Fun day rounds off estate’s positive action

About 200 people attended a community fun day on Saturday that rounded off a week of action aimed at improving life for people on Newark’s Hawtonville estate.

A football match, street art and street dance were among activities at the Hawtonville Centre For Young People.

A team from the Bassetlaw and Newark and Sherwood Community Safety Partnership, which organised the week of action, took on a team of local youth footballers. The youth side won 8-0.

Agencies involved in the week were at the fun day to discuss their work.

Newark firefighters, who offered free home safety checks, showed how they cut free victims from a car crash.

Inspector Steve Cartwright, of Newark Police, who took his family along on Saturday, said: “It is nice to see all of the partners that make up the partnership working so well together for the benefit of this community.

“It has been a successful week of action but what we have to ensure is that this positive work is continued in the coming weeks and months.”

During the week, police and other enforcement agencies cracked down on uninsured drivers and unroadworthy vehicles. Checks were carried out next to the Jet service station, Bowbridge Road.

Police also carried out high-visibility patrols, and sought to tackle anti-social behaviour. They focused on the Beech Avenue and Cleveland Square areas.

Alongside the enforcement action were fun activities designed to engage young people and teach the benefits of, for example, healthy eating.

Events run by Nottinghamshire County Council youth workers included drumming and cookery.

As well as the police and the district and county councils, the safety partnership includes groups such as NHS Nottinghamshire County.