City

Hockley: High Cross Street, Broad Street and Old Lenton Street closed until August 2, for resurfacing works.

Top Valley: Road closure in Bakewell Drive today for footway and carriageway alterations.

Broxtowe

Chilwell: Temporary traffic lights in Inham Road, near Eskdale Drive, until July 9.

Gedling

Burton Joyce: Stoke Lane closed either side of the Burton Joyce level-crossing, from 10pm on Tuesday until 6am on Wednesday, for level-crossing renewal works.

Daybrook: Off-peak lane closures in Mansfield Roaduntil tomorrow, for improvements to traffic lights and pedestrian facilities.

Newark and Sherwood

Ollerton: Newark Road closed for waterproofing and repairs to a bridge until July 7.

Southwell: Part of Church Street closed near the Market Place between 7.30am and 3pm today.

Ashfield

Hucknall: Linby Colliery level crossing, in Church Lane/Linby Road, closed for track relaying works from 10pm tonight until 6am on Monday. Restrictions will also be in place overnight on Saturday, June 22.

Hucknall: Level crossing in Brickyard Drive closed from 10pm tomorrow, until 6am on Monday. Restrictions will also be in place from 10pm on Saturday, June 22, until 9am on Sunday, June 23.

Sutton-in-Ashfield: Oxford Street closed near the Huthwaite Road junction, from 8am to 7pm on Sunday, with temporary traffic lights in Huthwaite Road.

Underwood: Main Road, Westbourne Road, and Lower Bagthorpe closed from 9.45am until 12.45pm on Sunday, June 23, for the Underwood Run. Restrictions will also be in place in Smeath Road and Church Lane, and also in Main Street and Brinsley Hill, Brinsley.

Mansfield

Mansfield: Eakring Road closed from 6.30am to 8pm on Sunday, for street lighting and bollard upgrading works.

Mansfield: Exchange Row and Market House Place both closed from 6am on Monday, until July 15.

Pleasley: Bagshaw Street closed near the High Street junction, until 6pm on Friday, June 21.

CARL Copson, 24, of Howbeck Road, Arnold, is accused of touching a 14-year-old girl sexually. The offence allegedly happened in Carlton on or about October 6. He is on conditional bail to attend Nottingham Crown Court on June 13.

A WOMAN has been accused of theft and criminal damage. Cherie Croft , 23, of Peppercorn Gardens, Wollaton, allegedly tried to rob a person of a mobile telephone and a bag in Triumph Road, Lenton, on May 7 this year. She is further charged with assault on the same date. Her case has been listed at Nottingham Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on June 13. She is on conditional bail.

GARY Dawn, 53, of Conway Crescent, Carlton, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention in a Ford Transit van on the A6211 Colwick Loop Road, Colwick, on December 2 last year. He was given three penalty points and told to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £25.

A ST Ann's man pleaded guilty to drink-driving in Carlton. Anthony Mitchell, 32, of Paxton Gardens, received an interim driving ban at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He also admitted he failed to surrender to custody on April 26 this year and producing cannabis on April 25. He is on unconditional bail. He will be sentenced on July 11 at 11am.

A BULWELL man has been given a suspended sentence for assaulting a female. Koeluan Bertram, 20, of Clayfield Close, admitted the attack in Strelley on April 19. He was given 90-day prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He will be supervised by the probation service. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £40.

A CARLTON man will have a trial after he denied assaulting a female. Darren Oldfield, 46, of Crowhill Road, was conditionally bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 12.

USMAN Ali, 34, of Birrell Road, Forest Fields, denies assaulting a female in Arnold on May 24. He was conditionally bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 20.

SEAN Arnold, 51, of Whitegate Vale, Clifton, denies assaulting a male and female in East Leake on May 25. He is on conditional bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 21.

SIMON Hinchley, 38, of Henry Street, Redhill, was fined £110 for drink-driving. He was over the limit in Haydn Road, Sherwood, in a VW Golf on April 25. His alcohol reading was 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35. After entering a guilty plea at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was ordered to pay the fine, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85. A driving ban of 12 months was imposed. No separate penalty was given after he admitted a separate offence of criminal damage to a window in Egypt Road, Basford, on April 25.

A SNEINTON man is due to be sentenced for going into a property in Mapperley with intent to steal. Alex McDevitt, 36, of Trent Road, committed the offence, in Woodborough Road, on April 6. He is on conditional bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on June 27 at 10am. He was found guilty at a hearing on June 5.

A MAN has been banned from contacting his ex-partner for two years after he attacked her in front of her son, a court heard. Lee Collier turned up at her house in Forest Fields on May 28 and pushed her over because he thought she was seeing someone else. Collier was arrested and charged with assault. He was further charged with witness intimidation, after her sent her a text message asking her to drop the charges if he deleted her phone number. At court, he pleaded guilty to both charges. District Judge Leo Pyle banned the 29-year-old, of Denman Street, Radford, from contacting his former partner for two years and imposed a community order for 12 months. He said Collier should pay his ex-partner £100 compensation, a victim surcharge of £60 and prosecution costs of £85. "You leave her well alone and comply with the terms of the order," he said.

