Good News, Local Voices & Community Stories : Bassetlaw News Highlights from the Last Week
Well that's the end of another busy week of news from around Bassetlaw and the surrounding area - as usual we've taken a selection of our published content and shortened them, where possible into one catch-up newsletter.
Why not grab a Sunday morning brew, grab a hobnob and take ten to catch up on our shortened highlights from this week's Bassetlaw Today newsletters.
Covering all things Bassetlaw the full articles can be accessed in our daily newsletters 100% FREE on https://bassetlaw-today.ghost.io/ .
I hope you enjoy the read, please email us if you have a story for us and have a great weekend wherever you are.
Justin Doddy, Editor
P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter here if you haven't already and remember to forward our newsletter to your friends and family.
Six charged following high-value Pokémon card theft in Retford
Six men have been charged following the theft of high-value Pokémon cards from a warehouse in Retford.
The incident happened on 17 December, 2025, when a group drilled through the wall of a business premises on Aurillac Way before gaining entry and stealing 26 boxes of collectable cards.
Following an investigation, six suspects were identified and arrested.
Liam Duce, 25, and Liam Parker, 28, both of HMP Lancaster Farms, have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
Daniel Milligan, 27, of HMP Hull, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
Brandon Coats, 20, of Broom Terrace, Leeds, Matthew Joel Middleton, 44, of Pawson Street, Leeds, and Mohammed Hussan, 32, of Whiteacre Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, have also been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
All six men are due to appear before Mansfield Magistrates' Court on 17 November.
A man sadly died in Walkeringham House Fire
A 60-year-old man has sadly died following a house fire on Moorland Close, Walkeringham.
Crews from Misterton and Gainsborough attended a fire following a call at 8.11pm on Tuesday 20 October.
A joint investigation between Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police has now concluded and the incident wasn't being treated as suspicious.
Free pre and post-natal sessions launch across Bassetlaw for local mums
Mums and mums-to-be across Bassetlaw can now access free exercise and wellbeing sessions thanks to a new partnership between Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) and Bassetlaw District Council.
The Healthy Mums programme forms part of BPL's Let's Get Going initiative, which aims to help more people become physically active and improve their wellbeing. Through match funding provided by Bassetlaw District Council, all sessions will be available free of charge as part of a six-month pilot scheme.
The programme offers support for women during pregnancy and after giving birth through two tailored activities.
Bump Boost is a personalised water-based exercise programme for pregnant women, helping them stay active throughout pregnancy. Sessions take place at Your Space leisure centres in Retford, Worksop and Bircotes.
For new mums, the Healthy Mums Buggy Walk combines outdoor exercise, postnatal fitness, pelvic floor awareness and wellbeing support in the surroundings of Idle Valley Nature Reserve. The instructor-led sessions, which take place every Thursday morning between 9.30am and 11am, also provide an opportunity for participants to meet other local parents and access information about support services available in the area.
Cash4Clubs is back with £500,000 for community sport across UK & Ireland
Cash4Clubs is a small grants scheme for community sports clubs and organisations to use as they see fit, whether that's to purchase new equipment, gain coaching qualifications or invest in the sustainability of their club.
In 2026 Cash4Clubs donated £500,000 to 250 winners across UK and Ireland.Since 2008, Cash4Clubs and Flutter UKI have donated over £7million to grassroots & community sports clubs across the UK and Ireland.
2027 sees another £500,000 in donations available https://cash4clubs.org/
Four arrests and bike recovered after knifepoint robbery
Police tracked down a stolen motorcycle and arrested four suspects after responding rapidly to a knifepoint robbery.
Officers were called to Old Mill Crescent, Newark, around 8.20pm on Thursday (22 October) following reports a man had been robbed nearby. The victim had arranged to sell the off-road motorbike online and travelled to the meeting point in Newark. A group of teenagers arrived at the scene and one of them went on to brandish a knife and threaten the man.
The victim promptly called police and officers located him in Queen's Road.
Following further information from the control room and local inquiries, an area search was conducted.
An officer spotted a bike matching the description given after checking through gardens nearby. Three teenagers emerged from an address and were detained by officers with a fourth suspect found inside the house.
