NOTTINGHAM'S shopping centres are always filled with shoppers. But some people are there just to keep warm.

Desmond Hudson, 82, of Willow View, Radford, goes into the Victoria Centre around three times a week.

"I come in here for an hour or longer to keep warm. I think it will save me some money, even if it's only a little bit. My state pension leaves me struggling to pay the bills."

Mr Hudson, an ex-carpenter, was involved in the building of the Nottingham Tram, before retiring in 1995. However, he continued to work until falling from a ladder in 2002.

He has an income of £151 per week, which includes his Government insurance following his fall and £108 in state pension. His rent is £55 a week and he tops up around £15 to £20 for his heating per week. On top of this come his quarterly gas bills, as well as groceries.

"I have hardly any money left after having paid the fuel bills."

Mr Hudson is just one of a number of people who say they can't afford to keep warm on their pension.

Leonard Lawton, 81, of Utile Gardens, Bulwell, and his wife Alma, 80, often stay in bed until lunchtime during winter.

"We are both in our 80s and we have got nothing else to get up for and if we put the fire on it is too expensive," he said.

"We are not paupers but we have to be careful."

Glenise Martin, of Nottingham Elders' Forum, was aware of people going to the Victoria Centre simply to keep warm for the day, with some taking sandwiches and a drink.

Concerns have been raised after recent cold weather.

She added: "Many members expressed regret about the closing of the cafe in the Central Library, where they could have a bite to eat whilst spending the day reading the newspapers or books in there."

David Jones, of Nottingham Pensioners' Action Group, was concerned about the surveys.

"What it is revealing is the fact that the Government cuts and the increase in the cost of living for older people is beginning to bite.

"The other thing it makes you think is what happens when someone is really getting on and is not so mobile and can't go out to keep warm," he added. "That's why we are getting the increase in deaths in winter of older people."

In Nottingham, there are 17 per cent more deaths among the elderly in the winter than at other times of the year.

Nottingham City Council has been awarded £80,440 by the Department of Health to help people aged 70 and over at risk of illness or death due to poorly-heated homes. Vulnerable older people are being identified by NHS staff, and the money is being used for specialists from Age UK Nottingham and Age UK Notts to assess houses and carry out improvements. The programme will run until March.

Age UK Notts is also calling on people to look out for their elderly neighbours. Mick Tinkler, chief executive of Age UK Notts, said: "We would encourage people to check if elderly neighbours need assistance with shopping. If the curtains are not open during the day, or there are no lights on in the evening, there may be something wrong."

Hyson Green: An exhibition of photographs taken by young people is to go on display at the New Art Exchange gallery, in Gregory Boulevard.

The Still exhibition has been created by 14 to 25-year-olds and will open on Friday, March 8.

Nayo Hunt, of the Hyson Green gallery's Young People's Panel, said: "Projects like this are very important for us as young people as we are able to develop real life skills that will help us to make valuable contributions in employment in the near future."

Sherwood: Two homes were hit by burglars on the same day in the area. The first burglary took place at a house in Perry Road on Sunday night, the second was in Hucknall Road during the day time on Monday. Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Long Eaton: A bag and its contents were stolen from a car which was parked in College Street, at about 7.15pm on Saturday.The offender drilled the lock of the vehicle to get into the vehicle. Anyone with any information should contact Derbyshire Police on101.

Ilkeston: The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dog was found dead.

The animal was discovered with a lead around its neck tied to railings behind an old railway line at Straws Bridge on February 4.

It is thought it had struggled to escape and strangled itself. Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

NOTTS can reclaim its position as a leading centre for manufacturing and jobs, it is claimed.

Mark Spencer, whose Sherwood constituency includes Hucknall, was speaking after a Westminster debate about manufacturing in the region.

He said: "It's all too easy to talk something down, so we need to talk ourselves up.

"We need to send out a message to businesses saying if you are looking at expanding or relocating, look at the East Midlands because there's the infrastructure and ability here."

One of the main focal points of the debate was how badly the East Midlands has fared when it comes to allocation of Regional Growth Fund money, a £2.6 billion Government pot that invests in companies to create jobs.

Mr Spencer said he and fellow MPs could do more to help, adding: "We need to ensure that people know we are there and know what we can offer, and I hope this debate will contribute to that knowledge."

Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood also raised concerns about the Regional Growth Fund allocations during the debate.

She said: "In the first two rounds of the Regional Growth Fund, the East Midlands received just four per cent of the total funding available, the lowest share of any region.

"In round three, the East Midlands again received the lowest share of funding."

Both Mr Spencer and Ms Greenwood said there was a lot to be proud of in the area.

Mr Spencer said: "We are at the cutting edge of what is possible in manufacturing. It is easy to focus on the big boys, but small family businesses are driving the economy. They are starting to expand and take on new staff, and they will move us forward as a region so that we are seen on the map."

Ms Greenwood added: "During the 19th century, world-famous names were founded in the city, some of which have been mentioned already, including Boots the Chemist, the Raleigh bicycle company, and John Player and Sons.

"The Nottingham Growth Plan, published in 2012, aims to reconnect the city with its proud history and create a manufacturing renaissance, rebuilding our international reputation as a place that designs and makes things.

