Michael Edwards

"Nottingham will become Britain's very first Early Intervention City - launching a pioneering new initiative to help young mothers do the best for their children, reduce child poverty and increase opportunity in the early and teenage years.” said Gordon Brown today in a video made for the launch of this new initiative. 

Becoming an Intervention City means all parts of the council and their partners thinking about how they can impact on intergenerational cycles of poverty and low attainment.  Investing in children early so that there are fewer problems as they grow up.   

The new ways of working will mean changes to service planning so that services and projects that contribute to early intervention can be co-ordinated across departments and public agencies, and then possibly expanded.  

The national interest has been significant.  Radio 4 this morning and “BBC Politics” yesterday (interviewing people from Colorado who’ve used new ideas to effect).   

Cllr. Jane Urquhart and Graham Allen MP launched the initiative this morning at an event attended by hundreds. 

Minister Anne McGuire MP attended and spoke to demonstrate further Gov’t support.   

"Nottingham will become Britain's very first Early Intervention City - launching a pioneering new initiative to help young mothers do the best for their children, reduce child poverty and increase opportunity in the early and teenage years.” said Gordon Brown today in a video made for the launch of this new initiative. 

Becoming an Intervention City means all parts of the council and their partners thinking about how they can impact on intergenerational cycles of poverty and low attainment.  Investing in children early so that there are fewer problems as they grow up.   

The new ways of working will mean changes to service planning so that services and projects that contribute to early intervention can be co-ordinated across departments and public agencies, and then possibly expanded.  

The national interest has been significant.  Radio 4 this morning and “BBC Politics” yesterday (interviewing people from Colorado who’ve used new ideas to effect).   

Cllr. Jane Urquhart and Graham Allen MP launched the initiative this morning at an event attended by hundreds. 

Minister Anne McGuire MP attended and spoke to demonstrate further Gov’t support.   

"Nottingham will become Britain's very first Early Intervention City - launching a pioneering new initiative to help young mothers do the best for their children, reduce child poverty and increase opportunity in the early and teenage years.” said Gordon Brown today in a video made for the launch of this new initiative. 

Becoming an Intervention City means all parts of the council and their partners thinking about how they can impact on intergenerational cycles of poverty and low attainment.  Investing in children early so that there are fewer problems as they grow up.   

The new ways of working will mean changes to service planning so that services and projects that contribute to early intervention can be co-ordinated across departments and public agencies, and then possibly expanded.  

The national interest has been significant.  Radio 4 this morning and “BBC Politics” yesterday (interviewing people from Colorado who’ve used new ideas to effect).   

Cllr. Jane Urquhart and Graham Allen MP launched the initiative this morning at an event attended by hundreds. 

Minister Anne McGuire MP attended and spoke to demonstrate further Gov’t support.   

Civic night for Nottingham's Playhouse.  "On The Waterfront." An intense play.

Nothing more than wooden chairs & a pistol for props, the cast convey mood and atmosphere with little help other than a symbolic portrayal of the New York skyline, the changes in lighting & the occassional whiff of smoke. 

When not in the scene, the cast fill the background, moving around in heavy overcoats, walking in slow motion.  Even in the pigeon loft, the cast sat in 2 rows and coo-ed and jerked their heads to make-up for the lack of birds.    Very funny and a bit distracting from the play. 

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Friday 18 April - Saturday 3 May

In 1950s New York, the dock workers' unions are in the stranglehold of the Mob. If you're on the inside then life is sweet - kickbacks, bribes and easy shifts are your rewards. Go against them and your life isn't worth living. Unwittingly implicated in Joey's murder, Terry starts to question where his loyalties lie. When he falls for the dead man's beautiful sister, he enlists the help of the street-wise Father Barry to bring down the racketeers. The classic story of the guy who ‘coulda been a contender', On the Waterfront is best known for Elia Kazan's multi-Oscar winning film, starring Marlon Brando. Steven Berkoff, in his first production for Nottingham Playhouse, directs what promises to be an exhilarating version of Budd Schulberg's portrait of mob violence and corruption.

Civic night for Nottingham's Playhouse.  "On The Waterfront." An intense play.

Nothing more than wooden chairs & a pistol for props, the cast convey mood and atmosphere with little help other than a symbolic portrayal of the New York skyline, the changes in lighting & the occassional whiff of smoke. 

