The Christmas decorations are still up and the leftover turkey has barely been used up - but Nottingham shops are already stocking EASTER EGGS.
A display of the chocolatey spring treats was spotted in WHSmith near the Broadmarsh centre in the city centre.
But Easter 2015 is not until Sunday, April 5.
Here's what our columnist Jeremy Lewis had to say about it:
Seasoned observers of the retail industry will not be surprised to see Easter eggs on sale in Nottingham while Christmas still has a week to run.
Contempt for the intelligence of shoppers is not a British phenomenon.
Strewth, Bruce, politicians and clergypersons in Australia have been getting worked up about the decision of Woolworths to start selling another Easter treat, hot cross buns, fully ten days before the end of Christmas.
It's been weeks since I had my first email from some marketing spiv trying to flog St Valentine's Day tat, so I am hardly stunned to learn that Easter is already big business.
The only shock is that the spivs are off the pace with Mothering Sunday (or "Mothers' Day" as it is described by people who have not attended school). Even though it falls three weeks before Easter, I have yet to see a single chocolatier, florist or restaurateur moving in for the kill.
We also learn from Australia that department stores are known to hoist up their Christmas trees in early September, four months before the festive season.
Aussies have seen nothing yet. They should see how things are done in the Mother Country where the retail industry is expected to launch Christmas 2015 the moment Easter eggs have been cleared from the shelves.
Nottingham's tram network is extending its cut-price group ticket offer into 2015.
The group ticket enables two adults and up to three children to travel all day on the tram for £6.
It will be available all day every day until January 5 – but tickets must be purchased at a tram stop before boarding – to help people make the most of the festive break and school holidays.
Jamie Swift, Nottingham Express Transit marketing manager, said: "By taking the tram, customers can enjoy a stress-free journey into the city centre.
"There are trams every five minutes and, by taking advantage of our park and ride facilities, customers can avoid the worry and expense of finding somewhere to park."
Police thought a Forest Fields man was playing a joke on officers when he telephoned to answer bail.
Andzej Kupcevic, 29, of Exeter Road, has to sign in at Radford Road police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as part of his bail conditions for an offence that was not mentioned in court. But when he went to the station on Christmas Eve, he found the door of the station closed so used the phone to contact officers.
Helen Rooks, defending, said: "He used the yellow telephone outside the police station to try and explain to officers what his name was. He said it seemed they thought it was some sort of joke."
Nottingham magistrate Liz Harte cleared him of breaching bail, saying: "There is a slight burden of proof and it has not been met."
A man who was wanted in connection with a theft has been interviewed by police and released without charge.
Craig Wesley Smith voluntarily handed himself into officers in Beeston after he was featured in the Post.
Nottinghamshire Police appealed for information about Mr Smith's whereabouts after a theft at the Premier Inn Hotel, in Cinderhill, on November 26.
After Mr Smith spoke to the Post yesterday, the force confirmed that, following a voluntary interview on December 23, he was no longer being sought in connection with the crime.
Mr Smith said: "My part in this was non-existent and I have been told that there is no case against me and no case going forward against me."
Both Nottinghamshire Police and Mr Smith have said that they had tried to make contact with each other several times. A force spokesman said: "We released a list of men wanted in connection with a number of crimes for publication in the Nottingham Post. This tactic is used sparingly, based on specific criteria, but ultimately used in a bid to solve crime and protect the public.
"If an individual has a complaint about this method of crime fighting, or its use in relation to a particular case, we would invite them to submit a formal grievance and the matter will be investigated fully."
Tributes have been paid to a "loving and caring" mother who fostered more than 60 children.
Margaret Parker, known as Peggy, died aged 91 following decades of looking after vulnerable children.
Her family say her dedication to giving youngsters a home will never be forgotten.
Daughter Margaret Jennings, of Mansfield Lane, Calverton, said: "My mum started fostering when I was about five years old, so it would have been about 1951.
"I was her only child and I always assumed she had wanted more kids but it had never happened, so she decided to foster.
"I remember the first child she fostered was a little girl who was originally from Clifton. She was only about two years old."
Over the next 30 years, Peggy and husband Len went on to foster a total of 63 children, including a young Egyptian boy whose mum had been injured during the Suez crisis in the 1950s.
They lived in various homes across Nottingham, including St Ann's, Netherfield and Gedling.
Margaret, 68, said: "She fostered quite a few brothers and sisters but the most she had at a time was probably three. Some would only stay for a few weeks.
