Hello from Bassetlaw Today
Today's edition covers a HMO application refused by planners, Police advice to keep your car safe, the Imps make history, GD Hall Funeral Directors join the A.W.Lymn family, the Tigers survive, Retford bids for culture crown and of course - your daily puzzle fix.
Todays thought for the day ... “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway
Enjoy the read and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Planners say NO to Worksop PMO application
A planning application (Application No: 25/01163/COU) proposing the 'Change of Use From Offices on First and Second Floors into a 4-bedroom HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) (Use Class C4)' at 61 Carlton Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 1PP has been refused by Bassetlaw Planners on 15/4/2026.
Planners refused the application for the following reasons:
The proposed change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) was not been supported by sufficient evidence to demonstrate a proven need for this form of accommodation in the location.
The proposal failed to demonstrate that it would deliver a high quality form of development with a clear function and acceptable design quality, due to a lack of sufficient and accurate plans and supporting information to identify the nature and extent of the proposed internal alterations .
The proposal failed to demonstrate that an acceptable standard of residential amenity would be provided for future occupiers or that the amenities of neighbouring residents would be adequately protected.
Further details on the application and decision can be found on Bassetlaw District Council's website. https://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/
A.W. Lymn Deepens North Notts Footprint with Acquisition of Established Funeral Directors
Award-winning, family owned and operated funeral directors A.W.Lymn The Family Funeral Service, has this week announced its fourth acquisition in three years as it takes over a well-established North Notts business.
Established more than 117 years ago, the fifth-generation family business is one of the largest independent funeral businesses in the UK and is synonymous across Nottinghamshire with quality, personal service and excellence in all aspects of funeral care. This week it brings the two branches of G.D Hall funeral directors into the fold.
In line with their trusted heritage and reputation, the Directors at A.W. Lymn have been working to a strategic plan to widen and deepen their company’s footprint across the East Midlands in recent years, with the acquisition of Retford and Tuxford’s G.D Hall coming swiftly after it acquired Serene Funeral Planning in early 2025, Staffordshire’s Hammerwich Cemetery and Crematorium in 2024 and Radcliffe-on-Trent’s M.A. Mills in 2023.
Fifth generation and Managing Director of the business, Matthew Lymn Rose, said this latest expansion was part of a finely mapped plan to deliver the well-known A.W. Lymn level of quality to families searching for, expecting and deserving personal, traditional and excellent funeral care in Nottinghamshire.
Matthew said: “We’re thrilled to have been trusted with taking forward G.D Hall’s two established branches by owners Graham and Diane, who have led their business with integrity, compassion and an extremely high level of diligence since 2009 when they first opened. It always has to be the right ‘meeting of minds’ when we look to acquire a new location for our business and that is exactly how it unfolded with the Halls. Their commitment to doing the best and right thing for each and every family they serve chimed precisely with our ethos at A.W. Lymn and we knew we wanted to take their business and forward into our next chapter, protecting and honouring the Halls’ legacy in Tuxford and Retford.
“The funeral industry is evolving rapidly and, concerningly, currently is less regulated than many other industries. In such a context, being able to offer our generationally-trusted services as far afield as we can is a driving force for our business. We hear of people being misadvised, wrongly directed and left to grieve in ways which are damaging to our collective mental health. We know that our experienced and kind team of funeral directors, which is now more than 150 strong, are best placed to support people when they are in their darkest hours and in need of practical, care-driven and unfalteringly excellent funeral care.
“By deepening our branch network into North Notts even further, we hope to support more people with the trusted A.W. Lymn ‘way’ and ensure every person who needs funeral advice and support in and around Tuxford and Retford know they can count on us to be there when it matters most.”
G.D Hall consists of two branches, a fleet of Mercedes E Class in black, two estate cars, and a team of casual bearers. The company conducts around 100 funerals a year, and over the course of 2026 it is A.W. Lymn’s intention to bring the branches to A.W. Lymn standard, and re-brand them to match.
The business’s new branch in Worksop is due to open in late 2026, and the Directors’ plan is that this office will run alongside these two new branches, to make a new A.W. Lymn sub area of Mansfield.
