PARALYMPIC swimmer Charlotte Henshaw will be among the panelists speaking at a series of events on diversity in sport events at the University of Nottingham.

She will be joined by Wheelchair Tennis Federation manager Mark Bullock and British Paralympic Association chairman Tim Reddish on Wednesday, May 21.

The series aims to highlight the experiences of minority groups in sport.

Each event will see speakers sharing their observations, including why more Muslim women are taking up sport, how the London 2012 Olympics changed women's football, and experiencing top-level competition as a disabled athlete.

There will be a Q&A session for the audience. Further events will take place later this month and early next.

Claire Henson, equality and diversity events coordinator at the university, said: "We're delighted to welcome such a high profile and diverse group of speakers to the university."

To attend e-mail claire.henson@nottingham.ac.uk

THE decision to strike was a last resort made with "a heavy heart", a firefighter and union representative has said.

Clare Hudson, who is based at Highfields fire station, was one of more than 100 firefighters who rallied in Old Market Square on Saturday as part of the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service's weekend-long period of industrial action.

"We fought hard to get our jobs in the first place and it is something we are all very passionate about.

"It is with heavy hearts that we are out here, of course we would rather be at work – helping people is why we all got into the job," she said.

The three strikes, which lasted a total of 22-hours, took place from noon to 5pm on Friday, from 2pm on Saturday until 2am on Sunday, and between 10am and 3pm on Sunday.

During that time specially recruited contingency crews along with firefighters who are not members of the Fire Brigades Union were called out a total of 37 times.

Incidents they responded to included a rubbish fire in Burton Road, Carlton, a flat fire in Mansfield Woodhouse – where a woman was rushed to hospital after being rescued from the blaze – and a car crash at Saxondale Island, Bingham, involving an 88-year-old woman and a house alarm.

There were three house fires, an out building fire, two car crashes and a number of small grass and rubbish fires over the three-day strike.

Picket lines were in place at various fire stations across the county, including Central and Highfields fire stations.

A rally was also staged in Worksop on Friday, where leaflets were distributed to passerby and Bassetlaw MP John Mann and Retford councillor Ian Campbell came to show their support.

The dispute centres on Government plans to increase how much firefighters pay towards their pensions and to raise the retirement age from 55 to 60.

Chief fire officer John Buckley said: "Using limited resources, the service has once again been able to cope with the demands placed upon it this Bank Holiday weekend.

"I would like to thank the people of Nottinghamshire for their help in ensuring that incidents have been kept to a minimum, and for helping Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to succeed.

"However, the current situation is not ideal, and I sincerely hope that the parties involved in this dispute can resume the necessary negotiations to bring it to an end as quickly and effectively as possible."

Should emergency services ever go on strike? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

THE Archdeacon of Nottingham is set to become the new Bishop of Barking after being nominated by the Queen.

The Venerable Peter Hill will be consecrated at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday, July 25.

It means Mr Hill will leave his role in Nottingham – which he has held since 2007.

He replaces the Right Reverend David Hawkins, who retired from the position at the end of March.

Mr Hill said: "The call of God to be a bishop has come unexpectedly and I am both excited and daunted by the task that lies ahead.

"It is a privilege to be joining a diocese which is on the move with God and is celebrating 100 years of mission and ministry.

"I am energised and challenged by its vision and determination to be a transforming presence for Jesus in people's lives and communities."

The area Mr Hill will be responsible for includes the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, together with the Epping Forest and the Harlow districts of west Essex.

There are 166 churches in the area – which has a population of 1.3 million and includes a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures.

Mr Hill said: "As Bishop of Barking I very much look forward to taking a lead in the Episcopal Area with its rich diversity of faiths and culture, and engaging fully in its public life.

"It will be great working alongside a strong and creative leadership team as we build on the past and work to re-imagine the ministry and service of the church for the future."

Mr Hill was previously a vicar of Huthwaite and later of Calverton before becoming Archdeacon.

As a former teacher, he was a member of the Dearing Review Group on church schools, and is chair of the Diocesan Board of Education. He also serves nationally on the General Synod.

Mr Hill is married to Ellen and they have two grown-up children and two grandsons.

He is also a sport and outdoor enthusiast, having completed a number of long-distance pilgrim walks, and has led many pilgrimages to The Holy Land.

The Acting Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Right Reverend Richard Inwood, said: "I am delighted to hear that Peter Hill is to be the next Bishop of Barking.

