THE architectural firm which successfully redesigned Nottingham's Old Market Square has won a competition to bring its inspiration to bear on Trinity Square. London firm Gustafson Porter has drawn up the winning design for Trinity Square. It will be implemented later this year at a cost of up to £500,000.

The existing square, only four years old, earned the wrath of city council leader Jon Collins and he was supported by many in his views.

Essentially designed by committee, the street furniture, lighting, blocks of stones echoing the earlier tombstones of Holy Trinity Church failed to inspire the public.

None of this was helped by a contemporary nondescript building to the north of the square which does little to encourage footfall.

Peter Bishop, the former design director for London and a visiting professor at Nottingham Trent University, condemned Trinity Square as one of the worst examples of modern planning and design he had seen.

In a playful manner, he challenged the powers to stage a competition.

"Have fun...and create a place to snog," he said.

The local authority rose to the challenge and adjoining property owners joined the judges, choosing Gustafson Porter.

Director Neil Porter was clearly thrilled to win and continue a theme developed for the Old Market Square.

"It is lovely to do work in this country," he added.

"The challenge of the space is that, in the evenings especially, it becomes a dark, dingy, corner of the city, mostly because the lighting is not good.

"It has no flexibility because of the big stone tombs in the centre.

"Poor lighting and lack of flexibility was marginalising the square and making it unusable.

"It should be a really lively square at the end of Forman Street, a fantastic street with all its restaurants. Instead, you end at a full stop with no action. It feels wrong and full of disappointment."

What is the solution?

Mr Porter said: "We have overcome it by looking very carefully at the levels in Trinity Square. The whole space slopes down towards the curved form of the building owned by Aviva.

"There is no resting place. People sit on the tombstones either hunched up at one end or with their legs dangling at the other.

"We have to readjust the levels so there is a nice, settled, flat surface so that when people do want to occupy the space with, say, restaurant tables, or watch an event, they have a nice, settled surface.

"The space is orientated to create a flat area in front of the curved building with a view towards the south-west corner.

"It will be the highest point in the space where we will create a platform for events. It will not feel prescribed but has the potential to be a good space for performances, such as an annual festival."

The surface paving will be the same or similar to the Old Market Square, continuing the theme already repeated in Sneinton Square, adjoining the Victoria Leisure Centre.

The designs propose clever lighting, removing lighting columns regarded as more appropriate for dual carriageways.

Trees will help mask the blandness of the curved building.

"We are now looking at placing trees adjacent to the facade of the curved building so it creates a green backdrop, softening the whole space, stopping it from looking too hard."

The original Gustafson Porter proposal envisages a soft mesh suspended from the flying buttress of the curved building.

The mesh would support climbing plants and lighting and was met enthusiastically. During the day, the planting would provide a soft backdrop for the square.

There is some disappointment that it is still not agreed with Aviva, despite broad support from the judges.

There are two elements to the proposals – the surface with benches and platform, and what to do with the buttresses of the Aviva building. Whether the mesh climber goes ahead or the buttresses are removed has yet to be decided in talks between the city council and Aviva.

The judges included Les Sparks, a former commissioner of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and of English Heritage; Clare Andrews, of Aviva; Suzanne Green, of The Cornerhouse leisure complex, on Forman Street; and city council leader Jon Collins, who chaired the panel.

Mr Collins said he was pleased with what he had seen of Gustafson Porter's scheme . "It was the best in my view and that seemed to be the general consensus.

"I liked that it will echo elements of the Old Market Square; that will bring some consistency across the city.

"I liked the simplicity of what Gustafson Porter are proposing. It seemed to have that mix of simplicity and quality that we need to encourage.

"The scheme is very do-able. It will have a sense of place."

Mr Collins, a long-standing critic of what is in Trinity Square, said that although it hadn't cost the authority anything, agreeing the scheme was "hardly our finest hour".

"People take decisions with the best of intentions but it hasn't worked out," he said.

"It is right that if we can get funding from outside sources to improve Trinity Square and create the kind of environment we want to inspire to across the city, that we do that.

