FOR Simon Hardcastle, nursing is not just a service provided in hospitals.

The team leader at the children's and community service at Nottingham's Children's Hospital knows the positive impact that caring for people in their homes can have.

The service allows children and young people to be cared for in comfort at home rather than have to spend a long time in hospital.

And Simon, whose role is in the "CARIN 4 Families" project, said: "For parents, they feel more relaxed because their children are being cared for by people who are competent to care for them, their children feel safer in their own home and parents are more relaxed because their children are happier."

He added: "It's helping them get back to that family life. Families can get back to being families and parents get back to being parents rather than nurses."

The service, which includes around 15 nurses, family support workers to be able to provide care in children's homes.

"Years ago, children who had problems with their breathing would have spent up to a year or two in hospital – they didn't have the people or the services to care for that child's health needs – we can go out and provide that.

"It make an amazing difference to the lives of the families."

The nurses deal with a range of illnesses or conditions from people with tracheotomies to those with epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

For Simon, the reasons for doing the job are simple.

"I've only recently joined the team, in September last year, for me it was an opportunity to develop my skills," he said.

And he went on: "My passion has been working with children with complex health needs. It's seeing children in their own home environment and knowing they are cared for.

And the Post's nurse of the year competition is something that Simon feels is truly worthwhile.

"It's really important that the public get to see real nursing at its best and it's one way of getting people to see that," he said.

Simon is just one of many nurses in Notts who excel in their job.

This week and next, we will be highlighting the work done in our hospitals by telling the stories of our nurses.

The Post's Nurse of the Year competition, which was launched on Monday, April 22, aims to reward those caring staff who go above and beyond in their roles.

Nomination forms and details of the competition can be found on Page 34 of today's Post.

RADI Majewski admits it is hard to explain how Nottingham Forest have gone six matches without a win.

But the upbeat Polish international says all that matters is getting back to the form which helped the Reds to win six games in a row before their recent stutter in form.

Forest head to Millwall today knowing that they need three points if they are to have any hope of securing a top-six finish.

Majewski says there is little point dwelling on where things have gone wrong in recent weeks – and insists Billy Davies' side must instead just focus on rediscovering their best performance levels.

"It is strange (the recent run without a win), but that is football. It is tough to explain," said Majewski.

"It is difficult to explain how or why we won six games in a row just after we had lost to Bristol City.

"After winning those six games, we drew against Brighton and somebody said a good word to me; a good way of explaining things. They said that we had a little 'cough'.

"It is so difficult to explain. We are doing the same things as we were doing when we were on a roll.

"We are doing the same things, we are confident.

"We just feel we have been unfortunate in the last few games.

"It is difficult to explain why we have lost points and also why we have won some games. We can still put ourselves into the top six, we just have to look forward to the Millwall game.

"We will worry about everything else once we have got that win against Millwall, hopefully."

Majewski says Forest must just make sure they find their form now, when it matters most, in the final two games against Millwall and Leicester City. Forest know they need to win both games if they are to return to the top six.

"All we can worry about is doing the things that have made us good in the past," he said.

"We want to put ourselves back into the top six and we know we can do that if we win the next two games."

RESIDENTS who fear that their neighbourhood park is destined to be destroyed have slammed a college for its "underhand" behaviour,

Stockhill and Ladbrooke Tenants' and Residents' Association fears that New College Nottingham and Nottingham City Council could swap land in Old Basford.

If the plans go ahead, Stockhill Lane Park and the neighbouring bowling pavilion and tennis courts would be built on by the college.

Association chairman Angela Cairns, 52, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: "There's not many green spaces left and I think if we can preserve it as long as possible then we should, It's always been a community facility and it's a valuable asset for people to enjoy, especially when the weather is nice during the summer.

"Our goal has always been to get the bowling pavilion back to a usable state and put on a lot more activities and we have been waiting for about a year for anything to happen."

