Latest news with #Ashfield
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'I'm 84 and my allotment means everything. Labour are about to take it away.'
Allotment owners are facing heartbreak after learning their plots are among those given the green light to be sold off by the government. For 84-year-old Dab Abbott, his allotment is more than just a place to grow vegetables, but a vital part of his daily life. "I go there everyday. It is better than watching TV day in and day out," he muses. "Without the allotment I don't know what to do." But soon that may be exactly what happens, after his allotment site was revealed as one of eight across the country that has been given the green light to be sold or repurposed by councils in what has been dubbed as Angela Rayner's 'war on allotments'. Ashfield Ashfield District Council said it had obtained government approval to repurpose allotment plots for parking - but does not plan to get rid of the whole site. John Bennett, executive director of place for Ashfield District Council said: 'Following discussions with allotment holders, we agreed to repurpose two unused plots at Kingsway Allotments in Kirkby to provide much-needed parking facilities for existing users. This change of use was approved by the Secretary of State. "This decision was made in direct response to feedback from allotment holders and aims to support and enhance their experience. The new parking facility has been completed, funded partly by the Council and partly by Lindum Construction as a social value contribution from their work on a nearby housing development. "The plots are not being sold off, and there are currently no plans to dispose of any further allotment sites.' What is the government doing with UK allotments? Under the Allotments Act 1925, land that is designated "statutory allotment" cannot be sold or repurposed without ministerial consent. Angela Rayner is understood to have approved the sale or repurpose of eight sites in England in order to raise money for councils budgets and provide space for the party's ambitious housing development plans. The list of sites she has approved for sale, revealed in a parliamentary answer, includes:- Land at Spaxton Allotments in Spaxton, Somerset. Lant at Wallingford Road Allotments, Wallingford Road, in Cholsey, Oxfordshire. Stapleton Garden Allotments, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Ravenscroft Allotments, Browns Lane Storrington, in Horsham, West Sussex. Longlands Allotment, off Longlands, and Longlands (Oxcroft) Oxcroft Lane, in Old Bolsover, Derbyshire. Churchfield Allotment Site, in Wye, Kent. Allotment holders at Kingsway Allotments in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire were also left shocked to find out that theirs is one of the eight sites. A spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) previously said councils should only sell off allotments "where it is clearly necessary and offers value for money". They added: "We know how important allotments are for communities, and that is why strict criteria is in place to protect them, as well as school playing fields." What has the reaction been? Rayner has come under fire for the decision, with some dubbing it a "war on allotments". Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has used an allotment near Islington, North London, for 22 years, said the decision would 'fill many with deep dismay'. Writing in the Telegraph, he said: 'Is this government going to put the nail in the coffin of the joy of digging ground for potatoes on a cold, wet February Sunday afternoon?' Tony Tilley, 59, who has had a space at Kingsway allotments for six years, growing everything from potatoes to tomatoes, as well as sweetcorn, cabbages and carrots, said: "It is absolutely disgusting. This government - I cannot believe they didn't even tell us. "What can we do? We are going to fight it as best as we can. I am absolutely devastated." Keith Albon, 72, who has had his allotment at the site for 14 years, said: "I'm absolutely devastated that allotments are going. "It is my basic hobby, I spend an awful lot of time there. Very important for my health and wellbeing. If i wasn't doing that I would be watching tv rotting away - that's no good to me." How long do you have to wait for an allotment in the UK? With figures from the National Allotment Society suggesting that one in eight of the UK population have no access to a garden - rising to one in five in London - allotments remain a popular way for people to access green spaces. According to Oaktree Mobility, in 2023 the average wait time for an allotment was 37 months - with its research revealing that 111,566 people were on a council waiting list for the 121,759 allotments surveyed. In October that year, figures shared by Greenpeace suggested that the number of people waiting for an allotment had doubled in the previous 12 years - rising to 157,830 applications on waiting lists. Watch: Furious residents vow to fight back on Angela Rayner's 'war on allotments' Click below to see the latest East Midlands headlines
Daily Record
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Threave Rovers enjoying life in West of Scotland League Second Division with four points from two games