Four boys, aged 15, 15, 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
UPDATE: Man charged following Nottingham Police Officer shooting
Detectives have now charged a man with assisting an offender after a police officer was shot while attending an incident in Nottingham city centre.
Officers have charged Jahmal Ruddock-Senior, aged 35, of Gaul Street in Bulwell. He will appear at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Monday (26 October).
The incident happened at a bus stop in Angel Row at around 4.50am on Sunday (18 October).
The officer approached two people acting suspiciously and received a gunshot wound to the foot.
He remains in hospital receiving treatment. Aisha Zaman, aged 27, of Collison Street, Hyson Green, was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of that firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service on Thursday 22 October.
She has been remanded into custody after appearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Friday 23 October.
Police issue Warning for Drivers using Mobile Phones to Navigate
Drivers who use mobile phones to navigate are being warned to ensure their device is appropriately mounted and to avoid touching it during their journey.
The warning comes after several motorists were pulled over on the M1 motorway for a range of similar phone offences.
Each was spotted by the crew of an unmarked HGV during a regular pre-planned operation between 12 and 16 October.
Of the 101 drivers pulled over, 46 were dealt with for either calling, texting, navigating or otherwise interacting with their mobile phones at the wheel.
Four of them were driving HGVs and therefore putting other road users at additional risk.
Many of the drivers dealt with for mobile phone contraventions were observed interacting with maps and navigation apps, with their phones either in their hands or secured in cradles.
Foodbank Heroes
Bassetlaw FoodBank received from some amazing support last week as schools and families came together to drop off food and supplies to Bassetlaw Foodbank.
Donations from Ranby Primary School, Misterton Primary School, Bracken Lane Primary School, Prospect Hill Junior School, Blyth Primary School, Sir Edmund Hillary Primary School, St. Giles School and St. Mary's Pre-School were all gratefully received.
The little ones from St.Marys even came on the bus to deliver their donations!
There were further donations from the 4th Worksop Scouts, the Crossing Church, St. Michael's Church and the Grove Church. (Apologies to anyone we missed!)
Two vehicles seized by rural crime team after hare coursing alert
Two vehicles were seized after officers disrupted a suspected hare coursing incident.
Police were called shortly after 8am on Sunday after men and dogs were spotted in a field near Blyth, along with a stranded vehicle.
Officers from the new Neighbourhood Rural Crime Team travelled to the scene immediately and soon found the two vehicles: a Vauxhall stuck in the mud and a Toyota Land Cruiser that had been abandoned.
Both vehicles were seized, and the driver of a third vehicle was reported for driving offences following an incident on roads in and around Blyth.
The driver of a fourth vehicle, meanwhile, was also served with a Community Protection Warning covering five regional police force areas after hare coursing equipment was found inside.
The order formally links him to wildlife crime offences and gives officers additional powers to arrest him and seize items in the future.
NEWARK: Rough sleeping in district rises due to prison releases
By Joe Locker, LDRS
A rise in rough sleeping across part of Nottinghamshire is partly due to prison releases, it has been revealed.
A rough sleeping count conducted last week found eight people sleeping on the streets of Newark and Sherwood – a figure that is “a lot higher” than records over the past two years according to Claire Barlow, senior housing options officer at Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Last year, just five people were found sleeping rough in the same period.
Ms Barlow said while all rough sleepers are known to the authority, they are complex individuals who require the right offer for them, including appropriate accommodation pathways.
Sherwood Forest comes alive as hundreds of young people take on Shadow challenge
Hundreds of young people have battled their way through the world-famous Sherwood Forest in a weekend of teamwork, adventure and challenges.
Organised by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Youth Service and Notts Outdoors, the annual Shadow event saw 71 teams of more than 350 young people put their skills, determination and resilience to the test during an action-packed overnight challenge.
The event is designed for young people aged 13 to 19, while also being accessible to young adults up to the age of 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Teams were faced with a series of physical, creative and problem-solving challenges, as well as having to navigate their way through Sherwood Forest and work together to complete the course.
The overall winners of this year’s Shadow were Team Barry Bee from Beeston RAF Cadet Squadron.
