A COUNCILLOR who represented Wollaton residents for nearly two years died in hospital at the weekend.

Steve Parton, 64, who was councillor for Wollaton West, suffered a stroke and collapsed on Wednesday afternoon while out campaigning for his wife, Jeanna, who was standing in the Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey by-election.

Mr Parton was elected in May 2011 and had lived in the area for more than 60 years.

He was out campaigning on behalf of the Conservative party after Councillor Stuart Fox resigned his seat.

Councillor Georgina Culley, leader of the Conservative group of Nottingham City Council, said: "I feel I have lost a close and dear friend whom I have known for a number years and will find his loss extremely difficult to come to terms with.

"I think he should be remembered as someone who always cared for others.

"He always supported others. He was very much involved in the local community.

"He always tried to do the best and help those who needed help. Everyone in the community was aware he would do his best for them."

Councillor Culley added: "He took to being a local councillor like a duck to water and he always saw the funny side of things – I was grateful for his support."

"My and my fellow Conservative councillors' thoughts are with his wife and the family at this difficult time."

Many residents will remember Mr Parton after he campaigned against plans for a housing development on the allotments at Radford Bridge Road.

He was also a keen golfer and fisherman and was on the committee at the Wollaton Park Golf Club for several years.

Professor Alan Watson, gentlemen's captain of the club, said: "He was a great, loyal supporter of the club and was very keen to support the club in any way.

"He was on the committee for eight or nine years.

"He was very dedicated and quite humorous.

"I think he will be remembered as one of those larger than life characters."

Professor Watson added: "His humour and witty presence will be sorely missed."

Mr Parton was educated at Nottingham Boys High School – where he later became a member of the board of governors – before going to Loughborough University of Technology and Aston University.

Kevin Fear, headmaster at Nottingham High School, said: "All of us are very sorry to hear of the death of Steve Parton.

"He had recently become a governor, having been a pupil here between 1956 and 1966. Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this time."

Nottingham City Council Leader Jon Collins said: "I was saddened to hear the news that Councillor Parton had passed away. While we differed politically, I always found him to be approachable and willing to listen to other people's views.

"My sympathies and condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this sad time."

Councillor Graham Chapman, deputy Leader of the Council, said: "He had a great deal of experience. He was a decent bloke, his judgement will be missed."

A CONSTRUCTION consultancy firm is planning to keep up its reputation of employing school-leavers by taking on a new batch of apprentices.

Faithful+Gould has pledged to take on three apprentices as part of the Post's Get Notts Working campaign.

The Beeston firm has a long-established policy of taking on school-leavers as apprentices – with some going on to become project managers.

It has built up strong links with local schools – in particular the George Spencer Academy, in Stapleford, and Trinity School, in Aspley – to develop a feeder system for pupils who wish to take on building and quantity surveyor apprenticeships.

The apprentices work for four days a week at Faithful+Gould.

They get day release to attend university and study part-time towards a degree.

The firm is also looking to build links with colleges to offer NVQ qualifications.

The three pledges count towards the Post's aim of creating 300 apprenticeships in 100 days.

Director David Picks said: "Apprentices play a big part in our business.

"We believe if we bring in a school-leaver we can train them up in the ways that we work. It has been a successful policy in the past and we intend to continue with that."

Mr Picks said they would be looking to take on the apprentices in the coming weeks.

The Post campaign is being run in conjunction with the Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce, the National Apprenticeship Service, the city council and the Nottinghamshire City and County Employment and Skills Board.

WHATEVER the economic situation, the smart business owner can take steps to mitigate the downside. Now might be a good time to consider outsourcing your finance function: to focus on credit control, to reduce cost, to improve management information and to free up time to work on beating the competition.

1. Credit control.

Things are still tough and SME business is suffering from increased late payments. With the prospect of an extended period of difficulty ahead, what should entrepreneurs consider to ensure survival, as a minimum, or growth, at best? Overdue payments normally mean that companies are operating closer to their spending limits, be they overdrafts or banking/funding covenants. Therefore, focusing on proactive debtor management is extremely important.

2. Reduce the cost of back-office functions.

In a tougher economic climate, it is even more important to manage your costs closely and, where possible, reduce them. Similarly, it is important to make regular costs predictable, with no nasty surprises at the end of the month. You will achieve both of these by outsourcing back-office functions, with reduced costs on staff and infrastructure and agreed pricing up front. Areas to consider are finance, payroll, HR, IT and marketing.

