ANDRE Boucaud could be playing his last game for Notts County today.

The midfielder's short-term loan at Meadow Lane ends after their League One clash against MK Dons – and the Magpies have still not agreed a deal to keep him at the club permanently so he is set to return to Luton Town in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

It would be a big blow to their promotion hopes if they lose him.

"It would be nice to keep Andre, but if we can't we can't," said Magpies' captain Neal Bishop.

"I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we want him to stay because he brings a lot to the team.

"I know how good he is because I have played alongside him for most of the season.

"But if we can't keep him we will not dwell on it – it's not going to be the end of our season."

"I'm sure the manager will have other targets."

Striker Chris Iwelumo's loan at Notts from Championship club Watford also ends after the Dons game, while four more players are out of contract at the club in January.

"It could be an interesting month," added Bishop.

"We've been talking about it in the dressing-room because there are six lads out of contract here.

"But the basis of the squad will still be in place so if we could add one or two to that it will stand us in really good stead for the rest of the season."

The Magpies have slipped all the way down to 11th place in League One ahead of facing the Dons at Meadow Lane, but Bishop is still ambitiously targeting the top two – and automatic promotion.

"We're only a few points off the top six and not a million miles off the top two," he added.

"We have got to keep aiming high – the top two is still achievable this season.

"We have been there or thereabouts for the majority of the season.

"If we can perform well against MK Dons I am confident we can get the three points and kick on back up towards the top of the table."

Solicitor at Bhatia Best Solicitors, Nottingham

"At Bhatia Best I come into daily contact with interesting people experiencing a range of difficulties. My resolution is to each day help at least one person to realise their own blessings, gifts or strengths. If that works just once it will be better than joining a gym and failing by January 8. I also resolve to learn to put up shelves and eat more fruit."

Communications and marketing manager, Notts Wildlife Trust

"Having spent the best part of 20 years promoting the trust's wonderful nature reserves, my aim in 2013, the trust's 50th anniversary year, is to visit as many of the reserves as possible. There are some I've not been to in years, and a number of relatively new sites I've not yet visited. I really must get out more and spend less time at my PC!"

President of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce

"In 2013, the Chamber will ensure that all local businesses get the support they need to create jobs, innovate, export, grow, prosper and stay ahead of the national curve. It will also keep pressure on the policy-makers to ensure they deliver on their promises to provide real help to business."

The sports coach, from West Bridgford, ran from Nottingham to London in four days last year and played tennis for 36 hours continuously in 2011

"My resolution would be to find a new challenge to raise money for charity. I'm looking at doing a couple of half iron-man triathlons, including one up Scafell Pike, but I'm looking for something which will capture the imagination."

Founder of charity When you Wish Upon A Star, which grants the wishes of seriously-ill children

"In the new year I want to continue the valuable work that we do at the charity and to keep fulfilling the wishes and dreams of sick children from Nottingham and other parts of the country."

Coordinator of the Clifton food bank, which is based at Hope Church, in Farnborough Road

"I don't really do new year's resolutions because I never seem to stick to them. But if I were to make one it would probably be to give up chocolate."

A pupil at West Bridgford School. The 17-year-old is a regular contributor to the Post's youth page

"The tried, the tested, the recurring and the failed... Is there really any point vowing a resolution that will most likely last a few days? My resolution this year is not to make one and see what 2013 has to offer. In my opinion, life is too short to scrap the things you like."

Secretary of the Bulwell Forest Action Group

"My own personal resolution is to do more good things and carry out one act of kindness every day. I'd also like to ask everyone in Bulwell to resolve that they actively involve themselves in their community and make a real difference to their own and other people's quality of life."

Runs Kimberley's community café Rumbletums, which gives job opportunities to young people with learning difficulties

"To be honest, I don't set new year's resolutions for myself. But I would like to see Rumbletums continue to grow and help more young people get confidence through work. We have had a great year this year, and we hope to expand into 2013."

Project manager at Bulwell Community Toy Library

"My resolution for 2013 is to be more creative, to take time out from working with words and make things with my hands. My father taught me woodwork and I have always loved it, but have neglected it. When you spend hours experiencing the world through a screen, you can't beat the satisfaction of making something you can touch and use."

Manager of Nottingham Women's Centre, in Chaucer Street

"My resolution is to try to maintain a good work-life balance, which can be hard as I'm so passionate about what I do that work doesn't always feel like work. But keeping the balance is key so I'm going to try to get out of the office more and pursue more hobbies – like photography."

Policy and campaigns officer for Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service

"My new year's resolution is to stay where I am. Since 2005 I've moved house nine times (living in two countries) because of jobs, landlords and new opportunities and I'm sick of it. I'd like to stay where I am. I'd also like a holiday; all the moving means I haven't been able to afford one."

Chairman of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership

"In 2013, D2N2 will place great focus on ensuring it is fully engaged with businesses; schools, colleges and universities; public sector bodies and voluntary organisations to drive job creation, skills development, economic growth, opportunity and prosperity across all of our communities."

