Michael Edwards for South Derbyshire

The late May bank holiday has developed into a weekend of festivals in Nottingham. 

The Pulse concerts, taking advantage of the new arena of the Old Market Square. 

A Polish Piknik and the Green Festival on Sunday, which unfortunately suffered heavy rain for the second year running.   

And we’ve welcomed high profile visitors. 

The Prime Minister of Jamaica on Friday. 

The Dalai Lama on Saturday for nearly a week for a series of religious events at the National Ice Arena.  

There's a whisper that he chose Nottingham, because of the city profile on climate change, but I can't verify it. 

The late May bank holiday has developed into a weekend of festivals in Nottingham. 

The Pulse concerts, taking advantage of the new arena of the Old Market Square. 

A Polish Piknik and the Green Festival on Sunday, which unfortunately suffered heavy rain for the second year running.   

And we’ve welcomed high profile visitors. 

The Prime Minister of Jamaica on Friday. 

The Dalai Lama on Saturday for nearly a week for a series of religious events at the National Ice Arena.  

There's a whisper that he chose Nottingham, because of the city profile on climate change, but I can't verify it. 

The late May bank holiday has developed into a weekend of festivals in Nottingham. 

The Pulse concerts, taking advantage of the new arena of the Old Market Square. 

A Polish Piknik and the Green Festival on Sunday, which unfortunately suffered heavy rain for the second year running.   

And we’ve welcomed high profile visitors. 

The Prime Minister of Jamaica on Friday. 

The Dalai Lama on Saturday for nearly a week for a series of religious events at the National Ice Arena.  

There's a whisper that he chose Nottingham, because of the city profile on climate change, but I can't verify it. 

Phil Woolas MP, Minister for Climate Change, briefed Nottingham East Labour Party on Friday night. 

Recognising Nottingham’s reputation as a leading city on action on climate change, Phil gave a full briefing on the science and the challenges we face.  The latest surprising facts included -  

·        London now getting less rain than Alexandria, and Barcelona being in the middle of an extensive draught;  

·        de-forestation posing a much bigger threat to climate change than air travel; 

·        people being washed up dead in significant numbers on the beaches of Malta, have left their homelands in search of life in a land with water. 

Phil regarded the announcement last week of John McCain, the Republican candidate for US president, on cap and trade as significant cos now all three remaining candidates are committed to new action on climate change. 

Phil emphasised the importance of getting carbon capture right for coal-burning power stations.     

Phil Woolas MP, Minister for Climate Change, briefed Nottingham East Labour Party on Friday night. 

Recognising Nottingham’s reputation as a leading city on action on climate change, Phil gave a full briefing on the science and the challenges we face.  The latest surprising facts included -  

·        London now getting less rain than Alexandria, and Barcelona being in the middle of an extensive draught;  

·        de-forestation posing a much bigger threat to climate change than air travel; 

·        people being washed up dead in significant numbers on the beaches of Malta, have left their homelands in search of life in a land with water. 

Phil regarded the announcement last week of John McCain, the Republican candidate for US president, on cap and trade as significant cos now all three remaining candidates are committed to new action on climate change. 

Phil emphasised the importance of getting carbon capture right for coal-burning power stations.     

Phil Woolas MP, Minister for Climate Change, briefed Nottingham East Labour Party on Friday night. 

Recognising Nottingham’s reputation as a leading city on action on climate change, Phil gave a full briefing on the science and the challenges we face.  The latest surprising facts included -  

·        London now getting less rain than Alexandria, and Barcelona being in the middle of an extensive draught;  

·        de-forestation posing a much bigger threat to climate change than air travel; 

·        people being washed up dead in significant numbers on the beaches of Malta, have left their homelands in search of life in a land with water. 

Phil regarded the announcement last week of John McCain, the Republican candidate for US president, on cap and trade as significant cos now all three remaining candidates are committed to new action on climate change. 

Phil emphasised the importance of getting carbon capture right for coal-burning power stations.     

The pronouncements of the death of New Labour are overlooking the impact being made on the ground.  

