SHARING intricate arts and crafts skills with fellow youth club members has brought out the confidence in Olivia Hallam.

The 13-year-old has been nominated for a 4Uth award and has seen her confidence skyrocket since she shared her talents.

4Uth is an annual award run by the Post and Nottinghamshire County Council. It is for youngsters who have excelled or battled against the odds in the last year.

Olivia, of Melrose Avenue, Beeston, said attending the Beeston Young People's Centre has helped her come out of her shell.

"I've taught other people how to decorate bags and put patterns on them. The other day I showed someone how to do golden swirl patterns with butterflies and floral designs on them.

"It's helped me with my confidence and I've made a lot of new friends – they all seem to be really interested in it."

She was nominated by youth worker Nikki Loydall, who said Olivia sometimes found herself out of her comfort zone since she started at the centre more than two years ago.

"There's lots of new people at the youth club and since I've gone there I've been a lot more talkative, especially to people I've not met before," said Olivia.

"I've always been quite a creative person and I enjoy making crafts and can show people how to do those sorts of things."

Olivia not only helps out by offering to pass on her creative talents, the attentive teenager also volunteers for coffee bar duty at the centre, in West End, Beeston.

"I like to help out because I feel I'm doing a lot for others," Olivia added. "Helping others and keeping the place ticking over is nice and I like to make sure everyone else is OK."

Nikki Loydall said: "Olivia is a keen artist and is brilliant at craft work. She has worked through some of the issues as to why she has struggled to make new friends and socialise, and a lot of that was down to her personal confidence."

Councillor Liz Plant, vice-chairman of the children and young people's committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Olivia's confidence has clearly grown in recent months and she is benefiting from the support from her local youth centre and is giving a lot back to others, too. She is a worthy nominee for these awards."

The 4Uth awards are handed to a young person from each of the county's seven districts in early September. An overall winner is crowned later that month at an awards ceremony.

To vote for a young person who you think deserves a 4Uth award, visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/4Uth.

TWO mums had their own special reasons to be thankful for the skills of health workers on International Day of the Midwife.

Both Debbie Black and Stella Cherry gave birth to baby boys within the comfort of their own homes on Bank Holiday Monday.

But while Mrs Cherry's was a planned home birth, Mrs Black's first child came somewhat unexpectedly.

"We had been planning to have a water birth at the City Hospital," said Mrs Black, 33, of Kenrick Road, Mapperley.

"We went there at around 2am and the midwife examined me and said I wasn't in fully established labour, and I was sent home. It was just one of those things.

"We'd returned home by 3am and within two hours, things had progressed very, very quickly. We rang the hospital to go back in but it had got to the point of no return.

"After that, it was a 999 job."

Mrs Black gave birth to son Dexter Christopher in her bed at 6.58am on Monday.

Her husband, Leon, 38, and mother-in-law were at her side, as were paramedics and two community midwives.

Dexter weighed 7lb 8oz and arrived two days early.

Mrs Black, who works for city centre-based health and social care recruitment agency Cardea Resourcing, said she would consider planning a home birth in the future.

She said: "Because we were prepared for a hospital birth, it never entered my head that I could have him at home. Dexter just didn't want to wait.

"The paramedics and two midwives were amazing and kept me calm.

"They told me what was going on and that everything was OK.

"They were just really reassuring and really professional."

Mrs Cherry, meanwhile, gave birth to son Benjamin David at home in Eastwood on Monday.

He is a second son for Mrs Cherry, 25, and husband Jake 28, and arrived at 11.41am.

He weighed 9lb 2oz and was five days early, with Mrs Cherry also giving birth on her bed.

She said: "My first one was a hospital birth but we planned for this one to be at home.

"The first time, it was quite a rush to get to hospital but this was a lot more relaxed.

"It was nicer to give birth at home."

After two examinations in the early hours, two qualified midwives and a trainee midwife all helped to deliver Benjamin safely.

Around 200 babies are born at home in Nottingham every year.

NUH currently has around 70 community midwives operating in and around the city.

Carole Posaner, a community midwife team manager with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are really striving to increase the number of home births and give mums the choice of not just giving birth at the QMC or City Hospital."

She added: "I think it's wonderful that they had births on what happened to be International Day of the Midwife. It's a day when we try to remember midwives for what they do and have done for us."

Have health professionals come to your aid? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

HE who sings frightens away his ills, according to Don Quixote, and isolated older people in Nottingham have been testing his theory.

Age UK Notts has set up the Sing and Smile workshop in the city centre to bring together older people who are lonely and stuck indoors, encouraging them to make new friends while singing a happy tune.

The event is run by instructor Jane Ashworth as part of the charity's Kindred Spirits programme, which offers a range of activities to older people left on their own.

Yesterday was the group's first practice but the newly-formed choir is already looking ahead to a performance at Christmas.

Miss Ashworth said: "I love teaching people to sing – and I love it even more when it is used to bring people together.

"Kindred Spirits provides activities to stop people staying at home and getting lonely. This will become the highlight of some people's week and I am so happy to be involved with that."

There are almost 40 members at the city centre group, and another group in Hucknall offering the same experience for older people in the area.

Janice Harlow, 70, of Bakersfield, is relishing the opportunity to sing. She said "I always wanted to sing but I never had the chance or the guts before to go out and do it. This kind of thing is essential for people who live on their own, and singing together really brings you together."

Mel Hackett, 79, of Bulwell, lost his wife to Alzheimer's last year and finds the group a real comfort. He said: "I have always loved singing. They won't shut me up until they have shut the lid!

"The thing is, after you lose someone, it is important to keep going, both mentally and physically, and I like to get out every day."

