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Welcome to CITYLIFE
Welcome to CITYLIFE in Lichfield, a monthly magazine bringing you our pick of the city’s news, events and stories. Each month CITYLIFE in Lichfield is delivered to 18,000 businesses and homes in Lichfield, Kings Bromley, Fradley, Alrewas, Whittington, Stonnall, Shenstone, Little Aston, Hammerwich, Burntwood and Longdon, completely free of charge; bringing you the best that the city has to offer. Each issue features heritage stories exploring the rich history of our area, plus competitions, interviews and the latest in fashion and style. Got a story or charity event you want to share with our readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures the spirit of the city? We want to hear from you! Our business is bringing you Lichfield’s city life.
NOVEMBER 2016
In This Issue
6 Win G & Ts for Two at the George Hotel Answer our anagram competition to win stylish drinks in a great setting. 20 Looking for Lichfield’s Cutest Pet Congratulations to Bella, our Cutie of the Month!
40 A Window on the Past Postcards from the city - part 2.
42 A Picture of Dam Street and Tamworth Street Find the robins and win £50.
52 Baby, it’s Cold Outside Our pick of the best seasonal accessories and separates. 52
Issue 9 November 2016
CITYLIFE CONTACTS Editor - Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048
josscitylife@gmail.com
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Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com Karen Fudger 07909 694286 karencitylife@gmail.com Production - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com
Citylife In Lichfield Ltd PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS CITYLIFE in Lichfield and CITYLIFE in Rugeley magazines are not connected to any other publication or publisher, and are wholly owned by CITYLIFE in Lichfield Ltd. Citylife In Lichfield
www.citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk
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Win four free G&Ts at The George Hotel
It’s always Gin o’Clock at The George!
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e are delighted to be able to offer our readers the chance to win four speciality gin and tonics (up to the value of £25) at the beautiful and historic George Hotel. Family owned and run, this 18th century former coaching inn on Bird Street, Lichfield has played a vital role in Lichfield’s social scene for hundreds of years and holds a special place in many local people’s hearts. The stylish newly refurbished bar is a popular venue, both day and evening, for a quick drink or meal and is particularly tempting for gin lovers as there are now over 30 premium gins on offer! All gins are served in a large balloon glass filled with ice, topped with a specially chosen tonic and serve with a selected garnish to make the perfect predinner tipple whether you’re eating in
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Darwin’s, The George’s modern British restaurant, or venturing out into the many restaurants in Lichfield. The George also offers a unique gin experience which includes an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s comfortable bedrooms, a three course dinner in Darwin’s, two gin and tonics of your choice and gin themed goodies! For more information visit www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk
To win G&Ts for two, just unscramble the anagram below, and rearrange the letters to find an ingredient that flavours traditional gins.
p i n j u r e
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To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to ‘The George Competition’* to josscitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS by the competition closing date of Friday 25th November. Please note that you must be over 18 to enter this competition. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Winners will not be offered a cash equivalent. * The George Hotel will contact the winner to arrange their prize, and may contact entrants with information, offers and news. Congratulations to Malcolm Robertson of Lichfield who gave the correct answer of ‘Vol Au Vent’ and solved the anagram in the October issue.
Taking Care Of Business On Divorce Or Dissolution All assets held by a couple splitting up, whether separately or jointly, are valued as part of the divorce or dissolution process. That includes any business interests. Here Helen Bradin, Partner at solicitors Bradin Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP, reviews the position of businesses, be it sole trader, partnership or limited liability companies, when a Helen Bradin, Partner Bradin relationship breaks down:
Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP based on Beacon Street, Lichfield
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland any business interests and their value will most likely form part of the ‘matrimonial pot’ - just like other assets such as the family home, savings and pension provisions - to be divided on divorce or dissolution. Whether a trading firm, partnership or limited company the family courts, rather than the commercial courts, will deal with any business issues and routinely require businesses and business interests to be valued as part of the financial disclosure exercise. A Business As An Asset Of Marriage Valuing business interests can be one of the most contentious areas of the divorce/dissolution process and so is extremely important, especially where there has been a long marriage/partnership and the business is of significant value. That is why it is so difficult to do. The usual approach is for both parties to jointly instruct an independent forensic accountant to undertake the valuation which, dependent upon the type of business, could be achieved by valuation based on earnings (based upon the company’s post-tax profits); asset/break-up value (where a company is reaching an end with little prospect of future profits); valuation based on dividend yield (i.e. a minority holding in a company where the shareholder has little influence); or a combination of earnings and retained assets surplus to working capital requirement. Valuing a business can be complicated and very costly, which is why it is wise to first seek legal advice. The length of a marriage/partnership, children and contribution to the business are all factors which will determine the scale of any settlement. The Court’s Approach Every case is different. Even if the business is owned outright by one partner, the court is likely to treat it as another asset. There is no presumption that if one person built up the business they have a greater claim. For example if the other spouse stayed at home to bring up children, their contribution to the marriage/partnership may be considered as equal. Broadly speaking, if possible the courts tend to leave the business owner with the business and compensate the other spouse with a larger share of other assets (e.g. property), and/or a cash lump sum and/or maintenance. Some businesses, such as partnerships however, have no capital value and as there is nothing to sell, are regarded as income streams. This type does not need to be valued as income can be shared by way of a maintenance order. In cases where several people share ownership of a company the value of the divorcing spouse’s shareholding will be considered; it is highly unlikely that the court will instruct assets to be sold or capital to be extracted. Protecting Your Business If planned ahead, a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement can help limit claims against a business on divorce or dissolution. Or where both partners are shareholders working in the business, a shareholder agreement covering matters such as who would stay in the business on divorce/dissolution, whether one party would sell their shares and how they would be valued could have a bearing on the court’s decision. Keeping business and private assets separate wherever possible is advisable, for example not using the family home to secure borrowing. However, rash changes to a business or misrepresentation of its value prior to or once divorce/dissolution proceedings have begun could be deemed as deliberate obstruction and so damage a person’s position in settlement considerations. Family courts always seek to achieve a fair financial settlement for both parties on divorce or dissolution. Everyone’s circumstances are different so anyone with a business interest should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
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For advice on family and other legal matters contact Bradin Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP on 01543 421840 for a consultation or email hcb@btksolicitors.com
Lichfield
attractions day
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Thirty-three tourism providers enjoyed a special tour of Lichfield City on Friday 30th September.
isit Lichfield – Lichfield District Council’s tourism team – invited travel organisers and coach operators from across the region for a day out in Lichfield, to promote the delights the city and district have to offer visitors. The ‘familiarisation day’ started with refreshments in Chapters, followed by a guided tour of Lichfield Cathedral, taking in the Lichfield Angel, St Chad’s Gospels and a collection of the Staffordshire Hoard. The party then split into smaller groups for lunch, eating at either McKenzie’s Restaurant, Malt Bar or Ristorante Sorrento. Remaining in their groups, they then visited one of three venues: Erasmus Darwin House, The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum and Lichfield Museum. The day finished with afternoon tea at The George Hotel where the group saw presentations on the National Memorial Arboretum and the Arthur Price Factory outlet. Councillor Helen Fisher, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Communications, said: “We’re so lucky to have such fantastic attractions on our doorstep, and it’s really important to encourage more visitors to the city and district to support our local economy. “The familiarisation day was a great success with our guests saying how much they enjoyed the tour and the city’s rich history. Many also told us that it had inspired them to offer trips to Lichfield and the district, which is great news.” For information about tours, attractions, accommodation and more go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk
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Frith Rugs
Let’s get nice and cosy
s we enter the autumn/winter season it’s time to make your home feel cosy and warm. The addition of a new rug is one of the quickest and easiest ways to give any room in your home a new look, and if you are searching for inspiration, FrithRugs Cannock is the place to find it. You’ll find over 15,000 rugs in stock all displayed in an incredible 16,000 sq. ft of retail space which means you are sure to find something to suit your room and your personality. Frith Rugs, Cannock has been serving t h e population of Staffordshire since 1999 and this family run business
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prides itself on an exceptionally high level of customer service delivered by expert and knowledgeable staff. Offering exclusively designed contemporary rugs that you won’t find anywhere else, FrithRugs is also renowned for its staggering choice of traditional rugs from China, Persia, India and Pakistan. The company also offers a bespoke rug service which allows consumers and businesses to design their own individual rugs.
