By Stephanie Bird
Construction and recruitment for Nottingham’s two new tram routes is well underway. NET Phase Two was given the go-ahead in December and the task of recruiting for the first 70 jobs marks the beginning of the multi-million pound development. Line Two will go from Nottingham to Clifton via Wilford and Compton Acres, and line three to Chillwell via Beeston.
Work to begin diverting utilities and clearing space for the tram has begun. However, the final lines won’t be ready until 2014. Although it will be a couple of years until the trams will be in use, this long period of construction has inevitably divided opinion among residents that will be affected by the new routes.
April Cole, a hairdresser from Clifton, said: “I think it’s great. It will mean quick and easy access into Nottingham. I’ll definitely use it.”
However, not everyone is in favour. A resident from Wilford Village is particularly worried about the amount of disruption that the construction will cause.
“The amount of traffic in Wilford Village is bad enough at the moment, but with all the heavy good vehicles travelling in and out for the trams, it’s going to be horrendous,” she said. “It’s going to cause a huge disruption with the noise too and have quite a big impact on the village’s community. I’m really not very keen.”
NET hope that when the two new lines are complete, congestion on major and local roads will be reduced with three million car journeys taken off the road. This will mirror the success of Nottingham’s first route which opened for service in 2004.

In her new book ‘The Parent’s Toolkit’, Naomi shares the key life tools she uses and teaches so that you can help your child successfully navigate childhood problems and grow up into a happy, confident and resilient young adult. As coaching is a collaborative process her tools include teaching your child positive self-talk, simple problem-solving techniques to encourage your child to arrive at the right solution to an issue, and specific advice for you as a parent to hone your own listening and coaching skills.

Aimed at parents with children aged 6+ and divided into the most important areas of a child’s life, The Parent’s Toolkit is packed with real-life examples, useful hints to help you in conversations with your child and creative ideas to help solve problems.

Upbeat, insightful and incredibly practical, The Parent’s Toolkit is essential reading for any parent wanting to give their child the best start in life. Naomi Richards has been a life coach for children since 2004, having trained at The Centre for Coaching and Stress Management in Blackheath. She coaches children all over the world (face-to-face and over Skype) and holds regular workshops for children on self-esteem and confidence, communication and friendships, secondary school transition and living with separated parents. Naomi is a member of the Association for Coaching. She now lives in the south of England with her husband and two children. For more information on Naomi visit thekidscoach.org.uk.

Rebecca Gale, a pupil at the Leonard School of Dance in West Bridgford, has done exceptionally well in securing a place as an Associate of Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Every weekend, 13-year-old Rebecca attends special ballet classes at the Hertfordshire-based school.
Rebecca attends ballet classes twice a week at the Leonard School. In her latest Royal Academy of Dance examination she gained ‘Distinction’ with 94% for Grade 5.
Paige Curzon, who is also a pupil at the Leonard School of Dance, has successfully auditioned as a Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet.
Paige is aged 10 and attends classes at the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Paige also did exceptionally well by gaining Distinction in her Royal Academy of Dance Grade 3 examination.
Both students also attend Vocational Graded classes at the Leonard School, Rebecca is studying the Intermediate and Paige the Intermediate Foundation.

Watercolour painting has really grown in popularity over the last few years. Watercolour materials are clean, convenient, light and easy to carry around and relatively inexpensive to buy, but people are often at a loss as to how to get started on their artistic journey.
Ann Mortimer said: “I’m a local artist who’s been working with watercolour for 22 years. My time is divided between exhibiting with the Society of Floral Painters, demonstrating for art societies country wide, designing greetings cards for Medici cards, and writing my second book on watercolour techniques for Search Press.
“I recently started running weekly watercolour painting classes. My friendly watercolour classes and day workshops (no more than six painters) cover flower painting, landscapes, figures and still life.
“As an introductory offer and, if you respond to this article, I’m giving
a 10% reduction on an eight-week course or any day workshop in the spring brochure when you book before 15th February. Please quote ‘Local News’ when you contact me.”
For more details call 0115 974 3658, email ann@annmortimerart.com or visit annmortimerart.com.

