Time shift: 2005 The Dame Agnes Mellor’s pub

The Dame Agnes Mellor's pub was built as part of modern St Ann’s in 1973 on land at the top of the Robin Hood Chase on the right.

The Agent for the Developer of the Dame Agnes Mellor’s pub site, Mr Chris Goodwin of RD Architects, informed me today that he and the developers were keen to work with the City Council on the Robin Hood Chase regeneration scheme.

The Dame Agnes Mellor’s was a very popular public house and local rugby teams made it their main venue. I use to work here as a barman in 1988, although I did not like the clientele who were often rude to bar staff & management always turned a blind eye.

Historically little is known about her date of her birth, however Agnes Meller or Mellor’s died in 1513. Agnes married Richard Meller (d.1509), a bell founder who was mayor of Nottingham in 1499-1500 and 1505-1506. Their house was in Broad Street, while the foundry was located in Queen Street. They had at least three children, Richard, Thomas, and Elizabeth. At some point after his death but before 1512, Agnes became a vowess. In 1513, following instructions in his will, she founded the Free School of Nottingham.

The Dame Agnes was not only one of the first pubs opened in St Ann’s, it was also among the first to close in April 2005. On 18th May of that year Clowes Developments (Midlands) Ltd., Unit 1 Long Eaton Trade Centre 52-56 Nottingham Road, Nottingham., applied for planning permission to demolish the pub.

For some reason the planning application refers to The Woodborough pub, on Woodborough Road?

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They said the cleared site would provide family dwellings and apartments arranged within a courtyard with communal facilities at its heart. In total there would be 15 units consisting of three two-bedroom apartments and twelve three bedroom family dwellings, supported by car parking for 13 dwellings, one of which will be for a disabled car user.

Planning permission was granted on 18th July 2005 and the public house was demolished soon after and the land cleared.

However, Clowes Developments were not experienced in building social housing, and had concentrated on the construction of factory units and the like in the past. Sadly they were unable to raise the money to finance the scheme and the land has remained undeveloped ever since.

There has been many attempts to sell the land over the last seven years without success.

The Agent for the developer Mr Chris Goodwin of RD Architects informed me a few days ago that “The Dame Agnes Mellor's site certainly worked well as a stand-alone or linked development with other properties which were demolished nearby without the need to reduce the open space available to the community.”

He said that they were working at one time with David Lockwood of Nottingham City Council . This was in relation to the prospect of redesigning the Robin Hood Chase shopping precinct in a sensitive way to fit in with the Dame Agnes development site. However, when David moved to work in Walsall a few years ago this lapsed.

Mayan ‘End of the world myth’ – Nottingham wakes sunny side up!

I run a website for St Ann’s, and already I Have had a steady stream of Emails & comments over the last few hours about the end of the world – “The end is neigh.” One contributor even sent me a quote from the late Eric Morecambe: “If you want to be a goanna, buy a record by Des O’Conner.”

The Maya Calendar comes to a close at precisely the date and time of the December solstice which is at 11: 11 Am., although I doubt anything will happen today.

The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period (c. 2000 BC to AD 250).

The Maya centres of the southern lowlands went into decline during the 8th and 9th centuries and were abandoned shortly thereafter. This decline was coupled with a cessation of monumental inscriptions and large-scale architectural construction. No universally accepted theory explains this collapse.

In common with the other Mesoamerican civilizations, the Maya had measured the length of the solar year to a high degree of accuracy, far more accurately than that used in Europe as the basis of the Gregorian calendar. They did not use this figure for the length of year in their calendars, however; the calendars they used were crude, being based on a year length of exactly 365 days, which means that the calendar falls out of step with the seasons by one day every four years. By comparison, the Julian calendar, used in Europe from Roman times until about the 16th Century, accumulated an error of only one day every 128 years. The modern Gregorian calendar is even more accurate, accumulating only a day's error in approximately 3,257 years.

The Maya calendar is complex involving different cycles for the Sun & Moon.

The Maya calendar doesn't end in 2012, as some have said, and the ancients never viewed that year as the time of the end of the world, archaeologists say.
 
But December 21, 2012, was nonetheless momentous to the Maya.
 
It's the time when the largest grand cycle in the Mayan calendar -- 1,872,000 days or 5,125.37 years -- overturns and a new cycle begin.

The Maya kept time on a scale few other cultures have considered.

During the empire's heyday, the Maya invented the Long Count -- a lengthy circular calendar that transplanted the roots of Maya culture all the way back to creation itself.
 
During the 2012 winter solstice, time runs out on the current era of the Long Count calendar, which began at what the Maya saw as the dawn of the last creation period: August 11, 3114 B.C. The Maya wrote that date, which preceded their civilization by thousands of years, as Day Zero, or 13.0.0.0.0.
 
In December 2012 the lengthy era ends and the complicated, cyclical calendar will roll over again to Day Zero, beginning another enormous cycle.
 