Community champion at Tesco in Jennison Street, Bulwell

"I'm happy, I have a lovely wife and wonderful child. I couldn't ask for better friends or a better job. So what should I do for 2013? In 2012 I decided to jump out of a plane for charity. So for 2013 I have decided to learn something new. I have always wanted to play the guitar. So I'm going to start to learn it this year."

Head teacher at Top Valley Academy

"I'm going for the usual resolutions about eating less and exercising more – and getting less upset when my football team lose. For Top Valley Academy, 2013 will be about the pupils and staff maintaining the great progress we are making and further developing the positive culture of enjoyment and achievement that we have established."

Joint division secretary for the National Union of Teachers in Notts

"The one thing I'd like to do over anything else is take part in a huge campaign for comprehensive education. It would be against academies, free schools and attacks on the exam system. That is what this country really needs."

A street pastor at the Malt Cross Trust Company

"My new year's resolution is to serve the city more and help more people to enjoy the city safely and see it in a more positive light – it has so much to offer in terms of art and music. We are launching a street pastor project in St Ann's, Sneinton and Bulwell this month which I hope will help with that."

Head of the city's club, pub and hotel watch

"All we can do is carrying on keeping our pubs and bars as safe as we have done this year. It's continuing the hard work and striving for a trouble-free city centre in 2013. It's about everybody coming to the pub watch meetings and bringing ideas to the table. We will strive to make as many places as possible use plastic glasses and plastic bottles."

Chief executive of Notts County Council

"My hope for 2013 is for Notts to be better recognised nationally and internationally as a place to live and do business. My wish is that we generate a renewed optimism for the future and build on the tremendous success many of our businesses have generated to ensure we can create more jobs and opportunities for investment in the future."

A community garden educator at Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens

"I think we need to see more youth provision for the area. We can facilitate that by consulting with young people of The Meadows to see what they would like us to do for them. We will have a consultation on what people want. A lot of the council stuff has gone for the young people and some of us have to take that on."

Chairman of the Nottingham Green Party

"I'm going to go to the gym more and try to get fit. I also think wider society needs investment in green jobs. We are looking to build a really sustainable Great Britain for a great new year. I will personally contribute as a local councillor by putting forward the Green Party view."

Chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the East Midlands

"My resolution is simple – that I will never lose sight of the fact that everything we deal with has affected people's lives, and that we will keep victims and witnesses at the centre of everything we do. The resolutions I make for my home life are far too mundane to include here."

Co-founder of Real United Football Club, which helps young people avoid getting into crime

"My resolution is to help reduce crime among young people more. Based on the number of football teams we've been involved in over the last four or five years I'd say we've worked with 200 young people – but we want to work with even more."

Provincial grand charity steward for Notts Freemasons

"I plan to lose a stone in weight. I've been working for 51 years and I'm about to retire and I'd like to get fit again after not having much time to devote to my personal well-being."

Lives in Netherfield and is part of the Netherfield Eco Action Team

"I plan to go on more walks in the countryside and explore a bit more of Notts. I'd also like to try more different types of real ale."

The 68-year-old, from Gamston, is a volunteer for the Nottingham University Hospitals Charity

He said: "My new year's resolution is to be more philosophical about problems, make better connections with people and offer the olive branch."

The 46-year-old, of Sherwood is battling cancer and featured in the Post when he won his battle to get funding for treatment to shrink a tumour in his pelvis

"My new year's resolution is to never give up hope and keep fighting. Hopefully this year I will be free of cancer."

Sharon Jackson

Head teacher at Netherfield Primary School

"For the school, my new year's resolution is to take a group of kids to a school in Kenya for a week. For me personally, I want to scuba dive with manta rays."

Mick Newell

Head coach at Notts County Cricket Club

"My only resolution this year is to give up eating Liquorice Allsorts."

Cricketer at Notts County Cricket Club

"This year I want to take up goalkeeping for a local football league to help keep me fit off-season."

THIRTY years ago, Robin Wilson admits, our conversation would probably never have been able to happen.

But the most senior Freemason in Notts is open to the slow shift taking place within his centuries-old organisation.

Seen by many as members of a secret society with quirky rituals that looks only after its own, Freemasons across Britain are slowly coming out of the shadows some believe were cast on them by society.

The truth behind the long-standing mythical reputation has nothing to do with hiding sinister secrets, Robin says.

"During the Second World War, Masonic Halls in Jersey and Guernsey were ransacked by the Nazis," he says.

"Freemasons on the islands went in to hiding and some were sent to POW camps. They contacted other membership and the message spread to the mainland."

What followed was a turning point which would create stereotypes lasting more than half a century.

With Hitler knocking on the door of Britain, the country's Freemasons went partially underground to avoid the movement being wiped out in the event of a land invasion.

"They still had some of their meetings. Some were curtailed, but it wasn't public in the way it was before," Robin, the provincial grand master for Notts, adds.

Today, the head office of the Notts Provincial Grand Lodge, in Goldsmith Street, has a library exhibiting regalia made by Freemasons in wartime POW camps – a reminder of the persecution that first drove the secrecy.

"Talking about membership used to be frowned upon," Robin explains. "There was no reason to keep it quiet but that was the tradition.

"We have nothing to hide – there's so much on our website now and we get a significant number of enquiries through it.