"Some of the elements needed for that renaissance are already in place."

The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Michael Fallon said: "The regional growth fund is distributed not by ministerial allocation, but by competition.

"The fund is already helping to rebalance the economy, particularly by assisting areas that have been over-dependent on the public sector."

"SAMPLES" unearthed in the search for murder suspect James Brodie are being examined by police.

Police last night confirmed they were unsure what the samples could be.

They began searching a Lincolnshire farm for Brodie on Monday, February 4.

He has been hunted by police since the murder of jeweller Marian Bates in a botched robbery at the Time Centre, Arnold, in September 2003.

He has not made contact with family or friends or been seen since that time.

Last week, police confirmed for the first time they believe he was murdered.

But they didn't find a body in their search at Maize Farm in East Heckington. However it has been revealed that suspicious samples – which the Post understands are not bones -– were recovered from land at the farm.

A force spokesman said last night: "We have sent a number of samples from the site for further tests. We don't know what they are."

When asked how long the tests normally take, the spokesman replied: "I don't know. It's science."

It had been reported elsewhere that what was found could have been "remains" and "could be human".

The revelation was made as Dean Betton, 32, of Raleigh Street, Radford, appeared in Lincoln Crown Court via video link to be charged with murdering Brodie.

He had his first hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until April 29.

Betton was arrested last Wednesday, along with a 31-year-old man, who has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Grandmother Marian Bates, 64, was shot in front of her husband Victor and their daughter Xanthe.

Peter Williams, 19, was jailed for 22 years after being convicted of murder. In legal submissions, the judge heard Williams told police that Bestwood crime boss Colin Gunn was behind the raid.

The court heard that Williams took part in the robbery but that an accomplice – believed to be Brodie – fired the fatal shot.

Last week's search wasn't the first time police had searched for Brodie's body.

Notts detectives have travelled to Glasgow, searched a fish farm in Leicestershire, land near Flintham, near Newark, and flats in Top Valley and Bulwell over the years.

But they are understood not to have searched any other locations since 2007.

Gunn is in jail for plotting the murders of innocent Lincolnshire couple John and Joan Stirland in Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire, in 2004.

A FASHION chain faces a £36,102 bill after a six-year-old boy ran through a shop window, mistaking it for a door.

He needed 12 stitches in a cut just above an eye, and needs to wear a cap to protect his would from the sun, a court heard.

Other parts of his face were also cut and his hands were grazed.

His mother described it as "like a bomb" when the glass shattered and large shards hung above the boy at the Long Eaton branch of New Look on July 9, 2010.

Company representatives have now appeared in court and pleaded guilty to exposing the public to risk.

Derby magistrates imposed a maximum fine of £20,000, plus £16,087 costs and a £15 government surcharge.

The court heard the boy had gone into the store to look for his sister while their mother waited outside on a sunny day.

"As he ran back out, he mistook the pane of glass for the immediately adjacent door and ran into it," said Bernard Thorogood, representing Erewash Borough Council at the hearing.

"The relatively fragile nature of the window and the six-year-old hitting it caused it to shatter.

"There were razor sharp shards of glass and the boy was badly cut. That was a very distressing scene for his mother to observe."

He said there were no markings on the glass to indicate it was a window. A store dummy had fallen and broken a pane earlier, an incident which should have been "a wake-up call."

The boy recently suffered a panic attack when his mother wanted to go into the High Street store. After the incident, the company's health and safety manager showed "exemplary conduct and was frank, helpful and open," Mr Thorogood added.

Lee Bennett, in mitigation, told the court: "It is one of the shortest words in the English language and begins with an "S" but many clients can't say 'sorry.'

"But this is not a company which is playing games. We have accepted it and we are standing up and saying that single word. There is no argument – we accept the failings up front and in full."

He said the Long Eaton store was one of several which had been left out of a risk assessment by the firm and added: "To use the colloquial, it was a cock-up. It should have been better and it was not."

Presiding magistrate Paul Harvey said they considered compensation for the mother and her son, but added: "We believe it is more appropriate for the assessment and quantum of damages is dealt with in the civil court."

They imposed an order to protect the family's identity.

FOR Craig Westcarr, the former Nottingham Forest and Notts County forward, his football career has certainly been a roller-coaster ride.

The 28-year-old, from Sherwood, went from becoming Nottingham Forest's youngest ever player at just 16, to playing on month-to-month contracts in non-league football.

He then grasped the chance given to him by Ian McParland at Notts County, only to be forced through the exit door by Martin Allen two seasons later.

After making the move to nearby Chesterfield, Westcarr tasted the glory of scoring in a Wembley final in front of 50,000 fans, only to endure the pain of relegation a matter of weeks later.

When his contract was recently cancelled at the League Two Spireites, he made the step back up to League One with Walsall and, having signed a contract until the end of the season, will this weekend be facing the club that gave him his chance back in the football league, Notts.

Westcarr admits he never wanted to leave the Magpies, but insists it was made clear to him in no uncertain terms by former boss Allen, who he politely describes as a "character".

"He told me that I was one of a few players he felt were saleable assets and not in his plans," said the former Notts striker.

