Striding out in the pouring rain

Making my way down Wilford Lane

And I'm gonna make a fuss

Soaking wet from head to toe

And I've got some place to go

But I ain't got no change for the bus

The library doors are firmly shut

The victim of a council cut

Even though they let the people have their say

They didn't listen didn't care

Now we've got no books to share

'Cos they closed that library down anyway

Chorus:

And there ain't no leaves blowin in the breeze

'Cos the councils chopped down all the trees

When they've gone they won't come back

'Cos the tram's comin' rollin' down the track

They're gonna build a new superstore

'Cos the Co-ops queuin' out the door

And the poor old village store has long gone bust

The Pondorosa is no more

The Chateau's lyin' on the floor

Just a pile of bricks and dust

Go round the Maypole and take a chance

But it was no place to dance

And I only ever went there once or twice

Now it is a kitchen bar

Folks all come from near and far

To drink and dine at twice the price

Chorus

This is progress the greepers say

But they all live far away

And they say that choppin' trees down is real good

But everywhere is slowin' down

And you've gotta be careful not to drown

'Cos the main road down to Bridgford's full of flood

When at last it rolls on through

I know what I'm gonna do

And I know that JC just won't give a damn

I'll keep on walking just the same

Getting wet in the pouring rain

'Cos I won't have no change for the tram

A CITY band have produced a song about the effects of the tram works on local people.

Song-writer Paul Wicks and his group PAN will perform the song, called Blowin' in the Breeze, at gigs they play across the city and county.

They played it for the first time in public at a beer festival at Moderns Rugby Club, in Wilford, on Friday.

Mr Wicks, 54, from Wilford, said: "I'm not anti-tram, I'm pro-tram. But I feel that the construction of the tram hasn't taken anyone in the area into consideration.

"I feel they have pushed on with the construction regardless of what anyone thinks. Trees have been chopped down and the area doesn't look the same anymore."

Mr Wicks' band is made up of three other members. Neil Devonport, who shares vocals, set it up as a two-piece ten years ago. The name PAN comes from their names – Paul and Neil. Two other members were recruited more recently – Robin Price on bass and Erika Price as a drummer.

Mr Wicks wanted a way of getting his concerns across, leading to him to write the song.

Part of the lyrics refer more generally to changes in Wilford. Others refer to changes made for the tram line, such as trees being chopped down.

He added: "It isn't going to make any difference, the work is being done now.

"I just hope someone might take it into consideration that residents want a voice."

The two new lines being constructed will run to Chilwell and Clifton.

Mr Wicks hopes to perform the song at a gig in Beeston, where businesses have been affected by road closures.

Consultation was carried out well ahead of the tram work by the city council. The case went to a full public inquiry.

Meanwhile contractors Taylor Woodrow Alstom pledged to keep disruption to a minimum during the construction, along with operators Nottingham Express Transit.

TRADERS in Chilwell are split over the impact that the tram works have had on their businesses.

Roads have been ripped up and trenches dug in High Road, blocking off traffic coming in from Beeston and elsewhere.

The tram route is due for completion by late next year and while businesses affected by the works will receive compensation for loss of revenue, concerns have deepened about the long-term damage.

Abdul Farid, manager of Beeston General Store and off-licence said sales had fallen dramatically since construction work started.

He said: "The amount of business I get has gone down by nearly half since they started.

"A lot of people would stop around here and cross the road to pop in and that's stopped completely."

"Usually I get 30 customers through the door every day. That's dropped to about 18."

Phillip MacCaulay, who owns John Kirk Hi-Fi, said fewer customers had led to increased pressure to balance his overheads.

"Being a specialist business, with a lot of expensive technology on display, means I have to pay more for insurance and security," he explained.

"It's killed business around here. I started a website for the business that coincided with the tram works but that's going to take time to pick up."

However, for some the changes appear to be having a benefit.

Jessica Noonan, co-owner of crafts supply shop Art Works said she has used the situation to her advantage.

She said: "We heard that works were to take place just over 18 months ago, so we got involved and helped to organise a street party.

"Now more people have started to come in as a result of us putting it on.

"We've had a lot of customers say that it's almost like it's pedestrianised, and they think it's a shame it's not going to be kept that way!"

Stephanie Wilkinson, manager of the Beeston Business Improvement District (BID), said they are working hard to ensure traders receive publicity and support.

She said: "We've been working closely with business owners and meeting them to come up with suggestions as to how we can help.

