Teenage Terrorist Update, Knife Carrier Jailed, Student Takeover & More.
Good morning readers, its Wednesday already and we have another full newsletter for you today, it's that time again - grab a cuppa and dig out the Jammie Dodgers.
Our packed Wednesday newsletter includes a short look back at the arrival of the first petrol driven fire engine to Worksop in 1923 with our new weekly short history section - 'Bassetlaw Yesterday'. If you like your history, you can join the Bassetlaw Yesterday Facebook Group 👉 HERE - we'd love you to contribute.
You will also see that throughout June we are running a fabulous competition to win tickets to 'Beyond Van Gogh' or 'Beyond Monet' for the opening week of the exhibition at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. This competition can only be won by one of our amazing newsletter subscribers - if you've subscribed you're in the hat.
Todays thought for the day ... “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch
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 our newsletter to anyone that you think may be interested in 100% FREE local news without an advert to be seen.
Teenager jailed for owning and sharing documents useful to terrorism - seven counts of terrorism offences
A 17-year-old boy from Nottinghamshire has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to seven counts of terrorism offences.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously admitted disseminating terrorist publications and possessing information useful to a terrorist.At court on Friday 19 June, he was jailed for two years, with an additional year on extended licence.
The result comes after an investigation by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands (CTPEM).
The boy was arrested in September 2023 after posts were seen on one of his social media accounts promoting the Islamic State. His phone was seized and officers discovered further content had been shared on messages and in group chats.
The boy admitted the offences by accepting a Youth Conditional Caution (YCC) - an order which puts restrictions on a young person, often limiting their internet access, bank accounts and more. It also orders them to regularly check in with the CTPEM Nominal Management Team (NMT), so they can ensure restrictions are being followed.
A few months later, the team found that the boy had breached his conditions by accessing the internet and using social media accounts that he had not declared. He had also deleted his online activity, which was again contrary to his conditions.
The breach was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for review, and they authorised for the boy to be formally charged with five counts of dissemination of a terrorist publication (contrary to section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006), and two counts of possessing information useful to terrorism (contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000).
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in February 2026, where he pleaded guilty to all seven counts.
Detective Inspector Stephen Shaw, from CTPEM and who was the Senior Investigating Officer in the Case, said:
“The boy disregarded original restrictions placed on him by the court, and has now been handed a more severe punishment.
“I hope this helps him see the seriousness of his actions and stops him from heading down the wrong path in the future.
“We are committed to keeping the people of Nottinghamshire safe from the threat of terrorism. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, remember to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to help prevent terrorism and save lives: Trust Your Instincts and Report | Action Counters Terrorism.”
Earlier Start Times for Bin Collections - Don't miss your collection
Bassetlaw District Council have announced that over the next few days, they will be helping their Waste Management Crews to work through the very hot weather with earlier start times.
To avoid the hottest parts of the day, they will be starting all of BDC collections at 5.30am on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so ask for residents to please put their bins out the night before to ensure it gets emptied.
If there are any disruptions to BDC waste collections due to the extreme heat, they’ll provide updates on their website.
If you’d like to check your collection day, please go to your Bassetlaw Binformation app.
Image and content courtesy of BDC
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Worksop College Students Take Over Ye Olde Bell for a Day of Hospitality and Business Experience
Nottinghamshire, UK - Nottinghamshire's Ye Olde Bell Hotel handed over the reins to the next generation of potential hospitality talent on Wednesday 17th June, welcoming students from Worksop College for a special Takeover Day.
From 10:30am to 4:00pm, students stepped into every corner of the business, gaining hands-on, real-world hospitality and business experience, preparing food alongside the head chef, polishing cutlery and laying tables, greeting and serving guests, working behind the bar, and creating social content to capture the Ye Olde Bell experience.
Guests enjoyed a fully student-led experience, packed with creativity, professionalism and teamwork, with support from Ye Olde Bell's experienced staff on hand throughout the day.
Kate Firth, Managing Director of Ye Olde Bell, said:
"We were incredibly proud of how well the students performed during the Worksop College takeover day at Ye Olde Bell. They approached the day with maturity, creativity and a real passion for learning, impressing everyone with their commitment and teamwork.”