"The Market Square is a standard and Sneinton Square is a scheme of the right kind of calibre. We just need to make sure that, as we continue with the development of the city centre, that is what we are aiming for.

"It is that simple quality and functionality and that is what the proposals for Trinity Square bring."

Although Aviva joined the judges (it has yet to decide what to do with the curved building in its ownership) MrCollins said the company shared the city's aspiration.

"There are still some details of how the existing architecture fits in with what we are looking to do.

"Hopefully, these are details and we can agree to take the whole thing forward as a shared scheme between us.

"Ultimately, it is really important Aviva is on board with this because they are the owners of the adjoining development.

"If we have a standard and get the scheme right, then it benefits Aviva as well. The investment will make a difference to their scheme and its profitability."

Mr Sparks helped the judges choose the Gustafson Porter proposal.

"It was head and shoulders above all the rest," he said. "They produced a really fine concept for the paving and seating which very much complemented what they have done in Old Market Square.

"It is nice to have a theme running through the city. They also produced a fantastic idea for the framework on the face of the Aviva building."

Mr Sparks said that although the frame in front of the Aviva building was "not particularly wonderful", it presented an opportunity to screen an ugly building with something "delightful".

"Take the frame away and we are left with an ugly building," he said.

A 21-year-old man arrested in connection with a stabbing at a Hucknall pub has been bailed.

The incident happened at the Half Moon pub in the town centre shortly in the early hours of Saturday .

An 18-year-old man injured in the incident was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, where he remains in a stable condition. 

The man arrested was released on bail pending further enquiries last night.

NOTTS County's League One game against Oldham Athletic at Meadow Lane tonight (7.45pm) looks set to go ahead.

The pitch passed a 10am inspection and there will be a second inspection later today, likely to be 1pm, to make sure it is still playable.

FAITH IN FAMILIES Children's Charity and Voluntary Adoption Agency has received a rating of OUTSTANDING in their recent OFSTED inspection. This is the charity's third consecutive rating of outstanding, having also been awarded outstanding in 2011 and 2008.

Faith in Families Chief Executive, Sumerjit Ram, said, "We are thrilled to once again be awarded this fantastic accolade. Faith in Families adoption service, Adopt Together, has gone from strength to strength over the last year and we have placed more children with loving adoptive families than ever before.

"It is wonderful to have the hard work and dedication of our staff team, volunteers and supporters recognised by Ofsted. We will continue to build on this success by offering an outstanding service to adoptive families and finding lasting homes for the children currently looked after in local authority care."

The charity's inspection by OFSTED took place in November 2012 and the rating reflects the quality of work across the whole of the adoption service. OFSTED reported, "Adopt Together is a highly effective, forward thinking and vibrant adoption agency which delivers outstanding outcomes for children.

Adoption can transform children's lives and the inspection also highlighted the benefits to the children who have been placed with Adopt Together's adoptive families, "Children blossom and thrive and their confidence and self-esteem comes on in leaps and bounds"

Over the last year a record number of children have been placed with their adoptive families but there is a continued need for prospective adopters to come forward. As part of their commitment to encouraging more people to take the first step Adopt Together hosts information evenings every FIRST THURSDAY of the month at their office in West Bridgford, Nottingham. Ofsted recognized this commitment, commenting, "The agency is very inclusive and encourages enquiries from anyone who may be suitable to care for an adoptive child."

Adopt Together is Faith in Families adoption service and recruits, prepares, assesses and supports adoptive families. It works closely with local authorities to find stable and loving homes for the children in their care, including very young children, sibling groups and children who may have waited longer to find their permanent family.

Faith in Families is a registered Children's Charity and Voluntary Adoption Agency based in Nottingham and working throughout the East Midlands. The charity also offers bespoke Training and Consultancy Services and delivers a School Social Work Service which works with children, young people, families and teachers in schools throughout the region. Faith in Families is also one of the lead organizations of The Triangle Project, a project using creative practice to secure permanency, including: Fostering with a view to Adoption and Concurrent Planning.

