Film Noir fashion, King's Park Patrols, Mayor's Income Tax & More.

Happy Monday to you all and I hope you had a great weekend.

Monday morning has come around fast again, it's time to grab a brew, open the pink wafers, put the phone on silent and kick back for 10 - enjoy a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.

Todays Quote for the day - "I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying." — Oscar Wilde

Have a great Monday wherever you are reading this.

Justin Doddy, Editor

P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter if you haven't already and please forward the newsletter to a friend that you think may like it, especially those that may not be on social media.

Increased Police Patrols Reassure Kings Park Community

Residents in Retford can expect to see an increased police presence in and around Kings Park as Nottinghamshire Police respond to concerns about anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood officers have been carrying out high-visibility reassurance patrols, engaging with local residents, speaking with young people using the park, and listening to community concerns. Officers have reaffirmed their commitment to keeping Kings Park a safe and welcoming place for everyone and will continue to monitor the area with further patrols where needed.

If you witness anti-social behaviour or have concerns affecting your community, report them to Nottinghamshire Police via 101, online, or 999 in an emergency.

👍 Support your local neighbourhood policing team, follow their page for updates, and help keep the community informed by sharing their messages.

Credit: Nottinghamshire Police 🚓✅

Help Keep Custody Standards High in Nottinghamshire

Did you know that Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) play a vital role in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of people held in police custody?

As part of a nationally recognised scheme, trained volunteers make unannounced visits to custody suites, checking facilities, speaking with detainees, monitoring cleanliness, and helping ensure appropriate supplies and standards are maintained. Their independent scrutiny provides valuable oversight for both detainees and custody staff alike.

ICVs are part of a dedicated network of policing volunteers who generously give their time to support better services for the public. Volunteers typically carry out two visits each month at varying times, helping to provide consistent and independent monitoring.

📢 Nottinghamshire is now recruiting new Independent Custody Visitors. If you're passionate about accountability, community service, and supporting public confidence in policing, this could be a rewarding opportunity to make a difference.

For more information or to apply, contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at officepcc@notts.police.uk.

Credit: Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner ✅👮‍♀️🏛️

Changes made to Newark market place plans after fears they would ‘spoil’ its history

By: Joe Locker

Changes have been made to the multi-million-pound regeneration of a Nottinghamshire town’s market place following a raft of concerns.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has been planning to invest just over £3.6 million regenerating Newark Market Place, and the original proposals included planting trees, installing more seating areas, and making the area more accessible.

One of the most significant changes proposed was the reduction in the market square’s original cobblestone surface to make it more wheelchair and pram-friendly, as well as the consolidation of market stalls to make the most of the space for other events and al fresco dining.

However, the plans had proven contentious, particularly from some members of Newark Town Council and the district’s MP, Robert Jenrick (Reform).

The loss of the historic cobbles, 12 metre-high trees “spoiling historic buildings”, and other design concerns had been raised by Conservative town councillor Mathew Skinner.

He said consultation on the scheme had been poor and that no planning permission was being sought.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in June:

“Generally people are mortified if you look online.

“We need better engagement, the removal of the trees, and the historic cobbles to be kept.”

However, last week, the district council met with town council members to discuss plans, and it has now been decided there will be some changes.

It is understood the entirety of the proposed works would have exceeded the budget.

A spokesperson told the LDRS the masterplan for the town centre was developed following a consultation “with a range of different people and groups, including with local businesses, local residents and community organisations.”

Some of the 1,500 responses had asked for a market place that is more accessible and flexible, being capable of hosting events, markets, and al fresco dining, and able to meet a desire for seating and greening within the space.

“Newark and Sherwood District Council was asked by Newark Town Council to deliver the project, and both councils continue to work in partnership to develop and consider options for the market place,” the spokesperson said.

During the meeting with Newark Town Council last week, it was agreed that the focus should be on the central area of the market place, the part where the market stalls normally are.

Works will include better lighting, power supplies for markets and events, and some new market stalls. The road around the Market Place, including areas of existing ‘cobbles’, will not form part of the scheme.

“This road is within the ownership of Nottinghamshire County Council, who will be asked what else it can now do to make much-needed improvements and repairs as the relevant highway authority.”

Improvements remain subject to the agreement of final proposals by both council’s and the Town Board, and the plans will now be worked up in detail before being shared with the public and local businesses.