Andrew Frith suggests a rug from one of the company’s shaggy rug collections could be the perfect accessory for the season. From neutral shades to bold colours, from sheepskin to fluffy flokati rugs - there’s a shaggy rug to fit perfectly into your autumn/winter interior décor theme.
If you like to be bang on trend, the season’s must have colour for the well-dressed home is grey. This flexible and versatile colour will suit most design schemes and such is the demand
for grey that FrithRugs has commissioned its own exclusive rug designs, look for the Ella Claire Naturals collection. Put your new rug in pride of place, invest in some grey faux fur cushions and throws and you are ready to enjoy the new season. Frith Rugs, Ridings Park, Eastern Way, Hawks Green, Cannock, WS11 7FJ or visit www.frithrugs.co.uk
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Lichfield Arts concerts in November Lichfield Arts are staging four concerts at Lichfield Guildhall in November.
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n Friday, November 11th Fred Zeppelin will be raising the rafters. The four-piece are one of the bestknown tribute acts in the country with a strong, loyal following and the enthusiastic approval of Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.
Sunday 13th November will see the Lichfield debut of Sheelanagig. The band blend foot stomping tunes from the Balkans with musical virtuosity on a mixture of stringed instruments. On Saturday November 19th the Ian Siegal Band also make their Lichfield Guildhall debut. With twenty five years of experience as a professional blues musician, Ian Siegal blends the energy of the early rock and roll of Elvis Presley and Little Richard with the down home blues of Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf. Finally, the Sarah Gillespie Quartet return to the Guildhall on Sunday 20th November. With a jazz singer’s sensibility, the lyrical sharpness of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, and an easy-going stage presence this will be a night for all jazz fans to enjoy. She will be accompanied by a talented trio which includes Kit Downes on piano. Tickets and details for all events are available online at www.lichfieldarts.org.uk or from Lichfield Arts box office on 01543 262223. See Lichfield Arts on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Ian Siegal
Fred Zeppelin
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Sarah Gillespie
Sheelanagig
Shield Roller Garage Doors
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ntroducing Shield Roller Garage Doors to the Penkridge, Stafford, Rugeley, Cannock and Lichfield areas! We are a new, friendly, family-run business dedicated to bringing you the best possible experience when buying and installing your garage door.
Here at Shield Roller Garage Doors we work hard to ensure that we stock the best quality garage doors at an affordable price. All doors are CE certified and come with two remotes as standard.
Curtains are constructed from double-skinned, insulated, aluminium sections and are available in five colours for you to choose from.
All of our doors are bespoke and fitted to your garage on-site. Why not contact one of our friendly team today for a FREE quotation? We are also on Facebook - search Shield Roller Garage Doors.
Call 07401 375138 for your FREE quote today!
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Army of gritters set for action this winter
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taffordshire’s army of gritters are primed and ready for action - as winter ‘officially’ starts in Staffordshire. The winter season traditionally gets under way in the third week of October, so the county council’s fleet is now primed and ready to roll when needed. The county council’s fleet of 40 plus gritters and snow ploughs will be ready to roll if the temperature drops, and with more than 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, Staffordshire is well prepared for any adverse weather conditions. Temperatures and road conditions will be monitored from weather stations and the team of Winter Decision Makers will make the call as to when and where to send out the gritters. On routine winter days and nights gritters will be focusing on the major routes and extending to the wider network in prolonged ice and snow conditions. You can find out more about where they grit and how they decide to grit at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/winter
Please quote when responding to adverts
Remembrance Sunday Parade and Commemorations
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he Lichfield Remembrance Sunday Parade and Commemorations will take place on Sunday 13th November. The parade will form up before 10am at the University car park after which it will march through the city to the cathedral, where a service of remembrance takes place. Just before 11am the procession leaves the cathedral and moves on to the Garden of Remembrance where at 11am the wreath laying, 2 minute silence and remembrance commemorations will take place at the War Memorial.
Finding the perfect gift this Christmas
every taste and every budget. If jewellery and silver aren’t what you have in mind, why not look to the ‘collectable’ section of the sale where treen curios, workboxes and clocks feature? Or perhaps a ceramic figure, vase, or paperweight might be the order of the day? For the man in your life (should you be looking for something different to the very By Jessica Forreseter, Auctioneer and Valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers. traditional cufflink or tie pin approach) our Cross Keys saleroom has all manner of ‘boys t might seem a long time in the future, but turkeys are already being toys’ coming up for auction - from Dinky vehicles to autographed ordered, family discussions (about whose turn it is to host Christmas Lunch) and careful consideration of appropriate gifts are all now memorabilia and vintage comics. To solve the problem of seating lots of people to Christmas Lunch, taking place. With only a few weeks to go, it will soon be time to get out why not treat yourself to an extending table with chairs to accommodate the Christmas tree stand, find the lights and decorations and dig out last year’s Christmas card list. Many of us are also trawling the internet and the Christmas party? We always have several up for grabs in all manner high-street stores for the ideal gifts for those special people in our lives. of shapes, sizes and styles. In the run up to Christmas, we also have an extensive collection of This is where the auction world really comes into its own. If you’re wines and whisky coming up for auction from champagne and malt looking for a truly a unique gift, why not start viewing auction catalogues to see what they have in upcoming sales in the run up to whisky to vintage port and red wine. We have got the Christmas tipples Christmas? Here at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, we still have covered! A great way of ensuring that your another five auctions before the big event so rest assured you have not Christmas gift is exactly what your left it too late. Previously considered an environment dominated by an older loved-one wants is through auction clientele, this tradition has been broken of late, and we are finding that gift vouchers. That way, an item of the auction world is now becoming familiar to a younger generation. choice can be eagerly anticipated and purchased. For more This can be seen in the changes in buying and selling trends. information contact Richard Typically, there are some 250 lots of jewellery and silver on offer at every auction. Needless to say, there’s a wonderful selection available - Winterton Auctioneers on 01543 or online via from a beautiful, traditional, solitaire diamond ring to a 1960s, 251081 contemporary, enamelled necklace. There are items on offer to suit richardwinterton.co.uk
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Green Man Morris
By Tony Critchley of Green Man Morris
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Lichfield has a unique collection of dances which may soon disappear (for a second time) if no one comes forward to learn them.
