Gotham News

The magazine of Gotham Parish Council Issue 82 March 2016

Gotham’s Carol Sing-Song

This the fourth year we’ve organised this popular event, the first time it’s rained; and Richard Coleman kindly invited us to hold it in St Lawrence Church.

See centre supplement for Gotham’s WW1 fallen…

Chairman’s Report

O wind! if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

After the very windy, mild and wet Winter, we can now enjoy the early arrival of Spring flowers snowdrops, crocuses, aconites and daffodils. Mowing lawns throughout the winter, because the grass has kept growing,Never done that before!

a party of six Parish Councillors to British Gypsum. With our guide Mine Manager John Austin we toured the factory, seeing the process of the rock turned into plaster, then plasterboard. We then went down the mine, and saw how the continuous mining machine gets the rock. A very interesting and fascinating afternoon.

The well attended event, was fun great for the children being photographed with the stars; Mark Lowe compered the evening and introduced Borough Councillor Stuart Matthews who generously presented a cheque for £1,000 to Batman and Batgirl towards the refurbishment fund for the Well House.

Despite the unseasonal weather, we were able to enjoy the busy round of seasonal activities. This year was the first ‘switching on the lights of the Christmas tree’ by Batman, (Owen Trickett) and Batgirl (Paige Lowe) on Sunday 6th December. They toured the village in Councillor Harry Taylor’s beautiful DB Lagonda.

Richard Coleman, cleared many of the chairs, then spent a couple of hours inputting the words of the carols, and were projected on to the screen. Mince pies and mulled wine were provided by the Parochial Church Council. It was enjoyed by all and now a traditional part of the village festive fun. The Gotham Primary School Choir, under the direction of Head Teacher, Sue Lymn-Brewin, performed a repertoire of songs beautifully. As always, there was an excellent turn out. At the conclusion, Santa arrived and handed gifts of chocolates to the children – an enjoyable curtain-raiser to the Festivities!

On 18th November by kind arrangement of Jeremy Elvins, Mineral and Estates Manager, I took Batman and Batgirl arrive and Cllr Stuart Matthews presents the cheque.

CONTENTS Page 3 Countryside Trust Gotham Community Hub Gotham News Editorial Team Page 4 Gotham Nature Reserve Alex Babos, Derby County FC Page 6 1st Gotham Scouts Explorers 1st Gotham Scouts Centenary Page 7 Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 2 1st Gotham Scout Group Pantomime Page 8 10th Anniversary Gotham Primary School New Skylink Service Page 9 A minute with Penny – Lollipop Lady Gotham Cricket Club Report Queen’s Birthday celebrations Page 11 Possible fracking in Gotham

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Countryside Trust In spite of a few setbacks, the Trust still hopes to extend the Logan Trail and intends to begin work very soon on the next section. In addition, members are planting native flowers to enhance areas around the seats and plan to help finance some village projects. The Countryside Trust AGM will be held in Gotham Memorial Hall at 19:30 on Monday, April 25th. Why not come along to learn about what we do? Everyone is welcome.

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Gotham Community Hub Ltd

Proposal to purchase the Royal British Legion site

Community Hub

that, after careful consideration and professional guidance from their retail advisers, they have reluctantly concluded that renting the shop in the RBL building is not a viable proposition in the current retail environment. Alan and Jane will continue trading from their existing premises.

At a meeting of the Gotham Community Hub Ltd Management Committee on Friday 4th March, the decision was taken to cease work towards a bid to buy the former RBL building and land on Nottingham Road.

The Management Committee respect and understand the reasons behind this decision, and ask all villagers to continue to support the village shop and new Post Office as much as possible.Although this is a disappointing outcome, there has been a great deal achieved, and learned, since the first village Public Meeting in May 2015 to consider the purchase of the site.

