AN area of Notts has been named one of the best places to live in the country.

The borough of Rushcliffe was ranked seventh for quality of life, according to a study.

South-West Surrey was awarded the top spot, with Uttlesford, East Hertfordshire, Chiltern and Maldon making up the rest of the top five.

The research, by the Halifax bank, judged areas in terms of employment, housing market, environment, education and health.

The news comes after a recent poll on the Post's thisisnottingham.co.uk website where users voted Long Eaton as the best place in the area.

Rushcliffe was also represented heavily in that vote, with Radcliffe-on-Trent taking second spot and Bingham coming third.

Just two weeks ago, Rushcliffe received another boost as Bingham was named one of the country's top ten towns by a Sunday Times guide.

Halifax's annual rural areas quality of life survey was released on Friday.

It listed the top 50 rural areas to live in the country and also found that employment was highest in the East of England, with highest average earnings and biggest houses in the South East.

The sunniest place in Great Britain is the Isle of Wight, where residents enjoy an average of 37.4 hours of sunshine every week.

A TEAM working at Nottingham's two main hospitals has been nominated for a national award.

The Nottingham University Hospitals Trust's Sepsis Action Group has been named as a finalist in the Patient Safety Awards 2013.

Its groundbreaking work at the QMC and City Hospital has helped them improve treatment for patients with severe sepsis – serious blood poisoning often caused by infected wounds.

And the team has now been shortlisted for the national awards.

It is led by Dr Mark Simmonds, consultant in acute and critical care medicine .

Dr Simmonds, who will make a presentation to the final judging panel in early June, said: "We are delighted to be named as finalists in the Patient Safety Awards 2013, as a lot of hard work has gone into this project.

"The trust has been working for several years on improving the systems of care that recognise and rescue the patient with severe sepsis.

"The aim is to raise the profile of severe sepsis as a medical emergency and improve the recognition and treatment of patients with severe sepsis. The Patient Safety Awards aim to recognise the best patient safety initiatives across the country in the wake of the Francis Report into the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust.

"They are an opportunity for trusts and other NHS organisations to share their initiatives.

The award winners will be announced on July 9.

A NEW cul-de-sac on Bestwood Estate is to be named after a campaigner and hard-working volunteer.

Chambers Close will form part of a development of 38 two-bedroom bungalows being built off Gainsford Close.

It is being named after the late Pat Chambers, who worked tirelessly to reduce crime on the estate.

Mrs Chambers started Bestwood Estate Tenants' and Residents' Association and was manager of Bestwood Community Centre.

She ignored clear risks to pass information to police about criminal activity – and urged others to do the same.

It led to a dramatic drop in crime.

Bestwood councillor Brian Grocock came up with the idea to name the new road after Mrs Chambers. He said: "Pat did so much for the area, so when it was decided this development was going to go ahead, I thought it would be a very appropriate way of remembering what she did.

"I did ask if we could call it Pat Chambers Close but was told the full name wasn't possible. But I'm still delighted with the name we have.

"Through Pat's work the estate improved a lot. It is very much the right thing to do."

Ms Chambers was also a trustee of the millennium green committee, which worked to create a country park on Sunrise Hill.

She died on February 1, 2012, aged 72.

Work on the £3 million development by Westleigh Homes has started and should be completed in about a year.

Chris Cook, of Bestwood Park, also backed the naming of Chambers Close.

He said: "We should be remembering people like Pat who did so much for their communities.

"I believe it is highly appropriate that we do this, as Pat did a huge amount of work."

Alan Rogers, of Bestwood Estate, said: "Pat did such a lot for this area.

"It is fitting that a new development of homes is going to be named after her."

The new homes are being built on the site of a former sheltered housing scheme.

They will be earmarked for people aged 55 and over.

Councillor Dave Liversidge, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for adults, housing and the community sector, said: "These new bungalows will provide high-quality homes for older people living in the city.

"The development will offer modern, attractive and easy-to manage-homes on the estate in place of a sheltered housing scheme, for which demand was very low."

