May 04 - Mansfield Woodhouse Community Website

May
2004
No. 15
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QUARTERLY
“The Voice Of The Community In Mansfield Woodhouse”
Neighbourhood Wardens
D
uring June of last year Mansfield District Council and
Northfield Neighbourhood Management Team (NNMT) set up
two positions for Neighbourhood Wardens to work in the
Northfield Estate of Woodhouse.
This is a relatively new position brought about by the Government and
Local Authorities to identify and work with local communities within the
Regeneration Projects throughout the country. Whilst some areas are still in
the experimental stage, Wardens on other estates have had some
remarkable success, which we are sure will be the same on the Northfield
Estate.
So what is a Neighbourhood Warden? What are their duties? What are
they expected to achieve?
The Neighbourhood Wardens are funded by the (NNMT) and are managed
by Mansfield District Council. They have received extensive training from
both the Council and Police. Their main duties are to provide a high profile
presence, reporting Anti Social Behaviour, promote and maintain a safe,
clean, user friendly estate, free from Anti Social Behaviour and crime. A
place where residents can go about their daily business without fear,
victimisation and unpleasant surroundings.
The Wardens will liaise with residents regarding any concerns they may
have. They can be contacted whilst on patrol, or if you prefer, via the Focus
Point on Vale Road, Mansfield Woodhouse direct on 01623 634425
between 09.00 and 22.00, Monday to Friday for assistance or advice.
There is also a surgery held every Wednesday at the Focus Point from
12.00 -14.00 where you can report any concerns that you may have to the
Wardens or the local Police.
The Wardens are not just here for the more unpleasant incidents, they can
give advice on home security and which firms to deal with, they will check
your property if you are away for any reason and keep a look out for the
more vulnerable members of the community. They are not Police Officers,
so if you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of any crime you must still
report it to the police. In an emergency only phone 999 but for all other
incidents phone 01623 420999.
Pictured : Martin Cope and Colm Anderson
Northfield is your estate and
your neighbourhood, the
Wardens are here to be the
co-ordinated eyes and ears of
your community. If at any time
you have any concerns
regarding the estate or similar
issues they will endeavour to
address them. Of course, all
concerns will be treated in the
strictest confidence.
The Woodhouse Warbler is
Supported by
Company Registration Number - 4046954
Registered Charity Number - 1083291
Features in this issue:
Letters
Asperger’s Syndrome
Area Assembly Update
Northfield Neighbourhood
Management Team
Library News
Lest We Forget
MWCDG
Woodhouse Colts Junior
Football Club
St Edmunds Church Clock
Flower Festival
Eyup Mi’ Duck
Do You Remember
Policing
Gardening
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Woodhouse Warbler
Editorial
Hi everyone,
Welcome to another bumper edition
of your award winning Warbler.
We have had a tremendous response
from our readers, some as far-a-field
as Canada.
It is always nice to receive your
letters, comments and articles so
keep them coming in. You can either
write or email us. It is you who
decides what we produce by
supplying the material and I would
like to thank all of you who have
contributed to this edition. Also I
would like to thank advertisers for
their continued support without which
we could not continue.
The Warbler team would also like to
take this opportunity to thank the
Area Assembly for a grant to buy
software which will enable us to
continue what we feel is a
professional newsletter and help us
to expand in the future.
L.T.
Apologies
Due to unforeseen circumstances
certain difficulties arose with the
Christmas Trees and Lights on the
High Street and Station Street.
We hope that this did not cause
any inconvenience to retailers. .
Village Social Group
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Dear Warbler,
As I read the letters of campaign
against the felling of the trees on
Debdale Lane, I wonder why?
At the moment it’s an eye sore and the
damage that has been done through
these new tenants will cost the taxpayer
a considerable amount of money to
have it restored to anything like it used
to be.
If the local people really want to
preserve this land then surely they need
to evict these activists at once. And
what if the Judge came to inspect the
land who do you think will have the
stronger case?
When I pass by I also wonder at the
draw these people have on the many of
our teenagers. Is it possible that there is
drinking, drugs and sexual activities
going on here?
Until there is any visible improvement I
ask the question again WHY?
Ms Hazelwood
Dear Editor,
It was good to see so many letters in
the last edition of the Warbler in support
of the campaign to save the trees on
Debdale Lane.
It was also good to know that a lot of
people have written to the Council
objecting to the plan to alter the junction
on Sherwood Rise. All too often we only
moan and complain after the event,
when it is too late!
Hopefully, the message has now got
through to the planners and developers
that most folk living here are fed up with
green fields disappearing and hedges
and trees being destroyed, only to be
replaced with ugly concrete, posts and
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We also stock a comprehensive range
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88 Station Street, Mansfield Woodhouse,
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Telephone : 01623 625525
Fax : 01623 655757
signs.
Thank goodness for Mary Parkin and
the Eco-Warriors. Without them the
trees on Debdale Lane would have
been swiftly felled, just like the ones
that were in Debdale Wood.
M. A. M (Mrs)
Dear Editor,
I was interested to see a reference to
Gittins and Thacker’s buses in the last
edition of the Warbler.
My grandmother, Elizabeth Rosetta
Thacker sold the business to Gittins of
York Street some time after the Second
World War (1946). My grandfather,
Robert Thacker started to run buses I
think around 1927 and she carried on
after he died in 1937.
The story goes that he started with a
couple of lorries to carry coal from the
pits and then realised that if he put
benches in the back he could also use
them to carry miners to and from the
pits. How true this is I don’t know.
I think they were eventually called Blue
Star Coaches and although, to the best
of my belief they never ran a scheduled
service they were well known for their
trips to the coast. They lived at the
bottom of George Street and garaged
the buses across the road in one of the
buildings between The Star and Warsop
Road Post Office.
As I’ve been interested in tracing my
family history since my father (another
Robert) died in 1969 I would be
interested in hearing from anyone with
memories of this time.
Bob Thacker
Mansfield Woodhouse
Childminders Group
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Community Website - www.mansfieldwoodhouse.info
3
Woodhouse Warbler
Dear Woodhouse Warbler.
This month’s gripe! Speeding. An item
in the BBC news caught my eye the
other day and the question of speeding
motorists seems a never ending saga.
Many of you will remember the advert
on TV about the car and the young
pedestrian where the two collide! I
recently wrote to the A.S.A. because, if
you watch it carefully, you will see that
the rear brakes are not working at all
on the vehicle. The A.S.A. agreed with
me and said they had received
numerous letters to that effect.
However they thought that the general
message was clear that exceeding 30
mph in a built up zone had been “got
across”. It all goes to show that if you
take your eyes off the road for even a
split second you are much more likely
to have or cause an accident yourself.
Which brings me back to the item on
the BBC.
Any motorist driving at
exactly 30 mph, and we’ve all followed
them, is doing a very dangerous
practice for the following reasons. To
stick rigidly to any speed, 30 mph or
otherwise, requires the driver to take
his eyes off the road several times
every minute. Our roads are not level
and to maintain any exact speed is an
inherently dangerous practice.
There are medical and environmental
reasons for not sticking that rigidly to
the limit. Firstly, it’s not good for your
blood pressure. It’s not good driving
practice to watch your speedometer
more than the road. (For which your
wife will nag you unmercifully!) It’s not
good for the environment because of
the extra pollution it causes as you
can’t get into top gear. It’s also harder
on your pocket because you are doing
a lot less mpg. I don’t want anybody to
think from the tone of this letter that I
advocate “speeding” but wanted to
point out that far too much is being
made of vehicles that exceed speed
limits by small amounts. It is a fact that
“speeding” causes only 7% of
accidents. By far the majority are
caused by, as it says in government
statistics, “drivers inattention to the
road and unawareness of other drivers
actions” and I think that sums it up very
nicely!
J Cross
Account, or if you bank with Alliance &
Leicester, Barclays or Lloyds TSB. (We
also provide personal banking facilities
for many other banks and building
societies, contact us for further details).
If anyone has any questions about
direct payment, or if you have elderly
relatives who are worried about these
changes, please call in to Warsop Road
Post Office, or call us on 01623 621424
and we will endeavour to answer your
questions.
Mark Harpham
Sub-Post-Master
Warsop Road Post Office
Dear Woodhouse Warbler
You may have read some of the
articles in the local papers recently
about the proposed Post Office
closures in our area. I am the Sub
Post -Mas te r of W arsop R oad,
Mansfield Woodhouse, and I would like
to assure your readers that we have no
intention of closing, and with the
continued support of our customers we
intend to remain open for many more
years to come.
Also, there seems to be some
confusion over the changes to the way
pensions and benefits will be paid in
the future. The government is phasing
out order books and giro cheques, and
is asking everyone to change over to
direct payment, this means that you
must have your money paid into a
bank, building society or Post Office
account.
This isn’t as bad as it sounds, you can
still collect your money each week at a
Post Office with your bankcard and PIN
number if you open a Post Office Card
Dear Woodhouse Warbler,
As a former resident of Mansfield
Woodhouse, I recently returned to the
area through employment. I was lucky
enough to be able to pick up a copy of
t h e C h ri st ma s Ed it i on of t h e
W o o d h o u s e
W a r b l e r .
May I say what a great pleasure it was
to read. It was packed full of interesting
articles and advice. It is a well
produced
local
paper.
Keep up the good work you're doing a
great job.
Norma Sims.
SNAKES
“I say! I say! Are we poisonous snakes?”
asked the small snake of his mother.
“Of course! Of course! Why do you ask?
You’re toxic…. so is your brother.”
“Silly me! Silly me!” the small snake
hissed.
“ I sincerely hope you’re wrong” for when
I scoffed that slug just now I bit my
soddin’ tongue!”
George Shipley (April 2004)
7 Warsop Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts. NG19 9LE Tel: 01623 621424
Don’t Forget You Can Still Collect Your Pension, Benefit Or Child Benefit In Cash HERE Each Week
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The Warbler is delivered to 7,800 properties in Mansfield Woodhouse!
4
Woodhouse Warbler
Dear Warbler,
After renewing my membership at
Woodhouse Ex-Servicemens Club I
decided to have a nostalgic car ride,
taking in Greenwood and Lawrence
Ave, Manor and Thoresby Road. The
latter has been demolished – why stop
at Thoresby Road beggars belief. Some
council house tenants keep their
dwellings very clean and tidy and their
gardens are a pleasure to look at. Other
tenants belong to the ‘give me’ ‘give
me’ ‘if it’s for nowt I’ll have it’ brigade.
Like a plague they are everywhere!
Mention work, and you are in court for
slander.
Seeing a council house where a friend
of mine once lived (making sure the car
alarm was activated) I walked down the
pad. Once a tidy garden and lawn, is
now a mini jungle – maybe a beast or
hound of the Baskervilles was ready to
pounce on a lone traveller.
The front door opened, a young man
asked “what do you want?” Making my
way to him, a disgusting smell of
excrement and squalor came from the
open doorway. The man’s trousers were
held up with rope. Two small children
with dirty faces (and vests to match) –
one ran into a room, its bare feet
squeezed in a filthy carpet. (Has soap
and water been outlawed).
Manxed wall paper hung down from the
walls in sheets. Bread and heavy tea
stained mugs littered a stomach
wrenching table. Window curtains were
filthy rags.
