NEW mum Kerry McKenna is bursting with happiness as she nurses her baby daughter Abigail after years of disappointment and heartbreak.

 The 33-year-old, who gave birth in February, says: "She's perfect. I feel really blessed that we have her." 

There was a time when Kerry and her 34-year-old husband Mike, a football commentator, from Long Eaton, feared they may never experience the joy of becoming parents. Overweight and with her biological clock ticking away, Kerry failed to conceive until she lost weight with the help of Slimming World.

 She shed nearly 5st and was overjoyed to fall pregnant in December 2012 but there was heartbreaking news. "I paid for a private scan because I was so excited it had finally happened but they found no heartbeat and it was classified as a miscarriage which was absolutely devastating. We'd tried all this time just for it to be taken away again," she says. 

 When Kerry fell pregnant a second time in April last year, she was determined not to use the excuse of 'eating for two' and carried on, with the consent of her midwife, attending Slimming World. She says: "It was more about focusing on making sure I was eating the right foods and you get an extra allowance of calcium and fibre to make sure you're giving the baby everything it needs.

 "Fruit gave me terrible indigestion so trying to get the healthy balance in was a little tricky at times but I relied on vegetables instead of fruit to make sure I got all the vitamins.

 "My craving was water. I was drinking about three litres of water a day. I went off certain foods like chocolate and stodgy foods like pasta." Kerry put on 2st 7lbs – but this time she was happy with the weight gain.

 "The wonderful thing was I looked pregnant. I was scared I'd that I was going to end up looking like a fat woman again and people wouldn't realise I was pregnant but it all went on the front and for once I felt like I actually looked good. I really liked how I looked. I think it suited me but then again I was just so happy that I had this lovely glorious bump and I could feel this little thing wriggling about inside me," she says.

 Since Abigail was born at the Queen's Medical Centre on February 2, Kerry has already lost most of her baby weight and is well on her way to reaching her target of 11st 1lb, making her a size 10 to 12. 

She had been at her heaviest, 16st 1lb and a size 20, when she joined the Toton branch of Slimming World in January 2011 after being advised by her doctor to slim down.

 "I wanted to start a family. We'd tried for a year and nothing was happening so the doctor said 'the first thing you need to do is try and lose some weight'." It took some guts to walk through the door at the slimming group and she even kept it secret from members of her own family. Blaming her weight gain on convenience food after a busy day working full-time at the Boots headquarters in Beeston on the company website, she says: "It was frozen pizzas or pies or just the stuff you could throw in the oven at the end of the day. I was a proper connoisseur chef," she jokes.

 "Lunch was a sandwich and crisps. I had Diet Coke thinking that made it a bit healthy but I was just kidding myself. 

"I was a bit lazy in what I was eating. It was always about something quick and convenient." Once Kerry began her new eating plan, the pounds soon started to fall off and the following year she reached the final six in Slimming World's Woman of the Year district finals.

 "It opened my eyes to being able to eat proper food. I thought it was going to be a diet but I realised quite quickly it's about eating proper balanced food. "It shocked me just how much food I could eat. I do enjoy my food, I have always had a big appetite – I still do but I never went hungry at all. It was great.

 "Before I'd bought into the whole 'light' choices of brands and that if I ate the lower fat versions which pride themselves on being healthier, I thought that would help but I was kidding myself. I didn't understand the need for food and how I had to balance it all out." 

Kerry believes she would still be childless if she hadn't lost weight. "There wasn't even any inkling of the possibility of falling pregnant until I'd lost the weight." 

Members of the Slimming World class in Chilwell, which Kerry switched to a year after joining, have met Abigail.

 Leader Kerry Ward says: "To see Kerry lose the weight and have Abigail after the miscarriage is lovely. She's the most beautiful baby. Kerry has done amazingly well and has been so dedicated. She only missed three weigh-ins – two before the birth and the week afterwards." 

Slimming World is the only eating plan approved by the Royal College of Midwives. Kerry says: "We don't encourage pregnant women to lose weight but to eat healthily and keep active." 

