ALFRETON Town boss Nicky Law will be spoilt for choice for this Saturday's home league game against high-flying AFC Telford United.

He will have the rare luxury of a full-strength squad to choose from as he welcomes influential midfield man Anton Brown back into his squad after a calf injury.

Law is also expecting striker Anthony Wilson to have shaken off a swollen knee which ruled him out of the 2-0 win over Gateshead in the FA Cup last weekend.

"We always have tough games against Telford, but it's like every game at this level. There are no easy ones," said Law.

"Yes they have only lost once away in the league so far and have done well with wins at Luton, Southport and Dartford, but it's all about what we do. It's all about us."

Law is considering sending more players out on loan.

"The majority of our substitutes have been on the bench for some time," he said.

"So we might have to look to get some of them out for no other reason than to get them some game time."

Alfreton's Blue Square Bet Premier Division League game at Hyde FC next Tuesday (Oct 30) has been moved to November 20 (7.45pm).

Former Radford boss Paul Rawden has joined the management team at Lincoln Moorlands.

Dean Labbate has gone with him, along with three former Arnold Town players.

Football: Notts County will be turning Meadow Lane into a giant outdoor cinema on Friday, November 30, to hold a special one-off screening of 'Notts County The Movie'.

It is a feature-length look at the history of the Magpies.

A 12m wide inflatable screen will be erected on the pitch at Meadow Lane in front of the Derek Pavis Stand, from where supporters will be able to look back on the club's 150-year history.

Tickets for the event, which cost £5, will go on sale this week from the ticket office at Meadow Lane.

Fans can call the ticket office on 0115 9557210 or get tickets online at www.nottscountydirect.co.uk

Doors will open at 6pm and the screening will start at 7.30pm.

Premier seating in the padded executive area of the Derek Pavis Stand are also available at £7.50, which includes a car parking space for every two tickets bought.

For more information or to book, contact the club's commercial team on 0115 9557241.

"This is a truly unique event, which we felt was the ideal way to further extend our 150th anniversary celebrations to our entire supporter base, as well as the general public, to give them an insight into our history," the club said.

A 'Match of Legends' is also planned for next month as Notts continue to celebrate 150 years.

MORE than 100 homes for the elderly are set to be built in Eastwood in a development costing more than £20 million.

Notts County Council is set to invest £2.1 million in the project to build 140 one and two-bedroom apartments on derelict land in Walker Street.

A consortium of businesses is also expected to make a combined £19.2 million investment in the project.

The homes will allow elderly people to be independent but with an on-site care worker available around the clock.

Developers Kier Construction and Ashley House are set to be appointed to build the homes.

A council spokesman said: "Residents will have their own front door and can meet friends, family and visitors in the communal areas.

"The new development will have a café, hairdressing salon, well-being clinic, fitness room, library and IT studio.

"They may have falls clinics and links to other health services such as chiropody."

Mayor of Eastwood Brian Griffin, 75, welcomed the news.

He said: "Anything which will make up the losses we have seen in care for the elderly is a good thing.

"A lot of people in the town couldn't understand when a care home in the town was sold off and demolished.

"We have a lot more elderly people than we used to so they need looking after."

The county council has been criticised for cutting £65 million from its adult and social care budget over a period of four years.

Eastwood resident Geoff Lomas, 82, of Blackthorn Drive, said: "From a personal point of view, I am fairly active at the moment but I often wonder about how things will be in a few years. It's comforting to know things are being planned for the future."

The new development would be similar to Hilton Grange, in West Bridgford, and Moorfield Court, in Southwell.

Another 93 apartments are set to be built in a development in Retford.

Councillor Kevin Rostance, chairman of the county council's adult services and health committee, said: "Appointing the consortium to build the first phase of our ambitious extra care housing project is a landmark event.

"The plans will significantly improve the quality and choice of properties available to older people in the county."

CHARITIES in the county are struggling to cope with demand for help from people in debt.

A report reveals that Notts Citizens Advice Bureaux has handled cases involving around £40 million of new debt in the past six months.

And 45 per cent of cases the organisation handles are debt-related.

It believes the problem is getting worse.

Sue Maslowska, district manager for Broxtowe Citizens Advice Bureau, is concerned about the amount of calls it is receiving.

She said: "In terms of demands on the service, across the board, demand exceeds the resource available."

She added: "All services are worried about how we are going to cope with the increase in demand. We can only handle about ten per cent of the telephone cases we receive.

