Monday, October 20 - Wildlife Talk: Golden Eagle Futures Golden Eagles are still persecuted by some landowners. Dr Alan Fielding, who advises the British and Irish governments on their protection, will talk about their lifestyles and need for protection at this meeting of the Beeston Wildlife Group. Adults £2, children £1, including refreshments. 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Trent Vale Infant School, Trent Road, Beeston Rylands. Contact: Bill Wheatley 0115 925 0208 or Nigel Slater 0115 916 6518 beestonwildlifegroup@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday, October 21 - Wildlife Talk: Fracking and the Local Environment The trust's Janice Bradley and a local trust member will provide the facts on fracking and potential concerns regarding the proposed extractions around Daneshill and Idle Reserves. 7.30pm in the Station Hotel, Carlton Road, Worksop. Contact: Sue McIlwaine 07790 098707 or Alvin Green 01909 476276

Saturday, October 25 - Beeston Wildlife Group Walk Join Beeston Wildlife Group for a guided walk around Attenborough Nature Reserve. 10am to 1pm. Meet at the car park. Contact: Bill Wheatley 0115 925 0208 or Nigel Slater 0115 916 6518 beestonwildlifegroup@hotmail.co.uk

Further details can be found at www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org

Check out specialist fruit nursery catalogues now to order your bare-root trees to plant during the dormant season.

Pick a mild, dry day to prepare the ground for your trees, digging over the area and incorporating plenty of organic matter before digging a good-sized individual hole to accommodate the roots without cramming them in.

Loosen the subsoil by breaking up the bottom of the hole, putting plenty of compost in the bottom and working it in.

Make sure you have low stakes and tree ties to insert which will support the tree when planted.

Tips for gardening in October: 

Finish picking main crop apples like Spartan and Sunset

Check greenhouse heating and insulate to save heat

Make sure bowls of bulbs being forced for indoor flowering do not dry out

Make your own leaf mould, bagging up fallen leaves into black polythene bags with a few holes in them for air

Protect tender plants by covering crowns with straw or wrapping horticultural fleece around them

Clean bird-feeders with a stiff brush and top them up during the cooler months

Continue mulching bare ground and beds with compost or other organic matter

Lift and divide perennials, including clumps of crocosmias, replanting them in soil with added organic matter

Lift and store dahlias in wooden trays in a cool, frost-free place

Pick the last of the runner beans

Bulwell: Dannaree Thompson, 31, of Latham Street, Bulwell, denied assaulting two people in Bilborough on August 20. She has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 16 at 10am.

West Bridgford: Andrew McCorkell, 33, of Richmond Road, West Bridgford, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta in Edward Road when he was caught on September 24. When tested by police, he had 77 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. McCorkell was fined £450 and ordered to pay a £45 victim surcharge and costs of £85. He was banned from driving for 17 months.

Nottingham: David Payne, 46, of Chapel Lane, Gaddesby, Leicester, was fined £270 for drink-driving. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he was caught in Canal Street, Nottingham, on September 23. He had 89 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. Payne was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £27 and costs of £85.

Radcliffe-on-Trent: Westley Marcham, 32, of Richmond Terrace, Radcliffe-on-Trent, will have a trial after being accused of drink-driving in a Fiat Doblo in Stratford Road, West Bridgford, on September 22. Marcham, who pleaded not guilty earlier this month, has been bailed to attend on January 29.

Mansfield: Dino Sousa De Abreu, 50, of Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to harassment. He attended the address of a woman three times, after being served with a verbal harassment warning from police. The offence happened between July 27 and September 6. Sousa De Abreu remains on bail to await sentencing on October 23 at 10.15am.

Beeston: Liam Moran, 26, of Bosley Square, denied using threatening behaviour in Beeston on September 23. He will have a trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 21 at 2pm.

BROXTOWE MP Anna Soubry has vowed to support the family of John McGrath as they continue their fight for answers following his death in 2009.

The MP met with the family this weekend to discuss the next step following the findings of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The report found a number of failings by Nottinghamshire Police in the lead up to Mr McGrath's death.

The Stapleford man was stabbed by his schizophrenic grandson William Barnard (pictured), who had been identified by police as a suspect in an attempted robbery two months earlier but was never arrested.