John Fletcher, 65, of Canning Circus, said: "It is nice to meet people, exchange ideas and reminisce about the old times."

And Ilona Poyser, 71, of Sherwood, said singing has helped her through tough times. She said: "When you are on your own, you don't talk and you start to lose your voice. Singing, for me, brings back all these memories and it is lovely for us all to be together and doing it."

Carol Wilby, service manager at Age UK Notts, said "Some local older people may find their calendars only list GP appointments. The new Sing and Smile sessions provide a great social activity to look forward to for the rest of the year.

"Not only could these reduce the risks associated with loneliness but singing is also proven to help with breathing, posture and confidence."

To find out more, call 0115 841 4473.

What activities would you like to see to combat loneliness? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

NOTTINGHAM Forest's season can be summed up neatly through the use of a few simple numbers.

The most significant of which will be seven, the number of points by which the club ultimately missed out on a play-off place by.

Another notable one is 13, for two contrasting reasons, in the form of a 13-match unbeaten run in the Championship, followed by a 13-match run without a win, albeit in all competitions.

Forest also used 36 players during the campaign, which is given more perspective when you compare it with the number used by the two promoted clubs Leicester (28) and Burnley (25).

For long spells of the season, Sean Dyche's side had used less than 20.

But perhaps the most telling number of all is a simple number – two.

That is how few players in the Forest squad who managed to make more than 30 starts in the Championship this season.

Unsurprisingly, that is the lowest number in the division.

Karl Darlow (43) and Jamie Mackie (38) were the only men in the squad who were able to avoid injury for any length of time – although even the keeper eventually picked up a shoulder problem in the final weeks of the campaign, denying him the chance to be an ever present.

Come the final day, Gary Brazil, for various reasons, was robbed of the services of 16 players, when he came to select his final squad as caretaker manager.

When Stuart Pearce picks his first side in August, he will hope the number of players in the treatment room is much closer to zero.

But, as you look back on a frustrating season, there have been players who have stood out and others who have struggled.

Here, Paul Taylor takes a look at the four main areas of the side and assesses where Forest have done well – and where they will need to improve next season.

Goalkeepers:

THERE is a curious dynamic among goalkeepers. On the one hand, they are fierce rivals for one place in the side, on the other, they have to work together every day in training, to hone their skills.

Dorus de Vries, when he signed in the summer, had expected to challenge Karl Darlow for his first team place.

Arriving armed with plenty of Championship experience with Swansea – including a successful promotion push – the Dutchman had a pretty impressive CV.

It says much about his character that he was magnanimous about finding himself sat on the sidelines for much of the campaign.

But it also tells a story about the form produced by Darlow during his first full season as the club's number one.

After being given a chance during the short tenure of Alex McLeish, Darlow impressed enough during the second half of the previous campaign to be given a chance by Billy Davies last summer.

And he has not looked back.

Darlow's assured, confident displays this season have had Premier League scouts flocking to the City Ground, attracted by his relative youth, at 23, and the fact he is British.

Forest are unlikely to be tempted to cash in on the product of their youth academy just yet, with Darlow certain to be an integral part of Pearce's plans this summer, as the keeper looks to maintain his rapid progression.

And, with de Vries and highly-rated youngster Dimi Evtimov waiting in the wings for their chance, Forest are well equipped in this department.

Defence:

BILLY Davies was a man of many stock phrases, one of which was eventually, brilliantly parodied by supporters, who took to chanting 'We're Nottingham Forest, it is what it is'.

The look on the Scotsman's face as he stamped off the pitch at Burnley, past the travelling fans who had given voice to that chant more than once during what ended up being a painful defeat in February, suggested he was not the biggest fan of it.

But there was some justification to another of his oft repeated phrases, which revolved around how things might be different if Forest had their 'first choice back four' available.

On paper, there are few more impressive defensive quartets than Forest's in the Championship.

But Eric Lichaj, Jack Hobbs, Kelvin Wilson and Chris Cohen played only four times together, as injuries took their toll.

Chief among those was Wilson, who has started only seven games since his £2.5m return from Celtic, following persistent back problems.

Hobbs has been missing since February since damaging his ankle, club skipper Cohen saw his season ended in November back a knee injury and Lichaj was eventually sidelined by persistent groin problems.

All of which gave opportunities to others – and Jamaal Lascelles certainly grabbed his.

The rookie central defender ultimately started more league games (29) than any other defender – and improved with each appearance.

The understanding he established with Hobbs, in particular, was enough to suggest he will be a serious contender for a regular starting place under Pearce even when Wilson is fit.

Danny Collins, barring the odd mistake, also largely performed capably in the centre.

Although, in the absence of Cohen and Lichaj, none of Gonzalo Jara, Greg Halford, Dan Harding or Danny Fox really pinned down the full-back positions as their own at the City Ground.

Midfield:

ONE of the biggest 'what ifs?' of the campaign will be the question of if things would have been different had Andy Reid not collected an injury. Or, for that matter, if Henri Lansbury had not been sidelined.

Reid was deservedly named player of the season, was also the club's top scorer in the league, with nine goals, and was named in the Championship team of the year.

And it says a lot about the strength of the Forest midfield – and the lack of firepower up front – that a trio of midfielders scored more league goals between them than the main trio of front men.

Reid, Jamie Paterson (eight) and Lansbury (seven) bagged 24 goals between them.

Simon Cox (eight), Matt Derbyshire (seven) and Darius Henderson (eight) netted 23.

It was Reid's creativity and leadership that Forest missed most, however – and the timing of his absence could hardly have been worse.

The dip in form that began under Davies and continued under Gary Brazil was the biggest contributing factor towards their slide away from the promotion race.

After mid-February, Reid only started two Championship games. While Lansbury managed only three starts after the January window had closed.