"I'm confident and comfortable about talking freely about Freemasonry."

Robin and Roger Garrett, the provincial grand charity steward for the organisation, are happy to debunk a few myths.

You do not have to wait for a tap on the shoulder to join – anyone can put themselves forward.

But you do need a member to back your application – although Robin and Roger say the chances are that most people will have connections with existing Freemasons without knowing it. There are 3,000 in Notts alone.

Membership is for men only – but there is a thriving female Freemasonry movement with similar customs.

Freemasonry is also not a religion, Robin explains, although members are required to believe in a higher being – which can be applied to almost any belief. As such, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs are among the ranks of Notts Freemasons.

The regular ceremonies that underpin membership are the modern equivalent of a morality play from the Middle Ages.

Integrity is probably the most important pillar of three which also include the social and charitable aspect of Freemasonry.

Robin explains it as "taking good men and making them better".

Those who break the law won't get a let-off through shady connections – but face being thrown out of the group.

Another surprise is the extraordinary level of fundraising for good causes Freemasons are responsible for.

Notts Freemasons are currently taking part in a bid to raise £3m by 2018.

This is a regional goal towards the national Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, which aims to relieve poverty and advance education for children and young people.

In Notts, they began in April and have already raised £1m.

Locally, the group hands out hundreds of thousands of pounds every year – recently sharing out £113,000 across 38 local organisations.

A few days after our meeting, Roger calls me and we go through some follow-up details. I decide to ask him the question spanning the ages.

Is there a secret handshake?

Roger laughs – I think at my bluntness. "There is a secret handshake," he says.

So what's it for? "The words that are used in the ceremony are 'to identify a brother by night or by day'."

"We are certainly not a secret society – but we do hold certain secrets in our ritual."

There are 90 Masonic Lodges and eight Masonic centres across Notts. To find out more, visit www.nottinghamshiremasons.co.uk.

TWO prisoners who were jailed in Nottingham have been given a compensation payout for being locked up for too long.

Figures released by the Ministry of Justice show that, so far this financial year, £5,000 in compensation has been handed out to prisoners.

It was given to two inmates who were incarcerated in HMP Nottingham for longer than their original court sentence.

The last time the prison paid out money to a criminal for what the Ministry of Justice categorises as "extended detention", was four years ago in the financial year of 2008/9 when £850 was given to a prisoner.

Prisons are responsible for ensuring that inmates serve the correct amount of time for their crime, and are released on time.

Joe Simpson, the assistant general secretary for the Prison Officers' Association, said the payout was a "mistake" on the prison's behalf.

"It is a mistake; this is taxpayers' money at the end of the day and it's the type of mistake which should be eradicated in the future.

"I know new IT systems are being installed within prisons to try and eradicate exactly this type of thing.

"A prisoner's release date should be calculated within a few days of a prisoner arriving at jail. I can only put it down to human error. Things like this very rarely come into the public eye, because the prison service will usually settle on a payment out of court.

"It's the right thing to do in highlighting this issue."

The current governor for Nottingham prison was unavailable to talk to the Post, however the former governor, Peter Wright, who left last year said: "I don't know the details of these particular cases.

"However, in general it is the prison's duty to release people on time, but there can be complications – there can be delays from court, sentences can change, so things like this do happen."

The Ministry of Justice refused to release any details about how much longer the inmates had been detained, or what crime they had committed.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "All prisoner claims are robustly defended so far as the evidence allows.

"Claims are only settled on the basis of strong legal advice and compensation amounts are determined on the law and evidence of each case and the Judicial Studies Board guidelines on general damages."

THE University of Nottingham has appealed after councillors rejected plans to build a wind turbine near the River Trent.

The university wanted to build three 126-metre high turbines on land at Grove Farm, Lenton Lane, to help power its campuses and cut carbon emissions.

The site straddles the Clifton and Beeston boundary, and Broxtowe Borough Council knocked back plans for one of the turbines located in Beeston Rylands.

It has now emerged that the university has appealed to the Secretary of State against this decision.

A university spokesperson said: "The university was extremely disappointed with Broxtowe Borough Council's planning decision last October.

"Having taken time to consider and review their comments in detail we have now lodged an appeal and await the outcome."

The council refused permission for the turbine because it would be too close to the Boots site, which could be developed for housing in the future.

Officers said the turbine would have an unacceptable impact on these plans and councillors said it would affect neighbours.

Council planning officers have written to campaigners, saying: "The appeal is to be decided on the basis of written statements and a site visit by an inspector."

Residents opposed the plan, saying the turbine was too close to their homes.

David Wright, 57, of Cornwall Avenue, Beeston Rylands, said the closest turbine would be 650 metres from his home – but some houses in Clifton would be closer still.

He said: "I had a fair idea that the university would appeal, although I'm a bit surprised.

"I went to the planning meeting and it was a unanimous decision against. For residents like myself and in Clifton, it's an awful plan in terms of the impact it would have.

"The only fundamental reason for refusing was the proposed housing at Boots. If the turbines are built, then no-one will buy those houses.

"You will have a waterfront development that nobody will want to live in."