Mrs Soubry said: "I'm going to speak to Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, and ask him if he will look at what has happened with this family.

"I also want a meeting with Mike Penning (Minister of State for Policing). If William had been arrested when he should have been, the coroner found he would never have killed his grandfather."

An inquest into Mr McGrath's death was held in June and assistant coroner Heidi Connor concluded that if police and health professionals had acted sooner the death may have been avoided.

It was found that there had been a delay between April 16 and July 24, 2009, in assessing William under the Mental Health Act and that there was a delay by police in arresting him in May of the same year.

EAST Midlands Ambulance Service has apologised after an elderly woman suffering from dementia had to wait more than five hours for an ambulance.

The woman's GP had called paramedics at 3pm on Friday, asking them to arrive within four hours.

But a concerned neighbour in Clifton said they didn't arrive until about 8.30pm.

East Midlands Ambulance Service said it always responds to calls that require an ambulance response as quickly as possible, but when the service is under significant demand it may result in people who are not in a life-threatening or serious condition experiencing some delays.

Pete Ripley, associate director of operations at East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were contacted by the general practitioner just after 3pm on Friday, October 17. The condition of the patient at that time was reported to be not life-threatening or serious and the GP asked us to aim to get an ambulance to the patient within four hours.

"Emergency health services across Nottinghamshire were extremely busy on Friday October 17, and life-threatening and serious calls had to take priority.

"Unfortunately this meant we were not able to get to the patient sooner. We arrived at the property before 8.30pm and provided transport to the Queen's Medical Centre.

"We apologise that we were not able to get to the patient sooner on this occasion."

IF you have ever told a porky about what you did at the weekend, you're not alone – with more than a third of us admitting to telling a little white lie to our workmates.

The survey by Travelodge shows every Monday 36 per cent of workers in Nottingham will be economical with the truth when asked by colleagues: "How was your weekend?" This impulse – called 'weekendvy' – makes the city's grown-ups some of the biggest fibbers in the UK, where the national average is at just 33 per cent.

Suran Abdullan, 33, of Radford, said: "I have done it a few times. I say that I have been out for a meal or to a club but I haven't. I do it because everyone else has said how good their weekend was, and I kind of feel left out.''

He thinks everyone is at it. "I know my colleagues do it as well, but sometimes you know they are making things up or over-exaggerating," he said.

"It's their body language and the way they say things."

The survey found that 78 per cent of adults in Nottingham think friends and colleagues are having more fun than they are at the weekend. And 61 per cent wish they could have a better time.

Jack Wells, 22, of Newark, said he has exaggerated on the odd occasion. He said: "I once told people I ate more than I did at a big eat challenge. I said I had 70 to 80 ounces of steak, but it was really 48 ounces. I think people do it to make themselves more interesting, or have the cool factor."

Shakila Ahmed, a spokeswoman for Travelodge, said: "Our research has highlighted that it's high time we get up and go, and reclaim our weekend.

"Who hasn't sat down on a Sunday evening and wondered where the weekend went?

"With more of us working longer hours in the week, these two precious days, designed for rest and recuperation, have just become an extension of the working week.

"To cure 'Weekendvy', a few tweaks to your routine can make the difference between a dull or an action-packed weekend".

THE Met Office has issued a yellow warning of wind for Nottinghamshire as remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo hit the UK.

The hurricane – believed to be the strongest Atlantic storm since 2010 – has already battered Bermuda. It is expected to bring 50mph gusts and heavy downpours when it reaches land here.

The warning says people should be aware of potential disruption to travel and perhaps some damage to trees.

But the end of the week is looking brighter, with Wednesday and Thursday expected to be dry, with sunny intervals.

FOOD parcels are being handed out in more affluent parts of the city after a Nottingham food bank says it discovered many families were struggling to stay afloat.

Clifton NG11 food bank has expanded to help people in other parts of the postcode area, including West Bridgford, Gotham and Ruddington.

Volunteers say there are people in crisis all over county, no matter where they live.

Clifton food bank co-ordinator Wendy White said: "We've expanded because there was a real need for foodbanks in these areas.

"In West Bridgford for example, it's not all affluent. There's The Friary homeless shelter there, and we also work with them to provide food for the homeless.

"There are people all over who are on a low wage or have no income, who end up losing their benefits for whatever reason. They need our help, so we wanted to give it."

