STUART Pearce refused to gloss over a disappointing performance from Nottingham Forest, as they stuttered to a seventh game without a Championship win – and called on his side to get back to being hard to beat.

Three sloppy goals in 11 second half minutes saw Blackburn romp to a 3-1 win at the City Ground, after Matty Fryatt had initially given the Reds the lead, just before half time.

Reds boss Pearce was frustrated with the failure to build on their advantage after the break, when Rovers were allowed to take control of the game.

"We were reasonably pleased in the first half, coming in ahead," he said. "We felt we could get on top of them in the second half; we felt we could get a second goal. But we did not take the game by the scruff of the neck and the more Blackburn got on top of us, the more we did not show the leadership required to stem the flow and put the pressure back on them.

"We were unfortunate at 1-1, not to get back in the game, with Britt Assombalonga's effort and Henri Lansbury's chances. But it was a disappointing performance from us and credit to Blackburn, because they deserved that win on the back of their second half performance.

"It was a disappointing afternoon and I am not going to gloss over that. We as a group and as coaching staff and players, we have to galvanise ourselves and make sure that we work hard, from Monday morning, to make sure we deliver a performance next weekend."

Henri Lansbury twice came close to scoring once Alex Baptiste had levelled for the visitors, seeing one effort saved and another hit the post.

But, after that short flurry from Forest, Blackburn hit back with two goals in two minutes, from giant sub Rudy Gestede and poacher Jordan Rhodes.

"Often goals change games and, had we got our noses back in front, the game might have been different. But it was a concern that, when Blackburn built up a head of steam and put pressure on us, we did not show enough character to survive that," said Pearce.

"They had momentum before he came on, but Gestede gave them a platform to build on, once he came on. His goal was helpful to them.

"We will have a look at things over the weekend and have a chat collectively, but we probably gave some sloppy goals away, which we have done recently. At the start of the season we looked very good defensively and hard to break down. As a starting point, we need to get back to that."

POLICE arrested two men during Nottingham Forest's game against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.

Aiden Booth, 30, of Watford Road, Aspley was charged with pitch incursion under the football act 1991.

Booth has been bailed to appear at Nottingham magistrates court on November 10.

A second man was arrested for possession of Class A drugs He is 30 and has received a caution.

Forest lost the game at the City Ground, the first home defeat of Stuart Pearce's reign as manager.

The Reds were leading 1-0 at half time but quickly shipped three goals losing the game 3-1.

STUART Pearce will look to land at least one loan signing today and may make it two in total before the weekend, as he tries to give Nottingham Forest a lift with the club looking to end their Championship malaise.

The Reds boss says he will be on the phone to a Premier League manager this morning, in an effort to close a deal that has been on the table for several weeks, as he works to end a run of seven games without a league win after the 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Pearce was coy about the identity of the player – but says he may even bring in two new additions, as the club look to get over a stutter in form that has seen them slide out of the top six for the first time since August.

Forest already have Jack Hunt, Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow on loan and can only name five loan players in their match day squad – but Pearce is considering using both remaining available berths in an effort to reignite the Reds' promotion push.

"We have got two loans left available to us when you look at the loan players we have already got," he said. "If we can bring the right ones in, we will.

"They have to be the right ones, but when you produce performances like that, the situation does get more critical.

"We are speaking with clubs, we are waiting on answers on players we feel would help us. But their managers have injury problems here and there and wanted to wait over making a decision.

"I've been continually talking to one manager over the last two weeks and basically the answer is 'give us a ring back, we have a couple of injuries at the moment but if they free themselves up we'll do some business.' I'll be giving him a call first thing Monday morning.

"We are aware that we have got two loans up our sleeves, that we can bring in. If we keep producing more performances like that, it will only become more critical for us to do that.

"If you go six or seven games without a win you do need a lift. But sometimes that lift can come from the manager, it can come from a goal scorer or even a defender – every day you need a lift, if you are not getting results."

"At this moment in time, we need a lift that comes from getting a victory, more than anything, probably."

