A NUTHALL parish councillor and a retired priest took part in an interview about improving rights for disabled people.

Councillor Stephen Green, of Cedarland Crescent, who was the first person in Britain with Downs Syndrome to be elected onto a parish council, and Peter Jones, of Roland Avenue, who served at Nuthall St Patrick's and Kimberley's Holy Trinity churches, took part in the question and answer session.

The interview, at Reverend Jones' home, was filmed for BBC Ouch, a website which focuses on disability.

Reverend Jones discussed with Mr Green his role with Nuthall Parish Council and asked how his disability impacted on fellow council members.

Mr Green said: "Councillors needed to be more patient and understanding at meetings".

Reverend Jones paid tribute to Mr Green for his achievements.

He said: "Stephen has been an inspiration to many and in the face of adversity and despite his disability he has tried harder than most to lead a normal life backed by his very supportive family."

Find out more at bbc.co.uk/news/blogs/ouch/

AS the Tour de France prepares to depart from Harrogate this week– cyclists in Broxtowe can enjoy their own mini slice of the action.

The 'Tour de Broxtowe' is a cycling-themed community funday at Broxtowe Country Park on Saturday from 2pm to 7pm. For more details visit www.travelright.org.uk.

COOKS are gearing up for a bake-off competition to raise money for the upkeep of a Netherfield community centre.

The Yummy Cake Competition will be part of a summer fun day at the St George's Centre, in Victoria Road, on Saturday.

There are three categories – cakes, cookies and cupcakes.

Prizes for the winner will be given out by the local Greggs bakers, whose area manager Vicky Martin will be one of the judges. She will be joined by Maureen Ashby and Pam Stoddard of the Women's Institute on the panel at 12.30pm.

Entries can be brought to St George's between 11am and noon but registration must be made in advance at the St George's Centre.

The summer fun day begins at 10am and runs until 2pm with the David Straker Band, a tarot tent, sports, market stalls, bouncy castle, raffles, a tombola and barbecue.

For more information and details of how to enter the competition, call 0115 911 3302.

A GOLF tournament raised more than £5,000 for a hospice.

Seventeen business teams took part in the Treetops Hospice Golf Day, at Erewash Valley Golf Club, near Ilkeston.

The winning team was the KH Barmy Army, from KH Hair, in Long Eaton.

A team from Donington Park Farmhouse were second, while Leicestershire-based Pinehouse came third.

Angela Stafford, corporate fundraiser for the Risley Hospice, said: "Our corporate golf day is a popular way for businesses to support Treetops Hospice."

ARTISTS and photographers will be showcasing their work at a new four-day art festival with the theme "journeys".

Paintings, pastels, needlecraft pieces and stained glass will be among the art on show at the free exhibition at St Mary Magdalene's and Parochial Church Hall, in The Square, Keyworth.

More than 40 amateur and professional artists will be part of the Four Seasons Art Festival which is due to take place from Thursday, July 10, until Sunday, July 13, and has been organised to coincide with Keyworth Village Show on the Saturday.

Festival organiser and lay reader at the church Diana Jones wanted to celebrate the talent of local creative community while welcoming people into the church.

The 64-year-old has lived in Keyworth for more than 40 years and was a teacher at both South Wolds Academy, in Church Drive, and Fernwood Junior School, Arleston Drive, Wollaton.

She said: "I have always been involved in the arts in particular dance, theatre and singing. It seemed like a good idea to help to promote local artists while encouraging people to come into the church, because sometimes people can find it hard to step through the door.

"But it's important that we are here for the community and that they know that. If we aren't interested in the community then why should they be interested in us?"

As well as the journey-inspired photography display – which encourages artists to either explore physical travelling adventures or more personal journeys – there will also be a "bunting exhibition" in which residents' photos which depict summer will be hung around the church.

Kids have been encouraged to get involved by taking part in a "my holiday" photo exhibition.

Mrs Jones said: "I can't draw at all but I am getting involved by bringing along an old picture of us with our boys at a pebbled beach."

The event will run from 10am until 4.30pm on Thursday and Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday and 11.30am to 4pm on Sunday. Refreshments including tea, coffee and cake will be available each day.

All profits will go towards the church "Fabric Fund" which goes towards the upkeep of the church, including the maintenance of its historic spire, affectionately known as the 'coffee pot'.

Mrs Jones said: "It's quite an unusual spire, they say it was used to light up the marshes at night time for people travelling."

The project manager of the exhibition, Carly Seller, 27, of Keyworth, will soon be starting a masters in photography at Plymouth.

She said: "I've been so busy helping to organise the festival I've not had a chance to finalise which pictures I will be submitting but it will something from my time in Japan.

"I was there for 18 months teaching English as a foreign language."

On the evening of July 10, Keyworth Camera Club will be hosting "A Journey Through Photographs" which will include digital photo and AV presentations.

To close the festival there will be a short Songs of Praise- style service where popular hymns chosen by the congregation will be sung, including All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Are you organising a community event? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost. com.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE business leaders said they hope that plans for a third high speed rail link in the UK will not come at the expense of firms in the East Midlands.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne recently unveiled plans for HS3, to connect the proposed HS2 lines across the north of England. It would use the existing Manchester- to-Leeds line, but with improved infrastructure to cut journey times.