Since setting up two years ago, the food bank has handed out more than 2,000 food parcels.

Volunteers can see up to 10 people in just one day who are living on the breadline.

Mrs White added: "We've had people come to us with newborn babies and we've had others who have missed their appointment to sign on.

"You see all sorts of walks of life – even people who are employed but the money just goes straight out on rent and bills.

"It's difficult because people are proud and sometimes feel embarrassed – but we want them to know we're here to help.

Wayne Brown, office manager at Clifton NG11 food bank, added: "It was shocking when we first opened how much need there was for us in the area. It's not just unemployed people. It's amazing how many people who work are struggling to put food on the table."

The food bank is a partnership between Hope Church Nottingham and St Francis Church and opened in September 2012. Based at Hope Church in Farnborough Road, it is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 11.00am.

People in Clifton, Gotham, West Bridgford and Ruddington who are struggling can pick up vouchers for the food bank by referral from children's centres and advice centres.

People can also drop off food at Asda in West Bridgford or at the church in Clifton.

To volunteer call 0115 9144412 or email info@cliftonng11.foodbank.org.uk.

THERE is "one" hedge in Nottingham which has been leaving drivers and residents puzzled.

A reader of the Post called in to tell us that a bush near a busy junction in Wollaton had the word "one" shaved into its side.

But the topiary mystery on Cockington Road has been solved after keen gardener Elaine Moon came forward with her story.

"About four years ago, a family friend put ''one'' into the side of the hedge," said the catering assistant. "Since then we've just been keeping it up.

"They were just messing about and just wanted to try something different!"

The 54-year-old was amazed that the hedge had become an internet sensation, as confused drivers and residents took to social media to find out more.

But the picturesque gardening is just down to some family fun – and, of course, her house number. "Someone told me about it being online the other day," she said.

"Where it is there's a lot of traffic all times of the day, it's very busy, so someone must have clocked it!"

Mrs Moon is very pleased about the recognition. "It's very pretty," she added.

"You can see it much better when the sun comes down. I don't have anything else like it, it's a one-off." Mrs Moon's niece Gemma, who lives near her aunt in Wollaton, said it made the neighbourhood more charming.

The 30-year-old said: "I think it's an eye-catcher. No one does anything over the top with their hedges anymore.

"To see one with lettering in is a nice change and the lad who did it, Luke Martin, says he is going be the next Edward Scissorhands!"

Mrs Moon's next door neighbour is also a fan. Vera Raven, 82, added: "It's been down there for some years now – its a nice touch, it makes the place look nicer."

MORE than 2,000 bicycles have been stolen in Nottinghamshire in the past year – the equivalent of six each day.

The new figures from the Office of National Statistics show the number of bicycle thefts in the county has risen by 12 per cent, with 235 more bikes stolen this year than last.

One victim is Clifton mum Tammy Knight. The 36-year-old (pictured), who cycled every day to take her son to nursery, had her bike stolen from a shed in her back garden on Saturday.

Mrs Knight, of Farnborough Road, said: "I was upset as it was a Christmas present from a friend. It's not easy to get into my back garden and they would have had to climb over a locked gate.

"I also know somebody who had two expensive bikes taken recently," she added. "They had one stolen and bought another with the insurance money, and then they had that one stolen as well."

The ONS recorded 2,192 incidents over the past year – up 12 per cent on 2013.

But police say the increase is because more thefts are being detected.

Simon Torr, assistant chief constable at Nottinghamshire Police, said the use of new technology was key to the increase in the number of bike thefts recorded.

He added: "We have introduced capture bikes and we are working closely with our partners to get to the root of crime and ensure activity is targeted where and when it is needed."

But residents still fear it is a growing problem.

Fred Chesher, of Collingwood Road, Long Eaton, donated a stolen bike he had found to a victim of theft after police failed to find its owner.

The 77-year-old said: "That was the second bike I have picked up from across the road. I think these people are opportunistic rather than organised and dump the bikes anywhere."

TEENAGER Chloe Franks was devastated when her trusty mountain bike was pinched from outside her front door.

The 15-year-old, of Glenloch Drive in Clifton, had only left the green Raleigh bike for an hour – but that was all it took for a thief to take advantage.