The commercial case for, and sustainability of, the ownership of the site by the community depended on the rental income from two anchor tenants; an expanded SPAR shop with Post Office and a café. The Management Committee have been notified by Alan and Jane Towle

Nearly £200,000 was available from 85 share applications; this is a credit to the community spirit in Gotham. All share-holders will be contacted by separate note and investments refunded accordingly. As a direct result of the extensive

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work by the Management Committee, the Parish Council and the Plunkett Foundation, the village has a greater understanding of the technical, legal and financial complexities in setting up a community business. Therefore GCH Ltd will be wound up.. Thank you all for your comments, encouragement and support throughout the campaign. Refer to gothamvillage.co.uk website for further comments on the campaign. John Anderson, Chairman Gotham Community Hub Ltd

Gotham News Editorial Team Barbara Walker, Debbie Bexon, Hazel Trobridge, Elizabeth Sheratt, Mike Sheppard. Steve Douglas - 07545 388439

NEXT COPY DATE FRIDAY 17TH JUNE

Gotham Nature Reserve

Massive thanks to British Gypsum who have kindly funded our new notice board. We intend to provide permanent information concerning the history of the site, who we are, where we are in relation to the whole SSSI site and the flowers that have been seen on site over the years.

In addition, it will also display up to date information on working parties and fund raising events. So as you visit the site or walk up the brickyard, keep an eye out for new information. This our new site sign which has been specifically placed so that anyone walking up the brickyard can immediately see where the site is. We have been working on this idea for a long time and we are very grateful to everyone who played a part in helping the idea come to fruition. Work has restarted on clearing the woodland areas This began late last year, and will continue over the coming months. It is unlikely that the grassland area will be worked as the spring flowers are li kely to be much earlier this year following the rather mild winter. So if you want to get some fresh air and exercise, please come and join us. Last year’s Strawberry Tea event was outstanding and very enjoyable, so we are planning another to be held in the Church Hall on Sunday 26 June. There are also plans to hold a bird watching event. No date for this, but look out for

updates on our notice board and for posters around the village. We are in the process of producing an information booklet which we can hand to anyone who makes enquiries about the project. We hope this overcomes current problems where we take email addresses but invariably lose the contact: we are hoping that the booklet will help us encourage more members to join us. Finally, the Gotham Nature Reserve Team are still looking for volunteers to join us as trustees, so if you think you can contribute with new ideas or add value to our existing team, then please contact our chairman Bob Stentiford by email on [email protected]

Alex Babos: Gotham Rangers to Derby County FC Alex’s interest in football started at the age of 4 at the “Stade de Croissy”, near his home in Paris, where he was coached by parents and teachers from the British School of Paris.   The family moved to Gotham when he was 7 years old and it was fortunate that the village had a well-established football club with great facilities, thanks to Andy Litchfield and his many helpers. Alex joined Gotham Rangers U8s and enjoyed many happy years being coached and encouraged by Kev Harrigan and Mark (Paddy) Cowdell.    There were many talented footballers in Alex’s year in the village, making them a successful team, and one in which Alex could develop his skills. This team won the treble as the U14s in the 2011/2012 season and soon after, Alex joined Derby County Academy’s U15s in November 2012.   Aged 16, Alex was offered a full time scholarship with the U18s team and  during this time he gained valuable experience playing against teams such as Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool in the U18s Premier Division. Following two successful years, in January 2016 he was offered a professional contract to continue his career with DCFC until 2019. -4-

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Gotham

The Square, Gotham, Nottingham NG11 OHX

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‘We wish you a Happy Easter, come and join us at the Sun.’ ‘Wednesday Lunch Club’ - 2 courses for just £6.95 ‘Thursday Grill Night’ - 2 grills for only £10 Saturday 23rd April - Saint George’s Day MUSIC and FREE BUFFET - 7.30 pm-late Sunday 1st May - Bank Holiday SUNDAY LUNCH - 12 noon-3.30 BARBECUE - 3 pm-6 pm Sunday 19th June - Father’s Day - Book now to receive a FREE GIFT

1st Gotham Scout Group Explorer Unit

Things that spring to mind in February… Coldness, Valentine Roses and Starry Nights and Camping? 1st Gotham Scout Group Explorer Unit ventured out to Walesby Forest Activity Centre for their Winter Camp. 11 Explorers in total and 3 Leaders braved the cold and set up camp for the weekend under canvas. Lots of fun activities were on offer, from climbing to archery and rifle shooting to campfire songs. The camp was a great experience for young people to explore a winter camp, develop their team working skills towards their badges and Duke of Edinburgh Award and ultimately, have fun!