A DRINK-driver was caught after he drove his Renault Laguna into railings in Basford, a court heard. Craig Mitchell, 38, of North Gate, New Basford, was arrested and charged with drink-driving and driving while disqualified on May 28 after the accident in Vernon Road. Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard his alcohol reading showed he had 78 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35. District Judge Leo Pyle heard Mitchell admitted both charges. He imposed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a three-year driving ban. Mitchell must have counselling for alcohol issues for six months and receive supervision from the probation service. He must pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £80 victim surcharge.

A LITTLE after 5pm today, nearly 700 volunteer singers will rehearse together for the third time, and the first time with an orchestra.

At 6pm, it's show time.

The Royal Concert Hall tonight hosts the third Drivetime Concert, an event by the Hallé Orchestra that aims to appeal to first-time classical concert-goers with a mixed programme of well-known classical works and popular film scores.

One feature of the concert is the Drivetime Choir, a hundreds-strong singing group made up entirely of volunteers who accompany the orchestra on two pieces.

"If everybody turns up we'll have about 700, which will be our biggest choir yet," said Neil Bennison, music programme manager for the concert hall and Theatre Royal.

In years past, the choir and orchestra have performed two well-known choral pieces. This year they'll do one well-known one – Handel's Hallelujah chorus from Messiah – and one newly-commissioned world premiere.

We Strive For the Stars is written by The Hallé's Steve Pickett and based on a stanza from Lord Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.

"You've got to try to find something that's manageable with two rehearsals, but that has something spectacular and a wow factor to it," Mr Bennison said.

"It's the biggest challenge for the choir. The harmonies are quite rich. This is going to test people like never before."

As the big volunteer choir limbered up their vocal chords and got stuck into their second rehearsal on Wednesday, several singers said the new work was challenging.

Pip Bateman, from Newstead, who heard about the Drivetime show through her involvement in Nottingham People's Choir, said it was interesting because all the singers were in the same boat. "It's new for everybody," she said.

The Drivetime Concert itself is also relatively new. The first one happened in 2009. Then, after several years off, the Royal Concert Hall brought it back last year. In addition to the Manchester-based Hallé Orchestra, the volunteer singing group is augmented by several of the region's top choirs.

The Drivetime Choir will perform from the front of the hall, while above and behind the stage will be the Nottingham Harmonic Choir and the East of England Singers.

But when it comes time to deliver the good, all eyes will be on the singers at the front of the hall. For many, that's an exciting prospect.

Jason Loh, from West Bridgford, said he hadn't done much choral singing recently. But through this experience, he's caught the bug again.

"It's been great," he said. "I've never been in a choir this big before."

The Drivetime Concert is tonight at 6pm at the Royal Concert Hall. Tickets are £7.50 with a £20 family ticket for up to two adults and two children. Book at the box office on 0115 989 5555 or at trch.co.uk.

HIKERS can get their boots out for the sunny weather with a summer walking festival in Bulwell.

The festival aims to get residents active and also to get to know their area better.

The event has been organised by TravelRight in conjunction with the Bulwell Forest Walking Group and Nottingham City Council, and ties in with the council's "week of action" in the area.

TravelRight co-ordinator Andy Parkinson said: "It's about getting people walking really, especially people who are new to walking, just to explore the local area.

"We're doing walks in the evenings, in the day and at weekends, just to give people an opportunity to get out.

"As an organisation we're trying to show how easy it is to get around by foot and try to reduce car dependency."

There are eight walks going on throughout the week across Bulwell, varying in length and difficulty.

Bulwell Forest Walking Group walk leader Bill Blackamore said the varied programme offered "something for everyone."

"Getting involved in walking is a really good idea and it helps people to keep fit, keeps them active and gets them out of the house," he said. "It's a really good form of exercise and for older people it's even more important."

The biggest event in the week is a "freedom to travel with your City Card" day, where people can travel further afield for walks, all using the travel card issued to pensioners. The week will culminate in the Fun on the Forest day on Bulwell Forest green on Saturday, June 29.

Participants should meet for the walks at the time and place specified above – there is no need to book.

TEENAGERS have raised over £4,000 so they can jet to Malaysia for a field trip.

With backs aching from car-washing and bag-packing they've now organised a massive fireworks display for their community.

Sixth-formers at the Kimberley School got to work early this year after being offered the chance to head east.

Their destination is the Crops for the Future Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The trip, from June 29 to July 10, will form part of their A-Level studies, which they've had to manage alongside their fundraising efforts.

As well as the £4,000 they've made themselves, £3,000 has been donated by the school's governors.

With just over two weeks to go before the big date, the students are bubbling with excitement.

