News - Mining memorial bid gets cash boost (Hucknall)

A BIG cash boost was given this week for a memorial to miners who died working at pits in Hucknall and the surrounding area.


Hucknall members of Ashfield District Council agreed to make a total grant of £2,400 for the highly-praised project, which has been backed by the Dispatch.

The decision was made at a meeting of Hucknall Area Committee.

The proposal is to record the names of the pitmen who lost their lives. As part of the scheme, memorial stones owuld be placed on the site of the iconic miners’ statue on Station Road, Hucknall.

The campaign was started by former miner Barrie Lewis, of Hucknall, whose father, Lawrence (34), was killed in an accident at the former Hucknall ‘Top Pit’ on Christmas Eve 1960, and has received full backing from the Dispatch.

A suggestion is for the memorial to be backed by a book featuring the names of those killed at the two Hucknall Collieries or Linby, Bestwood, Newstead and Annesley Pits.

On Friday and Saturday, November 9 and 10, Barrie will sit at a table in Hucknall Library to meet members of the public and raise awareness about the campaign.

“I hope people will take advantage of this opportunity to find out more about what the project is all about,” he said.

Area committee chairman Coun Jim Grundy (Lab) said he hoped the grant would act as a catalyst to attract further funds for the scheme.

A total of £9,000 or £10,000 is needed and donations so far received include £500 from the grant-making Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.

Barrie said he hoped the work would be completed in time for the proposed memorial to be unveiled at a ceremony next summer.

A report to the committee stated that publicity in the Dispatch had shown ‘considerable support’ for the project. The work will be carried out by a stonemason and other contractors.

Research into the names of miners to be remembered had been a painstaking task carried out at such locations as libraries and archive offices, the report added.

From: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/news/local-news/mining-memorial-bid-gets-cash-boost-1-5093317

News - Protection for war memorials from metal thieves (Hucknall)

ACTION has been taken to protect plaques on Hucknall’s precious war memorial from being targeted by metal thieves looking to cash in.

The value of scrap metal has shot up in recent years and this has sparked a huge rise in the number of theft offences.

Metal roadside grates have been taken, lead from churches stolen and even drainpipes from Newstead Abbey pilfered.

Nothing is safe.

That’s why Ashfield District Council, the War Memorials Trust and Ashfield Memorials Group have joined forces to ensure that all metal plaques on war memorials within the district are marked with SmartWater and registered on a database.

The SmartWater is invisible to the eye but appears when scanned using an ultraviolet light. It is also almost impossible to remove once marked and can even withstand being burnt.

Plaques on the cenotaph to remember Hucknall’s war dead in the town’s Titchfield Park have been treated.

If a plaque now gets stolen and taken to a scrapyard anywhere in the country, police can locate exactly which one it is and where it has been stolen from.

Also, a thief who tries to remove Smartwater risks inadvertently spreading forensic evidence on to their clothes and any tools. This can be used by police to link a suspect directly to the crime scene.

Local groups, parish and town councils across Nottinghamshire are being reminded of the scheme to use this forensic technology to help reduce the risk of thieves and vandals stealing or damaging metal from war memorials.

Notts County Council has worked with local groups since 2006 to fund projects and create 23 war memorials in the county through its Local Improvement Scheme at a cost of £364,500.

It is estimated that on average one war memorial a week across the UK is being targeted by thieves intent on stealing bronze, copper or other metals to sell on for scrap despite the metal having relatively little monetary value.

Ashfield councillor Warren Nuttall (Lab) said: “We are very pleased to be involved in this scheme and are doing all we can to help try to reduce this sort of crime.

“The SmartWater technology is very impressive and we hope it will help to protect our war memorial plaques.”

Coun Richard Butler (Con), the county council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “War memorials are an important focal point in our communities and are a crucial reminder of the sacrifice of those who lost their lives for their country. It is shameful if any are stolen.”

From: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/news/local-news/protection_for_war_memorials_from_metal_thieves_1_4246373

News - Historic Annesley church is hit by vandals

MINDLESS vandals have attacked an historic church in Annesley which is being restored.

