Tel: 01623 707017
August 2015
Radio show listeners to the rescue
JENNIE STREET and Luke from Rhubarb Farm at Langwith.
Volunteers matter AN event to showcase Mansfield and Ashfield’s voluntary sector was aimed at securing more support to avoid the closure of further groups. Mansfield CVS marketing coordinator Kate Boughton said voluntary groups across Mansfield and Ashfield did wonderful work, but were struggling in the wake of (funding) cuts and facing financial uncertainty, reduced staff teams and diminished resources. “Yet the commitment and passion shown by the sector is as strong as ever,” Kate said. “We want councils, stakeholders and businesses to recognise the importance of the work being done by these groups, and to support them before anymore are forced to close.” Inspiring Mansfield and Ashfield Voluntary Sector showcase, at the John Fretwell Sports Centre, attracted councillors from Mansfield and Ashfield (Continued on page 11)
Search for pagaent competitors
THE listeners of Mansfield 103.2 radio station’s breakfast show pledged £1,617 to an elderly Edwinstowe family after burglars robbed them in their own home. The two raiders struck on John Bowley’s 71st birthday as he was sleeping in his Edwinstowe home. They threatened the pensioner and his 93-year-old mother after breaking the lock on the back door of their home and bursting into their bedrooms. The burglars ransacked the house before grabbing around £1,500. The story was highlighted throughout the radio station’s breakfast show the following day by presenter Ian Watkins and managing director Tony Delahunty — and listeners pledged £1,617 to help the family. A further £500 was donated by the station’s chairman, Simon Emblin, for the elderly victims to take a holiday. Mr Delahunty said: “We just wanted to show them that people still care and our wonderful listeners responded.” Police are urging anyone with information about the incident in the Ollerton Road area of Edwinstowe to contact them by calling 101 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
STUDENTS from The Beech Academy, Mansfield, in a dugout at Derby County Football Club’s ground.
Beech on the ball
YEAR eight students from The Beech Academy attended the Other Voices event at the home of Derby County Football Club, the iPro Stadium, to make presentations to children from other schools. The event was run by Global Education Derby and aimed to get special needs students communicating and building their communication and leadership potential. Pupils from the academy, part of The Evolve Trust, had a tour of the stadium, and played communication-themed games with those from similar settings. Class teaching assistant Mrs Cosgrove said: “It was great so see our students speaking so clearly and confidently in front of strangers. I was proud of the way they mixed with learners from other institutions. “This isn’t an easy skill to master, which makes it a huge achievement for Beech students.”
Curtain up on donations
THE search is under way to find Miss Mansfield and Sherwood Forest 2015. Organisers have begun the annual hunt to find the young woman, aged 17 to 24, who will represent Mansfield at home and abroad, raise thousands of pounds for the charity of her choice, boost the profile of the town and work with local businesses and charities. The winner will get the chance to visit Mansfield, Ohio in the USA next year. The final of the pageant will take place at the John Fretwell Centre, Sookholme, on 17th October. The reigning Miss Mansfield and Sherwood Forest, Jessica Boot, recently returned from representing the town in Ohio. She has been raising money to support worldwide charity Women Kind. Anyone interested in becoming the face of Mansfield and a role model for young women in Mansfield and Ashfield should contact 2012 title holder and pageant assistant director Alice Kurylo or Miss Mansfield and Sherwood Forest pageant director Trish Mapletoft via www.facebook.com/ missmansfieldsherwoodforest or email trish-missmansfield@hotmail.co.uk
MANSFIELD Hospitals Theatre Troupe celebrated the financial success of its annual pantomime by donating £4,250 to four causes. It took the total raised by the troupe since it began to more than £120,000. Aladdin, performed at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield, was the group’s 36th annual pantomime from which all profits are donated to charities and worthy causes. At the annual presentation evening at Mansfield Town Football Club’s Kevin Bird Suite, £2,500 was donated to Nottingham Blood Bikes, £1,000 to 5th Mansfield Sea Scouts, £500 to Clinic 5 Cardio Respiratory at King’s Mill Hospital and £250 to The Brunts Academy, Mansfield. Pictured with representatives from the charities are troupe members Debbie Wilson,
second left, and chairman and outgoing director Trevor Morley, right. Mr Morley said: “Donating the £4,250 would not have been possible without the continued support of our audiences, together with sponsorship from local organisations —Pur-
pose Media, Mansfield Town FC, Imprint, Adkin Sinclair, The Co-operative Funeralcare, TTS Charity Foundation and Weldec Decorators. The troupe’s new director, Chris Evans, announced that the 2016 pantomime would be
Robin Hood And Babes In The Wood, written again by Alan P. Frayn. It will be performed at the Palace Theatre on Saturday, 23rd January (matinee) and in the evenings from Monday, 25th to Saturday, 30th. Tickets will be priced £8/£7concessions.
Traders wanted for beach party
TRADERS who sell seaside goods, from toys, buckets and spades to children’s swimwear and sun hats, or even seaside rock, have been urged to take part in this summer’s free beach event in Mansfield Market Place. As part of Mansfield BID’s Life’s A Beach promotion, which will see a sandy beach in the Market Place from Monday, 10th August to Tuesday, 2nd September, Mansfield District Council is seeking traders interested in taking market stalls next to the attraction. The free attraction, from 10am to 4pm each day, has been organised in partnership with Mansfield trader Food For All Seasons. Stalls cost from £10 to £20. To book a stall, contact Nicola Harvey on nhar vey@mansfield.gov.uk or call 01623 463818. Coun Stewart Rickersey, portfolio holder for corporate services, said: “The beach will be a big draw for local families so this would be a great trading opportunity for stallholders. “We hope some seasonal stalls will take up these spaces, which would help to bring a real flavour of summer to Mansfield town centre.”
A range of hot, hot, hot offers available this Summer.
Please call the hot-line number on 01623 622522 for information on the hot, hot, hot offers available. Ford Mansfield
Sherwood Oaks Southwell Road West, Mansfield, NG18 4GF Tel 01623 622522 www.gkgroup.co.uk