3. Improve management information

High- quality management accounts presented promptly mean you can take better, faster decisions. It means that you understand your financial situation and can maintain enough headroom underneath covenant or overdraft limits to keep your funders happy and make business-critical investment decisions at the right time.

4. Free up time

Outsourcing your back office will give you the opportunity to dedicate more time to your customer base. In order to protect your revenue streams, you need to understand how your customers' businesses are affected in a downturn, spot opportunities that these changes throw up and, very importantly, protect them from competitors who will target them to replace their shrinking base.

You may have to offer improved terms, short-term offers and better customer service to ensure loyalty. This all needs time and, if you have to dedicate your valuable management time to your back-office operation, finding the extra time is much more difficult to achieve.

Conclusion

Outsourcing your finance function is not as difficult as it seems. Many companies already outsource their payroll and finance outsourcing can be achieved with a progressive approach, keeping some functions in-house, if that is what is required. What is clear is that you give your business the best possible chance of emerging from the downturn healthy, more efficient and ready to take advantage of improved conditions.

A FEARFUL woman with a "panic room" inside her home to protect herself from a former partner has hit out at the Government's "bedroom tax".

The woman, who says she spends "every day in fear", slammed the Government's "lack of compassion".

Julie has round-the-clock security at her city home because her ex-partner was jailed for the attempted murder of a police officer and has made threats against her.

As only two people live in the three-bedroomed property, she is losing 14 per cent of her housing benefit, but even if she wanted to move out, Nottingham City Council – which paid for the security measures – had no policy on replacing them.

She said: "I spend every day in fear and the security in place at the house is something that I need. It's there in case I need it and that makes me feel a little bit more at ease.

"But with the bedroom tax, it's just a huge hit to my finances, but I cannot move out because they won't replace the room and if that was there, I just wouldn't feel at ease.

"But I don't know how I'm going to pay. I've got a son to look after and feed, and the money just won't stretch that far. It's just a massive lack of compassion from the Government."

Such city council security arrangements usually cost "a couple of thousand pounds".

Julie's MP, Nottingham North's Graham Allen, said: "This lady needs protection, support and help – not penny-pinching bureaucrats trying to make her life worse. Perhaps if (Prime Minister David) Cameron and (Chancellor George) Osborne were to put themselves in this lady's place for just a few hours they may just see how unacceptable their actions are to the majority of decent people.

"The Government really has lost the way with the bedroom tax. How much will they save? Peanuts then pay out a fortune to repair the damage done."

Councillor Dave Liversidge, council portfolio holder for adults, housing and the community sector, said: "This is another consequence of the ill-thought-out bedroom tax. As yet we have no policy on this but are currently dealing with such circumstances on a case-by-case basis."

But work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: "There's nothing fair about making families wait and wait for a house that is big enough, while other households on benefits are allowed to live in homes that are too big for their needs, at no extra cost.

"Many working families in Nottingham cannot afford the luxury of having spare bedrooms, and the Government cannot afford to pay for bedrooms that are not being used."

Julie's name has been changed for her protection.

VAN owners are being urged to secure their vehicles after a spate of break-ins.

A drill and other tools were take from a white Vauxhall in the most recent incident which happened between 5.30pm yesterday and 6.50am today.

The vehicle was parked outside Selston Working Mens' Club, in Recreation Street, Selston,

Thieves also targeted the Gateway Hotel, in Nuthall Road, Cinderhill, between 8.30pm yesterday and 7.10am this morning.

Pre-crime manager Boguslawa Motylska said: "We want to drive incidents down and give absolutely no chances for opportunistic thieves to steal items from motorists.

"Always ensure all valuable items such as tools and sat navs are removed from the van overnight.

"There is a significant cost for victims of this type of crime. They don't just have to replace stolen items, but the impact of insurance claims can also be considerable. They often have to repair a smashed window and sometimes have to do without their cars for days while repair work is carried out."

Police recommend ensuring that vans are locked and that windows are closed and installing a car alarm.

Drivers are also advised not to leave valuable items in the vehicle and mark their tools by engraving or etching or registering them at www.immobilise.com.

A CELEBRATION of complete business success, the Nottingham Post Business Awards represent one of the region's most influential measures of business success. Many different regional and national organisations are offering their support and sponsorship to the prestigious ceremony, reinforcing its hugely positive impact for Nottinghamshire as a whole.

