EMPLOYERS should make it clear to staff where the boundaries lie when it comes to clothing in hot weather, a Nottingham solicitor has warned.

With temperatures set to top 30C, many workers will be tempted to dress for the weather.

But in many lines of work, this may not be appropriate, according to Angela Shaw, employment solicitor at Lanshaws Solicitors, in Regent Street, in the city centre.

She said: "Employees often consider the rise in temperature as an excuse to relax a dress code. However, this may not always be appropriate depending on the role of the individual and the work being undertaken.

"Where an employee has a client or customer-facing role, flip-flops and vest tops are unlikely to promote a professional image.

"And it is easy to understand how variations in clothing could contravene health and safety regulations to the detriment of both the employer and employee, particularly where injury could arise as a result."

She added: "Employers should have a written dress code policy which is clearly communicated to all employees. It should state what is deemed to be acceptable at all times when working for the business and what the consequences will be for breaching it.

"Each case should be individually assessed but rules applied consistently and fairly.

"Failure to adhere to a policy will most likely result in disciplinary action being taken."

MR K, as he wishes to be known, was in HMP Nottingham for four months of his eight-month sentence for sexual assault.

The 36-year-old from Derby was released last week and wanted to tell the Post what he saw when he was inside the prison and how grateful he was to be back on the straight and narrow.

Mr K said: "It was an absolutely horrific experience. A free-for-all of drugs and violence.

"Prison hooch was being brewed and readily available. There were drugs everywhere, mainly cannabis, and you could see it in people's eyes.

"There were quite a few incidents of violence. The was always an alarm going off and every day the staff were running to a fight.

"But because they were so under-staffed, if there was trouble on another wing, they would have to lock up those who had behaved well all day to staff another wing. Then those would be angry and rebel at the slightest thing. Some days it was ridiculous and I would be in my cell from Tuesday lunchtime until Thursday evening, going without even a shower for 48 hours.

"The amount of times I saw people come back when I was there. They would go out and come back the next week. When they get no direction, no guidance and pushed out into the big wide world with no prospects, they think 'why try?'

"The biggest thing is if they go out, realise no-one is going to give them a job and they are going to have to live on benefits, they think at least inside I have a bed and food.

"Then there is such low morale with staff too. They told me they were just the staff, they have got management above them and they just have to do what they say. They see it as a dead end.

"I don't mean to get in trouble again. But I am lucky. I am starting back at my job and I have got my family and kids around me. For others, there is no rehab. Just coming out with all their friends in prison and no-one knows them or wants to talk to them. There is no support. It was a massive learning curve and very frightening."

TERRY West, originally of Slough, is serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence at HMP Nottingham for a series of armed robberies and burglaries across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The 37-year-old wrote to the Post from his cell to reveal the experience he was having at the prison.

He wrote: "I came to this hell hole on March 6, 2013. I [can only] shower every three days. I was stabbed with a nail and placed a complaint to the governor, who [told me] don't complain about such a trivial matter. In the newspaper you say that all is restored and the services on offer to help rehabilitate are all up and running. Come and see HMP Nottingham. It does nothing to rehabilitate anyone. I've not seen my family for over six months as my dad is 68-years-old and cannot drive that far so talking about family ties is a joke.

"I have been clean from class A drugs for over two and a half years but no one supports you through that even though people are meant to come and see you. If you want to sort out your life, you are on your own. It is such a dark and dirty place, but 90 per cent of the lads that get out are back within seven to 10 days.

"What about prisoner and staff safety? Most wings only have three members of staff to 100 prisoners. It is a joke. Everyone turns a blind eye to what goes on in the prison because there are not enough staff to challenge it. Assaults on staff is normal, with the day-to-day alarm bell, and with prisoners it's the same.

"It won't be until a member of staff or inmate gets killed that anyone will even care."

HUNDREDS of protesters gathered in Nottingham to express their anger over the BBC's coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The protest – the latest in a series of similar demonstrations held in cities across the UK – took place outside the BBC Radio Nottingham building, in London Road, yesterday .

Protesters believe that the broadcaster's coverage of the conflict is "biased" towards Israeli, and that it does not cover the true extent of the bombardment of Palestine's Gaza strip.

Steve Jansky, secretary of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Nottingham, was one of the organisers of the event – set up through social media site Facebook.

He said: "All of their coverage in the Middle East has been totally biased and devoid of context. They talk about it like it is a contest of equals when the reality is Israel is the fourth-biggest military power in the world repeatedly attacking and oppressing Palestine."

The long-running conflict has claimed thousands of lives in attacks on both sides.

The slaughter has taken an ugly new turn recently with the killing of children on both sides of the border.

Naghma Bostan, 54, of Bakersfield, said: "The BBC doesn't really show what is happening in Gaza and Palestine and its coverage seems to be biased. It's very upsetting – we just want it to be more fair.

"I think the turnout has been good. The protest shows solidarity and unity, and it is not just Muslims here it is people from all walks of life.

And Maariyah Nawaz, 20, of Mapperley, said: "We are ashamed of the BBC's behaviour at the moment. The way their are reporting the conflict is very one-sided.

"I am very happy that hundreds of people have turned up but I think there should have been more. I don't think this truly represents the people out there that have the same view as me."