"I always wondered how she could do it. Most of the children had been neglected and were very vulnerable.
"She sometimes used to get upset when they had to be taken away again but she seemed to take everything in her stride."
Peggy's last foster children were sisters Carole Carroll and Susan Butlin, who were just nine and 11 when they arrived 43 years ago after their mum died.
They never left – and Peggy went on to become grandmother to their children and great-grandmother to their grandchildren.
Carole, now 54 and living in Cleveland, said: "If it wasn't for Peggy and Len, I don't know where Susan and I would have been. We could have been anywhere and life could have been very different.
"It certainly couldn't have been any better than we had. Peggy was a very caring mum to us and gave up a lot to look after us."
Susan, now 52 and from Selston, added: "She brought us up well. She never treated us any differently to her own daughter, Margaret – we were like her own daughters too."
Peggy, who was also secretary of Carlton Pigeon Club, died on December 14 – 21 years after husband Len.
Margaret added: "My mother was very family-orientated. She was very caring and I never heard her say a cross word about anyone. She will be missed."
A DAD who had never been in trouble with the law ended up in court when his son grew thousands of pounds worth of cannabis in the family home.
Retired miner Stuart Percival, 60, had told son Jack he could "certainly not" grow the plants in his home.
But Percival returned to find a growing system was up and running in one of the spare bedrooms.
The dad was arrested and later "conceded" he allowed the cannabis to be grown on March 28 at his address.
He was then taken before Nottingham Magistrates' Court.
The court heard yesterday he had "nine months of sleeplessness" waiting for the court case to be dealt with, and that the consequences of the case had been "devastating."
Eight fully-grown plants had been harvested when police searched the house after finding cannabis in the son's car.
Percival, of New Road, Blidworth, pleaded guilty to permitting the production of cannabis at his address and was fined £400.
Magistrate Jane McGregor, who was sitting with two colleagues, told him: "I think you have been very silly in your decision and we think you allowed this to happen and that has been your downfall."
Percival's son's case was sent to be heard at Nottingham Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to cannabis-related offences.
The court heard, in mitigation for Percival, that he had been fully co-operative and was a responsible member of the community and a respectable retired man.
He had a part-time job, earning £100 a week, had no previous convictions, was a man of good character and did not drink or smoke.
Magistrates took into consideration his good character, his age and that he had entered a guilty plea.
Percival was also given a £40 fine and a victim surcharge of £85, taking his total penalty to £525.
St Ann's: Liam Martyn, 29, of Hawkridge Gardens, was sent to prison for four months after he was found guilty of assaulting a woman in Mapperley on May 23. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was given a restraining order, which lasts until further notice, and was told to pay a victim surcharge of £80.
East Leake: Joshua Moore, 29, of Walnut Gardens, was found guilty of assaulting a woman after he grabbed her by the throat. Magistrates in Nottingham heard the offence was so serious because the victim was vulnerable due to health difficulties. They sent Moore to prison for four months. The assault happened between February 19, 2014, and February 22, 2014, in East Leake. Moore was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80.
Nottingham: Shaun Kingham, 39, of Mansfield Road, has been ordered to pay £3,000 compensation for theft. Magistrates in the city heard he pleaded guilty to stealing electronic cigarettes and cash from Smoke Free, Market Place, Arnold, between September 27 and September 29, 2014. Kingham was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. The court heard the offence was premeditated. Kingham will be supervised by a probation officer for the 12 months and must have treatment for drug dependency for nine months as a non-resident patient. His first review will be on January 27 at the same court at 2pm. Kingham also must pay a victim surcharge of £80.
Yesterday The RSPCA said that 2014 has been one of the worst years ever for animal cruelty in Nottinghamshire. News editor Jade Beecroft was disgusted by the findings.
ONE of the older boys at my primary school liked to pull the wings off daddy long legs.
Despite it being nearly 30 years ago I can still vividly remember him lining the maimed insects along a windowsill and then watching them crawl helplessly, no longer able to fly. Seeing him in action as a frightened little girl made me feel physically sick and the memory still turns my stomach now.
Who knows whether that boy grew up to be a kind man – or whether he is now one of those who kicks his dog when angry. But what we do know is that animal cruelty is on the rise in Nottingham, with the number of owners prosecuted for killing their own pets doubling in the past year and daily reports to the RSPCA of animals being deliberately neglected.