When not in the scene, the cast fill the background, moving around in heavy overcoats, walking in slow motion.  Even in the pigeon loft, the cast sat in 2 rows and coo-ed and jerked their heads to make-up for the lack of birds.    Very funny and a bit distracting from the play. 

-

Friday 18 April - Saturday 3 May

In 1950s New York, the dock workers' unions are in the stranglehold of the Mob. If you're on the inside then life is sweet - kickbacks, bribes and easy shifts are your rewards. Go against them and your life isn't worth living. Unwittingly implicated in Joey's murder, Terry starts to question where his loyalties lie. When he falls for the dead man's beautiful sister, he enlists the help of the street-wise Father Barry to bring down the racketeers. The classic story of the guy who ‘coulda been a contender', On the Waterfront is best known for Elia Kazan's multi-Oscar winning film, starring Marlon Brando. Steven Berkoff, in his first production for Nottingham Playhouse, directs what promises to be an exhilarating version of Budd Schulberg's portrait of mob violence and corruption.

Civic night for Nottingham's Playhouse.  "On The Waterfront." An intense play.

Nothing more than wooden chairs & a pistol for props, the cast convey mood and atmosphere with little help other than a symbolic portrayal of the New York skyline, the changes in lighting & the occassional whiff of smoke. 

When not in the scene, the cast fill the background, moving around in heavy overcoats, walking in slow motion.  Even in the pigeon loft, the cast sat in 2 rows and coo-ed and jerked their heads to make-up for the lack of birds.    Very funny and a bit distracting from the play. 

-

Friday 18 April - Saturday 3 May

In 1950s New York, the dock workers' unions are in the stranglehold of the Mob. If you're on the inside then life is sweet - kickbacks, bribes and easy shifts are your rewards. Go against them and your life isn't worth living. Unwittingly implicated in Joey's murder, Terry starts to question where his loyalties lie. When he falls for the dead man's beautiful sister, he enlists the help of the street-wise Father Barry to bring down the racketeers. The classic story of the guy who ‘coulda been a contender', On the Waterfront is best known for Elia Kazan's multi-Oscar winning film, starring Marlon Brando. Steven Berkoff, in his first production for Nottingham Playhouse, directs what promises to be an exhilarating version of Budd Schulberg's portrait of mob violence and corruption.

Climate change was mentioned often today at the East Midlands Regional Assembly. 

Penney Poyser, green activist, BBC TV celebrity and author of books on greener living spoke on steps to be even greener.

I asked questions on being ready for preparations for a heatwave and on the Regional Development Agency’s ambition for alternative energy technologies, businesses and jobs.  (The hope is we can do more with the light engineering base in the Midlands, tied in with the new Energy Technologies Institute based in Loughborough, Birmingham & Nottingham.) 

I asked a formal question on home energy efficiencies and it transpires that the average SAP rating of private properties in Nottingham (on 61) was the highest in the region.  Blaby and South Derbyshire at 44 were the lowest.  

It’s thought that extensive work by energy teams and partnerships offering often gov’t financed schemes to insulate have made the difference in Nottingham, although the pattern wasn’t necessarily mirrored in council housing stock, where Nottingham (on 71) was behind 5 other councils.  The lowest declared was Rutland at 57, and interesting to note that that’s towards the high end of the private properties list.  So by and large, councils have worked to make their homes more energy efficient, and thus cheaper and more comfortable to live in.    

Climate change was mentioned often today at the East Midlands Regional Assembly. 

Penney Poyser, green activist, BBC TV celebrity and author of books on greener living spoke on steps to be even greener.

I asked questions on being ready for preparations for a heatwave and on the Regional Development Agency’s ambition for alternative energy technologies, businesses and jobs.  (The hope is we can do more with the light engineering base in the Midlands, tied in with the new Energy Technologies Institute based in Loughborough, Birmingham & Nottingham.) 

I asked a formal question on home energy efficiencies and it transpires that the average SAP rating of private properties in Nottingham (on 61) was the highest in the region.  Blaby and South Derbyshire at 44 were the lowest.  

It’s thought that extensive work by energy teams and partnerships offering often gov’t financed schemes to insulate have made the difference in Nottingham, although the pattern wasn’t necessarily mirrored in council housing stock, where Nottingham (on 71) was behind 5 other councils.  The lowest declared was Rutland at 57, and interesting to note that that’s towards the high end of the private properties list.  So by and large, councils have worked to make their homes more energy efficient, and thus cheaper and more comfortable to live in.    

