Offenders give back by transforming Carlton sensory garden in major justice crackdown

Hi readers - welcome to the first newsletter of the week.

The Immediate Justice scheme descended on a sensory garden last week, with offenders carrying out payback work to give the park a tidy up.

A new scheme is helping residents to help bring health problems under control with exercise. A diabetic woman has spoken out on how the scheme has benefitted her.

And an ancient burial tradition is being brought back to life with the arrival of a barrow on land outside Calverton.

Enjoy your day,

David Bratton
(Editor)

Pay back...

People responsible for antisocial behaviour and low-level crime have been rolling up their sleeves today to help transform a community sensory garden in Carlton.

Offenders taking part in the county's Immediate Justice scheme descended on Carlton Hill Sensory Garden as part of a major day of action aimed at improving the area for local residents.

Armed with gardening tools and litter pickers, participants have been carrying out highly visible community clean-up work designed to show justice being done while giving something back to the neighbourhood.

But today's project is about more than tidying up.

The initiative marks the launch of a new enhanced Immediate Justice programme in Greater Carlton that combines community payback-style work with training, mentoring and support aimed at breaking the cycle of repeat offending.

Immediate Justice, run by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, offers eligible first-time and lower-level offenders the chance to repair the harm caused by their actions through practical work in the community.

That can include removing graffiti, picking litter, restoring public spaces and helping community groups, often within days of an offence taking place.

At Carlton Hill Sensory Garden, participants are helping improve a space used and enjoyed by local residents, providing a visible example of offenders putting something positive back into the community.

The new Greater Carlton model, however, also focuses on what happens after the work is finished.

Backed by funding from the Greater Carlton Pride in Place Programme, participants will have access to a range of training opportunities, including First Aid at Work, Food Hygiene, Customer Service Skills and Digital Skills qualifications.

Business start-up support will also be available, alongside youth mentoring, careers guidance and free counselling for people who need additional help.

David S Stewart OBE, chair of the Greater Carlton Neighbourhood Board, said the programme responded directly to public concerns about justice being visible in local communities.

He said: "The community can not only see reparation for crimes committed but there is a programme in place to provide education and training and reduce reoffending.

"The Immediate Justice scheme has a proven track record within the county."

More than 2,500 referrals have already been made to the Immediate Justice programme across Nottinghamshire, with participants completing thousands of hours of reparation work in local communities.

Recent projects have included cleaning graffiti, restoring public spaces and tackling issues reported directly by residents.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said today's work showed how justice could be both visible and constructive.

He said: "Residents can see people out in their community carrying out meaningful work and improving a space which belongs to everybody.

"But what particularly excites me about this enhanced programme is that we're going a step further.

"Giving people access to training, employment support, mentoring and counselling can help address some of the reasons they may repeatedly come into contact with the criminal justice system and give them a genuine opportunity to choose a different path."

Gedling Borough Council leader Councillor John Clarke MBE said the expanded offer would help people gain skills, improve their chances of finding work and build brighter futures.

Residents are now being encouraged to suggest other locations that could benefit from Immediate Justice projects through the scheme's online reporting service.

Proposed sites are reviewed and, where suitable, can be assigned as future placements, with before-and-after photographs published so local people can see the difference offenders have made.

Diabetic woman says council scheme changed her life after helping reverse health problems

An Arnold woman says a council-backed health programme has transformed her life after helping her lose weight, get fitter and bring serious health conditions under control.

Jessica Cooke, from Arnold, joined Gedling Health after being referred by her GP when she was diagnosed with metabolic liver disease. The mum, who has lived with type 2 diabetes for 15 years, says the programme has helped her make changes that will last a lifetime.

She said: "Gedling Health isn't just about exercise. It's a supportive community where members feel welcomed, guided and empowered.

"I've lost weight, become fitter and my blood results are showing that my liver enzymes and blood sugars are now in the normal range. This scheme has helped me make positive changes that are going to last."

Jessica is one of the first participants in Gedling Health, a new exercise referral programme being launched by Gedling Borough Council to help residents with long-term health conditions become more active.

The initiative is aimed at adults living with conditions including diabetes, stroke recovery, heart disease and joint pain, connecting them with specialist exercise, wellbeing support and activities designed to improve health and confidence.

The scheme has been developed in partnership with Your Health Notts, the NHS, local GP surgeries and Cora Health.

