W HEN David and Penny Kimmins first saw The Old Forge 13 years ago they fell in love with its quirky design. "It's a one-off house with a wealth of history," says David.

"It was originally three cottages, which have been combined, plus more modern extensions. It's flexible, versatile… it can be whatever you want it to be."

For anyone looking for interesting, and above all flexible accommodation, The Forge is ideal – this versatile home includes an annexe and a swimming pool.

David, 69, said: "We don't know too much about its history or exactly when it was converted, but there was a building here in the 1700s.

"During its lifetime parts of the building have been a forge, a pub (called The Gate Hangs Well), and cottages... when we moved in our postman recalled sitting at the forge as a child and watching the horses being shoed."

The former architect adds: "Each owner has added something to the house.

"We converted the space above the old barns, which are now garages and storehouses, to create the current kitchen/ dining room and this room is great – it's two storey at the front, one at the back.

"We have had some gorgeous views of sunsets from here. Plus, being single storey at the back, we can step straight into the garden."

This room looks through the large windows onto the private rear garden and pond.

Alterations the couple have suggested for future owners include incorporating the study into the kitchen next to it to create an even larger living/ dining kitchen.

David said: "We've developed the house to suit how we live but the next owners could have great fun using it in different ways. It needs a family and it adapts so well as the kids grow up or granny moves in.

"When we moved in, the former village forge was derelict. We've completely done it up to modern standards to create a multi-purpose space which Penny uses as separate complementary therapy consulting rooms and for yoga sessions and I use it for jazz band practice.

"It could be a home office (there's plenty of parking) and the potential to create an annexe, granny flat or child's separate living accommodation."

David and Penny have arranged the accommodation to include an entrance porch, reception hallway, lounge, kitchen/dining room, utility room, shower room, snug/bedroom five, bathroom, and four bedrooms with the master bedroom and bedroom two sharing an en suite shower room.

"The very comfortable snug was used as a bedroom for elderly parents with the utility room and laundry used as a kitchen and dining room – the house is just so flexible."

In addition, there is a covered 24ft pool which has a full automatic filtration and solar water heating system.

David said: "Our grandchildren love the pool. They can do what they can't do in a public pool – dive in, jump in, slide in, float in a large blow up boat. But, if the next owners don't want a pool, the building could be adapted and used as a large play area or games room."

This charming and quirky property has an abundance of character throughout with many original features, including timber beams, and the couple say it is beautifully lit with big windows.

"It's a house of many contrasts and lovely views over village rooftops to the beautiful countryside beyond."

There is extensive off-road parking and a double garage with twin up and over doors and a range of outbuildings.

The property is conveniently located on the quiet Main Street in the oldest part of Keyworth; a highly sought-after village just five miles from West Bridgford town centre and under 10 miles from Nottingham city centre.

"We love Keyworth. It's a fabulous village with everything going for it."

The village benefits from beautiful countryside walks, local amenities, shops, popular schools, pubs and restaurants and a frequent bus service.

The Old Forge is being sold with the advantage of having no upward chain.

The couple said: "We have made it what we wanted and have loved the quirkiness of it – but now we're downsizing, so it's someone else's turn to use it to suit their lifestyle."

Steve Parker of FHP Living, said: "It's a totally unique four/five bedroom house, a fact that even a cursory glance will confirm. "We thoroughly recommend viewing."

FISH struggling to survive in the tropical temperatures have been saved by firefighters.

A crew visited Newstead and Annesley Country Park because carp in the lakes and lagoons were not getting enough oxygen to survive.

The shortage was caused by the hot weather.

Firefighters pumped water into the lakes to increase oxygen levels and give the fish a fighting chance of survival.

Their visit was organised by Rural Community Action Notts (RCAN), an organisation which supports communities in rural areas.

Rob Crowden, chief executive of RCAN, said: "When the weather is hot, fish use up more oxygen and microbes at the bottom of the lake grow and take the oxygen.

"This means that as time goes on, the fish start to struggle in prolonged periods of heat.

