Tuesday Edition - Charter Day, Pub Closures, Serviceman Honoured & More
Today's edition covers all things Bassetlaw including pictures from another great Charter Day ........ and of course - your daily puzzle fix.
Todays thought for the day ... “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Carl Bard
Enjoy the read, please email us if you have a story for us and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
Justin Doddy, Editor
P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter here if you haven't already and remember to send us your pictures from around Bassetlaw, we may feature it on our newsletter.
Well what a day at Retford Charter Day !
Another amazing Charter Day delivered by all those volunteers who have worked so hard to make sure everyone has a great day.
From bagpipes to bouncy castles, from hook-a-duck to tin can alley or from the crazy fun house to the bumper cars there was something for everyone and we loved meeting everyone and hearing all the local news so a massive thank you to all and keep in touch.
Re-dedication ceremony to honour serviceman
A re-dedication ceremony is to take place at Retford’s War Memorial to honour a serviceman who was killed in action during the Second World War.
Thomas Henry Ellis, who had links to the town, is being recognised at the event taking place on Sunday 10th May at 2:30pm.
Among the dignitaries attending, members of the Royal British Legion, the Deputy Lieutenant, representatives of The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment Association, and Cllr Tony Eaton BCA, Chair of Bassetlaw District Council, they will be joined by descendants of Thomas Henry Ellis.
Stan Davies, Chairman of the Retford Branch of the Royal British Legion said: “I served in the army for 15 years and believe we must keep adding names of veterans who pass away to the Memorial.
“We must never forget the sacrifice of those who served to protect this great country of ours, and we need the younger generation to continue the remembrance of those brave men and women.”
The service is being led by the Reverend Dick Lewis and will include a tribute from Ellis’ nephew, a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths.
Cllr Tony Eaton, Chair of Bassetlaw District Council said: “This memorial stands as a permanent reminder of lives given, families affected and the freedoms we enjoy today because of their service.
“This re-dedication reaffirms our commitment to remembrance and ensures their legacy will continue to be recognised by future generations.”
Thomas Henry Ellis originally enlisted into the Duke of Wellington Regiment and later the Yorkshire regiment.
He was born in 1914 but died while serving in the North African campaign on 21st March 1941, where he was also buried.
His name will be added to Retford’s War Memorial, joining the list of other service personnel who lost their lives during the First and Second World War.
Nottinghamshire County Council launches review of discretionary faith school transport scheme
A comprehensive review of Nottinghamshire’s discretionary faith school transport scheme has been launched by the county council, with a formal public consultation running from 30 April to 12 June 2026.
The review forms part of the council’s wider efforts to address significant financial challenges to ensure essential services can be protected whilst balancing the budget. Last year, the discretionary scheme cost approximately £1.25 million with families contributing 20% towards the cost and the council covering the remaining £1 million.
Nottinghamshire remains one of the few local authorities in the region to offer discretionary faith school transport. The scheme currently benefits approximately 520 young people across 15 faith schools, though only 10 schools are based within the county. The remaining schools are located across Nottingham City, Derbyshire and Doncaster.
Primary schools affected include: St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School, West Bridgford; Good Shepherd Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy, Woodthorpe; St Philip Neri Catholic Primary School, Mansfield; English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Long Eaton; and Burntstump Seely Infant School, Arnold.
Secondary schools affected include: Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy, Arnold; The Trinity Catholic School, Aspley; The Becket Catholic School, West Bridgford; All Saints Catholic Voluntary Academy, Mansfield; St John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, Ilkeston; The McAuley Catholic High School, Doncaster; The National Church of England Academy, Hucknall; The Bluecoat Church of England Academy, Aspley; Emmanuel School, West Bridgford; and The Minster School, Southwell.
Historically, Nottinghamshire provided free discretionary faith school transport until 2007, after which a heavily discounted faith travel bus pass was introduced. Nearby counties of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire withdrew their discretionary schemes over 15 years ago.
Following conversations with representatives from the local Catholic and Anglican dioceses, as well as school leaders, Nottinghamshire County Council has put forward a number of options regarding the future of the discretionary faith school transport scheme. Option 1 proposes maintaining the current policy without any alterations. Option 2 suggests removing the scheme from September 2027.
Option 3 proposes a decision this year to withdraw the scheme, with removal scheduled to take effect from September 2031. This gives advance notice to all parent/carers of the schemes withdrawal and in particular would allow pupils who enter secondary school before that date to continue to access the scheme until it is withdrawn, with the September 2026 Year 7 cohort being the last to complete a full secondary phase under the scheme.
Lastly, Option 4 recommends increasing the parental contribution towards the cost of the scheme, potentially allowing it to continue but with greater financial input from families.
The council is now inviting parents, carers, church and school leaders and residents to share their views and feedback on these options as part of the formal public consultation. All comments received will be carefully considered and will help inform the final decision.
This review does not affect statutory home-to-school transport entitlements. Children who qualify for free travel will continue to receive it.
Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We’re incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with the faith community and highly value the education they provide to families across Nottinghamshire. While it’s never easy to review valued services such as our discretionary faith transport scheme, our aim is to ensure we safeguard what matters most for everyone. We’re committed to listening, consulting and working together with parents, carers, church representatives and school leaders to understand how any changes to the scheme might affect families and this will help to shape our policy for the future.
“Please be assured, this review is focused solely on discretionary faith transport and will not impact statutory home-to-school transport.”
To find out more about the options and what they mean for you and to take part in the consultation, please visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/faithschooltransport
The consultation is open until 12 June. All comments received will contribute towards shaping the council’s policy on discretionary faith school transport. The outcome of the review will be published by 3 August 2026, in advance of the 2027 school admissions cycle.
