Ticket prices have now been announced for Newark Castle, giving visitors access to parts of the historic site that have been closed for decades.

Once reopened, admission will be:

• £9 for adults
• A discounted rate of £4.50 for residents of Newark and Sherwood
• Free of charge for under 25s, in a move to encourage younger people to connect with their heritage
• Free for anyone to enter the gardens.

The new visitor experience will open up the Gatehouse, improve accessibility throughout the site, and bring Newark Castle's fascinating stories to life through immersive interpretation and restored historic spaces.

Newark Castle is expected to re-open mid-2027; to keep up to date with progress, follow on Facebook or Instagram.

We remain deeply disappointed by the Secretary of State’s decision to grant development consent for the One Earth Solar Farm, a planned solar farm located primarily in Nottinghamshire.

We recognise and share the frustration felt by local residents, communities and Councillors. Throughout the process, the Council raised serious concerns about the impact of the development on the landscape, historic environment and local communities.

There is no right to appeal the decision, so the Council has carefully considered whether a Judicial Review would be possible. Specialist legal advice has twice been sought from an expert barrister, but the advice received is that there are insufficient grounds to successfully launch a legal challenge.

This will be bitterly disappointing news for the whole community. We urge the Secretary of State to listen to local communities and review the consent given for the site.

We have been made aware of an increase in theft-related incidents, including cases involving materials and items being taken from buildings and roofs.

We would like to encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Nottinghamshire Police.

Please remember:

✅ Anyone carrying out authorised work on roofs or properties should be able to provide identification if requested.
✅ Legitimate contractors will not normally be working outside of usual working hours.
✅ If you notice anyone accessing roofs, scaffolding, vacant properties or communal areas and their presence seems unusual, please report it.

Report suspicious activity or theft to Nottinghamshire Police on 101. If a crime is taking place or there is an immediate risk to people or property, call 999.

Thank you for your support and vigilance.

Two powerful exhibitions exploring courage, compassion and humanity during the Holocaust will be on display at The Buttermarket from 29 August to 29 September 2026.  

Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue during the Holocaust shares the experiences of rescuers and survivors from across Europe, highlighting the extraordinary choices made by ordinary people during the Second World War.  

Alongside it, Irena Sendler: A Life of Courage and Compassion tells the inspiring story of the Polish humanitarian who helped save thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust and later became a symbol of kindness, tolerance and selflessness.  

The exhibitions are free to visit and offer a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance of standing up for others and learning from history. 

📍 The Buttermarket 
📅 29 August to 29 September 2026 
🎟️ Free admission 

Looking for a simple way to help the environment and earn rewards at the same time? Join Green Rewards, Nottinghamshire's free platform that rewards residents for taking positive environmental actions.

Whether you're reducing food waste, recycling more, walking instead of driving or picking up other sustainable habits, you can earn points for completing activities and challenges. Points can then be redeemed for rewards, discounts and prize draw entries.

September is the perfect time to build greener habits, with themed activities including Second-Hand September, Zero Waste Week and Recycle Week. Small actions really can make a big difference.

Signing up is free, quick and easy. Start earning rewards while helping to create a greener future for Newark and Sherwood.

Did you know that many everyday food scraps can be composted at home? Tea bags, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, eggshells and fruit skins can all rot down naturally to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden, completely free! It's also a great way to recycle shredded paper and reduce the amount of waste in your bin.

To celebrate Recycle Week (14 - 20 September 2026), we're offering Newark and Sherwood residents fantastic discounts on home composting products throughout September via the Get Composting website:

♻️ Standard compost bin
Was £35, now just £10

♻️ Kitchen caddy
Was £8.99, now just £5

♻️ Green Johanna food waste composter
Was £102, now just £50

♻️ Twin-pack Bokashi bins
From just £20, helping you safely process food waste such as meat and bones before adding it to your standard compost bin.

Whether you're new to composting or looking to upgrade your setup, there's never been a better time to get started. Turn your food waste into a valuable resource for your garden and help reduce waste at the same time.

Newark and Sherwood District Council has joined the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, a national programme delivered by the Centre for Ageing Better.

This means we will work alongside other areas to improve local environments, so people can stay healthy, active, and independent as they age. We want to ensure everyone stays connected, enjoys life, and can access the support they need.

To do this, we need to understand what it’s like to age in our district, including what works well and what could be better. Feedback will help shape an action plan to make Newark and Sherwood a better place to grow older. Please take a few minutes to complete the Age-Friendly Communities survey and share your experiences, including the things you enjoy, places you go, and any challenges you face.

The survey will close on 30 September 2026.

Great news for everyone using FiveDinners. The platform has just launched a major update, making it easier than ever to find meal plans that suit your lifestyle, health needs and dietary requirements.

You can now select vegan preferences, avoid up to 14 allergens, and choose from a range of new specialist meal plans including Type 2 Diabetes, Over-65s, Kosher, Men’s Health and High Protein. These sit alongside existing favourites such as Menopause, Affordable and Food Bank-friendly meal plans.

Remember, FiveDinners premium membership is completely FREE for everyone who lives or works in Newark and Sherwood, giving you access to personalised meal plans, recipes and shopping lists designed to save time, money and food waste.

And there’s more to come... A brand-new FiveDinners app is launching soon, making it even easier to access your meal plans wherever you are.

Not signed up yet? Now is the perfect time to give it a try and see how FiveDinners can take the stress out of mealtimes. To register for free, visit the website, scroll down and click on Newark and Sherwood before entering your postcode and selecting your food preferences.

For many people experiencing mental health challenges, finding and keeping a job can feel out of reach. That is where Futures Positive Individual Placement and Support (IPS), delivered within Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is making a real difference.

Futures Positive IPS takes a simple but powerful approach: helping people into paid employment that matches their skills, interests and ambitions, while providing personalised support every step of the way.

Rather than requiring individuals to be "work ready" before seeking employment, IPS specialists work alongside service users to identify career goals, connect with employers and provide ongoing support once a job is secured.

Over the coming weeks, we will be carrying out Getting to Know You Better visits and calls with council tenants across Newark and Sherwood.

These visits will help us keep our records up to date, better understand the needs of our tenants and communities, and make sure we're providing the right support and services where they're needed most.

If you're one of our tenants, you'll receive a letter over the next week explaining what to expect. If a member of our housing team hasn't visited your home in the last 12 months, we'll arrange a home visit. If you've had a visit within the last 12 months, we'll contact you by phone instead.

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.

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