"'You have to go' is what he said, so I didn't have any choice really, it was either that or stay and rot.

"His methods were certainly a bit different!

"I remember him stopping the team bus and making us do set pieces at a service station, using trees and people as goalposts.

"In one game we played, against Brentford, at half-time he came in and took his top off in the changing room.

"He was up there showing us all how we should be running and working, and he was running back and forward in the changing room sweating and f-ing and blinding!

"He used to lead us out for our warm-up and then walk over and start pestering the other team's coach to try and mess up their warm up!

"He got us going and we knew what we needed to do, which was stay up, and we ended up doing it.

"But I never thought he would be the long-term answer to Notts' problems, which turned out to be right."

Westcarr was only nine when he joined the renowned Nottingham Forest Academy, leaving school a year early to sign his first professional contract at 14.

He made his debut, aged 16, at the City Ground against Burnley on October 13, 2001.

The frontman has great memories of the day his name was written into the club's history books.

He recalled: "I played under Paul Hart for the under-19s when I was 16, so when he got the first-team job it was definitely good for me and for everyone else in the youth team.

"There were some really good players there who are playing now – Daws (Michael Dawson), JJ (Jermaine Jenas), Reidy (Andy Reid), Wes (Morgan) – some really good players.

"Harty gave me my debut against Burnley for the last ten minutes and I remember I got a one-on-one chance as well. But I missed it!

"I was buzzing, though, it's probably one of the best feelings I've ever had.

"I'm still the youngest, still got that record and it's good to have, to be a part of history at such a massive club."

Although big things were expected of him at the club, Westcarr only managed two starts and one goal in a total of 23 appearances during a tumultuous period for the Reds, before he became one of the many casualties of Gary Megson's clear-out.

"It was horrible leaving Forest," he said.

"That was all anyone knew, just Forest.

"I think there were four managers in two years of relegation battles and it was hard for youth team players and myself to get in really.

"I had to start from the bottom to come back up again."

After a contract was offered and then withdrawn by former loan club Lincoln City in the summer of 2005, he found himself going on various fruitless trials and was without a club or job at the beginning of the season.

Westcarr admits to ringing around managers himself asking for a chance, and it was Conference side Cambridge United who offered the striker a lifeline.

He scored eight goals that season while playing on a month-to-month contract, but the following year Westcarr joined an ambitious Kettering side in the Conference North – where his fortunes began to turn.

Promotion and an impressive FA Cup run ensued including a 2-1 win over Notts County, managed by a familiar face from Forest, McParland.

The run ended with a 4-2 loss to Premier League Fulham, but Westcarr scored both goals and caught the eye in the live televised game.

"Fulham was an amazing day, a packed house and I got two goals," he said.

"I think that put my name back out there and I got a few managers coming to games."

One of these was his former Nottingham Forest youth and reserve team coach, Ian 'Chaz' McParland.

Chaz offered 'Westy' a route back into the professional game, making him one of his early summer signings before the arrival of Sven Goran Eriksson and the infamous Munto Finance.

He says he is grateful to Chaz to this day and still keeps in touch with the man who has helped to shape his career.

He also wishes that Chaz had been given the opportunity to provide success and stability at Notts – something the club is still looking for today – and hopes he will get the chance to manage again elsewhere soon.

"Chaz rang me and we met at a hotel and I signed the contract that day," he recalled.

"We didn't need to discuss money it just couldn't be better, Notts County and back in the league, I was buzzing.

"Unfortunately I only had a few months playing for him.

"I felt sorry for him because the people who took over the club did so with the wrong intentions, claiming they were going to get (Gabriel) Batistuta and players like that.

"Chaz had the players he wanted and needed and I believe he could have done it with us."

Despite all the off-the-field issues, Westcarr looks back on his days with the Magpies as some of the best of his career.

He scored 11 goals and was a mainstay in his first season with the club as they claimed the League Two title.

He also ranks scoring in a 2-1 win at Sunderland and taking the mighty Manchester City to a replay in the FA Cup as highlights of his career.

His move to Chesterfield provided him with a Wembley goal and winners medal in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, but also the disappointment of relegation to League Two.

But, looking to the future, 'Westy' feels that Walsall may be the perfect place for him to showcase his undoubted talent and to taste further success.

"The next two or three years are quite important for me," he said.

"I'm 28 now so I need to keep playing and playing good football.

"I think if I play well and keep fit then there can be some good times ahead."

IT WAS always going to be a great opportunity for Mansfield Town.

As the form team of the division, and riding high on the back of two emphatic home wins, a trip to fifth-placed Newport gave them the opportunity to leapfrog their opponents into the play-off places with victory.

But Justin Edinburgh's side, in front of a vocal and somewhat hostile crowd in south Wales, were always going to prove a different proposition to Stags, compared to Dartford and Barrow in their previous games.

And, in the end, Andy Sandell's second-half penalty and Christian Jolley's well-taken 78th-minute strike ensured that chance slipped from Mansfield's grasp as they made the long trip home late last night with no points and still hunting down the play-off pack after this 2-0 defeat.

There did seem to be hope, as after a full-blooded opening half where the Stags had been up against the ropes, they managed to go into the interval with the game goalless.