On Tuesday, consultation was announced on a new academy for the east of Nottingham City.  Building on the value- added success of the school I chair and the nationally acclaimed attainment and reputation of Greenwood Dale, a united school will offer the chance for more city children to choose their local school.   

And the schools will get new buildings.   

The Jesse Boot primary school is joining the academy, also with plans to expand.   

None of this was possible under the Tories, even when they had much higher revenues from oil.   

New Labour completely moved the centre-ground of British politics from there being no such thing as society, to one that values quality public services, better schools and hospitals, lower waiting times and higher attainment at schools.   

And still the projects are being delivered.   

There will always be a time for renewal and change. 

But the progress made should not and will not be forgotten. 

The pronouncements of the death of New Labour are overlooking the impact being made on the ground.  

On Tuesday, consultation was announced on a new academy for the east of Nottingham City.  Building on the value- added success of the school I chair and the nationally acclaimed attainment and reputation of Greenwood Dale, a united school will offer the chance for more city children to choose their local school.   

And the schools will get new buildings.   

The Jesse Boot primary school is joining the academy, also with plans to expand.   

None of this was possible under the Tories, even when they had much higher revenues from oil.   

New Labour completely moved the centre-ground of British politics from there being no such thing as society, to one that values quality public services, better schools and hospitals, lower waiting times and higher attainment at schools.   

And still the projects are being delivered.   

There will always be a time for renewal and change. 

But the progress made should not and will not be forgotten. 

The pronouncements of the death of New Labour are overlooking the impact being made on the ground.  

On Tuesday, consultation was announced on a new academy for the east of Nottingham City.  Building on the value- added success of the school I chair and the nationally acclaimed attainment and reputation of Greenwood Dale, a united school will offer the chance for more city children to choose their local school.   

And the schools will get new buildings.   

The Jesse Boot primary school is joining the academy, also with plans to expand.   

None of this was possible under the Tories, even when they had much higher revenues from oil.   

New Labour completely moved the centre-ground of British politics from there being no such thing as society, to one that values quality public services, better schools and hospitals, lower waiting times and higher attainment at schools.   

And still the projects are being delivered.   

There will always be a time for renewal and change. 

But the progress made should not and will not be forgotten. 

A happy weekend, celebrating a new community centre made possible by Labour Councillors and a Labour MP; and the civic work of my co-Councillor Mo Munir, completing 4 years as Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor. 

Honeywood Estate was built 30 years or so ago within a brickyard.  Its residents group HEAT (Honeywood Estate Action Team) have been working hard to improve the area over recent years, with good success, and last year opened a community centre and a caged football / basketball play area. 

Both facilities are serving people well and it was formally opened on Saturday. 

In one of those bizarre accidents of history, the boundary between Nottingham City and Gedling Borough slices through the estate on a diagonal and my ward includes a small part of the estate. 

Gedling Labour Councillors Jim Creamer, Darryl Pulk and Paul Feeney have been a driving force for making the resources available for the new community centre to happen.  And local MP Vernon Coaker has played a role too. 

The Brickyard Community Centre was opened by a local resident who completed the last shift in the brickworks on the site and a young lad who came up with the name.  And a new landmark - a large concrete globe tiled with triangular brick tiles, with impressions of the local history was 'opened'.

Celebrating Mo Munir's civic service went well too.  Over £100,000 was raised by Mo's charity in response to the Pakistan earthquake of 2005. 

A happy weekend, celebrating a new community centre made possible by Labour Councillors and a Labour MP; and the civic work of my co-Councillor Mo Munir, completing 4 years as Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor. 

Honeywood Estate was built 30 years or so ago within a brickyard.  Its residents group HEAT (Honeywood Estate Action Team) have been working hard to improve the area over recent years, with good success, and last year opened a community centre and a caged football / basketball play area. 

Both facilities are serving people well and it was formally opened on Saturday. 

In one of those bizarre accidents of history, the boundary between Nottingham City and Gedling Borough slices through the estate on a diagonal and my ward includes a small part of the estate. 

