Furious tram travellers are signing up to a petition to stop the transport network charging £50 on-the-spot fines.

Nottingham Express Transit (NET) rolled out ticket machines across its stops in April, and on June 23, it began insisting passengers pay for fares before they board rather than from a conductor on the tram.

But confusion over the new system has led to a number of tram users being caught out and slapped with a £50 fine if they haven't paid before getting on.

Stephen Radford, 20, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, has started a petition after he was thrown off a tram for not having a ticket.

On June 27, Mr Radford had parked up at the Hucknall tram stop and got on with a £10 note ready to pay, as he had done every other time.

He said: "As I asked for a return ticket to Nottingham an eyebrow was raised by the conductor and I was asked at the next stop to leave the tram as new policies were now in order, something which as an irregular tram user I was unaware of.

"At Bulwell station the conductor nodded to the other conductor further up the tram and I was escorted from the tram. I felt humiliated, embarrassed and shocked that they'd treat their paying customers like this."

Mr Radford was then charged a £50 fine for not buying his ticket before boarding, which he said made him "feel like a criminal."

The conductors told him the new rules and said there had been a banner at the station with information.

But Mr Radford said the stop was busy and he didn't see anything.

He added: "Imagine this happening to your parents, grandparents or even great grandparents.

"Living outside of the tram's usual routes, their marketing efforts have not been publicised enough and those who aren't regular tram users are being unfairly prosecuted."

Kate Bentley, 36, of Heanor, had a similar experience two days earlier.

She said: "I had not been in Nottingham since doing my Christmas shopping but me and my mum, who is 63, decided to travel in on a tram from Phoenix Park.

"My mum has a buss pass and I had my money ready, but as I didn't have a ticket I was asked to get off. I was issued a £50 fine and told if I didn't pay it within 14 days I would get a £1,000 fine.

"It may me feel really intimidated, like I'd done something really bad and against the law. I had my money, I was ready to pay, but I felt like a criminal."

Over 200 people have signed up to Mr Radford's petition, with many having gone through the experience themselves.

Michael Taylor, of Selston, wrote: "I was caught out after arriving at Pheonix Park tram stop and the tram was already there.

"Not knowing that you had to get the ticket before boarding the tram, I got on the tram and at the next stop I was made to get off the tram and they issued me with the £50 penalty.

"I think I was unjustly issued with this fine as I was willing to pay but was unaware of the changes made because I haven't travelled on the tram in over eight months. Personally, I think it's daylight robbery."

But NET said the new payment methods had been well advertised.

A spokesman said: "The switch to off tram ticketing arrangements has been widely publicised, with notices at stops and through an extensive on and off tram publicity campaign over several months."

"The penalty fare notices were introduced in response to consistent feedback from customers who are upset when they see people trying to avoid paying a fare.

"An appeal process is also in place for anyone who believes they have been unfairly issued with one of these notices."

NOTTINGHAM Forest have been linked with former Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertwood.
The 31-year-old is available on a free transfer this summer, following the expiry of his Royals contract.
Defensive midfielder Leigertwood has been linked with the Reds in the past.
But reports in London now suggest that new Forest boss Stuart Pearce now has his eye on the former Crystal Palace and Sheffield United man, who has extensive experience in the Championship and the top flight.
Leigertwood was injured for long periods last season, but overcame his ankle problem to return to the side before the end of the campaign.
With Guy Moussi and Gonzalo Jara having left the City Ground over the summer, Forest do not have a host of players who can operate in front of the back four.
David Vaughan can play there, but Forest have not had a natural figure in the role since the sale of Adlene Guedioura to Palace last season.

The 25th anniversary of a life changing ear operation was marked by an emotional reunion between a surgeon and his former patient.

Retired consultant Kevin Gibbin met Helen Willis, 23, for only the second time on Thursday July 10 - 20 years after he had performed a cochlear implant operation on the profoundly deaf student.

The trailblazing treatment, which involves inserting electrodes into the inner ear canal to improve hearing, was pioneered at Nottingham University Hospitals.