"I have known Peter for many years and I am sure he will bring extensive experience and a warm pastoral heart to this role.

"He will be greatly missed here, where he has been an excellent Archdeacon, but he will go with the thanks, the love, and the prayers of the whole Diocese."

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, added: "Peter's thoughtful and imaginative leadership and oversight will bring wisdom and direction during this time of change and development.

"Peter comes with a huge and varied experience of leadership and ministry in the Church of England."

What do you think? E-mail opinion@nottinghampost.com

THE fate of Nottingham Forest's out of contract players and loan signings could be decided as early as this week.

Stuart Pearce does not officially start work as the new Reds manager until July 1, but the former England and Forest defender is expected to make key decisions over who he wants to keep at the City Ground in the coming days.

Caretaker boss Gary Brazil has played a part in scouting potential new signings – and, while he says he has not had in-depth discussions over the futures of the current members of the Forest squad, he expects those decisions to be made in the near future.

"Stuart will be aware of the players here and their situations. He has watched games and people who will be part of his coaching staff next season have been to see the games as well," said Brazil. "He will know the players and what he wants to do with the squad, I am sure he will put a good group together.

"We have spoken about potential players that we might like to sign, who are at other clubs. In terms of individual players who are out of contract or players who are on loan, I have not really spoken to Stuart about that. That is his decision.

"There are a number of players who are out of contact and he will deal with that situation. He will have a wish list of players that he will go to Fawaz (Al Hasawi) with. They will speak about the potential of bringing players in."

Those out of contract include Matt Derbyshire, Guy Moussi, Jonathan Greening, Gonzalo Jara, Marcus Tudgay, Ishmael Miller and Simon Gillett.

Striker Derbyshire has done a good job of earning himself a new contract – be it at Forest or elsewhere – with a flurry of five goals in five games.

"Matt scored another good goal and put in a decent performance. But his future is a decision that will be made by other people," said Brazil.

"All I would say is that Matty will either sign again here or the work he has done in the last few months will not have done him any harm when it comes to getting a chance somewhere else."

Lee Peltier produced another good performance in the final game of his loan from Leeds, playing in the heart of an injury ravaged back-four.

"Lee has done very well with us, he has the ability to play in a number of positions and he has shown qualities. Whether this club decides to take him is not my decision," said Brazil. "That will be down to Stuart. Whether Lee is one of those players he wants to bring in, is up to him.

"But if it does not end up being here, Lee will end up somewhere, because he obviously has ability. Clubs at this level will be very interested in.

"Lee has not hurt himself at all here. He has come in on loan, played in midfield, and done very, very well. We knew we would have to put him back into central defence. Lee is a credit to himself, in the way he has conducted himself since coming on loan."

CUCKNEY are the only side to have won both of their Notts Premier League (NPL) games after they beat Notts Academy on Saturday.

The Academy outfit, who have lost twice, won the toss and invited their visitors to bat. Simon Webster removed both openers with just 16, however Daniel Wood (34) and Nick Langford (46) rebuilt to take it to 101 for 2.

From there, Sam Wood began to exert some control, taking four for 30 as the Bears innings close on 180 for 8.

In reply, the Academy batsmen struggled to 86 for five. Webster, and skipper Paul Franks began to chip away at the deficit and had added 58 before Franks was run out for 32. Webster followed shortly after for 39, but at 172 for seven the Academy still looked favourites to win.

Enter Tom Driver, knocking over the last three wickets in the space of four balls, on his way to figures of four for 42, and securing a seven run win for Cuckney.

Clifton Village sit four points behind the leaders after they completed a 70 run win at Kimberley Institute.

Clifton skipper Alex Turner called correctly and chose to bat - a decision vindicated as Le Breton and McNeill were compiling a 50 run opening stand.

Jon Shaw broke the partnership and soon after had a second wicket. Scott McNeill continued on and added another 50 partnership, this time with Richard Harris (30). Harris became Shaw's third victim and with McNeill falling for 51 without adding another run.

Shaw finished with figures of 14.4-0-56-7. Having lost nine wickets chasing just 90 to win last week, Kmberley's batting frailties were exposed again as they were out for 119 chasing 190. Dominic Wheatley made 38 and Martin Weightman took five for 25.