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce for Notts, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, said: "It's important that investment in both HS2 and HS3 shouldn't come at the expense of investment in rail infrastructure in general, to ensure the East Midlands has a transport network which befits its reputation as a significant driver of the UK's economic growth."

FUNDRAISERS are devastated after thieves stole £3,000 takings from a cancer support centre's summer fair. 

The break-in happened at Maggie's in the grounds of Nottingham City Hospital just hours after the centre had been packed with supporters at the annual event yesterday.

Some of the staff were in tears this morning when they learnt of the news. 

Andy Zadora-Chrzastowski, who takes photographs at Maggie's events and whose wife Sonja is a cancer support specialist at the centre, said: "It's absolutely devastating. "My wife was just in tears this morning. 

To actually burgle the place you just can't fathom it. They are the lowest of the low. When they are taking money that is there to help people with cancer it is shocking. It's just unbelievable.

 "If they could just hear the stories of these people. Some of them have cancer that is terminal and put everything into fundraising for the centre. It's shocking."

 Anna Read, who recently finished chemotherapy and is still being treated for saliva cancer, said the news was "like a big slap in the face." 

The 38-year-old from Hucknall manned the Pimm's stall at yesterday's event, where supporters ran stalls, had baked cakes for refreshments and ran a raffle. 

Mrs Read added: "It was such a great day – the most successful summer fair we've had. 

"People were so positive about the work Maggie's does. You hear a few people's stories which reiterated how important Maggie's is. "I can't believe that someone would do this – it's absolutely awful." 

The centre, which provides emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families, receives no statutory funding and relies entirely on fundraising to run its busy programme of one-to-one support and workshops. 

Supporter Peter Smith, who was helping out at yesterday's event, said: "It's just devastating. There was such a buzz and so much effort that went into it.

 "It's not just the loss of the money. What they have done to people's morale and goodwill is a shattering blow," said the 66-year-old widower, of Alexandra Park, whose wife Kathy died from a brain tumour.

This Tuesday sees a new Antiques, Collectors & General Auction at Unique Auctions, Newark Road, Fosseway salerooms. The sales includes 1,000 lots including: Edwardian single pedestal roll top desk; Victorian set of chairs; Old Wall Clocks inc Vienna Double weight wall clock; selection of Antique books; many Stamps and Post Card albums; many items of Ephemera; many items of Gold and Silver; selection of old Paintings and Watercolours; good selection of old Books; good selection of old Tools; many old Carpets & Rugs; collection of old Electric items; many Collector Records inc LPs and 45s; collection of Pirelli calendars; old Door Handles etc; old items of Kitchenalia inc Pots etc; old Laquerware items inc trays; old Dolls; Silver and Silver plate inc cutlery; items of Murano and other glass; quantity of Victorian and other brassware etc. 

The sale has been divided into two sections with the General sale starting at 9am and the Antiques and Collectors section starting at 11am. Viewing for the auction is from 10am-4pm on Monday 30th June and from 7am on the morning of the sale. Entry is Free and everyone is welcome.

 For more information on the sale visit http://www.unique-auctions.com 

General Auction starts at 9amAntiques starts at 11am

viewing Monday 30th June, and from 7am Tuesday 1st July 

Location: The Fosseway (Rose Orchard), Newark Road, Aubourn, LN5 9EJ

About Unique Auctions

Unique Auctions are one of Lincolnshire's leading Auction Houses offering a range of regular Antique & Collectors sales. Unique Auctions are a specialist house clearance and valuation company. Unique Auctions offer FREE valuations at our Whisby Road showrooms Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm.

For further information call UK +44 (0) 1522 690444 or visit http://www.unique-auctions.com 

Head Office, Contact & Valuations: Unique Auctions | Hillcroft Business Park | Whisby Road | Lincoln | LN6 3QT

NOTTINGHAM Forest have confirmed the appointment of former England keeper Tim Flowers to their coaching staff.

While they have also made John Marshall their new head of recruitment.

The arrival of Flowers had been expected for some time, with the former Leicester, Manchester City and Northampton Town coach having recently parted company with Kidderminster.

Flowers, who played alongside new manager Stuart Pearce for England, has also had spells as assistant manager with QPR and Hull City.

Marshall, who was a one-club player with Fulham, has considerable experience in scouting and recruitment.

After hanging up his boots, Marshall later became chief scout at Craven Cottage.

He has since worked as head of recruitment at Leicester City. While he was also a senior scout with the Football Association.

THEATRES, cinemas and galleries in Nottinghamshire have all been given more than £10 million in funding. 

Nottingham Playhouse,Nottingham Contemporary and another six arts organisations have been told their funding from Arts Council England is set to stay the same until 2018. 

This is despite a drop in overall funding across the country from £341.1 million to £339.5 million. 

Nottingham Playhouse will receive more than £4 million over the next three years. 

Simon Seligman, head of marketing and communications said getting the funding was cause for celebration. 

