Pub responds to 'nonsensical' closure rumour
Plus: New school building plans get green light
Good morning, readers. Summer is certainly over and those wonderful winter bugs are starting to rear their heads - hence the gap since your last newsletter. But we’re back! In today’s edition of Ashfield News, a town centre pub responds to claims about its future, a new school building is confirmed and more.
You can subscribe to get this email straight to your inbox each week by clicking the link below.
Pub responds to closure concerns
Bosses at a town centre pub have insisted the venue will continue to operate, despite “nonsenical” rumours about its future.
The Regent in Kirkby-in-Ashfield re-opened in the summer after it was put up for sale by Wetherspoon.
The bar re-opened just weeks after the sale and has been operating for a matter of months.
Officials have now issued a message online to state there is no truth to concerns about the future.
A spokesperson said: “We have recently become aware of some nonsensical rumors that we are back up for sale.
“We want to reassure you that there is absolutely no truth in these rumors. We are here to stay.”
New school buildings plan get go-ahead
A new school building will be created in Hucknall for sixth form students – and work is due to begin this month.
The new standalone building at the National Church of England Academy will offer post-16 studies to its own pupils and young people in the local area.
The single-storey building will be based within the grounds of the academy in Annesley Road.
It was confirmed last year the Hucknall Sixth Form Centre (HSFC) would be phased out in 2025 as sixth form studies were taken in-house by schools in the area.
This followed a review and evaluation of the offerings at the HSFC in Portland Road.
It is expected the new sixth-form centre will be able to welcome its first students in 2025.
A spokesperson for the academy said: “This facility will not only provide a natural progression for our students, it is ensuring for years to come that children in our local area and beyond can live ‘life in all its fullness’ and continue to receive the best post-16 education and service possible.”
Dog dies and woman injured after crash
Nottinghamshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a woman was injured and her dog killed after a crash.
The woman suffered potentially life-altering injuries after being hit by a vehicle at the junction of Annesley Road and St Mary’s Drive in Hucknall.
The dog was seriously injured in the incident at about 3.30pm on October 9 and had to be put to sleep.
The driver involved stopped briefly at the scene but left without exchanging any details with the victim, according to police.
However, the driver has since contacted the authorities.
PC Kirsty Woodhead is urging anyone who witnessed the collision, particularly those entering or leaving the nearby Tesco Express, to come forward.
Motorists who were in the area are also encouraged to check their dashcam footage for any relevant evidence.
“Your information could be vital to our investigation,” said PC Woodhead.
Those with information are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 472 of 9 October 2024, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
Caravan destroyed in fire
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service released a dramatic image after a caravan was destroyed in a fire next to a busy road.
Crews from Ashfield and Eastwood were called to the incident off the A608 on Monday evening, October 14.
The blaze was brought under control by firefighters using two hose reel jets.
Bridges could re-open after repairs
Two bridges closed for six months due to their condition could reopen thanks to temporary repairs.
Problems were identified with bridges along the Teversal and Skegby trails earlier this year.
Both routes are former railway lines which closed more than 40 years ago and have now become popular walking, cycling and horse-riding trails.
The issues were discovered in April, and Ashfield District Council’s cabinet will receive a report soon to explore options for reopening some of the bridges.
They will remain closed until this can be agreed.
No options are currently being put forward for the northernmost trail bridge which crosses Newbound Lane, near Pleasley.
However, temporary structures could be built to support the bridge immediately to the south, and the one near Buttery Lane in Teversal.
Councillors will receive an update at the Environment and Scrutiny Select Committee next week (October 15).
A report says: “Temporary access would consist of a structure being built that would support the bridge, allowing the assets to be used by landowners and residents, allowing the trail to reopen.
“These measures would therefore alleviate disruption to the use of the trail for a temporary period whilst permanent solutions are sourced, ensuring the assets are safe and do not present any health and safety risks to residents and visitors”
Costs of work on the three bridges haven’t been made public yet.
There are no safety concerns about any of the other bridges along the two trails.
The report adds that it has taken time to confirm the council legally owns all of the bridges, which previously belonged to Great Northern Railway.