Malia Carty

Firefighters rescued Arna, a 500kg Cob horse, after she became trapped up to her ears in deep mud while eating reeds in a field in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. Four crews, a veterinary surgeon, the owners and a borrowed farm tractor spent about two hours freeing her, with further work needed to remove the mud. Arna suffered no severe injuries, is being monitored by vets and is expected to make a full recovery. Her owners praised the firefighters, who coordinated the rescue despite being called away briefly to another incident.

Alex Hamilton, a solo developer from Nottingham, creates new games for Nintendo's discontinued Game Boy and Game Boy Colour. He says the hardware's severe technical limitations encourage inventive storytelling, while learning 2D pixel art has been one of his biggest challenges. His games include the comedy adventure The Train and the science-fiction title Lunar Mystery 2103. Hamilton has received more than £24,000 through Kickstarter and sold around 500 copies, although he cannot yet make a full-time living from development. He and Nottingham Games Expo founder Alex Hunt attribute the interest in new Game Boy games to nostalgia and the freedom offered by smaller independent studios.

Sarah Harney founded Endeavour Taekwondo in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, after negative experiences at other clubs. The 51-year-old mother of six now runs a 200-member club with support from two of her sons, and about 70% of its students are female. The club aims to provide women and girls with a safe, supportive environment, incorporating tailored training, psychology, self-help and self-defence lessons. Its students have won world titles and 11 medals at a competition in Germany, while member Kirsty Harrison recently achieved her first black belt.

A 17‑year‑old from Worksop describes how starting a 3D‑printing business improved his confidence and communication skills after struggles related to autism and epilepsy. He built the venture from a hobby into earning about £17,000 a year, producing items including accessibility tools. Increased customer interaction and self‑promotion helped him develop social ease and become well known locally, with strong support from his father as he continues expanding his skills.

A public appeal has been launched by Nottinghamshire’s Inspire library service for people to upload photos and memories of the Major Oak after the RSPB confirmed the ancient Sherwood Forest tree died on 18 June. The initiative aims to preserve its cultural legacy, while the RSPB plans to leave the decaying tree standing as a natural monument and monitor its stability. Conservation efforts will also support other ancient trees and saplings grown from the Major Oak.