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 nearly THIRTY of our published stories and shortened them where possible for your weekly roundup. And YES, I did say nearly THIRTY stories - including opinion pieces from Bassetlaw MP Jo White, Bassetlaw DC Leader Julie Leigh and Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Mick Barton.
Why not grab a brew, get the bourbons out 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/ .
Todays thought for the day ... “It takes courage to examine your life and to decide that there are things you would like to change, and it takes even more courage to do something about it.” – Sue Hadfield
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 send us your pictures and stories from around Bassetlaw.
CCTV appeal after paintings damaged at gallery
Police are appealing for help to identify the person pictured in these images after paintings were damaged at an art gallery.
Officers have been investigating after damage to three artworks was reported at Worksop's Harley Gallery.
They have now identified a man they would like to speak to who visited the gallery with two other people on Thursday 16 April.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 26000289339.
Drug Dealer Jailed After Cannabis Grow Discovered at Ollerton Flat
A drug dealer who operated a cannabis grow from his flat in Ollerton and was later arrested in Newark after fleeing to Scotland has been jailed for three years.
Craig Dickman was pulled over by officers when the Ford S-Max car he was driving triggered ANPR cameras on 19 May 2025.
The Gedling Central neighbourhood policing team were alerted that the vehicle could be involved in drug supply and stopped it in Daybrook around 8pm.
At Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (13 July) Dickman was jailed for a total of three years.
80-Home Fairygrove Development Approved in Retford Despite Overdevelopment Concerns
By: Joe Locker, LDRS
Plans for an 80-home housing development off Grove Road in Retford have been approved by Bassetlaw District Council, despite ongoing concerns from local residents about potential overdevelopment of the area.
The Fairygrove scheme, proposed by Keepmoat Homes, was originally submitted for up to 95 homes before being reduced to 80.
However, the site had initially been allocated for just 61 homes, prompting objections from dozens of nearby residents.
Nottinghamshire Police rated one of best forces in country
Nottinghamshire Police has been independently graded by national inspectors as one of the best forces in the country.
Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden spoke of his pride at the announcement by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that Nottinghamshire Police is now rated at Level One – the highest possible rating in the Policing Performance System.
He said:
"I am absolutely delighted with this announcement which means Nottinghamshire Police is seen by national inspectors as one of the best performing forces in the country."
Gainsborough waste problems
Councillors have clashed over the description of a Lincolnshire neighbourhood as a ‘third world country’.
One councillor says it ‘demoralises’ residents, while another says it’s a realistic assessment of the challenges the area faces.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Trevor Young described the waste problems in his Gainsborough South West ward in a West Lindsey District Council meeting earlier this week.
“It’s like living in a third world country on Wednesdays and Thursday,” he told the Thriving Places Committee on Tuesday, July 14.
“It’s a very impoverished area with waste up to your knees in those ten-foot [alley] areas.”
It’s not too late to apply for a share of £1.2 million worth of community-boosting funding
Nottinghamshire groups and charities are being reminded the latest round of community funding is open until Friday 24 July.
The new-look Local Communities Fund is all part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s continued commitment to encourage healthy and sustainable communities by financially supporting community groups and charities via a two-year programme (2026-28)
Eligible community groups can still apply for a range of grants, including a new pot of money aimed at supporting new or recently set-up grassroot organisations.
Police Appeal for Witnesses After Assault at Retford Recycling Centre
Nottinghamshire Police is appealing for additional witnesses following an assault that left a man in his 50s injured at a household recycling centre in Hallcroft Road, Retford.
The incident happened at around 2pm on Friday 19 June, when the victim was assaulted at the council recycling site. Police believe other members of the public witnessed what happened but have not yet come forward.
Support Crags Radio – One Last Shot
If you have ever listened to Crags Radio, the award-winning community station serving North Nottinghamshire, North East Derbyshire and beyond, you will be sorry to hear that the station is facing serious financial difficulties.
Rising costs, reduced advertising income and increasing financial pressures mean that, without urgent support, the station may be forced to stop broadcasting.
Crags Radio is entirely volunteer-led – nobody receives a salary from this campaign. Presenters, producers, management and volunteers give their time freely because they believe in the power of community radio.
Police to increase patrols in the Kings Park area
An update from Nottinghamshire Police has advised that Officers from the East Bassetlaw Neighbourhood Team are aware of an increase in reports in Kings Park, Retford.
In efforts to combat this issue Police have stated that they have increased patrols in the area and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and into the summer holidays.