Newark’s Reform group said:

“Thanks to local community campaigners, including our MP Robert Jenrick, the historic cobbles in Newark town centre have been saved.

“The wasteful plan pushed by the local Labour leadership to get rid of them as part of a costly £3.6 million redevelopment attracted criticism from many local businesses and residents.

“The plan would have caused huge disruption to the town centre and brought misery to local independent shops, pubs, cafés and stall holders, who are already finding life tough right now.

“Local businesses should have been at the heart of these plans, and I am glad that, through our efforts, their concerns were finally listened to.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council said some preliminary works have already started.

It had been hoped work would begin in January 2027, with completion expected 11 to 12 months later.

Our three interesting facts for today ....

The Queen won more than £6 million from horse racing

Denmark taxes new cars at 150%

In Mexico artists can pay their taxes by donating their work

Mayor of the East Midlands to get income tax to make lives better in every postcode

Mayor Claire Ward has welcomed the biggest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation.

The Prime Minister has announced today the new roles of mayors which will give communities greater control over the decisions that shape jobs, transport, housing and public services in their area.

As part of the largest package of financial powers ever offered to English mayors, mayors will receive a share of income tax revenues for the first time.

This means when places create jobs and grow their economies, they will now keep more of the rewards – giving local leaders like Mayor Claire new powers to invest in what matters most locally.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said:

“For two years, I have championed our region to ensure that everyone in the East Midlands has the opportunity to thrive.

“But if we are serious about making lives better in every postcode, we need decisions about local issues to be decided by local people.

“This new share of income tax means that when our economy grows, more of that success stays here in the East Midlands.

“A prime example is our city of Derby. It is the highest earning area outside of London, but this is not reflected in growth results.

“This money gives us the opportunity to invest even more in the things that matter: investing in our communities and high streets, supporting businesses to grow, creating more social housing and better transport.

“I have already shown what can be achieved when investment is trusted to local leaders, and these new powers will help us go even further. Every pound we can reinvest locally is another opportunity to create a stronger, fairer East Midlands for current and future generations.”

In his second week in office, the Prime Minister will tell his Cabinet that it is time to launch a new era of devolution – taking power and decision-making out of SW1 and putting it closer to people’s lives.

Mayor Claire Ward meets students with the Prime Minister in Derby

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

“I said we’d take power out of Westminster and carry it into every postcode in the country. Today, we make good on that promise.

“Under our plans, more of the taxes raised in a community will stay in that community. Soon, every local leader will have the power and resources to improve public transport, build homes and create jobs.

“I know what it’s like to be ignored by politicians in Westminster. I’m not going to make that same mistake now I’m PM.

“The whole of government will now pull together behind the people and places that desperately need our support. This is how we’ll bring back hope and bring power home to you.”

The plans will end the Whitehall-first culture that has held back local areas for decades, forcing departments to justify why powers should stay in Westminster rather than be handed to local leaders.

By shifting power, funding and decision-making closer to people, the changes will give every part of the country the tools to create strong local economies, improve public services and shape its own future.

The Prime Minister believes the country’s towns, cities and communities can drive far more growth and opportunity if they are given the tools to do so. The East Midlands already has a strong track record of delivering results:

Over £750m has been invested in transport improvements across the region, with £121m for local authorities to maintain and repair roads as well as better public transport and walking, wheeling, and cycling routes on the way.
Skills, employment and opportunity have been placed at the heart of the Mayor’s agenda, with more than 27,000 adult learners supported, more than 2,800 young people gaining quality work experience, and 1,600 unemployed young people supported into education, employment or training.
The Brownfield Housing Fund programme is already supporting the delivery of 1,765 homes across the region over the next four years, with thousands more expected through the first three phases of the scheme.
Millions of pounds has been invested to unlock stalled regeneration schemes including the Derby Assembly Rooms and Nottingham’s Broad Marsh site.

From next spring, mayors will begin retaining a greater share of locally generated revenues, starting with business rates. Further details on this and on income tax retention will be set out in a roadmap at the Budget and will be underpinned by the government’s firm commitment to fiscal discipline.

Over time, local areas will move away from dependence on Whitehall grants and towards funding that rewards local growth.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP said:

“The people who best understand what skills employers want, what transport an area needs and where investment can make the biggest difference are those who live there.