Mr Gibbin said: "The opportunity to meet Helen today, has been exciting and very rewarding.

"Although it is rather challenging to remember former patients especially when they were so small when you treated them and they are now adults."

The cochlear implant programme was set-up in 1989 and pioneered by Professor Gerry O'Donoghue.

Since then service has provided more than 1,6000 cochlear implant operations in that time.

Mr Gibbin said: "A lot of people are involved in the process and there is a hug team of people.

"We don't just do the operation and then cast them out, there are speech and language therapists and annual check-ups.

"It is a big team effort."

The special anniversary reunion took place at Ropewalk House, in The Ropewalk, last night, with fellow former patients Toby Carver, 20, and Bethan Jordan, 28, joining Helen.

Helen was the fifty-first patient to receive the implant in and is now study a masters degree in neuro-science at Oxford University.

She said: "The implant has completely changed my life.

"I caught meningitis when I was just 19-months-old and it made me deaf.

"My memories from before the operation are almost non-existent because I was so young and also because I didn't have hearing which is a massive part of building memories.

"The implant gave me my voice and gave me the tools to achieve my potential.

"I cannot thanks Mr Gibbin and the hospital enough, it is quite emotional being here."

The three former patients have all been winners of the prestigious Cochlear Graeme Clark Scholarship cash prize which funds, or part funds, students' further of higher education.

Tracey Twomey, Consultant Clinical Scientist and Head of Service at the Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme, said she was thrilled that young implant users were helping staff celebrate 25 years of cochlear implant treatment at the Trust.

She said: "Cochlear implantation treatment can be life-changing. This treatment can greatly improve the quality of life for profoundly deaf people of all ages, including those with the most severe learning difficulties. Whilst take-up amongst children is good, we know that there are many adults who could benefit from this treatment and we encourage them to come forward.

"Beyond the hospital, our service works with children, their families and local professionals in their own communities to help them get the support they need to get the best outcome from their treatment. The Trust has been delivering a cochlear implant service for a quarter of a century now and it's important to thank past and present staff for working hard and making the programme a success."

Have you had a life-changing operation? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

Idle Valley Wildlife Watch Kids: Tomorrow, get close to nature, explore our reserve for wild flowers and get creative! Suitable for children aged 5 and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 10.30am to 12 noon. £3 per child, booking required. Contact: Rural Learning Centre 01777 713 945

Beeston Wildlife Group Walk: On Saturday, July 19, join the group for a guided walk around Attenborough Nature Reserve from 10am to 1pm. Meet at the Nature Reserve car park, Barton Lane. Contact: Bill Wheatley 0115 925 0208 or Nigel Slater 0115 916 6518

Portland Park Nature Walk: On Saturday, July 19, join members of the Mansfield and Ashfield Local Group for a nature walk starting from Portland Park, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Meet at 10am at the Visitor Centre, Lindley's Lane. Contact: Karen Bennett 07974 973 598

THERE'S nothing like the intense flavour of home-grown raspberries in summer, which are always expensive to buy in the shops but pretty easy to grow yourself.

Raspberry canes need support such as a post and wire system, so you can train them easily. They should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of well-rotted manure or compost in a sheltered spot that gets sun for at least half the day.

Summer-fruiting varieties should be planted in autumn through to winter 45cm apart in the row, with 1.8m between rows.

Keep them well watered when the fruits are swelling and protect the ripening raspberries from birds by covering the rows of canes with netting.

Reduce the lengths of wisteria tendrils by half.

Water dahlias regularly and feed fortnightly, paying attention to young plants which are slow to grow.

Harvest fruit, vegetables and herbs while they are in prime condition.

Peg down runners on strawberry plants that you want to propagate.

Transplant wallflowers sown in May or June into rows 30cm (12in) apart, leaving 15cm (6in) between the plants. This will encourage the formation of a branching root system.

Choose the types of trees and shrubs you may like for future planting as you spot them on your travels. Place orders for autumn delivery.

Sow larkspur and 10-week stock for extra colour under glass in winter.

Take leaf cuttings of African violets.