Climate change was mentioned often today at the East Midlands Regional Assembly. 

Penney Poyser, green activist, BBC TV celebrity and author of books on greener living spoke on steps to be even greener.

I asked questions on being ready for preparations for a heatwave and on the Regional Development Agency’s ambition for alternative energy technologies, businesses and jobs.  (The hope is we can do more with the light engineering base in the Midlands, tied in with the new Energy Technologies Institute based in Loughborough, Birmingham & Nottingham.) 

I asked a formal question on home energy efficiencies and it transpires that the average SAP rating of private properties in Nottingham (on 61) was the highest in the region.  Blaby and South Derbyshire at 44 were the lowest.  

It’s thought that extensive work by energy teams and partnerships offering often gov’t financed schemes to insulate have made the difference in Nottingham, although the pattern wasn’t necessarily mirrored in council housing stock, where Nottingham (on 71) was behind 5 other councils.  The lowest declared was Rutland at 57, and interesting to note that that’s towards the high end of the private properties list.  So by and large, councils have worked to make their homes more energy efficient, and thus cheaper and more comfortable to live in.    

For years, Nottingham has thought that the best way to use congestion charging to encourage mass transport, cycling and walking was the Workplace Parking Levy.  There are a relatively large number of such parking spaces in Nottingham and a charge redresses some of the imbalance of a free perk for car drivers when pedestrians and bus users get no particular recompense.  And it pays for the Nottingham City Council’s local contribution for the expansion of the tram. 

The Nottingham Evening Post have said, previously, that we should really do road pricing, just like London.  Some local business leaders have joined in. 

Now a study to explore road pricing for the 3 Cities of Nottingham, Leicester & Derby, undertaken to help the Govt’s plans to introduce a more general scheme of road pricing, has come up with real prices for boundaries marked on a map. 

And the Nottingham Evening Post reported the numbers in sensational terms.  And an endorsement was nowhere to be seen.

And advocacy from the local business leaders was missing. 

Perhaps I was to be too harsh or too hasty.  But no, it's a highly qualified statement from the Evening Post today. 

For years, Nottingham has thought that the best way to use congestion charging to encourage mass transport, cycling and walking was the Workplace Parking Levy.  There are a relatively large number of such parking spaces in Nottingham and a charge redresses some of the imbalance of a free perk for car drivers when pedestrians and bus users get no particular recompense.  And it pays for the Nottingham City Council’s local contribution for the expansion of the tram. 

The Nottingham Evening Post have said, previously, that we should really do road pricing, just like London.  Some local business leaders have joined in. 

Now a study to explore road pricing for the 3 Cities of Nottingham, Leicester & Derby, undertaken to help the Govt’s plans to introduce a more general scheme of road pricing, has come up with real prices for boundaries marked on a map. 

And the Nottingham Evening Post reported the numbers in sensational terms.  And an endorsement was nowhere to be seen.

And advocacy from the local business leaders was missing. 

Perhaps I was to be too harsh or too hasty.  But no, it's a highly qualified statement from the Evening Post today. 

For years, Nottingham has thought that the best way to use congestion charging to encourage mass transport, cycling and walking was the Workplace Parking Levy.  There are a relatively large number of such parking spaces in Nottingham and a charge redresses some of the imbalance of a free perk for car drivers when pedestrians and bus users get no particular recompense.  And it pays for the Nottingham City Council’s local contribution for the expansion of the tram. 

The Nottingham Evening Post have said, previously, that we should really do road pricing, just like London.  Some local business leaders have joined in. 

Now a study to explore road pricing for the 3 Cities of Nottingham, Leicester & Derby, undertaken to help the Govt’s plans to introduce a more general scheme of road pricing, has come up with real prices for boundaries marked on a map. 

And the Nottingham Evening Post reported the numbers in sensational terms.  And an endorsement was nowhere to be seen.

And advocacy from the local business leaders was missing. 

Perhaps I was to be too harsh or too hasty.  But no, it's a highly qualified statement from the Evening Post today. 

An exhibition of photos of all the Mayors and Lord Mayors of Nottingham was opened on Wednesday.  The collection had largely been put together by the late Alderman Frank Dennett, who when a Councillor in the seventies designed the radical transport policy “zone & collar”. 

