IN the space of a week, Stuart Pearce must have been asked to conjure up his favourite Brian Clough anecdote a hundred times.

But it is a story he tells about himself that best sums up the legacy left behind by the greatest manager Nottingham Forest have ever had.

It is a moment that is pure Clough. A cameo, all staged in the same City Ground car park that Clough would have strode across a thousand times, that perfectly captures the essence of the man – and the mark he has left on Pearce.

As he left the stadium on Sunday evening, following an emotional, draining East Midlands derby clash, Pearce spotted a clutch of people in Forest shirts. Nothing unusual there, perhaps – except that they were the family of recent £5.5m signing Britt Assombalonga.

And Pearce felt obliged to stop his car and have a quick word.

"It buoyed me after the derby game, when I was coming away from the ground and saw Britt's family, all of them wearing Nottingham Forest shirts. There were ten of them, all in the shirts. I felt compelled to get out my car and give his dad a hug, to thank him for his son," said Pearce.

Pearce makes no attempt to hide the influence Clough has had on him, as a manager or a man. He embraces it.

Today will mark the end of an emotional week, one that has seen tributes to mark the tenth anniversary of Clough's death during games against Derby and Fulham.

At the New Den, Ian Holloway's Millwall will have little desire to let Forest mark the actual anniversary, which falls today, with another win, if they can help it.

But, for Pearce, Clough will still be a major influence, as he looks to extend the club's unbeaten run in the capital.

"It has been an emotional week, with the derby game and the fans coming together there, then with the celebrations we had to mark the ten year anniversary on Wednesday night," said Pearce.

"It has been a big week. There was the emotion of a big derby game, then there was the tribute to Brian and the way the scoring went on Wednesday – it has been a good week for the club.

"The history of clubs is something that fans and players should be very proud of. Forest are fortunate that we have a history at this club that is not too long ago, we all remember Brian and what he did for this club.

"You can bet that Brian would say that all that matters is the next performance though; it is about the display you put on in the next game now though.

"The one thing he does is touch everybody's life who he comes into contact with. He has touched the life of every player he has worked with. You can work with Brian Clough for two weeks or 20 years and he will still have a big influence on you.

"A lot of managers you work with and pick up little bits. But, with Brian, he influences your career. The personality of the man was unbelievable. It was a fitting tribute to him this week.

"You remember the first meeting you had with him, you remember everything about the fella. That goes for everyone who played for him. Martin O'Neill, Bryan Laws, Roy Keane, myself… anyone who has gone into coaching or management will have been influenced by him.

"He loved this club and what he achieved will never be matched at this club or by any other manager in the world.

"To win back to back European Cups with a club of our size and stature? It is incredible.

"He is the great man in football, the personality. Nobody had surpassed him and nobody will do.

"Most of the stories you hear about him are true. The more fanciful they seem, the more true they probably are. I worked with him for eight years and I was very fortunate to have done that. It was an honour."

The Pearce era is still in its infancy, of course. But just a few months into his tenure and the mood is already very different. This is a club united in the aim of achieving one goal.

"I believe that every club has to be led from the top down, everyone has to be included. We are getting towards that. I want supporters to be proud of this club and proud of how it is run, whether that is at board level, how I manage it or the players and how they conduct themselves," said Pearce.

"The only way you do that is to involve everyone. That is probably a lesson I learned from Brian.

"You have to be proud of the club, but the most important thing are the fans.

"It is a good thing that Fawaz (Al Hasawi) understands it. He has an affinity with the fans, he is very close to the fans, he cares about them and he cares about what they think. That has to be a good thing."

"If you have somebody who is in charge of the club, whether it is a chairman or manager, and the fans are left to feel disaffected and not cared about, it is a dangerous place to be.

"At this club we are fortunate that we have people at all levels – and I include the new chief executive in that – who actually care about the people who come and support us week in, week out."

There is also a touch of the Clough self-belief in Pearce, when asked how he feels about being top of the Championship table and all the pressure and expectation that brings.

"The longer we stay top of the table, the better for me. I am never going to belittle the importance of that. We are there on merit at the moment and you do become a target," he said. "But this club, myself and the players should not shy away from that, we should be proud of it. Will aspire to achieve that again on Saturday."

Clough will forever remain in the hearts of every Forest player and fan who were fortunate enough to have him touch their life. And, in Pearce, Forest possess a man who, quite literally, embraces that.

It's ten years since Brian Clough passed, so we've taken a look back through the archives and found the best examples of the former Forest manager's legendary attitude and wit.

"You're treating us as though we're in a classroom and you're the school teacher standing up there."

Clough takes John Motson to task over too much football being shown on television.

"...I'll become the most loveable character that you've ever met in your blinking life."

Martin O'Neill, Geoffrey Boycott and Nigel Clough all give their views on the former Reds manager.

"When I was a player, I was one them, I was a working man..."

Cloughie talks to Ron Atkinson about modern football and Posh and Becks.

"I am sick of being bottom of that league!"

He gives Ray Stubbs an earful after a run of bad performances at the City Ground/

"44 days before I got the sack, they said I hoped I was there for life."

Cloughie talks to David Frost about his short spell at the helm of Leeds United.

"There's nowt certain in this life, not in football."

Clough on going for the England job and Ron Greenwood who did get the job.

THE people have spoken and the message is clear – Scotland wants to stay part of the UK.