n the mid 1950s, through a series of phone calls and letters, the Lichfield dances were rediscovered and developed by local Morris Dancers, and a Lichfield side was formed. Sadly, this club did not last long, and Green Man Morris, some of whom lived in Lichfield, took on the mantle of learning the dances and keeping them alive. Recognition of the club’s ‘expertise’ was affirmed by several appearances at the Royal Albert Hall Folk Festivals in 1960s and 1970s. Drawing its membership from across the Midlands, Green Man met in Erdington where some of the original ‘Birmingham Boys’ were recruited. The eight-man dances are quite energetic, and are named after local people, places and events and include ‘The Sheriff’s Ride’, ‘The Castlering’ and the ‘Vandals of Hammerwich’. For sixty years Green Man has kept the Lichfield tradition alive (as well as the Bower Processional Dance). Sadly, several of the current members are now past their ‘dance-by date’, but the club is keen to pass on its knowledge to younger men and has set Christmas as the deadline to either find new members or close. Lichfield is a beautiful and historic place with many enduring traditions, and the club wishes to pass on the Lichfield Dances and keep them alive for future generations. If you are reasonably fit and are interested in maintaining your local traditions why not come along to King George IV pub on Bore Street on Tuesday evenings at 8pm (from now until Christmas). Without new dancers there can be no dancing of the Lichfield Tradition. Now wouldn’t that be sad! For more information go to greenmanmorris.org.uk
Bore Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6NA 01543 262244
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Guys and Dolls -
A Review
Guys and Dolls, the latest production by Lichfield Operatic Society, is a perfect little snapshot of 1940/50s New York. It first appeared on Broadway in 1950, and although its subject matter (the struggle between how men want to behave and how the women that love them want to change them) is now, inevitably, rather dated, the gloriously tongue-incheek treatment of the woes of ‘Miss Adelaide and Nathan Detroit’ (who have been engaged for 14 years with no wedding in sight) and Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson (one a Christian street missionary, one a professional gambler) made this a hugely enjoyable production.
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he show opens with a street scene. A well-heeled housewife strides across the stage, followed by a scampering assistant carrying her purchases. Street-wise sirens sashay and clusters of gamblers scan the news-stands. Beat cops patrol and the feel of downtown New-York is beautifully captured. The story of Guys and Dolls is essentially the triumph of love over the cynicism of modern life. Miss Adelaide, a night club singer, has been engaged to Nathan for 14 years. He loves her but just won’t commit to marriage. He is on a quest to set up a ‘crap game’, not least because of the arrival of a Chicago ‘heavy’ and gambler who might offer some rich pickings. To secure a spot to hold the game, he needs 1,000 dollars. He doesn’t have it, but he bets professional gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t take Sister Sarah Brown away on a trip to Havana, Cuba. Sky accepts the bet. Sister Sarah runs a Christian street mission, trying to convert the ‘sinners’ of New York. She refuses, but when Sky offers to fill the mission with ’12 genuine sinners’ at the next prayer meeting, essentially saving the mission from closure, she accepts. This might all sound very cynical, and it is, but Nathan is so endearingly hopeless, and Sky and Sarah are so instantly smitten with each other, it’s gentle comedy at its best, satisfyingly rounded off when each girl gets her guy. The score of Guys and Dolls is full of tunes that you’ll find yourself humming for weeks afterwards. They must be a joy to sing, and this transmitted itself to the audience. They cast looked like they were enjoying themselves, and the audience laughed along to the jokes that are in almost every scene. Oliver Rowe as Nicely Nicely Johnson, Patrick Jervis at Benny Southstreet, Martin Rainsford at Rusty Charlie, David Madeley as Arvide Abernathy and Ed Hill as Harry the Horse put in sterling work as Nathan and Sky’s fellow gamblers – all searching for the next big ‘crap game’, but foiled by Lieutenant Brannigan (David Hill) who played the difficult ‘straight man’ part well. Pete Beck’s Sky Masterson was savvy, streetwise and initially bewildered by his instant attraction to Sarah. With some fine vocal performances (Luck Be A Lady) and nuanced acting, he carried the role well. Romantic leads can often be hard roles – as actors need the audience to genuinely care about the burgeoning love affair. Charlotte Middleton’s Sister Sarah mixed kindness, flashes of humour and vulnerability to make her a very sympathetic character. Vickie Beck as Miss Adelaide gave some storming performances and both ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ and ‘Bushel And A Peck’ (ably supported by the Hot Box dancers) were hugely enjoyed by the audience. Excellent choreography (Jessica Lambert), direction (Julie Mallaband), a great chorus, and innovative scenery and lighting, combined with tight musical direction (Mark Timms) and a live orchestra added further professional flair to another great show by Lichfield Operatic Society. The Lichfield Operatic Society’s production of Guys and Dolls appeared at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre in October 2016.
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Cutest Pet Competition Citylife in Lichfield’s
Cutie of the Month! Bella
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Bella’s owner Danielle told Citylife: “This is Bella, a nine weeks old, Miniature Labradoodle. She is such a good puppy - loves to play and is very gentle and loving. Bella loves cuddles and playing chase with my three children.”
Winston - Winston’s owner Charlotte told Citylife: “This is Winston, our gorgeous Shih Tzu, Poodle cross. He is three years old and this year he was the page boy at our wedding! As you can see from the pictures he looked very smart wearing his suit! He is absolutely adorable and is loved by everyone who meets him!”
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Ellie - Ellie is 19 months old, and is a golden working Cocker Spaniel owned by Stacey.
hank you to everyone who has sent us pictures of their pets. It’s an incredibly hard job choosing who to feature every month as we think all of your furry friends are gorgeous! November’s Cutie of the Month is Bella! Congratulations to Bella and her owner Danielle. This is the penultimate ‘Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet’ competition before the winner is announced in our December issue. If you haven’t already sent us pictures of your pets, to make sure that they’re in with a chance of winning the prize of £200 and the Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet trophy, send your images to us at josscitylife@gmail.com or post them to Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet Competition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS by the closing date of 25th November 2016. Please remember to clearly mark your entries ‘Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet’, and to tell us the name of your pet, and a little bit about them. Sorry but we can’t return any pictures sent to us by post.
Lulu - Lulu the Cairn Terrier is owned by Gloria
Bella - Carrie, Bella’s owner told Citylife: “She is such a beautiful cat and my children would love to see her in the magazine. Bella is a two year old Persian Ragdoll - white with grey snow tips. She is friendly, loves chasing butterflies and her favourite food is tuna. We often call her 'Queenie' as she strolls around the house in an elegant manner and has a polite sounding purr!”
Alfie - Alfie’s owner Sarah told Citylife: “This is Alfie. A very cheeky rabbit!”
Oliver & Dodger - Emma, Oliver and Dodger’s owner told Citylife: “This is Oliver and Dodger, they live in Kings Bromley and everybody loves them! They like walks and fetching their ball out of the sea while on their holidays.”
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Cutest Pet Cont... Citylife in Lichfield’s
Toby - Jim, Toby’s owner told Citylife: “This is Toby the Chihuahua enjoying a breather on the coastal path between Polperro and Looe whilst on holiday in Cornwall.”
Raffles - Claire, Raffles the ferret’s owner told Citylife: “This is Raffles. He's a one and a half year old ferret. He loves cuddles.”
George - George the cat is owned by David
Jessie and Walter - Marijke and Vince are the owners of Jessie and Walter who are both six months old.
Enjoy your life and feed your soul with art, music, dance and like-minded company at the George IV
The George IV pub on Bore Street, Lichfield, is a stylish and contemporary hub with a Bohemian vibe for music, dance and all of the things that make life great. The interior is designed to be spacious, welcoming and comfortable, and the extensive list of gigs and performances mean that the George IV is becoming a home for the arts in the city. Open till 11pm on Monday to Friday, and till 2am on Saturday and Sunday, this much loved and historic pub stocks a great selection of ales, wines and spirits, including gins and whiskies. The knowledgeable and friendly bar staff can advise you on the right whisky for your personal taste including single and double
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malts and aged whiskies such as Woodford and Old Pulteney. Cocktails are also a speciality and there’s a great cocktail menu on offer. On 31st October, the George IV will be welcoming new artwork, as the walls of the pub will be covered in vintage and contemporary art to fire the imagination and add to the special atmosphere of a pub that mixes the best of the traditional with a twist of something different. At 7pm every Tuesday, the George IV welcomes Green Man Morris, and on Thursday 11th November Blank Parody, an up-and-coming band with a growing following will be playing. On Saturday 12th November Big Wolf Blues Band
Phoebe - Phoebe is a five year old pug who is owned by Martin and Lesley. We don’t know who Phoebe’s friend is but he looks very smart!