The Castle Douglas side beat Ashfield 4-2 on Saturday to make it four points out of a possible six. Threave Rovers seem to be enjoying life in their new league. Victory over Ashfield gave them four points from a possible six in the West of Scotland League's second division. And the two sides they have faced – Ashfield and Blantyre Victoria – were both playing in the first division last season. Boss Danny Dunglinson said: They were both two levels above us last year. Although they've come down and Ashvale didn't win a lot of games last year, they've still played at that level and it's probably one of the most difficult starts we could have got. 'It's four points out of six. If we can back it up in the next game it's an even better start. 'Ashvale had the wind at their backs to start, they played the ball in behind and had a couple of chances and will probably feel they should have been one or two nil up with the chances they had. 'Once we got to grips with that we were on top.' Ross Irving put Threave into an early lead with a deflected shot but Ashfield soon drew level through Stevenson. However, 10 minutes before the break Threave were back in front through Harry Officer. Irving extended the advantage from close range early in the second half with Tam Coles making it four after Officer hit the bar. Findlay got a late goal for Ashfield but Threave were able to see the game out. Dunglinson said: 'Ross'll always guarantee you goals. He was excellent on Saturday but even when he's not having his best game he'll still pop up with a goal or an assist. 'His numbers since he signed for us are incredible but Ross has played at a higher level. He knows what it's all about and he's probably playing slightly beneath himself. We're very lucky to still have him.' Threave have a third successive home game this weekend with Kilsyth Athletic visiting Meadow Park. The two sides both entered the fourth division at the same time but there's little chance of over familiarity being an issue on Saturday. Dunglinson explained: 'We've had them every season but they lost their entire squad. There isn't a single player that was there last year. Their previous manager has left and all the boys decided to move on. 'We don't know too much about them or what kind of squad they've put together. I think they've had a mixed start. We'll just have to treat them as if we're playing a Blantyre or an Ashfield, but with it being at home we'll be looking for three points. 'A run of home games is good if you get the points on the board but our first away game is on Tuesday night at Maybole. 'I think it would have made more sense for an away game on a Saturday then a home game as we have lights. 'It's a 7pm kick-off, which logistically isn't ideal for us with boys finishing work and trying to get p there. 'If you get points on the board it doesn't matter if you're home or away. It's the hand we've been dealt so we'll just have to deal with it.'
Daily Record
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Threave Rovers gaffer says draw with Blantyre Victoria was point gained
The Castle Douglas side fought back from 2-0 down to earn a draw on their first appearance in the West of Scotland League's second division. Threave Rovers gaffer Danny Dunglinson reckons Saturday's draw with Blantyre Victoria was a point gained. The Castle Douglas side found themselves 2-0 down inside half an hour after goals from Paul Brennan and Kieran Daw. However, a brace from Ross Irving saw them earn a draw on their first appearance in the West of Scotland League's second division. 'For the first 20 minutes we were pretty poor and they got two goals. After that I thought we were on top and after we got it back to 2-2 we had two sitters we should have scored. 'The reaction was pleasing and half-time came at a good time as it gave us the chance to get in and tell them what we felt they needed to be doing better. 'In the second half we started like a train, we were in their faces and on top of them, and it was much better. 'I think overall a draw was a fair result, they'd have felt hard done by if they'd lost the game and speaking to their manager after the game he had the same assessment 'Last year, we were two goals up on the first day and drew. We felt that set the tone for the whole season, maybe this year the scales have tipped a wee bit. We've shown we had that fight and it could have a positive effect. 'Blantyre are a decent side, they'll take points off lots of teams and they'll be top five or six, if not higher.' Threave are at home again this weekend with Ashfield visiting Meadow Park. They'll be without a number of players, including Dean Brotherston who was sent off late on last weekend. Dunglinson said: 'Ashfield are similar to Blantyre, they came down last year. Last season they were two levels ahead of us so they won't be any mugs. 'We know where they're strong, they've got some really handy players. I think it's an entirely new squad. They got beat 2-0 off Lesmahagow but to me they're favourites for the league so that's no disgrace. 'It'll be tough, we've got a few missing and one suspended. 'We're at home, we want to make Meadow a fortress and pick up as many points as possible. 'We'll set up to win the game and I've confident with the players we've got we'll be more than capable.'