"Every day we are seeing people with debt. In the last year, we have seen a massive rise in people who we have to refer to get food parcels. We are amazed by how many people haven't got enough money for food."

The organisation recently conducted a survey of people it had helped.

Of the 150 returns, two said they may have committed suicide without the CAB's help.

Carlo Borghisani, centre manager of Trent Debt Advice, agreed that the problem was getting worse.

He said: "We are seeing more and more people and it's only going to get worse.

"We see people with a lot of debt and we try to help them. Payday loans are increasing and will become a bigger problem.

"It's worrying if the wrong people are being given credit.

"People will and can get hold of money any way they can. It's very easy to borrow."

OVERGROWN trees blocking street lights will result in an increase in crime if action is not taken, residents fear.

People living in Skylark Drive are calling for something to be done after trees and bushes completely covered street lights along a nearby bridle path.

The lights were installed on the Skylark Drive bridleway in 2006 after a seven-year campaign.

Now, residents say they are useless and believe Nottingham City Council should be responsible for maintaining the pathway, which leads to a park and is used frequently by dog-walkers.

Neighbourhood Watch officer Iris Busley, 65, fears that if nothing is done, there will be an increase in crime or an accident. She says she has contacted the city council a number of times about the problem but it has not sent anyone out to clear the path. "It took us seven years to get the lighting up and now the trees are overtaking it," she said.

"One of my neighbours has been up a ladder and tried to cut some of the branches but we don't have the right equipment and I just think it's disgusting.

"If we get a bad winter, some of the branches are going to fall down and they could fall on to someone walking by, on to a car or even on to a house and someone could be seriously hurts.

"It's a burglars' and muggers' paradise down there at the moment and it's only going to get worse."

Residents want the council to set up a long-term contract for maintenance of the pathway. Barbara Taylor, 59, who also lives in Skylark Drive, uses the walkway during the day but no longer uses it in the dark.

"It is a problem because the trees are so overgrown that the street lights are completely blocked," she said. "I wouldn't go down there at night like it is at the moment, I'd feel too scared being there."

Patrick Edwards, 75, said: "It is so dark down there, you just can't see anything. We've reported it so many times but nothing is getting done.

"It's a mess. One of these days someone will be attacked or killed and then they will have to do something."

Basford councillor Cat Arnold said: "I'm not sure if this is council land. I will look at it and take action if it is. If not, there's not a lot we can do."

COMMUNITY cafés are leading the way in making healthy and tasty food on a budget.

The Peek A Boo Café, in Robin Hood Chase, St Ann's, provides hot meals for local children for just £1. It also runs cookery classes for them.

The Secret Kitchen Café, in Sneinton, is also feeding people healthy meals at a good price.

Karen Green, 43, set up Peek A Boo in memory of her nephew Kasseam Chatterie, known as Boo, who died from cancer last August aged 21. The café is run Monday to Friday by volunteers. It is also planning a Christmas meal for over-60s.

Ms Green said: "Money's tight, the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. It's important that the community pull together and help those who can't afford to eat. The café is a place where people get together, have a chat and, most importantly, sit and eat."

Both Ms Green and Marsha Smith, who runs the Secret Kitchen Café, have given the thumbs-up to the Post's Five Tons of Tins campaign.

We aim to collect the tins by Christmas and they will be donated to food banks for hard-up families.

We are placing collection boxes in schools, churches, other organisations and businesses.

When the box is full of tins, you are asked to take it to your nearest food bank, a list of which is included with the collection box. Miss Smith, 37, set up her café in Trent Road, Sneinton, in October last year to give local people healthy lunches and brunches, as well as educating them about how to make the food in their cupboards go further.

"It is diabolical that there are children going hungry in our city," she said.

"Part of the explanation is that people have lost that sense of making the most of everything they have and don't know how they can use the foods they do have wisely.

"At the café, which runs out of St Christopher's Church Hall every Thursday and Friday from 11am to 2pm, I make nutritious vegetarian meals cheaply. I don't offer a menu but make one hot dish per day for £3.50, so people who come know that the food they're eating is fresh and hasn't been stored in the fridge all week.

"If families were to make one big pot of food and all get together to eat that, it would be a lot cheaper and it brings people together. I'm very passionate about this and I have a lot of initiatives in the pipeline to educate people about cooking on a budget and food poverty.

"I know that £10 can feed two children healthily for five hot meals a week, but it is just getting that culture back into our society. It's that simple: buy fresh foods and make a big pot of food that will serve the family."