Pinch off faded rose flowers to encourage more flowers later.

Water pots and hanging baskets daily.

LAST year, little egrets hit the headlines when they bred for the first time in Nottinghamshire at our Besthorpe Reserve.

In total, eight pairs raised 16 chicks.

Two decades ago, the sight of a single little egret at the Attenborough Nature Reserve would have resulted in hundreds of birdwatchers flocking to the site to catch a glimpse of this small, white, heron-like bird.

At the time the little egret, which had only really begun to arrive in the country four years previously, was largely confined to coastal areas in the south of England and rarely seen inland.

Originally from the warmer climes of the Mediterranean, the little egret has remained an uncommon visitor to the Attenborough Nature Reserve.

However, numbers have increased steadily in the last few years as the birds have spread northwards – in part due to climate change.

In the last week we have been lucky enough to have spotted upwards of 15 individuals roosting overnight on the islands of Church Pond.

Whilst this is far from the unprecedented 34 birds recorded at Attenborough in July 2011 – a record site count for Nottinghamshire – these 15 birds are still a significant record for the reserve.

During the day, many of these birds can be seen feeding in the shallow waters of Clifton Pond and Tween Pond, where they waggle their yellow toes in the water to agitate prey items from the soft mud.

They are rather active in their feeding habits and are constantly on the move.

As they are mostly solitary when they are feeding, the best time to see congregations of egrets is in the early evening when they come in to roost.

The roost at Attenborough can be best viewed from the public footpath joining Attenborough Church with and Barratt Lane railway crossing or from the Church Pond dipping platform.

Meanwhile over at Besthorpe, following the discovery of the chicks there last year, each chick was fitted with a special coloured ring to help with future monitoring.

Some of these chicks could well turn up at Attenborough in the coming months so be sure to look out for them on the Reserve.

If you spot a ringed bird, don't forget to report the number to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) at www.bto.org

THE world-famous Nutcracker ballet will be heading to Nottingham's Theatre Royal for three exclusive performances.

On Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, the English Youth Ballet will be bringing its adaptation of the classical ballet to the stage.

The story revolves around a young girl, Clara, who is given a nutcracker doll for Christmas.

It follows her magical dream in which the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince.

Together, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince embark on an exciting and dangerous adventure as they battle the evil seven-headed Mouse King and travel through the Snow Forest on their way to the glittering palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of the Sweets.

The choreography of the ballet is faithful to the well-loved original version and was created by Janet Lewis – EYB's artistic director – and her team.

Tchaikovsky's score includes classics such as the Waltz Of The Flowers and the Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy.

The professional principal dancers have joined EYB from some of the world's most renowned ballet companies – including the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Portugal and Ballet de Toulouse.

Show times are: Friday, July 25, at 7.30pm. Saturday, July 26, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For tickets call 0115 9895555 or visit: www.trch.co.uk.

FOR obvious reasons there is not a great deal of sympathy for prisoners' complaints about the conditions in jail. There is a good way to avoid the discomfort of prison, and that is to not commit the crime in the first place.

As a result, the majority don't want prison to be too comfortable. There have to be consequences for crime.

However, the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Nottingham raises some serious issues in its latest inspection report, which are of legitimate concern.

A dramatic reduction in the number of prison officers (the Prison Officers' Association claims staff figures are down 31 per cent) and an increase in the number of prisoners, both since 2010, are causing resources to be stretched very thin.

As a result, the board says that operations at the Sherwood jail are "unsustainable" and if action is not taken, there will be "more prisoner disruption".

There have already been outbreaks of violence.

Among the problems identified are extended periods during which prisoners are locked in their cells; inmates have been unable to observe religious beliefs; the food is of poor quality; and there is a lack of access to showers.

In addition, it is claimed that attempts to rehabilitate prisoners are seriously undermined, making it more likely that they will re-offend after release.

The situation described by the monitoring board at HMP Nottingham sounds like a prison heading for a crisis. While people should be punished for their crimes, they should not be at risk while inside. And ideally, they will receive some encouragement to go straight when they leave.

