Hello from Bassetlaw Today
Today's edition includes news about stray dogs, police action, landlord problems, lots of rum, The Tigers make history, an amazing remembrance project and of course - your daily puzzle fix.
Todays thought for the day ... “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things could fall together.” - Marilyn Monroe
Enjoy the read and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
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.
Remembrance Project brought to life by Worksop Primary School Students
On Wednesday morning (29/4/2026), 30 students from Holy Family Catholic Primary School visited Worksop Cemetery, Retford Road, to install sixty six photographs of military veterans, and one civilian casualty killed in an air raid, on the scattered graves and family memorials located here.
This is part of a remembrance project involving students from local primary schools from Worksop and Retford, in which they will be installing a total of 128 photographs of Military Veterans in cemetery locations, on the veterans’ graves and family memorials by 8th May, VE Day.
The images have been collected over the past years while researching the veterans buried in these cemeteries, from which a remembrance map of the cemeteries and a booklet was produced to accompany this map.
Booklets have been distributed to local schools and also have a QR code in them so students and teachers can scan this code with their school smart device. This will then take them onto the Nottinghamshire Roll of Honour website for their research.
The military veterans images will remain in location for VE Day on the 8th May, and War Graves Week (which is the celebration of the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at home and around the world). The Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorate 1.7M men and women of the Commonwealth that died during the First & Second World Wars.
After this, the pictures will be removed and stored, ready for installation in October for the start of the RBL Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Week by local school students.
Content and image kindly provided by Michael Szarelis.
Bassetlaw District Council issue update on new 'Binformation App'
Bassetlaw District Council have provided an update on the progress of their new ‘Binformation App’ following the previously advertised launch during April.
The council says that both a Mobile App and Web App that allows residents to check their bin collection days, find out what items should be put in what bin, and much more information about waste and recycling in Bassetlaw is almost ready to be released.
Work is also continuing with Apple and Google to ensure that residents can download the Mobile App via the Apple and Android App Stores.
The council has apologised for the delay but anticipate that an announcement on both versions of the App will be made very soon.
Worksop independent spirits producer lands Fortnum & Mason listing
Independent British spirits producer DropWorks Rum has secured a new retail listing with Fortnum & Mason.
The Sherwood Forest distillery is the largest rum distillery in Europe and will launch a selection of products through the retailer, including its Rum Gift Set, Barrel Drop and limited-edition Distiller’s Drop #001.
The agreement gives the business access to one of the UK’s best-known premium retail platforms, while also introducing the brand to a wider audience of gifting and premium spirits customers.
As part of the rollout, customers will also be able to sample the range at Fortnum & Mason’s flagship Piccadilly store in London through a series of in-store tasting events.
DropWorks was founded in 2023 by Lewis Hayes and operates from a purpose-built distillery in Nottinghamshire. The site has the capacity to produce up to 1.5 million bottles annually and up to 10 barrels of rum a day.
The company said the latest listing builds on growing momentum, with the brand already stocked in several cocktail bars, restaurants and hospitality venues across the UK.
Lewis Hayes, DropWorks Rum founder and master distiller said: “With our rum crafted and distilled in Britain using quality and natural ingredients, being listed by such a prestigious retailer is a huge achievement. We are thrilled to be able to extend our brand into a broader and new arena – with even more consumers having the chance to enjoy our bold and distinct rum flavours.”
The business said the new partnership follows a successful crowdfunding campaign last year, during which it raised close to £500,000 to support expansion plans.
Hayes added: “This premium listing comes at a really exciting time in our story. Having successfully launched our first crowdfunding campaign late last year, during which we raised almost half a million pounds, we’ve been able to swiftly accelerate our growth plans and secure stand-out partnerships with brands we’ve always admired and revered, such as Fortnum & Mason. Being proudly stocked by such a recognised British brand pairs perfectly with one of our key drivers – which is to bring quality, delicious rum centre stage with businesses who share our passion for British-made liquid.”