To get involved in our campaign and help us reach our Five Tons of Tins target, call Emily Winsor on 0115 9051951 or e-mail emily.winsor@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk .

If you've been helped by a food bank or volunteer at one, we'd like to hear your story. Contact Emily on the number above.

WITHIN ten to 15 years, learning and teaching environments will be completely paperless, leading lecturers at the University of Nottingham have predicted.

Professor Roger Murphy, of the School of Education, said he had seen a trend towards digital note-taking over the last ten years.

"What's noticeable," he said, "is that the students use handwriting for all their exams, but there are reports of students getting pain in their arms because they're not used to writing any more.

"It's a phenomenon that has increased over the last ten years.

"I think we will move away from handwritten exams. And I would say in about 15 years, there won't be any paper in schools and universities.

"We should be careful not to go so fast that people who can't afford a laptop or a tablet are not at a serious disadvantage. But on the whole I am very positive about this, because we can save a lot of money by downloading information electronically."

Steven Fielding, professor of political history at the university's Faculty of Social Sciences, said: "At least half of my students bring in their laptops or tablets routinely to lectures.

"I reckon it'll be no more than ten years before we will be a nearly paperless society.

"Maybe soon people will no longer hold pens. But, 300 years ago, everyone used quills and I can't use a quill now. So, I don't think this is anything to get hung up on."

Mr Fielding is embracing the current online trend by posting useful links on Twitter by using "#" with a module number to encourage a discussion and also to share information.

The university's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science sees its students through the course without using a single print-out.

Deputy head of the school Professor Malcolm Cobb said that since it opened in 2006, students had been given laptops on lease, with lecture material available online.

Jon Huxley, associate professor of farm animal production medicine at the school, said: "We took the decision to go paperless, because this is the way things are going to go and it seemed odd to start with paper when eventually everything is going to be paper-free."

Digital note-taking is also proving popular in the catering industry.

The waiters at city centre restaurant Le Bistrot Pierre, in Milton Street, take customer orders on a handheld computer.

Restaurant manager Paul Warner said the computerised system saved staff half the time.

"It's also really useful because often our chefs can't read the waiters' handwriting," he added.

Wagamama, in the Cornerhouse, uses a similar system.

More and more councillors are also using digital means to do business.

Bassetlaw District Council expects to save more than £71,000 per year with the introduction of paperless meetings and iPads.

The council's paperless-meetings pilot began in September 2011, initially with a core of six councillors and four officers – and in the first six months saved £20,000.

The pilot was originally planned to last for six months, but was extended at last month's cabinet meeting.

Out of 48 councillors, 33 have registered an interest in using iPads for paperless meetings, six have rejected the idea and nine will make a decision by tomorrow. Councillor Ian Campbell, chairman of the IT and access sub-committee, said iPads were also useful for accessing maps when considering planning issues.

What's your view? Tweet me @WinniePonderosa using #paperless or call me on 0115 905 1963.

BRIAN Neary, 56, of Gedney Avenue, St Ann's, was fined £600 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He failed to provide information to police about the identity of the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa. The case was proved in his absence at court this month. His licence will be endorsed with six points.

THE case against Arnas Miskinis, 24, of Serlby Rise, St Ann's, was proved in his absence at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He was accused of not providing police with information about the identification of the driver of a Mercedes E200. The driver was allegedly guilty of a traffic offence. The case against him was adjourned until November 7, when a driving ban will be considered.

RAYMOND Parkin, 62, of Burns Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, was fined £600 for not giving police information about the identity of the driver of a Citroen Xsara. The case was proved in his absence at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. Six points will be added to his licence. He is required to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and court costs of £85.

SHINGIRAI Tongoona, 34, of Longdale Road, Daybrook, was fined £600 for a traffic offence. Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard he failed to provide information relating to the identity of the driver of a Ford Mondeo. The driver was allegedly guilty of a traffic offence. The case was proved in Tongoona's absence. He is also required to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs. His licence will be endorsed with six points.

ROBERT Vance, 40, of Harpole Walk, Arnold, was fined £600 for failing to give information to police about the identity of the driver of a Suzuki Swift. The case was proved in his absence at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He is required to pay a £15 victim surcharge and costs of £85. His driving licence will be endorsed with six points.