She is just one of the victims of a crime which is hitting innocent people in the county, with 2,192 bikes stolen in the past year alone.

She is also proof that far from being a victimless crime, it is one which can affect anyone.

Her mum Carla said: "Chloe was upset and stunned when she found the bike had been stolen. She uses it all the time and rides it to school. It annoys me that people think they can take other people's property and it doesn't matter.

"The bike was about £100 so it's a lot of money to replace it."

In Clifton, 50 bikes were stolen between June last year and June this year.

Clifton North councillor Roger Steel is concerned some of the thefts could be targeted.

He said: "When you hear of expensive bikes being stolen it makes me suspicious that it's people who have been on the lookout for them.

"My thought is that they are being sold to order. It's hard when there are so many initiatives out there trying to encourage people to walk or cycle – these are being frustrated by this type of crime."

Other hotspots for thefts include the city centre, which had 300 bikes stolen in the 12-month period; Beeston, with 70 stolen; and Dunkirk and Lenton, with 126 taken.

Dunkirk and Lenton ward councillor Sarah Piper believes people leaving their bikes unsecured at the Queen's Medical Centre could be to blame.

She said: "A lot of people come into the QMC on a daily basis who may not be regular visitors, and they become a target for bike thieves. Police do struggle. There are also a lot of students in the area who have bikes, and the security around their houses isn't always that good."

There are schemes in Notts which crack down on thefts and urge owners to keep bikes secure. In Hucknall, where 45 bikes were stolen in the past year, free shed alarms and bike locks have been handed out to residents.

Councillor Chris Baron said: "Hucknall safer neighbourhood committees have been using grants to hand these items out to people. It's having a positive impact."

POLICE regularly send out advice to bike owners to help stop them becoming another crime statistic.

People should make sure bikes are secured by:

Locking them tight so that it is difficult to move it around when it is parked.

Locking both wheels and the frame to a cycle stand.

Making it impossible for a thief to smash the lock open by filling the 'D' part of the lock with as much of the bike as possible.

Removing items that can be taken without using tools, such as wheels, seat post and saddle. Property marking is another crime prevention technique and a deterrent to criminals. It is cost-effective and doesn't take long to carry out.

Always ensure you use a marking scheme that is approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers and use a visible marking product. You should also keep a record of the bike's frame number and make. You can register bike details at www.immobilise. com or www.bikeregister.com.

STUART Pearce has urged Henri Lansbury to rediscover his best form – and warned his place in the Nottingham Forest side is at risk if he does not stop picking up 'cheap' yellow cards.

The former Arsenal man will sit out the game at Watford tomorrow night after collecting his fifth booking of the campaign as the Reds lost their unbeaten record at Cardiff.

Lansbury was a star performer for Forest last season – prompting a £4m summer bid from Burnley and earning him a new contract at the City Ground, as the club looked to hold on to one of their prize assets.

But he has failed to match his own high standards so far this season and was substituted with half an hour to play in South Wales.

Lansbury was far from the only poor performer on a frustrating afternoon for the Reds but, while Pearce was reluctant to single him out for criticism, the manager has told the former England under-21 player that he needs to improve his discipline and his performance levels.

"Henri has picked up a lot of bookings in a short space of time and it is something he has to improve on, cheap bookings. And it is another player down for us on Tuesday night," said Pearce, who already has Andy Reid, Chris Cohen and Jack Hobbs unavailable through injury.

"Henri has always had it in him to give cheap bookings away, even going to my time working with him in the England under-21 squad. It is something he has to mature a little bit, in his game, to eradicate. Otherwise he will find himself sat at home and, if somebody else comes in and does well, he will find it difficult to get back in the team.

"Once again, it will give the opportunity for another player to come in and impress me at Watford.

"It is fair to say that Henri has not hit the levels of performance that we feel he is capable of. There is a frustration for Henri, not just for everyone else.

"He has done okay in fits and starts, but there is a level of consistency he needs to attain. We think he is a better footballer, in fact we know he is a better footballer than the performances are showing.

"That frustration is probably shown in the bookings he is picking up."

In the meantime, Pearce continues to work on making loan signings – and did not rule out new additions before tomorrow's game at Watford.

Jack Grealish, the Aston Villa winger who spent last season on loan at Notts County, is the latest player to be linked with a move to the City Ground, but Pearce was coy about his targets when asked about the 19-year-old.