The university estimates the project could produce a third of its annual electricity for 25 years, and cut its carbon emissions by 7,000 tonnes every year.

The university has also applied to Nottingham City Council for permission to build the two other turbines on the part of Grove Farm that lies within the Clifton boundary.

The application is due before the council's planning committee next month.

What do you think of the plans? Call Alexander Britton on 0115 905 1962 or e-mail alexander.britton@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.

A MAIN road through Bestwood Village has reopened more than two weeks after it was closed by flooding.

Moor Road was shut on December 20 close to the junction with Mill Lane after heavy rain.

It remained impassable and closed to traffic until 2pm yesterday, when it reopened after work by Notts County Council staff.

Further excavation work to investigate a blockage found in the drainage system between Moor Road and the River Leen was due to take place today.

Jack Ashworth, chairman of the Village Vision community group, had complained to the council about the flooding.

Mr Ashworth, 59, of Leen Close, said: "This is the worst incident that we have ever had.

"The road has flooded at this point for many years but it's usually passable. The amount of water that accumulated there this time meant the level was so high that people had to abandon their vehicles.

"It's been a case of there having had to be a really serious incident before any proper decision was made."

Mr Ashworth said that since the new year, the council had kept people informed about the situation.

But he added: "A lot of people in the village thought the situation was getting beyond a joke.

"It caused inconvenience and concern about possible delays to emergency vehicles.

"Fortunately, as far as I know, there have been no incidents that have needed emergency vehicles , but this is rather by luck than good management."

Pumps were used to try to clear the drains. Moor Road is the main route between the village and Nottingham, via Hucknall Road.

The flooding meant residents had to go through Papplewick Lane and Hucknall, a 4.4-mile diversion.

Chris Barnfather, county councillor for the area, has said he will push for a long-term solution to the problem.

Eamonn Harrison, a highways manager at the council, said: "Moor Road reopened at 2pm yesterday, however there will be some water on the road which will be monitored and further works will be carried out as the problem is not yet resolved. Further rainfall may result in further road closures in the area."

Were you affected by the flooding? Email newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

WORK will now steam ahead to redevelop the former Odeon cinema site after a buyer has been found.

London-based fund Aberdeen Asset has bought the site in Angel Row and plans to turn it into shops and student flats.

A 15-storey block will take the place of the iconic cinema – which has been derelict since January 2001 and was knocked down in recent months – after plans for a redevelopment of the site were approved by Nottingham City Council in June 2011.

The flats which will replace the cinema are expected to be completed by September 2014 and will comprise of 14 floors and a basement.

The block will house 449 beds made up of 96 clusters of flats and 45 studio flats.

A spokesperson for Nottingham-based Mortar Developments, which is leading the scheme, said: "We are pleased a purchaser is on board now and are looking forward to the completion of the development.

"The vision is for a 449-bed accommodation block with three shop units on the ground floor.

"On Angel Row, next to McDonalds, there will be a 5,000 sq ft unit. In Bromley Place there will be a 3,500 sq ft unit and then the 2,500 sq ft corner unit of Bromley Place and Maid Marian Way will become an extension to Chino Latino, the Park Plaza's Pan-Asian restaurant and Latin cocktail bar.

"The two vacant units will be marketed next month and the idea is to have retailers in them ready to go before we finish the entire unit."

Opposition to the scheme has come from Bromley House Library in Angel Row, which said the 15-storey building would overshadow its garden.

Chairman of the Nottingham Civic Society Hilary Silvester said the group had concerns over the height of the proposed new building but were happy the site would no longer be derelict.

She said: "We do think that 15 storeys is too high and would impact on the library.

"However, we are pleased the old cinema is no longer standing derelict, as that did raise concerns.

"The Odeon was one of the poshest cinemas around for a long time, so it would be a good idea to put a plaque up in the student accommodation recognising the history of the building which once stood there."

Aberdeen Asset have bought the site on a forward planning basis – which means they own the site, and will pay on a monthly basis for the construction of the building which will replace the cinema.

GABY Wood will be a bag of nerves when she sits her first English GCSE exam on Thursday.

But without the help of blood donors in Notts, she wouldn't be here.

The 15-year-old was left critically ill after a bout of glandular fever caused her spleen to rupture.

She twice underwent emergency surgery at the Queen's Medical Centre and received between 15 and 20 pints of blood – more than double the amount of blood normally found in the human body – as hospital staff battled to save her life.

But after eight days in hospital, she is now bouncing back and has urged more blood donors – especially young people – to come forward.

She said: "I can remember telling my mum 'I love you and I think I'm dying'.

"The surgeon told me afterwards I was very lucky.

"If I hadn't have had blood, I would have definitely died."

She added: "It's quite scary but awesome that I've got lots of different people's blood inside me. It's amazing that it's saved my life."

Gaby, of Chatsworth Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was diagnosed with glandular fever by her GP on October 4.

Her condition worsened later that day and she was rushed to King's Mill Hospital, after her sister, Felicity Wood, 22, spotted warning signs online that Gaby may have a ruptured spleen due to the illness.

She was given her first blood transfusion within minutes of arriving, before being transferred to the Queen's Medical Centre where she underwent two operations – first to try and save her spleen, then to remove it.