Gedling Labour Councillors Jim Creamer, Darryl Pulk and Paul Feeney have been a driving force for making the resources available for the new community centre to happen.  And local MP Vernon Coaker has played a role too. 

The Brickyard Community Centre was opened by a local resident who completed the last shift in the brickworks on the site and a young lad who came up with the name.  And a new landmark - a large concrete globe tiled with triangular brick tiles, with impressions of the local history was 'opened'.

Celebrating Mo Munir's civic service went well too.  Over £100,000 was raised by Mo's charity in response to the Pakistan earthquake of 2005. 

A happy weekend, celebrating a new community centre made possible by Labour Councillors and a Labour MP; and the civic work of my co-Councillor Mo Munir, completing 4 years as Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor. 

Honeywood Estate was built 30 years or so ago within a brickyard.  Its residents group HEAT (Honeywood Estate Action Team) have been working hard to improve the area over recent years, with good success, and last year opened a community centre and a caged football / basketball play area. 

Both facilities are serving people well and it was formally opened on Saturday. 

In one of those bizarre accidents of history, the boundary between Nottingham City and Gedling Borough slices through the estate on a diagonal and my ward includes a small part of the estate. 

Gedling Labour Councillors Jim Creamer, Darryl Pulk and Paul Feeney have been a driving force for making the resources available for the new community centre to happen.  And local MP Vernon Coaker has played a role too. 

The Brickyard Community Centre was opened by a local resident who completed the last shift in the brickworks on the site and a young lad who came up with the name.  And a new landmark - a large concrete globe tiled with triangular brick tiles, with impressions of the local history was 'opened'.

Celebrating Mo Munir's civic service went well too.  Over £100,000 was raised by Mo's charity in response to the Pakistan earthquake of 2005. 

The BBC have today decided to highlight Nottingham’s plans for a Workplace Parking Levy, following a reaffirmation of our intention to proceed at yesterday’s full council.   

Labour were joined by the Lib Dems in supporting the scheme.  The Tories were against the proposal with one young Turk who idolises Thatcher telling Labour that we don’t care about people who want to work for a living.  Go figure.   

The BBC have found people to complain about a levy, but not sought people who get no compensation of choosing to live near work and walk, or choosing to cycle or choosing to arrive by bus or train or tram.   

The Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce have suggested road user charging would be better for Nottingham, but when Derby proposed charging there, the same group opposed it.   This morning, they repeated calls for alternatives to be explored, despite it being the Council’s policy since 2000 and a public inquiry having been held. 

And they and the Nottingham Evening Post (who’ve also called for road user charging) were in hiding when an initial study for the costs of a scheme for Nottingham was produced with an early indication of the charges needed. 

Road user charging has been right for Ken’s London, but Nottingham could not sustain such charges around the whole city in isolation of a national scheme.   

Then they say it’s not a scheme to relieve congestion, much as they soon say we shouldn’t just charge without providing a public transport alternative.  The levy will enable Nottingham to expand its success tram, to offer a higher quality public transport alternative to the very congested routes into Nottingham on the A52, A6005 & A453.  (And one is needed despite the highly rated TrentBarton services along the A52).   

The levy will also enable improvements to Nottingham’s Midland station and allow us to make the very successful network of “Link” buses serving hospitals, workplaces and neighbourhoods; such services that can’t be sustained  

The levy will also encourage firms to go further in their transport planning.   

Overall, the scheme could reduce volumes of traffic on the road by 10%.  A 5% reduction during school holidays already has a dramatic effect.   

Which leads me to main pitch made yesterday – that we’re anti-motorists.  This is always a strange one cos most of the Councillors own and drive cars. 

But the gist is that we’re the only city – outside of Ken’s London – who kept economic activity growing (still the 5^th best on GVA and we increased the economic activity of Nott’m people by 3% in the last year alone) whilst limiting growth in traffic.  So we’ve kept travelling time down for motorists and we’re still accused of being anti-car.   

Nottingham’s radical policies on transport and land use planning have worked. 

