AS the festive cheer takes over from the winter doldrums this month, there are plenty of occasions for the people of Nottingham to be in high spirits. And we all know those particular "spirits" that lead us revellers into the seasonal songs, from the snifter before midnight mass through to Christmas party karaoke. But while we may be singing at the top of our voices and missing every note, hundreds of choirs across the county are gearing up for their busiest time of year. "It has always been a special time if you are in a choir and, of course, if you are a Christian, it has even more meaning," said John Pritchard, president of the Bestwood Male Voice Choir. "For most people, it is all about the presents and the tinsel, but for us, it is more fundamental and a time to celebrate with the community." His group was formed as a colliery choir back in 1952, but soon opened its doors to the whole of the community and is now an award-winning act with more than 50 years of history. But despite being used to a packed year of events, there is always so much more to do for choir members when the sleigh bells start ringing. "Normally, we have a lot more time to practise and get organised," said Mr Pritchard, "but when it comes to Christmas, we have to learn fast and sometimes even have to keep our music in our hands to guide us. "But it brings out the camaraderie in the group. Every gets together, helps each other out and makes sure we put on a great performance." One group of singers hoping to take advantage of their top TV training for Christmas is the choir from Severn Trent Water. The water workers were the winners of BBC2's The Choir: Sing While You Work, taking the title with their rendition of 1960s song Feeling Good after intense training from Gareth Malone. Two years later, they are polishing their Santa hats ready to sing another day. John Puxty, of Ilkeston, was one of the stars of the show and loves warming up his vocal cords on a cold night. "Both years since appearing on the programme, Christmas has been a time when we have had the opportunity to sing in front of our work colleagues," said the 66-year-old. "Last year it was a particular pleasure for me to sing at the head office of my section of the company and to be allowed to sing a solo. "I firmly believe that Christmas reminds us of so many of the important things in life and being able to convey this through song is very special." And Chris Jordan, of Wollaton, cannot wait to crack out the carols. The 39-year-old said: "Lots of people who don't sing much in their day-to-day lives still love to sing Christmas carols, and the sound of a really good choir singing harmonies on traditional Christmas songs is beautiful. "I love Christmas, the tradition and the music. Being in a choir at this time of year helps with the celebration and if we can get a few people singing along, so much the better. "It's lovely to sing outdoors on a cold winter's night. Bring on the snow!" But some choirs prefer the comforts of an indoor practice and are readying themselves to show off their skills in a special event at John Lewis. The Sing and Smile choir is organised by Age UK and came about as part of their campaign to tackle loneliness in older people. The group of older men and women have been singing together throughout the year, making friends along the way. But now it is time for them to shine at their Christmas concert. Jane Ashworth, who leads the choir in song each week, cannot wait to crack out the festive numbers. "Our group is really special to all of our members," she said. "A lot of our group live alone, and say that they really look forward to coming together to sing, as they get out of the house, and enjoy doing something positive, fun and healthy, in the company of old and new friends." So what songs do the choirs have prepped for their concerts? "We love singing the traditional Christmas carols," said Mrs Ashworth. "But we also enjoy the great Christmas songs from the 1940s and 50s, such as Nat King Cole's Christmas Song, Dean Martin's Let It Snow! and Frank Sinatra's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

CHARITY shops are hoping for a bumper haul next week as people give away their unwanted Christmas presents.

Stores in Nottingham estimate that donations go up by about 15 per cent at this time of year.

Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire's charity shop in Gordon Road, West Bridgford, is just one of the good causes hoping for a boost.

Manager Jean Kerslake said: "After Christmas we are always quite busy as a lot of people are given things they don't really need and they like to pass them on to help charity.

"It ranges from toys to perfume and unwanted clothes.

"We are extremely grateful – we appreciated anything that comes through the door."

And the British Heart Foundation Furniture and Electrical shop, in Angel Row, said that it also benefits as people buy new furniture in time for their Christmas family get-togethers – and give the old stuff away.

Sales assistant Maithem said: "Believe it or not we get lots of pianos just after Christmas – people still buy them.

"And this time last year we were handed in a CD rack in the shape of a voodoo doll. Someone saw it and bought it straight away though."

Amazon said that the most popular presents bought in Nottinghamshire were entertainment items like games and music.

Guardians of the Galaxy Blu-ray on 3D and Blu-ray was the top seller, followed by NOW That's What I Call Music! 89, Grand Theft Auto V and The Inbetweeners 2 DVD.

