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 into one catch-up newsletter.
Why not grab a brew, get the custard creams 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 ... “Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
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.
Police Operation Pernicious Continues
Nottinghamshire Police provided an update on their ongoing operations to tackle illegal off-road and nuisance bikes across Bassetlaw
In the last week, through patrols and acting on information from the community Officers have :
✅ Recovered a number of stolen bikes linked to crime and ASB
✅ Reported riders for summons for offences involving illegal bike use
✅ More Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) issued to those linked to offending
✅ Continued enforcement action across the district
Nottinghamshire Police have issued their thanks to the community for their continued support - your information helps Officers identify offenders and take positive action.
Then and Now: Worksop Bus Operator’s Ticket Machine Technology
A major Worksop bus operator has celebrated the announcement of new and advanced ticketing technology, which is set to be introduced locally, by releasing a picture of a historic ticket machine from its archive.
Stagecoach East Midlands has released the picture of a Setright machine, which was once a well-known feature of transport across the region. The portable Setright used a number of dials and a handle to crank out paper tickets to local people.
Stagecoach, last week, announced that ultra-modern Ticketer TK300 machines will be rolled out across our region. These latest-generation ticket machines are computer-enabled and can store hundreds of routes across different Depots; they dispense tickets at the press of a button. They constantly keep track of where the bus is so that customers can see this information on the Stagecoach App.
They also include technology to ensure consistent pricing across the region. A built-in microphone and speakers can allow two-way communications between Bus Drivers and local Depots.
Two districts, one big summer of family fun
Bassetlaw and Newark and Sherwood join forces to showcase summer holiday events
Families looking for fun things to do during the summer holidays can now find fresh ideas every week through “Two Districts, One Big Summer”, a new partnership initiative launched by Bassetlaw District Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Visit Newark & Sherwood, Discover Worksop and Discover Retford have teamed up to share a weekly round-up of low-cost family-friendly events and activities taking place across both districts. The initiative aims to inspire families to discover new experiences on their doorstep while supporting local visitor attractions, event organisers and town centres during one of the busiest times of the year for the visitor economy.
Missed a school vaccination? There are catch-up opportunities available!
If a child has missed a vaccine at school or they are home educated, Nottinghamshire County Council have advised that there are opportunities to catch up.
IntraHealth delivers the School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS) and offers catch-up clinics during the school holidays for school-aged children living in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Further information on vaccinations and details for all the catch-up clinics available across Nottinghamshire can be accessed via https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/health-and-wellbeing.
Eight charged with regionwide theft conspiracy
Eight suspects have been charged with conspiring to steal from addresses across the region.
Multiple victims from across the East Midlands were reportedly targeted during the conspiracy, between January and July this year.
An investigation into the plot revealed plans to steal various goods, including counterfeit cigarettes, so that they could then be sold on for profit.
Some of the people targeted were also reportedly blackmailed too, with threats made to try and force victims to hand over drugs and cash.
Police executed a series of warrants across Nottinghamshire on Tuesday (21 July) and Wednesday (22 July) that have now led to the following eight suspects being charged with conspiring to steal from another:
- Paul Bradley, 40, of Butler Street, Arnold
- Simon Bradshaw, 46, of Skegby Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
- Dane Broadley, 31, Marwood Road, Carlton
- Dylan Broadley, 30, Coningswath Road, Carlton
- Jermaine Moran, 37, of Manor Road, Eastwood
- Steven Palmer, 39, of Hathern Green, Nottingham
- Lee Southall, 40, of Castellan Rise, Bestwood
- Simon Upton, 39, of Eltham Drive, Broxtowe
‘They’re stripping away access on a whim’ – Parents left angry and disappointed over faith transport axe.
By: Lauren Monaghan, LDRS.
Nottinghamshire parents have been left ‘furious’ and ‘disappointed’ after their children’s transport to faith schools was axed.
Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council has been reviewing its discretionary bus service that serves more than 500 pupils attending Catholic and Church of England schools.
It costs the authority around £1 million a year to run the service, with the council estimating the cost over the next six years would be up to £7.5 million.
But in a recent cabinet meeting, the authority agreed to end its discretionary transport to faith schools from September 2027 after it was facing “significant financial pressure” across its departments, where any savings could help the council achieve its multi-million-pound savings plan.
