Wednesday Edition - Mods Start Their Engines, Vape Thefts, Royal British Legion Legend & More

Good morning readers, its Wednesday already. Today's edition contains the amazing story of RAF Veteran Jim Ruggles and his 42 years of dedication to the Royal British Legion - and of course, your daily puzzle fix.

You will also see that throughout June we are running a fabulous competition to win tickets to 'Beyond Van Gogh' or 'Beyond Monet' for the opening week of the exhibition at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. This competition can only be won by one of our amazing newsletter subscribers - if you've subscribed you're in the hat.

Todays thought for the day ... ""In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." — Albert Einstein

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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Blue Plaque Commemorates Poppy sellers’ 42 Years Service

A Blue Plaque commemorating the dedication of a Royal Air Force Veteran and Poppy Appeal collector who spent 42 consecutive years raising funds for the Royal British Legion (RBL) was unveiled today (29th May 2026) in Worksop.

Jim Ruggles served in the Royal Air Force during the 1950s before becoming a Poppy Appeal volunteer, collecting for the RBL outside WH Smiths on Bridge Place.
Jim started volunteering after he saw an advert in the Worksop Guardian and stood on the high street every November, no matter the weather.

Jim sadly passed away last year, however, due to his fundraising helping many veterans in Bassetlaw and across the region, and as he became a recognisable and respected figure around Worksop, his remarkable efforts have been commemorated by a Blue Plaque displayed in the spot where he stood for 42 consecutive years.

Dave Tomlinson, Jim Ruggles’ son-in-law spoke on behalf of the family:

“As a family, we were all incredibly proud of Jim’s achievements. His time in the RAF shaped so much of who he was – disciplined, dedicated and always ready to help others. He became a familiar and much respected figure during the Poppy Appeal for the people of Worksop and the wider district, and the community held him in great affection.

“Today’s blue plaque unveiling is a wonderful moment for us all, and a fitting tribute to the service, commitment and kindness Jim showed throughout his life.”

Alongside Jim Ruggles’s family, the event was also attended by Royal British Legion national trustee, Neil James, Nottinghamshire Royal British Legion President Alex Peace-Gadsby, the Worksop Royal British Legion Branch Standards, local veterans and the Bassetlaw District Councilors whose grant funded the plaque.

Chair of the Council, Cllr Sybil Fielding unveiled the plaque with Jim’s eldest daughter.

Cllr Sybil Fielding, Chair of Bassetlaw District Council and Armed Forces Champion said:

“It is a privilege to honour Jim Ruggles with a blue plaque in recognition of his remarkable service and dedication. His commitment to both his country and his community embodies the very best of our Armed Forces family. Jim’s contribution will be remembered for generations, and today’s unveiling is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself in support of others.”

Leader of Bassetlaw District Council, Cllr Julie Leigh added:

“Jim Ruggles’ dedication to both his community and the Armed Forces family is truly inspirational. His service, his compassion, and his unwavering commitment to supporting others have left a legacy that will continue to resonate across Bassetlaw for many years to come.

“Today’s blue plaque unveiling is not only a celebration of Jim’s life, but a reminder of the powerful difference one individual can make through kindness, service, and community spirit.”

The councillors who contributed towards the Blue Plaque are: Cllr Julie Leigh, Cllr Paddy Ducey and Cllr Tony Eaton, Ward Members for Worksop South; Cllr David Pressley, Ward Member for Worksop North-West; Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Ward Member for Carlton and Cllr Gill Freeman, Ward Member for Langold.

The RBL support is a lifeline for thousands of serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. Across Bassetlaw the RBL has branches in Worksop and Retford. To find out more information visit: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk

Each Bassetlaw District Councillor is allocated a small annual budget and has the discretion to award grants to support community activities within their ward. Councillor grants may support projects related to sport, culture and heritage, environmental sustainability, social welfare, and general community benefit.

Appeal after dozens of vapes stolen from Bilsthorpe shop

Officers investigating the theft of dozens of vapes from a shop want to speak to these two people.

Police were called after a shop in Church Street, Bilsthorpe, was targeted by two thieves, around 7.40pm on April 28.

The unknown offenders reportedly waited for shop staff to move away from the counter before snatching large quantities of vapes and running off.

Neighbourhood officers have been investigating the theft since it happened and can now release an image of two people they'd like to speak to.

PCSO Dave Keightley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"Having conducted inquiries locally, we believe the two people pictured could have information that could assist our investigation.

"As such, we'd ask them to make themselves known to us, so we can ask them some questions, while we'd urge anyone who recognises them to share this with the police."

Information can be reported directly to the police on 101, quoting incident 657 of April 28, 2026.

Anyone wanting to get in touch anonymously can also do so by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mayor signs off another £1.5m to unlock two Nottinghamshire housing developments including Simpson Park in Bassetlaw

By: Joseph Connolly

Two Nottinghamshire housing developments are to be unlocked courtesy of new funding from the East Midlands Mayor.

Claire Ward has signed off on more than £1.5 million to unlock the developments through her Brownfield Housing Fund (BHF).

Harworth Estates Ltd had applied for the cash to help them build Thoresby Vale in Edwinstowe and Simpson Park in Bassetlaw, in the north of the county.

The Edwinstowe site takes the majority of the cash, with £1,165,000 being provided to allow 60 one, two, three and four-bed homes to be built across 3.9 acres of disused land.