WHETHER it's Elton John's version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds or Sheryl Crow's take on Cat Stevens' First Cut Is The Deepest, cover songs provoke widespread discussion.

But are they ever as good as the original?

It's a dispute which can get any music fan going. And it was cover songs that drew many people to the city's Music Exchange shop, in Hockley, on Saturday.

The shop holds monthly sessions where music fans swap playlists downloaded on to CDs.

The latest asked people to compile a selection of cover songs and drop them into a box. Those who did so were able to take a CD recorded by another customer.

Steve Larder, 28, of Mapperley, was one of those who made a CD. He said some cover songs could be a success.

He added: "If the artist who does the cover does a good job, then I don't see anything wrong with it. Sometimes there are some bad versions but there have been some really good examples too."

Many a hit song has been re-released by another artist, sometimes a matter of months later and on other occasions decades down the line.

Gary Morgan, 38, of the city centre, also put together a compilation of covers.

He said: "There have been some good cover versions done over the years. A group called St Etienne did a version of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart. That was a fantastic example.

"But there have been some bad ones as well. There have been some covers of Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? which haven't been very good."

Steve Rogers, 32, of Bulwell, is a fan of covers. He said: "There are some great examples. Nirvana did a good one of The Man Who Sold The World, by David Bowie. So did Stevie Wonder with the Beatles' We Can Work It Out.

"As long as they do a good job, I don't mind. But there have been some really bad ones, too."

A RETIRED couple are spending Easter in a caravan on their drive after a fire devastated their house.

The kitchen in Peter and Sandra Newton's home in Nottingham Road, Nuthall, was gutted and much of the rest of the house left black with soot.

Mrs Newton, 62, said the fire started after she went out, having forgotten she had left the gas cooker on.

She left husband Peter, 74, watching TV in the lounge. By the time he smelled smoke from the kitchen, it was too late. He tried to put damp towels over the flames, burning his hands, before being forced back. He managed to get out with the couple's six Irish setters before dialling 999 and calling his wife to tell her to come home.

When Mrs Newton arrived, 14 firefighters were at the house. She had to be held back after being told that one of the couple's dogs, eight-year-old Evie, had run back into the house.

"I was scared to think she was in there but they went back in and brought Evie out," said Mrs Newton. "Luckily she was OK."

Crews from Stockhill and Arnold were called to the fire at about 7.20pm on Friday.

Mrs Newton said: "It was horrible to come home and see your house on fire like that. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"The house is a complete mess now. We stayed in a hotel on Friday night but we didn't want to stay there longer.

"So we have come back and are staying in our caravan for the foreseeable future.

"It's upsetting, what has happened to the house. But I'm glad my husband and the dogs got out. I don't know what I would have done if not."

Mr Newton, 74, said: "I had been watching a few programmes on TV and realised I could smell smoke. I went into the next room where the dogs are kept and it was thick with smoke. I could tell it was coming from the kitchen.

"I tried to put the flames out but the fire was starting to really catch hold. I knew I had to get out.

"The landline wasn't working so I turned my mobile on and dialled 999. The fire engines were here within minutes."

The couple have taken two dogs to their daughter's home, and two more to a friend's. The other two, including Evie, are staying with them.

Mrs Newton said: "They are show dogs. I was out on Friday preparing for a show."

A fire service spokesman said they had sent three crews to the blaze, adding it had left the house badly damaged.

A CITY MP has slammed wide-ranging benefits cuts which come into effect today.

Labour's Chris Leslie, who represents Nottingham East, says the average family will be £891 worse off in the new tax year than they were in 2010.

Among the changes are increases in working tax credit and child tax credit at less than the rate of price inflation, while child benefit will be frozen altogether.

And the controversial "bedroom tax", a cut in housing benefits, will hit thousands.

Mr Leslie said: "The contrast with the generous tax cut for those richest one per cent earning over £150,000 per year is appalling."

A SCHOOL is in mourning today after a popular teacher died on a skiing trip to Austria.