But Sandell's 66th-minute spot kick made the breakthrough and Jolley added to the woes to end Paul Cox's men's recent excellent run, one that had seen them take seven wins from nine league games prior to last night.

Cox made no changes to the starting line-up or bench, following the 8-1 demolition of Barrow at the weekend.

The rugby at Rodney Parade was cancelled at the weekend, due to a waterlogged pitch, and although it had been rolled, it was in a poor condition as the game got underway.

A few meaty tackles were put in by both sides early on, as you would expect between two sides sitting fifth and sixth in the table going into this match.

And the atmosphere heated up early on when former Notts County man David Pipe whipped in a dangerous cross from the right and the hosts felt there was a nudge in the back of striker Danny Crow in the six-yard box that put him off course to pounce.

Stags forced their first corner of the game on 12 minutes, after Lee Beevers had caused problems with a long throw but Lenny Pidgeley stood strong to pluck James Jennings' inswinger out of the air.

It was Newport who were maintaining the upper hand and when Pipe crossed again from the right, Crow showed his class to chest back into the path of Scott Donelly but the midfielder fired his 18-yard effort wide of the target.

Crosses into the box were causing the visitors problems and after Jennings did well to clear one, it came back in for Ismail Yakubu to shoot but John Dempster made an instinctive block to turn around for a corner.

It took until midway through the half for Mansfield to really threaten, when a couple of slick interchanges opened up space and after one, Adam Murray pounced on a loose ball but, despite scoring three in as many games, the skipper blazed over the bar from 20 yards.

At the other end, Luke Jones, so impressive in recent weeks, showed his strength again in the six-yard box to hold off Jolley and deny him a shot on goal after a mistake by fellow defender Dempster.

Alan Marriott then got down to deny Crow from a tight angle. And on 29 minutes Stags survived as Yakubu got the better of Anthony Howell to get to the right byline and delivered a deep cross to the back post, where Sandell met it only to see his header cleared off the line by Jennings.

The hosts were shouting again for a penalty, when Crow went down in the box under a challenge from Jones but nothing was given and then five minutes before the break, Sandell curled a free-kick just over.

Two minutes into the second half, another deep cross from the right picked out Lee Minshull but his half-volley across goal was turned away by a Stags defender.

Six minutes in, Stags forced a superb save from Pidgeley as Lee Stevenson met Jennings' corner at the near post and his glancing header was dipping under the bar until the Newport goalkeeper's acrobatics turned it over for another flag kick.

At the opposite end, Jolley looped a cleverly-struck shot on the turn just over the crossbar, before Sandell opened up from 20 yards after being afforded space but put his low effort too close to Marriott.

In the 66th minute, the hosts had a penalty when Jolley was fouled in the box and Sandell stepped up to slot home to make the breakthrough.

It prompted a change from Cox, with Matt Rhead replacing Louis Briscoe on 71 minutes.

But seven minutes later, Jolley darted forward to meet a cracking low through ball, as Newport broke two-on-one and, once down the right of the box, he kept his composure to fire beyond Marriott into the far corner.

With that act, the game was finished, Mansfield deflated as the home crowd continued to find their voice as their own promotion hopes took a big boost, after some indifferent form of late.

Jolley could have added to his tally when another superb ball down the right put him through, beyond Dempster, but Beevers got across to make a timely intervention to save any further damage.

Although defeat last night is a setback, the bigger picture is still bright.

Stags fans will remember this fixture from last season, played at a similar time in mid-February. That day, a dreadful showing and defeat left the Mansfield fans thinking what next?

What followed was a run of 13 wins, a draw and just one defeat to finish third in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Such a run might be hard to replicate but given the recent good form, there is still plenty to unravel in Mansfield Town's promotion ambitions, despite last night's loss.

Man of the match: Adam Murray. The captain was industrious in his efforts in midfield and probably edged Luke Jones, who was solid in the first-half at the back. But it was an evening when there were no stand-out performers in a real battle, where Mansfield were on the back foot for long periods.

Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey). Stood strong to the vocal home crowd as he turned down two Newport penalty appeals in the first-half. But he called in the hosts favour in the second half, paving the way for their opening goal.

Attendance: 1,902 (90 visitors)

Newport: Pidgeley, Pipe, James, Yakubu, Anthony, Sandell, Minshull, Flynn, Donelly, Jolley, Crow (Washington, 88). Subs: Julian, Thomson, Willmott, Evans.

Mansfield: Marriott, Beevers, Jennings, Jones, Dempster, Briscoe (Rhead, 71), Howell, Murray, Daniel, Stevenson, Green. Subs: Sutton, Meikle, Clements, Wright

Other Blue Square Premier results: Telford 1 Hyde 3, Cambridge 0 Alfreton 3, Dartford 1 Luton 0, Forest Green 4 Braintree 1, Hereford 0 Wrexham 1, Southport 5 Barrow 2, Stockport 2 Lincoln City 0, Tamworth 0 Macclesfield 0

CRAIG Westcarr is desperate to be handed a place in Walsall's starting line-up against his former club Notts County on Saturday.

