Eighty new primary school places in Arnold are set to be created.

Coppice Farm and Richard Bonington primary schools have submitted planning applications for extensions.

Two new classrooms are to be built at Coppice Farm, creating an extra 30 places and replacing a temporary block.

The work is part of the county council's effort to increase the number of primary school places in Gedling borough. The authority has been scrambling to find more places in its primary schools with many children being left without a school in past years at a cost of tens of millions of pounds.

Deputy head teacher Maureen Batty said it would be "great" for children to be able to move into new classrooms.

She said: "We have been teaching in the temporary classroom for ten years now so we are very excited about this development. It would be great for children here for them to be taught in modern facilities."

The school has a capacity of 180 and has 186 children on its roll. The new classrooms would mean it can cater for 210 children. The extension would include new offices and drive.

Permission has to be given by the borough council before work can start.

Richard Bonington Primary also has expansion proposals which would result in 50 more places created, taking school capacity to 420.

As well as the classrooms, there would be a new playground and a reception and entrance. There would also be a food technology room for a new curriculum. No one from the school was available for comment.

A note on its website said: "There will be extra toilets and two footpaths. A new car park will be situated at the front of the school so that all staff can now park their cars.

"We are very excited because we are so desperate for some space and for more toilets."

The county council said that it is expecting increasing demands on its primary schools.

Ian Webster, place planning strategy team manager at the authority, said: "Both schools are included in Nottinghamshire County Council's Basic Need Programme for 2014 so we took this opportunity to increase the effective physical capacity of each school.

"They have been using unsuitable accommodation for a number of years so these new classrooms and extensions will be welcomed by pupils and staff alike."

Have you had trouble getting your child a school place? Email marcus.boocock@nottinghampost.com

Traders and residents on Nottingham's tram extension routes are not surprised by a delay announced yesterday.

The service will not be running until next year. Although most of the major construction work has been completed, for those living and working in Beeston this is of little comfort.

Alison Dobbs, of Lower Road, said: "This means that the misery and disruption will continue for those living on the route. All residents are now worried that the job will be rushed and corners cut, meaning the snagging work at the end will take longer. The end is in sight but they keep moving it further and further away."

Chilwell Road closed in March 2012 to make way for the works and since then shops have been struggling to attract customers. Emma Corbett, of Relish, Chilwell Road, said: "I am not surprised by the delays because you only have to look around to see that it is far from being complete. I can't believe that all the construction will even be finished by the end of the summer. We are disappointed and frustrated."

Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry is "appalled" by the delay. She said: "It has consistently been said that the work will be on time in the face of those that could see that it would not be.

"I think the truth is no one has a clue when it is going to be open and it is a disgrace.

"The chaos has no end and we are owed an apology due to the lack of honesty and communication."

Contractor Taylor Woodrow Alstom said most of the traffic-restricted areas will be reopened by August. A spokesman said: "We are in almost constant dialogue about the construction programme with both traders and directly affected communities in the Beeston area and we would like to feel that we have clarified the position over the programme.

"It is worth emphasising that our statement refers only to the commencement of services moving into the early part of next year and not construction work."

Travellers have moved on to a playing field in West Bridgford.

Around 13 caravans were parked up yesterday on a field next to Gresham Sports Park, which is run by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

It is not known when they moved there but several families and dogs could be seen on the site.

When the Post tried to speak to the travellers we were told no one wanted to comment.

David Boulton is chairman of the Wilford Village Community Group. The sports field is just down the road from the village.

He said: "I have seen people mentioning it on Twitter and Facebook – it's happened a few times now. It's certainly not the first time.

"I think generally there's no major direct impact on us but there are always the concerns about the mess that gets left behind and the visual impact on the area – we are very reliant on the council to get them off. You would like them to put a better permanent barrier there to stop them."

The land, which is situated off Wilford Lane, is immediately between the Becket and Emmanuel schools and just across the road from the Nottingham Forest Academy and first-team training ground.

When the Post visited to try to speak to the travellers, tables and chairs had been set up outside the caravans and the children of the families who had moved in were playing outside on the field.

A legal summons from Rushcliffe Borough Council – dated June 27 – had been nailed to the gatepost.

A Rushcliffe spokesman said: "We are aware that there are travellers on the edge of the grass football pitches between the two roundabouts (at Wilford Lane to Emmanuel School and Gresham car park). The entrance barrier gate was locked and had additional security shackles around it and the lock has been cut off and removed.

"The police have been informed and Emmanuel School is also aware of the issue. We can continue to operate Gresham Park pavilion building and artificial pitch at the moment.