With 55 per cent of the voters – over two million people – going for the Better Together campaign and leader of the SNP Alex Salmond handing in his resignation, the issue of Scottish independence has been put to bed, at least for now...

But before most had even seen the results on Friday morning, the debate was hotting up about what the vote would mean for England – namely the demand for power from cities and regions.

So what would devolution to local areas looks like, especially here? Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council, said it would give the city a chance to choose how to spend the money it raises, with local expertise knowing the best investments.

"We have taken over public health in Nottingham and not only have we maintained the outcomes, but we have better integrated services more efficiently," he said.

"National work programmes delivered locally have got between two and 10 per cent of those involved into long-term employment. But when we run similar schemes, our figures rise to between 40 and 50 per cent.

"Most of the money we raise goes to Westminster and they give it back to us in penny packets. If it is good enough for Scotland and Wales to be able to make their decisions, then it is good enough for us."

Nottingham is part of the Core Cities group – nine cities outside of London that campaign to promote growth and prosperity in their areas – which backs the calls for further devolution in England, especially when it comes to tax revenues. A statement from the organisation said that the 'no' vote for independence was a 'yes' vote for devolution, adding: "Voters want more powers back in local hands."

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council and chairman of the Core Cities Cabinet, said: ''Cities drive growth and jobs for their nations, not the other way around. To do so they need more freedom, for example to decide how more of the taxes raised locally are spent locally."

He claimed the nine core cities delivered 27 per cent of the English and Scottish economies combined and that by 2030, the eight English core cities alone could put 1.16 million jobs and £222 billion more into the economy.

Sir Richard said: "The radical, positive alternative to breaking up the UK should be UK-wide devolution that gets power as close as possible to people.''

But councils, such as Rushcliffe and Broxtowe, fear what more power in the city will mean and want a more regional approach.

Milan Radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "It would be ridiculous to just devolve power to cities. It would simply concentrate economic powerhouses that swallow up the areas around them.

"A democratically elected regional parliament for the East Midlands would leave Westminster to focus on national issues like the NHS or national security, and let local people deal with the issues that affect them – such as transport, housing and economic growth.

"Doing it this way will give opportunity for us to say 'now your vote really counts' to the public."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has backed local MPs from all parties calling for more influence at home.

The views of the political elite do not seem to echo those of Nottingham residents.

In a poll of 1,013 people by the Post before the referendum, just one in five said they would be in favour of devolution of powers to Nottingham, with one in seven saying they would like to see it come to the East Midlands.

So whether or not the city or the region gets more powers, they may need to ask if it is what the local people want first.

With all the excitement following the announcement that there is a new Royal Baby on the way, we have found this footage of the Royal Family in Nottingham.

The video shows Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at Nottingham's train station on June 13 2012.

The trio visited Nottingham as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Were you at the train station welcoming the Royals to the city in 2012? Tweet us and let us know.

The world of Jane and Andrew Icke fell apart the day they were told their daughter had cancer, but young Alice has made incredible progress. LYNETTE PINCHESS hears their story

YOUNG Alice Icke looks the perfect princess in her Cinderella dress for World Book Day.

But just hours later, on that day in March, normal family life fell apart when her parents Jane and Andrew were given the devastating news their little girl had cancer.

It's a word no parent wants to hear but it seemed even more incomprehensible because four-year-old Alice appeared so well.

The only clue was a bit of a pot belly, which had prompted the visit to the doctor who referred them straight to the Queen's Medical Centre that afternoon.

Jane, who had begun a new job just the day before and ended up taking four months off, says: "We went straight to the assessment centre at Queen's and were sat there quite a while and in my mind I'm thinking a hernia, a kidney infection that's caused it to swell, and at the very worst I thought she might be facing some kind of surgery.

"Other than her tummy she seemed perfectly fine. She had a cough but it was that time of year for viruses and her appetite had dropped off, but she's a fussy eater," says Jane, who is sharing her story to highlight September being CLIC Sargent's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

At 10pm the consultant told the couple to prepare themselves for the strong chance it could be cancer.

"At this point they'd examined her tummy and said there was a very slim chance it could be a cyst, but with the size and how it felt it was very likely to be kidney cancer.

"You hear that and your mind immediately goes to the worst-case scenario and your whole world falls apart," says Jane, who works for a public relations company in the city centre and lives in Ilkeston.

"Until it does happen to you, you don't think about it. As a parent it's the last thing you think you'll ever have to deal with."

A week of tests including an MRI and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

Kidney cancer in children is rare but Alice had a 10cm Wilms' tumour, the most common type in youngsters her age.

Jane says: "You kind of fall apart at the beginning and think of all the possibilities you don't want to think of and then once you get your head around it the best you can you go 'OK, what do we need to do to get her through it'.

"For me one of the most difficult things was she seemed so well without any severe symptoms and yet I was going to be putting her through all this horrible treatment. I remember saying several times 'but she seems alright'... it's that disbelief really."

Explaining what was happening to a four-year-old was difficult and at first the word "cancer" was avoided.

"We were telling her we were doing all this to make her better – that there was this lump in her tummy that was making her poorly.

"She was feeling OK and she wanted to go home. We had to keep reassuring her it was for the best and she needed to be here and they'd make her better," says Jane, who also has a seven-year-old son Joshua.

"We had a lovely Macmillan nurse who helped to explain things to her and we had books we could read to her and Joshua about cancer.

