Tuesday Edition - RAF Flypast Confirmed, Police 'Stinger' Operation, Morrisons Pay Deal Award & More

Image courtesy of the Royal Air Force and John M Dibbs

Today's edition covers all things Bassetlaw and of course - your daily puzzle fix.

Todays thought for the day ... "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." — Oscar Wilde

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

P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter here if you haven't already and remember to send us your pictures from around Bassetlaw, we may feature it on our newsletter.

Four men have been arrested after police recovered stolen copper wire from a crashed car following a break-in at a solar farm near Tuxford.

Officers were called to the site in Weston Road, Egmanton, during the early hours of Thursday (14 May) after a security alarm was activated.

A vehicle seen leaving the area at speed was later found crashed and abandoned, with a significant quantity of copper wiring discovered inside.

Following searches in the area, four men aged 28, 45, 47 and 65 were arrested on suspicion of burglary. Police also recovered suspected counterfeit bank notes and cocaine during the investigation.

Detectives say inquiries remain ongoing and are appealing for anyone with dashcam, CCTV, doorbell or mobile phone footage to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 9 of 14 May 2026, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Morrisons announces Pay Deal Award

Morrisons, with stores in #retford and #worksop has announced that the proposed pay deal for Supermarket and Manufacturing colleagues covered by the national agreement with USDAW received a 91.87% vote in favour in the recent ballot.

The pay deal having secured the necessary support from colleagues will now be implemented in three phases:

From Monday 30th March 2026 - the established rate of pay for a Customer Assistant will increase to £12.81, and all other established hourly rates for roles covered by this agreement will increase by 10p.

From Monday 20th July 2026 - the established rate of pay for a Customer Assistant will increase from £12.81 to £13.00, and all other established hourly rates for roles covered by this agreement will increase by 19p

From Monday 26th October 2026 - the established rate of pay for a Customer Assistant will increase from £13.00 to £13.11, and all other established hourly rates for roles covered by this agreement will increase by 11p

In addition, all eligible hourly paid colleagues will receive a one off fixed payment of between £25 and £175 based on their Contractual Hours.

Morrisons had previously increased its Customer Assistant pay rate from £12.21 to £12.71 on Monday 30th March 2026, as the new National Living Wage took effect.

Jodie Keating, Group People Director of Morrisons said: “We’re pleased that we can now implement the pay proposal and increase pay for our colleagues to reward them for the contribution they make to our business. I would like to thank all our colleagues for everything they continue to do for Morrisons.”

Amazing News as RAF Flypast Confirmed

Image courtesy of Worksop Armed Forces Weekend

Worksop Armed Forces Weekend have received confirmation from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Air Force, for a flypast over the Worksop Armed Forces Weekend event at Worksop Rugby Club on Sunday 28th June!

In what promises to be a great event the weekend runs over two days Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, 2026.

The RAF Flypast is guaranteed to be the highlight of the two day event.

The Worksop Armed Forces Weekend team will announce flypast times and aircraft details closer to the date, possibly even on the morning itself, as final approval is given on the day and the Air Events Team confirms the route.

Keep watching Worksop Armed Forces Weekend and Bassetlaw Today for further details as they are announced.

Armed Forces Day is a national celebration, held annually to honour the men and women who serve in the British Armed Forces. The event is held at Worksop Rugby Club, Stubbing Lane on the last weekend in June and everyone is welcome.Content courtesy of Worksop Armed Forces Weekend.

Information on displays around the country can be accessed at https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/displays/

Second World War veterans to travel to overseas commemorations paid for by the Government

The Ministry of Defence will pay for Second World War veterans to attend commemorations in Europe this summer in partnership with the Royal British Legion

Second World War veterans will travel overseas for commemorations of the Normandy Landings and the Battle of Arnhem, paid for by the Government.

This commitment ensures that those who served can attend remembrance ceremonies in Europe, returning to sites of profound historical and personal importance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will provide the funding to the Royal British Legion, which offers lifelong support and expert advice to the Armed Forces community including serving personnel, veterans, their families and the bereaved.

The Royal British Legion will give the funding to charities such as The Spirit of Normandy Trust and The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to make the visits to commemorative events possible.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

VE Day reminds the nation of the importance of coming together to honour those who secured our freedom more than eight decades ago.

Standing at Utah Beach during previous D-Day commemorations, I was struck by the extraordinary courage of those who came ashore in 1944 – young men facing unimaginable danger to secure the freedoms we endure today.

While we can never repay the depth of their service, I am determined to ensure we honour our Second World War veterans and their extraordinary contribution to our freedom.

The funding follows the 2025 publication of a 10-year Veterans Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review, which commit to use a whole-of-society approach to defence and celebrate the contribution of veterans to the community and national security. The government is investing record levels in veterans, with Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the MOD rolling out a new £50m support system called VALOUR across the UK.

Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP said:

We are delivering on our promise in our Veterans Strategy, providing visible support to the devoted veterans who have served in our Armed Forces.