Melissa Cooper, 17, of Awsworth Lane, Cossall, said it would help with her university applications.

"I'm a little nervous because it's a completely different culture but I know it's going to be a great experience."

Liz Price 16, of Temple Drive, Nuthall, was grateful for the efforts of the school staff.

She said: "They worked really hard to organise it all. I'm really excited, I've never been anywhere like this before."

James Prigg, 18, of Bowden Drive, Beeston, said he hopes that it's going to be a big help on his career path.

He added: "I'm hoping to study to be a biologist. It's going to be a great opportunity to see a different culture as well as learn about biology in the field."

One of the organisers is the school's head of biology, Dr Rafaelle Del Buono.

He said: "They are travelling to a part of the world they've never been to before. It's an educational visit but they will learn so much culturally.

"They're some of the most hard working student ever. The effort they've gone to make this work is phenomenal."

Although they will continue fundraising as close as they can to their departure, the fireworks show at the school is set to be the students' crowning glory.

Dr Del Buono said one of the pupils' parents, a pyrotechnician, has set up an incredible display worth thousands for crowds in Kimberley.

The event takes place next Thursday at the Kimberley Leisure Centre Field.

Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for children, £12.50 for families (2 adults 2 children) and must be bought in advance.

For more information and to book tickets contact the school

THREE young athletes could be fighting their way to gold at the next Olympics.

Taekwondo hopefuls Nicole Huntington, 16, Tony Stephenson, 21, and Darren Chapman, 23, have just completed the Fighting Chance: Battle4Brazil programme launched by Team Great Britain.

The trio from Team Elite Kickboxing (TEK), in Station Road, Beeston, took part in the nationwide search for young athletes who are willing to become full-time taekwondo trialists for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and are now waiting to see if they have made it through.

Coach Anna Jermakova said: "Taekwondo is now looking to other sports like kickboxing to find new talent.

"Our guys had to go through three stages of training which were used to identify potential candidates. We are incredibly proud of them and hope they make it all the way.

"Being picked for the GB team is the ultimate achievement and we hope they all make it."

The Fighting Chance programme was split into three phases, with 15 women and 30 men making it into the third and final selection stage which consisted of training for eight hours a day for seven days.

Office worker Darren Chapman, 23, from Beeston said: "Now it is all about the waiting and I am sure that I did as well as I could. I was training for the last seven months but I have been kickboxing for 18 years.

"If selected I could train with Team GB full-time and that would mean everything to me.

"Not everyone gets to do what they love as a job but hopefully I will be able to.

"We were all in the top eight per cent of those that entered which is a great achievement in itself."

The other TEK hopefuls live outside Nottinghamshire but travel to Beeston every two weeks to train.

Student Nicole Huntington, 16, of Ipswich said: "The trials were hard but I enjoyed them at the same time. I put everything I had into it and now the wait is making me nervous.

"I really want to be a professional athlete and if I do not make it this time I will keep trying."

Hopeful Tony Stephenson, 21, of West Cork, Ireland, said: "I come over and train in Beeston every two weeks and have been doing for over a year now. As well as this I train every day and I am now waiting to hear if I have made it through.

"I feel that the trials went as well as they could and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get this far."

The trio are expecting to hear if they have been selected within the next week.

A TALKING newspaper is celebrating its 35th birthday thanks to a huge charity grant.

The Long Eaton Talking Newspaper now provides ten hours of news and magazines every fortnight for the blind and visually impaired.

Old-school tape recordings are gone, replaced by MP3 memory sticks following a donation of around £7,500.

When running on tapes, volunteers were previous limited to a fairly short 90-minute broadcast, sent out weekly.

The £7,500 contribution was provided in part by the National Lottery and Erewash Borough Council.

The Long Eaton Round Table, Leisure Furnishings and the Long Eaton Rotary Club also made generous contributions to the project.

The volunteer team at the newspaper consists of roughly 40 people who broadcast to over 80 listeners.

Treasurer Brian Stevenson said the group was taking its time to get used to the equipment. He said: "We've made our fair share of mistakes along the way but we are getting there. The tapes were really old, the quality was poor and they had an unguaranteed length. After the equipment became harder to find, we decided to go digital."

Brian, who uses his expertise from an earlier job mixing audio for gospel albums, said they held their listeners in high regard.

"One guy I know is completely blind and uses a Braille laptop to surf the internet.

"I asked him, 'How do you cope?' He just shrugged his shoulders and said, 'That's life.'

"I have a great admiration for our listeners, they really are wonderful people."

Chairwoman Beryl Hallam has been with the talking newspaper for 25 years.

She said she joined after she considered what it would be like to be in a similar situation. "I always thought that if I couldn't see, I'd want to know everything that was going on," she said.

"We find that people have always been very grateful to have the service.

"Lots of people contact us, saying that family members appreciate it coming to them."

The Long Eaton Talking Newspaper is always on the lookout for new volunteers to help out.