The idea is that time gets renewed, that the world gets renewed all over again -- often after a period of stress – in the same way we renew time on New Year's Day or even on Monday morning at midnight on New years Eve.

Our website will continue into 2013 printing updated news item, and I have no doubt that the Evening Post will do the same.

So Des O’Conner can rest assured that we will be able to continue buying his records this Christmas!

Traffic Warden brings shame on Nottingham

This is the moment a traffic warden slapped £70 parking tickets on two minibuses carrying disabled children in Nottingham city centre, after they raised hundreds of pounds for a homeless charity by singing in a carol concert.

Labour-run Nottingham City Council today apologised to the school and has since revoked both fines.

The youngsters, many in wheelchairs, were being lifted into two specially-adapted ambulances in Nottingham City centre when the enforcement officer wrote out two penalty notices before walking away.

The twelve children from Oak Field School and Sports College in Bilborough, Nottinghamshire, were returning from the concert on Monday afternoon which raised £370 when they were hit with the fines.

“I think this parking warden should be bloody shamed of himself! During the most happy & festive time of the year he has brought bad publicity on the city of Nottingham. I think that the City Council should now donate this parking warden’s weeks’ wages to the school’s charity.”

By Richard Pearson

Limmen Gardens ‘revised site layout plan.’

The above plan shows  site of the green open space at the rear of 71 Limmen Gardens. Left 11th November 2012. Right the new revised plan dated 4th December.

This plan shows the area of the former pedestrian underpass. Left 11th November 2012. Right the new revised plan dated 4th December.

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The updated site layout plan for Limmen Gardens was published on the City Council planning application website this afternoon, after I submitted an objection to the revised plans on the basis that they had not been shown to local residents in Limmen Gardens, and they were not published on the NCC website [at 7am 17/12/2012]. There will now be 15 new houses built on the site instead of 16, and an off road car parking area has been included for the use of 36 Melville Gardens: P107.

If these plans are approved a spokesman for Lovell Partnerships Ltd said today that work constructing the new houses would begin in March 2013.

By Richard Pearson

Update: HCA welcomes £500m funding to unlock new homes delivery

National housing and regeneration body, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), today welcomed an additional £515m government funding boost to de-risk and dispose of surplus government public sector land, and spend up delivery of large-scale sites.

This will enable the delivery of thousands of new homes, signalling an enhanced role for the Agency in managing and accelerating the disposal of government public land.
 
As outlined in last week’s Autumn Statement and confirmed by Housing Minister Mark Prisk today, £290m of this funding will allow the HCA to introduce measures that will bring forward the disposal of central government land, such as installing the right infrastructure. This includes £100m for HCA to purchase surplus public land from central government departments, and £190m to invest in surplus public land to reduce risk and make sites more attractive to potential purchasers.

The remaining £225m is a rolling programme of recoverable investment and tailored HCA support to a number of large-scale development sites. This is expected to draw on the Agency’s local knowledge and established relationships, and relevant areas of HCA expertise in recoverable investments. This includes its Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS), investment in infrastructure to speed up delivery of long-term development, and HCA project management. Sites include the new Cranbrook community in Exeter, which is on track to deliver over 6,000 new homes.
 
The HCA has significant expertise in land disposal, unlocking development and structuring commercial investments, and the additional funding builds on this. HCA chief executive Pat Ritchie said:

“We welcome any moves to increase the amount of land available for development and speed up the rate at which it is brought forward to increase housing supply and boost economic growth. We are pleased that government has recognised the expertise of the HCA in managing large portfolios of land and complex development sites, using our understanding of the economics of development and local knowledge.

“This is core business for the HCA, and we will continue to work with partners and use our local relationships, to deliver the homes our communities need as speedily and cost-effectively as possible.”

Stonebridge Park TRA ‘disbanded’

After a decade serving the local community, SPTRA --- Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association  --- was disbanded on Thursday evening.

SPTRA was founded by Mrs Maureen Graham in 2002, who was instrumental in giving our estate its name, and getting the regeneration scheme up and running. SPTRA also won the prize of ‘Community Group’ of the year in 2011.

Chairlady Laura Summers & Treasurer Ben Rowson thanked everyone for their loyal support over the last 18 months.

After stepping aside, Afzaal Nawaz of Nottingham City Homes took over to Chair the AGM.

After disbanding SPTRA, Afzaal said that it was only a temporary measure. However,  it was a controversial decision as there were three local residents present at the AGM who indicated they would like to take on the role of the SPTRA committee over the next year.

When Afzaal failed to follow proper procedure during the AGM to invite locals to join SPTRA, and also failed to carryout any election process, two of these prospective committee members walked out in discuss.

Keepmoat Homes to build 110 New Houses

Prior to the AGM part of the meeting, Housing Development Manager Mark Lowe of the City Council announced that developer Keepmoat Homes are now in a position to submit a planning application early in the new year.