Keith Simpson, of Winrow Gardens, said he was going to write to his MP.

He added: "Not only have Basford Hall College caused us a lot of parking problems, they now want to build on our park – it's a disgrace.

"Also a disgrace is the underhand way they have treated the local residents' committee. I will be writing to Graham Allen for his view on the matter."

Under the plans, new facilities would be developed on the college's Basford Hall campus.

A notice on website competitionline, which posts new tenders, states: "Discussions have commenced with Nottingham City Council regarding a possible land swap and relocation of the campus to the adjacent park fronting the junction of the A610 and Stockhill Lane."

But the college insists that the plan was simply one of many possible options.

And, as yet, there is no budget for the redevelopment.

Amarjit Basi, principal and chief executive of New College Nottingham, said: "We have been very open and honest about our aspirations for the redevelopment of Basford Hall.

"We want to provide the community with improved state-of-art facilities.

"We are exploring a number of options for the site but until we can secure significant funding and determine the scope of the development we can deliver it would be unfair to consult at such an early stage as we wouldn't want to raise the hopes of the community unnecessarily.

"We are absolutely committed to working in partnership with the local community to develop this important site of great community asset."

The bowling pavilion is currently used by the tenants' and residents' association for events and is currently needs work so it can be brought back into use.

Event on the park include fun days and activities. It is also used by dog walkers and residents have been campaigning for play equipment.

New College Nottingham has also been involved in refurbishing the bowling pavilion, with design students drawing up plans.

The city council confirmed that discussions about the park had taken place but reiterated that no decision had been made.

A spokesman said: "Nottingham City Council welcomes any discussions that might improve facilities and further education provision in the city.

"However, at the moment, discussions are in the very early stages and nothing has been decided.

"Any land swap or development would need considerable planning and consultation and we are not far enough into discussions to commit to anything at this stage."

MORE than 100 calls have been made about illegal cigarettes and tobacco products in Notts during a trading standards campaign.

Officers have also carried out 35 raids after what they said was a "phenomenal" response from the public.

Since the crackdown was launched in June, trading standards have found fake and smuggled cigarettes in 'fag houses' where they are sold.

They have also been discovered hidden in shops, including the back of a grocery van.

The news comes as research suggests law-abiding convenience shops in Nottingham are losing about £44,000 in sales a year to the illegal market.

Trading standards officers working for Community Protection, the police and city council partnership, are organising the campaign.

Chief Inspector Andy Rooke said: "When you think that is only about tobacco, that is a phenomenal number of calls.

"We've done well over 40 inspections of shops and carried out 35 search warrants at commercial and private properties.

"There are stereotyped 'fag houses' were people will be selling it; we've had the man in a van selling fruit and veg but also selling tobacco; we've had the man in the pub who goes in with a poacher's-type coat rammed full of tobacco."

He said the market was driven by the rising prices of tobacco and cigarettes due to high tax.

Legal pouches of tobacco sell for £16 to £17 but cost around £5 on the black market. Illegal packs of cigarettes cost £3 to £4 – legal ones £7 to £8.

Trading standards have targeted counterfeit cigarettes made to look like established brands, and illicit cigarettes or "illicit whites".

These do not mimic established brands, but are made abroad by small-scale manufacturers who do not legitimately supply the UK market.

Imperial Tobacco, which has its UK manufacturing base in Lenton, has finished a study on how much the illegal market is costing small retailers.

Based on surveys of empty cigarette packet collections, and figures from shopkeeper associations, it says each small general store or newsagents is losing about £43,889 a year in sales.

Imperial Tobacco's head of UK corporate and legal affairs, Colin Wragg, said: "This detailed analysis of the illicit trade in the East Midlands makes pretty grim reading.

"The effect illegal tobacco is having on our communities is clearly demonstrated by the fact legitimate retailers in the East Midlands are each losing £44,000 turnover every year to the criminals and this figure is consistent across the UK."

