Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Broxtowe Borough Council.
1. Stapleford Walk In Centre
I’m afraid that the NHS has confirmed that Stapleford Walk In Centre will close at the end of September. This is a dreadful decision and totally ignores the very strong views expressed by people locally. The argument that Stapleford shouldn’t have a facility like this as other places didn’t have anything as good is one of the most ridiculous I’ve ever heard, Rather than get rid of such a good facility they should be raising standards elsewhere to match. We have fought this decision every step of the way but sadly to no avail.
2. Stapleford Carnival
Stapleford Carnival is next Saturday, 3rd September. It takes place at the Washington Drive playing field and everyone is welcome. The Lib-Dems will have a stand there, so do come over and say hello.
3. Free Swimming
I’m delighted to report on a real success for the borough council. As readers may be aware, for the last two years we have offered free swimming for children up to 16 and pensioners during the month of August. I’ve just seen the figures for the first three weeks of the month and we have already had an increase in patronage of 15% compared to last year, and nearly four times the numbers that we had in July. Not only are a huge number of people using the free offer but we are also having record numbers of paying customers. Broxtowe’s leisure centres are a real credit to the borough and very popular. We are one of the few councils that does not need to subsidise the leisure centres, they are so popular that they pay for themselves.
4. Events at Chilwell School
There are two forthcoming events at Chilwell School which I have been asked to advertise. First there is an Outdoor car boot sale on Sunday 11th September 2011 at Chilwell
Also on Friday 9th September 2011 at 7.30pm Paradiso Cinema presents Oranges and Sunshine, the story of Nottinghamshire social worker, Margaret Humphrys, and the Child Migrants Trust - http://www.childmigrantstrust.com/. This is at Chilwell Arts Theatre,
5. DH Lawrence Play
The Phoenix Rising, a play about DH Lawrence, will be performed at Durban House in Eastwood on September 18th. Tickets cost £12 (£10 concessions) and are available from 01773 717353.
6. Unemployment Figures
It was very disappointing to read this week that Nottingham now has the worst unemployment rate in the country. Thankfully matters are not as bad in Broxtowe as they are in the city, but the rate is rising and the council does commit a lot of resources to encouraging new businesses and support for firms in the borough.
7. Wildlife Photography
Attenborough Nature Reserve are running a session for budding wildlife photographers this coming Saturday from 8.00am to 10.30am. It costs £32 and pre-booking is essential. Places can be booked on 0115 972 1777, and if you’re going I will see you there. I’ve been taking photo’s for years but rarely of birds, and so I’ve signed up. (Some of my photo’s can be seen at www.david-watts-photography.org.uk if you will forgive the shameless plug.)
8. Brinsley graveyard vandalism
About 30 headstones have been overturned this week at St James the Great Church in Brinsley. This is despicable behaviour, and if anyone has any information to assist in apprehending those involved please contact the police. If you don’t want to talk to the police directly talk to me and I will pass information on.
9. Charity Website
A charity set up to help a Beeston resident has a new website for donations. The Sherwood Foundation are trying to raise £100,000 to send Andy Sherwood of Beeston to America for specialist treatment. The web site is at www.thesherwoodfoundation.org.uk).
10. Jessie Carter-Kay
Congratulations to Bramcote resident Jessie Carter-Kay who has won through to the finals of the Notts Outstanding Achievement Awards 4uth. Jessie set up her business Pulp Friction Smoothie Bar Project in 2008 and has turned it into a successful venture, bringing her bikes to various events where people can use pedal power to create their own smoothies. Both of my girls have had goes on them and think that they are great fun.
11. Register to Vote
Just a quick reminder that if you haven’t registered to vote yet you need to do so quickly. Forms were sent out earlier this month and people can register by post, phone or internet.
12. County Council Grants
The County Council are considering changes to the system that they use to administer grants to voluntary groups. The idea is to make the process easier and to provide more certainty for groups, and the County Council are currently consulting on their plans. Comments can be sent to county-grantaid@nottscc.gov.uk or by phoning 0115 977 3304.
13. Green Flag Parks
People now have the opportunity to vote for their favourite green flag parks. Bramcote Park, the flagship park in the borough, has held a green flag for years and I‘d encourage people to vote for it (or if not for one of the other green flag parks in the borough). Votes can be cast at http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag/GreenFlagAwardSites/EastMidlands/Default.aspx.
14. County Council investing locally
I’ve been critical of many things that the County Council have done recently, but I’m delighted to see that they have been able to increase the amount of goods that they buy from local supplies from 41% to 50%. This is very good news and the County reckon that every pound that they spend locally ends up being worth £1.97 to the local economy.
15. Foresters Arms, Newthorpe
I mentioned last week that local residents were collecting signatures on a petition in an attempt to stop Greene King building houses on the site where the Foresters Arms currently stands. That petition has now collected 732 signatures and has been passed to Anna Soubry MP.
16. Kimberley Police Station
Kimberley Parish Council have organised a public meeting to discuss plans to close Kimberley Police Station. This will be held at the Parish Hall on Newdigate Street on September 5th at 7.00pm.
17. Safer Community Volunteers
The Notts Police Authority are seeking nominations from Notts residents who have been helped by volunteers giving up their time to make local communities safer for an award. The Jean Varnam award recognises outstanding achievements and initiatives in community safety, and nominations can be made by emailing Jackie.nash@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk
As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter. We haven’t had any new subscribers for the past three weeks so if you know of anyone who would benefit from reading it please mention it to them.
Many thanks
David
