Nottingham Forest have refused to be drawn on rumours that the club's famous City Ground stadium could be renamed to bring in sponsorship cash.

A report from the Mail Online has suggested that the club are poised to announce a sponsorship deal with the Kuwaiti government which would see the stadium renamed the Kuwait City Ground Stadium or KCG Stadium and that the players will also have a Kuwait logo on their shirts this season.

But when the Post contacted the club, they did not wish to comment.

The Post understands that Forest chairman and owner Fawaz Al Hasawi is currently out in Kuwait talking to a number of different parties with regard to sponsorship but that no arrangements have been finalised.

The Post also understands that Al Hasawi is not likely to return to England until the first game of the season against Blackpool.

The rumours about the name change have led to much debate - with fans very much divided over the issue

Ruairi Cullen from West Bridgford thinks the rumoured deal would make sense for the Reds.

• 007Red: "Derby fans will be laughing at us Again ! U Redssssss"
• Clint_Poppy: "Kuwait city grounds has a nice ring to it....Forest fans have been waiting(or is that Kuwaiting) years to get into the premier league....so this renaming of the ground might sheik them up into finally going up next season or will it be a mirage on the sand dunes of the Kuwait City ground once more?"
  
• Afropaddy: "Unlike other stadium name changes (e.g. King Power, IPro) if this rumoured name change does happen at least it retains "City Ground" in the title. Everyone will still call it the City Ground anyway. Is it likely that an actual government would sponsor a football team?"
• Short_Legs: "Everybody who's moaning about this must have very short memories. Think back to the state we were in just over 3 years ago before Fawaz took over. If it wasn't for him your beloved City Ground may now have been the Tesco Car Park and Nottingham Forest a fading memory."
• Tbickle: "A step too far?"
• Paperface: Unfortunately, Financial Fair Play has made things like this a requirement in order to spend any money (unless you have Parachute payments). That's why more & more clubs are doing it. Football has changed and we need to keep up if we want to compete. Whilst I would prefer it to remain 'The City Ground', I also understand the need for proof of income, in order to satisfy the FA that we are not maintaining a wage structure, etc...that we cant afford, as a business. If you're not happy about it and want to blame someone, blame the people who created Financial Fair Play!"
• Paul1897: "Heritage? In 1897 we called it the Nottingham city ground in celebration of the city charter and for 100 years we abbreviated it to the City ground. Now we can abbreviate it for another 100 years to the City ground. Money made, heritage saved and we didn't have to call ourselves something to stupid. Works for me."
• Mikkee1: "As long as we stay red and don't do a wimbledon fc. And are called nottingham forest. I trust fawaz to do the right thing for the club. We have a lot of things that are positive for the club. People should be focusing on them.. and in a lot of fans this is a positive so COYR.."

• Kapucheen: "If the suggestion had arisen to change the name when we were at the Baseball Ground, with all its history, then I would have been aggravated. Pride Park as a stadium is "home" in a shallow sense so the change of name to generate income for the greater good of the club feels OK. For me it's not just the fact that the City Ground remains akin to the BBG in history terms, that will hurt enough on its own, its the lalleged name and the connotations that go with it, especially given the money the owner is supposed to have. I don't think any fan deep down would disagree with the principle if it ensures the club clearing the forthcoming financial minefield of court and ffp. It just hurts full stop when you see something you love forced to change. I'm sure we all spare a thought for Cardiff and Hull and the ridiculous lengths their foreign owners are going to, fully applying business revenue tactics and screwing with the clubs in the process. In that respect we got off lightly with iPro and Just eat. Juat hate it when it all becomes a "means to an end". Roll on the new season."

AS a sea of colour and tidal wave of whistles and chants rushed past Bill Bond, he reflected on a lifetime where he has seen significant progress toward equality.

The Long Eaton pensioner remembers when it was illegal to be gay and said Nottinghamshire Pride shows how things have changed - for the better.

Mr Bond turned out to support this year's Nottinghamshire Gay Pride with his wife and could have been forgiven for feeling a little emotional as he took on board the colourful theme with a dazzling silver wig and smiled as the procession marched through the Old Market Square.