"The Beeston BID is for the benefit of the businesses and we are aware of the potential impact that these roadworks are going to have.

"With help from the city council and Broxtowe Borough Council we want to ensure businesses are kept safe and so fair it's gone very well."

RAIL passengers are to receive discounted tickets and compensation for inconvenience caused by major resignalling works at Nottingham Station this summer.

East Midlands Trains has confirmed it will be offering a 15 per cent discount on rail fares across the affected routes for the duration of the work, as well as increasing the number of cheaper tickets available.

The move is a first for the rail industry.

The majority of trains arriving at and leaving Nottingham Station will not run between July 20 and August 25 due to a £100 million revamp of the station's signalling.

Neil Micklethwaite, customer service and commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: "This is the first time that Network Rail has carried out a project of this kind, where travel is disrupted for this length of time.

"We therefore felt it was particularly important to do something unique for our customers to recognise the major change they will see to their normal train journey."

Customers already holding an annual season ticket for travel on East Midlands Trains journeys to/from Nottingham affected by the changes to train services will receive two weeks' worth of free travel.

Customers will need to write to the East Midlands Trains customer relations team by e-mailing nottingham.resignallingproject@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.

The 15 per cent discount will apply on tickets purchased for travel between July 20 and August 25, excluding advance purchase tickets.

A number of roads around the station will have restrictions during the works.

Full information and timetables for services during the resignalling works can be found at www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/nottingham.

To receive further information on the temporary traffic restrictions around Nottingham Station, call 0115 8765270.

PLANS to turn a city centre office block into student accommodation have been resubmitted.

Fresh Start Living, a specialist in student accommodation, wants to transform Victoria House, which backs on to the Victoria Centre, in Milton Street.

It had bought the building from the shopping centre's owners in October 2011 with a view to work starting on the 157-bedroom accommodation in January last year.

But after discussions with the city council, it withdrew its application.

The firm has now resubmitted plans to the council, with fewer bedrooms.

If given the go-ahead, the new block will have 130 bedsits over five floors for students at the city's two universities.

Stephanie Sowerby, spokeswoman for Fresh Start, said the firm had a number of other projects in other parts of the country, which has led to the delay in coming back in with plans.

She said: "We are going to clean up and repaint the exterior of the building to give it a fresher look.

"The biggest refurbishment will be inside, where we will completely change it to create the student bedrooms."

The bedsits will be on the second to sixth floors.

The move appears to fit in with the city council's drive for more blocks of student residences.

The authority is keen to have more purpose-built student accommodation to free up houses in the city for families.

Last year, its former base at Lawrence House, off Wollaton Street, was turned into the 200-bedroom Study Inn.

The Opal Group opened a huge accommodation block in St Peter's Street, Radford, a year earlier.

Ms Sowerby added that the bedsits would be let to students from any university year through agents they will appoint.

A council spokesman confirmed they had received the application and that it had previously been withdrawn for no clear reason.

People in the city had a mixed reaction to the plans.

Stuart Lee, 48, who works in the city, said: "We don't need more student accommodation springing up. There's enough of it already."

Paul Anderson, 28, of Sherwood, had a different view. He said: "The students have to go somewhere and it's good that they are being moved to these blocks because it is freeing up houses in the city for other people who need them."

Student groups have previously objected to the idea of not being allowed to live in city houses, claiming they have the right to decide where they should live.

LANDLORDS are to be offered up to £5,000 to help bring vacant shops in Nottingham back into business.

Nottingham City Council hopes a new grant scheme for empty units could boost occupancy rates.

It is now accepting applications for the cash, which can be used to carry out improvements to shop frontages, access, or interiors.

Councillor Nick McDonald, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for jobs, skills and business, said: "Our city centre is Nottingham's 'shop window' for investors, visitors and residents so it is vital that we tackle premises that have been vacant for some time.

"These new grants will help landlords make the improvements needed to support existing and start up businesses to move into vacant premises in the city and help create an environment in which they can flourish."

The money can go towards redecoration or changes to the layout of shops, or pay for the installation of new shop fronts and improving disabled access.

The scheme forms part of the council's City Centre Vacancy Action Plan.

Earlier this year, the Local Data Company claimed that shop vacancy rates in Nottingham were 26 per cent in 2012, down from 29.6 per cent in 2011.

