A CYCLIST who was injured in a crash during the Milk Race in Nottingham has been reunited with the volunteer first-aiders who came to his rescue. Joe Giggins was injured shortly after the elite men's race started in the city on May 25. He hit a barrier at the side of the course and fell head first, causing other cyclists behind to ride into him. Joe suffered facial injuries including damage to his teeth and ear. St John Ambulance operational cyclists Josh Tolson and Ross Dykes were providing first-aid cover as part of the charity's medical team and were close to where the accident happened. They went to Joe's aid, along with an off-duty doctor and East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Samantha Westwell, who had been watching nearby. Joe, 23, of Richardsons-Trek RT team, was taken to hospital but is now recovering well. Speaking at the meeting with Josh, Ross and Samantha, on Sunday June 8, Joe, who lives in London and works as a personal trainer, said: "I remember the start of the race but after that I can't remember much about what happened. "The crash was only on the first lap. "I remember waking up as if from a deep dream with somebody holding my head, and then on a spinal board in the ambulance. But I know that if it wasn't for those cycle responders on the course, I may have been a lot worse. I am very grateful to them and everyone that helped me. " Ross said: "Our cycle response team was on the scene within seconds. Joe was unconscious when we first got to him and he was quite dazed afterwards. It's great to be able to see Joe making a good recovery and hope he will be back on his bike before long. " Regional events and logistics manager for St John Ambulance Joe Shaw said: "The quick response of our volunteers enabled Joe to receive medical attention very quickly. " Joe's injury resulted in a restart and a lengthy delay, with the race reduced by ten minutes, to 50 minutes plus five laps. St John Ambulance provides first-aid cover to many major events in the city including the Robin Hood Marathon, Goose Fair and events at the Capital FM Arena, as well as the No Tomorrow and Splendour music festivals. The charity's operational cyclists respond to any situations requiring first aid. To make a donation to the service or to join as a volunteer call 08700 104950 or visit www.sja.org.uk. Have you been helped by paramedics? Email peter.blackburn@nottinghampost.com

CALLUM Wilson, the Coventry striker who is reportedly one of the names on Nottingham Forest's list of transfer targets, has been the subject of a fresh bid from Championship rivals Bournemouth.

The 22-year-old fired 22 goals for the League One side last season, to put himself on the radar of several Championship clubs, also thought to include Wolves.

Bournemouth appear to be leading the running for the player, having already had one offer rejected for the mobile front man.

The Cherries are looking to replace Lewis Grabban, who moved to newly relegated Norwich City for a fee of around £3m last week.

The Sky Blues have confirmed that there is interest in Wilson from several second-tier sides.

And it is understood that Eddie Howe's Bournemouth have returned with a fresh seven-figure offer.

City's development director Steve Waggott continues to maintain that the player is not for sale, however.

"At the moment our view is that Callum isn't for sale," he said. "We have had approaches from other Championship clubs who are keen to secure the services of one of the best young strikers around in League One at the moment.

"But as it stands we have rebuffed and rejected all offers that have come in."

A BOOKMAKERS in Long Eaton was the victim of an armed robbery on Wednesday night.

Police are now investigating after three men entered a Ladbrokes on Derby Road with what is believed to be a handgun and demanded money. 

The men stole cash and may have left the scene in a red car which was possibly a VW Golf. 

No shots were fired and no-one was injured during the incident which took place at just after 8.10pm. 

Officers from Derbyshire Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ORGANISERS are gearing up for the return of a popular festival which attracts thousands of visitors. Arnold's much-loved carnival returns to Arnot Hill Park this weekend, offering a jam-packed itinerary of activities and entertainment. The free event will be on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June and includes a headline performance from the Illinois Blues Brothers and the Shotgun Band. There will be music, dance, drama, children's funfair, craft marquees and much more including schools, bands and solo artists. Tania Griffin, a teaching assistant at Killisick Junior School who organises dance groups, said: "We've got four dances for about 30 children taking part. One of the children has choreographed it – it's fabulous, they have worked so hard. "We do mainly pop music and we have a bit of a mash-up for our finale – it's very modern. They're so excited. It's the first time we have danced there. but we have sang there before. It's an amazing event – there are so many opportunities with the schools taking part. It's great." Also featured will be a children's marquee, chill-out zone, BMX tasters and sports have-a-go sessions. The carnival, which attracts thousands of visitors, kicks off at midday on Saturday with Gedling Rock School and their 'live and loud' show. The day ends with a performance from carnival favourites, the Establishment, who will be singing classic British sing-along anthems. Neil Jacks, bassist for the band who will be performing covers and their own material, said: "We are closing the show – we did it a couple of years ago and it chucked it down, so hopefully it will be a bit nicer this time. It's a very good event and fantastic for the local community – it's something everybody looks forward to." On Sunday, the Fun Dog Show takes centre stage with pampered pooches vying for the coveted first prize in categories that include Waggiest Tail or Most Appealing Eyes. Gedling borough councillor Kathryn Fox, portfolio holder for community development, said: "The Arnold Carnival is a highlight in the calendar for the borough and this year will be no exception. This is an event for the local community and we hope that they can come along and enjoy a weekend full of entertainment for all ages."

