Let the festivities begin
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Welcome to CITYLIFE
Welcome to CITYLIFE in Rugeley & Cannock Chase, a monthly magazine bringing you our pick of the area’s news, events and stories. Each month CITYLIFE in Rugeley & Cannock Chase is delivered to 11,000 businesses and homes in Rugeley, Cannock Chase, Ravenhill, Etchinghill, Slitting Mill, Armitage, Handsacre, Colton, Hill Ridware and Hamstall Ridware, completely free of charge; bringing you the best that the area 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 region? We want to hear from you!
CITYLIFE Contacts
Editor - Kristen Lackajis 07885 380632 kristencitylife@gmail.com Features - Jono Oates 07785 757201 jonocitylife@gmail.com Advertising -
Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com Production - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com
Inside...
6 The Christmases of Cannock's Past Jono Oates looks back on the area's festive history
............................. 14 A Window on the Past Trent Valley takes the limelight this month
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18 Oh Christmas Tree! Tips from Cannock Forest Centre on choosing the perfect tree
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26 Perfect Presents for Her Gifts for the ladies from local retailers
............................. 28 Rugeley & Cannock Remember The area's Remembrance Day activities in pictures
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 Citylife in Lichfield Ltd does not endorse any business or organisation appearing in these pages, and the publication of any advertisement, editorial, event listing or advertising editorial does not constitute an endorsement by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd.
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November Winners
Congratulations to the following winners of our November competition. Each winner receives a pair of tickets to the Festive Gift Fair at the NEC: D Clews, J Coy, K Scott, L Ryley, J Allan, E Bratley and J Littlewood. Well done!
Cannock & District Ladies’ Probus
....................... By Jill Gooch
“Somewhere over the Rainbow” was certainly reached by the ladies and friends at the Annual Lunch, courtesy of singers Lucy and Robert Fellows. Robert was top of the bill with his mellow, rounded tenor voice, along with his Chairman Margaret Thompson (left) daughter, Lucy, created an with entertainers Robert and emotional atmosphere. Lucy Fellows. The luncheon, held at The Chase Golf Club, was attended by 123 people, including club members and representatives of Hednesford Men’s Probus; Cannock Chase Men; Cannock Chase Ladies’ Probus and Cannock and District Men’s Probus. Special thanks were conveyed to the organisers, in particular Barbara Bowman, who has completed this task for the last nine years. Meetings for Cannock & District Ladies’ Probus are held on the first Thursday of each month at The Chase Golf and Country Club where they share a meal, and usually have a speaker. Guests are welcome if they book in advance. For further information contact the Membership Secretary on 01889 882166 or visit www.probusonline.org.
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The Christmases of Cannock’s Past
Image of the old Post Office and New Hall courtesy of The Museum of Cannock Chase. Photographer A.D. Orton Snr.
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s we approach the season of goodwill our feature writer, Jono Oates, looks at the festivities of Cannock’s past, from the 17th century to more recent times. Christmas has, for many centuries, been a time of giving rather than receiving and, in days gone by local charities and benefactors often gave money, or provisions, to the poor and needy. In 1623, during the reign of King James I, John and William Willson stated that 10 shillings a year should be paid out by the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor to the ‘ten poorest people in the township of Cannock’ on Christmas Day. The Willson Charity also handed out dole money to the poor on New Year’s Day. In 1868 a gas-lit Christmas Tree was exhibited in the former Public Rooms in Cannock for two days to raise money for the building of the original St Peter’s Church in Hednesford. The pine needles may already have fallen from the tree though, as it was not displayed until 28th January 1868.
During the height of the First World War, in December 1916, the Cannock Workhouse on the Wolverhampton Road held a Christmas Day celebration. Unfortunately, due to the war, there were no festive decorations but the Master and Matron of the workhouse, Mr and Mrs A. Spire, treated the 320 inmates to a Christmas dinner of roast beef, vegetables and plum pudding with ale and mineral water to wash it all down. Male inmates received a twist of tobacco while the female inmates received tea and sugar. In the evening they enjoyed a selection of carols and festive songs from the St Luke’s Parish Church choir, led by the Reverend L.J. Price and his wife. In 1930 an audience of over 300 filled the Cannock New Hall where they listened to readings from Charles Dickens’ classic ‘Christmas Carol’, performed by the St Luke’s Sunday School Club. Christmas Day 1936 fell on a Saturday and, with everyone spending the weekend at home, there was a huge demand for coal to light the family home fires. So, the coal miners from the local collieries were straight back to work on the following Monday morning, giving them the shortest Christmas break for many years.
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At the outbreak of the Second World War, in December 1939, the staff at the Cannock Urban District Council at High Green used their annual Christmas office party to raise funds for office staff who were serving with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. One hundred staff members enjoyed games, dancing and competitions. On December 27th 1967 revellers could have danced the night away at The Hollies Country Club on Hollies Avenue from 8pm to 1am which starred the ‘fabulous Joan Turner’. The cost of the nights’ entertainment, including a three-course dinner, was just 70 shillings - £3.50 in today’s money. Christmas trees have been an essential part of the festive celebrations since Victorian times and in December 1988 record sales of Christmas trees from Cannock Chase were reported. Approximately 15,000 trees had been sold by the Forestry Commission and Forest Management Officer, Bill Tyler, said that people were abandoning artificial trees to go back to traditional trees. Three times as many pine trees had been sold compared to the traditional spruce as it was better at retaining its needles. The demand was so great that emergency tree supplies had to be airlifted in from a remote part of the Scottish Highlands to cope with the orders. Christmas, over the centuries, has always been a time of goodwill, generosity and community spirit and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a very happy and peaceful Christmas 2019. Sources: The British Newspaper Archive; www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk; www.workhouses.org.uk/cannock
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Cannock Soroptimists
Sell Out for Jordan Adams!
