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A NEW alcohol-free bar will open in Nottingham – thanks to a £340,419 grant.

Double Impact is one 11 projects across the East Midlands to receive a share of more than £3 million from the Big Lottery Fund.

The money will enable the charity to open an alcohol-free bar, where people can meet for a coffee or meal during the day and for entertainment in the evening.

Chief executive Graham Miller said the new café and club was aimed at everyone.

"This is going to be a quality venue that offers an alternative to all those places serving alcohol," he said. "There isn't anywhere like it in Nottingham at the moment and we hope it will become a destination – for business people during the day and for families and groups of friends at night who just want to sit, see some music or comedy somewhere that's not part of the alcohol scene.

"It's about challenging people's stigmas and attitudes to both addicts and alcohol.

"We wouldn't be able to do it without the Big Lottery's involvement – it's too big – but they've given us the kick-start we need and now we have to work to make it a success."

The bar will be open by the end of the year.

A building is yet to be secured but will be in the city centre and will seat around 140 people.

All profit will be invested back in to Double Impact and the bar will also provide employment and training for service users.

Part of the grant will also be spent on a recovery recruitment programme.

Poet Georgia Brown, 43, of Sherwood, first got in touch with Double Impact about three-and-a-half-years ago when she was struggling with a heroin and alcohol addiction. She is now about to start training to become a life coach.

"This venue is something I've been looking for for a long time because there's evenings when you want to go out but don't want to see people inebriated," she said.

A grant of £278,297 also went to Newark and Notts Child Bereavement and Loss Centre and £265,847 to POW Nottingham, for people involved in or affected by prostitution.

NOTTINGHAM Forest are leading the race to sign defender Elliott Ward, after he was officially released by Premier League Norwich City. For the rest of this story, click here to visit our new website, www.nottinghampost.com.

A GANG have been jailed over a "sophisticated" conspiracy targeting Nottingham clubbers for their mobile phones.

Expensive smart phones were stolen from handbags and pockets in bars and nightclubs and passed on for sale in Algeria. For the rest of this story, click here to visit our new website, www.nottinghampost.com.

A NOTTS man who was missing from his home has been found. A search began for Gavin Pearson, 35, of Highfield Road, Clipstone, after he was last seen at around 8.55am on Monday morning in Mansfield Road in the village. Notts Police said on Tuesday evening he had been found. A force spokesman said: "He returned home and is safe and well."

A DUCK and 12 ducklings were rescued after they were shot at with an air weapon. It is the latest incident of several reports of wildlife being shot at received by Derbyshire Police. The pellet injured the mother duck on the beak. Both her and ducklings are now being cared for by the RSPCA after they were spotted in Wharf pond, Pinxton, on Tuesday, May 7. They are now warning people to use air weapons responsibly. PCSO Marion Jeffery, of the Pinxton policing team, said: "Air weapons are not toys and the pellets fired from them can cause serious harm to humans and wildlife if they are used recklessly or irresponsibly. "It is an offence for any person without lawful authority or reasonable excuse to have an air weapon in a public place, whether loaded or not. All wild animals are also protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside act." Anyone with information about animals being shot at should contact Derbyshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

