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The picture of popstars Ke$ha and LMFAO that cost Rock City £20,000

September 26, 2013, 10:47 pm
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ONE of Nottingham's biggest nightclubs has agreed to pay £20,000 after illegally using this picture in promotional material. Daybrook House Promotions Ltd (DHP), which runs Rock City, used the image in connection with a post advertising Floor Fillers events. Jason Sheldon, who took the photo after gaining exclusive backstage access to the Birmingham leg of American pop star Ke$ha's UK tour in 2011, contacted DHP to ask it to stop using the photo and sent an invoice for £1,351 for its unlicensed use. DHP claimed it did not realise it was not entitled to use the image because it was freely available of social network site tumblr. It offered to pay £150 for using the photo. In response, Mr Sheldon started legal proceedings. The case was transferred to the Patents County Court, with Mr Sheldon claiming the photo had been used more extensively than first thought and after DHP was told it was not licensed to use the photo. Meanwhile, DHP accepted the image had been used but did not agree infringement had taken place. Daybrook House said it would not have paid more than a few hundred pounds for the use of any photograph but Judge Birss QC said the issue was how much the copyright owner of the photo would have earned if someone else reproduced it. The judge ruled in May that DHP should pay damages of £5,682.37 plus interest and costs. Mr Sheldon said DHP had now paid £20,000 in an out-of-court settlement. Julie Tippins, operations manager at DHP, said: "We regret the oversight which led to this image being used in promotional material without the correct permission or agreement. "We have reviewed our internal systems and briefed staff to ensure our use of images comply with copyright legislation at all times."

The picture of popstars Ke$ha and LMFAO that cost Rock City £20,000

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Nottingham Forest v Derby: Nigel Clough plays down rivalry with Billy Davies

September 26, 2013, 10:51 pm
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NIGEL Clough insists the showdown between Nottingham Forest and rivals Derby County should not be billed as a grudge match between himself and Billy Davies. The two bosses have clashed off the pitch during previous East Midlands derbies. But, ahead of tomorrow's big game at the City Ground (12.15pm), Clough discussed his relationship with the Reds boss – and insisted that the past was irrelevant. Back in 2010, Davies accused Clough of kneeing him in the back of the leg during a touchline melee involving players and coaching staff of both clubs in a game at Pride Park. Clough denied the allegation, but Davies made an official complaint to the League Managers' Association. The two managers have gone head-to-head twice since then – with Davies coming out on top both times – but this is the first time they have faced off since the Scotsman returned for a second spell in charge of Forest. "How is my relationship with Billy Davies? I don't know, you would probably have to ask him that," said Clough. "I saw him at a meeting of managers pre-season, we shook hands and said 'hello'. I don't expect it to be any different than that tomorrow. "We will just shake hands. I will offer my hand. Out of respect for the job we do, managers should always shake hands." Clough says the flashpoint of a few years ago has been firmly consigned to the past now, as far as he is concerned. "Everything is in the past with us. Losing at Leicester on Tuesday is in the past. We cannot afford to dwell on anything like that, we move on," said Clough, who was a popular figure as a player with the Reds. "I don't think it will be a battle with him (Davies); I think it will be a battle between the two teams on the pitch." There has been a red card in four of the last five meetings, including one in each of the last two at the City Ground. But Clough has no plans to tell his players to keep calm during the game, saying: "We have got a very good disciplinary record and I hope that doesn't change." "Our strength is playing football and playing the ball around. So we have to concentrate on doing that." Clough is not surprised by Forest's start, which has seen them build the best home record in the Championship. "It has been expected, really, with the amount of players they have brought in and the amount of money that has been spent," said Clough, whose own Derby side are unbeaten away. "They will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season." Clough believes there is pressure on Forest. "I think there is," he said. "You have got certain teams because of their spending who will be expected to be in the top six. "They (Forest) are in there at the moment and showed the size of their squad in that they could make 11 changes for their Capital One Cup tie at Burnley this week."