Following a report on July 19 , Neighbourhood officers, assisted by response colleagues attended the park following a report of assault. Officers identified and located a number of the individuals involved and the investigation into the incident will continue.
If you have witnessed an incident in Kings Park at around 15:00 hours on July 19 on the large field in the middle of Kings Park please call 101 and quote incident 0386_19072026.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST: Health trust which hoped to cut deficit already losing more than expected two months into financial year
By: Joseph Connolly, LDRS
Nottinghamshire’s primary NHS mental health care provider is already behind on savings goals just two months into the new financial year.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, the body which runs Highbury Hospital near Bulwell and Sherwood Oaks Hospital in Mansfield, reported a £12m loss across May and June.
The trust’s financiers had anticipated losing money and made arrangements to that effect, with an aim to be £36m in the red by April 2027.
That would be an improvement on last year’s figures after the trust reported a £53m deficit by the end of the 2025-2026 period, which finished in April this year.
But losses are already running higher than expected.
The trust was hoping to have only lost £9.2m over the two month period, meaning it is £2.8m off target.
Free Summer Activities Return for Thousands of Nottinghamshire Children
Families across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to take advantage of free summer holiday activities for eligible children through the popular Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Funded by the Department for Education, the scheme provides children with access to exciting activities throughout the school holidays, alongside a healthy and nutritious meal at every session.
The programme is available to children aged 5 to 16 (or 4-year-olds in Reception) who receive benefits-related free school meals and live in Nottinghamshire. With more than 25,000 places available, including dedicated SEND provision, there are opportunities for children across the county to enjoy a fun-filled summer.
Police Operation Pernicious continues as anti-social riding ends in another seized moped.
A moped being ridden antisocially around a police vehicle on 16/07/2026 in the Retford area, appearing to try and goad officers into a chase, has been seized.
Their luck quickly ran out when an officer got out of the police vehicle, causing the rider and passenger to abandon the moped and make off on foot. Enquiries are ongoing to into identifying those responsible.
‘Pothole’ was not big enough to repair before woman tripped in it and died
By: Joseph Connolly, LDRS:
A ‘pothole’ which caused the death of an elderly woman after she got her walking frame caught in it and fell over was not big enough to repair, an inquest has been told.
Beryl Barrett was crossing the road in Church Street, in Warsop, near Mansfield, on December 19 last year, when her wheel lodged in a broken section of the road.
The 87-year-old lost balance, fell over and broke her hip in the incident, before being taken to A&E at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
She died six days later on Christmas Day.
Bassetlaw Celebrates Love Parks Week 2026
Bassetlaw District Council is encouraging everyone to celebrate their local parks and open spaces as part of the annual ‘Love Parks Week’.
Organised by Keep Britain Tidy, Love Parks Week takes place across the country between 24 July and 2 August to celebrate the important role that green spaces provide for physical and mental wellbeing, bringing communities together, as well as wider environmental benefits.
It was recently announced that Langold Country Park, The Canch in Worksop and Kings' Park in Retford, each picked up Green Flag awards for 2026/27. And as part of this week of celebration, Bassetlaw DC are asking residents to share their favourite bits with us through a photo competition, with a chance to win two great prizes.
Two motorcyclists have died after a road traffic collision in Bassetlaw
Emergency services were called to the A1 southbound at Tuxford shortly after 3.30pm on Monday (20 July) following reports of a three-vehicle crash.
The collision involved a Harley Davidson Trike motorcycle, a Vauxhall Grandland and a Scania flatbed lorry.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a man and woman in their 60s – who were riding the Trike motorcycle – died at the scene.
Residents invited to have their say on proposed improvements for Tuxford
Bassetlaw District Council is inviting residents to share their views on proposed improvements to community spaces in Tuxford.
Consultation is underway on two major project options, improvements to Gilbert Avenue Playing Field or the development of a new skate park, with residents being asked which option they would prefer.
It’s in partnership with Tuxford Town Council and is being funded by the government’s Town Streetscaping fund which aims to improve where people live, create employment opportunities and boost community facilities.
New repairs policy for council tenants on the way
A new Housing Repairs Policy, aiming to improve the delivery of repair and maintenance services for tenants, has been backed by Bassetlaw District Council cabinet members.
At a meeting on Tuesday 14th July councillors agreed to the proposal which aims to ensure repairs are completed right first time, enables the council to plan work in a better and more efficient way, and clearly sets out who is responsible for specific repair and maintenance issues.
It follows consultation with tenants and other stakeholders which revealed of the 591 individual responses, they were largely positive in all the proposed areas for change, with 73.43% having no concerns about the proposed responsibilities or revised timescales.