Would things have been different had both players been available? We will never know.

Forest also missed David Vaughan, who only returned to action in the final weeks of the campaign.

But, even despite the work rate of Jamie Mackie and the emergence of young players like Ben Osborn and Stephen McLaughlin, Forest badly missed the creative – and calming – influence of Reid, Lansbury and Vaughan.

A question mark remains over the future of Djamel Abdoun, who clearly has ability but has seen his attitude questioned.

And it seems unlikely Lee Peltier – who did a steady job during seven games on loan from Leeds – will be returning next season.

But, with a little more luck over fitness, Forest do have the solid foundations of a very, very good midfield.

Forwards:

IN a display of ruthless cutting edge that was not often demonstrated by the Forest front line, it is time for some brutal honestly.

One, if not two strikers have to be at the top of Stuart Pearce's shopping list this summer.

Whatever else he is looking to add to his Forest squad, a healthy quota of additional firepower is very much required.

Matt Derbyshire's end of season flurry of five goals in five games will have given food for thought to Pearce, when it came to offering him a new deal.

But, after three years of Derbyshire failing to pin down a regular spot under half a dozen different managers, even that will have been a subject of careful debate.

Had Forest not already possessed a host of squad player type strikers, the decision might have been more clear.

But the fact is Pearce has clearly decided he needs to make some pretty ruthless cuts to his front line over the summer and that means no future for Derbyshire.

Simon Cox netted eight goals overall, but faded badly in the second half of the campaign, with his last goal coming at Yeovil in early February.

It was a similar tale with nine-goal Darius Henderson who scored only once – with a clear handball that somehow went unspotted at Middlesbrough – since February.

With Dexter Blackstock set to return to fitness next season, Forest are not short of options, even with Marcus Tudgay and Ishmael Miller both having been released.

Rafik Djebbour's impact on English football was hardly emphatic and he is likely to return to Olympiakos, after it emerged that the 2m euro transfer that had brought him to the club may initially have been a loan move after all.

Greg Halford had a short spell as a target man, when he did not do too badly.

While Jamie Mackie and Jamie Paterson also looked lively when given a rare chance to play up front under Brazil.

But, if they are to flourish next season, Pearce's most important task is to unearth the 20-goal a season front man that has eluded Forest for many years.

WHEN walking from Nottingham Station to the heart of the Lace Market it is hard not to miss the imposing stature of the Popham Street railway arches, at the side of Middle Hill.

The first trains passed over the top of them in 1900 and they used to link the old Victoria Station to Grantham via the Great Northern line.

The arches, owned by Nottingham City Council, stand proud amid a derelict site waiting for an attractive development.

But their future is uncertain.

Council officers have decided that the buildings that surround the historic arches will be demolished in a bid to combat arson at the site, but the authority could not say if the arches would remain or be knocked down.

Hilary Silvester, chairman of Nottingham Civic Society, thinks the arches offer a robust taste of the city's proud industrial past.

She said: "The arches are a testament to the city's industrial heritage and give a sense of character to that area – suggesting what it used to be.

"With the recent upgrading of the station, the restoration and the emphasis on transport, I think we need to keep something that reflects the transport of years gone by."

Mrs Silvester feels the council has been quick to knock down other buildings of interest in the past, including Henry Mellish School, in Bulwell, and Radford Mills.

"Rather than just wilfully knock them down, we should celebrate part of our industrial heritage."

She said she would like to see the structure incorporated into any development of the disused site, which should consider its position as "one of Nottingham's most important views".

"We would object to any development which would impact on the views of the historic origins of the city and I think the railway arches fall under that bracket," said Mrs Silvester. "But it would be criminal to build anything more than eight storeys as it would be detrimental to one of Nottingham's most important views.

"With it being so near the railway hub, it could be used as something of a gateway into Nottingham."

Ian Wells, of the civic society, added: "It's about the only piece of industrial heritage that's left now. It's important with regards to the setting of the Lace Market. Without the arches, it would just be an expanse of land.

"Developers might find it harder to build with them there but they should become a challenge that they have to address instead of just a nice empty space."

David Ablitt, secretary of the Nottingham Industrial Heritage Association, agreed that as much as possible should be done to preserve the arches.

"While the remaining arches are merely a reminder of an impressive structure which stretched from Weekday Cross to Meadow Lane, it would be a shame to see them demolished without proper thought of how they might be used," he said.

"They are over a century old, have been totally neglected for 50 years and yet the brickwork remains in excellent condition."

Mr Ablitt believes the solid structures of the arches could be the perfect foundation for a modern development.

"The viaduct was built to a standard which would be unheard of these days and it should not be beyond the ability of an imaginative architect to find a new use for it."

But not all historians think the arches are worth preserving.

Philip Riden, of the University of Nottingham, said: "They are not particularly early; it was the last of three railway lines to arrive in Nottingham. Nor are they of particularly special architectural or historical interest, so I don't think it would be a huge loss if they were demolished."

The Popham Street arches are not listed and were transferred into council hands in the first half of the 1970s in stages.

Councillor Graham Chapman, city council portfolio holder for resources and neighbourhood regeneration, said: "No decision has been taken about the railway arches as we are still looking at the various options and long-term future of the site, which is one of the key city centre redevelopment locations.

"There are a number of options and we wouldn't want to exclude any of them by saying that the arches are to remain."

Do you think the arches should be preserved? Let us know at opinion@nottinghampost.com.

POLICE have called in top forensic experts and digging equipment as they narrow their search for the body of Bogdan Nawrocki to Radford.

The 22-year-old from Poland, was last seen on Sunday, January 5, this year and, despite extensive investigations and media appeals, he has not been seen since.