Thursday morning and a 97-year old gentleman from nearby Calverton turned up with photograph of his grandfather and one of his brothers, who was Mayor of Nottingham in 1888.  There’d been 5 brothers and 1 sister in the family.   From that family, another brother had been Mayor of Derby at around that time, and yet another had been Lord Mayor of London.    The 3 civic brothers were clearly a matter of great pride to the visitor, keen to share his story. 

250 peole have visited in the first 2 days, many relatives of previous Mayors.  An appeal has gone out through local radio stations for photos of 3 that are missing from the new collection. 

Generally, I found there’s a lot of interest in our history and heritage.  Perhaps the project could be made on-line. 

An exhibition of photos of all the Mayors and Lord Mayors of Nottingham was opened on Wednesday.  The collection had largely been put together by the late Alderman Frank Dennett, who when a Councillor in the seventies designed the radical transport policy “zone & collar”. 

Thursday morning and a 97-year old gentleman from nearby Calverton turned up with photograph of his grandfather and one of his brothers, who was Mayor of Nottingham in 1888.  There’d been 5 brothers and 1 sister in the family.   From that family, another brother had been Mayor of Derby at around that time, and yet another had been Lord Mayor of London.    The 3 civic brothers were clearly a matter of great pride to the visitor, keen to share his story. 

250 peole have visited in the first 2 days, many relatives of previous Mayors.  An appeal has gone out through local radio stations for photos of 3 that are missing from the new collection. 

Generally, I found there’s a lot of interest in our history and heritage.  Perhaps the project could be made on-line. 

An exhibition of photos of all the Mayors and Lord Mayors of Nottingham was opened on Wednesday.  The collection had largely been put together by the late Alderman Frank Dennett, who when a Councillor in the seventies designed the radical transport policy “zone & collar”. 

Thursday morning and a 97-year old gentleman from nearby Calverton turned up with photograph of his grandfather and one of his brothers, who was Mayor of Nottingham in 1888.  There’d been 5 brothers and 1 sister in the family.   From that family, another brother had been Mayor of Derby at around that time, and yet another had been Lord Mayor of London.    The 3 civic brothers were clearly a matter of great pride to the visitor, keen to share his story. 

250 peole have visited in the first 2 days, many relatives of previous Mayors.  An appeal has gone out through local radio stations for photos of 3 that are missing from the new collection. 

Generally, I found there’s a lot of interest in our history and heritage.  Perhaps the project could be made on-line. 

At Tuesday’s Executive Board we announced plans to renew 6 of our primary schools.  With millions of investment. 

Last Friday, my school was getting ready to roll out portable PCs for children on free schools meals to take home and use. 

Every day, Labour in power is making decisions in The Council House, Westminster and even Brussels that helps those who need most help and shows that we can do more together than we can apart. 

To no particular general acclaim. 

 

At Tuesday’s Executive Board we announced plans to renew 6 of our primary schools.  With millions of investment. 

Last Friday, my school was getting ready to roll out portable PCs for children on free schools meals to take home and use. 

Every day, Labour in power is making decisions in The Council House, Westminster and even Brussels that helps those who need most help and shows that we can do more together than we can apart. 

To no particular general acclaim. 

 

At Tuesday’s Executive Board we announced plans to renew 6 of our primary schools.  With millions of investment. 

Last Friday, my school was getting ready to roll out portable PCs for children on free schools meals to take home and use. 

Every day, Labour in power is making decisions in The Council House, Westminster and even Brussels that helps those who need most help and shows that we can do more together than we can apart. 

To no particular general acclaim. 

 

Took 2 sets of our years 7s around The Council House. Played my favourite game of spot the English in the council chamber (yes, that’s right, “Fire Exit”, the rest was Latin & French words, Roman symbols and symbols from a royal family with French origins). 

Bumped into the new chair of our new Audit committee.  “Did anyone know where audit came from?“  And one of our year 7’s knew!  (One would mark down what he heard (in latin, audit) said by another.)  I won’t say how many Councillors were unaware.

Took 2 sets of our years 7s around The Council House. Played my favourite game of spot the English in the council chamber (yes, that’s right, “Fire Exit”, the rest was Latin & French words, Roman symbols and symbols from a royal family with French origins). 