Gaby spent four days in intensive care, and eight days in hospital in total.

She initially tried to refuse having blood transfusions, as she wanted to be a blood donor in the future.

Anyone who has received transfused blood since 1980 cannot donate.

Gaby said her brother, Oliver Wood, 24, had now pledged to give blood, while an auntie, her uncles, and cousins are also donors.

Gaby's mother, Stephanie Corps, said: "At King's Mill they tried to stabilise her by pumping blood into her.

"It went on all night until they established her spleen had ruptured.

"The transfusions continued in the ambulance as they transferred her to the QMC.

"For three days she was constantly having blood transfusions.

"It was going in and she was bleeding internally as her spleen had ruptured. Without it she would have died."

NHS Blood and Transplant is running a campaign to find 10,000 new donors in the East Midlands, and 100,000 nationally, by February 14.

It comes after the number of young people registering to become blood donors in Nottingham and Notts has dropped by more than a third in the last two years.

Ms Corps said it was important more people came forward to give blood.

She said: "Blood is so important. None of us know when we could need it to save our lives.

"Gaby had always been in rude health and all of a sudden was fighting for her life, through natural causes.

"We all walk around in a false sense of security, but one day your world can fall apart so easily."

Gaby now has to take antibiotic tablets twice a day, and has so far been unable to return to lessons at Tibshelf Community School on a full-time basis.

About her exam, Gaby said: "I'm nervous as I've missed ten mock exams since having my spleen out.

"I think my friends are all worried I'll get ill again, but everyone's been really supportive."

For more information about becoming a blood donor, visit www.blood.co.uk.

A UNIT of blood is roughly equivalent to a pint.

But blood donations are split into red cells, platelets, plasma and frozen blood products, known as cryoprecipitate.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust used 26,629 units of red cells in 2012 – 73 per day.

Staff at the QMC and City Hospital also used 4,741 units of platelets (13 per day), 4,176 units of plasma (11 per day), and 941 units of cryoprecipitate (three per day).

Of those, the number of units used to treat adults with blood disorders were 6,360 units of red cells, 2,518 units of platelets, 950 units of plasma, and 41 units of cryoprecipitate.

The number of units used to treat children with blood disorders were 698 units of red cells, 501 units of platelets, 14 units of plasma, and 10 units of cryoprecipitate.

The QMC was officially launched as the major trauma centre for the East Midlands in April last year.

Since then the hospital's A&E department has used 2,270 units of red cells with 10 per cent used by trauma patients.

Phillipa Cheshire, Lead Transfusion Practitioner at NUH, said: "There is currently a shortage of Group O Rh D negative donors. This blood is particularly useful for the initial treatment of trauma patients requiring blood support."

POLICE are warning residents to be on their guard after two distraction burglaries took place just 30 minutes apart.

In the first, a man in his 60s answered the door to a woman who claimed she was from the council and needed to check the drains.

While they were out of sight at the rear of the property, it is believed a man entered the house and stole money and a set of car keys.

It happened close to Mallatratt Place, Mansfield, at about 1.20pm on Wednesday.

At 2pm, an elderly woman in her 90s, who lives in the Netherfield Lane area, Church Warsop, was targeted.

She answered the door to two women, again claiming they needed to check the drains.

One of the callers took her to the back of the house to discuss the drains while it is believed the other woman made her way into the house. She made off with money and a bank book.

It is believed the incidents are linked.

Detective Sergeant Rick Ellis, of Mansfield CID, said: "The victims of these thefts have been left distressed and shaken up.

"Do not let anyone into your home who you have not made a prior appointment with. Anyone who is a legitimate caller will have identification."

Anyone with any information should contact Detective Sergeant Rick Ellis at Mansfield CID on the non-emergency number 101 ext 3464.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

2003: Henry Boot Developments pays nearly £6 million to sign a 94-year lease with Broxtowe Borough Council for Beeston Square. Former Broxtowe MP Nick Palmer hails it as a "critical turning point" for the town. The company says it will unveil plans for the precinct later that year.

2004: No planning application is submitted, although Henry Boot Developments is adamant it will start work soon.

2007: The redevelopment has still not started.

2008: Chartered surveyors Heb tell the Post consultations over the plans are continuing. The start date is put back until the end of 2009.

July 2009: The council announces it has formally chosen Henry Boot Developments as its preferred developer. The firm states it will also look at redeveloping the adjacent fire station site and multi-storey car park.

April 2010: The developer says the new 110,000 square foot shopping centre will not be finished until autumn 2013 – a year behind schedule.

September 2010: Talks break down between the council and developer after the company is asked to start work on the square within four years.

November 2010: Following a private meeting between the developer and council, then council leader David Watts said there was "potential" for a deal to be worked out.

December 2010: Talks break down between the developer and the council again, with the sticking point believed to be the deadline for starting work.

February 2011: Plans are finalised, with the developer having six years to begin work.

December 2011: The green light is given for NET Phase Two which will see trams pass through Beeston town centre.

January 2012: Speaking to the Post, Jonathan Emmerson from Heb said delays with the tram had led to a delay in the square project but said it would be complete by early 2014.

