Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal
Democrats and edited by David Watts, the leader of the Lib-Dems on Broxtowe
Borough Council. When I started writing this week’s edition I didn’t think that
there was much to report on but as you will see below I was wrong. I’m also
very conscious that a number of people are still waiting for replies to emails
this week and I will try and deal with these as soon as possible.
1.
Moorgreen Show
The only place that I could start this week is with the news
that Moorgreen Show has been scrapped. This has been one of the main social
events in the north of the borough for many years, but the organisers say that the
number of visitors have been down for the past few years. The borough council
have been the principal sponsors of the show for many years and this is
extremely disappointing news. My personal view is that some aspects of the organisation
and management of the show have left a lot to be desired in recent years. I read some comments by the organisers this
week saying that people were no longer interested in farming or rural life, but
I really don’t believe that this is the case. The council will be exploring every possible
avenue to see if the show can be rescued.
2.
Poppy Planting
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War One the
borough council will be planting new poppy beds around the Edward Road and
Mansfield Road war memorials in Eastwood. The mayor of the borough will also be
planting poppies at Mansfield Road Memorial Garden, Eastwood , Cookies Pond in Stapleford and Hetley
Pearson recreation ground in Beeston tomorrow as well. A total area of 290
square metres will be cultivated and planted with wild poppy across the
borough.
3.
Warrant Officer Alan Hamilton
I’d like to offer my congratulations to Warrant Officer
Hamilton from the Royal Engineers, based at Chilwell Garrison, who has been
awarded an MBE. This was to recognise his skills in designing anti-vehicle
ditches in Afghanistan to protect against suicide bombers.
4.
County Highways
I’ve been a frequent critic of the highways department at
the county council, who have, in my opinion, failed to provide the level of
service to local residents that we have a right to expect. This week the County
Council, as part of its cuts agenda, have reduced the staff there by 121 posts.
Unfortunately this is likely to mean that the service we get from them gets
even worse.
5.
Royal Mail Cuts
The Royal Mail announced this week that they are cutting
about 1,000 jobs. They have said however that this is unlikely to affect the numbers
employed locally at the Padge Road sorting office in Beeston as the cuts are
likely to be head office based.
6.
Teachers Strike
One school in Broxtowe, Beeston Fields Primary School in
Beeston, was completely shut as a result of last weeks strike by the NUT. Four
other schools were partially closed, Albany infants in Stapleford, Bramcote Hills
Primary in Bramcote, Eastwood School and Chilwell School. I’m afraid that I
think that the teachers who took this action were completely misguided in doing
so, and they have caused significant inconvenience to parents as well as damage
to children’s education. I hope that this action will not be repeated.
7.
Joan Moodie
Former Broxtowe Mayor Joan Moodie passed away last week. She
was very well known and highly respected in Broxtowe and I’d like to extend my
sympathies to her family and friends. Her funeral will take place on Tuesday.
8.
Ian Campbell
Further sad news this week was that former Kimberley Town
Councillor Ian Campbell, who worked as a tribute singer under the name of
Frankie Martin, passed away at the age of 53. Again I’d like to extend my
sympathies to his family and friends. Mr
Campbell raised significant amounts of money for Help For Heroes, the charity that
supports ex-servicemen and women.
9.
Jaguar Pub
Work has now started demolishing the old Jaguar Pub in
Stapleford. This closed last year and the site is being redeveloped as three
shops. The original design submitted for the shops was extremely poor but the
council worked with the developers and the scheme that was eventually approved
looks far better.
10.
Charity Ball
On Saturday 5th April Ruby Charity Ball the Mayor
of Broxtowe, Councillor Iris White, holds her Charity Ball in aid of Treetops
Hospice and the Helpful Bureau at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham, from 7pm. Tickets cost £32 and can be obtained from
the Civic Office on 0115 917 3210.
11.
Beeston & District Civic Society Open
Meeting
On Friday 11th April at 7.30pm The Beeston and
District Civic Society are holding an open meeting at The Community Room, John
Clifford School, Nether Street, Beeston, NG9 2AT. Mark Chivers will give a talk
on 'Boots Enterprise Zone'. It is free
for members, £2 for guests on the door.
Refreshments will be available.
12.
Bramcote Old Church Tower Quiz Night
On Saturday 12 April there will be a quiz night in aid of
Bramcote Old Church Tower starting at 7.30pm at Bramcote Memorial Hall. The cost
is £10 per person, which includes a jacket potato with filling, tea and coffee
(bring your own beer or wine). For
tickets please call 0115 922 6782.
13.
DH Lawrence Love of Trains
The speaker at the next D.H. Lawrence Society meeting, to be
held in the D.H. Lawrence Heritage Centre, Durban House, on Wednesday, April 9,
at 7pm, will be Helen Baron, from Hull, who will be giving a talk entitled “DH
Lawrence and His Love of Trains.”. One of Helen’s many distinctions is that she
edited Sons and Lovers, and its earlier version, Paul Morel, for the Cambridge
University Press.
As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter. Any
feedback is gratefully received.
Best wishes
David
Follow me on Twitter @davidwatts12.