“For the first time we’re giving Mayors a share of income tax so communities directly benefit when their economy grows – passing power out of Westminster and driving growth in every postcode.

“This is the way we start to build new hope and advance the working people of this country.”

The ambition is to extend the benefits of devolution across the whole UK, working with devolved governments and local leaders to give communities more control over their future.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:

“This is the first step in our plan to rewire this country and build a better future, where power is no longer hoarded in Westminster but is put back in the hands of local people – where it belongs.

“Our devolution revolution is about bringing an end to the begging-bowl culture of the past, and instead making sure our local leaders have the tools they need to drive the change that communities have been crying out for.

“We need every region to be firing on all cylinders if we want good growth in every postcode, and we will do everything in our power to make that a reality.”

The reforms will be driven by a strengthened No10 North operation, working with mayors, local leaders and other partners to remove barriers to growth, accelerate delivery and ensure government is better connected to communities across the country.

Local leaders will gain greater control over the services that shape people’s lives, including housing, transport, skills, employment support and public services.

This includes powers to:

Bring rail and bus services under greater local control, helping introduce integrated ticketing and more reliable services.
Build more homes where they’re needed and unlock stalled development sites by giving local leaders stronger planning and regeneration powers and more devolved funding.
Get local transport schemes, trams and metros built faster by removing Whitehall barriers and speeding up approvals.
Give mayors control over 16-19 funding and employment support, so young people can train for the jobs local employers need and people out of work can get tailored support back into employment.
Back local industries and innovative businesses, and attract investment, creating more well-paid jobs.
Where power is devolved, Whitehall resource will follow, giving devolved leaders the resources they need to drive change closer to home

Immediate reforms will remove barriers that prevent locally led transport projects from going ahead, activate new planning powers for mayors and give local areas greater flexibility over how funding is spent.

Giving local leaders greater control over funding and investment decisions will help unlock opportunities that have too often been overlooked by a Whitehall-led approach.

The UK cannot rely on success in a small number of places alone. By giving more communities the tools to succeed, these reforms will help spread opportunity more widely, raise living standards and ensure more people feel the benefits of economic success in their everyday lives.

Content courtesy of EMCCA

Bassetlaw Museum brings Film Noir fashion and local cinema history to life

Bassetlaw Museum is inviting visitors to explore the 1940s and 1950s fashions through its atmospheric Film Noir exhibition, 'Dressed to Kill'.

Using pieces from the museum’s fashion and textiles collection, the exhibition brings the era to life with sharp tailoring, elegant eveningwear and striking accessories that reflect the drama and glamour of classic noir cinema.

Visitors can explore outfits and accessories worn by local people such as Mrs Catherine Darley of Ranby Hall, including hats, gloves, shoes, handbags and eye-catching snakeskin-style leather heels. The display also features an outfit by Montague Burton, 'The Tailor of Taste', who was the first to establish a chain of tailor shops across the country.

A second exhibition, The Art of Cine, celebrates the history of amateur and local cinema from the 1920s to the 1970s. Highlights include the original ticket machine from the former Regal Cinema in Worksop, the iconic hand-operated Baby Pathé camera from the 1920s, and plans of former cinemas in Worksop, Retford, Langold and Harworth.

The exhibition also features cine equipment donated by local residents, including Roy Hoggard, whose first cine camera and projector are on display alongside a digitised version of a film he made in 1950.

With the summer holidays underway, the exhibitions offer families a chance to explore cinema history, see historic projectors and cameras, and discover how different they are from the digital technology we use today.

Collections Officer Kasia Wosiak said:

“Our fashion exhibition recreates the distinctive style and atmosphere of the classic film noir era. The outfits on display would not have looked out of place on a Hollywood film set of the 1940s or 1950s. We have carefully styled each outfit drawing inspiration from film stills and editions of American Vogue.

The Art of Cine exhibition will appeal to anyone with an interest in local cinema history or the development of cinema more broadly, showcasing a fascinating collection of equipment, memorabilia and stories from a bygone age.”

The Art of Cine runs until the end of August, while Dressed to Kill continues until the new year at Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford.

The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4.45pm. Admission is free. The museum is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, except during school holidays.

Courtesy of Bassetlaw District Council.

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