"We are always looking for good players to come in, we have made various phone calls this week and last week, about players who might come in and give us a lift," he said.

"We will continue to do that. If the right player is available and we can get the nod from their club, we will bring them in. But at this moment, the calls have not come off.

"Can we bring somebody in before Tuesday? I would not rule anything out."

British actress and presenter Lynda Bellingham has died, her agent has confirmed.

Bellingham was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2013 and decided to end her treatment this August after the cancer spread to her lungs and liver to limit her family's suffering.

Speaking earlier this month, Bellingham said: "The decision to give up chemo was a huge relief because I took back some control of myself."

Sue Latimer, her agent, said: "Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms yesterday at a London hospital.

"Her family would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care and support."

Bellingham visited Nottingham in February 2009 for her stint in Tim Firth's adaptation of Calendar Girls at the Theatre Royal. 

TRAFFIC chaos has hit Wollaton Road and Ilkeston Road during Monday's rush hour after a car collided with a pedestrian.

Police received a call about the crash just before 9am near the University of Nottingham's Jubilee Campus. 

A police spokesman confirmed the incident and said the person had been taken to hospital, but it was too early to comment on their condition. 

Check our listings for details on Christmas events across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. 

Christmas at Rufford Abbey Country Park The popular Winter Gift Market will be open for festive shoppers looking for that special Christmas gift (8, 9, 22 & 23 November). More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Christmas at Rufford Abbey Country Park Father Christmas will be in his traditional Victorian style grotto at Rufford Mill (weekends only 15 November - 21 December and 22 & 23 December). More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Lustre, Lakeside Arts Centre This prestigious event in the contemporary craft calendar which is the perfect opportunity for festive shoppers and serious collectors alike. The event features top quality work by selected UK designer makers and is a key diary date for anyone interested in discovering unique pieces of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, wood and metalwork. Admission is priced at £5 for adults, £4 for State pensioners and under 16s go free. More information: www.lakesidearts.org.uk

Winter Wonderland, Old Market Square For a feast of festive fun, make your way to Nottingham's Winter Wonderland this Christmas for free. The luxury Christmas market features 60 bespoke Victorian styled trading cabins with an array of quality Christmas gifts from local traders and craftspeople and mouth-watering treats, timber decked walkways, two winter bars, a bandstand, lots of authentic Christmas trees, and at the centre of it all, an outdoor ice rink which will be bigger and better than ever before. More information: www.nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk

Fairy Grotto, D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, Eastwood Come along to the birthplace of literary legend D.H. Lawrence and make your way through the enchanted wood to meet the Christmas Fairy. Admission is priced at £4 per child. For adults, mince pies and mulled wine will be available. More information: www.nottingham.ac.uk/dhlheritage

Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Playhouse This Christmas, a magical family adventure awaits you at Nottingham Playhouse. Come prepared for laughs aplenty, glitter galore and thrilling musical numbers, everything you have come to love about Nottingham Playhouse pantomime. Tickets start at £22.50 - £29.50. More information: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

The Christmas Art and Food Market and Harley Open Studios, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate Each market stall at the Christmas market has been selected by experts from The Harley Gallery and award-winning Welbeck Farm Shop. You are sure to find the perfect present, and at prices to suit all pockets. From traditional crafts to cutting edge design, top makers from across the country are coming to show off their work at the Art Market. Also on site, there will be a fabulous food market, focussing on local produce including beer, cheese, bread and chocolates made on the Welbeck Estate. More information: www.harleygallery.co.uk

Santa Specials, Great Central Railway, Ruddington Always popular with children, all-aboard a steam-train journey through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside, with Father Christmas. All children receive a quality gift during their journey and everyone will receive seasonal refreshments. Tickets are priced at £10 - £18 and booking is essential. More information: www.gcrn.co.uk

Abbey Christmas, Newstead Abbey This Christmas, experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas at Newstead Abbey, once home to the great romantic poet Lord Byron. Part of Abbey Christmas, rooms will sparkle with Christmas lights and be decorated with impressive floral displays by local florists and Father Christmas will be greeting children in his magical grotto. What's more, between 23 December – 3 January 2015, visitors can join the magical Christmas trail around Newstead's beautifully decorated gardens. Parking is free, adult entrance into the house is £5, child entrance into the house is £2 and there will be an additional charge to visit Father Christmas. Admission for a Very Merry Newstead trail is £1. More information: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk

