Green light for tram expansion

The dream of beating congestion has moved closer to reality, as plans to extend the Nottingham Express Transit tram system have today got the green light from Government. Government ministers have given the City and County Councils the legal powers to acquire the land, build and operate the NET Phase Two extensions to Clifton and Chilwell via Beeston. The Government support demonstrates confidence that the £400+ million project will bring huge benefits to the city and region. NET Phase Two is expected to tempt drivers out of their cars and take a further two million car journeys off our roads each year. The scheme could also generate long term employment growth of up to 11,800 jobs – which could boost the local economy by around £390m per year. See www.netphasetwo.com for more.

Return to Splendour

Nottingham's Splendour Festival, the musical highlight of last summer, is back again for 2009 with Sunday's headline act now confirmed. The original nutty boys Madness will be taking to the stage on Sunday 19^th July at Wollaton Park. Tickets for the festival went on sale this week and will be available from the Rock City box office, the Royal Centre box office and www.gigantic.com  and www.alt-tickets.co.uk  Tickets are priced at £30 for a day ticket, £15 for a day ticket for all city-residents aged 18 and over and £10 for a day ticket for all city residents aged 11-17. Under 11s go free.

Overseas students honoured

The University of Nottingham, described by The Times as 'the nearest Britain has to a truly global university,' is one of the most popular in the UK among overseas students. Now inspirational accounts of student life in the UK have won three students from top accolades in the nation's biggest competition for international students. Anjum Aqeel, a PhD student from Pakistan, has been named the East Midlands' International Student of the Year 2009 in a prestigious competition run by the British Council. The 52-year-old postgraduate in the School of Economics is preparing to challenge for the title of overall International Student of the Year 2009. Fellow University of Nottingham students Sooyoung Lee from South Korea and Kam Wa Jessica Mok from Macau have both been named runners-up in the regional finals.

£1million poured into new local swimming pool

Nottingham City Council has been awarded £1million towards swimming facilities at the Noel Street replacement leisure centre. The money has been granted from Sport England's Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Development Programme (SCMP). Nottingham City Council is one of only five authorities to receive an award of £1 million or more from the SCMP, which aims to encourage more people to swim by helping to modernise and enhance publicly accessible swimming pools. This boost for local swimmers comes as the Government announces that free swimming for everyone aged 16 and under or 60 and over is to be extended from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2011. The Noel Street replacement leisure centre is currently under construction on Djanogly Academy's Gregory Boulevard site and is due for completion by April 2010.

Explore the university

The University of Nottingham is throwing open its doors to the public on Saturday April 25^th. The Day of Exploration, from 10am to 4pm, will include activities from tours and demonstrations, including a tour of the famous eco-house, sports activities (you can swim the in the pool used by Olympic champions), lively debates, a chance to meet the experts in subjects as diverse as maths and archaeology and lots of `hands on activities' for all ages. This free event is open to all community groups, individuals and families with an interest in finding out more about the many different sides of the University.  You can come all day, or just pop in for an hour or two, though pre-booking may be necessary for some events. For more information visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/dayofexploration

And far from finally...

Voting has opened for the Nottingham Restaurant Awards. The popular awards among restaurateurs and the public alike will sort the best from the rest with public voting throughout April, secret visits by judges in May and an awards ceremony in June. To vote for your favourite eatery, visit www.nottinghamrestaurantawards.co.uk/awards2009_vote.asp  ... Nottingham's New Art Exchange has received a Civic Trust award for being one of the best new buildings and renovations Britain. The Gregory Boulevard venue was designed by Hawkins Brown and is devoted to black and Asian arts with gallery, studio and rehearsal spaces. Judges praised it for being a "sophisticated and welcoming addition to an urban neighbourhood."