A Retford-based paint firm has played a magical part in one of the world’s most anticipated TV shows.
Paintman Paint Ltd has supplied the paint used on the brand-new Hogwarts Express, which will feature in the upcoming Harry Potter HBO television series set for release next year.
The historic locomotive No. 6989 Wightwick Hall has been transformed to take on the iconic role of the Hogwarts Express – and the paint produced by Paintman Paint helped bring its instantly recognisable deep red finish back to life.
Beth Pensom, operations director at Paintman Paint, said: “We’ve been keeping this secret for quite some time, and we’re incredibly proud to finally share it. To know that our paint will be seen by millions of fans around the world is an unbelievable moment for a small company like ours. It means a great deal to our whole team.”
The cast of the new Harry Potter show being made by HBO (IMAGE: HBO)Paint Man Paints unit on Trinity Park in Retford
Wightwick Hall, a 1948 Great Western Railway locomotive, has been repainted ahead of filming and will appear in its new starring role when the highly anticipated Harry Potter series launches. Filming and production have been underway throughout 2024, with the series expected to air in 2026/7.
For Paintman Paint, which specialises in high-quality hand-mixed paints used for heritage vehicles, classic restorations and historic preservation, the project has been a milestone moment.
“Paintman Paint has always been about craftsmanship and heritage,” said Beth.
“The Hogwarts Express is a cultural icon, and to contribute to its appearance in this new chapter is something we’ll never forget.”
The company now hopes this achievement will shine a spotlight on the skills and talent found within local manufacturing.
A ‘beloved grandad’ who died after a helicopter crashed after taking off from a Retford airfield has been named as Peter Smith, aged 70.
The family have today paid tribute to him in a statement released by police.
The aircraft had taken off from Retford Gamston Airport shortly before it crashed in the Doncaster suburb of Bentley, off Ings Lane, just after 10:00 GMT on Thursday (October 30).
Peter Smith, aged 70, suffered serious injuries in the crash and despite the best efforts of medical staff, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The pilot, a 41-year-old man, and two other passengers, a 58-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy, received minor injuries.
PICTURED: Peter Smith, 70
Peter’s family have shared the following tribute: “We as a family sadly lost Peter in the most tragic of circumstances when he was involved in a helicopter crash in Bentley, Doncaster.
“Peter was a beloved husband, father and grandfather and we are all devastated by this sudden loss.
“Peter was one of the smartest men who liked to spend his time making and fixing things. He had a real passion for aviation, and this was something he shared with his family.
“He particularly liked to spend time with his grandchildren doing crafts and playing. He was a proud family man who spent a lot of his time with his son both working with and socially. Peter loved to have meals out with his wife and had a particularly sweet tooth.
“We understand that a parallel investigation is currently underway between The Air Accidents Investigation Branch and South Yorkshire Police which we are supporting, and we ask members of the public to not speculate on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“We would like to ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time to allow us to come to terms with what has occurred and grieve for the loss of Peter.”
Police are asking for anyone with information to get in touch. They are particularly keen to hear from those with footage of the helicopter leading up to the crash.
Inmates at HMP Ranby prison near Retford are living in ‘dilapidated’ conditions and a quarter have developed a drug problem after going inside.
The damning findings are in an HM Inspectorate of Prisons report on the conditions of HMP Ranby.
The report, released yesterday (May 19) follows the watchdog’s inspections at the site, near Retford, between February 10 to February 20 2025.
HMP Ranby is a category C training and resettlement prison for adult men. It had a population of 1,087 at the time of inspection.
The results highlight 14 key concerns, with six noted as priorities.
A sink in house block one. (PHOTO: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)Flooring in house block one (PHOTO: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)A cell in houseblock two. (PHOTO: HM Inspectorate of prisons)
Among the six is the fact almost a quarter (24 per cent) of men said they had developed a drug or alcohol problem while in the prison – rising to 38 per cent across three specific blocks – with 61 per cent of surveyed prisoners saying it was easy to get drugs.
The report also details “dilapidated and dirty” buildings, with damaged facilities, graffiti and mould.
Some prisoners were “struggling” to get basic necessities such as bedding, cleaning items and prison clothing, it adds.
Key concerns at the facility also surround the lack of promotion of positive behaviour, persistent rule breaking going unchallenged by officers and medicine administration taking too long.
A lack of support for prisoners developing their employability skills and communication about their resettlement arrangements was also observed.
Cleaner conditions in house block four cell – (PHOTO: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)House block 2 at HMP Ranby prison (PHOTO: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
The 700 prisoners who live in houseblocks one to three and five “had a pretty bleak existence” according to inspectors.
The report says: “[They are] living in accommodation that was now badly dilapidated, and with many cells lacking basic furniture and almost no self-cook facilities.
“By every measure things were worse for these men, the regime was much more limited, cell bells took longer to be answered and there were more drugs available.”
However, the conditions in houseblocks four, six, seven and eight had cleaner facilities, with more activities for prisoners to do and better workshops and training on offer.
Around one third of men in the prison (300) were found to not be in purposeful activity and “were lucky if they got out of their cells for two hours a day”.
The report does note positive practice within the prison, such as the use of drones for insight into prisoner movement and illicit packages, good mental health support and leaders investing in a “proactive resettlement officer”.
It states since this role has been in place “[the officer] had made over 340 telephone or video calls to local authorities and community housing” since May 2024, with this leading to a reduction in the number of prisoners leaving the prison without any accommodation.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The Government inherited a prison system in crisis – overcrowded, with drugs and violence rife – and this report once again demonstrates that.
“We are investing £220 million in prison and probation service maintenance in 2024-2025 and up to £300 million in 2025-26 to improve conditions and keep prisons safe and secure.”
Images created with a hidden meaning using ultraviolet (UV) light, which is invisible to most people, have gone on show at a Retford venue.
Photographer Alan Withington is presenting ‘The Invisible Light’ exhibition at Bassetlaw Museum which features photos of well-loved places he’s captured over the past five years using long exposure times, ranging from 45 minutes to over four months.
The process blends ancient photographic methods with digital elements and uses paper negatives and avoids darkroom chemicals.
Alan Withington said: “This exhibition is the first time my unique alternative process photographic work will be seen on public display anywhere.
The exhibition has gone on display at Bassetlaw Museum
“These long exposure photographs are created with a fusion of ancient and modern methods. I can’t wait to show these images to visitors to Bassetlaw.”
Kasia Wosiak, Collections Officer at Bassetlaw Museum said: “We’re inviting visitors to see this unique exhibition, a must-see for anyone interested in the art of photography.
“Alan Withington’s distinctive work combines alternative photographic processes with innovative techniques he developed himself. His photographs reimagine everyday objects and places as dreamlike and surreal scenes.
“Each photograph is framed in reclaimed wood, ranging from old farm fencing to parts of his former workbench, adding a special, personal dimension to the display.”
The exhibition runs until the 21st July at Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford. The Museum is open four days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4:30pm (Closed Mondays and Thursdays except during school holidays.) Admission is free.