Leading accountancy and advisory firm RSM Tenon are lending their expertise and support to the judging process, sponsoring the Contribution to the Community Award, an accolade that recognises an organisation that gives something back to the community around them.

Alistair Wesson, of RSM Tenon, is delighted to be involved with the awards, saying:

"For some time now, the awards have been a high-quality and well-subscribed process – getting into the hearts of Nottinghamshire's businesses. There are a large number of excellent businesses in both the county and City of Nottingham and it's a huge positive to be involved in something which profiles the quality around us and enables the city and county's flags to be flown even higher."

The Contribution to the Community Award is particularly important to RSM Tenon as it recognises the deep importance that all businesses have to the areas they work in. "Businesses are an integral part of the community but their contributions to it can sometimes be easily overlooked."

"I find that businesses have a high level of interest in their communities because they are part of them, rather than because of any corporate social responsibility play – they want to help their communities and create a better environment for them, their employees, their employees' families and the county and city.

"This is, therefore, a key award and we're very excited to see who enters this category."

The awards offer so many benefits to the region as a whole and offer all of the finalists a boost to their employees' morale, driving noticeable success in the future.

Alastair explained his belief in the benefits of the Nottingham Post Business Awards.

"Especially in recessionary times, it is easy for everyone in business to keep their heads below the parapet. In doing so, many interesting and strategically important opportunities can be missed. These awards are a great opportunity for local quality businesses to showcase their skills and capabilities."

Despite the challenges of tougher economic times, the county has displayed clear resilience to the problems affecting other regions and RSM Tenon remains positive about Nottinghamshire's business future.

"The environment remains tough but the region's businesses are resilient and gutsy – we have a habit of developing strong niches which create fantastic opportunities and I see that continuing.

"We also export at a level which punches above our regional weight and this is something which will differentiate Nottingham from many cities, as our ideas create overseas as well as UK demand. Come the end of the recession, I believe the county's businesses will be well placed to take advantage of the opportunities available and will continue to thrive."

FREE copies of best-selling novel The Kite Runner are to be handed out across Nottingham.

Citywide Read, launched yesterday, will celebrate the European premiere of a play based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini.

The play will run at Nottingham Playhouse this month and next month, with around 500 paperback versions of the book being given away to secondary schools, libraries, prisons and universities ahead of the show.

A series of special events will also take place throughout April and May.

Councillor David Trimble, Nottingham City Council's lead for leisure, culture and tourism, said: "We are proud to work in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing and Nottingham Playhouse to drive literacy and reading and celebrate Nottingham as a city of culture.

"People are also encouraged to add their reviews of the book to the tail of kites which will be on display in several city libraries including St Ann's and Nottingham Central Library.

"We hope the Nottingham Citywide Read will provide a shared reading experience for people in the city and encourage more people to rediscover a love for reading."

The Kite Runner was released in 2003 and has already been adapted for a film, released in 2007.

It tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, whose closest friend is Hassan, his father's young Hazara servant.

The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet military intervention, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime.

Rachel Williams, 34, of Forest Fields is a member of a reading group based at the city centre library. All its members will receive copies of the book as part of the Citywide Read.

It is hoped that the scheme will lead to a city-wide discussion between people of all ages.

"I've read the book before but will definitely read it again with the group," said Rachel.

"I think it's a good idea linking it with the play because it encourages people to read up on the book because it gives it more relevance.

"The interesting thing about The Kite Runner is the different cultures it explores and I remember it being quite sad in places but the way it is written completely absorbs you which is why I think people will really enjoy reading it."

The Kite Runner runs from Friday, April 26, to Saturday, May 18.

Giles Croft, artistic director at the Playhouse and director of the stage adaptation, by Matthew Spangler, said: "We are thrilled that the library service and Khaled Hosseini's publishers Bloomsbury have taken the occasion of this premiere to celebrate this great book and a love of reading.

"It is a privilege to be bringing this complex and heartfelt story to the stage for the first time in Europe, and I am confident that the Nottingham Citywide Read will encourage more people across the city to join the conversation we are all having about childhood, betrayal, war, love and redemption."

FOR 2013, the Nottingham Post Business Awards offer the region a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the commercial progress being made by so many businesses within the county.

Following a period of economic difficulty that has seen many of the country's retail businesses experience huge changes in structure and size, this year's sponsor of the Retail Business of the Year Award is delighted to be sponsoring an award that recognises those that have continued to be successful.