JONATHAN Bancroft, 23, of St Albans Road, Bulwell, has been fined £110 for driving without insurance. He pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates' Court to driving a Vauxhall Astra without insurance in St Ann's on October 18 last year. He was disqualified from driving for six months. As well as the fine, he has to pay a victim surcharge of £15.

COACH Corey Neilson will have big decisions to make this weekend as Nottingham Panthers embark on a three-games-in-three-days road trip to Scotland.

But primarily, he will be hoping some spark will be brought back to their fading powerplay with the potential return of two key players.

With skipper Jordan Fox likely to be fit again after a knee injury, it means another import will have to drop out to make way for the American-born skipper.

British playmaker Jonathan Weaver, who has missed the last eight games with a broken hand, is also expected to return.

Neilson said: "We've got a pretty good number of players and that will allow me to make different rotations for the different challenges ahead.

"It's a tough run of games so we will see who is up for it."

Having back two of his powerplay experts in Fox and Weaver will be a relief for Neilson, another specialist, who is still struggling with a knee injury sustained over a month ago.

The special teams have performed miserably following the injury problems that have hit the side, in particular to Neilson himself.

Tomorrow, Panthers face Braehead, followed by Edinburgh on Saturday and Fife on Sunday – all league games against teams from the supposedly 'weaker' conference.

And if that schedule wasn't tough enough, they return to face Edinburgh at the National Ice Centre on Tuesday to complete four games in five days.

But if Panthers' fading powerplay doesn't improve dramatically, they will struggle to break a three-game losing stretch on the road.

For example, before Neilson's injury, sustained in the second period of their 6-5 overtime Challenge Cup defeat to Cardiff on September 23, Panthers' powerplay scoring ratio was a respectable 20.5 per cent.

The player-coach may be in the twilight of his career, but his importance to the side is emphasised by the fact he assisted on three of those six powerplay goals scored from the start of the season.

Since his injury, that figure has dropped markedly to a dreadful 11.4 per cent, with Panthers scoring just four times from 35 opportunities with the man advantage.

In their last three narrow away defeats – in Belfast, Coventry and Cardiff – they have a woeful record of no goals from 15 powerplays.

The outcome in all three games against their big rivals could have been very different had they converted just one of the five powerplay chances that came their way in each game.

"Taking away three of our top five most offensive guys on the powerplay is a big loss for us," Neilson said.

"Realistically, we can't afford to lose games against teams from the other conference so we have to get that powerplay working again.

"If we don't score in those situations it puts us under pressure, as we have seen in our last two road games in Coventry and Cardiff – games that were perfectly winnable."

A NEW social housing development could be built near Arnold.

If council permission is given, 23 houses will be built off Rosecroft Drive, Daybrook.

They would be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and would have 35 car parking spaces. Leicester-based Asra Housing Group has submitted plans for the homes to Nottingham City Council.

The proposals have drawn a mixed response from neighbours.

Sue Barnett, 67, retired, of Cross Street, has welcomed them.

"It wouldn't be bad at all," she said. "Any new development near Arnold is good. The town needs something new around, whatever it is."

But Keeley Doughty, 32, of Church Crescent, raised concerns. "I don't think amenities in the area could cope," she said. "Our schools are over-run as it is, and so are the doctors.

"I am proposing secondary schools for my daughter, Sophie, who is ten, at the moment and I have found out that at the three local schools there are 553 applications for 200 spaces. Social housing usually comes with children. I think people coming into the area will put an additional strain on this.

"And the other amenities won't be able to cope. We have enough supermarkets in Arnold but we were waiting for a doctor's appointment for 40 minutes the other day.

"A social housing development also begs the question whether there will be an increase in anti-social behaviour. Arnold town centre is already a bit scary. I don't go there after 7pm."

Mrs Doughty also said the development could drive down the price of properties.

An Asra spokesman said: "This site was brought forward in conjunction with Nottingham City Council to address the lack of affordable homes in the area. As part of the planning process, highways and education will be consulted to ensure that they are satisfied that the new residents do not create excess strain on services.

"We have further held an event as part of the consultation for local residents to comment on the proposed designs. There will be an opportunity for residents affected by the development to submit their concerns to the planning department.

"The new homes will be built to a high environmental specification which will help to tackle fuel poverty by bringing down energy bills."

A document submitted to the council in support of the plans says the scheme would "function well and add to the overall quality of the area – not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development, respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surroundings".

The document says the design is "modern" with "a contemporary flavour".

What do you think? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

A PIONEERING robot which helps police in Notts with underwater searches could be forced to move away from its base.

