News - New Worksop Conservation Area

Bassetlaw Council has released a new draft version of the Worksop Conservation Area for 2011 (The first one was drawn up in 1983).

This is a fascinating read and has plenty of information on Worksops past and building information.  The town is split into several zones including the canal, priory and Some of the photo's aren't really up to scratch for such an important document and some of the scans of maps are pretty poor too, nether the less worth it's weight in gold.  It also shows the lack of care shown for the oldest buildings in the town with most of them boarded up and neglected.

It can be viewed at: http://www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/pdf/Worksop%20Draft%20CAA.pdf

Medieval crosses found in nearby villages to on show at Bassetlaw Museum

A COUPLE of found in Tuxford and South Leverton are set to be shown at Bassetlaw Museum.

The Grove Street building has recently acquired several gold and silver objects through the Treasure Act.

Two of the star pieces are symbols of Christian devotion from over 400 years ago.

One item, found in the Tuxford area, is a gold crucifix, showing Jesus crucified on the cross and is described as small but spectacular.

Christ is shown with a crown of thorns, a halo and even the nails in his hands and feet are visible.

Originally the body was coloured with white enamel. Above Christ's head is a tiny enamel plaque with the letters INRI, standing for the Latin title, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." There is a second inscription in black enamel on the reverse of the cross. This translates as "By your cross, save us, Christ."

The second artefact, a small silver cross dating from medieval times, was discovered in South Leverton.

It is also inscribed with a Latin phrase meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". It was made to be suspended, perhaps as a necklace, or with prayer beads on a rosary.

Both objects were purchased for more than £4,000 funded entirely from donations made to the museum.

Museum Curator, Sam Glasswell said: "These are fantastic additions to the museum's collection. I am so grateful to everyone who has put something in the museum's donation box.

"Even the pennies add up and make it possible for us to acquire important and valuable items like these when they are offered for sale through the Portable Antiquities Scheme."

Deputy leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Community Prosperity, Keith Isard, said, "The crosses from South Leverton and Tuxford are the latest additions to the invaluable collection used by the staff to do their work throughout Bassetlaw.

"This includes giving talks to any group that asks, help with the Young Potential project at the Regal in Worksop and lending items for display at Worksop's new library.

" The Museum is keen to do more. It's patch extends from Tuxford to Carlton-in-Lindrick to Misterton and we are looking for ways to extend its services across the district."

The museum, owned and operated by Bassetlaw District Council, is on Grove Street in Retford and is open from 10am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Admission is free.

From: http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Star-pieces-museum/article-3152205-detail/article.html

Town Hall pigeons to be culled in bid to prevent damage to historic building (Retford)

PIGEON problems at Retford Town Hall have led the district council to propose swooping in to start a cull.  Bassetlaw District Council say dead birds and excrement are clogging up guttering at the town hall leading to water leaking into the historic structure.

The plans say a trap is to be set up on a flat roof at the top of the hall and will be baited on weekdays only.  It will be left open and baited on weekends to avoid access problems to the hall and to ensure pigeons did not remain trapped for unnecessarily long periods of time.

In a proposal put to the council's Health and Safety Committee this week, the author says: "Pest Control Officers would be happy to build and install a trap large enough to allow pigeons to be trapped and humanely fed and watered pending euthanasia."

But the report added that the roof of the hall would need to be checked to make sure it will safely support the loads imposed, an area of decking or a parapet rail would need to be installed, a safer ladder would need to be put in place and permission may be needed as the plans include alterations to the outside of the listed building.

Local ornithologist and registered bird ringer, Adrian Blackburn, said he supported the proposal.

"It's been an ongoing problem and the fact is those pigeons should not be there and they are slowly destroying listed buildings," he said.  "The council phoned me around ten years ago about it and they need to get in touch with me again.  The trap would need to be checked regularly as it could catch all sorts of birds, not just pigeons.  The best option would be getting a pair of peregrine falcons on a church roof and they would get the job done very quickly.  Although I'll get some criticism for this view; it needs to be done."

From http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Catch-pigeons-save-historic-Town-Hall/article-3122540-detail/article.html

Villagers consulted on Peak Conservation Area Changes

PEOPLE in Hathersage are being consulted on plans by the Peak District National Park Authority to change the boundaries of the village's conservation area.

A draft document has been drawn up which outlines the proposed small extension to the conservation area, which would take in Oddfellows Row and Bank House on Station Road for their "architectural and historic interest".

A spokesman for the national park authority said: "Hathersage was originally a small farming community.

"Its location beside two brooks was a catalyst for development and `` expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries from an agricultural settlement to an industrial one.

"Part of the special interest of the Hathersage Conservation Area lies in its setting on the bottom of the Derwent Valley and within the cleft of The Dale, so that from almost any location in the village, the hills provide a green backdrop to the gritstone buildings."

Documents outlining the proposals will be on show at the authority's headquarters in Baslow Road, Bakewell, or online until the consultation period ends on Saturday, February 12.

A public meeting on the plans will also take place from 4pm on Wednesday, February 9 at Hathersage Memorial Hall in Oddfellows Road.

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/Villagers-consulted-on-Peak-conservation.6679545.jp