Dave - Zak and Rose, Dave’s owners told Citylife: “This is our dog Dave the Cockapoo from Stonnall, He's a fun, loving and happy dog who loves to steal your socks!”
perform, and on Saturday 19th November Rolly’s Syndicate is the perfect night out for jazz lovers. On 25th November the George IV will be home to a Speed Dating night and on December 3rd Ska Monkeys will be raising the roof. With regular Swing Dance nights and a spacious beer garden, this is a great venue. Enjoy your life and feed your soul with art, music, dance and like-minded company at the George IV, ‘home of the dog’. For more information visit their Facebook Page. The George IV can be found at 34 Bore Street, Lichfield. Tel: 01543 523025.
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Visit Lichfield’s Gruesome and Ghostly tours are a highlight of Lichfield’s autumn and winter calendar and the series of ghost walks round the historical city centre are running in November and December.
Gruesome and Ghostly Tours
ed by Green Badge guides, the tours take in the Guildhall prison cells, the history of the Market Square burnings, the ghosts sighted at Dam Street, The Close and more city locations. Councillor Helen Fisher, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism & Communications, said: “As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, this is the perfect time to discover the dark and mysterious side of Lichfield.”
The walks are rounded off with a visit to a local pub for a glass of mulled wine and a hot sausage roll.
Finding the Fisher King
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The walks will run from 7pm to 8.30pm on the 10th, 15th, 16th, 23rd and 29th November and the 7th, 8th, 12th and 15th December.
Gruesome and Ghostly tours need to be booked in advance, and cost £6.25 each. They can be booked at the Tourist Information desk at St Mary’s in the Market Square or by calling the team on 01543 256611.
By Trevor Buckle
ne of the great things about Lichfield is that after only a five or ten minute walk from the city-centre, you can be in beautiful countryside. With canal towpaths, woodland walks and small, babbling rivers, it is a haven for my favourite bird - the Kingfisher. Over the last few years I have been able to follow and photograph this beautiful bird.
To watch it twist and turn as it makes its way down a canal or twisty river, just feet from the water, reminds me of an R.A.F. Tornado as it sweeps through the glens and mountains of Scotland. You hear it before you see it - a high-pitched monotone noteand if you are lucky you will see the flash of iridescent blue on its back, and the bright orange plume of its breast. What a wonderful sight!
The bird is a master of fishing, and can easily look into the clear waters beneath it from its perch. Quick as a flash it can be in and out of the water and back on its perch, with its quarry in its mouth, to devour it head first!
The mating ritual of this bird is a truly wonderful sight, but it is one I’m yet to see. The male (to prove his worth to the female) will catch fish and offer it to her, head first. If she accepts then he will continue feeding her until she thinks he can feed the family. The nest is often in a bank on the river.
To give yourself the best chance of seeing a Kingfisher, wear sensible, neutral coloured clothes, and walk those towpaths, river banks and ponds. Stop often to look around you and stay as quiet as possible. When you do eventually see a Kingfisher it is an amazing sight and one to remember for a long time.
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Lichfield Canal Makes Great Strides
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olunteers from BT, Amey, E.ON and Jaguar Land Rover have been helping Lichfield’s Canal Trust to make great strides in restoring a waterway that was abandoned in the 1950s. In recent months canal walls (creating a channel leading up to the M6 Toll aqueduct) have been taking shape and a great start has been made on the kilometre-long Summerhill section of the Heritage Towpath Trail from the Oddfellows in the Boat Inn to the M6 Toll aqueduct. Such has been the scale of progress that Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s Engineering Director Peter Buck is planning for the day when the wheelchairfriendly Towpath Trail will be open to the public from the Boat Inn on Walsall Road to Brownhills, and boat trips will run from the Boat to the aqueduct. The purchase of the Summerhills land was made possible by a Social Investment Business Community Award less than two years ago. Peter said: “Before we got this piece of land we never had access to the aqueduct. We’ve restored the canal culvert at Cranebrook incorporating an access road so we can actually get cranes and construction equipment up to the M6 Toll aqueduct so that we can build the guillotine lock, which will be one of the deepest, if not the deepest, in the country. The intention is to move our cabins early next year onto a hard-standing area by the aqueduct and that will be the construction area for the new lock and pumping station. The Trust’s own Green Team have been steadily laying the unkempt hawthorn hedge and interplanting native saplings along the kilometer-long Summerhills section. Meanwhile, the work of the Trust’s regular volunteers on the Tamworth Road site mean that the day when Pound 27 is in water is coming closer. The clay base is complete in the winding hole by the A38, thanks to the loan of a 13-tonne JCB from Chase Civil Engineering which was used to place and compact the puddling clay. The final stage before rewatering is the installation of a penstock - a gate valve which will allow the control of water through the weir at a rate acceptable to the Environment Agency and into the adjacent Darnford Brook. To find out about individual or corporate volunteering opportunities with Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, please visit the Trust’s website at www.lhcrt.org.uk/ volunteers.htm
Rugeley Fireplaces
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ugeley Fireplaces was founded in 1989, and is probably the longest trading Fireplace and Stove retailer in the area. Kath, a member of the Rugeley Fireplaces team has worked for the company for 27 years! Rugeley Fireplaces’ customers are assured the very best in customer service and installation. Not sure what fire you can have? Or if you can have a stove fitted? Someone will always be on hand to help. Staff and installers constantly renew training to keep abreast of new Solid Fuel/Gas regulations and best practice. They endeavour to quote not just for the goods, but installation too – instantly. Emma and Darren think customers should know all the costs before ordering, plus the team makes sure every order is surveyed to make sure your fire, stove and fireplace is suitable and safe to install (as quoted in store) before it is finally made and delivered. Rugeley Fireplaces' showroom displays cover the full range of fireplace design; from traditional, period, elegant and classic to stunningly modern designs with 'wow' factor. Rugeley Fireplaces showcase the latest technology in fires and stoves. From gas fires with ambient glow lighting without heat to the most efficient gas and wood fires in the world. Specialising in all aspects of the 'fireplace’, Rugeley Fireplaces stock Gas, Electric and Solid fuel fires plus stoves and fireplaces. They even design chimney flues and stock hundreds of spares to keep your gas fire, stove or open-fire in tip top condition. Fireplaces are often made to measure to suit the fire or stove or to accommodate a carpet 'cut out'. Emma and her team recognise not everyone is ready to change the whole fireplace at once or decorate the whole room. Upgrading the fire surround, for instance, can transform a living room with very little upheaval.
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Friary School Pupils Celebrate British Food Fortnight
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group of pupils from the Friary School donned Chef’s hats and aprons at The George Hotel in Bird Street on
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Thursday 29th September as part of the hotel’s support of British Food Fortnight. British Food Fortnight is an annual national celebration of British food and drink which aims to raise awareness of the diversity of delicious home-grown, locally sourced British food and drink. The 12 Friary School year 10 students spent the day with chefs at the Bird Street hotel preparing a British themed three course meal, which included poached haddock with bubble
and squeak cake and a lemon and dill sauce and bread and butter pudding and custard for dessert. They later served the meal to over 70 friends, family members and teachers in the hotel’s banqueting suite. Mark Santy, General Manager, commented: “Each year our chefs really enjoy helping the pupils from The Friary learn some basic cookery skills and raising their awareness of the fantastic produce that is right on our doorstep.”