"What we wanted to do was get a little bit more oxygen into the water and the firefighters pumped it out and then pumped it back in. As it goes back in, the bubbles and movement create oxygen.

"It is a real issue across the county and one that fish owners should keep an eye out for.

"If the hot weather continues, then we may need to find a way of getting more oxygen into the ponds."

Firefighters used the task as a training exercise to test new equipment and note emergency access points should there be an incident at the country park.

Yesterday, temperatures hit 30C. Today is expected to be slightly cooler at 27C, while Friday will see the beginning of a cooler weekend.

The highest temperature forecast on Saturday is 21C.

The fire service is urging people to take care during the hot weather.

As well as the increased fire risk of barbecues, the service says people should not cool off in rivers, lakes and streams.

Crew manager Alastair Bramley-Little said: "We don't want to spoil people's fun, but we want to make people aware of the potential dangers and hopefully reduce the chances of incidents happening here."

Hazards include getting stuck in silt, litter on the river bed, and shock brought on by the difference in temperature between air and water.

Meanwhile, Notts County Council has issued advice to both older people and drinkers.

Meals At Home delivery drivers are handing over written advice on the importance of drinking plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Top tips include having a drink between meals, as well as with food, having a full glass of water with any medication and drinking at least two-and-a-half pints of water a day.

Similarly, drinkers enjoying the sunshine at pubs are advised to leave the car at home or stick to the mocktails.

The council's principal road safety officer Zena Oliver said: "Traditionally, drink-drive campaigns have always been held over the Christmas period but actually the danger is there all year round – and especially in the summer months.

"Family barbecues, celebrating at weekend sporting events or stopping off for a meal after a long day out – all offer the potential for drivers to unknowingly push themselves over the limit when it comes to having a drink."

LAPTOPS which give police remote access to force intelligence systems are to be fitted to every 999 squad car in Notts.

Notts Police is the first force in the East Midlands and one of the first few nationally to roll out the use of TetraTabs.

Chief Inspector Kerry McLernon said: "It will make our response teams more efficient and there will be more officers on the streets."

The first response car was fitted with the computer system in June and the roll-out will continue across the force in the coming months.

They cut officers' dependency on the control room and free up their time to deal with emergency calls.

It will also mean officers can complete administrative tasks from their vehicles rather than returning to the station.

Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish said: "The better equipped our officers are whilst out on patrol in the community, the better service they will be able to provide to the public.

"The TetraTab provides them with a portable office in their vehicle, which will mean faster and more efficient investigations and inquiries."

The security-marked systems, which do not store data on their hard drives, use wireless internet access and can be moved between cars but will be useless without a police vehicle. PC David Kenna, who was one of the first officers using the new system, said: "I can say that after a full day of use it has been excellent."

VICTORIA Centre's makeover will go ahead – as long as it reflects its "iconic" status.

The proposed refurbishment was given the go-ahead by councillors yesterday – on condition that agreement can reached met on how it looks. Planning committee councillors voiced concerns that the design, which includes orange lighting and fabric cladding, did not fit the character of Nottingham.

They were also unhappy with the corporate styling and how quickly it would age.

Councillor Malcolm Wood said he was concerned that the owners, Intu, had not thought about the building's importance to the city.

He said: "I do think it's an iconic building and I wonder if Intu looked at it seriously.

"I think the design they have looks almost temporary. I don't see it as a lasting solution for the street scene.

"I hope that we can talk to Intu and improve the quality of the aesthetics."

Councillor Michael Edwards said he also had reservations about the look of the building.

He said: "This is a planning application geared around a corporate logo. I don't think it looks good. I just want to know what it is I am missing."

Councillor Toby Neal said: "There's a sense about the style that doesn't feel right. You've got the top that pokes out. That doesn't feel right."

Councillor Roger Steele added: "As this is what I would consider the main entrance point into Victoria Centre, there ought to be a bit of a wow factor. I don't think this has the wow factor."

However, committee chairman Councillor Chris Gibson said it was a move away from its dated concrete appearance.

He said: "I remember when it was being built in 1972 and the fashion then was for naked concrete. I think we've learnt our lesson there.