Jonathan Lawson, CEO of Vision Express, spoke of his organisation's involvement with the awards:

"Vision Express is head quartered in Nottingham, and we understand the importance of supporting other businesses in the region.

"The financial climate has becoming increasingly challenging for businesses and the ones sustaining and growing have had to become resilient to trading conditions, adapting where necessary. Celebrating the companies that have had been successful over the last 12 months is incredibly important."

As one of the country's best-known optical retailers, Vision Express has a large amount of expertise to lend to its sponsorship category, participating in the judging process.

Jonathan said: "Being a leading optical retailer, we feel Vision Express is perfectly placed to sponsor the Retail Business of the Year Award, especially as in 2013 we are celebrating 25 years of trading. We're proud of reaching this landmark anniversary and pleased to support other expanding businesses within the region. "

He explained the importance he places in awards such as the Nottingham Post's, a process that helps to reinforce the county's status as one of the United Kingdom's leading commercial districts. "Showcasing the successes over the last 12 months with the Nottingham Post Business Awards not only raises awareness of the thriving companies in the area but also helps promote the area to the whole of the UK, showing that Nottinghamshire is an innovative region for business and a valuable hub for businesses to base."

The awards are so important for Nottinghamshire's overall growth and go a long way to highlight the steps that have been taken to guarantee the future for the business community. Having continued to overcome the difficulties facing many retail businesses, the winner of this award will fly the flag for the county's commercial strength.

Jonathan remains cautiously optimistic for the business future of the region.

"Having recently announced a second consecutive year of sales and profit growth, we clearly feel that businesses can thrive in the toughest of environments. However, we should not expect the economy to do us any favours for some time to come."

SHE was a "political colossus the likes of which we have seldom seen before or since".

That is how Nottingham's leading Conservative councillor remembers Baroness Thatcher.

And whether you loved the former PM, or loathed her, it is hard to disagree.

Tributes poured in following the announcement of the death of the country's first female Prime Minister after a stroke yesterday. She was 87.

Conservative party leader at Nottingham City Council, Councillor Georgina Culley, was among the first to pay her respects.

She told the Post yesterday: "She was and remained a polarising figure because she fiercely defended her views, views which she believed best served the country she loved.

"As she herself said if you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and would achieve nothing.

"Through taking hard and often deeply unpopular decisions she oversaw a great recovery."

She added: "Her policies have given around two million social housing tenants the right to buy their home.

"She was a key figure in overcoming Europe's partition and the end of the Cold War.

"At a time when people seem increasingly disillusioned with their politicians, here was a real conviction politician, a fiercely principled and patriotic leader.

"She was the reason why I joined the Conservative party having worked through the Callaghan government which ended with the winter of discontent, and we admired her tenacity and her belief in Britain."

For those who loved her, the former Prime Minister was the woman who, virtually single-handed, transformed the nation through battles like the miners' strike and the Falklands War. She was one of the most influential figures in British political history.

Some believe every hard decision made was for the overall good of the country.

Broxtowe's Conservative MP Anna Soubry said: "Margaret Thatcher was the first woman to lead a British political party, and the first woman Prime Minister – two outstanding achievements in their own right. But she was more than that. Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century and during her time she restored our economy, leaving Britain far better off than we had been when she was first elected.

"Margaret Thatcher showed great courage and determination when she refused to give in to the Trade Unions, defended the Falkland Islands when they were invaded and under her premiership Britain became a leading political and economic force in the world.

"She will be missed."

Mrs Thatcher was born in Grantham on October 13, 1925.

She became Prime Minister in 1979 and remained in the role until 1990.

Notts County Council leader Councillor Kay Cutts said: "Her story is truly inspirational with her going from being the daughter of a Grantham grocer to the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th century. While it remains a time of sadness, I would like to think the nation will celebrate the life of a remarkable lady."

After hearing or Mrs Thatcher's death, the Post created an online poll, asking if she was a "hero or villain".

At the time of going to print, there had been 679 responses – 437 saying they disliked her.

BARONESS Thatcher may have been admired by many, but Notts miners were among those who had cause to despise her.

At its peak, the Nottinghamshire coalfield produced in excess of 25 million tons of coal each year.

But this all changed during Mrs Thatcher's time at 10 Downing Street.