Standing by the car, breathing clean air,
I looked at the house. If it could talk, it
would say “Please give me the coup de
grace before I die of shame”.
Cliff Sims – an old Woodhus lad.
Dear Warbler,
I would like to extend a warm invitation
to anyone in the district who would like
to join the Yeoman Hill Park Bowling
Club. We are a friendly club and we
meet on Yeoman Hill Park at 1.45 pm
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Everyone is welcome, learners and
experienced bowlers. We do not play in
any leagues, only club games on the
above mentioned days, and friendly
games with other clubs in the district.
It is a relaxing game in a friendly
atmosphere and we provide tea or
coffee and biscuits. If anyone would
like to join us just turn up at Yeoman
Hill Park on the days and times stated,
starting Monday 19th April. Or you can
contact me for details on 640257.
N. Farnsworth, Secretary.
Yeoman Hill Park,
Can you remember, years ago
When the park was the place to go,
You’d pack a bag, and make your way
With sarnies and water, to spend the
day.
We’d ride the swings, play in the pool,
Or skate round the bandstand, that was
cool.
We’d sit on the grass and eat like kings
Then we’d head back to the swings
We’d sometimes watch the bowlers
play,
Or play tennis to end the day.
We’d say goodbye to all our pals,
All the lads and all the gals.
“See you tomorrow” is what we’d say.
And we’d all be back the following day.
My childhood days were happy and
gay,
But all my memories still linger today.
S. Strudwick
Dear Woodhouse Warbler,
Can you please tell me WHERE is the
common sense of the Council these
days. I along with many people cannot
understand what the Council are
thinking of.
I am talking about Litton Road, Peafield
Lane (school area). The people, be it
Council or building firms, have put up a
children’s play area. Nice though it
looks, HAVE PLANTED TREES – not
just one or two, but have
SURROUNDED the whole park area in
trees.
Nice hideaway for PAEDOPHILES and
child snatchers once these trees have
fully grown. What chance has any child
got to have safety and pleasure. This
urgently wants sorting out because it
will be a forest before too long. Nice for
wildlife OK, but what about children,
they want a safe area to play in.
Name and address supplied.
Dear Readers,
For all those who attended Yorke Street
School between 1939 – early 1950’s
and have not heard or seen the Chad,
March 17th. Miss Porter, who was
Senior Mistress at that time, was very
highly thought of, respected and loved
(especially by the boys!) and was a
superb teacher, passed away whilst
visiting her sister in Cromer on Saturday
14th February. I know a lot of you would
like to know. She was brought back
home from Cromer for her funeral.
M. Peutrell.
The Sunnydale public house will hold
their annual Wheelbarrow Race on
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Woodhouse Warbler
Dear Woodhouse Warbler,
I have a grievance, so I was wondering
if Sergeant Dave Lindsey could help
because the council have passed the
buck by claiming it is a police matter.
My grievance is parked cars and vans
on the pavements. The problem runs
straight through W oodhouse to
Warsop.
I’ll start at the Bull and through to
Warsop. You have cars parked on the
corner of Yorke Street so if you’re
trying to cross the road you can’t see if
the cars coming down Woodhouse
Road are indicating to turn up Yorke
Street. Across the road between the
Bull and the Mines Rescue Station they
sometimes park two abreast so when
someone else comes home and wants
to park they have to go round them.
This means they are driving right up to
the pavement edge and if you are a
pedestrian walking along you get such
a dirty look from the driver as if you
shouldn’t be there and they don’t stop
to let you go by. Why can’t these
residents use their own drives – they
are long enough to park two cars.
Butt Lane is bad, there are cars parked
on both sides of the road. On one side
there are four cars that park with all
four wheels on the pavement with very
little room for pedestrians to get by. If
you’re pushing a pram you have no
choice but to go on the road round
them. On the opposite side – even
though the pavement is wider – the
transit van parks.
When walking between Edgehill Grove
and Dave’s Place I have been faced by
two headlights coming towards me –
the cars mount, ride up the pavement
and park near Dave’s Place. Where are
we pedestrians supposed to walk. It’s
no longer safe on the pavements.
Bikes come at you with no lights on
and no bell to warn you that they are
there.
Just past New Mill Lane traffic lights it
is like an assault course with cars
parked ‘willy nilly’ all over the
pavement. I have also been told that
one person who parks a motor bike on
there has put something in the ground
to chain his bike to (although I haven’t
seen it myself yet).
Last Sunday I went to Warsop and at
Spion Kop on the left hand side there
were about half a dozen cars parked
on the pavement – you would not have
got by without turning sideways.
So if Sergeant Lindsey could help I
would be grateful.
If these cars parked on double yellow
lines on the road and caused an
obstruction they would get a ticket. So
they park on the pavement instead and
cause an obstruction to pedestrians.
How can you teach children not to
go on the road because of the
dangers when pavements which are
supposed to be safe areas are made
dangerous by motorists causing
obstructions.
We keep being told we should walk
more. How can we?
I would appreciate some response to
this letter in the next issue please.
Thank you,
C B (Woodhouse)
Dear Woodhouse Warbler
Firstly I would like to congratulate you
on such a fine ‘voice of the community’
I hear it all these miles away, thanks to
5
my sister Mrs. G. Shipley, of Leas Rd,
Mansfield Woodhouse.
The anniversary of St. Edmund’s is
what prompted me to write you, as I
have many fond memories of that
corner of Woodhouse. ‘Turner Hall’
where we would gather on the corner
that was named ‘the apprentices
corner’. The football ground where the
best team played, named
‘St. Edmund’s’. Find enclosed photos of
the finest bunch of lads you could meet
anyplace. I notice quite a few familiar
names that bring back wonderful
memories. One in particular, I do
believe it’s the Jack Latimer I went to
school with. Show him the photo
enclosed and ask if he remembers.
There was also a fellow named Ray
Sutcliffe who lived up Park Street, I’ve
wondered if he is a relative of Pete
Sutcliffe on your staff.
Keep up the good work, I look forward
to reading you. Would love to hear from
anyone who remembers me.
Walter E. Foster (past of Grove Street and
Wordsworth Avenue)
4450-33A St. Close, Red Deer
Alberta, Canada. T4N ON8
Thank you very much for your letter. Glad
you like our publication and you will be
please to know that Ray Sutcliffe was in
fact our Pete’s father.
Maths and English
individualised learning programmes for all ages and abilities
develops confidence and concentration
complements school Maths and English
Mansfield Kumon Study Centre
is open on
Wednesday 4 pm to 6 pm
Saturday 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm
Students complete a small amount of work every day and attend the Study Centre
once or twice a week for about half an hour.
For further information please contact
Mrs Christine Webb on
0115 9117643
Tuition fees are £41a month for each child or subject.
The Warbler is Nottinghamshire’s largest circulating community newsletter!!
6
Woodhouse Warbler
Dear Warbler,
On reading your article on the closing
down of G. Betts & Son, I started
thinking about when I came to Mansfield
Woodhouse and what was available to
me. I came to live in Mansfield
Woodhouse on June 28th 1952 when I
married my late wife Mary Hawley. We
then lived with her parents at 23
Tennyson Ave, until March 1956 when
we came to my present home. I was
soon domesticated (that is to say I
learned to do as I was told).
Then in 1953 I decided to have a new
suit, I found that I had a choice of at
least two gents tailors in Woodhouse
itself. I chose to go to Mr. Rouse in High
Street, not far from G. Betts & Son. As
well as tailors there were many other
shops, trades and factories. We had a
choice of doctor’s surgeries, many
butcher’s shops and Co-op shops. We
had our own bus company, remember
Bevan and Barker Red Bus and our own
village blacksmith.
Mind you we had our own Council then!
We also had two undertakers –
remember Cyril Welch and Townroe’s.
But since being taken over by Mansfield
District Council, Mansfield Woodhouse
has expanded in houses and residents
but deteriorated in amenities. We have
got new councillors who say they have
the district at heart not party politics.
Well we have a sign in Mansfield
Woodhouse saying ‘Shopping Centre’
We’ve got the sign – now let’s have a
proper shopping centre.
To our councillors I would say entice
businesses into Mansfield Woodhouse
don’t frighten them away with heavy
council tax and more excuses than
Brussels can think up.
If I want a new suit now – well there is
always the excellent shop ‘Madam’s’. I
can imagine my old workmates looking
at each other smiling and saying “I
always had my doubts about him”.
By the way we also had Police walking
the streets and checking our homes
when needed. So to everyone the
initials PC stand for lots of things – so
forget political correctness and think
and use pure Common Sense.
Arthur Waine
Dear Woodhouse Warbler,
When I read ‘End of an Era’ in
Woodhouse Warbler No 13, I thought
the Editor or Printer had lost the middle
sheet, for there was no mention of
David Betts. So when No 14 came, I
looked for an apology, but found none
Reading No 13, it would appear that
William Betts’ sons didn’t come back
from the war to run the family business!
Yet when my husband (Frank) and I
came to live in Woodhouse in 1949,
David Betts and Jack, his brother, were
both at work there in the High Street.
David was running the Hardware and
Ironmongery, although supplies were
still difficult after the war years. Jack
was in charge of the electric side of
things. Sadly Jack had to give up after
some years, as Radio and TV became
too demanding - but David continued to
run his business until well past the
retirement age.
Elsie Cropper came into the business
straight from school, in 1949 or 1950,
and she definitely became part of ‘the
firm’. David and Elsie built up the stocks
of the countless goods people need, as
they became available. They treated the
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customers as friends, welcoming
them into the shop and doing their
best to supply their needs, often with
an appropriate joke.
After David had to retire, Elsie
continued to run the shop with Tony
Gardiner until she too was of
retirement age, and the shop had to
be sold.
David Betts was well respected and
well loved by customers and church
members, for he regularly attended St
Edmund’s Church. We still miss him.
Tony Gardiner became a good
partner in the firm, bringing in some
fresh ideas, and it was a great pity the
business had to be sold. We all miss
the convenience of the High Street
shop with all its useful goods and the
friendliness of all those who worked
there. Not forgetting Barbara Sayer,
Betty Pinnick, Eve Cannon and Liz
Reynolds, who all played their part so
faithfully.
May Allen.
This is a song or old ballad that I
recalled over the New Year period
and wondered if any one else recalls
it and any additional verses – if any.
J. Lattimer
The Miners Dream of Home
Last night as I slumbered, I had a
strange dream,
I saw England’s valleys and dales,
I listened with joy, as I did when a
boy,
To the sound of the old village bells.
The log was burning brightly,
‘Twas a night that could banish all sin,
The bells were ringing the old year out
And the New Year in.
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7
Woodhouse Warbler
ASPERGER’S SYNDROME.
M
any of you will not have heard of Asperger’s Syndrome (A.S.), although nowadays it is getting better known
and there’s even a boy in “Grange Hill” who’s supposed to have it. A.S. is on the autistic spectrum and many of
those who have it are intelligent people with a lot of ability but who have particular problems. If you work with
children in Guides, Scouts, Sunday School etc then it’s certainly worth knowing about.
Five years ago I knew nothing about A.S. until I was asked to work as a mentor with a boy in year 10. I’ll call him Joe. I
was a bit apprehensive and expected to find a very rigid individual who had no sense of humour. In fact I found a
delightful and able young man who could talk the hind leg off a donkey and who had a tremendous sense of humour.
