What Notts: The Latest News and Stories

Words: Bridie Squires
Friday 27 January 2017
reading time: min, words

Find out what's been going off around and about the city for the past month or so...

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TOODLE-OO TRAM TROLLS
Remember that online video of two lads on the tram who were gobbing off at the rest of the passengers like a right pair of scallywags? One of them got so vexed that a woman – who was “not even [his] baby mamma” – stood up to them that he fully sparked a spliff before padding off in his socks and sandals. Needless to say, they’ve now been identified and banned from the service. Happy February.

MAN DISCOVERING
In December, a twenty-man metal detecting crew got themselves together to have a poke around Sherwood Forest. One bloke in the group, Mark Thompson, heard his beeps going off and was shocked to discover a ring – something he later found out was medieval, and worth anywhere between twenty and seventy grand. It’s a gold ring with a big, fat sapphire stashed inside, plus religious engravings of Baby Jesus and a female saint. Kerching!

ROCK CITY CO-FOUNDER DIES
Sammy Jackson sadly passed away in early January. Gig-goers around Nottingham have been sharing their memories of the venue on social media in commemoration of the Rock City parent, who died at the age of 74 following a long illness. It was back in 1980 that Jackson teamed up with George Akins to deliver the vision of what’s now one of the biggest and best places to stomp your feet in Notts, and we salute them both forrit. Rest in peace, Sammy.

BORDER PATROL
The north/south divide in England has always been a hotly debated topic. Whether it’s wealth, politics, or even life expectancy, there are a few differences to be noted. In Notts, we’ve happily straddled the middle ground and insulted both parties equally. Until now. The University of Sheffield have only gone and used bleddy science to draw a proper dividing line, and we’ve been bunged in the north. Nope. Soz, Sheffo. Not ‘avin it.

THIS RARE BIRD
Woodcocks are considered to be globally endangered, but one was snapped sitting on Maid Marian Way last month. With short legs, big round bellies, and long, thin beaks, they’re pretty identifiable as odd little boggers. The one found in Notts was looking a little worse for wear, so it was taken to the police station before being handed over to the RSPCA where it’s now being looked after. Get well soon, mate.

FAWKING HELL
A bloke in Clifton has been sent down for four years after he was discovered with a load of gunpowder, chemicals, and a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook Version 2000 in his home in Summerwood Lane. The 46-year old had apparently been preparing for a war against Islamic extremists before he finally found himself in court where, according to the Post, the judge told him he was “as misguided and foolish as [he was] sinister”.

WHAT YOU SPRAYING?
The Arnold community were growing increasingly perplexed as umpteen graffiti tags found their place on loads of buildings – all under the same name and all pretty bleddy awful. Local folk came together on social media to start a campaign against the eyesores before the young man responsible for the defiling was caught, and eventually owned up to the crimes against society and art. Back to the sketchbook, youth.

FRACK OFF
The RSPB have spoken out against fracking in Sherwood Forest following news that chemical giant Ineos have their beady eyes on the area for potential frackability. The government has granted Ineos a licence to explore potential shale gas sources across a million acres of land in the UK, and the RSPB are slapping their hands away from local wildlife. They warn the current surveying regulations don’t give adequate protection to birds, and they better be careful when conducting these seismic imaging surveys.

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