Leader Live
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson's verdict on Wellington defeat
The Reds dominated the game at The Sky Stadium but the A-League side scored the only goal early in the second half following an error by goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. It was a disappointing way to end a tour that began in Australia with a 3-0 victory over Melbourne Victory before Wrexham went down 2-1 against Sydney FC. There was another loss in New Zealand at the hands of Wellington in front of 25,400 supporters but boss Parkinson felt Wrexham could have done better. He told Sgorio: 'The energy of the young players, and credit to them for that. They really wanted to win and they showed that in their performance, 'The one key moment came from them with a good cross. 'We could have dealt with it better and the lad's finished it. 'We had numerous opportunities to score, cross after cross, and never really tested the goalkeeper enough. 'He made a couple of good saves but not really tested him. 'Football is about final-third quality, how you get there is one thing but when you are in and around the final third, it is producing a bit of calmness. 'We needed to get a goal and we had a lot of dominance in the game but we didn't produce when it mattered most and that's a big learning curve for us, but credit to Wellington. 'It's been a great experience for us coming here, what a stadium, and great support as well. 'A tough night for us because you always want to win but we didn't and we will learn from that.' There are just under three weeks until the new Championship campaign kicks-off. Wrexham. who secured an historic third successive promotion last term, face newly-relegated Southampton at St Marys on Saturday August 9. Parkinson is set to bolster his squad further before facing the Saints and he will also be hoping players make a speedy recovery from injury. Wrexham had an early chance when Harry Ashfield intercepted goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi's loose pass before Ryan Hardie headed wide from Ryan Longman's cross. The lively Ashfield was denied following captain Kazuki Nagasawa's superb last ditch challenge in the area after good work by Max Cleworth and Hardie as the Reds, seeing a lot of the ball, continued to dominate play. At the other end, Hideki Ishige's free-kick was turned behind by Okonkwo but Wrexham had more half-chances as Elliot Lee and Ashfield shot wide while James McClean's cross was nodded down by Longman for Matty James who fired over. Ashfield couldn't direct his header on target with the last opportunity of the first half, and Wellington took the lead in the 49th minute. Okonkwo fumbled Ryan Lee's low cross and Luke Flowerdew converted from close range. Wrexham were almost back on level terms immediately as Lee headed against the post from Cleworth's delivery and he put another shot wide. MORE WREXHAM AFC NEWS Left-back Liberato Cacace has joined Wrexham from Empoli for an undisclosed fee Wrexham midfielder Ollie Rathbone's ankle injury 'not looking too good at the moment' The Reds continued to press and Hardie put an effort wide before Oluwayemi pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Lee's half-volley from Longman's cross. Parkinson made eight changes just after the hour mark and another three substitutes soon entered the action. It looked like Wrexham had equalised with 10 minutes to go when Ollie Palmer took down Ryan Barnett's cross and fired home but the goal was disallowed for handball and Wellington held on for victory. Wrexham (3-5-2): Okonkwo (Burton 63); Cleworth (Aaron James 72), Scarr (O'Connell 63), Brunt (Mendy 72); Longman (Barnett 63), Ashfield (Dobson 63), Matty James (Evans 63), O'Connor (Palmer 63), McClean (Revan 63); Lee (Moore 72), Hardie (Faal 63).
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hefty fine for Nottinghamshire takeaway owner after rat droppings and smoking paraphernalia found on work surfaces
The former owner of a pizza takeaway has been banned from running food businesses after hygiene inspectors uncovered several failings. Inspectors visited Ali Parsi's Ashfield takeaway unannounced and found major problems with the conditions of the kitchen and food preparation areas. On a visit to the Huthwaite Road business in May 2023, the inspectors found rats and mice in the back of the premises where pizzas were prepared, alongside poor food hygiene conditions in the kitchen. Parsi, 54, of Southside, Arnold, voluntarily closed the business after the inspection, and it has since been reopened under new management. He pleaded guilty to three breaches of Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations when he appeared in Mansfield Magistrates' Court at the end of June. READ MORE: Claims John Torode used 'worst racial slur there is' which led to sacking READ MORE: Child dies in Minehead bus crash as Prime Minister pays tribute The breaches he admitted to include: failing to ensure adequate procedures to control pests, failing to protect food from contamination from rodent droppings on work surfaces on food storage shelves and from smoking paraphernalia, failing to keep the food premises clean and maintained in good repair and condition. He was then fined £6,439.73 and banned from managing or running any food businesses. The new management of Venezia has since scored a hygiene rating of three after an inspection by Ashfield District Council.