FANS, shops, pubs and police are gearing up for one of the biggest days in Mansfield Town's history as they prepare to take on Liverpool in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The country's media are also set to arrive as Liverpool – and 1,600 visiting supporters – visit the town for the third Round match.

Ian Watton is manager of the Byron pub in Market Street and said he is expecting bumper crowds.

He added: "We're gearing up for the match and expecting a massive day.

"I've increased the beer capacity."

The Oak pub in Market Place will be screening the match.

Manager Dawn Owen-Foster said: "It will be busy beforehand. It's got to be good for the town in general."

Mark McGachan manages the White Hart pub in Market Place and said the game should bring good business to the town.

He added: "I guess there will be plenty of people looking for a place to drink."

The Conference side beat Lincoln 2-1 on December 12 to book themselves the glamour tie against Liverpool and fans are getting excited ahead of the arrival of the Premier League giants.

Roger Millward, of Westfield Lane, is an avid Stags fan and is going to the game.

The 23-year-old said: "I really hope that we can cause an upset and become every neutral's favourite underdog in the competition.

"Everywhere I've gone in the last month people have been talking about the match. Hopefully people will be talking about it for weeks after as well, for the right reasons."

Steven Ripley, of Forest Road, will be watching the game on television.

The 55-year-old said: "People are really excited. It's good for the town and puts the place on the map."

He added: "We're excited to have all the top players coming here, bringing more people into Mansfield."

Despite large numbers of fans expected at the game and in the town, police aren't anticipating any trouble.

Match commander Superintendent Mark Holland is masterminding the police presence at the game.

He said: "We're not expecting any disorder and there's no intelligence to suggest there will be any organised disorder.

"It'll be a busy day and an exciting day for Mansfield and the police operation is very much to allow people to have a good day.

"If fans are genuine, and behave and drink responsibly, then we will have no issues and everyone can enjoy what promises to be a cracking game of football."

Despite a low-key operation, there is a serious message from police.

Supt Holland said: "The key message is that we have seen pitch incursions in the past and that is something that we will not tolerate."

Big match preview: See pages 34/35

Follow all the action LIVE here on Sunday from 3.30pm.

THE brother of a getaway driver involved in a rush-hour shooting dumped evidence and threatened to shoot a witness in a bid to protect his family.

Remay McKenzie blasted a car with two shots from a sawn-off shotgun in Gregory Boulevard on April 30, 2012, before jumping into a car with getaway driver Ashton Alexander.

Ashton's brother Lewis Alexander, 22, cleaned the car used in the crime and dumped items from it in a field near his home in Radford Road.

He also threatened to shoot a witness and slapped them across the face to try to prevent them from giving evidence.

Detective Inspector Justine Wilson said: "[Lewis] Alexander attempted to eradicate any evidence that linked the car used in the shooting to his brother and accomplice.

"He took the vehicle to be cleaned and then removed items and disposed of them in a nearby field.

"He went to great lengths to interfere with the case against his sibling by not only attempting to destroy evidence but also threatening a witness and assaulting them."

Alexander pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the court of justice and common assault at Nottingham Crown Court.

He was jailed for three-and-a-half years for attempting to pervert the course of justice, and handed five months for assault.

The sentences will run concurrently.

McKenzie and Ashton Alexander were jailed in December for the shooting at the junction of Gregory Boulevard and Birkin Avenue.

Three men were in a silver Citroen – the pair's intended target – as it stopped in a queue of traffic at around 5.15pm.

McKenzie ran up to the car, pointed the shotgun through an open window, angled it towards the rear passenger seat and pulled the trigger.

The driver crashed the Citroen into parked cars as he tried to speed off, but McKenzie ran after it and fired again, hitting the rear window.

The 22-year-old then ran to the nearby Volkswagen Polo driven by Ashton Alexander and the pair fled the scene.

The window of the Citroen was damaged but no one was injured in the incident.

McKenzie and Alexander pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, December 14.

McKenzie, 22, formerly of Canterbury Avenue, Radford, was sentenced to a total of 15 years. Alexander, 20, formerly of Radford Road, Hyson Green, was sentenced to 11 years for the firearms offence, to run consecutively to a four-year sentence already being served for riot.

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl who was critically ill after contracting glandular fever had her life saved thanks to the help of blood donors.

Gaby Wood needed between 15 and 20 pints of blood – double the amount usually found in the human body – after the illness caused her spleen to rupture.

The NHS says this complication is very rare, only occurring in around one in every 1,000 cases of glandular fever.

Gaby had two emergency operations to first try and save, and then remove her spleen, which was leaking blood.

After eight days in hospital, the teenager has battled back and is gearing up to sit her first GCSE exam this week.

Gaby, of Chatsworth Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, said: "If I hadn't have had blood, I would have definitely died. I can remember telling my mum 'I love you and I think I'm dying'."

She added: "It's a natural instinct that we should give blood. It saves lives. It's quite scary but awesome that I've got lots of different people's blood inside me."

Since her life-saving blood transfusions in October, members of Gaby's family have pledged to become blood donors.

Gaby's mother, Stephanie Corps, said: "Giving blood is so important. None of us know when we could need it to save our lives."

