Paedophile Jailed, Good News for Parents, Immediate Justice & More
Good morning readers, its Wednesday already and we have another full newsletter for you today, it's that time again - grab a cuppa and dig out the choc chips.
Todays thought for the day ... "“It is a brave thing to have courage to be an individual; it is also, perhaps, a lonely thing. But it is better than not being an individual, which is to be nobody at all.”― Eleanor Roosevelt
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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CRACKDOWN ON COSTS FOR PARENTS IN THE EAST MIDLANDS AHEAD OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Families across the East Midlands will see the cost of going to school slashed even further from September, as guidance confirming caps on branded uniforms is issued to schools and more free breakfast clubs are confirmed.
Parents at 102 more schools in the region will save up to £450 through free breakfast clubs from September, when more than 2,700 will be up and running across the country. It means the government has smashed its target of adding 2,000 schools to the programme this year. Over 680,000 children will attend them after the summer holidays - up from 300,000 today.
The clubs are already delivering cumulative savings of nearly £25million to families by serving up over 10 million free breakfasts and five million hours of childcare unlocked. For a family using their club every day that's worth up to £450 and 95 hours a year, or nearly two working weeks back on the morning juggle. Children arrive more settled, fed and ready to learn from the moment the school day begins.
From September schools must comply with the new legal limits on the number of branded uniform items they can require. It means parents can buy more of the everyday basics, like trousers and shirts, from any shop or supermarket rather than one pricey supplier.
After polling found a third of parents still worry about uniform costs the government is also publishing strengthened statutory guidance today telling schools to take more steps to bring down the cost of individual items, especially for more expensive items like blazers and jumpers, in time for the 2027 school year.
Taken together, heading back to school is now set to be almost £1,000 cheaper for many families.
A child could benefit from up to £450 a year through a free breakfast club and up to £500 a year through the expansion of free school meals to every household on Universal Credit – on top of cheaper uniform as the new branded-item limit bites.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
“No parent should have to choose between a summer day out to the beach and kitting their child out for school.
“From September, families will feel the difference at the school gates: free breakfast clubs at 1,400 more schools, an end to expensive lists of branded uniform, and more free lunches for those who need them.
“That's the British childhood this government believes in – and why we'll always fight to give every child the very best start in life."
The announcement builds on the biggest ever expansion of funded childcare, now saving families using their full 30 hours an average of £8,000 a year per child – with more than 548,000 codes validated by parents for the working parent entitlement in spring 2026.
A consultation on early years funding, published this week, will also set out plans to tackle the postcode lottery holding some children back.
Government is setting out proposals that will mean councils pass more funding for disadvantaged two-year-olds directly to nurseries and childminders.
Families will also feel the difference at their local Best Start Family Hub – the one-stop shops where parents can find everything from stay-and-play sessions to health visitors and parenting advice. Backed by over £900 million, more than 200 are already open, on the way to up to 1,000 by 2028.
To drive that ambition forward, government is today launching the Best Start Improvement Coalition – bringing together business, charities and social investors to ensure every hub delivers for the families who need it most.
Immediate Justice passes 2,000 referrals
Nottinghamshire’s Immediate Justice programme has reached a major milestone after more than 2,000 people have now been referred into the scheme, helping offenders repair the harm they’ve caused while making communities cleaner, safer and stronger.
As Antisocial Behaviour Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the impact antisocial behaviour has on victims and neighbourhoods across the country, the milestone marks another significant step forward for a programme that is not only delivering swift justice but helping restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Launched as part of the previous Government’s response to antisocial behaviour, Immediate Justice ensures people who commit lower-level offences face visible consequences for their actions, carrying out reparative work in the communities affected alongside educational interventions designed to tackle the causes of offending and reduce the likelihood of future crime.
Across Nottinghamshire, participants have spent thousands of hours removing graffiti, litter picking, cleaning public spaces, restoring community facilities and carrying out environmental improvements identified by residents, businesses and partner organisations.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Gary Godden, said:
"Reaching 2,000 referrals is a fantastic milestone and demonstrates just how far Immediate Justice has come since it was first introduced in Nottinghamshire.
“For too long, people have felt that lower-level crime and antisocial behaviour often goes unchecked, leaving communities frustrated and victims feeling ignored. Immediate Justice changes that by ensuring offenders are held accountable quickly, visibly and in the very communities affected by their actions.