Jonathan Taylor, an IT teacher, was on a visit to the Austrian Tyrol with staff and students from Christ the King School, in Arnold, when he fell from a wall and hit his head.

The accident happened in the resort of Matrei in the early hours of yesterday morning.

It was the first day of what was due to be a week-long trip. But pupils are now set to return to Nottingham this evening.

A spokesman for the Austrian police told the Post that Mr Taylor had been with a group of four people who had been leaving what he described as a "discotheque" at 3am.

He said Mr Taylor was at the back of the group as they walked along the street in the resort, which is in a valley.

He said the group heard a noise and when they turned around, Mr Taylor was not there.

He had fallen almost four metres from a roadside wall.

Paramedics tried to revive him at the scene but he was pronounced dead in the ambulance.

Mr Taylor, 44, is believed to have been working at the Roman Catholic school for about a year.

He lived in Arnold with his wife.

Next-door neighbours Bill and June Bailey said they were devastated by the news.

Mrs Bailey, 81, said: "He was such a nice, gentle, kind man. "They don't come any nicer than Jonathan. They're a lovely, helpful couple. He was a lovely guy.

"I can't believe it – it's a tragedy. There's not a bad word you could say about him. I never saw or heard him raise his voice. He always had time to help people – he was always interested. I shall miss him.

"He was very handy, always doing something in the garage. It's a very tragic accident and everybody's stunned."

No-one at the school was available for comment yesterday but the news has shocked the close-knit Catholic community in the area.

The Bishop of Nottingham, the Right Reverend Malcolm McMahon, led tributes.

He said: "My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family as they begin to come to terms with their tragic loss, the pupils whom he was accompanying on their skiing holiday and the entire community of Christ the King School at this difficult time.

"Jonathan will be remembered with affection by many people."

Gedling MP Vernon Coaker added his condolences: "This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts are with his family and everyone at the school."

It is understood the school's principal, Carlo Cuomo, has flown to Austria and will be returning to the school with the staff and students at 7pm today.

A group of 48 pupils aged 14 to 15 were on the trip.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed a British national had died in Austria and that "schoolchildren were being looked after".

IT is an understatement to say that, for Nottingham Forest, trips to Turf Moor do not hold many happy memories.

Because, in recent years, they do not hold a single one.

The pre-match pie and peas may be among the best in the country for the visiting supporters – but Forest fans are still used to making the return journey home feeling sick to the stomach.

Their last three visits have all ended in defeat and two saw them concede five goals, amid humbling afternoons in the claret and blue corner of Lancashire.

But, while Billy Davies may, with an entirely straight face, claim his first priority when he returned for a second spell in charge at the City Ground was to avoid relegation, the mood will be very different than it was when he first took Forest there in 2009.

At that point, there is no question that the Reds were embroiled in a fight for survival – one that, under the guidance of the Scotsman, Forest eventually won.

Even last season, when Forest travelled to Turf Moor for what proved to be the penultimate game of Steve McClaren's disastrous tenure, Forest's goal was to claw themselves away from the relegation zone.

But there is, perhaps, no other fixture that could better demonstrate the transformation the club has undergone since.

On the pitch, of the side that started that most recent 5-1 defeat – which saw Forest 4-0 down by half time – only Andy Reid has any chance of being involved from the kick-off today.

More significantly, off the pitch, regardless of what the priority was when Davies first arrived, the goal now is a third consecutive top-six finish under the manager. Forest are looking up, not down.

Forest had hoped they would head north today with the chance to set a new club record of eight consecutive wins. They were robbed of that opportunity on Saturday afternoon, as promotion rivals Brighton made them fight all the way to claim a point at the City Ground, from a 2-2 draw.

But they will still head to Burnley with an eight-match unbeaten run on which to build further momentum – along with a sense of confidence and belief that will only have been swelled further by the events of a dramatic afternoon on the banks of the Trent.

And, equally importantly, they will face a Burnley side that, for once, is shorn of confidence on home turf, where they have not won their last five games – amid a run of just one victory in 11 matches overall.