PETER Dicken is right to point out in his letter on July 10 "Road scheme would be no relief to residents", that the proposed Gedling access road was originally supposed to be a relief road.

Like many other residents, I attended a public meeting and asked questions. I was particularly interested where the 900 or more houses were going to be built in Gedling – but unfortunately their maps were short of this detail and the presenters could not confirm.

These 900-plus houses will bring more than 900 cars to Gedling and, from what I and many other residents can see, this "relief" road will be no more than a service road.

The proposal fails to demonstrate how it will relieve current congestion experienced by commuters.

After more than 60 years of planning the Gedling access road, we deserve a better thought-out plan than what is on offer.

CLAUDE-FRANCOIS LOI

Phoenix Avenue

Gedling

ON Friday, July 4, along with many others, I attended the opening of the refurbished King George V playing fields in order to give further support for these long-awaited improvements to what had become a much-neglected park.

However, despite having targeted funding in excess of £300,000, there are still concerns being expressed by users.

The park, now attracting many more visitors, has no direct access to public toilets, or information for the location of the nearest toilets available to members of the public. Indeed, complaints have been heard from residents who neighbour the park, of hedges being used for toilets.

There is no shelter available within the field, to protect park users in the unexpected event of a sudden downpour, to which we are being more frequently exposed.

Riders access the ramps directly from the field, for no hard surface barrier or separation has been provided.

An increase in detritus is already obvious, within and around this facility.

While our parks and play areas should not be sterile, they should stimulate activity insofar as reasonably practical, a safe and secure environment.

PAUL KEY

Castleton Avenue

Arnold

PROMISES of £50 million government money to kick-start our local economy and help create the few thousand jobs as reported in Monday's Post will be welcomed by most. Let's hope more money comes our way.

However, the exaggeration of job creation targets per se for Nottingham as an excuse for setting aside the land to build 50,000 new homes, as our local authorities have done in their "Core Strategy", does few of us any favours.

Frankly, it's embarrassing to simply repeat the same targets for housing and jobs used in the former Government's much-derided Regional Plan.

I've no doubt that saying in greater Nottingham's Core Strategy that 37,000 new jobs will be created in Nottingham in the next 15 years might earn a little kudos, a few bob or even a promotion or two for those that say it.

It may even fool a few bureaucrats in Whitehall that it might actually happen, because that's what they want to hear.

But the likelihood of creating three times as many jobs in Nottingham as those currently actively seeking work over the next 15 years, and using this as the excuse for designating building land to house the hordes that it is assumed will flock to Nottingham from goodness knows where to fill these imaginary jobs, is pretty feckless.

For goodness' sake, let's inject some reality into Nottingham's job creation targets and housing plans before we become a national laughing stock.

COLIN RAYNOR

Tomlinson Avenue

Gotham

REGARDING the letter "Hobby bobbies should be the target of cuts" by Tony Morris, the term "hobby bobby" is a term used many years ago in a derogatory manner by some members of the regular police force towards members of the Special Constabulary based on their voluntary status.

It is in my experience an offensive phrase to special constables and therefore, with Tony Morris's background, I'm surprised he used it at all, let alone in an incorrect context.

If someone is a volunteer offering a service to the public, it seems an absolute nonsense to suggest cuts that would save very little. However, Tony Morris, although misleading, is not suggesting this – rather, I think, suggesting cuts to community protection officers, who, as paid employees, in no way can be referred to as "hobby bobbies".

Police community support officers were the idea of David Blunkett when he was Home Secretary and were referred to as "Blunkett's Bobbies". Community protection officers and the like are a spin-off.

I hope this clears up any misinformation and helps your readers to make up their own minds.

JOHN PRITCHARD

Hardstaff Close

Kirkby Woodhouse

THERE is a demand building up in Australia for reform to their MPs' pay and privileges. The talk is of fairness; David Cameron take note.

A key demand is that political pensions should be scrapped and MPs should purchase their own retirement plans.

Another important demand is that, as MPs are on a high salary, they should not be paid any salary when they are out of office but should go through the same process as the rest of us.