Welbeck Colliery are third after they held out for a draw at home to Mansfield Hosiery Mills. Colliery won the toss and gave MHM first dig.

Once again Gareth Curtis led the way, following up his unbeaten 140 last week with a share of a partnership of 187 for the second wicket with Tom New. New making 93 of them, and Curtis coming within one of back to back centuries, falling for 99.

The Millers closing on 219 for 6 from their 50 overs. Welbeck fell 19 runs short after a sliding to 27 for three. Jamie Jevons (33), Matt Cross (56), Robert French (34) and Jonathan (31) contributed.

Matt Wright with 4 for 43 and Keshara Jayasinghe with 3 for 45 shared the wickets.

Rolls Royce Leisure followed up their opening day win with a losing draw at Caythorpe.

After calling correctly, visiting captain Dan Birch chose to take the field.

James Hawley (66) and Martin Dobson (40), put on 117 for the first wicket, before both fell quickly just after drinks. Mat Dowman (79 not out) and James Oldham (46 not out) added an unbroken 122 as Caythorpe closed on 272 for 3.

In reply, Caythorpe's slower bowlers choked the life from the Rolls innings, reducing them to 110 for 6. Tom Lungley (58 not out) saw out the innings in a 72 run partnership with Suhail Ahmed.

West Indian Cavaliers bowled first after winning the toss at Radcliffe-on-Trent, the hosts posting 193 for eight. Josh Mierkalns top scored with 46.

Robert Sutton's 33 and Ben Carr's 31 provided the back up. Amar Rashid led the bowling with four for 54. Cavs made short work of the chase, reaching the target in under 40 overs. Akhil Patel hit an unbeaten 88, Usman Afzaal (30) and Amar Rashid (37).

Plumtree thrashed Ordsall Bridon, who won the toss and chose to bowl. Plumtree finished their 50 overs on an outstanding 354 for six.

Sam Storey top scored with 86, Matthew Wood (79) and Ben Thompson (54) also passed 50.

Former Notts man Graeme White smashed an unbeaten 47 from just 18 balls. Ordsall were all out for 118, Martyn Long's 30 the only significant contribution as White took five for 19.

MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox expects the Stags to enjoy better times next season.

Colin Daniel's first-half header helped them finish their season on a high note with a 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers that condemned the Pirates to relegation into non-league and sealed an 11th-placed finish in League Two.

A six-game unbeaten run stretching from March into April gave Mansfield the momentum to secure what looked like an unlikely play-off place, but a draw to Accrington on April 18 halted their charge.

And despite having not a great deal to play for on the final day with their play-off aspirations already over, Cox instead took pride from watching his players fight for the win against Darrell Clarke's men.

But he admits he took no satisfaction in seeing opponents Bristol Rovers relegated.

"You don't enjoy seeing grown men cry on the pitch at the end of the game," said Cox. "I asked my lads to play with pride, but we respect Bristol Rovers as a big club and I am sure they will be back.

"The game that killed our season was against Accrington.

"At that point we had real momentum and thought we were on course for the play-offs.

"The lads have shown a lot of pride and we will look to do better next season.

"Rovers have thrown the kitchen sink at us in the second half and we had to dig in."

The game's only goal came on 36 minutes with Daniel slotting home a well-taken volley, while a stunning Lewis Price save after the break kept Rovers out and saw them relegated with results elsewhere not going in their favour.

The hosts, who needed a point to guarantee safety, might have drawn pre-match encouragement from the fact Mansfield had forgotten their shirts and had to borrow a set.

The Pirates began brightly – John-Joe O'Toole had a long-range volley blocked and Chris Beardsley fired over from a David Clarkson pass.

Mansfield struggled to make any impact early on and might have fallen behind on 21 minutes when Matt Harrold screwed his shot wide from another Clarkson through ball.

Beardsley then volleyed wide from close-range as the home side, backed by a sell-out crowd, did their best to get the goal that would ease the tension in the stands.

Mansfield then sprang to life when a curling shot from the left by Sam Clucas was saved at the second attempt by Steve Mildenhall.

Then came the goal that doubled anxiety among home supporters.

Anthony Howell crossed from the left and Daniel was allowed space to hook a volley in off the post from 12 yards.

Rovers' search for a goal became desperate but Mansfield were now looking the more confident side.

The Stags could have doubled their lead just before the break but Ollie Palmer shot over from a good position after a good run through the middle by Howell.