 Kerry McKenna will be taking over as consultant of the Slimming World class at Old Lenton and Dunkirk Community Centre from July 7 at 7.30pm, with an additional session starting at 5.30pm. 

The body of a man has been found in Beeston Marina and police believe it may be missing 62-year-old Roderick Shaw. 

Mr Shaw was last seen at his home on Peveril Crescent in Long Eaton on Sunday June 8. 

A police spokeswoman said at the time it was "completely out-of-character for Mr Shaw to act in this way" and concerns continued to grow as he had not taken his car and or any money with him. 

Derbyshire Police said they found the body of a man at around 9pm on Friday night and said it is thought to be Mr Shaw. 

The man's family have been informed but a positive identification has not yet taken place.

St Ann's saluted soldiers from the past and present by celebrating Armed Forces Day. 

The event on Saturday took place at Mapperley Sports Village and saw families filling the field to take part in fun activities. 

Barbecues were heating up as the sun shone down, whilst children played mini golf and licked on ice creams, surrounded by representatives from the Army, the police and the health service. 

All the money raised will be given to Help for Heroes - a charity formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts. 

It was the sixth time the annual event had taken place, but the first time at a new venue, which was much welcomed by the Nottingham Academy, who run the Ransom Road site. 

Martin Carrington, the site manager for the Academy, was thrilled the school was chosen for Armed Forces Day. 

He said: "I couldn't believe it when the organisers got in contact. How could we refuse? 

"There is a lot of emphasis on the Armed Forces today and we all believe in it as a good cause. 

"I also think it is a great chance for the community to get together and celebrate." 

Mark Bottomley, 43, of Calverton, came for the day to raise awareness of Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes - a volunteer service due to go live in August offering free transportation for blood and medical notes between hospitals. 

But he also had a personal affiliation with the event and is a strong supporter of Help for Heroes. 

He said: "As an ex-forces man myself, I believe anyone serving either in the past or present in this current climate needs our support. 

"If you look at the treatment of our coalition forces when they go home, I think we are somewhat lacking over here. 

"So days like today are really important for people to come out and show they are behind them." 

And the charity itself was grateful for the backing by the Nottingham community. 

Bryn Parry, co-founder and chief executive of Help for Heroes, has praised events from around the country, but gave a special thanks to those in st Ann's today. 

He said: "Help for Heroes is all about 'doing your bit' and the family fun day in Nottingham is a wonderful example of people having a good idea, rallying support and having a great deal of fun while they raise money to support Servicemen, women and veterans who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses."

The Nottingham School of Samba is giving the city a taste of Brazil to help us enjoy the World Cup.

Whether we are in or out of the tournament, the band from Mapperley has taken it upon themselves to keep fans excited about the football and given them a real flavour of South America on their own doorstep. 

The School of Samba has been entertaining Nottingham for more than 20 years with its carnival drum beats and sassy samba dancers through rain and shine. 

Mat Kenny has been the group's 'mestre' or leader for around five years after joining the band as a beginner. 

He said: "I was completely new to it and after a lot of hard work managed to learn all the patterns and all the instruments over time. 

"After a bit of luck, I was then offered the chance to lead the band and I have been having a great time ever since." 

Mat and his players have been run off their feet over the festival of football, with gigs every night, including one on Saturday night at the Nottingham Contemporary. 

He said: "We love playing there as people hear us from all the streets around then come in to join us for a drink, a dance, or maybe after a few of the first, a lot more of the second!" 

But even with England waving goodbye to the sunshine, the School of Samba will play on, with gigs lined up at the upcoming Brazil games, as well as the closing ceremony. 

Mat said: "The World Cup has been fantastic for us. It has been non-stop but it has been great to give people a chance to understand samba and the great atmosphere it creates. 

"We have loved creating a mini Brazil in Nottingham and love that everyone has joined the party." 

The group works with dance schools as well to make sure the full carnival vibe is enjoyed by all. 