A BBC spokesman said: "BBC News reports widely and extensively across TV, radio and online, on many different aspects of this ongoing and complex conflict.

"Our role is to explain what is happening and why and we endeavour to reflect a range of voices, amid deeply held views.

"We are committed to continuing to report and analyse sometimes fast-moving events in an accurate, fair and balanced way."

What do you think? Email opinion@nottinghampost.com.

A NOTTS MP has called for the Parliamentary recess to be delayed if it is proven that Russian forces shot down a plane that crashed with 295 people on board.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 came down in eastern Ukraine, with reports claiming it had been shot down when travelling to Amsterdam, Holland, from Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

It had been due to enter Russian airspace when contact was lost with the plane.

"This is a very troubling development which raises serious issues that Parliament will want to consider," said John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw.

"It cannot do this if it is not sitting. By delaying our recess we will be able to discuss this matter and give it the attention it merits."

The House of Commons is set to reconvene on Tuesday after its summer break.

"Parliamentarians will want to take stock of these tragic events given that they have serious implications for the future of Europe," he said.

Shocking images showing the devastation at the site of the crash have been posted online.

The Ukrainian government and rebels have both denied shooting the passenger plane down in the region close to the Russian border.

East Midlands Airport has said no extra security measures have been implemented following the crash but last night said it was ready if any changes needed to be made.

A spokesman said: "We've not made any security changes at the moment.

"That is because we don't fly to Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian Airlines don't have any flights to East Midlands."

Some national newspapers were reporting that between five and ten Britons were on board the plane, citing Whitehall sources.

The University of Nottingham has a campus on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and the airline's chief executive – Ahmad Jauhari Yahya – studied engineering in Nottingham.

What do you think? Email opinion@nottinghampost.com.

THE parents of a baby who died after an emergency Caesarean section say they have been left "heartbroken" by the tragedy.

Carson Allen died due to a massive haemorrhage hours after he was born prematurely at Nottingham City Hospital.

An inquest into his death yesterday heard that during the Caesarean delivery, doctors may have pierced a soft part of the baby's skull while cutting into the wall of his mother's womb.

Assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire Heidi Connor recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

A statement from the hospital said the surgery was performed by a senior team and the complication was "extremely rare".

But, speaking after the hearing, Carson's parents, pictured, Claire Smith, 38, and Scott Allen, 37, of Top Valley, said they would like an apology from the hospital.

Miss Smith, a carer, told the hearing: "I woke up and asked Scott what we'd had. I could not understand why he wasn't happy.

"I heard someone say 'he's had two cardiac arrests' and I felt sorry for the person whose baby it was – then I realised it was my baby. Then I heard someone say he had a defect on his head."

Miss Smith was 33 weeks pregnant when she went into labour and was taken to hospital for an emergency Caesarean section.

Consultant Andrew Simm and Dr Habiba Kapaya performed the procedure.

The pair managed to deliver Carson but then discovered he was haemorrhaging from a wound to the head.

The baby was treated in intensive care and given oxygen because he also had underdeveloped lungs, while doctors fought to stop the bleeding. But he died three hours later.

Mr Simm told the inquest that around one per cent of babies suffered cuts during Caesarean sections. But he said: "I could not see how a scalpel could cut through bone."

The inquest heard that mum-of-two Miss Smith underwent a gynaecological procedure in 2011 and was told by doctors that she should avoid falling pregnant again – although she was not told the reason why.

She said that when she found out she was expecting Carson in 2013, she told doctors she had been treated for heavy periods. The coroner was told the operation could have resulted in her baby having less room to grow in the womb and was known to cause premature births.

Giving her conclusion Mrs Connor said: "Carson's head was closer to the side of the uterus than normal because of the previous surgery."

And she added: "I want to make this clear – this is not something that happens in a standard Caesarean section."

A post-mortem was conducted by paediatric pathologist Dr David O'Neil. He said he thought the doctors had cut into the baby's skull while cutting through the uterus wall.

He added: "It was at the back end of the temporal bones – made up of five bones that come together. There is a gap between them and there would be no problem opening up a skull with a scalpel blade in that area."

Following the hearing, the parents' solicitors, Nelson's, said it was a "very tragic case" and they would be considering whether to take further action against the hospital.

In a statement, Dr Stephen Fowlie, Nottingham University Hospital's medical director, said: "We reiterate our condolences to Miss Smith and her family for their loss.

"Carson was delivered by emergency section to maximise his chances of survival.

"The operation was performed by a senior and competent team of doctors. Sadly there were complications that could not have been foreseen.

"The pathologist concluded that this extremely rare complication caused Carson's death. It will never be known whether had this not occurred, Carson would have survived."

CHARITY rockathon Live Aid had entertained and inspired households across the county and country – including Nottingham's ice royalty, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

The pair were asked to top the bill of a sports spectacular planned by fundraising mastermind Bob Geldof, in the wake of the Live Aid concert the previous weekend.

The world-beating ice dancers were said to be "very interested" in plans for the sporting equivalent of the Wembley and Philadelphia concert, which inspired pledges of more than £40 million.

The Post commented: "You have to admit that the Live Aid television spectacular achieved what international jealousy usually spoils.

