Tel: 01623 707017
August 2019
MAYOR Andy Abrahams.
Mayor’s new fund giving back to the community A NEW community grant fund is open for applications after the Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, pledged to give 30% of his annual allowance to support local projects. He is aiming to help 24 causes a year with the new initiative. “I am passionate about the community and really wanted to give something back to Mansfield,” he said. “There are plenty of groups and initiatives in our neighbourhoods that could benefit from a helping hand, and my 500 fund will do just that. My aim is to support 24 projects a year.” Three times a year groups, associations and individuals can apply for a grant of up to £500 to support projects in their area. The funding must bring direct benefit to the community. The grant can be used for things such as running costs and technology, materials and events. Grants will be paid in September, January and May. The first round of applications is open and more information is at www.mansfield.gov.uk/ mayors500fund
Pick Me Up - I’m FREE
A game changer for Ashfield jobs A CONTRACT has been signed that will see work start on a major distribution centre in Ashfield that promises to bring 1,800 jobs.
The centre, being created by an as yet unamed business, will cover a 1,750,000sq ft site at Summit Park, Sutton. Joint venture development partners Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates have signed contracts for the development of the building with the occupier. The project, funded by a major institutional investor, is possibly the largest ever single investment in the Ashfield area — and in the region as a whole. The site, located off the Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route (MARR), has stood empty for almost 10 years waiting for a requirement of this size. Plans include a bus route and onsite bus station to ensure jobs are accessible to all. The building, being constructed by Bowmer and Kirkland, is expected to be completed in September next year. Coun Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, said “We are so excited to be able to announce these plans. This is the biggest single private sector investment in the district for quite some time, maybe ever. “It is great to see that a large organisation wants to bring part of its distribution network to the district and that a major UK institution is prepared to fund such
WIN tickets to the Odeon cinema — page 19
COUN Jason Zadrozny at Summit Park, where the distribution centre bringing 1,800 jobs is being developed. a development in our area. “This is a real game changer for the district — 1,800 new jobs will have a significant impact on employment opportunities for residents. “We will work with the developer and end user, as soon as we know who it is, to maximise employment opportunities for local people. We will work with the DWP and training providers to make sure Ashfield residents are first in line.” The distribution centre is one of a number of investments across the district, including: lWetherspoons in Sutton recently announced plans for a major investment in the Picture House pub on Fox Street, Sutton. lHaving invested in Idlewells indoor market, Sutton, the council is now celebrating it being at 85%
capacity. lAshfield District Council is investing £18m in a new leisure destination for Kirkby to replace the Festival Hall Leisure Centre. It will feature a 25m lane pool and a leisure pool, alongside an indoor adventure climbing wall and cinema screen in a multi-purpose sports hall. lReally Good Group Ltd. which owns local business RGMM as well as sportswear brand QSW, is investing in new premises on High Pavement, Sutton. lFabric and wallpaper design and manufacturers Romo, in Kirkby, is building new premises on Oddicroft Industrial Estate, Sutton. lThe former Annesley Miners’ Welfare is to be demolished to make way for housing.
Four pages of events for August — pages 20 and 23
Memories of the Granada in Mansfield — pages 28 and 29
Over the moon for a double celebration! MANSFIELD and Sutton Astronomical Society has won a £9,500 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help it stage an exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing. The money will be spent on creating the exhibition and the delivery of astronomy-themed talks, including the history of space travel, as part of the Man on the Moon: A 50th Anniversary Celebration at Mansfield Museum until 5th October. There will be a series of sciencethemed demonstrations on selected days throughout the exhibition, put on by Sublime Science, as well as other space-themed activities. The exhibition comes as the society is building an underground 75-100 seater planetarium within a disused Victorian reservoir at its base at Sherwood Observatory, Sutton. The chairman of the astronomical society, Rob Dawes, said of the exhibition: “Never in the peacetime annals of human history has an endeavour such as project Apollo carried the hopes, dreams and inspiration of so many, in the quest to deliver a human to the surface of another celestial body and return them safely to planet Earth. “Such was the impact of that first lunar landing, those hopes, dreams and inspiration have continued to resonate with people over the passing decades, and rightly so.” The exhibition will feature models, provided by the Astronomical Society, to illustrate how space exploration has evolved. There will be memorabilia and space race posters on show and a full-size lunar landscape, featuring a cardboard cut-out of Moon landing astronaut Buzz Aldrin, for visitor photo opportunities. The Sublime Science 90-minute parties are free and start at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 29th August. There is also a Star Wars Day on 14th August. l See page 23.
Inspire Learning
16-24 Study Programmes Upcoming Open Evenings MyPlace Mansfield- 23 Sept | 4-6pm Eastbourne House, Sutton in Ashfield- 30 Sept | 4-6pm
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