What Joe needed was someone on his side who could understand his problems, provide strategies for him to cope and
at times act as a go-between for him where there was misunderstanding.
Everyone who has A.S. is an individual, but most exhibit at least a few of the following traits. Many have poor social
skills because they have difficulty reading body language, facial expressions or tone of voice, so they may not know you
are angry or upset. They do not always know what’s appropriate so they may not be being deliberately rude when they
call you fat, but may just be stating a fact. In these circumstances you need to explain to them that it’s inappropriate to
comment on such things and perhaps give other specific examples. They find it difficult to put themselves in someone
else’s shoes. They tend to see issues as black and white and don’t understand grey areas. As they grow older these
social difficulties lessen as they learn to fit in more. Also you need to use precise language when speaking to someone
with A.S. If you tell them to “pull their socks up” they are likely to do just that, which may not be what you mean!
Instructions to a group can also cause a problem as the person with A.S. may not realise you are talking to them. So,
you may have to say: “Put your coats on, and you too Joe”. Often people with A.S. don’t like change, loud noises or
crowds. I always had to let Joe know in advance if there would be a room change or a fire practice, so he could get used
to the idea. He also put his fingers in his ears when the school bell rang as his hearing was very sensitive. Many people
with A.S. are highly intelligent and have a tremendous memory. They also often have pet subjects which you may
consider obsessions. What Joe didn’t know about ancient Egypt, the history of Russia, the Titanic, steam trains or the
Cunard Line was not worth knowing. He even knew how many rivets there were in the Titanic. They will talk about their
pet subjects non-stop and will not realise they are boring you. A gentle suggestion that it’s time to change the subject is
fine at this point.
When I met Joe he had already learnt many of the social skills he needed, so he wasn’t “rude” to people and he had
learnt not to “pull his socks up”. He understood he was different from the other students in his year and all he wanted
was their understanding. By the time he reached 6th form many of his fellow students had matured enough to value Joe
for who he is and to recognise that he has tremendous gifts which were an asset to the group, not least his encyclopedic
knowledge and innate sense of fairness. The climax came at the end of Year 13 when Joe attended the 6th form ball –
joining in with the meal but leaving before the noisy disco! At the presentations he even made everyone laugh with a
spontaneous joke – which just goes to show that those with A.S. do have a sense of humour.
So, if you do come across someone with A.S. I hope you will take time to get to know them, support them where they
need it and allow them the opportunity to use their tremendous gifts (and probably make you laugh!).
Chris Frith
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Notts. NG19 8AE
The Warbler is always looking for volunteers to help – interested?
8
Woodhouse Warbler
MANSFIELD NORTH & MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE AREA ASSEMBLY
T
he last meeting of the Assembly on 18th
February, 2004 showed an increase in
attendance; pictured are some of the people
who were present. The Assembly has now become an
established route for public engagement with Mansfield
District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, The
Primary Care Trust and the Police.
The A60 Bus Lane decision is now imminent and a site
meeting has occurred with Nottinghamshire County
Councillor Terry Butler and Nottinghamshire County
Council Highways Officers. This meeting was to reaffirm
the problems with this traffic restriction. Councillor
Butler experienced for himself difficulty in exiting both
King Street and Stainforth Street. He confirmed to Area
Assembly officials that even if the scheme was
approved he would ensure that a full traffic survey of the A60 in this area was carried out. The traffic congestion in the
area was evident to him even in an off-peak period. He stated that no traffic scheme in Nottinghamshire had incurred the
same number of complaints as this one. The Area Assembly is still opposed to the Bus Lane and has done everything
possible to put over people’s views to the County Council.
The pilot Flying Skip Scheme was completed on Saturday, 20th March, 2004 with 25 tonnes of household rubbish being
collected in a few hours. The success of this scheme has meant the Area Assembly will seek further funding to extend
the Waste Collection Scheme outside the Northfield area.
The Area Assembly has negotiated the replacement of broken and dangerous slabs in the walkway to the Co-operative
Supermarket between the Angel Inn Public House and Bowring’s butchers. The Pub landlord and Bowring’s have
agreed to stop heavy vehicles using the area and a barrier has been erected. This should now no longer be a problem.
Some discussion took place on the possibility of a Market in Woodhouse. There was overwhelming support for this and
the Assembly has agreed to support it financially. Councillor Phil Smith, Mansfield District Council, has agreed to have a
feasibility study completed. A market would be a great boost for the community in Woodhouse.
Funding support has been agreed for the Castle Street tenants with learning disabilities, new litter bins at various
locations in the Assembly’s area, software to help with publishing the Warbler Newsletter and St. Edmund’s Church
clock renovations.
The next meeting of the Assembly is on Thursday, 27th May, 2004 and forms are available for request for service from
any of the agencies involved and for questions to be discussed. This process is proving very successful and meetings
are open for anyone to attend and have their say.
For further information on any of the above, please contact Dr. Bill Pearce
01623 463139 or [email protected].
Church Street
Mansfield Woodhouse
Notts
Tel: 659625
Open:
Mon to Fri: 9.30 am - 3.30 pm
Saturday : 10.00 am - 2.00 pm
ALL THIS AND A HELP CENTRE TOO!
Advice clinic: Thursday 11.30 am - 1.00 pm
Why not pay us a visit?
Local Groups! - Get your message across with the Warbler!
9
Woodhouse Warbler
Northfield Neighbourhood
Management Team
(NNMT)
T
he NNMT is very pleased to
announce that, as from
Thursday 1st April 2004, the
boundary area for Northfield
has been extended down to the
Sunnydale area (details yet to be
confirmed) which means that more
people can have involvement of what is
happening in their area. They can take
advantage of the free burglar alarm
systems, tenants or house owners, from
Safe and Secure Homes financed by the
NNMT. This is just one of the things we
are doing to help make our area a safe
and enjoyable place to live.
Other
projects we have done in the last three
years include a Park on The Green for
younger children, play facilities at the
back of Northfield Focus Point on Vale
Road, a skateboard Park on Yeoman Hill
Park, improved hedging for security and
wildlife around Common Lane and Vale
Road allotments, Close Circuit
Television (CCTV) cameras, improved
security lighting in certain areas, flying
skips, renovation of The Circle,
Lawrence Avenue and much more
besides.
We have our own Wardens, Colm
Anderson and Martin Cope, who are
always willing to help with all sorts of
issues and are working close with the
police and the Anti-Social Behaviour
Team. You can contact them by calling
in at their office at the Northfield Focus
Point or ringing on 634425, Monday to
Friday.
No job too small or too large, from one tile
to a complete roof. Guttering changed or
repaired. Chimney stacks, re-pointed,
rebuilt or completely removed. Plastering,
ceilings, walls etc. Concrete drives, paths,
floors etc. Felt roofs. Completed with high
performance felt. 15 year guarantee.
Re-pointing, have the whole house
re-pointed. 20 year guarantee.
Every job over £100 we will supply and
install one smoke alarm (up to British
standard)
FREE ESTIMATES
RING ANYTIME 24 HRS
MANSFIELD
01623 652241
Or 796922
Or 07966 249603
We have many things ongoing at
Northfield Focus Point including
Homestart, Surestart, Teenage Sexual
Health Clinic, Karate Club, Dog
Obedience and many others.
It would be nice to see more people
coming to our meetings which are held
every third Wednesday of each month
so they can keep in touch with what’s
going on and also have their say. If you
need more information call in or ring the
Northfield Focus Point on 626808, on
either Tuesday mornings or Wednesday
afternoons, and speak to James who
will be only too happy to help.
Janet Wood
Secretary NNMT
Bringing people
together…
black and minority ethnic community, the
disabled community, the gay and lesbian
community, and minority faith
communities. Other examples of how
we could promote ‘community cohesion’
and bring communities together include:
·
·
·
·
·
·
Young people from different
ethnic groups working together
Local residents working with
Mansfield’s gay and lesbian
communities
People from different faith
communities working together
The wider community
supporting people with
disabilities
Young people working with the
police to reduce crime
Youth and cultural exchanges
with other parts of Britain
Are you aware of who lives in your
local neighbourhood?
Working under the banner of Consider the following…Their Age,
‘community cohesion’, there is Disability, Faith, Race, Gender, and
currently a series of activities being Sexual Orientation
developed across Mansfield which The central aim of our project is to
actively seek to bring people from reduce neighbourhood conflict and
different communities together. From crime.
the making of youth lead video diaries What kinds of programmes would you
to street murals, these cultural like to see in your local area which
activities are exploring how different actively reduces crime by bringing
communities from across Mansfield people together? Would you like to get
get along. One example is an involved in a community based
exploration of inter-generational ‘community cohesion’ programme? Or
conflict from both a young and from would you simply like to find out some
information? To find out more or to share
an older person’s perspective.
your ideas, please contact:
What other communities can we
Dan Robertson
bring together?
Human Relations Network:
Well there are many different minority
36 Wood Street, Community House,
‘communities of interest’ who live and
Mansfield, NG18 1QA
work in Mansfield; these include the
01623 651177 / [email protected]
A.A.ROOFING
& BUILDING
We are a small company who work to a very high
standard. Our aim is 100% satisfaction. Not a Bodge it
& Scarper affair.
e.g. After erection of guttering no payment is required
until after rainfall to ensure they work. Is your roof
leaking? Ring me, I will seal it and then again no
payment is required until after rainfall.
Insurance work welcome.
Woodhouse Warbler—The Voice of the Community in Mansfield Woodhouse
10
Woodhouse Warbler
WHAT IS THE
PENSION SERVICE?
The Pension Service is part of the
Department for Work and Pensions.
It has been set up to improve the
Church Street
service people receive, whether they
[email protected]
are already a pensioner or are planning
for retirement, no matter how far off that As part of Nottinghamshire Libraries increased opening hours policy, Woodhouse
might be.
Library will now stay open over lunchtimes, so our new hours from April 5th will be:
Monday
9.30 – 7.00
The Pension Service was introduced in
Tuesday
9.30 – 7.00
April 2002 and comprises a network of
Wednesday
CLOSED
modern pension centres in England,
Thursday
9.30 – 7.00
Scotland and Wales, together with a
Friday
9.30 – 5.30
local pension service situated in many
Saturday
9.00 – 1.00
community-based venues across the
country.
Parent and Tot Group meets on Mondays 2.00 – 3.00. Come along and meet
T h e L o c a l S e r v i c e f o r N o r t h other parents and have songs and rhymes with Becky
Nottinghamshire covers Ashfield, Storytime for the under 5s takes place every Tuesday 2.15 – 2.45. Bring your
Mansfield, Bassetlaw and Newark & children for stories and craft with Janet.
Sherwood areas. We have set up a
network of Hard Copy Information Thursday afternoon interest sessions every third Thursday of the month
Points (Pension Service leaflets and 2.00 – 3.30. All welcome. Admission free
posters in various locations such as Thursday 20th May
Derbyshire – Landscape for all seasons
medical centres, community shops and Thursday 17th June
Newark at the turn of the century
libraries). Also, we have surgeries Thursday 15th July
Dressing the rich Victorian lady
where we can see people b y Thursday 19th August
1939-45 – Wartime Britain
appointment or on a ‘drop in’ basis to
meet the needs of local pensioners. We
New Books May/June
have an appointment surgery at the
The Enemy
Council’s Area Housing Office at the Lee CHILD
Harlan COBEN
Just One Look
Market Place in Mansfield Woodhouse.