The city council disputed the figures, saying the organisation had included shops outside the city centre, in places such as Alfreton Road and Mansfield Road.

The authority says a survey by Experian, showing vacancy rates in 2012 were actually at 18.2 per cent – up from 16 per cent in 2011 – uses more accurate boundaries.

Estate agent FHP is looking for tenants for around 50 vacant city centre units, including the former HMV store in Wheeler Gate and Tonic bar and restaurant, in Chapel Bar.

FHP director Ben Tebbutt said: "The grant scheme is a good idea. Anything that assists landlords is going to help. I've got clients in mind who I'll send the details to."

Of the health of Nottingham's retail sector, Mr Tebbutt added: "I think we are reasonably healthy. A higher degree of certainty over the Victoria and Broadmarsh Centres will help streets in their vicinities."

Neil Fincham, chairman of Nottingham BID's place management advisory group and manager of The Exchange shopping complex, said: "Any initiative that encourages higher occupancy levels of retail units in the city has to be welcomed.

"It should benefit both new and existing businesses and also improve the overall look and feel of the city centre."

The city council will provide property owners and landlords with up to 50 per cent of the costs of refurbishment, up to £5,000.

To apply for the scheme, download a form at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/ vacant-shops-grant.

A TEN-YEAR-OLD cyclist has been left heartbroken after two of his bikes were stolen in less than a year.

Joshua McElhill uses his bike to get to and from school and to go riding with his grandfather at weekends.

When his first bike was stolen from the Tesco in Top Valley last October, his mother Catherine Harris bought him a new one for Christmas.

Joshua, who attends Southwark Primary School, in Old Basford, was delighted with his new wheels but was once again targeted by thieves on April 25.

His school went to Headway to see Prince Harry, who was visiting the brain injury charity to officially open its new headquarters, and while they were there, his bike, which was locked, was taken from the school's bike store.

Miss Harris, 33, of Arnold Road, Bestwood, said: "It's absolutely the worst thing to do, to take a bike from a schoolchild when they are out on a special trip is just awful.

"Then Joshua's dad has actually seen the bike being ridden along the street since and it's the gall of it.

"There's not many bikes like it around and Joshua is just gutted. It's horrible because he goes everywhere on it."

Mrs Harris said there were three other bikes in the storage area at the school when Joshua's was stolen.

She believes the school should do more to ensure bikes left in the area are secure. She said: "For a while there was a lot of thefts but then everyone started again and we thought any problem had been resolved.

"I just think it would be better if they moved the bike storage round the back of the building."

Graham Boyd, leader of Southwark Primary School, in Park Lane, confirmed a bike theft had taken place at the school.

However he denied it was a recurring problem.

He said: "Bike theft is not a problem at the school and we've had no incidents this year.

"We have CCTV images available to us and we regularly link up with the police. The CCTV footage has been made available in this latest incident.

"The school is a safe and secure environment whereby we control anyone who enters the site."

PILOT error only seconds after landing caused the undercarriage of a vintage Spitfire to collapse and leave the aircraft stranded on the main runway at East Midlands Airport.

Hundreds of travellers had their flights diverted on January 7 when the 46-year-old unnamed pilot, with more than 9,200 hours of flying experience, "inadvertently selected the undercarriage UP lever" instead of pressing the lever to retract the flaps.

This is despite the two levers being on opposite sides of the cockpit.

The findings are contained in an Air Accidents Investigation Branch report based on an accident form submitted by the pilot.

The Spitfire, powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine and built in 1945, had landed at the airport and was taxiing to leave the runway when the pilot pushing the lever to retract the wheels, leaving the plane stranded on the runway.

The fighter's wooden propeller shattered when it struck the runway.

The AAIB report said: "It is apparently a usual practice to retract the flaps as soon as possible after landing to minimise the effect they have on cooling radiator airflow."

No one was injured in the incident although the runway was closed for more than two-and-a-half hours and flights were diverted to Birmingham.

The accident happened at 3.19pm, as dusk fell, and the airport eventually reopened just after 6pm.

COUNCILLORS have approved controversial plans for a new crematorium.

The site in Catfoot Lane, near Lambley was approved by Gedling Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday evening.

Two plans were put to the council, from national developers Westerleigh Group and local funeral directors AW Lymn.

And councillors voted nine against eight in favour of the Westerleigh proposal.

Officers had recommended the proposal, despite strong opposition from some neighbourhood action groups who were worried about the impact on the green belt.