"What international leaders never even get a sniff of.

"What most politicians don't understand or simply perceive as an impossibility.

"It's called a unity of nations.

"United nations if you like.

"And fact is that Live Aid succeeded in creating more harmony – in music and spirit – in just 16 hours than the official United Nations have managed in 16 years."

Sport Aid would eventually be held the following year on May 25, taking place in 89 countries simultaneously and raising $37 million.

Notts residents had also been inspired to put on their own Live Aid-style events but had faced a few hurdles. Elizabeth Sewell, of Tewkesbury Drive, Old Basford, wrote to the paper: "A few weeks ago a gentleman in the Evening Post said how he attempted to organise a Live Aid-type concert in Nottingham at the Royal Concert Hall but was unable to get the big names in pop together.

"I thought about this and came up with the solution which could help a concert take place. This would be to put on a bill of stars who alone couldn't sell out at the Concert Hall but together they could.

"My suggestion involves groups like the Alarm, the Damned, the Cult, New Model Army, Sisters of Mercy, etc.

"I am quite sure that for the seats available at the Royal Concert Hall these would be completely sold out.

"I would be quite willing to help anyone get this concert together for such an important cause."

After months of planning and £250,000 spent, the D H Lawrence Centenary Festival was officially launched in Nottingham.

However, not everyone was on board with the celebrations as the county waited with bated breath to see if the festival would be a roaring success or a disappointing flop amid concerns that, while it would please the educated, it had little to offer the man in the street.

The three-week extravaganza kicked off with a carnival, followed by an international literary seminar at Nottingham University, readings, writers' workshops, plays and competitions.

A specially commissioned boozy treat, called Centenary Ale, was handed out to revellers by Lawrence lookalike Stuart Hellen, who claimed he was the writer's grandson.

Nottingham Forest were back on the ball and ready to get stuck into some pre-season training. The Reds boarded their club bus and headed to Wollaton Park for a two-and-a-half-hour stint.

Forest faced a two-week programme before beginning a series of matches on the South Coast against Weymouth, Bournemouth, Brighton and Portsmouth. Only central defender Chris Fairclough, who had recently undergone a minor calf operation, was unable to train flat out.

It was the first opportunity for the squad to meet their newest signings – Neil Webb, from Portsmouth, and former Coventry pair Stuart Pearce and Ian Butterworth.

THE reputation of HMP Nottingham has been brought into question following a report from the Independent Monitoring Board.

The Category B prison houses male offenders, including paedophile priest Francis Cullen.

But while the wellbeing of such men may not be a priority to many, the poor performance of the prison could have a big effect on the rehabilitation and a roll-on effect to the citizens of Nottinghamshire.

The report from the IMB was submitted to the Ministry of Justice last week to highlight issues at the prison on Perry Road in Sherwood.

The main theme is cuts in funding of 25 per cent in the past year, leading to a loss of 140 prison officers – and the additional pressure it puts on staff. The prisoner capacity had risen from 1,060 to 1,100 during 2013, despite fewer officers. Also lower-risk inmates, young offenders – who shouldn't be in adult prisons – and people awaiting their court cases on remand are housed with the higher-risk Category B prisoners.

Azrini Wahidin, Professor of Criminology at Nottingham Trent University, said: "We have a dispersal system to facilitate rehabilitation. Prisoners on remand are not sentenced yet but still having to adhere to the conditions as if they have been proved guilty.

"Young offenders being housed with adults leads to bullying and an increase in violence."

The Post has reported violent breakouts at the prison before. More than 20 prisoners refused to return to their cells during a protest inside the prison in April, while on the same day a fire was started by one of the inmates.

Assistant secretary Glyn Travis, of the Prison Officers' Association, said there had been an incident in the prison every week for several months. The report gave evidence of violence occurring, but praised staff, saying: "There have been numerous instances during the year when staff have acted promptly in situations where either prisoners or they were at risk."

The increase in capacity and overcrowding of prisons elsewhere has led to inmates from across the UK coming to HMP Nottingham. The monitoring board claims this has a negative impact in rehabilitation.

Professor Wahidin said: "You want to have continuity for prisoners with the outside world. It has been proven to reduce re-offending by having visits and keeping prisoners involved with society, even if at a distance."

HMP Nottingham offers work placements and education for inmates.

But the report says the cuts in funding have meant sessions are cancelled while wings are on "lockdown" – due to a lack of officers to deal with prisoners out of the cells.

Professor Wahidin added: "The prison population is disproportionately drawn from disadvantaged groups.

"Providing prisoners with skills leads to self-esteem, making them employable and a feeling that they have a stakehold in society cuts re-offending."

The IMB report also criticised the treatment of prisoners with mental health problems.

There was an "influx" of prisoners transferred from Rampton Secure Hospital, in Retford, which specialises in dealing with offenders who have dangerous and severe personality disorders.

Twelve prisoners have been transferred in the past year, and many deemed by the prison as "clearly unsuitable for a category B establishment".

Without the staff and training, many are being housed for long periods in the prison's SARU (Separation and Resettlement Unit) – previously used for solitary confinement.