Pearce also revealed that the club are still debating whether to recall Stephen McLaughlin from his loan spell at Notts County or whether to allow him to extend his stay at Meadow Lane, where the winger has made a big impact, making five starts in League One, as Shaun Derry's side climbed to third in the table.

"We will have a look at it and, if we feel that Steve can come back in and add to the squad, we will bring him back, if that is the proper thing to do," he said.

"If we feel as though his experience, at this moment in his career, is best suited by playing at Notts County, we will make that decision. We will decide that over the weekend."

Sam Smith - Restart on MUZU.TV.

Thieves broke in through the window of a 90-year-old woman's house to steal cash while she slept.

The burglary took place in Sisley Avenue, Stapleford, between 10pm on Thursday October 23 and 7am on Friday October 24.

Police would not confirm the amount of cash taken from the elderly woman and are asking for any witnesses to come forward.

If you saw anything, you can contact Nottinghamshire Police via 101.

RECYCLING centres in the county will reduce their opening hours for the winter months.

From Friday, (Nov 1) Nottinghamshire's 13 recycling centres will close at 4pm.

Centres have stayed open until 6pm since October 1 after reducing summer opening times which see them stay open until 8pm.

The centres, which are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, will open until 6pm again from March 1.

Recycling Centre Locations

Actress and former Disney star Vanessa Hudgens sparkled in this sequin number in Paris.

The 25-year-old was in the city of love to present her new movie "Gimme Shelter" on October 26.

The compassionate drama tells the tale of a pregnant teenager who flees her abusive mother to search for her father. 

Vanessa accessorised her stunning floor length dress with silver and black jewellery pieces and a sequin-filled clutch bag. 

The entire outfit is perfect for the Christmas party season as it's glitzy, glamorous and classy.

We've picked out a similar black gown from Lipsy which will flatter almost every figure. Team this with a pair of statement earrings from Debenhams, a show stopping ring from Topshop and a head-turning clutch from Accessorize. 

AFTER a lifetime of working in a factory, Beryl Brindley has turned her hands to garden creations - with her hedges becoming the talk of Eastwood.

The 76-year-old, of Shewton Street, has taught herself topiary in her retirement and spent 12 years chopping a range of figures in her back garden.

Mrs Brindley has seven in all, including jockeys jumping over hedges, spinning tops and even a comfy, leafy armchair.

But the modest lady thought nothing of her hard work and it took her husband of 50 years calling The Post to see it celebrated.

Keith Brindley, 78, first met his wife when they were working at the car seat factory Birnam's Products in Eastwood in the 1950s.

He said: "I saw the article about the bush with the word 'one' carved into it in the paper and wanted to show everyone what my wife has done in our garden.

"She has worked so hard at it and is entirely self-taught. I'm so proud of her and it is a real talking point with the neighbours."

Mrs Brindley is now working on her next creation – a greenery tortoise.

She said: "He thinks I've worked hard but to me it is nothing out of the ordinary. I just wanted a hobby!"

But the gardening fanatic admits it has taken a long time to perfect her art.

"The ideas just come to me when I look at a bush and decide what shape I can make out of it," she added. "I do spend a lot of hours working on it but it is all worth it in the end.

"I just need to keep on top of it!"

Do you have unusual designs in your garden? Let us know at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

COUNTDOWN'S maths whiz Rachel Riley will be sharing a brew and toasty treats with people in Nottingham's Old Market Square this Wednesday.

Her October 29 visit is part of energy firm NPower's Snug Squad roadshow and Acts of Warmness campaign.

The TV presenter will also be collecting the city's top tea stories during her cosy stay.

Guests can also receive a blow-dry or sit in a warming massage chair while getting energy saving advice.

NPower is celebrating Britain's favourite favourite drink, tea, of which 60.2 billion cups are drunk in the country in a  typical year.

Rachel Riley will be taking the tour across the country, visiting Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham and Sheffield. 

