Nottingham Now 29

Issue. 29 - Sept - 2020 0115 6972670 | www.nottingham-now.co.uk | sales@nottingham-now.co.uk

FREE

WASH HANDS

COVER FACE

Businesses and venues urged to

create QR posters for 'Test and Trace'

Businesses and venues in Nottinghamshire are being urged to ensure they remain Covid-compliant – and meet legal requirements - by creating a QR poster ahead of the launch of the NHS Covid-19 ‘Test and Trace’ app next week.

The NHS Covid-19 app is due to launch on Thursday 24 September and will enable all users to ‘check in’ when they

visit a venue by scanning a QR code displayed on posters at the entrance. The app then informs visitors if they come in to contact with someone who later tests positive for Coronavirus.

And latest guidance issued by the government has made it a legal requirement for all venues from the following sectors to display NHS QR posters in their venues by the

24 September: • Hospitality • Leisure and tourism • Close contact services • Places of worship • Local authority venues.

Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, said: “Businesses have a clear duty to support this service and I urge all venues, including pubs, restaurants,

hairdressers, cinemas and places of worship, to create a QR code and display the posters to ensure the public are able to make full use of the new app.

With coronavirus cases rising in the UK in the last few weeks it is essential businesses meet the legal requirements and capitalise on the benefits which the NHS Covid-19 app can bring to protect themselves and their customers.”

Following the launch of the new COVID-19 app, customers and visitors in England will be able to check-in on entry with their phone instead of filling out a check-in book or tool specific to a business.

When someone enters a venue and scans an official QR poster, the venue information is logged on the user’s phone.

This information then stays on a user’s phone for 21 days and will allow NHS Test and Trace to contact customers with public health advice should there be a COVID-19 outbreak identified at the venue.

It will help also businesses meet the new legal requirement to record the contact details of customers, visitors and staff on their premises.

Businesses who are already using their own QR system are being asked to switch to the NHS QR code, while maintaining an alternative check-in method to collect the contact details of those who don’t have the app.

Further details and instructions on how to create a poster are available on the government information website at www.gov.uk/createcoronavirus-qr-poster As ever, it remains crucial that if you have Covid symptoms, to get a test and self-isolate.

Symptoms include a fever, a new continuous cough, or loss of your sense of taste or smell.

Call 119 to book your free test or visit www. nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-ifyou-have-coronavirus/

MAKE SPACE

Shop Local Shop Safe say Rushcliffe Borough Council

see page 3..

Community garden receives vital funds to further combat social isolation

see page 5..

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Page 2.

Work starts on new outdoor

education facilities at the Mill Adventure Base Construction works are underway on a brand new, state-of-the-art climbing and abseiling tower with high rope activities at the Mill Adventure Base, near Sutton in Ashfield.

The 12-metre-tall tower will boast a 100-metre zip line. Also featured will be a 12-metre-tall high ropes activity, with 13 different attributes including a rope ladder, seesaw and trapeze jump, and 20 low rope elements to explore. The tower will be made accessible by the inclusion of a hoist for disabled participants.

Construction on the new facilities is due to be completed by the end of the year and will be available to schools as well as private groups. Councillor Tracey Taylor, Vice Chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “The new climbing tower and high rope activities will provide a wealth of fun, adventure and challenge for Nottinghamshire young people, nurturing resilience,

determination and a sense of accomplishment. “The project demonstrates the County Council’s commitment to investing in our children and young people by creating a facility that will improve the lives of all regardless of their background or ability”.

Nottinghamshire County Council is working with JM Adventure and the Arc Partnership in constructing the facilities which, once completed, will enhance Notts Outdoors position as a national sector leader for outdoor learning activities.

The Mill Adventure Base is one of six outdoor centres operated by Notts Outdoors, the outdoor and environmental education service from Nottinghamshire County Council.

Their day centres have been awarded the Good To Go Mark, and are currently operating safely with COVID-19 restrictions in place.

For more information visit: https:// nottsoutdoors.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Notts Latest advice from Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire “In recent days we have seen a sharp rise in cases across several areas of Nottinghamshire. We are finding cases arise from what seems to be transmission in a

number of different settings including households, social gatherings, overseas travel, travel to/from work. Often the cases are people of working age including some younger people.

This underlines the importance c o n t r o l l i n g transmission in every setting in which we find ourselves, and we rely on everyone playing their part to stop the spread."

"To play your part in stopping the spread, I am urging everyone to adhere to the Rule of Six which commences on Monday 14 September.

This means that you should not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than six. This will apply indoors and outdoors,

including in private homes.

Education and work settings are unaffected.

"I am also urging everyone to observe “Hands, Face, Space” which means: Hands - wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds Face - wear a face covering where required, unless you are exempt Space - Maintain social distance of at least 2metres from anyone you don’t live with (or 1metre plus additional precautions such as extra ventilation, screens or face coverings) "When eating out at a café, pub or restaurant everyone should be providing full and accurate contact details of everyone in your group. This NHS Test and Trace Service is important for tracking and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Businesses have a clear duty to support this service.

"You can unknowingly spread the virus to other people when car sharing. Whether

you’re commuting to work or picking a family member up from the airport, it is vital that you stick to the full guidance around car sharing which includes keeping windows open, sticking to small groups and wiping down surfaces.

"Finally, it is crucial that if you have COVID symptoms,

get a test and self-isolate.

Symptoms include a fever, a new continuous cough, or loss of your sense of taste or smell.

Call 119 to book your free test or visit https://www.nhs. uk/conditions/coronaviruscovid-19/testing-and-tracing/ get-a-test-to-check-if-youhave-coronavirus"

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Shop Local Shop Safe say Rushcliffe Borough Council Rushcliffe Borough Council is asking local consumers to ‘Shop Local Shop Safe’ in a new campaign dedicated to the safe reopening of high streets and further driving shoppers back to town and village centres, thanks to funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

The campaign’s new colourful eye-catching brand also asks them to ‘show your high street some love’ as business owners continue to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions and is looking to further encourage shoppers to visit local markets and outlets safely.

The authority’s Customer Service Centre window on Gordon Road in West Bridgford has now been transformed to carry the message.

Its colourful rainbow design is brightening its place on the high street in the town and reminding residents the Borough is continuing to reopen high streets safely.

Posters and window stickers with the brand are now set to adorn local traders’ windows across the Borough in the

coming weeks. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Business Councillor Andy Edyvean said: “Shop Local Shop Safe is all about the safe reopening of our high streets.

“We want to encourage residents to come out and shop again thanks to the measures taken by high street businesses to make shopping on the high street as secure as it can be.

“It’s really important to continue to shop safely and people across Rushcliffe have shown great spirit in recent months supporting their local economies as we all aim to combat the challenges COVID has presented.

“Please support your local traders wherever you shop in the Borough. So many have adapted brilliantly whether continuing to trade or reopening in recent months and we want to support them wherever we can.”

The latest safety advice for consumers to shop safe will continue to be signposted to business owners as they

adapt to the latest central government guidelines.

Business owner Rachel Hyman who co-owns No 8 Deli and The Fruit Basket adjacent to the Customer Service Centre in West Bridgford is encouraging everyone to show support their support for Rushcliffe high streets. She said: “As a family

Council distributes £26 million in business grants Bassetlaw District Council has helped more than 2,300 businesses in the district by administering and paying out more than £26 million of Government funding as part of grant schemes designed to help businesses through the Coronavirus Pandemic.

In March, the Government announced that grants of £10,000 and £25,000 would be made available to eligible businesses in the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Sector as well as businesses in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief.

Further Discretionary Grants were also made available for eligible businesses that had not been able to receive any other form of Government funding, with grants of between £2,000 and £25,000 paid out. All of these grant schemes closed at the end of August with the following amounts distributed

to businesses that met the Government’s criteria and were eligible to receive the funding.

Grant funding breakdown: • Small Business Grants £17,140,000 distributed to 1,714 businesses.

• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants – £7,765,000 distributed to a total of 442 businesses. £2,190,000 in £10k grants / £5,575,000 in £25k grants.

• Discretionary Grants – £1,178,000 distributed to 148 businesses through grants between £2k to £25k.

• Total Grants - £26,121,000 • Total businesses paid – 2,304 In addition to these grants, more than 700 businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector (including Childcare Nurseries) have also benefited from around £12 million worth of Business

Rates discounts. Cllr June Evans, Cabinet Member for Finance at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The Council has worked incredibly hard to distribute £26 million of Government Funding and support all of the businesses that were eligible. In addition to businesses applying for the grants, our Finance and Economic Development Teams tirelessly contacted eligible businesses to guide them through the process and support them through what was an extremely difficult period.

“During the worst of the lockdown period, these grants were a lifeline for businesses who couldn’t trade or had their income severely reduced. We hope that the grants have allowed them to continue to trade and ride out the worst of this extraordinary period.

“While we have managed to help thousands of businesses, we are mindful that not everyone received funding.