The Post reported on Thursday how thousands of counterfeit cigarettes were discovered in a wheelie bin at a butcher's shop in Nottingham.

Trading Standards officers found 15,000 fake cigarettes at Hoggs Family Butchers, Woodside Road, Lenton Abbey, in a November raid.

Business owner John Hogg, 58, pleaded guilty to offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 at Nottingham Crown Court. He was fined more than £11,000.

Chief Inspector Rooke said: "We are not just doing it to stop criminals, you have to remember that the counterfeit tobacco industry is not subject to the same quality controls, and so uses illegal ingredients, and is not helping people stop smoking."

Anyone with information about the illegal tobacco trade is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

AN EX-POLICE officer has been jailed after he duped two men out of £83,000.

"Walter Mitty" character David Evans conned one victim, from Wollaton, out of his lifesavings of £68,000.

Another victim, who he met in Kent, lost half of his £15,000 comic collection.

At Nottingham Crown Court yesterday, Evans was jailed for two years and four months after he admitted five offences of fraud.

Judge John Milmo QC told the 27-year-old, who squandered some of the cash on gambling: "Quite simply, you are a conman."

Evans was arrested at Heathrow Airport after a £12,000 trip to the Far East with one of the victims.

Evans had lived the "high life" with him and had been looking at factories in which to start a joint business venture manufacturing T-shirts.

The victim was said to be "vulnerable", in his early fifties and living a sheltered life.

As a boy he had attended a special school due to dyslexia and had lived with his parents until they died and he inherited their estate.

He was introduced to Evans by someone who thought the former cop, who left Kent Police due to "honesty issues", could pursue a £10,000 dispute over some comics.

Evans agreed to chase the debt, but said he needed money up front for the "court case".

Once they were friends, the comic collector handed him £20,000 to buy a highly valuable 1950s comic, and sank thousands into the T-shirt business with Evans.

He took out a £25,000 mortgage on his parents previously mortgage-free home.

The fraud was discovered when the men were in the Far East and the victim's family became concerned about his finances.

The Kent victim had given Evans his comic collection to sell on his behalf but never saw a penny back.

Evans, 27, of Romney Road, Chatham, Kent, had been cautioned for theft when he served as a police officer. He failed to account for £200 in a purse handed in.

He also used police identification when he was suspended from duty, and confiscated items from a car boot sale.

Mark Dacey, in mitigation, said Evans went to prison and came out almost a Walter Mitty character – with lots of optimism and ideas.

"Then he destroys everything he had."

THIS is the site where a pair of Notts EuroMillions jackpot winners are planning to build a futuristic £5 million eco-home, the Post can reveal.

Matt and Cassey Topham said they planned to buy their "dream home" when they scooped a £45 million fortune in February last year.

And while artists' impressions of their eight-bedroomed luxury property were released last week, the exact location has remained a secret.

Plans submitted to Nottingham City Council now show the house will be built in Adams Hill, off Derby Road, where the married couple bought a £1.2 million mansion in September.

The house's eye-watering £5 million expected value puts it well out of reach of most budgets. It is enough to buy 60 average priced properties in the city and 42 in Notts, according to latest Land Registry figures.

And the cost of the home is head and shoulders above other homes on the market in the county, with estate agent Savill's priciest Notts house on the market for £1.8 million in Melton Road, West Bridgford.

Features of the new house, bordering Wollaton Park, include a sound-proofed cinema, botanical garden and grotto-style swimming pool.

People have said it looks like something from the set of children's TV show Teletubbies.

One of their soon-to-be-neighbours, who did not want to be named, said: "The plans look a bit different from the other houses around here, don't they? It looks like something out of Grand Designs really.

"It will be interesting to see if they can get planning permission when it looks so different from any other house I've seen."

The plans are to knock down the existing 1930s mansion, which has seven bedrooms, games room and gym, and replace it with a house of four hubs and a garage for up to ten cars.