Mark shown a section of the 2009 Master plan for the Stonebridge Estate to indicate where all of the new houses would be built. Which is primarily in Jersey Gardens, land at the top of Wray Close, and on the site of the former Fairhom Court elderly person’s complex adjacent Flewitt Gardens.

He said “the only modification was with the proposed new road layout” as indicated by the yellow lies on the above illustration. If all goes well with the planning application work on site would begin next autumn.

Limmen Gardens

Michelle Walker of ASRA informed the meeting that NCC Planning officers had requested minor modifications to their plans to built new homes in Limmen gardens. There would be only 3 new houses instead of four on the green open space at the rear of 71 Limmen Gardens, and the size of the new homes on the site of the former pedestrian underpass would be smaller. The planning application looked set to be approved before Christmas.

Paddy Tipping 

The next public meeting will be held on/or about 6th March 2013 when the guest speaker will be the new Police & Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping. The final detail needs to be confirmed, however, we also aim to have NCC Leader Jon Collins & St Ann’s Beat Manager PC Pau Dean who will answer questions of crime,crime reduction, and Police priorities in St Ann’s.

There will also be the usual updates concerning the Stonebridge Park Regeneration Scheme, from the City Council, City Homes, ASRA, and on the new Asda shopping centre development.

‘Defend Council Tax’ campaigners set to lobby councillors

Nottingham City residents are to lobby councillors attending the Executive Board meeting at Loxley House, Station Street, on 18th December at 12.30pm as the council meets to discuss a proposed new Council Tax Benefit scheme following a city council consultation exercise.

Residents will also rally later in Nottingham's Market Square at 5.30pm

The lobby has been organised by Nott's Defend Council Tax Benefit Campaign whose contribution to the consultation described the proposals as "unworkable" and has been included in the Council's consultation report. Some issues highlighted by the group may be addressed in the final scheme, but the group says the scheme has to go.

Chris Jackson for the group said today "the City needs to keep the current Council Tax Benefit scheme, which is a fully funded scheme based on need, and kick out the new system which will lead to cuts in benefit for the poorest in the city."

In Nottingham, 42,510 households were receiving Council Tax benefit, with 8,820 in Broxtowe Borough, 9,290 in Gedling and 5,860 in Rushcliffe over the last year.

The current national Council Tax Benefit scheme is being abolished under the Welfare Reform Act. All councils in England must bring in their own scheme from April 2013, with less funding. The Government aim is to save around £410million in England approximately 10% of current costs. In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire the cut is around £13.29 million. For the City Council the shortfall is closer to 15% of what the City council pays out in Council Tax Benefit at the present time.

The proposals being discussed by Nottingham City Council's at Tuesday's meeting include:

"Every working age person and their partner would have to pay at least 20% of their Council Tax bill.

"Council Tax Benefit would be based on a maximum of a band B property. Therefore, if one member of a couple worked and one did not and the working person lost their job – they would pay If in a band D property £606.92 a year – 11.67 per week – a massive 37% of their council tax.

"If a person and/or their partner have savings above £6,000, they will not be entitled to any council Tax Benefit.

"No claims will be backdated.

"The council is also considering stopping Council Tax benefit if the amount due to a recipient is less than £2 or £4 a week."

Anyone wishing to get involved and support the 'Defend Council Tax Benefits Group should just turn up on the day, or you may contact them by phone: 07505135807, or by Email at defendcounciltaxbenefits@yahoo.co.uk

Police update: Ten arrested followings drugs raids

Police have thanked the public for their help in the arrest of ten people for drug-related offences in Nottingham.

City officers and detectives, with support from their partners in the probation service and local authority, have been out in force acting on tip-offs from the public on drug dealing in residential areas of the city.

Detective Inspector Keith Priest, from the Vanguard team, said: “We have recently had a lot of information from members of the public in relation to drug offenders operating in the city and surrounding suburbs and we wanted to strike while the iron is hot.”

Vanguard was launched four years ago as a large-scale, on going, investigation to target violent offenders, including those involved with drugs and firearms, in Nottingham.

More than 20 warrants have been executed over the last ten days, with the following results:

· One man in St Ann’s arrested and bailed on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He was also recalled to prison for another matter.

· Two men and two women arrested and bailed on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis after quantities of the Class B drug was recovered from houses in St Ann’s, Thorneywood and Sneinton.

· Three men and two women arrested and bailed on suspicion of various Class A and Class C possession and supply offences after quantities of suspected cocaine and cannabis were recovered from a house in Hyson Green.

· Class A drugs were found at a house in Sneinton and a quantity of suspected live ammunition was seized near a house in St Ann’s. Enquiries continue.

DI Priest said: “This is a prime example of how seriously we take information that comes in from the public. No one knows their community better than those who live in it and, more often than not, the information we get from residents is right on the money.