We regret that we were not able to help all businesses, however we were required to work within the Government guidelines and rigidly apply the eligibility criteria that determined which businesses received funding.”

business we understand the strain COVID-19 has placed on many business owners and how tough the climate is out there to continue trading and for some be the heartbeat of town and village centres.

“Our customers new and old have been wonderful in showing their support and we encourage everyone to Shop Local Shop Safe and support traders if they can.”

European Regional Development Fund The project is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 20142020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate

body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

For more information visit the Government website.

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county counciL to consideR unitaRy

status FoR LocaL goveRnment in nottinghamshiRe Nottinghamshire County Council will next week examine proposals to revisit the issue of local government re-organisation in the County.

The Council’s Policy Committee will be asked to agree to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government seeking an invitation from him

for Nottinghamshire County Council to submit proposals for the establishment of a unitary structure. The report and proposed letter can be accessed on the Your Nottinghamshire, Your Future website.

This move comes in the light of the developing Government policy on regional devolution to be outlined in the White Paper “Devolution and Local Recovery”, due to be published later this Autumn.

The White Paper is expected to require the establishment of unitary local government as a necessary pre-requisite for the establishment of Combined Authorities, which themselves

will be a key means of unlocking and accessing future strategic investment in Nottinghamshire.

The report to be considered by members also outlines the financial and resilience challenges facing local government as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term impact on public finances, and identifies that the development of unitary local government in Nottinghamshire offers a more financially efficient means of preserving and delivering effective public services and securing a sustainable recovery from COVID-19.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mrs Kay Cutts MBE, said: “I believe that unitary local government for our great County will deliver better services that everyone will be able to access more easily; better value for money for every Council Tax payer, and more prosperity for all.

Government policy is certainly moving in that direction and recognises that to aid our recovery from the COVID pandemic, structural reform to unlock investment is vital.

“The current system

of local government in Nottinghamshire is out-dated, cumbersome, wasteful and costly.

We have a unique opportunity now to build a new way of delivering modern, integrated public services that works for every resident.”

More detailed information is available on the Your Nottinghamshire, Your Future website and via the MyNotts App.

Funding to Boost RuRaL connectivity in nottinghamshiRe Nottinghamshire County Council is investing £750,000 in order to step up efforts in delivering high-speed broadband to the most rural areas of the county. The funding from the council will ‘top-up’ the Government’s existing Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme which helps homes and businesses in hardto-reach locations get a fast and reliable broadband service. The £200m Gigabit

Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) has been helping to provide gigabit-capable connections for homes and businesses in the UK’s most remote locations. Through the voucher scheme rural homes and businesses with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps, which are not in any existing government funded plans for an upgrade, can apply for the vouchers worth up to £1,500 per home and up to £3,500 for each small and mediumsized business (SME) to help support the cost of installing new gigabit capable broadband connections.

Now, Nottinghamshire County Council is pleased to announce £750,000 of investment to ‘top-up’ the GBVS vouchers.

The Nottinghamshire ‘topup’ voucher will double the existing voucher value, meaning that homes could claim up to £3,000 per voucher, with the extra £1,500 per voucher from Nottinghamshire County Council.

Small and medium businesses in rural Nottinghamshire could claim up to a maximum of £7,000 funding per voucher,

with an additional £3,500 from Nottinghamshire County Council. Councillor Kay Cutts MBE, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said: “I’m delighted to announce that Nottinghamshire County Council is investing £750,000 to help rural businesses and residents in the County access gigabit-capable broadband.

The investment will support the Government’s existing gigabit broadband voucher scheme in the form of a topup voucher for rural premises.

“We recognise the importance of having fast and reliable access to the internet and ensuring Nottinghamshire remains at the forefront of digital connectivity in order to attract new investment, stimulate growth and support our economy. The top-up voucher will ensure homes and businesses in the most hard-to-reach areas wanting to improve their digital connectivity have the help needed to do so.” Whilst more than 98% of Nottinghamshire homes and businesses can access superfast broadband those living in remote locations within the county have often missed out as they

are more difficult to reach with broadband infrastructure.

The Nottinghamshire ‘top-up’ voucher has been designed to address this issue by offering additional funds towards the cost of installing gigabitcapable broadband. Digital Infrastructure Minister, Matt Warman, said: “Where you live should not hinder your access to fast and reliable broadband and I am thrilled Nottinghamshire County Council is investing in our voucher programme. “We want gigabit-capable speeds delivered to every home.

We will do this by backing suppliers and helping to cover the upfront costs of rollout in hard-to-reach areas. “I urge Nottinghamshire residents tired of sluggish speeds to visit our website to check if they are eligible for an upgrade.”

“I urge Nottinghamshire residents tired of sluggish speeds to visit our website to check if they are eligible for an upgrade.” Gigabit-capable broadband (also known as ultrafast broadband) has speeds of up to 1000Mbps or 1Gbps. It means residents will be getting the latest technology, delivered straight to their homes. They will then be able to choose an internet package from a provider to suit their needs and budget.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme with Nottinghamshire ‘top-up’ will be allocated on a ‘firstcome, first-served’ basis. To find out more, go to www. nottinghamshire.gov.uk/topup

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Page 5.

Community garden receives vital

funds to further combat social isolation A community project has received vital funding from Reach Rushcliffe to help develop a community garden to provide residents with access to green space, help them grow fruit and vegetables and learn more about horticulture.

Cotgrave community garden is now cultivating the land adjacent to their Cotgrave Welfare Club site thanks to funds from Rushcliffe Borough Council’s initiative.

The project aims to encourage individuals to attend green

fingered get togethers of six or less and help further tackle social isolation and loneliness.

The group will use the funds to employ a project worker who will help further promote the initiative to reach those at risk of social isolation in the community and to recruit volunteers.

The garden will also provide food to the Super Kitchen who are currently providing a meal delivery and collection service where residents pay a suggested donation of £1.

The project is one of a number of successful applications to the Reach Rushcliffe fund.

Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Debbie Mason met members and volunteers of the Super Kitchen and community garden at their base at the Cotgrave Welfare Club.

Cllr Mason said: “It is great to award funding to the Super Kitchen as their work with local groups and vulnerable residents is so important.

“This community garden will help those at risk of social

isolation meet new people and stay active through gardening.

“We know that healthy food and exercise is incredibly important and both these aspects can be witnessed when group members meet safely and in a socially distanced manner to grow the fruit and vegetables.

“It’s also been inspiring to see this community group turn an otherwise unused land and transform it into a site that so many people will benefit from and enjoy for years to come.”

Jill Mathers, Project Worker at Cotgrave Super Kitchen said: “Our aim is to create a sustainable, volunteer led green space accessible to all, providing residents with an opportunity to learn

more about the importance of growing and eating healthy foods and this funding will help us achieve this.”

“It is brilliant to receive

funding through Reach Rushcliffe and the Borough Council as we now hope to extend our group to reach more residents.”

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Page 6.

Future of leisure provision looking bright for Ashfield Leisure provision across Ashfield is on the up thanks to work by Ashfield District Council.

As work continues on Kirkby’s new state-of-the-art leisure centre, the Council is

currently looking forward to discovering the successful tenderer for its construction.

Plans for the multi-million pound facility took a huge step forward when plans were approved at Planning

Committee in June 2020.

Following two successful consultation periods, the Council submitted a planning application for the build in March 2020. The consultation period saw a positive

and productive response, providing insight into what is important to users of the existing leisure centre and all stakeholders. Council officers worked closely with local residents who live adjacent to the new site as part of the planning process.

The Council is also making progress in appointing a new Leisure Operating Contractor.

The successful bidders will operate from April 2021 onwards for ten years with the option of extending for a further five years. The final submissions in October

will include parameters for bidders such as the plans for a second swimming facility at Hucknall Leisure Centre.

As well as the additional swimming space, multimillion pound plans for Hucknall Leisure Centre include improved changing facilities and a new mezzanine floor to extend the fitness suite. Councillor Kier Barsby, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure said: “It’s obvious that leisure is a high priority for us here at Ashfield District Council because we know how important it is for

our residents. “We understand the health and social benefits that these facilities provide for people across Ashfield so by investing in continuous improvement, we know we are heading in the right direction. “Our work in progressing towards a new Leisure Operating Contractor will also stand us in good stead for years to come.

“It is vital that the successful bidders understand our vision for continued progression and share our passion for providing a quality service for our residents.”

Hundreds of cannabis plants found in woodland

Hundreds of cannabis plants were discovered in woodland by a member of the public.

Police were called to a wooded area near Rufford Colliery Lane, Rainworth, shortly after 8pm on Monday evening (14 September) after the plants were found during a walk.

Further investigation revealed two large open air growing areas containing around 750 individual plants housed in dozens of large pots. The plants have now been removed from the site by Nottinghamshire Police’s Drug Recovery Team and investigations are ongoing to find the people responsible.

Sergeant Mark Talbot, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “There are many things that you may expect to find during a walk in the woods – but a large cannabis grow isn’t one of them.