.............................. ................................ By Janis Lomas
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ocal singer, Jordan Adams, along ver 60 members and guests with X-Factor’s Charlotte Bird, joined President Trish at the performed to a sell-out audience at Barns on Tuesday 15th October Rugeley’s Rose Theatre on Sunday for an evening filled with laughter 3rd November. and song. International Evening The show, entitled Songs from the had a different flavour this year as Stage & Screen, saw the duo Trish decided the country she performing powerful hits from West wanted to celebrate was the End wonders country where she was born – such as Les the Black Country! Miserables, President Trish Smith with Dandy After a superb meal of Phantom of traditional fare we were treated to the Opera a great evening of entertainment by the brilliant duo of Black Country and Wicked, entertainers, Dandy, who gave us their polished combination of jokes as well as and songs that everyone in the room could join in and sing. from films Thanks to the generosity of everyone there, the raffle raised £209 such as which will be sent to Soroptimist International’s Emergency Fund, Bohemian enabling SI to send money to disaster areas as soon as it is needed. Information about Cannock Soroptimists can be found at Rhapsody, Mamma Mia and The Greatest Showman. For more information on Jordan Adams' www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district or on Facebook at forthcoming shows and events, visit www.jordanadams.live. www.facebook.com/SICannock. New members are welcome. Please contact Membership Office, June Bould, on 01543 876209.
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The Wizard of Oz Prince of Wales Theatre ..................................
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he Ballet Theatre UK provided a superb take on the original classic American novel by Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz, on 24th October at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock. The show was separated into two acts. The first showed a young spirited Dorothy living in her home town of Kansas and finding her way into the mystical land of Oz. Dorothy, played by Lizzie Brooks, was the stand-out performer of the show with her memorising moves and fantastic portrayal of the character. On her journey, Dorothy meets the charming Scarecrow (played by Ewan Hambleton), the Lion (Jacob Hornsey) and the Tinman (played Rhys Thomas). Dorothy and her band of followers meet the Queen of Oz and, later, are introduced to the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Esther Cameron. The second half begins with Dorothy reaching the Emerald City. Having being capture by the Witch, Dorothy attempts to kill her and retrieve her red slippers. Her friends try their best to help but are also captured by the Witch’s guards. At this very point, one of the distinct features of the show is the quality of the dancing performance proceeding to the finale. The final conclusion of the show was the stunning final dance by all parties. The Wizard gives the Scarecrow a diploma, the Lion a medal and Tinman a ticking heart shaped watch to represent the attributes that they all already have within them. A sheer delight to watch! To find out about upcoming events and performances at the Prince of Wales Theatre, visit www.princeofwales.live.
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Advertising Feature
Big Benefits, Local Values
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Giving Something Back
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By Rugeley Welfare for Dogs
ugeley Welfare for Dogs relies on charitable donations from supporters and dog lovers alike to continue to help dogs like Cassie, who was handed over to the charity by her owners last year. Subsequently, Tony contacted Rugeley Welfare for Dogs as he was looking to re-home a dog and Cassie seemed to be the perfect choice for him as they both did not have the best of health and Cassie was a lowmaintenance dog - more than happy with a short stroll around the block and a mooch around the garden. She went to live with Tony in September 2018 until he was taken ill, when she moved in with his stepdaughter, Amanda, and her two children, who all adored her. Rugeley Welfare for Dogs helped Amanda with vets bills and food donations from fundraising Cassie was well loved events and Amanda, in turn, held a fundraising day at her home, which raised £164.80 for the charity. Sadly, Cassie has since passed away, but she was able to enjoy her last 12 months in a loving, caring environment and Amanda’s fundraising efforts mean that more dogs like Cassie can be given the chance of happiness. Rugeley Welfare for Dogs would like to thank all their supporters in 2019 for their time, help and kind donations. If you can offer a home to a dog in need, please call Ruth on 07900 090993 or Pauline on 07971 817877, or find RugeleyDogsWelfare on Facebook. Please note a donation and home visit are required.
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LOCAL NEWS
Local Club Funds Defib
Rugeley Rifle Club has unveiled a public access defibrillator on the front of its clubhouse, purchased through its fundraising efforts and in partnership with the Rugeley & District First Responders. The Club has been in existence since 1879, starting life as Rugeley Rangers Volunteer Militia, and has grown to become regarded as one of the best rifle clubs in the UK (by National Smallbore Rifle Association). The defibrillator was unveiled by the Club’s honorary vice president, Amanda Milling (pictured, with club members). For more information, contact Martyn (Chairman) on 07951 150771. .......................................................................................
runs until Tuesday 17th December at the Museum of Cannock Chase and highlights the landscapes, flora and fauna of Staffordshire. More than 80 pieces of art were submitted for consideration, with pieces chosen including paintings, drawings, photography, textiles and 3D works. The exhibition is open Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm and people are encouraged to vote for their favourite piece of artwork which will be awarded the “People’s Choice” award. A number of the artworks are also available to purchase. To find out more visit www.staffswildlife.org.uk/wild-about-staffordshire. .......................................................................................
Rose & Shamrock Group
Vintage Machinery Open Day
Tuppenhurst Farm will be holding a Vintage Machinery Open Day at the museum in its grounds on 30th November to showcase its remarkable collection of historic engines, which includes the Crossley 3 type, one of only three in the world! Guests are welcome to pop along and see the engines in action from 10am-3pm. There is no entry fee, however donations for the British Heart Foundation will be gladly welcomed. Find Tuppenhurst Farm at Armitage, Rugeley, WS15 4HJ or call 07932 266515 for further information.