Annesley Old Church, which has links with Lord Byron and D.H. Lawrence, was targeted earlier this month and large pieces of stone work were ripped from a wall some time between 5th and 9th January.

The damage is going to cost ‘thousands of pounds’ to repair and will delay the project by at least a week.

Site foreman Peter Howes said he believed adults rather than children were responsible because the stones are so heavy and they were fixed securely.

He said: “What I can’t understand is why there is no damage anywhere else - the graves are all right. It’s just constantly on that wall.

“It’s going to cost thousands of pounds to put right and more than likely they will come and do some more damage.”

He also fears that if people who are not authorised to access the site do so, they could also hurt themselves.

The site has previously been targeted by vandals in July 2009 and then again in August last year when vandals destroyed the same stretch of wall.

Ashfield District Council secured £450,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the church which dates back to 1356 and is mentioned in D.H. Lawrence’s 1911 novel The White Peacock.

Local history expert Dick Starr, from the Friends of Annesley Church group, said: “It’s obviously a historic site along with Annesley Hall. If they are caught, they ought to pay for it.”

Meanwhile, deputy leader of Ashfield District Council John Wilmott also criticised those responsible for the damage.

He said: “This is part of Ashfield’s heritage and it is fantastic that organisations and Ashfield District Council officers have worked so hard to get the funding to preserve this building.

“I just pray and hope that these people are caught and brought to account.”

His views were echoed by Annesley ward councillors Helen Smith and Don Davis.

Coun Smith said that the project should be instilling pride in people because it would bring tourists to the area.

She added: “We will be replacing these stones and if the council finds out who has done this, we will be prosecuting them.”

And Coun Davis said: “It just beggars belief that someone could do that. We are trying to do some good work here - I can’t understand why anyone would do this.”

The church held its last service in 1942 and was sold to the council in 1981. Restoration work began on 5th September last year.

Anyone with information can contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/historic_annesley_church_is_hit_by_vandals_1_4148426

News - Luddite show in pipeline (Ashfield)

A THEATRE company is on the hunt for researchers to help create a show based on the impact of the Luddite rebellions in Hucknall and the rest of Ashfield 200 years ago.

Nottingham-based Hanby And Barrett is working with Ashfield District Council.

It is hoped a show could coincide with the bicentenary of the famous rebellion by a group of skilled textiles workers who claimed that changes during the Industrial Revolution left them without work. They vented their anger by protesting and destroying textiles machinery.

Hanby And Barrett is planning to find out as much as they can about the Luddite movement. It is hoped this can be specific to Hucknall, Kirkby and Sutton, with a focus on locals involved.

Anyone with information should ring Andy Barrett on 07986 594395.

From: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/lifestyle/luddite_show_in_pipeline_1_4059418

News - Former Sutton Baths could be turned into new heritage centre

A DECISION on the future of the Sutton Baths complex has been put back so that plans to turn the historic building into a heritage centre can be examined further.

A petition was submitted to Ashfield District Council ahead of Thursday’s full council meeting, requesting that councillors accept the Asset Transfer proposal for the Baths and Brook Street Hall so that ‘future generations can use and enjoy the building as a community venture’.

Nottinghamshire County councillor Michelle Gent addressed the meeting, telling the district council that the plans would give ‘pride’ back to the area and appealed for a decision on its possible demolition to be put back.

“This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss,” she said.

Coun Gent added that ‘high level’ talks with the county council about making the project a reality are taking place.

Residents who have put together the ‘Freshfields Project’ for the historic complex hope to convert the empty buildings into a community, heritage and education hub.

District councillor Steve Carroll, portfolio holder for regeneration, culture and housing, said that in light of the group’s proposals and work so far, it would be ‘wise’ to delay the decision on the Baths for three months.

He proposed - and it was agreed - that the council meets with the group in February, prior to the Cabinet discussing the issue in March.

Sutton North ward councillor Jason Zadrozny said that a heritage centre could be an ‘incredibly valuable community asset’.

Selston ward councillor Gail Turner said: “We feel this very exciting project could be one of the things that opens Ashfield up for business.”

The group’s plans include aspects that would boost education and tourism by exploring Ashfield’s coal mining and textile manufacturing past.