“Clearly most cannabis grows are inside – hidden from view on loft spaces, basements and industrial buildings. In this case the people responsible sought to hide what they were doing in dense woodland.

“This will undoubtedly be a surprise to a many people but there are some varieties of cannabis that will grow outdoors in the UK.” Cannabis is a Class B drug, the supply of which is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.Supply of cannabis is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Often cannabis production and drug crime can lead to more serious violence as dealers use force to try to keep their illicit business going, sometimes with vulnerable people forced into modern slavery in cultivating the drugs.

Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to call police eon 101 quoting incident 869 of 14 September.

Anyone who has suspicions about the cultivation of cannabis anywhere else can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.” *Image shows some of the plants - captured by a police drone.

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Nottingham from the Air

Photo by Robin Macey

Page 7.

This month’s aerial photo shows the Trent Building at the University of Nottingham. It was officially opened in Nov 1928 by King George V and originally housed all departments. 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 as flying in the basket. For further details about how to get involved phone 0115-8541028 or visit www.facebook.com/ndhabc.

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Page 8.

New festive lights spectacular set for Christmas at Wollaton This festive season, Wollaton Hall & Deer Park will host its first magical Christmas lights trail, as the formal gardens are transformed for the first time ever into an enchanted light spectacle, Christmas at Wollaton Hall.

From 27 November, visitors will be able to enjoy a unique socially distanced outdoor light installation. Wollaton Hall & Deer Park which is run

by Nottingham City Council is working in partnership with award winning event team Kilimanjaro to deliver the event, designed by Manchester based lighting company DBN Audile working alongside Salfordbased outdoor arts company Walk The Plank to create the city’s first Christmas at Wollaton Hall.

The new event features an enchanting, winter paradise including a 2km (1¼ mile) illuminated trail of discovery created with four magical lands, specially designed to fit into the natural landscape of the Hall and Gardens.

In this exciting and unique seasonal spectacle, children and adults of all ages will be captivated by this brand new, visually stunning multisensory experience of light,

fire and sound. A seasonal classic with a contemporary twist.

Nottingham City Council and Kilimanjaro are committed to delivering a safe event for all. Measures include careful planning of the trail route to manage visitor flow, ensuring that social distancing can be safely maintained throughout and a number of other safety measures including contactless payments and e-ticket access will be in place.

Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council said: “With our 2020 events programme being heavily affected by Covid-19 we are pleased to be working with Kilimanjaro to deliver what will be an amazing spectacle in the grounds of Wollaton Hall & Deer Park this Christmas season. The event will add much to the city’s fantastic Christmas events offer and is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the region and beyond.

“We are also pleased to be able to offer a ticket discount to our city residents if they buy tickets before the end of September. We look forward

to seeing lots of visitors old and new at Wollaton for this brand-new seasonal event.”

Stephen Page, Director, DBN Audile comments “We’re really excited to be working together on this magical new seasonal event, combining DBN’s lighting expertise with Walk the Plank’s hugely popular fiery installations.

Together we’ve designed a unique event that brings a contemporary look and feel to a new seasonal event for all the family at this amazing historic hall.”

So, what will Christmas at Wollaton look like?

A stunning light tunnel then brings visitors to a magical realm awash with colour, a contrasting bold contemporary Christmas colour-scape designed to celebrate the full spectrum of vibrant Christmas colours.

Then onto the Camellia glass house which will be bathed in an amber glow and the formal gardens where fire and flame meet flora and fauna. As visitors enter the final zone there will be a dramatic finale designed to take your breath away.

As well as enjoying the dazzling lighting display there will be the opportunity along

the route to enjoy festive food and drink from the city’s finest independent vendors, with traditional mulled wine and roast chestnuts. As well as Wollaton’s seasonal market and Christmas bar, perfectly positioned in the courtyard at the end of the trail.

To ensure safety for all visitors Christmas at Wollaton is open from 4.30–10pm with pre-bookable slots staggered every 30 minutes. Christmas

at Wollaton will run from Friday 27 November 2020 until Wednesday 6 January 2021 (and will be closed on 25 December and 1 January 2021). e-Tickets for the event go on sale 8 September are priced at *£17.50 for an adult and *£12.50 for children.

Family tickets are *£59.50. *subject to a booking fee.

Early Bird – For those early birds that live in the City of Nottingham we are pleased to

offer a 10% ticket discount on all tickets purchased before the end of September to all Nottingham city residents Light up your Christmas at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park and make your Christmas extra special.

For more information, please visit www. christmasatwollaton.org Facebook @wollatonhall Instagram & Twitter – @ wollatonlights

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Notts ‘wheelie’ getting into cycling during lockdown The County Council’s Communities and Place Committee met to discuss recent funding updates from the Government along with its plans and priorities for cycling in Nottinghamshire.

Councillor John Cottee, Communities and Place Chairman for Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Recent data has shown there has been a

huge increase in recreational cycling across the county which is great for not only health reasons but also for the environment.

“During the last five years we have invested £4m on cycling improvements.

This has helped us to improve cycle networks across the county and to help with routes around new housing development to assist with employment.

“I’m really keen that we secure any available funding to help with the surge in interest in cycling and to make it as safe and easy as possible for local people to get about on two wheels.”

The County Council has a cycling strategy which was developed to deliver national and local objectives relating to the economy, environment and physical and mental

health needs. Future priorities discussed will continue to support and deliver the agreed themes alongside looking at value for money and the feasibility of delivering schemes.

As part of Covid measures, the County Council has recently bid for the second round of Government funding to help embed walking and cycling as future habits, in the short term this will help with preventing overcrowding on public transport.

Additional guidance is also being sought from the Government on the plan to introduce ‘mini-Holland’ schemes which would see roads transformed into cycle and pedestrian friendly ‘streetscapes’ as commonly seen in Holland.

Recent funding has been received by Derby and Nottingham City Councils

as part of the Transforming Cities Fund. This money is to address mobility pressures particularly for access to employment and skills development, investments that will help new homes delivery and access to jobs and to also encourage more sustainable travel options.

The schemes being considered are a new cycle route from Nottingham to Derby through Beeston and Chilwell, a

new route from Nottingham to East Midlands Airport, improvements of the existing Netherfield to Nottingham cycle route, a new, upgraded River Trent cycle crossing and improvements to the approaches to the river crossing. A further paper is going to the Council’s Policy Committee on 30 September with more detail on these options and for approval to progress.

New Market to launch in Harworth and Bircotes A brand new weekly market will be launched in Harworth and Bircotes this month offering a range of fresh produce and products not currently available on its High Street.

The new market will be launched on Tuesday 22nd of September taking place between 9am and 1pm and located on the recently created Civic Square off Scrooby Road. The variety of stalls already confirmed for the first market will boast fresh produce including Fruit, Vegetables and Fresh Fish, Women’s and Men’s Clothing and Fashion, Pamper Products including bath bombs and ladies accessories.

Cllr Jo White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Bassetlaw District Council, said; “We’re excited to launch a brand new market and offer visitors and residents in Harworth and Bircotes even more choice on what is already a healthy and thriving high street.

“Residents and visitors have previously told us that a market in the town would be welcomed and this is also an opportunity to support market traders in what is currently a difficult environment. “We have also been mindful not

to attract traders who might duplicate what is already on offer on the high street and take custom away from established businesses.”

The new market is being run in conjunction with Harworth and Bircotes Town Council and Chairman, Cllr June Evans, added: “The Town Council welcomes the creation of a new market that will be perfectly at home on the town’s recently created and multi-purpose Civic Square.

“We believe the market will be a positive contribution to the rejuvenation of the high street; furthermore, this is another step towards meeting the needs of our thriving community and supporting

the regeneration of the town.

“Though Covid-19 restrictions currently limit the number of market stalls, I want to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally and support the high street - something which is especially important at this difficult time.” The Market in Harworth and Bircotes will add to Bassetlaw District Council’s already popular markets that include: Harworth and Bircotes – Every Tuesday Retford Markets – Every Thursday, Friday (Antiques and Collectables) and Saturday Worksop Markets – Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

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Make a difference in Adult Social Care as a Relief Worker “Seeing people smile, recognise and interact with you is an incredible feeling. It makes me feel like I’ve done a good job. I get that feeling every day and it’s personally rewarding.” Louise Ogg, Relief Worker.

Nottinghamshire County Council has launched a new campaign to recruit a team of relief care staff to its Adult Social Care and Public Health department.

The Council is aiming to recruit additional staff from across the county to its team of Relief Care and Reablement Support Workers.

This is a varied role that involves supporting older and young adults with social care needs who either live in residential care, in the community or use our short breaks service or day services.

The role involves assisting with personal care and helping people to take part in activities. No experience is needed and training will be provided. The work is flexible and people can fit it around other commitments.

The latest recruitment drive follows a successful campaign back in March, which saw more than 220 people accepting offers to join the team at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of those recruited was Louise Ogg, who began work as a Relief Worker in May. Louise is based in Worksop

and works within a short breaks unit for younger adults with learning disabilities.