The Drop Works Rum Distillery is based at Stone Shed, Welbeck, Worksop,
Nottinghamshire, S80 3LX and won ‘Experience of the Year’ at the 2025 Nottinghamshire Tourism awards.
There are two DropWorks Rum Distillery tour options available and the distillery can also offer bespoke packages to suit best interests and individual needs.
Image and content courtesy of Thebusinessdesk.com.
Worksop Town win the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup for a historic 16th time with a 2-1 win over Worsbrough Bridge.
Match Report by Oscar Willis
The visitors began brightly, applying early pressure down the right-hand side. Worksop weathered the storm well, and their composure soon paid off.
A strong defensive header from Hamza sparked the Tigers’ first meaningful attack, with Lewis Whitham linking play neatly to Mason O’Malley. His pinpoint cross found Aleks Starcenko whose header found Szhem Whyte-Hall to flick past the keeper.
Buoyed by the early goal, Worksop continued to press. In the 16th minute, Oli Greaves saw his effort deflected behind for a corner after a loose ball dropped kindly for him.
The Tigers came close again midway through the half when Whitham’s curling free-kick rattled the crossbar, inches away from doubling the lead.
Whyte-Hall remained a constant threat down the left flank, creating several promising opportunities in the attacking third. Worsbrough Bridge, however, showed glimpses of danger themselves. Kaelan Grist capitalised on a loose pass but fired his effort over the bar, with goalkeeper Forshaw appearing comfortable.
Worksop finished the half strongly, earning a succession of corners. One of these nearly resulted in a goal, but Hamza’s effort was heroically blocked on the line.
The second half began with Worksop on the front foot once more. Rollins and Whyte-Hall combined effectively, carving open space in the opposition defence, but a solid save from the Worsbrough goalkeeper denied them.
The Tigers doubled the advantage in the 54th minute. Whitham delivered an excellent cross into the box, which was met by Jay Rollins and cleverly turned into the path of Oli Greaves, who tapped home to make it 2–0.
Worsbrough Bridge refused to back down. number 14 tested Forshaw, but the Worksop keeper remained alert, gathering comfortably under pressure from Wedgbury. Another chance followed for Plater, who found space to shoot, but once again Forshaw was equal to it.
The visitors were eventually rewarded for their persistence in the 84th minute. A high press forced an error, leading to a penalty, which was calmly converted into the bottom corner, sending Forshaw the wrong way and reducing the deficit to 2-1.
The closing stages were tense, with both sides pushing forward in an end-to-end finish. Worksop nearly restored their two-goal cushion when Starceko was brought down on the edge of the box, but O’Malley’s free-kick deflected behind for a corner.
Starcenko was given a second yellow in the dying embers of the game after a scuffle with a Worsbrough player.
Despite late pressure, Worksop held firm to secure the win. The Tigers become the first team since 1899 to win the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup for a third year in a row.
Worksop Town Lineup
Lewis Forshaw, Josh Wilde, Hamza Bencherif ©, Vaughan Redford, Aleks Starcenko, Oli Greaves (Chae Whitman-Brown 67’), Mason O’Malley, Deegan Atherton, Jay Rollins (Sam Wedgbury 67’), Lewis Whitham (Luke Hall 67’), Szhem Whyte-Hall.
Unused Subs : Sam Sanders, Luke Waterfall
Goalscorers : Szhem Whyte-Hall 4’, Oli Greaves 54’ ; Kaelen Grist 84'
Media Man of the Match : Szhem Whyte-Hall
Final Score
Worksop Town 2-1 Worsbrough Bridge Athletic
Content courtesy of Worksop Town F.C. (Words:Oscar Willis Photo:Graham Pool)
Landlords’ fines reduced to £104,500 on appeal
Two Worksop landlords who put the safety of their tenants in danger after failing to carry out urgent repairs at two of their properties have had their appeal against their fines and costs partially upheld at Nottingham Crown Court.