The striker has been used from the subs bench in recent weeks, after signing a contract until the end of the season at the Bescot Stadium.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Westcarr.

"Hopefully I will be starting and playing, but if not I will be involved.

"It's kind of a new-look County side, most players from my time there have gone.

"I know quite a few of their players but I only really played with Bish (Neal Bishop), Judgey (Alan Judge), Jeff Hughes and Kristian Pearce, a lot has changed there in quite a short space of time.

"It's a good time to play Notts too.

"They've obviously sacked the manager and with the uncertainty about who the new manager's going to be, it's probably a good time to play them.

"Obviously it's always good to play against your old team and Notts will be no different.

"I'll have a few people going to the game and I'm just hoping we can get a result.

"Walsall's aim at the start of the season was to stay in the league, I think, but now we're looking forward and thinking 'lets give it a go' and quietly going about our business.

"We're just looking forward to the next 15 or 16 games and seeing what it brings."

A NOTTS teacher who had an affair with a ex-pupil has been banned from the classroom.

Michael Taylor, 51, had a fling with the girl in the 1990s when she was 16 and 17.

He was not her teacher at the time, and she was above the age of consent.

But the Teaching Agency panel has now found he behaved unacceptably and banned him from teaching for two years.

Mr Taylor was head of science and the girl's teacher at Soar Valley High School, Leicester, before he moved to the former Greenwood Dale School in Sneinton.

There were allegations that he had a sexual relationship with the girl when she was underage and still a pupil at Soar Valley High School, but all criminal charges against him were dismissed after a trial. The judge concluded the girl had lied under oath.

Following the trial in 2007, Mr Taylor, who at the time was living in Toft Close, Cotgrave, was cleared of eight charges of indecent assault with the girl when she was under 16, and two offences of gross indecency with a child.

However, he admitted he had an affair with her after she left school.

The Teaching Agency panel said that it placed no reliance whatsoever on the crown court allegations.

However, it said that an Independent Social Work Consultant, Susan Nash, had investigated the allegation on behalf of the local authority.

She gave evidence that Mr Taylor admitted to her at a meeting in 2008, that he had had a sexual relationship with girl after she left school.

Mr Taylor had described her as an "attractive, confident and independent young woman, who had made advances to him some time after she had left school".

The panel said that it wished to make "very clear" that its findings against Mr Taylor were "based solely on the admissions made by Mr Taylor".

But, referring to the girl as Pupil A, it continued: "We have concluded that this relationship was initially forged at a time when Pupil A and Mr Taylor were at the same school.

"Even though there is then a lapse of several months before Mr Taylor and Pupil A began their brief affair, we consider that Mr Taylor still held a position of trust toward his former pupil and, judged on today's standards, Mr Taylor's behaviour was unprofessional and the public would regard it as unacceptable."

A spokesperson for the former Greenwood Dale School said: "The allegations made by Pupil A were not made whilst Mr Taylor was in the employment of Greenwood Dale School.

The Post visited Mr Taylor's home yesterday for a comment but there was no reply.

NOTTINGHAM rising tennis star Joshua Ward-Hibbert has been hailed by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for a stellar 2012.

The 19-year-old received the award for best individual international performance at the Nottinghamshire LTA Annual Awards Evening.

He joined the likes of Andy Murray and Jonny Marray in winning a Grand Slam title in 2012, after winning the Australian Open boys doubles tournament, alongside fellow Briton Liam Broady.

"2012 was a fantastic year for me," said Ward-Hibbert. "We've had unprecedented success in 2012 with Andy and Jonny winning Grand Slam titles as well as Laura (Robson) and Heather (Watson) making huge strides in the women's game.

"So for Liam and I to win a Grand Slam title of our own was massive. I hope it's the first of many."

Ward-Hibbert was joined by LTA deputy president Cathie Sabin and 200 guests at the event to celebrate the county's top tennis talent.

Sabin was on hand to present the winners with their awards and paid tribute to everyone involved in tennis in the county.

Jill Russell and Marie Benoy were both presented with lifetime achievement awards for their services to the game, while, John Poxon – chairman of the Notts LTA League since 1999 – was also recognised for years of dedication to the sport, winning the prestigious LTA Meritorious Service Award.

Other winners:

Most Improved Junior Boy: Mark Jarratt

Most Improved Junior Girl: Millie-Mae Matthews

Best Individual Domestic Performance: Marcus Walters

Development Coach of the Year: Chris McGill

Performance Coach of the Year: Dave Everington

Volunteer of the Year: Mike and Roz Ditchburn, with Karen Archibold runner-up

Team of the Year: Nottm Tennis Centre U14 Aegon Boys team, with Lady Bay Ladies Aegon Team runner-up

School of the Year: Underwood C of E Primary School

NOTTINGHAM Rugby's shock defeat at London Scottish on Saturday will serve as a "reality check" to the whole squad, according to Andrew Savage.

Having looked in red-hot form in their previous league outing, when beating play-off rivals Bedford Blues at home, the Green and Whites were turned over 25-13 at The Athletic Ground.

The loss saw Martin Haag's men slip to third, behind Bedford, in the RFU Championship standings, ahead of their trip to Jersey this Saturday.