They possess a striker, in Charlie Austin, whose tally of 28 goals this season is only made more remarkable by Burnley's struggle not to get sucked into a relegation battle.

And they head into the fixture on the back of a credible 3-3 draw at Watford, in which their in-form front man netted twice.

But, if Forest do feel they have a point to prove against the Clarets, now is the time for them to do it.

Following a weekend where Hull were the only side in the top nine of the Championship table to claim three points, Saturday's draw with Brighton has not really dented their hopes of a play-off place – even if their chance of closing the ten-point gap between themselves and the Tigers in second place now does seem a little more remote.

In fact, there were more positives than negatives to take from a closely contested clash with the Seagulls, which could hardly have been packed with more drama and controversy.

Referee James Linington found himself taking centre stage for all the wrong reasons. While replays suggested his decision not to send off Kazanga LuaLua after the Brighton man had charged into Sam Hutchinson was probably correct, many of his other decisions were debatable.

A free-kick awarded against Chris Cohen, when he had cleanly won the ball from Will Buckley, was integral to Brighton's opening goal, as a Leonardo Ulloa shot was brilliantly blocked at the expense of a corner by Danny Collins.

But, when Andrea Orlandi delivered the ball into the box from the corner, Ulloa was not to be denied for a second time, as he fired a low shot into the corner of the net to put the visitors ahead.

Lewis McGugan may not want the tag of super sub, but there is no other way to describe him after he came off the bench to net for the fourth game running.

This time it was a spectacular solo effort that saw him cut into the box from the right, after being fed by Reid, before rifling a rising shot high into the net, albeit with the aid of a slight deflection.

Ulloa was to play a key role for a second time, this time keeping his head to feed a simple, but incisive pass to Will Buckley for him to power Brighton ahead again, in the 85th minute, barely two minutes after McGugan had secured parity.

But Forest were not to be beaten as the previously superb Casper Ankegren, who had made a string of outstanding saves to deny Darius Henderson, in particular, suddenly fumbled a low shot from Henri Lansbury, allowing it to squirt between his legs and into the back of the net.

Forest were incensed when the referee failed to spot that sub Dean Hammond had flashed an arm into the face of Adlene Guedioura late on, leaving the Algerian international needing to go to hospital for a scan, after suffering blurred vision after the final whistle.

The midfielder is now a significant doubt for the trip to Turf Moor today, as Forest look to ensure they remain ahead of the Seagulls in the promotion race.

Brighton are not in action again until tomorrow, when they face Charlton on the south coast.

But, with Leicester City playing a Barnsley side that has struggled for form at Oakwell this afternoon, Forest will be hoping that the Foxes do not end their own recent struggle for wins.

But, if Forest can finally banish their bad memories of trips to Burnley to history this afternoon, by claiming a rare away win at Turf Moor, then they will not need to worry about anyone else.

And, if they show the same level of determination and spirit as they did on Saturday afternoon, then you would not bet against Forest enjoying a far better afternoon in the north-west than they usually do.

MORE than eight out of ten city firms have renewed their licences for the workplace parking levy.

The second year of the levy is due to begin today with companies in Nottingham that have more than 10 car parking spaces paying £334 per space.

The levy was introduced last year to pay for the city's new tram lines and the refurbishment of Nottingham Station.

Firms with more than ten employees are charged for each parking space, with the cost usually passed on to staff.

And this year the charge has risen by 16 per cent, compared with the £288 per space charged last year.

Just over 2,900 employer premises were licensed under the levy in the past year, with 86 per cent of these having already renewed their licences for the year from today.

One company that has had to pay the levy is Imperial Tobacco, on Lenton Industrial Estate.

The firm has 420 car parking spaces and chose to pass £100 plus VAT on the levy on to each employee who used the car park.

But it also agreed to pay for any staff who signed up to do some voluntary community work, with around 150 employees taking the opportunity over the last year.

Tim Vernon, Imperial Tobacco's human resources manager at the Nottingham site, said: "It was fantastic to see so many of our employees give their time to support good causes in Nottingham over the last year and many have said they wish to continue this throughout 2013.