In my opinion, abusing animals is one of the worst acts of cruelty a person can commit. I can't think of anything more cowardly than being violent towards a being who is utterly helpless, totally reliant on its owner, unable to speak for itself or understand why it is being attacked.
What kind of sicko punches a puppy or shoots a cat? They must have black rotten hearts.
Then there are the owners who neglect their pets, leaving them without food or water. When these people are brought to court they tend to plead their life circumstances as mitigation, telling the judge they were going through a rough patch, a relationship breakdown or job loss.
These pathetic excuses disgust me. There can never be reason for willfully leaving a creature who is totally dependent on you to prolonged suffering because life isn't going your way.
As a horse rider I had it drilled into me from being a little girl that good horsemanship meant putting your animal's needs before your own. No matter how wet, cold or tired you were after a ride, you always made sure your pony was comfortable and fed before you considered yourself.
I was horrified to see the pictures that came into newsdesk last week of five dead horses dumped in the road in East Leake. And I was also sickened by our report yesterday of a rabbit being left in its hutch with two broken legs because its owner didn't want to take it to the vet.
I have a pet rabbit (among other animals). He is toilet-trained, lives in the house and spends a lot of his time contentedly stretched out on my sofa. Rabbits have lively, inquisitive personalities and make wonderful companions. The idea that people keep them in tiny wooden boxes at the bottom of the garden, with no room to take more than a couple of hops, fills me with anger. Their loneliness and boredom must be unbearable.
So if you make one new year's resolution this week, let it be to look after your pets and give them the best quality of life you possibly can.
Snow has turned to ice across Nottinghamshire, leaving morning commuters facing cancellations and delays.
Here, we will keep you posted on the latest transport and traffic news for Nottinghamshire on Tuesday December 30.
7.14am:
Nottingham City Transport is running Saturday schedules on its bus services except for Citylink 1 and 2.
The bus firm says all services are facing delays due to the icy conditions, but 12 routes are diverted or cancelled:
Blue 42 is not serving Brewsters Road.
Sky Blue 47A is not serving the Dover Beck Drive area in Woodborough. Buses will follow the 47 route through Woodborough until further notice.
Lime 56 is not serving Somersby Road, Nordean Road, Whitby Crescent or Gedling Road and running direct along Arno Vale Road.
Lime 57 is not serving Somersby Road, Nordean Road, Whitby Crescent or Gedling Road and running direct along Arno Vale Road. In addition, Newcombe Drive and Darlton Drive cannot be served. Buses are operating a one way loop from The Arrow PH via Gedling Road, Rolleston Drive, Coppice Road, Ramsey Drive to return to the City via Arno Vale Road.
Lime 58 is diverted via Beechwood Road and Coppice Road and is not serving stops on Birchfield Road, Homefield Avenue, Surgeys Lane or Church Street
Yellow 68, 69 are operating a one way loop at Snape Wood. Buses are operating via Seller's Wood Drive West, Woodlink then Snape Wood Road.
Turquoise 78 is diverted via Melbourne Road, Aspley Lane and Broxtowe Lane and not serving Minver Crescent, Hilcot Drive or Sherbourne Road.
Turquoise 79A cannot serve Old Farm Road and is diverted direct along Bestwood Park Drive West.
Purple 88 cannot serve Old Farm Road and is running the full length of Ridgeway, Tesco, Top Valley Drive to normal route.
Local Link L9 is suspended and will not run until further notice.
Local Link L14 is not serving Heathfield Estate and is diverted along Arnold Road and Hucknall Road. Brooklyn Road and Piccadilly will also not be served in Bulwell and buses will run the full length of Arnold Road and Highbury Vale.
7.19am:
Delays are expected on the M1 by junction 27, the A453 and the A1 heading southbound into Newark.
Roadworks coupled with the continued icy weather are likely to cause problems for travellers this morning, according to the AA.
7.30am:
Nottinghamshire Police are continuing to warn drivers to take extra care on the roads as snow remains across Nottinghamshire.
Tips include checking tyre treads and windscreen wipers and remembering to add antifreeze.
7.45am:
Trent Barton buses are also operating on a Saturday timetable today, and is hopeful to serve all parts of its routes across the county.
7.46am:
Trent Barton's 7.35 3A service is not running.
8.02am:
Nottingham City Transport's Turquoise 79A and Purple 88 routes are now serving Old Farm Road, Top Valley, as usual.
8.10am:
Traffic in Huntingdon Street, in the city centre, is beginning to mount. Vehicles are moving south with an average speed of just 4mph.