But we cannot stand still.  Car ownership will continue to grow.  As will the real increase of the cost of fuel.  As may a planning imperative to reduce greenhouse emissions from transport (yes, the Cameron Tories didn’t mention the environment once yesterday).    (And last year, one of their study groups advocated workplace parking levy.)

We need act to sustain the viability of our city.   

The BBC have today decided to highlight Nottingham’s plans for a Workplace Parking Levy, following a reaffirmation of our intention to proceed at yesterday’s full council.   

Labour were joined by the Lib Dems in supporting the scheme.  The Tories were against the proposal with one young Turk who idolises Thatcher telling Labour that we don’t care about people who want to work for a living.  Go figure.   

The BBC have found people to complain about a levy, but not sought people who get no compensation of choosing to live near work and walk, or choosing to cycle or choosing to arrive by bus or train or tram.   

The Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce have suggested road user charging would be better for Nottingham, but when Derby proposed charging there, the same group opposed it.   This morning, they repeated calls for alternatives to be explored, despite it being the Council’s policy since 2000 and a public inquiry having been held. 

And they and the Nottingham Evening Post (who’ve also called for road user charging) were in hiding when an initial study for the costs of a scheme for Nottingham was produced with an early indication of the charges needed. 

Road user charging has been right for Ken’s London, but Nottingham could not sustain such charges around the whole city in isolation of a national scheme.   

Then they say it’s not a scheme to relieve congestion, much as they soon say we shouldn’t just charge without providing a public transport alternative.  The levy will enable Nottingham to expand its success tram, to offer a higher quality public transport alternative to the very congested routes into Nottingham on the A52, A6005 & A453.  (And one is needed despite the highly rated TrentBarton services along the A52).   

The levy will also enable improvements to Nottingham’s Midland station and allow us to make the very successful network of “Link” buses serving hospitals, workplaces and neighbourhoods; such services that can’t be sustained  

The levy will also encourage firms to go further in their transport planning.   

Overall, the scheme could reduce volumes of traffic on the road by 10%.  A 5% reduction during school holidays already has a dramatic effect.   

Which leads me to main pitch made yesterday – that we’re anti-motorists.  This is always a strange one cos most of the Councillors own and drive cars. 

But the gist is that we’re the only city – outside of Ken’s London – who kept economic activity growing (still the 5^th best on GVA and we increased the economic activity of Nott’m people by 3% in the last year alone) whilst limiting growth in traffic.  So we’ve kept travelling time down for motorists and we’re still accused of being anti-car.   

Nottingham’s radical policies on transport and land use planning have worked. 

But we cannot stand still.  Car ownership will continue to grow.  As will the real increase of the cost of fuel.  As may a planning imperative to reduce greenhouse emissions from transport (yes, the Cameron Tories didn’t mention the environment once yesterday).    (And last year, one of their study groups advocated workplace parking levy.)

We need act to sustain the viability of our city.   

The BBC have today decided to highlight Nottingham’s plans for a Workplace Parking Levy, following a reaffirmation of our intention to proceed at yesterday’s full council.   

Labour were joined by the Lib Dems in supporting the scheme.  The Tories were against the proposal with one young Turk who idolises Thatcher telling Labour that we don’t care about people who want to work for a living.  Go figure.   

The BBC have found people to complain about a levy, but not sought people who get no compensation of choosing to live near work and walk, or choosing to cycle or choosing to arrive by bus or train or tram.   

The Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce have suggested road user charging would be better for Nottingham, but when Derby proposed charging there, the same group opposed it.   This morning, they repeated calls for alternatives to be explored, despite it being the Council’s policy since 2000 and a public inquiry having been held. 

And they and the Nottingham Evening Post (who’ve also called for road user charging) were in hiding when an initial study for the costs of a scheme for Nottingham was produced with an early indication of the charges needed. 

Road user charging has been right for Ken’s London, but Nottingham could not sustain such charges around the whole city in isolation of a national scheme.   