The Baths complex - which has been vacant for three years following the opening of Lammas Leisure Centre - has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and crime.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/former_sutton_baths_could_be_turned_into_new_heritage_centre_1_4053700

News - Decision date set for historic Sutton baths (Sutton in Ashfield)

CAMPAIGNERS have reacted with anger after it was revealed Ashfield district councillors could vote to demolish Sutton baths at a cabinet meeting tomorrow night.

Sutton Pools Complex and Brook Street Hall have been empty since the town’s Lammas Leisure Centre opened three years ago.

The pools complex has been plagued by crime and anti-social behaviour since it was closed and officials at the council say it should be demolished to make way for future development.

They estimate that if the baths building was to be restored it would cost around £2m and could take two years to complete. Officials also fear that the vandalised building has created a negative image of the area and could lead to more vandalism.

Council bosses say that the façade, which dates back to 1924, should be taken down and either incorporated into a new development at the site or stored until a suitable location can be found.

But residents and local history experts have raised concerns about the future of the landmark building, which once hosted artists such as Status Quo, Ben E King and Eric Clapton.

They are now urging people to sign a petition which is available on a Facebook page or on the council’s website.

Sutton resident Kevin Acton (58) has lived in the Ashfield area all his life and said he would not want to see the façade taken down because it is unclear what would happen to it.

He says: “It would be out of the public eye. They have not stated where it will go.”

And he added that he would like to see a public consultation on the site’s future.

“It should go to public consultation. It was given to us by the miners so it should be a public decision.”

Meanwhile, the Fresh Fields Project wants to create a community and heritage centre at Brook Street Hall.

Some of the group’s aims include a museum, providing training opportunities for young people and offering rooms for the community to use.

At tomorrow’s meeting, the cabinet is expected to give the group an extra year to generate the necessary funding and status. This would be reviewed after six months.

For details search for ‘Save Sutton Baths from Demolition!’ on Facebook or http://petitions.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/SaveSutton-Baths 

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/decision_date_set_for_historic_sutton_baths_1_3970807?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

News - Lottery revamp for ruined Annesley village church

A RUINED church in Annesley with links to Lord Byron and DH Lawrence is to be transformed with the help of £450,000 of lottery cash.

All Saints’ Church - known locally as Annesley Old Church - is set for a new lease of life following the award by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with Ashfield District Council also contributing cash.

The church, built in 1356, is in a sorry state after falling into major disrepair since the building of the newer Annesley All Saints’ Church in 1874, a response to the needs of miners working at Annesley Colliery.

The roof collapsed decades ago and the site is normally off limits to the public because of safety issues.

But now there are plans to bring the site into the 21st Century by making it safe for visitors and using its redevelopment to provide training and skills for local community groups.

Dennis Hill, heritage development officer for Ashfield District Council, said: “This is fantastic news and we cannot wait to get started on the project.“

The site’s historic links to the poet Lord Byron stem from his romantic involvement with Mary Ann Chaworth, who lived yards from the old church at Annesley Hall.

Mary ended up marrying another man, John Musters, in 1805 at the church. Lord Byron wrote about Annesley in some of his early work.

The church also gets a mention in the work of Nottinghamshire writer DH Lawrence. In The White Peacock, published in 1911, he has some less than kind words to say about the ‘rotting’ old building.

The church held its last service in 1942, despite being in poor condition and was sold to Ashfield District Council in 1981.

The authority lowered the roofless walls and part of the tower.

Gregory Pickup, grants officer for the Heritage Lottery Fund, said the project would have a number of benefits for the local area.

“This is going to be a project that will involve the whole community,” he said “Credit must go to Ashfield District Council who put the time and money into putting the application together for this grant.”

Ashfield district councillor Steve Carroll said: “We must thank our officers who worked so hard to secure this money.”

Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero said it was time more local groups benefitted from lottery cash.

The district ranks 339th in the country in terms of total grants received since the Lottery scheme was set up in 1995. Mansfield is ranked 225th and South Nottingham is 31st.

“This is a great deal of money and it is about time this area started to get its fair share. We have got so many areas of huge historical interest which need this funding.”

from: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/lottery_revamp_for_ruined_annesley_village_church_1_3545980