Fraudster Charged, Free Bus Travel, Worksop Fire Starters & More.

Good morning readers and a happy Thursday to you all - its been another hot week! Why not grab a drink and a muffin, sit back for five minutes peace and enjoy today's newsletter.

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Todays thought for the day ... “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born... and the day you find out why.”
~ Mark Twain

Enjoy the read and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.

Justin Doddy, Editor

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FREE Bus Travel for Under-19s Across the East Midlands This August

Great news for young people and families across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

Mayor Claire Ward has announced that 16 to 18-year-olds will be able to travel free on buses throughout August, building on the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which already provides free local bus travel for children aged 5–15.

This means all under-19s in the East Midlands can enjoy free bus travel this summer.

📌 What you need to know:

✅ Ages 5–15 – Free travel on participating local bus services by simply hopping on board.
✅ Under 5s – Continue to travel free as usual.
✅ Ages 16–18 – Free travel available with approved proof of age from participating bus operators.

The scheme aims to help young people access:

🎓 College open days
🔧 Apprenticeships
💼 Summer jobs
📚 Training opportunities
🎉 Social and leisure activities

💬 Mayor Claire Ward said:

“Summer should be a time of opportunity and connection, not financial pressure. The national scheme is a welcome boost for families with younger children, but I was determined that our 16 to 18-year-olds would not be left behind.

“No young person should miss out on work, training, education or time with friends because they cannot afford the bus.

“By extending free travel to 16 to 18-year-olds, we are giving families real cost-of-living support and giving teenagers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire the freedom to make the most of their summer."

The announcement also comes alongside wider transport savings, including discounted rail fares from publicly owned train operators and the recently confirmed £2 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from January 2027.

Rayton Lane, Worksop named as area of particular concern as deliberate outdoor fires more than double in the first week of summer holidays.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to help protect their communities after a significant rise in deliberate outdoor fires across the county during the first week of the summer holidays.

Between 20 and 26 July 2026, firefighters attended 61 deliberate outdoor fires, compared to 27 incidents during the same period last year.

Areas of particular concern include Bramcote, where firefighters attended five deliberate outdoor fires within a 24-hour period, and Rayton Lane in Worksop, which saw four incidents over the six-day period.

These fires can spread quickly, particularly in the warm and dry conditions Nottinghamshire has recently experienced, and can threaten lives, homes, businesses, wildlife and the environment. They also place additional pressure on emergency services, diverting resources away from other emergencies where people may urgently need help.

Group Manager Tom Staples, from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

"The increase we have seen in just the first few days of the summer holidays is concerning. We have attended more than double the number of deliberate outdoor fires compared to the same period last year.

"Many people associate deliberate fires with anti-social behaviour, and we are asking parents and carers to speak to young people about the dangers and consequences of setting fires outdoors. We are working closely with colleagues from Nottinghamshire Police throughout the holidays to prevent these from happening, utilising joint assets such as the drone.

“However, not all deliberate fires are started with malicious intent. Some incidents can begin when people light campfires or disposable barbecues without considering how easily they can spread or the risks they pose to others.

"What may start as a small fire can quickly spread, especially in grassland and woodland areas, putting people, property, wildlife and the environment at risk. We are asking everyone to think carefully about their actions and help us prevent these incidents from happening this summer."

NFRS is asking communities to follow simple safety advice throughout the summer:

Never light fires in parks, woodland or other open spaces
Only use barbecues where they are permitted and can be supervised safely
Never leave a barbecue unattended
Take all litter home with you
Dispose of smoking materials responsibly and ensure they are fully extinguished
Do not use fireworks or sky lanterns
Download the free what3words app so you can provide your exact location in an emergency
Report all fires immediately by calling 999

Click here to read more information on outdoor fire safety.

Our three interesting facts for today ....

Schools in Wakayama, Japan serve whale meatballs for lunch.

America's Prohibition Party has been on every presidential ballot paper since 1872.

The dirty clothes worn by astronauts on the International Space Station are jettisoned to burn up on re-entry.

Suspect in court after fraud reports

A man has appeared in court after homeowners reported paying for work that was not carried out.

Officers have been investigating a series of reported offences in various parts of the county - in Worksop in January, Newark in March, Southwell and Cotgrave in April and May, and Newark in July.

William Bower, aged 47, was arrested on Sunday and has now been charged with five counts of fraud by false representation.

Bower, of Tolney Lane, Newark, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday 27 July and was remanded into custody to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 24 August.

Detective Sergeant Millie Gillet, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"We take reports of fraud extremely seriously and will always investigate thoroughly

"I am pleased he have now arrested a suspect in this case."

Bassetlaw District Council Receives Housing Regulator Judgement

Bassetlaw District Council has received its judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing following a comprehensive inspection process that took place between February and May 2026.

This was the first time the Council has been inspected by the Regulator, which assesses how social landlords are performing against four Consumer Standards. The Council achieved a C2 rating.

The highest rating a housing provider can achieve is C1, while C4 is the lowest.

💬 Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Housing and Estates at Bassetlaw District Council, said:

“We welcome and accept the judgement of the regulator which confirms the areas where improvement is needed and thank them for this external scrutiny. This will provide absolute clarity of focus, so that we can continue with our journey towards achieving the top C1 rating.

We are also pleased with the positive aspects the regulator reported on throughout the inspection, especially that Bassetlaw’s Housing Team demonstrated that it treats its tenants with fairness and respect, evidenced by a positive and respectful staff culture and strong tenant feedback.”

The Council has welcomed the findings and will continue working towards achieving the highest possible rating while building on the positive feedback received about its housing services and tenant engagement.

Read more about the inspection in the news section of the Bassetlaw District Council website.

Read the Regulator of Social Housing’s full report here: View the full report

Credit: Bassetlaw District Council.

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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