"I would want to support and encourage the way this is looked at."

A spokesman for Intu Properties said: "We will need to discuss this further with the council."

Have councillors made the right decision? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

A £5m ECO-home designed for two lottery winners has been given planning permission.

The decision was made almost unanimously with only one city councillor voting against what was praised as an "innovative" design.

The house, which is to be built at Adams Hill, Derby Road, Wollaton, is the dream home of £45m lottery winners Matt and Cassey Topham.

They won approval to tear down the property on the site and replace it with a party-underground dwelling made of four separate pods clad in turf.

The building, which has been likened to a Telly Tubby house, would be partly powered by solar panels.

Objections to the application were made by English Heritage, which said the design was not in keeping with the architectural heritage of the area.

Wollaton East councillor Sally Longford said the house would be welcome in Notts, especially in her ward.

She said: "I do think this is a fantastic, imaginative design which will sit well in the landscape.

"The people could have chosen to live anywhere and I am quite glad they have chosen to live in my ward."

Councillor Malcolm Wood said there was no reason it should not sit among more traditional homes.

He said: "Over the years, I've been calling for more contemporary design and boy, have we got it? I think it's stupendous and there's no reason why good contemporary design shouldn't sit next to classic buildings."

The house can now be built providing a traffic management plan for the development is agreed.

THERE are now 255 fewer crimes recorded every day in Notts than there were a decade ago, according to new figures.

Government statistics published today show crime has fallen during the past year by 12 per cent. It is the latest in a series of significant year-on- year falls.

Notts Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, who monitors the county force, said he welcomed the efforts of officers.

"Twelve per cent is a good achievement," he said.

However, Mr Tipping admitted he was "sceptical" about crime figures.

He said: "Notts has recorded big falls in crime and we need to be sure of their validity."

Mr Tipping said he was studying a report into crime figures in Kent.

The report concluded that around one in ten crimes in a sample were not recorded properly.

He added: "The commissioner in Kent has looked at the issue there and we will review that report. We are studying it now to see if it is relevant to Notts."

The Notts figures released today show that overall crime fell by 12 per cent between April 2012 and March this year, compared to the 12 months before that.

This took the force to a total of 68,097 recorded crimes a year – fewer than half the 161,404 crimes in the corresponding 12-month period ten years ago.

It means there are now around 187 recorded crimes a day in Notts – compared with 442 each day back then.

A Notts Police spokeswoman vigorously defended the force's recording of crime, saying a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary had already indicated it was one of the most accurate in the country.

Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish said: "The new figures mean your chance of being a victim are less than at any point in the last 10 years.

"We are better equipped, have better leadership and are much more focused on the quality of service we provide to the public than we were a decade ago."

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

NEARLY 20,000 children are living below the poverty line in Nottingham, a new report claims.

Child poverty is costing the city £216 million per year, according to the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) study, published today.

The report also found that just under half of the 20,000 deprived kids live in the Nottingham North constituency, which includes Aspley, Basford, Bestwood, Bilborough and Bulwell.

Mother and daughter Claire Walker, 40, and Nikki Randall, 22, of Aspley, are among those who have had to make cutbacks.

Nikki earns £12,500 year and her husband is unemployed.

He is not eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance as the couple live together, so their income is topped up by working and child tax credits. They have a one-year-old son.

Nikki said: "I do worry about how we're going to manage in the future because he's only going to need more stuff as he gets older.

"We've already made cutbacks. We now shop at Aldi instead of Tesco and only get the bare minimum and we only go out once a month and then we budget ourselves to no more than £15."

Claire, who also has two sons, aged 16 and one, has also had to adjust how she spends.

Together, she and her husband bring home £34,500.

"I know a few families round here who struggle financially," she said. "Even though me and my husband both work, we do find things hard with two children at home.

"We've cut back on heating because it broke a few years ago and we can't afford to get it fixed and we've also started shopping at Aldi."

Across Notts, the number of children living below the poverty line is 43,747, costing the economy £474 million annually.