Baminy Suresh, 41, and Suresh Thanabalsingham, 47, both from Cheapside in Worksop, were originally found guilty at Mansfield Magistrates Court on 12th June 2025 of failing to comply with improvement notices at their properties to require hazards that could be harmful to the safety of their tenants to be fixed. In addition, Thanabalsingham was also found guilty of failing to remove waste which could attract vermin.
The husband and wife were originally ordered to pay a total of £171,964 in fines and costs after failing to provide financial information to the courts, despite being ordered to do so.
At Nottingham Crown Court on 16th April 2026, an appeal was partially upheld with a reduction in their original fines and costs, and the pair were ordered to pay a total of £104,500.
Recorder Davis KC of the Crown Court imposing the fines stated that the Landlords’ culpability was high resulting from serious and systematic failures to meet their statutory obligations. This represented a high risk of serious adverse effects on tenants.
Thanabalsingham was ordered to pay fines of £50,500, while Suresh was ordered to pay £50k in fines, both were ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2k.
The pair were also ordered to pay council prosecution costs totalling £11,521 split equally, over two years.
Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council said: “This prosecution makes it clear that landlords must keep their properties to a legal standard and if they fail to do so, enforcement action will follow.
“Landlords have a duty to provide homes that are safe and warm for tenants to live in.”
“Whilst fines were ultimately reduced on appeal, the Council welcome confirmation from the Crown Court as to the severity of the Landlords’ offences and the serious risk of harm caused to their tenants”
Bassetlaw District Council received complaints about poor living conditions at two properties that were endangering the health and wellbeing of the people living there.
Improvement notices were served under the Housing Act 2004 between February and March 2024 requiring action on hazards including excess cold, electrical, security risks and significant fire safety failures including the absence of fire detection systems
A further visit to the properties in April 2024 revealed the required works had not been completed within the specific timelines.
Our three interesting facts for today ....
Pluto's moon, Charon, was named by it's discover after his wife Char(lene)
Names of Greek ocean gods included Poseidon, Triton, Oceanus and Doris
The world's first Christian nation was Armenia
Looking for a bigger home? What about a Magnificent Grade I Listed, Ten Bedroomed Country Residence that once housed Mary Queen of Scots.
If you won the lottery you could see how the other half live by purchasing Manor Lodge, a Magnificent Grade I Listed, Ten Bedroomed Country Residence, Set within Approximately 10.2 Acres on Mansfield Road, Worksop.
The property is believed to date back to the 16th Century and designed by notable English Architect Robert Smythson and is described as a fine example of Elizabethan splendour by the vendors.
This Grade I listed, ten bedroomed country residence spans five floors and has been refurbished into a magnificent family home of significant proportions.
Situated down a long, private road, electric wrought iron gates open to the Lodge, where a sweeping gravel driveway leads to the front façade.
The home is further described as being filled with an abundance of charming period features, many of which are original. Across the ground floor are four reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen with traditional oak cabinetry, granite work surfaces and double doors opening to the outdoor seating terrace. There is also a useful shower room and another WC off the entrance hall.
Rising through each floor is a square spiral staircase to the West Wing and a secondary staircase to the East Wing. The ground and first floors have the benefit of under floor heating throughout, apart from in the breakfast kitchen.
Ten bedrooms are arranged over four floors, along with three bathrooms.
The centrepiece of the home is undoubtedly the Great Hall, which is located on the third floor. It has a 6 meter tall ceiling and open fireplace with an ornately carved mantelpiece.
A Smithy is located within the grounds of the Lodge boasting three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the ground floor and a spacious lounge and dining kitchen on the first floor. The Smithy has its own private garden with an established walled garden containing an orchard and stone flagged seating terrace.
History - Manor Lodge is understood to have been used as the Hunting Lodge to the stately dwelling of Worksop Manor and was originally built for the Earl of Shrewsbury. Its exact construction date is unknown but is assumed to be around the 1540s. Designer Robert Smythson is memorable for his work in the Elizabethan era on significant houses such as Hardwick Hall, Wollaton Hall, Longleat House, to name a few. Mary Queen of Scots spent time at Manor Lodge during her imprisonment.