Graham Hall, who established his funeral business in 2009 after a varied career running a newsagency, as a magistrate and formerly as a senior mining surveyor, added: “We’re really pleased to be handing over the reins of our business to Matthew and the A.W. Lymn family. For me, it was always going to be a family firm who took forward our family firm – because in our industry, people are at the heart of all we do. It was clear when I first met Matthew that he understood this, and in fact it actually felt like we’d known each other for a long time even though we’d just met.
“We’re delighted about A.W. Lymn’s commitment to keeping our legacy going in Tuxford and Retford and know our business, and the customers we serve, are in the safest of hands with Matthew and his team.”
A.W. Lymn was established in 1907 in Nottingham when Arthur William Lymn conducted his first funeral. Today the business is known as A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service, now operating 27 funeral homes across the Midlands in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and one in Leicestershire, as well as Hammerwich Crematorium and Cemetery in Staffordshire, employing more than 150 people across the business.
Lincoln City have made history by securing the Sky Bet League One title
Tuesday's 2-0 win at Doncaster Rovers thanks to two goals from Ben House ensured no one can finish above the Imps in the table, and means the season will finish with silverware.
Michael Skubala's side had already confirmed their place back in the second tier for the first time since the 1960/61 campaign. It was the first time promotion had been won from the third tier since the 1951/52 season - 74 years ago.
It has been a truly remarkable season, with 29 wins, 10 draws and just five defeats so far taking the Imps to 97 points.
In addition, head coach Michael Skubala was named League One Manager of The Season at the EFL Awards - with George Wickens, Sonny Bradley, Tendayi Darikwa and Jack Moylan all included in the Team of the Season.
Our three interesting facts for today ....
LOGANAMNOSIS is an obsessive searching for a forgotten word
The word for 'the inside of the elbow' is CHELIDON
In the ten seasons of FRIENDS the six main characters drink 1154 cups of coffee
Police issue advice after spate of keyless car thefts
Officers are warning drivers to take additional steps to secure their vehicles after a string of keyless thefts in the north Worksop area.
Twelve cars have been stolen over the last two weeks. Targets for thieves have included Mercedes and BMW vehicles, however recently Fiat 500s, Ford Fiesta STs, and Hyundais have been targeted.
It is currently believed that offenders have been using handheld remote entry devices, also called ‘relay’ devices, to commit keyless car theft – without touching the key.
Criminals use these illicit devices to scan for a nearby key signal, which is then transmitted to the targeted car. This fools the car into thinking the key is present, allowing the doors to be opened and ignition started.
It can all happen in less than 30 seconds.
Drivers can protect themselves by:
- Using signal-blocking Faraday pouches or boxes – available quickly and cheaply online. These metal-lined key purses block the signal to and from your keyless device. Check if the pouch is still working every few months
- Using steering wheel locks as additional physical deterrent
- Ensuring keys are not left in the back of or near the front door. Store your car keys away from doors or windows to make it harder for thieves to scan them from outside
- Some vehicles allow you to turn off the keyless entry option and still use the push-button central locking function on your key fob
Anyone with any information about the theft of cars should contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or report it via their website here Report | Nottinghamshire Police
If you want to share information anonymously you can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Retford bids for UK’s first Town of Culture crown
Retford has set its sights on becoming the first in the UK to be crowned Town of Culture in 2028.
The Retford Town Centre Partnership Board, supported by Bassetlaw District Council, has put in a submission for the accolade which follows the success of the UK’s City of Culture.
It focuses on how the community works together to celebrate the Illuminate Festival held in the town each year, and its links to the Pilgrim Fathers.
Rick Brand Chair of the Retford Town Centre Partnership Board said: “Retford is a great candidate for UK Town of Culture with its many dance schools, art galleries, theatres, museum, and architecture.
“The combination of the Christmas Lights Switch-On stage performances and the Illuminate-Winter Festival of Light event provides a brilliant example of how our young people, museum team, market and street entertainment can come together to produce significant free events for the whole community."