“That is why it is so important for people to report any suspicious or criminal activity in their neighbourhoods to police.

“With your help we are reducing drugs activity and the serious acquisitive and violent crime that it fuels, such as burglary and robbery, in residential areas of Nottingham.”

If you suspect someone is dealing in drugs or involved in crime contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or call Crime stoppers anonymously to Rat on a Rat on 0800 555 111.

By Nigel Bradley
Police, SGT 1083, St Anns (Sneinton & St Anns)

2012 -- ‘An amazing year for Stonebridge City farm’

In St Ann's it has been an amazing year for Volunteers & staff members of Stonebridge City Farm, which was launched by celebrity goat Lucy on BBC East Midlands Today: "A goat which blows raspberries that has become a hit with visitors at a farm.

WATES living space that began installing wall cladding & carrying out external works to properties around the Stonebridge Park estate in the summer also did charity work at the farm by providing volunteers and materials to relay the patio outside the café and main community building.

In July Stonebridge City Farm came top in the education section for the Evening Post Cash in the Community and won £1,628.89. This was followed by a record number of visitors to their annual summer open day, and a guest appearance on the CH4 program Super Scrimpers.

Nottingham Forest Football Club collected donations for the Farm during their match on 31st August against Birmingham FC, which also gave the community farm a boost.

Writing on his website in January, Nottingham East MP Chris Leslie said "Stonebridge City Farm in St Ann's is a long-standing and much cherished local facility, providing education, volunteering opportunities and fun for visitors young and old. On Friday I invited a selection of local businesses to come to a lunchtime tour and meeting of the farm to see for themselves the positive work that takes place – and to gently encourage them to consider giving some financial support! With grants to voluntary bodies under severe pressure locally and nationally, the City Farm will find it increasingly hard to cover their costs. They have a wide variety of animals to feed and grounds to maintain – and they already rely on over 70 local volunteers each week. I hope that the 'corporate day' event will be helpful, and I'd like to thank Marie, Steven and the rest of the team for their dedication over the years to this valuable oasis in a neighbourhood which has its fair share of challenges."

The next event to look forward to be the farm's 'Wild Food Session' on Sunday 16th December, with special guest James Wood from the Foraged book project. He will be looking at foraged pigments, and showing visitors how to make your own colours from foraged plants. The farm is asking for a donation of £2/3 for the session.

Open space 'will not be lost' if houses and business are built

THE city council has reassured residents that no open space will be lost during redevelopment of the Robin Hood Chase precinct in St Ann's.

It comes after circulation of a petition against the demolition of the site.

Some people were worried that the plans to regenerate the precinct would eat into an area outside the shops.

But the council has told residents that no open space will be built on and say the overwhelming reaction to the plans has been positive.

A council spokesman said: "We have developed a fantastic new community facility, the Valley Centre, on this site which has brought a range of services, including the library, housing office and health centre, under one roof.

"Now that those buildings are empty, and sadly the Co-op has closed its store on the site, the area is looking rundown.

"It was always the plan to develop this part of the site next and we have been speaking to the local community about our ideas."

The exact number of houses and business units to be built are not known, but two blocks of homes will be built with space for shops underneath.

The council spokesman said: "These involve initially developing a new supermarket, with housing above, at the front of the site, hopefully from next year, and in a couple of years redeveloping the back of the site with a combination of housing and small shops.

"Everyone at our recent meeting was reassured that the proposals would not involve building on public space and there was very strong support for new housing, especially social housing.

"The plans, which also include a new public space, were overwhelmingly welcomed by local people and will clearly be an improvement on what is there now."

Gisella Sobarasua, 50, of Valley Road, organised the petition and said she had collected 300 signatures.

"All this open space is being used, we're going to lose it all," she said. "The kids come here, it's an open area that is used to sit and rest in the summer and they want to take this away."

Neeley Simmons, a mother-of-four from Beverley Square, said she was annoyed by the plans.

The 30-year-old added: "There's no open space. Our kids play in there all through the year – we've got no shops left and we'll be left with nothing.

"It's a community space, it's a place to meet and gossip. You don't have to worry about kids because there's no traffic.

"They are taking our community away from us.

"We use it every day. I don't want any houses here, I'd just like them to revamp the shops and make it a community space."

Sarah Rolley, of Warton Avenue, signed the petition. The 33-year-old said: "I don't believe we should have houses built here.

"St Ann's has a good sense of community."

What do you think of the plans? Contact Peter Blackburn on 0115 905 1955 or email peter.blackburn@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

Anti Social Behaviour – “Nott’s Police consistently fail vulnerable victims”

The Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary 2012 Report into Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) says that “there is a relatively high level of ASB recorded by police in Nottinghamshire in comparison with the rest of England and Wales.

“HMIC found that some progress has been made in the way the force understands and tackles ASB problems. Our survey of ASB victims in Nottinghamshire shows that satisfaction levels are similar to the 2010 survey results, although satisfaction with the information provided following the call has increased significantly.

