A GOVERNMENT minister is to be given a taste of one of the city's best real ales.

City councillors are to send communities minister Brandon Lewis MP a bottle of Castle Rock's Harvest Pale – with an invitation to the Robin Hood beer festival attached.

It comes after the city council passed a resolution to support the local brewing industry last year.

Mr Lewis – who has responsibility for local councils, as well as town centres and community pubs – will get to sample local beers and meet the people behind the products if he attends the event.

SIXTY children learned life-saving first aid skills thanks to a West Bridgford councillor.

Councillor Gordon Wheeler gave £370 to St John Ambulance, which taught the Year Six pupils at Jesse Gray Primary School, West Bridgford yesterday.

They took part in the 'First aid in a day' course, which includes how to deal with an emergency situation, making an emergency telephone call, how to put someone into the recovery position, and how to deal with common first aid situations.

I'm going to a picnic at the University of Nottingham and hoping to avoid the torrential rain!

I'm working at the hospital for most of my weekend. In between shifts I'm going to chill out.

I'm also working at the hospital. When I'm not at work I'm going to spend my time recovering!

This weekend I'm baking cupcakes for my mum. They're going to be coffee and walnut.

I'll take my daughters wherever they want to go and, if I have time, I'll squeeze in the cricket, too.

I'm moving back home for the summer. I need to settle back in with my family.

I'll probably end up going out somewhere or coming to town, because I don't like staying in all day.

I'm going to Fake Festival at Ashby de la Zouch. There are tributes to Oasis and Bon Jovi.

I'm heading off to Manchester at the weekend to watch Soccer Aid on Sunday. I can't wait!

I'm going bowling with my friends, which is not as boring as it might sound!

THE Royal Family and Prime Minister David Cameron were among those to pay their respects on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings yesterday.

They visited the town of Bayeux, in northern France.

Allied troops stormed Normandy beaches in the largest amphibious assault in history – described by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill as "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place".

The invasion plans were kept under such secrecy that troops didn't know where they were being posted to until the night before.

D-Day is considered the turning-point of the Second World War and marked the beginning of an 80-day campaign to liberate France from Nazi rule.

CITY drivers are being warned that part of Thorneywood Mount will be closed to traffic due to gas pipe upgrade work.

The road will be closed to through traffic from the junction with Thorneywood Rise to the junction with Holly Gardens from Tuesday, June 10, until July 4.

A diversion route will be in place.

The gas main replacement in St Ann's is part of an £800 million investment in the East of England by National Grid.

FOUR D-Day veterans recalled their heroic exploits as they were honoured on the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Reginald Hewitt, 93, a corporal in the Artillery Service Corps, and 90-year-old-George Durant, who served in the Marines, both of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, attended a special afternoon tea.

They were joined by Bill Hill, 93, of Selston, who was a gunner in the navy and signalman Eddie Wilbraham, 94, of Jacksdale.

George, who was posted to Sword and Juno beach, said: "At first we all thought it was a practice, but we very soon realised that it was the real thing."

George was on a landing craft, and saw some of his comrades shelled and killed at sea.

"Anniversaries like this bring back a lot of memories," he said.

Bill, a minesweeper in the Royal Navy, said: "Some of the mines went off – they really made your ears rattle. I had nightmares for many years after the war was over. I feel really proud of all my comrades today."

"I've spent a long time thinking about my old pals today," said Reg. "The ones who didn't come back. It was very frightening, but you could tell there was a turning point coming."

The tea was hosted by the Chairman of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Elizabeth Mays, at the council offices in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

She said: "It is a great honour for us to be able to offer this small gesture of thanks to these men for all they did for us 70 years ago. I am truly proud to meet them and hear of their experiences."

George Forster, of Bingham, also paid tribute to his fellow soldiers, who gave everything under a relentless onslaught of German machine gun fire.

The 93-year-old was part of the Durham Light Infantry and arrived in Amiens on D-Day plus eight.

"I saw the beaches days later after they had cleared away all the bodies. The men I've spoken to have told me some awful tales and we must never forget their sacrifice."

Mr Forster saw action in north Africa and had been demobilised after being shot in the stomach.

"I thought I was going home, then they posted me to Normandy," he said.

The men were honoured by Ashfield District Council on the same day 2,000 veterans took part in commemorative ceremonies on the beaches of northern France.

Among the soldiers at Juno beach was 91-year-old Cyril Crain, who lost his best friend Freddy Harris as he ran for cover under heavy machine-gun fire.

"I've never run so fast in my life," Cyril said.

During the fighting Cyril also saw a medic killed while attending a wounded soldier and a surrendering officer shot.

TWO courageous women who became friends as they battled cancer side-by-side will step up their fight against the disease by launching this year's Race for Life.

Nadine Farnsworth and Lisa Dore met during chemotherapy and are now preparing to run in the Victoria Embankment race.