The research suggests that outside the city, Mansfield has the highest number of children in poverty with 4,644, followed by Ashfield with 4,486 and Bassetlaw with 3,602.

The areas with the lowest levels of child poverty were Rushcliffe, with 1,050 and Broxtowe with 2,032. The relative poverty line is 60 per cent of the national median income, which was £359 per week in 2011-12.

Nottingham North MP Graham Allen said: "I think we've recognised there are serious problems and Nottingham North in particular has high levels of deprivation.

"The long-term plan to tackle that is around early intervention and we've introduced a large number of programmes to help children and young people develop social and emotional capability and that will pay off in the long term.

"There is no such thing as a quick fix, so we have to think long term and in years to come I think we will see the results."

CPAG says the annual national cost of child poverty is £29 billion, which comes from spending on services to deal with the consequences of child poverty, losses in tax receipts from people earning less and spending on benefits for people spending more time out of work as a result of having grown up in poverty.

Alison Garnham, chief executive of CPAG, said: "We hope local campaigners will be able to use our report to encourage their local councillors to do more to end child poverty in their area and support families facing the greatest hardship."

Arnold: M. N. Singh, 77 High Street, to 6.30pm; Sainsbury's, Nottingham Road, to 10pm; Asda, 111-127 Front Street, 7am to 11pm.

Beeston and Lenton Abbey: Grewal, 38-40 Chilwell Road, to 7pm; Jardines, Sainsbury's , Beeston, to 6.45pm; Manor, 24 Chilwell Road, to 7pm.

Bestwood: Forest, 131 Arnold Road, to 7pm.

Bilborough: Co-op, Bracebridge Drive, 7am to 11pm.

Burton Joyce: Burrows & Close, 49 Main Street, to 6.30pm.

Clifton: Day Night, 116 Southchurch Drive, to Midnight.

Cotgrave: Co-op, 9 The Precinct, Candleby Lane, to 6.30pm.

Daybrook: Snowden-James, Daybrook Health Centre, Mansfield Road, to 6.30pm.

East Leake: Manor, 12/14 Gotham Lane, to 6.30pm.

Eastwood:Co-op, 2A Church Walk, to 6.30pm.

Gamston: Morrisons, Lings Bar Road, to 10pm.

Heanor: W R Evans, 67 Mansfield Road, to 6pm.

Hucknall: Health Centre, Curtis Street, to 7pm; Lloyds, Unit 1, Farleys Lane, to 6.45pm; Tesco, Ashgate Road, 6.30am to 10.30pm.

Hyson Green: Asda, 7.30am-10pm.

Jacksdale: Acorn, 8-10 Main Road, to 6.30pm.

Keyworth: Co-op, 2 The Square, to 6pm; Keyworth Pharmacy, The Square, 8.30amto 6.30pm.

Kimberley: Manor, Greens Lane, to 7pm.

Long Eaton: Boots, Long Eaton Health Centre, Midland Street, to midnight; Tesco Extra, Waverley Street, 6.30am to 10.30pm.

Mansfield: Sainsbury's, Nottingham Road, to 10pm.

New Basford/Forest Fields: Shally's, 37 Beech Avenue, to 6.30pm.

Nottingham central: Glasshouse Chemist, 42-44 Glasshouse Street, to 7pm; Canning, 2 Beastmarket Hill, Old Market Square, to 6.30pm; Boots, Riverside Retail Park, 9am-midnight; Boots, Long Row, 8am to 8pm; Castle Marina Sainsbury's, 7am-11pm.

Radcliffe-on-Trent: Radcliffe Day and Night Pharmacy, 1 Shelford Road, 7am-11pm.

Radford: Canning, 61 Ilkeston Road, to 7.15pm; Midnight Pharmacy, 194 Alfreton Road, 9am to midnight.

Rise Park: Knights, 9 Bestwood Park Drive West, 9am-7pm.

Selston: Selston Pharmacy, 137 Nottingham Road, to 6.30pm.