One man has been charged with his murder and three others remain on bail pending further enquiries but still no body has been found.

Nottinghamshire Police have now brought in specialist search teams, forensic experts, digging equipment and police dogs to a site at Alfreton Road, near the junction of Gregory Boulevard, to focus their search.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Heydon is leading the inquiry. He said: "It is a big area, a triangle of around 200 square metres, and we have to search it extensively.

"There is an area within the site we will focus on initially and we have forensics, digging equipment and our top search adviser. The team is ready to go.

"This is about doing the work on behalf of the family and I am appealing for anyone who may know where Bogdan is to come forward. We are doing everything we can to find him."

The Alfreton Road search began yesterday at 2pm but Detective Chief Inspector Heydon believed it would go on throughout the night and into today.

Residents of the area were shocked to hear what was happening in their area.

Holly Payton, 20, used to live in Radford but moved out due to the level of crime.

She said: "People would go through your bins, smash windows, I even got attacked. It is just getting worse.

"I really hope they do find Bogdan, though, for the sake of the family. It is so horrible."

Another woman, who did not wish to be named, has lived in Radford for nine years and is worried the crime situation is getting worse, but thinks it is a city-wide problem.

She said: "When I first moved here, I was really settled and it is a shame that things like this are happening. Everything has gone from bad to worse, not just here but elsewhere in Nottingham."

Police have asked for anyone with information to contact the incident room on 0115 8446913 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A dedicated line manned by Polish-speaking officers has also been set up on 07785 573415.

RICHARD Cooper narrowly missed out on a top six finish – and serious injury – in the British Superbike Championship round at Oulton Park.

The Nottingham rider was seventh by less than a tenth of a second in race one before walking away after crashing spectacularly out of race two.

Cooper said: "A really positive weekend. It was good to get through all three qualifying sessions again and although we didn't get the result we wanted in race two we were certainly trying hard.

"Unfortunately the gear lever touched the kerb. It knocked me down a gear and going through the corner in a lower gear than usual led to a big highside.

"It's been a good job by the team and we're looking forward to Snetterton next month."

After making it through all three rounds of the knockout style qualifying to start from eighth on the grid, the 30-year-Anvil Hire TAG Racing rider fought hard during Bank Holiday Monday's opening 18-lap race, missing out on sixth to fellow Kawasaki rider Dan Linfoot.

Race two saw Cooper again start on the third row in ninth as a result of his first race lap times.

After holding position in the opening laps he again found himself involved in a battle for seventh with Linfoot, as well as BMW rider James Westmoreland and former race winners Jon Kirkham and John Hopkins.

However, he was unable to maintain his 100 per cent points scoring record after highsiding spectacularly out at Hizzy's chicane on lap 13, thankfully avoiding injury.

The race wins were shared by championship leader Shane Byrne (Kawasaki) and Josh Brookes (Yamaha). Cooper's nine points saw him leave Oulton Park 11th in the championship on 18 points.

The championship now takes a break of over a month before heading to Norfolk's Snetterton 200 circuit on the weekend of June 14 to 16.

NO need for trolleys for Christine Fox and Gill Isterling on their next supermarket shops. For their basics-only menus next week, baskets will be more than enough.

The two ministers have pledged to live for five days on food costing no more than a fiver per head.

Family members, friends and members of their congregations will join them and "Live Below The Line" during Christian Aid Week, which begins on Sunday.

"I know someone who has done it who says the lack of choice is the thing you notice most," says Methodist minister Christine, 57, of Wollaton.

"If you want a slice of toast as a late-night snack, it's something less for the next day."

Her husband, Keith, will share the experience. "I think he will struggle more than me," she adds. "He likes his meat and veg but I can survive on things like rice."

Live Below The Line is organised by the campaign group Global Poverty Project, which has linked up with charities including Christian Aid.

The aim is to deepen people's understanding of surviving in extreme poverty and to raise funds for the cause. Participants like Christine and Gill, Baptist minister in Lenton, will be donating the balance of the money they would normally spend on food over five days.

Live Below The Line follows the national day of fasting encouraged by the recent church-led Stop Hunger Now campaign, aimed at drawing attention to food poverty in the UK.

Although not as severe as the 40-day liquids-only Lenten fast undertaken by Stop Hunger Now champion Keith Hebden, an Anglican priest from Mans field, Christian Aid is hoping Live Below The Line will do the same job for global poverty.

Both Nottingham ministers have short shopping lists for a regime in which typical meals for a day would include:

Breakfast: Fried egg, porridge oats.

Lunch: Lentil soup, or sardines and raw carrot sticks, or cold rice salad with peas.

Dinner: Rice and lentils, or lentil burgers with rice, carrots and peas. Dessert, porridge and pineapple.

Gill, 54, says: "I thought about driving to Mansfield, where food is cheaper – but it would be wrong to go around in a car looking for the best bargains."

The argument is that the poorest people in regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America would not have that luxury – so on Monday it will be the nearest Aldi and Lidl.

Christine, drawing on her previous career as a nutrition consultant, has already worked out what she can get for Keith and herself for their £10. She has noted that Aldi is doing a kilo of rice for 40p. Frustratingly, she will have 7p in change – and you don't get many treats for that.

If you can't have much fun with porridge and carrot sticks, what will people get out of Living Below The Line?

Gill is hoping for a spiritual return, planning for daily reflection on the themes of Christian Aid Week – how war brings further misery to the poor, disrupting their ability to grow, harvest and consume food.

She will be writing a daily diary for the Baptist Times.

"Something like 1.2 billion people are living below the £1- a-day line, and that's not just for food and drink" says Christine. "This is an opportunity for people to understand that lack of choice."