"We didn't use the word cancer initially – that's a difficult one – but after speaking with our Macmillan nurse we decided we would have to because you're hearing it all the time – If I'm talking to a doctor and she's there, or Andrew and I are talking about it. So we've used the word with her and Joshua and tried to explain it."

It was very much a case of taking it one day at time for the first month or two. Normal family life was put on hold and Jane likens it to being in a bubble which revolved around hospital.

The first course of treatment was six weeks of chemotherapy which made Alice's shiny blonde hair fall out in clumps.

"It was really upsetting because we were in hospital anyway and she wasn't very well, but that made it all the worse," says Jane.

"But at the time she was a bit oblivious to it. I had told her it might happen and we'd been on the ward with other children who didn't have hair, so I could say 'look, there's so and so and she's still beautiful and hasn't got any hair.'"

Chemotherapy shrunk the tumour by 90 per cent before surgery to remove it in May.

The five-hour operation, in which Alice's kidney was removed, was complicated since the tumour had spread into the vein which feeds the heart.

But just three days later Alice was able to go home after a miraculous bounce-back.

Jane recalls: "She came out of theatre groggy on morphine, the following day was pretty immobile and sleepy, the next day they took her off the morphine and she was like a different child, she just perked up that afternoon.

"It was amazing and the surgeon came and saw her and said she's running around the ward and having paracetemol for pain relief so if we were happy we could take her home.

"We were just amazed by her really and I think the doctors were a little bit too because she just bounced back so quickly."

Radiotherapy came next to eradicate any remaining cancer cells and she is having more chemotherapy until the end of November, when her parents are hoping she will be given the all-clear.

"She does have days when she's tired but she's got this amazing little spirit – she's a feisty madam who knows her own mind, but I think that kind of spirit has helped and we've tried to stay positive," Jane says.

Alice's hair is growing back and earlier this month she started at Charlotte Nursery and Infant School in Ilkeston.

Jane has nothing but praise for everyone who has played a part: the paediatric oncology staff, Macmillan, CLIC Sargent, the school and all their family and friends who have got them through the last seven months.

"There are so many children in much worse situations that your perception of it all changes. If in that first week someone had said to me at this point you'd be saying you're lucky, I'd be like, 'don't be stupid'."

There are long-term worries about the side-effects of treatment, but they're being parked for now as the family focus on the here and now.

"She's doing really well. She's a real exuberant, outgoing little girl, who's really full of life and, hopefully come the end of this treatment, it will only get better," says Jane.

"She has taken it in her stride...as much as a four-year-old can."

Follow all the latest football action from our teams in our live blog from 2pm.

Table-topping Forest take on Millwall at the New Den, while Notts County will recreate the Great Escape against Oldham at Meadow Lane. Meanwhile, Stags will take on Carlisle.

AWARD-WINNING actress Vicky McClure walked side by side with 1,000 people whose lives have been touched by dementia.

The Nottingham-born star -who appeared in This is England and Broadchurch among other projects, spoke to entrants before the walk and took on the 2km challenge herself.

The Notts County fan also cut the ribbon to start the event- which is organised by the Alzheimer's Society - with her nephew Kai who was celebrating his 7th birthday.

Biggest turn out yet!! Huge congrats to all that did the #MemoryWalk See you all next year!! @alzheimerssoc xxx pic.twitter.com/uV2gk2ZzPh

— Vicky McClure (@Vicky_McClure) September 20, 2014

Speaking to The Post before the race Miss McClure said: "Personally, I started working with the Alzheimer's Society about four years ago, but since then my Nanna has been diagnosed as well.

"It's so hard to deal with and so important. Events like this show that awareness is growing."

She added: "It's an incredibly complicated condition and something we need to tackle.

"We need to keep raising awareness and we can make a difference - we know events like this work. People become more educated and share stories, it's vital."

Meeting at Wollaton Park, people of all ages and from all walks of life raised around £40,000 to help tackle a health problem which is growing all the time.

The Memory Walk saw people sharing stories, learning about the condition, raising awareness and joining together to send a message that dementia can be beaten.

Sisters Tracy Preston and Susan Preston-Brown who are from Ilkeston took on the 10km walk together in memory of their father who died in April after suffering with dementia.

Tracy, 44, said: "It's a very difficult thing to cope with.

"It's very heartening to see so many people here.

"All the fundraising seems to centre cancer but most people's lives are touched by dementia - I would like to see more events like this to raise awareness for such a terrible condition."

Susan Preston-Brown, 52, said: "My dad was so fit and well, you would never think that something like this could happen to him. He walked every day, he even swam. People to know this can happen to anyone and it's affecting younger people too."

Jody Willows, 30, raised £200 for the cause after his partner's grandad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The Mansfield man said: "It's great to see so many people here - it is a condition that affects everyone.

"It's quite incredible really. So many people want to support the charity."

The event saw hundreds of people sporting messages to and pictures of loved ones affected by the disease.

NOTTINGHAM Forest maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign – and their position at the top of the table - but they will have been happy to leave the New Den with a point, following a closely contested 0-0 draw.

Stuart Pearce's side did not find their attacking threat until the final stages, when Britt Assombalonga and Michail Antonio both had chances to snatch all three points. But a draw was a fair result, on an afternoon when Forest again had to show their character in London.