Nottingham Forest v Derby: Nigel Clough plays down rivalry with Billy Davies

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Driver crashes into hedge but escapes uninjured

September 26, 2013, 10:59 pm
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A CAR was left with damage to its bonnet after a smash in Stapleford. The Peugeot 207 hit a hedge in Ilkeston Road at about 4.30pm yesterday. Shortly afterwards, two other cars collided as they were passing the scene. Police said there were no injuries in either incident and the road was cleared by 6pm.
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Sat Bains to open new 'chilled-out' city restaurant

September 26, 2013, 11:15 pm
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NOTTINGHAM'S top chef Sat Bains has been contemplating plans for a second restaurant in the heart of the city for eight years – and now he reckons the time has finally come. "I am ready now. I'm looking at the New Year hopefully, or spring, but we don't know.... nothing is signed. "I'm looking for a site in the Lace Market. It's going to be something chilled-out, really accessible, like modern British tapas," said the chef. Mr Bains discovered this week that his eaterie – Restaurant Sat Bains, near the flyover in Lenton Lane – has retained its two Michelin stars in the 2014 guide, making it the best in the East Midlands and one of the best restaurants in Britain. The restaurant won its first star in 2003, then two in 2011 for food categorised as "excellent and worth a special detour" by the guide. Mr Bains specialises in tasting menus with incomparable gastronomic flavours and textures. Dishes such as Yorkshire hare with cauliflower, pear, blue cheese and chocolate or crab, avocado and white balsamic jelly and langoustine, watermelon and samphire have wowed diners from far and wide. Not everyone can afford to eat at the restaurant but his new venture will have a menu which is more affordable, so a bigger audience can enjoy his cutting-edge cuisine. Bains, whose wife Amanda runs front-of-house at the restaurant, will be talking about the new venture when he features on BBC1's Inside Out East Midlands in Food special on October 14. Reporter Rob Whitehouse said: "It's a profile of Sat, his food and how he came to be where he is. He'll be revealing the secrets of his menu created largely from locally-sourced ingredients." Mr Bains was filmed in the middle of service in the busy kitchen and developing imaginative new dishes for the menu. It's not all work though – the cameras followed him to the squash court, one of his favourite ways to unwind. Diners, who savoured innovative dishes such as curried lollipops and grouse on a bed of heather and feathers, were interviewed. "They were all flabbergasted by the sort of food coming out," said Mr Whitehouse. Last week, Mr Bains demonstrated energy-efficient cooking at E.ON's Open House in Nottingham, to an audience including the public and school cooks. And a few days later he was cooking at an AA awards dinner in London for 950 guests. This time last year he published his first cookbook, Too Many Chiefs Only One Indian. The book, which weighs 4kg and costs £75, has won eight prestigious accolades including Best in the World – Cookbook Design from the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris. "We have been blown away," said Mr Bains. "Everyone has been really excited about it. I like the idea that it's got lots of bits of Nottingham in there." Inside Out can be seen on BBC1 on October 14 at 7.30pm.

Sat Bains to open new 'chilled-out' city restaurant

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Tom Sellers: The expelled Notts schoolboy who got a Michelin star

September 26, 2013, 11:20 pm
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AN expelled Notts schoolboy who went on to open his own restaurant in London has gained his first Michelin star. Tom Sellers's restaurant Story has made it into the 2014 guide just five months after opening its doors in Bermondsey. The 26-year-old, pictured, who grew up in East Leake, said: "I am completely overwhelmed and humbled to receive a Michelin star. "Since opening Story, my team and I have strived to cook the best food we can and it is truly an honour to be rewarded in this way. My head chef Nathan Green and the team at Story have all worked incredibly hard to get us here, and I hope it's only the beginning." Story has been a hit with both critics and diners since it opened in April this year – Tom's seasonal, British fare referencing stories from his own childhood and well-known fairytales. A dish of burnt onion, apple, gin and thyme was inspired by memories of fairground hot dogs and onions at Goose Fair. His signature Beef Dripping Candle and Three Bears Porridge have already gained cult status and his technical execution and free rein creativity have been widely praised. After being expelled from Harry Carlton School at 16, Tom began work as a pot-washer and worked his way up to cook at some of the world's best restaurants, including Noma in Denmark and Per Se in New York. He said of Sat Bains: "The way Sat plays with flavours and textures is just amazing."