More information about adoption and the work of Faith in Families can be found at www.faithinfamilies.org

NOTTS County has announced tonight's npower League 1 match against Oldham Athletic is due to go ahead as planned, following two pitch inspections.

Having beaten the wintery weather to get Saturday's game against Sheffield United on as planned, Notts faced further snow and frost over the weekend and made the decision to call an early inspection to test the condition of the pitch.

Despite further freezing temperatures overnight and into the morning, the pitch has stood up remarkably well and, following a further check in the afternoon, has been passed fit to go ahead as scheduled.

The frost covers had been put back on the Meadow Lane pitch immediately after Saturday's game thanks to the help of supporters who stayed behind to assist the groundstaff and that hard work seems to have paid off.

Phil Joslin, who conducted both inspections throughout today has contacted match referee Mark Brown to confirm that he is happy for the game to go ahead as scheduled and the club are now finalising match preparations ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off.

SOMETIMES a few words are enough. Occasionally, just one will do.

When asked if Nottingham Forest could rely on Karl Darlow to be first choice for the rest of the season, Paul Barron demonstrates the reactions that had served him well as a keeper with Arsenal, Crystal Palace and West Brom have barely faded with age.

The answer is instantaneous: "Yes".

"Whether that is a long enough answer to the question for you, I don't know. But that is the answer nevertheless," says the man who, as goalkeeping coach for the last few years, has seen as much of the young keeper as anyone.

Forest fans, initially, were more cautious. But that is more to do with the circumstances than it being any reflection on Darlow.

Yet it says much that, among many supporters, what was a potentially negative situation is now seen as being a resounding positive.

Little more than a week ago, Forest fans were coming to terms with the news that not only was Lee Camp not going to sign a new deal, but he was also going to be unceremoniously ushered out of the exit at the City Ground.

The long-serving, once hugely popular keeper's stay at the club, which began with a loan spell back in October 2008, was all but over.

The blow was softened with the suggestion that Alex McLeish was searching for an "experienced" replacement, with names like former England keepers Robert Green and Paul Robinson among the targets.

With respect to Darlow, when it became clear the void would instead be filled by a young player who had never previously started a league game for the Reds, for many, it was something of an anti-climax.

But any immediate concerns have now been replaced by optimism.

There is nothing Forest fans like more than seeing one of their own come through the ranks.

When Camp was making his debut for Forest, Darlow was still a part of the youth set-up at the City Ground. But now, after only two matches, he already looks to be grasping his opportunity to secure a place as the 28-year-old's replacement.

When McLeish made the decision to effectively steer Camp out of the exit with a metaphorical foot planted on his backside, after the keeper revealed he would not sign a new contract, it was a sign that the new manager meant business.

And there was a logic to it. If Camp was not willing to commit his future to Forest, why should they commit their future to him, even if that future was only the remaining months of the current campaign?

The Scotsman almost certainly meant it to be a signal of his intent; a statement that he is the boss – and is not afraid to make big decisions.

It was perhaps not initially by design, but, by ousting Camp and replacing him with Darlow, he has now also demonstrated he is willing to give young players a chance.

And that is a trait that will not do him any harm at all as he looks to win over any remaining doubters among the Forest faithful, who might have been sceptical following the decision to replace Sean O'Driscoll.

At a time when, off the pitch, the club have not done themselves any favours with the manner in which they ousted the popular former player, manager and chairman, Frank Clark, along with chief executive Mark Arthur and head of recruitment Keith Burt, Forest need some positive PR.

And, as the club continue to work to add the "four or five" new signings McLeish craves – regardless of whoever is now in charge of player recruitment – Darlow's emergence has provided that.

In truth, the 22-year-old has not really had a huge amount to do.

In the space of two matches, an acrobatic, sharp stop, pushing a driven, rising effort from Jeff Hendrick over the bar at Pride Park, has been the obvious highlight.

But what Darlow has done has been done with poise and composure.

