Major Oak Loses Limb, Stagecoach Hero Recognised, Local Grant Impact & More
Happy Tuesday everyone and a massive welcome to all our new subscribers. I really hope you enjoy the daily read as subscribers now receive 7 - YES SEVEN FREE newsletters every week.
Its time to put the kettle on, dig out the rich tea, put the phone on silent and kick back for 10.
Todays Quote for the day - "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." –Steve Jobs
Enjoy the read, please email us if you have a story for us and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
Justin Doddy, Editor
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Small Grants, Big Impact Across Bassetlaw Communities
Some of Bassetlaw’s fantastic community groups are continuing to make a real difference thanks to support from the Councillor Community Grants scheme.
These grants may be modest in size, but they have a huge impact—helping local organisations provide activities, bring people together, support wellbeing and create opportunities for residents of all ages.
In Clarborough, the 1st Clarborough Scout Group received £300 from Cllr Fraser McFarland to help replace roof end panels for the group's marquee, ensuring it can continue hosting activities and events for young people.
In Lound, the Lound Pickleball Group was awarded £125 from Cllr Darrell Pulk, Ward Member for Sutton, to purchase equipment and support the club as it welcomes new members and encourages more people to get active.
In Dunham on Trent, the Trentside Forget Me Notts Group received £400 from Cllr Emma Griffin and Cllr Lewis Stanniland to help cover room hire costs and provide craft materials, creating valuable opportunities for people to connect, socialise and support one another.
Through the Councillor Community Grants scheme, each Bassetlaw District councillor is allocated a small annual budget to support projects within their ward, benefiting areas such as sport, culture, heritage, environmental sustainability, social welfare and wider community development.
It's wonderful to see local groups receiving the support they need to continue enriching lives, strengthening communities and making Bassetlaw an even better place to live.
📸📝 Content and images credit: Bassetlaw District Council.
From Worksop to Bookshelves: One Mum’s Inspiring Journey to Help Children Find Their Voice
Melanie Wallace, a Speech and Language Therapist from Worksop has turned an idea born from reading with her daughter into a published children’s book that is now helping young children develop their communication skills.
Working as the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Rotherham Learning Disabilities Service, she often found herself searching for books that focused on specific language concepts. But time and again, the book she had in mind simply didn’t exist.
"I had the initial idea when reading books with my daughter. I often tried searching for books online that target specific language concepts, but often what I had in mind didn’t exist."
Rather than giving up on the idea, Melanie decided to create the book herself.
What began as a spark of inspiration quickly became a passion project. Researching how to write, publish and produce a children’s book became a positive creative outlet, replacing hours that might otherwise have been spent scrolling on social media.
"I switched my usual doomscrolling time to research and create the book. I think this was really healthy for me and it was nice to have a new focus and creative outlet."
Although writing the story itself was the quickest part, bringing the book to life was a learning experience. She taught herself the world of self-publishing, from purchasing ISBN numbers and barcodes to sourcing the right printer. Determined to create a sturdy board book that could withstand curious little hands, she faced the challenge of finding a specialist printer. She also collaborated with an illustrator based in Indonesia, navigating the added hurdle of different time zones.
The result is Let’s Find Betsy Bunny, a colourful board book designed to help young children learn positional words such as in, on, under and behind through playful reading and everyday interactions.
Her daughter was involved throughout the journey, helping to shape the project from its earliest stages.
"My daughter has been part of this throughout, from seeing her reaction to the initial character designs and reading drafts of the story with me. It was an emotional experience reading it with her for the first time – luckily she loved it."
From the first steps in March to holding the finished book in her hands at the end of July, the project moved from idea to reality in just a few months.
"I feel really happy knowing I have created something that is being enjoyed by children and their grown-ups."
Alongside Melanie's NHS role, she has also launched Little Talker Learning, a small business focused on providing practical, evidence-based resources to support children’s communication development. The book is already being supported locally, with a nursery displaying copies and sharing it with families.
