Newark Cinema Assault, Decarbonisation Project, Camper Van Police Chase & More
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Today's Quote of the Day - "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." — Ralph Marston
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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Picture appeal following assault outside Newark cinema
Officers investigating an assault outside a cinema want to speak to these two people.
Police attended Odeon, in London Road, Newark, following reports a security guard had been attacked.
The staff member tried to move on a group of youths congregating outside the cinema when he was suddenly attacked.
Two people reportedly punched the security guard multiple times during the incident – leaving him with facial injuries as a result.
The group then walked away from the injured man, around 7.20pm on 28 August.
Police can now release images of these two people, who they'd like to speak to as part of their ongoing investigation.
Sergeant James Skeats, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"This was a nasty and unprovoked assault on a man who was just trying to do his job when he was punched in the face.
"It really should go without saying but the violence showcased in this incident was completely unacceptable.
"We're keen to get to the bottom of exactly what happened, so on that note are trying to track down the people in these two pictures, who we believe may be able to assist our investigation.
"Our message to them – and to anyone who recognises them – is to let us know who they are as soon as possible."
Information can be reported to the police directly on 101, quoting incident 633 of 28 August 2026, while Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Worksop Leisure Centre prepares for decarbonisation work
Preparation work to make Worksop Leisure Centre more energy efficient is underway as part of Bassetlaw District Council's biggest decarbonisation project ever undertaken.
The project will include installation of air source heat pumps to heat the building and pool, alongside other energy efficiency measures such as installing solar panels, heat recovery ventilation, a draught lobby, and improved LED lighting.
These works unfortunately mean the centre will be closed for four weeks from Saturday 17th October.
Cllr Darrell Pulk said:
“This is the largest decarbonisation programme we have undertaken, and it marks an important step in making our leisure centres more sustainable for the future.
“By investing in modern energy efficiency measures, we are helping to reduce running costs, lower carbon emissions and future proof important community facilities for residents, while supporting our Vision 2040 ambitions.”
Worksop and Retford Leisure centres are two of the council's biggest carbon emitting buildings, with the work being part funded using a £2.18 million grant from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is contributing to the UK’s ambition to be net zero by 2050, with additional investment from Bassetlaw District Council.
The project at Worksop replicates the improvements already made at Retford Leisure Centre and one of their members, Wendy Hall, said:
“It’s wonderful to be back using the facilities and seeing the improvements that have been made.
“It's a great space to exercise, which also helps from a mental health point of view, and I hope this work has helped secure its future for many years to come.”
Once both schemes are complete, fossil fuel consumption at properties owned by the council will have reduced by 62% since 2021.
Tom Walker, Site Leader at BPL’s Retford Leisure Centre said:
"During the closure the team on site worked tirelessly to meet deadlines and ensure we reopened when planned.
“It's been fantastic to open the doors and welcome back our returning members as well as those that haven't visited us before."
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding has previously been used to support work at 17b in Retford in 2025, Queens Buildings in 2023 and Kilton Forest Golf Course Clubhouse in 2021.
The driver of a stolen campervan has been jailed after leading our officers on an unusual high-speed pursuit.
Daniel Bald put multiple lives at risk as he carried out a series of aggressive manoeuvres and drove on the wrong side of the road, all while the vehicle's pop-up roof bed was fully extended.
The vehicle had been partially obstructing traffic when it was spotted parked at the side of the A614 near Clumber Park shortly after 11pm on 28 July.
Unaware at that point that the vehicle had been stolen the previous day, an officer stopped to offer assistance.
Keen to avoid a conversation with police, Bald drove away at speed and was pursued.In the minutes that followed, Bald joined the A1, where he made repeated last-second evasive manoeuvres, at one point causing an HGV driver to take evasive action.
Multiple units then joined the pursuit, which ended after about 20 minutes when a tyre-deflating stinger device was deployed.
Bald, who has a previous conviction for a similar offence, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 17 September, Bald, of no fixed address, was jailed for 20 months.
PC Michael Reaney said:
"This was an appalling display of driving that put multiple lives at risk.
"Fortunately, as getaway vehicles go this one was far from ideal, even without the additional drag caused by the pop-up roof bed.
"I am pleased this individual has now been returned to prison and that other road users have been protected from him."
Bassetlaw community groups invited to apply for funding to bring people together
The next wave of the Common Ground Award provides up to £2.5m for projects, groups and organisations brining people together and transforming their community.
- Local projects bringing neighbours together and transforming community life are invited to apply for the next round of Common Ground Award funding
- Projects will receive cash to improve the spaces and equipment people rely on to meet, mix and feel part of their community
- Applications open today, building on 211 projects across England already backed by government to continue their vital work
Community organisations across England will be able to bid for new funding to help bring people together, create welcoming local spaces and strengthen relationships in their area.
The Common Ground Award, first launched in 2025, is opening to a second wave of applicants, backing groups that know their communities best and are already helping people from different backgrounds meet, mix and build trust.
That could mean turning a tired community building into a more welcoming hub, buying equipment so more people can take part in local activities, or creating spaces where neighbours can meet, talk and bridge divides. The funding is designed to support projects that encourage understanding between people from different backgrounds, reduce prejudice and help ease local tensions.
The next round will provide up to £2.5 million in funding, with individual applicants able to bid for between £20,000 and £50,000 to improve the facilities, spaces and equipment that help them continue delivering vital work in their communities.
Groups of organisations working together can also apply for grants of up to £250,000, helping them increase their impact and deliver even more for local communities.
Further information
The Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027 is a competitive grant fund providing capital investment to VCSE organisations in England.
Individual organisations can apply for £20,000 to £50,000. In exceptional cases, applications may be considered up to £100,000 where there is clear evidence of need and significant expected impact.
Consortium applications can apply for between £100,000 and £250,000.
The fund supports capital costs only, including the construction or renovation of facilities, spaces and equipment that enable organisations to bring people from different backgrounds together.
The prospectus for the 2026-27 fund can be found here: Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027: prospectus - GOV.UK
The link to apply for the Common Ground Award can be found here: Apply for the Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027 - MHCLG Funding Service
A full list of Phase 1 recipients can be found here: Common Ground Award 2025/26: Successful applicants - GOV.UK
To mark World Car Free Day, EMR has launched a new tourism map created in partnership with the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
The map brings together key attractions across the East Midlands and shows how they can be reached using public transport.
It can be found in several stations and is also available on the EMR website.
Read more : eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/integrated-travel
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
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