Forest will have wanted to mark the tenth anniversary of Brian Clough's death with a win but, in truth, even the legendary former manager would probably have been happy with a point, following a game in which Millwall provided determined opposition.

Forest made two changes with the more experienced David Vaughan replacing Ben Osborn in midfield and Kelvin Wilson drafted into the centre of defence in place of Danny Fox.

There remained a sense of familiarity from the kick off, however, as it was Michail Antonio who made the early running for Forest.

The former Sheffield Wednesday man rampaged down the left within the first minute, causing havoc with his pace, before seeing his driven cross cleared, in desperate fashion, by Mark Beevers.

The winger then threatened on his own, when he cut in from the left side and hit a right foot shot that fizzed into the side netting. There were less than seven minutes on the clock when Millwall were forced into making a change, with right back Carlos Edwards injuring himself badly, while halting the momentum of Antonio as he charged down the left again.

The Lions defender had to be carried off the pitch, before being replaced by Ed Upson off the bench.

Forest continued to look dangerous down the flanks, but without carving out a chance of note, asides from a handful of corners. But, when Vaughan delivered one of those from the Forest right, Antonio did stab a shot, at full stretch, wide of the post.

The visitors might have taken the lead when Assombalonga won a free kick from Alan Dunne, on the left edge of the penalty area. Lansbury whipped a cross into the centre, picking out the former Peterborough striker – but he sent a close range header right at the keeper.

The 21-year-old has not missed many opportunities so far this season, but his blushes were also saved by the fact that the assistant referee had his flag raised and his effort might not have counted anyway.

Antonio, yet again, proved to be Forest's main attacking threat, with the winger close to scoring in unorthodox fashion, as he hammered in a cross from the left which keeper David Forde flapped at – and will have been relieved to see fly just wide of goal at the far post.

Forest had to make a change of their own in the final minute of the first half, with Hunt picking up an injury while making an important clearance and Fox coming on to replace him. It meant a reshuffle in the Forest back four, with Lichaj moving across to right back and Fox taking his place on the left.

Fox's first contribution to the game was to make an absolutely thumping challenge on Jimmy Abdou as he looked to advance down the Millwall right.

The second half began with a flurry of bookings, firstly with Lansbury cautioned for catching Upson in the face in an aerial challenge. The home fans were baying for a red card, but there seemed to be little intent from the Forest man.

Beevers was next in the book, as he caught Burke with a late, lunging tackle on the Forest right, while Mancienne was net, after he had pulled back McDonald, as he looked to make progress down the flank.

All of which combined to stoke up the atmosphere at the New Den, with the 1,676 travelling fans making their share of noise, from behind the goal Forest were attacking in the second half.

Martyn Woolford might have broken the deadlock when the ball bounced to him eight yards from goal, but his low, crisp shot fizzed just the wrong side of the post.

Striker Mathias Ranegie also came close to putting the Lions ahead, when he reacted quickly to prod a shot towards goal from close range, but Darlow's reactions were even quicker, as he flicked the ball away with his legs.

With Magaye Gueye and Ricardo Fuller introduced in the space of two minutes, as the final 20 minutes of the game approached, Millwall had made all three of their substitutes.

Forest, who had possessed little attacking threat in the second half, attempted to address that by bringing on Jamie Paterson for Tesche, with 15 minutes to go.

When Burke delivered a cross from the right Antonio was quick to attack it at the far post, but the winger could not keep his header down and was clearly frustrated after seeing the ball fly over.

It was a rare opportunity for Forest, who were starting to look as though they would be happy to hold out for a point, following an improved second half display from the home side.

But suddenly it was the visitors who found their spark, with Burke leading a quick break. His deep cross found its way through to Paterson at the far post and when he, in turn, lifted a cross back into the box, Forde made hard work of dealing with a header from Assombalonga.

When Burke and Paterson combined down the right, it carved out a great chance for Assombalonga, but he got his feet tangled at the vital moment and his shot was wild.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Williams, Easter (Gueye 67), Woolford, Beevers, Ranegie (Fuller 65), Abdou, McDonald, Malone, Edwards (Upson 7). Subs: King, Webster, Onyedinma, Chaplow.

Forest: Darlow, Hunt (Fox 45), Mancienne, Wilson, Lichaj, Vaughan, Tesche (Paterson 75), Burke, Lansbury, Antonio, Assombalonga. Subs: de Vries, Harding, Veldwijk, Lascelles, Osborn.

Referee: Graham Scott

Attendance: 12,038 (1,676 away)

MANSFIELD Town survived a second half fightback from Carlisle United to record back-to-back home wins as they came out on top, 3-2.

Lee Beevers had got the Stags off to a great start early on, before a Rakish Bingham brace made it 3-0 at the break.

However, the Cumbrians hit back in the second half and reduced the deficit through David Amoo and Kyle Dempsey.

It made for a nerve-wracking finale, but the home side managed to cling on to claim maximum points.

Manager Paul Cox named an unchanged starting XI following Tuesday's 1-0 win over Morecambe, with Fergus Bell having shaken off a shoulder injury.

That meant a place on the bench for new signing Reggie Lambe, whose international clearance came through 24 hours before the game.

In the opposition dugout was former Stags and Notts County boss Keith Curle, who was yesterday named Carlisle's new manager.

And the task facing Curle was laid bare inside the first five minutes.

