our collective strong commitment to improving cycling and walking infrastructure means that we have been able to secure £10,000 from the DfT’s Capability Fund to undertake a public consultation on the plan and its priorities in Nottinghamshire.
“This will be an excellent opportunity for our communities to comment on the proposed walking and cycling networks which we hope will make Nottinghamshire an even better place to live, work and bring up your family. “We are keen to stress that the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan will be a live document which will be reviewed regularly. This means that any scheme or route can be evaluated and assessed for inclusion in the network.
“Bringing this plan to life to put cycling and walking at the heart of our communities remains a priority for us and we look forward to hearing the views of Nottinghamshire residents once the consultation goes live later this year.”
