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Welcome to March's edition of
Life in our District
Pour yourself a cup of tea and catch up on this month's updates:
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We have FREEZED our portion of your Council Tax
We remain committed to supporting all our residents and ensuring that the services we provide are value for money, which is why we have chosen to freeze our portion of your Council Tax for 2026/27.
We receive just over 7p in every £1 of your Council Tax which pays for everything we do, from collecting your bins to making sure the streets are clean, from supporting those who are homeless to ensuring our parks are clean and beautiful. The remaining 93p is split between four other organisations: Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Notts Fire and Rescue Service and more than 70 Town and Parish Councils in Newark and Sherwood.
While we’ve frozen our portion of your Council Tax, this does not mean that your entire Council Tax charge will be frozen. The other organisations set their own charges. This year this has seen Nottinghamshire County Council increase their share by 3.99%, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner increase their share by 5.07%, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service increase their share by 5.14% and averagely Parish and Town Councils increased their charges by 4.49%. Individual Council Tax bills have been sent to each household.
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Knife Angel in Newark this April
We’re incredibly proud that the iconic Knife Angel sculpture is coming to Newark town centre in April this year from 21 April 2026 until 20 May 2026!
Made from over 100,000 seized blades, the Knife Angel sculpture, designed by artist Alfie Bradley, in partnership with the British Ironworks Centre, stands as a national memorial and a reminder of the number of lives lost and families forever changed due to knife crime throughout the UK.
The District Council is working in partnership with We are Newark, You Can Do Sport, Newark College and Your CVS to bring the Knife Angel to the town.
It will be located in front of Newark Town Hall in the town centre and will be illuminated each evening. A host of community activities will also be organised while the Knife Angel is in situ.
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Green gateways: work in action! 🌼
Our green gateways scheme is really taking shape! This month we’ve been out planting new wildflower entrances across the district - including sites in Boughton, Ollerton, Blidworth, North Muskham, Sutton-on-Trent, Farnsfield, and Coddington.
Thanks to our new stone burier, the team has been able to work faster than expected, helping us bring even more parishes on board this year following last year’s successful trials.
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Community Crop Drop is back!
Got extra veggies lurking in your garden, greenhouse or allotment?
The much-loved Crop Drop scheme has returned, inviting growers across Newark and Sherwood to donate surplus fruit and veg to local food hubs.
Big harvest or tiny handful, every bit helps build a stronger, greener community food network!
To register to be part of the scheme, please email wellbeing@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or phone 01636 650 000 and ask for the Health Improvement Team.
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District Council unveils new vision for Newark
Newark and Sherwood District Council have launched the new Newark Town Centre Masterplan. The Masterplan sets out a vision for a vibrant market town with improved public spaces, stronger connections, and a resilient local economy.
The plan is built around six themes designed to attract investment and guide future planning decisions. These include:
🏛️ Revitalising the Market Place as a safe and flexible space 💪 Supporting a strong economy and town centre living 🚣 Enhancing riverside leisure and flood resilience 🖌️ Promoting education, skills training, and creative industries 🚴 Improving walking, cycling, and public transport links ⚔️ Celebrating Newark’s history and cultural assets through interpretation and events
Shaped by extensive engagement with residents and businesses, priorities focus on tackling vacant shops, enhancing riverside activity, improving parking provision, and strengthening the night‑time economy.
Find out more and read the full masterplan here>
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Have you had your say yet on our new park designs?
A number of parks across the district could get a £500,000 makeover, including a new Multi-Use Games Area at Cherry Holt Play Park in Hawtonville and a BMX/scooter pump track on Turner Lane in Boughton. We want your feedback before work starts in 2027/2028!
View artist impressions and proposed designs online on our website and share your ideas by Sunday 19 April 2026.
Prefer a chat in person? Meet our parks staff and see the designs up close on Saturday 28 March, 11am–2pm at Cherry Holt Play Park, Hawtonville.
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Thank you, litter‑picking heroes!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the Great British Spring Clean! Thanks to your hard work, we’ve collected even more bags of rubbish than last year, a brilliant achievement by all.
Our teams will continue to workday in, day out to make sure our district is clean and safe for not only residents but also nature and wildlife!
You can also help us by reporting any fly-tips and graffiti you see, requesting a street clean and organising community litter picks throughout the year!
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in one the many community litter picks that have taken place over the Great British Spring Clean. If you are interested in continuing to do this, please check our website!
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Recycling is about to get simpler, here’s what you need to know!
From 1 April 2026, you can now recycle even MORE from home!
Thanks to the new Simpler Recycling legislation, these items are now accepted in your silver recycling bin:
✅ Clean aluminium foil – tin foil and foil trays ✅ Aluminium bottles – cosmetic and drink ✅ Metal jar and bottle lids ✅ Cartons – milk, juice, sauce and soup ✅ Tubes – metal AND plastic tubes such as toothpaste and puree ✅ Plastic pots, tubs and trays – such as food trays, fruit punnets, dip pots and cream cheese tubs
Not due a silver bin collection until 1 April? You can start adding the new items now!
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Celebrate Spring with the Newark & Sherwood Gift Card!
Spring is here! It is the perfect season to reset and treat yourself to something special while supporting our fantastic independent businesses.
Whether you are looking for birthday gifts or planning a memorable day out, the Newark and Sherwood gift card offers countless possibilities to enjoy the best of our district:
- Discover local gifts and treats, from spring fashion to artisan goods.
- Indulge with a delicious meal at a local pub, café or restaurant.
- Enjoy an evening of live entertainment with the various live shows taking place at the Palace Theatre.
Experience the very best of our district this Spring.
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Nottinghamshire family hubs – here for families, every step of the way
Nottinghamshire Family Hubs are here to make family life a little easier. Whether you’re expecting a baby, caring for a toddler or navigating the teenage years our hubs offer free, welcoming support right in your local community.
Call or drop in for advice, to meet other families, or access practical help with things like:
- Child development, play and early learning
- Parenting support and courses
- Health visiting and midwifery clinics
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Help with childcare, employment and training
- Support and advice for children with SEND
Staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and here to help - no matter what your family looks like or what challenges you’re facing.
To find your nearest Family Hub, view upcoming activities, or learn more about the services available, visit: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/familyhubs
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Keep up to date!
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 what's on!
They can also sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Missed any of our past newsletters? You can find them here.
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