J HOWELL & DAUGHTERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS LICHFIELD & ALREWAS
NOW LICHFIELD & ALREWAS’S ONLY FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS 24 hours a day
We are proud to be Lichfield's longest established family run funeral directors offering a wide range of choices to suit all requirements. Horse drawn, non religious ceremonies, floral tributes and memorials are but a few of the services we offer. Pre-paid funeral plans are also available.
For a truly personal service please call
01543 255776
Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS
01283 792923
36 Main Street, Alrewas, Burton Upon Trent. DE13 7AA
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y t i VIEW C
The Newsletter of Lichfield City Council - November 2016
Freedom of the City, DMS Whittington
Councillor David Smedley, Leader of the Council
Welcome to this issue of City View.
First of all I would like to thank everyone who came along to witness the procession through the City by military personnel from DMS Whittington on 28 September. The procession followed a special meeting of the City Council to confer the Freedom of the City, the highest honour the City Council can bestow. I was honoured to be heavily involved in the organisation of the day along with representatives from the DMS, the Police and our own efficient staff at the City Council. I firmly believe that the event will further strengthen the already strong bond between our City and DMS Whittington. It is now just a few weeks until our traditional Christmas lights switch on event on 27 November and I hope that you will join us for what has become an extremely popular event for all the family. Unfortunately we had to take the decision to cancel the 2015 event at the last minute due to high winds, we can only hope for better luck this year! There will once again be a programme of entertainment on the Market Square from 2:30pm until the switch on itself at 5pm. The entertainment includes local bands and the cast of the Garrick Theatre’s Christmas Pantomime production, Sleeping Beauty. There will also be a festive market and special events at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. My thanks as always go to the many individuals, groups and companies who support this event, both in its planning and on the day itself. This is the final edition of City View for 2016, so even though it is a little early I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Several hundred military personnel, accompanied by the Queens Division Band, Colour Party, Field Gun, armaments and local Cadets amongst others, Paraded through Lichfield City on Wednesday 28 September in recognition of Defence Medical Services (DMS) Whittington being awarded the Freedom of the City of Lichfield, the highest honour that the City can bestow. The parade was watched by a large crowd around the Market Square where the salute was taken. At a reception at the Guildhall following the event, Wing Commander Mike Harris, Commanding Officer DMS Whittington, thanked the ‘The Mayor of Lichfield, Councillor residents of Lichfield for their support Mrs Sheelagh James, presents and emphasised the strong, and the Freedom Scroll to Wing growing, bonds between DMS Commander Mike Harris, Commanding Officer DMS Whittington and the City of Lichfield. Whittington
Market Square Repaving
The repaving of the Market Square was completed in midOctober. The work has been carried out to a high standard and we have received many compliments from the public as the work has progressed. The repaving was carried out in sections over a period of several months to minimise disruption both to our regular markets and to hirers.
Parade approaches the Market Square
The final section of repaving gets underway, 12 October 2016
Christmas Lights Switch on Sunday 27 November
The ever popular Christmas Lights switch on event will once again include music on the Market Square provided by some of the best musicians in the area from 2.30pm up to the big switch-on at 5pm. The switch-on of the Christmas Lights has always been an exciting family event, and since the change to a Sunday the event was proven to be more popular than ever before. As well as our musicians and singers the Mayor of Lichfield, Councillor Mrs Sheelagh James, will be joined on stage by other civic guests, cast members from the Garrick Theatre’s Christmas Pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and two local children - the winners of the City Council’s Mercury newspaper competition - to help with the big switch-on. During the afternoon from 2:30pm till around 4:30pm the audience will be entertained by performances from the Emma Johnson Band and Johnny and the Speedos. The Christchurch School Choir will lead traditional Christmas Carols from 4.30pm followed by a special appearance by the Sleeping Beauty panto characters immediately before the countdown to the big switch-on at 5pm, and Santa might pay us a visit, too!
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CityVIEW
Coming soon at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
The Newsletter of Lichfield City Council
Winter at Johnson’s Birthplace
For more information about any event or to make a booking call 01543 264972, email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk or pop into the Museum Bookshop on the corner of the Market Square. Bookworms United! Fortnightly Saturdays, £4 Read, explore and enjoy popular titles in our fortnightly book and activity club for 7-10 year olds. New Bookworms always very welcome!
Birthplace Writers Group Second Saturday of the month, 2pm (please note there is no meeting in August) New for 2016 and facilitated by an experienced teacher, both beginners and current writers are welcome to this friendly adult group to nurture and fulfil their writing aspirations in an inspiring venue. Free Entry
Dates for your diary:
Sunday 13 November - Remembrance Sunday Friday 25 November
- Mayor & Sheriff’s Charity Dinner Dance
Sunday 27 November - Christmas Lights Switch on
Tuesday 6 December - Mayors Carols for Christmas Tuesday 28 February - Shrovetide Pancake Races Friday 3 March
-The Michael Fabricant & Simon Price, Schools Speaking Competition
For more information please contact Sarah Wallace on 01543 309854, or email sarah.wallace@lichfield.gov.uk
If you would like to keep up to date with more of the City Council’s activities, you can now follow the City Council on Twitter @lichfield_cc.
Markets in Lichfield
History Workshop: The Routes of Lichfield Saturday 5 November 2pm, £4 Friendly discussion and archive session giving a glimpse into the history of transport from paths to roads and rails
Samuel Johnson’s Christmas Light Night Sunday 27th November, 3.30pm – 6.00pm, free Warm-up with festive refreshments and activities before the Lichfield lights switch-on
The Johnson Family Christmas Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December 11am – 3.30pm, free Festive music, dance, displays, refreshments and activities for all ages in a Christmas party in beautiful historic surroundings
The Fountains: A Fairytale Sunday 11 December, £6, kids free Discover Johnson’s fairy tale, published 250 years ago, in an enchanting reading to appeal to all ages. Including refreshments. 36
The Lichfield General Markets and Farmers' Market offer a wide selection of goods and local produce from friendly, established and reliable market traders.
As well as the weekly General Markets on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, a Farmers' Market is held on the 1st Thursday of the month (except January).
The Market Square is also available for hire on a commercial or charitable basis on non-market days.
For more details or for any information or queries relating to Lichfield Markets please contact the City Council’s Markets Officers 01543 309853 or e-mail: markets@lichfield.gov.uk
CityVIEW
Weddings at the Guildhall
The Newsletter of Lichfield City Council
Image by Assassynation Located in Bore Street in the heart of the city, the Guildhall is a beautiful historic Grade II Listed Building, and is a magnificent setting for civil ceremonies, receptions and other celebrations. The main hall has oak panelling and a beamed roof giving a fine mediaeval appearance, and can accommodate up to 160 guests. The Guildroom, on the Ground floor, has paneled walls and timber ceiling and can seat up to 70 guests. A number of smaller rooms are also available to hire, and are ideal for conferences, seminars or small meetings. For more information or to enquire over availability please contact Helen Winter at Lichfield City Council. Tel: 01543 309850 or e-mail: helen.winter@lichfield.gov.uk A wedding brochure is also available either from the City Council offices at Donegal House or by downloading from our website www.lichfield.gov.uk
OUR WEBSITE: www.lichfield.gov.uk
Have you visited the City Council’s website? It offers a wealth of information about the work of the City Council; including details of all Council meetings and associated documents. In addition it contains useful information about the City, its history, festivals and major events, and its many unique customs and traditions.