Number five on the list of the city's favourite gifts from Amazon was x by Ed Sheeran, then FIFA 15, X-Men: Days of Future Past on Blu-ray and UV copy, Take That's III, followed by the Frozen DVD and In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith.

Xavier Garambois, vice president of EU retail at Amazon, said: "Entertainment products have been the clear winner in Nottingham this festive season."

But despite the popularity of Disney Frozen merchandise it was also amongst the first items to be listed on eBay on Boxing Day, for sale from the Nottingham area.

Necklaces with a Frozen theme, wristbands and pencil cases were all up for grabs yesterday.

First snow in nottingham after so many years! ❄️⛄️We r so blessed n so lucky! #nott#firstsnow… http://t.co/HYpaY6KxwU

— Vilyn (@vilynteoh) December 26, 2014

Hurrah! It's snowing in Nottingham!!! #snow

— Sabrina Anita Allen (@sabrinaallen87) December 26, 2014

@Nottingham_Post snow here in Hucknall ,Christmas is here #reiki#snowpic.twitter.com/TknF1VwIic

— nottingham Reiki (@reikiman515) December 26, 2014

Snow is settling well in Nottingham UK pic.twitter.com/fShfTwk6VM

— Debbie (@thedebster32) December 26, 2014

@Nottingham_Post snow in Rise Park pic.twitter.com/P0lj0MCiZB

— Ian Dearman (@IanDearmanMedia) December 26, 2014

@Nottingham_Post#snow in Carlton NG4 pic.twitter.com/9CVLlInwxX

— Dave Rossiter (@DaveRossiter) December 26, 2014

The weather conditions are pretty poor for driving. We are getting lots of reports coming in of accidents and currently dealing with one.

— Notts Roads Policing (@NottsRPU) December 26, 2014

With criticism ringing in their ears and a mounting injury list weighing on their shoulders, Nottingham Panthers produced a performance that will live long in the memory of all those who travelled up the M1 to the Motorpoint Arena.

Panthers arrived in Sheffield having lost three straight games and the services of captain David Clarke for the rest of the season, after it was revealed he needs further shoulder surgery.

However, they showed grit, unity and pride and a ruthless streak in a stunning 4-0 shutout win through goals from Steve Lee, Chris Higgins, Chris Lawrence and the returning Greg Jacina.

Panthers had performed well in defeat at Cardiff Devils when shortbenched, but they were undoubted underdogs against the leaders having slipped to fifth in the Elite League.

They belied that tag and then by taking their chances and then defending against a second period onslaught either side of Higgins' goal to effectively win the game in front a packed house.

If Nottingham were to win they needed Mattias Modig to deliver in goal, and he undoubtedly did, with an inspired effort that was equally well backed up by those in front of him.

In fact, to add further adversity to the away team's cause, they lost another of their three leading goalscorers, centre Bruce Graham, to a second period leg injury.

But with time winding down and Steelers slowly accepting their fate, Panthers scored twice more to set up tonight's return clash at the National Ice Centre perfectly. Beware the backlash?

Corey Neilson clearly sent his team out with fire in their collective bellies. Jacina, back after six games out with injury, set the tone with early hits on every Steeler who got in his way. Robert Farmer also adopted a similar policy.

He channelled his inner Jason Hewitt as the Steelers were without their own British nuisance maker.

Winger Jacina earned Panthers their first power play by drawing the penalty with three opponents around him. Farmer went close, hitting the side netting, but Panthers would have to wait until 9.27 to get the only goal of an entertaining first period.

The puck came Lee's way in front and the defenceman fired it through Frank Doyle's pads for a deserved goal.

Steelers' Rob Dowd and Panthers' Mike Berube dropped gloves soon after with Dowd getting the better of the exchange, Berube springing back up wanting more though.

Visiting netminder Modig did not come under maximum pressure the final three minutes of the period. With Steelers on the power play Colton Fretter saw his shot deflected wide, Modig saved superbly from Mathieu Roy and Ben O'Connor hit the side netting with plenty of a home persuasion thinking it was in.

The second period initially retained all the intrigue without as much goalmouth action. However, Sheffield slowly cranked up the pressure. Even when Panthers went 2-0 up after 29.18 there was no abatement.

It was a power play goal that could have seen it become 1-1 seconds earlier – the fine lines between victory and defeat. Cody Wild had just rattled the bar for Panthers and when the puck fell kindly a breakaway looked to be on, but Michael Forney took down the only remaining defenceman and a delayed penalty was awarded.

Nottingham went straight back up the other end and scored through Chris Higgins' neat roofed wrist shot to a chorus of boos that was no doubt music to the ears of the away bench.

