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Here is The Nottinghamian from Wednesday 23 November:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian brings the latest updates on the future of Nottingham Castle. We have more insight from Nottingham City Council and hear from staff members.
Plus we also take a look at how N-Dubz fans reacted to the performers cancelling their show at Nottingham's arena just minutes before they were due on stage. As well as a new winter sculpture celebrating one of Nottingham's miracles.
Castle latest
Nottingham City Council has said it could be forced to write off debts and loans of £2.68million following the closure of Nottingham Castle. The city council confirmed a loan totaling £1.859m was provided to the Nottingham Castle Trust to help enable its initial start up.
It also stated it has outstanding unpaid invoices for services provided to the Trust, which come to £821,000. The former CEO of Nottingham Castle, Sara Blair-Manning, called for an investigation into the castle's closure. She also confirmed she intends to pursue her claim for unfair dismissal against trustees of the site.
A former Nottingham Castle worker has been angered by its 'cruel' closure which left people jobless before Christmas. "We are all extremely sad and angry. The treatment we had was disgusting and cruel," they said. "We got no notice at all. We weren't told there were difficulties or to look for another job.
"One of the managers said we had to leave immediately. We stood in the garden and were informed the castle was going into liquidation and this was our last day." They added: "We were thrown into the bin." Read more here.
Angry and frustrated
N-Dubz fans have been left 'angry and frustrated' after the band cancelled their Nottingham show just minutes before they were due to appear. The London hip-hop trio were set to perform at the Motorpoint Arena last night but cancelled after their warm-up act finished their set due to one member, Dappy, being sick.
Student Leah Camille, 18, from Lincoln, said: "Just as they were about to come on they put the message on the screen. I was very very frustrated and angry. I'd been stood out in the cold for all those hours just to be told it couldn't go ahead. I was really looking forward to it."
Leah said she and her boyfriend paid more than £200 on extra costs - £110 for a hotel and £50 each for train tickets, not accounting for money spent on food and drinks. Many fans were in a similar situation and have expressed their anger online.
On social media, N-Dubz wrote: "We're so sorry we had to cancel the show tonight. We tried to do everything possible to make the show happen, but a doctor advised at the very last minute that Dappy was unable to perform and needed to rest tonight." The show has been rescheduled for December 7.
Weather and trivia
Weather: A dry and bright start on Thursday, before a band of rain, locally heavy and squally, moves quickly eastwards during the afternoon, clearing by evening. Temperatures will be near normal. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Next 12 months critical for Nottingham's trams as use only rises to 60% of pre-pandemic levels
Trivia question: Which member of Iron Maiden was born in Worksop?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts says
This week one of the big stories in Nottingham has been the closure of the castle. We asked the people of Nottingham: "What do you think of Nottingham Castle's closure and what should happen next?"
Connie Parker, 25, from Sneinton, said: "It's awful and so sad for all the staff. It is the worst time of year for something like that to happen. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news, it was a shock. Saying that, I have only been once since it re-opened. I think they need to make it more exciting, more of an attraction."
Steve Owen, 71, from Wollaton, added: "I think it is really bad. It's bad for all the workers and for the city. If they were struggling that much, something should have been done to help sooner. It is an iconic site for Nottingham and should be treated that way. They need to do more than a museum, make it fun for families and for locals to go to."
Johnny Burton, 57, from Beeston, said: "In some way I am not surprised. I was expecting a bit more after all the millions they spent doing it up. As a local I didn't feel the need to visit again, but it shouldn't be that way. Other cities have lots of free attractions that are much better. It was too expensive for what you got. Why didn't they fully go with the Robin Hood theme, they were missing a trick."
Celebrated in ice
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has been honoured at the city's Winter Wonderland with an ice sculpture. The manager has been described as a “miracle to Nottingham”.
Mellors Group Events, who are the organisers of Winter Wonderland on Old Market Square, are behind the idea. This year's theme at the Ice Bar is ‘miracles’ and the sculpture is to celebrate Nottingham Forest’s return to the Premier League.
Edward Mellor, director at Mellors Group Events, said: “The theme of the Ice Bar each year is different but this year it’s ‘I believe in miracles’ so we have sculptures that include the gingerbread man, Cinderella and Steve Cooper - who’s a miracle to Nottingham." Mr Cooper is aware of his ice sculpture and is yet to visit. Read more 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, which member of Iron Maiden was born in Worksop, is Bruce Dickinson.
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