Then they say it’s not a scheme to relieve congestion, much as they soon say we shouldn’t just charge without providing a public transport alternative.  The levy will enable Nottingham to expand its success tram, to offer a higher quality public transport alternative to the very congested routes into Nottingham on the A52, A6005 & A453.  (And one is needed despite the highly rated TrentBarton services along the A52).   

The levy will also enable improvements to Nottingham’s Midland station and allow us to make the very successful network of “Link” buses serving hospitals, workplaces and neighbourhoods; such services that can’t be sustained  

The levy will also encourage firms to go further in their transport planning.   

Overall, the scheme could reduce volumes of traffic on the road by 10%.  A 5% reduction during school holidays already has a dramatic effect.   

Which leads me to main pitch made yesterday – that we’re anti-motorists.  This is always a strange one cos most of the Councillors own and drive cars. 

But the gist is that we’re the only city – outside of Ken’s London – who kept economic activity growing (still the 5^th best on GVA and we increased the economic activity of Nott’m people by 3% in the last year alone) whilst limiting growth in traffic.  So we’ve kept travelling time down for motorists and we’re still accused of being anti-car.   

Nottingham’s radical policies on transport and land use planning have worked. 

But we cannot stand still.  Car ownership will continue to grow.  As will the real increase of the cost of fuel.  As may a planning imperative to reduce greenhouse emissions from transport (yes, the Cameron Tories didn’t mention the environment once yesterday).    (And last year, one of their study groups advocated workplace parking levy.)

We need act to sustain the viability of our city.   

The economic activity rate has increased by 3% in Nottingham (from 65% to 68%). 

Under the banner of “Making the Connection” (MTC), Nottingham City Council, Job Centre Plus, the local strategic partnership and other public agencies, in conjunction with the private sector have been building up their co-operation to offer more job opportunities to those seen to be on the verge of dependency culture – job-seekers, single parents, those on incapacity benefit.

A large and wide range of projects have been run. One of the most visible happened 3 years ago, in the run-up to the opening of a new Jury’s Inn hotel in Nottingham, near the railway station.  Positions for 20 new staff were available, and made available to people on the verge of falling into dependency on benefits. 19 of the 20 passed the pre-employment training course and secured employment. 

300 firms now work with the partnership, which offers better service (bringing labour to the opportunities that can be available).  

An annual report for “Making the Connection” has just been published and key achievements from Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) projects include: 

•          Over 400 people have achieved their first qualifications through Progression to Work programmes (run by a sub-contractor, Apricot Training);   

•          The programme’s sustainable employment rate is now nearly 80% (sustainable is a job held for 13 weeks or more, which for those on verge of dependency culture is quite an achievement; the City council plays a role in getting the funding together and working with firms to make jobs offered sustainable); 

•          Nearly 100 people have accessed childcare training and related employment/volunteering opportunities through Care Training’s innovative project.   

The recent MTC’s “week of action” which has seen over 500 new clients engaged to the programme in just one week.  400 were placed in work as a result of last year’s exercise and we hoping for more in this year’s figures.   

The economic activity rate has increased by 3% in Nottingham (from 65% to 68%). 

Under the banner of “Making the Connection” (MTC), Nottingham City Council, Job Centre Plus, the local strategic partnership and other public agencies, in conjunction with the private sector have been building up their co-operation to offer more job opportunities to those seen to be on the verge of dependency culture – job-seekers, single parents, those on incapacity benefit.

A large and wide range of projects have been run. One of the most visible happened 3 years ago, in the run-up to the opening of a new Jury’s Inn hotel in Nottingham, near the railway station.  Positions for 20 new staff were available, and made available to people on the verge of falling into dependency on benefits. 19 of the 20 passed the pre-employment training course and secured employment. 

300 firms now work with the partnership, which offers better service (bringing labour to the opportunities that can be available).  

An annual report for “Making the Connection” has just been published and key achievements from Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) projects include: 

•          Over 400 people have achieved their first qualifications through Progression to Work programmes (run by a sub-contractor, Apricot Training);   

•          The programme’s sustainable employment rate is now nearly 80% (sustainable is a job held for 13 weeks or more, which for those on verge of dependency culture is quite an achievement; the City council plays a role in getting the funding together and working with firms to make jobs offered sustainable); 

•          Nearly 100 people have accessed childcare training and related employment/volunteering opportunities through Care Training’s innovative project.   