Steelers threw all they had at the Panthers for the rest of the period but they put bodies on the line in front of Modig, who was in inspired form.

He made great saves from Forney and Tyler Mosienko, while Panthers were dealt a further blow when they lost Graham hobbled off and did not return.

Great Britain Under-20 centre Ollie Betteridge had come into the line-up. He skated sparing shifts to that point but his workload was increased thereafter and he played with good physicality.

The expected onslaught did not arrive in the third period as Sheffield stumbled with Modig far less troubled. Doyle was in a similar position at the other end, although he had to stay alert to keep out Lawrence after he produced some slick skills for the second time in the game.

The netminder neatly gloved a shot from Max Parent soon after before Roy almost tipped a close range shot through the pads of Modig.

Steelers hero Jeff Legue had endured a quiet night after receiving a hero's welcome following his return to the club over Christmas.

However, he almost brought them back into the game with four minutes left, only for the puck to be hooked off the line.

After that a sense of inevitability developed. Modig looked unbeatable and there was icing on the cake with 61 seconds left when Lawrence scored into the empty goal after Doyle had been pulled by Steelers coach Gerad Adams.

It became a night the travelling contingent will long remember as Jacina added a fourth past a shell-shocked Doyle with 13 seconds to go.

BOMB threats, crumbling schools and a celebrity fiasco made headlines in May.

Home Alone child star Macaulay Culkin (pictured) was pelted with beer while playing with his band, The Pizza Underground, at Nottingham's Dot to Dot music festival.

The band, who perform fast-food flavoured covers of 60s rock pioneers The Velvet Underground, left after only 15 minutes onstage.

Before his exit, and under a barrage of beer cans, Culkin said: "Why are you throwing those? I'd rather drink them!"

In equally bizarre news, a woman was condemned by police and safety experts as she was photographed reading a book as she drove along the M1 near Notts.

The photo was taken on a stretch of the motorway from Junction 25 at Sandiacre to Junction 27 near Hucknall.

The moment was captured by builder Andrew Stonham of Kirkby-in-Ashfield who was in the passenger seat of another vehicle.

He said: "The road was busy at the time and she could quite have easily ploughed into the back of somebody. I have no idea what she was thinking."

A bomb disposal team was sent to Beeston after an artillery shell was discovered in Middle Street, along the new tram line.

Staff and customers were evacuated from nearby shops and hundreds waited behind a cordon while the explosive was examined and taken away. Police said the shell was not live.

It was also revealed that among 18 new schools due to be built by 2017, 17 still had not begun development.

Three city and 15 county schools were to be construct-ed under a Government school-building programme. But by May, work had only started at one: Fountaindale School, near Mansfield. Some were still waiting for contractors to be appointed.

FREAK storms caused havoc across Nottinghamshire in June – leaving parts of the county battered by marble-sized hailstones, while the city basked in sunshine.

The crazy weather started when the skies over Eastwood, Nuthall, Ilkeston and Kimberley turned black on June 9.

Once the heavens opened, several roads were swamped by the heavy downpours and schools were forced to close due to flash floods.

Shirley Carr, of Kimberley, said: "It was bizarre, it went blustery, then there was a mist. It was freaky – it went foggy for ten minutes, there was just chaos on the roads and it was scary."

Meanwhile, in the city, visitors to the Old Market Square were enjoying temperatures of 21C, topping up their suntans while their children paddled in the fountains.

Later in the month, naturists were wanting to take advantage of the sun too – but were banned from taking their clothes off and having a picnic in Wollaton Park.

Nottingham City Council turned down the controversial request for members of British Naturism to hold their 50th anniversary in the park, deciding that the event would cause offence to others using the "family environment".

Organisation member Andrew Welch told The Post: "It's a shame that naturism is so misunderstood that the council feels the need to do this. There's nothing wrong with the naked body."

Glapton Academy, the former Glapton Primary School, in Clifton, also sparked controversy in June by banning parents from attending their children's school sports day.

Parents told The Post they were furious after receiving a letter telling them they were not invited, and some said they would keep their children off school in protest.

Lisa Darby, of Ridgmont Walk, blasted the decision "ludicrous".

The 32-year-old said: "I was absolutely fuming.

"Sports day should be a family event and parents should be able to share their child's excitement at taking part in all the races."

However not everything was bad news in June.

On June 3, The Post reported that single mum Kerry Poxon, of Eastwood, won almost £1.2m on the Lottery.

The 44-year-old pharmacy dispenser had left the winning ticket on the fridge for two weeks before finally getting a chance to check her numbers.