"The introduction of the parking levy wasn't popular but it provided a great opportunity for Imperial Tobacco to support its local community."

Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce says the inflation-busting rise in the cost of the workplace parking levy this year is too much for some companies to afford to pay.

But the city council has not had to take enforcement action against any companies for not paying it. And it says it has yet to identify any business that is leaving the city because of the levy.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, the council's portfolio holder for planning and transportation, said: "The scheme has been a success; 99 per cent of all identified workplace parking places were licensed in the first licensing period, and 86 per cent of employers have already renewed their licences for the next licensing period, securing funding for public transport improvements.

"The workplace parking levy has also had a positive impact in terms of employers better managing their parking facilities."

A FATHER has spoken of his terror at witnessing a crash involving a police car.

Ali Daryaei was walking with his six-year-old daughter when the police car was in collision with a Peugeot 206 at the junction of Broxtowe Lane and Dulverton Vale, Aspley.

A man and a 12-year-old boy in the Peugeot were taken to hospital after the collision, at around 2pm yesterday.

A male police officer was unhurt.WATCH: A video of the scene

Mr Daryaei, of Carlton Hill, Nottingham, was about to cross the junction when the cars collided a few yards away.

He said: "It was so bad. My daughter was crying and I don't feel well with what I've seen. I was worried that something would happen to my daughter.

"I'm just worried about what my daughter has seen – I hope she's OK."

The father-of-two added: "I saw the other car come off the ground.

"I took my daughter to my ex-wife's house and I ran to the car to help. One of the neighbours was a first-aider and he helped them a lot.

"I was there until the ambulance came and sorted things out."

The adult occupant of the Peugeot 206 was discharged from hospital yesterday afternoon having sustained minor injuries and the 12-year-old boy was retained overnight for observation.

One resident of Broxtowe Lane said: "I just heard a crunch and came out.

"Fire engines were there and an ambulance. It's not nice."

A shop owner on Broxtowe Lane also came out after the collision.

She said: "There was a huge, huge, noise. I heard the crash and sirens and people saying 'oh my god, what's happened?'

"I was quite busy at the time but went out four or five minutes later and they were out of the car."

Another resident of Broxtowe Lane said: "It's terrifying – I was worried. You wonder whether it's your family."

Shortly after the incident, the road was closed and remained so while investigations were carried out for several hours.

Nottingham City Transport tweeted: "Turquoise Line 79 not serving Broxtowe Lane due to an RTC."

Police said the incident had not yet been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A police statement said: "An investigation has begun and inquiries are ongoing."

Anyone with information about the lead-up to the collision or who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the police crash investigation unit on 101 ext 2225 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

FABIAN Spiess is set to start for Notts County against Yeovil Town in League One at Meadow Lane today.

The Magpies' no.1 Bartosz Bialkowski is still not 100 per cent, after being struck down with a virus, so teenager Spiess has been given the nod.

Notts will also play two strikers against the Glovers, with Enoch Showunmi and Yoann Arquin partnered in attack.

Captain Neal Bishop, Andre Boucaud, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Alan Judge have been named in midfield, while Julian Kelly, Dean Leacock, Gary Liddle and Alan Sheehan will start in defence.

NOTTS: Spiess, Kelly, Leacock, Liddle, Sheehan, Campbell-Ryce, Boucaud, Bishop, Judge, Showunmi, Arquin. Subs: Pilkington, Smith, Hughes, Zoko, Tempest, Thompson, Waite.

DEBRA Sanders has astounded everyone by being alive today.

She was given the devastating news that her ovarian cancer was terminal by doctors last June.

They gave her weeks to live, expecting she would die by August, before her 40th birthday.

But she has battled on and yesterday's Harlem Shake was another ambition realised, after having her marriage blessed.

She said: "Every day I wake up, I thank God that I'm alive. When I was told I was dying it was a shock. My husband started crying. I don't think it really hit me until I thought about it later. I felt like everything had been ripped out of me. They said I just had a few weeks to live.

"Everyone is amazed I'm still here. The doctors are gobsmacked I'm alive.