He said: "It is good news, but the celebrations are sober because there are 40 arts organisations across the country that have lost funding. 

"The balance between funding in London and outside London has also changed in favour of the regions which is promising too." 

The announcement comes after Nottingham Playhouse's £94,000 grant from Nottinghamshire County Council was cut for this financial year.

"In light of that, it's good that the Arts Council has said that what we are doing meets their criteria and they are happy with our work," Mr Seligman said. 

But he added that the level of Arts Council funding may change following the General Election. 

"It's just a promise that we will be funded, but only the first year is guaranteed," he said. 

There are no specific plans for what the funding will be used for other than to develop work that already exists, such as big community art productions like Mass Bolero. 

 Nottingham Contemporary will get £3 million in funding, Broadway Cinema will get £300,000 and Dance4 – who worked on Mass Bolero – will get £1.4 million. 

 Elsewhere, Radford-based organisation City Arts works to promote arts within inner city communities. 

Their funding package is worth £159,700 until 2018. Tim Challans, Chair of City Arts, said: "City Arts' board and staff are delighted with the Arts Council's decision to support us for the next three years. "This will help City Arts continue its work with individuals and communities in Nottingham and to offer a wide range of people the opportunity to participate in a wide range of arts activities. 

 "We are also pleased that the Arts Council continues to recognise that working with often vulnerable people and communities that do not normally get involved with the arts is an important component of the wide range of high quality and innovative arts provision in Nottingham, and that it has huge personal benefits for many people." 

Peter Phillips, chairman of the Midlands Area Council, said the area has a "great cultural offer". 

 He added: "It's home to a great number of organisations and artists that produce world-class work for audiences to enjoy and we're committed to maintaining this thriving cultural scene. 

"Because there were so many good applications we faced a difficult task of making the funding recommendations but we're proud of the portfolio and hope it will help us achieve our goal of getting great art to everyone."

Large arts organisations across the country suffered a big fall in funding in the information released on Tuesday. The English National Opera got a 32.7 per cent cut in funding with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre get a 6.7 per cent cut each.

FORMER Nottingham Forest midfielder Roy Keane is relishing the challenge of combining the Premier League with international football after being confirmed as Aston Villa's new assistant manager. 

The 42-year-old, who is also number two to Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, will work alongside Paul Lambert as the pair attempt to revive Villa's fortunes after a difficult 2013-14 campaign. 

Keane said: "I am delighted to be joining Aston Villa and I look forward to what promises to be an exciting challenge." 

He added: "I am grateful to both Villa and the Football Association of Ireland for making this happen, and I would like also to thank Martin O'Neill. 

"I am relishing the prospect of linking up with Paul Lambert and combining both roles to the full advantage of both Villa and Ireland."

Lambert, whose staff was ripped apart earlier this year when assistant Ian Culverhouse and football operations manager Gary Karsa were suspended and then sacked for unspecified disciplinary reasons, was delighted to have landed the former Manchester United skipper and Sunderland and Ipswich manager after a delicate process of negotiation. 

He said: "Roy has a great knowledge of football, on the coaching side as well, and he'll be a great asset and a big help to everybody here at Aston Villa Football Club. 

"I'm really looking forward to working with him and I'm delighted that he's here. 

"As a player, he was one of the most accomplished in the history of the Premier League, and he's brought that experience gained over many years into his career in coaching and management. The players will love working with him. 

"Although we never played together, we competed against one another and he's someone for whom I have a lot of time and respect. 

"He has worked under some great managers, some of the most successful in the game, and he'll be a great help to myself as well. 

"Roy brought Sunderland up out of the Championship and into the Premier League, he gained further experience at Ipswich - where we were close rivals while I was manager at Norwich - and he's now working at international level as assistant manager with the Republic of Ireland.

"All of that experience and knowledge, along with the qualities he has as a long-standing, leading professional in the game means he will bring a lot to the table. We're delighted to have him here." 

Keane, who will take up his role on Monday as Villa's players return to their Bodymoor Heath training ground for the start of pre-season, had been working as a television pundit following his exit from Ipswich in January 2011 when O'Neill handed him a chance to return to the game in November last year. 

He has clearly enjoyed his time back in the Ireland set-up and after holding initial talks with Celtic in May over their managerial vacancy, decided to stay where he was. 

However, O'Neill was convinced that, having raised his profile once again, Keane would receive further offers, and news of Villa's interest emerged within days. 

The club and the FAI have since managed to thrash out an arrangement suitable to all parties, and Keane will embark upon his Villa duties with O'Neill's blessing. 

The 62-year-old said: "This is a good arrangement for us that allows Roy to remain in position as my assistant manager. 

"Since he started in November, Roy has been excellent with the players and I have no doubt that he will bring all of the positive attributes he has shown here to the role he takes on at Aston Villa with Paul Lambert." 

John Delaney, chief executive of the FAI, added: "We met with Martin and Roy to discuss retaining Roy's on and off-the-field responsibilities with the Irish team and becoming assistant manager at Aston Villa. 

"Both Martin and I have spoken to Paul Lambert and we are comfortable that this agreement will work well for us and the Irish team."