This government is renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve, and our actions are guided by the change that veterans want to see.

I have seen firsthand how important these commemorations are to our veterans and am committed to supporting their continued attendance.

With the number of living Second World War veterans declining, the government recognises the importance of supporting them to pass on their legacy to future generations.

The enduring relationship between the UK and its Armed Forces remains invaluable and must be protected.

This essential defence funding enables veterans to return to the places where they served, honour those who did not come home, and reconnect with their shared history.

From the beaches of Normandy to battlefields in Europe, these journeys are a vital act of remembrance.

Richard Palusinski, Chairman, Spirit of Normandy Trust said:

Over the many years that I have been taking veterans to Normandy for the annual D-Day commemorations I have come to understand that they make the trip each year not out of any sense of bravado, but to remember those who paid the ultimate price.

As a small charity we have limited ability to raise the necessary funds to ensure a safe and meaningful pilgrimage for the veterans, particularly as they have reached a great age and their needs are more complex. The funding from the Office for Veterans Affairs is vital, enabling us to embark or the pilgrimages with confidence and give the veterans the opportunity to honour their friends.

Steve Baynes, the Royal British Legion’s Head of Grants, said:

The freedoms we enjoy today would not have been possible without the courage and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, and as the nation’s champion of Remembrance, the RBL is dedicated to ensuring their legacy is always remembered.

We’re proud to be working with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to ensure those who served can attend commemorative events across Europe, and delighted to be collaborating with the Spirit of Normandy Trust and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, whose long-standing experience in organising these deeply meaningful visits is invaluable.

This government remains committed to supporting veterans emotionally and financially as they continue to pay their respects through these annual pilgrimages.

Our three interesting facts for today ....

The first meat pies were called 'coffins'

Some police stations in China use guard geese instead of guard dogs

Che Guevara was buried without his hands: they were sent to Argentina for fingerprinting

Van stopped after pre-emptive sting

Road policing officers spotted, followed, and brought a van to a stop by ‘stinging’ its tyres.

The vehicle, believed to be travelling on false plates, was seen heading towards Retford shortly before 11pm on Tuesday 12 May.

To avoid a potentially dangerous pursuit, members of the Roads Policing Unit arranged for local Response officers to set up a pre-emptive stinger in Arlington Way – successfully deflating two of its tyres.

The van continued for a short distance before being boxed by Roads Policing officers as it came to a stop.

Sergeant Jim Carrington, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“This was a textbook pre-emptive stop involving multiple units and control room staff.

“Public safety is always our priority, so it is particularly satisfying when we achieve results like this.”

Paul Starr, aged 44, has been charged with fraudulently using a registration mark, failing to stop, driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Starr, of Askern, Doncaster, is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 15 October

Call out to Bassetlaw's Armed Forces Community - are you free on May 29, 2026?

Veteran Mike Holtom of the Royal Air Force has passed away and a request has been published on Facebook asking, where possible for Armed Forces Community members to attend his funeral and form a guard of honour.

Mike enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a boy entrant in November 1962 and served until April 1976. Mike spent a considerable amount of time in Cyprus, Bahrain and other countries.

The funeral is being held at Babworth Crematorium on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 11.30 am.'Per Ardua ad Astra'

Cllr Julie Leigh, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council Column 15/05/26.

We are really pleased to be welcoming a familiar face back to the Priory Centre with the arrival of Sports Direct over the coming weeks.

The popular sports store is returning to its previous unit, bringing a great range of sports clothing, footwear and equipment back to the centre.

Its return will create more than ten new jobs and is a positive sign of renewed investment and growing confidence in the Priory Centre.

Work on site is moving along well, with the demolition phase almost complete ahead of the next stage of development that will bring some exciting new places to eat, relax and enjoy time with friends and family.

We continue to move forward with our biggest ever decarbonisation project.

Earlier this month cabinet members agreed to complete the work at Worksop and Retford Leisure Centres, which are two of the council’s biggest carbon emitters.

The work will deliver long-term environmental gains, safeguard the leisure facilities operations by reducing energy costs as well as bringing modern energy efficiency measures to essential community infrastructure with the project due to begin this summer.

Meanwhile, there is still time to take part in our draft housing repairs policy consultation. It focuses on delivering faster, more reliable repairs, and improving overall service quality.

We’d really like your say about the proposals which seek to ensure jobs are completed right first time, make better use of resources, and clearly define responsibilities between tenants and the council.

The draft came out of an independent review in March 2025, where tenants, cross party elected members and council officers met to discuss the current repairs policy including tenant obligations, timescales, rechargable repairs and service operating hours.

We look forward to hearing your views which will help shape the future of housing services.

The consultation runs until Sunday 31^st May, to find out more visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/repairs-consultation.

Finally, I would like to send my best wishes to all our young people across the District who are sitting their exams over the coming weeks. I hope that your hard work and efforts are rewarded with the results that you need for whatever you are hoping to achieve next.

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 T.

Our last panagram was DALLIANCE. 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