Tom Sellers: The expelled Notts schoolboy who got a Michelin star

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Notts County boss Chris Kiwomya hopes owner Ray Trew keeps the faith

September 26, 2013, 11:25 pm
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NOTTS County boss Chris Kiwomya hopes club owner Ray Trew keeps faith in him. The Magpies face Carlisle United in League One tomorrow (3pm). And they will be looking to build on their first league win of the season against Tranmere Rovers at Meadow Lane six days ago. Kiwomya was coming under increasing pressure, after Notts lost six of their first seven games. But Trew publicly backed him before the Tranmere game and the players went out and won 2-0. "Ray's been very good and I just hope he keeps his faith in me like he has been doing and we can go on from there," said Kiwomya. There was speculation Kiwomya's job was on the line until Trew gave him his vote of confidence. "Once the players see that it helps," added Kiwomya. "But ultimately it comes down to myself, my staff and the players. "We have to entertain the fans, we have to make sure we're committed to the cause and we have to turn it around. "The chairman can only say so much, the fans can only take so much. "It's up to us to keep going on the pitch and producing the performances like we did against Tranmere. "It's really important to me to build on that, I don't want to be disappointed. "We have got to build on Saturday and I think the players are determined to do that." Kiwomya admits he did wonder if he was on the brink of the sack. "That's part and parcel of football," he said. "I'd have been disappointed if it was to be like that because I have never really had my full team or my full squad out. "But I understand that when results are not good and the fans are not happy and the club's not happy, there's always a chance that might happen. "But I'd like to think they'll give me a fair crack at it and let's see how well we can go on because if you look at it, the table is quite tight. "We've had disappointing performances, but we've had good performances as well."

Notts County boss Chris Kiwomya hopes owner Ray Trew keeps the faith

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Burst pipe causing big delays

September 27, 2013, 1:07 am
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A BURST water pipe is causing up to forty minutes of traffic queues this morning. A broken water main on A60 Loughborough Road in Ruddington near the Kirk Lane junction is causing huge delays. Traffic is congested to the Keyworth Lane junction and on Flawforth Lane to Wheatcroft Island.
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HMRC staff in Nottingham set to protest over service closures

September 27, 2013, 2:56 am
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STAFF are set to protest against plans to close tax enquiry centres. Workers at the HM Revenue and Customs Enquiry Office, in Castle Meadow, are set to walk out for 15 minutes from 12pm. They are unhappy at plans to shut the 281 enquiry centres across the country, which they claim would force people to use its internet or telephone services. The union also claims the closures will have a disproportionate impact on disabled people, migrant workers, the self-employed and older people, who are more likely to use the service. Wendy Turner, PCS member said: "Rather than seeking to improve their customer service, HMRC is closing all of its local enquiry centres, penalising ordinary taxpayers who simply needed help in filling out returns or getting advice. "It will threaten the jobs of highly qualified and dedicated staff while heaping more pressure on the remaining workforce. We are urging the department to keep these vital local offices open to the public." More than 1,300 staff currently provide advice and assistance on tax issues at these offices with over 2.5 million customers visiting these offices every year. Lin Homer, HMRC chief executive, has previously said: "We will give a more specialised phone service for customers whose affairs can be resolved over the telephone, and face-to-face help to those who need it, visiting them at a place convenient to them, saving them both travel and time." "HMRC will provide a more modern and accessible service that will target the right support to customers who need it, where and when they want it."
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Nottingham student guide 2013 - where to go for food, music, and entertainment across the city

September 27, 2013, 3:04 am
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We've got the lowdown on everything student-related - the best bars, gigs and eateries across Nottingham. It's all in our student guide, now available as an e-book here.

Nottingham student guide 2013 - where to go for food, music, and entertainment across the city

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Charlie Peace: Watch the trailer for the Nottingham Playhouse production

September 27, 2013, 3:41 am
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Ciaran Sweeney: Mum pleads for teenage son to come home