Rather than looking like a rabbit in the headlights, as young players can sometimes do, he has looked full of confidence.

Even the powder keg atmosphere of a local derby did not faze him, as he came for crosses, dominated his box and punched under pressure.

There are, of course, many challenges to come. There will be mistakes. Darlow will concede more goals, he will have to pick the ball out of the net, just as he has done against Peterborough and Derby.

Neither goal he has conceded has been his fault, but one will be soon. Because every keeper makes mistakes, even at the highest level of the game – look at the weak punch of David de Gea at White Hart Lane on Sunday, which allowed Spurs to snatch a late point from Manchester United.

When a keeper makes an error, it frequently decides the outcome of matches. It is how you handle those set-backs that counts.

This season, Forest's love affair with Camp has lost some of it's passion, on both sides. The fist-pumping, driven attitude that was at the epicentre of what made him popular at the City Ground has been on the wane, seemingly from the moment Swansea's approach to sign him 18-months ago was rebuffed.

Instead, it was Darlow who was noisily heralded by the travelling support at Pride Park.

Playing in front of 30,000 people will have been a new experience for the Northampton-born player, whose CV otherwise includes eight games on loan at Newport County in the Conference and ten with League One Walsall.

It is Darlow's efforts on the training ground, in front of dozens of people, that have earned him this chance to impress in front of rather larger gatherings.

So how good can he be? Again, Barron, who has coached at Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Newcastle over the past 14 years, is blunt and to the point.

"I have had some good keepers at the clubs I have been at before and I don't see too much difference between him and them. You can work out for yourself who they were," he says.

"I don't see much difference between him and them, so it is safe to say he is in good company."

That is something of an understatement – those names include David James, Mark Shwarzer, Shay Given, Steve Harper and Tim Krul.

There is an awfully long way to go, but, if a young man with potential can ultimately prove that he can actually live in such esteemed company, then the faith shown by both Barron and McLeish will be more than justified.

MANSFIELD Town player/assistant manager, Adam Murray, is asking supporters to help clear snow from the club's training pitch tomorrow morning.
The first team squad have recently been training indoors at Moor Farm, courtesy of Derby County Football Club, but the hard surface is now beginning to take its toll.
"We are very grateful to Derby as they've been a massive help.  But we need to get back on the grass as soon as possible as the 3G surface is not ideal on the lads' physically as we look to prepare for our next game.  We need to hit the ground running and keep the momentum going," said Murray.
"We would be very grateful to supporters if they could spare us their time tomorrow."
Supporters who are able to help clear snow tomorrow morning from the training ground, located at the side of the Ian Greaves Stand, should meet Adam Murray and first-team coach Richard Cooper at the Sandy Pate Bar from 10am tomorrow. 
Wheelbarrows, snowshovels and other snow-clearing devices should also be brought, but hot drinks will be provided to volunteers.

TRAIN passengers will be able to print off their own tickets at home under a new pilot scheme in Nottingham.

East Midlands Trains is to launch the trial for people travelling to and from Nottingham on its routes.

The rail operator says it is setting up the service to help passengers facing disruption during the ongoing redevelopment of Nottingham Station.

Neil Micklethwaite, customer service and commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: "We're really excited to be providing this unique new service to our Nottingham passengers.

"While work is ongoing on the multi-million pound transformation of Nottingham Station, we know that many people may find it easier to print their ticket before arriving at the station, so we're pleased to be providing this new service, which we hope will prove popular with passengers."

The trial, which launches next week, is a first for East Midlands Trains.

It is available to passengers who buy advance tickets online through www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.

Customers can print their own tickets for routes between Nottingham and London St Pancras, Sheffield, Luton Airport Parkway, Norwich, Peterborough, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.

Passengers will be able to select the "self print e-ticket" option, and their tickets will be sent to them by e-mail within two hours to print off.

People who use it will need to carry either their credit card, debit card, driving licence or passport as a form of ID on their journey to make sure their tickets are valid.

David Thornhill, chairman of the Notts Campaign for Better Transport, welcomed the move.