For Mr Bond, the event is of huge significance. He said: "It's the first time we've been but it seemed the right thing to do. It's really impressive.

"It's a really good show of diversity and we've got to support this kind of thing. The fact that some of the rest of the world is going backwards on gay rights is a terrible thing and it means it's more important that we are not.

"It's just about accepting that people are different and can do what they want as long as they aren't hurting anyone else."

And being able to stand on the street and cheer as groups of people of different sexualities feel they can be open in public is a huge positive for Mr Bond.

"The progress we've seen is fantastic - when I was younger it was illegal to be gay," he said. "It is so nice to see such a number of people here and the fact that it is happening all over the country is pretty heartwarming. I hope this kind of thing can really empower people into feeling comfortable with their sexuality and being able to come out.

"Sexuality is not something we've struggled with in our lives but we're here to support people who have. There's still a long way to go but things do change for the better."

Nottinghamshire Pride saw the city completely taken over for the day with colour splashed around every corner of the Lace Market and a hum of excitement in the air.

Thousands marched through the city guided by a Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service engine chanting "two, four, six, eight, we want to live in a world without hate" as they went.

Passers by and onlookers smiled and were dragged into the parade, which lasted until 12pm when a host of live music and activities kicked off.

One of the thousands who flocked to join in the parade was Methodist minister Andrew Orton, who lives in Masfield and is currently working at a church in the city centre.

"I'm a member of the gay community and also a member of the Christian community and I'm here to celebrate that," he said. "We're all different as people. This is a really powerful thing and it affirms who we are.

The 47-year-old, who was wearing his dog collar and rainbow waistcoat, added: "The reason for dressing as I do is to show that it's ok to be a gay and a Christian. Hopefully me being her helps someone else be able to be who they are.

"It is difficult but the church is moving forwards."

The parade featured people of all shapes, sizes and ages and with a incredibly varied and colourful style of dress.

But among the people who had travelled from far and wide were representatives from local companies and organisations.

Stuart Unit works for the county's mental health trust Nottinghamshire Healthcare and is a diversity champion.

Mr Unit said he was incredibly impressed with the celebratory style of the event and appreciated the event after being discriminated for his sexuality in the past.

He added: "It really does have an impact - it can send a really positive message. People who were just popping out will have got involved.

"There are gay people in every work force and it's a hugely important message that it's ok to come out at work."

THE stories of the most significant conflicts in history will be told at a new exhibition.

The war gallery at Erewash Museum will present artefacts and information on world conflicts from the First World War through to the present day.

The new exhibition was kicked off on Saturday with a launch event also marking the centenary of the First World War.

Nicola Wood is the museum's manager. She said: "It's absolutely exciting. We thought that we needed something fitting to mark the centenary and our war room hadn't seen any redevelopment for quite some time - so we thought we would do that.

"We're really pleased with what we've done. It's wonderful and it's very different from what we've done before. It brings Erewash museum in line with some of the bigger city musuems.

"What makes it special is the way we've designed it - it has the wow factor as you walk in the room.

"I think it is something people are still interested in - it goes right up to the conflict in Afghanistan today."

She added: "It's a really exciting day all round."

The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal officially opened the new gallery and the launch day included the recreation of a First World War recruiting station, music hall sketches and war poems.

Councillor Athwal said he was delighted to be able to open the museum's latest exhibition with up to 100 people at the launch event.

He said: "The war gallery was really appreciated by people who attended. It's showing the history from the First World War right up to the current conflicts going on around the world including some special memorabilia.

"The comments are very positive and it's something that we as a country and as an area need to commemorate and remember all the sacrifices people have made."

Councillor Athwal said he was very proud of the museum. he added: "It is a feather in the cap for the area - our museum has won awards and the improvements are ongoing year and year and it's quite apt that they've done - I'm actually very proud, honoured and deeply humbled. There's so much good work that goes on by residents an volunteers in the area who do things like this for the love."

The Royal British Legion were also present and a memorial service held by the Methodist Church closed the event.

Two books of remembrance were also on display for visitors to leave their reflections and add their thoughts for loved ones that have been involved or are still involved in conflicts across the world.

Are you commemorating the centenary? Email newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

Notts County lost their unbeaten record against non-league opposition as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Conference side Halifax.