Winger Savage believes it could turn out to be a blessing and motivate the players to finish the season on a high to secure a top-four spot and reach the play-off semi-finals – having narrowly missed out in previous seasons.

"The result didn't go the way we wanted it to and the performance was probably not up there as one of our best this season," said the 26-year-old on the London Scottish loss.

"We knew they were a lot better than their league position suggested, defensively we just didn't do what we needed to and went away a little from our game plan.

"We made quite a lot of errors and were just poor from one to 15 really.

"It's a bit of a reality check for us and we know we're not the finished article, we just need to keep working in training and get better each week.

"Hopefully it will be a good thing in the end and will help us re-focus to help cement our place in the top four."

The Greens fly out to Jersey on Friday ahead of facing the Championship newcomers a day later (3pm) and Savage knows it will be another tough test for the squad.

He added: "We know they're going to be a strong team, they have a strong forward pack that works real hard.

"We know it's going to be a tough game, it always is away, but we're confident going down there.

"Last week was a blip and we've got to work on rectifying those problems this week in training to go there and produce the performance we want to."

The weekend's defeat marked Savage's comeback to the side, having spent two months out.

The speedy back had scored six tries in ten matches this season before picking up a knee injury and, on his return to full fitness, the bad weather and postponements delayed his return to action.

"Initially we were hoping that I would be back just after Christmas and then it just took a little longer than expected. Then we had the break with the weather and so it ended up dragging on," he said. "It's always frustrating as you want to be out there playing, especially when the team are playing well.

"But the injury was fine and I enjoyed being back out there."

COREY Neilson will be looking for Nottingham Panthers' great record in winning two-legged ties to carry them to another Challenge Cup final.

His league leaders face second-placed Belfast Giants in the first leg of the cup semi-final at the National Ice Centre tonight (7.30pm) bidding to take another step towards an unprecedented fourth successive triumph in the competition.

Their three cups wins together with play-off victories in the last two seasons means Panthers haven't lost a two-legged tie since 2010.

This semi-final clash is a repeat of the last two finals but Neilson will remind his players that the Giants have already claimed Panthers' scalp twice at the NIC this season, the last time in the middle of January with a 5-4 scoreline.

That came after a dreadful first period when they shipped four goals and Neilson will hope his players hit the ground running after the enforced international break last weekend, which allowed Jonathan Weaver more time to recover from injury after missing the last three games as well as the GB trip to Latvia.

He said: "I don't think we played our best hockey in our last two games against Belfast and Sheffield and we will have to clean it up a bit against these top teams.

"Belfast are one of the real elite teams in our league. They are fast and they are skilled and we definitely have to be good on the night.

"We've had some pretty smooth runs to be honest, to get to the finals in the past, but it's a tough one this time and the next one too if we get through.

"It's a competition we enjoy and any sort of lead would be good to take to their place.

"I think in games like this, if we play our best we have as good a chance as anybody. We just have to play well."

Although without any games last weekend, Neilson's players carried on training through the week and their four GB players – Matthew Myers, David Clarke, Rob Lachowicz and Steve Lee – have reported back from the Olympics qualifiers in Riga with a clean bill of health.

"We don't want to go too long without playing games as we've had a decent momentum going for us," Neilson added. "When we've had a bunch we've generally been good, stayed sharp and focused.

"We want to keep that pace up – and keep on winning."

Belfast will be without ex-NHL forward Greg Stewart for both legs of the semi-final.

He is banned for nine-games after 'kneeing' and 'checking to the head' penalties during their ill-tempered game in Cardiff on February 3, which saw Devils' star import Mac Faulkner ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury

Giants have, however, signed two-season pro Chad Langlais, a 5ft 9in American defenceman who flew into the country yesterday and was due to make his debut in a testimonial game for Belfast stalwart Graeme Walton last night.

The return game is in Belfast on Tuesday, February 26.

NEAL Bishop is on his tenth manager in three-and-a-half years at Notts County and says: "If I hear anyone talk about a 'new start' again I think I will burst into tears!"

The Magpies' skipper was signed by Ian McParland back in July 2009 and has since played for Hans Backe, Dave Kevan, Steve Cotterill, Craig Short, Paul Ince, Carl Heggs, Martin Allen, Keith Curle and now Chris Kiwomya is in the job.

The Magpies have won the League Two title and just missed out on the League One play-offs in two of the last three seasons as well.

Bishop is the only survivor of their title-winning team of 2010 and he said: "Ten managers doesn't add up, especially when we've won a championship and just missed out on the play-offs on goal-difference after a fantastic run at the end of last season.

"It doesn't need me to say something's not right there."

Curle lasted the longest of all those bosses in Bishop's time at Meadow Lane, but he was still axed after less than a year.

"It's always been the same – a new manager comes in, you prove yourself, you get on, you think you're progressing and then he's out the door," added Bishop.

"It's been far too repetitive since I've been here and it is trying. To think the manager that signed me is Charlie McParland and how long ago does that seem since he was here – it's crazy."

Kiwomya is currently in caretaker charge of the first team and Bishop wants him to get the job permanently.

