Friday Edition - Splash Park Update, Fostering News, Energy Support & More

Happy Friday readers, the weekend is in sight and a very fast week it has been. I hope you have something special to look forward to over the weekend but until then .... grab a coffee and have a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas, and of course - your daily puzzle fix.

Todays thought for the day ... "It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop." — Confucius

Enjoy the read and have a great weekend wherever you are reading this.

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 and stories from around Bassetlaw, we may feature them in our newsletter.

Local authorities celebrated regional fostering partnership working

Foster carers, council leaders, children and families, and fostering professionals from across Derby City, Derbyshire, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire came together to celebrate the success and future ambitions of the Foster for East Midlands Councils.

The event marked the continued growth of Foster for East Midlands Councils, the regional fostering recruitment hub established in March 2024 by Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. The partnership was initially created though funding from the Department of Education to strengthen foster carer recruitment and retention across the D2N2 region and help ensure more children could remain close to their schools, communities, friends and support networks.

Since launching the partnership has generated nearly 2,700 enquiries, progressed more than 200 applications, and achieved up to 75 new fostering households across the region, delivering growth at a time when fostering numbers are declining nationally.

The family fun day was organised by Mockingbird, which provides enhanced peer support and stronger community-based care for fostering families. A range of activities were enjoyed throughout the event alongside a shared picnic. The celebration highlighted the importance of play, fun and mutual support between fostering families, while recognising and celebrating the vital work foster carers do every day.

Foster carers, families, council staff and Cabinet Members took part in a symbolic 'pledge of support' activity, writing personal pledges on cardboard bricks which formed a wall beside a two-metre house installation. Together, the display represented the shared commitment to building strong foundations for children and young people in care.

Among the pledges shared during the event was one from Councillor Rory Green, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Nottinghamshire County Council:

“Always our best, each day for your brighter tomorrow. No matter what, know that you are loved.”

Andy Smith CBE, Strategic Director for People Services at Derby City Council, wrote:

“I was fostered with love. Now I champion fostering. Every child deserves this.”

Lauren Wilson, Fostering Recruitment Officer for Foster For East Midlands Councils pledged:

“I pledge to keep advocating for our young people, challenging the narrative and stigma.”

Councillor Hezelgrave of Derby City Council pledged:

“Supporting foster families. Giving children stability. Keeping them close to community.”

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member Councillor Paul Maginnis wrote:

“Creating lasting security for children. Rooting young people in our community. Championing local foster carers.”

Nottingham City Council Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Linda Woodings, pledged:

“By working together we will create a brighter future for children.”

The event also reflected the Government’s national fostering reform programme, led by Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister, which aimed to create 10,000 additional foster placements across the UK by 2029.

Josh MacAlister said:

“We’re building a stronger fostering system that values, supports and backs families.”

Media representatives had the opportunity to speak with foster carers, individuals with lived experience of foster care, and Cabinet Members from across the partnership.

Hayley Smith, a foster carer with 16 years’ experience across the D2N2 region, said:

“I became a foster carer as a single mum with a spare room and time to give. Nine months later, our first child arrived. The biggest reward is seeing children take on what you’ve taught them.”

Saira, a foster carer who experienced the care system herself before becoming a teacher and foster carer, said:

“Having been in care myself, I wanted to give back. The best moments are when young people start to recognise their own strengths.”

Nationally, fostering services continued to face increasing demand, with growing recognition of the importance of family-based care for children unable to live with their birth families. Foster care remained the most common and preferred form of care, offering stability, relationships and long-term positive outcomes for children and young people.

The Government’s fostering reform programme included £88 million of investment over two years, alongside plans to widen eligibility, speed up recruitment processes and improve support for carers.

If you’re inspired, why not consider fostering? Call 03033 132 950 or visit fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk to learn more.

Worksop Splash Park replacement work due to start on June 1

#bassetlawdistrictcouncil have issued an update on the splash park at the Canch as follows:

We are extremely sorry to say that the Splash Park at the Canch in Worksop will be closed over the next few weeks while major replacement work takes place.We understand this is really disappointing, especially when the weather is so nice.

However, you can still cool off at our Splash Parks in Langold Country Park and Kings’ Park in Retford, which are now open.

Last year, we experienced a number of mechanical and water quality issues and as part of a full audit of the Splash Park over the winter, we identified some significant replacements that needed to be made in our Plant Room, which deals with water treatment and distribution.

Unfortunately, during this time, we have experienced some delays in sourcing and receiving the equipment needed and securing specialist contractors who are available to carry out this work.

The replacement is planned to begin on Monday 1st June, which will extend the lifespan of the Splash Park and ensure we have a modern facility with enhanced safety standards.

Energy charity supports households affected by Energy Price Cap increase

Green Doctor Team Leader Debbie (right) supporting a household

The new Energy Price Cap has been confirmed to go up by 13%, meaning an average increase on energy bills of £221 to around £1,862 per year.

Charity Groundwork Five Counties supports affected households in the East Midlands through its free Green Doctor energy advice service.

