Rifles visit new homes named in memory of fallen soldier
A fallen Ashfield soldier has been remembered as representatives of his regiment visited new homes named in his honour.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Baz Melia MBE and Major (Retired) Tommy Meggison, of The Rifles Regiment, joined the family of Adrian Sheldon as the keys were officially handed back to Ashfield District Council for Adrian Sheldon View, in Kirkby.
The new development has been named in memory of Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
His parents Mark and Diane, sister Amy, and aunt and uncle Ann and Stephen Scotney gathered on the new development on Armistice Day with Cllr Leader Jason Zadrozny, Cllrs Tom Hollis and Andy Meakin, Chairman Cllr Paul Grafton and Vice Chairman Dale Grounds and representatives for Lindum for the official unveiling.
Mr and Mrs Sheldon cut the ceremonial ribbon as the new houses are ready to welcome the new tenants this week.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Baz Melia MBE said:
“The Rifles Regiment is humbled that the Council has found it fitting to name a close after Adrian. So few councils have the courage to name a road after a fallen soldier.
“I wish others would take this lead.”
Ashfield District Council has built 16 new properties on the site off Central Avenue, including two and three- bedroom homes. They have been built on the site of a disused garage which was a magnet for antisocial behaviour. The site was cleared of all vegetation and the buildings demolished to make way for the houses.
Cllr Zadrozny said:
“It has been an honour to welcome the Sheldon family and Lieutenant Colonel Baz Melia MBE and Major Tommy Meggison to Adrian Sheldon View.
“This is a lasting tribute to a man who bravely fought for his country and will ensure his name lives on for future generations in the place where he was born and raised.
“These are beautiful high quality houses for Ashfield people to call home. These homes were built with a clear focus on sustainability and the environment.
“Each property includes solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, top-grade insulation and innovative features such as bee bricks and bat roost points to support biodiversity.
“We look forward to welcoming the new tenants.”
Mrs Sheldon said:
“It is wonderful to have this lasting tribute to Adrian and we were delighted to welcome Baz and Tommy here to have a look around the homes.
“For us this has always been about keeping Adrian’s memory alive and these houses are beautiful.”
The Council had been in discussions with Mrs Sheldon to find the perfect spot for a street named in his memory. Central Avenue is near to where Rifleman Sheldon attended school and grew up. It is also close to the war memorial that bears his name and Kingsway Cemetery where he was laid to rest.
The new homes have increased insulation in the walls and floor, a gas boiler that is hydrogen ready, solar panels that will supply approximately 30% of electric use and electric vehicle charging ports.
The new homes are part of Ashfield District Council’s pledge in 2023 to build more than 200 new homes within four years. This was on top of the 100 built since 2018.
New developments include 40 new houses currently being built in Hardwick Lane, Sutton, and a planning application has been submitted for 20 new Council homes in Kirkby on land off Fairhaven.
Other developments have included disabled adapted bungalows, family homes, and flats on various garage sites in Hucknall and Kirkby, as well as utilising a former under-used car park and other sites for homes in Sutton.
Posted on 12 November 2025