Catrin COLLIER
Winners and Losers
For the most vulnerable pensioner, we Bernard CORNWELL
Sharpe’s Escape
can offer a home visit. To access either Margaret DICKINSON
Red Sky in the Morning
service, contact the Pension Centre Joanne HARRIS
Jigs and Reels
(details are below).
Peter MAYLE
A Good Year
By working in partnership with other Elvi RHODES
Apple Tree
organisations such as local authorities, Anita SHREVE
Light on Snow
social services and the voluntary sector,
we can give a more complete service.
All these titles can be reserved now for a small charge
Local Service staff can also give
presentations and awareness about
Sick of those bad
Mossops Hairdressers has been
benefits and entitlements such as
hair days?
established in Mansfield Woodhouse
Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance
Then make today
for almost 8 years at 15a Station
and Retirement Pension.
your last!
Mansfield Woodhouse Library
The Pension Centre can be contacted
by phone, post or e-mail.
Phone:
0845 60 60 265
Post:
The Pension Service
P.O. Box 7229
Nottingham
NG1 6WN
E-mail:
Do this via the Pension
Service website at
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
We have the skill and experience
to change the way you feel
about your hair.
Free consultation
Realistic prices
New and exciting ideas
Ladies, Gents & Children
15a Station Street,
Mansfield Woodhouse,
Tel: 01623 461011
Trust your hair in our hands
Street and is now extending to
include number 17.
The owner, Tracy Cooper says, “We
need more room for the comfort of
our customers and staff”. Although it
will be a lot bigger, Mossops will still
retain the friendly and relaxed
atmosphere it currently has. More
stylists will be joining the team
eventually to meet the high demand
for appointments. Tracy also says “It
is very important we find the right
people with excellent skills and a
good personality”.
You can contact us by e mail - [email protected]
Woodhouse Warbler
I
11
Lest we forget
remember - I remember sixty years ago, when I was an old man of twenty-four. Yes, in fact I was the oldest on our boat.
My story really stared in early May on Scotland’s East Coast. We were up there training Commandos for the invasion of
France. I was on a tank landing craft and we knew we would be one of the first to land, as we were in S Force, a strike
flotilla. About three times a week we would go out at night and land next morning, always on a receding tide, which was
unusual to say the least, as you should, by the book, land on a rising tide, as you then have the chance to float off. We always
did sixty miles. We knew this by the log we used to stream. The log measures how far and how fast you are going.
One day we got up as usual and found the Commandos gone and it was not long before we got sailing orders – to Portsmouth.
After leaving the Firth of Forth, which was our first stop, the coxswain took ill, and we had to get the MO from another ship.
This was a tricky manoeuvre, but we did it OK. When we went through the Channel, the Germans put a bit of a show on, but
our own fighters soon finished them off. We were in Portsmouth, and who should we pick up but the Commandos we had last
seen in Scotland. We were now loaded - no tanks, but eighteen lorries full of high explosives; it’s no use having tanks without
ammo. We each had a letter from HQ telling us how lucky we were to be the first in to liberate Europe. D-day should have
taken place on June 5th, but it was cancelled because of bad weather. We had, however, already slipped our buoy, and had to
go alongside our flotilla officer’s boat. He said we could stay there only if we could put another wire out to hold us. The sea
was very rough and I did not fancy that job, as the buoy was only two feet round. An officer said that if he got hold of my belt
with one hand and the guard rail with the other, perhaps I could put the wire through the ring. The boats were crashing
together, and I knew that one slip and both of us would be crushed to death, but we did it, and the soldiers on board gave us a
great cheer!
Next day we set off again for France, at around 6.00 pm in broad daylight. Well, getting out of harbour was bad, but when we
got out, the armada of ships was amazing. You could have walked on ships and craft over to the Isle of Wight. They were all
trying to get in position for when we landed. That night I had the last watch, that is, from 8.00 pm till midnight. All was quiet.
We changed watches, and we were on again from 4.00 am until 8.00 am. When it got light and we could see the coast of
France, we knew now we would soon be in action. The big battleships at our rear opened fire – it was like express trains going
over our heads, as each shell weighed about a ton. The Germans were now shelling us and we knew we were in the front line.
But onward we went. The FO put a flag up, ordering us to turn around. Still the shells were falling all around us, we, or should
I say, someone, made a signal, and two rocket firing Typhoons came in at mast-height and they gave the battery which was
shelling us what for, then we were on our way once more.
We were approaching land and we all went into our landing action stations. We were getting ever nearer, and were in line
astern, when the FO put another flag up and we went into line abreast, just as we did when we were training in Scotland. We
must have looked an awful sight to the Germans, and frightening. We hit the beach hard, and I knew we were stuck. The door
was lowered and I was off. There was a dead soldier right in front of the door, but I soon pulled him out of the way, as I did not
want him to be damaged any more.
The troops on our craft were soon ashore and we had landed them all safely. Up door and away – not likely, the door came
up, but we were high and dry in France till the next tide, which was about 4.00 in the afternoon. Shells were dropping thick and
fast, and the odd sniper’s bullet kept coming our way
I was on deck doing odd jobs such as putting things straight, when a sergeant RE comes by and says to me, “Can you see
anything on those two telegraph poles?” I said, “Yes, two big round things”. “Don’t touch them, they are mines – I’ll come and
dismantle them!” I got him a ladder, and he came aboard. He was hard at work, throwing wires out of these round things
when our CO shouts, “What is that man doing – send him off. I didn’t give him permission to come aboard!” I walked up to the
bridge where he was, and said to him, “I gave him permission, and what he is doing is dismantling two mines we’ve come
between”. He soon shut up, if we had hit either of them I should not have been writing this now!
The tide came in again and I reported aircraft approaching. We had been
G.D.S.
expecting to be bombed but we had had only one plane which dropped a bomb a
Cleaning and Ironing Services
hundred yards away. The CO could see through his glasses that they were ours,
Domestic and Commercial Laundry
and it was reinforcements for the gliders and paratroops.
Repairs and Alterations Service.
Back to England we sailed and when we got back to Portsmouth, we got a big
Fast & Efficient. Competitive
prices
cheer from the Dockies. We were soon loaded up and back again to France;
Duvets - Sports Kits loaded up at Arromanches with 200 POWs and back again to Pompey. We did four
Ironing Hairdressing Towels
trips before we had any leave. It is just 90 miles from Portsmouth to France, so
52 High Street
that is why we were doing all those miles in Scotland.
Collection and Delivery
Mansfield Woodhouse
Service available!
Tel: 01623 460888
After our fourth trip, we came in and we were in a bad condition as we had run onto
obstacles on the beaches and we were sinking although we had all our pumps
working flat out. Along came an army officer and says, “I think you can make
Joyce Hair Fashions
Member of
another trip”. I am not going to tell you what our CO said, but we didn’t go! We
3 Cox’s Lane
went into the big dry dock and the watch I was on was allowed ashore.
Mansfield Woodhouse
As soon as we were repaired we were back taking soldiers and materials to
Notts
France. By now the Mulberry Harbour had been erected - it was a great
Tel: 01623 627768
engineering project and we could land men very easily.
People say this was our longest day, but for us it lasted about three weeks, but we
All our stylists are
were young then and fighting for England. Yes, we won the war – and we did win
Qualified Hairdressers
Appointments are not always necessary
Peace
Ken Parsons - March 2004
St. Edmund’s D-Day Band Concert - Saturday 6th June 2004
12
Woodhouse Warbler
Web–in-a-day
Wednesday 19th May 2004
at Park Road Resource Centre,
Mansfield Woodhouse.
T
SUMMER
EVENT
Do you run a business or shop in
Mansfield Woodhouse?
Do you have a website yet?
Northfield Focus Point
(NFP) Vale Road
he Man sf ield W oodhouse
Community Development
Group’s Village Social and
Fundraising Committee working in
partnership with St. Edmund’s Church,
who are celebrating their 700-year
anniversary this year, are hosting their
Summer Event on 19th June 2004.
The day promises to be another jampacked day full of events for the
whole community and will start with a
parade at 12 noon from the Anvil
Public House car park and will
continue on to the Turner Hall field.
The parade will include many of the
local schools and organisations in the
area.
The Archbishop of York will be
visiting the village on the day and a
Flower Festival will be taking place in
the Church.
Other activities will include a Circus
Workshop, Mobile Climbing Wall and
Cave, Fairground Rides, Face
Painting, BBQ, Tug-o-War
Competition, Displays by Local
Groups, Races, Flypast and much
more.
Keep your eyes open for posters that
will be displayed around the village.
If you would like your Group to join in
the parade or would like further
information please contact Sharon at
Park Road Resource Centre on 01623
429334.
The Group look forward to seeing you
all there.
The
Northfield
N e i gh b o u r h o o d
Management Team (NNMT) and
Mansfield Woodhouse Garden Holders •
Association Limited (MWGHA Ltd) will be
holding an Open Day Event/Flower and
Vegetable Show at the NFP on Saturday •
24 July 04 from 12 noon until 5.00 pm.
•
•
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To find out more, contact Michael:
Tel: 01623 429334
Email: [email protected]
Celebration and
The MWGHA Ltd will be staging the
flower/vegetable show at 10.30 am until
re-launch of Park Road
4.30 pm and presentation of awards and
Resource Centre
a raffle will follow.
The public will be able to view the entries As reported in the last Warbler, Mansfield
Woodhouse Community Development
between 1.30 pm and 4 pm.
Group is delighted to announce the official
The NNMT will be staging the Open Day
re-launch of Park Road Resource Centre.
for the NFP and there will be stalls,
They would like to share with you their
exhibitions and lots of other events on the newly re-furbished centre including new
day.
computer suite. Celebrations will be held
To find out more, keep your eyes open for on Saturday 8th May from 10.00 am until
posters around Mansfield Woodhouse in 1.00 pm which will include guest speakers
the near future.
and
a
grants
surgery
from
James Devonshire Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.
Administration Assistant There will be a light buffet and
Northfield Neighbourhood Management refreshments, plus activities and
Team information stalls. Join the group on the
day and help them along with the
celebrations!
If you would like to know more please call
Sharon on 01623 429334.
Newly Refurbished
Northfield Focus Point
Vale Road Centre
Mansfield Woodhouse
Tel : 01623 626808
Hire From only
£8.00 per hour
“Under New Management”
13
Woodhouse Warbler
T
Home-Start
Mansfield
in Mansfield
Woodhouse
o Home-Start every family is special
and we respond to each family’s
needs through a combination of
home visiting support, group work and
social events. Over the last two months it
has been an extremely busy and fun filled
time here at Home-Start with various
training courses, one of them being a trial
for three mornings at the Manor Sport and
Recreation Centre for families and
volunteers. It was most informative and we
all tried different activities, a big thank you
to all the staff at the Centre for all their
support and encouragement.
On Tuesday mornings Chris and Sharon
co-ordinate a family group for the under
fives, it is a very pleasant, relaxing
environment. Parents, carers and
grandparents are most welcome, it is an
ideal time to meet other adults for a chat
over coffee and there are organised
activities for the babies and children. There
are plenty of toys for all ages. Last month,
Christine visited us from A Place To Call
Our Own (APTCOO). She brought with her
the Mobile Sensory Unit, which creates an
environment, which uses sight, smell and
touch to encourage stimulation and
development or relaxation in a safe and
specialist environment. Infants and adults
alike enjoyed it, we are looking forward to
her next visit.