"The encampment is not authorised and legal proceedings will commence to remove them." Police said they are aware of the travellers.

What do you think of the travellers moving in? Email newsdesk@nottinghampost. com

Residents have given their backing to plans for the £32.4 million Gedling relief road.

A consultation on the scheme is being held and at an exhibition of the plans yesterday locals gave the thumbs-up to the project, which includes a 900-home development on the former Gedling Colliery site and the 3.8km-long relief road.

The housing developers would be expected to contribute around half of the cost of the project to build the road.

Brenda Dench, from Mapperley, said the proposals seemed like a positive move for the area. "We do have a lot of traffic problems – the roads are getting very busy," she said.

"We feel like it could really help in the long run."

John Parsons, who also lives in Mapperley, agreed that the plans could help alleviate traffic problems.

"It's particularly bad in Lambley," he said. "I think it could make a difference. Everyone comes through these roads around here to town and at some speeds, too."

A resident of Gedling village – who did not want to be named – said: "We've wanted this road for a long time. The traffic through our village is horrendous. I'll be happy as long as not too much land and nature are spoilt."

The Gedling relief road would run from the A612 Burton Road to the B684 Mapperley Plains Road between Gedling Wood and Gedling Wood Farm, crossing Lambley Lane.

The road would be a single 7.3m-wide carriageway and would carry a speed limit of 40mph.

Phase one of the project is expected to start early next year, with a five-arm roundabout on to the A6211 Arnold Lane built, followed by the completion of the relief road.

The county council's projections suggest planning approval should be granted by October and, following a public inquiry, the whole project would be complete by spring 2019.

David Pick, county council principal officer for transport and planning, said: "We had 350 people at our first consultation and it looks like we'll have had hundreds today.

"The views range from support to concern ... We will look to take on board the views of the local people."

See also Up Your Street on page 24

Mum Claire Chamberlain says she is facing a 17-mile walk each day to take her children to and from school – due to a shortage of primary places.

Mrs Chamberlain's four-year-old daughter Freya was not given a place at Hillside Primary and Nursery School – despite the fact that she already attends nursery there and sister Emily is a pupil.

Freya has instead been offered a place at Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School in Bestwood Village – nearly four miles away from her home in Levertons Place, Hucknall.

To complicate matters further, her 12-year-old sister Lucie attends the National Comprehensive Academy in Hucknall.

Mother-of-five Mrs Chamberlain says this means she will have to walk three of her children to three different schools – a round trip of 8.9 miles twice a day.

She says she cannot drive because her husband Stephen takes the family car to work as an engineer at different sites and she would have to catch two buses to get to Bestwood Village – one of which only runs once an hour, meaning Freya would be late.

The 38-year-old appealed against the decision by Notts County Council, saying she would also have to walk along the busy Hucknall by-pass, but her plea was rejected.

She is now holding Freya back from starting reception until a place closer to home is found for her.

But the council has said that Mrs Chamberlain had only applied for one school instead of giving a second preference.

Mrs Chamberlain said: "I have never had any trouble getting my kids in before – I thought she would automatically get in."

Mrs Chamberlain said she has now been told by the county council that Freya can stay in nursery until next March – or until a placement is found at a closer school.

She added: "It has been a very stressful time. She is now on the waiting list for six schools in Hucknall but I am worried about her losing out on her education."

A recent report by the county council said primary school capacity in the area was a "significant concern".

The authority is now spending millions of pounds on creating extra school places.

This includes a new £5 million Beardall Fields Primary School – set to open in September – replacing the nearby Beardall Street Primary, in Hucknall. The new school will have 105 extra places.

But parents are worried the situation could get worse once a 900-home development planned for the Rolls-Royce site is built.

Rachel Bailey's four-year-old Evie has also been rejected from Hillside's primary school – even though her seven-year-old brother Gabriel is there.

Ms Bailey, 38, of Hucknall, said: "She has now been given a place at Hucknall Beardall Fields Primary School.

"It means I can't take both kids to school at the same time. I will also have to change my work hours because Evie's new school finishes earlier."

The council is also hoping to redress the shortage of primary school places in the area by building a £3-million 210-place school with the money recouped from the Rolls-Royce site developers.

It approved the plans at a full council meeting on Thursday.

The county council's team manager for school place planning, Ian Webster, said: "The council is unable to comment on an individual application, but it is inevitable that there will be some disappointed families if there are more applications than places available at a particular school."

Councillor John Peck, chairman of the children and young people's committee, said: "We are proud that every child in the county will have a school place in September, with 91.3 per cent getting their first preference and almost 98 per cent getting one of the four preferences on their application."