Exhibition Highlights Local Wildlife
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Charles Hanson with Minna Andrews, Ann Stewart and Margaret Marriott.
A meeting of the Rose & Shamrock Group, hosted by Rugeley WI, met at St Joseph’s Community Hall on Wednesday 23rd October. The guest speaker for the evening was Charles Hanson from Hanson Auctioneers who kept members amused with his stories about antiques and valuations, as well as his time with ‘Bargain Hunt’ and ‘Antiques Road Trip’. Charles’ interest in antiques started at an early age when he was given a metal detector by his parents and found a silver shilling dated 1631. Charles judged a competition for the best antique which was won by Armitage WI with their submission of a handmade pair of late Victorian brass boots. Charles also auctioned tickets for a ‘Behind the scenes look at Bargain Hunt’ which made £60 for charity. Rugeley WI meets every last Wednesday in the month at St. Paul’s Community Hall at 7:30pm. For information contact Ann on 01889 570875 or Barbara on 01889 804889. .......................................................................................
An art exhibition designed to celebrate Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s 50th Anniversary has opened its doors. The ‘Wild About Staffordshire’ exhibition
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The Ridwares WI
The October meeting of The Ridwares WI welcomed Roger Thompson, Project Trustee of the Elford Walled Garden Restoration Project. Roger talked about how the project emerged in 2007 and is run entirely by volunteers, using
donations. November’s meeting saw the members enjoy a fascinating and informative evening at Richard Winterton Auctioneers in Fradley where Richard and his family made everyone feel very welcome and provided more than enough food for thought! The next meeting of The Ridwares WI is on Tuesday 19th November in the village church. New members are welcome to come along. Call 01543 492136 for details. .......................................................................................
Local Pupils Gain National Acclaim
Jessica Monschke, left, and Kiera Bradley, right.
Two Rugeley Sixth Formers have won high praise in a prestigious national design competition which focused on helping the community. The Hart School students, Kiera Bradley (18) and Jessica Monschke (17), chose to focus on young people’s mental health for their design submission to the contest set by the London College of Communication. The talented pair came a close second out of scores of entries from across Britain and won praise from judges for their “innovative and original idea” after devising a game that would allow children and parents to come together and talk openly about their mental health in a comical and honest way. To find more out about Hart School visit www.hartschool.org.uk or call 01889 802440.
Win a Pie & Pud Night for Two in January
PumpkinFest has now finished, but the team at Manor Farm Fruits were overwhelmed with the number of visitors this year and the wonderful feedback received. Customers return year after year for this popular event and Manor Farm Fruits would like to thank everyone for their support. In November the winter days are in full swing and the festive season will soon be upon us - tinsel, fairy lights and festive treats is the name of the game! The Strawberry Cabin Crew will only have one thing on their minds, a delicious Christmas Menu - a favourite with customers old and new. The Christmas Menu will be available throughout December and the Cabin will also be available for private events during the evenings. The Events Team
can plan any event, so whether it’s a lunch with friends or an office outing with sparkle, The Strawberry Cabin can cater for you. The calendar for 2020 is also open and bookings are being taken. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page at @manorfarmfruits or www.strawberrycabin.co.uk for more information and to see the menus. The Strawberry Cabin, Manor Farm Fruits,Watling Street, Hints,Tamworth, B78 3DF. Tel: 01543 483680.
We’ve got a table for two at Pie & Pud Night on 25th Jan 2020 to giveaway, courtesy of The Strawberry Cabin. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question:
Where is the Strawberry Cabin located? A. Rugeley B. Hints C. Lichfield
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to Pie & Pud Competition at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by the closing date of 1st December 2019. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. No cash equivalent. Entrants must be 18 or over. All entrants’ information is processed in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations and our Privacy Policy (available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk). Please note, this competition is also running in our sister publication – there is one prize to be won only. Full t&cs on page 34.
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A Window on the Past
Trent Valley
This month, The Landor (local history) Society explores the history of Trent Valley and its surrounds. Although the hamlet of Trent Valley is considered to be part of Rugeley it is actually in Colton Parish, with the River Trent forming the boundary between the two parishes. The hamlet grew with the coming of the railway in 1847, though there had been a mill on the Colton side of the Trent since mediaeval times. 1. A general view of the River Trent, probably taken from the quarry. 2. The ‘Five Arches’ which carry the Cannock Mineral Line over the Trent (looking towards Rugeley). 3. Floods in August 1987 on the Rugeley side of the Trent... 4. … and under the railway bridge.
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5. Employees of the Derby Oxide and Colour Company, Colton Mill, in 1926. 6. Station House, from the station approach, in 1953. This was built circa 1912 when the whole station was rebuilt. 7. The rear of Fog Cottages, Colton Road, built at the same time for railway employees. 8. The Yorkshireman, December 1990. This building first appears in directories in 1864 as The Railway Inn. Later it became The Railway Hotel, then in the 1960s it was Wilf and Rosa's Tavern.