If you are interested in broadcasting with the team, call Brian on 01332 706767.

A NOTTS woman helps to bring smiles to over 2,500 sick children a year by clowning around as a hospital "giggle doctor".

Helen Jones, 43, a former pupil at Hucknall's National School, is the only giggle doctor in the city.

As part of her role, the ex-clown performer travels around hospitals in the UK helping to raise the spirits of sick children, some of whom have a terminal illness.

Helen, who grew up in Ravenshead, now lives in Buller Terrace, Sherwood, and is one of just 22 giggle doctors nationwide who, through the charity Theodora Children's Trust, visit 60,000 kids annually in 18 UK hospitals.

She said: "It is amazing, it really is. You get magical moments with the kids.

"It's all about the connection and reminding them that they are children. We generally don't talk about their illness."

The specialist entertainer uses a variety of methods to cheer children up, including bubbles, balloons, squeaky noses, magic tricks, telling jokes and playing games.

Known as Flora Flowerpot, Helen has a specially designed white coat which has a hedgehog, robin, turnip and garden fork on it, as well as a sunflower in a pot on the back.

She added: "You build up relationships with the children. It is amazing to hear them giggle and it makes us laugh too."

Helen, who is now a senior giggle doctor, participated in artistic and medical workshops covering topics from child development to the impact of illness and bereavement on families as part of her two-year intensive training.

Doctor Flora Flowerpot, who visits the Nottingham Children's Hospital at the QMC two or three times a month, has brought smiles to over 2,500 kids since she started in 2011.

She recently paid a visit to the Hucknall Rotary Club to give a talk about the important role of a giggle doctor.

The club was so inspired that its president, Ian Young, has made a donation to Theodora Children's Trust.

Neil Sharman, assistant secretary of the Rotary Club, said: "We all thought it was absolutely tremendous.

"We were really impressed. You could hear a pin drop while Helen was speaking and she got a standing ovation after."

Although funds do not currently allow this, Helen hopes that in the future there will be a giggle doctor in every UK hospital.

At present the Nottingham Hospitals Charity funds giggle doctor visits to the children's ward at the QMC.

To make a donation to the giggle doctor scheme, visit www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk or www.theodora.org.uk

OLD boys have travelled from across the globe to attend the grand finale of Nottingham High School's 500th anniversary celebrations.

A weekend of festivities to mark the landmark anniversary begins with a golf day and afternoon tea today.

Former students who now live as far away as Australia, Brazil, and America have flown back to take part in the celebrations.

Among them is former school captain Martin Darke, who has come from Perth, Australia.

He attended the school between 1964 and 1972, spending his final year as school captain.

Mr Darke, 60, who grew up in West Bridgford and Edwalton, said: "I've been planning this trip back for five years. I've been looking forward to it immensely.

"Another old boy who now lives in New South Wales has also been compiling a list of former High School pupils now in Australia. There are about seven or eight of us who have come over."

Mr Darke also captained the school's cricket and rugby teams in his final year.

"The cricket team went undefeated throughout the year I was captain, which was really special," he said.

Mr Darke left the UK in 1976 to work in Hong Kong with the Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation. While there, he played international rugby for Hong Kong.

He added: "It's probably about 20 years since I last visited the school. It gave me high-quality teaching, and instilled a strong sense of discipline and respect which persists to this day.

"It gave me wonderful opportunities in sport and played an important part in my life."

Nottingham High School was established in 1513 by Dame Agnes Mellers in memory of her late husband Richard. King Henry VIII sealed the school's foundation deed on November 22, 1512.

The school has run a year-long programme of events to mark reaching the 500th anniversary milestone.

The final weekend of events will also see a school captains' breakfast held tomorrow, attended by six decades of captains and vice captains, the three living headmasters, and former senior masters.

It will be followed by the annual Founder's Day Service at St Mary's Church, in the Lace Market, and the traditional Cheese 'n' Ale ceremony at school. There will be a tethered hot air balloon in the school yard celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first balloon flight from Nottingham.

Headmaster Kevin Fear said: "It is a great privilege to be serving as the 40th headmaster of Nottingham High School, and in particular to have been at the helm during the school's 500th anniversary year.

"We have had a fantastic year re-connecting with Old Nottinghamians from all over the world."

Current school captain Christian Cummings said: "It's an incredible honour and privilege to represent the school during its 500th anniversary.

"It's had an illustrious history and the chance to take part in some of the festivities this year is fantastic."

NOTTINGHAM High School has a long and illustrious list of famous former students. They include:

Henry Garnett The earliest pupil of whom anything is known. He was the son of the fifth master of the school. He rose to prominence as leader of the Jesuit mission to England in the late-Elizabethan period. As a leading Roman Catholic he was implicated in the Gunpowder Plot and executed in 1606.

Jesse Boot (pictured) Developed his father's small business into a national pharmaceutical and retail empire. Died 1931.