A RETIRED hairdresser was discovered lying face down in a Derbyshire canal by a 20-year-old cyclist who was riding down a footpath.

Mary Gerrard's inquest heard how police were called to the Erewash Canal, in Long Eaton, after Dean Green saw her in the water at 7.30am on April 1.

The hearing was told that Mrs Gerrard had been drinking alone in the Harrington Arms pub and was last seen "unsteady on her feet" leaning against a bin on the canal path which is around 100m from her home in Regent Street.

She was pulled from the water and pronounced dead at the Royal Derby Hospital and detectives began an investigation into the circumstances.

A post-mortem examination revealed no evidence that she had drowned and instead it is believed she either suffered "a heart episode" or died after being sent into shock as she landed in the water.

Dr Deidre McKenna, who carried out the post mortem examination on the 64-year-old, said her blood contained 292 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

The legal drink-drive limit is 80.

Dr McKenna said: "The likely sequence of events is that her recent excessive alcohol intake in conjunction with underlying heart problems brought about her death.

"I did not find any evidence to support any cause of death as drowning."

Coroner Paul McCandless asked Dr McKenna: "Do you think she may have been dead before she hit the water?"

Dr McKenna replied: "I would say she was undergoing the process.

"I cannot rule out what we call 'dry drowning' where the immediate shock of hitting cold water can be a contributing factor to bringing about death.

"Given the recent excess alcohol intake the likelihood was that the cardiac event would cause her to end up in the water."

Dr McKenna gave the cause of death as recent excess alcohol consumption and the heart muscle disease cardiomyopathy.

PC Stacey Polydore told the inquest, at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court, how she was called to the canal, by the Derby Road bridge at 7.40am on April 1.

She said when she arrived Mr Dean and a second man were there on the path and officers pulled Mrs Gerrard's body from the water.

PC Polydore said: "The area was cordoned off while detectives made their inquiries.

"Witnesses said they saw Mrs Gerrard drinking alone on the Harrington Arms on the afternoon of March 31 and when she left she was unsteady on her feet.

"Another witness, who knew Mrs Gerrard, said she saw her on the canal path by the bridge leaning against a bin and smoking a cigarette.

"She also said she was unsteady on her feet and a third witness said he too saw her on the canal path and she was stumbling."

The inquest heard how Mrs Gerrard's body was formally identified by her son Lee Gerrard, who lives in Ilkeston.

Mr McCandless reached a conclusion that Mrs Gerrard died as a result of an accident.

Check our listings for details on firework displays and bonfire nights across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. If you have one you want to let us know about, fill in the form at the bottom of the article.

Clumber Fireworks and Fire Extravaganza, Clumber Park, Blyth Road A Pyro-musical firework spectacular with the biggest fireworks display in the area. Fire performers will be fire spinning, breathing and juggling throughout the evening. There will also be live music from Ruffas Folk, along with traditional fairground games including the coconut shy, hook a duck, bouncy castles. Gates open at 5.30pm, fireworks start at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £6.50 each or £25 for a family (2 adults, 3 children). They can be purchased at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark.

Beeston Hockey Club, University Boulevard Gates open at 6:45pm. There will be dodgems, simulators, Children's rides, a fire eater & juggler and lots of other attractions. There will be a professional firework display set to scary music by Ist Galaxy Fireworks. Real ale, mulled wine, hog roasts and mushy peas will be on offer. Pre-booked cars are priced at £16 and people carriers £20. On the nights, tickets for adults are £5 (£4 for those in Halloween costumes) and children under 12 are priced at £3. For further information visit www.highfields.org.uk or email thegrimreaper@highfields.org.uk. The display is supporting Help For Heroes and various other charities.

Long Eaton United Football Club, Grange Park, Long Eaton, Nottingham A massive firework display in association with "Big Bang Fireworks." The newly refurbished clubhouse and bar will be serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hot and cold food will also be available throughout the night. Gates open at 6pm, and the fireworks start at 8pm. Tickets are £3 for adults and £1.50 for children. More information can be found at www.longeatonutd.co.uk.