THE ambulance service for Notts is to be fined £3.5 million after latest figures show it was the worst service in the country for getting an ambulance on scene to take a patient to hospital within 19 minutes. Of the ten ambulance services in the country East Midlands Ambulance Service recorded the lowest figures for 2012-13 in one of two Government targets. The Department of Health revealed that the service was the only ambulance to fail the Category A19 standard - which measures how long it takes the service to get a suitable vehicle on scene to take a patient to hospital. The target is for it get to 95 per cent of cases within 19 minutes. EMAS admitted 52 calls a day are arriving later than this target time. In the re-shuffle of health services in the aftermath of the Health and Social Care Bill the ambulance service in Notts is commissioned by the Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group. In a statement the group it said it that patients should be "reassured" of the action being taken to improve the service. A spokesman said: "NHS Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the lead commissioning co-ordinator, which now oversees the performance of EMAS, has outlined the action being taken to drive up performance for patients in the East Midlands. EMAS achieved one of two national standards they were required to meet in 2012/13. "EMAS achieved the A8 measure which requires the ambulance service to get a response to 75 per cent of all immediately life threatening calls across the East Midlands within eight minutes of the call being picked up, achieving 75.21 per cent. "The Category A19 performance standard measures the time it takes for an ambulance to arrive on scene so a patient can be transported to hospital. EMAS fell short of the 95% standard required achieving 91.85 per cent." Rakesh Marwaha, Chief Officer of NHS Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group, Lead Co-ordinating Commissioner for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "It's vital that patients in the East Midlands receive high quality care as swiftly as possible and clearly there is still work to do to ensure that EMAS achieve the response standards required. "The national NHS contract has a financial consequence for ambulance trusts who fail to meet the agreed national standards for response times across an entire year. "This equates to 2.5% of the contract value (around £3.5m) and this consequence has been applied. We have further invested money into EMAS in key areas which will help to transform performance. EMAS will also be incentivised to achieve further funding up to a total of £3.4m if all targets are achieved. "All of our patients can be assured that we have acted and invested to significantly uplift performance. This includes: Following a review of the emergency operations centre and the fleet capacity, East Midlands CCGs have invested £3.4m to help EMAS recruit an additional 155 employees and the provision of extra voluntary and private transport. This investment in EMAS is through the 'Being the Best' programme - an ongoing programme of improvement with the potential investment of a further £3.4m for 2014/15 based on EMAS delivering their agreed contract performance standards in this year's contract. Operational changes in EMAS call centres to increase response times. Twice weekly meetings with EMAS executives to review and monitor performance." EMAS said: "East Midlands Ambulance Service has met a national performance standard for a consecutive year, reaching over 75% of all patients reported to be in a life-threatening condition within eight minutes of the call being picked up. Figures for the first month in the 2013/14 performing year confirm that the service continues to improve, responding to over 20,100 life-threatening calls in April 2013 (a total of 51,081 emergency 999 calls responded to during that time), meeting the A8 target and improving on the end of year A19 performance by 1.21% (see page 2 for description of each performance standard)." Dr James Gray, EMAS Medical Director said: "A tremendous amount of quality clinical care was provided to hundreds of thousands of people across the East Midlands during the 2012/13 performing year, and I thank our clinical colleagues and those working in the backroom functions providing support to them, for their continued commitment and dedication to provide the very best care, often during traumatic and challenging circumstances. "The speed at which an ambulance response is given to an emergency call is important. There are also other elements that are as vital when providing emergency medical care. "Negotiations with the organisations who pay (commission) us to provide emergency services have been successful and this year, we've been given additional funding which will be spent on extra frontline staff. This is on top of the 140 new staff we announced in March 2013. "Our Being the Best improvement programme will also make a significant contribution to improving performance. It covers issues such as revising our staff rotas to ensure our resource levels match demand patterns; a management restructure to improve communication and support for staff and the introduction of Ambulance Hubs, Stations and Community Ambulance Stations to improve the speed at which we respond to calls and helps improve the working lives of our colleagues. "These changes and investment, together with the continual development and improvement in the quality clinical care provided to our patients puts us in a better position this current performing year. "Last performing year – 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 - there were two national performance standards all Ambulance Services were required to meet during the 2012/13 performing year, i.e. the target is to be met on an annual basis. "EMAS met the A8 performance standard which requires us to get to 75% of all A8 (life-threatening) calls across the East Midlands within eight minutes of the call being picked up. We achieved 75.21%. "The second annual performance standard, the A19 target requires Ambulance Services to get a vehicle suitable to take a patient to hospital within 19 minutes of the call being received. We missed the target by 3.15% and means of the 234,120 responses made to life-threatening calls, 52 a day arrived off the target time. "Nottinghamshire was the county in which we provided the most journeys' (56,076) to hospital for patients reported to be in a life-threatening emergency. In this county during the year if we had got to an average of nine calls a day, a minute faster we would have met the A19 standard. "We are on the right track; our performance is improving and together with the support from our commissioners and colleagues at hospitals who are working hard to improve handover and turnaround times, we will continue to make good progress and to deliver quality clinical care to people in an emergency situation."