And temptation? The refrigerator may have to be taped up, she concedes.

As Methodist and Baptist ministers, you would expect Christine and Gill – who between them have nine children and six grandchildren – to avoid excess not for one week a year, but all 52. But surely they will be missing something over their five days of restraint?

"Fresh fruit and vegetables," says Christine. "A Chinese and a good cup of tea," adds Gill, who has worked out that even with the cheapest tea bags, she will not be able to afford milk and sugar.

Christian Aid's East Midlands regional co-ordinator, Judi Perry, said: "Many people spend £2 on a cup of coffee without even thinking about it, but for 1.2 billion people across the developing world, that money would have to cover their living expenses for two days. By taking part in this challenge, we hope people will stop and think about what it would be like to live in extreme poverty."

More information at www.livebelowtheline.com

Will this and the church-led campaign Stop Hunger Now make a difference to food poverty? Share your views on nottinghampost.com.

CRAFTY volunteers at Rushcliffe Play Forum have confessed that no skip is safe from their artistic eyes in the run-up to their 30th anniversary celebrations.

Based at The Bungalow, next to Keyworth Primary School, in Nottingham Road, the Aladdin's cave of scraps and off-cuts is a treasure trove of resources for Blue Peter-style projects.

Established in 1984, the two-room centre is a giant craft cupboard for more than 100 community groups and now boasts around ten tonnes of ribbon, fabric and card.

Linda Cox, 53, of Thorneywood, has been working and volunteering at the play forum for 14 years and is constantly on the hunt for treasures to add to the hoard. She said: "We collect a lot of materials from local businesses but the job does make you look at the world differently.

"We are always keeping an eye out for materials that could be used. Only the other week we found some tiles in a skip which we are going to get the kids to paint at the next event.

"It's great because it gets the community to be creative but also stops waste going to landfill, so it is good for kids, families and the environment."

Mrs Cox says the forum was initially set up by Nottinghamshire County Council's play team as a way to facilitate play during the recession in the 1980s.

Funding for the forum ended at Christmas last year, although the group is still eligible to apply for county council grants. However, the 12 permanent volunteers, including Mrs Cox, are determined to keep the forum – run as a charity – going regardless.

There are 122 other scrap schemes across the country that keep stock fresh by trading scraps with each other.

Chris Gust, head teacher of Keyworth Primary and Nursery School, says his pupils and staff use the scrap store regularly.

"It's such a great group of people who are so committed to making sure that play can happen," he said. "It is such a great resource, too.

"You go in there, get something specific and come out with a hundred other ideas – it's great and it is fantastic that they've been going for 30 years."

To celebrate its anniversary, the forum will be holding an open day at the site on Thursday, May 29, between 2pm and 4pm.

David Mitchell, Rushcliffe Borough Council executive manager for communities, said: "It's a great service and we wold urge people to support it so that it can continue for another 30 years."

How do you recycle your scraps? Get in touch at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

NOTTINGHAM Racecourse has been chosen to host the finals of a major national sequence of races.

The Jockey Club's Grassroots Series also starts at Colwick Park on Saturday as momentum builds towards the finals back in the city in October.

The parent company of Nottingham Racecourse – The Jockey Club – are putting up £50,000 in prize-money for the series finals.

Pip Kirkby, general manager of the course, said: "This is a real feather in the cap for the city's racecourse and we are delighted to have been chosen not only to host the finals of the Grassroots Series in the autumn but to launch the entire series itself on Ladies' Day this Saturday."

The series consists of 36 qualifiers split into two distance categories, sprint and middle distance, taking place across eight of The Jockey Club's racecourses.

The 18 qualifiers for each distance culminate in two £25,000 finals staged at Nottingham on Wednesday, October 1.

To be eligible to compete in either the sprint final or middle distance final, horses need to have run in at least one of the equivalent qualifying races.

The major race on Ladies' Day, where savings can be made if you buy your ticket in advance, is the listed £40,000 EBF Stallions Weatherbys Bloodstock Reports Kilvington Fillies' Stakes.

Ladies' Day is the second half of a two-day horse racing meeting which starts on Friday evening with 'Lads Night Out' when the first race is at 5.15pm.

WHEN you've already spent a year waiting to get back out on the pitch, a few more months should be a breeze.

Not for Joe Cobden. The close season has barely begun and already the Nottingham Rugby centre is eager for it to be over with.

It is understandable. A long lay-off ended with a brief cameo in 2013/14 – something Cobden is desperate to make up for next time out.

Last April, the 22-year-old suffered a serious knee ligament injury. Extensive surgery was required, as was a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He made his comeback with two games of the Green and Whites' campaign remaining, though lasted just 45 minutes before pulling up with cramp.

A rib problem kept him out for the final two weekends, leaving Cobden hungry to get going again.

"It was very frustrating. It was good to be back playing, but then I had to sit out the following weekend, which wasn't nice," he said.

"It was weird coming back for one game, then in two games' time it's all over again.

"I'm looking forward to next season.

"It's going to be nice to get a run of games under my belt and hopefully do well for the team. Hopefully we can have a good year.

"To have to sit out for so long has been very frustrating.

"That's why I'm doing it; I want to play rugby.

"I was meant to be back about a month before but pulled my hamstring.

"It's just taken a long time.

"It's weird; you do get your head round it after a while and you sort of get used to the fact you're not playing.

"But when you're watching the boys play, you just want to be out there helping them. You want to be on the pitch and training.

"Being in the gym the whole time, it can get pretty boring and a bit lonely at times.

"You want to be with the boys and you kind of feel like you're missing out a bit because you're just on your own programme the whole time."

Cobden will have his own special programme again over the summer.

Although his knee is 'fine', his hamstring is a different matter.

