With the University of Nottingham's Fresher's Week starting on September 21 and Nottingham Trent University's Fresher's Week starting on September 19, the city will soon be awash with freshers starting a new journey. Here is a list of some of Nottingham's best offerings - and where you can get a true sense of what Nottingham is all about.

Nottingham Forest'sCity Ground and Notts County'sMeadow Lane
The city is lucky to have two football teams, both currently sitting comfortably in the Championship and League One. Football has a big heritage in Nottingham and the city is currently bidding to become City of Football 2015. Both grounds are worth a visit - unless you are a supporter of either, then it is probably better sticking to your favourite team.

Trent Bridge Cricket Ground
Another sporting venue to visit is Trent Bridge. The venue is one of the oldest Test grounds and has been hosting The Ashes Test Series for a number of years. You can either watch a match or go behind-the-scenes and take a guided tour of the ground.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Whether you are looking for a pre-drinking venue, a place to grab a bite to eat, or a relaxing pint at the end of the long day, Nottingham's most historic pub is the place to be. The pub has a wealth of enchanting features including open fires, cellar tours and cave rooms.

Nottingham Castle
If you were to blink, you would miss it. Nottingham's castle isn't as prominent as a lot of its cousins scattered around the country, but it does hold a whole host of history. Discover man made caves and tunnels beneath the castle and enjoy a tour of the secret passageways.

The Nottingham Caves
From the outside looking in, it is almost hard to believe that Nottingham is a city filled with caves. The City of Caves allows you to visit and discover some of Nottingham's 500 man-made caves dating back to the Dark Ages.

Nottingham Christmas Market
This is one for your diaries as the market doesn't start until November 19, but it is most definitely worth visiting to put you in the festive mood. There are bespoke Tudor-style trading cabins selling a wide range of products, and even an outdoor ice-skating rink.

Goose Fair
Another one for your diaries, as the annual travelling funfair isn't held until October 1. The event will host more than 500 attractions including rides for thrill seekers and the classics including carousels and Hook-a-Duck. There is always plenty of food available including the Goose Fair's traditional mushy peas and mint sauce - a Nottingham favourite.

Nottingham Glee Club
Comedy lovers need to head on over to Nottingham's Glee Club. Known for its intimacy, the venue hosts a number of different comedians throughout the year. Upcoming guests include John Fothergill, Dan Nightingale and Mark Olver. View the full events list and decide which up and coming act you would like to see.

Wollaton Hall and Park
You might have to hold off going to this attraction for a while because of Britain's unpredictable weather. But during exam season when the sun is shining, it might be worth heading over to Batman's home for a break (the Dark Knight II was filmed there). There is a whole host of things to do and see including the deer park and the industrial museum. Best of all, visiting is free.

Oceana
This student staple houses six themed rooms, two nightclubs and four bars - all in one place. It has a capacity of 2,590 so it is the perfect way to meet future friends. The nightclub hosts a number of events each week.

A passenger on a Jet2 plane which made an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport has told of the terror on board as it descended towards the runway.

Suzanne Wood, of Hucknall, was among holiday-makers coming back on a flight from Ibiza on Wednesday night when smoke was spotted in the cabin.

Pilots managed to land the plane and there have been no reports of injuries.

Miss Wood said she was still shaking on Thursday morning.

She told the Post: "It was awful. Half an hour into the descent we could tell there was something not right. The pilots were coming out and the cabin crew kept going into the cockpit. 

"No one knew what was happening. The plane was coming in to land but then seemed to go back up again. People were starting to panic."

Jet2 has said that the smoke was caused by an electrical fault and that an investigation is underway.

Six fire engines were sent by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue after a call was made at 8.25pm. 

A spokesman for the service said: "There was no sign of fire on the aircraft." 

The firefighters remained at the scene until just before 10pm.

Crews attending passenger aircraft electrical failure at #Eastmidsairport crews from Castle Donington... Contd pic.twitter.com/TFH05L3FD9

— C' Donington Fire (@LFRSC_Donington) September 3, 2014

The city centre will be awash with freshers in just a few weeks' time.

Current and past students of Nottingham have been taking to the social media site Twitter to give advice to those starting university.

#TipsForFreshers Wear matching tshirts with all the other fresher so EVERYONE KNOWS YOU ARE A FRESHER

— Ex-FreshEye (@SmallTownBrows) September 3, 2014

#TipsForFreshers don't be annoying

— Angela (@itsangeee) September 3, 2014

@UoNFreshers never wear flip flops to ocean #tipsforfreshers

— Alexander Bembridge (@thebeverz) September 3, 2014

Our Marketing Assistant just graduated from @NTSUents..her #TipsForFreshers - shotgun the biggest freezer drawer for those ready made meals!