What do you think? Tell us at www.nottinghampost.com

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans has distanced his club from a move for Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox.

The Millers were linked with the former West Brom striker yesterday along with a host of other Championship clubs.

But speaking to the Post, Evans, whose side were promoted to the Championship after winning the League One play-off final, said he had no plans to lure the striker to the New York Stadium.

"I have never expressed an interest in Simon so I don't know where that has come from," he said.

"And neither will I be."

Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday were also said to be interested in Cox, who scored eight goals in 42 appearances last term.

Forest are not thought to be actively wanting to offload Cox (pictured) with new boss Stuart Pearce happy to allow players to prove their worth ahead of next season's campaign.

But after the arrival of Matty Fryatt and Lars Veldwijk competition for places will be extremely fierce as Forest attempt to find the goals which will fire them to the Premier League.

Cox, 27, still has one year left on his contract to run at Forest, having signed a three-year deal upon his arrival from West Brom for £2m in 2012.

Meanwhile, both of Forest's big derby clashes with Derby County will kick-off at 1pm in the new season.

The Reds will face the Rams at the City Ground on Saturday, September 13, and will travel to the iPro Stadium on Saturday, January 17.

Heavy drinker Michael O'Halloran was told by a judge he was a "nuisance and menace" to the public after he repeatedly swore and swigged alcohol in Nottingham.

The 51-year-old's behaviour put him in breach of an Asbo three times, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Recorder Stephen Lowne told O'Halloran, whose last address was in London Road, Nottingham: "You have obviously got a considerable drink problem. To a great extent you are an absolute nuisance and menace to the public at large."

O'Halloran, who admitted the Asbo breaches, is not allowed to drink alcohol in public by an order imposed by JPs in Nottingham on July 2, 2012.

The court heard yesterday that he was first spotted breaching his Asbo drinking from a can of lager in Hockley, an alcohol-free zone, in January.

A police community support officer reminded him he could not drink alcohol there but O'Halloran replied: "I don't care – my Asbo ends in July."

Then he was verbally abusive and drinking at a branch of Subway sandwich shop, Nottingham.

He called a supervisor "a bitch" and shouted and swore at customers, the court heard.

By April, O'Halloran had breached his Asbo at a dentist's surgery in Hyson Green.

Despite not having an appointment, he sat in the waiting room with a can of lager. Police were called when he was abusive.

Recorder Lowne said the defendant was a heavy drinker and his record was littered with failed orders.

Previously, O'Halloran had committed 24 offences of being drunk and disorderly.

Sarah Munro, in mitigation, said O'Halloran was staying away from alcohol while in custody "but that is not going to help long-term issues regarding homelessness.

"Until a package is put in place we are going round in circles."

Recorder Lowne adjourned sentencing until Tuesday but warned O'Halloran, who could be sent to custody for the breaches, he was making no promises what the outcome would ultimately be.

IT'S not just a trophy the Beeston hockey boys are aiming for at next month's Commonwealth Games, they want a plate too. And a clean one at that.

Harry Martin, Adam Dixon and Tim Whiteman head to Glasgow with the Team England men's hockey squad looking to break a frustrating run of fourth-place finishes at international level.

And with the latter two house-mates as well as team-mates, the hope is a special team spirit can give them an added edge.

"We've seen it at Beeston in the last five, six or seven years. We've got a great spirit and a lot of great mates who play together," said Whiteman.

"There's been a lot of people in the Beeston team who shared housing arrangements and lived together. I think it does bring you closer.

"When you're in a game and on your last legs, then you turn round and see one of your good mates fighting hard as well, everyone works that bit harder for each other."

Dixon chipped in: "I've known Tim well for a long time, but living together you do get to see each other's characters in a bit more detail. You get to know what helps them and what doesn't.

"I think in a tournament environment, especially something as significant as the Commonwealth Games where we want to win medals, such small details can make a difference.

"We've had that domestic success at Beeston, but not so much on the international scene.

"We'll probably be only really remembered by our international success, at the end of the day; so that's what we're really going for.

"We just try not to wind each other up!"

Speaking of which, over to Whiteman.

"So, in the Commonwealth Games, I might do Adam's washing up… because I'm a nice guy and I know that won't bother him so much, whereas when it comes to being in the house, I might not do that," he laughs.

For Whiteman, there has been little to smile about in the last few weeks.

The 27-year-old midfielder/defender broke his thumb at the World Cup earlier this month and feared that was his summer of competition over.

"I got hit by a ball in the game against Belgium and part of the bone came away from the thumb," he explained.

"It's a pretty sinking feeling. It's not very nice.