Mansfield sounded an early warning signal when Bingham curled an effort straight at Mark Gillespie following good link-up play between Matt Rhead and Bell.

And with four minutes on the clock, it was 1-0 when Beevers headed home.

Liam Marsden's long throw had caused no end of problems for the visitors in the box, and when the ball came back out to the defender, he swung it back in, with Beevers getting the finishing touch.

Carlisle tried to dig out a response and enjoyed a spell of possession, without really troubling Dimitar Evtimov in the Stags goal.

Stephen Elliott sent the ball just wide at the near post from Patrick Brough's cross, and Brad Potts fired over from range.

Martin Riley then intervened to thwart Antony Sweeney, who had driven goalwards after Elliott had glanced on Brough's header.

Mansfield however, soon got back into the swing of things.

A fine burst forward from Murray, following Rhead's pass, ultimately came to a dead end, but on 37 minutes it was 2-0.

Marsden's cross to the back post found an unmarked Bingham, and he finished with aplomb, lashing the ball beyond Gillespie.

The goal came shortly after Bingham had pounced on Hayden White's slip, crossing to Rhead, who couldn't capitalise.

But there was a third goal before the half was out - Beevers the architect as he ran half the length of the pitch before feeding Bingham.

The Stags striker once again kept his cool, finding the bottom corner from just outside the area with 42 minutes gone.

The visitors though, made a better start to the second half and pulled one back just past the hour mark when David Amoo made the most of Billy Paynter's miss-hit effort.

Suddenly, United had their tails up, and they went in search of more.

A couple of corners applied the pressure, with Elliott latching on to one and drawing a save from Evtimov.

Amoo then missed a great chance to make it 3-2 when he headed Elliott's cross inches past the post.

But, with less than 20 minutes to go, the Cumbrians set up a grandstand finale as Dempsey curled a delightful strike into the net.

Mansfield tried to avoid a nervy last ten minutes by looking to sew the game up.

White was forced to clear Marsden's cross from underneath his own crossbar, with Rhead heading the subsequent corner wide.

Carlisle threw everything at their hosts in an attempt to snatch an equaliser, but Mansfield dug in and held on for the win.

MANSFIELD: Evtimov, Sutton, Riley, Tafazolli, Marsden, Murray, Clements (McGuire 49), Bell (Lambe 74), Beevers, Rhead, Bingham (Fisher 84). Subs not used: Studer, Palmer, Heslop, Taylor.

CARLISLE: Gillespie, White, Brough, Archibald-Henville, Grainger, Dicker, Potts (Amoo 45), Sweeney (Beck 45), Dempsey, Elliott (Kearns 83), Paynter. Subs not used:Hanford,Marrow, Symington, Marriott.

ATTENDANCE: 3,117 (313 away).

Die-hard Panthers fan Mark Gozzard was a "bag of nerves" before popping the question to his sweetheart of five months in front of 6,000 raucous hockey fans – the biggest crowd of the season so far.

But it was a winning result as surprised Stacey Dyson, 23, didn't need extra time to say "yes" – in a proposal that would melt the crowds' hearts and perhaps even the ice.

The new bride-to-be had no idea what her 31-year-old fiancé had been plotting when they bought tickets for the hotly anticipated clash between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers on Saturday September 20.

Stacey, who shares a home with Mark in Oak Avenue, Mansfield, said: "I was absolutely gobsmacked – I must have gone bright red.

"The ring is exactly what I would have chosen and this is something I will remember for the rest of my life."

The King's Mill health care worker first met Mark six years ago when he came into the pub she was working in.

She said: "We have known each other for years, we were friends and out of that love blossomed."

Stacey and Mark, who are both self-confessed "big Panthers fans" had been sitting rink-side when the lights at the Capital FM Arena dimmed and the screens showed that an announcement was about to be made.

Little did Stacey know that the next words would be "Stacey in block 15, will you marry me?"

Still shaking Mark told the Post: "I didn't really watch any of the first period I was just so nervous, I was watching the clock.

"I feel amazing but I am still shaking I am so relieved she said yes.

"We are both big Panthers fans and I just wanted to do something special, that we would always remember."

Mark had managed to keep the proposal a secret from his friends and family by "not telling a soul".

He said: "I've been planning the surprise for nearly four months, the only way I could keep it a secret was by not telling anybody."

The pair said they would start life as an engaged couple by staying at the arena for the rest of the match – which Mark would now be able to enjoy.

Panthers' general manager Gary Moran said it was quite rare for couples to get engaged at a hockey game.

"The challenge has now been laid down.

"Nottingham play Sheffield on February 14, Valentines' Day, and hopefully it will be like a Moonie wedding, the biggest mass proposal in the history of ice hockey, we want people to get in touch."

He added: "We wish Mark and Stacey all the best and it is great that the chose to share their moment with us in front of the biggest crowds of the year."

THE season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is always one of the most enjoyable in Notts – with a host of world-class events and some unbeatable venues to explore in the maturing autumn sunshine.

Indeed, it's often the time of year when the countryside is at its most spectacular and the weather at its best (as the mainly mild conditions this week demonstrate). So be sure to get out there and make the most of it.

And remember, there's no need to spend a fortune on expensive theme parks and visitor attractions.

As Erin Huckle, from tourism body Experience Nottinghamshire, observes, sometimes the very best family days out are spent simply having a stroll around the gorgeous (and mostly free) parks and recreational spaces all over the county.

