Man's eye socket broken during road rage incident
Plus: New owners of Wetherspoon pub answer your questions
Good morning and welcome to your Thursday briefing of Ashfield News. This week, a bar that closed at Christmas takes a step toward re-opening, an investigation is under way into a serious house fire and a secondary school improves its Ofsted rating - but more work still needs to be done.
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Police release image after man attacked in road rage incident
A man suffered a broken eye socket in an altercation after he came to help his partner following a road rage incident.
The 59-year-old victim was in his home in Norwood Lane, near Teversal, when he heard shouting outside.
One of the voices was that of his partner, who had been walking the dogs.
A BMW driver had become involved in a heating argument when his partner had shouted at him to slow down.
During the argument, the victim was punched three times by the driver, according to Nottinghamshire Police.
He suffered facial injuries in addition to the broken eye socket but is expected to make a full recovery.
Police have now released images of a man they want to talk to following the incident on May 8.
PC Ross Elms, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a nasty assault and we are doing everything we can to trace the person responsible.
“As part of our inquiries, we are releasing an image of a man who we believe can assist the investigation.
“If you are the man in this image, or if you know who he is, please contact us on 101, quoting crime number 24*268526.”
‘Inadequate’ school makes improvements - but more is needed
Ofsted inspectors said a Nottinghamshire school has made progress as its rating was raised from Inadequate to Requires Improvement.
But officials at Holgate Academy in Hucknall were told there is still work to do, including for pupils with special educational needs and ensuring more pupils meet behaviour expectations.
The inspection report, published on July 5, came just under two years after the centre was given the lowest possible Ofsted rating in September 2022.
In the latest report, inspectors said: “This school is improving. Pupils benefit from an environment that is calm and suitable for learning.
“Aspirations for what pupils can achieve are high. Attendance is slowly rising. However, there is more work to do before all pupils attend school well and receive a consistently high quality of education.
“Relationships between pupils and staff are mainly respectful. Interactions between pupils during social times are usually positive.
“Pupils’ conduct is getting better. They know how they should behave and an increasing number of pupils meet these expectations.
“However, there are some inconsistencies in how staff manage pupils’ behaviour. Many pupils want to do well, although some do not commit fully to their learning and avoid completing work.
“Lessons are sometimes disrupted by some pupils’ poor behaviour. Pupils who struggle to engage with their learning are often given support. This help is starting to make a positive difference.”
Ofsted rates schools in a number of areas.
For Holgate, the quality of education, behaviours and attitude, personal development and leadership and management were rated requires improvement.
Sixth form provision was rated as good.
Former Wetherspoon pub’s new owners prepare to open
The new owners of Kirkby’s Regent pub have provided more information on what customers can expect ahead of its opening day.
Work is now taking place inside the former Wetherspoon venue, with the team at No 1 Pub Company aiming to open this Friday, July 12.
Officials have stated they are an independent family-run company based in Nottingham, amid rumours Greene King had bought the bar.
On whether customers could expect to see major changes to the interior of the building, a spokesperson said: “Yes but no, we are touching up some little bits and bobs that need to be done, however, it will not be a complete refurbishment.”
The Regent was one of a number of Wetherspoon pubs to be sold in the last year, with Mansfield’s Widow Frost also changing hands.
The new owners state unlimited teas and coffees will still be on the menu, although there will no longer be self service machines.
And on the all-important issue of drink prices, they added: “We believe in reasonable pricing. However, since we are no longer a Wetherspoon we have no choice but to increase some of the drinks prices. Wetherspoons buy in bulk whereas we are a singular premises.”
Currently, the pub is set to re-open at 8am on Friday.
The owners added: “With an improved food and drinks menu we cannot wait for you to indulge in all of the goodness.”
Major changes made to shop building
A former YMCA charity shop has been turned into a new “green” commercial unit.
The building at 9-11 Low Street in Sutton is being renovated as part of Ashfield District Council’s £6.27m Future High Streets Fund.
The authority describes the building as now being an “attractive, green, commercial unit”.
As part of the transformation, photo voltaic panels have been installed on the roof, while insulation and sun tubes, which provide natural light in the building, have also been put in place.
In addition, the roof has been planted with sedums, which capture carbon emissions, absorb rainfall and flower during the summer, which will benefit pollinators.
Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “This project is a great example of how we are transforming former grotspots in town centres, in ways you can see, and those that you can’t.
“The green roof is a clever and easy way for the Council to increase biodiversity whilst helping the environment, helping us achieve one of our key priorities; cleaner and greener.
“Projects across Sutton and Kirkby are really picking up pace now with the start of works on Fox Street and Portland Square this month.
“It won’t be long until residents, businesses, and visitors start seeing real transformational change in Ashfield.”
Investigation into ‘serious’ house fire
An investigation is under way into a serious house fire in Hucknall.
Firefighters were called to Watnall Road at about 8.30pm on Monday, July 8, and the road was closed off.
People were urged to avoid the area and to find alternative routes.
Crews from Hucknall, Eastwood and Stockhill were at the scene, with the fire service describing the incident as a “serious house fire”.
The incident was brought under control shortly before 11pm and an investigation was launched on Tuesday, July 9.
Closed bar takes next step towards opening
The new owners of an Ashfield bar which closed just days after Christmas have taken the next step towards opening.
The First Post in Brook Street, Sutton, announced it was shutting on December 27 and promised an update from the new owners “in due course”.
Posts online suggested the venue had re-opened at the start of summer.
Now, a licensing application has now been submitted to Ashfield District Council.
The application, submitted on Wednesday, July 3, seeks permission to sell alcohol between 9am and 12midnight Monday to Sunday.
People have until July 31 to make their representations for or against the proposal.
Village’s old Post Office can be turned into home
Planners have approved a proposal to turn a village’s old Post Office into a home.
The post office in Main Road, Underwood, closed in January this year as a new facility was opened at a Premier store further down Main Road.
Plans put forward for the site included demolishing an outbuilding and turning the ground floor into a home.
The application was approved by Ashfield District Council on July 8.
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