Rovers came out for the second half with renewed determination and Tom Parkes headed wide from a Beardsley corner.

It then took a superb save from Price, with an outstretched right arm, to keep out a Clarkson shot bound for the top corner after a strong run.

O'Toole was wide with a well-struck shot from distance as pressure began to build on the Stags' goal.

There was a moment of controversy on 65 minutes when Mansfield defender Martin Riley brought down Kaid Mohamed as he threatened to break clear down the middle.

But referee Oliver Langford ruled that there was a covering defender and issued only a yellow card.

Rovers' players were left holding their heads moments later as a Clarkson header clipped the crossbar from a Fabian Broghammer corner.

Substitute Broghammer then had a low shot saved, while Clarkson was inches wide with a free-kick from 20 yards.

Mansfield sent on Ross Dyer for Palmer on 74 minutes but Rovers were irrepressible and O'Toole's glancing header from an Alfie Santos cross was inches wide.

The home side's luck was out again four minutes from time when defender Mark McCrystal volleyed against post from inside the box.

Even five minutes of stoppage time wasn't enough to save Rovers as Mansfield's 700 travelling fans celebrated a final-day victory.

Cox could only sympathise with his opposite manager but believes he will be all the better for the experience.

"I know Darrell Clarke and can only imagine what is going through his head at the moment," he said.

"We take no pleasure in sending a club out of the League. It's a harsh way to learn, but he will emerge a stronger person for it."

1. 1940s Knees-Up: Step back in time to enjoy a good old-fashioned knees-up. There will be a variety of 1940s themed activities taking place during the day at the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard. The event runs from 11am to 3.30pm. Admission £5 adults, £3 concessions. £2 children (under 16s). Details on 0115 876 1400.

2. Neil Finn: The Crowded House frontman – one of the world's greatest pop songwriters – performs songs from his latest solo album Dizzy Heights, on which he used his sons Liam and Elroy as his band. Liam, 30, has released two solo albums with a third on the way, while Elroy, six years younger, has played drums for his brother and is in various bands. "I've always wanted to do it," says Finn. "I'd love to do work with them again, too. My whole family is talented. I'm very admiring of the songs Liam has written and the way he plays, and our son Elroy is developing as a good writer, plus he's a great drummer." Royal Concert Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets £32.50, call 0115 989 5555 or visit www.trch.co.uk.

3. Move and Make: Drop into Nottingham Contemporary with the family between 11am and 3pm to make art from child-like movements in the prestigious gallery's activity area, The Space.. Free, Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross.

4. Chekhoviana: Last chance to see this exhibition showing marketing materials including theatre programmes, flyers and posters relating to Chekhov productions which can be found in the historic collections at the University of Nottingham. The show also illustrates how British theatre programmes have changed over the years. Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park. Free, 1am to 4pm. Details on 0115 846 7777 or www.lakesidearts.org.uk.

5. Worker's Playtime: This annual event at the Framework Knitters' Museum in Ruddington to celebrate May Day features music and dance, as well as an opportunity for visitors to see demonstrations of traditional crafts – and have a go themselves. From 11am to 4pm, Chapel Street, Ruddington. Tickets £4 adults, £2 children £10 family. Details from 0115 984 6914 or www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.

6. A Thousand Times Good Night (15): Juliette Binoche stars in this Norweigian film about the fraught life of one of the world's top war photographers. The cast also includes Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from Game Of Thrones – and U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Broadway Cinema, Broad Street 2.30pm, 5.15pm, 8pm. 0115 952 6611 or www.broadway.org.uk.

SINN Fein leader Gerry Adams has been released from police custody, and a file will be sent to prosecutors by detectives who have questioned him over the murder of Belfast mother-of-ten Jean McConville.

The move means the ultimate decision whether to charge the 65-year-old politician with any offence will be made by Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) at a later date.

Mr Adams has always denied allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder in 1972.

MAJOR reforms to GCSE and A-level exams could cause "incalculable" damage to children's education, headteachers have warned.

The move to assess most subjects through written papers only is a "retrograde step" with exams at risk of becoming "a feat of memory recall", the National Association of Head Teachers annual conference has heard.

Under sweeping government education reforms, new, tougher GCSEs and A-levels are due to be introduced in England from 2015 onwards, and modular courses scrapped.

TELEVISION presenter Chris Tarrant feared he was going to die when he suffered a stroke during a passenger flight.