King George V Recreation Ground, Standhill Road, Carlton Gates open at 7pm with the firework display starting at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2 for children.

Beeston Marina As well as fireworks there will be an outside disco, barbeque, hot food stall, licensed bar, live entertainment, teacup ride and stalls on offer. Gates open at 6:30pm, the bonfire will be lit at 7:30pm and the fireworks display starts at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £3.50 for adults and £2 for children. More information available by calling 0115 922 3168.

S W Notts District Scouts Fireworks Extravaganza, Hemlock Scout Camp, Bramcote Come and join your local Scouts at your community Fireworks Extravaganza. Who better to build a bonfire than the Scouts? We can promise you fireworks, fires, food and fun - we'll also have a bar. Admission is priced at £6 for adults and £3 for children. Wear your Necker and receive £1 discount. Pay on the door. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/FireworksFun. Gates open at 5:30pm.

Pyromusical Firework Display at Mansfield Town FC's One Call Stadium, Mansfield Gates open at 5.00pm with the main event pencilled in for 7.00pm. Amongst the attractions will be a magnificent pyromusical firework display, several fairground rides and numerous food, tombola, raffle stalls. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. Under 5s are admitted free-of-charge. Tickets are available at the Stags' ground and will also be available to purchase at the turnstiles on the night.

Coppice Park, off Ransome Road, Mapperley Funded by NCC and The Friends Of Coppice Park Mapperley. Beef and veggie burgers, hot dogs, cakes and cold and hot drinks will be available. There will be light sticks and glow bracelets for sale. Entry is free for all. The fun begins at 7pm.

Erewash Bonfire and Fireworks Show, West Park, Long Eaton Advance tickets are available from West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton Town Hall and Ilkeston Town Hall. Family tickets (two adults, up to three children) are £9.50, adult tickets are £3.90, 16 and under or 60 and above tickets are £1.70. Admission is free for children aged five and under. Tickets will cost more on the night.

James Mellors Amusements, in conjunction with Nottingham City Council, the Forest Recreation Ground The funfair opens at 5:30pm with the children's small firework display starting at 7:15pm. The main firework display will begin at 9pm. The firework display is free and open to all ages.

Erewash Bonfire and Fireworks extravaganza, West Park, Long Eaton The firework display will be set to music based on a theme of 'A night with the stars.' Gates open at 6pm with funfair rides, stalls and food all available. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and the firework display beings at 7:30pm. Discounted tickets are available at Ilkeston Town Hall, Long Eaton Town Hall and West Park Leisure Centre. Tickets are priced at £3.90 for adults (£5 on the night), £1.70 for under 16s and over 60s (£2.50 on the night) and admission is free for children under 5.

Blue Bell Hill Primary School, St Ann's There will be live music, stalls, food and drink and the Nottingham Panthers will be making an appearance. Entry is free and doors open at 6pm. More information is available by calling 0115 915 1161.

Firewalk and Firework Spectacular, Nottingham Castle Gates open at 7pm, the Firewalk starts at 8:30pm and the fireworks display will begin at 9pm. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £7 for concessions and £4 for children. Tickets can be bought at www.mysightnotts.org.uk/events/firewalk-firework-spectacular

Pepperpots, 3rd Woodthorpe Scout Ground, Mapperley A fun family event in its 33rd year. This bonfire and firework display also serves traditional bonfire food. For health and safety, alcohol, personal fireworks/sparklers and cars are not allowed on the site. Tickets cost £4 for adults, £3 for children and under 5's are free. Email gsl@3wscouts.org.uk for tickets. Gates open at 6:30pm. Pay on the gate: Adults £4, kids (5-15) £3, under 5's free

Clifton All Whites FC, Green Lane, Clifton Fair rides, side stalls, hot food and inflatables will accompany the traditional fireworks at this family-friendly event. Admission is £1 on the gate and payment is to be made on entry. Gates open at 6:30pm. 