"Even five or six days ago, I didn't think I'd be playing in the Commonwealth Games, then I had the all-clear from the specialist on Monday."

England just missed out on a place on the podium at the World Cup, losing 2-0 to Argentina in the bronze medal match in The Hague.

Martin says the disappointment is still there, though it makes the team determined to make up for it in Scotland.

"We were really gutted but we're over it and really looking forward to pushing on in the Commonwealths, and hopefully bringing back a medal," he said.

"I think it's important to have a good run-up to the tournament. Although it didn't finish how we liked, we put in some really good performances.

"I think we'll take quite a lot of confidence from it."

In the midst of playing on such a grand stage, Martin will be squeezing in a spot of studying.

Coming to the end of his second year of an economics degree at the University of Nottingham, he has exams on the horizon.

"I actually did one during the World Cup," the midfielder said. "And I've still got exams at the end of August, so it hasn't been a good period for me.

"I'm going to have to do a bit of revision out there, unfortunately; but you do have a lot of free time.

"It might be quite a nice way to fill my time – although I say that, I'll probably just want to watch a film!"

Whilst the men came close to silverware in Holland, the women's team finished 11th.

Beeston's Ellie Watton says much hard work has been done since to ensure an improvement at the Commonwealths, with winning a medal the target.

And for the former PE teacher, who finished her job to focus full-time on hockey only this week, that would be something of a dream come true.

"I went to the Manchester Commonwealth Games to watch all those years ago," Watton said.

"I never played any junior international hockey, so, for me, it was something I thought I was never going to achieve until literally two years ago; then suddenly it all happened.

"Back then, when I was watching the Games, it was 'wow, this is incredible'. I wasn't thinking, 'I might be here at some stage', I was just enjoying watching them.

"I never thought it would be possible to play in one myself, so I'm extremely excited."

Diego Maradona has criticised the "FIFA mafia" following the decision by the game's global governing body to impose a four-month ban on Luis Suarez for biting an opponent during the World Cup.

Maradona, who was handed a 15-month ban from football during the 1994 World Cup for testing positive for the banned stimulant ephedrine, declared his unconditional support for the controversial Uruguayan on his television show 'De Zurda'.

Suarez bit defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday.

The Uruguayan federation (AUF) is preparing an appeal against the punishment, which also bars him from playing in his country's next nine competitive internationals

"The FIFA sanction is shameful, they have no sensitivity towards the fans, they might as well handcuff him and throw him in Guantanamo," said Maradona, who during the programme wore a T-shirt bearing the message 'Luis, we are with you'.

"The sanction on Luis is a way of punishing Uruguayan clubs for asking CONMEBOL (the South American confederation) for a fairer share of money. It hurts that they have cut short the career of a lad who is a winner. It's an excessive suspension, FIFA cannot talk about morals to anyone."

The former Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors forward added: "Suarez didn't kill anyone. This is an unjust punishment, the act of an incredible mafia."

Maradona (inset) also spoke to Uruguay's president Jose Mujica, who was waiting for Suarez at Montevideo airport, via video link.

Egged on by the former Argentina forward, Mujica suggested FIFA was punishing Suarez for reasons other than the aggression against Chiellini, which is the third time in his career he has bitten an opponent.

"We feel that this is an assault on the poor because this gang will never forgive him because he never went to university, he isn't educated, he grew up on the field, and he is a natural rebel and expresses his anger naturally," said the president.

Maradona added in agreement: "In this World Cup there have been much greater incidents than Suarez's (bite) on Chiellini."

Mujica responded: "There's no doubt about that, because we have seen all the games and this is a different punishment. This is the most indignant punishment.

"Here they add everything together but the boy really shouldn't be blamed for his reaction. It's a match and these things happen and then there's no need to look into every incident, because if we did that in every game we'd be playing five-a-side."

AS a career endnote, Frank Clark's was perfect.

At a time when England fans are wondering if Steven Gerrard's last significant act for his country before retiring from the international stage will be a mistake that sealed the Three Lions' exit from the World Cup in Brazil, Clark recalls the fairytale ending to his career of winning the European Cup with Nottingham Forest 35 years ago.

"I never planned my career like that," said Clark, looking back. "I never really planned my career at all, things just happened.

"But if I could have done I think I would have probably tried to come up with something like that to finish my career."

While many of his Reds team-mates of 1979 went onto win the European Cup for a second time under the legendary Brian Clough a year later, Clark hung up his boots the night Forest beat Swedish side Malmo 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Forest memorably beat defending European champions Liverpool 2-0 on aggregate in the first round of the competition that year to make the rest of Europe stand up and take notice.