The 67-year-old former Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host suffered a minor stroke on a flight back to London from Bangkok in March and was taken to London's Charing Cross Hospital after it landed.

He told the Sun on Sunday it was the "most terrifying moment of my life" and he tried to call partner Jane Bird to tell her he loved her.

He told the paper: "I got very panicky. I was very alone up there, thinking, 'I could die'."

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged with the murder of a 39-year-old man who died during a break-in, Scotland Yard has said.

Police are investigating the murder of Martin Thomas, who was pronounced dead at his home in Huntingfield Road, Roehampton, south west London.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, has been remanded in custody to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court today. Police continue to appeal for information on the murder, on April 22.

HOUSE of Fraser is to expand into Russia under plans revealed by the Chinese tycoon behind the department store's recent takeover.

Yuan Yafei, chairman of Sanpower, told the Financial Times he would open four franchise stores in Russia and two in Abu Dhabi over the next two to three years, as well as a flagship "Oriental Fraser" store in Nanjing.

It has already emerged that the 165-year-old business could nearly double its number of sites by opening up to 50 branches in China.

THE Archbishop of Canterbury's view that the UK is "a deeply Christian country" is a "self-serving claim" and his church is "banging the religious drum", according to a secular campaign group.

The comments come after the Most Rev Justin Welby defended faith schools, pointing out they are often in the poorest parts of the country.

But the National Secular Society said Church of England schools "prioritise evangelisation over serving the population who are steadily abandoning his pews".

FOR three minutes, Gary Topliss' heart stopped beating.

Severely injured in a three-vehicle smash, the 29-year-old lay battered and broken and was losing his fight for life.

But, thanks to the tireless work of medics, both at the scene and at Nottingham's Major Trauma Centre, he is alive today and planning for the future.

"It's a long road to recovery and I've still a long way to go," he said.

"I don't know when I'll next be able to walk but I'm talking it week by week."

Mr Topliss was hurt when two cars and a motorbike collided in Debdale Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, on December 20 last year

Three people died and three others – including Mr Topliss – were injured.

The casualties were treated at the scene by emergency doctors from the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme, before Mr Topliss was taken by ambulance to the Major Trauma Centre at Queen's Medical Centre.

His heart stopped beating for three minutes while medics worked to save him.

Injuries included both his legs being broken in two places, as well as a broken ankle, shoulder and cheekbone.

Surgeons also had to operate to drain blood from his stomach and remove part of his bowel.

Mr Topliss, of Mansfield, was unconscious for six days before waking up with his family at his bedside on Boxing Day.

He said: "I also suffered a bang to the back of my head, which affected my speech and memory.

"I cannot remember anything about the accident. I had been at a friend's house that evening and was heading home.

"My first memory of waking up is not having a clue where I was – I didn't even know there had been an accident until someone told me.

"I couldn't sleep for several days afterwards and for the first ten days, I needed help doing everything. But, bit by bit, I started improving."

As his recovery continued, Mr Topliss also learned that consultants had considered amputating his legs due to the severity of the injuries.

He said: "At the beginning, it was touch and go as to whether they would repair my legs or take them off.

"They decided to give my legs a go and see what happened. Luckily for me, they are getting there."

He spent 21 days as a patient at the Major Trauma Centre before being discharged on January 17.

Mr Topliss is one of 103 of the most seriously injured people who may not be alive without the intervention of the Major Trauma Centre since its launch in 2012.

Over the past two years, the centre has treated the most severely injured patients from across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Chesterfield.

But, as of May 1, its remit has been expanded to cover the whole East Midlands.

It means it will now treat patients from Royal Derby Hospital, Burton Hospital and United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, including Pilgrim Hospital, Boston.

Nearly five months on from the crash, Mr Topliss is still wheelchair-bound and continuing his slow recovery.

But, thanks to the efforts of the major trauma team and their colleagues, he's hopeful of being able to walk again.

Mr Topliss, who before the crash was working as a relief manager for a bottled-gas company, can also look forward to

celebrating his 30th birthday on Monday, May 26.

He said: "Knowing I will be able to get back on my feet keeps me going.

"I want to be able to take my godchildren out to the park like I used to. I'm going to get there but it'll take time."

Have Nottingham's medics helped you? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

ADVENTURES are what being a child is all about – and that spirit has kept one Rainbow Guides group going for a quarter of a century.