The recent MTC’s “week of action” which has seen over 500 new clients engaged to the programme in just one week.  400 were placed in work as a result of last year’s exercise and we hoping for more in this year’s figures.   

The economic activity rate has increased by 3% in Nottingham (from 65% to 68%). 

Under the banner of “Making the Connection” (MTC), Nottingham City Council, Job Centre Plus, the local strategic partnership and other public agencies, in conjunction with the private sector have been building up their co-operation to offer more job opportunities to those seen to be on the verge of dependency culture – job-seekers, single parents, those on incapacity benefit.

A large and wide range of projects have been run. One of the most visible happened 3 years ago, in the run-up to the opening of a new Jury’s Inn hotel in Nottingham, near the railway station.  Positions for 20 new staff were available, and made available to people on the verge of falling into dependency on benefits. 19 of the 20 passed the pre-employment training course and secured employment. 

300 firms now work with the partnership, which offers better service (bringing labour to the opportunities that can be available).  

An annual report for “Making the Connection” has just been published and key achievements from Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) projects include: 

•          Over 400 people have achieved their first qualifications through Progression to Work programmes (run by a sub-contractor, Apricot Training);   

•          The programme’s sustainable employment rate is now nearly 80% (sustainable is a job held for 13 weeks or more, which for those on verge of dependency culture is quite an achievement; the City council plays a role in getting the funding together and working with firms to make jobs offered sustainable); 

•          Nearly 100 people have accessed childcare training and related employment/volunteering opportunities through Care Training’s innovative project.   

The recent MTC’s “week of action” which has seen over 500 new clients engaged to the programme in just one week.  400 were placed in work as a result of last year’s exercise and we hoping for more in this year’s figures.   

The second Women’s FA Cup Final to be held in Nottingham saw another record attendance.  24,582.  Up 53 on last year!   

And a great day out it was.  Sunny and warm (against expectations).  And Leeds United Ladies managed to keep out Arsenal Ladies for the first 45 minutes.   

Arsenal Ladies are better paid and more fully supported by their parent club than any other in the country and it shows.  The 4-1 result was in some way inevitable.  The luck than meant every block, tackle and deflection that worked for Leeds in the first half, didn't change ends with the teams at the break.   

Player of the match was the Leeds goalkeeper who had come from Sunderland and actually made a Jim Montgomery cup final save, deflecting a close range shot onto the crossbar.   

I was sat next to the aunties of one of the Leeds players – delighted that their niece, the 19 year old winger celebrated her birthday by heading in a rebound from the post.    A Leeds fan web-site described the pleasure of seeing "Clarke score with a header against Arsenal in the FA Cup Final". 

A bit harsh on the Leeds captain who’d tried the lob from 25 yards.  She told me afterwards how she thought it was worth a go, and I told her how I’d shouted “Don’t!” as she lined herself up.  Hey what do I know about football.   

This year, Nottingham City Council had been able to move its summer women football’s event from July to the Sunday before the final.  Over 130 teams attended the 5 a side event, with winners coming from as far away Cambridge and Newcastle. 

For the first time, I got to hand some medals (well crystals) out – nice.  But the kids’ eyes were all lit up for the England goalkeeper who’d travelled from London to support the event.    

A local team for 4 age groups of girls has been set up – Sherwood – and it was a pleasure to see “Sherwood under-10s A” reach their semi-finals.    They did well, especially coping with the four sets of instructions they received from parents every time the ball went out of play. 

Sherwood was one of the clubs with banners at the match – something that should be encouraged for next year given the range of support coming from across the country to see the match – many booking before the finalists are actually known (or at least one of them).   

Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe attended, as did David Triesman, former General Secretary of the Labour Party and now President of the FA.  Post-match analysis extended beyond the game to last Thursday, but here any football analogy stops.   