September 27, 2013, 4:57 am
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A MUM has spoken of the "unbearable" wait for news of her 14-year-old son who has now been missing for almost two weeks. Ciaran Sweeney disappeared on Saturday, September 14 from his home on the Oak Tree Lane estate, Mansfield. Police stepped up their search today and are asking people living on the estate if they can search their homes, sheds and gardens. Police also revealed Ciaran originally ran off because his mum was in the middle of calling them about a "minor matter", which he was involved in. Rheane O'Neill, Ciaran's mum, said: "All we want is to know that Ciaran is safe and well. The whole family are so worried. "The thought of him being out fending for himself is unbearable. "If someone is looking after him please have a heart and make contact with police or missing people to let us know. "Ciaran, we're not angry with you we just want to know you are OK." Chief Inspector Paul Winter said around 30 officers are working on the search today and detectives have also travelled to Coventry, where Ciaran has family, but have so far drawn a blank. Mr Winter said: "Ciaran has had a fall out with his mum about something minor that he had done and she felt the police needed to be involved. "While she was on the phone Ciaran has run from the address." He added: "We're guessing that he's frightened and thinks he's in trouble but it was only a minor matter that we were going to speak to him about." Mr Winter said the most likely scenario is that Ciaran is still somewhere in the Mansfield area and is being helped by someone giving him food and shelter. Officers are getting three to four calls a day from people who think they have seen Ciaran but have been unable to confirm any of the sightings. However, they believe the likelihood is that many of them are genuine. There is no evidence that Ciaran has come to harm, Mr Winter added. The teenager has no history of running away and has an excellent attendance record at his school, The Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield. His principal said yesterday that Ciaran has a keen interest in the outdoors and TV survival expert Bear Grylls, but police do not believe he has enough knowledge to be missing for so long without someone helping him. Ciaran is white, 5ft 2inches tall with a slim build and light, brown hair. He has a fair complexion and was bare-foot when he ran away. He was wearing a blue and grey striped zip up cardigan. Any-one who spots him is asked to contact police on 999 and anyone who has information about where he might be is asked to contact Notts Police on the non-emergency 101 number.

Ciaran Sweeney: Mum pleads for teenage son to come home

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Robin Hood Marathon: Live blog

September 27, 2013, 4:58 am
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Thousands of runners will pound the streets on Sunday morning as the Ikano Robin Hood Marathon kicks off. Follow the race live - with pictures - as our tweeters bring you atmosphere of race day from 9am. Join in and see your tweets featured on our live blog with #RobinHood.
 

Robin Hood Marathon: Live blog

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Film backs calls for action

September 27, 2013, 5:55 am
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DANGERS at a notorious Notts road junction have been caught on camera by residents campaigning for safety improvements.

People living in Bilsthorpe have labelled the A614 junction near the village as outdated.

To try to boost their case, the locals have made a 12-minute video which shows a number of dangerous manoeuvres and near misses at the junction.

Notts County Council has reduced the speed limit and made a number of improvements in recent years to other parts of the A614 – which is one of the main roads linking Nottingham with Sherwood Forest.

But residents say their video adds weight to a push for changes on the road near Bilsthorpe.

In a statement by the residents, they say: "The A614 Junction at Bilsthorpe is regularly in the news because of the frequent loss of life through road traffic incidents.

"This outdated junction has been the root cause of misery and trauma to many road users.

"The people of Bilsthorpe avoid this junction if they possibly can, but drivers unfamiliar with the junction regularly fall prey to its dangers."

The video was filmed by people behind the website Bilsthorpe.com over a period of a few hours.

It shows cyclists and dog walkers crossing the road in front of fast-moving traffic, and also cars having to swerve round tractors emerging from fields next to the road.

The residents said the footage made "uncomfortable viewing", and also claimed it was representative of "hundreds of other similar incidents".

The residents' film features comments from retired police traffic officer Tony Todd, as well as local councillors and Sherwood MP Mark Spencer.

Mr Spencer has been campaigning for improvements on the A614 at Mickledale Lane, near Bilsthorpe, in recent years.

He said: "All this film has done is highlight what everybody in Bilsthorpe already knows – that the junction is ridiculously dangerous.

"Over the last few years we have been making some progress in improving safety in the area. This junction is the last piece in the jigsaw."

Two motorists were taken to hospital after a crash on the A614 at Bilsthorpe in February, while in 2009 six people, including four teenagers, were killed in a head-on smash on the A614 near Bilsthorpe.

Over the past couple of years the county council has installed average speed cameras on the A614 between the A60 Leapool Roundabout in the south and the A616 Ollerton Roundabout to the north.

Prior to that it made improvements to signs and road markings on the A614, and introduced a 50mph speed limit along the length of the road.

A council spokesman said: "In response to a request from the local member, the county council is to carry out a formal feasibility study at the junction.

"It is hoped to begin the feasibility study shortly and report back to the transport and highways committee early in the New Year."

The film will be on YouTube from Monday, September 30.

To view the video before then, visit www.nottinghampost.com.

Do you think the A614 is a dangerous road? Let us know your thoughts by e-mailing newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.

