Thursday Edition - Two Police Appeals, ATM Scammers, Return of a Much Missed Fair & More

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Today's edition covering all things Bassetlaw including ATM Scammers, a step back in time, an amazing mural and of course - your daily puzzle fix.

Todays thought for the day ...

Enjoy the read and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.

Justin Doddy, Editor

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Two men convicted after trap devices fitted to ATMs

Two men have been convicted after using cash‑trapping devices to steal money from ATM machines across the UK.

Nottinghamshire Police began investigating in summer 2023 after customers attempted to withdraw cash that failed to appear. Assuming a fault with the machine, they contacted their banks and were usually refunded.

In reality, the money had been diverted into a specially constructed metallic wedge device fitted to the cash dispenser.

Brothers Felix and Christian Urcaciu installed the devices in the evening before returning the following morning to retrieve any cash that had been trapped.

Between May and August 2023, the pair repeated the scam at multiple locations including Nottinghamshire, Leeds, Leiceister, Sheffield, Wakefield, Derbyshire, and Scotland stealing many thousands of pounds in the process.

They were identified after detectives combined financial enquiries, CCTV footage and vehicle analysis to trace their movements.

A key breakthrough came when investigators discovered Felix was using his own bank card to make balance enquiries as cover for his activities. This enabled officers to identify two different vehicles linked to the offences.

During a subsequent search warrant at Cristian’s address in Barnsley, officers discovered an improvised workshop in the garage where the devices were being made.

Additional traps were recovered from a vehicle Felix was travelling in when he was arrested on the morning if the warrant.

Christian, aged 37, of Upper Sheffield Road, Barnsley, waited until the day of his trial on 27 April to plead guilty to conspiracy to steal and concealing criminal property.

Felix, aged 33, of Thomas Street, Selby, was found guilty in his absence of conspiracy to steal, concealing criminal property and also, possessing criminal property.

Charges against two female defendants were dismissed following Cristian’s guilty plea.

Both men are due to be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 26 June.

Police Staff Investigator Jodie Mottishaw said:

“These men were engaged in a cynical and sophisticated conspiracy at hundreds of locations across the East Midlands, and wider UK.

“What they were doing was utterly brazen and showed a total disregard for what we believe to be hundreds of people whose cash they stole.

“I know many victims would have been extremely upset at the prospect of losing significant sums of money in this way — even if that money was later refunded.

“I am pleased this case has now concluded and look forward to the sentencing.”

Clarborough Village Fair Returns Bigger and Better than Ever Before

On May 10 (Sunday) Clarborough Village is looking forward to hosting visitors from all over Bassetlaw and the surrounding area to the annual Clarborough Village Fair.

In 2010 by a small number of volunteers formed 'Clarborough Village Ventures' and the annual village fair to be held every May at Clarborough Village Hall and field was born. The committee ran the annual village fair every May between 2010 through to 2020 when Covid struck and the committee disbanded.

The committee has now reformed with a mixture of new and old members and the much missed village fair was resurrected.

The fun packed day will have live music from The Mob, an award winning musical theatre youth group for young people aged 8-18 years based in Retford and local musician, Craig Done.

Over 50 local sellers with be at the fair including local food vendors madam crepe, traditional hog roast, burgers, pizza and ice cream. The younger visitors will be well catered for with a bouncy castle, soft play and games.

The celebration of rural life includes Home Farm Produce, the Vintage Bakery and other local crafters with pyrography, willow weaving etc.

Add in a dog show with nine classes, tombolas; classic car show, scarecrow competition, raffle with a top prize of £100 and a tractor display and run and the day is guaranteed to be a memorable one.

A spokesperson for the committee told Bassetlaw Today that "We are so excited to be putting on the festival again and can’t wait for everyone to be able to enjoy the event. Any money raised will go directly back into local community projects - previously we have helped the primary school, church and scouts."

Witness appeal after teenage boy seriously injured in Worksop

Police are appealing for additional witnesses to come forward after a teenage motorcyclist was seriously injured in Worksop.

Emergency services were called to Kilton Hill at 12.38pm on Wednesday (22 April) following reports of an incident involving two motorcycles and a van.

One of the motorcyclists, a teenage boy, remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Detectives launched an investigation following the incident and have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since.

This resulted in the arrest of a 54-year-old man on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving that same day.

Officers then searched an address in Carlton in Lindrick where a noxious substance was seized.

The suspect was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious substance.

He has since been released on bail with conditions.

Officers are now asking for any additional witnesses to come forward, including those who have any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage.

This includes from the surrounding area before the incident took place in Kingsway and Kilton Road.

Detective Inspector Jackie Price, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“This incident happened on a busy road and will have been witnessed by other people.