“This programme is about far more than simply cleaning graffiti or picking litter. It is about rebuilding pride in our neighbourhoods, restoring confidence in the justice system and giving offenders the opportunity to understand the impact of their behaviour while helping prevent them from reoffending.
“The independent evidence now speaks for itself. More people are aware of the scheme, more people are seeing the work taking place, communities are feeling safer and repeat offending is significantly lower amongst those who complete the programme."
Through the Immediate Justice Nottinghamshire website, members of the public can also report areas affected by antisocial behaviour that would benefit from reparative work, helping ensure the programme directly addresses issues that matter most to local communities.
PCC Godden added:
"During AntiSocial Behaviour Awareness Week I’d encourage anyone who spots environmental issues linked to antisocial behaviour in their community to report them through our Immediate Justice website.
"Together we can continue making Nottinghamshire’s towns, villages and neighbourhoods cleaner, safer and more welcoming places to live.”
The milestone comes as independent evaluation continues to demonstrate the positive impact Immediate Justice is having across Nottinghamshire.
Research commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner found that awareness of the scheme has almost tripled since the first public survey, increasing from fewer than one in ten residents to more than a quarter of those surveyed.
Almost half of respondents also said they had personally noticed Immediate Justice activity or other visible interventions taking place within their local communities, demonstrating the growing presence of the programme across Nottinghamshire.
Perhaps most importantly, the visibility of the programme is helping improve public confidence. Nearly two-thirds of people who had witnessed Immediate Justice activity said it made them feel safer in their local area, while not a single respondent reported feeling less safe after seeing offenders carrying out reparative work.
Areas including St Ann’s Wells Road, Beeston Town Centre, Ravensdale and the Lace Market recorded particularly strong improvements in public reassurance following visible interventions.
The wider survey also found that one in four residents now believe safety in their local area has improved over the past six months, an 11%-point increase compared to the previous survey-with almost nine in ten of those people saying local policing initiatives had played an important role in those improvements.
Overall, more than nine in ten respondents said they felt safe in their communities during the daytime, while confidence in Nottinghamshire Police remains consistently high at more than 80%.
Superintendent Chris Pearson, who leads on Immediate Justice for Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Antisocial behaviour can have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities. It affects people’s quality of life, damages neighbourhoods and can often be the first step towards more serious offending if it isn’t addressed.
“Immediate Justice gives us another valuable tool to deal with this type of behaviour quickly and effectively. By ensuring offenders carry out visible reparative work while engaging with interventions that challenge their behaviour, we’re not only repairing the harm caused but helping reduce the likelihood of future offending.
“The success of the programme is only possible because of the strong partnership between Nottinghamshire Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Red Snapper Managed Services, local authorities and communities themselves. Reaching 2,000 referrals is a significant achievement for everyone involved, and one we hope will continue to deliver lasting benefits across Nottinghamshire.”
The programme is also delivering encouraging results in reducing repeat offending.
An evaluation carried out by the OPCC’s Performance and Insight Team found that just 9% of offenders who successfully completed an Immediate Justice resolution went on to reoffend within twelve months.
That compares with 19% of offenders dealt with through more traditional resolutions and 35% of offenders who were offered Immediate Justice but failed to complete it-demonstrating the significant impact meaningful rehabilitation and visible community reparation can have in preventing future offending.
Alongside reducing reoffending, wider evaluation has identified reductions in antisocial behaviour and serious violence within areas benefiting from the programme, while forecasts for the expanded Immediate Justice Plus model suggest further reductions in antisocial behaviour, continued improvements in public confidence and increased opportunities to support offenders into education, training and employment.
Members of the public can report locations affected by antisocial behaviour that may benefit from Immediate Justice reparative work through the Immediate Justice Nottinghamshire website.
Every referral helps identify opportunities for offenders to repair the harm they’ve caused while making local communities cleaner, safer and more welcoming for everyone.
Residents can report locations affected by graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and other environmental issues by visiting www.immediatejusticenotts.co.uk, helping direct future Immediate Justice reparation work to where it is needed most.
Heartfelt Tributes Paid to Loving Father Following Sad Discovery on A617
The family of Michael Dennington have paid touching tributes after his remains were found in a wooded area near the A617 Rainworth Bypass in Mansfield.
Michael was reported missing by his family in May 2020 after last being seen at King's Mill Hospital.
Despite an extensive police search at the time, he was never found. His remains were discovered by members of the public on 23 May, and Nottinghamshire Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death while awaiting the final post-mortem findings.