The Magpies included ex-Manchester United star Roy Carroll in their starting line-up for the friendly clash as part of their build-up to the big kick-off on August 9.

As you would expect for someone whose career has spanned 19 years, Carroll looked incredibly solid in the game at the Shay where the woodwork denied the Magpies on two occasions.

First to hit the bar was Akwasi Asante who diverted Zeli Ismail's cross straight at Matty Glennon who deflected his effort onto the cross bar.

Then Ismail cracked the post himself right on the stroke of half-time with a wonderful turn of pace and skill which would have pleased boss Shaun Derry.

Halifax had their moments in the second half which saw both sides make numerous changes.

Scott Boden headed onto the roof of the net following a smart pass from Jamie Jackson as the Conference Premier side searched for a winner.

Jake Cassidy, who has joined Notts on loan from Wolves, made his debut and showed some promising touches up front.

But it was Jackson who stole the headlines when he rifled in from 25 yards which gave Carroll no chance.

Halifax: Glennon, McManus, Bolton (Roberts 77), Roberts, Williams (Schofield 45), Pearson (Peniket 77), Boden, Ainge, Maynard, Dyer (Jackson 45), Marshall (Smith 77).

Notts: Carroll, Thompson, Mullins (McKenzie 65), Hollis, Adams (Diaz 45), Noble (Whitehouse 45), Smith, Wroe (Cassidy 45), Thompson (Dawson 45), Ismail, Asante (Murray 65) Subs: Spiess Referee: Martin Coy

Attendance 720 (135 visitors)

NOTTINGHAM cyclist Lydia Boylan finished 14th in the Women's 10km Scratch Race at the Commonwealth Games.

Representing Northern Ireland, the 27-year-old faced some stiff competition at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, with newly-crowned 3,000m individual pursuit champion Joanna Rowsell and England team-mates Laura Trott and Dani King in the line-up.

But it was Australian Annette Edmondson who took the gold medal ahead of compatriot Amy Cure, with Wales' Elinor Barker edging out King for the bronze position.

Boylan now has a quick turnaround, being back on the track for a second time when she competes in the 25km Points Race tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Beeston Hockey's Jamie Cachia and Gordon McIntyre were part of a Scotland team to suffer a second successive defeat as India triumphed 6-2 in their group game.

FAMILIES enjoyed spending some quality time together at a range of events across the county on Saturday.

Christine Palmer, 53, took her two daughters, Nikki and Kerry, Nikki's partner Ben and her granddaughter Anya, eight, to the Forest Recreation Ground's Family Sports Day. 

Together, they took part in a range of sports activities, including table tennis, while enjoying the live music and entertainment on offer.

Christine, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, said: "We come down every year because Anya loves it; she's very sporty and loves being outside.

"It has been really nice today and we have enjoyed spending time as a family."

The Family Sports Day, organised by Nottingham City Council, in partnerships with local sports clubs and organisations, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Nikki Dawkins, 31, of Bilborough, said the event was a great way for families to have fun together without having to worry about the cost.

She said: "Anya has a lot of energy so it is good for her to be able to burn some of that off.

"It's also good because it is the summer holidays too and it is great that the activities are free."

Anya added: "I have been having a lot of fun and I have enjoyed playing table tennis. It has been a nice, sunny day to be outside."

Other activities included a bouncy castle, climbing wall, go-kart track, water zorbing and sports races. There was also a range of stalls on offer and families were encouraged to bring their own picnic.

Just outside of the city centre, families enjoyed a summer barbecue at the Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens.

It featured stalls, food, music, wood-carving and children's activities and attracted more than 350 visitors.

Rachel Branch, 33, of The Meadows, took her two children, Marcus, nine, and Warren, five, to the event.

She said: "It is a great event, there has been lots of stuff to do and lots for the kids to learn and play on."

Marcus helped to carve a butterfly into the trunk of a lime tree, which was being made into a bench for the gardens.

He said: "I have had fun drawing the butterfly to go on the wooden bench, then carving it. I also made my own banana, strawberry and apple juice smoothie on the bike, which was tasty."

Volunteer Di Clausen said: "People have been very generous, and some have given us donations. Any money will go towards the general upkeep of the gardens and to help make it a bit more sustainable."