MANSFIELD Town have completed the signing of striker Liam Hearn, following confirmation of his registration from the Football League.

 The 28-year-old joins the Stags on a free transfer, having left Grimsby Town in March. 

His time with the Mariners was hindered by spells spent out of action, and his last appearance came in November, when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury. 

Subsequently, he has spent the last few months receiving treatment at the One Call Stadium, having previously worked with Mansfield boss Paul Cox at Eastwood Town. 

"I've known the gaffer [Paul Cox] for a long time and I had my heart set on coming here last summer, but it didn't materialise and then this season I thought it would never happen due to my [cruciate] injury," Hearn said. 

"My immediate targets are to have an injury-free season and score some goals. The fans can be a real force here, and I'm hoping we can have some good times." 

Born in Bulwell, Hearn started out at Hucknall Town, top scoring for the Yellows as they won the Northern Premier League in 2003/04. 

He has also had spells at Quorn, Chasetown and Alfreton Town, where he netted 45 goals in 76 appearances over three years. 

The front man sealed a £30,000 move to Grimsby in 2011, turning out for them on 72 occasions and finding the net 34 times – a strike ratio which saw him attract the interests of Peterborough not so long ago. 

Hearn will now link up with his new team-mates for pre-season training, which begins on Monday, June 30.

Christopher Edwards can still remember carrying the bodies of his wife's parents to their makeshift grave in their garden. 

Despite their deaths being 15 years ago,  he told his trial on June 12 how he had started early one Saturday digging a hole for William and Patricia Wycherley. 

His first attempted was thwarted when he hit a cable but his second was more successful. 

Mr Edwards, 57, carried Mrs Wycherley down the stairs first because she was bigger and heavier. 

"Mr Wycherley was much, much lighter," he told his trial.

 "He was a scrawny-built person." 

Mr Edwards' impression had been that Mr Wycherley was stiff. 

But he was not an expert on rigor mortis, the court heard, and at the time he had not seen any part of Mr Wycherley's duvet-wrapped body.

His wife, who hid the bodies at the Wycherley's Forest Town home for a week, had claimed she could smell the bodies on her return with her husband. 

However, Mr Edwards told the jury: "The only smell I was aware of was a very strong smell of stale tobacco."

Pathologist Stuart Hamilton had told the court this week that if someone was dead for seven days the smell would have been "pungent, foul and evading".

Mr Edwards said he found out about the Wycherleys that day.

 His wife revealed what had happened as they sat down to eat fish and chips. 

She claimed she had found her 60-year-old mother with a revolver and her 85-year-old father on the floor at the house when she visited the week before.

 Mr Edwards told the jury his wife "flipped" when her mother said she preferred him to her daughter and they had slept together. 

Mrs Edwards has admitted the manslaughter of her mother by provocation but denies murder. 

Dafydd Enoch QC, defending, asked Mr Edwards at what point did he go and check the bodies were where his wife said they were.

 "She took me to the bedroom," he told the jury. 

"The door was closed. The bed was down. I saw these shrouded shapes. I turned out the light and closed the door." 

Mrs Edwards wanted to go to police but his wife was "very distressed" and asked him not too. 

"She suggested we could hide them," he said. 

"The first decision that was suggested was perhaps we could hide them in the loft." 

Eventually, he said the most "feasible" place was to bury them in the garden as they did not have a car. 

"Did you dig the hole?" asked Mr Enoch. Mr Edwards, 55, told him: "Yes, I did in the course of the Saturday, starting early." 

 The grave was covered with plants and they spent the next 15 years tricking family members, neighbours, doctors and financial institutions into believing the Wycherleys were still alive. 

Meanwhile they 'cleaned out' the Wycherleys' bank accounts and continued to steal their pension and benefit payments, claim prosecutors. 

The bloodstained carpet was cut up and pieces taken home and dumped in bins, the court has heard. 

When theEdwards realised the net was closing in, the pair, who were in France, relayed a 'carefully hatched and rehearsed story' on their return to the UK, it has been claimed. 

The jury were told yesterday the Edwards, of no fixed address, have admitted a charge of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty and theft of money from a Halifax bank account. 

The trial continues

For all the latest news on the Wycherley trial, click here

NOTTINGHAM squash player Alan Clyne will compete in this summer's Commonwealth Games after Team Scotland announced their final squad for Glasgow. 