— Capital FM Arena (@CapitalFMArena) September 3, 2014

Karishma also tweeted about a link to a blog post that she has published featuring her top five tips for freshers. 

Tips to help with Uni prep #students#TipsForFreshers#lbloggers#university@FemaleBloggerRThttp://t.co/Xzx4jj5Voy

— Karishma Ravalia (@karishmar1) September 4, 2014

What are your top tips for freshers? Tweet us, Facebook us or email us at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

Nottingham's resident owl man - believed to be 81 - celebrates his birthday on Thursday.

Frank Shelton can often be seen walking his barn owl, Kim through the city.

Passers-by often stop Frank, of Carlton and ask him if they can stroke Kim and take a photograph with her.

The former ambulance car assistant has made quite a name for himself over the past few years and makes regular appearances at lots of festivals including the Gedling Show and the Riverside Festival.

In a past interview with the Post, Frank said: "I try to make a few jokes when she's with me. I say to people, she's the only bird I can pull at my time of life!"

Have you seen Frank and Kim around Nottingham's city centre? Tweet us your photos.

Cat owners in Calverton are keeping their kittens close after a spate of poisonings.

Residents said more than 20 cats have been fed anti-freeze in the Nottinghamshire village, leading to a slow and painful death for the beloved pets.

Both the RSPCA and the police are involved in tracking down the cat killer.

But the victims' owners have also begun their own campaign to highlight the horrific goings on in the village.

Nick Lawlor, of Labray Road, held his cat Piper in his arms as she died.

"She had been missing for a couple of days but we thought nothing of it," he said. "That's what cats do; they disappear for a few days and come back when they are hungry, wrapping themselves round your legs.

"But this time it was different. She didn't even come in the house, just laid in the garden.

"When I picked her up, the bottom half of her body was paralysed, her eyes were rolling around in her head and she was fitting.

"We didn't even have time to get her to the vet before she passed away."

The 43-year-old's neighbour said they heard of more cat deaths like this in Calverton and when Mr Lawlor went online, he discovered he wasn't the only one.

"So many people have been affected," he said. "I looked up the symptoms of antifreeze being fed to cats and there was no mistaking this was how Piper died."

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed there had been six reported incidents, adding: "Officers in the area are helping with the investigation."

But the case is being led by the RSPCA.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "The RSPCA has been made aware of a number of suspicious cat deaths in the area, and our inspector is working with the police to investigate this.

"We have attended the area with the police and we just want to warn people in the area and urge cat owners to be vigilant - this could have been accidental, but we want to prevent further incidents in the future."

The charity said if a cat ingests even a small amount of poison, it can lead to kidney failure and death.

People convicted of deliberately poisoning an animal could be subject to a £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison under the Animal Welfare Act.

If an owner is concerned their pet may have been poisoned, they should contact a vet as soon as possible.

If anyone has any information about these incidents, they are asked to contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 1234 999. Calls will be treated in confidence.

Has your cat been poisoned? Email jennifer.scott@nottinghampost.com

Video shows Ade Andrews, who plays Robin Hood and was named runner up in the 2014 Superstar awards. 

It might sound like an unlikely alliance, but Robin Hood and Doctor Who will join forces to defeat villains in Sherwood Forest.

Despite the Time Lord's insistence that the legendary hero is a myth, the pair come face to face when the Doctor discovers that Nottinghamshire is at stake from "an evil plan from beyond the stars".

The 'Robot of Sherwood' episode, which will air on Saturday evening, will feature Tom Riley as Robin Hood, playing alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman. The scenes were filmed in Wales. 

Steve Warrington has been playing the famous outlaw at the annual Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest for the past 13 years.

The 34-year-old said he would have loved to have got in on the action, and would have jumped at the chance to play the part.

He added: "It is definitely an unusual mix of characters, but who better to help the Doctor than the man who knows Sherwood Forest best?

"To be approached to do something like that would be fantastic. If I was I would have definitely done it.

"Anything that highlights Nottinghamshire, Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest is a good thing, especially if it is something as popular as Doctor Who."

Jennifer Spencer, chief executive at Experience Nottinghamshire, said the episode could attract more visitors to Sherwood Forest, where Robin is believed to have lived.

She said: "It's wonderful that an iconic TV series has recognised the legend of Robin Hood and brought his story to life into the 21st century for many enthusiastic Doctor Who fans."

Councillor John Knight, committee chairman for culture at Nottinghamshire County Council, said the programme is very timely, as it airs a week before the Major Oak Woodland Festival.

The event, which will be held on September 13 and 14, is a celebration to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Sherwood Forest being granted Site of Special Scientific Interest status.

Councillor Knight said: "We are looking forward to celebrating the history of Sherwood Forest and everything it offers today as part of the Major Oak Woodland Festival."

