As the cost of living crisis worsens, I?m proud that we?re hosting so many free events and activities across the city. With another couple of weeks before the start of school, here are some ideas of fun things to do locally with children.

A huge thank you to our friends at NET Tram who are giving totally free unlimited August tram travel to every child attending the Holiday Activity clubs. If your child is going along to a club, please contact the club organisers to find out how to get their pass.

• Holiday activity clubs for children receiving Free School Meals continue - https://www.asklion.co.uk/kb5/nottingham/directory/landing.page?directorychannel=5_10_7
• There are FREE kids activities around the city at locations including Base 51 and National Justice museum, rounded up here - https://www.itsinnottingham.com/whats-on/art-club?fbclid=IwAR2KlznAamwQfsh4YLedFo4hfF8uvo0ksnB_fvBaFd12na7fflhET1tJ-rY
• St Ann?s Allotments have a FREE open day on Saturday 20 August with free activities - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-open-day-on-st-anns-community-orchard-tickets-391121905147
• Stonebridge City Farm have Nottingham Global Roots Festival and family fun day on Saturday 20 August with free entry, music, crafts, dancing and more https://stonebridgecityfarm.com/events
• Nottingham Carnival returns on Sunday 21 August at Victoria Embankment ? its FREE to watch the parade and ?4 advance / ?5 on the gate / under 12s FREE for the festival https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/whats-on/nottingham-carnival-2022-p661031

Green?s Windmill have lots of FREE and cheap activities in the next couple of weeks too - https://www.facebook.com/greenswindmill/events/?ref=page_internal

As you know, the Ricky Gervais ?Afterlife? bench which was located in The Arboretum was sadly destroyed by vandals earlier this year. Residents and park users were rightly angry and upset.

Public Realm teams and Nottingham City Homes tried to repair the bench but unfortunately it was too badly damaged, so we had to contact Netflix and tell them what had happened. ?We are delighted to say they jumped into action and sorted us a replacement bench which was delivered in July and installed back in the park at the begging of August. The benches were commissioned alongside suicide prevention charity ?Campaign Against Living Miserably? (CALM) and are to there to give people to reflect, talk to somebody and get things off your chest.

Walking (or cycling) for fun or heading to the shops, school or work has many brilliant health benefits. We?ve recently been sharing some of our favourite local walks on the My Nottingham Facebook and Twitter pages, and we have had a great response from people in communities across the city.

This week?s walk takes you round the historic Woodthorpe Grange Park, where King George V and Queen Mary visited in 1928.

Download the route map - https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/media/3082636/woodthorpe-grange.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0CG9O37vZU-fRBqwDqQ2XvGtztvuG5QF8xASjS9W0Jm2wRt-pI0bkcTp4

See all our local walks - https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/events-markets-parks-and-museums/parks-and-open-spaces/a-walk-in-the-park

In August 1947, the Indian subcontinent won its independence from the British and two nations were born. On Sunday, Pakistan celebrated its independence with India marking its independence today.

The 75 years of independence for both India and Pakistan will be celebrated across the world with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events and I want to send warm wishes to both Indian and Pakistani communities here in Nottingham celebrating this very important day.

People from both India and Pakistan have made a huge contribution to the culture of our city, our economy and in our communities. On behalf of the council, I want to send my best wishes to those celebrating 75 years of independence.

Congratulations to Nottingham Forest for their first home win in the Premier League in 23 years yesterday. Fans certainly played their part in cheering them to their 1-0 victory over West Ham at the City Ground yesterday ? it feels great for them, the team and the whole city to find winning ways back in football?s top flight.