She said: "I checked the numbers on my phone and I didn't believe it when my numbers came up. So I checked them on another device but I was still convinced something was wrong with my internet.

"So I called my dad to get him to check and he told me to sit down."

And there was even more reason to celebrate on June 13 when 14 local heroes were recognised by The Queen as part of Her Majesty's Birthday Honours List.

It included two knighthoods – given to Barry Day, chief executive of Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, and professor David Greenway, vice chancellor of the University of Nottingham – two OBEs, four MBEs and six BEMs.

Mr Day said: "I am delighted to receive this award. It is a huge honour."

Janet Street-Porter, journalist, 68, Hayley Williams, lead singer of alternative group Paramore, 26; Bill Goldberg, WWE professional wrestler, 48; Emilie De Ravin, actress in The Hills Have Eyes, 33; Chloe Bridges, former teen actress who appeared as Zoey in Freddie, 23; James Cassells, drummer of metalcore group Asking Alexandria, 25; Antonio Cesaro, WWE wrestler, 34; Savannah Guthrie, former NBC News reporter, 43.

West Bridgford: Olga Ciesluk, 31, of Carlyle Road, , has been fined £300 for a road traffic offence. She was in charge of a Peugeot 206 in Greythorne Drive, West Bridgford, when unfit to drive through drink on December 1. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, Ciesluk pleaded guilty. She was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

Sutton-in-Ashfield: George Beastall, 36, of Westbourne Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, has been ordered to pay £3,000 compensation. He pleaded guilty to stealing £3,000 from a man in Carlton between January 1, 2013, and July 3 this year. Magistrates gave Beastall an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, because the offence was so serious. The victim was said to be vulnerable and it was a breach of trust over a period of time. JPs suspended his sentence due to his guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. He will be supervised by probation for 12 months and must do 150 hours of unpaid work. Beastall was further ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £85.

Broxtowe: Kevin Paul Walsh, 37, of Bidford Road, Broxtowe, admitted assaulting a female and a police sergeant on December 15. He was sent to prison for 56 days by magistrates in Nottingham.

The Meadows: Ashley Howman, 23, of Lammas Gardens, The Meadows, has been bailed after denying assaulting a female in Mapperley on July 29. Howman must appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 14.

IF you're at that stage of the festivities where you just can't face another day stuck inside the house watching Morecambe and Wise repeats, don't despair.

There are still plenty of fun events to enjoy over the next few days – so get out there and soak up the seasonal goodies on offer...

Winter Wonderland, Old Market Square, until January 4, 2015: Anyone who hasn't been down to Slab Square yet this Christmas is really missing a treat. This magical Christmas zone features a festive market, kids' rides, a huge tree, gorgeous food, two bars and lots of regular entertainment. At the heart of it all is the big outdoor ice rink, which is looking genuinely marvellous. And if you're too chicken to get your skates on yourself, you can spend a pleasant half hour or so watching everyone else make an utter fool of themselves. What's not to love? It costs £8.50 for anyone over 12 years, £6.50 for kids or £25 for a family of four. The handy penguins are also available for hire on a first come, first served basis at a cost of £3. You can book your 45-minute session online ahead of your visit to avoid the queues at www.nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Theatre Royal, until January 11, 2015: Join Lesley Joseph, Sam Attwater and pals for this year's hilarious show, complete with impressive special effects, lighting wizardry and epic sets. Tickets from £15. www.trch.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Playhouse, until January 17: City icon Kenneth Alan Taylor has brought us another Christmas cracker this year, with dazzling costumes, brilliant sets, great musical numbers and amongst the daftest jokes you'll ever hear in a public forum. Tickets from £22.50 www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Peter Pan, Palace Theatre Newark, until January 3: Comedy legend Bernie Clifton stars as Smee in this rip-roaring tale for all the family. It's just a guess, but we suspect that ostrich will make an appearance too. Tickets from £18. www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/ palacetheatre

Sleeping Beauty, Mansfield Palace Theatre, until January 4: Janice Battersby from Corrie (aka Vicky Entwistle) as Queen Carabosse in another version of the silly tale, with great musical numbers? We'll have a bit of that, thanks very much. Tickets from £12.81. www.mansfield.gov.uk/ palacethreatre