The search has been launched by the government, with three prize categories for small medium, and large sized towns and aims to boost civic pride, and champion grassroots art and culture.
Cllr Charles Adams, Cabinet member for Business and Skills said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Retford Town Centre Partnership Board in their bid to be the first UK Town of Culture.
“Whatever the outcome, it’s a great chance to shine a light on some of the wonderful art and cultural events we are lucky to have on our doorstep.”
The winning town will receive £3million to deliver a six-month cultural programme in 2028, while the two other finalists will receive £250k to go towards some of their plans.
Cllr Harriet Digby, Mayor of Retford said: “This town owes an enormous amount of gratitude to the Retford Business Forum and the Retford Town Centre Partnership Board for their unwavering commitment to this town and its cultural heritage.
“I would specifically like to thank Rick Brand for leading us through this Town of Culture application process and highlighting across the country what spectacular free events are available here and our strong sense of community.”
The submission will now be considered, with a shortlist due to be announced in Spring.
Tigers win guarantees survival
Worksop Town delivered a ruthless final home display to secure survival as they demolished Peterborough Sports 8-0 at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium.
The Tigers wasted no time getting on the scoresheet as in the 7th minute, Oli Greaves opened the scoring when a beautiful team move ended with him slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Greaves quickly doubled his goals just four minutes later on the 11th minute, when he headed in a cross from Hamza Bencherif into the top left corner. The Tigers didn’t take their foot off the gas, adding a fourth in the 15th minute when a cross from Greaves found Mason O’Malley on the edge of the box, with his shot deflecting past a helpless MacKenzie Chapman. Szem Whyte-Hall joined the fun and opened his tally three minutes later when he turned in a cross from O’Malley after breaking free of his man. The day only got worse for Peterborough Sports, who went down to ten men shortly after when their captain Elliott Whitehouse, was shown a red for dissent to the referee. We took full of advantage of the extra man and added another goal in the 32nd minute, as Whyte-Hall poked in a curled cross from Lewis Whitman after some poor marking in the box from Peterborough. On the stroke of half-time, we added yet another goal to further increase their lead when a well-worked team move ended with Liam Waldock firing the ball into the net.
The second half led to more goals for the hosts, as Greaves completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute when a ball across the box combined with poor marking left him free to add a seventh for the flying Tigers. Whyte-Hall joined Greaves in the hat-trick club when he fired his third past a defeated Peterborough Sports goalkeeper to put the Tigers 8-0 up. The away team couldn’t seem to catch a break as they were reduced to just nine men when Zachary Willis was shown red shortly after the eighth goal. We banged on the door of a ninth goal, however some good goalkeeping from Chapman denied Sam Wedgbury from just outside the box. Chae Whitham-Brown made bursting run down the left wing in the dying moments; however, he was denied by some stalwart defending in the box to block his shot.
Our next game is a trip away against Chorley on the 25th of April for the finale to the campaign.
Worksop Town Lineup
Lewis Forshaw, Josh Wilde, Hamza Bencherif ©, Vaughan Redford, Aleks Starcenko (Luke Hall 64’), Oli Greaves (Jay Rollins 58’), Mason O’Malley, Deegan Atherton (Sean Tarima 64’), Lewis Whitham, Liam Waldock (Sam Wedgbury 72’), Szhem Whyte-Hall (Chae Whitman-Brown 61’).
Unused Subs: Sam Sanders, Luke Waterfall
Goalscorers: Oli Greaves 7’ 11’ 58’, Mason O’Malley 14’, Szhem Whyte-Hall 16’ 32’ 61’, Liam Waldock 45+2’
Red Cards: Elliot Whitehouse, Zach Willis
Attendance: 825
Media Man of the Match: Oli Greaves
Post-Match Thoughts:
Hear from Craig Parry HERE - Hear from Oli Greaves HERE
Final Score: Worksop Town 8-0 Peterborough Sports
Words: Jack Chambler Photo: Lewis Pickersgill
Content courtesy of Worksop Town FC
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 HARMONICS. Read our next newsletter for the solution to today's puzzle.
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Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
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