Great Central Railway, Mere Way, Ruddington Gates open at 5:30pm and the firework display starts at 7:30pm. Hot food, funfair, miniature railway, a licensed bar, chocolate fountain and live music from "The Pinch" will also be on offer. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for children and £12 for a family in advance. Tickets can be purchased in advanced by calling 0115 940 5705.

Calverton Miners Welfare, Holinwood Lane, Calverton The Bonfire Party starts at 7pm and there will be a BBQ and bar on offer. Parking is also available onsite. Tickets cost £2 for adults and children go free. Call 07579003027/0115 965 4390 or email vivcorkytopclub@gmail.com for tickets and more information.

Trowell Uniformed Groups Community Bonfire, Trowell Hot food will be available as well as a bar. Brownies will be singing campfire songs. Tickets are priced at £4 for adults and £2 for children. They can be bought at Trowell Post Office or on the event's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Trowell-Village-Bonfire-Firework-Display

4th Carlton Scouts, Standhill Park, Carlton Gates open at 7pm with the firework display starting at 8pm. Refreshments will also be on sale. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £2 for children and a family ticket is £12 (2 adults + 2 children). For more information visit facebook.com/4cScoutEvents.

NRFS firefighters and George Spencer Academy charity bonfire, Stapleford NRFS firefighters and George Spencer Academy will be hosting a charity bonfire night held at the academy. The event hopes to raise money for The Firefighters Charity and The Frogs, which raises money for school projects. Doors open at 6 with the bonfire starting 6.30pm and fireworks following at 7pm. There will also be a bar, hot food and a fairground for everyone to enjoy. Advance cheaper tickets are £2.50 for an adult, £1.50 for a child and a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children is £6.00. They are available to buy from the school. Tickets will also be available to buy on the night for an extra 50p. 

Butt Field Sports Club, Bingham Hot and cold food, licensed bar, live music, bouncy castles. Doors open at 6pm, the bonfire lighting commences at 6.15pm, the children's fireworks start at 7pm and the main firework show begins at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults, £2 for children and under 2s go free. Tickets can be bought on the gate.

Keyworth United Community Football Club, Platt Lane, Keyworth As well as a spectacular fireworks display, children's funfair rides, side-stalls, tombola, hot food and a licensed bar will all be available. Gates open at 6pm with the fireworks display commencing at 8pm. Family tickets (2 adults and up to 3 children) are priced at £10 in advance or £12 on the gate. Adult tickets are £4 and children's tickets are £3. Advance tickets are available at www.keyworthunited.com. Tickets on the night can be purchased at the gate. For health and safety reasons, no are sparklers are allowed on site.

The Old Cross, Church Street, Stapleford The evening starts at 5pm with the first of the two firework displays by a professional pyrotechnic starting at 6pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be bought behind the bar at the Old Cross. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1.50 for children. Family tickets are available: two adults and two children are priced at £8 and two adults and three children at £9. Food will also be on sale including burgers, hot dogs, mushy peas, sweets, crisps and soft drinks.

2nd Kimberley Scout Group, Kettlebrook Lodge, Kimberley The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and there will be a disco until 10pm Hot food and licensed bar will also be available. Admission is £3 for adults and £1.50 for children. Under 2s go free.

The Nottingham Post invited pet owners to enter our fantastic new competition.

We had some fabulous entries all hoping to win one of these fabulous prizes....

* Pet Idol Champion 2014 - £250 pet gift card and a large canvass print
* Runner Up - £150 pet gift card and a medium canvass print
* 3rd-Place £100 pet gift card and a small canvass print

FAMILY of a forgotten soldier laid to rest almost exactly 100 years from his valiant death attended his "poignant" remembrance service.

Private John Richmond, of Radford, was buried with full military honours at the Y- Farm Cemetery near Lille last Wednesday October 22 along with fourteen other First World War soldiers.

The son of a lace worker died on October 18 1914, aged 28, under heavy machine gun fire as his 2nd Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment were sent to take the French village of Radinghem.

