Newark and Sherwood District Council is proud to mark 2025 as a year of significant investment, community spirit, and tangible improvements delivered for residents across the district. From multi-million-pound regeneration projects to environmental milestones, the Council has worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for all.

Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, shared an overview of the year's significant milestones in a highlights video you can watch here.

Our fantastic waste collection teams are getting a well-deserved break on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day so we've rescheduled a few collections over the festive period. If your collection is not listed, it will be taking place as normal.

They've been out placing stickers on your bins with all the dates on to remind you or you can check your bin collection days online>

We are absolutely overjoyed by the generosity and kindness shown by our wonderful community. This year’s Palace Presents donation scheme has been our most successful yet, with a record-breaking 535 gifts donated!

🎁 This incredible total marks a 73% increase on last year’s collection of 309 presents - that’s 226 more beautifully wrapped gifts shared with those who need them most.

🎁 We were truly moved by the thoughtful selection of items we received, along with the caring messages attached to many of the presents.

🎁 Your kindness has enabled us to make our largest-ever donations to our three chosen charities: Newark Women’s Aid, Newark Emmaus Trust, and Beaumond House Hospice Care.

Thanks to your generosity, countless people in our community will wake up to a thoughtful gift this Christmas. From everyone at the Palace Theatre: thank you, and Merry Christmas!

🏰 From medieval power struggles to Civil War sieges and King John’s dramatic final days – Newark Castle has seen it all.

Now, you can explore its history and find out more with just a click!

Our brand-new website newarkcastleandgardens.co.uk features:

✨ Fascinating heritage stories,
✨ gatehouse Project updates – watch the transformation with timelapse cameras, ✨ visitor information when the Gatehouse project is complete, and the Castle grounds and gardens are reopened.

The Gatehouse Project, which began in July 2025, is underway and will bring exciting new features like galleries, lift access, and a tower-top viewing platform. While the Castle itself is closed until Autumn 2026, a section of the gardens is open – and the website is your ultimate guide to what’s happening behind the scenes.

👉 Curious? Find out more and start exploring here>

We were recently made aware of a possible scam involving fake QR codes placed on PayByPhone signage at car park pay machines across several NSDC locations. While these have been removed by our officers, and we continue to monitor the situation – please remain vigilant.

This scam is not limited to our district. Similar incidents have recently been reported nationwide in both council-run and private car parks. 

📢 What to do:

If you see a QR code stuck to a pay machine, please report it immediately. Your vigilance helps keep everyone safe. If anything does not look right, please speak to Parking Services on 01636 650 000.

Students at Newark’s world-renowned School of Musical Instrument Crafts have been challenged to revive music from nearly a millennium ago, by constructing medieval musical instruments, for their annual ‘Fiddle Race’ event.

The challenge was set by Newark and Sherwood District Council as part of their Castle Gatehouse Project.

What happened:

• Students worked in groups to recreate a medieval instrument within one week (15 - 19 December)
• They spent months researching what instruments were played in medieval times.
• Instruments such as vielles were created, but students could choose any historically accurate instrument
• Each piece had to be backed by historic evidence and use materials authentic to the medieval period.

Once the Castle Gatehouse is complete, visitors will be able to see as well as hear the winning instrument in person.

Across the East Midlands, more and more residents are choosing our Careline 24/7 for their independent living service.

Now extending beyond Newark and Sherwood, the service now supports those living in Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield and into Lincolnshire. The number of private customers has increased by 143% since September 2023 with more expected as the expansion into neighbouring districts grows.

Despite an increased volume of customers and calls, our Careline 24/7 service has achieved answering over 99% of calls within 60 seconds, surpassing the industry standard of 97.5%.

We also recently launched a brand-new referral form on their website, making it easier than ever to apply.

As we head into the festive season and New Year, your local Neighbourhood Policing Team Officers will be out and about holding Beat Surgeries in Newark and surrounding villages.

Got any local issues or concerns? Go and have a chat with them – no appointment needed! It's a great opportunity to keep our communities safe and secure this Christmas.

Upcoming dates and locations:

Magnus & Devon
📍 Hawtonville Youth Centre, Windsor Road, Newark, NG24 4HX
📅 Tuesday 16th December 2025 | ⏰ 5:30pm – 7pm

Balderton & Fernwood
📍 Fernwood Community Hall, Rubys Avenue, Fernwood, NG24 3RS
📅 Wednesday 17th December 2025 | ⏰ 5pm – 7:30pm

Rural Villages - South
📍 Farndon Memorial Hall Contact Point, Marsh Lane, Farndon, NG24 3SZ
📅 Wednesday 17th December 2025 | ⏰ 3:45pm – 6pm

Town Centre
📍 Newark Library, London Road, NG24 1UW
📅 Friday 9th January 2026 | ⏰ 12pm – 2pm

Yorke Drive / Beacon Hill/ Winthorpe Estate
📅 Date to be confirmed shortly - watch this space!

Rural Villages - North
📍 CO-OP, High Street, Collingham, NG23 7LB
📅 Sunday 11th January 2026 | ⏰ 10am – 1pm

🎄When the decorations come down and the festivities fade, your real Christmas tree can spread some further cheer by helping the environment. 

Our Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme is back!

For just £5 per tree, book online and leave your tree out from 12 January for collection over the next three weeks.

Trees are chipped into compost for local agriculture, and your fee supports community planting projects. Garden waste subscribers can cut trees to fit in brown bins, or drop whole trees at household recycling centres for free.

On until 31st December - don’t miss out!

🎭 The magical panto Beauty and the Beast is now live at Palace Theatre Newark, and audiences are loving it!

🎭 This spectacular show is packed with laughter, music, and festive fun for all ages.

🎭 Here’s what people are saying: “One of the best theatre shows I’ve ever seen - just incredible!” “Honestly, this show is stunning. You have to go!” “Super entertaining, really funny. Great family night out.”

Book your tickets today and join the festive fun!

Sexual Health Services Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is the new service supporting you as Newark and Sherwood residents. They offer a wide range of free and confidential clinical, counselling, and health promotion services to support your sexual wellbeing.

Services include:

• STI testing and treatment (in clinic or by post)
• Contraception advice and provision
• HIV testing, treatment, and prevention (PrEP & PEP)
• Emergency contraception
• Pregnancy testing and options counselling
• Counselling and psychotherapy
• C-Card registration and free condoms
• Dedicated clinics for young people

📍 Location: Newark Hospital

📞 To book an appointment or find out more, call 0300 131 7010 or visit www.sexualhealthnn.co.uk

We launched our brand new NSDC Housing Services Facebook page this year to keep you up-to-date with tenancy updates, ways to get involved, and news about upcoming events in your area.

Give us a follow to stay connected and be the first to know about all the latest tenant opportunities!

We have over 9,000 people signed up to our newsletters, so please share this newsletter with friends and family to ensure they stay up to date.

Each month we share important updates for residents, ways to get involved, and things to do!

You can also sign up to receive the newsletter here.

For more council news, visit our website.