During the peak of the pandemic the unit supported people with Covid-19 who needed to be discharged from the hospital.

Louise said: “I like how varied my role is. Every day is different.

Every service user that comes in has a different set of needs and the job is never mundane or boring.

I enjoy interacting with service users and I work with a lovely bunch of staff.

“Seeing service users smile, recognise and interact with you is an incredible feeling. It makes me feel like I’ve done a good job.

“Nottinghamshire County Council has been a good employer, they are very organised. You’re never on your own and are always supported with plenty of staff, which is a huge burden off your shoulders when it becomes quite intense at times.”

Councillor Boyd Elliott, Vice Chairman of Nottinghamshire’s Adult Social Care and Health Committee said: “It’s fantastic to hear from Louise about what her role as a relief

worker involves. Louise’s role could very well inspire others to join the team and it’s very clear that caring for older people and adults with disabilities who need the support is indeed a rewarding job.

“There is always a demand for social care staff and if you’re interested in this role, I encourage you to learn more and apply.”

Join the Adult Social Care and Public Health team as a Relief Care and Reablement Support Worker. As part of the role, you will receive training and on-going support. For further information about the role and to apply, visit https://www. nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/ adult-social-care/careers/ relief-care-and-reablementsupport-worker

New Nottingham City Council Chief Executive starts work Nottingham City Council’s new Chief Executive has started work at the authority after being appointed to one of the city’s most important jobs back in May. Mel Barrett joins the council with a successful track record in managing large-scale customer-facing services and delivering substantial regeneration and development projects, most recently at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in Hampshire where he was also Chief Executive.

Prior to joining Basingstoke and Deane, Mel was Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration at the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, where he worked to secure the HS2 Crossrail interchange station in the borough, bringing significant investment. Before that he was Oxford City Council’s

Executive Director for City Regeneration and Director of the London Development Agency. Although he has spent the last 25 years working in London and the South East, Mel has roots in the Midlands.

He was born in Coventry to Windrush generation parents and studied at Leicester De Montfort University.

Speaking about his new role, he said: “I’m really pleased to be taking up such an important role at one of the country’s Core Cities.

Nottingham is an ambitious, forward thinking, diverse and inclusive city with a proud history.” “There are several things I particularly care about. I am passionate about improving life chances, facilitating social progress and delivering tangible change on the ground. “The last few months, with council

services at the forefront of the response to Covid-19, have demonstrated how important our workforce is in protecting and supporting our most vulnerable. “Covid-19 has also had a major impact on the local economy, as well the council’s finances, so planning for the future and delivering sustainable growth is vital to help make Nottingham a world class city for everyone.” City Council Leader, Councillor David Mellen, said “I am delighted to welcome Mel to Nottingham and the City Council. The experience and expertise he brings will help us ensure we can continue to provide essential services to the people of Nottingham during what is an extremely difficult time for the city and the country as a whole with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”

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Record numbers of people enjoying

National Park 'multi-user' trails following lockdown Since the government's coronavirus lockdown was lifted in May, traffic-free trails in the Peak District National Park have seen a significant increase on previous years in the numbers of people using them.

The National Park Authority reports that, this summer, the Monsal, Tissington and High Peak Trails have experienced an uplift of almost a third more visitors on some of their busiest days compared to 2019.

On the Monsal Trail, the busiest July day this year attracted almost 4,000 visits, compared just over 3,000 during July in 2019. Overall, visits to the Monsal Trail across July doubled from 1,100 each day on average last year, to over 2,000 per day this summer.

The National Park’s most well-known traffic-free trails are mainly former railway lines. They offer accessible, family-friendly recreational routes for walking, cycling and horse riding and vary in length, up to 10 miles.

The trails are popular with wheelchairusers because of the flat surfaces and gentle

gradients and there is the added benefit of an accessible range of bikes to hire from the National Park bike hire centre at Parsley Hay, for use on the High Peak and Tissington trails.

Disability users also contacted the National Park during the lockdown to request use of the trails with their own equipment when facilities such as gyms and physiotherapy centres remain closed.

Andrew McCloy, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “As green arteries twisting and turning through some of the most stunning Peak District landscapes, it is no surprise that our multi-user trails have also helped to breathe life into our recovery from the effects of Covid-19.

“Alongside the obvious health and wellbeing benefits

of these routes, their appeal to visitors of all ages also helps to support our local tourism businesses as they get back on their feet after an unprecedented summer.

“As many of us continue to embrace the outdoors and places like our trails as we step through our lives alongside the coronavirus, I would ask that everyone continues to ‘share with care’ along these valued routes and respect the hard work of National Park rangers and others taking care of them.”

Post-lockdown, the UK has seen a surge in people taking to two wheels. The popularity of getting out on a bike has seen the National Park Authority’s sale stock of ex-hire bikes virtually sold out, with less than one in 20 bikes from original supplies now left, and sales thought to be higher than the

previous two years combined.

Teams from the Authority’s four hire centres across the Peak District also reported over 1,200 bike hires taking place each week during early August.

Traffic-free trails are ideal for cycling. Government survey data before lockdown

revealed that three in five people thought cycling on the road was too dangerous.

Meanwhile, a Cycling UK report found that 91% of people surveyed rated offroad cycling as fairly or very important for their mental health and 90% for their physical health.

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Respect, protect and enjoy when you visit Great Yarmouth

We know that following the new and updated guidance from the government allowing wider access to our beautiful outdoor spaces, you’ll be keen to get outside and blow away the cobwebs.

Our number one priority right now is ensuring that people are able to enjoy our glorious borough in a safe and responsible way; looking after ourselves, one another, and the landscape around us.

With gentle footpaths and stunning coastal views, there’s more than enough Great Yarmouth to go around.

So, help everyone to enjoy a little slice of our beautiful borough safely by following the simple steps below…

What’s open The majority of our attractions have now re-opened with various safety measures in places. As takeaway food and drink and retail outlets start to open, we urge you to stay safe. Public toilets and car parks are open.

Please follow social distancing guidelines at all times during your visit. Make sure you know before you go.

RNLI lifeguards are currently on patrol on Gorleston & Hemsby beaches only. If you are planning to take part in water activities in the sea, check the weather and the tides, ensure your children are supervised at all times and don’t use inflatables. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Stay alert, stay safe and remember to #ShareTheGreatTimes with us on facebook, twitter and instagram. The Beach Huts along Gorleston-on-Sea’s promenade have re-opened for hire. Take in the views of the wide sandy beach from 8am until sunset with weekly, monthly and annual hire available.

Social distancing measures in our busiest locations Temporary measures helping

visitors to maintain safe social distancing are being introduced in Great Yarmouth town centre, Gorleston High Street and the borough’s busiest tourism hotspots.

These temporary measures are critical to public safety as we look ahead to the reopening of non-essential retail from 15 June and more of our tourism businesses later this summer.

Messages temporarily stencilsprayed onto pavements and signage will ask visitors to stay on the left side of some footpaths and to seek to stay two metres apart from anyone they do not live with.

People are already used to staying left while driving and while taking the stairs and escalators, so most visitors will hopefully embrace these temporary changes, act sensibly and choose to stay left, stay two metres apart and queue responsibly for the safety of themselves and others.

At this stage, no roads are being closed or pedestrianised. No business A-boards or advertising of any form will be allowed on highways across the whole borough.

Great Yarmouth town centre and seafront The one-way “stay left” system will be in place along Regent Road, Regent Street, Regent Road and King Street through to St George’s Theatre, and Great Yarmouth seafront (sea side only) from Euston Road southwards. At pinch point areas, such as the bus station/Regent Road/Temple Road interchange, a barrier system will be in place to try to keep visitors moving in the same direction. Barriers in the Market Place will designate a thoroughfare for visitors, with the businesses on either side being responsible for managing socially-distanced queuing outside their premises. On the six-day

market, there are markers on the floor and signage up to encourage social distancing, together with the provision of hand sanitiser for customers at entrances.

The layout of the two-day market is being altered slightly to widen the walkways between stalls, with a oneway system in place. Great Yarmouth’s narrow rows will be one way only, starting in the Market Place at Market Row, with rows going east to west alternately from that row. King Street’s rows will then commence west to east from the most accessible row from the car park.

Gorleston town centre and seafront The one-way “stay left” system will be in place along Gorleston High Street and seafront.

At Gorleston’s Lower Promenade, parking will be temporarily suspended on the west side of the car park to help traders to manage socially-distancing queuing during peak season.

Hemsby The one-way “stay left” system will be in place along Hemsby’s Beach Road.

Signage will be placed beyond the Kings Loke junction to identify new road layout ahead. Pavement signage and stencilling will be used to introduce a keep left one way direction on pavements. #ProtectGreatYarmouth Protect yourself and others.

Always follow hand washing guidance, and strict social distancing of 2 metres apart from others who are not in your household. Social distancing not only applies to any form of exercise such as walking, running or cycling but also sitting or sunbathing.