The Post is supporting a nationwide push for more blood donors to come forward.

More than 500 people have signed up to become new blood donors in Nottingham and Notts in less than four weeks.

It comes after the Post highlighted that the number of young people aged between 17 and 24 giving blood in Nottingham and Notts had dropped by more than a third in two years.

NOTTS officially had its wettest year on record in 2012, according to new figures from the Met Office.

A total of 910.6mm of rain fell across the county last year, with April being the wettest month when 158.9mm of rain was recorded.

Previously the highest recorded rainfall for Notts had been in 1960 when 848.5mm fell.

Professor Julia Slingo, chief scientist at the Met Office, said: "The trend towards more extreme rainfall events is one we are seeing around the world, in countries such as India and China, and now potentially here in the UK.

"Much more research is needed to understand more about the causes and potential implications.

"It's essential we look at how this may impact our rainfall patterns going forward over the next decade and beyond, so we can advise on the frequency of extreme weather in the future and the potential for more surface and river flooding."

June was the second wettest month for Notts, with 129.1mm of rain, while July saw 113.6mm.

During December, when the Trent rose to its sixth-highest recorded water levels since 1965, 109.3mm of rain fell.

The driest months in 2012 were February, with 16mm of rain, March with 32.5mm and May with 40.7mm.

Derbyshire and Leicestershire also has their wettest years on record, with 1,220.1mm and 921.7mm of rain falling respectively.

For Leicestershire this was the most rain in a year since 1960 when 910.3mm fell, while Derbyshire's previous wettest year was in 2000 when 1,155.7mm fell.

The flooding that followed the rain resulted in road closures and evacuations.

During the year 25 residents at the Hazelford Ferry Care Home in Bleasby, near Newark, were moved out, several homes in Zouch were evacuated and Joan Kaye, 92, was rescued from her home in Lowdham by firefighters when several inches of water poured down Southwell Road.

Her granddaughter Caroline Dawkins, 38, lives next door.

She said: "We've never known anything like it. It all happened really quickly.

"We just got her and the two dogs out. It's horrible because it's so fast."

Meanwhile a defence scheme costing £45 million was used for the first time in November and saved around 175 homes in Attenborough from being under inches of water, according to the Environment Agency.

Lee Rawlinson, area manager for the Environment Agency, was pleased the defences had prevented thousands of pounds of damage that flooding would have caused.

He said: "We had only introduced the systems three months ago, so we would have liked to see a bit more respite between their installation and them being used, but they did the job."

Farming and tourism were also hit by flooding.

Stragglethorpe farmer Peter Gadd, who runs Hollygate Farm, said he had recorded 73mm of rain on his farm in just five days during November, when 951mm of rain fell across Notts.

He said some farmers had struggled to sow crops this year because of wet weather in the summer, so some were now facing a "double whammy" of not being able to sow crops for next year.

THESE pictures show the future of shopping in Beeston.

Ten years after developer Henry Boot purchased the lease for Beeston Square, plans have finally gone on show.

A public consultation was held at Beeston library yesterday, but there were fears the event was not widely publicised and people didn't get the chance to have their say.

The development of the site will take place in two phases. The first – including the precinct – is set to begin in autumn and finish by summer 2014, to tie in with the tram works.

However, after a long wait for the plans to be revealed, many people who the Post spoke to said they were underwhelmed.

Judith Beardsley, 68, of Beeston Rylands, said she felt a bit let down by what she saw.

She said: "We have been waiting a long time to see what the developers were going to do with the square and it's just not that exciting.

"It's a big project and we want the town centre to be strong, but I don't see anything really exciting in what I've seen so far."

Marion Wallwork, who has lived in the town for more than 60 years, agreed.

She said: "In some respects, it looks like a child has been given some poster paint and told to design it.

"I don't like it – I didn't come in with any expectations, but I'm disappointed."

And Daniel Barton, of Broadgate, said he was worried that not everyone would be able to give their feedback before the plans were submitted.

He added: "I only knew this was going on because a friend told me, but I haven't seen it advertised and I imagine there are a lot of people who will want to have a look because we've been waiting a while for something to be done."

Another resident said he was glad the wheels were in motion on developing the square.

Matt Goold, 39, of Meadow Lane, said: "Something is better than nothing but there will still be the area near the fire station left to be developed – that could remain the same for the foreseeable future."

James Greenway, director of Henry Boot Developments, said he was pleased with the feedback to the plans.

He added: "It's a big project and we're excited to be showing off our work for the first time – the plans have been a long time coming.

"We want to give the square a complete renovation rather than just a piecemeal development.

"We have included modern aspects which compliment the more classic elements of the square. Events like this are useful and feedback will inform us before we submit a planning application in the near future."

THE festive period has not seem much respite for Mansfield Town's groundsman and kitman, Michael Merriman.

But while days off have been hard to come by over Christmas and New Year as he has battled against the elements at the One Call Stadium, there has still been a smile on Merriman's face.

For the popular 'Mez' has been dreaming of tomorrow ever since the FA Cup draw was made.

Having worked at Mansfield for more than a decade, and also being a huge Liverpool fan, the tie is a dream come true.