Labour is doing a lot of good things.  Our ambition for working people and their neighbourhoods is right.  I met one couple who acknowledged -

·         that their city was getting a new hospital,

·         that their city was getting a programme of improved secondary schools,

·         the local primary school that their son was attending being good,  

·         the new local library,

·         the new / improved community centre,

·         the improved local park;

and yet Labour still wasn’t getting their vote. 

The story says enough to say what we have to do to get the victory we deserve next time around. 

The second Women’s FA Cup Final to be held in Nottingham saw another record attendance.  24,582.  Up 53 on last year!   

And a great day out it was.  Sunny and warm (against expectations).  And Leeds United Ladies managed to keep out Arsenal Ladies for the first 45 minutes.   

Arsenal Ladies are better paid and more fully supported by their parent club than any other in the country and it shows.  The 4-1 result was in some way inevitable.  The luck than meant every block, tackle and deflection that worked for Leeds in the first half, didn't change ends with the teams at the break.   

Player of the match was the Leeds goalkeeper who had come from Sunderland and actually made a Jim Montgomery cup final save, deflecting a close range shot onto the crossbar.   

I was sat next to the aunties of one of the Leeds players – delighted that their niece, the 19 year old winger celebrated her birthday by heading in a rebound from the post.    A Leeds fan web-site described the pleasure of seeing "Clarke score with a header against Arsenal in the FA Cup Final". 

A bit harsh on the Leeds captain who’d tried the lob from 25 yards.  She told me afterwards how she thought it was worth a go, and I told her how I’d shouted “Don’t!” as she lined herself up.  Hey what do I know about football.   

This year, Nottingham City Council had been able to move its summer women football’s event from July to the Sunday before the final.  Over 130 teams attended the 5 a side event, with winners coming from as far away Cambridge and Newcastle. 

For the first time, I got to hand some medals (well crystals) out – nice.  But the kids’ eyes were all lit up for the England goalkeeper who’d travelled from London to support the event.    

A local team for 4 age groups of girls has been set up – Sherwood – and it was a pleasure to see “Sherwood under-10s A” reach their semi-finals.    They did well, especially coping with the four sets of instructions they received from parents every time the ball went out of play. 

Sherwood was one of the clubs with banners at the match – something that should be encouraged for next year given the range of support coming from across the country to see the match – many booking before the finalists are actually known (or at least one of them).   

Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe attended, as did David Triesman, former General Secretary of the Labour Party and now President of the FA.  Post-match analysis extended beyond the game to last Thursday, but here any football analogy stops.   

Labour is doing a lot of good things.  Our ambition for working people and their neighbourhoods is right.  I met one couple who acknowledged -

·         that their city was getting a new hospital,

·         that their city was getting a programme of improved secondary schools,

·         the local primary school that their son was attending being good,  

·         the new local library,

·         the new / improved community centre,

·         the improved local park;

and yet Labour still wasn’t getting their vote. 

The story says enough to say what we have to do to get the victory we deserve next time around. 

The second Women’s FA Cup Final to be held in Nottingham saw another record attendance.  24,582.  Up 53 on last year!   

And a great day out it was.  Sunny and warm (against expectations).  And Leeds United Ladies managed to keep out Arsenal Ladies for the first 45 minutes.   

Arsenal Ladies are better paid and more fully supported by their parent club than any other in the country and it shows.  The 4-1 result was in some way inevitable.  The luck than meant every block, tackle and deflection that worked for Leeds in the first half, didn't change ends with the teams at the break.   

Player of the match was the Leeds goalkeeper who had come from Sunderland and actually made a Jim Montgomery cup final save, deflecting a close range shot onto the crossbar.   

I was sat next to the aunties of one of the Leeds players – delighted that their niece, the 19 year old winger celebrated her birthday by heading in a rebound from the post.    A Leeds fan web-site described the pleasure of seeing "Clarke score with a header against Arsenal in the FA Cup Final". 

A bit harsh on the Leeds captain who’d tried the lob from 25 yards.  She told me afterwards how she thought it was worth a go, and I told her how I’d shouted “Don’t!” as she lined herself up.  Hey what do I know about football.   