Main roads through Notts are running trouble-free during the morning rush-hour. The Highways Agency is reporting no incidents on its arterial routes in the area, including the M1, A52 and A453. There are, however, the usual morning queues on the A52 eastbound near junction 25 of the M1. The Highways Agency reported average speeds of 12mph at 8.15am. Meanwhile, motorists are being warned of a traffic light failure on Arlington Way, Retford, at the Chapelgate junction. Wright Street in Newark also remains closed in both directions today following a gas explosion at a house on Sunday. Elsewhere, East Midlands Trains says its services through Nottingham are currently running as normal. For the latest travel news in your area, see out interactive traffic camera map.

MARKS and Spencer has reported a sharp fall in profits in what its chief executive called a "challenging" market.

The company saw pre-tax profits plunge from £658m to £564m in the 12 months to the end of March 30 on sales up by 1.3 per cent to £10 billion. Underlying food sales improved by 1.7 per cent while the underlying sale of general merchandise fell 4.1 per cent.

The clothing division has struggled in recent years faced with competition from low-price high-street retailers such as Primark.

Belinda Earl, ex-chief executive of Debenhams and Jaeger, was recruited a year ago to lift flagging sales and reshape the retail team.

Chief executive Marc Bolland said M&S had to improve quality.

BENOY, the international award-winning architects, have received recognition for their schemes in the India Shopping Centres Awards.

Phoenix Marketcity, Pune, and Pacific Mall, New Delhi, have been recognised in the awards hosted in Mumbai.

Presented at the biggest event of its kind in the country, the India Shopping Centre Forum, the popular Phoenix Marketcity was awarded "Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: Non-Metro (West)" and "Most Admired Shopping Centre Marketing & Promotions of the Year: Non Metro".

Pacific Mall scooped the coveted "Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: Retailers Choice".

Benoy worked as architects, interior and graphic designers on the Phoenix Marketcity scheme and as interior designers for Pacific Mall.

Benoy began as a small firm in Newark and has grown globally over the last decade.

Simon Blore, Benoy's managing director Asia, said: "We are immensely proud to see our projects, Phoenix Marketcity and Pacific Mall, celebrated at the ISCA this year. Congratulations to those who have been involved in creating these landmark destinations for India."

Komal Datta, Benoy's director in Mumbai, said: "India is a unique environment and we believe it to be a fitting place for Benoy to realise some of its most interesting and innovative work"

PLANS to create a "MediCity" on the Boots campus in Nottingham have received widespread support.

D6, the former "dry" factory on the Boots campus where powders and tablets were made, is to be converted into a home for fledgling businesses.

It will be modelled on the successful BioCity on Pennyfoot Street, now home to more than 70 incubator life science businesses.

MediCity will concentrate on helping healthcare and well being firms into maturity.

One of the ideas is that the firms will be able to draw on expertise from Boots which, in turn, can distribute them through its international logistics routes.

City council leader Councillor Jon Collins said "Nottingham has a long-standing, world-class reputation in the health and wellbeing sector. The Nottingham Enterprise Zone is the perfect home for Medicity and will support the growth of healthcare businesses in our city.

"This is good for the industry and will help create more jobs in Nottingham."

POST columnist Alistair Wesson is among six partners of accountants RSM Tenon who have been placed on six months' gardening leave.

Mr Wesson is regional director of the practice and managing partner of the Nottingham office on Wollaton Street.

The other partners or directors on gardening leave are Chris Darlington, Mike Tuhme, Bob Johnson, Steve English and Dave Hoose

Calls to RSM Tenon's Nottingham office were referred to a public relations agency which could not confirm the names of the partners.

