I welcome the news that this weekend, the local NHS is making Pfizer jabs available to anyone aged 25 or over and other eligible people such as the clinically vulnerable, who have not yet had their first vaccination.

The walk-in arrangement without the need for an appointment will be available at the Forest Recreation Ground vaccination site, between 8am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. It?s a great opportunity for anyone who hasn?t yet taken up the offer of a vaccination and it couldn?t be easier to get to, as it?s on The Forest tram park and ride site. People can travel by tram or there?s plenty of parking on site; alternatively, a free shuttle bus will run to Forest Rec in an hourly loop around Radford, Arboretum, Hyson Green and St Ann?s.

Rates of infection are unfortunately accelerating nationally and locally, so it?s vital that as many people as possible get vaccinated. It?s the number one thing we can all do to protect ourselves and others from the virus and increase our chances of getting back to doing the things we enjoy.

With temperatures set to soar over the weekend, health bosses are urging the public to prepare for the heat by wearing a hat, putting on suncream and taking water if they are planning on getting their vaccine at the Forest, as they may have to queue.?More information here

People may not associate libraries with job creation and business growth, but there is a network of highly successful Business & Intellectual Property Centres in libraries around the country ? and it?s set to expand. One of the libraries where a new site will open is Bulwell, which will get a share of ?704,673 from the Government for four Nottinghamshire sites.

What it will mean is that people of all ages and walks of life can go to Bulwell Library and access support to start and grow their businesses via a range of free online events and resources. The centre will be equipped with a core set of resources provided by the British Library, such as up-to-date market research and business databases, as well as running a programme of events, workshops and one-to-ones, delivered in collaboration with local business leaders, role model entrepreneurs and community partners.

This is particularly welcome as we recover economically from the pandemic. Small businesses will play a crucial part in this and until the new site is up and running, they will be able to access a range of resources online. More information here

Dinosaurs are endlessly fascinating for children, so I?m really pleased to hear that a special schools programme has been developed to tie in with the Titus: T Rex is King exhibition being staged at Wollaton Hall from this summer.

The exhibitions opens on Sunday 4^th?July 2021, featuring the only real skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex on display in the UK, offering students of all ages the chance to experience the sheer size and scale of this amazing creature. Special school exhibition slots have been set aside and different sessions developed focusing on various educational aspects of the exhibition, including natural history, evolution and the environment.

Tickets for general public visits can now be booked here ? with more information about the schools programme here

On Wednesday I took part in a Day of Action in my ward as part of an initiative to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and dog fouling across all neighbourhoods in Nottingham. Between June this year and March next year,?specific Days of Action have been?organised for every ward in the city, which is bringing together many different partners to tackle the issues that matter most to local people.

As part of the Dales ward Day of Action we held litter picks with pupils from Edale Rise Academy, Windmill Academy and Parkdale Primary, as well as a fourth litter pick on the day with volunteers from the Sneinton Tenants and Residents Association and faith groups. We also joined Police Officers and Community Protection Officers in conducting checks on Houses of Multiple Occupation around Sneinton where there had been waste issues recently.

These Days of Action are a great way to make Nottingham?s neighbourhoods cleaner and safer and complements the work the council does all year round. I would like to thank everyone who got involved this?week and look forward to seeing the outcomes of Days of Action in other wards.

This afternoon, we unfurled the St George?s flag on the Council House as England head into the European 2020 Championships. The tournament was postponed last year because of the Covid pandemic but kicks off tonight in Rome, before England?s first group match against Croatia on Sunday afternoon. After England?s success at the 2018 World Cup, you can sense that the excitement levels are building among supporters ahead of the tournament and putting the flag on the Council House is just our way of acknowledging the city?s support for Gareth Southgate?s team. I wish all of our home nations well throughout the tournament.

This week, the Nottingham Tennis Centre has hosted the Nottingham Open, a combined women?s and men?s tennis tournament in the grass court season attracting tennis starts from around the world. On Sunday, I?ll be at the Tennis Centre for finals day, but for those not lucky enough to be there, the event is being streamed live on the BBC Red Button, BBC Sport website and the LTA website. I hope you find time to enjoy some of the sport on show this weekend.