And they also beat Cologne 4-3 over two legs in the semi-finals, having thrashed AEK Athens 7-2 in the second round and Grasshopper 5-2 in the quarter-finals.

"There's a bit of a story to the final," said Clark, 70, who joined Forest in 1975 from Newcastle United.

"There were three of us who had all had slight injuries in the lead up to the final; me, Martin O'Neill and Archie Gemmill.

"We were all competing for one position because we knew Trevor (Francis) would play wide on the right so the boss had three alternatives.

"He could have played me at left-back, Ian Bowyer in midfield, he could play Bowyer at left-back and Archie in midfield or he could play Bowyer at left-back and Martin in midfield.

"So on the morning of the game he asked us all if we were fit and, of course, we all said 'yes'.

"I think we were. We were not 100 per cent, but we were probably 90 or 95 per cent and fortunately for me he chose me.

"Archie and Martin weren't very happy about it, but c'est la vie."

That's life, indeed. Francis scored the winning goal with a diving header and Clark was one of the first Forest players to get their hands on the famous trophy, behind captain John McGovern and Larry Lloyd, before they all returned to Nottingham as heroes.

"It was incredible from the minute we landed at East Midlands and got off the plane," recalled Clark.

"We were mobbed by fans there inside and outside the terminal and then the scenes in the Old Market Square were incredible.

"You don't ever forget occasions like that."

The triumphant scenes at the Old Market Square were repeated a year later, after John Robertson fired the Reds to a 1-0 win against Munich in the European Cup at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.

In the competition that year, they beat Osters 3-1, Arges Pitesti 4-1, Dynamo Berlin 3-2 and Ajax 2-1 to reach the final.

The club's two victories were celebrated recently at a reunion dinner at the Crowne Plaza, with Clark joining the likes of McGovern, Garry Birtles, Kenny Burns, Lloyd and Robertson and more than 300 fans for a special dinner.

And Clark is pleased the two famous feats are still remembered.

"If you put the two of them together I don't think people realise what an achievement it was," he said. "For a provincial club in a city like Nottingham to have won two European Cups is a fantastic achievement.

"Nottingham has won more European Cups than London, Paris, Berlin, Rome; it's incredible, an absolutely amazing achievement."

GIVING blood for the first time, conquering her fear of flying and surprising someone with a present that money can't buy are among the 30 challenges Nina Woodford has set herself before her 30th birthday. 

And at the end of it she's hoping to have raised £3,030 for Cancer Research UK in memory of her parents Gwyneth and Richard Woodford. Mrs Woodford was 39 when she died of breast cancer in 1994. 

At the time Nina was nine and her brother Liam was 14. Nina, whose birthday is on December 4, was in the process of planning her 30b430 challenges last summer when her 59-year-old dad died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage.

 Devastated with the loss of both parents, the latest tragedy has spurred Nina, on even more. The 29-year-old from Highbury Vale said: "Because the work of Cancer Research UK was so close to my dad's heart after everything he went through with my mum, I'm dedicating the 30 challenges to both of them in their memory." 

Nina has done the Race for Life for years, but last August she turned the 5k event at Holme Pierrepont into a bigger challenge by doing it three-legged with her friend Anna Milburn. 

Some the challenges mean Nina is having to overcome her biggest fears. She has already conquered her fear of flying by taking a trip by herself on a plane to Dublin. 

"It was an early morning flight and the aircraft was full apart from the seat next to me.

 "My dad always knew I was scared of flying and it felt like he was next to me so that was the thing that kept me going."

 For someone who is petrified of needles, giving blood for the first time in August is going to be a major feat for Nina, a support worker for people with learning difficulties. 

One of the tasks that gave her the greatest pleasure was surprising her brother, a Leicester City fan, with a gift that money can't buy. She arranged for him to be presented with a signed banner after the side won promotion to the Premier League in April. 

She said: "I contacted the club weeks before the match and I explained the story of mum and dad and asked if they could help me surprise my brother as he had been a rock to me since we lost dad last year. "

My brother had no idea until the legend Alan Birchenall was walking up to him and explained that I wanted something special to thank him for everything. In front of thousands of fans he presented my brother with the banner and my brother was speechless."

Learning to drive, having a butterfly tattoo, donating a day's wages, meeting someone famous, learning to say hello in 25 different languages and volunteering at a charity event are also on Nina's list. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October, she pledged to wear something pink every day and on the final day she wore as many pink items as she could – from pink underwear and T-shirt, to socks, nail varnish and a scarf. 