The six are thought to be planning to join international accountancy practice Mazars at the end of their period of suspension under the terms of their contract.

Mazars has an office on Tottle road at Riverside Business Park.

The firm, which employs 187 people in its Nottingham office, said in a statement: "RSM Tenon confirms that a small number of partners in our East Midlands offices have resigned.

"These partners have immediately been placed on garden leave for a minimum of six months.

"RSM Tenon remains fully committed to its business and people in Leicester and Nottingham.

"The company employs 650 people across the Midlands region, including over 75 partners and directors, who are focused on serving our clients and meeting their needs.

"The Midlands is, and will continue to be, an important part of our business.

"We will continue to invest in the development of our partners and people across the region, as well as recruiting the bright, talented and motivated professionals who flourish at RSM Tenon."

RSM Tenon, the seventh largest accountancy practice in the UK, is listed on the Stock Exchange.

The practice encountered accounting irregularities and had to restate accounts last year.

In the half year to December 31 2012 , it made a loss of £10m in the context of a loss of £88.7m in the 12 months to June 30 2012.

In December 2012, it had borrowings of £81.6m.

Shares were trading yesterday at around 3.70p valuing the company at £24m.

The firm nationally shed nearly 350 staff last year.

It succeeded in securing a banking facility of a further £93m until December 31 next year.

Partners to leave in recent months from RSM Tenon's other offices include a former Nottingham partner Neil Grey, Alistair Hunt, David Parrish and Steve Maroram.

A spokesman for Mazars said: " We are not prepared to comment on on-going discussions."

GRAB your sun hat (and brolly) and make sure you have your diary to hand - summer is officially on its way in Notts.

To get you in the mood, there are some great half-term events to look forward to next week - including the brilliant Wheee! International Children's Theatre and Dance Festival at Lakeside Arts Centre (May 27-June 2).

Plus there's all the excitement of the Milk Race in the city centre this Sunday and fun stuff to do at all your favourite venues throughout the area.

But that's merely the beginning of a superb line-up of events this summer - with some new additions to the calendar and the return of some old favourites.

Not only have we got the Great Notts Bike Ride (June 21-23) and The Ashes back at Trent Bridge (July 10-14), but Nottingham's Victoria Embankment will also be at the centre of a national day of celebrations marking Armed Forces Day (June 29).

The beach is back in the Old Market Square as Nottingham Riviera reopens (July 19-August 27) and the spotlight will be on some fabulous names in the world of music, including our very own Jake Bugg as Splendour comes to Wollaton Park (July 20).

Enjoy traditional music at The Gate to Southwell Folk Festival (June 6-9) and there will be another chance to see some brilliant performances in a host of top settings as the Outdoor Theatre Season get under way (June 20-August 26).

One of Nottingham's most popular events, the Riverside Festival, returns to Victoria Embankment (August 2-4) and make sure you head to Sherwood Forest Country Park for the stunning annual event celebrating our local legend, the Robin Hood Festival (August 5-11).

Our special guide will give you all the month by month information you need to make sure you don't miss a thing.

We begin with a look at what's happening for half term week...

THE MILK RACE

May 26

City centre

The legendary cycling event returns after a 20-year absence.

Join in a fun day of cycling events at the Milk Race Village in the Old Market Square from 10am, including a series of races open to the public. Then, watch the elite men's race and elite women's race around the city centre.

They'll begin their journey racing up Long Row, around Beast Market Hill, down Friar Lane and Spaniel Row, and across Castle Gate past Nottingham Castle before making their way back to the Old Market Square.

All races will start and finish at the gantry adjacent to the Council House.

To register or for more details visit www.themilkrace.com.

WHEEE! LAKESIDE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S THEATRE AND DANCE FESTIVAL

May 27-June 2

Lakeside Arts Centre

As in previous years, the ninth annual festival will include a host of internationally renowned companies such as Mass Theatre and Dance, Ailie Cohen Puppet Makers and Frozen Charlotte. Plus the ever popular Luminarium by Architects of Air will return to the site.