Mrs Scoular, Head of Food and Nutrition at Worksop College, added:
The student takeover day provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain first-hand experience of working within a real business environment. We were delighted to be invited to take part, and the day proved to be hugely valuable. Students were fully involved in key areas of the business, including food preparation, food and drink service, and managing social media content. Experiences like this are incredibly important in helping students build confidence and develop a genuine understanding of the workplace.
Harry, Year 10 Student at Worksop College, added:
I really enjoyed the takeover because it taught us the key things we need to know about getting into hospitality and the food industry. All the different parts of the day were interesting, and even though they were different, they all linked together. Overall, it was a great experience and I’d definitely do it again if I had the chance.
Sarah, Year 10 Student at Worksop College commented:
I really enjoyed the student takeover day. It was a great opportunity to experience different parts of the business, including creating marketing posts, preparing food and serving customers. I particularly enjoyed meeting new people and gaining an insight into how a real business operates. I learnt important skills such as how to serve customers professionally and how to respond when things don’t go to plan. Overall, it was a really valuable and memorable experience.
The Takeover Day forms part of Ye Olde Bell's wider commitment to supporting the local community, with a particular focus on helping young people develop key life and employability skills outside the classroom. Providing students with hands-on experience of running a real working business for the day, Ye Olde Bell hopes to build their confidence, communication and teamwork skills, while offering valuable insight into a career in hospitality.
The venue regularly partners with local schools and colleges on initiatives like this, reflecting its belief that hands-on experience plays a vital role in young people's development.
Community Champions and Policing Heroes Honoured at Nottinghamshire PCC Awards
Outstanding individuals, volunteers and police personnel have been recognised for their dedication to making Nottinghamshire a safer and stronger place to live during the 2026 PCC and Force Awards ceremony.
Among the community award winners were:
Teresa Waldron, CEO of Deaf-initely Women, who received the Vulnerability Champion Award for her leadership in supporting Deaf and Deafblind women, helping the organisation grow into a vital and resilient service.
Kelese Hyacinth was presented with the Young Futures Award for her work leading the Nottinghamshire Youth Commission, ensuring young people have a strong voice in policing and crime prevention.
Nottingham Street Pastors received the Community Cohesion and Public Service Award for their outstanding volunteer work supporting vulnerable people and improving safety in Nottingham's night-time economy.
Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden praised the winners, saying:
"As PCC it is one of my key duties to bring community partners together to play a part in enhancing public safety.
"The PCC Awards are my way of recognising some of the outstanding contributions of our partners in supporting our ongoing efforts to create a safer Nottinghamshire for all.
"We work with a whole host of great community organisations, including charities, voluntary sector organisations, and public services and they all do an amazing job. Any one of them would have been worthy of an award.
"Our winners were two individuals and a community project who shone out in the nominations for putting their heart and soul into the work they do, supporting our most vulnerable people, helping young people aspire to great things, and going above and beyond to create more cohesive communities and put other people's safety first."
The evening also celebrated the achievements of Nottinghamshire Police officers and staff, recognising excellence in investigations, safeguarding, community engagement, child protection, football policing, public service and bravery.
Chief Constable Steve Cooper said:
"Our annual Force Awards evening is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fabulous work of those who have gone beyond expectations and made a remarkable difference through their work.
"We heard numerous stories of bravery, commitment, compassion, and integrity from across the organisation and is so important that we recognise these individuals for their exceptional actions and dedication to Nottinghamshire Police and the communities we serve.
"Every day, our officers and staff face complexity and challenge, yet they continue to show humanity, integrity, and resilience. The work highlighted in these awards demonstrates the commitment and diligence of our workforce and showcases some of the great work we’re doing as a force.
"My warmest congratulations to all those recognised. They should all be proud of their achievements and the difference they have made to our communities."
The awards highlighted the remarkable contribution of community groups, volunteers, officers and staff who continue to make a positive difference across Nottinghamshire every day.
13 years for knife-carrying burglar who robbed man during Bassetlaw crimewave
This is the man who burrowed a hole through a roof to evade police after subjecting Bassetlaw residents to a series of terrifying ordeals.
James Rylance forced his way through the loft ceiling of a Bircotes house and clambered out onto the roof before spending the next four hours throwing tiles at the officers below.