8.12am:
Slow traffic running west past the City Hospital in Whatton Rise is moving at 2mph. Cars are being delayed by approximately six minutes.
8.20am:
Shelford Road, in Radcliffe on Trent, is slow, with traffic moving 4 minutes behind schedule at 1mph.
Police closed off a road in St Ann's after shots were reportedly fired.
According to one resident, the incident happened at around midnight on Sunday in Olga Road.
Forensic teams are said to be conducting investigations and the road has been closed.
The resident, who did not want to be named, said: "No cars can leave the street and police have not given any information to residents."
Chris Rafferty, 26, an operations engineer at IT support firm Littlefish, based in Olga Road, said: "Apparently there were two shots fired last night which sounded like fireworks.
"Ten or 15 minutes later, armed police arrived and started combing the area.
"The street has been cordoned off ever since and they've restricted any comings and goings. Police have been doing a forensic sweep up and down the street."
Police said they were investigating an incident but that there was nothing to substantiate the suggestion shots were fired.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident but police refused to say what for.
They said there was no evidence of any injuries.
Officers left the scene after 4pm yesterday.
Educational assessor Craig Pennington, 46, of nearby Olga Court, said that he heard noises outside around midnight on Sunday.
He added: "My partner said he heard arguing but nothing else.
"Police have been guarding it all day. A couple of hours ago there were forensics there.
"I just want to know what was going on, especially as it's so close. Nothing goes on around here apart from neighbours arguing when you park in their space."
Housewife Kelly Brett, 34, of Olga Road, said she, too, heard loud noises on Sunday night.
She added: "I heard shouting about half-twelve. I didn't know if it was the neighbours or not.
"We just thought yesterday that it looked serious – we thought maybe someone's been hurt."
Housewife Denise Roberts, 33, has lived on Olga Road for ten years.
She said: "The police said there had been a firearm set off, that's all we know.
"The police tape was there all day. It's a little bit worrying because it's quite quiet around here."
Supermarket manager James Davies, 27, of Olga Court, added: "I am used to this – it doesn't change much."
The most popular word of 2014 has been revealed – but it isn't actually a word.
The heart 'emoji' was the most widely used character on social media and online, according to analysts.
The sign for love shows how symbols are making their way into the English language, thanks to the rise of the internet.
Around 1,000 recognised characters are used to portray an emotion, expression or state of mind – and a further 250 will be made available over the next year.
The list was compiled by the Global Language Monitor in Austin, Texas, which analyses the use of words and symbols on blogs, Twitter and Facebook and in 250,000 global news outlets.
The researchers also found the heart emoji appeared billions of times a day across the world.
Other popular words include hashtag, photobomb, clickbait and vape – showing the rise of social media.
The list is the 15th annual survey compiled by the organisation.
Last year 404 – the internet error message – was the most popular word.
Paul Payack, president of Global Language Monitor, said: "The English Language is now undergoing a remarkable transformation unlike any in its 1,400 year history."
The most popular words of 2014:
The heart emoji - the symbol for love is one of almost 1,000 in use
Hashtag - the reformed pound sign (#) which often gets topics trending on Twitter
Vape - referring to vaporising, the practice of using an electronic or e-cigarette
Blood Moon - the blood red appearance of the moon caused when it enters the earth's shadow and captures the sun's red rays
Nano - can mean small (1 billionth of a metre) or refer to the type of technology
Photo Bomb - breaking into a pre-arranged assemble for a photo
Caliphate - a form of Islamic political leadership
(White) privilege - The alleged advantages of having lighter colored skin in a diverse society
Bae - term of endearment for an object of desire
Bash tag - use of a hashtag to undermine people you do not really like on social media
THE winning combination of cheese and charcuterie has landed in Notts.
New cafe Cured is bringing a taste of the continent to West Bridgford's main thoroughfare – with craft beer thrown in for good measure.
The names of some of the eats might not mean much – nduja, cullatello and teleggio sound like international footballers – but co-owner Daniel Brown says there's no pretentiousness surrounding the venue.
He says: "I have been in a lot of craft beer and charcuterie venues and I have found it a bit baffling.
"I want people to come in and feel comfortable with it.
"We have got a menu that any one can pick up and understand and the staff have been trained and are happy to explain anything."
Charcuterie, from the French 'chair' (flesh) and 'cuit' (cooked) was originally a way of preserving meat before the advent of refrigeration.