Council bosses say the programmes are tailored to individual needs, helping people build healthy habits while receiving expert guidance in a safe and supportive environment.

The official launch will take place during a free Health Fair at Carlton Forum Leisure Centre on September 16, coinciding with National Fitness Day.

Visitors can meet local health and wellbeing organisations, get advice, take part in free Wellness MOTs and try activities including Nordic Walking and Couch to 5K sessions.

Councillor Henry Wheeler, Gedling Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health and Wellbeing, said: "We're delighted to launch Gedling Health and provide residents with an easy way to access the support and activities to help improve their health.

"Whether someone is looking to become more active, improve their mental wellbeing, manage a health condition or simply meet new people, Gedling Health pathways will help connect them with the right opportunities."

The Health Fair runs from 1pm to 6pm and is free to attend. Wellness MOTs will also be available at Gedling leisure centres throughout the week.

For more information about Gedling Health, visit www.gedling.gov.uk/gedling-health. For information on the National Fitness Day activities and the Health Fair, visit www.gedling.gov.uk/national-fitness-day.

Ancient tradition brought back to life with huge new barrow on edge of Calverton

A giant burial mound has appeared in the countryside outside Calverton, bringing back a tradition not seen in the Midlands for thousands of years.

Standing six feet high on the edge of the village, the newly-constructed barrow is the first of three planned for a new memorial park that aims to revive one of Britain’s oldest forms of remembrance.

The structure has been created by funeral directors A.W. Lymn and specialist builders Sacred Stones at the new Nottinghamshire Memorial Park, a 27-acre site off George’s Lane.

When completed, the three earth-covered mounds will become the Midlands’ first dedicated barrow site and provide more than 800 niches for ashes.

Barrows were once used across Britain to honour the dead, with many dating back to the Bronze Age. While ancient examples still dot the landscape, newly-built barrows remain a rare sight.

Matthew Lymn Rose, managing director of A.W. Lymn and the fifth generation of the family business, said seeing the first mound emerge from the ground had been an emotional moment.

“This is an exciting first for the Midlands and we’re incredibly proud to see the first barrow rise out of the ground,” he said.

“We can’t wait to welcome people on site and give them the opportunity to explore these remarkable structures for themselves.

“A lot of thought and hard work has gone into creating something that reintroduces ancient traditions to the 21st century. We hope it will offer families a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate a life well lived.”

The project comes as cremation continues to be the most popular funeral choice in the UK. With increasing numbers of families opting for cremation, the developers say the barrows will provide a permanent place where loved ones can visit, reflect and remember.

An open day is planned for 10 October 2026, giving members of the public the chance to step inside the structures ahead of their official opening in April 2027.

Visitors will be able to explore both the exterior and interior of the man-made mounds and learn more about the inspiration behind the project.

Mr Lymn Rose believes changing attitudes towards funerals are driving demand for new approaches to remembrance.

“People are increasingly informed about their funeral options and more confident exploring alternatives,” he said.

“Many families want arrangements that reflect their values, beliefs and budget rather than a standard package. Recreating something from ancient times offers a unique and special way to commemorate a loved one.”

Enquiries have already been received from people interested in purchasing niches within the barrows, offering an alternative to scattering ashes or keeping them at home.

Founded in Nottingham in 1907, A.W. Lymn has grown into one of the UK’s largest independent funeral directors, operating 36 funeral homes across the East Midlands.

The new memorial park will also mark the company’s first family-owned cemetery development.

🌤️ Weather update

Your borough weather forecast for the next few days...

TODAY: 🌤️ It will stay mostly dry, with spells of warm sunshine. Sunshine turning hazy through the afternoon. Light easterly winds but feeling slightly warmer than on Monday. A dry start to the evening but cloud will start to thicken across higher ground overnight. Thundery showers will move in. Feeling mild.

WEDNESDAY: ⛈️ Cloudy start to the day with thundery showers. Cloud lifts into the afternoon, bringing some brighter and even sunny spells. Any daytime showers will fade into the evening. Feeling warm.

💊 Late Night Pharmacies

ASDA Pharmacy Arnold
111-127 Front Street, Arnold, NG5 7ED
Open until 9pm Monday to Saturday

Medina Chemist (closest late-opening option)
89 Victoria Road, Netherfield, NG4 2NN
Open until 9pm Monday to Saturday