Thomas Hawksley The Victorian water engineer was chief engineer at the Nottingham Waterworks Company. He died in 1893.

DH Lawrence The renowned author (pictured), who grew up a miner's son from Eastwood. He later became a University College student and school teacher, before embarking on a literary career that produced Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, Lady Chatterley's Lover, countless short stories and poems. Died 1930.

Reg Simpson The Notts and England cricketer was an elegant opening batsman for club and country. He was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1950.

Albert Ball VC Son of a Notts businessman and Lord Mayor, the young Sherwood Foresters officer transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and recorded 44 air victories before a fatal crash in 1917.

IN A world where most of us are used to a desk, a phone and a computer, an office where there are seaside huts and an igloo is going to seem more than a little strange.

But it looks like strange is good – the huts and the igloo are in an office in Nottingham officially judged as one of the UK's best places to work.

While there will be some businesses which would struggle for financial or cultural reasons with the idea of giving space to anything other than desks and chairs, the award won by Capital One contains some important lessons about the way companies do business.

Capital One thought it was a good idea to provide these and other facilities because they are stimulating and keep staff motivated and committed. And motivated and committed staff generally do a better job.

The likelihood of firms splashing cash on turning hum-drum offices into multi-coloured fun palaces is low in this climate.

But Capital One's success suggests they should not dismiss the idea as indulgent, either. The ways we work are changing, and mobile technology may one day render the traditional chair, desk and computer redundant.

So workplace change may come anyway. In the meantime, could seaside huts and igloos hold the key to economic recovery?

AN MP and a council leader say Gedling has been left "shocked and appalled" after the fatal stabbing of Joshua Strumskyte.

The 22-year-old, who was from Gedling, was attacked in Wollaton Avenue just before 10.45pm on Tuesday night.

He collapsed in the street after he was seen walking injured out of a pizza takeaway in the road.

People living nearby, paramedics and police rushed to help him, but he died in hospital.

Notts Police are treating his death as murder.

Dozens of floral tributes were left at the scene and several friends paid tribute to Josh, describing him as a "great lad".

Gedling MP Vernon Coaker and John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, issued a joint statement yesterday.

"The entire community will be shocked and appalled by this terrible incident," it read.

"The murder of this young man was a dreadful crime and our thoughts are with his family. We urge anyone with information to contact the police.

"Our community in Gedling is strong and united.

"We utterly reject this senseless violence and those who bring it on to our streets.

"We will continue to work with the police, key agencies and local people to tackle crime and ensure our community is safe and secure for everyone."

Joshua was widely named locally on Tuesday, with hundreds of tributes posted online.

Notts Police said yesterday he had been formally identified and named him officially.

A new picture of Joshua, a former pupil of the nearby Gedling School – now the Sherwood E-ACT academy – was also released.

Tributes continued to be posted on Twitter and Facebook yesterday.

Demi tweeted: "RIP Josh, can't get over it such a nice genuine guy! What a cruel, cruel world, will never forget you and all the memories, sleep tight."

Rochelle added: "24hrs since you were taken. We'll treasure the memories. RIP Josh."

A Notts Police spokeswoman said: "Family liaison officers are supporting Joshua's family at this distressing time.

"The investigation is continuing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident."

Two men, aged 18 and 19, who have been arrested in connection with the incident, were continuing to help police with their enquiries yesterday afternoon.

A 17-year-old boy, who was arrested in connection with the incident, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Notts Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

THREE Chelsea pensioners will be heading to Nottingham to join in with the celebrations for Armed Forces Day.

The trio have been invited by the Nottingham Royal Artillery Association and will march through the city as people honour the nation's troops.

Chelsea pensioners is the name given to those staying at a retirement home for former soldiers in South London.

Dave Thomas, the secretary of the local branch of the Royal Artillery Association, said he was pleased to see the pensioners come up.

The Bestwood Village resident added: "We met up with a group of Chelsea pensioners at an event called Gunner Sunday in London in May and said it would be great if they could be part of our Armed Forces Day event here.

"It will be great to have them here – we're planning on holding a social event on the Friday at the Territorial Army Centre in Bulwell and then have them march with us on the Saturday both in the city and out at the embankment.

"It's important people show their appreciation for the Armed Forces and I have a lot of respect for the Chelsea pensioners and what they've put in for the country."

Mr Thomas, who served for 24 years in the Fifth Royal Artillery and 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, added that he was hoping for a big turnout on the day.

He added: "It's been a big event elsewhere so I hope people here come out and celebrate."

Mr Thomas said he will also enjoy the social side.

"They say you should never try and drink a Chelsea pensioner under the table, so we'll be giving that a go."

Councillor Dave Trimble, of Nottingham City Council, said: "Nottingham is incredibly honoured to have been chosen to host the 2013 national Armed Forces Day celebrations.

"I encourage everyone in Nottingham to come down to Victoria Embankment on Saturday June 29, to enjoy a whole day of spectacular displays, activities and celebrations."