Suely Moreira heads up the Chica Chica Boom dance group who perform with the School of Samba and loves the feeling of playing with a live band. 

She said: "With live music it is always better. You have all the drums and you can feel the beat which makes a big difference. Plus all the guys fromt he band are lovely too." 

And Suely has really had a reason to celebrate this World Cup being Brazilian herself. 

She said: "It is very special this tournament and it has been so much fun to celebrate. "We have lots of events and people just love it, the children get involved and everyone enjoys the big feathers and the bright colours." 

The next chance to catch the School of Samba after Saturday's Contemporary show will be Monday when they play at The Approach on Friar Lane to gear up the atmosphere for Brazil v Cameroon game. 

But they are always looking for new members too. 

Mat said: "We open our doors to anyone. Our youngest member is 14 and our oldest is in his 60s so it is for all ages and all abilities." 

For more details visit their website at www.nottinghamschoolofsamba.co.uk.

IF there's a single phrase that summed up the utter madness of the credit boom it's this: interest-free balance transfers.

There, in the space of four words, we have the financial crisis writ large. It's basically saying this: you know all that debt you built up and struggled to pay back? Well, if you transfer the debt to us, and pay it back pronto, you can do it without paying a fee. Free borrowing – what a concept!

And what a fiction! The idea that you can get money for nothing is a mirage, but one that became more and more alluring during the boom. Confronted by seductive marketing from both financial services and retail, people merrily loaded themselves up with enormous liabilities – whether it was on a bigger house, a better car or a jazzier lifestyle generally.

It made sense to borrow against only one of those assets, because you're guaranteed to lose money on cars and lifestyle goods. And when property also went pop we had people sitting in houses worth less than the mortgages they'd taken out. Game over.

How on earth did this happen? Well, if you believe the politicians, it was the fault of the banks, who played roulette with money they should never have lent you. That's a judgement which holds a lot of truth and it's one many 'victims' will be happy with. Why? Because the alternative is looking in the mirror.

That'll seem a harsh judgement, especially for those who signed up to finance deals because they figured that if the bank thought it was okay, then what could go wrong? The answer is, all sorts of things. If you lose your job, you might struggle to pay. If there's a downturn, the value of what you've bought might fall below what you've borrowed. If living costs rise, you might not have enough money left to pay off your loan each month. And, anyway, were you looking at the interest rate or the APR when you signed on the dotted line?

Let's fast-forward to today, and the classrooms of Dunkirk Primary School. There, children as young as seven are given financial education lessons, learning the real meaning of basic concepts like affordability and money management. What's more, they're encouraged to go and talk these issues through with their parents and carers when they go home.

The school has now been identified as a centre of excellence, one whose example can be copied by others.

And, boy, does it need to be! Finding time to teach children the skills needed to navigate everyday life is not easy when there is pressure to deliver a curriculum and hit targets, but simple common sense says that academic achievement could be rendered meaningless without basic tools like understanding personal finance.

The credit crunch and the recession that followed provided more than enough evidence that apparently intelligent people lacked the knowledge needed to make informed judgements about borrowing money to live their life.

That financial education has only recently raised its head in the curriculum remains astonishing.

We'll leave the last word to Steffi Perathu, an eight- year-old pupil at Dunkirk Primary: "Learning about money now will stop us getting embarrassed when we are older. It will stop me trying to buy something in the shop that I can't afford."

Here's hoping Steffi's not alone in learning that lesson.

WITH regards to the letter "Parking scheme unfair and discriminatory" about places where you can only pay using a mobile phone, Nottingham Elders' Forum has been challenging this very discriminatory method of paying for parking since it was first proposed several months ago.

This is being done through the Equalities Act and the Human Rights Act, and this challenge is still ongoing. Initially the complaint was because many older people do not have access to a mobile phone, a credit or debit card and email address, all needed to contact the provider.

Soon it became obvious this was a far greater problem for many other people who were unable to use this method due to hearing problems and people who had a speech impediment.