He said: "I'm totally supportive of it as it's something employed extensively on the continent. In principle it is a boon for the passenger."

Mr Thornhill also praised East Midlands Trains for its response to the snowy and icy conditions in Notts this week.

He had previously flagged up his concerns to the company that the open-air nature of the temporary station ticket office, in Station Street, could lead to problems in cold conditions.

Mr Thornhill said: "I checked at the station myself and I have to congratulate East Midlands Trains. They blitzed it, and had staff out there gritting and salting. They have done everything to make sure it is safe."

A SPONSORED sleep-out in aid of homelessness charity Framework has been postponed due to the freezing weather.

Organisers had hoped to raise as much as £20,000 for the charity by staging the Mansfield Big Snore outside St Mark's Church, Mansfield, on Friday.

A decision has now been taken to delay the fund-raiser until Friday, March 1, to protect the safety of those due to take part.

Framework's fund-raising manager Louise Darby said: "We know from many years' experience that such extreme weather conditions always bring with them a significant increase in participant cancellations – resulting in a substantial drop in much-needed income.

"The money raised by this event will help us to resettle former rough sleepers throughout 2013 and it is vital that we are able to raise the greatest possible amount."

Peter Radage, Framework service director said: "When the weather is this cold Framework, in partnership with local authorities and others, operates a series of emergency winter shelters to try and make sure nobody is exposed to such life-threatening conditions.

"I know that many of our supporters would have turned out regardless of the conditions, but it is simply not fair for us to expect others – including children and older people – to follow suit during unpredictable and hazardous weather conditions.

"We know only too well the risks that presents."

All people who have registered for the event already will be automatically allocated a space on the new day.

A TEENAGER who was badly injured in an explosion in Iraq can walk again – thanks to Nottingham medics.

Daban Yaseen's body was so badly burnt he spent a year in intensive care in Iraq following the explosion, which happened when he was four years old.

Now, 12 years later, doctors at the Queen's Medical Centre have repaired his wounds and, for the first time since the attack, he has been able to straighten his legs.

His legs, hands and buttocks still bear the scars of that fateful day when he was playing in the garden of his then family home on the outskirts of Mosul, in northern Iraq.

The rebel explosion caused enough damage to blow up his family home's gas system, which like all households in their town, was situated in the garden.

The explosion was so ferocious Daban was set on fire.

His mother Sameira Swilaiman, 52, also suffered burns, but they were less severe.

"I remember him screaming, crying he was very badly burned," said his mum, who came to Nottingham in 2008 after being awarded a scholarship to study molecular biology at the University of Nottingham.

The burns contracted and tore his skin, and for years he couldn't wear shoes for any length of time.

The hospital he was taken to in Iraq had limited equipment, and didn't have any clean water.

Daban needed to have regular blood transfusions, and his family were forced to go round their town asking family and friends to give blood, because there was a shortage at the hospital.

"I can remember washing Daban and crying, thinking why were we so unlucky," said Ms Swilaiman.

When the family moved to Nottingham to a house in Olton Avenue, Beeston, Daban was able to access healthcare on the NHS.

And doctors in Nottingham performed a total of seven operations on different parts of his body.

They used artificial skin made from proteins found in shark and cow skin to form a new layer of skin on the parts of his body which were particularly damaged.

Prior to the operations Daban's legs were permanently bent, leaving him reliant on crutches.

Daban, 16, a student at Central College Nottingham, the old South Nottingham College, said: "I don't remember much about the day of the explosion, apart from waking up in hospital.

"I am very grateful to the doctors here for helping me as much as they have."

Peter Brooks, a burns surgeon at the Nottingham Children's Hospital, in the QMC, who operated on Daban, said: "Hopefully I don't expect Daban to need anymore operations. There should be enough elasticity in the skin to allow him to lead as normal life as possible."

Ms Swilaiman wanted to thank her friend Marylin Wagner, who she met in Nottingham for helping her settle in to the city.

The family plan to return to Iraq in June when Ms Swilaiman completes her PhD.