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Here is The Nottinghamian from Wednesday, November 30:
Hello,
It's the last day of November and already Nottinghamshire is starting to feel very festive. We get a glimpse of this year's spectacular Christmas light show in Wollaton Park and put a chippy's festive menu to the test.
We take a look at protests over the demolition of a quirky cottage in Kimberley, which campaigners say should be on the lid of a chocolate box, not in a skip. Plus a cafe owner speaks out about a hike in charge parking fees, which could jeopardise the business.
Fight to save 'chocolate box' cottage
Campaigners are fighting to save a historic cottage from being razed to the ground amidst fears that it will open up the land for a housing development. Members of Kimberley Historical Society said the stone building in Church Hill is one of the last remnants of rural Kimberley, dating back to at least 1835.
One said: "This cottage should be on the cover of a box of chocolates, not in pieces in a skip." Planning documents were submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council indicating a vision to knock down the cottage to 'permit future residential development'.
Society chairman Steve Arundel said: "Kimberley is a typical coal-mining town which was a rural village at the time the cottage was built, and now consists of around 6,000 residents. The cottage dominates the local views, and its demolition appears to be a speculative move to open up a field for housing behind and to the side of it." Find the full story here.
Chippy's festive cheer
A Notts chain of chippies has introduced a festive twist to its menu with deep-fried battered specials. The Cod's Scallops, which has shops in Wollaton, West Bridgford, Carrington and Long Eaton, in Derbyshire, is selling battered Brussels sprouts, battered pigs in blankets and pork, sage and onion stuffing fritters.
Alongside the usual fish and chips is a festive pie with a filling of turkey, chestnuts and cranberries. New this year is a battered mince pie - which sounds like it could be heavy but is surprisingly light with crisp batter encasing the pastry and mincemeat.
The novel way of cooking sprouts has converted haters of the controversial green vegetable, including head chef at the chippy at Wilford Retail Park. Jack Foster described it as a "game changer." Read the full story here
Weather and trivia
Weather: Thursday will have areas of mist, fog and low cloud likely to linger again, giving a rather cold feel to the day despite light winds. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Checks to be carried out on school meals to ensure standards
Trivia question: In what year was Notts County, the oldest football club in the world, founded?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Christmas light show returns
More dazzling and spectacular than ever the Christmas light show at Wollaton Park is back. After three years it is turning into a festive tradition and marks the countdown to Christmas for the many visitors who brave the cold to walk around the colourful trail.
Fifteen new displays and a huge finale await and there's plenty of opportunities for a mince pie, roasted marshmallows and mulled wine from huts along the trail where a quarter of a million lights transform the night sky.
"This year we have come up with a much more colourful and vibrant experience for visitors," said Andy Kennett, trail designer. "We have a couple of old favourites like the laser gardens which have come back in a new location which is even bigger and more immersive than last year and we have a new Christmas tree." Check it out here
Cafe owner hit by parking hike
The owner of a Nottingham cafe is considering the future of her business after another nail in the coffin. Denise Morton, co-owner of Mary's Kitchen in Southwell Road, Sneinton, has been hit by a 40 per cent increase in car parking.
She was billed £105 for a month's parking in Manvers Street - up from £75 a month. The 56-year-old, from Gedling, uses her car to get to suppliers throughout the day and said she felt "very much let down" by Nottingham City Council, which runs the car park. The authority said despite the increase, monthly permits still represented "good value for money".
Ms Morton, who parks at the city centre site from Monday to Saturday, said she was given no warning of the price hike. "I went to pay on Sunday evening and it had gone with no warning or explanation from them," she said. Read the full story here
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, the year in which Notts County was founded was 1862.
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