Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue

Not the most exciting of blips, but I thought I should feature a great public service that is currently the victim of funding cuts and controversial reorganisation.
It is also the story of my morning, which was spent here at their HQ in Bestwood refereeing a top-ckass youth football match between Carlton Town (a Nottingham city team) and Manor FC ( from Mansfield Woodhouse).
Carlton have lost their city-based ground this season due to redevelopment and were offered a replacement pitch on a city recreation ground - which they turned down for the simple reason that public parks are where dog ownners exercise their pets but many singularly fail to clean up their dog faeces!!
This is very dirty, thoughtless and antisocial, especially when sports grounds are fouled and dirty - which is very frequently the case!
The Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service offered Carlton Town free use of a first-class pitch at their HQ - a generous and public-spirited offer that was gratefully accepted.
The Match?
First class, played in a good spirit, and some talented lads on display.
3-3 at half-time, but 7-3 to Carlton was the result in what was ultimately the cliche "game of two halves"!
Very much enjoyed, including by the referee!!