New Year's Eve Celebrations, Nottingham Castle and Old Market Square, December 31, from 8pm: Time to welcome in the New Year with not one but two free firework displays in the city centre. The main event takes place at Nottingham Castle – but you'll get a great view from the Winter Wonderland in the Old Market Square, where you can also enjoy food and drink, plus street entertainment (including LED juggling and hula-hoops). Best of all, for little people who have to get to bed early, there'll be an earlier children's display, provisionally at 9pm. At Nottingham Castle itself, enjoy live music from the Fab Four and the Gorgeous Chans, street entertainers, bars and food stalls. Entry is free from 8pm, but capacity inside the castle grounds is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. The event ends at around 12.15am. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Wollaton Uncovered, Wollaton Hall, January 2, 6.45pm: Enjoy the wonders of the magnificent hall by night and hear fascinating stories about roof top rooms, secret tunnels, beer cellars and queen's bedrooms. Suitable for kids aged 12 years and over. £15pp including a glass of wine or soft drink. Book tickets on 0115 876 1057

Ramblers Festivals of Winter Walks, Various routes until January 4: Shake off the indulgences of the season with a bracing walk in some of the most beautiful countryside in the area. Ramblers groups will be leading a number strolls at:

Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire, Sunday (December 28), 10am – six mile route in the Vale of Belvoir, meet at Main Street/Church Street.

Derbyshire Dales, New Year's Eve, 10am – 11 mile route, meeting at Bonsall Village Hall.

Cropston, Leicestershire, January 4, 10.20am – ten mile route, meeting at Causeway Lane, Cropston.

For more ideas and routes, visit www.ramblers.org.uk.

KEIRON Chung has always loved playing ice hockey, but struggled to find a place to practice.

But the 10-year-old can now hone his skills whenever he likes thanks to his godfather, who built him his very own rink.

Robert Vickers, 61, built the rink in his garden at his home in Nuthall, for Keiron and his friends to play on.

Ice hockey-mad Keiron had been practising whenever he could, but time on the rink was sparse.

Mr Vickers, who is sales director of a plastics company in Ilkeston, spent £15,000 building the five metre by 11 metre rink.

He had blindfolded Keiron before revealing the surprise.

He said: "I had told him I was building a car port because that's what used to be there before.

"Our dog had died not long before, so I think he was expecting to see a puppy.

"His face was an absolute picture."

Keiron, who plays for Nottingham Tiger Cubs, now regularly has his friends and teammates round to practice.

He said: "It was quite a surprise because I didn't think I would have an ice rink. I just couldn't wait to get on it."

His mother, Linda Chung, said Keiron is now always at her godfather's house practising.

She said: "He is there more than at home now to be honest.

"But he was having to take whatever time he could get at the ice centre and this sometimes meant he was having to practice at 10pm or 11pm, which isn't good for a 10-year-old."

Mr Vickers has worked with Nottingham Panthers over the past two months to get the professionals to visit and give lessons to the young ice hockey players.

And he is now looking into building a bigger one for use in the community.

He added: "We're looking into getting a way of getting a bigger one and making it commercially viable.

"We're trying to get it set up near where we work in Ilkeston, so there is somewhere for the community to practice their skating."

THE ambulance service for Nottinghamshire was stretched on Christmas Day, receiving hundreds more calls than the same time last year.

East Midlands Ambulance Service call handlers took 2,500 calls compared to around 2,100 last year.

Mike Parker, Service Delivery Manager at the service's Emergency Operations Centre said: "We try and plan as best we can. Christmas is not usually a busy day for us. People don't really want to go to a hospital on Christmas Day but we were inundated with calls.

"Over a third of our calls were classed as life-threatening. These were things such as chest pains, difficulty breathing and cardiac arrest. We were inundated with calls of people waiting longer than expected for ambulances."

However, Nottingham's hospitals did not report a surge in demand. A spokesman for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust - which runs the QMC and City Hospital - said: "On Christmas Day thousands of staff, including more than 1,500 nurses, looked after around 1,700 patients, as usual."

Nottinghamshire Police also reported a quiet day and a spokesman said there was a "low level of demand" and a "relatively quiet period".

A GRIEVING family has been forced to pay an extra £900 for their grandmother to be buried next to her husband – because she moved less than a mile down the road.

Ammie Hemingway was heartbroken when her nan Janet Smith died after a short battle with cancer.

Then she discovered it would cost nearly £1,500 for Mrs Smith to be buried next to husband Terence.

Mrs Smith had bought the plot next to Terence at Redhill Cemetery when he died 14 years ago. At the time she was living at Oxclose Lane in Daybrook, which – like the cemetery – was within the Gedling Borough Council boundary.

But unable to bear living in the house where her husband had died, she moved just less than a mile away to Mosswood Crescent in Bestwood Park.