Strengthening Community Safety: Six New Firearms Officers Now on Patrol
Nottinghamshire Police have announced that six newly qualified Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) who have successfully completed an intensive 16-week training programme are now on active patrol across the county.
The demanding course, which concluded with a challenging two-day final exercise, tested officers in critical areas including weapons handling, enhanced first aid, building searches, vehicle stops and containment. Of the twelve candidates who began the process, only six successfully met the exceptionally high standards required to qualify.
The rigorous training ensures officers are fully prepared to respond to the most serious incidents, helping to keep our communities safe while demonstrating professionalism, sound judgement and restraint.
Police divers issue Float to Live open water plea
“Float to Live” – that’s the simple message from Nottinghamshire Police’s Underwater Search Team to anyone who finds themselves struggling in open water.
Team members, who are tasked with recovering the bodies of people who have drowned, are joining emergency service colleagues in sharing this message.
Float to Live is a lifesaving RNLI campaign that teaches a simple survival technique for people who get into difficulty in open water:
- don’t panic or swim hard
- instead, float on your back to control your breathing and stay alive until help arrives or you can self-rescue
The vital advice is based on research showing many drownings happen due to cold water shock and panic – and not a lack of swimming ability.
Have Your Say – Check Your Electoral Registration Details
Bassetlaw District Council is carrying out its annual electoral register update to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote in future elections can have their say.
etters and emails have been sent to residents asking them to check that their details are correct. If you receive one, simply follow the instructions provided in the letter or email to confirm your information.
Party’s Over: Early-Morning Rave Brought to a Quiet Close in Bassetlaw
Officers from Nottinghamshire Police brought an illegal rave to a swift and peaceful end in Bassetlaw during the early hours of Sunday morning (July 26).
Police were called to reports of loud music coming from a wooded area in West Drayton shortly before 2.15am.
After attending the scene, officers discovered what appeared to be an illegal music gathering taking place among the trees.
The music was quickly switched off and those in attendance were moved on without incident. Thanks to the calm and cooperative response of those present, no arrests were necessary.
Operation Pernicious strikes in Worksop
Officers from Nottinghamshire Police have taken further action to tackle antisocial bike riding in the Worksop area as part of Operation Pernicious.
Following reports from local residents about bikes being ridden in an antisocial manner around Osprey View, Costhorpe, officers carried out enquiries which led to a number of bikes being seized from an address using Section 59 powers.
Notice Of Vacancy In Office Of District Councillor
Bassetlaw District Council have announced a vacancy in the East Markham Ward following a resignation as follows:
East Markham Ward Notice Is Hereby Given under Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 that a casual vacancy exists in the office of Councillor for the East Markham Ward due to the resignation of Councillor Gary Dinsdale.A by-election to fill the vacancy will be called within 35 days (computed in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972) if two electors for the Local Government Area make a request in writing that an election be held to the Returning Officer at the address below.
Dated: 28th July 2026.
David Armiger, Returning Officer, Bassetlaw District Council, Queen’s Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop, S80 2AH.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Risk some school pupils could be left “totally without” a school place next year
By: Lauren Monaghan
There is a risk that hundreds of Nottinghamshire pupils could be left without a school place in their local area following “significantly less” funding from the government.
Nottinghamshire County Council has highlighted a concerning picture for how many secondary school places will be available from September 2027.
In a cabinet report from July, the authority says its pot of money from the government that goes towards ensuring it can provide enough school places in the area is”significantly less” this year, leaving it in a vulnerable position.
‘Open the fancy seats’: Mayor says EMR should ditch First Class until trains stop being a total disaster
By: Laura Wilde
A mayor has called on East Midlands Railway (EMR) to temporarily scrap First Class designations while ongoing reliability and maintenance problems impact its train fleet.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard says he wants the firm to open up all carriages to passengers equally, so no one is left standing in overcrowded trains while seats remain unused.
The call comes after EMR announced significant service reductions on routes linking Sheffield with the East Midlands and London, following ongoing reliability and maintenance problems impacting its train fleet.
The disruption has led to cancelled services, shorter trains and increased chance of overcrowding for passengers travelling into and out of South Yorkshire.
Helping people communicate better though Makaton
When Kelly shared her idea of creating short Makaton videos, the aim was to make it easier for people to learn everyday signs in a simple and accessible way.