“The force has improved how it monitors ASB performance. This gives them a better understanding of ASB problems in their area, and means they can direct resources to where they are most needed. The force has also invested in an IT system to support the management of ASB incidents. It maintains individual victim records, which clearly describe the full history of ASB and other crime that the victim has reported; this is good practice and helps the force to ensure the victim receives the appropriate support. Officers and staff are clear that ASB is a priority for the force and the public.

“However, repeat and vulnerable victims are not consistently identified when they call the police. This means that they may not be getting the extra support they need at the earliest opportunity. HMIC also found that some reports of ASB are not being recorded on force systems (for example, if they are made directly to officers on patrol, rather than by dialling 999 or 101). These issues can affect both the overall understanding of the ASB problems within Nottinghamshire, and the decisions taken as to what response is required to tackle these problems effectively.

Results of a survey of ASB victims

“We surveyed 202 people who reported ASB to Nottinghamshire Police during 2011. They were asked a range of questions about their perceptions of ASB generally and their experience in reporting ASB to the police.

Are repeat and vulnerable victims effectively identified at the point of report?

“Nottinghamshire Police’s incident recording system automatically identifies repeat callers from either their location or name. This allows the call taker to review previous incidents when they are deciding what response is needed.

“However, call takers did not always question callers about previous unreported incidents, which could lead to the force failing to identify some repeat victims.

“Call takers are also expected to question callers to find out if they are in any way vulnerable (such as elderly or disabled): but this does not always happen.

“sampling of 100 calls about ASB, it was found that the call taker only asked targeted questions to help establish if a caller was a repeat victim in about a half of the calls; and whether they were a vulnerable victim in about a quarter of the calls. We did find that call takers generally dealt with the victim in a professional manner.

Are officers and staff regularly and thoroughly briefed about local ASB issues?

“Neighbourhood policing teams are regularly briefed in detail about local ASB issues. However, investigators and officers who respond to emergency calls do not receive the same level of briefing; and although the force briefing system provides them with some information, they are less well informed about ASB problems in their local area. This could impact on the force’s ability to deal with ASB.

“Officers who are working on specific operations introduced to tackle ASB receive a comprehensive briefing about current ASB concerns, including information on victims who are most vulnerable. This represents progress.

Does the force regularly gather and analyse data and information about ASB?

“At a local level, work is undertaken to understand what information is available from partners who have a shared responsibility to tackle ASB (such as local councils and the fire service).

However, this is limited to sharing numerical data and information on high risk ASB incidents. This could result in some vulnerable or repeat victims not being identified and provided with the support they need.

Do neighbourhood policing teams have the right tools and resources to tackle ASB?

“Officers and staff working in local neighbourhood teams complete a training programme, which includes learning about legislation and methods to help them deal with ASB. New staff are supervised and supported by an experienced neighbourhood officer. Further joint training has also taken place with Community Protection Officers from the City Council.

“The force neighbourhood policing intranet site includes details of the full range of tactics police can use to tackle ASB including a good practice guide. However, some neighbourhood officers are not aware this source of information exists.

“The force uses a computerised case management system to maintain individual victim records, which helps neighbourhood teams manage plans to address specific ASB incidents. However, these records are not always updated, and guidance from supervisors to staff is not consistently recorded.”

TV Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore has died

Sir Patrick Moore interviewed in 2000

British astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore has died, aged 89, his friends and colleagues have said.

He "passed away peacefully at 12:25 BST this afternoon" at his home in Selsey, West Sussex, they said in a statement.

Sir Patrick presented the BBC programme The Sky At Night for over 50 years, making him the longest-running host of the same television show ever.

He wrote dozens of books on astronomy and his research was used by the US and the Russians in their space programmes.

Obituary of a great TV Astronomer

A statement by his friends and staff said: "After a short spell in hospital last week, it was determined that no further treatment would benefit him, and it was his wish to spend his last days in his own home, Farthings, where he today passed on, in the company of close friends and carers and his cat Ptolemy.

"Over the past few years, Patrick, an inspiration to generations of astronomers, fought his way back from many serious spells of illness and continued to work and write at a great rate, but this time his body was too weak to overcome the infection which set in, a few weeks ago.

"He was able to perform on his world record-holding TV programme The Sky at Night right up until the most recent episode.

"His executors and close friends plan to fulfil his wishes for a quiet ceremony of interment, but a farewell event is planned for what would have been Patrick's 90th birthday in March 2013."

Time shift – The Robin Hood Case

Following the Nottingham City boundary extension act of 1845 the Robin Hood Chase was constructed as a recreational walk way into the Arboretum park vir Corperation Oaks & Elm Avenue.