The 1st Carlton Rainbow Guides is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday with party games, singalongs and a teddy bears' picnic.

Founder Sheryl Colton, 42, has headed the group since its first days and said the "rewarding" work was all about offering the five to seven year-olds a chance to try new things.

She said: "It's all about giving them a chance to try as many things as possible. At that age, they love to have an adventure and we can give them that platform.

"We encourage the girls to always try their best and have a go at everything."

The group of 18 girls meet at St Paul's Church, in Church Street, on Saturday mornings and do crafts, play games, have sleepovers and go on trips.

Sheryl, 42, of Carlton, who also works as a school crossing patrol and midday supervisor, said: "I joined the organisation as a Brownie when I was seven and never left.

"I like to organise a variety of activities that I know the girls will love. This is a volunteering job for me but I juggle it well with my two other jobs."

Amy Rawdin, five, attends the group and enjoys cooking and playing games.

"In the whole world I like Rainbows the best," she said.

"Last time, I made apple crumble and I like to colour-in. We made Easter baskets and there were chocolates in them when we left."

Her mum, Sharon, of Gedling, also sent nine-year-old Alyx to the 1st Carlton group.

She said: "We send the girls there primarily because they love it and have such a lot of fun.

"Every time Amy goes, she just can't wait to go back.

"They also learn values like teamwork and caring for each other in a different environment to school.

Karina Williams, of Ernest Road, Carlton, sent her two daughters – Helena, seven, and Emilia, five – to Sheryl's group.

Karina said: "They do lots of different things like going on walks in the countryside. It gives them a well-rounded character from an early age.

"The leaders are great and are obviously having a good time, which makes it so much fun for the girls."

Some girls refuse to leave. Kirsty Jeffery Parker, 18, now volunteers as a Rainbow leader having gone through all the older groups – Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

Guide leaders are a rarity these days.

Girlguiding Nottinghamshire had 1,380 youngsters on its waiting list in February and is calling for volunteers to sign up as leaders to have a great time working with children and boost their CVs.

For more information, go to www.girlguiding.co.uk or www. stpaulscarlton.org.

AROUND 19,000 mailbags were transported across the English Channel every single day for the duration of the Great War conflict.

The bags held precious letters from the frontlines in Europe and from families on the home front who were desperately trying to stay in touch with their loved ones.

Scraps of paper with hastily written love notes, requests for salted bacon and shaving brushes as well as letters reporting gas attacks, births and death were all carried between English homes and the chaos of the trenches.

One such letter-writer and soldier was Thomas Swann, of Farndon, who enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters when he was just 17-years-old.

His personal account of the First World War told through more than 100 letters he sent home have formed the basis of a new touring play from Nottingham Playhouse, The Second Minute.

Playwright Andy Barrett was embarking on some research at the Sherwood Foresters' archives in Bulwell, when he came across Thomas's letters – which had been donated by the soldier's nephew, Frank Swann, 82, of Radcliffe-on-Trent.

Mr Barrett said: "Reading through these letters from nearly a century ago, some from men who survived and some from men who didn't, was an incredibly moving and powerful experience.

"What interested me in them was the picture they create of the day-to-day experiences of war. Letters were being sent to and from households at incredible speed. The mechanism that was created to make sure that letters got to the men was a colossal achievement.

"You could put a letter in a postbox in a small Nottinghamshire village and two or three days later it could be read at the front. And then two days after that a letter written in response would find its way through the letterbox of the house from which the original letter had come.

"In many letters there's little to say and in the Swann letters what really comes through is a relationship between two people – a son and a mother – who are trying to navigate their way through the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century."

The play weaves together the heroic, comic and heartbreaking tales from Thomas's letters from the trenches along with the devastating impact of modern war told through the eyes of a modern-day character called Laura, who has lost her son in Afghanistan.

Playhouse artistic director Giles Croft said: "This play explores the relationship between two central characters, Tom and Laura. Andy has fashioned a beautiful and moving play and the relationship between Laura and Thomas Swann can hardly fail to move us."

"My aim for this piece is to somehow recreate those emotions, to try and allow the audience into the very heart of that moment when a letter arrives and is read for the first time and to use that to tell a wider story about the impact of the First World War on the families of those who were waiting for their loved ones to return home safely."

