Nottingham Now 31

Issue. 31 - Nov/Dec - 2020 0115 6972670 | www.nottingham-now.co.uk | sales@nottingham-now.co.uk

Hero officers FREE

WASH HANDS

COVER FACE

win local award

MAKE SPACE

Stolen antique

musical instruments

reunited with family

SEE PAGE 6..

NEW FOREST BOOK RAISING FUNDS FOR POWERCHAIR TEAM

Two heroic officers who rescued a woman from a river have won a local award.

PC Dave Hauton(pictured) and PC Adam Turner rescued a woman and her dogs after the woman got into difficulty trying to help the animals in the River Maun on Thursday 20 August.

The two officers arrived at the scene in Bevercotes Pit Woodside in Bassetlaw after borrowing a bicycle from a passerby so that they could get to the woman as quickly as possible.

shireLive Heroes Award in the Emergency Services category at a virtual ceremony this week.

The awards, which were held online due to the ongoing Coronavirus restrictions, were watched by over PC Hauton and PC Turner jumped into the water and got the woman and 13,000 people on Facebook and thouher dogs out safely. sands more on Youtube.

The officers won the NottinghamCONTINUED ON PAGE 3.. ..

SEE PAGE 30..

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Communities set to benefit from 70 new projects thanks to Nottinghamshire County Council funding Notts communities are set to benefit from a £430,000 investment as part of a County Council scheme supporting local projects.

Nottinghamshire County Councillors gave the go ahead to the latest round of Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funding at a recent Communities and Place Committee meeting.

The Local Improvement Scheme continues to help local communities to be more vibrant and sustainable by providing grants to local organisations which seek to make a difference in the local community and contribute towards making Nottinghamshire an even better place to live, work and visit, particularly in light of these difficult times.

Refurbishments to sports clubs, new outdoor gym and play areas, improving accessibility for library users as well as for visitors to nature reserves and public gardens are among the 70 schemes which aim to improve the quality of life in local communities up and down the county.

lockdown – which has been reopened to further support local groups as they continue to respond to exceptional challenges in light of the latest national lockdown.

“We resumed work on the LIS early in Autumn and have selected bids that meet the LIS criteria and have full match-funding already in place. This means they are ‘ready to go’, beyond any unavoidable delays arising from the current restrictions.

“Unallocated money from the LIS fund will be transferred to the Council’s reserves, which are vital as we deal with the ongoing pressures on our services caused by the pandemic.”

Some of the schemes set to benefit residents include

• An ambitious parish council scheme in Blidworth set to receive £30,000 towards installing secure fencing, a new children’s play area, skate park, football pitches, designated dog walking areas, lighting, CCTV and Councillor John Handley, Vice Chairman of outdoor gym equipment the Communities & Place Committee, said: • £20,000 which will be match-funded by Bilsthorpe Parish Council for two new out“I am proud that Nottinghamshire County door gym facilities alongside existing play Council has still been able deliver significant areas. investment in this non-statutory scheme de• Calverton Parish Council’s plans to purspite facing such unexpected and challenging chase and install new village gateway signs, circumstances this year village hall signs and information boards will receive £9,000 “I anticipate that we will be able to rec• Collingham Football Club’s project for a ommend a few more bids for approval in new education and sports recreation building December, once we have completed further for the club and community will net £10,000 checks on eligibility and match-funding. in LIS match-funding • A project to improve Gunthorpe Village “The deadline for bids to the 2020-21 LIS co- Hall and Sport Field will get £10,500 towards incided with the escalation of the COVID-19 improving heating, lighting, hot water and outbreak and the subsequent lockdown. toilet facilities Work on the scheme was therefore suspended • Holme Pierrepont & Gamston Parish in order to fully focus on the Coronavirus Council will receive £10,000 in funds to help response. install a new all-weather surface for a multi-user games area at Ambleside Play Park in “This response of Gamston course included our • A Community Garden Project in separate Covid-19 Ollerton will receive £1,700 to develop an inCommunity Fund clusive green space for local people to grow which provided vegetables and fruit as a community activities urgent support to • To help make the County’s libraries even the fantastic work more accessible, several projects by Inspire being carried out by will be supported by LIS funding includcharities, voluntary ing The Old Library in Mansfield (£3,687) groups, faith groups Mansfield Central Library (£4,382) Skegby to help residents Library (£1,046) Kirkby Library (£13,313) during the initial • Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club Ltd are set to

receive approximately £6,200 towards installing new secure fencing and new directional signs • Harworth Colliery FC, based near Worksop, will net £6,600 towards improvements to their football pitch • Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust will receive £16,000 to improve visitor accessibility at Idle Valley Nature Reserve near Retford • Beeston-based Trent Vale Community Sports Association will receive in £30,000 in LIS funding towards its plans to redevelop a derelict clubhouse which will include new changing rooms, toilets, a kitchen and a large function room.

• Retford Cricket Club’s project to improve pavilion facilities is set to receive £7,675 • Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum Ltd will receive £10,000 to help improve their publicly accessible garden • Nuthall Parish Council will receive around £3,000 towards the installation of accessible steps and a handrail leading to the war memorial on the Basil Russell Playing Field • Keyworth Bowls Club will receive £20,000 towards improving facilities The Local Improvement Scheme has a number of aims and objectives which include: • Supporting local communities to make Nottinghamshire a great place to live, work, visit and relax.

• Helping people to help themselves through encouraging volunteering and community involvement.

• Encouraging the protection and development of the local environment and heritage • Supporting Members in their roles as community leaders to respond to local ideas that bring community and economic benefit to the county.

This is the final of three annual capital funding rounds as part of the Local Improvement Scheme 2018– 2021. Organisations will spend the funding by the end of December 2021.

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Council launches new Armed Forces Leisure Card Gedling Borough Council is launching a new Armed Forces gym membership that will As well as providoffer free gym access to residents who are ing support for the part of our Armed Forces.

Armed Forces, one of the council’s priThe membership will be launched on orities is to promote Wednesday 11 November, Armistice Day, health and wellbeing and will give Armed Forces personnel and for its residents and veterans free use of the gyms at Calverton, support people to Redhill and Carlton Forum Leisure Centres. have a more physical and active lifestyle.

To apply for a membership, the applicant This membership will need to visit the council’s leisure webscheme is part of that site and fill out a form. The application is commitment. open to anyone who is currently serving or has previously served in the armed forces To find out more (Navy, Army or Royal Air Force). Terms and about the scheme, conditions will apply which are detailed on the terms and conthe website. ditions and how to apply for a memThe Armed Forces Leisure Card is part of bership, visit www. the council’s ongoing commitment to supgedling.gov.uk/ port our Armed Forces in the borough. The armed-forces-leisure council signed an Armed Forces Covenant, which supports personnel with healthcare, Leader of Gedling employment and housing while they are Borough Council, serving and when they leave the forces.

Councillor John Clarke said: The covenant ensures that the borough recognises the contribution made by our Armed “We are very pleased to be launching this Forces Community, remembers the sacrifices free gym membership service to our Armed they have made and offers an opportunity for Forces personnel on Armistice Day. We them to contribute their skills and experimade a manifesto pledge to support the men ence to help improve our understanding of and women who have done so much for our what these brave men and women do for our country. This membership will give personnel country. members the chance to use our gyms at no

Hero officers win local award ....CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE PC Hauton said: “I was very surprised to win and it was unexpected - we didn’t expect any of this. Some recognition should also go the other members of the team who were involved as well as two members of the public that assisted that day. If I speak for both of us, neither of us feel like we have done anything particularly ‘heroic’ and we just did what we expected to do.”

Neighbourhood Inspector for Bassetlaw, Neil Bellamy, praised the pair’s bravery.

He said: “I’m really proud of PC Hauton and PC Turner and it’s fantastic that they’ve received public recognition for their coura-

geous actions.

“It’s been a really difficult year for everyone but our officers are still here day in, day out, doing their best to keep people safe.

“Dave and Adam are incredibly humble and I’m sure if you asked them they would say they were just doing their jobs. That shows the sort of people they are; two officers who just want to make a difference and are a credit to Nottinghamshire Police.”

extra cost and give them an opportunity to stay healthy and physically active.”

Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Henry Wheeler said: “This offer is available to Armed Forces personnel serving and retired, all they need to do is fill out a form and provide some

proof of their status. Our gyms are currently closed but as soon as they open, we will look forward to seeing some of our Armed Forces personnel in our gyms across the borough.

We thought it was a fitting way to say thank you to our brave men and women on a day when we remember all of the sacrifices they have made for all of us and we are very proud to be launching this offer today.”

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Enforcement activity to take place across

Nottinghamshire to protect vulnerable road users

Nottinghamshire Police is supporting a national campaign in a bid to protect pedestrians, motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and horse riders.

al Police Chief’s Council event which runs until 22 November in conjunction with the charity Brake.

In 2019, 332 vulnerable road users were killed or seriously injured on NottinghamThe force’s roads policing unit will be shire’s roads which is an increase of 42 from running a number of enforcement activities the previous year. 117 of those were pedesacross Nottinghamshire as part of the Nation- trians, 112 were motorcyclists, 63 were pedal cycles and 40 were child casualties.

Although the figures for 2020 are not yet complete, there has been a significant decrease in collisions nationally which is due to quieter roads during the first lockdown.

is one too many and we’re asking drivers to drug driving, speeding, using a mobile phone think about how their speed would effect a while driving and not wearing a seatbelt. vulnerable road user if they came into contact with one.