1st Gotham Scouts Centenary Year This year Cub Scouts from 1st Gotham Scout Group will join with thousands of others around the UK in celebrating 100 years of Cub Scouting in the wildest birthday ever in 2016. Our first event takes place on Wednesday 30th March at The Scout Hut Malt Street. We will be holding Thanks Event on 31st March 6PM till 8PM. Please come along and join the adventure. Whether you have been involved in 1st Gotham Scout Group in the past or whether you are just interested we look forward to welcoming you. Scouting is shaped by young people in partnership with adults and we are always looking for new volunteers and if you are interested this might be a good chance for you to see what we are all about.

Gotham Memorial Hall Nottingham Road, NG11 0HE Consultant: Sarah. Tel: 07979 006 707 EVERY Wednesday at 7:00pm

Even if you aren’t interested in volunteering simply join us for a night of great food, great fun and great memories, all are welcome! 1st Gotham Scout Group seeks to transform the lives of young people by providing an inspiring programme of everyday adventure. Cub Scouts are 8 – 10 1⁄2 year olds and they take part in a wide range of activities designed to be interesting and challenging. A Cub Scout meeting consists of games and activities with plenty of time spent indoors and outdoors.

With the Slimming World Plan nothing is banned, you can eat more than you ever did before, never feel deprived and best of all lose weight! So many people lead such busy lives and with Slimming World family members can all enjoy the same meals together, still socialise and enjoy life. Coupled with a fabulous way of eating is the group support. Being with others on the same journey helps so much.

In the coming weeks the young people will be involved in an adventure packed programme including seeing a live action version of the Jungle Book at a special ODEON Screening. Staging our very own production of the Jungle Book as part of our Entertainer badge, going on an Cubs100 adventure camp. On top of the a sleepover, backstage tour at the Nottingham Playhouse, Fire station visit and much much more exciting things.

Interested?

Come along, try us out and get fit and healthy the Extra Easy Way. Make 2016 YOUR year!

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Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 2 - Issues and Options This document was issued by Rushcliffe Borough Council and consultation runs until March 24th. Many of you will have received a copy if you commented at any time on part 1. Given the nature of this first stage we felt there was little to be gained by significant individual responses from parishioners. The document lays out the fundamental points of the next stage of the Local Plan and focuses more on the details that might directly affect Gotham, especially if you own land on the village periphery. Principal among these is the draft village envelope which we reproduce here and which defines the area which they suggest will be taken out of the green belt. The Parish Council has been pleasantly surprised that the envelope is tightly drawn around the settlement boundaries so it ends up in effect the same as the green wash that it replaces. This may be because there is so much housing provision planned at East Leake, Ruddington and the larger settlements that the pressure to develop in all the newly inset villages (Bunny & Bradmore included) is reduced to ‘local need’ only, which RBC defines as just the settlement need. Needless to say, various parties wishing to expand this envelope and develop to the Inspector’s definition of ‘local need’, i.e.

“Rush­cliffe’s need”, will make representations. The debate is likely to continue over the next 2 years.

supported developing additional housing for local people, 27 did not.

As it is a complex matter we have engaged our consultant Ken Mafham to make representations on our behalf and the productive joint work with Barton will continue.

• 25% said no further housing is required but 75% think there is a need and a range of housing types were mentioned.

The Parish Council has responded to the consultation by supporting this draft boundary.

Housing Survey

This ended on February 22nd. Thank you for those who returned their forms - it was a significant response. A full report on the findings is due by the end of March, but the key figures are these: • There were 168 responses, which is 21% response rate. This is typical and of value.