The festival will feature a range of activities and displays from 11am to 4pm both days.

'Robot of Sherwood' will be on BBC One at 7.30pm. 

What do you think? Tell us below 

Drink driver Kazimierz Riegel was caught wearing just his underpants after smashing into cars behind the wheel of a Citroën C4.

The 41-year-old had something of a rude awakening when police arrived to find him more than twice the limit in just his smalls at 1am on July 16.

At Nottingham Magistrates' Court on September 4, the former warehouse worker was sentenced for drink-driving, having no insurance or licence and aggravated vehicle taking.

Prosecutor Wayne Wallis said the Citroën C4 collided with the passenger side of a Ford Transit tipper lorry.

The car ended up embedded in the side of a Volkswagen Golf, the impact pushing it three foot forward into a Kia Ceed.

Witnesses suspected the driver and his passenger were drunk after they got out of the car.

"The driver was identified as only wearing underpants," Mr Wallis told JPs.

"Police arrived and the driver was arrested and interviewed at a police station.

"What he said was it was his day off and he'd been drinking. He was unable to report how much alcohol he drank, possibly four to eight pints, but possibly more.

"He then said he had a sudden impulse to drive the car."

When Riegal, who had no previous convictions, reached Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, he said the car got a puncture and collided with the stationary tipper lorry.

Lindsey Morrison, mitigating, told magistrates how her client waited for police to arrive and, at court, pleaded guilty to the charges at the first opportunity.

He was full of remorse for his actions, although he could not give an explanation as to why he drove, the court heard.

The Citroën C4 belonged to his ex-partner, who he still lives with, even though they split up one month ago. He has three children with his ex-wife in Poland.

At the time of the offences, he was employed in the warehouse at Sports Direct but lost his job due to the emotional consequences of the court proceedings.

Magistrates told Riegal, of Amesbury Circus, Aspley, they hoped they would never see him in the building again.

They banned him from driving for 28 months and gave him an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay a victim surcharge of £80.

Comedian and TV host Joan Rivers, who was due to appear in Nottingham next month, has died.

Ms Rivers, 81, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York, after having a cardiac arrest last week. She had been life support since but died on Thursday. 

Her daughter Melissa Rivers confirmed the news in a statement. It read: "My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother. They [support messages and prayers] have been heard and appreciated."

Last month, more than 12,000 people signed a petition calling for Ms Rivers' upcoming tour to be cancelled. The tour included performances at the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham in October.

The controversy came after the comedian made a remark about the Israeli-Gaza crisis. When asked for her thoughts on the Palestinian death toll she said: "They were told to get out. They didn't get out. You don't get out, you are an idiot. At least the ones that were killed were the ones with low IQs."

A body of a man has been found in Newark.

The discovery was made on Thursday following inquiries to find sixty-six-year-old David Anthony Smith.

He was last seen at his home on Tuesday afternoon and is believed to have set off on a bike ride shortly afterwards.

Mr Smith's relatives have been informed about the death of a cyclist following a collision in Stapleford Lane, Lincolnshire.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Concerns are growing for a 17-year-old girl who has been reported missing.

Charley Poole left her home in Carburton, Worksop, on Wednesday and has not been seen since.

She is white, slim, about 5ft 5ins tall, and has long, blonde straight hair. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white top with a bandana tied around her wrist.

The teenager was also wearing brown boots and a blonde/brown wig under a hat.

She has links to the Hertfordshire area and it is possible she could be making her way there.

If you have seen Charley call police on 101.

STUART Pearce will take a leaf out of the Brian Clough book of management – by insisting Nottingham Forest should let the opposition worry about their strengths this season.

Legendary Reds boss Clough famously rarely even spoke about their opponents during his pre-match team talks, preferring to focus on his side's own attributes.

And Pearce is ready to maintain a similar outlook.

The Forest boss says he will focus on the strengths of his own side, rather than altering their approach too significantly, to reflect the varied nuances of their rivals in the Championship.

The Reds have already come up against numerous different playing styles, ranging from the fluid football of Bournemouth to the direct, physical approach favoured by Sheffield Wednesday.

They have come through unscathed so far, with the side unbeaten in seven games, leaving them top of the Championship table.

And Pearce says Forest's own ethos will remain largely unchanged, regardless of the opposition.

"I don't think we will change our style of play, no," said Pearce. "We have talent in our ranks and we have to concentrate on what we do.

"In this league, it is important that you look at the strengths of your own unit first.

"Then, on top of that, you look at how you are best suited to play as a team.

"Then you make sure that the players are aware of the challenge in front of them.

"I don't think we can change our playing style against any team in this league.

"We might change our personnel on occasion. We might even change our formation.