"I had a huge party for my 40th, which I was told I might not see. We also have a get-together on the first day of every month to celebrate the fact I'm still here."

Debra has two children, Leah, 21, and Pearce, 14. She also has two-year-old grandson Drae.

After being diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer she had intensive chemotherapy before being told there was nothing more doctors could do.

She added: "One of the worst things was when I couldn't work."

PUPILS have returned from a school skiing trip which ended in tragedy after a teacher died.

Staff and students returned to Christ the King School, Arnold, at around 8.30pm yesterday.

The pupils had been due to spend the week in Matrei in the Austrian Tyrol but the trip was cut short after the death of IT teacher Jonathan Taylor.

He is believed to have died on his way home from a night out. Police said he suffered a head injury after falling from a three-metre-high wall at 3am on Sunday.

Coaches, with the group of 48 pupils aged 14 and 15, arrived back at the school in Dalton Drive.

A waiting parent, Arthur Coates, whose son Elliot, 14, was on the trip, said: "My blood ran cold when I got the call from the vice principal because I thought something had happened to Elliot. But he reassured me and let me know what had happened. It's very sad."

Earlier in the day a small crowd of students and parents gathered at the school to lay flowers. Patricia Weselak, 15, of St Ann's, who is in Year 9, said: "This is such a tragedy. Mr Taylor was such a funny and inspiring teacher and he was always positive."

Her friend Tori Benson, 15, had been taught by Mr Taylor. As she laid her bouquet at the school door she said: "He was a very happy and loyal person, very friendly and full of life. He always had a smile on his face."

Mr Taylor died on the first day of what was due to be a week-long trip.

Notts county councillor for Arnold North, Ged Clarke, said the accident had come as a "dreadful shock".

He said: "One of my friend's sons was on the trip. They were all looking forward to it and had just got there when this tragedy struck."

Also laying flowers at the school yesterday was Aleah Oliver, 15, who said: "Mr Taylor was one of those teachers who you knew really cared about you. He had only been here a year but he made a big mark."

And Michael Sutcliffe, who is in year 8, e-mailed the Post with his tribute to Mr Taylor.

He said: "He was so kind and great fun and a brilliant teacher who had lots of patience and would spend his own time after school to help us. I send my condolences to Mr Taylor's family and friends and I will keep them in my prayers."

And Ceion Rogers, 12, also in Year 8, said via e-mail: "I will miss you and I'm sure everyone else will too. Bye sir. I'll pray for you."

County councillor Philip Owen added: "The thoughts of myself and officers at the council are with the family of the deceased teacher."

Mr Taylor, 44, is believed to have worked at the Roman Catholic school for about a year and previously taught at Garibaldi College in Mansfield. He lived in Arnold with his wife.

A COUPLE who run a sandwich shop say they have lost £6,000 because of work on the new tram lines.

Mick and Angela Roebuck say they used to have dozens of customers in the Bridge Sandwich Bar on the Victoria Embankment, between noon and 2pm each day.

But since the embankment was closed to through traffic in November this has fallen, with an average of just four customers a day in their busiest times.

Even after the closure at Wilford Toll Bridge island was lifted in February – allowing cars to pass along the embankment – business has not picked up.

Mr Roebuck said he believes many drivers think the road is still closed because there are several closure signs and fences still in place.

Mr Roebuck said: "It's hit us very hard. So far we have had to put about £6,000 of our savings in to keep the business going.

"I don't think a lot of our customers know we are still open because they haven't been able to get down here due to the work."

The business is next to Wilford Bridge on the embankment, where work is taking place to create the tram line to Clifton.

Mr Roebuck added: "We used to get a lot of people who were walking by. We also had customers from nearby firms like Pork Farms, who would come to buy a sandwich and sit by the embankment to eat it.

"The way the work has been done we feel like we have been caged as lots of fencing has been put up around us.

"I've contacted the council and they say the closure signs are still there in case they need to shut the road again.

"It's really affecting us. If things pick up we can carry on. If they don't then it's going to be very tough."