The process continues today because of the flavour curing gives the meat.
Daniel, 32, says: "Curing basically covers a whole range of ways to preserve meats and vegetables. It used to be reserved for the affluent because of the costs involved in and it was usually so finer goods could be transported from their foreign or long distance origins.
"We have amazing examples of smoked, pickled, salted and air dried curing, some of which we do ourselves when possible."
Customers can choose meat, cheese and vegetables from the cured selection – or trust the chef to select a six dish or nine dish gourmet range on their behalf.
"The chef comes down from the kitchen and talks you through the whole thing. We know all the quirky things about the cheese and meats – we don't lecture," says Daniel.
Under each name on the menu is a brief description. The aforementioned nduja is a Calabrian spreadable salami, cullatello is a 12-month aged air-dried boneless ham. There's milano, a pork and cured bacon sausage, bressaola is a flavoursome air-dried salted beef, and, of course, the best known of them all – prosciutto (pronounced proh-shoo-toe) di Parma, a thin sweet ham from Italy.
The seven-strong cheese selection features classic French Brie, king of the Italian blues Gorgonzola and, from just down the road, Colston Bassett's finest Stilton.
Roasted red peppers, chargrilled aubergines, slow-roasted tomatoes, baked fennel and other vegetables are sourced in Italy and are all preserved using traditional techniques.
It's a concept that Daniel has had for a while – and when a property became available in Central Avenue, it proved too good an opportunity to turn down.
He says: "I phoned the agent about something else and was told this was available if we were interested.
"Within a couple of days a deal had been done. I knew I was limited on time and didn't want to miss the December trade so we pulled out all the stops and got the build team in, Flagship Shop Fitters from Mansfield."
Within a few weeks, the property – formerly Belle and Jerome – was given a complete new look.
Daniel says: "The menu is a fusion of the best of British, French and Italian. That reflects in the decor – English industrial and French Parisian colours, greys, golds, and duck egg blue."
The charcuterie is just one half of the story, as Cured is equally keen to shout about its ales and exclusive wines.
The draught craft beers change monthly and the fridge is well stocked with bottles of Samuel Adams' Boston lager, Goose Honker and Brewdog's 5am Saint.
Wines, meanwhile, range from a crisp Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio from Italy to a chunky red Brazilian Rio Sol Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah.
"There is nothing like this around here. It's a continental style approach. We want people to come in for a glass of wine or beer and something light to eat," says Daniel.
"It transcends the boundaries of summer and winter really well. You can have it outside with friends and wine in summer and a lot of people have cheese and meats in winter."
Cured opens at 9am to catch the breakfast crowd, who can choose from a continental style croissant to an all-day full English.
The sandwich selection makes full use of the cheese and meats available, none more so that the sundried tomato focaccia filled with chorizo, teleggio, rocket and basil mayo.
Chunks of ham and cured sausage have worked their way into a hearty minestrone, which has been going down well with customers.
The rest of the dishes are for grazing and sharing. Pulled pork, sticky BBQ pork ribs, smoked salmon or melted Brie with crusty bread are available from noon until 9pm.
Downstairs can seat 40 – at tables, constructed from wrought iron sewing machine bases, or high stools at the bar. Upstairs are comfy leather sofas and armchairs, with space for as many again.
The family-run business, belonging to Daniel and his 55-year-old father Dean, is just five minutes walk from another of their ventures – The Parlour, a quirky eatery and cocktail bar.
The two venues are sufficiently different to attract a separate crowd.
Daniel says: "It would be stupid to cannibalise your customer base. We wanted more of a reinforcement of our standards and our brand rather than conflicting with ourselves."
The duo also run Brown's cafe bars and bistros in Mansfield and Newark and next year signals their most ambitious project yet, in Nottingham city centre.
The location is hush hush at the moment but work is set to start in February, ready for an opening in May.
Daniel says: "The last six years have all been pointing to the big flagship one in the city centre. It's going to be an amalgamation of everything....."
"....and then some," adds dad Dean, a former police inspector.
* Cured is open 9am til midnight (1am Friday and Saturday) seven days a week.
When David Scothern headed to McDonalds for a spot of lunch, he didn't think his McChicken Sandwich would set him back £100.
But after spending a leisurely two hours digesting his burger and chips, he discovered he had been slapped with a pricey parking fine.
Unbeknown to Mr Scothern, the restaurant, on Radcliffe Road in West Bridgford, has introduced a 90-minute parking limit – even for people who want to eat there.