Of those, 40 properties will be affordable – owned by councils or housing associations for provision to people who can’t afford homes on the standard market – while 20 will be for private sale.

The 20 private homes will all be three-bedroom properties, while the affordable homes will be a mix of all of the available types.

Cumulatively, Thoresby Vale, which is being built on the site of the old Thoresby Colliery, is a nearly 1,000-home new estate and village comprising a school, green space, infrastructure and a village centre.

The number of homes and amount of money applied for by the Harworth Group has been reduced from £1.8m for 70 homes when interest was first declared, to £1.6m for 64 homes and now £1.2m.

Planning permission for the estate has been given in stages due to its size, with 800 homes originally allowed for but another 190 approved by Newark & Sherwood District Council at the end of 2025.

The developers had said that without the BHF money, the building of the 60 homes applied for would not be able to take place.

Simpson Park, on the other hand, is also a development of around 1,000 new homes, on the outskirts of the town of Harworth-Bircotes.

The site is also a former colliery, which was demolished in 2013.

The developer had only requested £391,715 for this site, to help support just 14 of the 1,000 properties, and the East Midlands Combined Authority (EMCCA) assessed the application as viable.

The 14 properties are all one and two-bed bungalows.

The BHF, announced in 2024 by the East Midlands Combined County Authority, is a pot of money that was provided to the Mayor by the government, to give out to developers wanting to build on land that has had development on in the past but is now abandoned, derelict or unused.

The pot exists because building on brownfield land – as opposed to untouched green land in the countryside – usually comes with complications such as the need to rectify environmental issues with the ground, demolish existing buildings or identify hazards.

Elsewhere this year, the Mayor has signed off BHF money for a number of developments across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, including £7.2m for a large apartment block just outside Nottingham city centre.

Our three interesting facts for today ....

Britain and Portugal have been allies since 1373

Theodore Roosevelt coined the expression 'lunatic fringe'

In ancient Greek, one line of text would be written left to right, and the next right to left.

Win tickets to see Beyond Van Gogh or Beyond Monet

Bill Elms at Beyond Van Gogh Credit: Andy Teebay

Win a pair of tickets or a family ticket (5 tickets) for Beyond Van Gogh or Beyond Monet for the opening week of the exhibition at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

To be in the draw all you need to do is sign up to our 100% Free daily digital newsletter. Current subscribers will be entered automatically.

Full details can be found at: https://bassetlaw-today.ghost.io/competition-2/ .

Mods of Bassetlaw .... Start Your Engines

The Merlins Scooter Club are a Bassetlaw area scooter club who meet on Wednesday evenings in the lighter months riding to Three Counties scooter Group meets (North Notts , North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire) where each club hosts an event through the season.

The Merlin’s Scooter Club was formed in 2008 by Gary Hall and Tim Lewis from the Ashes of The Manton Merlin’s from the early 80s .

On Wednesday 26 May The Merlins Scooter Club hosted a meet at the Welfare and are due to also host another evening at The Gate in Ordsall in June and everyone is welcome.

The club runs through their Facebook site which is packed with great pictures and information and everyone is welcome to join. Its not just monthly meets that the club attends either, the club also has a few ride outs at weekends to custom, vintage vehicles shows and 1940s events as well as scooter rallies.

Stuart Lilley spoke to Bassetlaw Today saying:

"Everyone is welcome to join us on rides on four wheels or two, even motorcycles lol.

"No subs are required we’re just a group of like minded people enjoying our passion for scooters and the smell of two stroke .

"Times and meetings are posted on our facebook site , you just turn up .

"Obviously there is a little bit of the nostalgic mod scene music wise and Fred Perrys worn with pride by a few members."

On Wednesday June 3, 2026 the club are riding to Beighton Miners Welfare for the Aces get together where refreshments will be provided. Attendees will be meeting at the Celtic Point Car Park at 6.20pm for a 6.30pm departure.

Whether you're an old school MOD, a dedicated two stroke head or just someone with a passing interest in the beauty of a scooter there is guaranteed to be a warm welcome if you decide to go along to any meetup.

All the information you could want, including amazing pictures can be found on The Merlins Scooter Club Facebook Page HERE.

All content kindly provided courtesy of Stuart Lilley and The Merlins Scooter Club.

Applications Now Open for Nottinghamshire Fire Cadets

🚒Are you a young person looking to build confidence, learn new skills, make new friends and gain an insight into the emergency services?

👨‍🚒👩‍🚒Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is recruiting for its Fire Cadet Programme, launching in September 2026 at Carlton Fire Station.

📅 Weekly sessions every Wednesday evening

⏰ 2-hour sessions between 6pm–9pm

Successful applicants will begin with a 10-week induction programme, developing teamwork, resilience and discipline before progressing onto a 52-week Fire Cadet programme, where they will receive a uniform and work towards a Level 1 qualification.

🌟 As a Fire Cadet, you'll:

✅ Learn valuable life skills

✅ Gain experience within the fire and rescue service

✅ Take part in community events, including the Remembrance Parade

✅ Build confidence and make lasting friendships

✅ Give back to your local community

📌 Application Timeline

Applications close: 17 June 2026

‘Look at Life’ event: 29 July 2026

Interviews: 5–12 August 2026

Acceptance letters: Mid-August 2026

Programme starts: September 2026

This is a fantastic opportunity for young people across Nottinghamshire to challenge themselves, develop new skills and be part of something rewarding. 💙

📧 For more information, contact: firecadets@notts-fire.gov.uk

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 B.

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

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