Professor Wahidin said: "Prisons and their staff are not able to cater for people with highly complex needs. SARU is going to exacerbate their mental health problems."

At the heart of the IMB's report is resources.

It said: "It seems to us likely that staff pressured by the sort of problems they have face at Nottingham are at increasing risk of themselves falling sick.

"For prisoners, this has meant a diminished regime and, in terms of overall effectiveness of rehabilitation, a diminution of therapeutic support."

Professor Wahidin concluded: "Prison is for punishment but it shouldn't just be for that. It should have an ethos of society, with human rights and standing up against injustice.

"We are creating a revolving door... and what we want is rehabilitation and to stop re-offending."

We asked the Ministry of Justice to comment but it did not respond.

IT IS a question Chris Adcock knows is coming. And he is almost as prepared for it as he is for any big tournament.

There is always a lot of interest in the Ravenshead badminton player. Or, more precisely, his partner.

With Gabby alongside him, Adcock will become one half of the first husband and wife pair to play mixed doubles for England at the Commonwealth Games.

He hopes they will mark the occasion with a medal.

And though the spotlight will be on them, the 25-year-old is confident of being able to handle the pressure.

"A lot of media are interested in the story of us being a married couple, but we're very used to that question – we wait for it every time we have an interview," he said with a laugh.

"Everything has been going really well recently, over the past year. It's just an exciting time.

"If it helps boost the media attention for our sport, and us individually, then, great.

"It's really nice to actually have someone there.

"Sometimes, in the multi-sport events, you're away from your friends and family for quite a long time.

"I think it will be really nice to have my other half there.

"There's probably a little bit of pressure on us going into it – I think we'll probably be seeded No1 and favourites for the gold, which makes it quite tough.

"But it's like any other badminton tournament – if it happens, it happens; if it doesn't, as long as you've left everything out there, then you can enjoy it."

It's not just who Adcock will be playing with that provides a subplot to the Games, but also who he may play against.

The World No.5 will also compete in the men's doubles, teaming up with Andrew Ellis.

And that could mean he will, at some point, face fellow Nottinghamshire representative and long-time friend Peter Mills.

The latter has already hinted he wants 'revenge' for defeat to Adcock and Ellis at the English National Championships earlier this year.

But a meeting between the two pairs would at least mean silverware should be on the cards.

"I think with the rules of the Commonwealth Games, we would probably be in different halves of the draw," Adcock explained.

"So if we do meet, then it will be an amazing event because we will be in the final. I think we would both be happy to be there.

"They were the rules last time and I don't know if the regulations have changed.

"If not and we get to play each other, then that's definitely a good thing for both of us."

Before the individual honours get underway, the team event begins the day after the Opening Ceremony.

"We've got a really strong team but there are some other good teams," said Adcock.

"We definitely want a medal as Team England. It's going to be tough, but I think we can definitely do it.

"We're all very ambitious.

"There's not a patch where we think, 'wow, we're in the Commonwealth Games'.

"Yes, it's great to get selected and be there, but when we get there, it's just like any other major tournament.

"If you look at it as something bigger than what it is – a badminton tournament – then sometimes you can get carried away with the distractions.

"But I think we're all very well practised in that.

"Some people are more experienced than others but you never know what's going to happen on the day.

"Some people rise to the occasion; some people, unfortunately, don't.

"I hope Team England can be the team which rises to it."

MOST cricketers dream of hundreds, but Chris Read has a much bigger number in mind before he ponders calling time on his career.

The veteran wicket-keeper has 958 First Class dismissals to his name and though not normally a man for statistics and records, he says reaching 1,000 matters having seen one his heroes get there when he was just starting out.

He said: " To reach 1,000 would be a great target.

"It's attainable if I play all next year. I'm always being told who I've passed in the Notts dismissals list.

"It never really registers. Some of these guys played so long ago I don't who they are!

"I remember being at Gloucestershire when Jack Russell had his 1,000th and I thought what a great achievement it was. I'd be pretty proud if I can get there as well."

The 35-year-old has enjoyed a fine career having won 15 Test caps and played in 36 One Day Internationals and a single Twenty 20.

This season he played his 300th First Class game, 100th Notts T20 match and he has featured in 99 one day games for the club.

But with time ticking by and one year left on his Notts contract he admits it will be time consider if he wants to carry on when that deal ends.

"Of course I think about the future. Right now I'm taking it year on year," he said. "I've got a contract for next year and hopefully I continue my form and fitness. We'll see post 2015 if I want to continue.

"I'm fortunate enough to have built a long career at the highest level. When I started out I wanted to get to a position where I was playing the best cricket that was possible for me. If that meant playing for the national side then fantastic."

If he continues in the same vein next season as he has this then he should have no worries about carrying on.

He has 657 Championship runs to his name having struggling in 2013 when he only managed 532.

"I'm pretty happy. Last year was a bit of a blip. I've got more Championships runs already this season than I got in the whole of last season," he said.

Read will be hoping the runs continue to flow in all three formats with Notts still in with a chance of a trophy treble.

Victory over Lancashire this week took them back to the top of the County Championship, while they are currently third in the North Group of the T20 Blast with three group games.

They are also the defending champions of the revamped Pro40 competition, which will this year be played over 50 overs. Read says the current run of games is pivotal their season.