Meanwhile tickets are still available for the Armed Forces Day football match when a Combined Services team (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) will play against a Nottingham All Stars team on Thursday, June 27 in Hucknall Town ground in Watnall Road.

Tickets for the game are on sale now for £5 from Hucknall Town Football Club and the ticket offices at Nottingham Forest and Notts County clubs and the Council House in Market Square.

Lt Col (Ret'd) Mick Cotton, the Tri-Services team chairman, said: "Football is the most widely enjoyed game in the military. It is the 'servicemen's sport'. The whole team is looking forward to playing against some of Nottingham's well known sporting heroes."

Stuart Mather, 35, is currently community relations manager at Capital One.

He started in January 2000 in the main call centre, having previously worked in telesales for other firms.

"I did that for about a year," he recalls. "And I found I had this knack for spotting dodgy applications, so I went to work for the fraud team. I found it all so interesting.

"By then, the company had become the main sponsor for Forest and I was such a big fan, so this was huge for me. One of the employee benefits was an allocation of tickets for staff and families. Each area had a 'Forest champion' to organise that, and that was my role. I really enjoyed it and got into organising events for the club and even had a regular spot in the Forest programme interviewing players.

"Working with Forest became my full-time role about six years ago, which I loved. We did a lot of community giveaways and events and my responsibilities became more and more to do that kind of thing and generate publicity.

"It's flown by since I started working here. My role just evolves all the time and now as community relationship manager I love it. I still have a lot of employee engagement, organising the festival and the Christmas do.

"Some people might think we are spoiled here with so much great stuff. And I do feel really privileged to work here. But we work hard too."

HAVE you ever had a business meeting inside an igloo or a brainstorming session at the bottom of a scale model of a lighthouse?

If the answer to either of these questions is "no" or "What on earth are you talking about?" you clearly don't work for Capital One, the enormous credit card company based at Station Street in Nottingham.

A dedicated seaside area and an amazing "igloo room" are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fabulous facilities at this state-of-the-art workplace.

There's also a free gym, a garden room, a games area, a large staff restaurant and even a Starbucks coffee shop inside the sprawling maze of offices, once home to that other major Nottingham employer, Boots.

It's no wonder, then, that Capital One was this week named the UK's best large employer in the Best Workplace Awards organised by global research, consulting and training firm Great Places to Work.

Open to all UK companies employing more than 500 people, the award recognises the leadership, people management and positive workplace culture at the organisation.

Staff walked into the office yesterday to be greeted by a huge new display in the entrance foyer with every single employee's name on it and the words "Thank you."

Capital One moved into the site in 1998 and set about transforming the still bomb-damaged building into a spacious, light and futuristic base for the US-based business.

With just over 1,000 employees, plus an additional 300-400 temps and contract staff, the company is not merely the "call centre" many people in Nottingham assume it to be.

As you take the stairs to the first floor, the fraud department is busy at work in one extensive area, while on the other side of an indoor football pitch is a huge IT department.

There are regular events for staff – today there are medical specialists issuing advice in a makeshift "boot camp" as part of Men's Health Week. Meanwhile, a big poster advertises this year's Capital One Mini Festival on June 20 – a massive annual social occasion featuring entertainment including bands made up of employees.

And then there's that Igloo Room.

Essentially, it's just another meeting room but this one has the option to crawl inside an igloo and throw a few snowballs as you discuss your next business idea.

Outside this quirky space, there is a huge and colourful mural of a ski scene, with sledges, snowboards and stuffed penguins all around in case they should inspire you.

Tina Ridler, 39, has worked for the company for a total of 15 years, currently in information security.

"It's without a doubt the best place to work," she says. "It's all about career progression here. You are really encouraged at every opportunity. And while we might have silly things like the igloo, we are actually treated like adults rather than children. We are given treats like this because we do a good job."

Mark Zawodniak, 31, who joined the company ten years ago, works in the same department. He adds: "That's actually interesting, the length of time people work here. You don't feel you want to leave. There's such a big variety of departments and there are also opportunities to move around.

"The best thing about the company is the people who work here, though. Having rooms like this igloo room is nice, but it's your colleagues that make the job good."

Downstairs, employees are sitting in the university area next to the restaurant. Capital One encourages all staff to embark on higher education and will pay for people to do a degree.

In another area of the building, a managers' meeting is taking place in the dedicated music room. Behind them, the stage is set up for the company's many in-house bands keen to get in some practice before next week's festival.

In the corner, there is an enormous mock lighthouse (with meeting space inside) and a group of beach huts where staff can go for some quiet time.

Karen Bowes, head of HR and corporate sustainability, is delighted at the company's success.

"This award is not about individuals, it transcends all departments," she explains. "We were commended for our leadership but everyone working here contributes: from the MD right down to the newest person working in our contact centre.

"It's about how we communicate, how we have fun and how motivated everybody is."