The couple bought the shop in 1999, initially running it as a newsagents. They changed it into a sandwich bar in 2005.

The new tram line will cross the river over the old toll bridge and run into Clifton. It is one of two new lines being built in the city.

Tram operators Nottingham Express Transit and contractors Taylor Woodrow Alstom have pledged to keep disruption to a minimum during the work.

THE Queen's Medical Centre has missed its four-hour target for dealing with patients arriving at the emergency department.

For February, the average wait was 56 minutes longer.

The Government expects 95 per cent of patients in A&E to be looked at within four hours, and Nottingham University Hospitals Trust – which runs the QMC and City Hospital – has set its own target of 98 per cent.

But board papers show that for February, 92.8 per cent were seen within this time frame.

The trust said high levels of emergency admissions coupled with the closure of nine wards contaminated with the highly-infectious norovirus had caused the delays.

FRIENDS and family helped a seriously ill woman put another tick on her 'bucket list' – by doing the Harlem Shake in her front garden.

Dozens of people, some in fancy dress, did the dance, which has become an internet craze, and put a smile of the face of Debra Sanders.

Debra, who has ovarian cancer, has drawn up the bucket list – a list of experiences she wants to have before she dies.

And at 1pm yesterday the latest one was crossed off when Batgirl, Scooby Do and Lion O from Thundercats, among others, did the Harlem Shake outside her home in Rosslyn Drive, Aspley.

"I wanted to do something fun, something which my children can remember and smile about when I'm gone," said Debra, 40.

It started off with Debra, dressed as Big Bird, doing the dance in her wheelchair. Then everyone else joined in for the three-minute routine.

Even the two local police officers went along to watch.

"It felt amazing," added Debra. "I couldn't believe how many people turned up. I want to thank them all. It's great to see them and know they're supporting me."

Collections were being taken for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Willow Foundation, which organises days out for seriously ill people aged from 16 to 40.

By 3pm yesterday, nearly £500 had been collected, which will be share equally between the two charities.

Debra added: "I've had great support from Macmillan and through Willow we had a trip to Center Parcs, which was memorable. I wanted to give something back to them."

Debra's husband Jason, 42, said: "It was fantastic. We are really touched by the support everyone has shown.

"We were expecting 20 to 30 people at first. But to see so many more come is just great. It is really nice that the family will now have something to look back on and be able to smile."

Debra's sister, Kayleigh Fletcher, 25, of Aspley, said: "I think it's great we have been able to do this and give Debra her wish.

"We didn't realise so many people were going to turn up. What a fantastic occasion."

Friend Roy Tomlinson, 45, said: "I love to see events like this. Debra is a wonderful person, which you can see by how many people have turned up.

"It is a great community event."

Other experiences on Debra's list include having her marriage blessed, which she has done, and having an outdoor picnic, which she plans to do when the weather improves.

NOTTS County didn't deserve to lose against Yeovil Town, said boss Chris Kiwomya.

The Magpies endured a 2-1 defeat against the Glovers at Meadow Lane in League One.

They fell 1-0 behind in injury time at the end of the first half when Yeovil's leading scorer Paddy Madden struck from close range.

Alan Judge fired Notts level from the penalty spot early in the second half.

But the visitors scored the winner just a few minutes later, midfielder Matthew Dolan beating teenage goalkeeper Fabian Spiess with a 20-yard free-kick.

It leaves the Magpies 11th in the table with four games of the season left.

"We weren't the best in the first half," said Kiwomya. "We couldn't get to grips with the pitch.

"But we were a lot better in the second half and should have at least got a point or even gone on to win the game.

"We made a great start after the break and I really thought we were going to kick on after we scored the penalty.

"But they scored from a free-kick only a couple of minutes later.

"It was a good free-kick, but I was disappointed the way we gave it away."

Magpies' sub Jeff Hughes missed an open goal from a few yards out in the second half.

"That was unbelievable, but I think the ball bobbled up," added Kiwomya.

"We had a few good chances and if we had that striker we need we would have won the game."