The Landor (local history) Society is a focus for those who wish to learn more about the history of Rugeley and its surrounding parishes. It was founded in 1953 and was named in honour of Walter Noble Landor, local and county historian, who became the Society’s first President. More information is available at www.landorlocalhistorysociety-rugeley.btck.co.uk
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Memories of Lea Hall Colliery
......................... Tracy Durrant
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racy and Neil Durrant provide funeral services for Rugeley and surrounding areas and supply a special rate of 5% off their usual fees for ex-miners and their spouses or partners. This is partly because Tracy has a family connection to the mining industry as her late father, Edgar Armett, worked for many years at Edgar J Armett, photo courtesy the Lea Hall Colliery, of Tracy Durrant starting in May 1954 and finishing in July 1984. The colliery started producing coal in 1960 and finally closed in 1991, at its peak it produced 1,000,000 tonnes of coal annually. Her father was initially a maintenance fitter and then a chargehand shaftsman in the colliery, so would have inspected the shafts to make sure that they were safe as the miners were entering, and exiting, the mine. She recalls that her dad did not talk very much about his work and that when he came back home he always looked clean and tidy, even though he had just spent the whole day working with coal. Edgar and his wife lived on Steenwood Lane in Admaston and he completed his National Service in Egypt, aged just 21. Tracy has a number of mementos of her father, including a National Coal Board certificate for 30 years’ loyal service, a scale reproduction of a protector lamp and a miners’ pay chip. She also arranged for a memorial stone, dedicated to her father, to be put in place at the memorial wall at the Lea Hall M i n e r s We l f a r e Centre on Sandy Lane.
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Oh Christmas Tree!
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orestry England at Cannock Chase Forest is turning choosing a tree into an unforgettable day out. Find the right tree for your home and family with their expert advice. Christmas begins the moment you pick up your tree. And at Cannock Chase Forest, choosing your tree becomes an extra special festive tradition, with woodland rambles, Christmas trails, delicious treats, and even a visit to Santa. It’s also a great place to find specialist advice. Not every tree will suit every family, and Forestry England’s knowledgeable Tree Team can recommend the right tree for the right home, as well as offering detailed care tips so that you can make the most of your tree right through to Boxing Day (and beyond!). Once you’ve found your favourite, the Tree Team will cut the tree stump to ensure it lasts as long as possible and carry your tree to the car - leaving you to carry on making special memories with your family. Traditional Nostalgia - Norway Spruce Looking for a storybook Christmas tree? Go for a Norway Spruce. This traditional tree is classically shaped with an abundance of branches, which means plenty of spots for all those sparkly baubles you can’t bear to leave in the box. • Wonderful, Christmassy scent. You’ll want to bottle it! • Sharp and spiky to touch, so be careful with little hands hanging decorations. • Loses needles slightly quicker, so is best bought fresh close to Christmas. • Keep away from heat and water regularly. Standout Sparkle For those searching for a statement tree, we always recommend the Lodgepole Pine. Lush and bushy, it’s perfect for big rooms with high ceilings and lots of space. When choosing, look closely - you might find one with pine cones clinging to the branches. Nature’s already done a little decorating for you! • Big personality, so be daring with your decorations.This tree will pull anything off! • Lusciously long, yellowy green needles and a full, bushy appearance. • Fresh pine scent. • Distinctive branches that point upwards. • Holds onto needles for a long time - great if you like to start Christmas early! Family-Friendly Simplicity A true crowd-pleaser. The Nordmann Fir is the most popular Christmas tree in Europe, and it’s no surprise - it’s non-allergenic, soft, and gorgeously green. It also holds onto its needles for much longer than some other varieties. • Good for allergies as needles have a thick, waxy coating. • Soft foliage and an even shape - a joy to decorate. • Glossy, dark green needles with an almost light blue underside. • Strong branches are ideal for hanging heavier decorations. • Long-lasting, requiring little maintenance.
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Musings of Teen Life By Cyril Cooper of The Landor
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or some reason I was not Youth Club material. I know not why as I am normally outgoing. I did not however find time heavy on my hands as there always seemed something to occupy my attention. I had a bike so the local villages became part of my patch and provided me with the opportunity to meet people away from school. I also engaged in scouting and camping, plus a little training as I had become interested in boxing. A policeman from Stafford ran a gym club in the school gym (at what became Aelfgar) once a week. Most of the attendees were in their late teens so I stuck out a little as I was still at school. There were a number of very good gymnasts and I was always in awe of the way they vaulted, flipped and somersaulted. I was also a member of the local Army Cadet Corps and, if my memory is correct, we were the Cadet Company of the 6th Batt North Staffs TA. Parades were held in the Drill Hall and we tried hard Taylor's Lane Secondary Modern School (later Aelfgar School)
to be proper soldiers. We practiced foot and arms drill and had the use of a 25-yard indoor shooting range where we shot with Remington 0.22s or sleeved Lee Enfields. Cannock Chase, near Park House, provided the venue for map reading, Drill Hall, Rugeley field craft and battle tactics. The ACC had a proficiency examination in two parts and it was the aim of each cadet to get a pass in Part 1 and Part 2. When many of us joined the services in later life, we found that Drill Instructors were very pleased to find they had recruits who had YMCA, Lower Brook Street these qualifications. After parades we would march up Lower Brook Street to the YMCA canteen, which was somewhere above what is now Costa Coffee, and ordered our ‘char and wad’ like seasoned squaddies. The company held an annual training camp, usually in North Wales, and there were also weekend training camps in the grounds of Trentham Gardens, located somewhere beyond the open-air swimming pool, which was great for a spot of R&R (rest and recuperation).