With afternoon, early evening and weekend performances, there will also be a major weekend of activities and performances in the beautiful surroundings of Highfields Park during the Family Weekend in the Park (June 1-2).

There is also a Wheee! Extra event on July 2 this year, featuring further fun shows for kids.

Check website for ticket prices and times.

www.lakesidearts.org.uk

GRANDPA IN MY POCKET – TEAMWORK

May 23-31

Nottingham Playhouse

The stage version of the hugely popular CBeebies television series returns to the Playhouse before it heads off on a nationwide tour. For kids 3-11 years.

Tickets £8-11, family £33

www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

OUTRAGEOUS OUTLAWS

May 25-June 2

Galleries of Justice

New tour based on three outrageous criminals who suffered the wretched conditions of the Galleries of Justice Museum, once Nottingham's most notorious County Gaol. Meet outlaw Robin Hood, Highway woman Joan Phillips and notorious burglar Charlie Peace.

Adults £9.50, kids £7.50, family of four £25.50.

www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY STEAMING

May 26-27, 11am-5pm

Papplewick Pumping Station

See the James Watt beam engines – which helped provide Nottingham with fresh water for over 70 years - in steam at this lovely venue. Also in action will be the Linby Colliery winding engine and a miniature steam train, plus there will be tours to a unique underground reservoir.

Adults £6, kids £3, under 5s free.

www.papplewickpumpingstation.org.uk

MAY HALF TERM FUN

May 25-31

Nottingham Contemporary

Unleash your inner creativity and join in a whole week of workshops. Animal or technical, ancient or modern, spirit or software – there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Free.

www.nottinghamcontemporary.org

HETTIE THE HOUSEMAID'S SPRING CLEAN

May 25, noon-3pm

Museum of Nottingham Life, Brewhouse Yard

Join Hettie in the kitchen and pick up some cleaning tips from years gone by. For 4-8 years.

Adults £5.50, kids £4, family of five £15.

www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

THE HOUSEKEEPER'S TALE

May 25, 3.30pm-5pm

Rufford Country Park

More tales of domestic doings – pop along and enjoy a cream tea while actress Nicky Rafferty takes on the role of one of the house servants.

Adults £7.50, kids £5, family of four £22.

Book on 01623 821323.

MEDIEVAL FOREST LIFE WEEKEND

May 25-27, 11am-4pm

Sherwood Forest Country Park

Step back in time as the Savile household recreates a medieval forest encampment featuring a range of crafts people, combat and archery displays, as well as cooking and wood turning demonstrations, all against the backdrop of the mighty Major Oak.

Free.

www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

IT'S A RIOT!

May 27 and May 29-31, 2.30pm-3.30pm

Nottingham Castle

Discover the story of a historic event which happened at the site in 1831.

Tickets £5.

www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

THE BIRKLAND OUTLAWS

May 29, from 11.30am

Sherwood Forest Country Park

Meet 'retired' outlaws Hob and Ket, listen to their tales of daring exploits and learn more about forest life in medieval times.

Free.

www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk.

£1 LEISURE CENTRE ACTIVITIES

May 28-31, 9am-4pm

Nottingham City Council Leisure Centres

Enjoy sports, board games and crafts for just £1 a day at Clifton, Southglade, John Carroll and Minver Crescent.

Book on 0115 955 7215.