"We are at a very important stage of the season. There isn't too much more Championship cricket left," he said.

"We've got a squad to compete on all three fronts.

"We've made no secret that we value the Championship more than the others because it's the big one.

"Our white ball cricket has been good in the last few years as well though. After an indifferent start to this year's T20 we are playing well in that. We'll see what happens in the 50 over competition. No one has played that for a long time unless they're internationals so it will be interesting to see how people adapt."

JAMIE Parkes is only just beginning to learn his trade as a young jockey, but it's not exactly his first experience of horses.

"Dad once rescued two Shetland ponies when I was younger," he chuckles.

"I can't remember too much about them, but I know one of them was called Tallulah."

Horses are now a much more serious subject for the Parkes family, given they are an essential part of this immensely likeable teenager's career plan.

He is training to be a jockey at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, something he had never envisaged given his dream was to become a professional footballer.

Having joined Notts County when he was ten, everything appeared to be going to plan and he was soon identified as a bright prospect.

But four years later there was a problem. At 6st 10lb and 4ft 11in, a foot shorter than his team-mates, Parkes was told he was too small and was subsequently released.

Rather than just discard him from the pack, Notts County's academy head Mick Leonard suggested his size would benefit the world of horse racing and contacted the college.

"I've wanted to play football all my life," says Parkes.

"I had been at the club for four years when I was told that, although I was good enough, it was just my size that was the real problem.

"I was absolutely gutted because it was all I ever dreamed about and I was in bits.

"But then Mick Leonard said, 'I have got something that might interest you but I don't want to just tell you about it over the phone'.

"So I went to see him and he said, 'have you ever thought about becoming a jockey?'.

"People have said it to me in the past as a joke, but no – I'd never thought about it seriously.

"I went away and thought about it and my family were saying it was a good opportunity for me, so I decided to give it a go.

"There was an opportunity to at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, so after taking riding lessons at my mum's friend's stables at Sherwood Pines, I have been up there to get to know the place and I've loved every minute of it."

Notts played an integral part in Parkes' move given all 92 clubs have an obligation to ensure all youngsters who are released have a career plan in accordance with the Elite Player Performance Plan.

And it is a testament to Parkes' character that he is not bitter about being denied his dream on the basis of his size.

Instead, the 14-year-old, who turns 15 next month, is an extremely mature and level-headed young man who is desperate to be a success in his new sport.

He is now watching racing channels on TV and a lucrative trip to Doncaster races, which earned him a cool £70 – that he says is still in his wallet – has only intensified his ambitions.

"Whatever I do in life I want to be the best at it, even if I was a bin man," says Parkes, who is from Ravenhead, Nottingham.

"I wanted to be the best at football but that wasn't to be.

"Now it's horse racing that I really want to be good at.

"Everybody has been really supportive, from all my friends and my family.

"So too, have Notts, who were absolutely brilliant with me because they could easily have discarded me.

"But they looked after me and made sure that I was going to be all right.

"They were my life, but they taught me discipline and respect, even just little things like making sure your shirt is tucked in.

"It's only going to help me in horse racing because it requires great discipline too.

"I get a real buzz out of riding these horses. There are so many similarities in the training; fitness levels, dedication, that sort of thing.

"I want to prove people that I can do this and I've loved every minute of it so far."

Having swapped the studs for stirrups, Parkes, who will train to be a jockey full-time when he leaves school at the end of next term, says his love of football won't diminish.

In fact, this remarkable young man is already making waves as a manger of a disabled team at Blidworth Welfare.

"I love that team," he says. "There are children from all kinds of ages, from ten to 16.

"To see them all running round with a big smile on their face is so rewarding, in fact it's the best thing ever."

So does he want to be the next Jose Mourinho or become the next AP McCoy?

"That's simple," he says with authority. "Although I really love my football, I would have to say being a jockey."

WELL, the Tour de France has been, and sadly gone, through Yorkshire.

What sounded like a strange idea two years ago turned out to be the biggest, most spectacular Grand Depart in the Tour's history, with an estimated four million people over two days lining the route in Yorkshire. And I was there.

On the Thursday evening, watching the team presentation live from Leeds on a big screen in Skipton, I asked myself if this was really happening. Yorkshire threw itself completely into welcoming the Tour; plenty of yellow bikes on walls and in trees, red polka-dot painted houses and even a field of bright yellow sheep!

After a recce ride on Friday we decided to watch the Tour seven miles north of Skipton, and then ride over to Harrogate to watch it again near the end of the stage.

On the Saturday we headed out and quickly found ourselves on closed roads. Sheer joy! Cyclists of all ages and sizes everywhere, a real carnival atmosphere.

En route we encountered one chap on a bike in a ram's outfit, and kids in flat caps high-fiving all the passing cyclists – all wonderfully mad.

The excitement rose as the publicity caravan passed through, with six TV helicopters and the Tour's very own gendarmes marking the arrival of the breakaway riders and the peloton.

Once the riders had passed through we began the 22-mile ride to Harrogate along the main A59, part of the next day's stage. This is a pretty hilly route with long steady climbs and an amazing sweeping descent through the wonderfully named Blubberhouses. We would later ride back up this towards Skipton – not at all easy.

