After a three-year hiatus, I was delighted to once again attend the Nottingham Awards yesterday evening.

The Nottingham Awards are given out each year to a small number of outstanding individuals who have all worked selflessly for others and made a real difference to other people?s lives in Nottingham. Huge congratulations to:

• Cressida Laywood ? a voluntary-sector champion who has worked tirelessly to support vulnerable people and founded Aphasia Nottingham
• Summaya Mughal ? a local BBC presenter who has been breaking down cultural barriers around swimming
• Alan Gilby and Jared Wilson ? founders of Leftlion magazine who promote Nottingham and create opportunities for up-and-coming young people in the city
• John Dexter ? former teacher, headteacher and Director of Education here at the council. Over his 40-year career in education he has championed music, the arts, reading, literature and the value of civic society in children?s education.

It was lovely to join the winners yesterday and I?d again like to congratulate and thank all of them for their efforts.

I?d also like to thank local singer songwriter Ellie Stainsby, the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra, and host Mark Del for their wonderful entertainment.

You can find out more about the awards here

It?s great to see people enjoying Goose Fair, which has seen more than 300,000 visitors so far this year.

As per a tradition that dates back to 1254, on the first Thursday of the month, which was yesterday, the reading of the charter for Nottingham Goose Fair took place along with the ringing of the bells. Lord Mayor, Councillor Wendy Smith, was joined by dignitaries from surrounding councils and members of the Showman?s Guild to undertake what was the 726^th reading, with our Chief Executive Mel Barrett carrying out the reading of the charter.

With the weather looking good for the remaining days, Goose Fair is back as a major event in the Nottingham calendar.

Just a quick reminder that it?s really important to come forward and get your flu and Covid vaccinations when invited.

Both illnesses can be serious and there are lots of appointments and different options available this year to make booking your jab easier.

We are seeing Covid cases start to increase nationally, including hospital admissions, which highlights again that people in Nottingham should take sensible precautions to protect themselves, their family, friends, colleagues and the wider community.

Smoking is the greatest cause of ill-health and death in Nottingham.

Reducing the numbers of people who smoke in the city will improve overall health, support the reduction in poverty, give babies and children a better start in life and reduce smoking-related health and social care costs.

Stoptober is a national campaign, which runs each year in October, and targets people who would like to stop smoking. It provides ?them with the help and support they need to quit, including access to the Stub It! Programme.

This 12-week course offers a series of appointments with a specially-trained Stop Smoking Adviser or Pharmacists. The adviser or pharmacist will offer a variety of support such as behavioural techniques and nicotine-replacement therapy, in a caring and non-judgemental way.

If you are a Nottingham resident who wants to stop smoking or is thinking of quitting, you can access the service and refer yourself to the programme online at www.ncgpa.org.uk/stub-it

Are you an adult who never learned to ride a bike, or hasn?t ridden one for a while?

You can take part in free group cycle lessons, happening every Saturday morning at Lenton Abbey Park until February 2023. There are two sessions ? one for complete beginners and one for people who need a brush up. The sessions include free use of bikes and helmets.

If you are a city resident and over 18 book your place here