The production will visit 27 town halls and village theatres between tomorrow and mid-June, with its homecoming show at the Playhouse's Neville Studio on Monday, May 26, at 4pm and then again at 7pm.

Frank Swann said: "I have only seen a rehearsal of a very short piece of the play, so cannot really comment about it, except to say I am more than happy that it is really in Thomas's memory, and to the thousands of others who were subjected to such hardship, especially in the trenches."

STORIES about Nottingham soldiers and their families in the First World War are being revealed for the first time in an exhibition.

All Quiet in the Weston Gallery, which opens on Friday, draws on material from the University of Nottingham's archives.

Assistant archivist Hayley Cotterill, who curated the exhibition, says a highlight has been uncovering the stories of Notts people behind the photographs, letters, postcards and diaries going on display.

She says the university's class registers show that nearly all its male students went off to war. She investigated a letter sent to a female student from the frontline by a former Nottingham student who signs himself only as Bob and mentions his university pals and fellow servicemen Bill and George.

Hayley takes up the story: "It said that their 'happy trio' had been broken up because Bill had been killed. It also gave the name of the third member of the trio, George.

"From this I was able to identify the three friends as 2nd Lieutenant Robert Wilford, 2nd Lt Arthur William Wilkinson and 2nd Lt George Ducker.

"The three appear to have met at the college where they were all studying to be teachers. We have class registers that show them enrolled together on the same course.

"Two of the friends wrote to The Gong, the college magazine, at one point, protesting against the publication of a poem that urged all male students to enlist.

"Despite this, the three had all joined the Army by 1916 and entered the Yorkshire Regiment. Two of them died and they have obituaries in The Gong. I couldn't find an obituary or war memorial entry for the third, George, so I believe he survived."

She adds: "Working on the exhibition has been brilliant. It's a chance to do in-depth research. At the time, these were ordinary men going off to their duty and now they get some recognition."

Another story of sacrifice revealed in the exhibition is that of the seven Chaworth Musters brothers of Annesley Park and Colwick Hall. Six fought in the war: Patricius, Jack, Anthony, Philip, Robert and Douglas. Only three were to return.

Like much of the private material held in the archives, the family's papers were donated to the university for safekeeping.

Hayley hopes the exhibition will encourage more people to use the university's archive, which has three million items going back to the 12th century.

"People are aware of the county records office and that they can use their archive but may think our archive here at King's Meadow Campus is only for the use of academics and students. We are open to absolutely everyone."

This is the first exhibition Hayley has curated at the university and she says it has been a fantastic experience. "Sometimes you get so used to the job you're doing and you forget – but you are actually holding something that was written in a Russian prisoner-of-war camp, you've got letters sent back from the frontline, and that soldier went on to die. It is amazing.

"These are not just pieces of paper. There are stories behind every letter and every photo. You can read about it in a book but to have an actual letter from the time and knowing what they are thinking brings it to life."

All Quiet in the Weston Gallery: The First World War in the University of Nottingham's Historic Collections is at the Weston Gallery, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park, from Friday until August 17. For more details, call 0115 951 4565, e-mail mss-library@ nottingham.ac.uk or visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/mss.

BORN in Farndon on April 19, 1897, Thomas Swann (left) was the eldest son of Thomas William Swann and Mary Pizer Humphrey.

He was 17 and working for brewer Warwick and Richardson in Newark when he enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters regiment soon after the outbreak of the war.

He was first posted to Ireland and later to the trenches in France, where he became an avid writer of letters to his parents back home.

His letters span almost the duration of the war, from words of reassurance to his parents to requests for parcels of bread and butter.

His last letter, dated September 23, 1918, begins: "My dear Mother and Father

"Just a few lines to let you know I have received the parcel alright. Thanks very much for the chocolate and butterscotch.

"All the lads were out of fags and we have been for some days and when they saw the parcel they thought it was cigs. We can't get them or anything else, when you have tonnes of money."

It ends: "Well you remember the first time I got wounded; I am now at the same place. I shall have to close now. Love to all from your ever loving son Tom. You can send me one or two cigs and many happy returns of the day for Frank. From Tom."

This, along with 100 or so other letters, were treasured possessions of Tom's mother and she kept them in a tin until she died in 1949. They were then passed on to her daughter Mag, and then to her children – the cousins of Frank Swann.

Mr Swann thought that the letters should be preserved for posterity and lodged them with the Sherwood Foresters' archives, in Bulwell.