🖊 OPINION: NCC Leader Mick Barton: 'We're winning the war with roads'
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Mick Barton, updates readers on progress made on road repairs and outcome of the Local Government Reorganisation initiative...
Winning the War with the Roads
As you can all see the roads are now massively improving. I have been out within the county to see firsthand the various repairs we are carrying out.
We have taken delivery of two new mastic boilers. I knew we had to purchase the boilers following our visit to Roadmender in Rotherham a few months ago. I, along with Cabinet members, were given a demonstration on laying the asphalt, and I could not believe the results. The mastic boiler is ideal for repairing potholes and larger repairs in a quick, efficient way. These repairs are faster to install, greener and are significantly less disruptive than conventional asphalt repairs. A must have part of our toolkit for the ‘right first-time approach’ repairs.
The mastic material is made up of old vehicle tyres and other materials to make the product pliable and long lasting. The boilers are on the roads now, along with the eight hot box teams, the two JCB Pothole Pro’s and further resurfacing gangs. They are out in every part of the county ensuring roads are improving across the county.
We are looking to deliver a winter masterplan that has not been seen before, where repairs will not be halted for bad weather. The crews will now continue working twelve months a year, so we do not have the same emergency situation of last year, with undrivable roads.
LGR (Local Government Reorganisation)
We received the government’s option for LGR, who have gone with the Labour run City Council proposal. To say I am disappointed with their decision is an understatement.
I will not be taking this lying down, I can assure you. I am currently waiting for the Secretary of State to write to me to confirm the decision and their reasoning for it. When that happens, I will decide our stance and our next move. I do not believe this decision has been taken fairly and objectively. I think this is a rushed, Labour looking after Labour decision, on an asset grabbing mission. No way is this decision the fair one for the county and I will be seriously looking at a judicial review. We put in our plan by sticking exactly to the guidelines and legislation given to us. I will be working on this daily to find a solution.
I will get back to you on progress in my columns and on social media.
Out in the Community
I have mentioned before that my Cabinet and I hold bi-monthly meetings out in the community. It would be lovely to hear from any businesses who would like us to come along, have a tour of your premises and understand what you do. If we can assist in any way or offer support, we will. If you would like us to come along, please contact me on cllr.mick.barton@nottscc.gov.uk.
I held a cabinet away day last week, where the cabinet and I looked at the year ahead and all we want to achieve. I look forward to sharing the year ahead with you in my next column.
In the meantime, enjoy the weather and the children’s holidays from school that are about to start.
Take Care, Mick
Family, Community, Country.
Missing - have you seen Caroline? Last seen in Retford
Nottinghamshire Police are concerned for her safety and urgently want to hear from anyone who has seen her.
Caroline was last seen in the Retford area at around 3pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
She is described as 5ft 7ins tall, medium build, with short pink hair and was last seen wearing a light coloured t-shirt with Mickey Mouse on the front and black bottoms, as in the photo.
If you have seen Caroline or have any information on her whereabouts, please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 415 of 22 July 2026. Thank you.
The £2 bus fare cap will be reinstated from January in most areas across England, the government has announced this morning (July 22)
The cap will be for a single fare, and last for all of 2027.
More than £500m of funding, will be reallocated from money earmarked for international climate finance as well as existing transport funding to pay for the scheme.
The £2 cap was first imposed in early 2023, before rising to £3 at the start of 2025.
🖊 OPINION: Column, Cllr Julie Leigh, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council
The Government has now confirmed its decision on the future of local councils in Nottinghamshire as part of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme.
Under these plans, the current councils across the county, including Bassetlaw District Council, will be replaced by two new unitary councils, each responsible for delivering all local government services within their area.
This means one new council will serve Nottingham City and parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe, while the second will cover Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, together with the remaining parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.
I recognise the opportunities that Local Government Reorganisation brings. By reducing duplication, improving efficiency and making it clearer who is responsible for local services, these changes have the potential to deliver long-term benefits for residents and communities. We will continue to work closely and constructively with our partners to help make this transition a success.
Throughout this process, my priority remains unchanged: ensuring that residents and businesses in Bassetlaw continue to receive the high-quality services they rely on every day.
There is still significant work to be done before the new councils are established. The next stage will be the transition period, with elections for the new unitary councils expected to take place in May 2027. Following those elections, two shadow authorities will be created to oversee preparations ahead of the new councils officially coming into operation in April 2028.
In the meantime, I want to reassure everyone that council services will continue as normal. Our teams will remain focused on supporting residents, businesses and communities, while maintaining the high standards of service people expect from us.