This increase will come into effect from 1st July and is influenced by a range of factors, mostly notably the recent rise in cost of wholesale energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. This is the highest summer rise in four years.

Energy regulator Ofgem determines the maximum cost of each unit of gas and electricity, as well as a maximum daily standing charge. The Energy Price Cap changes every three months, impacting those on variable energy tariffs.

The Green Doctor is a charity service with a team of 18 energy experts, supporting thousands of households every year through funded home visits with bespoke advice.

Debbie Parry, Green Doctor Team Leader at Groundwork Five Counties, says:

“The common thread is that many people can’t afford their bills or are frustrated by constantly changing costs.

“We can help by checking the tariff you’re on is right for you and explore better alternatives, such as fixed tariffs or suppliers with lower standing charges. We explain all the options in depth, so people can make an informed decision and be better off.

“We’ll also check if people are eligible for government benefits and supplier discounts they may not know about, as these are often not advertised. We can often save people hundreds of pounds a year.”

Michael Blackham, Green Doctor Team Leader, adds:

“If your bills are high, it’s important to look at the energy efficiency of your home. We can install free energy-saving items like radiator foil to keep heat in, LED lights that can save £5 per bulb annually, draught excluders on letterboxes, windows and doors, and more.

“There are also lots of easy changes you can make at home. Some quick wins are keeping showers to a maximum of 4 minutes, only filling the kettle to what you need, washing at 30 degrees, reducing your boiler flow to 60 degrees, and understanding and using your heating system and controls efficiently.”

The Green Doctor service is available anywhere in the East Midlands to people of any age and background, whether they own their home, rent, or are a council or social housing tenant.

For more information and to get a free home visit, visit the website: www.groundwork.org.uk/fivecounties/green-doctor

Our three interesting facts for today ....

10 million mammals are still trapped in the Arctic permafrost

NASA has its own radio station called Third Rock Radio

in 1972, Peru banned Santa Claus from appearing on radio and TV

We love them but why is it called a '99'? Its definitely not because of the price !

A Mr Whippy with a flake, more commonly known as a 99, is one of life's simple pleasures.

The beloved "99" ice cream cone - soft served ice cream in a cone topped with a Cadbury Flake—has a surprisingly debated history. The three most widely accepted theories centre on its origins in the UK are:

The Portobello Connection: Family oral history suggests the treat was invented in 1922 by the Arcari family, who ran an ice cream shop at 99 Portobello High Street in Edinburgh. They supposedly began breaking large Flakes in half to fit in cones and named the treat after their address.

The Italian Monarchy Theory: Cadbury's official history claims the name comes from the Italian king's elite guard of 99 men. Because Italian immigrants ran most of the UK's ice cream trade in the 1930s, Cadbury named its smaller, ice-cream-specific Flake bars a "99" to symbolize "top-notch" or "first-class" quality.

The Menu Listing: Another common theory is that an ice cream with a Flake was simply listed as number 99 on ice cream van menus, eventually becoming the name of the treat itself.

Regardless of the name's origin, Cadbury capitalised on the trend in the mid-1930s. They began producing a smaller, specialized version of their traditional Flake specifically for the ice cream trade, marketing it as the "99 Flake" to solidify its permanent place in British seaside and street-vendor culture.

Whatever the truth behind the name on a hot sunny day, heading to the ice cream van to buy one and cool you down is a great way to unwind.

99's have no doubt been as popular as ever these last few days following the sunny weather and long may it continue!

Lincolnshire: Cllr leaves Reform

By: Jamie Waller

A Lincolnshire councillor has left Reform after being given a choice by the party’s central leadership.

Councillor Trevor Bridgwood was told he must either leave the party or stand down from West Lindsey District Council, where he’s part of a cross-party administration.

He said that he didn’t want to cause ‘chaos’ for his constituents in the Cherry Willingham ward by quitting. 

He will now be an unaligned independent on both Lincolnshire County Council and West Lindsey.

He told the county’s full council meeting on Friday that Reform previously hadn’t had an issue with his West Lindsey membership.

“The legality was checked out by [both councils] 12 months ago, and it was all agreed right up to Reform HQ,” Cllr Bridgwood said.

“Then on Wednesday, I received a phone call from HQ telling me there were new rules, and gave me the option of resigning from WLDC or having the whip withdrawn. 

“When councillors are elected, we are there to represent the whole community, regardless of party. That’s what I’ve always done. 

“To remove myself from WLDC would have caused more chaos there than on Lincolnshire County Council. Therefore I am telling Reform HQ to remove the whip.”

The change still leaves Reform with a sizeable majority on Lincolnshire County Council.

The West Lindsey cross-party coalition includes members of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, along with other independents.

The administration leaders recently hailed their collaboration as a success.

Councillor Jackie Brockway told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We’ve got the whole spectrum of opinion, from left to right, working well together and coming up with ideas.

“There is always going to be a difference of opinions, but we talk it through in an adult way.

“It has led to a much healthier political environment in West Lindsey, which other councils could look to when there’s no obvious ruling party.”

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 F.

Our last panagram was BEWITCHED. Read our next newsletter for the solution to today's puzzle.

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