The right Council…
Lichfield City Council is the ‘parish’ authority for the City and is the smallest of the three councils serving the City area. Within the City we deal with local matters such as the markets, maintenance of open spaces and churchyards, civic and mayoral events, the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum and public lettings of the Guildhall. Lichfield District Council (Tel: 01543 308000) is the larger local authority dealing with such matters as planning, environmental health, refuse collection, housing, car parking, arts and tourism, and leisure services. Staffordshire County Council (Tel: 0300 111 8000) is the responsible authority for wider services such as Education, Social Services and Highways.
Public Participation
City Council meetings are held in the Guildhall, Bore Street. Dates and times of meetings can be found on the notice-board outside the Guildhall, and on the City Council's website at www.lichfield.gov.uk Meetings are open to the public, with public participation sessions held at full Council and at the Planning Committee. Advance notice needs to be given to the Council of the subject matter of each question, and any person wishing to speak must contact the Council Offices at Donegal House, Bore Street (next to the Guildhall) before NOON on the day of the meeting. Thursday 15 December 2016 Thursday 12 January 2017 Tuesday 31 January 2017 Thursday 2 February 2017 Thursday 23 February 2017 Monday 6 March 2017 Thursday 16 March 2017
6.30pm 6.30pm 6.30pm 6.30pm 6.30pm 6.30pm 6.30pm
Planning Committee Planning Committee COUNCIL Planning Committee Planning Committee COUNCIL Planning Committee
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A Window on the Past
Postcards from the City - Part 2
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1. Bird Street Post Office 2. Bore Street, showing the Prince of Wales pub 3. The Cathedral from Minster Pool in the early 1900s 4. Friary Road and School in the early 1930s 5. Lesters Garage Ltd. Lesters was demolished in 1931 and the Regal Cinema was built on the land in 1932 6. Lichfield Girls are miles in front! 7. This novelty postcard (posted in 1907) has coloured paper over the windows that glow when held up to the light 8. The other side of postcard 7. 9. Market Street, showing Frisby's shoe
We had such a wonderful response to the ‘Postcards of Lichfield’ feature in the October issue, that we asked local history group ‘You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if…’ to look into their collection again, and bring us further views of our city. From shops now long gone to views that have changed very little, we hope you enjoy Postcards from the City - Part 2!
shop (posted in 1906) 10. HRH The Queen Mother on a visit to the cathedral in the 1940s 11. St Chads Well in the late 19th century 12. A gently saucy postcard from the early 1900s 13. Weston's Farm (posted in 1907)
For more memories, pictures and stories, visit the group’s Facebook page ‘You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if’ or go along to their next meeting on Tuesday 1st November, at 7pm at Lichfield Social Club, Purcell Avenue, WS13 6TS. For more information call the group on 01543416393 or 01543268842
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am Street is one of the most picturesque streets in Lichfield, linking the city centre from Market Square to Lichfield Cathedral. On Dam Street you’ll find a great range of businesses, including beauticians, antiques and curios retailers, cafes and the unique Dame Oliver’s. A walk along Dam Street is not only a great shopping experience, it’s a snap-shot of the history of our city. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it on Dam Street - home to The Little Curio Shop (antiques, vintage and retro, jewellery, curios and collectables), Quercus of Quonians Antiques (off Dam Street on Quonians Lane), Dame Oliver’s (unique and stylish accessories, hats, jewellery and clothing), Body Beautiful (luxury Day Spa and Beauty Salon), The Olde Nook café and tearooms and Keelys Solicitors.
Quercus of Quonians
Dame Oliver’s Living at 12
Keelys
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The Little Curio Shop
Dam Street
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Dam Street
Quercus of Quonians
Antiques & Collectables
Quality Antiques at Sensible Prices 2 Quonians, (off Dam Street) Lichfield WS13 7LB 07971 051042
Spot the robins and WIN £50! Keelys
The Little Curio Shop
Quercus of Quonians
Pizza By Goli
Living at 12
Fancy Winning £50 to spend in any of the retailers and businesses in our Picture of Dam Street and Picture of Tamworth Street features?
We’ve hidden ten little robins on the pages of both features.
Find all ten (there may be more than one on a page) and send us the numbers of the pages where they’re hiding and you’ll be entered into the prize draw.
Send your answers to Dam Street and Tamworth Street robin competition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS, or email josscitylife@gmail.com by the competition closing date of 25th November 2016.
Lee Garden
Mooch Kids
Dame Oliver’s
Titan Games
E&S
Paraphernalia
Frame Work
Lichfield Factory Specs
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amworth Street in Lichfield is home to some of the best-loved businesses in the city. A walk along Tamworth Street introduces you to a fantastic range of retailers offering great cuisine and a fascinating shopping experience. There are over 20 independent retailers and businesses on Tamworth Street including Lichfield Factory Specs (long established local opticians), Lee Garden
Cantonese Restaurant, Pizza by Goli (Italian restaurant), Framework (gallery and framers), Mooch Kids (children’s clothes, toys and accessories), Titan Games (games and games workshops), Paraphernalia (solid-wood furniture and home accessories) and E&S Jewellery (quality jewellery and jewellery repairs and design).
Mooch Kids
Paraphernalia
Lichfield Factory Specs
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Tamworth Street
Come and visit the AWARD WINNING
BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR • • • •
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Established over 20 years
Surrounded by 3 car parks. All free after 6.30pm
Superb menu with a vast choice selection. Experienced chefs from Hong Kong & Malaysia. Open 12 noon till late. Superb function room, seats up to 65.
Visit our website: www.leegardenrestaurants.co.uk 50 Tamworth Street, Lichfield WS13 6JJ Tel: 01543 418515/01543 254388
Tamworth Street
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Tamworth Street
Festive Treasure at Emporium
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mporium gallery on Bird Street is a great place to look for unique and inspirational Christmas ideas designed and created by artists countrywide. The Exhibition of Festive Treasure 2016 showcases an eclectic collection of wall art, ceramics, glassware, jewellery, sculpture, contemporary seasonal decorations and cards. Originality, quality and quirkiness are important factors in the selection of work from across the country found at Emporium. The number of pieces exhibited by each guest artist is limited, as the gallery aims to ensure gift choices that are extra special and guaranteed to delight. In keeping with the city’s Christmas theme this year, angels feature in a variety of forms including original oil paintings by Peter Walker, lavender filled textile figures, contemporary ceramic cherubs and knitted wire sculptures. Emporium has been established for four years and the gallery’s warm and friendly atmosphere ensures that all visitors feel welcome to browse. If you would like to receive Emporium’s monthly newsletter detailing new exhibitions, events and workshops at the gallery please email emporiumartgallery@gmail.com
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Please quote
Garrick Launches Community Choir
when responding to adverts
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The Lichfield Garrick’s brand new Community Choir met for the first time on 29th September.
ollowing on from the success of the theatre’s Community Musical, The Hired Man, the Lichfield Garrick has launched a new Community Choir led by musical director Angharad Sanders.
Meeting weekly, the choir will be covering music of all genres and is an opportunity for local people to sing and improve their vocal skills in a friendly and fun ensemble
Angharad has many years of experience working in theatre and with choirs and singers across the globe. Previous students include Pixie Lott, Layton Williams (Bad Education, Hairspray UK Tour) and Mimi Keene (Eastenders). She has also worked with the young casts of Billy Elliot: The Musical and Matilda on the West End and Broadway and Annie on Broadway. Angharad spent some time in the United States working with lead actors from TV and films, such as, Pitch Perfect and The Fault In Our Stars. She was a featured tutor on the hit CBBC TV show, School for Stars.
The Community Choir will meet every Thursday between 6pm and 7.30pm and is open to all ages and abilities. The choir costs £50 a term.
For more information and to book your place on the community choir, call the Box Office on 01543 412121.