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The Ultimate Vegan Vampire Experience! DINING REVIEW
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great time was had by ghouls, ghosts and monsters alike at the Ultimate Vegan Café’s Halloween Event, held on Thursday 31st October. With all staff dressed up in amazing costumes, and the café decorated in a spooktacular fashion, the atmosphere was simply electric and the café was full with both regular customers and newcomers to the vegan eatery, based in City Arcade, Lichfield. Citylife witches sampled a devilishly delicious menu which included treacherous treats such as the Moving Mountains Burger, complete with ‘blood curdling’ red relish and ‘tragic tomatoes’, as well as the café’s signature fries. There was also a stack of Ludicrous Nachos with salsa, guacamole, and ‘phantom’ facon (fake bacon), along with ‘curdled’ cheese and ‘chillblain’ chilli! Both of these were a taste sensation to truly whet the appetite, and the perfect treat to satisfy even the most horrific of hungers! To find out about forthcoming events, visit Ultimate Vegan Café on Facebook, or pop in and sample the menu for yourself.
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Advertising Feature
“So Slow!” Is it your Computer or your Internet Connection? By Neil Fletcher
“Why is this computer running so slow?” It’s a common complaint. The question is whether it’s your computer or your internet connection. You may feel your computer is moving at a snail’s pace, but it used to be cheetah-fast! You’re going to want to identify and address the issue to get back up to speed. Yet it’s hard to know whether to blame your computer or the internet, especially now that so many computer applications rely on internet connectivity. So, how do you determine whether it’s your computer or connectivity that’s the problem? If you are having the problem only on one device in a network, you can guess it’s the computer not the connectivity. Otherwise, think about when you are having slow woes. If you notice programs are taking longer to load up, your computer may not be up to the task. Running large applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, or some accounting packages can cause slowdowns. The hardware may be overwhelmed. You may not have enough available storage space. Sometimes your computer’s parts are simply too old and not fast enough. Even a new computer could be the problem if it’s an
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inexpensive one. Or perhaps you didn’t get enough random access memory (RAM). Your computer needs RAM to run applications or games; it’s the short-term memory of the computer. This is where the computer loads all the things it thinks it might need soon so that it can process them quickly. Without enough available RAM, the computer has to work harder (and slower) to get the results you want. No wonder common advice for people dealing with slow computers is to invest in more RAM. If your device is less than five years old, you can often upgrade the RAM inexpensively, or switch to a solid-state drive (SSD). An SSD reads and writes differently than a traditional hard drive, which allows it to access information faster. Meanwhile, buying a replacement computer may be the answer if your device is more than five years old. Then Again, Maybe It’s the Internet Connection On the other hand, you might notice computer slowness when online. Web pages might be slow to load, or you might be waiting ages to access YouTube videos. If the lag is happening on only one website, it could be that site’s problem. Otherwise, internet slowness could be a provider problem. Or you might have a poor connection. One way to confirm a connection issue is to check your internet speed. A site such as fast.com or speedtest.net can measure your speed, then you can
compare it against the connection speed you’re paying for. Don’t know that? Check your service bill. You may have a slow internet speed plan. Maybe you haven’t changed it in years but have added many more devices. In that case, you’ll want to call your service provider about an upgrade … or confiscate the kid’s devices when you want to stream a favorite show. When testing, you are looking for a speed of at least 10 Mbps. Anything below that, and you’ll start seeing slowdowns and start hearing the complaints from all corners of the house. To put that in perspective, Netflix needs at least 5mbps to stream in HD. Other Tidbits to Tackle Slowness You might also try rebooting your computer or your modem and router. If you leave these running all the time, never actually turning them off, they can get stuck in a slow rut. If you’re on Wi-Fi, that could also be the root of your problem. Maybe you’re on a network with too many users making demands. For instance, if everyone in your family is streaming on their devices, expect a slowdown. You might be in a signal dead zone. In that case, you could look into a Wi-Fi mesh network. Ultimately, there are many reasons for a slow computer or internet connection. Don’t get stuck with a tortoise of technology. A managed services provider can find the root cause and get you running faster. Contact us today at 01889 579990.
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Unexpected Treasures!
‘For A Better Life VI – Red’ by Fabian Perez fetched £4,000.
A signed print of ‘Peel Park, Salford’ by LS Lowry sold for £3,200.
By David Fergus, Decorative Arts Valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers
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drenaline pumping, you open the wrapping and a treasure you never expected presents itself. It’s a festive scene soon to be played out all over the world but at The Lichfield Auction Centre surprise finds ensure Christmas comes rather more regularly than once a year! It is rather like Christmas morning when a client brings in something for a valuation and discovers they’re sitting on a fortune. Who knows what wonderful artistic treasure is innocently hanging on walls across the Midlands – or languishing in lofts? Some people may inherit a piece of art, the signature is indecipherable and they have no idea what it is. But remember, your gran and granddad were once hip and trendy! The art they might have collected could turn out to be something really special and these treasures are still out there waiting to be discovered! I shan’t forget a phenomenal collection of modern art which had been stored in a Burntwood lock-up for 12 years. Amongst it was an abstract oil painting titled ‘Artist and Curtain’ by Roy Oxlade (British 1929-2014). Taking it to sale, this was only the third time this particular piece had appeared at auction and there was a fierce bidding battle to a £9,000 hammer price. It’s the best-ever for Roy Oxlade by some distance – the previous highest price for an Oxlade was £2,000 in 2007. So, from a lock-up in Burntwood to achieving a world record price! Funnily enough, the client previously achieved a record price of £3,200 for a 1963 abstract, ‘Guyana X’ by Aubrey Williams (Guyanese 19261990) from the same collection in another of our
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‘Guyana X’ by Aubrey Williams sold for £3,200.
‘Artist and Curtain’ by Roy Oxlade made £9,000.