The Scot, who was born in Inverness but plays for Air-IT Nottingham in the Premier Squash League, has been included in a 310-strong squad for next month's home Games. 

Clyne will compete in the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles. 

This will be his second Commonwealth Games, having taken part in Delhi four years ago. 

He partnered Harry Leitch in the men's doubles, and they just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth, as well as finishing joint-ninth in the mixed doubles. 

That experience has left Clyne eager to make the podium this time around. 

"My ultimate ambition in a Commonwealth Games is to medal and I want the medal to be gold", he said previously. "Last time we came fourth, just missing out on a medal but I reckon we have improved since then and we will hopefully get into the medals and try and make it as high as possible."

Police negotiations with a man in Sneinton who refused to leave a warehouse have come to a close after he chose to leave the building. 

The incident, in Handel Street, began at 6am on Thursday and lasted almost 12 hours before the man gave himself up. 

Police said a 35 year old man was arrested but were unable to give any additional detail at the time of publication. 

Resident Nina Smith, who lives on nearby Longden Street, said there were six ambulances, two fire engines and five police cars, including several riot vans, on Handel Street during the day and neighbouring Aberdeen Street was also taped off.

Naked Truth Nails and Beauty salon owner Atalia Johnson said she had been there since 10am. 

She said: "There was a fire engine and a couple of PCSOs cordoned off the road, it did not seem like much then. 

"I was saying to them, this is my business, I would like to know what is going on. Then they said they were evacuating the area. 

"As the day has gone on, more police and ambulances have come in, it is causing a bit of a commotion. It has caused some disruption, obviously, the roads are closed off so it doesn't help." 

Roads are now re-opened in the area. 

EXCITEMENT reached new heights by East Midlands Airport as the world's biggest plane touched down. 

The Antonov-225 has six engines, the wingspan the size of a football pitch and can weigh up to 600 tonnes when full. 

And crowds flocked to the Aeropark museum just outside the airport perimeter and fought for the best spot to catch a rare glimpse of the massive plane as it touched down.

The pilot kept the hundreds of aircraft enthusiasts waiting – it was expected to arrive from Riga, Latvia at around 6pm. 

Many of the crowds tracked the progress of the flight on mobile phone applications as it flew over the Netherlands and into UK airspace. 

"It's there, over the air control tower, at your two o'clock," a child shouted, and suddenly the gaze of hundreds turned to the skies as the landing was imminent.

It touched down at just after 7.40pm with cameras clicking to capture the sight. 

Among them was Chris Langdale, 55, who dashed from his West Bridgford home along the A453 to see the plane. 

The IT worker said: "I've seen it once before in real life, but my camera ran out of battery just at the wrong time so I didn't manage to get any photos. 

"It's an amazing sight, a beautiful piece of engineering and just a really nice thing to come out and see on an evening like this." 

His son, Samuel, 12, added: "I had obviously heard the plane was big, but I didn't expect it to be that huge.

"We've been here a long time waiting and seen the passenger planes come and go but this was just huge in comparison." 

The Antonov-225's stay in the East Midlands will only be short as it is set to jet off again at 10amon Friday.

The crowds were mainly standing on the hills of the Aeropark museum, which has a number of historic aircraft including a Vulcan and a Nimrod. 

Stephen Johnson, membership secretary of the Aeropark, said he was delighted to see the Antonov cause so much interest. 

He added: "It's a spectacle and people love a spectacle really. 

"It's a beautiful sunny evening and it's great to see people come out to see the plane. 

"Obviously this has also given us the chance to show off our exhibits as well, so it's the whole package." 

Did you spot the plane? Get any pictures? E-mail pictures@nottinghampost.com

AN 11-hour siege ended when police cut through the door of a warehouse and arrested a man. 

 The drama began at 6am when police were called to the premises in Handel Street, Sneinton.

 Emergency services raced to the scene and streets were cordoned off. Several businesses closed. 

 Six ambulances, two fire engines and five police cars, including several riot vans, were spotted during the stand-off. Police negotiators were brought in to speak to the man.

 A police spokesman said: "Officers are concerned for the welfare of a man who is inside a warehouse building and is refusing to come out."  

East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We have a range of vehicles on the scene, including our hazardous area response team, and we are working with the police so that we are ready to deal with any outcome."

 The incident ended at around 5pm. Police said that a 35-year-old man was arrested. 

 Carol Henderson, 49, of nearby Campbell Street, watched the drama unfold and said she saw the moment it ended. 

 She said: "They got him out. 

 "They all went in there in armoured gear, about 10 or 11 of them, cut the front door off and got inside. 

 "I could hear banging. Then it was about another half an hour or 40 minutes and then they chucked him in a police van. 