Motorists warned to check their eyesight
Motorists caught with defective eyesight on the roads can expect a fine, penalty points and potential disqualification from driving.
That's the warning from the Nottinghamshire Police Roads Policing Unit as the clocks go back and darker evenings set in.
Over the coming weeks, officers will be carrying out additional roadside checks to ensure that drivers' vision is roadworthy, primarily by asking them to read a number plate from 20 metres away.
As part of a national road safety campaign, drivers who are involved in collisions or pulled over for any other reason can expect to have their eyesight tested.
Those who fail face prosecution for driving with uncorrected defective eyesight and can face a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and possible disqualification from driving.
Plastics recycling plant tipped for approval amid 1,200-strong petition
By: Joe Locker
A plastics recycling plant in an area of Nottinghamshire has been recommended for approval as more than 1,200 residents seek to stop plans in their tracks.
Envale UK has tabled its plans for the new plastic chemical recycling facility, with an energy recovery facility, on an old recycling site in Worksop.
The operator of the old facility, off Shireoaks Road, was subject to environmental enforcement action in 2013 requiring the removal of waste.
Nottinghamshire County Council says shortly after the notice was served on the operator, NRL, a series of fires occurred which destroyed buildings and machinery.
There were four serious fires in the space of 12 months and, later in 2014, the operator collapsed into administration.
The authority’s planning officers have recommended the proposal for approval at a meeting on Tuesday (November 3).
NEWARK: Further 1.5 million solar panels approved for Notts countryside
By Joseph Connolly
More than one-and-a-half million solar panels will be installed in Nottinghamshire after the government approved another huge project in the county.
The proposed Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park, north-west of Newark, was granted planning permission by officials on October 27.
Documents show that the panels will be spread across land and fields surrounding the settlements of Caunton and Norwell, with about a dozen more villages or parishes affected.
They include Kelham, South Muskham, North Muskham, Cromwell, Carlton-on-Trent, Ossington, Kersall, Maplebeck, Eakring, Knapthorpe, Averham Park and Staythorpe.
The controversial development, which was opposed by hundreds of local residents and Newark’s Reform MP Robert Jenrick, is a project by Elements Green Ltd.
A.W. Lymn Shows Support to Those with a Rare Neurological Disorder by Raising Thousands for Charity
An East Midlands based funeral directors has raised tens of thousands of pounds for a national charity through hosting golf days, curry lunches and multiple generous donations.
A.W. Lymn the Family Funeral Service has raised an astonishing total of £38,377.47 for Alex, the Leukodystrophy (Alex TLC) in just five years, with its main fundraiser being a Charity Golf Day, raising more than £23,000 in donations alone.
Alex TLC aims to support individuals who struggle with a rare medical condition – Leukodystrophy.
Misterton & West Stockwith - VILLAGE NEWS
By Hazel Brand
❌ DON’T PANIC BUY – JUST BE READY!
Parish councils should encourage residents to ‘Be Ready’ was the message delivered to representatives of parish and town councils (and district and county councillors) at a seminar last month delivered by Mark Clements, an Emergency Planning Officer with both the County and District Councils.
This was on the day the Government launched its ‘Be Ready’ campaign to encourage preparedness in the event of a lengthy power outage, cyber attacks, flooding (a known risk in Bassetlaw), or action by hostile states. Mark’s advice was to have three days’ of essential supplies to help manage while support reaches those most in need. In a cyber attack, water supplies could be affected so 2-3 litres per person per day is recommended – and this is just for consumption; it doesn’t cover hygiene.
More information is on the Government website: beready.campaign.gov.uk. It is also where eligible vulnerable people can sign up
to the Priority Services Register for support during outages.
Just buying an extra tin or pack of loo rolls with each shop will soon build up a stock – and many will already have the equivalent of three days’ of food lurking in the back of their cupboards, a ‘prepper’ from Cornwall told the BBC.
🎇 BELLS APPEAL RAFFLE
Fundraising for upgrading the bells in All Saints’ Parish Church in 2026 will reach a climax in December when the grand raffle is drawn on Saturday 19 December. This will take place during a concert by Doncaster Waites (pictured) playing original instruments.