LOOKS of bemusement were the first thing to fill Capital FM Arena as the lights darkened in anticipation of Meat Loaf. When I'm Sixty-Four was a surprising pre-cursor to the star's arrival on stage – but it worked. Before even the first chorus finished, puzzlement turned to clapping – and then to awe as the legend himself arrived on stage. Even at 64 (well, 65 but if Meat Loaf can't inspire poetic licence who can?) his presence on stage was instantly awesome. Launching in to Runnin' For the Red Light (I Gotta Life), Meat proved he could still rock with the best of them. The pounding drums shook souls while the guitar riffs were as complex as the composer's best lyrics. Moving on to Life Is A Lemon And I Want My Money Back, swiftly followed by Dead Ringer, Meat Loaf brought classics, and the arena, to life. Meanwhile, Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are encapsulated the passion, the drama and the voice that the rock legend is all about. With a younger Meat Loaf on the screen, it would be ignorant to deny he has changed. While the instrumental of piano and saxophone solos took the audience on a roller coaster ride through the highs and the lows of Meat Loaf's reign as true rock legend, it also helped him out a lot, as did the backing singers who covered the notes he couldn't quite make. A deep breath was needed before Bat Out Of Hell and a self-congratulatory punch was thrown when he nailed it. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth came next, and then Heaven Can Wait – emotionally dedicated to a close friend who had died the night before. A more cheerful Paradise By The Dashboard Light followed before more tears with For Crying Out Loud. That and old interviews, which interspersed the second half, alluded to the show's billing as 'the farewell tour' – a final tribute for fans old and young. Despite any physical struggles, every note, every move, was filled with the same effort and dedication as in his younger days when he would often collapse on stage from his exertions. Thankfully this was not the case on Monday, and the show ended on a high with I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) and a mash of Boneyard/All Revved Up With No Place To Go. So, Meat Loaf, to answer your question, yes. Yes, we will still love you when you are 64, 65, whatever – and we thank you for this last chance to pay homage to your legend.

YESTERDAY morning, when he posted a simple note on Twitter to announce he was leaving Sheffield Wednesday, Julian Bennett may not have anticipated what was to follow.

Predictably, there were a handful of supportive tweets from Owls fans, wishing him all the best for the future.

But they were lost among a sea of good wishes from dozens of Nottingham Forest supporters.

Two years have passed since he last pulled on the Garibaldi red – and it has been closer to five years since Forest last saw him at his best.

Even the moment in which he collected his career threatening knee injury was a defining one; one that summed up the simple, but vital qualities he provided.

Having wrecked his own knee making a typically fearless, robust, crunching challenge, Bennett still regained his feet to try to lunge in with a second block, before seeming to realise that there was a major issue and eventually collapsing to the floor.

The fact that Colin Calderwood was sacked following the final whistle of that Boxing Day defeat against Doncaster in 2008, glossed over what was a significant moment for Forest and, of course, for Bennett.

While there have been some quality loan signings in the intervening years, including the likes of Nicky Shorey and Ryan Bertrand, the arrival of Dan Harding last summer was the first time Forest have signed a permanent left back since Bennett arrived from Walsall in January 2006.

The moment Bennett's knee disintegrated did not just rob Forest of a full-back, however. It took away a large portion of character, passion and heart from the squad.

Given that he has started only 43 games over the past three seasons, since returning from 18 months on the sidelines, a return to Forest for Bennett is highly unlikely to be on the agenda. Nor, if we view things without rose tinted sentiment, should it be.

There are numerous League One or Two clubs who could do worse than to give the Nottingham-born player a contract; a chance to prove that he can still cut it, following two years where he has been a fringe figure at Hillsborough.

But, in the meantime, the challenge for Forest is to unearth somebody else who can become that kind of talismanic, no-nonsense figure that Bennett had become during Forest's own rise up from the third-tier.

Bennett was hard to beat and strong in the tackle. Nor did he lose many headers. But, otherwise, was not an exceptional defender. His first touch could be unpredictable and he had a habit of curling long balls down the touchline and out of play.

But one thing he was not lacking was heart, desire and enthusiasm. In his time at Forest he never once ducked out of a challenge or missed an opportunity to rampage forward down the flank.

On the day Forest won promotion from League One, a goal against Yeovil summed Bennett up, as he smashed into a 50/50 challenge on the edge of the box, climbed to his feet and hammered a low shot into the far corner, with the opposition player rolling around in agony.

That no-nonsense approach and willingness to throw his body on the line, coupled with his Nottingham roots, made him an almost instant hit with fans.