Michael's family, who are being supported by specially trained officers, have asked for privacy as they come to terms with their loss.
His son said:
"For many years, I've looked up to you. You had a good heart and always cared for those around you.
"I remember growing up as a kid, walking to the shops with you. You'd make me laugh and give me a hand full of change to buy sweets. There are so many fond memories that I share with you.
"There were many things I wanted to show you throughout my journey in life, and many things I won't be able to now.
"But I know you'll be looking down and watching over us, wanting the very best for your family. Love you, Dad. Until we meet again, keep my seat warm in heaven."
His daughter added:
"Dad, it's strange and impossible to put into words what we are feeling."For years you were our dad. Dad, you shaped part of who we are today. Rest in peace, love you."
Our thoughts are with Michael's family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
Bassetlaw Heritage: Clumber Park – The Lost Mansion That Once Rivalled Britain's Greatest Homes
Today, thousands of people enjoy walking, cycling and picnicking in the beautiful surroundings of Clumber Park, but few realise that one of England's grandest country houses once stood at its heart.
Built in the 1760s for the 2nd Duke of Newcastle, Clumber House became one of the largest stately homes in the country. Set within more than 3,800 acres of landscaped parkland, the mansion welcomed royalty, politicians and some of the most influential figures of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
The estate featured magnificent lakes, ornamental gardens, ancient woodland and miles of carriage drives. At its height, hundreds of servants worked behind the scenes to keep the estate running smoothly.One of Clumber's most recognisable landmarks today is the magnificent Chapel of St Mary the Virgin, completed in 1889. Its stunning Gothic architecture and colourful stained-glass windows continue to attract visitors from across the country.
Sadly, the grand mansion itself no longer exists.Following years of financial pressures after the First World War, together with the enormous cost of maintaining such a vast property, Clumber House was demolished in 1938. What remains today are the impressive foundations, terraces and landscaped gardens that hint at its former splendour.
During the Second World War, parts of the estate were used by the military before eventually being transferred to the National Trust in 1946, ensuring that future generations could continue to enjoy one of Nottinghamshire's finest green spaces.
Today, Clumber Park welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Whether enjoying a peaceful lakeside walk, cycling through the woodland, visiting the chapel or simply relaxing in the park, visitors are walking through centuries of Bassetlaw history.Although the great house has disappeared, its remarkable story continues to live on in the landscape that surrounds it.
Did You Know?
Clumber House was once one of the largest country houses in England.
The estate covers around 3,800 acres.
The Chapel of St Mary the Virgin is one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in Nottinghamshire.
Today, Clumber Park is one of the National Trust's most visited countryside estates.
"Every corner of Bassetlaw has a story... and Clumber Park is one of its greatest."
Our three interesting facts for today ....
In the Fast and the Furious movies, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson drives trucks because he's too big to fit into the cars
Anthony Trollope introduced the post box to Britain
Llamas urinate backwards
Driver, for Worksop bus operator, prepares for two-day cycling challenge in support of #MaxtontheBrave
·A high-profile member of the team at Worksop bus operator, Stagecoach East Midlands, is preparing to take on a gruelling challenge to cycle 180 miles in two days, to provide essential equipment to support a young boy known as #MaxtontheBrave.
Chris Kelk, Operations Manager at Stagecoach East Midlands, who, last year, was named as a Finalist at the UK Bus Awards, will cycle the 180 miles from Skegness to Shildon in North-East England, in August, with the aim of raising £2,000. Pledges have already been received from his colleagues at the bus operator.
The money will go to support Maxton, who was born not breathing, but fought all the odds and came home. He now has autism, sensory disorder, global developmental delays, ARFID (a food disorder) and is non-verbal. Shortly after his second birthday, Maxton was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia.
Chris said:
“This little boy had already gone through so much in his two short years of life, but, throughout, his strength, each and every day, is like no other. He fights as hard as the day he was born; he is just meant to be here on earth, and he fought hard to regain the use of both legs and is now running around with a smile on his face.
“From 10th September, Maxton will be one year into intense treatment, and he will be five years old before he hits remission. As a family, we are in high spirits that Maxton will one day be cancer free, with the help of all the walking angels here on earth that work at the hospital. #MaxtontheBrave is the bravest of them all.”
With Maxton’s complex needs, he cannot be left unattended at any point night or day, as he has no sense of danger or the dangers around him. As such, he needs a safety bed and some of the funds raised will be used to buy one.