The main route has a covenant attached that says nothing can be build on the land. The the remaining areas either side of the Chase were developed, including St Ann’s Church, and later the Robin Hood Chase shopping precinct after St Ann’s underwent a slum clearance program in 1971.

This is a sequence of images of the Robin Hood Chase between 1900 – 1972.

St. Ann's parish was formed in 1865, including a small portion of Baseford parish. In 1863 the Nottingham architect Thomas Chambers Hine (1813-1899), and his partner Robert Evens, received the prize of £20 in the open competition for St. Ann's church. However, when it was built in 1864, it was to the design of Robert Clarke of Nottingham. The Church v/as consecrated on 4 November 1864 by the Bishop of Lincoln. The church was situated in St Ann's Well Road at the bottom of the Robin Hood Chase, and was an edifice of Bulwell stone in the decorated style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, transepts, north porch, western bell turret, and one bell. There v/as a fine organ, and the church seated 1,200 persons, with 700 free seats for the not so well off. There were large day, and Sunday Schools, in connection with this parish for the education of children. The buildings were contiguous to the church. The register dated from the year 1805. The living was a perpetual curacy with a gross yearly value of about £450, and a house in the gift of trustees. It was first held in 1871 by the Rev. James Dawson Lewis M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, Hon. Canon of Southwell, and surrogate. St Ann's Church closed in 1971. The church was demolished and a new building combining Saint Anne with Emanuel, was erected on the Robin Hood Chase in 1972 as part of the new redevelopment of the area.

Beacon Hill Rise Road – City Council have ‘no plans to stop speeding cars’

Top Left: new proposed traffic calming measures to be introduced adjacent Nugent & Limmen Gardens.

Top Right: new street lighting but nothing to stop cars using Beacon Hill Rise Road as a ‘race track.’

Lower Left: The driver of this speeding car on Beacon Hill Rise Road was killed when he lost control and hit a lamp post in Limmen Gardens

We recently wrote to Jennifer Williams to point out that some motorists use this main road as a ‘race track’ during the hours of darkness putting the lives of Stonebridge Park residents & children at risk. We asked for more traffic calming measures to prevent this from happening, and improved street lighting. This is the reply from Nottingham City Council:

“I have contacted our Street Lighting department and the street lighting along Beacon Hill Rise and the surrounding ward is due to be upgraded in Autumn 2013.

“The proposed traffic calming features along Beacon Hill Rise are to slow traffic down on the approaches to the bend due to the location of the proposed housing development (as shown on the consultation plan).

“Slowing the traffic along the bend enables motorists to improve visibility and therefore reduce the potential risk for a collision when entering or exiting the proposed driveways.

“We are unable at this time to include extra traffic calming features along Beacon Hill Rise. However, I have forwarded your suggestion of extra calming features along Beacon Hill Rise to the Neighbourhood Development Officer for your ward so she may raise your concerns to your ward councillors.

“If you have noticed high and unsafe vehicle speeds within your area please contact your local Police.”

Jennifer Williams:

Senior Officer - Accident Investigation.Traffic & Safety. Nottingham City Council.

Gisella Sobarasua – begins her campaign to ‘save the Robin Chase’

Gisella Sobarasua is an active campaigner who has lived in St Ann’s since 1972, and feels strongly that the identity of our neighbourhood should be preserved.

After the slum clearance program of 1971 the area was left with far fewer green open spaces, shops & pubs, and Gisella told me today that she did not want the local community to lose them with the Council intending to build new houses on the land.

Over the last week Gisella Subarasua has been gathering signatures for a petition to prevent up to 18 new houses being built on the site of the Robin Hood Chase Shopping precinct as part of the latest regeneration scheme. So far over 220 local residents have signed her petition.

Gisella has now set up a face book page to campaign to keep the Robin Hood Chase as a community open space free from housing development; & have many new shops along with a supermarket built on land at the front of the Chase facing St Ann’s Well Road for easy public access.

Gasella imagined what the Robin Hood Chase would be saying right now if the shopping precinct had a voice:

“I am The Robin Hood Chase Shopping Precinct in St Ann's. I have been here in the St Ann's since 1972 and now there is a threat to my existence.

“My existence is based on the community using and needing me, that was how it used to be. I can remember when the Chase used to be full of people shopping.

“This can all come back if I get the right shops once again. I need shops and stores like Farm Foods, Iceland, The Pound and 99p stores. These are the places that the community are asking for and need.

“The City Council backed by its Cllrs want to demolish me and put houses were there are the last open spaces in the St Ann's. They say they will put new units on the main Wells Rd, that this will make the Chase better and safer. I ask, who for?!

“I know people like to talk bad about me. They like to say, I'm scary and unsafe with dark alleys and paths. I say, you don't really know me and worst of all, you don't want to. You use the weapons of words to frighten people and convince them that I am to be done away with that their options are for the best.

“I say be clearer with your words. I say there are people out there who still recall the destruction of the old St Ann's and how with words of poverty and slums, not only an area was destroyed but its people.”