The answer from Nottingham City Council has always been that this method is being used in many other areas, so it must be OK. It is not OK even if you possess all the requirements to access the provider, as seen by Eileen Donovan's recent letter.

The forum, being part of Age UK's project on human rights, has found our particular challenge being highlighted throughout the country. It has created such national interest that the project was selected for a film documentary.

If we can prevent this discriminatory method of payment for parking, this may be a judgment that other councils will have to take notice of. It could be that this problem may end up in the European Court of Human Rights.

GLENISE MARTIN

Nottingham Elders' Forum

Friar Lane

Nottingham city centre

ALAN Archer's recent letter ''Newark voters betrayed us'' is not only an insult to the people of a town he doesn't even live in, but to all those who believe in the democratic process of the ballot box.

Instead of blaming voters, I suggest he blames his party's policies. If the good people of Newark had wanted a Labour MP, surely they would have voted for one. As it was, Labour came a poor third behind Ukip. In case Mr Archer doesn't understand, it's called "democracy".

J HAWKER

Woodlands Grove

Hucknall

SO Alan Archer feels "betrayed" by the people of

Newark who voted Conservative in the recent by-election? What a pity we live in a democracy!

Government spending over and above income has to be funded by borrowing. That borrowing can only be sustained if someone is prepared to be a lender. Had Government spending continued at the same level as that under Labour those lenders, concerned about the security of their money, would have demanded higher rates of interest.

Those higher rates would have affected not only our national finances but also household mortgages.

So it is not the people of Newark who should be accused of betrayal but those on the Left, including members of the Shadow Cabinet, who have yet to face up to the extent to which we are still suffering from the spending disaster of the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown years.

DOROTHY WILSON

Main Street

Willoughby-on-the-Wolds

REGARDING your recent report about strikes by green cab drivers, I'm a private hire driver and – like most – operate within the law.

I'm proud to say that over 27 years I've not had one complaint regarding a fare.

However, over those years I've heard so many of my passengers complain of greatly-inflated charges by many green cab drivers.

Maybe if these drivers operated within the laws the party-goers at the weekends would be more inclined to employ their service.

As regard to their quibbling about private hire drivers plying for hire on their 'turf', they no doubt think it's OK to drive into the borough of Rushcliffe to do the same whenever Forest or Notts cricket play!

KEN SALMONS

Ludlow Close

Beeston

FOLLOWING Jack Miller's recent letter "I volunteered and was made to feel unwelcome" I would like, on behalf of many fellow volunteers in the Radcliffe-on-Trent Cancer Research shop, to soften his views.

Scores of volunteers have helped out here for many years, some for decades. This is a clue to the spirit of friendship, hard work, fun and mutual support they enjoy. Fellow locals who give freely of their time create this atmosphere. Many widows, widowers and people new to Radcliffe have found it a splendid way to make new friends.

All volunteers are pleasant and co-operative to each other, and to the vast number of customers who shop regularly for outstanding bargains, from designer outfits to high-street brands to vintage gems.

It takes two to build a relationship. Mr Miller would be more than welcome to come along to the shop again and join in the many essential tasks, including book sorting which he was initially offered.

Cancer Research Radcliffe-on-Trent shop is one of the most successful in our region. This is a testament to all of our customers and, equally, to the volunteers who have contributed to its impressive charity fundraising.

LONDAH KIDDEY

(Volunteer for 10 years)

Eastwood Road

Radcliffe-on-Trent

I HAVE just received a phone call from an international source purporting to be made on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council wishing to conduct a survey.

As the caller did not seem to be using an appropriate script, I asked him to give me the name of my ward councillor. After struggling a bit, the caller promised to give me the information at the end of the survey and we then went on to the bit about being recorded for training, etc. All very plausible, if you don't really know a lot about your local council.

I played along and the first question was regarding any national newspapers I read. As I did not feel that the cash-strapped county council would be seeking such information I then challenged the caller.