Freda Ingall of Grange Close, Lambley, wrote four letters of protest to the council.

She said: "I went to the meeting – I can't believe they want to vandalise this beautiful part of Lambley.

"Every year our children from Junior Church go on a picnic there.

"I can't understand the mentality – they are destroying a beautiful area.

"I haven't heard of one person that wants it there.

"I hope we carry on fighting – I am going to write to our MP, Mark Spencer."

Mrs Ingall added: "There were about 100 of us who went to the meeting and are against it. We've been protesting and will continue."

Richard Evans, managing director of Westerleigh Group, said: "We are relieved that nine councillors were brave enough to take the right decision for the entire borough by approving the building of a new crematorium facility.

"We always listen to the communities near our crematoria.

"While I know passions ran high at last night's meeting, I am confident Lambley residents will discover that the new facility will have little on rural or village life. We aim to deliver the most responsible and caring service to bereaved families.

"We are not like a developer that builds to sell on.

"We will provide this service for many years to come and it is very important to us that we operate sympathetically to our neighbours as we are, ultimately, a community service."

Gedling Borough Council's planning committee voted on the issue at a meeting, open to the public, at the Civic Centre by Arnot Hill Park on Wednesday evening.

In the council's planning report, the reasons for acceptance said: "There is a justifiable need for a new crematorium within Gedling Borough which constitutes the very special circumstances necessary to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and the slight adverse impact on the locallandscape."

NOTTINGHAM welcomed another royal family member yesterday – less than a month after Prince Harry's visit.

Princess Anne was invited to St Mary's Church in the Lace Market to unveil a memorial for Notts firefighters killed in their work.

Retired firefighter Dave Needham came up with the idea of a permanent memorial after interviewing firefighters who had served during the Second World War.

A committee was set up to raise the funds required.

Mr Needham said: "I feel delighted that we have achieved this. It is important for the people of Notts to remember this cause.

"Not only did they protect the people in this county but they fought huge fires in other places too."

Princess Anne, as patron of the Firefighters Memorial Trust, was invited to unveil the monument.

After laying down a wreath for the 35 men and two women who died between 1940 and 1999, the Princess Royal made her way to the Galleries of Justice to speak to their relatives.

Clifford Fardon, 77, who was there in memory of his father, also named Clifford Fardon, said: "It is wonderful but quite emotional. I was just five- years-old when my dad passed away. It is nice for them to be appreciated."

Mr Fardon, who was a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service, died in the Coventry air raid on November 14, 1940.

His granddaughter Louise Woods, 44, was also at the memorial service.

She said of her grandfather: "We are all so proud of him."

Among those being commemorated was Ruth Willis, who was the first woman from the civilian services in Nottinghamshire to die on duty, on August 28, 1940.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer, Frank Swann, said: "We hope it will never be necessary to add any more names to this memorial but there is that very sad possibility and, should it become necessary, names can be added in the future."

The monument was blessed by the Bishop of Sherwood, the Right Reverend Tony Porter.

JOB-SEEKERS are being warned of a scam offer of work which could leave them out of pocket.

It comes after one unemployed man phoned to enquire about what seemed to be a genuine advert for a bar job in Nottingham.

Instead, Christopher Murphy found he was calling a premium phone line, racked up a £57 bill and has had his phone cut off as a result of being unable to pay it off.

Mr Murphy, 24, of Norfolk Avenue, Toton, has been looking for work since losing his job as a pub chef and barman in February.

He said: "I had been looking here, there and everywhere for a job when this advert came up on Gumtree.

"It stated 'all positions needed at a local pub in Nottingham', but there was no pub name."

He initially rang the telephone number a couple of times but was cut off. The last call involved him speaking to a man who said he was putting him on hold so he could get his manager, which lasted for around an hour.

Mr Murphy said: "I'm not earning that much money and my phone has now been cut off because I cannot pay that bill."

He added: "It is already a difficult time for me looking for a job in the current economic climate, so this experience is even more demoralising.

"My advice is that if you respond to a job advert and you are kept waiting, ask the person to call you back and don't allow them to put you on hold."

Mr Murphy has raised the issue with Notts County Council's Trading Standards, which has received a similar complaint from another person who lives in Mapperley.

Both numbers began with 07053, but Trading Standards say the scammers change them regularly and are now urging job-seekers to avoid responding to adverts which encourage them to ring a mobile telephone number for more details.