The house will have solar panels on the roof and rainwater will be collected in a pool at the centre of the property before cascading down to another pool, creating a waterfall effect.

A statement from architects Baca said: "The architects are hoping the house, titled Serenity, will push the boundaries of environmental and architectural design... and produce a beautiful country house that will be enjoyed by generations.

"Replacing the drawing room, parlour, ballroom and smoking room of yesteryear the new house will be bang-up-to-date with a home cinema, games room, swimming pool, home gym and connected office, all seamlessly wired to incorporate the latest digital technology, security surveillance equipment and triple A-rated appliances."

Part of the house will be built underground, including the reception area and garage.

The plans for the property, which is in the Wollaton Park Conservation Area, will be discussed by Nottingham City Council's planning committee later this year.

ALAN Judge is set to play his last game for Notts County today and Magpies' captain Neal Bishop says: "Let's give him the big send-off he deserves."

Star midfielder Judge is almost certain to leave the club on a Bosman free transfer when his contract ends this summer.

And Bishop hopes fans will turn out in force for the final game of the season against Coventry City at Meadow Lane in League One (3pm) and show their appreciation for the 24-year-old.

It is three years ago that Judge first joined Notts on loan from Blackburn Rovers. The Magpies signed him on a permanent deal at the start of 2011 and he has now played exactly 100 league games for the club.

He has also scored some big goals in black-and-white stripes, with Bishop saying he almost single-handedly fired Notts into the play-offs in League One at the end of last season.

They just missed out on the top six, but Judge still won two Player of the Year awards. He has been so good for Notts over the last three seasons the fans call him the 'Irish Messi'.

"I think we all know Alan is 90 per cent to leave, but that's fair play," said Bishop. "He's earned his right at a higher level.

"He's honoured his contract, he's not broken it, he's not asked to leave in the middle of it, he's given everything in every game.

"Since he came here he's been the ultimate professional. I hope the fans give him a good send off, the one he deserves.

"He's scored some really important goals and produced some vital performances for us. I'd like to think everyone will show their appreciation for the effort he has given."

AN international rock band dedicated a gig last night to their manager who died after a fall at Rock City.

Swedish glam metal band Crashdïet said "the show must go on" and took to the stage at Rock City a week after their manager Michael Sundén suffered fatal head injuries at the same venue.

Mr Sundén, 45, from Stockholm, Sweden, had been watching a gig there on April 19, when he is believed to have slipped and hit his head on a brick wall in the basement area.

Instead of cancelling their scheduled performance last night, Crashdïet decided to take to the stage as a mark of respect to their former boss.

Ahead of the show, lead guitarist Martin Sweet posted on Twitter: "Tonight's show in Nottingham will be in memory of our late manager Michael Sundén."

Bass guitarist Peter London also tweeted: "Been awake for 3 days. Rock bottom. The UK crowd is amazing though, you keep me alive. Thank you!"

The Post previously reported how an investigation was ordered after Mr Sundén's death.

A statement released by Rock City said its on-site medical team attended the scene immediately, while two police officers at the front of the venue carried out emergency resuscitation before an ambulance arrived.

Despite their best efforts, Mr Sundén was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Notts Police has said it isn't treating his death as suspicious, while Nottingham City Council's community protection health and safety officers attended Rock City following reports of the accident.

They carried out assessments of the venue and were satisfied that there was no ongoing risk to the public.

The group – which also contains lead singer Simon Cruz and drummer Eric Young – has spoken of being "devastated" at Mr Sundén's death.

They posted on their official Twitter account: "The show must go on, even though these hard times. Your support makes us strong!"

In a message left on their website, the quartet also said: "We are currently out on the road and are shocked and devastated about this horrible news!

"Michael took this band to new heights that wouldn't be possible without him. He will be missed! Our hearts go out to his wife and kids."