Mr Scothern, who paid £7 for the McChicken Sandwich meal and three coffees, said: "I'd gone to McDonalds for a working lunch, so was there for a couple of hours.
"I was eating and drinking – so obviously spending money – and I didn't think anything of it, especially as I've used the restaurant and the car park several times before.
"But two weeks later I got a £100 parking charge notice through the post."
McDonalds says the restriction has been put in place to deter people from using the car park to go elsewhere.
But Mr Scothern, who lives on Trent Boulevard, says this is unfair on those who are genuinely there to eat.
He added: "I just find it incredible that they can fine someone for eating and drinking in their own restaurant.
"I would have understood if I'd left my car there and gone off somewhere else, but I stayed in the restaurant the whole time.
"Why should people have to rush their lunch just to avoid a parking ticket?"
A spokesman for McDonalds said: "At Trent Bridge, with the football club and cricket ground on the same road, and limited spaces for customers, parking restrictions have proved necessary and have been in place since March 2013.
"We appreciate that some visits such as meetings or large group visits might take longer and the parking restrictions are not intended to inhibit this.
"If customers anticipate their stay will exceed the stated maximum parking time, we would encourage them to speak to the restaurant manager in advance."
A short horror film made in Nottinghamshire about a mother and daughter besieged by zombies in an abandoned house, has been picking up awards. Craig Nye spoke to co-director Raj Pathak...What is the story?
A mother and daughter take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse, hiding from the zombies chasing them. Once the daughter drifts off to sleep, we discover the mother has been bitten and the other zombies are closing in.Where did the idea for the story come from?
Pia Cooke wrote the script in 2011. Pia, being old friends with Crash Taylor (co-director) sent it over for him to take a look. He loved it and sent it to me. Initially, I turned it down because I didn't want to make a zombie film but he insisted that I read the script. Sure enough, after I finished it I said we have to do it purely based on that ending.The End centres around two main characters - how did you go about casting these roles and can you tell us something about the actors playing the mother and daughter?
Crash and I auditioned actors from Nottingham and London in the WAHFilms office at The Corner in the Lace Market. As soon as Shelley Draper started her audition, we knew it had to be her because she completely understood the mother character. Ava Nicolson had been working as a model with Crash on his concept photography projects and suggested that she would be great for the role after we were unable to find any child actors who could play that part.Where in Nottingham was it shot?
In a village in Edingley near Mansfield. The house was perfect, when we first saw it it was half-demolished. Only the front was still standing and two days after we finished filming the house was bulldozed; which made our job extra hard because there were no chances for revisiting if we forgot anything.Being a zombie film, convincing special effects are essential. Can you tell us about the people involved in that?
Nik Hull and his team from N-FX are the incredible people responsible. Crash and I both met Nik on separate occasions at networking events. One chat with Nik was all it took, as it's a genre he's very fond of. The film also features a prosthetic hand and arm, which was sculpted for the film by Darren Nevin. WATCH THE END (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT)
Can you tell us about the awards the film has been winning?
At the Limelight Film Awards it won Best Horror. It was incredible. We didn't think we were going to win because there were so many great films nominated within our category. And we were nominated for 'Film of the Night' award as well. I completely forgot my speech so I just made something up on the spot. It was nominated for three awards at The British Horror Film Festival at The Empire Theatre, Leicester Square and Shelley Draper won Best Actress.What can you tell us about the plan to turn The End into a feature length film?
We have already finished the script and are now taking meetings with potential investors. It's set within the city this time so you get to find out what happens to the characters outside the parameters of the short. Our goal is to keep the film Nottingham based. Most of the people who worked on the short were from Nottingham and we'd love to keep it the same.
When Stuart Pearce said: "It is strange how players become better players when they are not available" a few months ago, he probably did not realise just how significant a statement it was.
In Nottingham Forest's case, the importance of the three players they lost, back in September, to injury has only been cast into painfully sharp focus by their absence.
But never more so than on Sunday afternoon.
It is not just that Chris Cohen, Andy Reid and Jack Hobbs are among Forest's better players. It is that they all share a similar quality. They are leaders of men.
Amid the ten minute collapse that decided the outcome of Forest's latest lamentable defeat, one thing was noticeable. Not only were all three Birmingham goals tainted with the stain of poor, poor defending – but there was no retribution, no arguing, no anger in the aftermath.