Content courtesy of Blenheim of Sheffield.
Why not send us your favourite picture of Bassetlaw and we may feature it as our newsletter main image: news@bassetlawtoday.co.uk
Arrest following theft from vehicle in Worksop
A man has been arrested in Worksop after police acted following a report of a theft from a vehicle.
Officers received a report of a vehicle being entered overnight on Plantation Hill, with a bank card stolen. Enquiries identified that the stolen card had been used at a local shop.
Thanks to prompt reporting, CCTV enquiries and patrol work, officers located a suspect in the town centre and made an arrest within 45 minutes of the offence being reported.
The man was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and fraud by false representation and remains under investigation.
Bassetlaw has the highest number of stray dogs in the UK, nearly double the number of the next highest council
New data from puppies.co.uk reveals the heartbreaking number of stray dogs in Bassetlaw.
The dog marketplace analysed data from Freedom of Information requests sent to Bassetlaw Council. They asked the council for the number of dogs reported as strays, the number of dogs seized, and the number of stray dogs returned to their owners from January 2021 to December 2025.
In total, 10,632 stray dogs have been reported across the region. Sadly, just 72 have been returned to their owners, meaning that less than 1% of stray dogs find their way back home.
This figure means Bassetlaw has the highest number of stray dogs in the UK, reporting nearly double the number of the next highest council.
Many UK councils are already facing existing budget constraints and financial difficulties, and an increase in stray dogs will mean even more strain on their finances. Several of the councils with the highest number of strays, such as Birmingham, Durham, Leeds, and Liverpool, are facing severe hardship.
But an increase in strays doesn’t just put tremendous pressure on councils; it affects vets, animal charities, rehoming centres, and communities. The Dogs Trust even reported that their rehoming centres have been experiencing record highs of abandoned pets since the pandemic.
If dogs are made stray by their owners, they will be placed in kennels, rehoming centres, or even euthanised. Heartbreakingly, euthanasia rates for strays have tripled over the last three years, highlighting the pressures placed on charities and organisations to care for these abandoned pets.
A spokesperson for Puppies.co.uk said: “The sheer number of stray dogs across the country is deeply concerning. Behind every statistic is a dog that may be frightened, vulnerable, and missing safety and home.
“But these figures likely only scratch the surface. While in some cases, dogs are sadly intentionally abandoned, this is only part of the picture. Many dogs become strays due to accidental escapes, getting lost, or even being born into already-stray populations.
“Dog ownership is a long-term commitment, and while many owners act responsibly, it’s important to take steps that help prevent dogs from becoming lost or separated in the first place. Our top tips for dog ownership include microchipping, so authorities can quickly contact you if your dog is found, recall training, which ensures your dog can reliably return to you when called, and securing your environment by checking for gaps in fences and closing gates so your pet can’t accidentally escape.
“In some cases, dog ownership isn’t always wise due to lifestyle, financial worries, or other commitments. Potential owners should ask themselves whether they can provide daily care, exercise, and companionship, have the financial means to cover food and vet bills, and have a suitable environment for the breed before they take the plunge. Anyone considering getting a furry friend should carefully consider whether they are fully prepared for this long-term responsibility before bringing one into their home.
“While councils work incredibly hard, more needs to be done to improve identification, awareness, and responsible ownership. If you find a stray dog or have lost your own, it's important to notify your local council as soon as possible so they have the best chance of getting home.
“The issue of stray dogs affects communities nationwide and puts immense pressure on services, charities, and the volunteers who dedicate time and resources to support these animals every day. But dog owners and community members alike can support these local animal shelters and charities by volunteering, donating supplies or funds, or spreading awareness about their aims.
“We believe that by raising awareness, working together to support organisations that help stray dogs, and encouraging responsible practices, we can help more dogs find and stay in their forever homes.”
Content courtesy of Avid Panda
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 E.
Our last panagram was SQUABBLED . 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
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