While change on this scale inevitably brings challenges, it also presents an opportunity to shape strong, sustainable local government for the future. I am committed to ensuring that Bassetlaw's voice is heard throughout this process, and we will continue to work alongside residents, businesses, councillors and partners to deliver a smooth and successful transition.
The proposals will now move forward for the necessary parliamentary approval before they can be formally implemented.
You can find out more about Local Government Reorganisation in Nottinghamshire by visiting www.lgrnotts.org.
Sons pay tribute to parents killed in A1 collision
Two sons have paid tribute to their parents after they were killed in a road traffic collision.
Emergency services were called to the A1 southbound at Tuxford, Bassetlaw, shortly after 3.30pm on Monday (20 July) following reports of a three-vehicle crash.
The collision involved a Harley Davidson Trike motorcycle, a Vauxhall Grandland and a Scania flatbed lorry.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, 66-year-old Mike Savings and his wife Shirley Savings, 64 – who were riding the Trike motorcycle – died at the scene.
A suspect in a Harworth shop robbery has been charged and has appeared before the courts.
An investigation has been ongoing ever since a Harworth store was targeted and a member of staff was injured.
This happened at Asda, in Scrooby Road, with a suspect reportedly taking meat products before assaulting a shopworker.
The victim sustained a split lip during the incident, which took place around 1.20pm on 4 July.
Any shop theft involving violence or where violence is threatened is now classified as a robbery in the UK, following changes to counting rules nationwide.
Following extensive inquiries, police arrested suspect Jamie Morris on Monday (20 July) night, and he has since been charged with robbery.
🖊 OPINION: Jo White, MP: A week of opportunity at the Bassetlaw Summer School
This month I hosted my annual Bassetlaw Summer School, bringing together 40 secondary school students from Bassetlaw to offer life-changing opportunities, lift aspirations and explore future career opportunities.
One of my priorities as our Member of Parliament is to raise the aspirations of our young people. Students in Bassetlaw have just as much talent as those growing up in London and other big cities, but they do not always have the same opportunities. I want to open doors for our students so that they have the confidence to aim high as they begin to think about their future careers.
The Summer School began here in Bassetlaw at DHL’s Manton Wood site, a major local business. Students toured the warehouse and saw the new lorries used to move goods across the country. At Clumber Park, they learned about the National Trust and helped with conservation work in the woodland.
The students then travelled to London and toured Parliament, visited the House of Lords and learned about the law and how it is made. A real highlight was visiting Speaker’s House to meet the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. He spoke about his journey into politics and answered intelligent and thoughtful questions from the students about his role in Parliament.
The students also met Kanishka Narayan MP, the Minister for AI and Online Safety. They heard about proposals to protect children online and discussed them with the Molly Rose Foundation and the NSPCC. Later, they visited the top law firm Clifford Chance, where solicitors explained their work and helped the students tackle legal case studies.
At online bank Revolut, the students learned how a small financial technology company grew into a major international business. They worked in teams to design a new banking product. At Amazon’s UK headquarters, they heard about the company’s work and received useful advice on writing a strong CV and making a good first impression.
On the final day, a treasure hunt helped the students explore London and become more confident using public transport. They met Deputy US Ambassador Robert Thomas, who spoke about his career in diplomacy. The programme ended with visits to Downing Street, where I presented the students with their certificates. They also met Rachel Blake MP, who explained her work at the Treasury.
The week showed what can happen when young people are given the chance to step outside their usual surroundings and try something new. It was not just about learning about different careers, but also about building independence, working as a team and discovering their own individual strengths.
I’m extremely grateful to all those who helped educate and inspire these pupils.
I was so impressed with the class of 2026, who were so enthusiastic, excited and motivated. They were superb representatives of their schools and Bassetlaw.
Misconduct hearing: Former student officer barred from policing after drink driving to work
A student police officer would have been dismissed had he not resigned after being caught drink driving.
PC Tyler Beard faced a gross misconduct hearing at Force HQ in Sherwood Lodge on Thursday 23 July.
The hearing was open to both the public and the media.
The hearing heard that on March 13, he was immediately prevented from continuing his police training at Force HQ when alcohol was smelt on his breath and he was arrested.
Town ban for man who plagued Newark with bad behaviour
A repeat antisocial behaviour offender has been banned from stepping foot in Newark.
The actions of James Murr have caused prolonged distress to the community for more than 18 months.
Reports of repeated nuisance behaviour, drug use and exploitation of vulnerable people have all been made against the 31-year-old.
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