THE latest move to keep commuters on the go during the summer disruption at Nottingham Station has been completed – and all it took was a tin of paint.

A new bus lane has been put in place in Sheriffs Way, near the railway station, with the aim of clearing the way for rail replacement buses.

The lane was drawn up over the past couple of weeks and the city council says people are already avoiding using the road, despite the fines not coming into place until later in the month.

The new bus lane will lead to a new drop-off point for the replacement buses in Queens Road, which will be used between July 20 and August 25 while the work is taking place at the station.

Other changes to the roads near the station include a "bus gate" in Station Street.

This will mean buses, bicycles and wheelchair-accessible taxis will be the only vehicles able to access Station Street from London Road.

Opinion about the new bus lane was divided in the city.

Jim Davis, 46, from The Meadows, said: "It makes sense really – the buses won't be as quick as the trains, but these things might help."

But Brian Seaton, 49, from Clifton, said: "I think people are just going to avoid the trains and replacement buses while the work goes on, so I don't think making more space for buses will be needed.

"If anything, they should look at how they deal with more cars coming into the city because the trains won't be running."

The city council's portfolio holder for planning and transport, Councillor Jane Urquhart, said: "We are working very closely with Network Rail, East Midlands Trains and other partners to help minimise any disruption to the travelling public as a result of the signal improvement works over the summer.

"We are providing space on the road network and access at the station for replacement bus services and ensuring clear, up-to-date information is available to help people make the appropriate journey choices.

"I would encourage anyone who normally travels to Nottingham by train to think now about the alternatives that might be available to them."

The work taking place this summer involves replacement of the track and signalling as well as a new platform at the station.

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains said: "We have worked closely with the city council in planning the Nottingham resignalling project.

"This bus-priority measures will be invaluable in helping the replacement bus services get people to where they need to be while work is being carried out and will help us to minimise disruption for passengers as much as possible."

A NURSE has recalled the moment he lost grip of 55-year-old patient who plummeted to his death from a hospital window at the Queen's Medical Centre.

Joseph Tauya smashed a window on the Neuro Spinal Post-Operative Unit on the fourth floor of the hospital and flung himself out.

Yesterday the inquest heard from auxiliary nurse Chris Harvey, who was the last person holding on to Mr Tauya's foot.

He said: "He [Mr Tauya] was shouting 'let me go'. Blood was running down my arm and caused my grip to slip. I saw him fall to the ground.

"There was a sharp intake of breath from the staff on the ward, punctuated by the sound of him hitting the pavement."

The inquest heard how in trying to save the father-of-three, Mr Harvey – who is still off work as a result of the incident – cut his left bicep on a shard of jagged glass which required 30 stitches. The wound was an inch deep and four inches long. Mr Harvey was described as a large, strong man at around 6ft tall.

The inquest also heard from David Holleworth – a clinical support trainer – who said that he found Joseph in an agitated state moments before he jumped.

In Mr Holleworth's statement he detailed how Mr Tauya, originally from Zimbabwe, was trying to leave the ward minutes before he smashed the window.

Mr Holleworth said: "He was saying 'I command you from Jesus to open the door'."

Mr Holleworth also tried to stop Mr Tauya, a devout Christian, from falling.

He said: "Joseph was struggling; I was holding his leg.

"I shouted 'I'm losing him' I was just left holding his jogging bottoms. It was like sand falling through my fingers."

The family attended the hearing yesterday having been absent from the first day's proceedings, and, after some of the witnesses gave evidence, they questioned whether earlier intervention could have prevented the outcome.

The court heard that an injection of the tranquilliser Haloperidol had been drawn up, but medics did not have the chance to administer it.

Mr Tauya, of Braunstone, Leicester, had been married to his wife Moirah for more than 18 years, and leaves behind three children, aged 3, 12 and 17.

A verdict is expected tomorrow.

A PREDATORY paedophile pressured a teenage girl into cutting herself while he watched on a webcam.

Lee Christie, 43, of Barnby Gate, Newark, told the girl he would send indecent pictures of her to her parents unless she obeyed.

He was jailed for eight years on Tuesday for terrorising a number of girls online.

He pretended to be a teenage boy to persuade victims to strip and carry out indecent acts, manipulating and threatening ten victims aged 13-16, and accumulating thousands of indecent images of children.

Christie admitted 23 charges and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court.

His home was raided by police in January last year, and 70,000 indecent images and videos of children were found on two computers, as well as another 3,000 images of extreme pornography.

He was arrested after a tip-off from the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre who intercepted him on a US social networking site. Detective Constable Andy Taylor said: "He would first get them to trust him before persuading them to take their clothes off online. Once he had images of them, he would blackmail them to do what he asked."

He also took indecent images of two girls, then aged 13 and 14, in Notts in 2004.

He admitted 15 counts of making indecent images of children, possession of 69,542 indecent images of children and six counts of causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted possession of extreme pornography and a prohibited image of a child.