The miners' strike lasted from March 5, 1984 to March 3, 1985. At a national level it appeared as a battle of wills between the leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Arthur Scargill, and the prime minister.

But in Notts it divided communities. While some Notts miners went on strike, others stayed at work, although that did not stop the mines from closing. Three decades on and the effects of the decline of that industry are still apparent, with high levels of unemployment still evident in coalfield areas.

Many who were badly affected refuse to forgive and forget.

Retired miner Eric Walker, 87, of Moor Road, Strelley, said: "She destroyed the industry. I was retired at the time but I still had many friends in the industry that had the choice of going on strike or losing redundancy.

"We were talking about a lot of redundancy money, something like £25,000, which was a big figure back then.

"Her name is cursed by miners and in the last 25 years no one has said a good word about her. Notts miners lost their jobs because of her and they will not be mourning. They will be celebrating."

Former National Union of Mineworkers secretary and miner Brian Walker, 84, of Arnold said: "The only legacy she has left behind is masses of unemployment.

"She is now in the dustbin of history and it is thanks to her that there is no mining left in this country.

"We lost the strike because of those people that did not take action at the time."

Meanwhile, Eddy Powell, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, said: "We hated Thatcher. She was, without doubt, the most evil of British prime ministers to grace our Parliament.

"The suffering she caused the people is second to none; Cameron is only playing at it so far."

A THIEF tricked his way into an elderly woman's home by pretending to be a police officer and stole cash.

The man knocked on the door of the woman's flat in Melbourne Road, Stapleford, at about 6.50pm on Friday.

He told her he was a police officer and said he was checking the safety of elderly people in the area after a spate of burglaries.

Then he asked to look at any cash she had to "check the serial numbers" on the notes.

She showed him some notes, which he took from her, and then asked her to make him a cup of tea. She refused and he then left with the money.

Police are asking people to look out for anyone in the area matching the thief's description. He is white and in his late forties with a thin face, brown eyes and was about 5ft 10" tall.

He had dark brown hair that was neatly combed back and was clean shaven.

He was wearing a fluorescent gillet with a dark top or jacket underneath that was zipped up, scruffy dark blue jeans and dark shoes or trainers.

He had a medium build and spoke in a local to accent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Notts Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111.

THE country's most controversial Prime Minister has died.

Margaret Thatcher passed away following a stroke yesterday morning – and her death has reopened old divisions in Nottinghamshire.

The 87-year-old was the only woman to have been Prime Minister and her political decisions divided opinions, families and friends during her time in office from 1979 to 1990.

The 1984-85 miners' strike was the most controversial time during Thatcher's 11 years in power. At the time the National Coal Board wanted to close a large number of the country's pits because they were proving to be uneconomical.

Notts general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, Alan Spencer, said the union is "not sad to see her go".

"She decimated the mining industry in Nottinghamshire and across the country."

Retired miner Eric Walker, 87, of Moor Road, Strelley, said: "She destroyed the industry. Many friends had the choice of going on strike or losing redundancy. We were talking about a lot of money."

At its height, there had been 40,000 miners working in Notts. Now only Thoresby Colliery in Edwinstowe remains.

Despite the huge blow to what was once one of the county's largest industries, some people believe that Margaret Thatcher had made the right decision.

Nottinghamshire County Council leader councillor Kay Cutts said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened at the news of the death of Baroness Thatcher. I was lucky enough to have met her several times.

"The last time was about 20 years ago at Belvoir Castle. She was extraordinary and magnetic and was really interested in what you had to say. She was an iconic world figure and changed this country for the better."

BUSINESSES and residents could save up to £10,000 by making energy saving changes to their properties – according to a green campaign group.

An event hosted by Broxtowe Borough Council and led by The Greening Campaign will take place on Monday, April 15, at the council offices in Foster Avenue, Beeston.

It aims to educate people on how to introduce energy-saving improvements and reduce the cost of energy bills.

Green energy supporter Janet Poliakoff, 65, of Elm Avenue, Beeston, said: "I have been trying to make changes to my home to make it greener over a number of years.

"Since installing double glazing and setting the heating timer to be on for shorter periods of time I have estimated that we have managed to reduce our gas consumption by about a quarter.

"Other actions we've taken include installing solar panels and rainwater harvesting for flushing the toilet. We also have a wormery for all vegetable waste and compost nearly all our garden waste.

"The changes make a big difference and also help to save money.