This year, Nottingham City Council had been able to move its summer women football’s event from July to the Sunday before the final.  Over 130 teams attended the 5 a side event, with winners coming from as far away Cambridge and Newcastle. 

For the first time, I got to hand some medals (well crystals) out – nice.  But the kids’ eyes were all lit up for the England goalkeeper who’d travelled from London to support the event.    

A local team for 4 age groups of girls has been set up – Sherwood – and it was a pleasure to see “Sherwood under-10s A” reach their semi-finals.    They did well, especially coping with the four sets of instructions they received from parents every time the ball went out of play. 

Sherwood was one of the clubs with banners at the match – something that should be encouraged for next year given the range of support coming from across the country to see the match – many booking before the finalists are actually known (or at least one of them).   

Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe attended, as did David Triesman, former General Secretary of the Labour Party and now President of the FA.  Post-match analysis extended beyond the game to last Thursday, but here any football analogy stops.   

Labour is doing a lot of good things.  Our ambition for working people and their neighbourhoods is right.  I met one couple who acknowledged -

·         that their city was getting a new hospital,

·         that their city was getting a programme of improved secondary schools,

·         the local primary school that their son was attending being good,  

·         the new local library,

·         the new / improved community centre,

·         the improved local park;

and yet Labour still wasn’t getting their vote. 

The story says enough to say what we have to do to get the victory we deserve next time around. 

The funeral of Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson took place at St.Judes Church, in Mapperley, Nottingham, today. 

Some 500 people & more stood outdside to witness the flyover by a Harrier jump jet.  There was even some people on the roof of a nearby house.

The church was full to hear the tributes from all five daughters and the rugby club friends. 

Gary had re-joined to serve in Afghanistan at the age of 51 for Afghan women to have the same rights as his daughters.

One of the daughters explained that he'd said "do your bit & help others".

There's a web-site to leave a tribute.

Mr Thompson, a reservist with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, said before he left home that he wanted to play his part in ensuring women in Afghanistan had the same opportunities as his daughters Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17, and 16-year-old Kelly.

He said: "I have five daughters, three of whom are at university. I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had.

"It means I can come back and say I played my part in trying to make that happen."

He died alongside fellow Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone, 23, in the blast outside Kandahar. Two other servicemen were injured.

The funeral of Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson took place at St.Judes Church, in Mapperley, Nottingham, today. 

Some 500 people & more stood outdside to witness the flyover by a Harrier jump jet.  There was even some people on the roof of a nearby house.

The church was full to hear the tributes from all five daughters and the rugby club friends. 

Gary had re-joined to serve in Afghanistan at the age of 51 for Afghan women to have the same rights as his daughters.

One of the daughters explained that he'd said "do your bit & help others".

There's a web-site to leave a tribute.

Mr Thompson, a reservist with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, said before he left home that he wanted to play his part in ensuring women in Afghanistan had the same opportunities as his daughters Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17, and 16-year-old Kelly.

He said: "I have five daughters, three of whom are at university. I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had.

"It means I can come back and say I played my part in trying to make that happen."

He died alongside fellow Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone, 23, in the blast outside Kandahar. Two other servicemen were injured.

The funeral of Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson took place at St.Judes Church, in Mapperley, Nottingham, today. 

Some 500 people & more stood outdside to witness the flyover by a Harrier jump jet.  There was even some people on the roof of a nearby house.

The church was full to hear the tributes from all five daughters and the rugby club friends. 

Gary had re-joined to serve in Afghanistan at the age of 51 for Afghan women to have the same rights as his daughters.

One of the daughters explained that he'd said "do your bit & help others".

There's a web-site to leave a tribute.

Mr Thompson, a reservist with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, said before he left home that he wanted to play his part in ensuring women in Afghanistan had the same opportunities as his daughters Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17, and 16-year-old Kelly.

He said: "I have five daughters, three of whom are at university. I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had.

"It means I can come back and say I played my part in trying to make that happen."

He died alongside fellow Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone, 23, in the blast outside Kandahar. Two other servicemen were injured.