Today marks the 75^th anniversary of the NHS, a much-loved national institution which today treats over a million people a day. We saw during the pandemic how much we rely on it and despite its challenges, it continues to provide care which is free at the point of use and the staff who look? after us when we need them most remain remarkable public servants.

Our social care workers do an amazing job too, working with NHS colleagues to support and help local people. Our close partnership working with the hospitals, community health services and primary care ensures that there is a comprehensive support network available across the city.

The NHS?s anniversary comes during Health Information Week, when there?s lots going on in our libraries to support healthy living, from curated book collections to events as well as information and signposting for people of different ages and life stages.

This week a nationwide electric vehicle rally, including electric cars, vans, motorcycles and HGVs, visited Nottingham as a city that?s really plugged into the EV revolution.

The ?EV Rally Capital City challenge? saw around 50 electric vehicles setting off from Cardiff and travelling via Bristol, London and Leicester before arriving at Nottingham City Council?s Eastcroft depot, where using what the organisers describe as our ?innovative facilities,? the whole rally could be charged. This is our recently-installed ?vehicle-to-grid? system which uses giant solar-powered batteries to charge up to 40 vehicles at a time ? usually our own fleet vehicles.

From just two electric vehicles six years ago, our own fleet is now at 42% electric vehicles including the first electric bin lorries in the world. We also have the first council-run electric vehicle servicing and MOT centre on the Eastcroft site, and have rolled out public EV charging points across the city. We are proud of our progress so far, but there is still much more to do to bring down dangerous levels of air pollution.

Read more about our electric vehicles here

Nottingham?s first ever Good Gym has launched, where local volunteers come together to do good in the community and get fit at the same time. An event took place last Wednesday, where volunteers, including councillors Linda Woodings and Devontay Okure, helped the Renewal Trust give new life to some flower beds at Robin Hood Chase.

Good Gym are a national registered?charity, and have partnered with the council to help bring the scheme to Nottingham. Volunteers help local?community organisations?and?isolated older people?by doing practical tasks like planting trees, cleaning out community centres or sorting items at a food bank. In return, the volunteers get to keep fit, meet new people and do great things that really make a difference to the local community and environment.

It?s free to participate and anybody can join, no matter their fitness level. People who volunteer can attend as often or as little as they like and it?s a great alternative for those who might lack the motivation to stick to traditional running, cycling or using a gym.

To find out more and future events, visit: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/areas/nottingham

We welcome the news that the ?2 bus fare scheme has been extended until 31 October, allowing discounted travel across our city?s fantastic bus network and beyond. ?

All local bus routes in Nottingham are included in the scheme, and each bus journey will have a maximum fare of ?2 whether you pay cash, contactless or use a Robin Hood travel card.

The Government?s Help for Households scheme is subsidising this scheme which is intended to help with cost-of-living pressures and encourage more people to use the bus.

Nottingham, the home of Robin Hood, is set to host a major archery competition this September.

The Archery GB National Tour Finals take place at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September, bringing together the best archers Britain has to offer. After six stages and 1,500 entries, six champions will emerge victorious in the compound, recurve and barebow men?s and women?s categories.

Tickets are now on sale and start from just ?7.50 (half day) and ?10 (all day) plus booking fee.

Read more and book tickets: https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/whats-on/archery-gb-national-tour-finals-p846211