"I'm also part of Greening Beeston which aims to encourage local people to save energy and water and supports the work of The Greening Campaign.

"Anyone who is interested in this or has thought about making changes to their homes should go to the event."

The event will also be explaining the government's Green Deal initiative which allows people to install new eco-friendly technology without paying up-front costs.

The cost of buying and installing the new equipment is paid for through energy bill payments over a period of time. This is unlike a conventional loan because, if you move, the cost stays with the property where the savings are occurring and not with the bill payer.

Director Terena Plowright from The Greening Campaign added: "We want people to understand what their options are because we want the Green Deal initiative to work.

"We are a not-for-profit organisation and so we can offer a balanced view of things so people don't feel we are promoting something or missing anything out.

"This really is the opportunity for business, government and community to work together to reduce our CO2 output – but more than that, it will keep to keep money in people's pockets."

For more information about the event, contact Terena on 07918 941 398 or email terena@greening-campaign.co.uk.

NOTTS County Council has been successful in bidding for Government money for two schemes to improve safety for cyclists in the county.

They are at Retford Road in Worksop and the roundabout at the junction of North Road and Amcott Way in Retford.

In Worksop the council submitted a bid for £194,000 towards the cost of widening a pavement to allow it to be used by cyclists.

The council will contribute £50,000 from its Local Transport Plan budget.

The scheme will provide a route for cyclists on the north side of the B6040 Retford Road by widening the pavement – which is only one metre wide – to three metres.

The road has an on-road cycle route along its section between Shrewsbury Road, near the town centre and the B&Q distribution centre entrance.

However, there are currently no facilities between the B&Q entrance and the Enterprise Park, and cyclists are regularly intimidated by large lorries.

The route is used by around 300 cyclists a day and latest figures from the county council show that there have been five accidents on Retford Road involving cyclists since 2008.

In Retford, the county council bid for £183,000 towards the cost of improving cycle safety at the Amcott Way roundabout near the town centre. It will contribute £150,000 from its Local Transport Plan budget.

IF you were to go to most schools during the holidays the doors would be shut, computers switched off and students would not be around.

But it is a very different story at Bulwell Academy.

This Easter, the school's enterprise hub – a space created to mimic a real-life workplace environment – has been buzzing with year ten students.

The school has arranged a series of workshops where they can use the facilities to brush up on interview techniques and secure impressive work experience placements with the help of staff.

Director of business and enterprise at the Academy, Alison Bingham, said she was very impressed with the commitment and drive the students were demonstrating.

She said: "In these sessions the staff aren't acting as teachers. They are giving the students the tools to impress a potential employer and advice on how to make sure they are applying for the right placements.

"Careers advice has moved on in leaps and bounds at our Academy and we are tailoring advice specifically to each child, so that they know what their strengths are and how to optimise them."

One of the activities the students have taken part in is developing their telephone manner and how to speak to a potential employer on the phone.

Another asks them a series of psychometric profiling questions which works out whether the student is an influencer, a people person, a steadier who works hard for knowledge, a calculator who is logical and diplomatic or a driver who sees the bigger picture.

Ellie Flint, 15, wants to work in the catering industry with an overall goal of becoming a food technology teacher.

She said: "It's been so helpful coming into school and getting advice and tips. I feel happy with my CV now – it is simple, to the point and effective. It needs to be because there is so much competition for jobs.

"I'm trying to sort out a work experience placement in the catering department of the John Lewis restaurant. I think it is really important to get ahead of the game and learn how to be professional from a young age. More schools should do what my school is doing."

Anzar Hameed, also 15, is looking at engineering. He said: "My aim is to work for a multi-national company like Rolls-Royce or BMW. I've always had an interest in engineering and the teachers have helped me identify the skills I need to get into it.

"The activities have been really useful and I feel confident in what I'm doing. So many people are looking for jobs and it is good to have extra skills to put you ahead."

TREBLE-WINNING Nottingham Panthers are to auction off three special shirts to raise money in memory of the six Philpott children killed in a house fire.

The club will hold its traditional end-of-season shirt auction tonight at the National Ice Centre.

Three special shirts, including one Panthers jersey signed by NHL legend and multi-Stanley Cup winner Jari Kurri, will be sold off in aid of the Osmaston Community Association of Residents (OSCAR).

The group is raising money in memory of the children killed by their parents Mick and Mairead Philpott, and their friend Paul Mosley.