He will sign the sex offenders register for life.

To report inappropriate behaviour online, go to ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/, call 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.

EXPERTS think Nottingham's economy has turned a corner after a dramatic drop in people filing for bankruptcy.

Just 299 people have filed for bankruptcy at Nottingham County Court so far this year, with 841 applications throughout 2012.

This was down 27 per cent on the 1,154 filed in 2011, and nearly three-quarters lower than in 2009 when 3,175 applications were made.

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the news as a sign of an improving economy.

He said: "These are encouraging figures which provide further evidence that the economy is heading in the right direction.

"We may still not be seeing the sustained level of growth we would like, but these figures show fewer firms are going out of business when compared to the recession."

Research by credit experts Experian has also revealed that personal insolvencies in Nottingham have fallen in recent years, compared to other places.

During 2011, 1.11 per cent of personal insolvencies that took place in the UK were in Nottingham.

This fell in 2012, however, to 0.95 per cent of the total share.

James Jones, Experian's head of consumer affairs, said: "Any drop in personal insolvencies is very welcome news.

"Fewer businesses failing means fewer people losing their jobs, which is a major financial shock that can often leave people facing the spectre of unmanageable debt. So this is very positive news indeed."

Owners of businesses that have grown in recent months said the news of fewer bankruptcies could result in new confidence in Nottingham's economy.

Sangita Tryner took the risk to move Delilah Fine Foods from Fletcher Gate into bigger premises in Victoria Street, in the city centre, last October.

She said: We didn't know what the new venture was going to bring.

"We took the massive risk so we could grow Delilah.

"Our turnover has more than doubled and our employees have grown from nine to 25."

She added: "The general feedback from customers is they are doing all right. The consensus is that people feel happier and are more comfortable.

"It is really positive news [the bankruptcy figures]."

Bosses of IT company Retail Assist, in Friar Lane, in the city centre, also said the figures showed things were on the up.

The company experienced a record year in 2012-13, culminating with being named the Nottinghamshire Company of the Year in the 2013 Nottingham Post Business Awards.

Executive chairman Alan Morris said: "We have seen new businesses rise from the recession and they are finding new ways of successfully doing business in current times, and they are thriving on new opportunities that present themselves, which has to give rise to confidence for the future.

"The economy has changed, so we have to look differently at things. The most important thing is consumer confidence; if this improves, everything improves."

Despite the reduction, Richard Saville, senior partner for the East Midlands at Nottingham-based business recovery specialists Begbies Traynor, said life was still tough for many people in the city.

"The average person on an average wage is really struggling because there have been no significant wage rises in recent years, inflation and prices are going up," he said.

"The only advice I give people is you have to face up to your debts."

Clare Howling, specialist services manager at Nottingham and District Citizens Advice Bureau, also said staff had seen an increase in people with debt issues in the last year.

She said: "I think the issue could become more of a problem after changes to the benefits system."

City centre businessman Geoff Williams, who runs gift shop Tokenhouse and picture frame company Framework, added: "Maybe it is a sign that things are getting better, but perhaps it shows that most of the dead wood has fallen off the tree."

Since 2009, people with debts of less than £15,000 have been able to apply for a debt relief order instead of filing for bankruptcy.

Insolvency Service figures, however, show the number of people in Nottingham taking up debt relief orders doesn't affect the downward trend when combined with bankruptcy applications.

A MAN was cut on the hand after a knife-wielding robber attempted to steal his jewellery in a city centre clothes store yesterday.

Police cordoned off the front of USC, on the corner of Lower Parliament Street and Clumber Street, following the incident, which took place at about 2pm.

Two offenders, both described as mixed race, fled the scene towards Glasshouse Street.

One was said to have been wearing a black tracksuit with white sleeves and a Trilby hat, while the other was described as wearing a dark-coloured hoodie.

The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre for treatment, along with another man who had suffered a scratch during the scuffle.

USC was closed for most of the afternoon.

A security guard from a nearby shop, who didn't want to be named, was called over the emergency radio.

He said: "Someone was shouting, saying 'USC has a problem'. I followed the call from the radio asking for help because someone had a knife."

The security guard said he feared that the injury was a lot worse when he arrived at the scene.

"Blood just kept coming out of his jacket. The way he was holding his hand made it look like he had been stabbed in the stomach."

Philippa Sharpe, 23, a supervisor at Miss Selfridge, which is opposite USC, said: "We heard a radio shout-out saying someone had a knife, but we were too busy to see what was going on."

Miss Sharpe added that the severity of the incident had surprised her, but city centre violence is not uncommon.

She said: "We see a fight every day. It might not be that bad all the time, but it's a by-product of being in the city centre."

USC reopened for an hour from 5pm to 6pm and staff confirmed the store would be open as usual today.

Notts Police are asking anyone with any information about the incident to call 101, quoting incident 473 of June 13 2013, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.