At global events like the Tour you find yourself making instant friends with the people around you. Once the race had gone past us we were invited into someone's house to watch the end of the stage on TV.

After the end of the race we and thousands of others quickly jumped on our bikes to ride the remainder of the route with visions of crossing the finishing line. Progress was extremely slow; I've never been among so many people on bikes. Harrogate was a sea of people.

It's difficult to describe the scale of the Tour and its effect on the people who went to see it. I suspect it will leave a lasting mark on both the Tour organisers and us as a cycling nation. An incredible experience. Chapeau Yorkshire!

IF anyone was in a perfect position to foresee Germany's World Cup triumph, it was Michael Mancienne.

He would not have needed a crystal ball to predict it.

The newly signed Nottingham Forest defender was well placed to predict what was coming five years ago.

And, by the time this summer rolled around, he was absolutely certain of the credentials of Joachim Low's side.

Back in 2009, Mancienne was part of the England side who were crushed; steamrollered in the final of the European under-21 Championships, by the German machine.

Stuart Pearce's side had looked strong as they plotted a steady course through the competition.

But they were no match for Germany, who cruised to a 4-0 success, with Mancienne – after coming off the bench at half time – helpless to stem the tide.

Led by Mesut Ozil, who set up two and scored another, Germany were close to unstoppable.

Five years later, six of the players who had started that final in Sweden – including Ozil – were an integral part of the German World Cup squad in Brazil.

And, having spent the last three years plying his trade in the Bundesliga, with Hamburg, Mancienne had come toe-to-toe with many of the international side on a weekly basis.

"I was not surprised to see the Germans do so well, with the team that they had," said Mancienne, who has signed a three-year contract, with the option of a further year, with the Reds, following a transfer for a fee of around £1m.

"It was the same team that beat us in the final of the European Championships back in 2009.

"Seven or eight of their players in the side that day have gone on to challenge for a place in the senior squad. Six were in the side that went on to win the World Cup.

"It was a good team back then. But I have obviously seen them playing for the last three years and realised how good German football is."

Mancienne believes the strength of the German side perhaps went under the radar a little on English soil, with many of the squad plying their trade in the Bundesliga.

But he is convinced the main catalyst for the country's success was the simple fact that a large core of the side had been together for so long.

This was a Germany team that had been playing together for years; who knew each other inside out and operated as a unit.

"They do have very good players, which you perhaps don't see as much in England, where there is more focus on the Premier League," added Mancienne.

"I knew they would go far. I did not know they would win it – but I would have said before the start that they would go far.

"The fact is that most of that German side have been playing together for years now, as a side. It is not a surprise that they succeeded, because they are a team.

"That is why they are so good."

England, in contrast, had only one member of that under-21 squad, beaten by Germany in that final, among the group that travelled to Brazil this summer, in the form of James Milner.

Theo Walcott would have made it too, had he not been injured. But there has not been the same progression among the England squad, as a team, as Germany have enjoyed.

Mancienne, however, has not given up on his own ambitions of collecting his first senior England cap and hopes that helping Forest back into the top flight could be the first step towards achieving exactly that.

His initial goal will be to acclimatise himself back in English football, although he doesn't anticipate having any issues with this.

"I don't think I will. I have played so many games over here in the past, it will not be an issue," said Mancienne.

"Even if it does take me a few games, it will only be that.

"I will find my feet pretty much straight away, I think.

"Is German football different? Yes and no. You have the top teams, who are always hard to play against.

"But the thing in Germany is that every side runs a lot. They are machines. You saw it in the World Cup. Players go for 90 minutes.

"Every single team also try to play good football. Even the lowest teams, no matter how bad they might be – they always try to play good football.

"Every team tries to play football. That is the standout thing for me about German football.

"They are incredibly fit, but they also like to play football."

Mancienne believes his own German experience was invaluable, when it came to helping him mature as a player.

"It was a great experience for me. I was happy that I did it and got it under my belt, because not many players have done it," he said.

"You see a lot of foreign players coming into the English game, but not too many going the other way.

"It is a lot harder for an English person to go and play abroad, because there is the language barrier and you have not got your friends or your family there.

"Lots of people would not be tempted by it. But I saw it as being a great opportunity.

"I know a football career can be short, but I wanted to go and do it."

Now Mancienne's task is to follow in those German footsteps, by bringing some long-awaited success to Nottingham Forest.

MICHAEL Lumb is in the squad for what Notts Outlaws hope is not their final home game of the season in the NatWest T20 Blast tomorrow.

Lumb returned to the team for the County Championship win against Lancashire, but suffered problems with the arm tendon injury that kept him out for the previous three weeks.

Immediately after that game director of cricket Mick Newell said "it's not looking too good".

However, that stance has now softened after a scan to the extent that he is in line to play, subject to passing a fitness test.

The Outlaws are overwhelming favourites to win and put themselves in the driving seat to qualify for the last eight and a top two spot in the North Group, which earns a home quarter-final.

But Newell says nothing can be taken for granted against a side who have won three games all season.

He said: "There's nothing Leicestershire would like more than to come to Trent Bridge and beat us. If they stop us going through it would be great for them, one of their top priorities.