Come August she'll be giving up Facebook for a month. "Not all of the challenges are crazy and out there. I wanted something that people could relate to, normal everyday things we take for granted," said Nina.

 The mission to lose weight is the lengthiest challenge. Nina is hoping to lose 2st in six, with her getting off to a good start by shedding 7lbs in just over a week. But she can tick off another of her challenges to get something published by a newspaper – because below this article is a piece written by Nina explaining her motivation for 30b430. 

The final challenge will take place the evening before her 30th birthday. After flying alone to Australia, she will be climbing to the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge. "It's a scary thing because I'm scared of heights but I'm pushing myself," says Nina, whose brother Liam, 34, an events management consultant, is going to be doing a skydive in memory of their parents on July 5 at Langar in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Nina believes her parents would be really proud of the two of them. "I think they'd be happy that I'm doing something to help me grieve for them. That's the way I think of it. 

Sometimes if I'm having a bad day I try and motivate myself by thinking I'll turn that negative into a positive. "Some of the things my dad would be surprised I've done because he always knew I was scared of flying so to overcome that I think he'd be really proud." Nina is half way towards her target, having raising £1,720 so far. 

To support her, visit www.justgiving.com/ninawoodford Or buy a wristband, which come in hot pink and blue, in two different sizes, for £1.75 (plus postage) from Ninaneenums@yahoo.co.uk 

 Nina Woodford's challenge to have an article printed in a newspaper is fulfilled here:

 I WILL always remember as a small child I wanted to be an adult. I used to think 'grown-ups have it easy'. Little did I know!

 Just over 12 months ago, I decided to embark on a journey to raise money in memory of my mum, who lost her fight against breast cancer at the age of 39, when I was just nine years of age. 

I came up with the crazy idea of doing 30 challenges before I turned 30 and all the sponsorship money raised would go to charity. The planning was underway, challenges were being set but just 30 days after starting my journey, on July 2 2013, my life fell apart for the second time; my dad had passed away unexpectedly from a brain haemorrhage. 

Days and weeks went past and with the help of each other, my brother Liam and I got through but it was all just a blur. Until I decided one day that I would turn the hurt and emotions that I was feeling about my dad's unexpected death into something positive

. I would continue what I had started and not give up, neither of my parents ever did, and I decided to dedicate the challenges in the memory of both my parents. I planned challenges that were relevant to me, to enable me to fight my fears, and face my demons

After all I had lost both my parents, no matter what I faced further in life, nothing will ever will ever be as hard as that. Now as I nearly reach a milestone of 30, I actually sometimes wish I was still a child, as in fact it is them that 'have it easy'.

Misconceptions about Nordic Walking are common.

However, its presence in Nottingham and further afield is larger than many think.

And the woman behind the first race of its kind in the UK, Catherine Hughes, believes there is no reason why Nottingham couldn't be the next venue if the race goes well.

"The event in Bristol on July 13 will aim to bring us closer to having more races in this country which countries across Europe do have already," she said.

"Many people are confused and come out with statements such as 'I don't need a stick to walk' when someone mentions the sport to them.

"However, the aim is for the event to be a sociable one but also competitive so it can show the wider public that there is more to the sport than just walking with a stick."

Hughes, director of British Nordic Walking, has done a lot for the sport in Nottingham and all over the country.

The emphasis that it is open to all ages is epitomised by the 92-year-old she taught just recently.

And Hughes is hoping that more people will start to take the sport seriously after they learn the benefits.

"I came into the sport after my work at Boots left me subscribing exercise as a form of treatment instead of medicine," said the 45-year-old.

"Over my years of coaching I have seen the health benefits first hand.

"One of the first people I coached lost three stone whilst others have got rid of back pain or even grown an inch after recovering from an accident.

"You can burn up to 40 per cent more calories Nordic Walking than normal walking so it is a great way to get fitter and shed some excess weight.

"The sport is also great socially, for example, with people who are widowed and getting over bereavement.

"I have recently branched out to adults with learning disabilities in Kimberley and it shows that this is a sport for all.

"Not many other sports, if any, can be done with professionals and amateurs with this much ease."

The race on July 13 is a further step to increased competitiveness, but Hughes – who runs courses at University Park and Rushcliffe County Park – can only do so much at once.

She has travelled the length of the country to give lessons but has realised she will need more help to spread further awareness.

"Part of my job at the BNW is to get more coaches on board across the country," she said.

"By doing that you will hopefully see more clubs sprouting up all over the country.

"Getting teachers and schools involved is also important. I recently took the sport to a primary school and the 120 children loved taking part in it.

"My aim is to move the barriers around the sport to take it to new levels.