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£400 raised for national assistance charities
Two national sensory charities have benefitted from the hard work of a Lichfield opticians after a successful fundraising day on Friday 7 October raised more than £400. Members of staff from the optical and hearing teams at Specsavers on Market Street put the focus on Guide Dogs UK and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, welcoming customers and passers-by and inviting them to meet volunteers from the charities along with their four-legged companions.
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tore director Praful Patel commented: “We’re delighted to have raised such a great amount for these charities, both of which are very close to our hearts. It was a fantastic opportunity to find out more about how they help people across the country, enjoy a delicious homemade treat from our cake sale and even meet some Guide Dog puppies in training. ‘I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to our event and helped us raise both funds and awareness for Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs. We’re extremely grateful to our local community for their generosity and support.” The Specsavers team held a raffle in the store during the day with a range of fantastic prizes donated by local Lichfield businesses, including an afternoon tea for two from The Lounge and McKenzie’s Restaurant, a spa treatment from Body Beautiful, a bunch of flowers provided by Flower Design of Lichfield and a two-course meal with wine kindly donated by Ego Mediterranean Restaurant. Money raised during this event will not only help to train future guide dogs and hearing dogs, but will also help educate new owners and provide them with all the essential items to look after their dog. Guide Dogs UK and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People provide essential aid and support to the blind or partially sighted and those affected by hearing loss across the UK, giving them freedom, mobility, emotional support and independence. To find out more, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/ and www.hearingdogs.org.uk/. For more information, please visit Specsavers at 43 Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LA, call 01543 417 517, or go to https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/lichfield.
The Palace Singers
The Palace Singers have announced the launch of their website: www.palacesingers.co.uk The Palace Singers choir was begun in 2007 by Peter Allwood, a Headmaster of Lichfield Cathedral School. At that time, most of the singers were staff and parents associated with the school, but over the years the choir has changed and become a community choir taking its membership from Lichfield and the surrounding areas.
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he continued connection with the school’s strong musical tradition is a great benefit. The choir supports school productions and also sings classical and contemporary pieces as part of concerts that often take place in the cathedral. The choir is preparing for a forthcoming concert ‘Sing for Joy’ which includes music as varied as the Beatles and Thomas Thallis. The concert is on Saturday 26th of November at Wade Street Church, Lichfield, and tickets are £7. The choir is ably led by Music Director, Mitchell Holland. Rehearsals are great fun as he strikes the perfect balance between good humour and firm guidance as he prepares the choir for this wide repertoire. The Palace Singers are a very friendly choir and if you would like to join there is no need to audition. The choir always welcomes new members. They are recruiting all voice parts, especially tenors, baritones and basses. They rehearse on Tuesdays from 7.30 till 9pm in the Cathedral School chapel. If you would like to know more email sing@palacesingers.co.uk or go to www.palacesingers.co.uk.
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Lichfield ivory collection totals £23,000
n important collection of antique ivory discovered in a Lichfield city-centre property has just sold for a record total of £23,000 at auction. The collection, amassed over many years, comprises over one hundred items of Oriental carvings all dating from the 18th to the early 20th century and consists of numerous netsukes, (small decorative toggles used in traditional Japanese dress), and okimonos, (the term used for ornamental figures). Adrian Rathbone, Lichfield resident and Head of Fine Arts at Hansons Auctioneers who were appointed to market and sell the collection on 7th October commented: “In all my years in handling antiques and collectables I have never seen so many antique ivories in one place. It was fascinating to observe the ingenuity and care the carvers put into their work. The detail was amazing and must have taken many hours to achieve. I am delighted that every Lot in the collection sold and it is a fitting tribute to it to achieve such a good result.” Collections such as this only turn up at auction every few years. In the run up to the auction there was an enormous amount of interest coming in from collectors and dealers around the word as images of every Lot were available online along with live interactive bidding. The trade in post 1947 ivory is of course illegal and rightly so. Hansons Auctioneers are currently inviting entries of antique ivory, porcelain, jewellery, watches, silver, paintings and works of art for inclusion in their forthcoming Christmas Fine Art Auction on 20th December. Entries close 17th November. Free valuations in aid of St Giles Hospice for all manner of jewellery, watches, antiques and collectables are held every Monday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Hedgehog Inn, Stafford Road Lichfield, WS13 8JB. Please phone 01283 733988 or email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk for further details.
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Lets Talk Colour
Have you been thinking about your hair colour but don’t really know where to start? Let the expert Colour Team at the Francesco Group salon in Lichfield guide you to a beautiful colour. We have a wide range of colour options available, whether you just want to enhance your natural tone and add some shine or fancy trying a bold new shade. ur Master Colour Expert (MCE), Sarah has over 15 years experience and is trained to the highest technical level and works closely with the rest of our talented Colour Team, including Lauren, our Senior Technician. The MCE accolade is awarded after completing an intensive three-year ‘colour degree’ with Wella Professionals. MCEs are renowned for their outstanding technical ability and creative skill, which means you really are in the best hands! Our Colour Team act as your very own image consultants; their skin tone analysis techniques look at your natural colouring, features and lifestyle to advise you not only on your perfect hair colour but complimentary clothing and make-up shades too! Our salon has an established and experienced team, who are on hand to create your perfect style – bespoke to you! Set within the Three Spires Shopping Centre, our salon is bright, modern and spacious. The Francesco Group experience is all about letting our experts create a gorgeous tailor-made style, whilst you sit back and relax. We offer in-depth consultations, complimentary refreshments, indulgent head massages, personalised recommendations for products and specialist tips about styling at home, at every appointment. So you will leave the salon not only looking great, but feeling great too! Please telephone 01543 416466 or call in at the salon to book your next appointment, we’d love to see you.
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LOCAL NEWS Coffee Mornings raise £625 for Macmillan
On Friday 30 September Lichfield District Council and Friary Grange and Burntwood leisure centres held Macmillan Coffee Mornings to raise money for the cancer charity. Lichfield District Council’s Building Control team baked an array of cakes and goodies, and ran a ‘Spot the Cake’ competition for council staff members, raising £256 for Macmillan Cancer Care. On the day, the Evolve Fitness team at Friary Grange Leisure Centre offered baked goodies to customers which raised £212, and Burntwood Leisure Centre also held a Coffee Morning and raised £160.
Chairman and guests visit Letocetum Roman site
Lichfield District Council’s Chairman, Cllr David Salter, hosted a civic visit to the Roman site in Wall on Wednesday 5th October. The group of 24 civics and their consorts included mayors and chairmen from across Staffordshire and the region. The outing started with a ‘welcome talk’ by Cllr John Crowe, Chairman of Wall Parish Council. Then, in smaller groups, the civics were led on a tour of the Roman settlement by archaeologist Dr Mike Hodder, followed by a visit to the museum. The trip was rounded off with afternoon tea in the village hall. During his year in office, Councillor Salter is keen to visit local community groups throughout the district to show his appreciation for the work they do for their local communities. If you run a community group based in Lichfield District and would like to arrange a
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visit from the Chairman to showcase the work you do, please contact Jackie Jones, Executive & Civic Support Officer at Lichfield District Council, by calling 01543 308003 or emailing jackie.jones@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Could you Adopt?