Crashdïet were originally formed in 2000 and have released four albums, including The Savage Playground earlier this year.

The band's 2010 album Generation Wild debuted at number three on the Swedish album chart.

TERRIFIED residents dived for cover as armed police swooped in Nottingham.

Witnesses and people living nearby said they heard what sounded like gunshots.

Police say there were no shots fired, instead they used what they described as "technical devices", which may have sounded similar.

One witness, a 62-year-old man, said he ran into a nearby bus shelter after hearing the bangs."There were about six or seven bangs," he said.

The incident happened around noon yesterday in Low Wood Road, at the junction with Sellars Wood Drive. The police say it was part of a swoop on people suspected of serious crime, which saw three arrests in Bulwell. The witness, who sent some pictures to the Post, added: "I was on my daily walk, which I do because of my diabetes, when I suddenly saw lots of police.

"There was some shouting. I could hear them saying 'get out of the car'. Then I heard what sounded like gunshots. I didn't know what to do so I ran to the bus shelter for cover."

The pictures from the man show police officers, some with their faces covered and in plain clothes, with guns. There is a man on the floor who appears to be handcuffed. There is a silver car, a black car with a damaged front grille, and two white vans.

Witnesses say that one of the vans had a smashed window.

Nikita Crombie, 19, of Sellars Wood Drive, also heard what he thought were gunshots.

She said: "I was in the house when I heard about six or seven loud bangs.

"I told my brother to go out and have a look. He said there were lots of police."

A 26-year-old woman, who also lives in Sellars Wood Drive, added: "I was in the back garden with the dog when I heard bangs like gunshots.

"I ran into the house. It was coming from the top of the road.

"I went to see my baby who was crying."

A police spokesman said the incident was part of pre-planned vehicle stops in Bulwell yesterday morning as part of an investigation into "organised crime activity".

Three people were arrested and taken into custody.

A police spokesman said: "In order to effect the safe arrest of three people in Bulwell, and ensure the safety of officers and members of the public, Notts police officers used a range of tactics, which included technical devices, which may have been misinterpreted as gun fire."

ELLIOTT Ward wants to repay Billy Davies' faith in him by helping Nottingham Forest to promotion – and improving his chances of securing a permanent move to the City Ground.

The on-loan Norwich defender is out of contract in the summer and admits he would love the chance to make a permanent move to Forest.

But he says his priority is to play a part in helping the Reds to secure the two wins they need to have a chance of making the Championship play-offs.

Ward is focused on helping Forest triumph at Millwall today, which would set up a thrilling final day showdown with local rivals Leicester City.

"When Sean O'Driscoll was here I had hoped I would have a long-term future here. Then when Alex McLeish was manager, I did as well," said Ward.

"I hope I can (have a long-term future) under Billy. But, at the minute, it is about getting to where we want to be, which is getting into the play-offs.

"If we can do that, then we will worry about taking care of the next step. If I help the team do well, if we can finish the season strongly, it is not going to do me any harm.

"I am here to do a job for Forest and I need to finish that off. I hope I can do that, along with the other lads. If things go well then everything else will take care of itself."

Ward says he has enjoyed life under Davies, who has made the defender a regular in the heart of his back four.

"It has been nice for me. Since the gaffer has come back in I have been in the team," said Ward.

"When he came here, I really felt that we were going to push on. It was important for me to then get in the team.

"I showed him what I can do and he has had faith in me since. I hope I can continue to play a part now."

Forest need Bolton to slip up at Cardiff today, to improve their chances of climbing back into the top six.

But manager Davies says Forest must merely focus on their own task, which is to overcome a Millwall side who still need points to be sure of safety.

"We don't expect favours from anyone," he said. "It will be a tough game. If we're going to win the match we have to go there with confidence and belief, and that's what we'll do.

"We need to go and win the game – that has been our attitude since I came in. Barring a bit of luck going against us recently and some excellent goalkeeping performances, as we saw against Barnsley last week, things might have been different for us.