“The speed the vehicle is travelling when it collides with another road user decides whether they live or die. Even one mile per hour above a speed limit can kill a child pedestrian, just two miles per hour can kill a pedal cycle... over three miles per hour will probably kill all of them.”

“A vulnerable road user is not protected by a metal box lined with air bags.

However, the roads have not been as quiet during this second lockdown and people in the vulnerable category are more likely to be using the roads after dark due to the time of year. There’s also the added risk of people exercising outdoors while indoor facilities are closed.

“Speed limits are there for a reason and if you go over it them then you’re breaking the law and selfishly putting everyone else at risk. There are other road users including children walking to and from school, elderly people walking to the shops, who will be much safer if drivers stick to the speed limit.”

Detective Inspector Simon Allen from Nottinghamshire’s Safety Camera Partnership, said: “We believe that one death on our roads

The police activity will centre around the ‘fatal four’ most common reasons why deaths occur on the road with a focus on drink and

Police take proactive actions to crack down on knife crime Police have been cracking down on knife crime with a range of pro-active searches and community visits.

Officers in the Ashfield district have been taking part in a week of coordinated action as part of Operation Sceptre – a county-wide initiative to take knives off our street and reduce violent offending.

On Tuesday coordinated search of Sutton Lawn and Titchfield Park was undertaken to check for hidden weapons that could be used in future offences.

life-changing incidents of violent crime.

“That’s why we put so much effort in throughout the year to proactively managing this issue. We and our partners are already doing a lot of proactive work to tackle this issue, Tuesday’s activity did not stop there, however, with a particular focus on young people. Any young person found with a knife is visited as visits were also paid to two local residents at least twice by officers, and then escalated as part of the nationwide Operation Uchee to a more intense programme of monitoring – a partnership between UK Border Agency and intervention if we don’t think they have and police forces to identify potentially danlearned their lesson. We also extend this gerous items in the post and pass recipient approach to adults through the local knife details onto the police. crime cohort. So today’s activities are really just another piece in the local jigsaw.”

Items such as decorative swords are not necessarily illegal as display items, but officers Sergeant Kate Long took part in efforts to are keen to spell out the potential risks and make clear what will happen if those items are locate weapons at Sutton Lawn and Titchfield Park. She explained: “Many people who end taken outside. up committing a knife offence don’t leave the Two knives were taken away from their house carrying a blade or even make a daily owners. habit of carrying one. In order to minimise their chances of getting caught in possession Inspector Mark Dickson, district commandthey sometimes hide them (or other weaper for Ashfield, said: “Knife crime can have ons) in places where they can get quick access a devastating impact on the lives of lives to them if they feel they need them. Whilst of victims, their families and the perpetrawe didnlt find any weapons on Tuesday, we tors themselves. Knives and other bladed have been working today to remove that opweapons, once taken onto our streets, have tion form people and to keep them and others the potential to turn even the most routine safe from harm.” disputes and confrontations into deadly and Officers have also been on covert and overt patrol targeting people they suspect to be carrying to knives and other weapons.

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Police operation target thieves causing crop

damage and stealing from lorries on A1 A major police operation has taken place over the last two nights to combat damage to farm land and thefts from lorries on the A1 between Harworth and Newark.

and our work with the Highway Agency and other partners will continue with further operations planned.”

A large team of officers were deployed to the area and used a variety of methods including: a 4X4 vehicle, capture lorry, undercover HGV drivers and the forces drone team.

They also used other covert evidence gathering tactics such as thermal imagery, covert CCTV and smart water DNA systems.

The activity was part of Operation Magna which was set up in November 2019 and following its success is now incorporated into the Neighbourhood Team’s daily business where they regularly conduct activity to combat the issue.

On Wednesday (11 November) at about 7.30pm, officers observed two men believed to be preparing to steal diesel from the capture lorry in the Ranby area of the A1.

They made off from police and failed to stop in their 4x4 vehicle leaving it abandoned nearby. It has now recovered and enquiries are underway to identify those responsible.

Neighbourhood Inspector Heather Sutton said: “The theft from lorries parked on the A1 has been one of our priorities for around a year now.

Previously under the operation two men were convicted of theft from a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft. One of them was also convicted of possession of a bladed article and driving without insurance and the other was additionally convicted of possession of an offensive weapon. As well as this, a man was charged with theft and is due to appear at court later this year. Another man was given a caution for handling stolen goods.

“Not only do offenders steal diesel and goods from vehicles while the drivers sleep inside, they also cause extensive crop damage by NPI Sutton said: “The operations take a lot of driving over farmland in 4x4s and quad bikes planning and I’m pleased with the outcome and intimidate land owners.” of the two night event. My team have once again shown criminals that they are ahead “As a result of our proactive activity we have of the game and that we have a number of seen a decline in offences but theft of diesel tactics in place to catch them out. Hopefully, on the A1 remains at the top of our agenda offenders will be deterred from trying again,

and if they do, no doubt we will be ready for them.

“We are dedicated to combatting this issue and we will not get complacent. It’s important that trading takes place and that lorry drivers

feel safe enough to do their jobs.”

If you have any information that can help the Neighbourhood team with their enquiries into this issue, please call us on 101.

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Stolen antique musical instruments reunited with family A family have been reunited with stolen antique back, but after each week musical instruments after spotting them online passed I lost a little hope. on an auction-selling website.

The Retford family were left devastated after the high valued instruments were taken from their late mother’s home who sadly died with coronavirus in May. Mike Gleaden discovered that a flute and piccolo made by Rudal Carte & Co with matching serial numbers were online being auctioned in North Yorkshire.

The overjoyed victim said: “We’re all obviously delighted to have the instruments back. It was a huge relief to have them back in our hands and back where they belong.

“I think if I hadn’t organised a number of alerts and notifications to let me know when a piccolo and flute matching the description were going on sale, we’d never have seen them again.

“As soon as they were stolen, I set up alerts on various well known online auction sites. Thankfully we knew the serial numbers and without that I think it would have been a lost cause.

“Amazingly we had tracked them down. It was brilliant to be able to ring the auction house and thankfully we got them taken down quickly. It was then just a case of the police liaising with them and then organising them to be posted back to Nottinghamshire.

“I am only disappointed that officers haven’t been able to follow the trail back from the auction house to bring the thief to justice.

“They were completely supportive once they understood the situation, but it seems that somewhere in the train of custody there was a disreputable antique dealer who paid cash for the instruments to a walk-in customer without apparently noting who they were buying from.”

Mr Gleaden originally noticed the items had been taken after moving furniture with his brother ahead of the empty property being sold.

“My brother will now look after them, as he was due to inherit them before they were stolen.

He quickly rang the police after discovering a number of sentimental items belonging to his late parents had been taken.

Two silver watches, a silver cigarette case, silver napkin rings and a silver christening mug were all stolen, along with the musical instruments.

“We were shocked when we made the discovery that the items had been taken from the home, not least because my brother and I had been in the house for around an hour moving furniture and not noticed anything disturbed. It wasn’t until we were in the garden, we spotted some keys on the floor.

The 61-year-old lost his mum earlier this year aged 88, she was a week shy of her 89th birthday. He said: “My poor mum “I’d like to thank the police and the auction house for all their died in May after contracting the coronavirus in Doncaster work and understanding, as well as the capabilities of the Royal infirmary while recuperating from a stroke. We’ve internet! I was always quietly optimistic that we’d get them obviously had a really difficult year, so at least we’ve finally

“We’re still appealing to anyone who comes across the other missing items, we are still looking online for them, but sadly don’t think we’ll have a similar positive result this time.”

The incident happened between 22-24 July when the house in Ordsall Road, Retford, was broken into and several items were taken.

Detective Constable Caroline Bailey is leading the investigation. She said: “We are delighted for the family that they have had the instruments returned to them.

“However, a number of items are still missing and we are still keen to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time.

had some good news.

“These items are hugely sentimental to my family.

All the items belonged to my parents, being handed down from their own parents. The flute and piccolo originally belonged to my grandfather, who was a bandsman and stretcher-bearer with the Sherwood Foresters in the First World War and took the instruments with him to France in the trenches.

“They are at least 100 years old and could be quite valuable. They were left to my father as a five-year-old when my grandfather died as an indirect result of being gassed. Dad was musical too, having played the church organ at Babworth for many years.

“The silver tankard (pictured) was also inscribed ‘Simon James 12th February 1964’, as well a cigarette case which came back from China from Mr Gleaden’s grandfather.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have come across the items at a car boot sale or on an online auction site. If you recognise the items, we’d love to hear from you.

“The Gleaden family have gone through a horrendous 2020 so far, so it was nice to give them something to smile about.

“Please call 101, quoting incident number 374 of 25 July 2020 if you think you can help with the outstanding items.”

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NOTTINGHAM FROM THE AIR

This month’s aerial photo shows part of the city centre just off Maid Marion Way. Britannina Hotel can be seen with the 2 NCP car parks either side.

The Castle Gate House is at bottom right. The round building in the centre is Royal Standard

Place close to where Charles I raised his standard in 1642. The photo was taken by Robin Macey who is a member of Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club. The club is currently looking to expand.

Members take turns being on the chase crew as well

Missing - Caitlin Johnson Have you seen 15 year old Caitlin? Officers are concerned for her safety after she was reported missing from the Beeston area on 15th November 2020.Caitlin is about 5ft 3ins tall, with dark

brown shoulder length hair, and a fringe. It is not known what Caitlin was wearing when she was reported missing.If you have seen Caitlin, or have any information about her whereabouts, please call 101 quoting incident 304 of 15th November 2020

as flying in the basket. For further details about how to get involved phone 0115-8541028 or visit www.facebook.com/ndhabc.