"But I don't think the playing style is going to alter. I don't think that is the way forward for Nottingham Forest."

To say there is a positive atmosphere at Forest would be an understatement, with the return of playing legend Pearce as boss having lifted the mood.

But Pearce hopes that spirit will only be enhanced as the season develops – and Forest improve.

"If the results are good there is a feel-good factor about any club," said Pearce.

"We feel as though we are in a building process at this club.

"As the days and the weeks tick by, we feel as though we are making progress.

"The club will grow. It has to grow and evolve. We have that ability, with the players we have here and we can do that. But we have a lot of hard work in front of us."

There was also a mood of positivity at Forest last season – but it was a campaign that ultimately ended in disappointment, as their play-off push faded away.

When he looks back at last season, Pearce says he understands why that happened – and his view is that it was more than just injury misfortune that hampered the Reds.

Typically, Pearce speaks with honesty when asked if he could understand why last season's talented squad did not manage to get themselves over the finishing line and into the play-off places.

"I did not question that – because I know exactly why they did not (finish in the top six)," he said.

"I think they lacked pace up front and quality in depth.

"That was the Achilles heel. While the injury situation held them back.

"In regard to getting in the play-offs, a lot of teams can get in the play-offs. But are you ready to get in the Premier League? That is another question.

"This is a stronger unit of players now. We have taken the best of what was here last season and added to it.

"The club is going forward, it is in a stronger position now than it was last season.

"We are still way short of where we want to be, because we are not in the division where we want to be.

"But we need to make sure that continued building process is in place.

"This club has a lot of work to do, but it is a challenge that everyone, from the chairman down, wants to take on.

"I have to lead that, in my own way."

And, in turn, it seems that Forest are set to do things their own way, on the pitch, too.

NOT many Septembers pass without complaints over school policies on uniforms, haircuts, cosmetics and jewellery. The 2014 version of the yarn involves shoes. Was the National Church of England Academy in Hucknall right to keep more than 30 pupils out of class because they had the wrong footwear?

In a word, yes.

Either you have a dress code or you don't. If you do, it should be enforced – even if that means barring pupils from a class full of peers whose parents respect the rules.

Tolerate breaches of the rules, and there is simply no point in having them.

Interestingly, the principal says that parents were informed in July that the school would be enforcing the dress code. One might infer from that remark that prior to July, the code was not enforced... which may have contributed to the problem.

Either way, there can now be no mistaking the position. It's leather or fake-leather for pupils at National, and any parent sending their offspring in lime-green trainers with a fluorescent orange logo can expect to hear more about it.

A word on trainers, though: some are made in unadorned black leather as if to bridge the gap between formal and informal footwear. These, it seems to us, should pass the school shoe test.

Now perhaps the offending parents will get the message understood by the parents of more than 1,000 National pupils: the rules say formal shoes, so deal with it.

No doubt the school has a strategy in place for pupils whose parents are struggling with uniform bills.

So there can be no excuse for not conforming.

GREAT-GRANNY May Squires says she is "disgusted" after she was left lying in the road with a head injury that was bleeding for almost two hours before an ambulance arrived.

The 91-year-old, of Colleymoor Leys Lane, in Clifton, fell in an access road to Hamilton Court, off Farnborough Road.

Mrs Squires suffered a head wound, which she said was bleeding heavily, and a passer-by called 999. The ambulance service has apologised after it took one hour and 15 minutes for a community first responder to arrive, and a further 30 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

Mrs Squires, who was with her friend Doris Kingston at the time of her fall, said: "I was lying there for two hours on the gravel. It was horrible. There were crowds of people around me and at one stage they tried to sit me up, but I felt a bit dizzy so I lay back down.

"There was blood all over my coat and handbag. I was feeling terrible and I couldn't believe I was there so long."

Paramedics took Mrs Squires to the Queen's Medical Centre, where doctors glued the wound on the back of her head. She was sent home the same day and has no lasting damage but says she is still shaken by what happened.

Her son Alan, 67, of Edwards Lane, Arnold, said: "My mum suffers with back problems, which had pretty much cleared up. But they seem to have been exacerbated by lying in the road for two hours after the fall at 12.15pm last Thursday.

"If a 91-year-old lady lying in the road bleeding wasn't a priority, I think the ambulance service needs to look at better time limits. She was bleeding heavily.''

Mrs Squires said: "It shouldn't have taken that long for the ambulance to arrive, especially for someone my age. They should be giving a better service."

A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "The service we provided clearly wasn't up to the high standard our patients should expect and we are very sorry Mrs Squires had to wait so long for help. We had previously received a complaint about the delay from Lillian Greenwood MP and will be contacting her to provide details of the outcome of our investigation.

"We will be happy to share this information with Mrs Squires and would ask her to please get in touch and let us know her contact details."