Fine Art sales. Other more leftfield originals sold recently include two abstract oils on canvas by Mali Morris, a British artist born in 1945, fetching £2,200 and £1,700. Changing tack but staying modern, six paintings by the popular contemporary Argentinian artist Fabian Perez fetched £18,400 earlier this year. In terms of prints, a perennial favourite at auction is LS Lowry. His art has never been more popular; at auction his oil paintings now regularly make several million pounds – increasing the price of limited edition signed prints. One such lithograph of ‘Peel Park, Salford’ from 1975 was a perfect example of the artist’s trademark industrial scenes and matchstick people and it sold for £3,200. In fact, some say the Lowry market is at a possible peak – so if you have a print you’re considering selling, now could be a canny time to do so. Other artists in terms of prints to look out for include Patrick Caulfield, Patrick Heron (we have a print of his up for auction this December), Eileen Cooper and Sir Terry Frost. Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers free valuations every Tuesday between 9.30am-4pm at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park WS13 8NF. You can also email us at office@richardwinterton.co.uk or call on 01543 251081.The auction house will be closed from December 19th until January 2nd but do pop in before or after the holidays with your surprises and help us keep Christmas all year round! Richard Winterton Auctioneers would like to wish CityLife and its readers a wonderful festive season and peaceful new year.
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£25.99 Schockemohle Baila Pearl Beani Hat. Available from ProElite Saddlery, Piper Nurseries, Watling Street (A5), Gailey, ST19 5PR www.pro-elitesaddlery.co.uk.
Hawkins Country Collection Handbag. Available from Pro-Elite Saddlery, Piper Nurseries,Watling Street (A5), Gailey, ST19 5PR www.pro-elitesaddlery.co.uk.
Perfect Presents for Her
£119.95
Anky Hummingbird Quilted Waistcoat. Available from ProElite Saddlery, Piper Nurseries, Watling Street (A5), Gailey, ST19 5PR - www.proelitesaddlery.co.uk.
From stocking-fillers to special items, we've got your Christmas shopping all wrapped up with our selection of gifts from local retailers.
£24.99
£14.99
Silver Plated Candelabra. Presented in an Arthur Price of England gift box. Available from Arthur Price, Britannia Way, Lichfield www.arthurprice.com. Was £12.99
NOW £8.99
Sewing Box. Available from The Little Wool Shop, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley.
£24.99
Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Line Bracelet. Available from MW Jewellery & Repairs, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley.
£135
Silver plated 8-inch Mounted Rose Bowl. Presented in an Arthur Price of England gift box. Available from Arthur Price, Britannia Way, Lichfield - www.arthurprice.com.
£649.99
£6.95 Bamboo Travel Cup. Six patterns to choose from. Available from Arthur Price, Britannia Way, Lichfield - www.arthurprice.com.
£22.99
Slogan Mugs. Available from Piper Nurseries, Watling Street (A5), Gailey, ST19 5PR.
Muc-Off Cleaning Sets. Available from Cycling 2000, Wheel Lane, Lichfield – www.cycling2000.co.uk.
Leonardo Coloured & Patterned Teapots. Available from Gifts from the H❤rt, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley.
Silver & Blue Cubic Zirconia Pendant. Available from MW Jewellery & Repairs, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley.
From £14.99
The Elite Suito Turbo Trainer allows for cyclists to train even when the weather is bad. Available from Cycling 2000, Wheel Lane, Lichfield – www.cycling2000.co.uk.
£6.99
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£239
£36.99
£18.50
Hand Decorated Cocktail Glasses. Different styles and colours. Available from Gifts from the H❤rt, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley. Ladies Knitting Gift Basket (contains 4x100g Robin DK, 1x25g Robin DK, crochet booklet/knitting pattern, pair 4mm knitting needles, 4mm crochet hook). Contents can be changed. Available from The Little Wool Shop, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley.
Rugeley - a wonderful place for Christmas Shopping
Rugeley is a fabulous place for Christmas shopping, with its historic town centre filled with independent businesses selling gifts for everyone in the family. While-away a chilly afternoon browsing their fantastic ranges and pop in to one of Rugeley’s friendly and cosy cafes for lunch or a light bite. Visitors to the town centre can’t fail to notice the long
history of the city reflected in its buildings, from medieval and Georgian to impressive Victorian structures. For everything you need this Christmas season, from gifts and cards to beauty treatments and party-wear, visit Rugeley town centre - you’ll be glad you did!
Advertising Feature
Rugeley & Cannock Remember On Sunday 10th November 2019 local communities came together to remember our fallen heroes. We present here this moving occasion in pictures...
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Staffordshire Finds Soar to Glory
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By Adrian Rathbone of Hansons Auctioneers
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taffordshire finds sold for tens of thousands of pounds at Hansons’ October Fine Art and Library Auction. Star lots included a 1997 copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which was taken along for free valuation at Bishton Hall, Hansons’ new Staffordshire venue. Seven phone bidders took the price to £46,000. Another find to impress was discovered in a Staffordshire home. A sailinginspired oil painting, initialled by celebrated Flemish marine artist Bonaventura Peeters (1614-1652), made £19,000. Also found in Staffordshire was a watercolour by St Ives artist Walter Langley (1852-1922). “It had no official title so I simply called it ‘Waiting for the Boats’. Carrying immense charm, Walter Langley collectors agreed it was a formidable example. It sold for £10,500. “Another artwork to excel was Lot 1089. This facial study in pencil and coloured pastels of a classical male was a preparatory study for the Sorbonne fresco by French artist Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret (1852-1929). Four phone bidders battled against a room bidder with the gavel falling at £17,000.