Protect the landscape by ensuring you are following the Countryside Code, which sets out how visitors to rural areas can behave safely and responsibly.

Take a look at the following

video with an updated Countryside Code, produced

by Natural England.

Protect the environment by travelling sustainably and staying local. If you can, try to journey by foot or bike.

This means you’ll have a chance to experience our wonderful borough as you travel, and you won’t have to worry about finding a car parking space. Explore Burgh Castle Roman Ruins #EnjoyGreatYarmouth Enjoy getting off the beaten track. We know everyone has their favourite spot in Great Yarmouth - or maybe their favourite two, or three - but if large numbers of people head to the same place, it becomes impossible to stay safely socially distanced.

Instead, seek out some new favourites away from the crowds.

Enjoy our beautiful beaches safely, by following the important advice issued by the RNLI. Please be aware that the usual life guard

service may not currently be in place.

Enjoy supporting our local businesses. Many Great Yarmouth businesses are now open online, and we really encourage you to shop with them.

And finally… when you’re out and about, enjoy taking photos of your surroundings and sharing them with us @VisitGreatYarmouth, @ GreaterYarmouth or @ visitgreatyarmouth.

We’d love to see them, and share them with others!

If you are holding off from getting outside for now, or are self isolating and unable to leave your home, you can enjoy and experience the very best of Great Yarmouth from your armchair by looking on our webcams.

When the time is right and safe to do so, we’ll be waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Please stay safe.

Enjoy #RespectGreatYarmouth

Respect the wildlife. Nature may have recolonised some areas, so please tread carefully and look out for wildlife that has moved into unexpected places during lockdown.

Please keep your dog on the lead and stick to footpaths and bridleways so as not to disturb ground nesting birds and other wildlife.

Respect our local communities by sticking to the Public Right of Way (footpaths and bridleways), keeping dogs on the lead, not picnicking on private land, not parking outside people’s houses, and taking your litter home.

Respect any specific guidelines that have been put in place by our friends and partners across the county, by planning ahead before travelling, and checking what facilities are open to you (Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, Broads Authority, National Trust, English Heritage, RSPB, RNLI, Natural England, and Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

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nottingham out and about 'As we return to going out and about, more and more venues are doing their best to work around social distancing and maintain a safe environment for us to enjoy ourselves and support the City we know and love.

It's not been easy for many businesses, especially local independents, so make sure you pay them a visit if you can.

Although many restrictions are still in place and of course there is still uncertainty over the feasibility of events taking place, I have put together my pick of what's on in September. I still would recommend checking the web sites or ringing ahead to ensure an event is still taking place before making a journey.

The Wise Owl Walk (1 Sept 6 Nov) is a free trail spanning throughout Nottingham's city centre and is perfect for everyone. The goal is to find all of the statues of the Wise Owls which are placed around

the city. To find them you'll be given a map and some hints to help you, but you'll need a keen eye to discover the exact locations. Every Wise Owl is completely unique and has been designed by a roster of talented artists.

There are 10 owls to discover around the city, complete with informative plaques detailing the inspiration behind the artwork.

At the time of going to print live entertainment is still fairly limited, however Europe’s largest touring show, Gandy's Circus is back home with an all-new show for 2020 (16-21 Sep ) Opening in line with all Covid and Social Distancing measure the show has been awarded a “Good to Go! mark from Visit England. Taking you on an unforgettable funfilled voyage, around the world in 80 Minutes!

Running from 26 September - 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, photographers and musicians to question black image-making and gender binarism as well as both performance and the performance of life.

Film nights also return to The Haunted Museum and Cinema in Mapperley (17) Catch a double feature of Suspiria and Inferno. The Museum is also now open from Thursday to Sunday. Whilst we're talking about cinema, for a socially distanced cinema experience, Bonington Cinema in Arnold has comfy seating for 24 people. Booking is essential.

Check out their web site for the latest films. www. boningtontheatre.co.uk Floralands Farm Park at Lambley host their first fayre of the year (4-6) to showcase local bakers, artists, crafters and more with over 20 stalls filled with handmade gifts, and Lady Bay Safari Sale

takes place (20) Wander the leafy streets picking up a bargain or two.

The Keyworth Goes Green Festival is set to take place on 12th September. Aiming to highlight and promote ways of reducing our impact on the planet by providing simple ideas of how to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. The event will be held at the Rectory Field next to Keyworth Village Hall with a variety of stalls, activities, food stands and information stalls.

Events at Papplewick Pumping Station were postponed but are returning with limited numbers.

Admission is now by prepurchased online ticket only via Eventbrite and the attraction's media pages.

Steaming Days are due to take place Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September (Vintage Weekend) Thoresby Park are still running the free photo walks.

All ages, all abilities and

all cameras are welcome.

A chance for you to have a little creative ‘photo me-time’ and for you to pick up ideas, hints and tips. Walks are led

by Di Fisher of The Photo Den, on the second Sunday every month. Meet up in the Courtyard (wearing suitable footwear) and the group will set off at 11am, returning to the Courtyard at around 12.30pm.

Head to National Justice Museum for Crime Club, a chance to discover more about infamous crime cases from history on 24 September. The Poisoner’s Handbook will teach you about medicines used to kill, though not always on purpose…https:// www.nationaljusticemuseum. org.uk/event/crime-club/. ; Loads of pubs and restaurants are now open and are welcoming your business.

Nottingham Street Food Club run various events across Nottingham selling amazing food from all over the world.

For their latest news find them on social media or visit www. streetfoodclub.co.uk Take A Trip Down Under

with the team at Tom Browns Gunthorpe with an Australian inspired menu on 18th September and you can learn all about Wine (2) or Whisky (23) at Gauntleys with their tasting sessions.

Looking for more activities to do with the family?

Holme Pierrepoint is open – although there is no kit or equipment hire there is still plenty to do from the sky trail to mini golf. Check out their web site for more details. www.nwscnotts.com Lost City Adventure Golf, one of Nottingham’s great attractions, is also back open again with some safety measures in place. Check out their web site for more details: www.lostcityadventuregolf. com Finally, some of the local tours are back up and running.

The Nutty Nottingham Tour runs on 5, 12, 19,26, as does the Robin Hood Town Tour, and The Nottingham Ghost Walk.

All details correct at time of going to print. Always assume there is a cost unless stated otherwise.'

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10 tips for healthy eating out

Whether it’s lunch with work colleagues or an evening celebrating with friends, most of us tend to eat less healthily when we eat in restaurants, pubs and cafes. Senior Dietitian Victoria Taylor offers her tips for eating out without overdoing it.

Believe it or not, it is possible to eat, drink and be merry without overdoing it. Here are my tips for having a good time while keeping an eye on your waistline and good health.

1. How often are you eating out?

A one-off meal out probably won’t make any difference to your health in the grand scheme of things, so enjoy it.

However, if it’s one of many, consider carefully how it fits into your overall diet. This could mean having a lighter meal in the evening, like soup

or a sandwich, if you had a big meal earlier in the day. Or you could choose the healthiest menu options to make the meal fit into your normal diet, rather than just going for your favourites.

2. Check what’s on the menu Don’t be afraid to ask the restaurant to adapt dishes One of the best ways to ensure you make healthy choices when eating out is to check the menu before you arrive, whether online or in person. It means you can choose your meal without others influencing you. Many larger restaurant chains offer nutritional information online.

3. How many courses?

The tendency when we eat out is to have more than we would at home. Sticking to just one course once you see

what everyone else is having is hard.

Decide before you begin if you are going to have a starter or a dessert, and which one you’ll find easier to decline.

Having a coffee or cup of tea while others have a pudding is a good way to round off a meal, or you could share a pudding with others.

4. Adapt your dishes Don’t be afraid to ask the restaurant to adapt dishes.

It’s not usually a problem to replace chips with a jacket potato, salad or vegetables.

You can also ask for no extra cheese, butter or oil, and to put sauces in a dish on the side.

5. Portion control A small portion of saladIt can be easy to eat more than you intended when eating out.

If you don’t want to feel too

stuffed, consider a starter (perhaps with a side order of vegetables), instead of a main course, or ask for a smaller portion.

6. Keep it lean. Choose dishes which are based on lean proteins like chicken or turkey (where you can remove the skin) or lean red meats like fillet of pork or beef. Avoid fattier cuts of meat like belly pork or rump steak and remove any visible fat like the fat around the edge of a chop. Watch out for battered and deep fried dishes - even if the contents are lean (like chicken, fish, tofu or vegetables) the coating means they will come with lots of extra fat and calories.

7. A bit on the side Having a coffee or cup of tea while others have a pudding is a good way to round off a

meal Having a good helping of vegetables with your meal will add vitamins, minerals and fibre and help you towards your five a day, but beware vegetables that come with added butter, cheese sauce or salt. Ask the server for more information and see if there are any healthier alternatives.