"But competing at this stage of the season with the possibility of reaching 70 points and a play-off spot is something you've got to be pleased with."

NOTTINGHAM Forest were forced into two changes, both of which came in the back four, as they found themselves with three injuries to full backs.

Chris Cohen was the latest to break down this week, meaning that Dan Harding was brought into the side on the left side of defence.

While, with both Sam Hutchinson and Gonzalo Jara ruled out with knee problems, Greg Halford moved over to the right side, with Danny Collins restored to the side in the centre of defence.

Daniel Ayala was brought into the squad to provide defensive cover on the bench.

Millwall included two former Forest players, in Nathan Tyson and James Henry, in their starting line-up.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Tyson, Batt, Henry, Beevers, Adam Smith, Abdou, Osborne, Saville, St Ledger. Subs: Taylor, Wright, Marquis, Feeney, Keogh, Jack Smith, Easter.

Forest: Darlow, Halford, Ward, Collins, Harding, Guedioura, Lansbury, Reid, Majewski, Cox, Sharp. Subs: Al Rashidi, Moussi, McGugan, Greening, Tudgay, Blackstock, Ayala.

Referee: Kevin Wright.

GREG Halford became the first Nottingham Forest player to score in the opening 15 minutes of a Championship game this season, to help put Billy Davies' side in the driving seat at half-time.

Halford's towering eighth minute header was enough to give the Reds a 1-0 lead at the interval, following 45 minutes in which they had, in patches, played some confident football.

A huge throw from Greg Halford caused chaos in the Millwall penalty area, with Elliott Ward heading down into the danger zone, where David Forde narrowly beat Simon Cox to the ball.

But then, almost immediately, at the other end of the pitch, Darlow uncharacteristically spilt a bouncing ball and Ward had to clear the danger as Millwall briefly looked as though they might profit.

Danny Collins, restored to the side in the centre of defence, had to make an important challenge following a superb turn from Shaun Batt, which allowed the striker to get a shot away, which the skipper blocked robustly.

Collins was one of two chances Forest made, both of which came in defence – and both of which came as a result of injuries to full backs.

Chris Cohen was the latest to break down this week, meaning that Dan Harding was brought into the side on the left side of defence. While, with both Sam Hutchinson and Gonzalo Jara ruled out with knee problems, Greg Halford moved over to the right side, with Collins restored to the side in the centre of defence.

It was to be a defender who broke the deadlock as well, as Forest for once struck early to take the lead in the eighth minute.

Andy Reid sent a corner in from the Forest right with real power, bent towards the far post, where Halford rose to send a crisp, confident header into the back of the net.

Forest's confidence was flowing and, within a few minutes, David Forde was forced into an adept save as Radi Majewski scampered into space and let fly with a 20-yard shot that looked bound for the bottom corner before the keeper got down to save.

When Majewski then delivered a corner from the left side, Ward jumped highest in the centre, but was punished for a foul, before Forest could profit from the loose ball.

Forest were looking threatening in wide positions and, when Reid delivered from the left, Karleigh Osborne had to prod the ball out, narrowly wide of his own near post.

The resulting corner saw Millwall struggle to deal with another Majewski ball, with Sharp attempting a spectacular over-head kick – but just failing to make contact.

A quick break from Simon Cox had Millwall on the back foot – and retreating right to the edge of their own box, but Osborne recovered to make a vital block and take the sting out of the striker's shot.

James Henry might have scored when Darlow failed to collect another high ball into the box, under significant pressure, but his instant shot, from a tight angle, dropped over the bar.

When Guedioura stumbled in possession, Henry broke dangerously into the box, before driving a rising shot into the side netting – although Darlow seemed to have it covered.

Darlow's bravery proved vital when Sean St Ledger broke forward to attack a cross in the box, with the keeper diving in decisively to punch clear as the midfielder challenged.