And his response? "Right, Mrs Cliffe, I shall call you every day." And he then rang off.

A scam? Or just an attempt to foist more junk mail and cold calls on me? These people are getting more cunning at making us believe they represent genuine organisations.

BETTY CLIFFE

Woodville Close

Chilwell

MY husband and I were very interested to read the article about Iris and Ron Newbold celebrating their 65th anniversary. We knew Iris when we all worked at Raleigh Industries.

Iris was secretary to the sales manager, I was secretary to the accounts manager and my husband Ray was controller of the western division of the export department.

I remember going along with several other Raleigh girls to see Iris married at St Leodegarius' Church. We were married the following Saturday at St Leonard's Church in Wollaton – so we too will be celebrating 65 years of happy marriage on June 25.

Unlike Iris and Ron, we have lived in three different houses during that time – firstly in Wollaton, then Bramcote Hills and the past 25 years in a bungalow in West Bridgford. We still enjoy holidays, visiting our family and a pub meal at least once a week.

We will drink to Iris and Ron when we celebrate our anniversary this Wednesday!

PHYLL and RAY MORRIS

Gresham Gardens

West Bridgford

THE names of individuals prosecuted for non-payment of the TV licence fee are often reported in the Nottingham Post.

In the summer of 2015 it is intended to decriminalise TV licence fee non-payment, for which people can be sent to prison and receive a criminal record. However, in practice magistrates do not send people to prison for the failure to pay for a licence but for not paying the fine.

Perhaps now is the time not only to consider the decriminalising but also the directed funding into the BBC, who have long held a privileged position for Government support despite the unprecedented and increasing array of independent broadcasters.

PAUL KEY

Castleton Avenue

Arnold

THEY say the pedestrian crossing on Bulwell High Road has been improved.

New lights, very nice, but they have removed the central refuge, meaning you have to get across in one go. So anyone who may be slow crossing the wide road to or from the doctors' surgeries has to make it in 17 seconds from red to green.

Not a good change at all. There will be problems, I'm sure.

PETER HODGKINSON

Meadow Rise

Nuthall

NOTTINGHAM Trent University has been awarded £150,000 to encourage the next generation of chemists. The money comes from the Royal Society of Chemistry and will fund its Chemworks project.

The scheme aims to deliver a range of creative activities to inspire young people to study the subject at university level.

Staff will go into six schools, starting in the autumn, to try to ignite a passion for chemistry.

Councillor Nick McDonald from the city council, said: "This is great news and demonstrates how we are working together with our partners to inspire young people to take up science and technology careers."

ST ANN'S saluted soldiers from the past and present by celebrating Armed Forces Day.

The event on Saturday took place at Mapperley Sports Village and saw families filling the field to take part in fun activities.

Barbecues were heating up as the sun shone down, while children played mini golf and licked on ice-creams, surrounded by representatives from the Army, the police and the health service.

All the money raised will be given to Help for Heroes – a charity formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts.

It was the sixth time the annual event had taken place, but the first time at a new venue.

Martin Carrington, site manager for the Nottingham Academy – which runs the Ransom Road facility – was thrilled the school was chosen for Armed Forces Day.

He said: "I couldn't believe it when the organisers got in contact. How could we refuse? There's a lot of emphasis on the Armed Forces today – we all believe it's a good cause.

"I also think it is a great chance for the community to get together and celebrate."

Mark Bottomley, 43, of Calverton, came for the day to raise awareness of Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes – a volunteer service due to go live in August offering free transportation for blood and medical notes between hospitals.

But he also had a personal affiliation with the event and is a strong supporter of Help for Heroes.

He said: "As an ex-Forces man myself, I believe anyone serving either in the past or present in this current climate needs our support. If you look at the treatment of our coalition forces when they go home, I think we are somewhat lacking over here.

"So days like today are important for people to come and show they are behind them."

And the charity itself was grateful for the backing by the Nottingham community.