Supported by Senior Commissioning Officer, Rhiannon Miller, Kelly turned that idea into a reality, through 'Sign and Shine' - a YouTube series of short videos featuring songs and practical everyday signs to help people learn Makaton.
Find out more and watch the Sign and Shine videos
https://orlo.uk/sign_and_shine_BLkWx
Police deploy facial recognition technology to help identify criminals and safeguard vulnerable people
Nottinghamshire Police will be deploying facial recognition technology to identify criminals and safeguard vulnerable people.
The technology will be built into a marked police van, which has a 360-degree dual camera system, enabling officers to cover a large area.
Officers will create 'a watchlist' of those suspected of serious crimes, which could include robbery, burglary and sexual offences.
The technology will alert officers once it identifies one of the individuals on the list, with officers then engaging with that individual to assess whether further action is needed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: Names of new councils as number of councillors to be slashed by more than 200 members
The number of councillors across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be slashed by more than 200 members under the most significant shake-up in local government in 50 years.
In July, the Labour Government announced Nottinghamshire’s nine councils would be scrapped in favour of two new unitary authorities under its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans.
Nottingham city’s boundaries will expand to absorb parts of Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe, while the remaining parts of these neighbouring boroughs will merge with Newark and Sherwood, Ashfield, Mansfield and Bassetlaw to form another, separate authority.
Existing councils had proposed three different options between them following often contentious debates, and it was Nottingham City Council’s plan that was chosen by the Government.
In a letter to councils on Thursday, July 30, Beatrice Andrews, the deputy director for LGR, revealed the two new authorities would be called the Greater Nottingham Council and the Nottinghamshire Council.
County lines drug dealer who used Harry Potter bag and Airbnb jailed
A county lines drug dealer who established a phone network to flood the streets of Newark with high-purity crack cocaine and heroin has been jailed.
Keanu McKoy was on probation from a previous possession with intent to supply drug charge when he first set up the 'Gus' drugs line from Mitcham, in South London, in October 2024.
Analysis of his personal mobile phone showed McKoy travelled from London to Newark on several occasions via train.
His fledgling criminal enterprise came crashing down when police caught McKoy running from an address in West Bridgford with a Harry Potter-branded bag-for-life, which revealed he was engaged in a different kind of potions class.
Wetherspoons Craft Cider Festival returns to the East Midlands this weekend with pints from £2.99
The chain will be serving up 15 different craft ciders from producers around the UK
Cider lovers across the East Midlands can raise a glass this weekend as Wetherspoons brings back its hugely popular Craft Cider Festival, offering a range of speciality ciders at bargain prices.
The annual festival returns on Friday, July 31, running until August 9, with participating Wetherspoons pubs across the region and beyond serving up 15 different craft ciders from producers around the UK.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund
Apply for up to £1000 to support your waste initiative in Nottinghamshire.
Veolia Nottinghamshire's Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund is supporting projects in Nottinghamshire to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste.
The Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund offers funding to groups, schools and charities who are committed to helping Nottinghamshire to think differently about waste.
If you are a not-for-profit organisation in Nottinghamshire (excluding the city of Nottingham) requiring funding to support a new or existing project that helps to inspire others to take a more conscious approach to waste, you can apply for a grant of up to £1000.
The Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund 2026 is now open: https://www.nottinghamshire.veolia.co.uk/community/reduce-reuse-recycling-fund
Applications close on 14th September 2026.
Severn Trent doesn’t want to issue hosepipe ban
By: Paul Rogers, LDRS
Gareth Mead, from Severn Trent, offers water advice after a drought is officially declared. Video: LDRS
Severn Trent says it doesn’t want to be “killjoys” by issuing a hosepipe ban – but is advising people to use water wisely.
A drought has officially been declared in seven areas of England, including the West Midlands. This, the Environment Agency says, has been brought by a combination of very low rainfall and warm temperatures.
The UK is set to have its driest July on record, which follows the warmest June.
Several water companies have issued temporary hosepipe bans, including Thames Water, South East Water, and Southern Water.
Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Plan Review Referendum Set for September 2026
Residents of Carlton in Lindrick will have the opportunity to vote in a referendum on the reviewed Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Plan on Thursday 3 September 2026.
Voters will be asked:
“Do you want Bassetlaw District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Carlton in Lindrick to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?”
The referendum area covers the entire Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Area and will be conducted using procedures similar to local government elections.
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
