I had the honour of attending the Nottingham Awards 2023 at the Council House last night, following the historic 727th official Goose Fair bell-ringing ceremony and dinner.

The awards, which are supported by One Nottingham and sponsored by Let?s Move Nottingham, are now in their 10th year. They celebrate those who have helped to make Nottingham a great city, and each winner has made a lasting contribution.
It is a way of marking that achievement and an opportunity to say thank you.?

The categories and winners for 2023 are:

The Let?s Move Nottingham Sponsors Award - Mark Avison

Recognised as an outstanding community volunteer who helps to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime throughout Nottingham, helping residents access housing services and food. He has worked with homeless people, supported local services and the police in making neighbourhoods safer and better places to live.

Voluntary and Community Sector Award

Kerry Devine - the CEO of Improving Lives in Nottingham

Adam Pickering - Green Guardian and organiser of Green Hustle.

Private Sector Award

I was really pleased to present this award to my friend Dr Kevin Brown ? a trailblazer in academia and the aerospace industry.

Public Sector Award

Fiona Vale ? from not-for-profit BEGIN, which supports people who arrive in the UK to speak English and access learning.

Thanks to sponsorship and donations, we can host this event and not only honour those who make this city a great place, but raise money for book-gifting charity The Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Hayward House at the City Hospital.

It?s great news that a Transforming Cities-funded project designed to cut public transport journey times and relieve pressure at a pinch point on the A610 is complete.??

Works at and around Cinderhill Island began in spring 2023 with the aim of reducing bus journey times and improving the area for pedestrians and cyclists.??

Residents, bus passengers and drivers can now enjoy the benefits of:?

• A new 24-hour bus lane - passengers on Trentbarton?s Rainbow One should see the benefits of more reliability and improved journey times for this and other northbound bus services.
• A safer road for all users with the speed limit lowered from 50mph to 40mph in certain zones
• A new quiet cycle route provided along Nottingham Road as well as a new bus and cycle lane southbound between Nuthall Bypass and Nottingham Road
• Improved pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of Bells Lane and Cinderhill Island
• A new dedicated right-hand turn lane on Nuthall Bypass approaching Cinderhill Island

More here

To celebrate International Day of Older Persons, the Council House in the Old Market Square, Nottingham Castle and Wollaton Hall were lit up purple earlier in the week, in recognition of the valued contribution older people make to Nottingham.

International Day of Older Person?s occurs annually on 1 October and kickstarts events all over the world showcasing the important role older citizens play in daily life.

Nottingham City Council, in partnership with residents, organisations, academics, and service providers, has also reaffirmed its pledge to be an age-friendly city.

To support the development of the partnership, a Nottingham Older Citizens' Charter was developed to outline the values and standards expected.? They include supporting older citizens in reducing loneliness and isolation, and promoting health, wellbeing and independence.

The charter was recently updated to keep it relevant for today?s changing society, including adding pledges on working towards greater access to digital technology, and ensuing older people play an active role in helping Nottingham become a carbon-neutral city by 2028.

To find out more about Age Friendly Nottingham visit: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/afn