Christmas at Sherwood Forest St Nicholas will arrive on 30 November and will be in his Yuletide Grotto until 21 December (weekends only). More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Abbey Christmas, Newstead Abbey This Christmas, experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas at Newstead Abbey, once home to the great romantic poet Lord Byron. Part of Abbey Christmas, rooms will sparkle with Christmas lights and be decorated with impressive floral displays by local florists and Father Christmas will be greeting children in his magical grotto. What's more, between 23 December – 3 January 2015, visitors can join the magical Christmas trail around Newstead's beautifully decorated gardens. Parking is free, adult entrance into the house is £5, child entrance into the house is £2 and there will be an additional charge to visit Father Christmas. Admission for a Very Merry Newstead trail is £1. More information: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk

Abbey Christmas, Newstead Abbey This Christmas, experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas at Newstead Abbey, once home to the great romantic poet Lord Byron. Part of Abbey Christmas, rooms will sparkle with Christmas lights and be decorated with impressive floral displays by local florists and Father Christmas will be greeting children in his magical grotto. What's more, between 23 December – 3 January 2015, visitors can join the magical Christmas trail around Newstead's beautifully decorated gardens. Parking is free, adult entrance into the house is £5, child entrance into the house is £2 and there will be an additional charge to visit Father Christmas. Admission for a Very Merry Newstead trail is £1. More information: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk

A Victorian Workhouse Christmas, The Workhouse, Southwell Join the staff and paupers as they prepare to celebrate Christmas in The Workhouse. Sing carols with the pauper choir, listen to stories of Workhouse life and enjoy children's crafts, gift stalls and seasonal refreshments. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Booking is essential. More information: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/workhouse-southwell

Abbey Christmas, Newstead Abbey This Christmas, experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas at Newstead Abbey, once home to the great romantic poet Lord Byron. Part of Abbey Christmas, rooms will sparkle with Christmas lights and be decorated with impressive floral displays by local florists and Father Christmas will be greeting children in his magical grotto. What's more, between 23 December – 3 January 2015, visitors can join the magical Christmas trail around Newstead's beautifully decorated gardens. Parking is free, adult entrance into the house is £5, child entrance into the house is £2 and there will be an additional charge to visit Father Christmas. Admission for a Very Merry Newstead trail is £1. More information: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk

Snow White, Theatre Royal Nottingham Join the swashbuckling line-up at this year's Snow White at one of the most beautiful Victorian theatres in Britain. With Birds of a Feather star, Lesley Joseph playing the Wicked Queen and EastEnders heart-throb and Dancing on Ice 2011 champion, Sam Attwater, as the Prince, it's a family tradition not to be missed. Admission is priced at £15 - £31.50. More information: www.trch.co.uk

A Victorian Workhouse Christmas, The Workhouse, Southwell Join the staff and paupers as they prepare to celebrate Christmas in The Workhouse. Sing carols with the pauper choir, listen to stories of Workhouse life and enjoy children's crafts, gift stalls and seasonal refreshments. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Booking is essential. More information: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/workhouse-southwell

Yuletide Wollaton Tudor Christmas Celebrations, Wollaton Hall & Deer Park Experience a true Tudor Christmas at Wollaton Hall; meet the Lord of Misrule, taste warm mead and tasty food at the food festival and enjoy music and merriment. What's more, for this weekend only, it will be free to enter the house. Additional charges may apply on certain activities and parking charges apply. More information: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/wollatonhall

Christmas at Sherwood Forest Visitors can join in the traditional custom of Tree Dressing. More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Abbey Christmas, Newstead Abbey This Christmas, experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas at Newstead Abbey, once home to the great romantic poet Lord Byron. Part of Abbey Christmas, rooms will sparkle with Christmas lights and be decorated with impressive floral displays by local florists and Father Christmas will be greeting children in his magical grotto. What's more, between 23 December – 3 January 2015, visitors can join the magical Christmas trail around Newstead's beautifully decorated gardens. Parking is free, adult entrance into the house is £5, child entrance into the house is £2 and there will be an additional charge to visit Father Christmas. Admission for a Very Merry Newstead trail is £1. More information: www.newsteadabbey.org.uk