Tell us about your community event at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

To see photographs from the event see www.nottinghampost.com/pictures

MANSFIELD'S Molly Renshaw clinched a bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games.

The teenager finished third behind Australian pair Taylor McKeown and Sally Hunter in a time of 2.25.00, 2.64 seconds adrift of the winner.

Renshaw had equalled the English national record in her favoured discipline last month.

And after failing to make the final in the 50m event earlier this week, she cruised through to the final in the 200m, finishing second in her heat.

And there was success too for England's badminton mixed team as Nottingham's Chris Adcock helped them progress to the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka.

Adcock and wife Gabby got the quarter-final off to a great start with a 21-15 21-16 success in their doubles clash.

"It is a different atmosphere and feeling to the group stages," said Adcock. "We gave our opponents a lot of respect, we were sharp, but the further along we go, the better games come."

England now wait to hear who they face in the last four tomorrow.

AS 2014 has been dubbed the "year of reading women" by a number of journals and individuals, it seems fitting that two excellent female novelists are enriching the cream of Nottingham's literary heritage this summer.

Fresh from Nottingham Trent University, Kim Slater has launched a sensitive, witty gem called Smart. Set in Nottingham, it is the gripping story of a boy who untangles both a murder mystery and the complexities of his difficult family life.

And next month, Alison Moore will be launching her second novel, He Wants, in Waterstones, Bridlesmith Gate. If you can't wait that long to enjoy her haunting, lyrical literary style you can delve right in to her Booker Prize-nominated The Lighthouse and follow Futh as he walks through Germany with his memories of abandonment and infidelity.

Nottingham has an incredible history of producing great writers, but when asked to think of Nottingham novelists people are likely to name writers such as DH Lawrence, Alan Sillitoe or Jon McGregor. How often are the female novelists of Nottingham mentioned?

WelI, I have to confess, with due embarrassment, that up until recently I couldn't have named any. This realisation bothered me – and ever since I've been hooked on the writing of Nottingham's women.

Helen Cresswell wrote over 100 children's books, several of which she adapted for TV herself; and Susanna Clarke, won several awards for Jonathan Strange And Mr Norrell. Our city has a history of inspiring and nurturing incredible, exciting and even scandalous writers, writers who have fought hard for our right to read and write what we choose; and women deserve to be celebrated and acknowledged for their contribution. And, of course, Nottingham is bidding to be an international City of Literature.

So I can't help but celebrate two wonderful novelists adding fresh, female voices to our literary history. If we don't celebrate such talented novelists then not only are we depriving ourselves of a fantastic read, we're banging our heads on the literary glass ceiling. Even today, far fewer female novelists have their work reviewed by magazines and newspapers than men and not by a negligible amount.

I declare, as Jane Austen once did, "There is no enjoyment like reading". As we soak up the warmth of these, long sunny days I hope many of you get to enjoy the pleasure of an icy Pimm's in one hand and the work of a Nottingham lass in the other.

EVERYONE likes a bit of a read on holiday, and those e-book things are great, aren't they?

I used to gleefully sacrifice at least half my trainer collection packing pounds of paper into a case for two weeks of long-haul heaven. Books are best, I said; but then I tried it, and I liked it.

Soon I had tons of tomes on my e-reader, including recent downloads of clever classics, fabulous fiction, hilarious humour and The Modern Guide To Alliteration.

I still carry the odd paperback, though, because there are plenty of beaches where £100-worth of technology can evaporate quicker than my enthusiasm for a trip to the local craft market. What's that, senor? Spicy tomato sauce in an unfeasibly small jar is only ten Euros? Fabulous, and could you get me some of that incredibly solid handmade soap that I can leave in an ethnic dish for ten years before putting it in the bin? Gracias.

There is, however, one major drawback to the cover-free technology that greets me around the hotel pool. How on Earth am I meant to be judgemental about my fellow guests if I don't know what they're reading?

It's hard enough knowing who to avoid without taking away one of the main signposts of which couples to duck at dinner. Do I really have to resort to using small talk like, "Nottingham, Paul Smith, that's right, yes, but we don't wear the stuff with stripes, that's for the tourists, what's that, you've got loads, oh well, see you at the craft market!"