Sarah Houlton, trading standards manager at Notts County Council, said: "This is a heartless scam as it targets the unemployed who are eager to get a job and often are on benefits, so have little money.

"Unfortunately, the scammers use pay-as-you-go mobiles over a short period, so it is almost impossible for us to track them down.

"We advise people to seek job opportunities from reputable websites and recruitment companies and only respond to adverts with a landline number and address details."

For consumer advice or to report a consumer problem call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.

A ROBBER wearing a goblin mask kicked a milkman in the face before driving off in his float.

The 55-year-old milkman had stopped to make a delivery on his early morning round when he was approached from behind.

As he tried to stop the robber he was kicked in the face.

The float was full of milk and had a small amount of cash when it was taken at 1.30am yesterday.

A police spokesman said: "The offender was about 6ft and of a slim build. He was wearing dark coloured clothing, plimsoll-style shoes and a grey fancy-dress-style mask.

"The stolen van was a white Ford Transit milk float and featured the Dairy Crest logo in green and yellow.

"Police believe there may have been witnesses in the area at the time and are appealing to anyone who may have seen the robbery taking place or the offender, matching the description, in the area."

The float, taken from Sycamore Street in Church Warsop, near Mansfield, has not been found.

A spokesman for Dairy Crest said: "We can confirm we are aware of the situation.

"The safety of our drivers is of the utmost importance to us and we are currently working with police and local authorities to help them with their inquiry."

The driver is the latest milkman to be attacked on his round.

Former Carlton Town manager Tommy Brookbanks was hit with a wrench in August 2010 in Hucknall.

And a milkman in Arnold had a gun pointed at him in March 2009.

Anyone with information about the attack should call Mansfield Woodhouse CID on 101 extension 805 3461 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Achievement of Duke of Edinburgh's Awards May 9, 2013. 168 young people from the city have gained Bronze, Silver or Gold awards in the past six months.

Bronze awards

Bluecoat Academy: Rosie Aindow, Alex Bostock, Jordan Carter, Kyle Dawkins, Samuel Deakin, Annie Edis, Timothy Ediss, Eleanor Hale, Lauren Hammond, Christina Kavalieros, Peter Lord, Isabel Prince, Jasminder Sandhu, Jack Shacklock, Trinity Stevenson, Matthew Sulley, Ellen Telling, Samuel Telling.

Boys Brigade: Max Carty, Edward Marriott, Ben Tragheim

Clifton Open Group: Madeleine Mackay, Olivia Rawlings

Farnborough School: Shannagh Badder, Ryan Bolton, Sarah Elvin, Stephen Gaskell (B&S), Alahna Munks, Faith Odiogor

Girls Brigade: Rebecca Atherley, Zoe Beavis, Victoria Evans, Julia Everton, Sophie Fotheringham, Tiffany Springthorpe, Esther Wainwright

Hollygirt School: Emma Cose, Tasneem Nawaz, Amy Shipley

Nethergate School: Sarah Hinchley, Courteney Kimber, Lewis Lunt, Kimberley Raven Samples, Jasmine Worch

Nottingham Emmanuel School: Elizabeth Chadwick

Nottingham Girls' High School: Faizah Ali, Rebecca Ballantine, Jasmine Bavington, Mehtab Bhandal, Estee Coulthard Boardman, Eleanor Greener, Phoenix Hamilton, Alice Jiggins, Kathryn Jones, Meg Moody, Sophie Williams

Nottingham High School: Toby Boon, Charlie Greene, Robert Huckstep, Tom Kent, Oliver Nolan

Bronze Volunteering Sectional Certificate

Nethergate School: Kaydee Bonner, Callum Calvert, Tonichia Daws Elliott, Callum Doyle, Jack Gamble, Ryan Gamble, Regan Johnson

Silver awards

Bigwood School: Ross Finnie, James Fox, Michael Ley, Amy Singleton, Alishe Sorrentino

Bilborough College: Jack Allsopp, Chris Cockbill, Matthew Gear, Matthew Guy, Alice Hardy, James Harrison, Joe Mann, Mana Rahimzadeh, Jordan Redshaw, Emily Smith, James Trigg

Bluecoat Academy: Nicky Carter, Bethany Davies, Joshua Etheridge, Francesca Hall, Steven Rush, Samuel Telling, Emily Ward

