Latest news with #Bulwell
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
Beeston builder sentenced for Bulwell explosion that injured man
A builder who caused a gas explosion that badly burnt a worker has been Newman, the sole trader of Foster Brother Builders, had placed a faulty heater connected to a propane gas cylinder in the basement of a property in Bulwell, Nottingham, to dry out a leak from the heater led to an explosion on 22 November 2022 which blew out the front of the property he was refurbishing and injured a pleading guilty to breaching safety regulations, the 58-year-old, of The Quay, Beeston Marina, was given a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. Fire crews from six stations were called to the explosion in Commercial Road at about 12:00 GMT alongside a special rescue unit, police, ambulance, and the gas and electric nearby properties were evacuated and one person was taken to hospital by air ambulance. Inspector Roy Poulter, from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which investigated the blast, said it left the person "unable to work" and the explosion "could have easily resulted in someone losing their life".HSE said the 51-year-old man suffered "severe burn injuries" to his hands, legs, face and debris was "propelled" into the road putting the public at risk, it added. Investigations showed Newman failed to carry out a risk assessment and provide suitable and adequately maintained said it was used in a badly-ventilated area below ground it was not designed to be used in, as the gas is heavier than air and can pool if a leak was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work, and made to pay costs of £2,000 and a £187 victim surcharge.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment cowboy builder stumbles away from house after it explodes during shoddy renovation works
This is the shocking moment a cowboy builder staggers away from a house after it exploded during shoddy renovation works. Barry Newman, 58, was carrying out refurbishments on a property in Bulwell, Nottingham, when the three-storey terraced house blew from its first floor on Novemeber 22, 2022. The builder had placed a faulty portable space heater, connected to a propane gas (LPG) cylinder, in the property's cellar to dry out damp. However, a gas leak from the heater resulted in a violent explosion causing his 51-year-old client to suffer severe burns to his hands, legs, face and scalp. He has been unable to work since, due to the seriousness of his injuries. Footage taken by a nearby neighbour seconds after the blast shows smoke bellowing from the semi detached property and rubble scattered across the pavement and road. Newman - the sole trader of his company Foster Brother Builders - can be seen walking uninjured from the property whilst glancing back at the destruction he caused. Last week, Nottingham Magistrates' Court sentenced Newman, from Beeston Marina, Nottingham, avoided jail but was given a 12-month suspended sentence. He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and required to pay £2,000 in costs. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found that Newman had failed to carry out a risk assessment. He also did not provide suitable and adequately maintained equipment for the work being undertaken. The manufacturer's instructions for the heater clearly state it is only for use in well-ventilated areas and LPG cylinders should not be kept below ground. This is because the gas is heavier than air and will collect at the lower level if there is a leak. HSE guidance states employers should ensure work equipment is only used for operations in situations and under conditions that are suitable. Newman pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Roy Poulter HSE Inspector said: 'This gas explosion has left one man unable to work due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained and it could have easily resulted in someone losing their life. 'This case should serve as a strong reminder to those in the building trade on the dangers of working with gas and the need to assess the risk, and just how serious both HSE and the courts take failures like this. 'HSE will take action against those who do not do all that they can to keep people safe.'