“So if you saw what happened and have yet to get in contact with us, please don’t assume that others have already told us what you saw.

“We are working to build up a complete picture of what happened and are particularly keen to review any CCTV or dashcam footage across Kilton Hill, Kingsway and Kilton Road around the time of the incident.

“Finally, I would also like to thank the members of the public for the assistance they gave at the scene.

“This was a distressing incident for everyone involved and I would ask that people do not speculate on what has happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 294 of 22 April 2026, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Gather fellow warriors and prepare for an epic journey back in time

For three days from May 23 - to May 25 you can experience history like never before in Sherwood Forest.

Organisers of the event have asked attendees to gather fellow warriors and prepare for an epic journey, stepping back in time to Middle Age

Step back into the medieval world by joining the Gathering of the North and experiencing medieval Britain in the home of Robin Hood.

This annual event taking place on the end of May bank holiday weekend will include medieval combat such as jousting, archery and hand-to-hand combat as well as interactive workshops, medieval performers and axe throwing determining the greatest warriors in the forest.

One of the organisers, Colin Brooks , a prominent member of the re-enactment community says “In essence, we are not just event organisers; we are enthusiasts deeply committed to creating a memorable experience for all. Whether you are a re-enactor, a history buff, or simply seeking a unique and entertaining day out, our festival promises to cater to your interests and transport you to the fascinating world of medieval period. Join us on this journey through time!”

Our three interesting facts for today ....

New York cabs and Hertz rental cars have yellow branding because they were founded by the same man

A smartphone contains more computing power than the whole of NASA had in 1969

Volkswagen sells more sausages than cars

Heineken to Invest £44.5 Million in Pubs Across the Country

In a cash-constrained economy, HEINEKEN UK announced that it is helping protect the great British local with a £44.5m investment to upgrade 647 pubs in its 2,350-strong Star Pubs estate in 2026. The programme includes the complete transformation of 108 pubs costing £145,000 or more and will create an estimated 850 jobs. There are:

647 pubs set for investment, resulting in 850 new jobs
536 are individual locals run by independent publicans
Big emphasis on sports facilities in a World Cup year
Contemporary pub trial aims to maintain the great British local’s relevance to young adults
Investment is 10% higher than HEINEKEN’s 2025 spend

With hospitality businesses finding it difficult to secure finance in the current climate, the investment is providing a lifeline to one-of-a-kind pubs. 536 of the locals set to benefit are independently operated by licensees who lease the buildings from Star Pubs and run the pubs as their own. The remaining 111 pubs are operator-managed, non-branded venues that are popular with those starting out as publicans.

HEINEKEN has pumped £328m into its locals since 2018, safeguarding them for the long term. At a time when the UK is losing approximately one pub a day¹, Star Pubs has fewer closed pubs than before the pandemic. The company has already broken ground at 52 sites, its fastest start to the year since 2020. Eight² of these projects are reopening boarded-up pubs that have been closed for significant periods, including one³ that has been shut for seven years.

Major refurbishments will focus on developing top-quality locals that appeal to the whole community and have different areas for drinking, dining, and sports or entertainment. About a quarter of these bigger revamps will elevate sports. On the back of the Luke Littler-inspired darts revival, darts will be enhanced with a move to halo-lit boards and a trial of electronic scoring systems with video capability so that pubs can play live with other venues around the world. Sky Q will also be rolled out further, allowing sports pubs to simultaneously show a greater range of sporting events. With the aim of bringing the stadium experience to pubs, there will be more 80-inch screens, and an additional 100 pubs will have outdoor screens installed in time for the World Cup.

To ensure the great British local retains its relevance with generations to come, HEINEKEN will trial a new contemporary pub model designed to appeal to younger adults. The offer will change from morning coffee and space to work from the pub during the day to DJs, open-mic sessions, and live music at night, along with competitive socialising, such as shuffleboard and giant board games. The décor will have a stripped-back look with exposed brickwork, timber floors, and lots of greenery.

Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ managing director, said:

“Pubs are a fantastic institution, admired the world over. We’re proud to be a leading investor in Britain’s independently operated locals and to be playing a part in securing their future along with our dedicated and entrepreneurial licensees.

“Investment is essential if pubs are to remain a first choice for people looking for somewhere to socialise. It is also critical for pubs needing to generate extra revenue to fund the sustained increases in running costs they’ve faced in recent years. However, we can only do so much; the root-and-branch reform of business rates that the industry has been calling for over many years is urgently required, as well as a lowering of the burden of taxation on pubs – including VAT and beer duty. We are calling on the Government to support us in bringing out the best in the Great British pub.

“Importantly, this investment will create flexible job opportunities in communities across the country and give many young people their first taste of the world of work.”