8. Be drink aware Keeping alcoholic drinks within the guidelines is important, particularly if you are going to be socialising more than usual. Try not to exceed the recommended 2–3 units a day for women and 3–4 for men. Don’t forget the calories that drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, can add. If you can, choose sugar-free drinks or water, and alternate these with any alcoholic drinks you are

having.

9. Entertain at home A dinner partyWe all enjoy eating out sometimes, but have you considered inviting family or friends round for a meal? That way you can control what’s on the menu, and it’s often cheaper, too.

Ask your guests to bring a dish if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by cooking, although don’t forget to let them know if you want them to bring a healthier option.

10. Fancy a nibble?

Nibbles are always a very tempting option. It’s fine to indulge in a shortbread biscuit, or a chocolate sweet, but sticking to a regular pattern of meals and snacks will help to make sure you aren’t hungry between meals and help maintain your willpower.

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How to Choose a Wedding Venue: What You Need to Consider

Finding the perfect venue is likely to be at the top of any newly engaged couples list. With the venue playing a vital role in the success of your day it’s the big decision you really need to get right.

Just like viewing a new property it is easy to become overexcited and fall in love with a place without checking the venue can cater to your requirements, so hitched. co.uk are here to answer that question - how to choose a wedding venue?

Wait until you get the feeling Much like finding your dress, the shoes, a new home, it is true that when you view venues you will know if it is right for you. You need to be able to picture yourself there on the day and ensure the style of the building both exterior and interior will work with the theme of your wedding.

Finding the right venue in our opinion is the most important factor, once you fall in love with somewhere before rushing in to anything at the very least check the following match your criteria: Is it the right location?

Where will your guests be coming from? If they are not local, choosing a venue that is easily accessible, has accommodation on site or hotels in close proximity is

desirable. If you have guests coming from abroad how far is the closest international airport? These factors may play a role in your decision making.

Is the capacity right for you?

Think about whether you need a large capacity wedding venue or a smaller and more intimate wedding venue.

The size of the venue is just as important, too small for your number of guests and the room will feel stuffy and overcrowded, too big and guests will feel lost and the space will feel cold. When a space is empty it is hard to imagine how it will look when filled with tables. For this reason we would always advise viewing a venue when it is set up for a wedding. If this is not possible ask to see photographs, most venues should have a photo book or slide-show. Another tip is to ask for a seating plan of the room at capacity, this will give you a good idea of how much space there is and how comfortably your guests numbers will fit.

Ask about the flow of the day Make sure the venue representative talks you through how a typical day runs. The flow of the day is crucial, any long pauses or delays and your guests

will become bored. If your ceremony and reception is in the same room how long does the turnaround take, where will the guests be and what will they be doing? This is also relevant between the reception meal and the evening dancing.

The weather in the UK can be unpredictable to say the least! If it does rain does the venue have indoor space for the reception drinks? Do they provide a master of ceremonies/manager? This takes the stress off you and is the best way to make sure all your guests are where they are meant to be at all times.

Check the timings Planning the time of your ceremony is a big decision; when do the venue advise?

In our experience weddings of 8-9 hours work well, any longer than this and the atmosphere dwindles towards the end, you want your wedding to end on a high!

Also bear in mind where the majority of people will be coming from on the day, leave plenty of time for people to get ready and arrive.

Also ask, what set up time is included in the hire fee, when will your suppliers have access to the room and when do things need to be

collected? Think about the lighting. Lighting plays an important part in any event, if your ceremony is during the day does the room have lots of natural daylight? During the evening do they provide/ let you bring in candles?

Cameras will be a big part of your day so practise your smiles! Bearing this in mind what is the surrounding area around your venue like?

Where will your photographs be? If you are looking at a central town hall where

will you take outdoor photographs? The view from the venue and any outdoor space is also a massive plus not only for photographs but for your guests enjoyment.

Does the venue have grounds or ample outdoor space – this is useful if you have children attending and for guests to stretch their legs for ten minutes after the reception meal. Check the finer details.

At the venue viewing stage you will not know every detail of your day however you must ask the venue what is not permitted….

If you envisage a romantic candlelit w i n t e r ceremony check the venue permits candles!

If you are having your ceremony at the same venue can you throw confetti?

Finding these details out early in the planning stage before you book is essential, you are likely to have an idea of what your day will be

like and the venue needs to be able to live up to this, for this reason write a list of…..

Make a list of your nonnegotiable's Before viewing any venues sit down with your partner and discuss any non-negotiable's these could include: Budget – will the venue be able to provide everything you need within your budget, is VAT included in the price, are staff gratuities added and if so are they optional? Catering – What type of cuisine would you like? Can the venue provide this?

Suppliers – do you have artistic friends that want to bake the cake or take the photographs? If so check the venue will permit this or do you need to use their recommended suppliers?

Live music – if you would like a band does the venue permit this? If you would like a string quartet during reception drinks do the venue allow music outside?

Fireworks, sparklers, flame eaters etc. – if you have any different entertainment ideas check your venue will allow it.

Finding your venue will be one of the big milestones in your wedding planning and will determine your date, location and therefore will impact a lot of your other wedding planning decisions.

You may even want to consider finding a wedding dress that perfectly suits your venue.

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Getting Married Abroad the Pros and Cons Thinking about marrying abroad but worried that your grandparents won’t be able to make it? Perhaps your close friends and family can’t afford an overseas holiday or

maybe you’d rather just get away on your own. Weigh up your options here with our list of pros and cons to help you decide. The biggest issue with getting married abroad tends

to be that not everyone on your guest list will be able to make it. So if your grandmother has always dreamed of being at your wedding but is unable to travel, don’t be surprised if she seems upset when you drop the bombshell that you’ve decided to get married abroad. Do reassure anyone who can’t make it that you’ll have a second reception when you’re back in the UK. Pros You’ll be able to take your vows in the open air and celebrate your special day in an exotic or unusual location, with different food, flowers and music to complement your wedding.

Getting married abroad can often be less expensive than the average British wedding.

Many couples buy their own tickets and, while the bride’s family may pay for

the wedding package, it’s acceptable for guests to pay their own way.

You can invite just a small handful of family and friends to the wedding, so you’re only with people that you really want to celebrate with.

It’s the ideal excuse for not inviting your 20 odd cousins and all their children.

Alternatively, you can jet off alone and get married in a romantic, private ceremony, just the two of you. If you book through a travel operator, they’ll do practically all the organising, leaving you plenty of time for dress shopping and planning your honeymoon! If you’d rather be totally involved in the planning process, you can opt for a tailormade wedding.

How to get an upgrade on your honeymoon!

Getting married isn’t just about going on honeymoon, but it sure is an exciting plus to the whole shebang! But how do you go about milking the special occasion for all its worth?

Everyone loves an upgrade and if you can’t get one when you’re going on your honeymoon then when can you? It’s the perfect opportunity to be pampered and spoiled, especially after all the stress of the wedding planning is over. Calling first class!

There are so many moments where you might be able to wangle an upgrade when you go on honeymoon. The first is the flight. This is a lot easier to accomplish if you haven’t booked a package deal through a high street travel agency. If you’ve booked flights and accommodation separately then turning up at the airport in your finest clobber, rather than like a scruff bag (albeit a very comfy one), is a great way to find yourself boosted

up to First or Business class.

This is an important fact to consider as the area you want to be moved into is usually full of very well-heeled people. The next step is to arrive at the airport early. This gives you the best opportunity of nabbing any last-minute upgrades. Don’t forget to check again when you reach the gate in case an upgrade has become available since you checked-in.

Another hot tip for making it more likely to receive an upgrade is to fly on a Saturday as this is when business travellers are usually at home, meaning you have less competition.

Tell the world you’re here for your honeymoon. Once you’ve made it to your honeymoon destination the next step towards getting an upgrade is to tell everyone that you’re on your honeymoon! It’s important to do this at the right time though. Telling businesses that you’re going on your honeymoon when you make the booking tends to hike the prices up.

So, you’re better off waiting until you hit the runway to mention that you’re newly-weds on honeymoon.

If you’re staying in a hotel then mention at check-in that you’re on your honeymoon and ask if there are any honeymoon suites available for you to upgrade to or if there is anything they can do for you to help make your honeymoon more memorable. Then as you go about making your precious memories whilst you are away, you need to keep speaking up.

Tell everyone you meet that you’re there on your honeymoon. You never

know, it might lead to a couple of free glasses of champagne over dinner at any of the restaurants you might visit! The same can be said for any activities, excursions or day trips that you intend to do whilst you’re away. Live like an A-lister.

Of course, before you even get to this stage you need to decide on where to go! If you’re

at a loss for ideas, other than knowing that you want the A-list treatment, then take a leaf out of @ R o c k n R o l l B r i d e ’s book. She says that ‘If you’re looking to really go all out on your honeymoon, to have a once in a lifetime experience and to truly live it up like a rock star, then the Maldives has to be top of your list.’