While helping children build communication skills remains at the heart of the project, the journey itself is a testament to what can happen when professional expertise, creativity and determination come together.
Let’s Find Betsy Bunny is available from www.littletalkerlearning.co.uk and is priced at £7.99.
A piece of the iconic Major Oak has fallen, just two months after experts confirmed the legendary Sherwood Forest tree had died.
Estimated to be up to 1,200 years old and closely linked to the tale of Robin Hood, the Major Oak remains one of Britain's most important trees.
In a statement, officials said changes to the tree’s structure have been expected as it naturally begins to decay. However, they admitted that even experienced arborists cannot always predict exactly when parts of ancient trees will fail.
The spokesperson said limb failures can happen “without warning”, particularly during periods of extreme weather.
The RSPB says fallen limbs are a natural part of the ageing and decay process of ancient oaks.
Even in death, the Major Oak continues to provide a vital habitat for wildlife and remains a treasured symbol of Sherwood Forest.
Visitors are reminded not to remove wood or other natural materials from the site and to respect the tree's support structures.
Did you know, in 2025 there were 1,435 drink and drug driving offences in Nottinghamshire? 1,191 were male and 233 were female.
Remember, drink driving offences don't just include those who drive after the night out, it’s about whether you’re safe and fit to drive the next day too.
Courtesy of Nottinghamshire Police
Worksop bus operator is shortlisted for two national awards
Stagecoach East Midlands is celebrating after being named as finalists in two categories at one of the transport industry’s most prestigious awards schemes.
The Worksop bus operator has been shortlisted for the National Transport Awards in the categories for Bus Operator of the Year and Frontline Employee / Community Champion of the Year, where Lead Driver, Derreck Smith was named as a finalist.
The National Transport Awards are one of the most important awards schemes in the sector, being independently judged by senior figures from within the industry.
Stagecoach East Midlands’s shortlisting is based on its operating reliable local services that get local people where they need to go. Meanwhile, Derreck won the Stagecoach East Midlands Employee of the Year Award earlier this year, after showing exceptional compassion and professionalism when he helped talk down a man threatening to take his own life.
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said:
“I am absolutely delighted to see that our team have been shortlisted twice for such a prestigious, national awards scheme. We thoroughly believe in the need to work together for our loyal local customers, and to be shortlisted for Bus Operator of the Year is a real testament to that. We have been meticulously working to our plans to deliver a modern bus service, ready for the future of our dynamic region, because we know our customers are relying on us.
“Individually, Derreck proved himself to be a hero in a hugely challenging situation. This was a truly excellent display of his good character; he reacted with quick-thinking, calm and professionalism, as well as great use of the observation skills that we train our drivers to have.”
The National Transport Awards highlight the unwavering commitment, expertise, and innovation of those working tirelessly to improve transport networks. They are supported, amongst others, by the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland and Transport for Wales.
-- To find out more about local bus routes and services, to buy before you board, and to track your local bus, download the Stagecoach Bus App from https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.
Clumber Park Bus Service – Don’t Miss Out!
Looking for an affordable family day out this summer? The Clumber Park summer bus service continues to run daily until Sunday 6 September!
📍 The service connects: 🚉 Worksop Train Station 🚌 Worksop Bus Station 🏘️ Manton Depots 🌳 Clumber Park
With three services each day, it's a convenient and sustainable way to visit one of Nottinghamshire's most beautiful outdoor destinations.
Return tickets are just £3 per person and include admission to Clumber Park!
✅ Free travel and entry for: 🎫 National Trust members 👶 Children under 5 🚆 Visitors arriving in Worksop by train with a valid rail ticket
The service is funded by the East Midlands Mayor and operated by Stagecoach East Midlands in partnership with the National Trust.
Running daily until Sunday 6 September
Find timetables and further information here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Courtesy of Bassetlaw District Council
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