The family group are hoping to take part in
the 700-year celebration of St Edmund’s
Church Parade, which will be held on 19th
June 2004. We have many costumes to
produce for the children and are having a
TJ
'STEVENSON
Corner Shop
Groceries, Confectionery, Off Licence
NOW DOING:
Electronic Phone Top Ups, Gas &
Electric.
Wide Selection of
Beers, Wines and Spirits
Opening Times:
Mon-Fri: 7.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sat :
8.30 am - 10.00 pm
Sun : 9.00 am - 10.00 pm
1 Park Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse
Tel : 01623 653986
sewing day on Thursday 20th May.
So if you can spare a couple of
hours please contact Marie or Donna
on 428844.
The family group at Northfield Focus
Point, Vale Road, Mansfield
Woodhouse meet on Tuesdays 9.30
am to 11.30 am (50p per family).
For more information please contact
Marie or Donna at Park Road
Resource Centre, 53 Park Road,
Mansfield Woodhouse.
Tel: 01623 428844.
As this years GCSE exams
have or are about to start,
here are a few examples of
what lasts year’s British
students gave as answers.
These are genuine responses
from 16 year olds.
Geography
Q: What are the four seasons?
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.
Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves
and makes them perspire.
Q: What is a plant?
A: A body of earth surrounded by sky.
One morning at Manor
Sports Centre by a
Home-Start Volunteer.
It was a lovely frosty, sunny winters
day. I met up with my daughter and
friends and we made our way to the
Manor Sports and Recreation
Centre. It was a warm and
welcoming place and the other
Home-Start volunteers, families and
staff were there. Our first activity was
trampolining! The younger ones
knew what to do, but for the rest of
us it was a new experience. For me
it was 50% exhilaration and 50%
fear…but I had a go. After that we
had a go at aerobics, which included
balancing , skipping, sit ups and
other things I hadn’t done for about
45 years, but I really enjoyed it. After
an hour we finished the session with
a well-deserved cuppa. We were all
puffing a bit but the best feeling of all
was that we were all proud and
pleased with what we had done…it
was a very enjoyable morning.
A&C
SPORTS LTD
Nottinghamshire’s Leading
Cycle Specialists
Large Range of Bikes to Suit
all Ages
Free initial bike services to
all customers
1A Morven Avenue
Mansfield Woodhouse
Notts. NG19 9JQ
01623 623389
Sociology
Q: What guarantees may a mortgage
company insist on?
A: If you are buying a house, they will
insist you are well endowed.
Biology
Q: How can you delay milk going
sour?
A: Keep it in the cow. (He got an A!)
Q: How are the main parts of the body
categorised? (e.g. Abdomen)
A: The body is consisted into three
parts – the branium, the borax, the
abdomen cavity. The branium
contains the brain, the borax contains
the heart and lungs and the
abdominal cavity contains the five
bowels, A, E, I, O, U.
Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie
Q: What does ‘varicose’ mean?
A: Nearby.
English
Q: What does the word ‘benign’
mean?
A: Benign is what you will be after you
be eight.
Pleasley Vale
Plant Nursery
OPEN:
Tuesday - Saturday
10:00 to 5:00
Sundays & Bank Holidays 10:30 to 4:30
Tea Rooms Now Open
For the cottage
garden favourites to
the rare and unusual.
Access:
From Station Street turn onto Vale Road
and follow on under railway bridge.
Continue for 1 mile and we are on the
right in the old warehouse.
14
Woodhouse Warbler
Two New British Swimming Records
Local swimmer Callum Lawson recently took part in the British Olympic and Paralympic swimming trials at
Ponds Forge, Sheffield. His results are as follows:
50 metres free style - heat 29.97 a new personal best but unfortunately did not make the final.
50 metres breaststroke - heat 36.7 and final 35.19 another new personal best and new British record.
100 metres breast stroke – heat 1.17.35 and a personal best time also new British record. Finals came 3rd in
multi disabilities race.
Callum still retains his position as Number 1 in the country in SB9 category.
Unfortunately Callum did not achieve a qualifying time for the paralympics but will have one last chance in a
few weeks time.
Good Luck Callum.
Woodhouse Colts Junior Football Club
Woodhouse Colts Junior Football Club has been providing local children with the opportunity to play competitive football
for over 25 years. The club currently has eleven teams starting from the Under
7’s up to the Under 16’s.
Our team, the Under 12’s have been very fortunate to secure the help of 3
local companies as sponsors for the 2003-2004 season.
The players and supporters of Woodhouse Colts Under 12’s would like to
thank all our sponsors for their generosity.
Our home kit is sponsored by Fiducia Financial Planning from Mansfield and
pictured with the players is senior partner Anthony Scott.
Dave Meakin Transport from Mansfield is the sponsor of our away kit and
pictured with the players is the proprietor, Dave Meakin.
The players also have rain
jackets, which are extremely
useful in this country and they
are sponsored by New Crown
Sharpes (Vauxhall) from
Daybrook. Pictured with the
players is Parts Manager Glyn
Kirkpatrick.
Mark Etches
Woodhouse Colts Under 12’s
15—17 Warsop Road,
Mansfield Woodhouse,
Notts.
Telephone: 01623 636368
Full range of
Electric Beds on display!
Mansfield’s No1 Bed Specialist
Mansfield Woodhouse Social Groups Summer Event-Saturday 19th June 2004
15
Woodhouse Warbler
Groundwork Ashfield
As the co-ordinator for Groundwork
Ashfield I thought your readers would
like to know about the In Step walks we
have organised for April, May and June.
In Step is a programme of short,
sociable walks around Mansfield,
Mansfield Woodhouse & Warsop.
They are led by trained volunteers and
are a fun way to improve health and
make new friends.
The walks are not competitive in any
way and allow for the walker's different
abilities, enabling people who have not
exercised before or for a long time, to
enjoy walking.
Walkers can go at their own pace, be it
fast, slow, or needing to take breaks, as
there are front and back leaders.
The social aspect is appealing too,
providing an opportunity to meet people,
while others prefer to walk in a group
rather than walking alone or in pairs.
It's surprising how quickly the walk
passes when you are busy chatting!
There are 11 walks planned in April, 12
in May and 12 in June, programmes can
be found in libraries, health centres,
community centres etc. or you can ring
me at Groundwork on 01623
635334, and for information about walk
leader training.
S. Garratty
Shape instructor Nicky Blakey presenting
£420.50 to the Kings Mill Hospital Trust
Breast Screening Unit.
Every year the members of the Turner
Hall, Mansfield W oodhouse and
Underwood Community Centre classes of
Shape Fitness raise money for this worthy
cause, by holding a charity evening.
Guests are invited along and this year they
paid a forfeit for not wearing a bra on the
outside of their clothes. “Not only did we
have a fun time, our bodies and those of
others from other areas benefited” says
Nicky
Why not come along and join us.
See our advert.
Woodhouse Youth
Forum Update
S
i n c e I l a s t w ro t e t h e
Woodhouse Youth Forum has
been involved in assisting with
the 60s night at Turner Hall on the 18th
of October 2003, this required a lot of
hard work and planning to make the
night a success. The youth forum did
what they could to help to make it an
enjoyable night for all. We agreed on
doing some dances from the 60s and
to learn about the 60s culture. We
listened to lots of CD’s and chose the
most appropriate for our dance style
and would get everyone singing and
up on the dance floor having a good
time.
Six of the youth forum took part. We
chose Twist Again, Baby Love and
Wipe Out. There was a lot of planning
we had to do in order to get the
performance right. We met twice a
week on Tuesday and Thursday night,
for four weeks, we also had our
costumes made for us by Val which
took a lot of time and hard work for
her to complete.
The night was a great success. There
were a lot of people who turned out in
fancy dress, well, should I say 60’s
style.
Sugar and Spice wowed everyone
with their amazing routines, whilst
Annette and Geoff’s alter egos namely
Sonny and Cher performed well. Also
a Band performed keeping the crowd
in their high spirits.
Sarah Williams
On behalf of the Woodhouse
Youth Forum.
A GOOD MOVE
January 6th 2003 I moved from Lincoln
to Mansfield Woodhouse with my little
dog named Bobby to start a new
phase in my life where everyone was
a stranger, but it wasn’t long before I
was making friends with people and I
was being made welcome. I was soon
settling down and feeling at home. My
bungalow is in a warden controlled
area and the warden is a very nice
and caring person.
When I moved into my bungalow I just
had one next door neighbour who was
very nice but sadly died in April after a
short but painful illness. In June I got a
new neighbour and we have become
very good friends. Also I have made
lots of other new friends. Last May I
bought a kitten who is ginger and
white and his name is Bramble, he is
now nine months old. Bobby and
Bramble get on very well together and
they even eat out of the same dish at
the same time. My neighbour has two
dogs and they even let Bramble go in
and eat out of their food dish so I think
he has got it made, “can’t be bad eh”,
but seriously I am very happy here
and I have no regrets about moving.
I now have a lop eared rabbit who I
have named Buffy, as he is a buff
colour who is about eight or nine
weeks old. I have put his cage in the
kitchen for the winter. Buffy is very
friendly and he likes to be cuddledBobby gave him a kiss today.
I still keep in touch with my friend
Chris who lives in Spalding and my
friend Sue who lives in Lincoln, but I
have quite a few friends now who live
in Mansfield Woodhouse, who I have
met at different community centres.
I have had a very nice Christmas
thanks to my good friend and
neighbour. I was invited to spend
Christmas with her and her family to
who I owe a big thank you.
My daughter Michelle, son-in-law Cliff
and grandchildren Debs and Amy
have visited me. Chris and Sue have
also visited me and they can all see
that I am happy here and that I have
settled very well. I consider myself to
be very lucky to be in such a caring
community, so I thank you people of
Mansfield Woodhouse for making me
feel so welcome over the past twelve
months.
Pat Taylor
If you are holding a fundraising or charity event in August, September or October
Please let us know and advertise it in the Warbler
16
Woodhouse Warbler
St Edmund’s
Church Clock
The present clock on St Edmund’s
Church was dedicated on Advent
Sunday, 5th December, 1930.
NEW PUBLIC CLOCK FOR MANSFIELD
WOODHOUSE
S
unday was an auspicious day in
Mansfield Woodhouse for it
marked the occasion of the
dedication of a new church clock, which
is second to none in the county. Our
readers will be interested to note that
the old clock which was boon to the
parish in years gone by and which has
served its purpose faithfully, was
installed over 70 years ago. An
inscription on the inside of this reads:
‘This clock was made in the 21st year of
Her Majesty Queen Victoria for the
parish church of Mansfield Woodhouse,
by George William Cope, of Nottingham,
July 1859, and paid for from the rents of
the Claypit lands by John Beardall, John
Oaks, John Booth, Thomas Brooks,
William Cripwell, Trustees of the Claypit
Lands, William Cripwell and Thomas
Tebbett churchwardens.’