"Another plan is to use Nordic Walking in rehab for people who are living with long term conditions such as Parkinson's and arthritis.

"The wheels for that are already in motion as, on May 31, I presented to the British Association of Sport Exercise Medicine at their training day where they were learning about safe ways to prescribe exercise to patients."

After dedicating eight years of her life to the sport and making people fitter no one would begrudge her taking a back seat. However, she isn't content with what she has already achieved.

So her simple message is; if you can walk, why not Nordic Walk?

A ring inspired by an iceberg and a solid gold tennis bracelet are two of the more unusual challenges jeweller Cathy Stephens has been set by customers.

But nothing fazes Cathy, who has been designing and making bespoke jewellery since the 1970s.

From her two shops – one in Nottingham's Flying Horse Walk and the other in Leicestershire – Cathy can provide customers with their own special piece, whether it's a ring, bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings.

"I started designing bespoke jewellery because I had people coming to me and wanting something very particular.

"It's very important to people, especially with jewellery," she says.

"It's all about the individual and they sometimes don't want something off the shelf."

She says that she has seen customers come in with inspirations from around the world, the most recent being a trip to the South Pole.

Another customer has also asked for a solid gold tennis bracelet.

"Customers ask for a range of designs. I meet some really interesting people and I love making unusual jewellery.

"I'm working on an amazing bespoke ring at the moment. It's for a lady who's just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary by visiting the South Pole.

"She came in with photos of the icebergs that she saw on the trip and I've designed the ring around their shapes and colours.

"It will be a way of always remembering the experience.

"I'm using a mixture of diamonds and aquamarines to create the colour.

"They'll be placed on a platinum wavey band to give that great jagged edge."

Cathy regularly travels the world for inspiration, having only recently returned from Canada.

Every item designed under her name is made upstairs in her shop in Groby, Leicestershire, where Cathy is often found hard at work alongside her small team of staff.

She says that the appeal of bespoke jewellery is having something unique.

"It should stand the test of time and be passed down for generations."

When the jeweller first started on her own label, she was working only with silver and mainly making rings.

She says: "I went to college in the 1970s and then set up on my own business. I've always worked in the industry.

"I opened my first shop in Leicestershire in 1972 on April Fool's Day and the Nottingham store opened in 1990. I wanted to bring my designs to the public, rather than working in the background."

The Nottingham shop, with Vivienne Westwood, Stick & Ribbon and Jolie Lingerie as neighbours, not only offers a bespoke design service but caters to a variety of tastes and price brackets.

This includes Cathy's own jewellery collection, as well as brands such as Hot Diamonds, Issey Miyake and Danish Design.

Prices range considerably depending on stone clarity, cut and finish.

She says: "I try and meet all of the customers. I like to get a real sense of what they're after and the inspirations behind their ideas."

Cathy Stephens Designer Jewellers can found in the Flying Horse Walk shopping centre. For more information go to www.cathystephens.co.uk.

Hart's is well-known for its high-end restaurant but come summer there's sizzling sausages on the barbecue.

Once a month, retired chef John Clark serves up a tasty selection of barbecued food in the garden at Hart's Hotel, in Standard Hill, Nottingham.

The menu varies each time but there's always John's homemade burgers, sausages from a top class butcher and a rotating choice of jerk chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs, steak, prawn kebabs and parcels of salmon or cod.

Vegetarians can choose from options such as three-cheese field mushroom and halloumi and mixed vegetable kebabs, all cooked on a separate grill from the meat.

Everything is basted with John's secret ingredient – vegetable oil and sweet chilli sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper.

"That's what gives it the tang and keeps it moist," says John, who was a chef at Hart's until his retirement a year ago.

The food is cooked to order so it's always fresh.

For families, nearby office workers and hotel guests, it's an ideal way to start the weekend.

"It can be booked but 99 per cent just turn up. If it's pouring with rain I cook under here," says John, pointing to the undercover hotel entrance. "The salads are served off the bar."

For £16 for adults and £10 for children, guests can choose three barbecue items, plus a variety of salads.

Adam Worthington, the hotel's general manager, says: "We try and create a bit of a buzz around it and we pray for good weather."

Eleven-year-old Ben Naish, of Wollaton, who was at the barbecue with his parents and sister, says: "I had two sausages and a burger. It was juicy. I enjoyed it and I liked the pasta salad."

As well as the monthly event, Hart's can also cater for corporate barbecues, anniversaries and birthdays. For more information telephone 0115 9881900.

Barbecues will be taking place on July 25 and August 22 from 5-8.30pm and Bank Holiday Monday, August 25 at 1.30pm.