And it gets worse – we live in an age where you can enter a lukewarm bath of gently bubbling water completely ignorant of the fact that some of the more mature women in there have just warmed up in the sun with a few chapters of Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Yes, they might be talking to you about the Peak District or their husband's rapidly rising fortunes but that's not what they are thinking about, oh no.

What they are thinking about is, "Christian squirts baby oil into his hand and then rubs my behind with careful tenderness; from make-up remover to soothing balm for a spanked backside, who would have thought it was such a versatile liquid?"

Well, not me for one.

But if it's £30 a bottle at the craft market, I'll take two.

Brian Blessed

Bonkiers corner

Nutshire

Brian Blessed

Bonkiers corner

Nutshire

MOST locals would probably support the idea of giving special 'protected status' to Nottingham Lace. It is, after all, an important part of our local heritage.

It's also currently very fashionable. Ever since the iconic Burberry brand used Nottingham Lace as the mainstay of its spring-summer catwalk collection for 2014, celebrities have been queuing up to wear it. Nottingham boutiques have reported more customers than ever asking for the fabric by name.

But there is, inevitably, a catch. It's relatively simple to throw a geographical fence round, say, Welsh lamb, Melton Mowbray pork pies or even Shetland wool. The areas are well-defined. The producers are many.

Unfortunately there are very few local manufacturers of Nottingham Lace. Thirty years ago there were more than 200 factories. Today the only significant producer of this most intricate of fabrics is the Cluny Lace company. Based in Ilkeston.

There is no Nottingham Lace manufactured within the city, never mind the historic Lace Market area.

So the boundaries of the proposed European Geographical Indication – which would allow the EU to stop anyone outside of Nottingham producing Nottingham Lace – would have to be carefully drawn.

They would also have to be accompanied by a series of measures to help the local lace industry survive and prosper. Tax breaks for heritage industries, perhaps? Targeted help from local councils, maybe?

EU protection for Nottingham Lace would, of course, be welcome. As long as there is something left to protect.

UP and coming young talent took centre stage during a festival of fun in West Bridgford.

The Bridgfest youth festival showcases activities available for youngsters across Rushcliffe and provided a family day out for around 4,000 people on Sunday.

The festival included live music from local bands and around 50 activity, sport and creative stalls.

Alecks Jackowska, 55, took her son and his friend to the event.

"It's brilliant," the 55-year-old from Carlton said.

" The kids are really impressed. It's great to have during the summer holidays. It's a great day out."

Johnny Rowley, from New Basford, took his two children, aged eight and 11.

He said: "This is the first time we've come down. It's a really good thing - I like the fact that there's so much to do and so many free things.

"The kids have had a nice time especially playing human table football."

Ian Whitehead is locality youth manager responsible for Rushcliffe at Nottinghamshire County Council and helped to organise the event.

He said: "It's going really well. We're expecting numbers of about 4000 overall which is really good. People are enjoying it.

"The whole idea really is to promote activities for young people and let them know what's out there and available."

The event is organised by the county council's youth service and showcases local musical talent on a stage throughout the day.

The bands come from the Young People's Centre next door to West Bridgford Park - where the festival was held - and gives youngsters the opportunity to play their songs live.

Zac Pritchett, from West Bridgford, learned his musical craft at the centre and was helping out at yesterday's event after playing in previous years.

The 17-year-old's band, Hello Tomorrow, have hit the heights after learning their trade at the youth centre.

"It's going quite well for us, we've played the Royal Concert Hall and Rock City a few times," he said.

"It's definitely helped us doing this - it has given us a place to practice and perform."

Did you go to the event? What did you think? Email newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

RESIDENTS are being warned about security after a car was ransacked in Chilwell.

Police say the incident happened between Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, when a vehicle was parked on Gwenbrook Avenue and left unsecured.

An unknown person searched through it and stole possessions including a Tomtom satellite navigation system.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 000352-27072014.

Officers are also urging people to be vigilant with their security, saying that cars should always be locked and valuables not left on display.

Residents should park in their garages and drives or in a well lit area.

Further information can be found at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/crime-prevention-guides