 "I feel sorry for the businesses that had to close around here."

 During the course of the incident, police cordoned off several roads, including Aberdeen Street, Bath Street, Liverpool Street and Longden Street.

 Phil Booth, owner of JT Soar Recording and Rehearsal studio, in Aberdeen Street, which was within the police cordon, said: "There was lots of police in riot gear, all that kind of stuff.

 "I opened the front door and saw two guys with full riot gear with angle grinders ready to go in." 

 Student Ryan McQueen, 21, was returning home with girlfriend Ashley Williamson, 21, after finishing exams to find Longden Street cordoned off. 

 He said: "We have just been away for a couple of days. 

 "We are at university and have just finished term - we went home and came back to this." 

 Malc Stokes, the landlord of The Vine in Handel Street, said he was woken this morning by reports of the road closure. 

 He said: "I came downstairs and at 9.30am and I had a phone call from one of my staff who said the street had all been blocked off. "The vehicles have been back and forth ever since."

 Atalia Johnson, owner of N8ked Truth Beauty and Nail Salon, in Carlton Road, on the corner of Aberdeen Street, said she had been watching the scene since 10am. 

 "There was a fire engine and a couple of PCSOs cordoned off the road. It did not seem like much then. 

 "I was saying to them, 'this is my business, I would like to know what is going on'. Then they said they were evacuating the area. "

As the day has gone on, more police and ambulances have come in. It is causing a bit of a commotion. 

 "It has caused some disruption, obviously. The roads are closed off so it doesn't help."

 The streets were reopened following the man's arrest.

 Police said last night: "The incident was concluded at about 5.50pm when the man came down from the building safely. "A 35-year-old man has been arrested at the scene."

FIREFIGHTERS manned picket lines through the night as they carried out their first 24-hour strike.

More than 600 firefighters in Nottinghamshire walked out at 9am yesterday morning in an ongoing dispute with the government over pensions.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says the proposed raising of pension age from 55 to 60 will put older members at a higher risk of dismissal on the grounds of failing fitness tests and make them eligible for their pensions.

There had been no major incidents when The Post went to press. Events such as the police siege in Sneinton were attended by contingency crews.

However, Notts Fire and Rescue did not provide The Post with a full breakdown of calls during the strike.

Sean McCallum, chair of the Nottinghamshire FBU, said the strike so far had been a success. He said: "It is a sombre day. We don't want to strike but our firefighters have a solid determination to win through this.

"We joined to help people because we care about the community and us striking shows the gravity of the situation. Nobody is taking any joy out of it."

Mr McCallum also said he was unaware of any discussions to bring the strike to a close, so it was likely to continue for the full 24 hours.

John Buckley, Nottinghamshire's chief fire officer, was keen to highlight the dispute was between the FBU and the Government, not with the Notts Fire and Rescue Service.

He said: "The service has a statutory responsibility to provide an emergency fire and rescue response, and that includes during times of industrial action.

"That is what we will do. I sincerely hope that the parties involved can resume negotiations to bring this dispute to a speedy resolution."

This strike was due to end at 9am this morning.

But another strike is set for Saturday June 21 and will again be for 24 hours if talks don't resume between the FBU and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

A spokesman for the department said: "All fire and rescue authorities have robust and well-tested plans in place that include back-up support if needed.

"Public safety will remain the primary focus and if anyone needs emergency assistance they should dial 999."

Do you agree with the strikes Let us know at opinion@nottinghampost.com.

PLANS for a visitor centre at Sherwood Forest have hit another stumbling block. 

A revamp of the visitor centre at the home of Robin Hood has been on the cards for more than a decade. 

And after a number of setbacks getting lottery funding, Nottinghamshire County Council enlisted the help of Cambridge-based firm Discovery Attractions to develop a £13 million venue to be built by Easter 2016. 

But the council has announced it is no longer working with the company on the plans as information about funding was not provided. 

Derek Higton, Service Director at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "We have worked hard to support Discovery Attractions every step of the way to deliver this project. Due to them not being able to find the finances needed and in view of the time we have given them since they were selected, it is in the best interests of the council and Sherwood Forest that we move on to realise our vision of an engaging and modern visitor offer.

"We are absolutely committed to establishing a high quality visitor centre at Sherwood Forest and I'm sure that local people will be as disappointed with this turn of events as we are."

Nottinghamshire County Council selected Discovery Attractions as preferred bidder for a £13 million Discover Robin Hood venue in October 2012. 

The authority was forced to issue a 10-week deadline in January for the company to present its funding package for the site – and said that other options were explored in case the deadline is not met. 

In March, Discovery Attractions said the delays were caused by the "extremely difficult financial market". 

The council has announced the process to find a new partner to develop the centre will begin in late summer.