Yuletide Wollaton Tudor Christmas Celebrations, Wollaton Hall & Deer Park Experience a true Tudor Christmas at Wollaton Hall; meet the Lord of Misrule, taste warm mead and tasty food at the food festival and enjoy music and merriment. What's more, for this weekend only, it will be free to enter the house. Additional charges may apply on certain activities and parking charges apply. More information: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/wollatonhall

Christmas at the School of Artisan Food This Christmas, experience new festive catering skills at the School of Artisan Food, the UK's only not-for-profit school dedicated to artisan food. Discover the art of Christmas Baking, priced at £165. More information: www.schoolofartisanfood.org

Christmas at the School of Artisan Food This Christmas, experience new festive catering skills at the School of Artisan Food, the UK's only not-for-profit school dedicated to artisan food. Create your very own homemade Christmas Preserves for the festive season and beyond, priced at £145. More information: www.schoolofartisanfood.org

Christmas at Nottingham Castle Visit Santa in the Castle's beautifully decorated Bastion (13, 14, 20 & 21 December), enjoy a high tea with a festive twist (13 & 14 December), and the Castle and its grounds will be free to enter for one week from 11am – 3pm (13 – 14 December). More information: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/Castle

A Victorian Christmas, Framework Knitters Museum Start your Christmas celebrations at the Framework Knitters Museum and step back in time and explore a magical Victorian setting. Enjoy family festive fun, traditional music, food and activities and visit Santa in his grotto, with gifts for all, for a magical day to remember. More information: www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk

Christmas at Sherwood Forest Participate in one of many festive winter walks, taking place on 14 December. More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Christmas at Rufford Abbey Country Park Help Santa's elves find the lost decorations, part of Santa's Christmas Trail (15 – 24 December). More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Christmas at the School of Artisan Food This Christmas, experience new festive catering skills at the School of Artisan Food, the UK's only not-for-profit school dedicated to artisan food. Discover the art of Christmas Baking, priced at £165. More information:www.schoolofartisanfood.org

Christmas at Sherwood Forest Participate in one of many festive winter walks, taking place on 14 December. More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Christmas at Sherwood Forest Participate in one of many festive winter walks, taking place on 14 December. More information: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and it won't be long until we start putting up our trees and searching the shops for the perfect presents.

This year, Christmas Day will fall on a Thursday.

Are you starting your preparations for Christmas? Let us know in the comments below...

POLICE have already used new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in Mansfield Woodhouse.

The Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Crime & Policing Act 2014 – which came into force on Monday – cuts down the current 19 powers at police's disposal to tackle the behaviour to six, which forces claim allows them to act faster and more effectively.

And Nottinghamshire Police – which helped develop the legislation – has used it on day one to threaten the issue of a Community Protection Order to a 17-year-old boy.

A warning letter has been sent to the teenager who police say has "plagued" the area with persistent antisocial behaviour over the last nine months.

This includes throwing stones at local residents, knocking on doors and running off, following people and taunting members of the public.

He has been told he will be issued with the order if the behaviour continues and any breach can lead to an arrest, court appearance and fine of up to £2,500.

Mansfield Woodhouse Inspector Mark Webster said: "This individual has made several people's lives a misery through his persistent antisocial behaviour.

"He has little regard for authority or the law and it is hoped this warning will make it increasingly difficult for him to behave in such a manner.

"I'd like to praise PCSOs Craig Moore and Stevie Willetts who have used their knowledge of these new powers to try and resolve a persistent community issue."

Sixteen-year-old Simone Monzo is raising money to pay for a volunteering trip to the jungle where she will help local people and wildlife.

She is heading to Ecuador in July 2015 and must raise £3,980 to fund her trip where she will take in the Amazon, Andes and Pacific coast.

The Colonel Frank Seely School pupil is hosting a Christmas coffee morning at St Wilfrid's Church in Wilford on December 6.

Guests are welcome to come along from 10am to noon to have a drink and support Simone's fund raising efforts.

Simone said: "I am really excited about this voluntary expedition to Ecuador next summer; this expedition is extremely important to me; I feel I will acquire and develop important life skills, increase my confidence but most of all help other less fortunate than me."