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BMX sessions in Bulwell 'steer kids off the streets'
"When people see kids on bikes, they assume they are causing trouble, but here, kids can express themselves safely."Those are the words of Keiren Thompson, who runs "Helping Kids Achieve", a charity which provides free BMX sessions to "steer kids off the streets" and "on to the track" says activities like these are "vital" for the area of Bulwell in Nottingham - as the suburb has some of the "highest levels of deprivation and anti-social behaviour".The group is open to everyone, he adds, including children who are at risk of being excluded from school. Mr Thompson won BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero award in 2019 for his work with the community project is based in Bulwell and provides free sports, activities and mentoring for young people from deprived areas of Thompson, who grew up in the town, was hospitalised as a teenager after being badly beaten in an 36-year-old said the incident "inspired" him to "make a change in Nottingham" and stop youngsters getting into similar issues to his attackers. Mr Thompson, 36, said: "The inspiration for the club came from wanting to give those kids who hang around and cycle on the streets somewhere safe to do that."What worries me is they can be more susceptible to trouble and getting lured into anti-social behaviour when they are on the streets. "So we are trying to appeal to those kids and give them somewhere safe to cycle while learning a new skill." Phenix, 12, was previously mentored by Mr Thompson and has now been attending the club for more than a said: "Right now there is a lot of crime in Bulwell, and having clubs like this helps you get away from it all."When there isn't much to do after school, it's easy to meet the wrong people and get into trouble."But this place motivates me - you can progress to the nationals, championships and other races. "I feel like I have achieved so much since being here and have something to look forward to every week." Claire, 46, takes her son Alfie to the said: "When my son said he wanted to do this, my anxiety went through the roof. All the jumps and everything - I asked him - 'why?'"But now, he's joined a separate BMX squad and performs in regional competitions."Without this club, I'd worry that my son would fall into the trap of anti-social behaviour that many kids do," she added."Anti-social behaviour needs tackling, and more places in the country should have clubs like this to help combat it."Matt Irons, principal at Bulwell Academy, said: "The Bulwell Academy is proud to be working in partnership with Keiren and "Helping Kids Achieve"."The programme has already had a profoundly positive impact on a number of pupils at our school, and we are excited to continue this collaboration into [the future]."
BBC News
05-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bulwell primary school axe plan prompts dismay and surprise
Parents have voiced concern over the proposed closure of a Nottingham primary city council has started a consultation over the future of Snape Wood Primary and Nursery School in Bulwell due to falling pupil has space for 210 pupils but currently has more than 80 outside the school they said they were worried about the impact on their children but mostly acknowledged pupil numbers had dropped sharply. If the plan goes ahead, the school is expected to close in August outside the school, mother Emma, 35, said: "It's a bit upsetting because all my children have come here, I've been coming here a long time and then we have got the worry of finding a new school."But it was at the Christmas performance when we were sat in the hall and we were really shocked at how few children there was."When my eldest was here there was 30 in a class and now there's more like 15."Her son, Jenson, 8, said: "I was actually crying because it felt like all my old memories were just gone."All my old friends might not come to the same school and I might miss them." Sandra, 50 said her daughter, Paige could be upset by the move."Since she has been here she has settled really well."She is autistic and has ADHD and so with those learning difficulties, they have done so much for her."So I'm quite worried really."She has had the same teacher since nursery and she doesn't respond to change well, so it could have a drastic effect on her." Carl, 35, who has two children at the school, said: "I couldn't believe it, I was really shocked."There is another school not too far away but they will miss their mates."They say they are closing it because the number of kids but when I'm here there seems to be loads of kids."Danielle said her daughter Bella was the last of her three children to have Snape Wood. "My eldest really struggled, then got a good teacher but when she left my daughter got left and didn't know what to do so that came out as being naughty - but she's doing better at senior school."My other two know how to learn so they have flown through - so it's been a mixed experience."My daughter's class is quite small, there's about 15 kids in it, and that's because so many have left."But it's not good that it's closing because the parents and kids are going to have to uproot and go further afield."
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bulwell school faces closure over declining pupil numbers
A Nottingham primary school could close due to declining pupil numbers, the city council has Wood Primary and Nursery School in Bulwell has space for 210 pupils but currently has more than 80 city council said because funding was calculated per pupil, these numbers affected resources available for teaching.A consultation has been launched on closing the school in August 2026, but officials insisted pupils would be guaranteed spaces at other schools. 'Difficult proposal' The council said that due to falling birth rates, it expected vacancies at Snape Wood to reach 60% - around 126 - by next praised school leaders for taking collaborative action to manage the situation, including implementing mixed-age group classes and undertaking staffing restructures but said this had not solved the fundamental Barnard, executive member for children, young people and education, said: "We know that our schools have close ties to the local area and communities, sometimes over many generations. "This makes this proposal very difficult and not something we would choose if we felt there was a better option. "This proposal is made with the interests of the children in mind, with the aim of creating stronger and more sustainable school provision."The authority confirmed there was sufficient capacity at nearby Hempshill Hall, Rufford and Crabtree Farm primaries to accommodate Snape Wood children.
