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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Mia O'Hare

The Nottinghamian: Sad goodbye to 300-year-old funfair - and we find out the secret to a long life

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Here is the Nottinghamian from Monday, January 30.

Hello,

Today's edition of the Nottinghamian takes a look at the difficult decision a couple have had to make to close a 300-year-old funfair. It comes as the pair, who have run the site for the past 60 years, are retiring this year.

We will also take a look at planning permission being granted for a Nottingham homeless charity to create 20 bedrooms above its support centre. Plus the secret to a long life from a woman celebrating her 100th birthday, and a pick of things to do this week across Nottingham.

Sad goodbye

Sherwood Forest Fun Park (Sherwood Forest Fun Park)

The owners of a family-run funfair have made the difficult decision to close. Alf and Winona Turvill, who have run the park within Sherwood Forest for more than 60 years, are set to retire this year. The Sherwood Forest Fun Park in Edwinstowe features classic fairground rides such as the teacups, Astroglide and Tower of Terror.

The cost of living crisis has made things more difficult but the family are determined to look on the positive side as Alf and Winona prepare to retire. In an emotional post on Facebook, Mr and Mrs Turvill wanted to say an "extremely huge thank you" to everyone who had worked at Sherwood Forest Fun Park or visited over the years. The family said they were sharing the news with a "heavy heart and tears streaming down my cheeks".

The fairground has been in Edwinstowe for around 300 years with the Turvills running the site for 60 years. It was originally on the site of the visitor centre before moving across the road around five years ago. The rich history behind the fairground has meant many families have been saddened by the news. Read more here.

Green light

Ashley Cowdrey, James Garment, Denis Tully, Steve Milan and Joanne Hardwicke (Emmanuel House)

Independent homelessness charity Emmanuel House has received planning permission to change the use of its city centre premises. Nottingham City Council has granted the support centre permission to create 20 bedrooms across the first and second floors of its premises on Goose Gate, Hockley.

These bedrooms will provide short-term emergency accommodation for people who find themselves homeless. While changes will be made on the two floors to convert them into bedrooms, the ground floor will continue to provide day support. Phase one of the development will begin in the coming months, with the first part of the development to include the replacement of the support centre's existing windows to double-glazed aluminium windows.

This will not only improve the thermal performance, but the appearance of the building. Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “This is fantastic news for the charity as it means we’re one step closer to our ambition of providing short-term emergency respite care becoming a reality, contributing to reducing the number of people who are homeless in Nottingham.”

Weather and trivia

Weather: Cloud and patchy rain clearing east on Tuesday morning, followed by generally dry, breezy conditions with sunny spells. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

UV: Low

Further reading: Last chance to get Covid booster jab across Nottinghamshire as offer set to end

Trivia question: What famous bank has its headquarters in Nottingham?

The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.

What's on

There are many events on this week including Nottingham Light Night (TRACEY WHITEFOOT)

Fisherman's Friends: The Musical, Theatre Royal - January 31 to February 4

Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music. When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Book here.

Florence + The Machine, Motorpoint Arena - January 31

English indie rock band Florence + The Machine will be heading to Nottingham on Tuesday. Formed in 2007 and fronted by Florence Welch, they are best known for hits 'Dog Days Are Over' and 'You've Got the Love'. There's still tickets available here.

Valentines Afternoon Tea, Colwick Hall Hotel - From February 1

Running throughout February, Colwick Hall Hotel will be hosting afternoon tea from 12pm till 2.30pm. It is £50 per couple from Monday to Friday and £27.95 each on Saturdays and Sundays. The afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches and savouries as well as sweet treats, teas and coffee. Book here.

Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, various locations - February 2 to February 4

The Nottingham Shakespeare Company presents The Winter's Tale - a story of lost love, betrayal and redemption, spanning two kingdoms and 16 years. A story of kings and queens, princes and rogues, shepherds, prophecies... and a bear. Catch the show across Nottinghamshire. On Thursday, the play will be at St Giles Church, West Bridgford, and on Friday at St Peter's Church, Ruddington. Both show times are 7pm. On Saturday, it will travel to Southwell Minster for a show at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets here.

Ghost Hunt, Holme Pierrepont Hall - February 3

On arrival at the Grade I-listed building, you will go on an exclusive guided tour with the current owner of the hall. With access to the cellars, original Tudor house and the ballroom to name but a few, this location has so much to offer. There have been many ghost stories and reports from previous investigations, making it the ideal location for a paranormal investigation. Over-18s only. Book here.

UV Paint Skating Party, National Ice Centre - February 3

From 7pm till 9pm, the National Ice Centre will turn neon. There will be gallons of paint, UV paint blasters, UV lights and dance music. Skating parties are very popular so pre-book your tickets online to avoid disappointment. Prices from £5.50. Book here.

Light Night, Various locations - February 3 and February 4

The popular free after-dark festival returns for its 15th year with immersive and interactive light-based installations, performances and activities across the city centre. From 5pm till 10pm, installations across the city will be lit. You can see a full list including times and locations on the Light Night App, which is available to download on the IoS App Store and Google Play.

Living the dream

Kailum Richardson (Kailum Richardson)

A Newark dancer who has toured the world with top artists like Camilla Cabello, Ed Sheeran and KSI has shared what it's like being a professional dancer. Kailum Richardson, 23, started dancing when he was eight-years-old and after years of hard work he is currently in the process of moving to America to further his career.

Kailum explained that he started dancing because of the film Step Up and it was through movies that he developed his passion for dancing. His first major performance was dancing in Israel on tour after which he then went on to do the Voice UK, which he has been doing "every year for the last three or four years". The dancer has also been on the Graham Norton Show, the film Jingle Jangle, performed at the Brit Awards and toured with dozens of famous artists, including being the dance captain during Anne Marie's tour.

Kailum said: "To be honest it's really fun, I think at the start of my career it was really exciting and nerve-wracking at times, but now it's like every day so I don't really feel a type of way about it. I still get excited don't get me wrong, but it's like as a dancer you get to live the lifestyle of all these celebrities you see but you don't get the backlash and the stick they might get." Read more here.

'Always been kind'

Happy birthday, Carolie! (PlatformHG)

A Nottingham woman has shared the secret to a long life as she reaches 100-years-old. Carolie Howells marked the milestone with her family and friends at Epperstone Court in West Bridgford. Carolie was joined by over 75 guests where there was live entertainment and a moving speech given by her son, Adrian.

Born in Otley, Yorkshire, Carolie made Nottingham her home after she married, and went on to have three children, Kay, Adrian and Colin. She finished grammar school at the age of 16, just as the Second World War broke out in 1939. Her first job was working at a wool merchants before going on to be a Civil Servant for many years. After retirement and well into her eighties, Carolie volunteered in local charity shops.

When asked about her secret to living to such an incredible age, Carolie said: “I’ve always taken life as it comes, made the most of life – good or bad – and always been kind.” Lorraine DeCosta, Platform’s independent living scheme officer, added: “Carolie always has a ready smile and is a very active member of our lovely community here at Epperstone Court. We were honoured to be part of her birthday celebrations and view her letter from our new King marking the special occasion – something that she was very proud of.”

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 famous bank has its headquarters in Nottingham, is Capital One.

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