KK Dance in West Bridgford have been busy raising money for charity. The group have handed over a cheque for £310 to Steve Shepherd and his guide dog Stanley. Steve is the branch secretary for Guide
Dogs and the money raised will be donated specifically to the Nottingham Children and Young Peoples section. The money was raised at the annual KK Dance Family Charity Social Event, held at the Community Hall in West Bridgford, where pupils aged between three and 18 demonstrated dancing routines to parents and family.

The 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron ended 2011 with a relaxed but exciting training programme. Air Cadets from 209 and two other squadrons came together for a weekend of festive fieldcraft at the John’s Lee Wood campsite in Leicestershire. The cadets assembled at the campsite on the Friday evening ready for an early start on Saturday morning. With no other users on the site, they had full run of the area for the various activities, and on the Saturday evening a disco was held
On Sunday morning, while the cadets were outside in the bracing weather working up an appetite, some of the instructors were working up a Christmas dinner. At 2 o’clock, all 40 meals were ready and Flight Lieutenant Richards of 209 Squadron led the way asofficers and staff on the camp served the cadets. Among party poppers, paper hats and ‘funny’ Christmas cracker jokes, the meal was thoroughly enjoyed.
Flt Lt S Richards said: “The Christmas Camp provided local squadrons with the opportunity to join forces and participate in adventurous activities, including leadership tasks and camouflage and concealment, which the cadets and staff enjoyed immensely.”
Cadet Matthew Quayle (14) added: “It was really good and I especially enjoyed the fieldcraft on Sunday. Having Christmas dinner at the end of the weekend was a great way to finish the camp.  It definitely made a nice change to be served by the CO!”
Other activities in December included an evening ice skating and the last Squadron night before Christmas was a party organised by the cadets. The 209 Squadron now has a Facebook page called ‘209 West Bridgford Sqn’, which has all the activities the Squadron has organised over the last year. Anyone over the age of 13 who is interested in joining the group can visit their website for more information at 209atc.co.uk.

Do you live or work in West Bridgford? Are you interested in maintaining and enhancing the area to meet the needs of the community? If so, you may be interested in the work of the Local Area Forum. Formed after local government re-organisation in 1974, the Forum has continuously undertaken to consider all matters affecting the area. Current membership consists of representatives from many community groups, who bring their respective issues to the Forum and feed back information to their members. Whilst the Forum is strictly apolitical in its actions and decision making, it is the only group where all West Bridgford councillors, both County and Borough, are present, both to share details of council projects and to hear concerns from member groups.
Over the last few months, the Forum has become a much more significant presence. Meeting every two months, the August meeting saw County Councillor Richard Butler give a presentation on the Council’s Local Improvement Scheme, which gives small to medium grants for community projects. At least one successful application was made as a result, and the area around Melton Road shops will receive a much-needed notice board and public seating together with planters to enhance the area.
Things hotted up for the October meeting, with the Forum being the first organisation to receive Sainsbury’s presentation of their plans for a new store on Wilford Lane. Superintendent Paul Anderson gave an update on crime in West Bridgford, his presentation being the forerunner to a regular slot for inspector Phil Hallam to present updates at each Forum meeting.
Interest soared for the December meeting when GPs and the lead practice manager came to give a presentation on the proposed merger of four West Bridgford surgeries, which together with another West Bridgford practice will relocate to brand new premises on Wilford Lane. The proposal is not popular with some patients, transportation issues giving most cause for concern.
Meetings are held at County Hall from 7-9pm (usually the third Monday of alternate months). For further details please contact Angie Dickinson on 0115 974 9860, mobile 07969 398 915, or email amd313@hotmail.co.uk.

The 3rd West Bridgford (Friary) Scout group are looking for scout leaders. Their current leader – Mimi – is due to go on maternity leave in a few months. The group would love their exciting programme of visits, camps and badge-earning activities to continue. Scout sessions take place on a Thursday evening and run from 7.30-9.00pm.
Are you interested in helping out? Scouting knowledge is beneficial but not essential, as there will be training available. Job share is available. Placement is subject to a CRB check. If you can’t help, can anyone else that you know? Please spread the word.
To register an interest or to find out more, either email scouts@friaryscouts.com or phone Tracy (the group contact) on 07963 208 783. You can also take a look at the website scouts.org.uk or
friaryscouts.com.  The scouts look forward to taking you on an adventure!