1st Gotham Scout Pantonine 2015 Another amazing pantomime with the production of Robin Hood! This year was the 11th pantomime and still offered fun and laughter and even some new jokes for the village to enjoy. The cast made up of scouts and explorers and volunteers worked really hard to create the three shows. Plans are in process for a possible 12th....

• 13 8 responses

• 17 people have said they need alternative housing within 3 years and a further 11 within 5 years. All seemed to have a local connection. Various types of housing are required. • 13 wanted to buy on the open market, 4 wanted shared owner­ ship, 9 wanted affordable rent and 2 wanted private rental. The data will be input to the process of the local plan part 2 and may lead to an attempt to provide appropriate housing sites within a slightly expanded envelope. Or it may lead to the application for a ‘Rural Exception Site’ -for a suitable site in the current green belt - if there is such a site. Anyone out there with a spare acre?

0115 846 0298 or 07413 984421 [email protected]

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10 year anniversay at Gotham Primary School In January we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of being in our new school building. I can’t believe that the time has passed so quickly. The new building was erected during 2004=2005 and we received the keys just before school broke up for Christmas in December 2005. The cost of the building was £1.8m which included the furniture and equipment allocation. We had applied to the DfE for additional INSET days after the Christmas break in order to allow time for the staff to move into the school and set up in readiness for the children returning for Spring Term. In the event we needed every minute of those three days without children in school as most of the new furniture arrived as flat-pack and all the staff had to build their own desks and bookcases! We marked the 10th Anniversary in several ways; • Mrs Austin helped every child to participate in the making of a mosaic of our school logo for the front wall of the school.

• Every child made a ‘hand-print’ on a square of fabric, some were actually printed, others involved embroidery, and these individual squares were sewn together into four banners. • The staff also made banners which depict all the different aspects of life at Gotham Primary. • We all contributed to a ‘Time capsule’, writing messages to the children and staff of the future and have sealed it up to be opened in 2026. We added photographs and documents such as our current class lists, our curriculum plan and this year’s budget so that the staff and children in 2026 can find out what the school was like in 2016. • Finally, you can’t have a ‘birthday’ without a birthday cake, so Mrs Burton baked us one, and we even sang ‘Happy Birthday Gotham Primary’ in assembly! You would be very welcome to come up to school if you would like to see our banners and mosaic! Just come to the gate, buzz and ask to see Sue LymnBrewin.

Making our mark on the school! Our Handprint Banners with the children of Cedar Class.

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New Skylink service TrentBarton launched a new Skylink express coach service to East Midlands airport on January 31st this year. • It calls at the Clifton South Park & Ride tram terminus, coming in from the A453 • Runs at half hourly intervals during the day, with earlier buses at 04:47 am, 05:47 and 06:27. • It provides a comfortable, fast and affordable service to the airport. • It also offers opportunities for local residents to get to work and to seek employment at the airport and Pegasus Business Park.

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A minute with Penny Fieldhouse - ‘lollipop lady’ What 3 words best describe you? Small, cheeky, happy Who or what annoys you? Rude people What are your 3 desert island discs? Peter Sarstedt: Where do you go to my lovely? Abba: I have a dream, Luther Vandross: Dance with my father. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? Use your manners and respect your elders. What objects do you carry with you? Glasses, phone, cash What is your greatest extravagance? My grandson Jack What is your idea of happiness? Being with my family What are you like to work with? Happy and conscientious  Who do you most admire? Princess Diana  Where is your favourite destination? Devon What are your 3 favourite films? Pretty Woman, Ghost and The Sound of Music What is your favourite saying? Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. What do you treasure most in the office? The open space is my office Your 6 favourite dinner party guests? David Beckham, Adele, Alex Ferguson, Eric Bristow, David Essex and my old pal Mr Aubrey Bradley (from the village)  What are your favourite books? Love stories