"Autumn is the ideal time to explore the best of Nottinghamshire's outdoor spaces, as the colours change and the air gets a crispness about it," she advises. "Get your family together or rally a group of friends and take a walk around one of our local country parks or nature reserves."

Erin's favourite venues include lovely Attenborough Nature Reserve and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest.

She adds: "For an impressive autumnal display, you can't beat the lime tree avenue in Clumber Park as the leaves turn, and another favourite is Highfields Park at the University of Nottingham – perfect for a lakeside stroll followed by the very best scones at the cafe.

"Newstead Abbey is also very special at this time of year, with so many gardens to explore and plenty of places to stop and contemplate the changing seasons."

But if just strolling around is not quite your bag, there are loads of other events to look forward to this autumn – from adrenalin-fuelled fun fairs and sporting highlights to enlightening exhibitions and, well, beer.

Here's a round-up of the fun stuff to look forward to over the next few weeks, as picked by Experience Nottinghamshire:

DH Lawrence Festival, DH Lawrence Heritage, Eastwood, until September 25

The annual festival celebrating the life and works of one of the county's favourite writers continues. Includes the exhibition, Lawrence's War, marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, looking at how the conflict affected Lawrence, his life and his work.

www.dhlawrenceheritage.org.

Fields of Battle Street Exhibition, Old Market Square and nine other venues, until November 12

Opening just this week, this free street exhibition depicts the key battlefields of the Great War, with Nottingham the first city outside London to host the show before it tours the UK over the next five years. It comprises 66 large scale photographic panels depicting the battlefields and showing how nature has helped heal the land over the last 100 years. With a huge walk-on map of the world showing key locations and an education unit.

www.fieldsofbattle1418.org.

Lantern-Lit Evening Garden, Pure Land Meditation Centre and Japanese Garden, North Clifton, near Newark, Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of September

Each year, Pure Land follows the ancient Japanese tradition of lantern-lit evening displays, originally a common sight in Buddhist temples. A relaxing and unusual seasonal experience for all the family. Adults £7, kids £5.

www.buddhamaitreya.co.uk.

On the Home Front 1939-45, Rufford Abbey Country Park, September 27 and 28, 11am-4.30pm

Annual extravaganza set in the beautiful grounds of historic Rufford Abbey, where the sights, sounds, emotions, glamour and humour of wartime Britain are all brought vividly to life. With plenty for all the family to enjoy - from 1940s music shows and swing dancing to wartime cooking, military drill demonstrations, harvesting by the Land Army girls and heavy horses. There will also be a host of period vehicles, junior boot camp and a hilarious 40s puppet show. Car parking £5 all day.

www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/ruffordcp

Ikano Robin Hood Marathon & Half Marathon, Victoria Embankment, September 28

Robin Hood and his merry men will be lining up once again to race Nottingham's popular annual marathon event. It is one of the biggest in the country, with more than 8,000 people competing last year. There will also be a mini marathon and schools challenge over a 1.5-mile route along the River Trent. Whether you want to take part or just cheer on the participants, it's a guaranteed great day out.

www.robinhoodhalfmarathon.co.uk

Goose Fair, Forest Recreation Ground, October 1-5

The greatest fun fair on the planet returns to Nottingham for more thrills, spills and mushy peas galore – with some 500 attractions and thousands of visitors from all over the country expected. Miss it at your peril.

www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/goosefair

Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival 2014, Nottingham Castle, October 8-11

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Nottingham Castle, thousands of people flock to this event every year to taste some of the 1,000 cask ales and 300 ciders and perries on offer. Chat to artisan brewers and see why Notts is known as the real ale capital of the world, or enjoy a spot of street food from one of the many stalls. Tickets from £10.

www.beerfestival.nottinghamcamra.org

Nottingham Festival of Words, various venues in Nottingham, October 13-19

A celebration of words for readers, writers and everyone in between, promising a feast of creativity and diversity. Highlights include events with Ali Smith and Will Self and a crime-writing evening at the Galleries of Justice Museum. Taking place in cultural venues across the city, the festival will culminate in a celebration of words centred around Nottingham's Old Market Square on Sunday, October 19.

www.nottwords.org.uk

Robin Hood Game and Country Show, Newark Showground, October 18 and 19

From falconry to archery, jousting to fishing and all things in between, the huge Robin Hood Game and Country Show spans the entire Newark Showground and offers a fantastic celebration of country life and gaming. Pose for a photograph with Robin Hood, Maid Marian and the Merry Men, and make sure you sample the delicious foods available at the Festival of Food & Drink. Adults £10, kids £5.

www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk

Bramley Apple Festival, Southwell, October 25

Celebrate the UK's favourite cooking apple in its hometown of Southwell. Whether you're a serious foodie, or just after a fun day out, there'll be something for all the family.

www.visitsouthwell.com

GameCity 9, Nottingham city centre, October 25 – November 1

Europe's biggest and best loved cultural video games festival is back for a ninth year, with a mission to get Nottingham having fun. Enjoy eight days of totally free activities for all ages, including workshops, arcades, talks, games – and several surprises in store. Don't forget, on Saturday, November 1, the Sheriff of Nottingham will challenge the people of the city to face the centuries-old challenge, the Sheriff''s Gauntlet.

www.gamecity.org.