Police Appeal After New Plaque Vandalised in Kings Park, Retford

Officers are asking for the public’s help after a newly installed plaque in Kings Park, Retford, was ripped from the ground and thrown into the fountain.

The vandalism happened around 9.20pm on 24 April.Police have now released an image of a person they want to speak to.

The plaque and sculpture were created through the hard work of local organisations, and the damage has caused both upset and a significant repair cost.

Sergeant Joseph Krawiecki said the team is determined to find whoever is responsible and urged anyone who recognises the person to come forward.

Information? Call 101 quoting incident 26*237415Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Let’s help protect our community spaces.

Nottinghamshire launches second ‘Walk Notts Festival’ this May

Nottinghamshire residents are being encouraged to get out and about this spring as part of the second Walk Notts Festival throughout May, part of the wider National Walking Month.

The festival, organised by Active Notts and supported by Nottinghamshire County Council, runs from 1 to 31 May and promotes walking and wheeling opportunities and activities across the county. The campaign seeks to highlight the physical, mental, environmental and social benefits of moving around on foot or by wheelchair, mobility scooter, or other mobility aids right from the doorstep.

The Walk Notts Festival highlights some of the benefits of moving more, including:

connecting with the surrounding environment
improving physical health through exercise
reducing stress and enhancing mental wellbeing
creating opportunities to learn new things and meet new people
having a positive impact on the environment through more active travel to school, work and moving around locally.

Cllr Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council said:

“We all know that being outdoors in the fresh air works wonders for our health and wellbeing, and walking or wheeling provides the opportunity to do just that. With the weather beginning to improve, May seems like the perfect month to get out and about a bit more. Walking and wheeling can boost your mood, improve the health of your heart, strengthen muscles and help you sleep better."

“We have so many wonderful green spaces and country parks across Nottinghamshire for people to explore. The festival organisers have created some walking and wheeling bingo cards [PDF] with ideas for different activities. There’s something for everyone. Getting out to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature is certainly something I’ll be doing during this Walk Notts Festival, and I encourage everyone to join in where they can.”

"We're excited to invite everyone in the City and County to participate in this celebration of walking and wheeling.” says Sara Davies, Walk Notts Strategic Lead.

“From Cotgrave to Clipstone and beyond, we want to encourage people of all ages and abilities to discover the joy of moving more in their communities in ways that work for them."

“In our first Festival last year we were excited to see schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, councils, communities and residents get involved in all sorts of ways."

“We want to take this opportunity to highlight how walking and wheeling can positively impact the climate and environment; help reduce the impact on health and social care resources; and ultimately support people to live happier, healthier lives.”

The festival will feature a wide range of initiatives and activities organised by community partners across the region, including:

new park and town trails, footpaths and benches
scavenger hunts and treasure trails, geocaching adventures and nature trails
buggy walks for parents and carers with young children
Nordic walking sessions
art walks
podcasting walks and map reading adventures
heritage trails
litter picking community events
walking challenges.

A special focus will be placed on "Walk to School Week" which runs from 18-22 May, encouraging families to incorporate walking and wheeling to and from school, or parking and striding a bit further.

Tuxford has a stunning new mural celebrating the town’s rich history

A new mural showcasing parts of Tuxford’s proud history has been created in the town, as part of a project in collaboration with Tuxford Town Council, using government funding.

The artwork on the Tuxford A1 underpass has been designed with help from students at Tuxford Academy, local charity Tuxford Forget-Me-Notts, the Museum of the Horse, and the Walks of Life Museum.

Joan Moorhouse, Chairman at Tuxford Town Council said: “I hope this mural will be enjoyed by many people for years to come, offering a walk through time for visitors, residents and generations of Tuxfordians.

“Projects like this help preserve our heritage, celebrate our identity and strengthen pride in our community.”

The brightly coloured display has been installed by Artworks, an organisation aiming to challenge people’s perceptions of learning disabilities and autism through celebrating the creativity and ambition of their artists. working alongside artist Alastair Flindall.

Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity, Planning and Place said: “This mural has made what was once a dull underpass much brighter and more welcoming for both local people and visitors coming into the town.

“I’d like thank everyone who helped shape the ideas and everyone who worked to turn them into reality.”

The first side of the underpass has been completed, with work to complete a second mural on the other side taking place in August when the artist is available and road safety measures are in place.

The mural has been funded through the Town Centre Streetscaping Fund, funded by UK Government and allocated by Bassetlaw District Council, which aims to create a safer, more vibrant and welcoming town centre for everyone.

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 C.

Our last panagram was ABDOMINAL. Read our next newsletter for the solution to today's puzzle.

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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.

Justin Doddy, Editor