A successful & enjoyable season Report by Trevor Burton, Chairman • The first team: finished 3rd in division C. • The second team: finished 6th in division G. • The junior section goes from strength to strength with over 50 children from age 5 to 15 attending regular coaching sessions and matches. We held monthly social events throughout the season, with a quiz night in May. In June we hosted a very successful T20 match with the 453 churches and former Zimbabwean international Henry Olonga, a welcome addition to their team. The Arthur Kent Festival Week was a huge success too, and my thanks to everyone for their continued support. This year’s event will run from Sunday 24th July, to Friday 31st July Our Annual British Heart Foundation T20 Match with BBQ and live

band was in September We also played for the Alistair Munt trophy in what will now be an annual fixture against a Barton in Fabis XI. My thanks go to Alistair’s widow Helen for providing the trophy, and to the ladies of Barton for providing delicious cakes. Our special thanks go to David Pinder and his family for providing and cooking the BBQ for everyone. We had a fantastic turn-out of over 120 players and families at our annual presentation evening at the Rushcliffe Golf Club in October. Well done to all the winners with Robert Goddard clearing the table for the first team. Finally, my thanks to Bob Goddard and Colin Dines for providing us with our wicket and practice area each week At our AGM in February all of the officers were re-elected, so here’s to another successful season and look out for our flyers advertising events. All welcome at our club as a member, player or spectator. New players always wanted – Interested? - call Paul Blatherwick 0780 816 3219

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Gotham celebrates HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday

Thursday 21st April 2016: Come to the Rec at dusk, when we join the Nation and celebrate with the lighting of our Beacon.

G

s

Rememb m a h er ot

Charles Edward Hale L/Cpl 266936 Sherwood Foresters 26 September 1917

Albert Hallam

In Its Fallen ar The Great W

Pte 4036 Sherwood Foresters

These names of the fallen will be featured in the next edition of Gotham News in July.

Herbert Hallam

We’re asking for your help ...

Pte 38071 Lincolnshire Rgt. 17 November 1917

If you have photographs or information which we could use; please contact Mike Sheppard on 983 0709 or email: [email protected]

Cuckoo Bush

Drop in and meet your new landlords, Marcia and Peter Holton We are open:

Every day - all day 12 noon - 11pm

We serve food:

Monday - Wednesday 12 noon - 3pm Thursday - Saturday 12 noon - 9pm Sunday12 noon - 4pm

‘Specials’ Nights:

Monday - Quiz Night Wednesday - Belly Dancing Classes & Poker Night Thursday - Pie Night Friday - Fish Night Saturday - Steak & Entertainment Night

New menus available in April after refurbishment. We require pre-booking for Afternoon Tea.

Cuckoo Bush Inn - facebook www.CuckooBushgotham.co.uk Telephone (0115) 983 0306 - 10 -

Possible fracking in Gotham Area In December 2015, Egdon Resources obtained three government licences to explore for shale gas in what is known as the “Widmerpool Trough” and includes Gotham. The company plans to use Hyd­raulic Fracturing (Fracking), a process which involves drilling down into the earth and forcing a high-pressure mix of water, sand and chemicals to release the gas inside.

Opponents include the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Friends of the Earth. Above all, shale gas extraction will destroy any prospects of action on climate change. We are inviting experts from both sides of the debate to speak at a public meeting at the Memorial Hall on Thursday the 12th May 2016 so that we can learn about the possible issues for Gotham if this industry were to appear on our doorstep.

It uses huge volumes of water that needs to be transported to the site and contaminated water disposed of at considerable cost, not least to the environment. At the moment, local authority permission must be obtained, but the government seems determined to push on with a process that has created serious health and envir­onmental problems in the US.

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We have recently extended our store and are introducing a Post Office local counter to complement the other services we offer in store, which should be ready by the end of March. Services available will include

Cash withdrawals • Bill payments • Parcels etc. We are introducing an extended range of fresh food, wines, beers and groceries. Please support both the Post Office and the Shop.

Use it or lose it! We welcome any suggestions on products you would like us to stock.

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0115 983 0496