"They've got good players like Josh Cobb, Greg Smith and Scott Styris. They're always a threatening team who've not got results, but one win will get us through to the quarter-finals I think.

"The sooner we get that the better and then we can look for a home quarter-final."

If Lumb is fit he would come into the side which beat Birmingham Bears last time out, most likely for Sam Wood. Notts will be otherwise unchanged.

Newell was relieved to see his men beat Lancashire with a day to spare in the County Championship as it gave them more time to recover on the back of a hectic month and a half.

"We've got some good rest now so we can come back raring to go (tomorrow)," he said.

"When you get to mid-July then rest is as important as nets, in fact it's probably far more important."

Overseas signing James Franklin has only been able to play two games since joining at the end of last month.

He had some valuable time in the middle this week though having scored 159 for the second string against Warwickshire. He then captained the team against the same opposition in the Second XI Championship, something that impressed Newell.

"It's good for him to get runs. He actually wanted to play for the seconds, which is great. Not all overseas players do," he said.

"He captained the team as well so he's getting some leadership experience."

Seamer Luke Fletcher is also refusing to take Leicestershire for granted despite another season of struggle.

"They're always a tough team to play against. They've got some good players," he said.

"We beat them at Grace Road but it was a good game. I'm sure it will be the same (tomorrow)."

Fletcher has impressed having come back into the T20 side after not featuring regularly since 2011.

He says one reason for his haul of eight wickets at 27 is a laid back approach.

"I put plans for opposition batsmen into place on the day. I don't think about it until a few hours before the game," he said.

"We've got all sorts of stats for all sorts of players.

"I enjoy the pressure of playing T20 and bowling at the death. In a way it's not really pressure.

"You're on a hiding to nothing bowling at the death. If you nail it you get your rewards."

SOARING temperatures marked the final day of preparations for Nottingham Riviera – and the hottest day of the year so far.

As the mercury hit 30C yesterday, additions to the beach in Old Market Square included canoes, mechanical pony rides and a children's car ride.

While workers brushed down the 250 tonnes of sand, filled the pool and assembled deckchairs, families welcomed the return of the beach to the heart of the city – the most landlocked in the country.

Tanya Hibbs, of Basford, said the beach was all about providing parents with a fun and cheap way of keeping their kids happy over summer .

"It's something different," said the 42-year-old. "I think it's important for families, and especially one-parent families, to have somewhere fun to take their kids that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

"It's going to be packed for the opening," said Bec Amos, 39, of Sandiacre. "It's become a part of Nottingham now and we expect it every year. I meet friends in town and we don't usually come into the square, but when the beach is on we do. And it seems to get better each year."

There are additions to go with the dodgems, paddling pool, stalls and arcades.

"It could do with offering a healthy-eating option," said mum-to-be Kerri Woodward, 22, from The Meadows.

"I'm happy they've got mocktails so people who don't want to drink can feel involved but the only eating options are burgers and chips. They could really make it exotic by selling something like watermelon."

But seafood fans can sample whelks, cockles, mussels and crabs from local fishmonger Lee Wharton, who has a stand at the beach.

Experience Nottinghamshire's PR manager Erin Huckle said the beach brought residents into the city and attracted tourists. She said: "The timing of the opening couldn't be better with the weather we are having. People don't have to travel to Skegness to see the beach and it gives families a tremendous low-cost option. It will attract people into the city which will have a knock-on effect on other tourist attractions."

Nick Vass, of organiser the Mellors Group, said Nottingham was the best possible setting for an urban beach.

He said: We've made a few changes to focus more on aesthetics. The sand's better quality and there are a few new additions for the kids to enjoy."

SUN was shining on the city yesterday afternoon as Nottingham hit highs of 30C.

But as punters revelled in beer gardens and children played in parks, a storm was brewing.

Thunderstorms hit the region in the early hours of today and again are predicted this afternoon as a result of the hot and humid conditions. An amber warning was yesterday issued for rain in the East Midlands.

"The combination of hot and cold air creates a lot of energy," said Nicola Maxey, of the Met Office.

"There's a chance that the storm, making its way up the country from the south, could pass right over Nottingham, hit you partially or even miss Nottingham out completely.

"This is not particularly uncommon during periods of hot weather and arises because we don't get too much hot weather in this country."

She warned of potential flash flooding.

The highest temperatures have passed, with the weekend likely to hit 25C at most before a drop to 23C next week.

THE University of Nottingham is facing an anxious wait to find out if any of its students could have been on board a plane that crashed with 298 passengers and crew.

There are no signs of survivors on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border on Thursday.

Both sides in the ongoing Ukrainian civil conflict have accused the other of shooting the plane down in the rebel-held territory.

The Boeing 777 was flying from Amsterdam, Holland, to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur – where the University of Nottingham has a campus.

A spokesman for the university said it had been confirmed no staff members were booked on board the flight.

"It's obviously possible that some students have booked independently or privately, so it's harder to tell – especially because it's outside of term time."

Latest figures show the plane was carrying ten Britons, 189 Dutch, 44 Malaysians (including 15 crew), 28 Australians and various other nationalities.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Malaysian Airlines chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya both studied in Nottingham.