Photo by Robin Macey

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West Bridgford Pet Crematorium Flower Bridge A West Bridgford Pet Crematorium has opened a flower bridge so that they can continue providing their services during the increase in coronavirus restrictions.

The recent spike in the pandemic has resulted in the closure of the chapels and courtyard areas at Nottingham Pet Crematorium. Owner Rita Harbury-Carlisle said: “We have a duty of care to both our staff and our loyal customers and we hope they can understand that we have taken this decision in their best interests”

The flower bridge gazebo has decorations including chandeliers, flowers and music plays in the background.

On arrival at Nottingham Pet Crematorium a member of staff will meet the owner and collect their beloved pet from their vehicle next to the flower bridge. The pet will be transported to the mortuary on a traditional funeral bier while the pet owner remains in their vehicle.

Rita added: “Unfortunately, we cannot allow any attended cremations under the new restrictions In order to continue providing the best service pos- but we assure you the cremation will take place as sible Rita and husband John created a flower bridge you instructed. We are trying to provide a service gazebo outside their reception area. The majority of under difficult circumstances”. the contact with pet owners will now be by telephone, reducing personal contact to a minimum.

Following the cremation, the pet’s ashes can be collected from the flower bridge gazebo. A member of staff will be present but they will keep social distance so that there is minimal contact.

Rita said: “We would like to assure everyone that we are still offering our full attention and we will be present, we are simply trying to maintain social distancing in everyone’s best interests. Unfortunately we cannot open any of our chapels or remembrance rooms.

We hope you can appreciate our plan. We know it

is not ideal but we aim to provide the best service possible under the current regulations. We do not want to close because that leaves our wonderful customers in an impossible position. We hope they will understand and work with us. We will return to our usual service as soon as possible”.

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The build up to Christmas looks very different this year with many events are still on hold and dates changing all the time, so it’s always best to check with the venue before making a journey.

Engine Yard shops and beautiful stall holders.

It might not just be Scrooge that saw ghosts at Christmas, for something a little different, join the UK Ghost Hunt Team on a real investigation. They’ll be checking out The Village in Mansfield (4 Dec) and Strelley Hall (12 Dec) Young Driver will be running events at Nottingham’s Clifton South Tram Park & Ride If you are looking for Christmas events, Belon 13th December and 10th January. Young voir Castle will be alive with the Christmas Driver provides driving lessons for 10-17 year spirit, throughout December with Belvoir’s olds - so up to seven years before youngsters design team focusing on a more traditional and oldy worldy decor. The new Santa’s Grot- can legally drive on the road. Pupils are in to will be in The Old Kitchen to ensure more brand new dual controlled Vauxhall Corsas with full qualified instructors and will learn space and a socially distanced experience, it will be transformed into a winter wonderland how to set off, change gear, brake, park, manoeuvre - just as they would at 17. The focus with real trees to create a magical space for is on safety as by extending the learning perithe little ones to meet Santa! od you can reduce the accident rate for newly You can also soak up the festive atmosphere at the Engine Yard and enjoy a different type qualified drivers by up to half. But lessons are also great fun and a real confidence boost of market this year. With wooden chalets bringing a true taste of Scandinavian Christ- they make an ideal Christmas present! mas Markets right to Belvoir. The event will For more information go to www.youngdrivtake place Friday 4 – Sunday 6 December er.co and Friday 11 – Sunday 13 December 2020 | 11am-8pm (5pm Sundays) Explore an abun- You shall go to the ball!

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Pantodance of artisan delights, discover unique mime and The Nottingham Playhouse have gifts and feast on festive favourites. Indulge in tasters, talks, demos and purchase all your reimagined their legendary family pantomime to bring some much-needed joy this Christmas essentials from our independent

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festive season. Join the gang as they bring you the ultimate fairy tale adventure, join Cinderella as she attempts to outwit her Ugly Stepsisters and win the heart of the dashing Prince – with a little help from best friend Buttons and her very own Fairy Godmother, of course.

Filled with panto humour, upbeat musical numbers and all the characters you know and love, this production is specially adapted to ensure a safe, comfortable and magical experience for all (3 Dec - 16 Jan) Adaptations have also been made to the Christmas show Jack and the Beanstalk in order to ensure the experience is safe, comfortable and enjoyable for everyone. The production will now take place in the Playhouse Auditorium, to allow for social distancing, (9 Dec-2 Jan)

Safety for customers, staff and performers is the venue’s number one priority and these socially distanced pantomime performances will adhere to all national government guidance and local restrictions. Measures in place to keep everyone safe will include socially distanced seating, electronic ticketing and flexible returns policy, one-way systems, hand sanitiser stations, temperature-checking and enhanced cleaning procedures. For more details on what a socially distanced visit to the venue will look like, please visit trch. co.uk/covid-19-measures

Running until 3 January at the Nottingham Contemporary you can catch a cross between fan-fiction, study and biography, Grace Before Jones: Camera, Disco, Studio departs from the iconic singer’s career and her collaborations with artists, designers, The Theatre Royal has also announced a socially-distanced pantomime will be staged photographers and musicians to question at the city centre venue once national restric- black image-making and gender binarism as well as both performance and the perfortions are lifted, with an all-new production mance of life. of Sleeping Beauty, thanks to support from The National Lottery. Starring legendary At the time of going to print, many venues funny-men Paul Chuckle and Ben Nickless, with street dance stars Flawless, the show will are still holding off announcing their Christplay from Saturday 12 December for a strictly mas plans, however Wollaton Hall saves the limited 3 week run. day! New for 2020 it will host its first magical

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Christmas lights trail, as the formal gardens are transformed for the first time ever into an enchanted light spectacle (Running until 6 Jan)

Nottingham Castle area of the city.

Enjoy fresh air, exercise, family time and learning all rolled into one in this exciting new experience brought to you by this nationally recognised tour guide. The tour can There have been adaptations to the local tours also factor in a half-way refreshment break too. Multi-award-winning Nottingham tour if desired, and can also include an optional guide Ezekial Bone presents a brand-new 20% discount off food at The Cross Keys pub COVID-secure family tour for 2020 : “Abaht before or after the tour.

Nott’num!” This interactive ‘choose your own Please note that this tour is for one household content’ style promenade performance allows group (e.g. a family) of up to 6 people.

If you prefer to stay at home, a 30-minute virguests to select the topics and locations they tual stroll around a small area of Nottingham are most interested in as they explore the will explore some of the buildings along High historic city of Nottingham.

Ezekial Bone draws upon his unrivalled local Pavement. You can hear about the city’s oldest religious building and its connections with knowledge so guests can pick and choose Robin Hood, plus lace warehouses, elegant from topics as diverse as history, culture, houses and a very long staircase with Gold Robin Hood, horrible histories (perfect for Halloween), art, writers and literature, caves, Star Guides Virtual Tours of Nottingham 14 the Lace Industry, sports and much more - all Nov or join them for Women Writers (18 designed to inspire a sense of place and pride Nov) or Cake Glorious Cake (12 Dec) in our great city. Guest can also visit a variety All details correct at time of going to print. of famous locations during the tour, including Always assume there is a cost unless stated the Lace Market, Old Market Square and the otherwise.

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MODULAR HOUSING PROJECT BECOMES A REALITY

PLANS to transform a derelict and unsightly patch of land in Manton into a modern and visionary development of 120 new Council-owned houses, flats and bungalows have taken another positive step forward.

Bassetlaw District Council plans to build its very first

modular homes on the site of the ‘Old Allotments’ off Radford Street and has appointed Faithful+Gould as the scheme’s project and commercial managers and principal designer of the ground-breaking development.

Faithful+Gould, a member of

the SNC-Lavalin Group, will work closely with the Council and the modular home manufacturer to ensure that the development meets the needs of the local community and provides the right mix of housing and apartments.

The 120-home Radford Street development is the

first modular residential scheme for the authority and forms a key part of its vision to increase its housing stock and encourage growth and investment in the local economy that will enable more people to live and work in the area.

Councillor Steve Scotthorne,

Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This project will deliver a modern, innovative and energy efficient housing scheme that improves neighbourhoods, supports local jobs and continues the Council’s ambition to increase the amount of Council Housing in our District.

“When we initially consulted residents about the project, the overwhelming response was a request to build more Council Housing. We are now delivering on this promise.

“We are delighted to appoint Faithful+Gould who will manage and accelerate the development, adding their expert insight and knowledge into the design and delivery of the project.”

Construction work on the Radford Street development is expected to start in the spring of 2021, with an anticipated completion of spring 2022.

Andrew Prickett, Director and Head of Residential for Faithful+Gould, said: “The modular approach will help us deliver the Radford Street development quicker, more cost effectively, and

crucially, at a consistent and high quality. By combining Faithful+Gould’s knowledge of the modular housing sector with our exceptional approach to delivery, we can help the Council deliver on its vision, and the UK reach its target of 300,000 new homes each year.”

Faithful+Gould was appointed to the scheme via direct award through Lot 1 of the Pagabo Framework and has selected a local design team of Nottingham SMEs including Lungfish Architects, Dice Consultancy and BEC Consultancy.

Drawing on local, small business expertise is a key part of Faithful+Gould’s social value policy and the Pagabo Framework’s commitment to drive social value in every project.