Cons Friends and family might not be able to afford to travel abroad, or be able take the time to go further afield.

You might upset people who’ve been left off your list – but you may be able to ease some disappointment by having a big bash when you get home. You won’t have as much control over the organising as you would at home. You might end up regretting not inviting family members if you jet off alone.

If it’s just the two of you, you’ll need to rope in a

stranger to act as witness.

Although your wedding abroad may work out cheaper initially, if you put on a second reception in the UK for all those who couldn’t make it, you can end up paying as much or more than you would have done if you’d married in the UK in the first place!

Even if you head for tropical climes, you can’t guarantee sunny weather.

And remember, unless you head off for a second week somewhere else, you might be stuck on honeymoon with your friends and family!

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staFF Recognition Week: yoga FoR eveRyone

ceLeBRating ouR staFF

This week, 21 – 25 September, sees the Trust recognising and celebrating its wonderful staff at a special Recognition Week to thank them for everything they have done over the past few difficult months and continue to do during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Recognition Week will showcase and celebrate the amazing work of our staff and how they have been innovative in adapting their

practices to ensure that our patients and service users have continued to get the very best care and treatment possible throughout this time.

Dr John Brewin, Chief Executive, said: “I’d like to thank all our staff for their professionalism, hard work and dedication throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Their commitment to making a difference in these

unprecedented times is truly inspiring.

“None of us expected to be faced with such a challenging 2020, but our staff have risen to the challenges and have never failed to impress with how they have not only coped but also innovated and adapted to new ways of working.

“We should be very proud of how we have embraced our values and continued to provide safe, quality care for our patients.

I would like to congratulate all our staff on their incredible achievements.”

You can read about their inspiring stories and how they have adapted during the pandemic throughout the week by following @nottshealthcare #WeareNottsHC.

We cannot open a magazine these days without reading about yoga; but why all the fuss and what’s it all about?

Yoga is an Indian philosophy that dates back thousands of years. The Sanskrit word yoga means unite and it was practised to create the union of the physical body, mind and spirit in order to reach enlightenment.

Different paths of yoga were created in order to reach this state.

One of these paths was called Hatha yoga and its purpose was to develop the body in preparation for further spiritual practice. These days,

particularly in the west, we practice Hatha yoga. Classes largely focus on health and fitness but still with attention on how we feel in both our bodies and minds. This is achieved using physical exercises (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and relaxation.

Yoga really is for everyone and teachers are taught to be inclusive and modify postures to suit the needs of individuals. However, classes are available for different abilities.

If you have mobility issues, you can try yoga in a chair

or a gentle yoga class. Some classes specialise in teaching children and also senior citizens.

At the other end of the scale, Ashtanga yoga is a more physically challenging, fast flowing yoga. Yoga is also not meant to be competitive and students are encouraged to listen to their bodies.

The benefits of yoga are immense. It helps us to relax, release tension from our bodies and to deal with stress.

It gives us energy, makes us stronger and more supple. It can also complement other forms of exercise, by using the muscles in a different way.Yoga is often recommended to alleviate physical symptoms of certain health conditions. If you are looking for a class suitable for your needs, local publications and websites such as www. localyogaclasse.co.uk, list classes in your area. For further information contact Jackie Hart at jemyoga7@ gmail Tel 0781 667 9919.

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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 C r e a t e 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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urges landlords to Council’s plan for Council contact them before evicting tenants Affordable Housing in Hucknall At this week’s Cabinet meeting plans to build new affordable family homes in Hucknall have been given the green light.

Utilising garage sites across the town, the plans could see 15 family homes being built that would be let at affordable rent. Garage sites at Barbara Square, Hawthorne Avenue, Chestnut Grove and Chatsworth Drive are currently underused with a handful of garages across the sites occupied.

Demand for family homes in the area is high and the supply is low. During the 12 months up to 1st August 2020 only three two bedroom and 13 three bedroom Council homes in Hucknall became available to applicants on the Housing Register. Each vacancy attracted between 65 and 136 bids from interested applicants.

Cllr Tom Hollis, Cabinet

Member for Housing said “There is a shortage of good quality, affordable housing across the District, and bringing 15 new homes to Hucknall would allow us to provide good quality homes to more families. These proposed garage sites are either empty or underused, and will provide a mixture of two, three and four bedroom affordable homes.

“In the current climate the demand for social housing is increasing, with family homes rarely becoming available we want to ensure that we can offer affordable housing to as many people on the housing register as possible.”

The proposed plans will be dependent on funding being agreed from Homes England.

If successful its hoped works would start in early 2021.

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.

Tenants facing difficulty can call Broxtowe Borough Council’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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Plans unveiled for improvement works at Carlton Square town centre. The council also held a number of events in the centre to show shoppers and businesses the proposals.

Architects Gordon White and Hood were hired to design the square and were inspired by the challenge to improve and refresh both the layout and appearance of the site, using contemporary design features to create an identity.

The project is part of a wider regeneration programme for Carlton and it will contribute towards one of the council’s main priorities to regenerate its town centres and create a more vibrant economy.

All of the proposals are subject to planning permission being approved and, if approved, works will start in the New Year. Lead Architect at

Plans to improve Carlton Square have been finalised following consultation with local residents, businesses and the shopping precinct owners.

Working in partnership with the owners of the shopping centre, there will be a number of improvements made including to the car park and to the centre appearance.

The council’s part of the scheme will be funded by

grants from Nottinghamshire Pre Development fund and, subject to an application, £350,000 from the D2N2 N2 Town Centre Fund.

Gedling Borough Council will match fund up to £100,000 towards the project.

Works will include a new entrance to the car park from Burton Road, a new car parking layout, including identified spaces for electric vehicle points, and improved

Gordon White and Hood, Will Bates said: “Our involvement from the inception of this project has enabled us to explore a number of possible responses to the site, ensuring we seized the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the perception of the shopping parade and car park.”

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “We are very pleased to be unveiling the plans for Carlton Town Centre.

We have consulted with residents and businesses before putting together this plan and it will make a massive improvement to the look and feel of the town. We made a pledge to revitalise our town centres, create a

more vibrant local economy and make residents proud of where they live and where they shop.

We understand how important it is for businesses to not be affected by upheaval, caused by any works taking place, so if planning is approved, we won’t start until the early New Year, to allow businesses to continue to get back on track as they work hard to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

We have worked closely with the management agents, Waypoint, to make sure we get this right. We think residents will be really impressed with how the town centre will look and we expect it will encourage more people to shop locally.”

disabled parking spaces in the southern car park.

There will also be new planting and boundary treatments, new paving and improved access between the car park and shopping area and a revised siting of payment machines and lighting.

Consultation on the plans took place last year and 97% of people who responded to the survey agreed that it was important to improve the

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Lamouchi on 'unacceptable' defeat

Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi gave an honest assessment of the loss against Cardiff City, saying The Reds need to ‘wake up’ after consecutive defeats.

Kieffer Moore’s two first-half goals were the difference at The City Ground as Forest failed to get going in the first 45 minutes. There was an improved second half display but it wasn’t enough as The Reds succumbed to their second defeat of the season. Speaking after the game, Lamouchi said: “We started the game in absolutely the wrong way.

It is unacceptable to start like that, winning no duels, we conceded the goal in the first corner and we know the quality of this team. “We worked all week on long throw ins, second balls, corners and we missed the marking and it is unacceptable. We conceded the first goal after the first corner and we conceded the second goal after the first throw in. “The second half was much better because we didn’t play in the first half. Grabbs can score after 1-0, then at 1-1 maybe the game would have been different. We have to do more, we have to be more solid, strong, it is so easy for the opponent and we have to find the solution to get out of this difficult situation.” He added: “I have been speaking to the staff since the beginning of the season and maybe some players are still thinking about the end of the last season. It is a new season with different problems and we have enough quality and players to get out of this situation. “We need to show them what we did in the second half and that we can’t accept the first half of the game. We need to show them the game and the mistakes, as we made the mistakes again. “The season has started, we need to wake up and do our jobs and to do better. It is just the second game but we have lost six points and we cannot accept that.”

Ameobi: We need to start better Nottingham Forest winger Sammy Ameobi said the slow start proved costly in yesterday’s defeat against Cardiff City.

The Reds were punished for a lacklustre first 45 minutes, with Kieffer Moore scoring twice, and despite an improvement in the second half, Ameobi knows that The Reds must start playing from the first whistle.

Speaking after the match, he said: “We didn’t start in the right way. We weren’t aggressive enough, strong enough and they punished us. I guess it was 45 minutes too late when we came out from the second half, it is not enough and we need to do that from the off.

“We need that confidence from the off, it is like we are waiting for something to happen. We need to go from the very beginning, everybody, and it almost took 45 minutes for us to get that kick we needed to get going

but it is too late. We need the very beginning and we quickly as possible so we can midweek game so that we can and hopefully come out next to learn from this and learn need to grow in confidence gain some momentum. put it right. We just have to week at Huddersfield ready to quickly and start playing from and get off the mark as “It is a shame that there is no prepare properly this week go.” the very first minute.