A POLICE officer has been disciplined for committing a "lewd act" on a coach following a rally – while another was spoken to for pulling a sickie and then posting photos of themself drinking at a party on Facebook.

Nottinghamshire officers have also been hauled up in front of misconduct hearings for offences including tapping a member of the public on the bottom, taking "a number of females" home in a marked police vehicle and making racist comments.

Figures released by the force show that 18 officers have been dismissed for misconduct since 2012, with a further 21 given final warnings, 17 given written warnings and two resigning before disciplinary action was held.

The force says it has published the figures as part of a drive to be more transparent.

But the Police Federation said publishing details of all offences could lead to people having a negative view of all police staff.

Incidents that led to disciplinary hearings also included:

Two police constables allowing a serving prisoner to meet his girlfriend and then providing an account which was "materially and deliberately misleading".

An off-duty special constable trying to take a nightclub doorman's badge from him.

A police constable talking to a defendant via social media with "inappropriate and informal language", resulting in a final written warning.

A sergeant sending a series of text messages to his ex-wife and visiting the home of her new partner, which resulted in management advice.

A PC deploying a dog on a suspect which resulted in bites to the suspect's head. It was alleged the deployment of the dog was "excessive use of force" and the officer did not have sufficient control of the dog.

In addition, 11 officers have been disciplined for misusing the police computer to look up crimes – including one who did it 278 times.

Notts Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: "[This demonstrates] if complaints are made they are fully investigated and if officers and staff are found to have failed to meet the expected standards, action will be taken."

Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish said there were a "small number" of cases where standards were not met.

She added: "It is important that the public has confidence in policing, and while any misconduct investigation is an internal process, by publishing details of misconduct investigations and their outcomes, we hope this will show the importance we place on integrity and improve public confidence."

Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Police Federation Phil Matthews said: "I can understand the need to raise public confidence and I can see why the police want to do this. But it's a small number of staff and not at all indicative of how the majority of police officers serve – with integrity."

Q Was this your first time properly following the World Cup?

A This was indeed my first World Cup and I cannot imagine a better one to start with. I got to see the best players in the world on one stage, and I learned a lot about the fine art of diving on the pitch.

Q "Attend a Nottingham Forest match at City Ground" is on your bucket list – when will you get here?

A Of course, I would love to be at City Ground when we play Derby, but honestly, I would watch Forest play anyone. If all goes well, my wife and I are going to attend a match in March or April.

Q Have you got into any other British things apart from football?

A My other British passion is food. After all, I have spent years earning my Big Wes nickname. Bangers, proper British bacon, full English breakfasts, PG Tips, Jammie Dodgers. I am breaking into a sweat just thinking about it all. After food, it's Nottingham-speak. Even when I talk to people in the US, I find myself saying "mate" or "me duck".

Q How different do you think your life would be without Twitter?

A My Twitter-life has made me re-evaluate who I am as a person. Before my love affair with Forest, I was very measured and I tried very hard to calculate my next moves. Forest fans have given me more than they will ever know.

FORGET cauldrons, black cats and pointy witch hats.

The modern Pagan apparently prefers a Beatles sing-a-long around camp fire and perhaps a spot of maypole dancing.

Indeed, it was the tired old Hollywood image of a warty old woman demonically cackling around a bubbling cauldron which inspired Pagan Pride founder Esme Knight to set the record straight.

Pagan Pride is an annual event held in Nottingham – with this year's set to take place in August.

The 36-year-old Mansfield Road chef is passionate about Paganism, having felt a strong connection to nature and the Earth as a child.

She said: "My parents are from a Christian background, like so many, but I always had really strong connections with nature and the changing of the seasons.

"The way the earth changes throughout the year is a beautiful thing and I am a part of that.

"It was only when I looked into it more, as I got older, that I realised it had a name.

"But Paganism isn't just one thing or the other. It is a path that is very special and specific to the individual.

"Yes, there are Wiccans or 'witches' but that's not all there is to it.

"People following Paganism may feel drawn to the druid path or the fairies path.

"I have chosen the Shamanic path and feel drawn most strongly to fire within nature which is why I wear a dragon around my neck as a symbol of that."

Esme, who used to sell candles, incense and Pagan paraphernalia at Nottingham's indoor Victoria Centre market, hopes that the Pagan Pride parade and festival will help people to understand what Paganism is.

She said: "Most people don't know what Paganism is. Then they sit down and talk to you and realise they share a lot of common beliefs with you.

"Mainly, being a Pagan is about the concept of Karma, tolerance and keeping positive.

"We normally look to the moon for guidance or just go outside and feel it in the air and the earth.

"Then we meet up, have fun and make merry - it can be anything from a party to sitting around a campsite with a guitar and singing anything from Metallica to Beatles."

Esme set up Pagan Pride in 2009 as a way to meet other Pagans. She organised a picnic-style gathering at the Forest Recreation ground and was surprised that 80 people turned up.

She said: "People really warmed to the idea of it, so I spoke to Nottingham City Council about what we wanted to and asked how to do it and it just snow balled from there.

"We held it in The Arboretum for the first time in 2010 and around 600 people showed up.

"Then last year around 1,500 attended the festival and 500 people came to the march."

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