Our three interesting facts for today ....
The man who named the Panda was the younger brother of the man who named the pterodactyl
The citizens of the Czech Republic are the baldest people in the world
At the centre of every snowflake is a single piece of dust
New artwork unveiled in Kings’ Park
A brand-new piece of public art has been installed in Kings’ Park, Retford that encourages people to pause, reflect and enjoy the park in a different way.
Designed and created by renowned sculptor Ian Gill, ‘The Peace Tree’ offers a calming presence at the entrance to the park, providing the opportunity for a moment of reflection in a busy world.
The sculpture features a gracefully curving trunk, with leaves that receive gentle trickles of water from its branches. A plaque positioned around the pond explains the inspiration and meaning behind ‘The Peace Tree’, helping visitors better understand and appreciate this striking new feature.
Its creator, Ian Gill, said: “It has been a real privilege to create ‘The Peace Tree’ for Kings’ Park. I wanted the sculpture to feel both grounded and uplifting. A quiet presence that encourages people to pause, reflect and enjoy the park in a different way. The gentle movement of water and the flowing lines of the tree are intended to echo nature and offer a sense of calm within a busy world.
“Seeing people gather around the sculpture and engage with it has been incredibly rewarding. I’d like to thank Retford Civic Society and Bassetlaw District Council for their support and vision in bringing public art into the heart of the park. I also want to thank Michael Kay [who helped with the construction of the sculpture] and I hope The Peace Tree becomes a cherished part of Kings’ Park for many years to come.”
The idea for a tree sculpture emerged during last year’s Green Flag Award process, when it became clear that Kings’ Park did not feature any public art. The aim was to refresh the park with a stunning focal point that would enhance the landscape, attract more visitors and bring enjoyment to all who encounter it.
Chair of Bassetlaw District Council, Cllr Tony Eaton helped to unveil the sculpture along with members of Retford Civic Society, Bassetlaw District Councillors and Staff, as well as members of the public, who gathered to celebrate the latest addition to the park.
Derek Turner, Chair of Retford Civic Society, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see ‘The Peace Tree’ unveiled at Kings’ Park. This beautiful sculpture brings a real sense of calm and reflection, its graceful, flowing form and gentle trickle of water offering a moment of peace in an ever‑changing world. I would like to sincerely thank Ian for his vision, creativity and craftsmanship in delivering such a striking piece of public art.
“As Retford Civic Society, we are passionate about celebrating and enhancing our local environment, and this installation marks an exciting step in the park’s future, one that we hope will inspire residents and visitors alike for many years to come.”
The sculpture took around three months to complete and is crafted from galvanised metal to ensure durability and strength.
Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, added: “Kings’ Park is a much-loved green space at the heart of our community, and the unveiling of this sculpture is a wonderful moment for everyone who uses and enjoys the park. ‘The Peace Tree’ is not just a piece of artwork, it invites people to pause, reflect and reconnect with their surroundings, whether they are visiting for the first time or returning.
“This installation shows what can be achieved when creativity, care for place and community ambition come together. It adds a new sense of character to Kings’ Park and signals a positive future for the space, one that continues to be welcoming, inspiring and inclusive for residents of all ages.”
Retford Civic Society has been part of the Retford community for 36 years. With over 250 members, the society keeps its members informed about what’s happening locally and plays an active role in celebrating and enhancing the town’s heritage and environment.
To find out more about Retford Civic Society and how to become a member, visit:
https://retfordcivicsociety.org.uk
Why not send us your favourite picture of Bassetlaw and we may feature it as our newsletter main image: news@bassetlawtoday.co.uk
Date Announced For Police Annual Rural Show
The countdown is on for our annual rural showcase – a community event designed to highlight all the work being done to tackle rural and wildlife crime. Visitors of all ages can expect a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the equipment used to keep communities safe, including demonstrations from the drone and off-road bikes team, and the chance to meet one of the force’s police dogs.
The free event will be held at Rufford Abbey Country Park, near Newark, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 27 June.
Partner organisations will be in attendance including Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service , Bransby Home Rest For Horses , Leash and Release, Via East Midlands and members of staff Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Members of the force’s newly formed heritage crime team will also be on hand, and attendees are encouraged to interact with rural and wildlife crime officers to discuss any issues that matter to them.
The park’s café and facilities will be available during the showcase in the scenic surroundings of the park. All day parking at the park will cost £7.
Rural Crime and Wildlife Crime Partnerships Manager Juliet Marshall said: “This showcase – now in its fifth year – is a key way for us to build connections within the rural community and demonstrate the continuous hard work being done by the force and our partners.“Supporting and working with our countryside residents remains one of our top priorities and holding events like this will hopefully build more confidence within the community.
“Last year's event was amazing and a huge success, so we’re hoping to make this year even better.
“We have a lot of fun activities planned and ways for everyone to get involved to show you how we’re listening and tackling the crime that matters to you.
”More partners and agencies will be announced over the coming days and weeks.
King William IV at Oldcotes and The Dukes at Worksop listed for closure by owners Whitbread
Brewers Fayre King William IV and Beefeater The Dukes have been listed for closure as part of a major restructuring operation that will see the business shut its it's remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants as it resets its five-year business strategy aimed at achieving significant cost reductions and unlocking the value of its property portfolio.
The expected job losses will affect approx. 10% of Whitbread's workforce of 30,000 however Whitbread have said that the plans were subject to a staff consultation and it expected to retain a significant proportion of those affected through redeployment.
Can you figure out today's puzzle?
First figure out the nine letter solution and then find as many words as you can in today's panagram that contain the letter S.
Our last panagram was OCCUPANCY. Read our next newsletter for the solution to today's puzzle.
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