The trio were last week convicted and sentenced for the manslaughter of Jade Philpott, 10, Duwayne, 13, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, after starting a fire at the house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, on May 11, 2012.

Panthers' general manager Gary Moran said: "We were looking where we could put the money from the three charity auction shirts, and decided to send it to the community group which is raising money in memory of the kids.

"It's traditional in ice hockey to sell off game-worn and used shirts to fans, but we have three special ones. Jari Kurri is an NHL legend. He's the biggest ice hockey player to ever visit us in Nottingham."

Mr Kurri signed a shirt while a guest at the Panthers' game with Belfast Giants last year.

As well as that signed jersey, a Panthers warm-up shirt worn by NHL player Anthony Stewart, and a shirt from Italian side Asiago who Panthers played in pre-season last September, will also be auctioned.

Mr Moran said: "They are all very much collectors' items. They are shirts from the start of this season, which turned out to be the most successful in our history."

Panthers netminder Craig Kowalski and head coach Corey Neilson will help at the big shirt auction, which will take place in the arena's Bolero Suite from 7.30pm.

A host of other shirts will also be auctioned off in aid of the club.

They include the special red Panthers shirts worn in the second leg of the Challenge Cup Final against Sheffield Steelers last week.

Anyone who wants to leave a reserve bid should call the office with their details on 0115 941 3103 or e-mail info@panthers.co.uk.

DISABLED parking bays have been removed to make way for more ambulances at the Queen's Medical Centre's main entrance.

Fifteen bays for disabled motorists had previously been provided outside the hospital's main B Floor entrance, off Derby Road.

The number has now been reduced to four due to the creation of new ambulance parking bays and works currently being carried out to refurbish the antenatal unit.

The number of parking bays will increase to eight in the coming weeks once work on the unit has finished.

Paul Rolling encountered problems in finding a disabled parking space while visiting his parents in hospital on Wednesday.

Mr Rolling, 51, of Mapperley Park, who is registered disabled, said: "They originally had 15 disabled parking spaces at the main entrance and that's now been reduced.

"By virtue of it being a hospital, you're going to have a lot of disabled people or people with mobility issues.

"Additionally, the main disabled car park is always full, it is not situated near the entrance and is too far to walk to many wards and has no queuing procedure.

"I was there for 45 minutes trying to get a space. I would like to see somebody give it some thought and construct a multi-storey car park at the entrance where it is needed.

"It's a great hospital and they do a great job, but car parking needs to be better."

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the QMC, said disabled motorists can park for free in any available space at the B Floor car park, as well as at the dedicated disabled parking area at A Floor level.

Gary Tibbs, head of car parking and security at NUH, said: "The number of blue badge spaces at the main entrance of the QMC has been reduced while work is carried out on the antenatal clinic and to allow extra space for ambulance bays.

"Disabled drivers will still be offered a space in the main courtyard when available.

"In addition, we have 66 dedicated blue badge spaces a short distance from the main entrance."

PRELIMINARY work for a new supermarket in the city, which will create 350 jobs, has begun.

Vegetation was being cleared from a piece of land off Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, last week.

A new Sainsbury's supermarket is to be built on the site of the former Chateau pub.

Sainsbury's development executive, Robert Oxley, said: "We are in the process of tying up all the legal paperwork with the borough and county councils prior to announcing an official start-on-site date.

"Some necessary site management and tree felling works have recently been carried out, and further preliminary highways works are due to start in the summer with a view to delivering the store mid-2014.

"In the meantime we will keep residents updated on progress. We're looking forward to building this new store, which will create up to 350 full and part-time job opportunities, many of which would be ideal for local residents."

Rushcliffe Borough Council's development control committee granted the scheme approval in August last year.

Concerns were expressed about the impact the new store would have on existing shops in West Bridgford, the safety of pupils at the Becket School, and traffic problems in Wilford Lane.

Nottingham's new tram line to Clifton will cross Wilford Lane just yards from the site, while construction of an £8m surgery with five GP practices under one roof is also due to start in Wilford Lane this year.

Compton Acres borough councillor Gordon Wheeler, who opposed the plan, said: "The community is very concerned because it's not only a new Sainsbury's but also the tram, doctor's surgery, and there is also a planning application for a nursery school, all taking place in Wilford Lane. It's crazy.

"Sainsbury's has said there will be 10,000 car movements into the store. When you bear in mind it will share the same entrance as the Becket School, it cannot be right."