Faithful+Gould’s appointment further supports its position on modern methods of construction in response to the UK housing crisis, including leading Homes England’s MMC housing pilot scheme, covering seven sites and in excess of 1,500 new homes.

Donate a DVD for Christmas

Following the success of The Heron Music Cafe for Wellbeing online sing-along sessions, to help combat feelings of loneliness and social isolation during Covid-19 quarantines, the charity Musicworks have created a sing-along DVD to reach

the large numbers of people who do not have access to the internet. Led

by Helen Tooth (pictured), the DVD features four 30-minute sing-along sessions of well-loved songs based loosely around a theme (Summer, Rain, Transport, Parts of the Body).

The words appear along the bottom of the screen, so everyone can join in the fun. Musicworks are asking for your support through donations via Virgin Money Giving and they will send a DVD to your loved one or to someone in need. You can make a real difference with the gift of the power of music, which Musicworks believes is central to our experience of the world by defining, uniting, and enriching us.

Helen said “Singing is good for you.

It can help improve your mood and take your mind off the day’s troubles.

In these stressful times we are trying to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. Having witnessed the positive effects on people at our live sessions, pre-Covid, it was imperative these benefits continued, and so we have done our best to replicate the live cafes in a sing-along DVD. The Heron Music Café relies entirely upon charitable donations. DVDs

are available from Musicworks’ Virgin Money Giving Page https:// virginmoneygiving.com/fund/heronmusiccafechristmasgifts or to support this campaign with a donation visit https://virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ musicworksdonateadvd For more information about ‘The Heron Music Café’, ‘Music in Care’ or Musicworks, please visit their website www.musicworksnet.co.uk, call 0115 914 5879 or email info@ musicworksnet.co.uk

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HOW TO GROOM A DOG

• Grooming your dog regularly is essential for his or her welfare, whether it’s done professionally or at home • Owners should get their dogs used to being groomed at the earliest opportunity, ideally as a puppy • If your dog is frightened of being groomed, it’s important you get a handle on the problem straight away • Dog owners should be careful when choosing professional dog groomers to ensure they’re reputable Why is it important to groom my dog? Grooming is vital to prevent your dog’s coat getting matted, as well as removing dead hair, dirt and dandruff.

Brushing also stimulates the natural oils in the skin and fur, which helps make for a glossy, healthy coat. But grooming isn’t just about brushing your dog’s fur, it’s also chance to check for any unusual lumps or bumps, and give them a general health check. You can use it as an opportunity to check for any signs of fleas or ticks, inspect their teeth, eyes and ears and make sure their claws aren’t overgrown.

When should I start grooming my dog?

Grooming 2 The frequency of grooming sessions will depend on the breed of dog.

Owners should get their dogs used to regular grooming as early on in their life as possible, ideally as a puppy.

It’s important that dogs are happy and comfortable with grooming, whether this is done in the home or by a professional dog groomer.

By getting into a regular grooming routine with your dog, it also gets them used to this type of handling, and should make visits to the vets much easier.

How often does my dog need grooming? For a short haired, smooth-coated dog, grooming should be done at least once a week. A rough or long-coated dog will need much more regular grooming and will often require clipping to keep the fur at a manageable length.

Clipping can be required anything from every four to 12 weeks, with regular – usually

daily – maintenance brushes and cleaning in between.

Terrier types and some other breeds may need ‘stripping’ rather than normal grooming to remove dead hairs in the coat as these dogs don’t shed hair as well as others.

Can I clip my dog myself?

There are a range of fur clippers on the market, but remember that professional groomers have had months of training and their job is not as easy as some people think it looks.

Unqualified DIY clipping not only runs the risk of your dog coming out the other side with an unintentionally extreme haircut, it can also result in injury to you or your pet - especially if you have a particularly lively or boisterous hound.

If you do choose to invest in your own set of dog clippers, ensure you do plenty of research before grooming your dog. Get specific instructions on the type of breed you have, use dedicated equipment with safety guards and, if using scissors, make sure they have rounded ends when tackling sensitive areas. It’s vital that you can keep your dog calm and under control when clipping is being done, so a second pair of hands may well be needed.

What are the best brushes or combs to use at home?

If your dog is nervous about being groomed, some encouragement with treats may help.

There are many different types of brushes on the market, so choosing the right one for your dog can sometimes be overwhelming. Different tools work better on different dogs, so it’s a good idea to ask your vet for advice on which brush would work best for your dog before any investment.

Pin brushes – good for smoothing out small tangles and removing dead fur from both the coat and undercoat.

These brushes have metal pins with rounded ends to make it comfortable for your dog. The longer the pins on the brush, the better it is for dogs with longer, thicker coats.

Slicker brushes – these brushes

have short, fine hairs on a flat brush and are suitable for removing knots from short to medium coat breeds, or those with curly fur. The pins are angled to avoid scratching the skin while brushing, but don’t apply too much pressure – and look out for any pins sticking out at the wrong angle. Rubber brushes – ideal for removing dead fur and massaging the skin to encourage natural oils to be released, which make a dog’s coat look healthy and glossy.

Grooming mitts – a useful tool for removing dirt and dead hair from short-coated breeds, but not recommended for dogs with medium to long-haired coats. Undercoat rake or de-shedding tools – these brushes are brilliant for gently removing the dead fur from a dog’s undercoat, while still brushing through the top coat and removing any dirt. These are particularly useful for dogs that moult frequently.

Bristle brush – these brushes are ideal for finishing off grooming, and for quick maintenance brushes in between brushes.

They brush through the top coat, removing dead fur and dirt while stimulating natural oil production.

How should I bathe my dog at home? It’s not always necessary to bath dogs, unless they are dirty or have skin problems, in which case seek your vet’s advice. Washing them too much can strip a dog’s coat of natural oils.

But if you are washing your dog at home, you can do this in a bathtub with a non-slip mat indoors or, if the weather permits, outside.

Remember to: • Detangle any matts before washing as they will only get worse during shampooing • Purchase a dedicated dog shampoo as human products have different Ph balances • Saturate your dog’s fur with lukewarm water before applying the shampoo • Avoid the face, mouth and ear areas and sponge wash these with clean water instead • Massage the shampoo in

for at least five minutes for a good, thorough cleanse • Ensure you rinse thoroughly as any shampoo residue can irritate your dog’s skin • Towel dry your dog or, if he or she is comfortable with a hairdryer, ensure it is put on a cool setting What should I do if my dog is scared of grooming or being brushed? A negative association can develop because the longer the period of time between brushes, the more uncomfortable it can be for them; the more out of condition their coat becomes the more unpleasant it can become for them to be touched or stroked, let alone bathed or brushed.

In extreme cases, this can then have a negative impact on the way they perceive human interaction altogether. So it’s crucial that you get a handle on the problem as soon as possible and tackle it in the right way that’s best for your dog.

If your dog is scared of being brushed, try taking a few steps back. Get out a few brushes but don’t use them, so your dog can just get used to them being around. You can also help them associate the brushes with something good by producing them at the same time as something your dog really likes, such as some really tasty food.

Gradually reintroduce brushing by touching your dog very gently with a soft brush starting with short sessions, making sure you always reward him well for taking part!

If problems with grooming persist, consult your vet for further advice.

How do I know if my dog’s nails need to be clipped? Seek advice from your vet on this, but it’s often not necessary. If a dog is walked on pavements or roads, their claws naturally wear down. Occasionally the

dew claws will overgrow as they don’t reach the ground during walking. Overgrown nails are more likely if the dog is lame or arthritic as this shifts weight-bearing.

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Christmas at Rand Farm Park

The Real Christmas Experience

Walk through an immersive Christmas Experience before meeting Santa at his home in the forest

The Most Magical Morning of All

Santa’s Sorting Office: NEW FOR 2020 Elf Academy Meet Real Reindeer Visit Mrs Claus Meet the many animals on the farm Enjoy our indoor soft play and Air Cannon arena

Meet Santa, Mrs Claus, Real Reindeer and some of Santa’s Elves the day before he sets off on his journey around the world delivering presents to every boy and girl on the Nice List

Adults Festive Date Night

We are all big kids at heart. So why not experience the magic of Christmas, run around in the indoor play areas and meet the animals on the farm whilst you leave

Breakfast with Santa

Enjoy a hearty breakfast with appearences from Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves before visiting The Real Christmas Experience

your children at home

Festive After School Treat

Join us after school on the last day of term as the sun sets and the magic of

christmas lights twinkle at night

Festive Quiet Hour

A one-off session before general opening

Ticket Prices

Adult: The Real Christmas Experience£11.95 Child 2 & Over: The Real Christmas Experience£19.95 Included in EVERY Christmas Child Under 2: The Real Christmas Visit: Experience£10.95 Meet Santa in his Grotto Child Under 2 Not ParticipatingFree Santa’s Secret Toyshop (present for every Adult Member: The Real Christmas ticket bought) ExperienceFree Elf Village Child Member: The Real Christmas Nutcracker Suite: NEW FOR 2020 Experience£10.95 Enchanted Forest: NEW FOR 2020 hours for young children with additional needs and their families

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TOP 12 CHRISTMAS GIFTS

FROM NOTTINGHAM INDEPENDENTS Small Business Saturday is quickly approaching and with such an amazing array of Independent shops in Nottingham it’s easier than ever to shop local this Christmas. Here are 12 of our top picks for Christmas gifting this year.