Film backs calls for action

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Alleged thief Winston Churchill in court for stealing cheese

September 27, 2013, 5:59 am
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A NOTTINGHAM man called Winston Churchill appeared in court today charged with stealing cheese, a bottle of Bacardi, an ice maker, clothing and a laptop. The 48-year-old, of St Paul's Avenue, Hyson Green, attended Nottingham Magistrates' Court this morning. He is said to have stolen £60 worth of Cathedral City cheese from Sainsburys, Nottingham, on July 8, after putting it in a rucksack, and a £16 bottle of Bacardi from the Majestic Wine Company, Castle Boulevard, Lenton, on August 8. He allegedly took the ice maker, valued at £199.99, from HomeSense, Castle Marina, Nottingham, on June 15. He is also charged with stealing: clothing from Decathlon, Giltbrook, valued at £133.93 on June 5; a laptop belonging to Cash Converter, Beeston, on New Year's Eve last year; and a £22.99 shirt from Sports Direct, Ilkeston, on June 7 this year. It is also claimed he failed to surrender to custody on June 20, 2013. Then he allegedly twice breached an Asbo by going into the Cash Shop, Kings Walk, Nottingham, on August 1, and Cash Generator, Angel Row, on August 15. He was bailed to attend court on November 12.

Alleged thief Winston Churchill in court for stealing cheese

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Hard up cleaner pocketed £5k in public cash

September 27, 2013, 6:34 am
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A CLEANER who claimed benefit for caring for her mother illegally received more than £5,000 when her part-time hours increased. Andrea Lopez-Stanley had submitted a genuine claim for Carer's Allowance to the Department for Work and Pensions, a court heard. But she was supposed to inform the authority if there was a change in her circumstances - her hours increasing being one. The 45-year-old, of The Hollows, Long Eaton, pleaded guilty to five charges of failing to notify the DWP about a change in her circumstances. Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard she was overpaid £5,373.50 and is now paying the money back. She carried on collecting the money after getting into financial difficulties. Magistrates conditionally discharged her for two years today and imposed a victim surcharge of £15 and costs of £100.

Hard up cleaner pocketed £5k in public cash

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Eric Pickles accuses local councils of using motorists as "cash cows"

September 27, 2013, 7:21 am
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NOTTINGHAM City Council has hit back after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles accused authorities of using motorists as "cash cows". The Post revealed in July that two authorities in Notts raked in more than £8 million in parking fines in the past three years. And now Mr Pickles had also called on councils to remove unnecessary yellow lines and ban static CCTV parking cameras and car mounted cameras, instead allowing only visible traffic wardens to film vehicles. But Nottingham City Council has said it only handed out 279 tickets last year based on CCTV evidence, out of nearly almost 60,000 tickets handed out overall – and only two of these were sent to an adjudicator. Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for Planning and Transportation said: "We don't extensively use CCTV for parking enforcement and despite what Eric Pickles would have you believe, our primary motivation for such enforcement is safety. "Our mobile camera, for example, is frequently used outside schools to make sure illegal parking doesn't place children in danger. "The amount of money we make from CCTV-based enforcement is small. "Safety is our priority and the constant digs from Mr Pickles probably say more about him than they do about the good safety work undertaken by local councils." Mr Pickles said: "The legislation originally on CCTV was really about ensuring it was about stopping crime, not using it as a way just to pick out motorists to make that extra few bob. "We are worried that what is happening in local authorities is they are using parking fines as a kind of a cash cow from motorists. The legislation is very clear, you cannot do so." Nottingham City and Notts County councils made more than £2.6 million last year from fining motorists – the equivalent of £7,123 a day. This compares with £2 million in fines handed out in Leicestershire during the same period. Keith Peat, who founded the East Midlands-based Drivers Union, said: "It seems ridiculous that councils can use CCTV evidence to dish out parking tickets. "The first a driver knows about it is getting something through the letter box and by that time there's no way the driver can gather evidence about signage, line painting and things like that. "Councils need to give drivers a chance and be more transparent. The amount they get in through fines is huge and drivers pay a lot to use the roads in the first place." Driver Phillip Greaves, 72, of Wimbledon Road, Sherwood, said he had been ticketed before, but got caught by a warden. He said: "When I was caught, it was pretty fair and square, but I would have hated to think I was caught by a camera, because sometimes there's computer problems and things like that." And postman Brian Vaughan, 62, of Sneinton, said: "I agree with Mr Pickles, there does need to be more common sense when it comes to parking. "I see yellow lines that don't really need to be there, so why can't they be removed by the council?" Gareth Johnson, enforcement manager at Notts County Council, said the authority routinely looks at parking restrictions. He said: "As a result of this and continual scrutiny since, a number of restrictions have actually been removed. Speaking about the use of cameras, Mr Johnson said the council doesn't use them for parking enforcement and has to plans to do so. He added: "We do have cameras which can be used for bus lane enforcement, but that is a moving traffic contravention under a different piece of legislation and the use of cameras for this is generally accepted as they provide clear objective evidence of a vehicle driving a significant distance within a bus lane or contravening a bus gate."