Sherwood and Woodthorpe: Lloyds, 678 Mansfield Road, to 6.30pm; Jayplex, 724 Mansfield Road, Woodthorpe, to 6.30pm.

Sneinton and St Ann's: D Parmar, 298 Woodborough Road, 9am-12.30pm and 2-6.30pm; Phakey's, 149 Carlton Road, 9am-6.15pm.

Southwell: Lloyds, 2-4 King Street, 8.30am-6pm; Co-op, The Ropewalk, 7am-11pm.

Stapleford: Co-op, Stapleford Care Centre, Church Street, 7am-11pm.

Strelley: Omega, 25 Flamsteed Road, 8.45am-1pm and 2.30pm-6.30pm.

West Bridgford: Asda, 184 Loughborough Road, to 10pm; Manor, 97A Melton Road, to 7pm.

TEN new jobs will be created if a new factory which embroiders school uniforms is given the go-ahead.

TM Trustees Keward/Leame Elite Account has asked Nottingham City Council for permission to build in Merchant Street, Bulwell.

The development would include an apartment, a shop and storage space.

The main function would be an embroidery workshop supplying clothing for schools in the area.

If the application is successful, a house will be converted into offices, and a garage and storage buildings will be demolished.

The application states: "The proposal recognises the domestic scale on and along Merchant Street, plus the more industrial scale of buildings on the site to its rear.

"The building is intended to fit in with the domestic scale, limiting the development to two storeys, with 2.6m floor to ceiling heights. The rear block is similar in height and mass to the original. The rear store will be lower than the existing garage and set away from the adjoining property, albeit the walls that form the garage will remain as they form the boundaries.

"The eclectic mix of styles is now brought into one contemporary modern style that allows identification of blocks and uses whilst giving the development a holistic feel."

To view or comment on the application see www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk reference number 13/01630/PFUL3.

THE mastermind behind a major counterfeit vodka scam has been told to pay back £80,000 he made from the crime.

Blidworth man Kevin Eddishaw is currently serving seven years in jail after customs officers found 9,000 fake bottles of Glen's vodka in a September 2009 raid.

Five other gang members were also convicted for their part in the plot, which involved the hidden stash and factory at Moscow Farm near Great Dalby, Leicestershire.

Besides the fake vodka officers also found manufacturing equipment, bottles and counterfeit packaging including labels and cardboard boxes.

After an application by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Eddishaw was told at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday he must pay back £80,000 or face an extra 15 months in prison.

Richard Meadows, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: "Our investigations do not stop with the sentencing of those involved in fraud. We look to deprive criminals of any material gain from their crimes.

"This was a substantial production, bottling and distribution plant with the infrastructure to distribute large quantities of counterfeit Glen's vodka throughout the country.

"But it was set up without any thought for the safety of those working there or in the area nearby. The gang were fully aware the counterfeit vodka they manufactured contained highly dangerous chemicals making it unfit for human consumption, but were interested only in making a profit at the expense of British taxpayers."

He added: "The revenue loss to the UK on this haul alone was £1.5 million."

Eddishaw, 54, of Rainworth Lodge, admitted conspiracy to cheat the revenue in November 2011.

HMIC said he was the principal gang member and mastermind behind the plot.

THE burgers and hot dogs on the food stalls at Nottingham Riviera weren't the only things sizzling at the summer attraction's official launch.

Crowds on the huge sandy beach that now makes up much of the Old Market Square were baking yesterday as the thermometer in "Hottingham" reached a scorching 28C – but nobody was complaining.

Now in its fifth year, the city centre's quirky version of a British seaside resort was packed with families keen to make the world's best sandcastle or splash about in the refreshing paddling pool (still a gorgeous shade of aqua).

"We grabbed a parasol as soon as we got here," said a cool-looking Becky Candlin, 38, from Cotgrave.

"I think they're going to need a few more if the weather carries on like this though."

She was enjoying the first day of the beach with 18-month-old toddler Charlie and mum Maggie Steel, 65, also from Cotgrave.

"I brought my older daughter loads last year and we loved it," Becky added.

