Thursday 7th April 2011 Mercian regimental mascot promoted for ‘good behaviour’
Private Derby, a ram and the official mascot of the Mercia Regiment,
has been promoted to Lance Corporal. Pte Derby, a pedigree Swaredale
ram originally donated by the Chatsworth Estate, was promoted to Lance
Corporal during a ceremony at Nottingham Castle to mark the Crimean
War. L/Cpl Derby was promoted for ‘good behaviour’ according to the
Ministry of Defence (MOD). One of only five mascots funded by the
government, L/Cpl Derby has been in the regiment since 2008. He is the
29th ram to hold the office of the Mercian regimental mascot. Nottinghamshire

Thursday 18th November 2010 Hundreds evacuated after fire in Nottingham city centre
Over one thousand people had to be evacuated from a nightclub after a
fire broke out at a nearby disused building in Nottingham city centre.
Emergency crews were on scene dealing with a major fire at property on
Goldsmith Street shortly after 0100 GMT on Thursday 18 November.
Student accommodation and the Rescue Rooms nightclub, both situated
near to the blaze, were evacuated as a precaution. Inspector Ian
Cresswell said: "Nobody has been hurt as a result of the fire and
people were evacuated as a precautionary measure for their personal
safety. The fire has now been contained and we are continuing to
assist the fire service while they carry out their work at the scene."
All tram services into the city centre were suspended. Nottinghamshire

Tuesday 16th November 2010 Nottingham city centre road works enter final stage
Work on the final phase of a new road system in the centre of
Nottingham has started. The work is part of the Connecting Eastside
scheme to provide improved access for northbound traffic. Motorists
will have a continuous route along Huntingdon Street, whereas now
traffic is routed around the Victoria Centre. Pedestrians will also
see improvements as a result of the work according to the city
council. Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for Transport and
Area Working, said: "The Connecting Eastside scheme is all about
providing better links for pedestrians and cyclists, and easier routes
for motorists. By creating this new route for northbound traffic along
Huntingdon Street, motorists will no longer have to travel into the
city centre and get caught up with other traffic which wants to go
into the city and the Victoria Centre car park.” Nottinghamshire

Wednesday 15th September 2010 Nottingham named “least car dependent city in England”
New research has identified Nottingham as the least car dependent city
in England. The Campaign for Better Transport looked at 19 cities,
rating them for the quality of public transport and ease of cycling
and walking. Nottingham’s high bus usage was noted as was the city’s
expanding tram network. London and Brighton also attracted praise for
giving people effective choices. Milton Keynes, described as "designed
for the car", came bottom. 17 indicators were used in the report to
rate how much a car was needed. These included how many households can
get to their town centre within 15 minutes by walking or public
transport. Nottinghamshire

Wednesday 1st September 2010 Nottinghamshire’s light switch-off plan
Nottinghamshire councillors are mulling a plan to dim or switch off
more than 90,000 street lights. The proposal suggests switching off
street lights between midnight and 0530 BST, and dim others from 2200
to 0700 BST. The changes to the 93,000 lights could cut power use by
about 25%, saving about £1.25m, according to estimates. Councillor
Richard Jackson, cabinet member for transport and highways, said:
"We've looked very carefully at places where this has been done by
other authorities. Their experiences show that collisions and crime
don't increase and crime and accident black-spots will continue to be
lit. With the financial challenges facing the council, this project
would ensure that money is spent on keeping roads and pavements in
good order rather than lighting scarcely used streets throughout the
entire night." The scheme will be looked at at a county council
cabinet meeting on 8 September. Nottinghamshire

Monday 19th July 2010 Heartless thieves steal playground furniture
Heartless metal thieves have stolen equipment from play areas in Nottinghamshire five times in two months. The incidents have been condemned by police who have been able to bring no charges in connection with the offences. Incidents at four sites in the Rushcliffe area have been reported with the damage costing the district council £16,000 in replacement parts alone. The low life scrap-thieves took slides, connecting bridges, panels out of shelters, metal rungs and even metal bin inserts. The police have likened the crimes to “stealing candy from a baby” and plan to watch the parks. The play area hit were in Rushcliffe Country Park in Ruddington, Boundary Road, West Park and also Bridgford Park play areas, all in West Bridgford. Nottinghamshire

Friday 11th June 2010 Canal boat used in shop break-in
Thieves used a stolen narrowboat to help them gain entry into a
newsagents in Nottingham. The raiders took the boat from its moorings
outside the Canal House pub in the early hours of Wednesday morning
and used the boat to get to the back of S&A News on Carrington Street.
They ransacked the shop, which backs on to the waterway, stealing cash
and cigarettes. The shop's owner, Ron Patel, said: "Things like this
are not just thrown together. Maybe they came in the shop before,
while I was trading and had a quick look around. It puzzles me, it is
something unusual. How often does someone use a canal boat in a
robbery?" Nottinghamshire

Thursday 27th May 2010 Scottish firm to keep Nottingham’s lights on
Southern Energy (SEE) has won a long-term contract to supply and
maintain Nottingham’s 40,000 street lights. The 25-year contract went
to the Perth-based companies Tay-based subsidiary, Tay Valley
Lighting. It is just one of 11 similar contracts covering 550,000
street lights in the UK.

Colin Hood, chief operating officer of SSE, said: "SSE is well
established as the UK's leading street lighting contractor, and this
latest contract will build on that. The Nottingham Street Lighting PFI
will create safer and improved lighting for the people of Nottingham,
and we will work hard to make sure a high standard of service and
delivery.” Nottinghamshire

Thursday 16th July 2009 Beach work starts in Nottingham
Nottingham will soon have its very own inner city resort after work started to create the “Nottingham Riviera” in the city’s Old Market Square. Something like 300 tonnes of sand will be used to create The Riviera which will feature beach cafes, fairground rides, a boardwalk and seaside stalls selling buckets and spades. Even Punch and Judy will be there to help impart that authentic British seaside resort feel.

The six-week project is set to open on 22 July and looks likely to be a big hit with families wanting to have some seaside fun without expensive and stressful travelling. Nottinghamshire