The SARbot contains a sonar and an electronic grabbing arm which helps to find people and pull them out of the water.

It is based at Trent Lock and has been used by Notts and Derbyshire police, as well as forces further afield.

It has also been used in Wales in the search for missing schoolgirl April Jones.

The robot was developed by retired Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service officer Duncan Winsbury.

But yesterday he warned that a cash crisis meant it could be forced to move from its Sawley base.

The unit, which relies on donations, has been using a Waterways Trust building for free since August but this was only a temporary arrangement and it now needs to find about £2,000 a month to sign an official lease with the trust by the end of the month.

Mr Winsbury said: "People are doing all they can but it's not looking promising. We are providing a response service right now but the most likely place we would go to after the end of the month is the West Midlands. We'd rather have a response based here and are desperate to stay because the location is so good."

The SARbot, or Search and Rescue Robot system, is designed to help 999 services quickly locate and pull people from deep water within a 90-minute window, in which it is possible they can still be resuscitated before damage is caused to the brain. It can also be used to help police search for bodies.

Mr Winsbury, 49, who lives in Sawley, said the response from the public had been "phenomenal" since the service was officially launched last month.

He said: "If we had the funding, we could provide a rescue team in nearly every area of the UK because we've been contacted by volunteers who want to help, from police, ambulance services and the RNLI. We've been getting one-off amounts but need regular income.

"We are asking the Government for funding and have got MPs working on that for us but we've got no response yet."

Sergeant Nick Sawdon, a dive supervisor with Notts Police underwater search unit, said: "It would be a shame to see it move. There's certainly a chance it could save someone's life."

To donate to the unit, visit www.sarbot.co.uk.

NOTTS County don't need to go and splash big money on a 20-goal striker – they already have one in Yoann Arquin.

That is the view of his team-mate Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who believes the young French striker can fire the Magpies into the Championship.

No-one knew anything about the Le Havre-born hitman, 24, when Notts signed him in the summer because he'd only spent one season in English Football – and that was at Hereford, who were relegated from League Two into non-league.

But he has quickly made a name for himself at Meadow Lane and is the Magpies' leading scorer with five goals in 11 league games.

After scoring on his League One debut at Crewe, Arquin struck a double against Portsmouth and has netted in the last two games, against Coventry City and Bournemouth.

And, while Notts continue to chase ex-Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell, Campbell-Ryce raves about him.

"Every team wants a striker who can score 15 to 20 goals in a season and I think we have that in Yoann," he said.

"He has already proved he can score goals at this level and I've told him he can play even higher because he's a young boy and he's only going to get better.

"He's definitely got all the attributes and the ability to help us march on and march on himself.

"He's doing the business for us at the moment and I hope he continues.

"We just need to keep encouraging him because he gets down on himself a little bit."

Magpies' boss Keith Curle is also delighted with Arquin's big impact at Meadow Lane – and thinks he is gaining in confidence with every game.

Arquin is in such good form he is keeping fans' hero Lee Hughes on the subs' bench.

"He's got five and in my mind he's got at least another 11 goals to go," he said.

"I haven't told him that – but I think he can do it.

"Any centre forward who scores more than 15 goals a season has done well so his target is 16."

SAVINGS of £232,000 are expected to be made if two sets of infant and junior schools are merged to become primaries.

Nottingham City Council is consulting over plans to merge Seely Infant and Nursery School with Seely Junior School, both in Perry Street, Sherwood. It is also seeking views on the merger of Berridge Infant and Nursery School and Berridge Junior School in Forest Fields.

The council wants to make the changes in a restructure to improve schooling standards.

But it is feared the move could result in redundancies.

Councillor David Mellen, portfolio holder for children's services, said: "If approved, there may be changes to the staffing arrangements but these will be determined by the temporary governing bodies."

The Seely sites, which are next door to each other, would house the new primary school, which children would attend from nursery until the end of year six.

Up to 15 new school places could be created. The council says the merger would have a number of benefits.

A spokesman said: "The leadership arrangements at Seely Junior School have been unsettled for the past two years and it is believed the creation of a through primary school would provide more stability.

"The creation of a through primary school with joint leadership would also have a stabilising effect on the Seely schools, minimising the number of pupils who attend Seely Infant School but then move on to neighbouring Haydn Primary."

If the consultation supports the proposals, Sherwood's new primary school will open in September 2013.

Parents of pupils at the Berridge schools are also being asked for their views on whether the two sites should become a primary school.