Great nephew Barrie Richmond, of Linwood Crescent in Ravenshead, travelled to France with sister Janet Allen, who now lives in Sheffield, and around 140 members of various soldiers' families.

Mr Richmond said: "It was really quite poignant on the day - really emotional. It was a chance to pay our respects to our great uncle, who we never knew, that lost his life for his country."

The skirmish saw Pte Richmond's regiment run into enemy forces near the hamlet of Beaucamp Ligny, where 93 were wounded and 34 killed.

Of the 15 soldiers who were found in 2009, 11 had been identified by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Ministry of Defence.

Close family members were tight-lipped about John, and Barrie had never heard of him until his oldest sister, Joan Jones, researched the family tree. He was one of thirteen siblings, only seven of whom lived into adulthood.

"The timing was as if it was meant to be," said Mrs Jones, 81, of Belper Avenue, Carlton. "Although the whole conflict seems rather pointless, I'm glad he is at rest at last."

The siblings said they found it tough to choose a personal inscription for Pte Richmond's grave, having never known him.

It reads: "He fell and was lost but now he is found. Rest in peace at last. His life given so that we might be free."

After learning that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was looking into who these 15 unknown soldiers were, Barrie gave a DNA sample to find prove it was John beyond doubt.

"It's just amazing that so close to 100 years on we've been able to pay our respects," said Barrie. "I've got grandchildren now and they will be able to visit this grave in years to come and so will many generations of our family."

Following confirmation of the DNA check, printed in The Post in March, Barrie was contacted by more distant relatives he was unaware of.

Pauline Clay, of Newark, and her son Richard have now met Barrie after realising that Pauline's great grandfather Miles was Pte John Richmond's brother.

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to bring family back together," said Barrie.

Peter Francis, spokesman for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: "It was an incredibly moving ceremony and I felt privileged to be there with the families as five years of detailed investigative work concluded with the reburial with full military honours in one of our war cemeteries.

"It reminds you that behind every single one of these headstones is a human story and a human tragedy."

ANIMAL lover Sarah Parker is appealing for people to keep a look out for a parrot flapping around Bramcote.

The nine-year-old African Grey Congo parrot, called Oliver, has been missing from home for five weeks.

He used to sing, dance, and welcome Miss Parker each time she entered her home near Church Street, Bramcote.

She is offering a reward to anyone who can help find Oliver – who cost her £600 as a baby from a specialist breeder.

"I miss him so much," said Sarah, 43. "He's my best friend. He interacts a lot. He's a singer, whistler, dancer and talker."

Oliver flew out of Sarah's home when she answered the front door while cleaning his cage.

"I saw him fly off," she said. "It feels awful. The house just feels empty now. He was always chattering and listening to the radio. He had a good sense of humour.

"He was such a cheeky chappie; when you were talking to someone and looking the other way he will do a little dance behind you.

"I miss how he says hello every time I come in and goodbye every time I leave the house," she added.

Sarah has already put leaflets through 800 doors in the area and ventured to Arnold and Long Eaton to put up posters to help track Oliver down. She has also used social media.

Oliver has been micro chipped, so if somebody finds him they can simply take him to their local vet.

But Sarah is worried for his wellbeing as he had never flown outside on his own before, or gathered his own food.

"Parrots easily get psychological problems which can lead to them pulling their feathers out," said Sarah. "I'm worried to death about him."

Rebecca Blagg, of Eastwood-based Guardian Angels Bird Sanctuary, said larger birds like African Greys are unlikely to travel far if they escape.

"It might have landed in someone's garden and be settling in there," she said. "The bigger birds tend not to fly that far because they aren't fit enough having been in cages most of their lives."

Rebecca said if anyone finds Oliver they should feed him a balanced diet, not just seeds.

"Scrambled egg is a good source of protein," she said. "They have a similar diet to us. Most people just feed them seeds but it isn't enough."

She advised anyone who finds the parrot to take it to the vet in a dog or cat carrying case as African Greys can probably chew through a cardboard box, so it might not be best to keep it in one of those for very long.