1. The Comic Book Story of Beer£14.99 Page 45, Market Street Shoppers come from far and wide to visit the famous Page 45 on Market

Street, winners of our independent of the year competition not once but twice. The expertise and service really goes above and beyond here and with such a variety in store you can find something for everyone, including yourself of course!

2. Delilah Favourites Hamper- From £50 Delilah, Victoria Street The epitome of the foodie festive feasting gift has to be a hamper and you can choose delicious, ready selected favourites at Delilah for the foodie in your life.

3. Sterling Silver and Enamel Stags Head Cufflinks- £135 Carolyn Codd, Trinity Square For the gentleman in your life whether that be partner, father, son or self - these sophisticated sterling silver cufflinks are a sublime way to share that festive feeling.

4. Tatty Devine Gin Purse- £15.99 The Tokenhouse, Bridlesmith Gate Glitter and Gin! What could be more festive? This beautiful Tatty Devine purse is ideal for a night out on the town and perfect as a gift or a Christmas treat for you.

5. Robin Hood T-Shirt- £20 Dukki Gifts, St James’ Street Ay up Mi Duck! Dukki Gifts have an abundance of great gifts celebrating the unique dialect of Nottingham and for the Nottingham lovers out there this Robin Hood T-shirt is an absolute must have.

6. Baking Jars- £9.95 The Treat Kitchen, Wheeler Gate Christmas is the perfect time for

baking with family and friends always around to wow. The Treat Kitchen have made baking even more fun with their all-in-one baking jars, with Belgian Millionaire Brownies as just one of the many options our mouths are already watering.

7. Sebastian Professional Hydre Gift Set- £29.90 Zullo and Holland, Upper Parliament Street Award winning salon Zullo and Holland are renowned for keeping Nottingham’s tresses in check and with this gorgeous gift set you can cultivate perfect locks at home too.

8. Bespoke hampers made to orderFrom £20 The Cheese Shop, Flying Horse Walk. With an astounding variety of cheeses and other treats you can knock together a bespoke

h a m p e r , perfectly curated to the tastes of the giftee, in no time at The Cheese Shop.

9.

KATANA Shoulder BagFrom £7 Bag Company, Wheeler Gate.

This stunning genuine cowhide leather shoulder bag just shouts sophistication.

Treat the lady in your life to this or one of many other fashionable bags from Bag Company.

10. Locally roasted fresh coffee- From £7 200 Degrees, Poultry. Coffee lovers rejoice!

200 Degrees coffee is all roasted locally and bursting with flavour, plus the simple packaging gives it a brilliant independent aesthetic, you won’t be able to find a better gift for a caffeine lover.

11. Valentino 100mm Pumps- £620 Gigi Botegga, Flying Horse Walk.

Located in the beautiful Flying Horse Walk, Gigi Bottega is the place for high end fashion in the city. With designers like Valentino and Versace it’ll be hard to choose which bag to get to go with these stunning Valentino pumps.

12. Belgian Chocolate truffles- £7.99 Andersons of Nottingham, King Street. And last but my no means least you can never go wrong with a box of delicious, decadent chocolates from Andersons, an eternal staple of Christmas gifting for a very good reason!

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Social Care Hero from Nottingham Care Home Recognised at Great British Care Awards Jonathan Almond, Caretaker at ‘Outstanding’ rated care home, Fairway View, in Bulwell, has been recognised amongst the best of the Midlands social care workers by reaching the regional finals of the Great British Care Awards.

Jonathan has scooped a place in the ‘Ancillary Worker’ Award category which has been nominated by colleagues, residents, relatives or professionals and are selected by a team of judges from the region. The nomination is a testament to Jonathan’s dedication to his role, going above and beyond for the Fairway View residents.

The purpose of the Great British Care Awards is to pay tribute to those individuals in the care sector who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work. Jonathan will attend a virtual meeting later this month where he will be interviewed by several judges who themselves work within the care sector. The results will be announced at a regional gala dinner in April with the winners securing a place at the national awards.

Jonathan said, ‘I am delighted to have been selected as a finalist in this year’s Great British Care Awards. To be recognised for my role within the home is very touching. I believe that the needs of our residents are paramount, and I always consider how each task I complete can benefit our residents. I am extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate me’.

88 year-old resident, Arthur Parker, said, ‘The Fairway View care team are absolutely fantastic, I have been hugely impressed with their commitment to their work over the course of the pandemic. Jonathan is great and I see first-hand how he goes above and beyond for us. He should be very proud of himself; I am looking forward to hearing all about his inter-

Fairway View resident, Mavis Wood, sat with finalist, Jonathan Almond. view over a nice cold beer!’.

Gaynor Smart-McCann, Regional Director for the Midlands, said, ‘I am so proud of everything the Fairway View team have achieved over the past year. A huge congratulations to Jonathan, his dedication and commitment during the course of the pandemic has been nothing short of inspiring. To see how he has gone above and beyond his job description to uplift our residents over the course of the pandemic is truly heart-warming’.

‘For the team to have received an ‘Outstanding’ rating by the CQC at the start of the year from the Care Quality Commission, and to now have one of their own up for such a prestig-

ious award – we will end this year how we started - on a high!

Congratulations Jonathan and good luck!’.

Fairway View, operated by Ideal Carehomes, provides 24hour residential and dementia care for 41 residents on an inclusive fee basis. Residents at Fairway View can enjoy the home’s state of the art facilities, which include a hair salon, cinema room and landscaped gardens, as well as a packed schedule of entertainment organised by a dedicated activities team. Ideal Carehomes’ unique Ideal Fresh Living initiative ensures that Fairway View remains at the forefront of infection control procedures to keep residents and staff safe. For more information about Fairway View, contact the team on 0115 975 8770 or visit https://www.idealcarehomes.co.uk/.

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NEW PROJECT TO HELP YOUNG DEAF ADULTS BREAK INTO MUSIC SCENE: 25 JANUARY - 12 FEBRUARY 2021

A fully inclusive music led project for young deaf adults has been launched in Nottingham to provide an exciting opportunity to work with music, film and performing arts professionals.

Be Scene and Heard is fully funded by Youth Music and

offers three weeks of free workshops to young people aged 18-25 at a Nottingham venue equipped with a recording studio and state-ofthe-art music equipment.

With 12 million people experiencing hearing loss across the UK - one in six of the population - the project aims to break down barriers and develop confidence by bringing together deaf and hearing young people to create, record and perform new music as well as film and perform in music videos.

Independent music promoter Will Robinson, director of

the Nottingham label I’m Not From London, is behind the project.

Will Robinson, I’m Not From London, is now looking for young deaf/partially deaf and hearing young people who would like to be involved in all or some of the following: – Songwriting – Recording their song.

– Writing and producing a music video.

– Acting/dancing in a music video He said: “There is a misconception that the deaf or hearing impaired can’t participate in and enjoy making music. Hearing loss

can lead to withdrawal from social situations, emotional distress and depression which may be even more acute in the current pandemic.

“Young people in the deaf community have told us there’s a real need for projects like Be Scene and Heard to give them these types of creative opportunities.

This is a great launch pad for anyone who wants to be part of the music scene but may currently feel excluded.

We hope this will give them valuable experience and the confidence to progress on a creative pathway.”

Deaf actor/dancer Joseph

Fletcher and West End musical theatre performer Molly May Gardiner - who are both BSL trained - will be lead mentors on the project, along with deaf Nottingham College student, radio presenter and singer Owen Brindley (21), from Bilborough, who was the original inspiration for the project. West End professional Molly May Gardiner is one of the mentors. Credit Charlotte Jopling Photography The free music workshops will take place at Nottingham city centre venue Fisher Gate Point Centre for the Arts.

Credit Charlotte Jopling Photography.

Fully deaf from birth, Owen had implants aged two to enable him to hear and is passionate about music and

the role it can play in building confidence.

Owen has performed at several open mic nights around the city as well as auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent, where he performs sign language to accompany his vocal performances.

Owen explains: “When I go to gigs, I like to sign along to the music. I thought it would be a great idea to have a band with signers so more people like me can enjoy live music as even though I can hear it with my implants, the signing helps me access the emotion of the music better.

I approached Will as I knew he promotes a lot of bands and this is how the idea for Be Scene and Heard all started.”

Workshop content will be flexible and respond to the needs of the participants with opportunities to get involved in songwriting, recording, performing and producing music videos with a team of videographers, music producers and professional musicians to help facilitate as required. Nottinghamshire Deaf Society has welcomed the new project.

Jon Giles, Nottinghamshire Deaf Society Chief Executive said: “Despite the constraints of the pandemic it is really exciting that this project is going ahead. There are few opportunities for young deaf people to engage in the arts in an accessible way so this is a fantastic chance to have a go.

We look forward to seeing the

results of this project”.

The workshops will have Covid safe measures in place including the provision of PPE; clear masks; perspex screens; social distancing measures; in person and zoom mentoring and a BSL interpreter.

Be Scene and Heard takes place at Fisher Gate Point Centre for the Arts from 25 January to 12 February 2021.

With a small number of places available to enable social distancing, young people who are deaf or with some hearing loss are urged to sign up to secure their place. Hearing young people passionate about music and interested in working alongside the deaf community are also welcome to apply. To express interest and for more information, email Will Robinson at will@ imnotfromlondon.com giving your name, age and contact details. To sign up to the project, click here https:// besceneandheard.typeform. com/to/EM3CriPy

Pictures credit: Charlotte Jopling Photography

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COUNCIL URGES LANDLORDS TO

CONTACT THEM BEFORE EVICTING TENANTS Broxtowe Borough Council is urging landlords and tenants to contact them if they are having problems with rent payments. Councils across Nottinghamshire are working together to promote the Call B4 you Serve service, as concerns grow that there will be a spike in evictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Call B4 you Serve is an independent service funded across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire by Central Government and provides an impartial service to both landlords and tenants to prevent evictions where ever possible.