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“I was also proud to market an impressive array of vesta cases collected by the late Mick Finnikin. Together they made just under £10,000. The highest price went to my favourite, Lot 328, an early 20th unusual Century 18ct gold Vesta case with a rebus design of four vices – women, champagne, gambling and horse racing. It sold for £1,300.” Hansons is inviting entries for its December 11-13th Country House Fine Art and Library Auction at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire, ST17 0XN. The venue hosts free valuations every Thursday, 10am-4pm. Kate Bliss will be valuing Jewellery on the 21st November. Alternatively, call Adrian Rathbone on 01889 358050 or email arathbone@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk. Free confidential home visits can be arranged for large/multiple items, estate clearance and downsizing. Photography by Hansons Auctioneers
Watercolour by Walter Langley (1852-1922) ‘Waiting for the Boats’ sold for £10,500.
Vest Case
Rugeley Rebels
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Rugeley Rebels Townswomen Guild recently held a Wear it Pink event, raising ÂŁ183 for breast cancer care and research. The next time the ladies meet will be 7pm on 16th December at The Victory Church, Anson Street, Rugeley, where the ladies will be wearing their Christmas jumpers and enjoying an evening of prosecco and cake at the mini Christmas market, with all proceeds raised being donated to Save the Children. Ladies involved in small businesses are welcome to have a stall. For more details ring 07970380746 or take a look at the Facebook page. All ladies welcome.
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tWIlight Launches
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In 2020 Cannock WI will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary by adding an evening meeting, called tWIlight, from January. A launch evening and ‘meet the team’ event was held on 7th November and attended by tWIlight’s new president, Hayley Hart, local councillor Amanda Jill Gooch, Di Jones and Milling, representatives Amanda Milling from Staffordshire Federation and club members. If you are interested in crafts, cooking, expanding your social circle, and being part of a large national network of ladies, then join the ladies at the very first meeting on 9th January 2020 at 7.30pm at St Luke’s Church Hall, Cannock WS11 1DE. For Further information email cannockwi@gmail.com or visit www.thewi.org.uk/staffordshire or www.facebook.com/oakleafstlukes.
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Advertising that Works!
“Myself and Mark, the two directors of UK Boiler Fit, were really amazed by the amount of calls that we received throughout the month following our appearance in Citylife magazine. “We had such an overwhelming response from our advertisement and editorial that we have even had to revisit our business plan and pull forward the recruitment of extra staff!”
David - UK Boiler Fit
(see page 10 for advertisment)
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What’s On ....................
December
Promote your event in our What’s On guide and reach over 11,000 homes and businesses for only £15 for businesses and £5 for charities plus VAT. Entries must be 50 words maximum. To book contact Kristen Lackajis 07885 380632 kristencitylife@gmail.com (businesses who are already advertising in the relevant issue may place additional what’s on listings free-of-charge). Please clearly mark your email ‘WHAT’S ON RUGELEY'.
Cannock Chase Forest - Christmas Wreath Workshop Get your home in the holiday spirit! In this informal and fun Christmas wreath workshop, learn how to make and take away with you your very own wreath. All materials will be provided and are included in the price, during the session you will make 1 wreath approximately 40-50cms in size. Dates: 30th November 10.30am-12.30pm & 14th Dec 2-4pm. Venue: Cannock Chase Forest Centre, Birches Valley, WS15 2UQ. Price: £35 per person. Rugeley Art Workshops – Extended From 14th January 2020 an extended community art group is arranging monthly halfday practical workshops at 9.30-12.30pm on Tuesday mornings in Rugeley that are essentially free (you only pay for materials supplied, typically the cost of a cup of coffee) and are unique to the area. Initially we will concentrate on using soft pastels, pastel pencils and coloured pencils and we now include watercolours. For an enrolment form please e-mail alan.arty.shaw@outlook.com. Rugeley Probus - The History of British Aviation Tony Shaw presents a fascinating account of the development of this key British industry. From the first flights of Geoffrey De Havilland and A.V. Roe, in 1909, Tony traces the improvements in the design of civil and military aircraft over the years and leaves us to consider what may be in store for the future. 10am on 11th December at St Paul’s Community Hall, Lichfield St, Rugeley. Brereton, Rugeley & Armitage Team Ministry The annual free Stable Trail will be held on Saturday 30th November at St. Augustine’s Church, Rugeley. Come and travel back in time to Bethlehem and witness the events for yourself. Experience the real magic of Christmas. There will be refreshments, mince pies and plenty of Christmas crafts and activities! Guided journeys can be taken between 10am - 12 noon and 2pm – 4 pm.
Rugeley Church Services
......................... December
St. Augustine’s, Rugeley Sunday 1st 4pm - Christingle Service 4th–8th - Christmas Tree Festival Sunday 22nd 6pm - Carols by Candlelight 24th Christmas Eve 5pm - Family Crib Service 11.30pm - Midnight Mass 25th Christmas Day 10am - Christmas Day Service St. Michael’s Church, Brereton Sunday 1st 4pm - Christingle Service Sunday 8th 6pm - Candlelit Carol Service Monday 16th 7.30pm - Blue Serge’s ‘Rocking Christmas’ 24th Christmas Eve 4pm - Family Crib Service
11.30pm - Midnight Mass 25th Christmas Day 9.45am - Christmas Morning Family Communion Church of the Good Shepherd, Pear Tree Estate Wednesday 11th 7pm - Carols around the Christmas Tree St. John’s Church, Slitting Mill Tuesday 17th 7.30 pm - Carols by Candlelight 25th Christmas Day 9am - Christmas Day Holy Communion & Carols Look out for posters with more details or visit www.brateamministry.org.