Eric Pickles accuses local councils of using motorists as

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Puppy stolen by thieves could go blind

September 27, 2013, 9:31 am
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A PUPPY could end up going blind after thieves stole him before he could have a crucial operation on his sight. Bruno the Japanese Akita was taken from a garden in Main Road, Radcliffe-on-Trent on Tuesday September 24 while his owner had gone to nearby shops. The black and white dog, who his six months old, was due to have an operation on his eyes shortly and without it could go blind. Police are investigating and say a passerby saw two men in a car in Main Road taking the dog at about 4.15pm. Officers think Bruno may have been stolen to order. One of the men was white, in his early twenties, with brown hair and of a medium height and build. He was with another man who was sat in a car nearby at the time. Bruno has an identity micro chip, which can be scanned by a vet to get his details, and was wearing a blue collar at the time he was taken. Bruno's owner, Emma Bowley, 21, said: "I got him when he was eight weeks old and he's the first dog I've had as my own pet. "In the last six months we've really bonded and I've got to know him. I'm absolutely heart broken that he has been taken. I'm very worried about the operation he was due to have as without it he may go blind." PC Emma Thacker said: "If you know about this theft or have seen this puppy then we want to hear from you. "People may have seen the men in the car, recognise Bruno's picture, or may have heard a dog barking at the time and have seen something important. "Please keep your eyes open and get in touch if you have any information that could help the investigation." Anyone who can help is asked to contact Notts Police on 101 quoting incident 115 of September 24 or alternatively Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111.

Puppy stolen by thieves could go blind

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174 houses suffer power cut as overhead electricity lines fall into road

September 27, 2013, 10:34 am
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MORE than 150 houses lost power for around an hour after electricity cables fell into a main road. The incident took place on the A453 near Thrumpton after a vehicle is thought to have hit the overhead electricity lines. The road is open after workers moved the lines and 25 houses are still to have their power return. A spokesman for Western Power Distribution said: "We are still investigating what came into contact with the overhead line. "We had staff out there and moved the lines."
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14,000 fans flocking to Panthers vs Steelers game this weekend

November 15, 2013, 10:00 pm
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AROUND 14,000 fans will be flocking in for the double-header this weekend involving Nottingham Panthers and arch-rivals Sheffield Steelers for their first league meetings of the season.

Given the rush of pessimism running through the armies of both sets of fans, that figure is amazing – but also a credit to the loyal hockey fans in this neck of the woods.

But their apparent mood of despair is perhaps understandable given the indifferent form displayed by both teams.

The league champions have lost four of their last six games going into tonight's clash with Steelers at the Motorpoint Arena (7pm) and have lost on their last three road trips, to Belfast, Fife and Edinburgh – which ended a run of 13 straight defeats for the Caps.

The Steelers have lost six home games already this season – including a cup game to Panthers – and their supporters I have spoken to expect another defeat against their big enemies.

And tomorrow, it's back to the National Ice Centre (4pm) for round two and another game where the faltering home side is heavily tipped to lose in some quarters.

Like Panthers, Sheffield have also suffered a string of injuries to key players. But, for their home defeat to a greatly depleted Braehead side a couple of weeks back, they had a full complement of imports.

Despite a good win in Coventry last weekend, the doom and despondency reappeared after the home loss to Belfast.

In fact Belfast are the only one of the so-called 'top five' to string together a winning run recently – but even they contrived to lose at home in a shoot-out to a Cardiff Devils side that has seemed in disarray in recent weeks.

The message is clear . . . with Braehead (ironically coached by Ryan Finnerty who was axed by Sheffield) and Dundee looking to break the monopoly of the Erhardt Conference teams, the Elite League is more wide open than ever. Or is it?

Struggling with injuries, poor form and the Continental Cup looming next week, Panthers have not exactly been slow to bolster their line-up.

And shortly after American forward Joe Jensen and compatriot goalie Neil Conway flew in, they were quickly joined by Finnish d-man Tuukka Makela in time for the ill-fated Scottish trip last weekend.

