Santa Claus is coming to town - all you need to know
Plus: Investment plan announced for Ashfield village
Good morning everyone and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. Santa Claus will be landing in Ashfield tonight as the first major Christmas light switch on of the festive season takes place in the district.
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Santa Claus is coming to town
The full line up for tonight’s Christmas light switch on in a Nottinghamshire town has been confirmed.
The festive season gets into full swing in Ashfield as the first switch on event takes place at Sutton-in-Ashfield’s Market Place car park from 4-7.30pm.
Schools and community groups will be providing entertainment during the event and Santa himself will be on hand to greet young and old.
The confirmed stage line-up for the event is:
4pm - Leamington Primary Academy School Choir
4.30pm - Dalestorth School Choir
5pm - St Mary Magdalene School Choir
5.25pm - Croft Primary School Choir
5.45pm - Regency Dance Centre
6pm - Star and Stage Dance School
6.30pm - Priestsic School Choir
7pm - Lights switch on Chairman ADC
7.10pm - Breanna (Singer)
At 7pm, the lights, which include the Christmas tree, town centre lights, and 3D feature lights, will be officially switched on.
Following Sutton’s Christmas celebration, two further events will take place in Kirkby, on November 28, and Hucknall on December 4.
Helen-Ann Smith, deputy leader at Ashfield District Council, said: “Christmas is a magical time of year and the switching on of the Christmas lights is always a popular fixture in the Ashfield calendar.
“Sutton Town Centre will look fabulous when the Christmas lights are on and for me it is the start of the festive celebrations. We are excited to see the buzz of excitement in Sutton on Thursday and I’m looking forward to seeing you all come down and join us for this.”
Plans for major industrial unit withdrawn
Plans to create a major new industrial unit on the outskirts of Hucknall have been withdrawn.
Offices and a car park would also have been created as part of the 15,000sq m unit at Harrier Park in Hucknall.
The proposal was submitted on behalf of Rolls-Royce, with the applicant stating the unit would have been created to the same standards as buildings already on the site.
The reasons behind the withdrawal have not been announced.
Drugs seized during police raid
Police seized a “substantial” amount of Class A and B drugs following a raid in Mansfield.
Officers also found cash and “related paraphernalia” after carrying out a warrant in Shireoaks Court on November 16.
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Drug dealing is one of our local policing priorities.
“No one wants to see drug dealers operating in their area. If residents have any information regarding dealing, I would urge them to report to Nottinghamshire Police via 101 or online or anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
“As this warrant demonstrates, if we have the information, we can look to build an intelligence picture and take positive action.”
New planetarium and discovery centre to open
Sherwood Observatory’s new £5m planetarium and discovery centre will open its doors to the public next week.
Months of work have gone into the project which will also include an exhibition space in the reservoir of the site off Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Funding for the project has come from Ashfield District Council’s Towns Fund and the government’s Levelling Up fund.
It has now been confirmed it will open on Monday, November 25 and bookings can be made for events at www.sherwood-observatory.org.uk
Investment set to be made in Ashfield village
An investment plan to improve an Ashfield village is set to be drawn up.
Evidence First Limited has been appointed by Ashfield District Council to come up with a plan for the village over the next three months.
In addition to the investment plan for Stanton Hill, funding has been approved to create new wraps and signage to three stores in Low Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
A council spokesperson said: “Developing and implementing masterplans and improvement plans for town centres and high streets is identified as a priority in the Corporate Plan.
“Senior colleagues and members of the Neighbourhood Forum attended a scoping meeting in the summer. These discussions fed into the production of a project brief.
“The brief was shared with consultants who were invited to submit proposals to produce a costed 10-year Investment Plan with an accompanying Delivery Plan.
“Shop wraps on the DEP properties on Low Street will improve the look and feel of the High Street in Sutton.”