And the pair, who call themselves the "chemo sisters", have been chosen to kick off tomorrow's event.

Mum-of-one Lisa, from Underwood, said: "It's been an awful time but I have made a very good friend in Nadine through it – she's more than a friend, she's my sister.

"We're hoping to raise £500. Cancer is something that touches most people at some point so it's really a worthy cause."

Nadine, 24, said: "To start the race is a big honour. It will be a very emotional day for us."

Nadine, a teaching assistant in Mansfield., was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in summer 2012 when she was 28 weeks pregnant with son Blake.

To enable treatment to start as soon as possible, Blake had to be delivered early at 33 weeks.

Lisa, 39, was diagnosed with the disease in 2010. But despite going through treatment another tumour was found in her lungs in 2012 and she met Nadine while having chemotherapy.

Katie Martin, Cancer Research UK's Nottingham events manager, said: "Participants may be walking or running but what's inescapable is the power and strength that comes from thousands of women joining together to confront cancer."

The Race for Life takes place at Victoria Embankment on Sunday with two 5km races starting at 10.30am and 2pm. The 10km run begins at 2pm.

CHILDREN have been learning how to stay safe around the tram as part of a new campaign.

The project has been launched by NET Phase Two construction contractor, Taylor Woodrow Alstom, as overhead power lines that will run the trams start to go up in The Meadows and Wilford.

Yesterday staff from the contractor met parents at the gates of St Patrick's Catholic Primary and Nursery School, in Wilford, to give them safety leaflets.

It follows a previous visit to the school in which children were given a presentation about the tram. Other schools in The Meadows, Wilford, Clifton and Beeston, where the tram is being introduced as part of Phase 2, have also been given a special assembly.

Jack Lawley, 11, of The Meadows, said: "I learnt that there are going to be new ticket machines put up and that we shouldn't mess with them. We also learnt that there will be test runs soon so we will need to be careful."

The overhead cables are suspended from 5.8-metre posts and carry 750 volts – more than three times the voltage found in the average home.

Lilian Oldfield, 11, of The Meadows, said: "The presentation was quite interesting. I learnt that the tram is going to run through Nottingham and it is going to cause less traffic. There will also be signs to keep you safe."

Sakina Farooq, 48, of The Meadows, was taking son Zain, 4, to school.

She said: "I think the tram is a brilliant thing – it saves time and it gets to places quickly so I am glad it is coming round here. My son is really interested and has been asking when the tram will start."

Further leaflets will be distributed to children and their parents when the first trams are tested on the new lines. Leaflets will also be handed to businesses and residents closest to the tram lines, informing them of how to work safely around the new lines.

Deputy head teacher Carmel Atkinson said: "The children responded really positively in the assembly and asked some wonderful questions that were answered in detail."

Andrew Lace, temporary operations manager at Taylor Woodrow Alstom, said: "The power lines are obviously quite dangerous if you touch it, and can be fatal, so it is important we are making people aware that they should not go near them.

"We have been telling children to watch out for the trams and do not try to shimmy up the tram poles.

"One girl asked what she should do if she got her shoe stuck in the line. I advised her that her safety is more important; leave it and get yourself away from the danger."

BIKE thefts are still plaguing West Bridgford residents, despite campaigns to raise awareness.

Police said last month that one bicycle was being stolen every day in the town and urged riders to do more to secure their bikes.

But even with these efforts and extra time spent trawling through CCTV footage, thefts are common on the streets.

Neighbourhood Inspector Craig Berry said: "We are working hard to reduce a spate of bike thefts in the West Bridgford area. Being that we have the National Water Sports Centre based in the locale, we do tend to attract a lot of cyclists who are taking part in triathlons, as well as simply coming along to watch the summer sports programme.

"To a thief, more cyclists means more bikes to steal."

On Monday, four bikes were stolen – two from Roko gym, in Wilford Lane, one from Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, in Boundary Road, and one from outside the Environment Agency offices in Scarrington Road.

Police are investigating two bike thefts from the car park at the back of Carluccio's restaurant, in Central Avenue, between 9.30am and 5.30pm on Saturday, May 31.

And an 11-year-old boy was knocked off his bike by teenage thieves on Tuesday, May 27, at Compton Acres shopping centre.

Malcolm Jolley, 67, of West Bridgford, said: "I have heard a lot about people being pushed off bikes, both teens and older people. There is a little bit of a police presence here but it is a big area to cover.

"I have about seven bikes at home and have started locking them all together as if they are all chained as one they are harder to take. It is better to do it than not but it is a pain."

Adam Child, 28, also from the area, said his university sports club, based in West Bridgford, had had four bikes stolen from them this term. He added: "A lot of students become the victim of this and it is really common. It is difficult for the police to do anything as once someone steals a bike they can make a quick getaway and if it is at a weekend it is probably pretty low priority.