"It is hard to get your head round at times and it is a bit deflating," he added. "I know some of the lads are really feeling it. We all want Chris to get the job, but it's still going to be another new manager."

BILLY Davies has challenged his Nottingham Forest squad to prove he does not need to make new additions.

The Scotsman says he will spend the next few weeks assessing whether he needs to delve into the loan market, after returning for a second spell as manager.

But he has already told his players he wants them to convince him that new signings are not necessary – starting when he resumes his City Ground career when Bolton visit on Saturday.

"I just want to assess the current squad, which might take a few weeks, to look to see if we require loan players," said Davies.

"I've already started looking at the possibility of the loan market and who might be available.

"If and when we decide what is needed, we will do it.

"But I hope it's not needed – and I have told the players that.

"I have asked them to give me all they have got.

"I want them to show that they want to be at this club, that they want to be in this team.

"If they do that, we will move forward and we might not need additions.

"It depends on the next few results. I said to the players that, if they do the business, change might not be necessary."

Previous boss Alex McLeish was particularly frustrated at the failure to sign a winger in January.

"At least we have a left back now! We did not have one before (during his previous spell in charge), but we have one now," said Davies.

"It's difficult to see what the recommendations were and the discussions that were needed.

"Maybe previous managers thought they needed players in other positions.

"We all have different thoughts on what we want or what is needed.

"But it has nothing to do with me. We will make those decisions."

On thing Davies is convinced Forest are short of is simple, old fashioned pace.

"On paper, there's deficiencies in the squad, there are clearly issues I need to deal with," he said. "I have a slower group of players as well.

"When we joined the club the last time, there was much more pace in the side.

"We had Tyson, Anderson, McCleary, Findley... I could stretch back fours by throwing Tyson on. You saw what he did to Derby. He tore them apart.

"But we do not have a Tyson, an Anderson, a Findley or a McCleary, so there is work to do in the squad."

Davies does believe there is plenty of quality at the club, however.

"On paper we have good players but, to get those players to a certain level, we know ourselves that we have got to change our game slightly; we have got to change our ways," he said.

"But we have very good players here."

Forest have appointed Bobby Downes as their new head of recruitment.

The former Peterborough, Rochdale, Watford, Barnsley and Blackpool player has previously held coaching roles at Blackpool, Aston Villa, Port Vale, Wolves, Watford and Blackburn.

He was already a part of Forest's coaching staff, but has now taken on the more senior role.

Manager Davies said: "It's great to have him as part of the family at the City Ground."

Downes said: "I look forward to the challenge ahead."

AFTER buying a dozen horse meat sausages from a specialist butchers in Ripley and picking up beef sausages from a supermarket, the battleground was set for the great beef versus horse taste test.

We enlisted the help of chefs at the Stratford Haven pub, in West Bridgford – and then asked the public to see if they could taste the difference.

Oliver Meek, 28, who works for Notts County Council, was walking along Central Avenue when he agreed to do the taste test.

He said: "I have eaten horse before. I don't have an actual problem with the meat itself, it's more the way it has been labelled incorrectly.

"I tried both sausages and I couldn't tell the difference easily. I like different meats, so I would probably order the horse in future."

Builder Alan Cottee, 43, of Gordon Road, West Bridgford, said: "I've heard it on the news and ever since I've wanted to try what horse tastes like."

After tasting both the horse and beef he couldn't decide which one was which – and got it wrong.

"I thought the horse was the beef – I can't believe that," he said.

And Derek Wise, 60, of Wollaton said: "I thought the horse meat was fine, it was perfectly acceptable. The problem is people feel like they have been lied to."

Vegetarian and retired university lecturer Mariya Limerick, of Bottesford, refused the taste test.

She said: "In terms of the debate, do we really want to be looking at a field of horses and think 'that would make a nice burger?

"It's a culture thing that we don't have in this country. We breed horses for working, for racing and for pleasure."

Two meat plants were raided yesterday in the latest development in the scandal. The Food Standards Agency and police officers went to a slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and a meat plant in Aberystwyth, Wales.

NOTTS County have today signed young Leicester City striker Jacob Blyth on a one-month loan.

The 20-year-old turned pro at the start of this season, having played for non-league Bedworth United and Leamington, and he spent a month at League Two Burton Albion at the end of last year, making two sub appearances for the Brewers.

He is the second loan signing in six days made by the Magpies' caretaker boss Chris Kiwomya, following 20-year-old Manchester United striker John Cofie into Meadow Lane.

ELDERLY people in Notts are resorting to spending hours in shopping centres because they can't afford to heat their own homes in winter.

Some cash-strapped pensioners even take sandwiches and a Thermos flask with them so they can spend more time there.

Campaign groups have expressed concern about the findings, which emerged as part of a survey by the Post and the Nottingham Pensioners' Action Group.

The survey revealed 50 per cent of elderly people in the area could not afford to keep warm at home – with some going to places such as shopping centres to keep warm. Pensioner Desmond Hudson, 82, of Radford, goes into the Victoria Shopping Centre for a few hours a week. He said: "I've worked like hell all my life and I'm still really struggling to pay the bills.

"Many people are in the same situation. This is really bad.