"I'll have to do things differently to the other lads because, for my knee graft, they took some of my hamstring to make the new ligament," the Leicester Tigers Academy product explained.

"It means my hamstring is a lot weaker than normal, so I've got to do extra work on it to build up the strength.

"I'm going to have to do a lot of that and keep on top of it over the summer so my hamstring doesn't get weaker.

"When I was meant to come back about a month before I did, that's why I didn't, because I pulled my hamstring because it's a lot weaker than normal.

"It's not going to be an issue, as long as I stay on top of it.

"It's still slightly weaker but it's at the level now where it's OK, I just need to keep on top of it and it will be fine."

The season ended with Nottingham tenth in the Championship.

A battle against relegation wasn't quite what they'd hoped for, but the belief is they will improve next term.

"It's been frustrating to watch and not be involved because you feel like you could help them," Cobden reflected in a chat with the Post.

"We've obviously had a bit of a tough year, but watching the boys in training and playing, it's not been due to a lack of effort; we've just been a bit unfortunate at times and had a lot of injuries.

"We've got some very good players here, we've just been a bit unfortunate this year.

"I think it's looking very positive for next year.

"You've got to remember, we're still a very young team as well. The longer we play together, we're going to gel more as a team."

BLIDWORTH 2nds have pulled out of Mansfield and District League Section 5 after struggling for numbers.

Meanwhile, in the Premier Section Mansfield CC (109-3) have made an impressive start, winning their first three matches, this week beating Glapwell (108) by seven wickets,

Aston Hall (79-6) continue to set the pace in Section One, beating Underwood (78) by four wickets.

In section Two, Handsworth (124-9) had a winning draw over Morton (88-7) but Morton hang on to the top spot.

The highlight in Section Three was Shireoaks (55-1) beating Kirkby Portland (52) by nine wickets, with J Newstead taking five for five for Shireoaks.

Wirksworth & Middleton (234-6) continue to do well in section four after getting a winning draw as Calow (99-9) batted out the match.

In Section Five, Chesterfield (123-6) inflicted a first lost on Papplewick & Linby

(119-9), Chesterfield with three wins from three.

The bowling performance of the day came in Section Six in the match between Kiveton Park (115), who beat Selston (109) with Tom Haslam taking seven for 18 for Kiveton.

Edwinstowe (223-5) maintained their 100 per start in Section Seven with a convincing win over Anston Ladies (111).

Results

Premier Section: At Ryton Road: MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILL (5) 145-7 (M. New 43*, J. Littlewood 2-36) lost to ANSTON (20) 146-8 (A. Arnold 26, K. Jayasinghe 4-27) by 2 wickets. At Staveley Lane: SHEFFIELD COLLIEGIATE (20) 176-8 (M. Simpson 40, M. Lee 33, A. Leonard 3-36) beat ECKINGTON (5) 141 (A. Leonard 41, C. Webber 3-15) by 35 runs. At Forest Corner: WELBECK (18) 223-8 (R. Stroh 59, A. Martin 71) drew with EDWINSTOWE (8) 164-9 (A. Walkers 32, A. Willis 3-45, A. Martin 3-40). At Chesterfield Road: GLAPWELL (1) 108 (J. Lee 3-37, B. Walter 3-13) lost to MANSFIELD (20) 109-3 (B. Walter 39, K. Evans 50) by 7 wickets.

Section 1: At Milkin Lane:ASHOVER (4) 146 (E. Dickens 38, A. Tate 3-22, T. Newcombe 3-29) lost to KIRKBY PORTLAND (20) 147-6 (G. Glenn 43, R. Dallison 60, J. Roche 3-24) by 4 wickets. At Langwith Road: CUCKNEY (20) 140 (A. Burgess 39, K. Suresh 50, D. Mines 5-14, N. Ramsden 3-30) beat FRECHEVILLE COMMUNITY (4) 101 (D. Froggatt 32, C. Doughty 3-21, D. France 3-0) by 39 runs. At Greenhills Road: GRASSMOOR (20) 243-7 (A. Bedford 90, S. Smith 39, S. Stocks 3-32) beat EASTWOOD (4) 133 (M. Stocks 34, O. Smith 31, A. Bedford 4-26) by 110 runs. At Church Lane: UNDERWOOD (2) 78 (B. Brown 54, S. Terry 4-12, A. Blackwell 4-4) lost to ASTON HALL (20) 79-6 (N. Ward 38, C. Lightly 5-20) by 4 wickets.

Section 2: At Stonelow Fields: SOUTH WINGFIELD (20) 176 (G. Shuttlewood 69) beat COAL ASTON II (4) 117 (C. Timms 43, L. Mitchell 3-21) by 59 runs. At The Old Colliery: TEVERSAL (16) 208-9 (Chris Hewitt 39, C. Else 77) drew with CRESWELL (8) 151-5 (G. Searston 33, B. Bedford 38). At The Copper Yard: MAREHAY (1) 97 (R. Hassan 3-10, J. Richardson 3-12) lost to DENBY (20) 98-4 (G. Wilson 30*) by 6 wickets. At Olivers Mount: HANDSWORTH (15) 124-9 (J. Marriott 27*, B. Matthews 3-19) drew with MORTON (6) 88-7 (B. Matthews 38, A. Langdale 3-23)

Section 3: At The Miners Welfare: SHERWOOD (2) 152 lost to BLIDWORTH (20) 155-2 (P. Bartram 52, L. Robinson 57*) by 8 wickets. At Oakes Park: NORTON OAKES v PARKHEAD No result received. At Victoria Avenue: WHISTON PCCC (16) 215-9 (R. Taylor 31, J. Myres 31, K. Smkith 3-39) drew with OCKBROOK & BORROWASH (8) 183-5 (P. Burrows 57, A. Gough 50), At Park Drive: KIRKBY PORTLAND II (0) 52 (J. Newstead 5-5) lost to SHIREOAKS (20) 55-1 by 9 wickets.