The service can offer advice on financial support including help with payments towards rent arrears if someone is in danger of becoming homeless.

The service also provides direct support and advice on benefit applications around universal credit and other housing and rent support.

The team can help set up applications and make sure applicants are getting the full support needed.

So far, the scheme has supported over 300 residents and 250 landlords. The cost of someone presenting themselves to the council as homeless is around £2,500 therefore any prevention measures can reduce this cost significantly.

One of the council’s priorities is to reduce poverty and inequality in the borough as well as providing support for the most vulnerable people in the area.

Landlords or Letting Agents who need help can email

CB4YS@ derby.gov.uk or call 01332 641 408.

Te n a n t s f a c i n g difficulty can call Broxtowe Borough C o u n c i l ’s Housing Options Team on 0115 917 7777 for a referral to the service.

Chair of the Housing Committee, Councillor Teresa Cullen said: “The coronavirus outbreak has created significant financial pressures for many vulnerable people which

could result in eviction from their homes.

We are urging landlords to call us before they serve eviction notices. We can work with all parties to assist find

solutions that can prevent someone becoming homeless.

We have assisted a number of landlords already, which has prevented evictions and ultimately another homeless

person or family. It is one of our main priorities to support the most vulnerable residents in Broxtowe and prevent rough sleeping and homelessness.”

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FOSTERING CHARITY

SEEKS FOSTER CARERS Last Year, The Children’s Family Trust (CFT) received over 20,000 requests from local authorities for children in need of placements, and despite a global pandemic, the organisation continue to receive requests for homes for children daily.

Marina Mulholland, CEO of The CFT, said: “Children continue to come into the care of the local authority every day. We continue to seek high quality foster carers to help us meet the needs of these vulnerable children.”

The CFT are a not-for-profit fostering agency who provide foster placements for children who are no longer able to live with their birth families.

As a registered charity, The CFT do not need to focus on making a profit and therefore any surplus they do make is re-invested into enhancing

their services and support for foster families and children.

Established in 1945, The CFT are this year marking 75 years of providing support to children and young people in care.

Whilst this means that the organisation has provided many successful placements to children over the years, it also indicates that the need for foster placements is as great as ever and The CFT are currently looking for people who are kind and resilient to care for children who may have faced great adversity.

Being a Foster Carer is about opening your homes and hearts to make a change to a child’s life for the better. It is a hugely rewarding role, but at times it can also be challenging. Children and young people come into care for many reasons.

This can include neglect, domestic violence and parental mental health issues to name just a few.

Fostering provides these children and young people with a stable home environment, where they are cared for, nurtured and supported to realise their full potential.

Elizabeth, a CFT Foster Carer said “Deciding to foster was a big decision but it is most definitely the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

If you are thinking about it go for it”.

Applicants must be aged over 21 and have a spare bedroom.

They will need to be DBS checked, which The CFT will carry out.

Call 0300 111 1945 or visit thecft.org.uk to learn more about becoming a foster carer.

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CREATE YOUR OWN CALM – A NEW ACTIVITY BOOK FOR KIDS Local West Bridgford parenting author Becky Goddard-Hill has just published a new activity book for kids with Harper Collins. Her book is called Create Your Own Calm and it contains 50 activities to help kids manage their worries, anger, fears and stress. The book is designed for 6-12 years olds and it couldn’t be

been more timely. During lockdown Childline reported a 40% increase in calls from under 11’s and back to school anxiety post lockdown has been rife. Becky is a children’s therapist and life coach has a strong belief that proactively supporting a child’s wellbeing is just as, if not more important, than taking care of their physical

health. Becky believes it is important not to wait for things to go wrong before we focus on our children’s emotional health but to give it the attention and support it needs along the way to build up a child’s resilience for trickier times. The activities in the book are fun and creative and will entertain kids for hours whilst teaching

them some really important skills in emotional health and resilience along the way.

Becky explains Each activity also comes with the science behind as kids love to understand the how and why of how things work. There are lots of inspiring quotes in the book too to get kids thinking and reflecting. The activities are really varied and include *yoga *bee breathing *making worry dolls *calm colours *creating a relaxation jar * nature art * earthing Becky’s last book Create Your Own Happy sold over 15,000 copies and Create Your Own Kindness will be out in the new year. This series of books is all about empowering kids to take really good care of their emotional

health and wellbeing and grow up robust and resilient.

Create Your Own calm is available now from Amazon and all good bookshops

IS MY CHILD TOO ILL FOR SCHOOL? It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they're unwell.

But there are government guidelines for schools and nurseries that say when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn't.

If you do keep your child at home, it's important to phone the school or nursery on the first day. Let them know that they won't be in and give them the reason.

If your child is well enough to go to school but has an infection that could be passed on, such as a cold sore or head lice, let their teacher know.

Coughs and colds It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes.

Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues and to wash their hands regularly.

Fever If your child has a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes away.

Chickenpox If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over.

This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appeared.

Cold sores There’s no need to keep your child off school if they have a cold sore.

Encourage them not to touch the blister or kiss anyone

while they have the cold sore, or to share things like cups and towels.

Conjunctivitis You don’t need to keep your child away from school if they have conjunctivitis.

Do get advice from your pharmacist. Encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash their hands regularly.

Ear infection If your child has an ear infection and a fever or severe earache, keep them off school until they’re feeling better or their fever goes away.

Hand, foot and mouth disease If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease but seems well enough to go to school, there’s no need to keep them off.

Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues straight away and to wash their hands regularly.

Head lice and nits There’s no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice.

See how to get rid of them.

Impetigo If your child has impetigo, they’ll need antibiotic treatment from the GP. Keep them off school until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment.

Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and not to share towels, cups and so on with other children at school.

Ringworm If your child has ringworm, see your pharmacist unless it’s on their scalp, in which case you should see the GP. It’s fine for your child to go to school once they have started treatment.

Scarlet fever If your child has scarlet fever, they’ll need treatment with antibiotics from the GP. Otherwise they’ll be infectious for 2 to 3 weeks.

Your child can go back to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

Slapped cheek syndrome (fifth disease) You don’t need to keep your child off school if they have slapped cheek syndrome because once the rash appears, they’re no longer infectious.

If you suspect your child has slapped cheek syndrome, take them to the GP and let their school know if they’re diagnosed with it.

Sore throat You can still send your child to school if they have a sore throat. But if they also have a fever, they should stay at home until it goes away.

Threadworms You don’t need to keep your child off school if they have threadworms.

Speak to your pharmacist, who can recommend a treatment.

Vomiting and diarrhoea Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school for 2 days after their symptoms have gone

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LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

MILIT ARY D AVAIL ISCOUNT ABLE

independent day school for boys and girls between the ages of three and eleven,

• Small classes • High academic standards • We operate our own morning bus from villages east of Grantham

• Holiday clubs

• Artsmark School

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Notts and Derbyshire teacher training providers join forces to create unique opportunities for trainees Two teacher training providers have announced they are to join forces to create one hub, delivering outstanding teacher training courses, access to career development programmes and leadership opportunities in education throughout Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Inspiring Leaders School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) is recognised as an outstanding provider, currently working with hubs in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Their primary Nottinghamshire hub is within the Flying High Partnership who have previously worked with 4Derbyshire Teaching School Alliance, bringing about school improvement, teacher training, and career progression across both counties. Now the two groups will join forces for primary Initial Teacher Training in a hub to be called ‘Flying High 4Nottinghamshire, 4Derbyshire’.

Paul Goodman is Deputy CEO of The Flying High Trust and Teaching School Alliance (TSA) Director (Candleby Lane TSA). He said that the new hub, will pool the expertise and resources of each group to bring unique opportunities to trainees. “Through this new partnership, we hope to not only

Pictured is Danny Moss, a successful trainee in 2015/16 is now KS1 Lead at Cotgrave Candleby Lane School. deliver outstanding teacher training, but a package of professional development and support that will follow teachers through every stage of their career.”

Speaking of the bespoke system on offer to trainees, Paul said, “Through our partnership of schools and Inspiring Leaders, we will support you through your training year, enable you to secure a teaching position, support you in the early stages of your career and ultimately enable you to progress to middle leadership, senior leadership or even Headship. We believe that this package of support, extending throughout a career, makes this a unique partnership in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with which to train and teach.”

Photograph left to right: Trainee Teachers at Creswell Crags near the boundary of Derbyshire at Nottinghamshire spell out ILTT (Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training) to celebrate the merger. Pictured are left to right Joanna Davis, Georgia Dabell, Andrea Houston and Bethany Elvin.

Russyn Cast is ILTT Hub Leader for Flying High Partnership and said, “This is fantastic news for both for those who train with us, and for the schools across our respective alliances.

By bringing the 4Derbyshire ITT provision and the ILTT

Flying High provision together to create a single Flying High Hub as part of ILTT, we will strengthen the sense of team and the depth of working relationships. The greater resource base of schools and lead teachers will give trainees even better access to exemplary practice in a diverse range of settings.”

The partnership will also mean that Derbyshire trainees can choose to train with an outstanding SCITT, in a high-quality school that is within a reasonable distance from their home.

