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Here is the Nottinghamian from Wednesday, February 8.
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian takes a look at a peacock's departure causing dismay for real ale fans. They have questioned its disappearance and demand better preservation.
We will also take a look at plans for a new school given the green light despite concerns. Plus how a pub landlord is ready to get cooking in the 'world's smallest kitchen'.
Dismay
A peacock has spread its wings and flown the nest to the dismay of drinkers at a Nottingham pub. The peacock in question is the fan tailed bird that used to sit atop the sign hanging outside The Peacock pub in Mansfield Road. It has recently reopened following a £247,000 makeover by owners Star Pubs & Bars but during the refurbishment the colourful icon disappeared.
Members of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) have questioned its disappearance. The pub is a Grade II listed building and real ale fans claim the peacock sign would have been listed too and should have been preserved as part of the pub's heritage. The peacock carving joins a list of other historic features in pubs which have disappeared during refurbishment or redevelopment. Others include the statue of the Old General in Hyson Green and the Victorian International Time Clock from Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
A Star Pubs & Bars spokeswoman told Nottinghamshire Live: “The wooden peacock was not protected as part of the pub’s Grade II listed status and was rotten. We have had a new durable metal peacock sculpture created to replace it, which will be fitted soon. As to its whereabouts a passer-by asked to have it. We do not have any other information about who took the sign or its location.”
A city council spokesperson added: “Listed building owners are responsible for ensuring that any work to their buildings has the necessary permission from the council. In the case of The Peacock, the council granted advert and listed building consent for a re-signage proposal including removal of the old peacock sign in 2020 and this permission is still valid.” Read more here.
Going ahead
A new primary school will be built despite the safety concerns of local businesses. The Waterside Primary Academy will be built at the former CVS site on Trent Lane, after Nottingham City Council gave the proposal planning permission on February 7. The new school will accommodate 210 primary school children and 30 nursery pupils, employing 22 staff members.
The project has been overseen by the Department for Education and would be operated by Greenwood Academy Trust. A car valet and storage business was previously located on the site and some "poor quality" industrial buildings remain on the site, which will be demolished as part of the development of the school.
The school will neighbour a huge number of new, eco-friendly homes which have been built or are in the pipeline at the 250-acre Waterside Redevelopment Zone, which sits on the banks of the River Trent. The site is within Trent Basin and the Waterside Redevelopment Zone, and is in an area described as being light industrial space. This has caused some concern amongst local businesses.
Planning documents show a number of companies have opposed the plans on safety grounds, with one objector expressing "fear for serious injury/harm to the children you wish to place in the middle of an extremely busy industrial estate". A report on the plans said highways had been identified as a key issue for the development, and that proposals had been "carefully designed" with input from Nottingham City Council’s Highways Officer as a result. Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Early cloud and patchy light rain clearing southwards allowing a fine sunny morning to develop on Thursday. Perhaps a little more cloud in the afternoon but all parts dry with light winds. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Free family activities on offer across Nottinghamshire during February half-term
Trivia question: What are the names of the two lion statues Joseph Else sculpted for the Market Square?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
'World's smallest kitchen'
Sharing platters, pizza and tapas are being served at a Long Eaton pub with "possibly the world's smallest kitchen". New Mill & Brook landlord Ash Walsh has launched a food menu so drinkers have more to munch on than a bag of crisps with their pint of Hood or glass of Pinot Grigio.
The pub was taken over less than a month ago by Hucknall-based Lincoln Green Brewing Company, which also runs Sir John Borlase Warren in Nottingham, Robin Hood and Little John in Arnold, the Station Hotel in Hucknall and the Brickyard in Carlton. The result is not just a change in ales, there's now some pretty tasty food.
Measuring 7ft 6in long and 5ft 8in wide (yes we took a tape measure along for accuracy) it's a tight squeeze in the cooking spot next to the bar, which was barely used by previous landlords. But it hasn't deterred Ash, who said organisation is the key to making it work. Everything is made fresh in the small space. That includes a range of tapas - albondigas (meatballs) with fresh chilli sauce, patatas bravas, chicken and chorizo skewers, buffalo chicken bites and beef koftas.
That's all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today's trivia question, what are the names of the two lion statues Joseph Else sculpted for the Market Square, is Agamemnon and Menelaus.
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