Section 4: At Alfreton Park: ALFRETON (20) 191-9 (R. Bramwell 42, J. Clarke 73, T. Tawelski 32) best SOUTH NORMANTON (5) 123 (M. Rooke 3-24, J. Simpson 3-13) by 68 runs. At Cutthorpe Park: CUTTHORPE (20) 163-6 (T. Sadler 52*) beat MANSFIELD II (3) 128 by 35 runs. At Papplewick Hall: PAPPLEWICK & LINBY (20) 246-5 (S. Straw 61, C. Blatherwick 54*, R. Wadsworth 4-46) beat HOLLINSEND (4) 157 (J. Rodgers 93, C. Blatherwick 3-22, A. Hudson 3-34) by 89 runs. At Caernarvon Street: BELPER MEADOWS (20) 280-6 (J. Fowler 65, J. Slater 110) beat TEVERSAL II (2) 90 (M. Jones 5-17) by 190 runs. At Middleton: WIRKSWORTH & MIDDLETON (18) 234-6 (M. Jefferies 35, D. Duffy 49, D. White 92*, J. Brierley 42*) drew with CALOW (4) 99-9 (L. Murphy 3-12, A. Spendlove 3-11)

Section 5: At Queens Park: PAPPLEWICK & LINBY II (2) 119-9 (R. Fitzjohn 30, T. Holland 3-15) lost to CHESTERFIELD C C (20) 123-6 (A. Jepson 37, P. Phillips 30) by 4 wickets. At Kingsway Park: KINGSWAY PARK (0) 42 (A. Yaqub 3-8, M. Guy 3-11) lost to BYRON ABBEY (20) 43-0 (G. Devonshire 25*) by 10 wickets. At The Model Village: SHIREBROOK (20) 161-6 (L. Smedley 73, B. Clarke 3-38) beat ASHOVER II (2) 102 (B. Clarke 31, B. Burbanks 3-26) by 59 runs.

Section 6: At The Pavillion: THURCROFT (5) 186-9 (C. Platts 46, A. Robinson 34, P. Moore 32*, C. Botham 3-26) lost to CLOWNE TOWN (20) 187-3 (J. Lodge 121*, E. Kinsey 41, R. Seddon 3-57) by 7 wickets. At Stone Close: KIVETON PARK (20) 115 (R. Hoyle 31, J. Chambers 3-16) beat SELSTON (4) 109 (S. Johnson 48, T. Haslam 7-18) by 6 runs. At Main Street: ECKINGTON II (1) 93 (T. Duffield 26, J. Binfield 4-12 lost to LANGWITH (20) 94-4 (D. Humber 36, J. Andrews 25, T. Duffield 2-23)) by 6 wickets. At Crays Park: SWANWICK (15) 226-3 (A. Poulter 55, C. Kerry 54*, J. Trowsdale 49*) drew with CLAY CROSS (3) 103-4 (D. Bedford 53*). At Day Sporting Club: DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SUNDAY XI (20) 141 (T. Wilson 39, L. Braddock 34) beat THE WEDNESDAY (5) 127 (A. Naseby 48, A. Findlow 4-15) by 14 runs.

Section 7: At Ryton Road: EDWINSTOWE II (20) 223-5 (M. Stewart 65, A. Rose 53) beat ANSTON LADIES (2) 111 (M. Upton 4-19) by 112 runs. At Christchurch Meadows: GRASSMOOR II (3) 107-5 lost to BELPER MEADOWS II (20) 108-8 by 2 wickets. At Debdale Lane: SHERWOOD II (0) 63-7 (B. Hayes- Greenwood 49*) lost to NOMADS 64-1 by 9 wickets.

A HIGHLY competitive Wednesday Open match on Sherwood Fishery's Holmedale Lake saw the top five all pass the ton mark.

In a match where 22 fished, it was very tight at the top and could have gone to anyone, but a late run of carp – 8lb from the margins on the pole and meat – from Mick Langton saw him land 26 carp and put 127lb 7oz on the scales.

In second place Sheffield's Sam Kelk fished the method feeder and pellet cast to the island with pellet and the pole and meat fished at 13m, landing 36 carp – 9lb to end on 119lb 8oz.

Sherwood's Danny Crewe was third from peg 19 with 111-6, while Worksop's Andy Lakey (109-3) and Shaun Sheldon (Kinky Pellet Club, 101-7) also passed the 100 mark.

A day earlier, the Open went the way of home angler Lee Nussey, who fished the method feeder and meat cast to the weed beds at peg 40, landing 20 carp in his 65lb 8oz catch.

In the Open match on the weekend, 26 fished as Sherwood Forest's John Woodland claimed top spot with 91-4.

He fished the pole and paste out at 13m from peg 45 landing 38 carp – 6lb and winning the match.

In second, Carl Brown fished the pole and pellet on the deck and up in the water at peg 15 for 80lb 9oz. Daz Shaw of Dynamite Baits took third.

In the Lakeview Vets Saturday match, with only seven anglers competing Roger Holmes took full advantage and almost doubled the next weight with a total of 69lbs.

He fished his favoured method of pellet down the track and it was this method that helped Rob Taylor to second place with 39lbs.

Andy Parker managed to get the tactics right on this occasion and came in third with 32lbs.

With the other anglers all catching it proved to be a close match for the rest of the places.

In the Wednesday fixture, fishing was inconsistent throughout with a number of anglers struggling to catch during certain times in the match.

