Welcome to Broxtowe Enews, brought to you by the Liberal Democrats and edited by David Watts, on behalf of the Lib-Dems in Broxtowe. May I apologise for the non-appearance of the newsletter over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, a number of different things have stopped its preparation (including my 50th birthday last week). Normally there wouldn’t be a newsletter this week because of the bank holiday but I thought we ought to get back into the rhythm of producing one.

1. Attenborough Nature Reserve
Attenborough Nature Reserve and I are the same age, to within a few days. I had the privilege of being a director there for several years and it is a fantastic venue. If you haven’t visited it why not do so this month? There is also a display of work on at the moment by local artist Mike Warren. On Saturday 21st May the Beeston Wildlife Group will be having a walk around the reserve from 10am until 1pm. Full details of this are at http://www.attenboroughnaturecentre.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/beeston-wildlife-group-walks-and-talks?dm_i=BLC,46HNR,KYLMQW,F7LW0,1.

2. Bramcote Neighbourhood Forum
This is a new meeting for Bramcote residents to discuss the possibility of preparing a neighbourhood plan for Bramcote. It is open to all Bramcote residents and will take place at Bramcote Memorial Hall, Church Street, Bramcote, NG9 3HD on Tuesday 3rd May starting at 8pm.

3. Central Avenue Park, Stapleford
I was very surprised to read this week that the Conservative Administration on the borough council are proposing to sell this park off for housing. Once again this seems to be flying in the face of the promises that they made to voters in the elections last year.

4. Cossall Community Hall
On Wednesday 4th May Cossall Community Hall on Church Lane in Cossall will be opening on Wednesday. The hall will be opened at 7.30pm by the Bishop of Sherwood. Light refreshments will be available on the night.

5. Police and Crime Commissioner Elections
This Thursday the elections will take place for the post of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This is a post that I don’t agree with and the Liberal Democrats are boycotting the election, as we did the last time that the post was elected. Unfortunately, it does mean that several schools will be closed on Thursday to act as polling stations. The elections take place between 7am and 10pm.

6. EU Debates
There are two debates coming up about the EU referendum that I know of. On Tuesday 17 May Beeston Parish Church are hosting “In our Out? – EU Referendum Question Time” between 7pm and 9pm. Local residents are invited to come along and ask any questions that they have. It will be held at the parish church. Full details are available by emailing babsel@ntlworld.com. Following this on Thursday 2 June there will be an event entitled “Public EU Debate – In V Out” at the Pearson Centre, Nuart Road, Beeston between 6pm and 8pm. Speakers from the Vote Leave and Stronger In campaigns will go head to head in a public debate. Whilst mentioning this may I correct a date that I gave in a previous newsletter. It is not yet too late to register to vote in the European referendum, which is a far more important election. I am fully supportive of us being in the European Union as I believe that Britain is far better off inside rather than being on the outside but still having to comply with many of the rules. I did listen to Michael Gove the other day trying to present a coherent argument for coming out and he almost seemed to be saying that if we leave the EU it would guarantee us sunshine every day from dawn until dusk. In terms of presenting a sensible case he failed miserably, probably because there isn’t a good argument to put forward.

7. Public Toilets in Broxtowe
The Conservative administration now running Broxtowe Borough Council presented their proposals for the public toilets in the borough at the last cabinet meeting. Under the old administration we had secured a commitment to install a Changing Places toilet in Beeston for those with severe disabilities. This has all been abandoned. They have decided to keep the toilets in Eastwood and Broadgate, Beeston open. Stapleford public toilets will be closed when The Roach is redeveloped and they will look at including a toilet in that development. Beeston Interchange will be closed without a Community Toilet Scheme, with people being signposted 500 metres to the Council, Offices. The toilets which they have closed had an average day usage of 290 visits. However, in Kimberley the council have decided to retain the toilets with a spend of £12,000 (not yet found). This toilet is used on average 17 times a day! There seems to be a strong discrepancy between the approach for Beeston and that for Kimberley. I wonder if it is because a number of councillors from Kimberley were on the committee looking at this?

8. The Bramcote School Fashion Show and Clothes Sale
Bramcote School will be holding a fashion show and clothes sale this Thursday, 5th May, starting at 7pm. Tickets cost $3.50 for adults or £2.50 for the under 16’s, and can be purchased on the door.

9. Lawn Bowls
Local residents are being invited to come and try out lawn bowls. A taster session is being held on Thursday 5th May between 1.30pm and 3.30pm at the Bowling Green on Broadgate Park in Beeston. People are invited to come along and give it a try.

10. Beeston Arts and Crafts Fun
On Friday 6th May Broxtowe Borough Council are hosting an Arts and Crafts Fair in Beeston Square. This will run between 10am and 4pm. It includes the opportunity to get a free valuation on your antiques between 11am and 1pm, courtesy of Hansons Auctioneers. Local artists will be displaying their work. Everyone is welcome to attend.

11. British Heart Foundation Coffee Morning
A coffee morning in aid of the British Heart Foundation will take place at Attenborough Village Hall on Saturday 7th May between 10 am and midday. This is hosted by the Attenborough Sewing Circle and will include coffee and toasted tea cakes, sewing items and household linen, knitted toys, home-made preserves and a raffle. The cost of admission is £1.50 which includes a drink and tea cake.

12. Beeston Players
Beeston Players will be performing “Caught In The Net” by Ray Cooney on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12th to 14th May, starting at 7.30pm, at Round Hill School in Beeston. Tickets cost £7 and full details can be found at http://beestonplayers.org/.

13. Christian Aid Driveway Sale
On Saturday 21st May there will be a driveway sale in aid of Christian Aid between 10am and 12 midday at 52 Crofton Road, Attenborough. The sale will include home made jams, cards and crafts. I think that this is the first time I’ve ever promoted a driveway sale in the newsletter so I hope it is a great success.

14. Bramcote Old Tower AGM
On Thursday 26th May the Bramcote Old Tower AGM will be held at St Michael’s Church Centre, Church Street, Bramcote, starting at 7.30pm. The AGM will be followed by an update on the restoration work that is planned. Refreshments will be available.

Finally, may I just mention that if anyone was watching that utterly crazy guy on Britain’s Got Talent with the crossbows yesterday I’m very proud to say that the music he was performing to was written by my nephew.
As ever thank you for your support for this newsletter. Any feedback is gratefully received.

Best wishes

David
www.davidwatts.org.uk
www.broxtoweliberaldemocrats.org.uk
Follow me on Twitter @davidwatts12.

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