…because it’s Mansfield in Bloom Day. The judges are touring the whole of the District to assess the floral displays and the Best Gardens and parks. I am attending in my role as a member of Friends of Peafield Park, to show the judges how much our park means to us and to prove our involvement.

I was out litter-picking today in readiness for the visit and it was encouraging to see so little litter around, both on the estate and in the park. Perhaps the message is finally getting across, that litter is an eyesore and spoils the estate and park for others. We must keep our fingers crossed that Mansfield will win the ‘Small City’ award, which is to be announced next month at a ceremony in Chester.

……..for the chop. Thanks to Jill Usher and me, your local councillors, a joint meeting of the Highways, Housing and Street Cleansing departments of MDC inspected the whole estate to assess the requirements regarding weed spraying and/or removal.

All areas of the estate are the responsibility of one of these three departments - after consulting with various documents and maps, the decision will be made as to where responsibility lies. Once this is established, the weeds will be dealt with.

The path to the rear of Trusley Walk has already been cleared; I put in a request for the weeds to be chopped, as the residents of numbers 14-17 trusley Walk and 26-32 Litton Road must have a free exit from the rear of their properties, in the interests of safety.

….you probably didn’t notice my absence!

The majority of Lib Dem Councillor websites have been ‘down’ since Thursday, due to a problem at the server end of the line. I have had so much to tell you, but it seems to have become lost in the mire of my brain. This heat is very exhausting; drains the power from my circuitry!!!

I do though, have news about the street signs in the Leeming Ward. We ordered the signs some months ago and at last they are putting in an appearance. They have been paid for by your three Leeming Councillors from our ward allowance. There are more signs being replaced and these new ones are made of a strong plastic, making them less prone to vandalism and theft.

….is, I am sad to report, on the verge of closure. Wendy Radford, an artist who runs the rescue centre, is unable to carry on her sterling work in raising and freeing wildlife due to a lack of funds.

You may recall that the starling that I raised from a chick was taken in by Wendy for her to continue the care prior to his release. The Cedar Wildlife Centre is kitted out with huge aviaries and the work Wendy and her family have done in rearing bird species as diverse as magpies, sparrows and swans is recognised by the RSPB.

I gave her a donation to help her work, but without further donations from supporters, the wildlife of Ashfield and Mansfield will suffer a sad fate indeed. People such as Wendy are few and far between and the demise of Cedar Wildlife Centre will be detrimental to injured and homeless birds and animals.

If you can, please help to keep this wonderful facility open. The centre is at 25 Cedars Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Tel:01623 468112

Thanks.

…………was very satisfying and enjoyable. There were upwards of 30 people from various Friends Groups from across Nottinghamshire and it was great to host the event in this year of the Green Flag for Peafield Park.

The company was good, the groups’ news updates were informative, the lunch was tastey and the walk around Peafield Park was health-giving and rewarding. The sun shone for us,   Ludborough Walk Community Centre was the perfect venue and everyone said they had enjoyed it. 

I must give particular thanks to Councillor Jill Usher who manned the tea-pot and the coffee cups with aplomb and even did all the washing up. Thanks also to the Greenwood Team for their meticulous planning, making the event go smoothly.

…….A team of youngsters undertook Restorative Justice yesterday on the park, picking litter in lieu of fines for various offences. In the company of two Neighbourhood Wardens they repaid their fines by way of litter-picking.

A good scheme, which has the added beneficial effect of teaching kids the error of their ways, whether it is under-age drinking, littering or other misdemeanour.

Friends of Peafield Park are hosting the Greenwood Friends Forum tomorrow so this litter pick in the park is well-timed; when we take our walk in the park, it will be good to show off how clean and tidy it is, so ‘thanks’ to the team of workers.

……..to be held on Peafields Estate could well be a sign that there is little crime in this area of Leeming Ward.

Sergeant Lindsay, PC Colley and PCSO Gilbert were available for consultations in the mobile station, which is equipped with tables and seating. A few residents turned up to show their support for our local force and children were thrilled to get the chance to look around the mobile station, but as for complaints, they were thin on the ground.

The date of the next surgery will be announced and if you have problems you wish to discuss you will get a friendly welcome.

……..Liberal Democrats in Mansfield have welcomed the launch of the Liberal Democrats’ vision for Britain by Party Leader Nick Clegg MP. Called ‘Make it Happen’, the paper will be debated at the party’s conference in Bournemouth in September.

In ‘Make it Happen’ the Liberal Democrats say:

• They will cut taxes for ordinary families
• If your local hospital can’t see you on time, they will pay for treatment elsewhere
• They will switch taxes from people to pollution - so it pays to go green
• To improve standards in education, they will fund extra help for those who need it most
• They will put Britain at the heart of Europe to make us a force for good in the world
• They will stop ID cards so we can keep control of our privacy
• They will change the voting system so everyone’s voice counts
• They will bring communities together with local people in charge
• They will give communities a say in how offenders pay for their crimes

No resident of Mansfield has escaped the rising cost of food and fuel. The credit crunch is biting hard and local people are feeling the pinch.

Nick Clegg has set out how we Liberal Democrats can help ordinary people through cutting the taxes of those on low and middle incomes. Thousands of people in Mansfield would benefit from this.

I am delighted to be able to back ‘Make it Happen’. It sets out how the Liberal Democrats will run Britain.

If you would like to join the Liberal Democrats, please see the column on the left of page or call me, for details.

…….are moving at a terrific rate. We now have a clear idea of what will be happening on  - 23rd August. Thanks to funding from various agencies we are able to provide an array of free activities for local children and their families

ALL THESE ACTIVITIES ARE FREE!!!!! FREE!!!!!!FREE!!!FREE!!!!

Farm animals from White Post Farm,

2 Bouncy Castles,

Punch & Judy Show,

Story-telling with Puppetry,

Fairground ride,

Play tents,

Native American  Teepee,

Army vehicles (and Soldiers),

Fire Engine (& Firemen) ,

Police Car (and Officers),

Climbing Wall,

Taekwondo Display,

Nature Walks with a Forest Ranger and craft tent.

IF YOU WANT TO SPEND MONEY, there are stalls of all kinds and  food, ice creams and refreshments for sale.

 Official opening at 1pm by the Chairman of Mansfield District Council, Alan Fell and closes at 5pm.

……..but having arrived at 10.30 am to help set up the Navi Saheli stand, I thought it would be a non-starter. It was so cold and dreary, but the indomitable spirit of the locals rose to the challenge and the streets of Warsop were lined with people to watch the parade, led by Chairman of MDC, Alan Fell, wearing his chain of office.

On our stand we had a delicious array of Indian food and beautiful jewellery, displayed upon colourful saris. We are encouraging all ethnic groups, whether minority or majority to come and join us - we have a first class Luncheon Club on Tuesdays at Quakers Meeting House, Rosemary Street. 12.30 to 1.30. A 4 course vegetarian meal for £2.50, freshly cooked on the premises by Indian cooks.