He was already by that stage wanted for three separate home invasions where he armed himself with weapons, as well as a street robbery where he threatened to throw acid at another man.
Each offence took place in Bassetlaw over the space of just under a month, with the crimewave coming to an end on 3 July last year when he was arrested after finally climbing down from his rooftop vantage point.
A homeless man was the first person to be targeted by Rylance on 6 June, with the 30-year-old approaching him and – seeing he had cash – threatening to throw a bottle of acid at him unless he handed it over.
Despite taking all the money the vulnerable man had on him already, Rylance then tried to extract still more cash by attempting to blackmail him later that same day.
His offending would escalate still further in the weeks ahead, as he broke into three separate homes – often at night – before threatening the homeowners with weapons and demanding cash.
The first incident on 25 June saw Rylance climb in through a window and tell a woman he encountered that he'd use a knife he was carrying on her, unless she gave him money.
Having left empty-handed on that occasion, he targeted a second property in the early hours of 29 June – this time arming himself with a metal bar and a knife, before smashing a window to gain access.
Once inside, he used the metal bar to repeatedly strike the homeowner, before ransacking her property, taking her car keys and fleeing from the scene in her vehicle.
The third aggravated burglary then took place on 3 July – by which time a police manhunt had begun to find Rylance – with the offender this time bursting into an elderly couple's home in Bircotes and threatening them with a knife.
Having snatched a set of keys, he fled through a window and made his way to another property where he was quickly tracked down by police and – seemingly – cornered in the loft, before he decided to burrow a hole from inside onto the roof.
Rylance, of Arundel Walk, Bircotes, would go on to be charged with multiple counts of aggravated burglary, robbery, attempted robbery, blackmail and criminal damage.
Despite the comprehensive evidence against him, he denied all the charges, which prompted a trial at Nottingham Crown Court that concluded on Thursday (18 June).
When a jury convicted him of each offence, Rylance – who refused to attend the courtroom – was sentenced the following day (19 June) to 13 years behind bars.
A 10-year restraining order was also imposed, banning him from contacting any of his victims in any way.
Detective Constable Jack Reasbeck, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"James Rylance's behaviour between 6 June and 3 July last year was utterly disgraceful and put the people he targeted through a nightmare ordeal.
"Taking the three aggravated burglaries first up, his actions – motivated purely for financial gain – left his victims terrified, with his decision to carry weapons and threaten people with them only heightening those fears further.
"The same could be said for the vulnerable man he robbed weeks earlier, with that victim forced to hand over everything he had, while being threatened with what he was led to believe was a bottle of acid.
"As the judge rightly said during his closing remarks, Rylance knew what he was doing was wrong but he just didn't care, while he had no remorse whatsoever, as he showed by his not guilty pleas and his failure to appear in court.
"Even after being caught by police, he continued to cause distress to the local community by clambering onto a rooftop and spending the next few hours hurling missiles at those below, causing all sorts of damage in the process.
"Our hope is that the lengthy prison sentence Rylance has now received will provide some respite to those he harmed with his offending."
Our three interesting facts for today ....
The Gobi desert is twice the size of France
The inventor of the slinky ran away to join a religious cult
In 2015 the Vatican performed an exorcism on the whole of Mexico
Vehicle Seized by Police Following Antisocial Driving
East Bassetlaw Neighbourhood Policing officers seized a vehicle after witnessing it being driven in an antisocial manner during night-time patrols in Retford town centre on 20 June.
The driver had previously been issued with a Section 59 warning earlier this year for similar behaviour, meaning officers were able to use powers under the Police Reform Act to seize the vehicle.
Police say tackling antisocial driving remains a priority, as dangerous and irresponsible driving puts other road users and the wider community at risk. Officers will continue to take action where necessary, including issuing Section 59 warnings and seizing vehicles linked to antisocial driving.
Residents are also reminded that a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is in place across parts of Retford town centre, prohibiting groups from gathering and causing antisocial behaviour.
If you witness antisocial driving in your area, report it to Nottinghamshire Police so appropriate action can be taken.
Win tickets to see Beyond Van Gogh or Beyond Monet
Win a pair of tickets or a family ticket (5 tickets) for Beyond Van Gogh or Beyond Monet for the opening week of the exhibition at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
To be in the draw all you need to do is sign up to our 100% Free daily digital newsletter. Current subscribers will be entered automatically.