Personally, I think there should also be league tables for MPs. Their pay should be linked to their position in the table.

RL COOPER

Harlequin Close

Radcliffe-on-Trent

AGED 11, I successfully gained a scholarship to the Nottingham Girls' High School. Initially it was exciting and scary; it was also the gateway to a great education and enriching experiences.

Later, as a Nottingham teacher, I taught in three different secondary girls' schools. Each of them provided stimulating learning experiences and were appreciated by the students and their parents.

In 1985, I was privileged to become head teacher of the Manning Girls' School. The curriculum offered a full range of subjects, some that had formerly only been considered appropriate for boys. There was also a first-rate "care-riculum"; specific needs of girls were well understood, student responsibilities offered were eagerly received and well managed.

Now, as co-ordinator of the National Council of Young Women (NCYW) I again have contact with local senior girls, this time in nine schools.

The Girls' High School and Nottingham Girls' Academy contribute much to NCYW. Their students are eager to learn and quick to respond intelligently to issues, especially those discussed in our annual intergenerational seminars.

What of the girls in the other seven Link Centres? Are they disadvantaged by being in a co-ed school? Not as far as I can judge. They, too, are lively, confident girls who know how to deliver well-considered opinions. They seem to be their own people, at ease with who they are and what they can offer.

The Girls' High School provided me with an excellent education and I was head of a great LEA all-girls' school. Based on those experiences, I certainly am an enthusiast for single-sex education. But I'm also aware of the calibre of the rest of our city secondary schools.

Single-sex or co-ed? It's not about point-scoring or rivalry, but about having a range of provision.

It's about choice and I'm proud to belong to a city that continues to offer it at secondary level.

BARBARA MADDISON

Ingram Road

Bulwell

A JUDGE blasted public prosecutors over their "weak" handling of the case of a teenaged knife thug.

Judge Michael Stokes sent Daneton Power, 16, away for three years' detention at a juvenile court yesterday for attacking a student with a knife.

But he was forced to sentence Power without a victim impact statement, a photograph of the knife, the knife itself, a photo of the injury or medical evidence.

And he said: "This is the third case today I have had to comment adversely about the absence of material."

The judge gave the press permision to name Power, of Stockfield Road, Bilborough, who admitted attempted robbery, possessing a knife and assault causing actual bodily harm.

But he said it was "yet again" an example of the Crown Prosecution Service having "stopped preparing the case" after a defendant pleaded guilty at a first hearing. And he added: "I'm not putting up with this nonsense any longer."

He slammed decisions not to charge Power with wounding and not to prosecute another person.

"He could have been charged with unlawful wounding couldn't he? Another weak decision. What does it take for the CPS to charge someone with wounding when he chases after someone with a big knife and stabs him, and that is charged as assault causing actual harm?"

Power stabbed a man near the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus. The horrified victim, bleeding from a one-centimetre cut to his arm, fled to the campus to call police.

Judge Stokes said there was evidence it was a joint enterprise with another suspect.

He said: "It's a weak decision not to prosecute the other one that was caught."

Power confessed to police, saying he was trying to pay off a drug debt. It was his third conviction for possessing a knife.

In his young years he was passed from home to home with undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. His lawyer, Adrian Langdale, said: "He's had a terrible life and is a very vulnerable adolescent."

Steve Chappell, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East Midlands, said all cases were charged according to the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

He added: "We take comments about our casework seriously and I will personally look into the comments made by His Honour Judge Stokes and I will discuss the issues with him at the earliest opportunity."

IT is expected to remain dry both today and tomorrow, the final two days of the Trent Bridge Test match.

Forecasters are predicting a bright and sunny start to the day, though it is likely to become cloudier later on.

Temperatures will reach a maximum of 24C. Expected heavy overnight rain tonight should clear up tomorrow, allowing play to continue in the final day.

It should be cloudy for most of the day, however, and be slightly cooler, with a high of 20C.

HE'S thrilled Test match crowds across the country with his spin bowling for many years.