Boys Brigade: Niall Hughes

Clifton Open Group: Rebecca Drysdale, Jake Dyer, Hannah Horsewill, Shilpa Kumar, Melanie Lowe, Zarah Mahmood, Jason Tongue, Sarah White

Farnborough School: James Brocklehurst, Gemma Dainty, Stephen Gaskell, Paige Johnson, Jessica Kirby,Stefan Savidge

Hollygirt School: Lucy Higgs

Nethergate School: Shenae Attride, Anthony Bills, Paul Duffy, Emily Poyser

Nottingham Girls' High School: Georgina Banks, Olivia Bolton, Emily Burleigh, Frances Davies, Danielle Hart, Katherine Hopewell, Eloise Howard, Natalia Jackson, Rebecca James, Hannah Mason, June Ng, Ella Sibbering, Emily Wheelhouse, Charlotte Whincup, Catherine Wiggins

Nottingham High School: Robert Barton, Harry Bateman, Daniel Bello, Ben Brown, Harrison Buchan, George Burton, Tom Cracknell, Matthew Green, Charlie Greene (B&S), Robert Huckstep (B&S), Matthew James, Alok Abraham Mathew, Hari Patel, David Thomas, Fergus Wills

Trinity Catholic School: Charlotte Clay, Madey Lanceley, Bridget McNulty, Barnabas Mersich

Gold awards

Bilborough College: Katie Clark, Joe Mellors, Anne Ronson

Girls Brigade: Rebekah Cannon, Ann Stevenson, Amanda Swanwick, Sophie Wigginton

Nottingham Girls' High School: Maadiha Abbasi, Alice Avison, Bronte Corner, Casey Cowen, Sian Jones, Nicole Kaur Sangha, Charlotte Lokes, Hannah Mason, Imogen Stead, Katherine Thompson, Charlotte Whincup, Katherine Wood

Nottingham High School: Tobias Bachra, Andrew Hill, David Lynas, Vijay Maharajan, Sam Powell, James Webb Bowen, Joshua Winter

University of Nottingham: Harriet Baker, Emma Leeding, Raymond Sham

A GROUP of council workers is taking part in a 100-mile bike ride today to raise money for a colleague who had to have all four limbs amputated.

Nicola Daniels, who has worked at Ashfield District Council since she left school more than 25 years ago, lost her limbs after she was struck with meningitis followed by septicaemia last June.

To support her, a team of colleagues are organising a variety of fundraising events which will be used to buy specialist equipment and fund alterations to her home.

Mrs Daniels said: "I now find the simplest tasks very challenging, so I am extremely grateful to all my friends and colleagues for what they are doing to help.

"The money they raise will help us to alter and adapt our home."

Fundraising events have already included dress-down days, raffles and the formation of a workplace choir – which has raised £4,000 so far.

The bike ride, from Ashfield to Mablethorpe, will raise even more money for Nicola.

Sharon Turner, information assistant at Ashfield District Council said she is both nervous and excited about the doing the bike ride.

She said: "We have been going out since November. We started off with 20 miles and gradually built that up. It is a lot of miles to do but we have been training hard, even though the weather hasn't been great."

Mrs Daniels added: "I am totally overwhelmed by their generosity. I hope the fundraisers get some satisfaction from their efforts – I know the choir members are loving their performances and I hear the cyclists have been enjoying their practice runs. I wish them every success."

Below is just a handful of the comments written on the "thank you" walls at the Queen's Medical Centre and the City Hospital:

Thank you for the beautiful, wonderful care you gave to our mothers.

B3 Team are amazing – a very hard-working team of superstars.

Angie and Catie Clinic 2 are brilliant – love you all.

Thanks for all the kid wards on E Floor.

Thank you very much for your compassion.

A big thank you for the best job Nottingham University Hospitals does.

Thanks to all nursing staff for your dedication.

D35 Children's ward – exceptional care for the last two weeks from every member of staff.

Thanks, Zoe, great paramedic.

The best wishes for Nottingham's hospitals.

Thank you for everything and getting my son home safe.

You've been so helpful – it's a joy!

You are incredible!

Thank you for looking after my mummy.

My daughter's midwives were wonderful and supported my grandson's natural birth. Thank you.

Thank you for mending my arm.

Thank you to Nicola in Clinic 2, my diabetes nurse making my appointments like a girly chat.

Nurses on B3 were brilliant during my hospital stay – thank you.

Thank you for the support given to student nurses during our practical experience.