Each time they found the back of the net, the Forest players merely trudged back to the centre circle, heads down and shoulders hunched. They looked dejected and defeated.
Yes, when Clayton Donaldson stuck out a leg to deflect home the Blues' second goal, there were a few raised arms to appeal for an offside, when the striker had not been.
But, there was nobody encouraging, cajoling or, indeed, telling the rest of the team to blooming well sort themselves out in the kind of language that is not printable in a family newspaper. Nobody rallied the troops.
Michail Antonio, as part of the three man wall that was meant to protect Karl Darow's goal, merely waved a leg at David Cotterill's hopeful free-kick, while the marking in the centre, in front of the keeper, probably only added to the confusion.
Having been out muscled by Donaldson, as he attempted to usher the ball out for a goal kick, Eric Lichaj then trudged back towards goal, looking annoyed with himself – as Birmingham took a quick corner, with Darlow again beaten as another low shot from Cotterill this time found Donaldson, to flick home the second.
Then, for the third goal, Jamie Paterson was rather half-hearted, to say the least, in his efforts to close down Andy Shinnie as he weaved unchallenged into the box, to fire in the shot that the normally reliable Darlow could this time only parry straight into Michael Mancienne, who had not time to react before the ball had bounced off him to Donaldson, who was unmarked to scramble the ball home.
All of the goals had Forest mistakes in their build up. Error, as much as any quality from Birmingham, was the catalyst for all three. As Pearce pointed out afterwards, it was tantamount to an act of charity.
It is impossible to say, with complete certainty, that had Hobbs, Cohen or Reid been on the pitch things would have been different. But what is a fact is that Forest needed a leader. They needed somebody to organise, to ensure the team were switched on during such vulnerable moments and alert to the danger.
And, when they weren't, they needed somebody on the pitch to make sure those responsible knew they absolutely, positively must not let it happen again. In basic terms, they needed the kind of rollicking that you know, without a single shred of doubt, that Pearce himself would have been handing out, had he still been pulling on that number three shirt.
After the first goal had gone in, Forest needed to refocus, to go again. Instead they merely collapsed; crumbled in costly fashion.
It is unfair to say the return of one player, in Hobbs, will immediately transform Forest's fortunes if he, as is hoped, does prove he is fit enough to face Rochdale in the FA Cup this weekend.
His partnership with Mancienne is still the best Forest have had this season, in the centre of defence. With Mancienne's pace and reading of the game a neat foil for the simple, old fashioned, strong, powerful defending that the former Leicester City and Hull player brings to the table.
But it is his character, his mental strength that could prove to be just as valuable to the side.
On top of a run of just two wins in 17 Championship games, Forest cannot afford to bow out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, when they face League One opposition in the third round. That would only mount more pressure on a side that is already clearly lacking in confidence and self-belief.
But, as ridiculous as it might sound, Forest did show flashes of what they are capable of on Sunday afternoon. For 75 or 80 minutes of the game they were the better side. It genuinely was ten minutes of madness, along with their lacklustre finishing, that cost them.
Had they had somebody in the side to help address the rot, to revive and reinvigorate in the moments after the first Birmingham goal had gone in; to refocus a few minds, the damage might have been limited.
Now, looking ahead, rather than back, there is no less need for the kind of leadership that Forest's injured trio could provide.
Beyond the testing challenge that Forest face at Spotland, come vital league games against two of their oldest rivals, in Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.
The Owls, regardless of manager Stuart Gray's close friendship with Pearce and Steve Wigley, will not want to do Forest any favours at the City Ground.
After that, quite frankly, on current form, you fear what damage Derby could do to the Reds at the iPro Stadium on Saturday, January 17. Particularly if Forest continue to produce the same kind of suicidal defending that cut their feet out from under them against Birmingham. Steve McClaren's in form side would show no mercy. A repeat of last season's humiliation there would not be out of the question.
But the dividing line between success and failure remains a thin one. Forest do have a squad that is capable of far better. They are currently underachieving and it is down to Pearce to address that.
Forest are also in need of some leadership out on the pitch, however. They need somebody to help cut out the small moments that are continually having a big impact.
And Pearce will hope that, when they return – and Reid should be back to face the Rams – the importance of the duo is demonstrated again, out on the grass.
Louis Laing and Stephen McLaughlin's short-term Nottingham Forest could be put in limbo by the Financial Fair Play transfer embargo – which could open the door for Notts County.
