Thursday, January 20, 2022
Here's your Thursday morning round-up of news and nonsense from across Notts. Don't forget to tell your friends about us....
Lottery cash secured to restore Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens
£1.7m in funding has been secured to renovate Grade II-listed Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has given £1.1m, with The Transforming Cities Fund, The War Memorials Trust and Nottingham City Council also contributing.
Work will now begin to restore the war memorial, which was first unveiled in 1927, and Queen Victoria’s Statue (dating from 1903) which has been in the gardens since 1953 and previously it sat in the Old Market Square.
The pond, fountains and footpaths are also set to be restored.
A new visitor centre and toilets will also be built during the works, which begin in March.
Councillor Rosemary Healy, portfolio holder for transport and cleansing Services (Including Parks and Open Spaces), said: “Victoria Embankment Memorial Gardens are of great importance and have been an asset to Nottingham for nearly 100 years.”
Police appeal after dog walker is assaulted in park
Police have stepped up patrols after a dog walker was assaulted on a park.
The victim was walking her dog in Killisick Park in Arnold when she reportedly felt a thud on the back of her head and fell forward on her face. It is claimed she was then struck multiple times to her face.
The woman suffered facial injuries during the incident which happened around 7pm on Friday (14).
Neighbourhood policing inspector Chris Jury, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are working hard and pursuing lines of enquiry to find those responsible for this cowardly attack.
“Our investigation is progressing to understand the motive for this attack and to get a clearer understanding of the circumstances.”
Anyone who has any information about the assault is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 603 of 14 January 2022, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Ricky Gervais and Netflix have donated After Life benches to Nottingham parks
Netflix has donated two benches to Nottingham as part of a mental health initiative celebrating the launch of the new series of Ricky Gervais’ After Life.
The benches were commissioned with suicide prevention charity the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm) and feature QR codes leading to online resources and a message of support.
After Life’s third and final series was released last Friday, starring Gervais as local journalist Tony, a man plunged into intense grief following the death of his wife, while also trying to become a better friend to those around him in his home town of Tambury.
In the show, Tony is often seen sitting on a bench at his local churchyard as he reflects on his loss.
The benches will be placed in Arboretum and another in Highfields Park and are inscribed with a quote from the third series: “Hope is Everything.”
Gervais, the creator of shows including The Office and Extras, said: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with Calm and the great work they do.”
Iceland stores in Notts are now selling a Chiquito range with nacho bites, habanero chicken wings and more
A new range inspired by chain restaurant Chiquito has arrived at Iceland stores in Notts and Tex-Mex food lovers already seem really keen to try it out.
The leading frozen food supermarket retailer Iceland has teamed up with popular Tex-Mex chain restaurant Chiquito to unveil a new range that’s exclusively available online and in stores.
There’s a whopping 16 products making up the new range, with everything from nacho cheese bites, habanero chicken wings, burrito bowls, and churros on the menu to try.
Iceland and Chiquito says the aim of its collaboration is to “spice up family meals”.
Each product in the range is priced at under £6 too, so you won’t need to break the bank too much for your next indulgence.
If you are planning on heading to your nearest Iceland branch to see if you can get your hands on some of these new Tex-Mex delights, then you can check the opening times for Notts outlets via the Store Finder here.
Covid: Plan B measures to end in England
England's Plan B measures are set to end from next Thursday, with mandatory face coverings in public places and Covid passports both scrapped.
The prime minister also said the government would immediately drop its advice for people to work from home.
The PM said England was reverting to "Plan A" due to boosters and how people had followed Plan B measures.
He told MPs scientists believed the Omicron wave had peaked nationally.
At a Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned this should not be seen as the "finish line" because the virus and future variants cannot be eradicated - instead "we must learn to live with Covid in the same way we live with flu".
He urged people to continue taking steps to keep the virus at bay, including hand washing, ventilating rooms and self-isolating if positive - and pressed those who were unvaccinated to come forward to get their jabs.
Dogs could be banned or forced on leads in parts of Newark
Dogs owners could be banned from taking their pets to parts of Newark or be forced to put them on leads under new proposals, Notts TV reports.
Collingham Parish Council has asked that Pitomy play area is added as a dog exclusion zone.
Southwell Town Council has requested dogs on leads controls are put in place around Potwell Dyke, Higgins Field, the skate park and to keep the area around the war memorial and the old Minster school field.
Blidworth Parish Council has requested dogs on leads controls are added to the Sherwood Avenue playing field.
Lowdham Parish Council has requested dogs on leads controls are added to Lowdham Cemetery.
Epperstone Parish Council has also requested a dogs on leads order for a small area of land around the perimeter of a larger open space known as the village playing field.
Farnsfield Parish Council has asked to change the current dog exclusion area on Wilson’s Field to a dogs on lead area.
Councillors will discuss the proposals at a Leisure and Environment Committee on Tuesday, January 25.
TODAY: A cold and breezy day, but largely dry with prolonged spells of sunshine. Maximum temperature 5 °C.
TOMORROW: Largely dry with sunny spells, after a cold and frosty start, but cloudy at times in the west. Maximum temperature 7 °C.