Victoria Jones is Training and Development Manager and said she welcomes the news. “I am delighted and excited to see what this new opportunity will bring to both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Working together will only build on our strengths to offer fantastic opportunities to our trainee teachers. Our shared values and aim to not just to be here to train teachers, -but to train, develop and support the best teachers for our children and schools.”

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BOWBRIDGE COURT RAILWAY STATION IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND TAKING CARE HOME RESIDENTS TO DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE UK!

Staff and residents at Bowbridge Court care home have been delighted to unveil their latest home upgrade; a traditional British railway station featuring facilities such as a bench seating area, classic luggage with a porter’s trolley and even bespoke

decorations and signs to really get the feel of being track-side on the platform.

The Newark care home has designed the countryside themed station to provide a dedicated outlet for residents to reminisce on fond holiday memories and also to provide

a wonderful space to relax, read and enjoy a cup of tea whist ‘travelling in style’ to wonderful locations across the UK. The design and installation of the station has been a group effort, with residents and staff working together to decide on a theme as well as choosing the finer details, such as the realistic looking wall mural, during monthly committee meetings.

The railway room comes as just one of many improvement projects undertaken by the care home over recent months, as they have just been crowned regional winners of the Ideal ‘Gardens in Bloom’ competition.

The annual contest encourages both staff and residents to work together to embrace their love of the great outdoors by devising and implementing an exciting garden revamp.

Residents and train enthusiasts, Tony Smalley and Tom Parish, were delighted with the new railway feature and have already spent lots of time at the station discussing trips they have taken throughout

their lives. Tony said, ‘I am so impressed with how our new Bowbridge Station has turned out. The special extra touches the staff have included such as the model train display really were a brilliant extra touch! I have visited the railway room frequently and I am pleased to be able to share stories of my travels with the staff!’.

Home Manager, Claire Gordon-Rundle, said, ‘I am so happy with how our latest renovation project has turned out. We have had so much fun building, designing and creating the space and to now see our residents enjoying the railway room is the icing on the cake! I am very proud of my team for helping to make this happen, it really is just another way our staff go above and beyond for their residents’.

Regional Director, Gaynor Smart-McCann, who has been a driving force for the railway room, said ‘Bowbridge Station is such a marvellous place. It provides a wonderful space for our residents to visit and relax in – especially those who are fond of walking around our home, the station

provides a real sense of destination which is great to see’.

Bowbridge Court, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home boasting a hair salon, cinema room and spacious lounges overlooking landscaped sensory gardens. All 54 bedrooms are ensuite, enabling staff to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible. For more

information about Bowbridge Court, contact Claire on 01636 605 528 or visit www. idealcarehomes.co.uk

Nottingham Care Homes Team Up to Raise Money for Alzheimer’s Society In celebration of ‘Memory Month’, staff and residents two Nottingham care homes, Coppice Lodge in Arnold and Fairway View, in Bulwell have teamed up to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society by completing sponsored walks through their homes.

Residents at the homes have been inspired over the past few months by the remarkable fundraising efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore and decided to take the challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society charity by completing laps of their homes ultra-wide hallways, social lounges and gardens.

laps were filled with such laughter - I really enjoyed myself’’.

Fairway View resident, Mavis Wood, said, ‘The walks have been marvellous! It has been brilliant seeing everybody get involved, I was so glad to be able to take part and complete my laps on behalf of my home. It really has been such fun and I know the money is going to a fantastic cause which is brilliant’.

Ideal Carehomes, Regional Director for the Midlands, Gaynor Smart-McCann, said, ‘I am so happy to see how successful our sponsored walks have been! Our teams have The sponsored walk for the charity, which is been brilliant in organising the walks and our dear to everyone’s hearts, took over a week to residents have embraced it with such gusto. complete and was a significant achievement Thank you everyone who generously donated for residents who in total achieved a comand congratulations to Coppice Lodge and bined distance of 10km. The teams initially Fairway View –well done for spreading such targeted to raise £200 however, following positivity at a time when people need it the generous donations from their relatives and most’. local business, the two homes achieved a grand total of £680.

Coppice Lodge and Fairway View are operated by Ideal Carehomes. Residents enjoy a Speaking after completing his laps, Coppice full programme of health, leisure and wellbeLodge resident, Roy Page, said, ‘‘I am so ing activities managed by a dedicated team of pleased we have been able to do something carers. All the homes bedrooms are en-suite, good for the Alzheimer’s Society and spread enabling staff to deliver person-centred care some joy during 2020. Our walks around the in a dignified manner, promoting independhome have been no easy feat, however, the ence as far as possible. For more information team were brilliantly patient as we made our about Fairway View and Coppice Lodge, way around the hallways and lounges. Decontact call 0113 385 3800 or https://www. spite most of us walking at a steady pace, our idealcarehomes.co.uk/.

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NEW FOREST BOOK RAISING FUNDS FOR POWERCHAIR TEAM A new Nottingham Forest book featur- features players in powered wheelchairs, ing ten City Ground legends has gone playing a skilful and fast-paced game of on sale to help raise money for the football. club’s Powerchair team.

Spokesman for the Powerchair team Sam ‘Talking Reds’ features chapters by Langley said: ‘We’re really grateful that Garibaldi greats including Steve Chettle, vital funds are being raised for NotBryan Roy, Mark Crossley and Chris tinghamshire Powerchair Football Club Bart-Williams, telling their stories of life (NPFC) through sales of this amazing with the Tricky Trees. book. I’m sure many of you will enjoy reading it.’

Author Keith Harrison, a football writer and Leader in Residence at the UniverKeith added: ‘The book has only just sity of Central Lancashire, said: ‘It’s a gone on sale, but people are already great read for Forest fans, taking you snapping it up as a Christmas present and right inside the dressing room for some the first reviews have already come back of the biggest games in the club’s history. very positive - apparently, it will make you laugh and cry. I hope that’s a good ‘There are loads of fantastic tales about thing!’

Brian Clough obviously, but also some interesting stories about many other man- Some of the other players in the book agers and former players, too. include League Cup-winning hero Nigel Jemson, former Player of the Year David ‘There are first-hand accounts of Cup Phillips, Jason Lee and Ian Woan.

Finals, European nights, promotions and relegations - so the highs and the The foreword has been written by former lows are all covered and the chapters are Forest caretaker boss Gary Brazil, who is straight from the horses’s mouths, written now Director of Football Development at by the people that were there.’ the club.

Ten per cent of any profits from the book will go to Nottingham Forest Powerchair FC, which plays in the Muscular Dystrophy UK Powerchair Championship and

Keith added: ‘We’ve had great support from the former players, so we’d like to thanks everyone for their help.’

Author Keith Harrison with the new Nottingham Forest book

The book is available on Amazon and from www.talkingredsbook.com also at a discounted launch price of £9.99

Forest backing Homeless to Home challenge Nottingham Forest are delighted to confirm they are backing Framework’s Homeless to Home challenge, a campaign initiated by the Nottingham-based charity to help tackle homelessness in the city and beyond.

The Reds and Framework are inviting supporters to exercise during lockdown for the good of their physical and mental health to take part in the challenge this November, raising funds to support Framework’s work to end homelessness by tackling the growing problem of rough sleeping in Nottingham.

To make the event more fun – and a little bit competitive – Framework have created a fundraising leader board for both individuals and teams with trophies going to the top fundraisers. People are asked to raise a minimum of £150 and a free t-shirt goes to everyone when they raise their first £50. People will be able to keep track of their distance and medals will be awarded to everyone taking part as they reach different stages towards their individual target.

Head of Fundraising and Communications at Framework, Claire Eden, said: “A Framework street outreach worker will walk an average of 10 miles per shift. We’re challenging members of the public to follow in the footsteps of our street outreach teams, doing whatever distance they can in whatever way they choose and securing sponsorship from friends, family and whoever else to raise vital funds to help end homelessness.

“We are most grateful to Nottingham Forest who have signed up to the challenge. Since their owner Evangelos Marinakis arrived at the club, we have had tremendous support and there is a real desire to make a difference throughout the city.”

“We would like to encourage as many people as possible to make their exercise count double by doing it for Framework and raising funds to support our winter appeal to prevent homelessness, support rough sleepers and resettle them into accommodation.”

As Britain enters the deepest recession since

records began, the future for hundreds of thousands of people is uncertain with many losing their jobs and potentially their homes.

continue responding effectively to increasing challenges presented by the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.

Rough sleeping – the most visible and devastating form of homelessness – is on the rise.

This winter more people will endure the danger and indignity of sleeping on the streets, many for the first time.

Framework’s November challenge forms part of its winter appeal, Homeless to Home, to change and save lives by preventing homelessness, supporting rough sleepers and resettling people into stable accommodation.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit Framework’s income and increased expenditure.

The charity urgently needs public support to

Those wishing to take part can register now at www.frameworkha.org/htohchallenge.

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Page 31.

It Never Stops Pouring !!

Article by Phil Jennings

Carlton Town 1-2 Leek Town

Two more fixtures at the back of October would see The Millers first face Leek Town whom topped the league campaign last season before business was brought to an abrupt ending and a visit to Sheffield. The first of these games was always going to be a tight affair and with The Millers still injury stricken the game would be no different than in previous encounters. Carlton started brightly knowing that they had to despatch the previous weeks F.A.Trophy defeat and that they had to now get back to a winning formula in the league. The opening exchanges were good and the opposition were oppressed early on. The Millers with their hard-working approach were rewarded after only eight minutes when the now fit again Aaron Opoku would net to give the home side the early advantage.This is how the scoreline would remain until half-time in a game that was proving to be a real test of wits and stamina with both teams going at it furiously. Both teams came out for the second-half with a lot of intent and desire before Leek would prevail with the equaliser just past the hour mark.There was absolutely nothing in this tie between two evenly matched sides and there was only ever going to be one goal in it which would come another fifteen minutes later. The visitors would break away after a period of good pressure from The Millers and steal the result from under our noses. Despite another onslaught by Carlton towards the end of the

game The Millers could not get the equaliser in a game where a draw would have looked the likely outcome.