We are likely to be hearing a lot more from Gasella in the weeks ahead.

By Richard Pearson

‘Narnia wonderland’ at Stonebridge City Farm

Stonebridge City Farm

Stonebridge Road, St. Anns, Nottingham, NG3 2FR
Telephone: 0115 950 5113 Fax: 0115 941 5288
email: info@stonebridgecityfarm.com

Poster designed by Stonebridge Supporters Group

Staff members & volunteers Carole, Shirley, George, Azzeria Tooby, Ashley Shepard, Ben Smith and Scott Wallis in their Narnia costumes ready for their Winter Wonderland events which begin this Sunday

External works make good progress

In St Ann’s on the Stonebridge Park Estate this slide show begins with the front row of houses in Flewitt Gardens, then Dennett Close & Lytton Close. Eastham Close footpath improvements taking shape, Eastham Close & lastly Lytton Close [Green].

These photographs were taken this afternoon, and show that WATES workers are making good progress.

The area of Lytton Close [Green] and Eastham Close is nearing completion with all of the off road parking areas & paths in place, while the perimeter iron railings are almost all in place. Workers were today laying turf in the front gardens of the homes to make them look pleasing to the eye.

Work has also begun installing the 2 meter high lockable gates in the Eastham Close footpath, and reconstructing the brick wall at the side of 10 Eastham Close which will eventually be topped with an iron fence.

2012 -- ‘A successful year for Nottingham’s Trams’

The Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday, December 11th to discuss two reports on the Performance & future plans for the tram network by Andy Holdstock and Lea Harrison.

Thousand of residents from St Ann’s use Nottingham’s trams every year, which is a very popular mode of transport for everyone in the city.

The meeting will be informed that in 2013 in a change to the Byelaws £50 penalty fairs are to be issued for the first time (reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days).

Councillors will also hear that “from May to the end of October 2012 the average levels of reliability and punctuality of the tram system remained high over the period with 99.8% of timetabled trips operating and 99.3% of trips departing on time.

“9 million passengers used the tram system in the financial year from 1st April 2011 to 30^th March 2012.

“The frequency of tram services on Wednesday and Friday evenings has been increased in the run-up to Christmas to coincide with late-night shopping in the city centre. Between The Forest and Station Street, the trams are now running once every 5 minutes between 6.30pm and 10.00pm on these days.

“Construction works have commenced to increase the size of the tram depot and control centre at Wilkinson Street, which will allow for the increased fleet size that will operate on NET Phase Two. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of parking spaces at Wilkinson Street Park and Ride Site. In addition, new track work is being delivered to the depot through the car park during off-peak hours.

“A new Off-Tram Ticketing strategy is being introduced In September 2013. The solution embraces the use of modern technology with the introduction of Ticket Vending Machines (TVM’s) and Validators, the positions of which have been determined by anticipated passenger flows.

“Tramlink are currently completing a full review of the NET Byelaws and conditions of carriage to ensure that they fully support the changes that are to be implemented with the introduction of Off Tram Ticketing.”

In summary the changes are designed to take account of the transfer of the Concession to Tramlink Nottingham and specifically:

1. To allow Tramlink to check tickets of passengers alighting from trams at tram stops, and to sell tickets to passengers that are unable to produce a ticket on demand.

2. To simplify provisions relating to car parks and to ensure pedestrian and car routes are not obstructed.

3. To assist wheelchair users in being able to fully use on-tram wheelchair spaces.

UK ‘austerity cuts’ to continue into 2018

While the government continues to give away billions of pound of tax payers money in over seas aid -- £12.6 billion by 2014, this Conservative government continues to hit the poorest families the hardest.

In comparison the Police budget is £12.1 billion for police forces around the UK

Today Chancellor George Osborne will set out his autumn budget statement to parliament.

The Financial Times today reports that the era of austerity could last until 2018 as George Osborne is forced to extend spending cuts still further into the next parliament, a respected economic think tank warns.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that the Chancellor may have to push out the current squeeze on public spending to 2017/18 and find another £11 billion from cuts or tax rises on top of the further £8 billion reduction in welfare spending already mooted.

Having initially planned to eliminate the structural deficit by the time of the next election in 2015, Mr Osborne has already had to signal further real terms cuts of 2.3% in Whitehall spending up to 2016/17 and the slashing of the benefits bill by another £8 billion (at today's prices).

But under the IFS's "relatively pessimistic" scenario for the future of the economy - under which the recent deterioration in growth prospects and tax receipts turns out to be permanent - the Chancellor will be forced to announce even more bad news for British taxpayers if he is to hit his "fiscal mandate".

In a report ahead of Mr Osborne's Autumn Statement next week, the think tank predicts that in any case he is on course to miss his other fiscal target - for national debt to be coming down in 2015/16.