Bryn Parry, co-founder and chief executive of Help for Heroes, has praised events from around the country, but gave a special thanks to those who involved in the St Ann's fun day.

He said: "Help for Heroes is all about 'doing your bit' and the family fun day in Nottingham is a wonderful example of people having a good idea, rallying support and having a great deal of fun while they raise money to support Servicemen, women and veterans who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses."

What do you think? Let us know at opinion@nottinghampost.com.

FREE football training for girls is coming back to Radford on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest Ladies' coaches will be offering the free session for girls aged between six and 13 of all abilities.

The girls will also be able to test out their skills against the local neighbourhood policing team.

The event will take place at the John Carroll Leisure Centre in Denman Street from 12pm to 2pm. You will need a City Card to take part, but these can be acquired for free either from the leisure centre or by calling 0115 876 1600.

THE University of Nottingham is holding a series of events to celebrate the EU Sustainable Energy Week.

Themes will include the latest research into energy storage, energy and business and how a city can become more energy self-sufficient.

Keynote speakers will include professor of electrochemical technologies George Chen and commercial development manager for energy at the city council David Williams.

There will also be an opportunity to tour the low-carbon Energy Technologies Building at the university's Innovation Park.

The events will run between Tuesday 24 and Thursday 26 June.

BUDDING ballerinas will be given top tips by dancers from one of the world's best dance companies.

Sixty young people aged between eight and 16, from St Ann's and Sneinton, will take part in a week of free workshops run by Birmingham Royal Ballet.

The project, called Nott Just Ballet, has been organised by Nottingham charity The Renewal Trust, in partnership with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and dance organisation Dance4.

The workshops start today and involve pupils from Nottingham Academy, Bluebell Hill Primary School and Edale Rise Primary and Nursery School, as well as a group from the wider community.

The youngsters will then come together to create a one-off performance which is open to the public at the Theatre Royal on Friday at 5pm.

Suzannah Bedford, of The Renewal Trust said: "We're delighted to be working with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Dance4 once again, to bring the excellence of Nott Ballet to a new group of young people.

"The finale will be a fitting end to what we know will be the week of a lifetime for the young people taking part."

The project has been funded by Arts Council England.

To book tickets for the Nott Just Ballet performance call the Theatre Royal box office on 0115 989 5555. The performance is free but places are limited.

Basford: Gary Daley, 30, of Manor Croft, Basford, is charged with stealing £950 worth of tools in Beechdale on June 14. He is in custody to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court by video link on June 30.

Mapperley: Georgina Johnson, 51, of Querneby Road, Mapperley, is charged with assault causing actual harm to a male in Nottinghamshire on June 12. She is on bail to attend Nottingham Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on October 13.

St Ann's: Nasir Mehmood, 37, of Tulip Avenue, St Ann's, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft. He stole three electronic shavers from Boots, Listergate, on March 22, and . £38.98 worth of audio equipment from Boots, Nottingham, on June 14. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Arnold: Gavin Bonnar, 30, of Gedling Grove, Arnold, denies drink-driving in Carlton Hill, Carlton, on April 13. He also pleads not guilty to having no licence or insurance. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he allegedly had 159 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, over the limit of 80. He is on bail to attend court on June 27.

Clifton: Kirsty Hills, 33, of Summerwood Lane, Clifton, pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of Courvoisier cognac worth £68 from Sainsbury's, The Meadows, on May 7. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, she was fined £70 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £50.

Newark: James Robinson, 24, of Lovers Lane, Newark, is charged with possessing cannabis with intent to supply in the town on April 29. It is also alleged that he apparently supplied cannabis in Newark between March 1 and April 29. He has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 26.

PARENTS are being warned of a crackdown on parking near a Lenton school.

Members of the local beat team will be on patrol outside the Edna G Olds School on Church Street in July to ensure those dropping off children don't park on the zigzag lines.

Parents are encouraged to speak to the beat team if they have any question or concern.

The beat team will be at the school on Monday, July 7, between 8.45am and 9.15am.