Thanks to Catherine in Physio – best patient care and helping me get back on my feet.

AT Nottingham's hospitals, hundreds of people have written poignant messages thanking nurses for their everyday efforts.

Their messages are scrawled across giant boards which stand at the entrance to the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital.

And the important role that nurses play is made abundantly clear by the number of people who have taken a moment out of their day to write a simple message, most of which contain the words "thank you".

And nurses across the city will be involved in a weekend of celebrations, with a whole host of events planned, as Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) recognises the work its nurses do.

The director of nursing and midwifery at the trust, Jenny Leggott, will be delivering cakes and giving personal thanks to nursing staff across all the wards.

Mrs Leggott will also be holding a tea party for retired nurses.

And today, nurses from Nottingham Children's Hospital, based at the QMC, will be holding a charity car wash to raise money for the NG7 food bank.

May 12 is International Nurses' Day, and throughout the month, people are encouraged to celebrate nursing.

Mrs Leggott said: "Our nurses are exceptional people who do extraordinary jobs. We wanted to do something different this year to thank our nurses and midwives for their hard work and commitment to do the very best job for patients.

"The 'thank you' walls are a public, visual display of appreciation from our patients, relatives and carers."

NUH chief executive Peter Homa said: "In a year when there has been much negative publicity surrounding nursing care, it is vitally important that we work even harder to express our sincere gratitude for the special contributions of our nurses and midwives.

"We have a wonderful, dedicated team of nurses and midwives at NUH who make a real difference to patients' lives every day of the year. I know from the many colleagues I have spoken to just how much these celebrations and gestures of appreciation mean and I wish to thank the people of Nottingham, and of course the Nottingham Post, for supporting our efforts to celebrate nurses and midwives."

Nominations for the Post's People's Nurse of the Year competition closed on Thursday.

The shortlisted nominees will be featured on our special supplement to be published this summer, and readers' votes will determine the overall winner.

There will be awards in three categories of nursing: adults, children and midwifery. The winner of each category will receive a glass trophy.

IN 1513, Henry VIII was king and England and Scotland were doing battle at Flodden Fields.

Meanwhile, a new school was opening in Nottingham.

Nottingham High School was founded by Dame Agnes Mellers.

It was on November 22 that year that the king himself sealed the foundation deed.

The school was initially based in Stoney Street.

Five centuries on it is still going strong, albeit in a different place – in Waverley Mount – and several events are taking place throughout the year to mark its 500th anniversary.

One of the most significant aims for head teacher Kevin Fear is to be able to provide more bursaries to ensure that children from families unable to afford the fees don't miss out.

A huge fundraising drive is underway, made up mostly of donations from former students, to provide these bursaries.

It has already passed the £1m mark, enough to fund three or four extra places through the school. This would be in addition to the 130 boys already receiving bursary support.

Mr Fear said: "We want to ensure that children who are able to come to the school because of their academic ability aren't prevented from doing so because their families cannot afford to send them.

"We want to get into the communities of Nottingham where there are a lot of bright lads who might not otherwise get the opportunity."

Mr Fear said many parents forego luxury holidays and expensive cars to send their children to the independent school, which has around 1,000 four- to 18-year-olds.

Mr Fear is only the 40th in a line of heads that began with John Smith, appointed in 1513 to execute the intentions of Dame Agnes.

He has been head since 2007, having previously been second in command since 2000.

The school boasts many ex-students who have gone on to become household names.

These include Rushcliffe MP Ken Clarke, Olympic athlete Andy Turner, and DH Lawrence.

Mr Fear said many more alumni had gone on to become successful business people in the city without being in the public spotlight.

His hope is that the 500th anniversary will see many more pupils starting on that pathway, regardless of their family background.

NOTTINGHAM High School's big band swept away all before them to win a top award.

The 21 musicians attended the National Concert Band Festival at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Competing against teams from across the country, they picked up the platinum accolade for the best school band.

"It was a terrific achievement, one I've been looking to get for a long time," said Gerald Douglas, head of brass music at the school.

"I can retire happy now. I've been running the band for some 30 years and this is the best achievement to date."

The team, whose members range from 13 to 18 years old, has gone on several tours including trips to New York and the Rhineland.

They said winning the regional heats of the festival to reach the finals in Birmingham was the most memorable achievement. That was until they did so well in the finals.

In the contest they played 20 minutes of their signature modern jazz combination, impressing judges.