After her death at the age of 72 on December 12, her family were shocked to discover the burial fee would be £1,416 – because she had become a Nottingham City Council resident.

Had she remained within Gedling borough, it would have cost them just £520.

Ammie, of St Albans Road in Arnold, said: "We were absolutely gob-smacked when we found out. It feels like 21st-century grave robbing. My nan had lived in Gedling borough for eight years before she moved, but apparently that isn't long enough.

"We just couldn't understand why a job that is being done by the same people and using the same equipment has an £896 price difference depending on where in Nottingham you live.

"She only moved just down the road and she walked to the cemetery every day to visit my grandad's grave and look after it."

Mrs Smith had left some money to pay for her funeral, but it wasn't enough to cover the extra cost of digging the grave.

The family has now had to cut back. Ammie, 30, added: "We'd initially wanted to have the funeral service at Emmanuel Church in Bestwood, as that's where we had my grandad's, but we're having it at the cemetery chapel instead because it's cheaper.

"We've just had to try and cut back as much as possible, so it won't be quite the send-off we'd wanted."

The family has now paid the charge, as they felt they had "no choice".

Mrs Smith's daughter Karen McEvoy, 47, of Beckhampton Road in Bestwood Park, added: "When they told us how much it was going to cost we just sat there dumb-founded.

"It was a hard enough time anyway, having just lost my mum, so to be told that we'd have to fork out all that money was a kick in the teeth.

"She moved less than a mile away, but the fact she'd moved to a different council area wasn't something she'd ever thought about.

"We've paid the extra money as that's where she wanted to be buried, but it felt like we had no choice."

A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: "We offer a discounted price for residents who wish to be buried in one of the borough's cemeteries.

"While we understand the family's frustration, the eight years when the person lived in the borough was not long enough to have a long-term connection to the area."

STUART Pearce has urged his Nottingham Forest players to find their confidence – and asked fans to stay behind his side, as they look to bounce back with a win over Birmingham City.

The Reds were left stunned by a 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, where they were reduced to ten men by the sending off of Kelvin Wilson.

And Pearce felt a lack of belief was again central to their downfall, as they were outclassed at the Riverside.

Now, as they look to bring an end to a frustrating run that has seen them win only two of their last 15 Championship games, Pearce wants his side to have faith in themselves, against the Blues.

"Everyone at the club is frustrated. I included the fans in that, because we are in this together and we have to make sure we come out of this and do not feel sorry for ourselves," he said. "We need to improve and we need the confidence to say 'I want the ball and I am going to pass the ball'."

"We are suffering with a lack of confidence, there is no doubt about that. We just need to find that confidence. We need to find some arrogance on the ball. One or two players are feeling sorry for themselves and, in this division, you cannot afford that.

"We do need the fans and they have to support this team. They were my words in the summer and they echo loud and clear now. We need to try to get a win and we need to beat Birmingham."

Forest went behind early in the second half, when George Friend headed home – before Wilson was red carded not long after, collecting his second booking. A late penalty, conceded by Karl Darlow and converted by Grant Leadbitter, finished them off.

"Once the goal went in – and we were disappointed to concede from a set play – there was the sending off, and that killed the game for us," said Pearce, who substituted Britt Assombalonga at half time. "We felt Michail Antonio was doing the majority of his work in our half, rather than in the opposition half, so we changed things in an effort to get him working in the opposition half.

"The game was finished as a contest after the red card. We will look at it again, to see if it was a sending off or if it wasn't. The penalty did look a soft one, but Karl should probably have stayed on his feet and steered him wide of goal.

"If you go to ground in the penalty area like that, you give the opposition the chance to go to ground. That was typical of us at the minute, because we are beating ourselves, rather than the opposition beating us.

"We were in the game and we have stayed in matches in recent weeks. But it is about that final pass or that link up play that we need to add to our game."

"I don't think too many things are going our way, but we need to earn that."

Forest were missing Henri Lansbury through illness – and Jack Hobbs will not be ready to face Birmingham despite returning to training.

"Henri has been sick for four days and has lost around three kilos in weight. But we hope he will be involved against Birmingham," said Pearce. "At the moment, Jack Hobbs is doing what is asked of him and we are not prepared to change the timescale, when it comes to getting him back in the side. We are hopeful that he will be ready to play a part against Rochdale, in the Cup.

"We took Antonio off the pitch, purely because we wanted to save his energy for the Birmingham game. We will pick a system we believe will beat Birmingham."

SHAUN Derry felt Notts County did not deserve to lose to MK Dons as their search for a Christmas win continues.