If both proposals go head the city council's schools budget is expected to decrease by £232,000 annually.

To take part in the consultation, write to The School Organisation Team, Box LH6, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG. Alternatively, see http://gossweb.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/survey/seely/berridge.htm

SEAN O'Driscoll will bring an as yet unnamed out-of-contract defender to Nottingham Forest on trial – and look for potential loan signings – as he tries to avoid having to deal with one of the main issues that plagued his predecessors.

The Reds boss does not want to be forced to put 'square pegs in round holes' as he faces a potential injury crisis in the centre of defence.

Daniel Ayala has been troubled with a hamstring injury and was substituted during the draw with Blackpool on Tuesday.

On top of that, Greg Halford is on the brink of a suspension, having picked up four bookings, Sam Hutchinson's loan from Chelsea may be brought to an end in January as he struggles to shake off a persistent knee problem and highly-rated youngster Jamaal Lascelles is sidelined with bone bruising.

O'Driscoll was part of the coaching staff last season when Steve Cotterill frequently had players playing out of position, while it was also a regular lament from another former manager, Billy Davies.

And O'Driscoll is determined to avoid suffering the same problems, saying: "Hopefully we can avoid that. We have to do something. There is the possibility of making loan signings, but we also have somebody coming in on trial on Monday.

"He is someone the club has scouted in the past, who they have looked at before and who is out of contract now. So it would not be an issue if we wanted to sign him, because he is a free agent.

"We have a massive problem there now, because Greg is on four bookings. If Daniel is going to be out for any length of time, we are going to have to get someone in on loan.

"We lost Daniel to injury in the first half at Blackpool and even Greg went down in the second half with a shoulder problem.

"We were left thinking what we could do if Greg had been forced to come off.

"We would have put Chris Cohen at right-back and pushed Brendan Moloney into the centre of defence.

"We have done that kind of thing in the past, which is OK. But you don't really want to start games like that. A club of this size should not be doing that.

"You have to go down that route sometimes, you sometimes find yourself in that situation – and Steve had to do it quite a bit last season."

With Hutchinson having struggled for fitness for several weeks now, O'Driscoll felt the defensive area might be an issue in the future. But he did not want to bring in another player on loan when only five are allowed in a match day squad at a time.

"We do lack a little cover there. But I did not want to have six loan players," he said.

"Sam is not going to be fit for some time.

"We should have a definitive answer on that by the end of the week, when it comes to how long it might be.

"We are trying to work through it, because he is desperate to stay and desperate to play and we want him here.

"On top of that, Jamaal has bone bruising still and, when you are his age, you don't want to rush young players back when they have something like that."

A NOTTINGHAM publisher will print a new edition of a largely forgotten Alan Sillitoe novel.

The reprint of The Open Door will be launched at Nottingham Contemporary on Saturday as part of Alan Sillitoe Day.

A stage version of Sillitoe's short story The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner is being staged this week at Nottingham Playhouse, while Saturday's book launch comes as part of a day and night of events at Nottingham Contemporary celebrating his work.

In November, Djanogly Art Gallery, at Lakeside Arts Centre, will stage an exhibition of photography based around Saturday Night And Sunday Morning. Shirley Anne Field, who co-starred as Doreen in the celebrated 1960 film version, will open the exhibition.

Alan Sillitoe's son David, who is one of the people behind Alan Sillitoe Day and the push to get him a permanent memorial in the city, said it was important for Nottingham to remember his father and make something of a literary tradition that includes him, Byron and Lawrence.

"If that's not a fantastic literary heritage for a city, I don't know what is," he said.

"It just seems the time is right for a reappraisal.

"It takes a lot to get it going. All these things are fantastic, but they are from people who are working really hard to generate them.

"We need the support of the people. It's a big ask."

For Nottingham-based publishers Five Leaves, a new edition of The Open Door was a new spin on a company tradition.

"Every year we publish a nice hardback edition of a forgotten book by a Nottingham writer," editor Ross Bradshaw said.

"Although Alan Sillitoe is hardly a forgotten writer, that particular book seems to get a bit lost.

"It's an important novel because it's a bit autobiographical. It's part of the Seaton trilogy but it takes the story back a bit further."

Its protagonist is Brian Seaton, Arthur's older brother. And it follows his return, sick with tuberculosis, from Malaya and military service in 1949. It's worth noting that Alan Sillitoe also left Malaya and the services in 1949, ill with tuberculosis.

