Recycling Centre Assault, Another Seized Moped, Increase in Kings Park Policing & 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 grab a brew, dig out the orange creams, put the phone on silent and kick back for 10.

Todays thought for the day ... “Every closed door isn’t locked and even if it is…YOU just might have the key! Search within to unlock a world of possibilities!”― Sanjo Jendayi

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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Police Appeal for Witnesses After Assault at Retford Recycling Centre

Nottinghamshire Police is appealing for additional witnesses following an assault that left a man in his 50s injured at a household recycling centre in Hallcroft Road, Retford.

The incident happened at around 2pm on Friday 19 June, when the victim was assaulted at the council recycling site. Police believe other members of the public witnessed what happened but have not yet come forward.

Police Staff Investigator Craig Morris said:

"The victim in this case sustained some nasty injuries and was fortunate not to be more seriously hurt."We have identified a suspect in this case and would like to speak with any additional witnesses who have yet to come forward."

Nottinghamshire Police has confirmed that a suspect has been identified and officers are continuing their enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 413 of 19 June 2026.

Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could assist investigators with their enquiries.

Source/Credit: Nottinghamshire Police

Support Crags Radio – One Last Shot

If you have ever listened to Crags Radio, the award-winning community station serving North Nottinghamshire, North East Derbyshire and beyond, you will be sorry to hear that the station is facing serious financial difficulties.

Rising costs, reduced advertising income and increasing financial pressures mean that, without urgent support, the station may be forced to stop broadcasting.

Crags Radio is entirely volunteer-led – nobody receives a salary from this campaign. Presenters, producers, management and volunteers give their time freely because they believe in the power of community radio.

Over the past six years, Crags Radio has:Supported local communities and charities

Promoted independent artists

Helped aspiring broadcasters gain confidence and experience

Championed local businesses

Covered community events

Reached over 109,000 listeners in June 2026

To help secure its future, Crags Radio has launched a fundraising page. This campaign isn't about growth or expansion — it's simply about survival.Every donation will help cover essential running costs, including:

Studio and premises costs

Broadcast streaming and technical services

Music licensing fees

Utilities and insurance

Website and app hosting

Equipment maintenance and operational expenses

Whether you can give £5 or £500, every contribution helps keep local voices, music and community broadcasting alive.Please support Crags Radio's fundraising campaign if you're able to

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/crags-radio—one-last-shot

Source/Credit: Crags Radio

Police to increase patrols in the Kings Park area

An update from Nottinghamshire Police has advised that Officers from the East Bassetlaw Neighbourhood Team are aware of an increase in reports in Kings Park, Retford.

In efforts to combat this issue Police have stated that they have increased patrols in the area and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and into the summer holidays.

Following a report on July 19 , Neighbourhood officers, assisted by response colleagues attended the park following a report of assault. Officers identified and located a number of the individuals involved and the investigation into the incident will continue.

If you have witnessed an incident in Kings Park at around 15:00 hours on July 19 on the large field in the middle of Kings Park please call 101 and quote incident 0386_19072026.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST: Health trust which hoped to cut deficit already losing more than expected two months into financial year

By: Joseph Connolly, LDRS

Nottinghamshire’s primary NHS mental health care provider is already behind on savings goals just two months into the new financial year.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, the body which runs Highbury Hospital near Bulwell and Sherwood Oaks Hospital in Mansfield, reported a £12m loss across May and June.

The trust’s financiers had anticipated losing money and made arrangements to that effect, with an aim to be £36m in the red by April 2027.

That would be an improvement on last year’s figures after the trust reported a £53m deficit by the end of the 2025-2026 period, which finished in April this year.

But losses are already running higher than expected.

The trust was hoping to have only lost £9.2m over the two month period, meaning it is £2.8m off target.

Interim director of finance Mark Bradley presented the figures at a meeting of the trust’s board on Thursday, July 16.

He said:

“I think it’s fair to say at this moment in time it’s a very challenging position but the organisation is very much focused in order to bring itself back on track again.

“Our deficit plan causes real concern and puts real pressure on the organisation. We have to ask for cash.”

His last point was a reference to the applying for a cash grant from NHS England – for which the trust has to justify the reasons for.