Rugeley & District Lions Club and Rugeley Rotary Club Christmas Float Route 2019 • Monday 2nd December. Colton and Hill Ridware. • Tuesday 3rd December. Chase Side Road/Greenfields Drive/ Plovers Rise. • Wednesday 4th December. Springfields starting at Park Hall Close, Springfields Road, Crabtree Way, Green Lane to Hawthorns Way. • Thursday 5th December. Burnthill Lane and Pear Tree Estate. • Friday 6th December. Chaseley Road, Peakes Road, Crabtree Way to Lansdowne Way, Woodcock Road to Chase Pub. Then Slitting Mill. • Monday 9th December. Etchinghill – starting Stag Close, Penk Drive South, Penk Drive North, Bower Lane down to The Beeches. • Tuesday 10th December. Start at Leyland Drive, Wolseley Road, Levett Grange, Old Eaton Road. • Wednesday 11th December. Millington Street, Vicars Croft, Chadsfield Estate, Station Road, St Anthonys Close, Heron Street, Talbot Street • Thursday 12th December. Little Haywood
• Friday 13th December. Upper Birches, Draycott Estate and Upper Longdon (Chetwynd Arms Pub car park). All routes subject to weather, roadworks and timing. The Club is required to finish at 9pm each evening. Subject to the agreement of the supermarkets, the float will be at the following venues on Friday’s between 2pm 4pm and Saturdays 11am - 3pm.
Friday 6th December Saturday 7th December Friday 13th December Saturday 14th December
Volunteers Needed!
Tesco Tesco Morrisons Aldi
The club relies heavily on volunteers to ensure that the Christmas Float is successful and can continue each year. If you can help in any way, by joining in the evening collections or in the afternoons at supermarkets etc, please make contact through the Facebook page or email randdlions@hotmail.com.
Toy Appeal
The Annual Toy Appeal, collecting new and unused toys to give to less fortunate children at Christmas, is now on. Collection points are Tesco and Morrison’s (Rugeley); St. Joseph’s Community Hall; Gymophobics (Market Street, Rugeley);Victory Church and Great British Garden Centre (previously Wyevale), Wolseley Bridge.
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MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS WANTED Earn extra money delivering magazines in Lichfield. Must be over 16 Call Marie 07548 682576
Opportunity for a Sales Executive
Citylife in Lichfield Ltd is expanding!
We currently have an opportunity for a Sales Executive to work on our two magazines – Citylife in Lichfield and Citylife in Rugeley & Cannock Chase. You must be self-motivated and comfortable speaking to clients on the phone as well as face-to-face. A car is essential for this post. For further information and a full job description, please email helencitylife@gmail.com 34
Competition and Prize Draw Terms and Conditions 1.Entrant’s details will be held and processed in line with Citylife in Lichfield Ltd’s Privacy Policy, which in turn adheres to GDPR Data Protection legislation. For a copy of our Privacy Policy please email helencitylife@gmail.com 2.By entering the prize draw/competition, you agree to the terms and conditions stated. 3.The closing date is stated on each individual prize draw or competition. 4.Entrants’ details will be securely held by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Details will be held only until the closing date of the competition. After this date entrants’ details will be securely destroyed/deleted. Winners’ contact details will be securely stored only until the winner has been informed of their win/prize. After this details will be securely deleted/destroyed. 5.Entrants’ details will never be shared with any third party. The only exception to this is the name (and if the prize is to be posted) address of Competition/Prize Draw winners that will be communicated to the competition partner to allow winners to securely claim their prize, after which all details will be securely destroyed. The initial and surname of winners will be printed in our magazines – no other details will be published. 6.By entering the competition/prize draw, entrants agree to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd using or publishing materials provided by the entrants (but not address or contact details apart from initial and surname) in any of their publications and online. 7.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any breach of copyright or breach of any other legislation entailed by entrants in their creation or submission of materials. 8.Only one entry per prize draw/competition, per reader. 9.Except in the case of cash prizes, no cash equivalent will be offered and the prize is nontransferable. 10.All prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers' terms and conditions. 11.No purchase necessary. 12.Prize draws and competitions are only open to UK residents aged 18 years or over (unless otherwise stated). 13.Competitions and prize draws may not be entered by any employee of individual associated with any employee, agent or third party of Citylife in Lichfield Ltd. 14.Winners will be selected at random in the case of applicable prize draws and competitions, or by an independent judge in the case of photographic/art competitions from all entries received. 15.Winners will be notified by Citylife in Lichfield up to 28 days after the closing date of the competition/prize draw by the contact details provided by the entrant. 16.A list of the surnames and county of residence of the winners will be available by writing to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd no earlier than six weeks after the competition closing date. 17.When the prize draw/competition winner has been selected, this decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 18.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for the prize being lost, damaged or delayed in transit. When the prize is provided by a third party, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any change to the prize, or for the quality of the prize provided. 19.Competitions may be amended or withdrawn at any time. 20.By entering the competition or prize draw, you agree to having your name, (photograph, where stated) and city or county of residence published in any of Citylife in Lichfield’s publications and online. 21.Unless otherwise stated, the promoter is Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. 22. Citylife in Lichfield Ltd do not express any warranty or endorsement of any competition prize, information, service or product provided in connection with a competition by printing or otherwise publicising any competition. 23.To the full extent of the law, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd shall not be liable for any loss, claim, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind incurred as a result of entering this prize draw or competition. 24.By submitting photos, text or artworks as part of competition/prize draw entries you agree that you own these photos text or artworks, that it is your original work to which you own all rights to distribute, and that your entry is accurate, moral and legal.
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