And on Thursdayin came Petr Kalus, who at one stage looked to be heading to Cardiff. Strangely, the Czech – still only 26 – had been plying his trade in the tier two Swedish league with Djurgardens after being tipped to be a top-six forward in the NHL not too long ago.

Remarkably, he scored goals for Boston Bruins with his first three shots and netted four times in nine games.

Clearly a hot prospect, with pundits predicting a great future for him in the NHL, he was traded by Boston to Minnesota and then acquired by Columbus Blue Jackets.

Then two seasons ago, with a potential NHL career long gone, it was back over this side of the Atlantic, bouncing around teams in the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia as well as Sweden.

While hoping to resurrect his career in Nottingham, coach Corey Neilson also knows he will need to offload one or two of his non-producing imports when everyone is fit. And while all this signing action has been going on in Nottingham, it won't have gone unnoticed by those 45 miles up the road who have also pledged to make changes – and they will.

The thing is, the reason Panthers and Sheffield are so ready to bring in new faces in a bid to spark the line-up is because they can. They have the wherewithal to fly players in and out and even pay for International Transfer Cards, which some sides are unable to do.

Yes, both Panthers and Steelers may be having a difficult time of it at the moment, but you can be sure neither of them will be standing still in an attempt to get back to winning ways.

There is an adults only Hockey Chat Night on Tuesdayat The Approach on Friar Lane, Nottingham (7.45pm).

Panthers coach Corey Neilson will be joined by Brent Henley, GM Gary Moran and his Belfast counterpart Todd Kelman talking about their careers and answering fans' questions. Tickets are £8 (prepaid) or £10 on the door.

14,000 fans flocking to Panthers vs Steelers game this weekend

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Notts County boss Shaun Derry is not going to shy away from his biggest challenge

November 15, 2013, 10:00 pm
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SHAUN Derry says he has taken on his biggest challenge in football at Notts County.

But he is not going to shy away from it, saying: "Bring it on."

The 35-year-old has stepped into management for the first time to jump into the hottest of hot seats at Meadow Lane because the Magpies are bottom of League One.

And after a tough first week in the job, in which Notts have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Hartlepool United and lost 5-1 at Oldham Athletic in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, it is not going to get any easier today because they face Wolves at Meadow Lane in Derry's first league game in charge.

But he insists he knew the size of the job on his hands when he walked back through the club's front door.

"I was under no illusions," he said.

"It's a massive challenge; it would have been a challenge for whoever walked into the building and I'm up for that challenge.

"Bring it on, because I've never shied away from one in my life so I'm not going to shy away from this one, this is the biggest one I've had as a football person.

"It's brilliant, you can't get any lower than this. This is where we are, we're bottom of the league.

"We've got a lot of teams to play and we've got a lot of points to play for and I know there's ability in there and we'll get it out of them some way."

The biggest positive so far for Derry has been the sudden impact of young striker Ronan Murray.

He has scored twice in his first two games in charge, coming off the subs' bench to net a late goal in their 3-2 defeat at Hartlepool and then firing Notts 1-0 ahead at Oldham on his full debut for the club.

"I took a lot of positives out of the away game at Hartlepool, but to go away to Oldham and lose in the manner we did was really disappointing and it answered a lot of questions for me," said Derry.

"I made an apology after the game because it was horrible for our fans to see that and it's something I don't want to witness too many times again."

The good thing is the two defeats since Derry took over were not in the league and their position at the bottom of the table has not been made worse.

"In the bread and butter of it all we haven't lost any points in the two defeats, which is a positive for me," he said.

"I understand what a cup run does for clubs like us, it brings invaluable amounts of money and enables you to do different things throughout the season.

"But we haven't lost three points and that is a positive and I've stressed that to the boys, telling them to not let it affect them too much and saying lets learn from the mistakes we've made and make sure these performances don't happen too often."

"It would have been easy for me to call everybody in on Wednesday and said 'come and look at this horror show', but I was a player two weeks ago and I know that would probably have been a negative," he added.

"So I told them to go home, take stock of the last week and come in with a freshness and a buoyancy that wants to put things right.

"Because we're welcoming probably the biggest team in League One and I'm hoping we can prove to the fans that come through the turnstiles that it is a new dawn."

Notts County boss Shaun Derry is not going to shy away from his biggest challenge

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