Saxophonist Henry Longstaff, 17, said: "We were all very nervous when we went to Birmingham. But we played very well. It was really enjoyable.

"We were up against some strong opposition. So when we found out we had won the platinum award we were delighted. We didn't expect it."

It wasn't just the team award that the boys came back with.

David Barron, 17, who plays the alto saxophone, won the soloist award for his rendition during their set.

He said: "That was great. Winning the team award was a real thrill. But winning the solo award was a nice extra to take home as well.

"I've been part of the band for three years now. Everyone in the team gets on really well. There's a good spirit, which helps."

Mr Douglas added: "This is the competition that the bands really want to win. That is what it made it so pleasing.

"I'm very proud of what they have achieved."

PUPILS at Nottingham High School have shown real talent when it comes to science and engineering.

Several of them headed to the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham.

For Alex Grafton and Callum Brewall it was all about showing off the model 4x4 car they had constructed.

Their car may not have been the fastest, but judges were more than impressed that they had put it together from scratch. So impressed, in fact, that they handed them an innovation award.

Callum, 18, said: "We really enjoyed the fair and were very happy to come away with the award."

Unlike other teams who used parts which were already partially made, Callum and Alex built everything, right down to the circuit board.

They even built ramps, as done by actual Land Rover manufacturers in testing whether cars top over.

For a group of younger students, the fair, held in March, was all about robotics.

Two teams achieved huge success, one winning through to the International Vex Championships in San Francisco.

The competition sees the teams tasked with putting together robots which have two minutes to pick and move as many different items as possible in a small arena.

The team, called G34R, finished a respectable 52nd out of 160 teams from around the world.

They had been selected to go through to the international event after impressing in the regional finals.

Team member Saaras Mehan, 14, said: "It was a great experience going to San Francisco, though it was hard work as we had to reassemble the robot once we got out there.

"We were really happy with how we did, given that it was our first year out there."

Meanwhile another group of students, called the Green Team, enjoyed success at the UK championships, picking up the highly commended award for the design of their robot and an innovation award.

Aidan Aungles, 14, said: "We put a lot of hard work into the event so we were really pleased to get the awards.

"We are looking to enter again next year."

Paul Gray, head of design and technology at the school, said: "All of the teams have done really well. They have worked so hard on their creations.

"It is great to see them getting these rewards."

BOXING club members from Denmark will visit Nottingham to learn how to use the sport to help put a stop to gang wars.

The KK Boxing Club helps young people get out of gangs and avoid getting into trouble with the police.

It is run by former gang member Marcellus Baz, who has now been contacted by Philip Sampson from Gladsaxe Bokseklub (GBK), in Gladsaxe, near Copenhagen.

Members of the club have asked Mr Baz if they can visit KK Boxing, based in Carlton, to find out more about the work.

"It's absolutely amazing, said Mr Baz, 53. "I'm gobsmacked by the fact that people in Denmark are reading about what we are doing and the success we are having.

"For it to go that far and for someone from there to want to come and meet us is very flattering.

"If we can help them have the same sort of success we are having then that's even better."

Mr Sampson, 53, contacted KK Boxing due to the ongoing gang war between mostly Muslim youths in Copenhagen and Gladsaxe.

Two people have been killed as a result of the conflict – one of them near GBK on January 11.

Since Janaury Mr Sampson has been working with GBK's manager Jean Clausen, 41, a former member of biker group Bandidos MC, and Thomas Bo Larsen, 49, a former gang member and film actor.

They will visit Nottingham on June 1 and 2 and hope it will be the start of a partnership which will see members of each club visit the other.

Mr Sampson said: "Police and the local council in Gladsaxe are doing what they can to make the gang members leave their gangs but here in the boxing club we are shaking our heads. They haven't got a clue about gang mentality.

"In January we put forward the idea of trying to attract gang members and youngsters fascinated with the gangs to GBK in order to put a lid on the ongoing gang war. The response from the local city council has been lukewarm.

"So Thomas has begun talking loud about our initiative, which has made local politicians listen. We are now trying to persuade the city council to fund some of our initiatives."

Future plans for the boxing club include setting up a relaxation room where staff can talk to youngsters about the consequences of gang life and help them think about education and alternative activities.

Mr Baz said he will also be talking to Mr Sampson about his engagement and different ways he attracts youngsters.

He added: "People in gangs are in different stages and some people will be open to engagement and others won't and it's about knowing when and how to try."