Daniel Powell's first-half goal was enough to separate the two sides at Meadow Lane as Karl Robinson's side maintained the pressure on league leaders Bristol City.

But Notts refused to lay down and should have equalised after the break when Ronan Murray shot straight at David Martin when one on one.

Garry Thompson could have also been awarded a penalty at the death when he was brought down by Kyle McFazdean.

While disappointed to lose, Derry refused to be too despondent.

"I'm usually not one for taking positives out of defeat but that was a fine performance especially in the second half," he said. "We gave MK Dons a real tough game and I know they've had chances to put us to bed, but so did we.

"I felt we took the game to them and that was really commendable work from the lads.

"We were worth a point. The decision over the penalty at the end may have cost us. I looked at it in real time and thought it was a spot-kick.

"There were a lot of plusses for me, but I am just disappointed we haven't got something from the game."

Notts handed a debut to teenager Colby Bishop, a product of the club's academy.

The 18-year-old produced a fine performance and Derry was happy with what he saw from the youngster.

"I was pleased for Colby Bishop who came in and affected the game like I wanted him to," he said.

"He lost his legs a bit for 20 minutes before the end, but that's what happens when you make your debut.

"He did well. He's trained with us the last two weeks and looked very bright which is why I decided to play him."

BOSS Adam Murray says until Mansfield Town find some consistency, they will find themselves in a battle towards the wrong end of the table.

The Stags followed up a superb 1-0 victory at AFC Wimbledon with a disappointing 1-1 Boxing Day draw at home to Hartlepool United – going from brilliant to "bang average".

Murray accepts they need to revert to the former, if they are to return home with something to show for their efforts when they head to Bury tomorrow.

"We looked at the three games over this period and it was always going to be tough," the manager said of the Christmas fixtures.

"We've managed to put four points on the board. Compared to the run we were on previously, four points is four points.

"If we were trying to break into the play-off places, then we would probably be looking for six points (in the last two games). But that's not where we're at.

"We're a team which, realistically, is in a battle."

In Bury, Mansfield will come up against a side looking to break into the top seven, and who ended a run of five league games without a win when they beat Northampton Town, 3-2.

"It will be a different challenge. They are a team which is up there at the minute and doing well. They did well towards the end of last season," said Murray.

"They play a different style to what we've faced over the last couple of games.

"But we've got to prepare to go there and put something on the board."

Murray's side had looked on course to take three points against Hartlepool when Junior Brown put them in front at the One Call Stadium.

But Michael Duckworth levelled after the break in a game which saw three red cards.

"We've gone from really good to bang average, and we need that to level out," added Murray. "It was always a case of we needed to start picking points up, particularly at home.

"We need to be ruthless – both in our defending and being clinical at the other end. That needs to be upped.

"We've got to prepare for another game now. We can't be feeling sorry for ourselves."

NOTTINGHAM Panthers captain David Clarke insists he will come back bigger and stronger from his latest shoulder injury.

Clarke (pictured) is out for the rest of the season after suffering a fresh problem following his initial recovery from surgery in the summer.

He will go back under the surgeon's knife again soon, but the 33-year-old insists there is no question over his future on the ice.

He said: "I've been struggling for three weeks or so. I got a scan and it showed I've done damage to the back of the shoulder this time.

"It was too much of a risk to keep playing. I worked hard to get back and some of the muscles at the back of the shoulder weren't quite developed enough having repaired the front.

"It left me a bit exposed. I took a hit against Dundee and got a similar feeling to when I got hurt the first time.

"It needed fixing otherwise worst case scenario I wouldn't get back. I'll absolutely return from this. It's not as serious as before.

"It's been caught early as well. The recovery time frame means I won't be back for the end of the season though, barring a miracle. I'll come back bigger and stronger next season."

Clarke was at the Motorpoint Arena as Panthers won 4-0 against arch rivals Sheffield Steelers. With their backs against the wall, Clarke felt it was a game they simply had to win.

"This was a big game for us against a team that's riding high and sitting top. We couldn't afford to lose," he said.

"It's testament to what's sitting in our dressing room. It's a solid performance from everyone from Modig at the back. It was nice to see Jacina getting that goal."

NOTTINGHAM Forest head into their Sunday clash at the City Ground on the back of a heavy defeat, but so do opponent's Birmingham.

The Blues have experienced a revival in their fortunes since Gary Rowett took over as their new boss, but they were undone 4-0 at home to Derby County.

And Rowett said: "I didn't think we played with the same fluency and attacking threat as we have done in previous games.