Bumped into the new chair of our new Audit committee.  “Did anyone know where audit came from?“  And one of our year 7’s knew!  (One would mark down what he heard (in latin, audit) said by another.)  I won’t say how many Councillors were unaware.

Took 2 sets of our years 7s around The Council House. Played my favourite game of spot the English in the council chamber (yes, that’s right, “Fire Exit”, the rest was Latin & French words, Roman symbols and symbols from a royal family with French origins). 

Bumped into the new chair of our new Audit committee.  “Did anyone know where audit came from?“  And one of our year 7’s knew!  (One would mark down what he heard (in latin, audit) said by another.)  I won’t say how many Councillors were unaware.

From the Daily Mirror's editorial -

"Britain gained a new war hero yesterday.

"Father-of-five Gary Thompson, 51, was named as one of the victims of a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

"He is a hero who died trying to give the same freedoms to Afghanistan's women as enjoyed by his own daughters.

"He had given up the safety of his comfortable home life to do the right thing - and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice." 

The people of Nottingham, and of the Sherwood Vale neighbourhood in particular, are sorry to hear the news, and proud to hear of such noble service. 

Tributes can be seen on the Nottingham Evening Post web-site. 

From the Daily Mirror's editorial -

"Britain gained a new war hero yesterday.

"Father-of-five Gary Thompson, 51, was named as one of the victims of a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

"He is a hero who died trying to give the same freedoms to Afghanistan's women as enjoyed by his own daughters.

"He had given up the safety of his comfortable home life to do the right thing - and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice." 

The people of Nottingham, and of the Sherwood Vale neighbourhood in particular, are sorry to hear the news, and proud to hear of such noble service. 

Tributes can be seen on the Nottingham Evening Post web-site. 

From the Daily Mirror's editorial -

"Britain gained a new war hero yesterday.

"Father-of-five Gary Thompson, 51, was named as one of the victims of a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

"He is a hero who died trying to give the same freedoms to Afghanistan's women as enjoyed by his own daughters.

"He had given up the safety of his comfortable home life to do the right thing - and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice." 

The people of Nottingham, and of the Sherwood Vale neighbourhood in particular, are sorry to hear the news, and proud to hear of such noble service. 

Tributes can be seen on the Nottingham Evening Post web-site. 

Significant capital programmes for Nottingham and Derby were announced yesterday. 

£11m for Nottingham's primaries.  £180m for Derby's secondaries. 

We should remember, that at the end of the Major years, Nottingham only got around 2/3rds of a million for maintenance of its schools.  Our maintenance budget is many times that now.  The Tories had no ambition for our children. 

But will people remember 11 years ago or more?  I've just shown 20 Year 7s from my school around The Council House.  Even if they went to reception classes, their whole schooling has been under Labour.  

People may well not remember the Thatcher and Major years, so we have to remind them. 

Significant capital programmes for Nottingham and Derby were announced yesterday. 

£11m for Nottingham's primaries.  £180m for Derby's secondaries. 

We should remember, that at the end of the Major years, Nottingham only got around 2/3rds of a million for maintenance of its schools.  Our maintenance budget is many times that now.  The Tories had no ambition for our children. 

But will people remember 11 years ago or more?  I've just shown 20 Year 7s from my school around The Council House.  Even if they went to reception classes, their whole schooling has been under Labour.  

People may well not remember the Thatcher and Major years, so we have to remind them. 

Significant capital programmes for Nottingham and Derby were announced yesterday. 

£11m for Nottingham's primaries.  £180m for Derby's secondaries. 

We should remember, that at the end of the Major years, Nottingham only got around 2/3rds of a million for maintenance of its schools.  Our maintenance budget is many times that now.  The Tories had no ambition for our children. 

But will people remember 11 years ago or more?  I've just shown 20 Year 7s from my school around The Council House.  Even if they went to reception classes, their whole schooling has been under Labour.  

People may well not remember the Thatcher and Major years, so we have to remind them. 

Thursday saw the announcement that the world twenty/20 cricket cup is to come to Trent Bridge. 

It's expected to bring a large number of people to the city and is a welcome reward for local councils, including Nottingham City, who've provided a loan to help the latest improvements take place.  Improvements that make Trent Bridge a suitable venue. 

Meanwhile, the london based Lawn Tennis Association have decided not to continue the Nottingham Open after this year.  We're already seeking an alternative tournament.   