"There's this working-class lad who's pitched back up in Nottingham and who doesn't feel quite as comfortable at home as he used to and starts to meet other writers," Mr Bradshaw said of the autobiographical book.

A YOUNG Notts photographer has been getting up close and personal with wildlife for a new BBC series.

Jack Perk's underwater snaps of fish are set to put Nottingham on the map for its natural habitats.

The majority of his pictures have been shot in the area, with his favourite spots being Colwick Park and Fairham Brook, near Clifton.

"I have enjoyed natural history since I was a child and always loved going to playing fields and looking at all the bugs," said the 21-year-old, of Brookthorpe Way, Silverdale.

"When you leave school, most people don't know what to do – I enjoyed taking photographs on holiday and just thought 'why not?'"

The new BBC series, Seasons, covers a variety of natural environments in the country during the different seasons of the year and will be aired next year.

Jack uses a special underwater camera to capture images of a variety of fish, including chub and gudgeon as well as photographing deer, swans and rare birds.

Jack studied photography at South Nottingham College, in West Bridgford, before pursuing a photography degree at University College, Falmouth.

He was shortlisted for the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award while at college, for a photo of an angel shark taken on holiday in Lanzarote.

He said: "South Notts was a really good course. It gets you on your way. The nomination made me think I could actually do something.

"None of my family are really interested in photography, it's just something that I have found on my own."

Speaking about getting his work on TV, Jack said: "I was very proud of it. It felt great.

"I was over the moon. It's highlighting wildlife in Nottingham and its great for me to get in with the BBC."

Jack added: "Fish are an underrated subject. I used to go fishing with my grandad when I was a little boy and I still go with him now sometimes.

"There are not many people that do underwater filming in rivers like I do; I get unusual photos that people really like."

Jack said he was absolutely meticulous about his work.

"You go out and try to have a plan. For example, I might want to get a kingfisher on a branch with a sunset background.

"When it all comes together, its a great achievement.

"I like recording their behaviour and then we can understand it – its very important."

Jack's latest project will also highlight wildlife in Nottinghamshire.

The young photographer will be looking at the disappearance of the United Kingdom's tiniest fish, minnows and bullheads, taking pictures in the River Trent and other areas in the East Midlands.

The project is funded by National Geographic, which hands out grants to young nature-lovers to produce new research in uncovered areas.

Jack said the issue had barely been covered because the fish were too small to eat or fish for and therefore few people paid attention to them.

Erin McDaid, spokesman for Notts Wildlife Trust, said the quality of Jack's work and perseverance was great.

He added: "It's really important to highlight the area. Many of us are guilty of popping to Derbyshire, but we've got plentiful wildlife on our doorstep and Jack's work can promote it.

"There is a huge variety of wildlife in the county – everything from orchids to rare birds.

"We've got woodland and ancient meadows and some of the most important lowland heath sites in Europe.

"We still have a healthy population of water voles in Nottinghamshire, whereas Devon and Cornwall don't have any."

For more information, go to www.jackperksphotography.co.uk

NOTTINGHAM Panthers players caused a stir in the city as they donned firemen outfits and posed atop a fire engine in a topless photo shoot for their 2013 calendar.

The team, including players David Clarke, Matthew Myers and Josh Ward, all took part in the photo session for their annual "beefcake calendar", which they hope will be a big hit with fans.

"We must have done the calendar for the past five or six years at least," said winger David, 31. "We like doing it because people get to have a few laughs. We don't take ourselves too seriously."

Team manager Gary Moran directed the shoot, instructing the lads to take their tops off as they posed for the Panthers' official photographer, Katie Chadburn.

Centre-man Matthew Myers – who was last year's Mr August – was one of the first up to pose in Bolero Square, outside the National Ice Centre.

Previous photo shoots had taken place in private, so he was surprised to be so out in the open.

"I didn't quite realise we'd be doing topless shots on the Square! I don't mind really, though," said Matthew, 27.

"Last year, I was on month number eight in the calendar but number one in the fans' hearts. This year I'd like to be Mr February for Valentine's Day."

Although it's optional for the boys to take part, Gary finds they are more than willing to disrobe.

He said: "They all stand there and say, 'no I don't want to do this' and then when it's finished they're saying, 'can I do it again?'

"You sometimes get the married ones saying, 'I don't want to do that in case my wife tells me off' but I always tell them to say, 'Gary says I have to'."