"I actually thought Derby were the most clinical and threatening side that we have played in the last eight we've played.

"They showed their quality and class. Their wide players were a constant threat throughout the game.

"We looked nervy and edgy on the ball maybe we conceded early on in the game which took a little bit of confidence away from the team.

"As it was Derby have that clinical edge to them like Martin, Russell and Ibe have in their locker."

Championship results: Brentford 2 Ipswich 4, Charlton 1 Cardiff 1, Birmingham 0 Derby 4, Bolton 2 Blackburn 1, Bournemouth 2 Fulham 0, Brighton 2 Reading 2, Leeds 0 Wigan 2, Middlesbrough 3 Nottm Forest 0, Norwich 6 Millwall 1, Rotherham 2 Huddersfield 2, Sheff Wed 1 Blackpool 0, Watford 0 Wolves 1

ILKESTON FC moved into third spot in the Evo-Stik Premier Division after edging out bottom-markers Belper Town 3-2 at Christchurch Meadow.

The Robins had to come back from being 2-0 down to win. In front of a crowd of 556, the Nailers dominated the play to lead through Liam Goulding after six minutes and Rob Stevenson on the half-hour mark.

But then two goals in three minutes just past the hour-mark from Rob Duffy – the second from the penalty spot – pulled Ilkeston FC back on level terms.

And the experienced former Rushden & Diamonds and Grimsby Town striker (pictured) won it by completing his hat-trick in the 73rd minute.

Kevin Wilson's side moved above Curzon Ashton after they suffered a 4-0 drubbing by new tenants FC United of Manchester at the Tameside Stadium.

Goalkeeper Martin Kearney was the returning star as Carlton Town beat Rainworth Miners Welfare 2-1 at Stoke Lane in the Boxing Day derby clash in Evo-Stik First Division South.

Kearney, playing his first game since re-joining the club from Basford United, saved a second half penalty from Romaine Graham with the score at 1-1 and watched on in delight as the Millers went up to the other end and won the game through a Tom Maddison header 15 minutes from time.

Lincoln City earned a 3-2 win over Alfreton Town in the Conference Premier at Sincil Bank.

The Imps had gone ahead on five minutes through Hamza Bencherif, but his headed effort was cancelled out at the start of the second half by Karl Hawley for the Reds.

City struck back and looked to have wrapped up the win in a crazy two-minutes spell.

First, second-half substitute Ben Tomlinson netted from close range on 70 minutes and two minutes later Marcus Marshall struck his first goal for the Imps with a 30-yard thunderbolt almost ripping out the net.

However, there was a late scare as Dan Bradley scored in added time, but it was too little too late, and City made it four home wins in a row.

Long Eaton United went seven points clear of Basford United in the Midland League Premier after a 3-1 home win over Shepshed Dynamo.

Second-placed Basford, who have two games in hand, play today in their own derby at home to Dunkirk.

SO it's a fact that in 2013/14 Nottingham's Labour-controlled City Council was the biggest earner from parking charges outside London. The £12.1m profit generated from parking charges simply indicates their negative and damaging anti-private car and commercial vehicles attitude.

Moreover, it shows they regard vehicle users as easy prey and a stealth tax milk-cow, with no concern or sympathy for the extra financial burden placed on hard working families and businesses in times of austerity. It's a similar attitude displayed towards people's lives from the devastating impact on human, environmental and business losses and closures from the extension of the tram system.

It is the only city in the country to have a work place parking levy to supplement revenue from the accepted street parking charges. Tony Hogg's comments in the Post on December 13 were correct when he defined the WPL as a parking charge, in contrast to Councillor Jane Urquhart's comments which states it is not a parking charge, because it is ring-fenced by the government to fund locall redevelopment projects. Which is ludicrous, and is an attempt to lessen the £12.1m profit from parking charges. If it's not a parking charge, what is it then?

Tony Hogg is also correct when he says that the WPL adds extra cost to his business. The WPL has made some businesses relocate outside the city to other locations where there is no WPL because they were concerned about the impact of the WPL on their day to day operating costs.

Obviously, taxes are necessary to help to improve the infra-structure but to use the WPL for this is both economically damaging and unfair to a minority of the public. Major infrastructure schemes should be funded from central government to ensure that costs are spread fairly against the tax paying public, and not from local council projects which are likely not to be properly and financially thought out.

In my opinion the sooner the WPL is scrapped the better, and we should also seek other methods of reducing parking charges in order to help the economic growth of Nottingham.

KEN STEELE

Gardendale Avenue

Clifton