There was an affinity there; Bennett was embraced because he had gone from watching the club in the stands, to proudly wearing the badge on his chest a few years later.

Now, in this current side, while he may not have Nottingham roots, Chris Cohen is lauded for similar reasons; for his unflinching dedication to the cause, his own determination and commitment.

A popular captain, when Danny Collins is not in the side, and a player who leads by example, Cohen is an important figure in the Forest side.

But there is still not quite that level of adulation from supporters there, as there was for the likes of Wes Morgan – another home grown talent – Robert Earnshaw or, indeed, Bennett.

There is not one player in the side who is exulted as a fans' favourite quite to the same degree.

Radi Majewski has outstanding talents, but tends to produce them fleetingly, in patches of form, through the season – and the same observation can be made of Lewis McGugan, whose Forest future now seems uncertain at best, with his contract set to expire in a matter of weeks.

Andy Reid is a leader of a different kind, in that so often last season, he came up with a decisive, incisive pass or moment of creativity when Forest needed it most.

Henri Lansbury and Adlene Guedioura have both shown signs that they could be integral figures next season and, given time, they could well become firm favourites with the City Ground faithful, particularly if the Algerian international continues his habit of shooting from anywhere beyond the half-way line.

But none possess the heart on the sleeve, blood and guts simplicity that Bennett provided.

Since the days of Stuart Pearce rampaging down the left, there has been a special place in the hearts of Forest fans for a 'psycho' figure; a leader, a hard man and a character.

Pearce, of course, had rather more strings to his bow, with that hammer of a left foot capable of culture and guile, as well as simple raw power.

But sometimes a good, old-fashioned thumping challenge can get fans on their feet just as much as a 40-yard pass or a moment of sublime skill.

Harsher refereeing and a tightening of the rules have, to some degree, made it a less frequently viewed art form in recent years. Things have changed even since Bennett was in his pomp at the City Ground.

But, while they possess players with many qualities, Forest lack a figure with Bennett's steely grit; somebody who can make opposition players look on with a sense of nervousness and trepidation as they line up in the tunnel before the game.

Yesterday's flurry of tweets proved that many Forest fans still have fond memories of a player with limited talents, but endless heart.

If Billy Davies can unearth a similar character this summer; if he can bring another player to the club whose passion on the pitch inspired a similar sprit in the stands, he will not be going far wrong.

One long note, full-instrument crescendo with complementary head-banging, then squawking vocals about being lost in an emotional wilderness – remember this simple sequence and any besotted fan can join in with the noisy youth-yelpers of their choice without being noticed. However, if you aim to sneak up on stage when Sleeping With Sirens are in town, there's another obstacle in your way – the hundred or so other virile minors aspiring to the same end. They may look like One Direction after their haggard Comic Relief visit to Africa, but their punky staples create a hardcore heritage that bans X Factor graduates with extreme prejudice. There's no hint of character-moulding contracts or brand-preserving tosh on a night like this. Many emo-rock upstarts would need a family bigger than Brangelina to sell out a sizeable show. But tickets sell faster than Amy Childs bowing out of a Scrabble contest when Quinn's falsetto-fondling pitch is plastered on a gig list. This tricky genre often sounds worse than a queasy sausage dog jumping off an abandoned ticket barrier into muddy rain water – paddling desperately towards scant applause as onlookers hastily leave the car park. But as flashing beams light up the anarchy, a rock-raging pit bull barks down at us from above – teeth sharpened, pumped full of bodybuilding supplements and angered by a frisbee flying over next door's fence. Some will criticise Sleeping With Sirens for hugging a traditional teen-scream formula – but they pull it off better than most of their rivals. Watch and learn.