Previous photo shoots have taken place in a smoky studio, a gym and changing rooms, but for 2013 they decided to choose the firemen theme for a bit of fun.

The boys admit they might give a copy of the calendar to their mum or girlfriends but it won't be going up in the dressing room. "We have a quick look at it but then it gets hidden away just in case any friends or former team mates get a look at it," said David.

The beefcake calendar became a regular event after it proved popular with a certain section of their fans a few years ago.

Gary said: "The girl fans loved it and snapped it up but the boys complained that they didn't like it, so the next year we did an action calendar and the girl fans had a riot almost.

"The female fans like the beefcake one but I'm not sure the men want to see them with their shirts off."

This year, to keep everyone happy, they're again releasing a double-sided version with action shots on one side and the "beefcakes" on the other.

Gary now has the job of editing the pictures and choosing which players make the cut before the calendar goes on sale at the National Ice Centre just in time for Christmas.

Its release date and price have still to be decided, with money going to support the club .

STEPHEN Green has always refused to let Down's syndrome get in the way of his dreams.

Now, that determination has seen him realise his latest ambition – to become a parish councillor for his village.

Mr Green, 47, of Cedarland Crescent, Nuthall, previously made the headlines for learning to read music and performing his first piano recital in Kimberley.

He was elected as member of Nuthall Parish Council following a by-election held last week after his predecessor, Councillor Paul Simpson, stepped down.

It was the second time Mr Green had stood for election on to the council, having previously done so about eight years ago.

He was alerted about the possibility of the role by his father.

It was an opportunity which Mr Green relished.

He said: "I want to help other people in the community I've grown up and lived in all my life.

"I stood before at the election so I'm very pleased to be councillor now.

"There will be some challenges but I've got a good support network around me."

His father, Grenville Green, who is also Stephen's carer, said he believed his son could be one of the first people with Down's syndrome in the country to become a parish councillor.

He put his name forward for the East Ward position on the parish council last week.

The election was due to take place last Thursday but, as nobody else stood against him, he was declared councillor on Friday.

His father said: "It's a big achievement for Stephen.

"I'm ecstatic; he lost his mum when he was 28. It's not been an easy ride.

"I got so much enjoyment out of his achievements. He was willing to fight this election. I was a bit disappointed nobody put up, to be honest, because it would have proved a point.

"He's got a lot to offer Nuthall; he can teach people manners and how to behave in public."

Liz Silver, of the Notts Disabled People's Movement, said: "It's great news, I hope he enjoys it.

"I think generally disabled people do have concerns about discrimination and stereotyping; it affects some people more than others."

POLICE are appealing for information after a sex attack on a woman in Nottingham.

A man approached the 42-year-old victim in Balmoral Road in the early hours of Sunday, July 8. After a conversation, the two walked off together towards the Arboretum.

Once in Arthur Street, the man became violent and dragged the woman to a residents' car park nearby, just past the junction with Waverley Street, where he sexually assaulted her. He fled after being disturbed by a member of the public.

Police have only just revealed details after inquiries failed to lead them to him.

They believe a man seen at the tram stop at the top of Waverley Street after the assault could have vital information about the attack, which happened at around 12.50am.

The man is white, 5ft 8in, aged between 30 and 40 and stocky. He had short blond or brown hair and wore a white T-shirt.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy was last night seriously ill after an accident in a city centre store.

It is believed the child fell from an escalator in Primark, in Long Row.

One witness described seeing him fall from "one floor to another" but the store said it could not confirm how far he fell.

Dozens of shoppers were evacuated from the store after the accident, which happened at around 2pm yesterday, and the store remained closed for the rest of the day.

A woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I saw him fall from one floor to another and he landed on some clothes rails. It was awful."

Another shopper said: "I could clearly see one woman sat on the floor, screaming and crying."

An ambulance service spokesman said the boy was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre with head injuries. A hospital spokesman said the boy was last night in the children's intensive care unit.

Nottingham City Council's health and safety officers launched an investigation.

A Primark spokesman said: "Primark's Nottingham store closed early following an incident in the store. The safety of our customers in our stores is of paramount concern to us. We are now working with the relevant authorities to investigate this incident."

A city council spokesman said: "We have been notified of an accident at Primark and, as health and safety in retail premises is overseen by councils, our health and safety officers are investigating the circumstances. We are unable to say anything further at this stage."

The Post asked if the council was investigating health and safety at other city stores but it failed to respond.

Did you witness the accident? Call our newsdesk on 0115 948200.