But yesterday Graeme Swann found a new way of entertaining people at Trent Bridge – performing with his band Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations.

Swann joined the band on a stage area at the back of the Trent Bridge Inn during the tea interval, putting smiles back on the faces of England fans after they had seen their team lose six wickets after lunch.

About 200 people gathered around, many recording the moment as Swann sang three well-known hits.

He started with Primal Scream's Rocks, followed it up with Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama and finished off with James's Sit Down.

Paul Wright, 30, of Mansfield, was impressed with Swann's vocals.

He said: "It's really good music. He always looked like a real character on the cricket pitch and it is really nice that he does things like this to keep the crowd entertained at Test matches."

Swann, who played many times at Trent Bridge for Nottinghamshire as well as England, retired from the game last December during the national team's disastrous Ashes tour of Australia.

Mike Jennings, 38, of Forest Fields, said: "He's good at singing but England could well have done with him out there in the cricket."

JOSEPH Arrowsmith has fond memories of his first time at a Trent Bridge Test match.

It was way back in 1948 and England were taking on an Australian team widely regarded as the greatest to ever visit these shores.

Joseph went to the final day with his father-in-law and saw the legendary Sir Don Bradman – viewed by many as the best player of all time – get out for a duck before the tourists defeated England by eight wickets.

An avid cricket fan, Joseph has been back to Trent Bridge to see England play Test matches on many occasions – and has not missed one since New Zealand came to town in 1983.

"It is a great place to come to watch cricket," said the 86-year-old, of Edwalton. "It was far different in the days when I first came.

"I have been coming as a member since 1983 and have not missed a Test match here since. It is always a good Test match here and always gets a good crowd.

"I remember my first time well, including seeing the great Don Bradman get a duck. There were about 25,000 people in the crowd, some on the grass at the edge of the pitch. You can't do that these days."

Joseph has kept up his impressive record this week, attending England's Test with India.

He says he has many fond memories of times watching Test cricket at Trent Bridge, including witnessing Ashes victories over Australia such as last summer's.

But his best memory is a little surprising.

"My favourite was watching (former England batsman) Graeme Hick score a century against the West Indies in 1995," he said.

"Graeme played for Worcestershire, where I used to be a member, and it was great to see him do well."

Joseph believes the lack of top-quality spin bowlers is one of the big changes that have occurred in cricket since his first time watching 66 years ago.

"England have had a lot of them over the years but they haven't got any in this game," he said.

Despite living in Lancashire, John Rhodes, 71, is a Trent Bridge member who has not missed a Test match there for more than a decade.

"I'd say it has been around 15 years since I have missed one," he said. "I'm a member at Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Leicestershire. I love coming to the cricket.

"Trent Bridge is a good ground to see cricket at. There is always a good atmosphere and often England do well here as well."

It is not just the fans who have been attending Trent Bridge Test matches for many years.

Alf Parmar, 58, has been a steward based in the pavilion every year since 1996 – another year when India were the tourists.

He said: "I contacted the people at the ground to see if there were any opportunities and they said yes. So I came down and started work and have been here ever since.

"It is a good job and I enjoy doing it. The supporters always enjoy their cricket, which is what you want."

Alf gets as good a view as anyone when the players head on to and off the pitch.

While he and the members return year after year, many more in the crowd this week have been at the ground for the first time.

Rob Ward, 24, of Gamston, was experiencing his first live cricket there.

He said: "I've been wanting to come to Trent Bridge for years, as I have lived so close. For various reasons, I haven't been but this year I was determined that I would make it.

"It is great to be here. I'm very impressed with the ground. I have had no trouble finding my way around."

Gary Price was also at the ground for the first time, having travelled from Lincoln for the day. The 28-year-old said: "It is good. My first experience has left me wanting to come again."

Having been to other Test match grounds around the country, Nigel Gibbons, 49, made his way from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex with his friends. He was there yesterday, for the second day running.

He said: "I like the look of Trent Bridge. Some of my mates have been up before but this is my first time. I like Nottingham as a whole. We went out on Thursday and found everyone really nice and sociable."