The Sainsbury's application was referred to the Secretary of State by the council but it wasn't called in.

To mitigate traffic issues, Sainsbury's has pledged to implement a number of improvements along Wilford Lane.

These include widening the pavement and having a dedicated turning lane into the Roko gym, which is on the other side of Wilford Lane from the Sainsbury's site.

The 50,000 sq ft store will be slightly bigger than the Castle Marina Sainsbury's, but smaller than the Asda in Loughborough Road, West Bridgford. It will open 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

A STAPLEFORD pub has been named one of the country's top real ale establishments, following a six-month transformation.

The Horse and Jockey, in Nottingham Road, is included in the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) latest list of the UK's Top 150 Local Real Ale Pubs.

The pub has also been named the Nottingham Camra Pub of the Year for 2013.

The accolades come after it was bought by new owners last August, and reopened following a refurb in October.

Manager Paul Guilford said: "We've completely renovated the pub around real ales.

"We had ten real ale hand pumps put in and turned it into a more old style, traditional pub. It was very much a bit of everything before.

"There were a lot of cheap lagers and the pub didn't really have a strong aim. There were a few regulars but not a hardcore.

"We're very busy now and have regulars coming from Stapleford and all around, like Beeston, Bramcote, Wollaton, Sandiacre, and Trowell. We even have people from Derby and Erewash coming in."

Mr Guilford, 46, has previously worked at The Johnson Arms in Abbey Street, Dunkirk, and at the Queen Adelaide in Windmill Lane, Sneinton.

He said the Horse and Jockey's new philosophy centred around its beers, and being part of the community.

"There's no music, no fruit machines, no pool table or darts board. It's all just about the real ales," Mr Guilford added.

"We offer a small snack menu of homemade cold rolls and hot sausage rolls from John Bodsworth's butchers in Bramcote Lane, Wollaton.

"It's not just about everyone coming in and drinking here – we want to get a community spirit going.

"We also organise brewery tours, as we've got 35 micro breweries within a 20-mile radius of the pub. We've found there are a lot of people who have not been out in Stapleford for such a long time because there was nothing like this there for them before."

From tomorrow, half of the pub's pumps will feature beers by Giltbrook-based Blue Monkey Brewery. They include Blue Monkey's beer Big Blue, which was declared the overall champion cask beer at the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival last year.

The Horse and Jockey also plans to hold an event on May 8 to celebrate being named Nottingham's Camra Pub of the Year.

Also featuring in Camra's list of the 150 best real ale pubs in the country – which was voted for by local branch members – was The Dewdrop Inn in Ilkeston, The Forest Lodge in Edwinstowe, The Devonshire Arms in South Normanton, and the Black Bulls Head in Belper.

Mike Benner, Camra's chief executive, commented: "These winning pubs have been voted the best in their local areas by the local Camra members.

"They are examples of the kind of well run and valued community pubs we hope to see more of throughout the UK."

LABOUR has its sights set on taking the big prize at the county elections next month.

Party leader Alan Rhodes is hopeful of wresting control of the council back from the Tories after four years and believes his party is on course for victory on May 2..

He says: "We realise that times are hard for people and we are clear in where our priorities are and how we will support them the best we can.

"We can deliver in these tough times and we have a fantastic range of candidates, including women and young people, to truly represent the people of the county.

"The coalition has put in place policies that are harmful to people and that are hitting those in welfare, vulnerable people and the disabled, and it's not right. People are looking for an alternative to that."

The party launched a set of election pledges on Monday with deputy leader of the party, MP Harriet Harman.

Ms Harman said she hoped Labour could "restore confidence" to people in the county.

She added: "People need to know their councils have strong leadership and will be on their side in tough times – and this is what Labour is proposing here. We have a strong team who have a clear idea what is important to people – looking after the elderly, jobs and employment."

Labour has released a six-point plan aimed at winning voters' hearts and see the party into the seats of power at County Hall.

It includes making jobs, skills and training a priority, building extra care housing for elderly residents and putting 20mph speed limits outside schools.

Mr Rhodes said: "Not only have we looked at these plans and made sure they are financially viable and properly costed, but we have also developed these pledges on the back of speaking to people and finding out what they would like to see."

Conservative Reg Adair said: "Any penny that Labour say they are going to spend, the question has to be asked about where they will get it from?

"Finances are tight, so where will this extra money come from? Will they be putting up tax? It's something they need to tell us."