Nick Thorpe gave the Council details of the Festival events scheduled to take place during the period 8-24 June. He would like anyone interested in sponsoring (or sharing the sponsorship) an event to contact him. There is a web link to the Festival site from this site. Just go to the 'Links' page for information

The grant from the District Council earmarked for tourism development in Southwell has now been virtually spent. Apart from the initial set up of the tourism office in the Minster Centre, the grant has been used to aquire planters for all the gateways to the town, more seats, portable pull-up stands to advertise the town at venues throughout the district, interpretation boards and additional information plaques for buildings. The grant had to be used for capital projects (that is to say 'things'), so we were not able to supplement the hours of our tourism officer.At the moment, this valuable role is completely funded by the Town Council.

ROAD SAFETY

The Councillors expressed their continuing frustration that the interactive speed sign promised for Halam Road has still not been installed., although the post for it has been in position for about six weeks and a new bus stop has just appeared in the vicinity The Clerk to the Council has been asked to write to the County Council and ask for a date for the installation.

Before the end of the school Easter holidays would be good!

Several months ago the Town Council was asked to prioritise sections of roads for 20mph limits to be imposed. this was a government initiative and proposals had to be given within days! this the Town Council did, suggesting that stretches of roads around all our schools were priorities for this limit nad also suggesting the gateways to the town.

So far there has been a resounding silence, so once again we are to enquire what progress there has been in making a decision on these crucial limits20mph limits.

OPEN SPACES

As many residents know, the Town Council is determined to protect as many open spaces in the town as it can. We are currently in negotiation with the County Council to take over the ownership of the Edward Cludd pond in the park. we hope thhis willlead to a parnership with Brackenhurst College on environmental work and maintenance of the pond. We are also hoping to either buy or lease the Church Street playing fields after the school vacates the site so that we can maintain this as an open space for the benefit of the residents of the town.

We had hoped for a decision this week, but have now been informed that a decision will not be made until May.

TOWN CLEAN UP

The next spring clean will take place on 31 March. If you would like to help clean up your area, please meet at Lowes Wong pocket park at 2pm. All equipment will be provided and the District Council takes the rubbish away.

ROGUE TRADERS

We have received information from the police that unscrupulous 'handymen' or 'workmen' are operating in the area, offering 'cheap' gardening or house maintenance work. Nottingham Trading Standards who work closely with the police give the following advice:

1. Don't buy from traders who cold-call. You don't know anything about them and the information they give you could be false.

2. Ask friends or famly to recommend businesses they trust or ask trading standards about the quality BuilderScheme.

3. Get three quotes. Don't always choose the cheapest - compare the quality of what is on offer. 

To report a suspicious incident or for crime reduction advice, call Nottingham Police on 0115 967 0999 and always call 999 in an emergency.