The waites were a town band and played for civic events, feasts, weddings, and in the streets. Doncaster had a band of waites from 1457 to 1832 and it is the spirit of these musicians that the current band tries to re-create: not the music of the aristocracy but the music of the common people.
The concert is at 3.00pm in the Parish Church and the band will talk about and demonstrate their instruments. Tickets for the band are £9: pre-booked tickets will have seats reserved in the front rows. Tickets for the champagne and chocolates raffle are £1 (5 in a book), available early to mid-November. Call (01427) 891376 for tickets for the band or raffle – or both.
🗞️ PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
Misterton Parish Council’s Autumn newsletter will be delivered to households over the next week. If you find you’ve been missed (or accidentally mislaid it!), spare copies will be taken to the Library once the delivery team has finished.
🎓 SCHOOL HEAD TO RETIRE
Jane Cappleman-Jackson will stand down as Head Teacher of Misterton Primary & Nursery School next Summer and the process has started to recruit her successor. Chair of Governors, Jill Fairbank, met with other governors earlier this month and is being supported through the recruitment process by Notts County Council’s education advisers. Parents and carers have also met Jane, who discussed with them how a new head is recruited.
In writing to children, parents and carers, Jill said: “As Chair of Governors, I would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution that Jane has made to Misterton Primary School. The passion, care, and commitment shown by Jane to our children, families, and staff have been at the heart of the school for many years. We are incredibly grateful for everything that has been given to the Misterton community and, importantly, there is still a full year ahead in which to continue that work.”
Two new parent governors have recently joined the team of governors: Louise Hackett and Sam Fairbanks.
🎄 CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
A reminder to get thinking about your entry in the Christmas Tree Festival – part of Misterton Parish Council’s Christmas lights switch-on on 4 December. Just bring the tree along to the Parish Church between 2.00-4.00pm on Friday 4 December. There's again a new 'class' this year for a novelty tree.
🎤 VILLAGE CONCERT SEASON CONTINUES
The next performance in the Parish Church’s cultural programme is on Friday 27 November: Kathy’s Song, a celebration of the music of Simon & Garfunkel and the swinging’ 60s. The performance starts at 7.30pm; tickets are £13 (£10 for students).
Kathy's Song: A Celebration of the Music of Simon and Garfunkel
🆘 BASSETLAW ACTION CENTRE
Bassetlaw Action Centre is continuing to help people in in the district. They need volunteers to help with a number of services where they will be given full training and expenses paid.
The roles are:
🚗 Drivers – using their own car or one of BAC’s vehicles (a wheelchair accessible vehicle or a minibus) to take people to appointments, shopping or on social visits
👭 Befrienders – creating friendships and talking regularly to people either face to face or on the phone
supported hospital discharge service volunteer – helping people who have recently been discharged from hospital to settle back home by doing odd jobs such as light cleaning or shopping or offering a short-term befriending service
👩💻 Administrator – general administrative duties within the Retford office.
Commitments can be as little as one hour a week and are structured to fit around the volunteer’s life. If you think that you might be a good match for one of these roles, please call 01777 709650, e-mail enquiries@actioncentre.org.uk or visit BAC’s website: bassetlawactioncentre.org.uk
BAC also offers trips in a fully accessible minibus. This is a door-to-door service, picking up from Misterton and West Stockwith. Membership is free for this service - just pay the cost of the seat on the bus, £12 for lunch club trips and £22.50 for day trips. In November, lunch club and day trips are:
Wednesday 4 - Walkers Nurseries & Garden Centre
Tuesday 10 - Woodfield Farm, Farmhouse Inns, Balby
Wednesday 18 - Boundary Outlet, Sheffield
Thursday 26 - Whitby’s Fish & Chips, Doncaster.
For further information and to book, call 01777 709650.
🎖️ CONGRATS TO VILLAGE GYMNAST
Congratulations to Stanley Cropper of West Stockwith, who came 2nd in a recent European gymnastics’ competition. He was beaten only by an athlete with Olympic experience.
Stan has another international competition in November but the season will start in earnest next February with the English then the British Championships in March 2027.
Retford to come together for Remembrance Sunday service
Retford’s Remembrance Day Service, organised by the Retford Branch of the Royal British Legon in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council will take place on Sunday 8th November.