A man who was shot in a car in Bilborough stumbled towards onlookers shouting "Help me I've been shot", a jury heard today. Germaine Edwards, 28, collapsed in Fairnley Road at about 5pm on Saturday November 17 last year. Today Damien Fogo, 32, who had been living in Hungerhill Road, St Anns, went on trial at Nottingham Crown Court accused of the murder of Mr Edwards, attempting to rob him and his friend and possessing a firearm. All the offences are alleged to have happened on November 17. Prosecution barrister Mr Barnes QC told the jury that Mr Edwards was "shot at close quarters in a Ford Fiesta car". He said: "Mr Edwards managed to get out of the car, which sped off, but he collapsed on the pavement from a gunshot wound." He said it was the Crown's case that Fogo was responsible for the shooting. "Having driven off in the Ford Fiesta by himself, Mr Fogo, we say, set it on fire at a car park not far from the Trowell Services area." The case continues.

POLICE have launched a garden security campaign – telling resident to 'Trust Gnome One'. The campaign, which features a gnome disguised as a burglar, carrying a torch and crowbar, aims to encourage people to take extra care when securing their shed and tools. A police spokesman said: "The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has decided to make peace with garden gnomes and this week will unveil over 100 gnomes, painted for charity by celebrities. "However whilst the RHS is giving a warm welcome to gnomes, Nottinghamshire Police is warning people to beware. "While gnomes themselves are no risk, garden theft peaks each summer in line with the warmer weather and the force wants people to take extra caution. "Lock your shed, put your tools away, and don't give anyone the opportunity." The posters will be displayed in garden centres across the county. Two 5ft cardboard gnomes nicknamed Graham and Gordon will also tour the county as part of a summer road show of activities and crime prevention tips.

TWO roads remain closed in Newark this morning due to a gas blast which hilled two people. Police and firefighters will continue to work in Wright Street today, demolishing the house brick by brick. Barnaby Gate and Charles Street both remain closed due to the incident. Elsewhere in Notts there is heavy traffic all along the A52 and London Road northbound at Canal Street roundabout. Traffic is also moving slowly along the A610 as people mke their way in to Nottingham.

Local artists from Gedling will be showcasing their work at the Bowls Pavilion at Arnot Hill Park, Arnold, over the bank holiday weekend. The display, on Sunday May 26 and Monday May 27, is part of Nottinghamshire Open Studios which is displaying over 130 artists in different venues all over the county. The artists include ceramicists, printers, painters, sculptures and will be displaying their work and running demonstrations for people who may be interested in taking up the arts themselves. The event is free and runs from 10am to 4pm on both days. There will be refreshments provided, including vintage style tea and homemade cakes. For more information contact our Arts Development Officer Sarah Cook on 0115 901 3605 or visit www.gedling.gov.uk.

Self-confessed habitual self-Googler Daniel Kitson may well read what I write about his show, which makes me wary of saying anything to upset him. After all, he did say he finds it difficult to dismiss criticism outright. More unsettlingly though, he tends to find the critic's Twitter feed and review it until he finds something massively ill judged to count as evidence to dismiss everything they have ever said. Well, lest he disagree with a review I did of Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt at this venue a while ago, I had better stick to the facts, which are that after watching his almost two-hour monologue on the nature of the self, subjectivity, memory, perception and reality, I have nothing bad to say. In fact, I was struggling to speak at all, such was the effect of following his imaginative musings, colourful sketches and philosophical investigations. Ostensibly obsessed with finding some meaning to justify his existence as a single 35-year-old man with a pool table instead of a child, Kitson's constant twisting and turning on the unknowable state of human 'being' illustrated his own predicament, that his thoughts take two forms; those with no conclusion and those with redundant conclusions. However, his almost pre-determined refusal to accept any general wisdom without testing it for himself provided a refreshing take on some complicated subject matter. From most comedy gigs you might assume there would be some punchlines to spoil but Kitson is a seemingly averse to such tools, preferring rather to deconstruct even the use of the word "assume". It can make an 'ass' of 'u' and 'me'" but can also be "a way of drawing a reasonable conclusion based on available information and past experience". Okay, maybe you had to be there for that one, but while I was left with no jokes to tell, I did have a big smile fixed to my face.