The dials each measured across 5ft
11ins and the fingers 2ft 6ins and 3ft
8ins in length respectively. When taken
down it was found that the nails holding
the dials were worn to within an inch
and the spindle only was holding them
in place. One of the old dials is being
kept as a novelty and is being placed in
Mr Munks’ grounds in Church Hill.
Around and inside the dial will grow a
variety of thyme.
The erection of the new clock has been
watched with interest. It is a generous
gift by the directors of the Sherwood
Colliery Co and needless to say will be
a great boon to the residents in the
parish. The dedication took place after
the ordinary service on Sunday morning
in the presence of a large congregation,
which included the Chairman and
members of the Urban District Council.
The Rev J. Lowndes, (the Vicar), said
he could not imagine a more
appropriate day than Advent Sunday for
the dedication of a new church clock.
They had been reminded it was the
beginning of the Christian year of the
church and as they thought of that they
were reminded that the great wheels of
time went rolling steadily on. Nothing
could stop time. There had been
occasions in their experiences when
they had no doubt felt absolutely
helpless in the presence of steadily
going time and would have given all
they possessed if they could only stop
time for a season, but still it went on.
“As we dedicate our clock,” he
continued “I think it will have a new
message for us. Now it is high time to
awake out of sleep, the night is far spent
and the day is at hand. So as we look
up at our clock and make measure of
time we shall be reminded to look up to
God and think of the Great Day drawing
nigh when we have to appear before the
Judgement Seat of God.” He was sure
they all felt a deep debt of gratitude to
the Sherwood Colliery Co. for their
generous gift. It would be of great
benefit to the church and parish. It was
fitting that Mr Ellis, as representing the
company should be asked to start the
clock. They very much regretted
however that Mr Cartwright Taylor, his
warden, and also a director of the
company, could not be present with
them owing to illness. The clock, he
explained would chime the quarters and
strike the hours except between 11 pm
and 5.15 am. The hours would strike but
the chimes would be silent throughout
the night.
An appropriate hymn ‘O God Our Help
In Ages Past,’ was sung then followed a
dedicatory prayer, after which Mr Ellis
officially presented the clock to the
church and people of Mansfield
Woodhouse. He had, he said, been up
the tower to view the clock and it was a
wonderful piece of mechanism and a
very creditable piece of work. The
makers were also to be congratulated,
as also was Mr Warden, who had been
responsible for the erection of the clock.
“On behalf of the directors of the
Sherwood Colliery Co.”, he said “I
present this clock to the Glory of God
and for the benefit of the people of
Mansfield Woodhouse.”
Silent prayer followed immediately
before Mr Ellis set the clock striking 12.
Appended is a description of the new
clock. The clock replacing the one
installed there 70 odd years ago is
made on the most modern lines by the
well-known firm of J. Smith and Sons,
Derby, makers of many of the largest
clocks in the country including St Paul’s
Cathedral. The Westminster chimes are
struck on the first, second, third and
sixth of the church bells, the hour also
being struck on the tenor, or the largest
bell of the six. The time is shown on the
south and east walls of the tower on 6 ft
dials. It was intended to use the dials of
the old clock but the mechanics found
they were beyond repair, hence the
protracted delay in getting the job
finished. The movement of the clock is
fixed on a platform above the bells and
behind the dials. This is fitted with the
double three-legged gravity escarpment
invented by the late Lord Grimethorpe
for the Westminster clock. All the
wheels, which are of gunmetal, are
screwed down to a massive casting and
have the teeth cut out of the solid metal
ensuring perfectly smooth running. The
pendulum is a compensated one,
beating in one and a quarter seconds
with a heavy bob and the makers can
guarantee the variation to be less than
three seconds a week. As a contrast to
the old clock the long fall of the weights
have been dispensed with, the new clock
being wound automatically by electric
motors, the weights only falling about six
inches. All the work is built on steel
girders and encased in a glass-fronted
case covered with lead. As the clock is
automatically wound it will require little
attention beyond an occasional oiling.
Mansfield Woodhouse inhabitants are to
be congratulated on having a clock
second to none in the country.
The article has been reproduced by kind
permission of the Chad Newspaper and
taken from the Mansfield Woodhouse
Society archives. It was originally
published in the Mansfield Reporter in
December 1930.
St Edmund’s Church
Celebrations
Dates for Your Diary
Saturday 15th May 04
Quiz Night From 7 pm
th
Sunday 16 May 04
Rogation Sunday (Beating of
Bounds)
Sunday 30th May 04
Pentecost- Whit Walk
th
Saturday 5 June 04
D Day Band Concert
Sunday 6th June 04
Anniversary of D Day
Friday 18th June 04
Opening of 3 Day Flower
Festival
Saturday 19th June 04
Midsummer Happening
th
Saturday 26 June 04
Cantamus Concert
Deadline for next issue is Friday 2nd July 2004
17
Woodhouse Warbler
Societies), which raises the standards
for churches to emulate. A large
number of visitors are attracted to
these events, particularly from flower
clubs, and of course admission prices
can be quite high.
SAVING TIME
To stage the festival the Altar Guild
have held various raffles, stalls, coffee
At their February
mornings etc., also we have received
meeting the Parish
generous sponsorship donations from
Council of the church received a report
from the builders of our clock, Smith’s of local groups and individuals have
given in memory of loved ones.
Derby. That report showed that the
clock’s internal mechanism is in major
The event has been advertised
need of overhaul and as a consequence throughout the diocese via the
has been disconnected from the
Mother’s Union Groups and in our local
electricity supply, thus freezing time.
parish magazine. Posters will be
distributed to local shops and meeting
In addition the east facing external dial
places in Mansfield Woodhouse. Local
needs to be repaired and refreshed.
radio stations will also be involved
This can be done with the face in
nearer the date.
position as it is now.
The community as a whole will benefit
The south dial however is so badly
from the upkeep and repair of the
cracked that it is in danger of falling
from the tower and must be completely church fabric, ensuring this beautiful
and historic church will continue for
replaced. Smiths propose to make a
many years at the centre of Mansfield
new dial from the original moulds.
Woodhouse.
Our hope is to complete these works
The theme for the flower festival at St
before the summer celebrations of the
Edmund’s is Ancient and Modern.
700th anniversary of our village church.
An opening Blessing and Dedication
We all enjoy the sight of the clock and
th
we need your help in getting it repaired. will be at 9.30 am on Friday 18 June
2004.
Any help you might offer is of value to
Friday 18th June and
us. However we need to raise a total of It will be open
th
Saturday
19
10
am – 4.30 pm
£12,000 to cover the work in hand.
Sunday 20th June 1 pm – 5 pm
Would you consider contributing so that
Monday 21st June and Tuesday 22nd
this asset to the village might once
June 10 am – 4 pm.
again serve for generations to come?
……………..
If you are willing to offer any help
Trinity Methodist Church is holding a
please contact The Parish Office on
flower and craft festival to celebrate
01623 629665 THANK-YOU.
120 years on Saturday 5th June 2004
from 10 am onwards.
Coffee morning from 10 am to 12
noon. Lunches from 12 noon to 2 pm.
2.30 pm Dedication by the Rev. Marie
itur gic al f lo wer f es t iv a ls Greenwood.
originated in Dorset in the early
Come along and see what your local
1950’s as a way to raise money
churches have to offer.
to restore the war damage to churches.
Jean Taylor
They became so popular that today
Leader of the Altar Guild
they are frequently presented in both
St Edmunds Church.
cathedrals and churches.
The growing popularity of flower
arranging over the last twenty or so
years has meant that flower festivals
Invite your friends round for a girly night
can be seen in many other places, for
in and receive FREE gifts as a Thank-You.
example in this area they have been
If you would like to host a Virgin Vie Spa,
held in Newstead Abbey, Bolsover
Skincare or Make Up Party, or find out more
Castle, Chatsworth House and Belvoir
about joining us as a consultant,
Castle. These usually involve top
Call Sharon on 01623 409397/07951 589029
or visit
arrangers from the N.A.F.A.S. (National
www.myvirgincosmetics.co.uk/sharonabrown
Association of Flower Arranging
The Clock
Appeal for
St. Edmund’s.
L
The Flower
Festival
Can anybody shed light on the
‘ T u n n e l s ’ i n Ma n s f i e l d
Woodhouse (to help settle an
argument)
Are they connected to
Welbeck Abbey?
J Booth
Health Outreach Worker
Claire Chapman – Health Outreach
Worker, employed by Mansfield
District Primary Care Trust, funded
by Neighbourhood Renewal.
Available at Northfield Focus Point,
Vale Road every Wednesday
between 3 – 5.15 pm.
I am around to –
☼ Provide community based
sexual health provision in the
form of pregnancy testing,
condom distribution and
advice.
☼ Sign-post young people to
appropriate services
☼ Advocate on behalf of young
people.
☼ Support parents to enable
them to talk about sexual
health issues with their
teenage children.
I also provide a text messaging/
phone service for young people to
ask questions, answer queries, they
don’t want to ask face to face..
The phone number is
07796267137
St Edmunds Flower Festival 18th to 22nd June 2004
18
Eyup Mi’duck!
Woodhouse Warbler
Fancy a Flutter!
The Anvil Inn, Mansfield Woodhouse are
IT WER’ BONNIN’ AWAY LIKE
hosting a Charity Race Night in a bid to
BILLYO raise funds for Portland College reg. charity
The flames were quite severe
no. 214339 on Thursday 10th June 2004 at
8.00 pm.
“AH SHANT SAY NOTE COS AV
SEEN NOTE”! –
Portland College is a specialist residential
My lips are sealed college for people with a wide range of
physical disabilities. Staff and students
AM NOT GUNNER TECK ‘CAN
have signed up to take part in the
BACK’ FORRIT –
don’t blame me! Braveheart Challenge which is an
exhilarating three-day sponsored challenge
EE SLOTTED IM ONE INT’ CHOPS – testing their fitness, skill and intellect. The
he smacked him across the chin challenge will take place in Scotland and
will involve some of the most varied and
AM GUNNER GUTTER SEE
adventurous activities ever seen in the UK.
MISSEN –
I’ll check on it myself One of the biggest challenges so far is
raising the sponsor money, which will go
AM GOBBLIN FAGS, TEN TUT
towards buying specialist equipment for the
DOZEN –
new learning centre for people with
I smoke a lot
disabilities. All proceeds from the race
DON’T MECKER BUDDY ‘OGGER
night will help the Portland Braves achieve
their fundraising target.
YERSENN’ –
don’t eat too much at the party
There will be eight races and seven horses
running in each race so there will be lots of
THEE ANT GORRA DEAL INT
opportunities to get involved, have some
COALUSS –
I don’t think they are very well off fun and have a flutter. There will also be a
pie and pea supper available for a small
EE YAR,AH WANT TAV A WODD
charge and a grand raffle draw.
WEEYER –
can I have a word in confidence We would just like to take this opportunity
to all those local businesses which have
supported the event by kindly donating
“ My Life as a Coal Miner”
raffle prizes and sponsoring the races.
by D. Shaw
Please feel free to pop in on the night and
There are still a few copies of this
try your luck!
book, which was written by a local
For more information about the Braveheart
author available at £4.50 each.
Challenge please call Paula Bowman on
Please telephone 01623 642083 if
01623 499151.
you would like more details
Castle Street
Support Housing
C
astle Street is a project
offering Supported Housing
for people with learning
difficulties. The tenants here are
concerned about the dangerous
crossing near the Market Cross on
Church Street, here in Mansfield
Woodhouse.