"I top up £15 to £20 for my heating each week, so coming in here will at least save a little bit of money."

The results are backed up by a separate survey by Nottingham Elders' Forum, in which 37 per cent said they couldn't keep warm on their pension.

THE number of new apprenticeships in Notts rose by more than ten per cent last year.

There were 2,920 apprenticeships started in the city between September 2011 and August 2012 – up by 10.3 per cent on the previous year.

The number started in the rest of Notts was 8,510 – a rise of 13 per cent.

The increase came at a time when the Post was calling for more firms in the area to take on apprentices.

In a 100-day period last year, our Get Notts Working campaign saw 230 apprenticeships created.

And the number of apprentices taken on in 2013 in Nottingham is likely to increase further thanks to a scheme set up by the city council and the National Apprenticeship Service to help local businesses recruit trainees. This includes financial incentives as well as help for employers.

George Cowcher, chief executive of Notts and Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, which took part in Get Notts Working, said: "Apprenticeships are an essential element of creating the workforce needed to sustain the future economy here in Nottinghamshire and employers of all sizes and from all sectors have a part to play in developing such a highly-skilled labour pool."

Among those who started an apprenticeship in 2011-12 was Stephen Radford, 18, who is at IT company Layer 3 at Nottingham Science Park, in University Boulevard.

Stephen, of Sherwood, said: "I much prefer learning in a working environment, rather than in a classroom. This is the advantage of an apprenticeship."

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: "It's great news that apprenticeships have gone up. They are vital in the Government's drive to create a more highly-skilled workforce who are better able to compete in the global race."

David Way, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, which also backed Get Notts Working, said: "Apprenticeships have much to offer and, by working closely with employers, we have come a long way in raising quality standards."

A POST-GRADUATE student has taken an Oxford college to court, claiming he was turned down for a place because he did not have enough money.

Damien Shannon, from Mansfield, claims St Hugh's College is discriminating against poorer students by requiring them to prove they can afford the £12,900 living expenses while studying.

Mr Shannon, 26, who now lives in Salford, Greater Manchester, claims this figure is disproportionate – and students can live more cheaply.

He has brought a claim of discrimination against the college on the grounds that his right to education under the Human Rights Act has been breached.

He appeared at Manchester County Court to oppose an application by St Hugh's to have the claim thrown out.

Mr Shannon, who has a degree with the Open University and is working at the Treasury on the Government's fast-track graduate civil service programme, is representing himself.

He says his offer of a place on a one-year economic and social history masters course was withdrawn by St Hugh's because he could not provide evidence that he had access to £21,000 for tuition and college fees – especially the £12,900 living expenses.

But Peter Oldham QC, representing St Hugh's told Judge Armitage QC that the college was asking to have the case dismissed before it proceeded to trial on the grounds that it was unreasonable.

Mr Oldham said that when Mr Shannon first applied to go on the course in January last year, he made no mention of being unable to meet the living costs until just days before the course started on October 1.

And he said it was not on a "point of principle" that Mr Shannon made the claim, but because funds he had set aside had been used up.

Mr Shannon, giving reasons why his claim should stand and the case should go to trial, poured scorn on the college's estimation of living costs.

He said St Hugh's had stipulated that all meals had to be eaten in college, costing £67 a week, when research by Which? showed a family of four could live on £77 a week.

The college said students also needed money for entrance to nightclubs, cinema tickets and entertainment

"None of these things are essential," he said.

"These are optional costs. None of them have got anything to do with academic ability."

West Bridgford: A wedding open day is being held at Trent Bridge cricket ground tomorrow. Brides and grooms-to-be will be able to see what is on offer at the venue between 11am and 2pm. "Nottingham is blessed with some fantastic wedding venues but we have something absolutely unique at Trent Bridge and it is very rewarding when a couple see our facilities for the very first time," said the club's wedding co-ordinator, Trudie Warsop.

City: A college has been rewarded for its sport training courses. Central College Nottingham – formerly South Nottingham College – has achieved Sport Leaders UK Official Leadership Academy status, for its range of sport leadership training courses. The college has been delivering Sport Leaders UK qualifications since 2000.

Kinoulton: A man was taken to hospital after he became trapped in his car, which was partly under water. Firefighters freed the 26-year-old driver after he drove into a ditch in Althorpe Lane on Thursday night, submerging the front part of the car. Crews from West Bridgford and Highfields fire stations went to the scene at about 8.30pm and it took about an hour-and-a-half to resolve the situation.

City: A medieval-style fundraising banquet is being held to raise money for charity which aims to keep youngsters out of trouble.

The event is being held at the Galleries of Justice museum, in the Lace Market, on Thursday, February 28. Proceeds will go to Help a Nottinghamshire Child, the fundraising campaign for the educational programmes at the museum. Business people are urged to book their places while there is still room. Tickets cost £50 each or £450 for ten. Visit www. galleriesofjustice.org.uk

Hucknall: The town's library will be closed for two days while the carpet is replaced.

The South Street venue will be shut on Monday, March 11, and Tuesday, March 12, while the work takes place.

During this time, people are being asked to use libraries in the Ashfield Precinct, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, in Front Street, Arnold, and Milton Court, Ravenshead.