The IFS urged Mr Osborne to instruct the independent Office of Budget Responsibility to do the same in its forecasts because the change would not "directly materially change the long-term outlook for the public finances".

It said that, with borrowing set to reach £133 billion for the current financial year, £13 billion higher than forecast, Mr Osborne may be forced to abandon the 2015/16 debt target.

The IFS suggested Mr Osborne should replace his supplementary fiscal target with something that better encourages "long-run sustainability".

St Ann’s Christmas event attended by record crowd

Festive cheer broke out in St Ann’s this evening as Olympic champion Sharon Gibson helped local councillors Jon Collins, Dave Liversidge & Sue Johnson switch on the Christmas tree lights outside the Police Station.

Over two hundred adults & local children turned up in the chilled air and donned Santa hats to sing carols around the festive Christmas tree.

Local Labour councillor David Liversidge was really pleased with the turn out,  “Times are hard at the moment”, he said, “so its right that Nottingham City Council should spend a bit of money so the whole community can get together and have some fun.”

Afterwards there was also an amazing firework display at the rear of the Robin Hood Chase, followed by refreshments in the Chase Neighbourhood Centre. Hot vegetable soup was on the menu, along with tea & coffee, while all the local children lined up to visit Santa in his fairy grotto.

At 4pm on Friday 7th December the Salvation Army Brass Band & St Christopher's Church Choir, will gather on Sneinton market for their Christmas Lights switch on, attended by St Ann’s Councillors for another festive treat.

By Richard Pearson

December Video update

Stonebridge Park Estate 2012

Stonebridge Park Estate 2007

The video on the left was taken in the Winter of 2007 and shows Pym Walk flats, Flewitt Gardens, Dennett Close & Eastham Close. The video above was taken a few days ago – what a difference 5 years makes!

December 17th marks the two year anniversary of the turf cutting ceremony which took place in Dennett Close back in 2010.

There were high hopes that the construction of the first phase of 95 new homes, flats & apartments would be completed by July 2012, however, problems connecting them to the district heating scheme caused delays. In addition there have been problems with parts of the newly installed road drainage system, and unforeseen difficulties while building the new flats in Magson Close.

With only 3 weeks to go before the Christmas holidays, the completion date has now slipped into early 2013. 

Stonebridge Park is listed in the ‘Nottingham house building Target to 2020’ document, which says that Nottingham City Council aims to build a further 104 new homes on our estate by 2018.

Housing Development Manager Mark Lowe informed us recently that discussions with Developer Keepmoat Homes Ltd were progressing well, although they were not ready to put in a planning application at the moment.

Phases 3 & 6 predominantly cover the Jersey Gardens area.

We have also learned that a new Developer has shown interest in wanting to build new homes on our estate and is in talks with the City Council.

Time shift – see our collection of videos

 

 

View all of our videos dating back five years, and see how the Stonebridge Park Regeneration Scheme has transformed our estate into what will be a nice place in which to live.

We are also adding videos of St Ann’s both new and old – like ‘Gimme Shelter’ from 1969.

The night sky ~ December 2012

Sky Diary VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Winter’s lack of daylight is in some ways a restriction on outdoor activities, but it does provide at least one fun opportunity: the chance to enjoy great views of the night sky. Winter brings a new set of constellations to the Pacific Northwest, and cold, clear, moonless nights in the wilderness can offer some of the best chances to observe the stars all year (provided you’re dressed warmly).

The most prominent constellation in the winter sky is Orion, the Hunter. To spot him, look towards the southeast for a band of three stars—this is his belt. To the upper right of the belt is Bellatrix, a bright blue star representing Orion’s left shoulder (as he is facing us), and to the left is Betelgeuse, an old, enormous orange star that indicates his right shoulder. Below the belt hangs Orion’s sword, which might appear to be a bit fuzzy. This is because two of the three stars that make up the sword aren’t actually single stars—they are blobs of gas and stars called the Trapezium and the Orion Nebula. While it’s fairly easy to notice the fuzziness of these objects with the naked eye on a clear night, a pair of binoculars will help resolve their shape and reveal more subtle details.

Nearby are Orion’s two hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Extend Orion’s belt to the left and look for Sirius, the head of Canis Major (the Great Dog) and the brightest star in the night sky. Directly above Betelgeuse, Orion’s right shoulder, is Procyon, the head of Canis Minor. Procyon, Sirius, and Betelgeuse together form the quasi constellation known as the Winter Triangle. If you again use Orion’s belt as a pointer and follow it to the right, you’ll find Aldebaran, another giant orange star, which is one of the brightest in the sky. Aldebaran appears to be following a cluster of stars—the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters, after a Native American legend of young women who climbed into the sky to avoid angry bears. Pleiades is a good test of how clear the observing conditions are. Six stars are usually visible to the eye, but on a very clear night you might be able to pick out 9, and up to 14 with binoculars.

By Jeff Acquino