Cars turning from the High Street
approach the junction at high
speed and are not visible to
pedestrians until they are very
close, we feel that this situation
poses an unnecessary risk to
people crossing and especially
those with learning disabilities or
mobility problems.
We at Castle Street feel that the
junction could benefit fro a zebra or
other pedestrian crossing or a
mirror reflecting the oncoming
traffic, and so we have therefore
drawn up a Petition.
In support of our Petition our
tenants have sent letters stating
their reasons for such a Petition
and we would be very grateful if
people of Mansfield Woodhouse
would write to Dr Bill Pearce at the
Civic Centre, Mansfield or email
him on wpearce@mansfield-dc.
gov.uk with their comments
regarding a pedestrian crossing.
Jenny Smith
Support Worker, Castle Street
- - - - - LOST CATS - - 3 x £100 Reward - - - - Have you or anybody you may know "adopted" or been feeding any stray cats since
September 2003.
We moved to the area in September and have lost our cats.
Please help us find them.
Mew is a 4 year old female black cat and has been spayed.
Figaro is a 3 year old male long haired black and white cat
Tigger is a 3 year old male short haired tabby
If you have any of these cats or know of their whereabouts,
please contact Sam on 01623 657550 / 07941679930.
They are sadly missed and there is £100 reward for every cat that is
returned home safely
If you have any comments, letters or articles please contact us – see back page
19
Woodhouse Warbler
WE MADE IT!!!
We’re sure you will remember many of the things mentioned below. It amused my husband Geoff
(a Woodhouse lad) and myself no end.
A
ccording to today’s regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s probably
shouldn’t have survived. Our baby cots were covered with brightly coloured lead-based paint, which was
promptly chewed and licked. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, no latches on doors or cabinets
and it was fine to play with great big pans. When we rode our bikes, we wore no helmets, just flip flops and
fluorescent ‘clackers’ on our wheels and we never rode less than seven abreast. We wore our coats by the hood only
and they never, ever got caught in the wheels and ripped our heads off.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Getting a bunk up on the handlebars of your mate’s bike
was the best way to get back from the footie, and no copper ever cared. The best thing ever was standing up in the back
of your mate’s Dad’s truck, feeling the wind in your hair. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle tasted the same. We ate dripping sandwiches that had been left in the sun, bread and butter pudding made days before,
and drank fizzy pop with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing and we
were too fit to get sick from the germs. We shared one drink with four friends, from one bottle or can and no one actually
died from this.
We would spend hours building go-carts out of scraps and then went top speed down the hill, only to find out we forgot
the brakes. After running into stinging nettles a few times, and being ignored by the grown ups who were on the picnic
with us, we learned to solve the problem. Rub a dock leaf on it, or stop running into stinging nettles. We would leave
home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back before it got dark. No one was able to reach us all day
and no one minded. We did not have Playstations or X-Boxes, no video games at all. No 99 channels on TV, no
videotape movies, no surround sound, no mobile phones, no personal computers, and no Internet chat rooms. We had
friends – we went outside and found them.
We played conkers and street rounders, and sometimes the conker turned your knuckles black and blue for days, and
that ball really hurt. We fell out of trees, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits. They were
accidents. We learned not to do the same thing again. We had fights, punched each other hard but never kicked anyone
in the head, and we learned to get over it and be mates the next day. We walked to friend’s homes and enjoyed the
walk. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate live stuff, and although we were told it would happen, we
did not have very many eyes out, nor did the live stuff live inside us forever. Our actions were our own. Consequences
were expected. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided up with the
law. Imagine that!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years
have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas of a scale unknown in human history. We had freedom, failure,
success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
And you’re one of them, Congratulations!
L and G Clark.
Mick & Gail’s
Snack Van
Bacon, Egg, Sausage, Beans,
Mushrooms & Tomatoes
Breakfast Cob
ONLY £1.50
or
Double for £2.50
Open 7 am till 1 pm
(Can Deliver)
B & Q Old Mill Lane
Mansfield Woodhouse
Order on - 07956814938
Mobile Locksmith
01623 422 555
Emergency Lock
Opening
No call-out charge
UPVC door & window Locks
Wooden door locks to BS &
Insurance Standards
New front & rear door
locks supplied & fitted
standard house £100
Mobile 07980 287 970
PREMIER TYRES
YOUR LOCAL TYRE CENTRE
Friendly Professional Service
30 years experience
Highly Competitive Prices
Alloy Wheels/Packages
Puncture Repairs to British
Standard
Large Stocks - All Makes
Find us near Carpet World
Unit 53 - Block 8, Farmway
Old Mill Lane Ind Estate
Mansfield Woodhouse.
Tel: Steve on 01623 656300
Credit Cards and Switch accepted
Say you saw it in the Woodhouse Warbler!
20
Woodhouse Warbler
Do You Remember?
This cutting from an old local newspaper was sent in by Mrs C M
Caunt of Burns Road, Mansfield Woodhouse.
Two old brick cottages said to be the first built entirely of brick in
Mansfield Woodhouse, owned by Mansfield Brewery for some
time now, are to be demolished to make way for the car park
planned for the White Swan.
Mr George Parmenter of Rose lane, Mansfield Woodhouse told
the Chad “I believe they were the first house in the parish to be
built of brick. Many others were partly, but not wholly of brick.
Mr W Shooter, the Mansfield District Council engineer supports
Mr Parmenter in his belief.
The cottage on Swan Lane contains in its structure near the door
a stone inscribed ‘Walter Astley, Constable William Makin,
Walter Astley, Overseers ,1730.
The cottage was in fact the old Mansfield Woodhouse police
station and the stone is to be preserved by the Old Mansfield
Society.
Nurse Smalley (Big Mam)
A well known figure from 1916 to 1937, in her starched white apron, black cape and
her well known ‘black bag’ in which she carried babies (or so all the kids in Woodhus
thought) and it wasn’t many kids who weren’t threatened that if they didn’t behave they
would be put back in the ‘black bag’ of Nurse Smalley.
She used to walk everywhere, all hours day or night - even down to Pleasley Vale.
Everyone knew and respected ‘Big Mam Smalley’.
Isabella Munks was born on August 11th 1873 in Mansfield and married William
Marriott Smalley (soldier Bill) in St. Peter’s Church, Mansfield on 15th April 1892.
Isabella called ‘Big Mam’ by one and all, started her working life in Cash’s Mill,
Mansfield. She assisted local doctor’s with midwifery and though having many children
of her own, was helped by Dr. Palmer to get a place at the Plaistow Maternity
Hospital, East London, where she obtained her Midwifery Certificate in April 1916.
Whilst based in the east end of London she delivered many babies into the sad
squalor of the local area of that time, before returning to her native Nottinghamshire.
Approximately 4,000 babies were registered as being delivered by her. The first being
Grace Hannah in 1916 and the last ‘Trotter’ Thompson in 1937. Amongst the babies
delivered were the children of the Duke of Portland of Welbeck Abbey.
She died on 24th June 1947 at her home 110 Coke Street, Mansfield Woodhouse.
B Smalley
YEOMAN PARK
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Having a family celebration? Mark the event in the Warbler – a real memento!
21
Woodhouse Warbler
Do you know
The Oaklands at
Warsop?
T
he Oaklands is a registered
charity and is situated in its own
landscaped gardens and private
car park on Oakfield Lane. The
Oaklands complex consists of two
residential bungalows, Cherry Villa and
Rowan Villa, and a Community Centre.
The two bungalows provide a home for
life for adults with learning difficulties
and also respite care. The residents
have a full and active social life and
staff are constantly involved in raising
funds for this and other projects.
The Community Centre is available for
hire by the public for weddings,
birthdays, meetings, special occasions
etc. It is supported by a dedicated
band of fundraisers, The Friends of the
Oaklands Fundraising Team, who
have regular events to raise funds.
The Oaklands is constantly looking for
funds to improve the bungalows and
the Community Centre and would
welcome anyone who would be
interested in supporting our projects. If
you are interested in any of our
forthcoming events or would be able to
offer support of fundraise on behalf of
the association, please give me a ring.
Events to be held over the next few
months are, Pollyanna Pickering
Evening - Wednesday 12th May, Car
boot – Sunday 16th May and 20th June.
Jill Robinson, Secretary
01623 844034
The Furniture
Project
donate furniture or become involved in
the project itself, telephone 01623
836410
The Furniture Project started the New
Year with an even greater demand for
its service than has been seen in
previous years. Our figures show that
more and more people are keen to see
their unwanted furniture be given to
people in need.
What do we do? We are a registered
charity, funded to collect in reusable
household furniture, electrical items,
bric-a-brac and clothing. We then
distribute these to clients that have been
referred to us, free of charge. We
currently have over 90 agencies
referring clients in need to us.
Where do we collect? We have a free
collection service throughout North
Nottinghamshire. To do this we operate
two vans five days a week. A third
vehicle will be purchased before April.
What about the items we sell? In
order to raise much-needed funds the
project is able to sell certain nonessential items of furniture. This is done
either from the warehouse (Unit 190,
Boughton Industrial Estate) or from our
market stall, which is open on
Wednesday and Friday in Ollerton.
How do we operate? As well as the 6
paid members of staff we are assisted
by volunteers, trainees and community
service placements. Volunteers play an
intrinsic part in the day-to-day running of
the project and are always welcome to
either drive, help out on the vans, in the
office or in the warehouse.
What next? As well as expanding the
existing service the project is seeking
new and innovative ways of becoming
self-sustaining. If you would like to
Mobile Toy Library
Hi my name is Liz Brown. I am the new
Mobile Toy Library Worker, taking an
already well-used and existing project
out into the Parish and it’s communities.
The Toy Library is based at The Meden
Under Fives Centre by volunteer
workers and when the centre is open so
is the Toy Library. See centre advert for
opening details.
The post is a new take on the existing
project to fill in gaps that have arisen.
There are three agencies working in
partnership. They are The Meden
Under Fives Centre, The Malcolm
Sargison Resource Centre and Meden
Valley Sure Start.
I would like to invite any organisation
interested in having me to run a session
for them to get in touch with me on
01623 847022 mob 07974524448 or at
the Meden Under Fives Centre.
We have a wide range of toys ranging
from baby to teens, we also have a
wide range of educational and special
needs toys and equipment.
Dates for your Diary from The
Mansfield Woodhouse Society
Monday 24th May 2004 Margaret Harrison
( The Copper Kettle Club One)
Monday 28th June 2004 -
Sheila Haslem
(Cantamas Ladies Choir)
July -
No Meeting
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NG19 8LZ
Due to pressure on space a number of articles have unavoidably been held
over until the next issue!
22
Woodhouse Warbler
I
n an earlier edition, I highlighted the strong link between Drugs and Crime in the area and since then, little has
altered. For the year ending 31st March 2004, 10,215 persons were arrested and dealt with at Mansfield Police
Station (although some of these would be repeat offenders) and of these 419 were for either possessing or
supplying drugs. So, as can be seen from these figures, the fight against drugs does remain a high priority target.