Robin Hood Pageant 2014, Nottingham Castle, October 25 and 26

The popular pageant returns to Nottingham Castle this autumn, with thousands expected to come and celebrate the world's most famous outlaw.

The castle grounds will be transformed into a medieval village with jousting, archery and medieval sports. You might spot Robin fighting the Sheriff's men or romancing Maid Marian, while kids can try their hands at medieval crafts, watch falconry and practice wood carving. With lots of other fun stuff planned throughout the weekend. Adults £8, kids £6, family £20.

www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/pageant.

THERE is more to comfrey than a wacky cup of tea. In a hidden corner of The Meadows, they cannot get enough of the herb. As well as offering a medicinal brew, plants from the symphytum genus, when put back into the ground, make a knockout garden fertiliser.

What Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens does with comfrey has helped the venture secure the highest prize a British good cause can win: the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

It's an accolade that acknowledges a grass-roots attempt to put ordinary city-dwellers back in touch with good nutrition, and to show the next generation that there is a better alternative to junk food.

But there is no finger-wagging from project leader Rachael Hemmings and the passionate team of assistants and volunteers down a lane not far from the Bridgeway Centre.

It is a place not for the dogma of nutrition politics, but for discovery, sharing ideas and offering residents good food at the right price.

The shouting and laughter beyond the pond and bee hives, from the playground of Greenfields Community School, is a reminder of AMCG's function

"It remains a community garden with the emphasis on the community itself," says Rachael.

"It's about educating the kids of the neighbourhood on the origins of good food as well as the gardening itself.

"And at the same time it's an open project. People can come in, bring their kids and ask questions. The art on the walls is done by local people."

Established in 2001, and developed on a recreation ground coveted only by fly-tippers, AMCG has progressed to the point where last year's Britain in Bloom judges described it as "perhaps the best example in the whole of Britain."

The Queen's Award, presented recently by the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, will have further raised its profile.

The area's 1970s redevelopment was not conducted with visitors in mind so they may need to ask a local for directions to the site. Once there, they will be astonished both by the industry and the range of produce.

The former is represented by people like Rachael and her assistants Jo Gradwell, Katey Wright and founder-member Albert "Jimmy" Pitter, and by volunteer gardeners such as Wendy Martin.

For Jamaica-born Jimmy, growing his food has long been a way of life. "I didn't know what eating out of a fridge or freezer was about until I came over here," said the retired Nottingham bus driver.

On the day of our visit, Wendy was not gardening. She was there as a shopper, paying for a couple of cobs of corn and some pak choi.

Wendy, also a volunteer at other gardening projects, said: "I started when I lost my garden when we came to live in the city. I get a lot out of it."

A tour led by Rachael takes us past clumps of aubergines, tomatoes, cucumbers and several types of peppers – with big African-Caribbean and Asian populations, demand is high.

Passing apricot and fig trees, we enter the main circular garden area and find quadrants of rotated crops, all encouraged by lashings of home-grown comfrey compost.

Beloved of organic horticulturalists, deep-rooted comfrey draws a high NPK ratio into its leaves, meaning they have plenty of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Pak choi, spinach, kale and a second crop of beetroot were all flourishing. Meanwhile the trees were yielding goodies such as the Kentish cobnut, a softer and sweeter cousin of the hazel nut – and even the medlar.

The medlar fruit is best "bletted" – allowed to brown and rot – before being eaten as an accompaniment to hard cheese or turned into jelly, or even the medlar cheese that has been created with AMCG fruit; like lemon curd, you combine the fruit pulp with butter and eggs.

Prices have to be competitive for local food shoppers in an area with a lower-than-average household income. According to Rachael, a recent comparison of pak choi prices gave AMCG the advantage over a supermarket.

It's not just local cooks who are buying. Clients include Hopkinson's Gallery and Michelin two-star chef Sat Bains, who buys edible vegetable flowers.

The gardens are supported by the Big Lottery Fund until 2016 but the eye is always on long-term revenue. As well as selling produce, letting parts of the eco-building offers income and a successful application to the Lloyds Bank Community Fund will help.

Rachael is convinced the gardens have made their case for enduring support.

"The people of The Meadows are becoming quite well educated about organic, low-cost food and its origins" she says. "That is one of the outcomes we have always wanted – they need to know about growing as well as eating."

For more information, including details of special events and how to volunteer, visit www.amcgardens.co.uk

Fire crews were called to Rufford Road, in Edwinstowe, in the early hours of the morning after a car collided with a wall.

The incident, which happened at around 1.15am on Sunday September 21, left two people trapped in the vehicle, while a third person managed to free themselves from the car.

Fire fighters from Mansfield and Edwinstowe stations along with a special service crew from Tuxford managed to rescue the two trapped people - and all three people involved in the incident were rushed to hospital by an ambulance to receive medical attention.

The car was made safe and the crews left the scene at around 2.10am.

Revellers in Newark were being breathalysed last night in a police bid to clamp down on alcohol related violent crime.

Beathalysers were on the doors of pubs and clubs on Saturday September 20 as the force urged party-goers: "don't drink so much that you're not in control."

The initiative is part of the Ending Alcohol Harm campaign which was set up to end the damage caused by excessive drinking as well as looking at the health, financial, social and criminal implications of doing so and offering people a place to get help.

The campaign is coordinated by the Nottingham Crime and Drug Partnership and builds on the force's Alliance Against Violence campaign which was launched last October.