Thursday saw the announcement that the world twenty/20 cricket cup is to come to Trent Bridge. 

It's expected to bring a large number of people to the city and is a welcome reward for local councils, including Nottingham City, who've provided a loan to help the latest improvements take place.  Improvements that make Trent Bridge a suitable venue. 

Meanwhile, the london based Lawn Tennis Association have decided not to continue the Nottingham Open after this year.  We're already seeking an alternative tournament.   

Thursday saw the announcement that the world twenty/20 cricket cup is to come to Trent Bridge. 

It's expected to bring a large number of people to the city and is a welcome reward for local councils, including Nottingham City, who've provided a loan to help the latest improvements take place.  Improvements that make Trent Bridge a suitable venue. 

Meanwhile, the london based Lawn Tennis Association have decided not to continue the Nottingham Open after this year.  We're already seeking an alternative tournament.   

On Wednesday, I opened a conference on a better deal for rail services into Nottingham. 

Nottingham deserves a better deal and our aims are -

1. Seek a more satisfying customer experience in the short & medium term; 
   then  
2. Seek a faster service to & from London; 
   
3. Remove frustrating delays outside of Nottingham station; 
   
4. Provide a more satisfying experience for passengers at Nottingham station;
   
   then  
5. Relieve congestion into Nottingham by providing extended local services; 
   
   then  
6. Seek a faster, more dedicated service to London & Europe; 

The East Midlands has aspirations too and the latest is that Leicestershire County Council want to get the Ivanhoe line running with passenger services for 2014.

On Wednesday, I opened a conference on a better deal for rail services into Nottingham. 

Nottingham deserves a better deal and our aims are -

1. Seek a more satisfying customer experience in the short & medium term; 
   then  
2. Seek a faster service to & from London; 
   
3. Remove frustrating delays outside of Nottingham station; 
   
4. Provide a more satisfying experience for passengers at Nottingham station;
   
   then  
5. Relieve congestion into Nottingham by providing extended local services; 
   
   then  
6. Seek a faster, more dedicated service to London & Europe; 

The East Midlands has aspirations too and the latest is that Leicestershire County Council want to get the Ivanhoe line running with passenger services for 2014.

On Wednesday, I opened a conference on a better deal for rail services into Nottingham. 

Nottingham deserves a better deal and our aims are -

1. Seek a more satisfying customer experience in the short & medium term; 
   then  
2. Seek a faster service to & from London; 
   
3. Remove frustrating delays outside of Nottingham station; 
   
4. Provide a more satisfying experience for passengers at Nottingham station;
   
   then  
5. Relieve congestion into Nottingham by providing extended local services; 
   
   then  
6. Seek a faster, more dedicated service to London & Europe; 

The East Midlands has aspirations too and the latest is that Leicestershire County Council want to get the Ivanhoe line running with passenger services for 2014.

I met a party member who served with the Royals Signals in World War II.  he told me how he'd been station in Nottingham on anti-aircraft work; and how 10 of his colleagues had been killed in an accident when the truck they were riding in lost control on one of the roads in my ward.   In 20 years' of canvassing in my ward, I'd never heard of the story.  And despite having a rough idea of when it happened, Nottingham's local studies library staff can't find any reference to it. 

The local newspaper's checking too - they love these kind of stories - their bygone section is one of the most popular parts of the paper's offer. 

I met a party member who served with the Royals Signals in World War II.  he told me how he'd been station in Nottingham on anti-aircraft work; and how 10 of his colleagues had been killed in an accident when the truck they were riding in lost control on one of the roads in my ward.   In 20 years' of canvassing in my ward, I'd never heard of the story.  And despite having a rough idea of when it happened, Nottingham's local studies library staff can't find any reference to it. 

The local newspaper's checking too - they love these kind of stories - their bygone section is one of the most popular parts of the paper's offer. 

I met a party member who served with the Royals Signals in World War II.  he told me how he'd been station in Nottingham on anti-aircraft work; and how 10 of his colleagues had been killed in an accident when the truck they were riding in lost control on one of the roads in my ward.   In 20 years' of canvassing in my ward, I'd never heard of the story.  And despite having a rough idea of when it happened, Nottingham's local studies library staff can't find any reference to it. 

The local newspaper's checking too - they love these kind of stories - their bygone section is one of the most popular parts of the paper's offer. 