Families interested in adopting and making a difference to a child’s life are being encouraged to come forward in a new campaign by Staffordshire County Council’s Adoption Service. The Adoption Service wants people who might be interested in adopting to come forward and aims to find adoptive families for children of all ages but especially those over three years old, those with disabilities and sibling groups who continue to be the hardest to place. Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member responsible for Children's Services at Staffordshire County Council said: “If you have recently been thinking about creating, extending or even completing a family then maybe adoption is for you. “Our teams have been working hard to place children in loving homes and since April last year we have already placed 93 children. In this campaign we are particularly looking for adoptive families who would be willing to adopt older children, sibling groups or children with disabilities. These children tend to take longer to place with a family so I would urge people to get in touch.” Staffordshire’s Adoption Service offers an excellent package of support and training and people can find out more atwww.Staffordshire.gov.uk/adoption or by calling 0800 169 2061.
District sees 2nd biggest rise in job creation
Lichfield District Council is part of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (or GBSLEP), which covers a population of two million from North Worcestershire to East Staffordshire and includes Lichfield District. Latest figures reveal that the area has seen an extra 18,600 private sector jobs created between 2014 and 2015. Of all the member areas Lichfield District has seen the second largest boost with 4,100 extra jobs, which is an increase of 10 percent. Solihull topped the list with 6,700 jobs, an increase of 7 percent. Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield
District Council, commented: “These figures are really encouraging and show just how thriving Lichfield District is. Our research shows there’s been growth in the service industry as well as food and drink, construction and leisure, and some increases in agriculture. Our ambition is to create even more opportunities for businesses across the whole district to grow and expand.”
Call for budding Staffordshire poets
Undiscovered writers are being encouraged to bring out their inner bard and write a poem about where they live. The call comes as part of a new series of w o r k s h o p s organised by Staffordshire County Council’s Library Service being presented by S t a f f o r d s h i r e ’s Poet Laureate, Bert Flitcroft. Called ‘So this is where we live,’ the workshops will show people how much fun poetry can be and give people tips on creative writing and putting together their first poem. Bert commented: “Staffordshire is such a diverse county with a thousand years of history behind it and such beautiful countryside. But I feel that it has no resounding cultural identity. I want people to take part in this project and prove me wrong by showing what they love about their county and what it means to them. The workshops are creative writing workshops, not purely poetry, and the aim is to encourage anyone, experienced writers or not, to come along and have a go.” It is hoped that poems produced at the workshops will contribute to The Staffordshire Poetry Collection, a project to collect new poems written by local people. The collection will be framed and hung in the Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford and in libraries across the county. Bert, from Fradley, began his role as the county’s Poet Laureate in October 2015. A workshop will take place on November 23 at Lichfield Library from 2 till 4 pm.
Studio R & R Photography CLASSIFIED To Advertise please contact our classified team on
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Advertise your event in our what’s on guide for only £3 for up to 75 words max, please contact Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048 josscitylife@gmail.com. (Local Charities and advertisers may place what’s on listings free-of-charge). Your Citylife What’s On in November
Friday 4th November. Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society Talk Meetings held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield 8 pm: Faith and Society in Medieval France: Looking at Churches in the High Saintonge, talk by Dr John Hunt. Visitors welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments available from 7 30 pm. For more info call 01543 416144. Sunday 6th November. National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sale. 11am till 12:30pm. Entry: £1.50 (donation to NCT charity). Sale items include: maternity wears and goods, baby equipment, toys, books, games, puzzles, clothing and shoes for babies and children to the age of five. up nns.lichfieldandtamworth@nct.org. uk Thursday 17th November. South East Staffordshire Association of National
Trust Members Meeting and Talk. Meetings held at St Mary's in the Market Square, Lichfield at 7.30 pm. Footpads, Kings and Highwaymen, talk by Ian Morgan. Members £2, non-members £4. For more info call 01543 416144.
Friday 18th November. Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society Talk Meetings held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield 8 pm: Staffordshire Salt Industry, talk by Dr John Wilcock. Visitors welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments available from 7 30 pm. For more info call 01543 416144.
Tuesday 22 November . Lichfield Civic Society Meeting and Talk At 7.45. Talk entitled Every Object Tells A Story: Artefacts from Lichfield Museum. Speaker: Peter Griffiths The meeting will take place in The Lichfield Room, Wade St Church Community Hall, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6HS.
New £10m Fund Target For Staffordshire
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team of Staffordshire community fund and grant managers, which has distributed over £4.9m to local voluntary groups and charities since 2009 and administers the We Love Lichfield Fund has announced it wants to double its £5m fund holding to £10m by 2020 and help even more people across the county. The Community Foundation For Staffordshire launched ’10 for 20’ at a prestigious event at St George’s Park near Burton Upon Trent with guests including leading businesses, charities and representatives of the voluntary sector, all in the presence of their president, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Ian Dudson, CBE CStJ. The Community Foundation manages local funds worth £5m and distributes to various local charities and voluntary groups across the county. It aims to double this amount to £10m by 2020 and increase the £4.9m distributed across the county since 2010. Across the Staffordshire area the Community Foundation has provided £4,911,016 worth of grants and funding to various organisations connecting with over 647,000 people. As well as helping to administer the We Love Lichfield Fund, which has distributed over £50,000 to over 100
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Admission is free to members. Nonmembers are always welcome - £3 at the door.
Tuesday 22nd and Tuesday 29th November. Christmas Flower Arranging Demonstrations At The George Hotel, Bird Street, Lichfield T: 01543 414822 See some stunning ideas for decorating your home this Christmas. £23 per person, includes coffee on arrival and a 3 course carvery lunch. Friday 25th November, 4pm to 6pm, Christmas Fayre at Rocklands School, Purcell Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 7PH. It will be great fun with Santa's Grotto, Christmas themed stalls, tombola, raffle, food, plus lots, lots more. All welcome. Raising funds for Rocklands Special Primary School Association. Come along and support us. For further information please email: clairejennings@rocklands.staffs.sch.uk.
different organisations, the Community Foundation has provided £324,515 worth of grants and funding to various organisations connecting with over 78,000 people. One example is CHADS, (Conservation, Horticulture, Agriculture for the Disabled Society), who used a grant of £400 to buy new equipment. The Community Foundation For Staffordshire is a team of professional local community fund and grant managers. Nonprofit making, they can advise, create and administer funds for philanthropists, business, central Government and local authorities who want to leave a lasting local legacy. Community Foundation For Staffordshire Chairperson Roger Lewis said: “We have had an amazing couple of years with new staff and trustees, new offices and growth in the number
Sunday November 27th. Nearly New Baby & Kid Sale. 2.30-4.30pm at Boley Park Community hall, Ryknild Street, Lichfield, WS14 9XU. www.mommasandshoppers.co.uk. Superb, quality, pre-loved baby equipment, prams, toys, books, clothes up to the age of 10 years being sold. Amazing bargains for Christmas for a fraction of the high street costs. Admission £1.50. Kids Free.
Tuesday 29th November. Lichfield Branch Arthritis Care Meeting Are you living with Arthritis? If so, why not come along to the monthly meetings of the Lichfield Branch of Arthritis Care? We meet at The Community Room in the new Lichfield Fire Station on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except August & December) from 7pm to 9pm, and offer support, signposting and social activities. Transport is provided for a small contribution. For further information please contact 01543 263347 or 255698."
of funds we manage. This announcement to target £10m by 2020 is the culmination of a lot of hard work and is the next step in the organisations journey to increase the positive impact we can make to more people across Staffordshire.” We Love Lichfield Patron Simon price commented: “Without the Community Foundation We Love Lichfield wouldn’t be where it is now. Because they administer the funds and take care of the legal side of things, we can concentrate on fund-raising and giving away money to worthy good causes. This has made a huge difference in how successful we have been.” For more information on the Community Foundation For Staffordshire visit www.staffsfoundation.org.uk or call 01785 339540.
Julian Fisher, Chris Spruce, HM Lord Lieutenant Ian Dudson, Simon Price and Gary Beardmore.