Sunday, Jun 29

Time: 9am

Organised by: Erewash Valley Cycling Club.

Meeting point: Magpie pub, Toton Lane, Stapleford; extra pick-ups at Bridge Street car park (9.10), Moor Bridge (9.20), Nutbrook Trail/Crompton Road (9.30) and Straw's Bridge (9.40).

Details: Split ride to Shipley Park, calling at vintage vehicle rally in Ilkeston on return.

Length: 20 miles.

Time: 9.15am

Organised by: Notts Cyclists' Touring Club

Meeting point: Trent Bridge

Details: A ride along Notts lanes providing an ideal introduction to club rides.

Length: 40 miles

Time: 2pm

Organised by: Sky Ride

Meeting point: Wollaton Hall main entrance, NG8 2AE

Details: An easy ride around Wollaton Park; places are free but need to be booked at www.goskyride.com.

Length: 5 miles

Tuesday, July 1

Time: 12.30

Organised by: TravelRight Broxtowe

Meeting point: DH Lawrence Heritage Centre, Mansfield Road, Eastwood

Details: An active bike ride for those who are comfortable cycling for an hour or more. The route will be made known on the day.

Length: 10 miles

Wednesday, July 2

Time: 6pm

Organised by: Sky Ride

Meeting point: Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Bulwell

Details: Wollaton Hall and Batman circular ride, suitable for ages 8+; places are free but need to be booked at www.goskyride.com.

Length: 14 miles

Thursday, July 3

Time: 11.45am

Organised by: Cycling For Health

Meeting point: Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens, Kirkby Gardens, The Meadows

Details: An active bike ride for those who are comfortable cycling for an hour or more.

Length: 15 miles

Saturday, July 5

Time: 10am

Organised by: Sherwood Cycling Club

Meeting point: Lowdham War Memorial

Details: Informal ride for road bikes on quiet flat roads, split into two or three groups of different abilities.

Length: 25 to 30 miles

Time: From 11.30am to noon

Organised by: Cycling For Health

Meeting point: various

Details: There are a number of free rides in Arnold, Aspley, Bestwood, Bulwell, Calverton, Carlton, Lenton and Stapleford; for details see www.thebigwheel.org.uk/ ExploreNotts

Length: 5 to 15 miles

Time: 12 noon

Organised by: TravelRight Broxtowe

Meeting point: Hetley Pearson Pavilion, Cartwright Way, Beeston; or Hickings Lane Recreation Ground Pavilion, Stapleford

Details: Two free friendly bike rides for those who are comfortable cycling for around an hour.

Length: About 8 miles

Time: 12 noon to 1pm

Organised by: TravelRight

Meeting point: various

Details: There are a number of free led rides in Aspley, Bestwood, and Bulwell; for details see http://nottingham.travelright. org.uk/events.

Length: About 8 miles

Time: 2pm

Organised by: Sustrans and Sneinton Bikers

Meeting point: Hermitage Square, Sneinton

Details: Cycle-related activities in the square from 12 noon to 2pm, including free bike checks and free food if you attend by bike, followed by a family ride at 2pm.

Length: Five or 10 miles

Details correct at time of going to press, please check for changes on relevant organiser's website.

If you have an event you would like included in this section, please e-mail david.whitfield@nottingham post.com

These areas are perfect examples of how wildlife moves so effectively from one part of the city to the other.

They make up part of the River Trent Wildlife Corridor and have been given official Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status. You can spend a lot of time exploring different parts of these wonderful green spaces, and still find something new each time.

In Clifton Wood (pictured) you will see giant redwood trees and plants like crosswort and yellow archangel. This area is like a fast food outlet for the local pipistrelle bats to hunt down many tasty meals of small insects.

The area is also steeped in history, much of which can still be seen today. In the 17th and 18th centuries the wood was originally used as a rather grand back garden for nearby Clifton Hall, the Clifton family house. Now the Wildlife Trust is using its expertise to help keep this area a haven for wildlife.

Clifton Grove still has some of the ornamental planting that you would have seen if you'd visited in the 18th century. You will also see the remains of a pump house and the eerie sounding 'Witches Steps' which are a flight of steps leading to the former site of Colonel Clifton's Pool. If you hunt around you'll also find the remains of a fountain and a shooting lodge dating back to the 18th century.

Clifton Wood and Clifton Grove are managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of Nottingham City Council, for more info visit: www.wildlifeinthecity.org

How to get there: Both sites can be accessed from a car park on Holgate at the far end of Clifton village. Parking is free and there are signs and an information board.