A new bus service is being set up to compete with Nottingham City Transport on its most popular route.  The operators figured that the charm of running old London routemasters would appeal over the offer of the youngest bus fleet in the country.  But the old buses are not terribly accessible.   And of course, the new firm doesn't want to offer services outside of the peak hours in the evenings.  The people of Nottingham generally get this and therefore don't use them.  Last bus I saw had 1 passenger on it. 

A new bus service is being set up to compete with Nottingham City Transport on its most popular route.  The operators figured that the charm of running old London routemasters would appeal over the offer of the youngest bus fleet in the country.  But the old buses are not terribly accessible.   And of course, the new firm doesn't want to offer services outside of the peak hours in the evenings.  The people of Nottingham generally get this and therefore don't use them.  Last bus I saw had 1 passenger on it. 

A new bus service is being set up to compete with Nottingham City Transport on its most popular route.  The operators figured that the charm of running old London routemasters would appeal over the offer of the youngest bus fleet in the country.  But the old buses are not terribly accessible.   And of course, the new firm doesn't want to offer services outside of the peak hours in the evenings.  The people of Nottingham generally get this and therefore don't use them.  Last bus I saw had 1 passenger on it. 

Nottingham City Council held an awards night for staff on Thursday evening.   More emotional than you might expect.  Two years ago, the groundmen who looked after the tennis courts were jumping for joy on the stage when they won.  And this year I saw some tears, from employees who just happened to work with winners.

Trading Standards did well this year with 1 winner and 2 runners-up.  9 out of the 30 in the section were present! 

Now we look forward to May when the new regulations that help them take stronger action on those who do not sell in a responsible manner are introduced. 

Nottingham City Council held an awards night for staff on Thursday evening.   More emotional than you might expect.  Two years ago, the groundmen who looked after the tennis courts were jumping for joy on the stage when they won.  And this year I saw some tears, from employees who just happened to work with winners.

Trading Standards did well this year with 1 winner and 2 runners-up.  9 out of the 30 in the section were present! 

Now we look forward to May when the new regulations that help them take stronger action on those who do not sell in a responsible manner are introduced. 

Nottingham City Council held an awards night for staff on Thursday evening.   More emotional than you might expect.  Two years ago, the groundmen who looked after the tennis courts were jumping for joy on the stage when they won.  And this year I saw some tears, from employees who just happened to work with winners.

Trading Standards did well this year with 1 winner and 2 runners-up.  9 out of the 30 in the section were present! 

Now we look forward to May when the new regulations that help them take stronger action on those who do not sell in a responsible manner are introduced. 

Nottingham has launched its first ethanol-fuelled bus service. 

Old buses on the No. 30 route running between Wollaton and the city centre have been replaced with three new Scania Ecolink vehicles made of recyclable aluminium and plastics and powered by engines are actually designed to run on ethanol.  The vehicles are part of an 18 month trial. 

Ethanol - a fuel produced biologically from, in this case, Swedish paper waste.   Opinions of bio-fuels still vary – the fuel used in this trial is sourced from Swedish forests using ligno-cellulosic techniques which can work on wood or pulp from sugar beet. 

When fully realised, this new ligno-cellulosic process will take ethanol from wood and leave charcoal as a by-product.  The charcoal can then be used as fuel in power stations, with ash as a by-product.  The ash remaining is high in nitrogen and therefore an excellent fertiliser (to grow trees).  A new and different kind of circle of life. 

Nottingham has launched its first ethanol-fuelled bus service. 

Old buses on the No. 30 route running between Wollaton and the city centre have been replaced with three new Scania Ecolink vehicles made of recyclable aluminium and plastics and powered by engines are actually designed to run on ethanol.  The vehicles are part of an 18 month trial. 

Ethanol - a fuel produced biologically from, in this case, Swedish paper waste.   Opinions of bio-fuels still vary – the fuel used in this trial is sourced from Swedish forests using ligno-cellulosic techniques which can work on wood or pulp from sugar beet. 

When fully realised, this new ligno-cellulosic process will take ethanol from wood and leave charcoal as a by-product.  The charcoal can then be used as fuel in power stations, with ash as a by-product.  The ash remaining is high in nitrogen and therefore an excellent fertiliser (to grow trees).  A new and different kind of circle of life. 

Nottingham has launched its first ethanol-fuelled bus service. 