It was reported in early June, after the trust’s last board meeting in May, that the trust had made the move.

Non-executive director Sue Sunderland confirmed on Thursday that the need for a new application had been agreed by the trust’s finance committee, and that it would take place in September.

She said:

“Unfortunately at the minute we are off track. Mainly, a large proportion of it is due to the demand for mental health beds.”

The trust has spent an extra £3.9m on beds for patients in the first two months of the financial year, primarily due to “high demand and admissions pressures”.

With not enough beds to accommodate people entering their services, it has meant they have had to pay for independent hospitals to provide for patients, at a significant cost.

Spending on bank staff also exceeded plans by £0.7m in May and June, mainly resulting from needing staff to escort patients within “secure services” – such as the trust-run Rampton high-security hospital – outside of Nottinghamshire.

The trust saved £3m elsewhere to offset the losses – but it has still resulted in a less-than-favourable financial position.

Our three interesting facts for today ....

26 tons of clothing are abandoned each year at the start line of the Boston Marathon

Dinosaurs were living on Earth before Saturn got its rings

The worlds oldest rock is 4.38 billion years old

Free Summer Activities Return for Thousands of Nottinghamshire Children

Families across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to take advantage of free summer holiday activities for eligible children through the popular Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Funded by the Department for Education, the scheme provides children with access to exciting activities throughout the school holidays, alongside a healthy and nutritious meal at every session.

The programme is available to children aged 5 to 16 (or 4-year-olds in Reception) who receive benefits-related free school meals and live in Nottinghamshire. With more than 25,000 places available, including dedicated SEND provision, there are opportunities for children across the county to enjoy a fun-filled summer.

🎭⚽ Activities on offer this year include:

• Karting 🏎️
• Horse riding 🐴
• Performing arts 🎭
• Football ⚽
• And many more exciting experiences

The programme is designed to give children opportunities they might not otherwise have access to, while also helping to reduce isolation and food insecurity during the school holidays.

One parent said:

“It has been a lifeline. I can see my children come out after having had fun new experiences that I could never afford for them to do. They mix with other children they would normally not get to meet. The staff have been brilliant. I feel that they are looked after.”

Another added:

“As a single parent with no immediate family locally, the activities allowed me to continue working and know my son was in a safe environment.”

Councillor Rory Green, Nottinghamshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:

“Every time this programme runs, we see the difference it makes for children and families in our county. HAF is an amazing programme, offering holiday clubs, healthy food and exciting activity sessions to those who need them most.

“The programme really makes a difference. Young people build confidence, learn important social skills and get to try new things. Many children on the programme also start to engage more with school and find hobbies that keep them active and learning.

“I recall growing up accessing such activities myself. For that I am truly grateful. I believe in these experiences as they left a mark of positive memories, as well as the stability my family needed.

“If your family, or someone you know, would benefit from the programme, I’d encourage you to take a look at the activities on offer near you and book a place. Being free to families, the funded places remove extra financial pressure of children enjoying fun activities from qualified providers.

“There is also dedicated SEND provision, so you can be confident in the care your child gets at these clubs.”

📅 Bookings for the summer holidays and October half-term are now open, with places expected to fill quickly.

Credit: Nottinghamshire County Council 🏛️✨

Police Operation Pernicious continues as anti-social riding ends in another seized moped.

A moped being ridden antisocially around a police vehicle on 16/07/2026 in the Retford area, appearing to try and goad officers into a chase, has been seized.

Their luck quickly ran out when an officer got out of the police vehicle, causing the rider and passenger to abandon the moped and make off on foot. Enquiries are ongoing to into identifying those responsible.

Nottinghamshire Police know how frustrating and intimidating antisocial riding can be for our communities, and are committed to taking action when those responsible think they're above the law.

Police advised that operations like this are vital in addressing the concerns regularly raised by residents around nuisance bikes, dangerous riding and vehicle crime.

By targeting offenders, recovering illegal bikes and taking positive enforcement action, Officer are helping to make our communities safer for everyone.

Nottinghamshire Police have thanked members of the public who continue to provide information and intelligence that helps them identify offenders and take action.

If you have information about illegal or off-road bike activity, please report it via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

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

P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk