Nottingham moves into Tier 3 restrictions for Covid-19 from just after midnight on Wednesday morning. While we welcome the news that many of our shops will be able to reopen, Tier 3 will see many of the most stringent measures continue in the city ? especially in our hospitality sector. Being in Tier 3 will not be easy for any of us, but we have to remember that the stronger measures that were introduced in October and November helped to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases significantly. From having one of the highest rates of Covid in the country, Nottingham now has 174 cases per 100,000 population, just below the national average of 175. Our ambition remains that we should all work together as a city to stick to the rules and ensure that cases of Covid-19 continue to fall. If the infection rate continues to fall it gives us a chance of possibly moving into Tier 2 before Christmas. ?We must follow the Tier 3 restrictions and continue to observe ?hands/face/space?. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 (high temperature, continuous cough, loss of taste or smell) should self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

We can tell that Nottingham households are getting ready for Santa as Christmas trees have been flying out of our Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop. We?ve had a busy week of online sales and deliveries and the Plant Shop has been open for shoppers too. The shop will be receiving fresh deliveries over the week so be sure to get your orders in as we expect to sell out. As well as trees, you can pick up festive favourites such as pots of cyclamens and poinsettias, wreaths and garlands.

Although the shop is currently operating very differently due to Covid-19 restrictions, we?ve had a great response to the Christmas offer at Woodthorpe and all surpluses that the shop makes go back into supporting the parks service.

You can order your Christmas tree online here www.woodthorpeparkplantshop.com

As part of the Woodland Trust?s Big Climate Fightback 2020 and our manifesto pledge to plant 10,000 trees by the end of 2023, we are giving away free trees to plant at home. All you need to do to claim your tree is register at www.woodthorpeparkplantshop.com ??

You can choose from a Silver Birch (Betula pendula), a Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) or a Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). All trees are two years old and approximately 60-90cm (2-3 feet) high, they will need planting before the end of March and need a little TLC until they get established.

The trees will be available to collect from Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop from 11 January until 8 February 2021.