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, added:
“I am so proud of what Chris is doing, and the support that our team has shown him and Maxton. It is a huge effort and a wonderful gesture.”
Paedophile jailed for non-recent offences against children
Detectives have praised the bravery and resilience shown by four victims of a sexual predator after he was jailed for 21 years.
John Huskinson's offending spans more than four decades and includes a series of non-recent sexual offences dating back to the 1980s.
The four victims reported being sexually assaulted by Huskinson in the 1980s and 1990s.
All are now adult women but were abused by Huskinson when they were young children.
They came forward and gave accounts to specially trained officers - with all being concerned Huskinson still posed a threat to children.
More recent offending came to light in April 2022, when Huskinson was discovered to have been engaging online with someone he believed to be a young girl but was actually a member of an online activist group.
He asked the 'child' to send him naked images and police were informed.
Huskinson's mobile devices were seized and were found to contain dozens of indecent images, including 13 Category A images depicting the most serious abuse of children.
Huskinson, now aged 73, continued to deny his non-recent offending but was found guilty of 15 sexual offences following a Nottingham Crown Court trial last month.
On Friday (3 July) he was jailed for a total of 21 years at the same court.
He was convicted of 13 counts of indecent assault and two counts of attempted rape.
Huskinson pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communications with a child, three counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images.
Detective Constable Jack Beecroft, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"I am full of admiration for Huskinson's victims, and my thoughts are with them as he begins a lengthy prison sentence.
"It must have been incredibly harrowing to relive the abuse he subjected them to many years ago when they were young children.
"Their courage stands in stark contrast with Huskinson's own cowardly denials of his offending, which meant his victims had to face a crown court trial.
“I hope this case reassures people we will always do our utmost to bring sex offenders to justice, no matter how long ago the offences occurred.
“I also hope it gives encouragement to any other survivors of abuse that they can come forward in the confidence that we will listen carefully to them, we will investigate and we will seek justice for them - irrespective of how many years have passed.”
New Figures Highlight Deprivation in Parts of Gainsborough
Credit: Oliver Castle, Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS)
New Government research has revealed that parts of Gainsborough are among the most deprived areas in both Lincolnshire and England, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by many local families.
The figures identify an area including Primrose Lane, north-west of Benjamin Adlard Community School, as the most deprived neighbourhood in Lincolnshire and among the 25 most deprived areas in the whole of England.
West Lindsey District Council says it recognises the challenges and is continuing to invest in support for local communities.
Council Leader Cllr Jackie Brockway said:
“We recognise that there are pockets of significant deprivation in West Lindsey, particularly in parts of Gainsborough, and we are committed to working alongside our communities and partners to address those challenges.”
She added:
“We know there is more to do, but by working together with our partners and local communities, we are creating opportunities, supporting people to thrive and ensuring investment reaches the places where it can have the greatest impact.”
The council highlighted initiatives including the Pride in Place programme for Gainsborough West, alongside its Skills Action Plan and Health and Wellbeing Strategy, all aimed at supporting those most in need.
Lincolnshire County Council also acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
Justin Brown, Assistant Director for Growth, Infrastructure and Environment, said:
“There is no simple solution towards deprivation.”
He added:
“The underlying causes for these are complex and require sustained action and investment on a local and national level.”
Meanwhile, Citizens Advice Lincoln & Lindsey warned that financial hardship is becoming increasingly common.
A spokesperson said:
“A ‘crisis’ used to be a one-off, once-in-a-generation event. Something to live through and come out the other side.
“Now it’s a monthly reality for millions. The average amount of debt owed by people Citizens Advice helps has hit a record £10,449, up 13% on last year.
“On average, more than a third of this debt (42%) is arrears on essential bills, such as energy and council tax.
“Last year, Citizens Advice Lincoln & Lindsey supported with circa 29,000 pieces of advice to residents across East & West Lindsey and Lincoln, which centred around holistic support with debts, maximising income alongside housing, and employment advice.”
The findings underline the importance of continued investment, partnership working and targeted support to help communities across Gainsborough and wider Lincolnshire thrive.
Bassetlaw's Non-League Friendlies did not let us down !!! Heres the Results
Tuesday July 7, 2026:
Dronfield Town 1 - 1 Retford United FC
Retford FC 0 - 3 Worksop Town FC
SJR Worksop 2 - 2 Parkgate
Harworth Colliery Football Club 2 - 3 AFC Mansfield
Please check club socials for details and match reports
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
