As Christmas continues to get closer, more and more people will be heading into the city to start shopping for presents and stocking fillers ? or to enjoy a spot of early festive cheer. I would like to urge people to take care of each other as our city?s shops, pubs and restaurants get busier in the run-up to the big day. Please wear a face covering in busy indoor spaces, as well as in outdoor crowded places when you can?t maintain good social distance. Covid-19 is still present in our city and communities ? I want to make sure that everyone can enjoy Christmas safely, free from the virus. The Christmas Market gets underway on Monday, which is another opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping. As well as face coverings, you should test regularly for Covid and get vaccinated to give yourself the best protection. Let?s enjoy the festive season safely.

It?s pleasing that the City Council has secured almost ?3m from the Government to be spent on improving skills, boosting employment and helping businesses to grow. The Community Renewal Fund (UK CRF) money will deliver four key projects across the city designed to support economic recovery from the Covid pandemic, as well as provide more job and apprenticeship opportunities.

This will directly contribute to key elements of the Council Plan, including helping 1,000 residents into employment, education and training, continuing the important work of the Nottingham Jobs service, and helping employers to connect vacant positions with local people. Find out more here

It?s fantastic news that Wollaton Hall & Deer Park has received a Visit England award for going the extra mile in providing a quality visitor experience. The ?Best Told Story? award recognises the excellent and innovative way the ?Titus: T rex is King? exhibition takes visitors on an interactive and immersive journey through the excavation, curation, examination, rebuild and final reveal of the 12-metre dinosaur skeleton.

Congratulations to the team at Wollaton whose hard work to bring this exciting exhibition to the people of Nottingham has been recognised and rewarded at a national level. If you haven?t seen it for yourself yet, you can find out more and book tickets here

Yesterday, together with the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant and others I took part in a short service of Remembrance at the Council House as we observed a two minutes? silence to remember the service and sacrifice of our armed services. The Council House was wearing its poppies and lit up red in the evening. After many events being held virtually due to Covid, it felt right to be able to mark this significant day, the anniversary of the First World War ending, together with colleagues and local people.

This Sunday, to mark Remembrance Sunday there will be a full service of commemoration at the city's war memorial. This will include readings, music, and the traditional laying of wreaths. The ceremony will begin at 10.45am with the traditional parade. I will be attending along with the Deputy Leader, Lord Mayor, and Chief Executive. Spectators are very welcome but are asked to maintain social distancing wherever possible. To help with this, there will be a large screen and PA relaying all of the ceremony and parade to ensure people can enjoy the service and pay their respects without the need to crowd together.? Order of service?