"It's lovely having the sand between your toes and the kids are happy for hours. The beach area seems much bigger this year too.

"When you've got something like this in the city centre there's really no need to go to Skegness."

Nearby, Sarah Stevens, 42, from Borrowash, was letting daughters Flora, eight, and Tilly, six, entertain themselves with those must-have accessories for Nottingham Riviera – a bucket and spade.

"We've not been before and I didn't expect it to be like this. It's much bigger and better than I thought it would be," Sarah said. "We have only usually been to the beach in places like Devon so it's very different for us.

"The girls really got into the spirit of it. They were straight into their bikinis as soon as we arrived."

Along with 260 tonnes of sand imported from Cheshire, this year's Riviera has a busy beach bar, lots of family rides and a couple of thrilling new additions – notably a big swinging pirate ship (probably best not to go on that after a particularly strong cocktail).

There are also eye-catching new "high ropes" designed to test the climbing skills of kids and adults alike – and visitors will also be able to battle it out with friends and family on the brand new dodgems.

Roman Reis, 39, from Sneinton, was showing no signs of needing to do anything so strenuous as he relaxed in the shade while kids Santino, 18 months, and Gino, six, played happily nearby. He said: "We've only moved here recently from the Czech Republic.

"It's very nice to have a beach to come to now – the boys will be wanting to come here all the summer."

The free deckchairs were filling up quickly as the afternoon continued to heat up and the Halle Youth Orchestra set up to perform in the water fountain area.

Rebecca Alsop, 27, from Bestwood Park, was cooling off next to the children's rides as children Bethany, eight, Kaci, five and Kayden, two, had a spin on the balloons.

"We came last year all the time, we love it," she said. "There don't seem to be as many rides this time, I don't think, but maybe that's a good thing as people can just play on the beach and save their money.

"I don't mind it if it stays hot, you just need to make sure you pack the sun cream and bring lots of cold drinks with you. It is nice to stand in the shade and watch the kids have their fun."

One area already proving popular at the Riviera was the big paddling pool, where Jamie Cresswell-Seeley, ten, from Sneinton, was having a splashing time to celebrate his school breaking up for the summer.

Dad Robert Seeley, 42, said: "It's really good, isn't it? And there's no excuse for the kids to be bored in the holidays when they can come down here and have fun."

Running for five weeks until September 2, the city council is quick to point out that Nottingham Riviera is provided at no cost to the taxpayer thanks once again to a partnership with the Mellors Group.

Councillor David Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "Year after year Nottingham Riviera proves to be a real hit with families from across the city.

"Once again it brings the seaside to the heart of the city for everyone to enjoy. So bring your family down to the Old Market Square, pull up a deckchair and enjoy the fun. There's something here for everyone."

COMMUTERS are set to face more than five weeks of disruption from today as the majority of trains stop running at Nottingham Station.

The plans will see the complete closure of the Robin Hood Line to Mansfield and Worksop and replacement buses on most journeys out of the city as part of a £100m programme of engineering works – including replacing six miles of track as well as 140 signals and signal boxes.

Temporary bus stops and information boards have been put up along Station Street.

Trains are set to return to normal by August 26.

Simon Newstead, 64, of Carrington, said he felt train companies had done a good job of informing people about the disruption.

He added: "I travel on trains quite a bit and everywhere I've been recently there have been announcements about the Nottingham station work. Whenever they were going to do it, it was going to cause problems.

"I feel for people who have to commute and can't get to their job easily, but it's worth it because it will improve the reliability of the trains."

But Robert Lloyd, 21, from Gamston, said: "It's going to be crazy with all the replacement buses leaving. With the A453 work going on as well, it's going to take much longer to get anywhere – people are just going to get hot and bothered.

"I don't take the trains that often and, given what it's going to be like, I'm glad I don't rely on them."

David Horne, managing director for East Midlands Trains, said: "This is a very exciting and significant scheme for Nottingham and one that will create a better, more reliable railway."

Justin Page, of Network Rail, said: "We're spending £100m to completely rebuild the railway through Nottingham. It will transform the reliability of services from the station."