It’s an opportunity to remember and honour members of our Armed Forces who have served their country or lost their lives in conflicts around the world.
The service, which begins at 10:45 at Retford’s Market Square will be led by the Rev Bryony Wood and the Rev Reuben Crossley, with members of the Retford Oaks Academy Choir leading the singing. Residents are advised that this year a road closure will be in place from Bridgegate (River Lane) to Grove Street (Beardsall's Row) from 10am to 12noon.
The RBL will also be hosting an Act of Remembrance in the Market Square in Retford on Armistice day, Wednesday 11th November at 10:45am.
Comedy Legend’s Son Makes Appearance at Retford’s Majestic Theatre
Writer Gary Morecambe, son of comedy legend Eric Morecambe, joined the audience at Retford’s Majestic Theatre for an evening celebrating his father’s much-loved partnership with Ernie Wise.
Held on Saturday 24 October, the “Eric & Ern” production starred Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, the Olivier Award-nominated duo behind the West End hit “Eric & Little Ern”.
Gary’s attendance brought a personal connection to the evening, as the show recreated the humour and chemistry that made Morecambe and Wise household names in the 1970s. Gary has written or been involved in writing over 20 books ranging from biography to fiction and children's fiction.
With Stephens playing Eric and Ashpitel taking on the role of Ernie, the show brought together familiar sketches, songs and routines in a tribute to one of Britain’s best-loved double acts.
For audiences who grew up watching their television appearances, the performance offered an opportunity to revisit the comedy that brought families together, while introducing younger audiences to their enduring appeal.
A number of ministerial decisions on national LGR programme have been ‘withdrawn’ as part of a wider review.
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the government has confirmed that Local Government Reorganisation will continue, with a new decision to be made by early 2027, based on the proposals already submitted and assessed against the original criteria.
Throughout the government's review period, the nine councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have continued to work collaboratively and will maintain that approach while awaiting a revised decision.
The government also confirmed that local elections will take place in May 2027 on existing council boundaries. Councillors elected in those elections will continue to serve their existing authorities until vesting day in April 2029.
Elections for shadow unitary authorities are expected to take place in May 2028, ahead of the new councils formally coming into effect in April 2029.
Worksop’s Remembrance Sunday parade to remember and reflect
Bassetlaw District Council is proud to once again host the annual Remembrance Day parade in Worksop as we will remember and honour members of our Armed Forces who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world.
We welcome current and former members of the armed forces, their families and local residents to join us on Sunday 8th November to remember their service and sacrifice.
The parade will ‘form-up’ in front of the Town Hall on the Old Market Square, at around 10:20am under the direction of the Parade Marshall, M L Simcox. The Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Richard Bond and the Chair of the District Council will then inspect the Parade accompanied by music played by the Worksop Miners’ Welfare Band.
At around 10:40am, the parade will ‘march off’ from the Market Square down to the War Memorial via Potter Street and Watson Road.
The public can observe a short wreath laying Service and Act of Remembrance conducted by Father Spicer, which will take place at the War Memorial at approximately 10:50am. The Worksop Salvation Army Band will play ‘The Last Post’ before a two minutes silence at 11:00am followed by the playing of the ‘Reveille’.
Following the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, the parade will return to the Old Market Square at Worksop Town Hall for ‘Parade dismissal'.
Suspect in Newark charity box burglary charged and remanded
A suspect in a charity box burglary has been charged and remanded into custody.
Newark officers were notified after staff realised the town's Starbucks had been broken into overnight. While opening the store, they noticed a window had been smashed and that two charity boxes were empty. Around £70 worth of donations were taken from the countertop at the store, based in Newark's Market Place.
A single intruder was responsible for the burglary, which happened around 2.30am on Wednesday (28 October).
Having received word of the incident just before 6.30am that day, police reviewed the CCTV and identified a suspect. Fast forward to around 11.30am and neighbourhood officers had located the man they were looking for in the town centre.
Suspect Marcus Lowe was then arrested and charged with burglary, before appearing in court the following morning (29 October). Lowe, 48, of no fixed address, was at that point remanded into custody and will next attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 5 November.
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