By far the most popular drug in the Mansfield area is Heroin, the cost of which is between £5 and £10 for a single deal or
wrap. This may not sound an awful lot, but when you consider that an addict usually requires 4 or 5 wraps a day, 7 days
a week, then the cost can be easily recognised. If the person is unemployed, then there is usually only one way he or
she can afford to feed their habit and that is to resort to crime. So what is this drug, which brings despair and misery to
so many people both directly and indirectly?
Heroin is derived from the poppy plant, which is grown in the border regions of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Most of it
is smuggled into this country in the form of a brown powder, which is commonly known as Brown, Smack or Gear. The
easiest way of using the drug is by smoking in which case the effects are felt almost immediately. This is usually done by
placing the powder on silver foil and heating it from underneath and the vapours which are given off are inhaled using a
tube. This method is commonly known as ‘Chasing the Dragon’, so named because as the heroin is heated, it turns
black and wriggles like a snake. The other method of using the drug is by way of injecting in which case it is usually
mixed with citric acid. This is a quick way of getting the heroin directly into the blood stream and into the brain. However,
this method carries more risk to the user, as it is easier to overdose. it is difficult to know the purity of the heroin, as there
is little consistency in what it is actually mixed with. In addition, the discarded needles can pose a health threat to an
innocent person who may be pricked and therefore become infected with a blood borne disease such as hepatitis.
The main effect is to block out physical and emotional pain, although to what extent varies from person to person. Some
people will get nothing from the drug, whilst others will immediately take to it and become addicted. As the user develops
a tolerance, he or she will find that they need more of the drug to get the effect that they initially experienced and it gets
to the stage whereby heroin is needed just to make a person feel normal. If heroin intake is stopped suddenly, then
withdrawal symptoms set in which take the form of depression or to the user suffering flu like conditions. This may last
for well over a week, but the person may feel ill for weeks later which is why kicking the habit is a very difficult thing to
do.
As I have stated the Police are continuing to target the drug problem and are still running ‘Rat on a Rat’ campaign, which
has resulted in many drugs warrants being executed in recent weeks. I would still invite any person with any information
in relation to Drug Dealers to call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 in order that we can strive towards improving the
quality of life in the whole of Mansfield Woodhouse.
Sgt Dave Lindsay
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Your Award Winning Woodhouse Warbler!
23
Woodhouse Warbler
GARDENING
G
row bags can be used for
growing a lot more than
tomatoes. The problem, as
with any container grown plant,
is that once they placed in a confined
area they are totally dependant on you
for all of their needs. This dependency
can be alleviated substantially by a little
manipulation. For example, if you cut the
bottoms out of three six inch plastic plant
pots then place these an equal distance
on top of your grow bag, after laying it
down and levelling out the contents,
draw a circle around the bottom of the
pot, cut it out and then sink the pot about
a couple of inches into the grow bag
through the cut out hole. Fill the pot from
another grow bag about half way then
plant and fill to the top. This will give
your plants a lot more compost and
consequently a better root system.
Grow bags can be fastened securely,
vertically or horizontally, to a fence then
after cutting slits in the bag plant them
up with trailing plants for a stunning
summer display. Placed around your
patio they will take away the hard lines
and make a marvellous place to hold
your barbecue or just to relax in the
warm summer evenings. Fancy some
nice fresh vegetables from your garden
without all the hard work of weeding etc.
then grow bags can provide the answer.
To plant potatoes, tie two grow bags
together after first cutting off the top of
one and the bottom of another and them
tying the two together so the exposed
bag halves meet, so in effect you have a
double thickness grow bag. Holes are
then cut in the top and the seed potatoes
can then be planted. You will soon be
enjoying new potatoes without the
trouble of weeding and earthing up etc.
Alternately lay a grow bag out flat then
level the contents out. Lift the bag in the
middle so that the contents are equally
divided between both halves and cut the
bag in two these can then be used to
plant one tuber each. They can also be
used, in this way, to grow outdoor
tomato plants, carrots, parsnips.
For radishes, lettuce and bedding plants
keep the grow bag flat and cut the top off
and sow your seeds. You can have quite
a vegetable garden or bedding display
on the patio
May is the time to clear away spring
bedding as soon as possible and
prepare the ground for summer planting.
Prune away dead wood on hardy
Fuchsias and trim to shape. Plant out
Dahlias in well prepared ground, stake
and tie. Keep mowing the lawn,
gradually reducing the height of the
blades. Sow dwarf, climbing and runner
beans in the open. Plant a second
sowings of broad beans.
June and watering is really important at
this time of the year. Special attention
must be paid to all types of containers,
hanging baskets, tubs etc as these can
dry out very quickly in hot spells. Any
bedding out should be completed as
soon as possible, watering in thoroughly
if the weather is very dry.
July is a good month to start a compost
heap, which if managed properly will be
ready for use in early winter. Take semihardwood cuttings of azaleas, cytisus,
spirea, forsythia, weigela and deutzia. All
cuttings must be shaded from bright
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Wood Panels, Paving Slabs
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SIMPLE TIDY UP
Free Estimates & Free Delivery
in Mansfield Woodhouse
(to nearest drop off point)
Tel : 01623 660845
What would you do with a million
pounds?
In Christian Aid Week last year, over £1
million extra was raised for the world’s
poorest people, simply because of one
little form! Gift Aid.
Gift Aid is a government scheme that
allows Christian Aid to claim back the tax
paid on any donation made by a UK
taxpayer, adding almost 30 per cent to the
gift’s value. All the donor needs to do is
complete the simple declaration on the
Christian Aid Week envelope.
So if you give to Christian Aid and are a
taxpayer, please do fill in the Gift Aid form.
And if you collect for Christian Aid, please
encourage those who are donating to
complete the declaration. It only takes a
few seconds, but just think what could be
achieved with another million!
To find out more about Christian Aid
Week, 9-15 May 2004, visit www.caweek.
org or call 08080 006 006
This will be the last house–to--house
collection in Mansfield Woodhouse
because the Christian Aid representative
is retiring.
If you feel you would like to take over
please contact – Mrs H. M. SANDERSON
on 01623 625800
DESIGN &
CONSTRUCTION
Stuart Noble
Fencing & Concrete
Products
Hallam Way, Old Mill Lane Ind Estate
Mansfield Woodhouse
(next to North Notts Scaffolding)
sunlight. In the vegetable garden
continue to make successional sowings
of lettuce, radish and salad onions. It is
still possible to sow more beetroot,
French beans, khol-rabi and peas
(choose a dwarf early variety of peas).
Rob Foster
[email protected]
Free Estimates
01623 467540
07732 911757
Decking
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Fencing
Water Features
Low Maintenance
Full Joinery Service
also available
The voice of the Community in Mansfield Woodhouse!
24
Woodhouse Warbler
R X O E E G A
I
T E A H B S A L
O R G
I W V E S
S T B L S P T E
T L C D S L E E
E G S W T L E D
E S T P G E O B
P C H U R C H P
L H Y V S C O E
E O W P R A Y E
S
I
T A O C K D
G R S S A L G D
K O E S K O L
I
R R A M S H S Aisle
Archbishop
T P U L P I T Baptism
T R Y O J C E Bible
Choir
O D H S B N D Church
Clock
P S A I B H M Font
I K M V R Y U Hymns
King
A P T I S M N Marriage
Prayers
V E I N J N D Pulpit
K T R A I S U St Edmund
Stained Glass
R S A R G M F Steeple
Vestry
W Y C B C M A Vicar
E N I A T S T
COMPETITION
This issue’s competition is a word search.
Since it is the 700th anniversary of St. Edmunds
Church we have based our clues around this
theme. The competition is open to all our readers
and the first three correct entries drawn after the
closing date will receive a commemorative ‘St
Edmunds Pilgrim Badge’.
So pens at the ready!!!! When you have found all
the clues, send them together with your name,
address and telephone number to The Woodhouse
Warbler, Park Road Resource Centre, 53 Park
Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts. NG19 8ER.
Closing date for entries Friday
4th June 2004.
STYLISH PETS
Experienced
Professional
Groomer
GOOD LUCK
Congratulations to the winners of our last
E E V S N T U competition who each received an Easter Egg.
QUALITY SERVICE
Very Caring &
Thorough
Tel: Angela
O W G Charlotte Hill,
01623
845641
Peafield Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse - Aged 10
0775 774 018
H G V S E K I N G K L L F S B
Luke Hardy,
Name………………………………………... Baker Road, Mansfield
1a, Station St,
Address……………………………………... Woodhouse - Aged 8
Mansfield
F B W E A C R N
I
S N
I
………………………………..……………... Eathan Conroy,
…………………………………………….…. Park Hall Road, Mansfield
……………………………………………….. Woodhouse - Aged 5
Tel Number………………………………….
Well done!
Woodhouse Warbler
Mansfield Woodhouse Community
Development Group
Park Road Resource Centre,
53, Park Road,
Mansfield Woodhouse,
Notts.
NG19 8ER
: 429334
[email protected] The Warbler Production Team:Next issue: August 2004
Deadline for submissions: 02/07/04
Community Web site :
www.mansfieldwoodhouse.info
Police: 420999
Kings Mill Hospital: 622515
Oakwood Health Centre:
633111
Gas:
0800 111999
Electric: 0800 0568090
Water: 0800 7834444
Mansfield District Council: 463463
Notts. County Council: 0115 9823823
Drug & Alcohol Action Team: 07870676748
Crime Stoppers: 0800 555111
Hetty’s (Drug abuse information & advice):
658492
What About Me? U18’s drug abuse info:
635326
Samaritans: 422224
Citizens Advice Bureau: 627163
Editor:
Treasurer:
Advertising:
Correspondents:
Lynne Taylor
Hilary Sanderson
Lynne Taylor
Marlene Fleet
Pete Sutcliffe
Margaret Morris
Keith Morris
Sharon Cawar
Any documents or records required to be held by law are held at
the above address. All contributions to this publication including
colour transparencies and photographs submitted to the
magazine are sent at the owner’s risk and while every care is
taken, neither The Woodhouse Warbler, The Woodhouse Warbler
Committee, The Mansfield Woodhouse Community Development
Group nor its sponsors or agents accept liability for loss or
damage.
Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor, the
Production Team, The Mansfield Woodhouse Community
Development Group nor its sponsors or agents unless otherwise
stated.
All correspondence entered into or submitted to The Woodhouse
Warbler will be edited as necessary for production purposes.
Receipt of submission does not necessarily guarantee inclusion
into future issues of The Woodhouse Warbler.
Woodhouse.
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D D & E Bates & Sons
FARM SHOP
Farmers, Butchers & Market Gardeners
Producers of Quality Beef and Pork. We
make our own meat pies and sausages,
cure our own bacon and cook our own
meat. We sell only fresh British meat,
home grown vegetables and eggs, fresh
fruit and salad products. Local stockists
of cottage delight products (jams, curds,
pickles etc).
Penniment House Farm, Penniment Lane,
Mansfield, Notts. NG19 6PH
Tel (01623) 634195 Fax (01623) 625933
Opening Times
Tuesday to Saturday 8.00 am- 5.00 pm
Sundays- Veg only - 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
Closed Mondays
Copyright: No part of this publication may be copied or used in any other publication without prior consent of the author or the Editor of The
Woodhouse Warbler. The name “The Woodhouse Warbler” may not be used whole or in part without prior consent. © The Woodhouse Warbler 2004