Work to date has involved representatives from Nottingham's universities, the police and licensing department, My Nottingham, Community Protection and alcohol service providers..

Driven by Nottingham's status as a Local Alcohol Action Area, a section of the work will be delivered in partnership with Drinkaware, the national alcohol charity.

AS the cliché goes, a week is a long time in football. This time seven days ago we were all preparing for a lunch date with our nearest and dearest, a date with destiny against our most bitter of rivals, Derby County. Fast forward a week and Nottingham Forest have come through the last seven days unbeaten, with a win and two draws while remaining firmly perched at the top of the Championship table.

A five point return from a possible nine, when two games were at home, some would look down on that as a disappointing points haul. But not me, Derby is always an unpredictable fixture at the best of times, especially when the heart of your midfield is ripped out before half-time.

The Fulham result, while not entirely surprising in the sense that Forest put five past a team whose defending wouldn't look out of place at Trent Embankment on a Sunday morning, was hard work. While the Reds managed to go to a notoriously difficult place, on the banks of the Thames this weekend and eke out a battling point.

Earning promotion is never a bed of roses and things never go well 100% of the time, but so far this season, Stuart Pearce's squad haven't wilted. At times his players have come under a barrage of pressure, non-more so than at Hillsborough three weeks ago, but they survived and so they did at the Den (after 20 years, surely the 'New' can be removed from the title now) yesterday. Those teams that earn promotion have an ingrained ability to turn certain defeats into points and winnable draws into wins. Forest right now are doing that, and much more.

I get the sense that under a previous regime, instead of bringing on Jamie Paterson with minutes left, it would have been a Dan Harding, Greg Halford or a Danny Collins to try and preserve the point. Invariably that would have ended up in defeat – a reward for being negative. But Pearce is far from that, he's a positive man and a positive manager. I should add that I mean no disrespect to the aforementioned players; they were merely used to highlight a point in the differing approaches and subsequent outcomes.

Genuine promotion contenders learn to play all types of games, turn it on when possible and stand firm, backs firmly entrenched against the wall when needs must. Pearce has his squad set up to perform both. At no point when under sustained enemy bombardment at Hillsborough or The Den, did you ever think Forest would relinquish their points. Even back on Wednesday evening when Fulham took a deserved 3-2 lead, did you honestly feel Forest were out of the game, and so it proved with that stunning fight back. As Brian Clough once said, you walk across that white line with a point, at the very least, make sure you return with it afterwards.

It is hard to get used to, Forest historically have had an extremely soft under belly. When the chips were down, they'd very often wilt under pressure. They would fill you with hope, and then kill you with the reality. We may only be a handful of games into the Championship season, but even now, this Nottingham Forest seems somewhat different.

Some would say it was only fitting, on a day the nation, but especially Nottingham Forest remembered the tenth anniversary of Brian Clough's death that his club should produce a stubborn and gritty away performance that he would have cherished. Returning to the dressing room with the point they left with just an hour and a half earlier. Music to the ears of Old Big 'Ead!

They're not talking about ice lollies.

Another nostalgic video and this time it showcases the first Nottingham Festival in 1970.

The video shows footage of the Old Market Square, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Castle, The Forest and Wollaton Park.

Do you remember Nottingham in the 70s? Did you attend the first Nottingham Festival? Tweet us and let us know.

STUART Pearce admits Nottingham Forest may not have deserved to beat Millwall – but he believes they did merit the battling point they emerged with at the New Den.

The Reds maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign and held on to top spot in the Championship table, following a ground out 0-0 draw in which neither side carved out a host of opportunities.

Forest might well have snatched all three points in the final stages, when they found their attacking threat to carve out opportunities for top scorer Britt Assombalonga and Michail Antonio.

But, by the final whistle, a draw was probably a fair result against a Millwall side who had made Forest work for everything.

"In the run of play, maybe we did not deserve to win it, but we did have a couple of chances to win it towards the end. It has been a real tough week," said Pearce. "It was a real scrap, we got blocks in, we won headers, we won second balls, Millwall put us under real pressure but we have real character, a real determination not to get beaten.

"If you do not come out and win the game, you have to make sure you do not get beaten and this was one of those performances.

"We probably needed to be a bit more clinical, when it came to keeping position in midfield and taking that extra pass. We got caught up in the environment of the Den, but when we look back at the week, with everything that was going on, I am pleased that we stayed undefeated.

"It was a good point. Maybe we should have put an extra pass in, in midfield, perhaps we could have increased the tempo of the game and sped things up, over the course of 90 minutes.

"But Kelvin Wilson was in his first game back, David Vaughan was coming back from his injury as well, I was pleased to be fair, overall."

The introduction of Jamie Paterson, in the 75^th minute, lifted Forest, who suddenly found themselves a threat down the right side, through the substitute and Chris Burke in particular.

"Burke and Pato were the two that sparked it for us, Pato did extremely well in a couple of situations and Burke got forward pretty well," said Pearce.

"I was disappointed that we did not play more football within the game. But there was a good defensive contribution, we did the dirty side of the game when it came to getting blocks in and such like.

"We were on the road and the fans got behind the home team a little bit and buoyed them up. I am pleased with the result.

"We do our homework on all the teams, I have played here as a player and you know what you are going to get here. But so did all the players.

"Millwall probably played as well in this game as they have in a number of weeks. I think it is one of those that, overall, is a reasonable result."