And after first beating the frost thanks to the heated blowers and tented cover to get the replay against Lincoln on last month, he has now been battling the rain to get the pitch right for tomorrow's clash.

Against the Imps, getting the game on proved pivotal as Louis Briscoe sealed a 2-1 win on a freezing night to set up this red hot fixture.

But after the rain turned the pitch into a mire on Boxing Day, Merriman has been working to restore it, a task not helped by constant rainfall afterwards that saw last weekend's match with Grimsby fall foul of the weather.

A drier spell this week has helped matters and, together with 18-year-old son Scott who helps with the kit, they cannot wait to get the game on.

Merriman said: "I can't wait for it. I am a massive Liverpool fan, my son as well. Before this job I used to go regular, with my wife, well, she was my girlfriend then.

"We used to go on the bus from Shirebrook and travel up and then I got this job and couldn't but my son Scott has been a few times recently – a few big ones, like against Barcelona.

"But for the last few weeks it's been busy for us just trying to get some of the water off the pitch and I do the kit as well, so we have been getting that sorted.

"It's the same kit, just with nice embroidery around it with the FA Cup written on the shirt.

"To be fair it has been crazy and we have not had any time off. People break up from their normal jobs and we have been here getting the pitch sorted, looking after stuff at training.

"The Lincoln game was crazy. I have never felt so ill in my life watching a game of football. I don't think I watched half of it.

"It cost us £4,000 for the covers and they were fantastic to be honest. Without that the game would never have been on.

"We have frost covers but they would never have coped with how bad it was, we needed the blowers.

"I have been here about 13 years and I have seen people come and go and big games come and go.

"But this is up there with the best and obviously we want to get back into the Football League but after the doom and gloom of the last few years, this is a nice distraction.

"We will be in early, about 7.30am to give the pitch a roll and mark it all out ready. My son Scott will be putting the kit out, he works with me now. I will get him hanging the kit out. Hopefully then we can sit back and enjoy it!"

Merriman remembers well the day Stags hosted a friendly with Kevin Keegan's Manchester City in the summer of 2003, a game the Stags won 2-1 in front of 6.655 fans.

Some big names with Liverpool ties were there that day but tomorrow, in the FA Cup, with the Reds in town for real, it will be even more surreal for Merriman.

"We were only on about the Man City friendly the other day, as there were a few Liverpool lads here that day with Anelka, Robbie Fowler, Keegan and my lad brought his Liverpool shirt down to get signed.

"They also had David Seaman, Joey Barton, Sean Wright-Phillips. And we beat them as well!

"So it will be amazing watching the Liverpool players walk down the corridor, it is not every day you get to see that."

As for the outcome, is it a giant-killing Merriman wants to see?

Kind of. Although maybe after taking it to a replay at his beloved Anfield.

"I want a draw," he said with a huge grin. "I want to go to Anfield under the floodlights. You can't beat Anfield under the floodlights.

"My first ever game was a floodlit one and I walked out and it was 'wow'. I would have been about 17 and it was against SK Brann in the European Cup and Tore Andre Flo absolutely murdered us.

"We all thought he was signing for Liverpool and then he went to Chelsea.

"There have been some great nights there, it has been frightening really. It would be nice to go there with Mansfield.

"I will be a bit nervous tomorrow but we all have to enjoy it."

NOTTINGHAM Forest will be given a license to continue playing good football under Alex McLeish, predicted Andy Reid today.

The Reds winger says the new manager has not implemented a host of changes since joining the club last week.

And Reid expects that McLeish will look to make the most of the tools at his disposal at the City Ground – which the Irishman says is simply a group of good footballers.

"The manager knows that we have good players here. He respects the fact that we have good footballers at the club," said Reid.

"I don't think there will be massive changes. I think he will tweak things. I think there will be things he expects that the previous manager didn't.

"I don't see there being major changes. I am sure there will be new players coming into the club in January.

"But we have good players here and I am sure the manager will be keen for us to keep getting the ball down, to keep playing football. The manager has been there and done it. He is a good manager.

"He has not got the track record he has by being naive or ignoring the strengths of the teams he has had.

"He has come here and he knows we have good players, so it would not be right for him to change the style of play, when we have good footballers.

"He knows that, because he is a good manager.

"We will continue to play good football at the right times, when we can. We will try to play as much football as we can."

Reid revealed that McLeish has been trying to introduce his own ideas in training this week.

"It is up to us to perform, to produce what the manager wants," he said. "He has been getting across his ideas over the past week or so.

"I suspect that, if you don't do what he wants, you will not be in the team for long – but that is nothing new. That is the same with any manager, in any team."

Reid had been back to his very best form under Sean O'Driscoll, having been handed an influential, creative role in midfield.

And, when asked if he has been pleased with his performances, the 30-year-old said: "Yes, very much so. I feel good at the moment. I am creating goals and chipping in with a few myself. I feel I am playing well and enjoying my football."

Sources in Yorkshire understand Championship rivals Leeds are upping their interest and preparing a bid, believed to be £800,000, for Forest striker Dexter Blackstock, who is out of contract in the summer.