Full details can be found at: https://bassetlaw-today.ghost.io/competition-2/ .
Bassetlaw Yesterday brings Bassetlaw’s past back to life — one memory, one photo, one forgotten tale at a time
If you love nostalgia, local history, and celebrating the district we call home, this one’s for you. Following lots of positive feedback we have created a Bassetlaw Yesterday Facebook Group - please share your memories, whether it be an old pub long gone, a tale from the pits or a funny tale from history.
The Dawn of the Motorised Era (1923)
By: Alan Immingham
The crisp morning air on Canal Road in 1923 was broken by a sound the town of Worksop had never heard before: the loud, rhythmic chugging of a petrol engine.
For years, firefighting in Worksop relied entirely on muscle, coal, and horses. When the fire bell rang at the station—located directly opposite the bustling flour mill—the town's local council workers had to drop their tools, sprint to the yard, and harness heavy draft horses to the manual steam pump.
Precious minutes were lost before the team even cleared the station gates.All of that changed on a momentous day in 1923, when the Worksop Urban District Council officially took delivery of its very first motorised petrol fire engine.
The Crowds Gather on Canal Road
The arrival of the motorised engine was treated like a royal visit. Hundreds of local residents gathered along Canal Road, spilling onto the pavements to catch a glimpse of the glossy red machine.
Fireman Tom Wilkinson—the man famously tasked with looking after the station's stable of horses—stood alongside his crew in pristine, brass-buttoned uniforms and polished leather helmets.
There was a bittersweet feeling among some of the traditional horse-keepers, but the sheer power of the new machine was undeniable.
The firemen demonstrated the vehicle by turning the massive iron crank handle at the front.
The petrol engine roared to life with a cloud of exhaust, terrifying a few nearby delivery horses but delighting the cheering crowd.
A Revolution in Firefighting
The introduction of this motorised engine revolutionised how Worksop was protected:
- Instant Power: Unlike steam engines, which required a fire to be lit under a water boiler to build pressure, the petrol engine allowed the crew to drive off instantly.
- Built-in Turbine Pump: Instead of relying on manual hand-pumping by volunteer crowds, the truck’s engine mechanically powered a high-velocity pump capable of throwing hundreds of gallons of water per minute.
- Speed to Scene: The brigade could now reach outlying farms and rural Bassetlaw estates in a fraction of the time, fundamentally shifting the odds in their battle against fire.
The 1923 motorised engine became a symbol of a modern, forward-thinking Worksop. It paved the way for decades of rapid technological growth, cementing the proud legacy carried forward today by the crews at the modern Vesuvius Fire Station.
Illegal encampment on Goosemoor Park
Bassetlaw District Council Statement (June 23, 2026) as follows:
We’d like to provide an update on the current illegal encampment on Goosemoor Park and the steps the Council has taken to date.
Bassetlaw District Council was granted a Possession Order at Mansfield County Court on Wednesday 17th June, which requires those illegally occupying Council-owned land to leave.
However, the Court stated that the Council was not permitted to enforce the eviction until at least 15th July 2026.
We are also investigating a potential breach of planning on a nearby site and have issued Stop and Enforcement Notices in respect to any further development of the land.
Cllr Jonathan Slater, Deputy Leader and Ward Member for East Retford North, said:
“We have received a large number of enquiries on this issue and understand the concerns of residents.
“We have been given a clear instruction from the courts and will put measures in place to carry out eviction proceedings as soon as we are legally permitted to.
“Please be reassured that we will continue to work through the legal process and once the site is vacated, take steps to improve the security of the land.”
If residents have any concerns or witness any illegal activity taking place in the area, they are encouraged to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.
Thanks so much for reading our local newsletter and for supporting us. We’re committed to providing Bassetlaw with the quality local news service it deserves, but sustaining this work may come with some challenges. Our team is currently discussing how to make Bassetlaw Today financially viable in the long term, and one option we’re considering is introducing a subscription model to help cover our costs.
We want to be open with you about these conversations so you’re aware that a fee may need to be introduced in the future. If that happens, we hope you’ll continue to stand with us and support the publication.
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