Sheffield 0-2 Carlton Town A trip up the road to Dronfield and the home of football to the oldest ever football club was next for The Millers. This again was expected to be another tough ask and with the rain having been pouring in the days prior to the game the pitch would only just be playable.

Carlton again would take the initiative in the early exchanges putting the home side on the back foot for the first quarter on a very soft and slippy surface where at times the players would struggle to keep their footing. The first goal would come just after fifteen minutes when the lively Opoku would be felled in the box for a penalty. He would dust himself down or at least wipe some of the mud away and calmly step up to finish the job himself.

Carlton knowing how dangerous things can be when the opposition have just conceded stayed disciplined and organised whilst the visitors tried to reduce the deficit would comfortably take the lead to half-time. The second period was pretty much the same as the first with both teams trying to combat each other on an ever worsening surface. It would be The Millers that would strike again just on the hour mark when an exquisite pass from Opoku on the half-way line would set Niall Davie free down the centre of the pitch and he would calmy slot the ball past the advancing home keeper. There were no more goals after this but the play would still be end to end in a game where credit must be given to both sets of teams for providing a real entertaining fixture.

Two days later the league campaign again would officially be put into lockdown due to the pandemic and the season again has been

halted by this deadly virus. We now await the outcome of the results of the figures from the government to determine whether we can continue or whether we encounter further delays to our season. So far now we will have to re-arrange four fixtures for later in the season with these games likely to be evening encounters. Two home games and two fixtures away at Worksop Town and Market Drayton Town will offer different environments and team selections due to these circumstances. However it will give The Millers the time for our injury list to reside and it may benefit the squad due to this scenario. Hopefully we will be up and running again by the time we reach the first weekend in December when we entertain Cleethorpes at Stoke Lane.

For now we sit and wait and hope that normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Stay Safe people.....We Will be back !!!!

Interview with Spencer Weir-Daley Continued

where his grandad from his father’s side was born. Spencer is very respectful regarding his heritage from all angles, given that his other grandparents are from the USA and Northern Ireland. Spencer explained how his Irish nana, with whom he lived, was constantly on his case to declare himself available for the six counties.

Weir-Daley detailed how and why he pledged his alliance to Montserrat in 2015 and the positive effect it’s having upon his prolonged career. “At first I didn’t pay too much attention to the invite but when I saw the calibre of players they had and the levels of organisation I thought I’d be a great experience.” The man himself was no stranger to the fact that Montserrat were once ranked as the world’s worst footballing nation, losing a play-off final for the title to Bhutan in 2002, the very same day as the world cup final in fact. Spencer was quick to point out how things are now vastly different for the Island with less than 5000 inhabitants; “the whole narrative has changed, and we’ve been causing some big shocks.” One of those shocks in question was the brilliant victory over Belize in 2018 where the former Forest man bagged a sublime winning goal. “That’s probably the best goal I’ve ever scored you know” he said with a huge smile on his face, and what a goal it was too, curling a 20 yard strike into the top corner to send the whole Island into raptures!

As Spencer revealed more about his international football it was abundantly clear that this wasn’t some vanity project at the end of his career, he spoke with unbridled conviction about the huge disappointment of missing out on the Gold Cup finals due to goal difference and the injustice of that

decision due to a 3-0 default win for Michael Johnson’s Guyana. He also confirmed something I’d been aware of too, the strong Irish influence on Montserrat. “Our nickname is the Emerald Boys and there’s a big Irish connection on the Island, a lot of the players have Irish surnames,” said Spencer.

We both made reference to the you tube video called ‘The Black Irish of Montserrat, Irish Accents in the Caribbean’, where a percentage of locals still speak with an Irish tongue having descended from those exiled from Ireland by Oliver Cromwell; I shall refrain from my personal views of Mr Cromwell, as we Irish say, a windy day is not for thatching!

Closer to home, Montserrat has another tangible link to Nottingham Forest Football Club in the shape of Lyle Taylor.

Taylor is Spencer Weir-Daley’s strike partner for the Emerald Boys and Spencer had plenty of good things to say about his fellow hit man regarding his transfer to the City Ground.

“Lyle and I got called up at the same time, like a lot of the side, we grew up in England so there’s great banter and camaraderie. I messaged Lyle to say that he’s joining a good club (Forest), his record speaks for itself and when he hits the ground running, he’ll score goals.” Spencer elaborated on Taylor’s all-round game, “when he’s not scoring, he’ll hold up the ball and bring others into play, he’s a handful and I’ve no doubts that he’ll do well for Forest!”

Thanks to some ground-breaking physio treatment Spencer Weir-Daley is fitter than ever and still banging in the goals for Spalding United when not representing his national side, injury free and loving life at the age of 35. I asked Spencer if he ever got any reoccurrences of the severe shoulder

injury he sustained whilst at Forest? He laughed loudly and said, “ask Michael Dawson….it was him who did it to me in training!”

Amongst all this, Spencer Weir-Daley finds quality time to coach youngster’s courtesy of his S10 Future Starrs project in Leicester. In his own words he said the following. “The young people in my area will benefit from fun, professional sessions, it’s really pleasing to be able to give the kids a head start in football and we’ve had a really good response so far.”

If you’d like more information regarding Spencer’s coaching sessions check out S10 Future Starrs on Facebook or look up the man himself, Spencer ‘swizz’ Weir-Daley.

Twitter - @SwizzyWeirDaley, Insta – swizzy_weir_daley It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Spencer Weir-Daley and I’m indebted to the man for his time, and more so his honesty. His outlook upon life is commendable and his commitment to pushing the boundaries on the field of play is truly inspirational.

Written by Steve Corry

Page 32.

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Interview with Spencer Weir-Daley

Since the turn of the century Nottingham Forest has transformed a plethora of academy graduates into first team players, they all have their own story to tell but none quite so interesting as that of Spencer Weir-Daley.

well.” Those injuries the 35-year-old alluded to had indeed kept him out of contention at Forest for over a year in total, ankle, knee and of course the shoulder problem. Spencer told me “I was actually offered another year on my contract at Forest but I was young and impatient because I knew I could play well and score goals, in hindsight I probably should Spencer’s opening gambit was to describe himself as “a have stayed at the City Ground but I was hungry for first veteran, no longer a young boy,” going on to confirm what team football.” all ex NFFC graduates, myself included, will concur with, “it Given the potential and natural ability that we all saw in catches up with you!”

Spencer Weir-Daley as a youngster at Forest, many includMuch was made of the new kid on the block when he scored ing myself were surprised to see that he’d not been a regular on his League debut away at Gillingham in 2005, where he Championship player at the peak of his powers. I asked how played alongside his old mate Wes Morgan who went on to much those injuries he’d picked up had restricted his prolift the Premier League trophy in 2016. Spencer described to gression? “It wasn’t a case of me moving differently because me in detail his journey from 10-year-old to first team and the I always came back from injuries fitter and stronger, it was influential figures along the way. “The debut goal was like mainly the timings” said Spencer. “When I did my shoulder, a dream come true, starting at ten years of age I worked my I’d already racked up about ten first team appearances at way through the ranks and saw a lot of players come and go.

Forest, when I recovered, they’d signed three new strikers; When I scored that goal, it wasn’t just about that game, it was the timing of injuries for a young player is hard because once nine years in the making and the adrenaline surge it triggered you get that moment you have to take it.” Spencer went on to is something I’ll never, ever forget!” say that the expectancy regarding his progression was more We spoke about Weir-Daley’s decision to leave Forest and than evident, a 50% sell on clause had been engineered and head across the Trent to Notts County. “If I’m honest I didn’t in his own words “I was expected to do big things!” enjoy it at Notts and it’s a real regret of mine, I loved it at The former Forest man provided a wonderful insight to his Forest, but I kept picking up long term injuries after playing evolution from boy to man under the NFFC umbrella; he

spoke highly of former teammates saying “I’m proud of James Perch and Wes Morgan of course, me and him are really close. Those guys fully deserve everything they’ve achieved in their careers’, as well as footballers they’re good people too.”

On the coaching side of things Weir-Daley was full of praise for John Pemberton and Paul hart, saying “the fear factor those guys had was evident but they were fair also, Chris Fairclough provided the discipline too, they were all good coaches at the end of the day.” Spencer told me that the NFFC academy was a tough school to come through but one that made him respect his lessons, he said; “we had great teachers for the life skills required like Jim King, Rest in Peace, who taught us how to conduct ourselves and manage our money too; what I love about Forest is that they’ve kept their tradition by helping you as people and not just footballers!”

The conversation meandered towards the non-league scene and the many clubs that Weir-Daley has represented, scoring plenty of goals along the way. At this point you’d expect the interview to become a mere tributary at the twilight of Spencer Weir-Daley’s career, however, the stream became an ocean at the ripe old age of 30 as his international career began in style. Montserrat came calling and Spencer thought carefully before enlisting with the tiny Caribbean island,

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