This, however, was not the case for Steve Natrass, who kept the fish coming throughout and ended with a winning weight of 71lbs from a familiar peg to him.

Close behind was Pete Sissons who just missed out by 4lbs, also fishing on Serpent.

Third place came from Canal Peg 2 where Martin Quilter started very well with 20lbs in the first hour but he struggled in the later part of the match and could only manage overall third with 52lbs. Cliff Adcock came in second on Canal with 28lbs but it was mainly Serpent that came up with the better weights.

NOTTINGHAM Forest will conduct an investigation into the club's crippling injury problems this season.

The crisis reached its peak on the final day of the campaign, when 13 players were unavailable through injury, illness or suspension.

The problem was made worse by the fact that Djamel Abdoun, Rafik Djebbour and Kevin Gomis had all been left out with caretaker boss Gary Brazil not convinced they had the right attitude to be part of the squad.

Injuries were a key factor under Billy Davies too, with the club robbed of Kelvin Wilson, Jack Hobbs, Chris Cohen, Andy Reid, Henri Lansbury, Eric Lichaj and David Vaughan – arguably their most influential players – for long periods of the campaign.

Many of the problems were picked up during matches, while others were sustained on the training ground.

And the club will investigate the situation over the summer to see if they can find a way to help keep the squad fitter as the new era under Stuart Pearce begins.

"There is an end of season discussion to be had, about how the season has gone and the practices and protocols that are in place," said caretaker boss Brazil. "Things will be looked at.

"I have not been involved, so I cannot offer an opinion.

"But the opportunity to be successful next season will be aided enormously by having Eric Lichaj, Kelvin Wilson, Jack Hobbs and Chris Cohen available.

"It will be aided by a fit Andy Reid, a fit David Vaughan and a fit Henri Lansbury.

"That would make any Championship team stronger, having them on your pitch for 35 or 40 games of the season. That would not half give you a good chance."

Brazil admits his task was made harder by the injury problems, in the final eight games he took charge of – but refused to use it as an excuse.

"It is two-thirds of a team and that is what has been missing," he said.

"That is not to demean anyone who has come in and played. But, if those type of players available, for the majority of the season, you know and I know that it would make a significant difference."

And Brazil says he enjoyed his time in charge.

"We had to pick things up, we had to create a little bit of harmony, a little positivity. That has been hard work. But it has been enjoyable. There have been times when we have taken a lot of pleasure from this," he said.

"We are just frustrated that we have not accumulated enough points. Let us not beat around the bush, we should be in the play-offs.

"From the position we held, we should have been in there. We are not and we need to learn from that."

THE date of this year's Nottingham Federation Senior Citizens and Disabled Match has been set for July 23 at Portland Waters on the Four Islands Lake.

The only stipulations are that all anglers must hold a current year book and they must be 60 or over.

Pools are £10 all in, with the draw being made at 8.30am and fishing taking place from 10am to 3pm.

To book contact Brian Cross on 0115 9275980, or visit www.nottsfed.com.

The Midland Angling Society kicked off their season with a cracking opening match on the match lake at Mill Dam, with the 13 anglers taking part averaging over 50lbs.

On a warm and calm day, the fish fed in pockets throughout, with plenty of skimmers caught as well as carp.

Winning with a credible 86lbs 4oz was Gary Smith, off peg three, who caught close in down both edges using meat.

Second with 74lbs 15oz, off peg ten, was Jack Danby, who also lost several fish that took him straight into the far bank reeds, while Anthony White claimed third place with a mainly carp net of 67lbs 11oz, off peg 18.

Sunday's match is at Robinswood Lake 4, with an 8.30am draw.

The Colwick FFC match at Blithfield saw Keith Prowting (10-8.5) beat John Middleton by 0.5oz to net first.

It fished well in blustery conditions and those who had their limit went on to catch and release more including some nice blue trout.

1. 'Big Value' auditions: Head along to the Lord Roberts, in Broad Street, city centre, to see comedians try out for the Edinburgh Big Value Comedy Shows. Your chance to see some of the newer acts biting their teeth into the comedy circuit – with varying degrees of success. Doors open 6.45pm, show starts 8pm. Free but get tickets from www.justthetonic.com/ nottingham-comedy.

2. East Midlands Book Awards Shortlist Event: In the run-up to the announcement of the East Midlands Book Awards, join a panel of writers and experts to discuss the books in this year's competition. Expect an evening of insightful, entertaining conversation about the best in local writing. Adults only, tickets £4 on the door or in advance on in advance on 0115 981 6506. West Bridgford Library and Young People's Centre, Bridgford Road, West Bridgford, 7.30pm.

3. Power Games: Contemporary and South Asian dance in this tale, from the Altered Skin company, of a banker whose life is spiralling out of control. Nottingham Playhouse, 8pm. Tickets £9 to £11, suitable for ages 12 and over. Details on 0115 941 9419 or www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk.

4. William Howard: The pianist performs work by Mendelssohn, Schubert and Chopin, as well as by University of Nottingham alumnus David Matthews, at the Djanogly Recital Hall, Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park at 7.30pm. Tickets £16 on 0115 846 7777 or www.lakesidearts.org.uk

5. Secrets behind Scandi-Noir: Sheelagh Gallagher gives a free talk on the phenomenon that is Scandinavian crime fiction. Edwinstowe Library, High Street, Edwinstowe, 10am to 11am. For more details call 01623 822280 or email edwinstowe.library@ nottscc.gov.uk

6. Feed The Rhino: Hardcore punk from a band getting good reviews for the live shows on their current tour. Rock City, Talbot Street. Tickets £8.80, doors 6.30pm, over-14s only. Contact 0845 413 4444 or visit www.rock-city.co.uk.