“When you look at the squad and the team, you can see the quality that is in there but that doesn’t matter if we are not confident and people don’t want to get on the ball to make something happen for this team.

“Hopefully we can start to learn form that, grow in confidence and use the quality we have to get three points.”

The defeat meant it was two losses to start the new season but Ameobi said there is still a long way to go and all focus now turns to putting it right at Huddersfield on Friday night.

He said: “There are 44 games to go, it is just

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Walter Shaw – The Man Who Held FA Cups at

Nottingham Forest in Two Different Centauries

When I saw Dave Shaw’s post on a Nottingham Forest supporter’s group, not only did I look twice, I had to process the information a third time to fully comprehend the magnitude of it all.

He uploaded a picture of his great-grandfather, Walter Shaw, holding aloft the FA Cup in 1959, and there lay the confusion. Without insulting your intelligence, Walter appeared too old to be a teammate of Jack Burkitt and Roy Dwight, more befitting of those such as Arthur Capes and John McPherson in 1898 to be honest. And guess what, that he was!

Walter Shaw may be the only player in Nottingham Forest’s epic history to have held both FA Cups. For those who’ve watched the English Game

on Netflix, despite altering factual elements from that period, Julian Fellowes’s portrayal of association football and the early days of the English Cup (currently known as the FA Cup) provides a portal into the foundations of the beautiful game we still watch today.

This was Walter Shaw’s era!

So, how on earth did a lad from Hucknall, not only get his hands upon the FA Cup in 1898, but in 1959 too? His great-grandson Dave revealed all as I pounced upon his revelation.

Astonishingly, Dave confirmed that I was the only enquirer from a media standpoint. I’m incredibly surprised that those more coveted than I passed up on one of the most remarkable stories from Forest’s 155-

year history. Let’s put this into context, the only trophy Brian Clough failed to lift in his time at Forest was indeed the FA Cup. 11 April 1898 Football League Division One – Derby County 5-0 Nottingham Forest The Reds had been torn apart by the Rams five days before the two sides would meet again at Crystal Palace in the English Cup final, thus making Derby favourites for the cup.

However, as Dave Shaw explained, there was a misconception regarding the team selection by Forest that day. “My great-grandfather, Walter Shaw, played in the 5-0 game alongside five others who were excluded from the final six days later.”

Dave explained how, despite

the fact many perceived the wholesale changes for the final to be a reflection of that loss, the truth was that Walter and co had been drafted in to rest the senior players for the big day on April 16th 1898; sound familiar? Walter was for all intents and purposes a squad player, but you can only imagine the satisfaction and elation he felt as he lifted Nottingham Forest’s first major trophy with the team as they avenged Derby when it mattered most, winning by three goals to one. Walter Shaw was again selected for the first team a week after the English/FA cup win to face local side Hucknall St John’s, but the national heroes were unceremoniously beaten by the underdogs, providing one of the biggest shocks

in Nottingham Forest’s 33year history. Much was made about the selection of both Walter Shaw and Jack Thornley for the Reds that day because both hailed from Hucknall, living on Byron Street and Orchard Street, respectively. As for Hucknall St John’s, they’d already proved themselves capable of mixing it with the big boys as they gave Liverpool a run for their money in the English/FA cup three months earlier, losing 2-0 in front of 8000 fans at Anfield. If you google “Forest humbled by minnows” you’ll be able to read Dennis Robinson’s excellent article for the Hucknall Dispatch regarding the events of that era. So, let us fast forward to 1959 and the aftermath of Nottingham Forest’s second FA cup triumph. The hysteria of their 2-1 victory over Luton Town at Wembley was still very much in the air and several receptions were laid on for the players and their trophy.

One of those was held at the Sherwood Rooms, now called Ocean Nightclub, and that’s where the Walter Shaw would grasp the FA cup for a second time, it’s not certain whether Walter was indeed the last surviving member of the 1898 squad but it’s highly likely.

His great-grandson Dave explained to me that Walter had been specially invited to the reception in honour of the inaugural victory in 1898.

For me, the photo of Walter is one of the most iconic in Nottingham Forest’s 155 year history, here is a player born and raised in our own City who had his hands on both versions of the FA Cup in two different centuries! As I talked at length with Dave Shaw, he revealed even more fascinating facts about his family and their achievements in the footballing world.

Walter Shaw had two sons, Walter, and Thomas (nicknamed Fred) who both followed in his footsteps and played professionally. Walter junior only turned to football

as a way to earn a wage at Blackpool FC, “the details are a little sketchy” said Dave, “it’s a possibility that my grandfather (Walter junior) took up football as a result of the UK general strike of 1926.” Thomas (Fred) Shaw achieved notable success during his own career, he had spells at Birmingham City, Notts County and Mansfield Town prior to the second world war. He made an instant impact at Meadow Lane, scoring a hat-trick on his Notts County debut v Swansea, becoming only the second player to have done so at that time. The Shaw’s sporting interests continued to flourish throughout the generations, Dave said “My father played water polo and Boxed for the Navy and I work in the sporting industry myself as general manager of HEAD, the Tennis brand, so it’s definitely in the genes.”

Although Dave was born outside of Nottingham, he spent many family Christmases in Bulwell and Hucknall, explaining to me how this, coupled with his great-grandfather’s involvement with NFFC, became the catalyst for him supporting Forest.

As I alluded to earlier, Walter Shaw’s link to the only two FA Cups ever won by Nottingham Forest is phenomenal and it’s been a pleasure to write about.

Fittingly, the last words go to Dave; “when I take my seat at Forest I actually feel like a part of the club through my blood and the strong links within, I’m very proud of my great-grandfather, it’s an incredible story!”

Steve Corry

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Boss shows mixed emotions after draw

‘Two points should be six,’ declared manager Graham Coughlan following this afternoon’s 2-2 draw at Leyton Orient.

The Stags had gone two ahead thanks to goals from strikers Jordan Bowery and Andy Cook, but late efforts from Danny Johnson and Ruel Sotiriou ensured the spoils were shared in the capital.

It follows a second point on the board after last week’s 0-0 draw at home to Tranmere, a game which Stags dominated.

Speaking to iFollow Stags after the game, the boss says he was left ‘fuming’ by the final result.

“I’m fuming to be honest,” he said. “You can’t get beyond the fact that it should’ve

been another three points for the boys. “We were 2-0 up and had plenty of chances to make it three, four or five.

The decision making, I don’t know what goes through the minds of players at times.

“That game should’ve been dead and buried, but instead we sink, allow them time and to walk past us as if we’re not there. We gave away two terrible goals today.

“We felt too comfortable. At the end of the day, coming down here we would’ve taken a point and I thought we were good in the second-half.

“But we have two points on the board when we should have six. We chucked it away last week and we chucked it away this week. “I’m not a

lover of walking the ball in the corner – I’d like to see them go at the centre-half. We just pressed the self-destruct button, which is really hard to take.”

Despite the manager’s frustration, he was able to pick positives from the display.

“If I go through it and dissect it, we’re onto something with this group of players,” he added. “They’ve been alright this week and alright last week, but it’s just these silly mistakes and daft moments that have cost us.

“But I have every faith and every confidence in this group of players. I thought we were really good today, apart from the last ten minutes.

“Cooky [Andy Cook] did

brilliant chasing and forcing an error and Jordan [Bowery] scored a great penalty.

“Then obviously Cooky was where we wanted him to slot home. Is it positive, two points from six? It’s hurting and it’s hard to put it into words.

“I am fuming, but having said that, I’ll get back on the training ground on Monday morning – I like this group, but that’s hard to say with my mindset at this moment in time.

“I’m going to do my best to stick to the positives – we have a couple of points on the board – but I have to take my hat off to the group with the work they’ve put in this last couple of months.

“We’re just short of one

or two victories. We get a couple of wins under our belt, we’ll build up that courage, character and never-say-die attitude.

“We were the better team but didn’t win the game. We look okay, and that’s tough to say having been 2-0 up in the game.”

Graham Coughlan says his youthful side can learn a lesson from today’s fixture.

“We will develop, we will learn, and we will get better.

We will cut out the basic, silly, sloppy errors.

“I have to put my own emotions and thought process to one side. I have to be pleased with the business we’ve done in the summer and the players we’ve brought

in. “We are fuming, but the players are hurting as well.

I’ve said to the lads, we will go 2-0 down over the course of 46 games this season, but remember this – you’re never out of the game when you’re 2-0 down.

“I just hope the lads can pick it up and learn from this. I want to move on – I don’t want chins or the floor or them dwelling on it.

“We’ll have to learn from it – but my overriding message is positivity, which is really tough with my mindset at the minute.” iFollow Stags subscribers can watch the manager’s interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ ifollow.

Each Edition of the Nottingham Now has an estimated readership of 42,500 from print and online. Published by Wilcop Media Ltd, 92L Rolleston Dr, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7JP.