"I think there needs to be more ways to track your bike after it has been stolen.

"It would put people's mind at ease and it is just logistical as it is not easy for police to chase after a cyclist in a car, even if they get there straight away."

Ed Clarke, manager of Cycle Garage on Exchange Road, said: "The problem isn't necessarily the police but people using cheap licks, People come in and they don't want something too heavy but heavy means secure. A lightweight lock is a thief's best friend and in West Bridgford it is easy pickings."

Insp Berry added: "We are working closely with the local authority and local gyms and hope to look at alternative storage options, such as lockers.''

VISITORS can raise cash towards repairing Nottingham's last working mill this weekend.

The sails on Green's Mill in Sneinton. have been out of action for two months after two of the four were found to be rotten. They have been in place on the historic mill since 1986, but are to be replaced at a cost of over £40,000.

Nottingham City Council. has agreed to cover most of the cost but the Friends of Green's Mill charity that runs it aims to raise £8,000 towards the work.

The group is opening the mill for behind-the-scenes tours today and tomorrow to raise money.

Jamie Duff, heritage development officer, said: "You are only supposed to get 20 years out of a set of sails and we've had these on for nearly 30. The last thing we want to do is take them off and have no sails. From a health and safety point of view we decided that we should stop using them until they are repaired.

"There are only a few millwrights left in the UK so it's quite a specialist task and a long job. The millwright has a slot to work on it from July to September. We're hoping to have them finished and ready to put in place in October."

Green's Mill is run by the Friends and the city council. The trustees took over the running costs from the council in April last year.

Last summer they launched a major appeal to raise £1 million to secure the mill's future and replace the sails.

The vision for the money not only includes covering the £14,000 annual running costs but also plans to expand the science centre and shop, and replace the sails.

This weekend's tours will be taking place on the hour between 10am and 3pm, costing £3.50 per person.

A council spokesman said: "The mill has always been at the heart of the local community which has played a large part in its operation.''

Post readers can help raise funds towards the mill's repair through our Cash for Your Community campaign.

It has been named as one of the successful groups to receive part a £35,000 giveaway.

The size of the share depends on how many coupons people collect for it. Coupons will be printed in the Post until Saturday, June 28.

VINCE Cable has backed plans to boost the economic prospects of large estates in Nottingham North after admitting the city had "serious problems" with employment.

The business secretary visited New College Nottingham's Basford Hall site yesterday to take part in The Rebalancing Project conference, headed by MP Graham Allen.

The idea behind the scheme is to help all youngsters in deprived suburbs of the city – namely Bulwell, Aspley and Basford – become "work ready" through education and bring more jobs and prosperity to the areas as a result.

Mr Cable told the Post: "Nottingham in a way has got a problem because its image is too good. When people think of a problem city they think of Liverpool, Middlesborough or Hull. Nobody thinks of Nottingham because it is green and pleasant.

"But it clearly does have serious problems; that's the point your MP has been explaining to me and why he persuaded me to come here and try to get under the surface to see what we can do to help."

Mr Allen said that the loss of the mining industry, Raleigh and Imperial Tobacco had hit the city hard, but by public and private organisations working together, the issues could be tackled.

He said: "We still have what were fantastically bold ideas when people pulled together in the 20s, 30s and 40s to build estates in the outer city, brilliantly designed brick-built houses with gardens front and back. They were the new garden city come to Nottingham and what a bold and tremendous vision that was.

"What we need to do today is somehow recapture that spirit. We haven't got green fields anymore but what is it we are going to do to make sure that the sons and daughters of those miners, textile workers, have a future?"

Yesterday's conference brought together organisations ranging from the Local Enterprise Partnership through to Confetti to create a business plan by the end of the day to be taken to Government.

David Ralph, chief executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, said announcements could be made as early as September on how the project will go ahead.

He said: "This has all-party support, which was demonstrated at the event, and is a key component in making this a success. We fully support the proposals being developed."

RESIDENTS who live near a burnt-out chapel will have their say on its future.

The building between Chewton Street and Church Street,Eastwood, was gutted by fire in April.

Broxtowe Borough Council decided to let people who live close to the cemetery give their views on what should be done.

A consultation will be delivered to 2,000 residents and will give them the opportunity to rate a number of options in order of preference.

Those options are: demolition and removal; demolish to a low wall level as a reminder of what it was; sell the remaining shell and plot for conversion to a domestic dwelling; restore and reconstruct to its previous state; restore and reconstruct, including additional facilities like water, sewage, toilets, lighting, parking and heating, to bring into community use.

There is also an opportunity to suggest how the building could be used should it be restored and reconstructed with additional facilities.

The cemetery the chapel is in is home to the D. H. Lawrence family grave where the writer's mother Lydia, his father Arthur and brother William are buried.

For more information, contact the council on 0115 917 3477, email env@broxtowe. gov.uk.