Boss Stuart Pearce admits the Reds must give careful consideration to whether they play either man in their first team again this season, as a handful more senior starts would see the players become 'established' professionals and count towards the 24-man squad the Championship club are allowed under the rules.
Laing recently returned to the City Ground following his successful loan spell with the Magpies and Pearce says the defender's performances will be assessed in training, before Forest make a decision over whether to keep him within their ranks or to make him available for loan again.
And the Reds will make a similar decision over winger McLaughlin, now his loan spell at Meadow Lane is ending.
Laing started 12 games for the Magpies and was only on the losing side once, while McLaughlin has started 16 times for Shaun Derry's side, scoring one goal.
Once they make five first team appearances for Forest, they will be regarded as senior members of the squad. Laing, signed in the summer from Sunderland, is yet to start a game for the Reds. But McLaughlin, who signed from Derry City in January 2013, has four starts to his name.
And that is a big factor for Pearce, who said: "It has to be in our minds. We are working under an embargo scenario and we know the situation is that we will be working within the confines of having a 24-man squad.
"We have to keep in mind the prospect of a player coming in to play the odd game here or there – but take up a place in the squad under the embargo or Financial Fair play rules, if they do.
"We will have to keep that in mind as well, when we look at the situation."
Pearce says Forest will monitor Laing's progress in the next few weeks, before coming to a decision over his future.
The defender has been an unused substitute in the last two games with the Championship club.
"He is one of our players and we put him out on loan – he had a very good time at Notts County. They rarely lost when he was playing for them," said Pearce. "We will have a look at the situation.
"The plan was to get him back and have a look at him in training, to decide whether it is feasible for him to stay here or whether it is better for him to go out and get some more football on loan. We will decide that over the next few weeks."
Time-wasters with sore throats, coughs and sprained ankles are pushing the ambulance service to crisis point.
Freezing conditions have resulted in hundreds of pensioners with life-threatening breathing conditions needing emergency help.
But East Midlands Ambulance Service has been struggling to reach them because paramedics are tied up dealing with people who do not need to go to hospital.
Since Christmas Day, the service has been called out 11,712 times – answering 3,000 calls a day on average – but only half of these patients needed to go to A&E for treatment.
At one point on Saturday afternoon, 100 people were left waiting for treatment because there were no medics to send to them.
"The pressure on the service is immense," said Mike Parker, emergency operations centre manager for EMAS.
"We've seen pretty much a 25 per cent increase in calls in the last three or four days. That is huge.
"I was on call all weekend and we were absolutely inundated. There were no vehicles to send because they were all tied up on other jobs."
Call-handlers at the EMAS operations centre in Nuthall are having to answer up to nine calls every minute just to keep up with demand and health chiefs are urging patients not to dial 999 unless it's a genuine emergency.
Mr Parker said: "It's a huge strain for us at the moment. Unless vitally life-threatening, I suggest you make your own way to hospital if you need to go. You can also use out-of-hours services."
He said that a 30-year-old man rang the service because he had "hurt his finger" and another person called on Boxing Day to say they had banged their thigh three days ago.
People have also called with colds, sore throats and twisted ankles, while elsewhere across the East Midlands, one caller phoned when their cat died and another when the door fell off their fridge.
These come at a time when 965 people have rung 999 with life-threatening breathing difficulties since Christmas Day.
EMAS normally responds to around 2,000 calls a day and expects about 3,200 on New Year's Day.
Peter Holden, chairman of the British Medical Association in the East Midlands, said: "I am afraid the public has got to wake up.
"There is a degree of stupidity out there – like with the drunks who waste a lot of time or the people who aren't willing to treat themselves. It's becoming ridiculous. People cannot seem to manage a cough or vomit without calling 999."
Nottingham's hospitals were also stretched to the limit as GP surgeries closed for four days over the Christmas break.
Last week, 639 patients had to wait more than four hours to be seen, treated, admitted or discharged at the Queen's Medical Centre's A&E department – more than twice the national average.
In addition, 121 people had to wait on trolleys for between four and 12 hours at the hospital.
A spokesman for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Our hospitals have been extremely busy in the post-Christmas period.
"We need people to help us care for our most seriously ill patients.
"You can do this by choosing the right place for your care.
"If you feel ill, you can visit the walk-in centres on London Road or Upper Parliament Street. Alternatively, if you are not sure which service to use or think you need to see your GP urgently, then call 111 – which is open 24/7. A&E is for genuine emergencies only."