Kiwomya also said Notts need to be more direct in future.

"We want to try to play and entertain, but when you can't you've got to play percentage football," he said.

"The players come out and they want to pass their way through teams, but I think it's something we have got get out of our heads that the fans want to be entertained because you can't play on here.

"You've got to be more direct at times to try to win games."

Match report: Page 43

BILLY Davies insists he does not fear losing Lewis McGugan on a free transfer in the summer – and has told the midfielder to keep putting himself in the spotlight at Nottingham Forest.

McGugan is out of contract in the summer and could walk away on a Bosman free transfer.

He demonstrated his importance to the side again as he netted his fifth goal in five games, scoring from the penalty spot deep into injury time, to secure a 1-1 draw at Burnley and extend the unbeaten run under Davies to nine games.

McGugan's form is sure to have attracted the attention of plenty of potential suitors. But Davies is not concerned – as long as he keeps firing on all cylinders for the Reds until the end of the campaign.

"I have spoken to Lewis McGugan. He has scored five goals for us now. He showed tremendous courage with the penalty," said Davies. "And he knows my feelings about him.

"We will remain focused on the remaining games. Then we will sort out the things that need sorting in the future.

"I don't worry about losing players. They come and go.

"We make our intentions clear to players. When we want them to stay, we will offer them what we can financially speaking.

"If they decide to move on to pastures new, I do not lose too much sleep about it.

"There are far too many players out there to worry about that. He knows my feelings, he knows my position and he knows how much he is wanted at this club."

The Scotsman was impressed with the character shown by his side, as they fought their way back from behind for the second time in the space of a few days.

"This side never gives in. They have tremendous determination. We are delighted with a point at a very strong club and against a side who had an extra 24 hours to recover than us," said the manager.

"We had to make six changes, so we were very pleased with the result. I keep reminding these players to take one game at a time.

"Forget about the position in the league; forget about where you are. Just make sure you enjoy competing in the top six in the league.

"Let's just look at the next match and see where it takes us."

Forest did not produce their best performance of Davies' second spell in charge, in a game in which neither side really got into their stride at Turf Moor.

"I apologise to both sets of fans for what was a terrible game. It was a terrible spectacle for anyone to come and pay money to witness," said Davies. "There was a swirling wind and we were forced to make changes and they had an extra 24 hours to recover from it.

"But our first half performance, the energy and passion we showed, was not good enough.

"In the second half, the first goal felt like it was going to be the winner. They got it, when we should have produced better defensive cover from our corner.

"We made some changes and I thought we would get an equaliser. We should have had a penalty before we finally got one.

"It was a fantastic point, but it was a terrible spectacle."

Match report: Page 42

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was set to return home from hospital last night after being hurt in a crash involving a police car.

The child was travelling with his father in their Peugeot in Broxtowe Lane, Aspley, when the crash happened at about 2pm on Sunday.

The police car was on an emergency call and the incident will be investigated by Notts Police's Professional Standards Department.

The man in the Peugeot was also taken to hospital but discharged on Sunday. The male police officer was unhurt.

Meanwhile, people living near the scene have spoken of their shock.

Lisa Rhodes, 25, of Dulverton Vale, heard the bang. She said: "It was this loud bang of the crash but I didn't realise what it was until I saw all the ambulances and the fire engines.

"It was shocking really when you saw the photos of the damage to the cars.

"Everyone round here is talking about it and people are just glad the child is all right."

Broxtowe Lane was closed until about 8pm while investigations were carried out and buses were diverted.

Nick Bhupal, who runs AJs Convenience Store in Broxtowe Lane, was in the flat above the shop when the accident happened.

He rushed out and helped until paramedics arrived.

He said: "It was just instinct really to see if I could help.

"The crash was really loud and you just get this feeling that you have to go and see what has happened and make sure everything is all right.

"Lots of people ran out to see what was going on and to help if they could – it was all pretty surprising."

Anyone with information about the lead-up to the collision, or who witnessed it, is asked to call Notts Police crash investigation unit on 101 extension 2225, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.