Old buses on the No. 30 route running between Wollaton and the city centre have been replaced with three new Scania Ecolink vehicles made of recyclable aluminium and plastics and powered by engines are actually designed to run on ethanol.  The vehicles are part of an 18 month trial. 

Ethanol - a fuel produced biologically from, in this case, Swedish paper waste.   Opinions of bio-fuels still vary – the fuel used in this trial is sourced from Swedish forests using ligno-cellulosic techniques which can work on wood or pulp from sugar beet. 

When fully realised, this new ligno-cellulosic process will take ethanol from wood and leave charcoal as a by-product.  The charcoal can then be used as fuel in power stations, with ash as a by-product.  The ash remaining is high in nitrogen and therefore an excellent fertiliser (to grow trees).  A new and different kind of circle of life. 

The anti-drugs campaign - talktofrank - visited Nottingham today.  2 Double-decker buses were in the Old Market Square. 

14 Year 7's from my school attended (years 8 - 11 were all preparing for exams and tests).   

They saw exhibitions and videos, but also got signatures from local football, rugby and cricket stars.  Unfortunately, when they were interviewed by the local newspaper, I asked them what their favourite sport at school is and they ventured badminton.  La de da. 

As a reward for their interest and dropping arrangements at 24 hours notice to attend, a ride on the Nottingham Eye was arranged.  And I had to accompany 4 of the girls.  4 very confident girls.  Who loved the notion of making the car we were in swing.  Oh joy.  (Only a mild swing, but on top of the vertigo, hey.) 

In case you're wondering, procedures were followed at school to check the risk associated with such a ride.  A nominated teacher had to check a web-site to say whether any risk was too great. 

The Nottingham Eye finishes on Saturday and it's cheered up the city centre. 

It's been a great focus for visits.  Yesterday, the Mayor of Poznan came (Poznan is twinned with Nottinghamshire) and the tour of the Council House finished with a trip on the big wheel. 

The Nottingham Eye is expected to return next year.

The anti-drugs campaign - talktofrank - visited Nottingham today.  2 Double-decker buses were in the Old Market Square. 

14 Year 7's from my school attended (years 8 - 11 were all preparing for exams and tests).   

They saw exhibitions and videos, but also got signatures from local football, rugby and cricket stars.  Unfortunately, when they were interviewed by the local newspaper, I asked them what their favourite sport at school is and they ventured badminton.  La de da. 

As a reward for their interest and dropping arrangements at 24 hours notice to attend, a ride on the Nottingham Eye was arranged.  And I had to accompany 4 of the girls.  4 very confident girls.  Who loved the notion of making the car we were in swing.  Oh joy.  (Only a mild swing, but on top of the vertigo, hey.) 

In case you're wondering, procedures were followed at school to check the risk associated with such a ride.  A nominated teacher had to check a web-site to say whether any risk was too great. 

The Nottingham Eye finishes on Saturday and it's cheered up the city centre. 

It's been a great focus for visits.  Yesterday, the Mayor of Poznan came (Poznan is twinned with Nottinghamshire) and the tour of the Council House finished with a trip on the big wheel. 

The Nottingham Eye is expected to return next year.

The anti-drugs campaign - talktofrank - visited Nottingham today.  2 Double-decker buses were in the Old Market Square. 

14 Year 7's from my school attended (years 8 - 11 were all preparing for exams and tests).   

They saw exhibitions and videos, but also got signatures from local football, rugby and cricket stars.  Unfortunately, when they were interviewed by the local newspaper, I asked them what their favourite sport at school is and they ventured badminton.  La de da. 

As a reward for their interest and dropping arrangements at 24 hours notice to attend, a ride on the Nottingham Eye was arranged.  And I had to accompany 4 of the girls.  4 very confident girls.  Who loved the notion of making the car we were in swing.  Oh joy.  (Only a mild swing, but on top of the vertigo, hey.) 

In case you're wondering, procedures were followed at school to check the risk associated with such a ride.  A nominated teacher had to check a web-site to say whether any risk was too great. 

The Nottingham Eye finishes on Saturday and it's cheered up the city centre. 

It's been a great focus for visits.  Yesterday, the Mayor of Poznan came (Poznan is twinned with Nottinghamshire) and the tour of the Council House finished with a trip on the big wheel. 

The Nottingham Eye is expected to return next year.