Citylife in Lichfield July 2017 by Citylife In Lichfield

July 2017 20 42

Inside...

6 Win Pimm’s Afternoon Tea for Two at McKenzie’s

Answer our anagram competition to win the perfect afternoon treat. 20 City Image Competition

Calling all photographers and artists. 40 A Window on the Past

Serving the city.

42 A Walk on Pipe Green

By Joss Musgrove Knibb. 49 What’s on

Get out and about in July.

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.

CITYLIFE Contacts Editor - Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048

josscitylife@gmail.com

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Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Karen Wraxton 07791 635019 kaz.citylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@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 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.

Win Pimm’s Afternoon Tea for Two at McKenzie's Restaurant

cKenzie's Restaurant is set in the beautiful old Corn Exchange building on Conduit Street, Lichfield.

Creating delicious dishes from locally sourced and provenanced suppliers, McKenzie’s is the perfect place for a special occasion or a midweek treat. Combining laid back luxury with a great menu catering to all tastes, McKenzie’s is renowned for its steaks that are truly succulent and sourced from the best local suppliers. Add to that a great bar, friendly staff and beautiful surroundings and you have the recipe for the perfect dining experience.

Pimm’s Afternoon Tea

McKenzie's new Pimm’s Afternoon Tea is priced at £17.50 per person and runs throughout the week from 3pm - 6pm. Pimm’s Afternoon Tea includes: Homemade Scotch Egg; Colin Ryan, Streetly Butcher Pork Pie; Finger Sandwices (Eggs and Cress, Cucumber and Cream Cheese and Tuna Mayonnaise with a 'hint of mint') plus a slice of Cake, Pimm’s Jelly and Strawberries and Cream. Tea and coffee is extra or subsitute for a glass of Pimm’s.

To be in with a chance of winning Pimm’s Afternoon Tea for Two, just rearrange the letters to find a fruity treat traditionally enjoyed at Wimbledon...

ascarabreminderstrew ____________

___

_____

To enter, just email your name, contact details and answer to McKenzie’s Competition* at citylifecompetitions@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS by the competition closing date of Closing date Friday 21st July. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Winners will not be offered a cash equivalent. Full terms and conditions on page 48. *McKenzie’s Restaurant will contact the winner to arrange their prize and may contact entrants with information, offers and news. If you do not wish to be contacted please include the words OPT OUT in your entry. You must be 18 or over to enter this competition. The winner may be required to produce proof of age on claiming their prize. Congratulations to Valerie Foster, who gave the correct answer of ‘Borage’ and solved the anagram in the June issue.

Druids Heath Golf Club Ladies Section

Druids Heath Golf Club is a great place to play golf! The course is beautiful and the Ladies Section, whilst small, is a growing group who are very welcoming to newcomers. Golf is a fantastic way to exercise and a super way to keep fit and healthy whilst walking, stretching and being in the open air. There is currently a range of golfing abilities in the section and new members are supported as they are introduced to the Club by ensuring play is with an established member until newcomers are comfortable with the course and club house. After playing there is always a cup of tea or a drink from the bar and a range of food on offer. The Club has a range of social functions and Sunday Lunches are always a treat. The section offers club competitions, friendly matches with local clubs, County matches, Open Competitions and Mixed Competitions. Many of our women members take part in most of these activities and socialise with the groups they play with. The on-site Golf Professional is available to provide lessons for beginners, refreshers and improving/developing golfers. Play can be over 18 holes, 9 holes, or a smaller number of holes if you are just starting out in this fantastic sport. Tasters Tasters are on offer for women interested in golf. Have a lesson or if you already have some experience why not come and play 9 holes and meet the ladies in the Section. Arrangements can be made for these to take place either during the week, daytime or evening, or Saturday and Sunday afternoons. You don’t need to wear anything special to start with, just comfortable trainers and clothing that you can move in. If need be, we can find some clubs for you to use to come and have a go. Great Deals When you feel that you might want to join us then let us know; DHGC has great deals on offer currently. The Club Joining Fee has been removed and the Annual Subscription is reduced by 50% for a limited period. You won’t get a better deal than that anywhere.

Lady captains’ day 2017

Contact: Judy 07941 411688 or Pat 07960 774596

Canal Trust Appeal Tops £300,000

campaign to raise £1 million to build a canal tunnel under the Cross City railway line in Lichfield has reached almost a third of its target. The David Suchet Tunnel Vision appeal was officially launched in January and has already reached £320,000. The figure was announced by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust financial director Bob Williams at the Trust’s AGM in June. LHCRT is restoring the Lichfield Canal (from Ogley Junction to Huddlesford) and the Hatherton Canal (from Calf Heath to Wyrley Grove), which when re-opened will re-establish the links between the underused northern sections of the Birmingham Canal Navigations and the Coventry Canal in the east and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal in the west. The Trust has overcome many obstacles since its foundation in 1988, including the construction of an aqueduct over the M6 Toll Road which David Suchet, best known as television’s Hercule Poirot, also supported by leading an appeal. When the Lichfield Southern Bypass was built, the Trust raised £490,000 to install a canal culvert under the new roadway. Now plans to extend the bypass are well advanced and these will include a new railway bridge which is aimed to be installed in late 2019. LHCRT intends to take this opportunity to drive a canal tunnel under the railway line near the new bridge, but to do that it must raise £1 million by Spring 2019.

Collecting Medals and Militaria By Nick Thompson, Medal Valuation Consultant at Richard Winterton Auctioneers

here are so many areas for the collector and enthusiast these days, but in my opinion, none offers as much scope as Military Medals and Militaria. When it comes to Military Medals, the world is your oyster and you can build a collection that represents our Military History, in so many ways, no matter how deep your pockets. Take for example the collecting area of World War One medals. Over 6.5 million medals were struck, representing all branches of our Forces. Collectors often specialise in battles, actions, regiments, dates, casualties, rare units etc. As an example of this, a medal relating to a soldier who was killed in action on 1st July 1916 (the first day of the Battle of the Somme) from a sought-after Regiment (for example, the North Staffordshire Regiment) could realise easily in excess of £500 at auction. If you were to add the fallen soldier’s Memorial Death Plaque, and the parchment scroll, the price goes way above £750. The same collecting areas apply to most of the wars and conflicts that British Forces have been involved with over the years. Often medals relating to servicemen or women who paid the ultimate price during these conflicts attain higher prices at auction than those of serving personnel who survived.

Militaria items too are very well collected, and go hand in hand with medals. At Richard Wintertons Auctioneers we see items, from the quite common, to the extremely rare. Sometimes vendors have the provenance of such items which may have belonged to a family member, or written ephemera which adds value at auction. From swords, daggers and firearms to military equipment, we see them all. As in all cases, condition is vital. We recently acted in the sale of an archive from a retired Major in the British Army. Over the years, many items had been accumulated including books, prints, uniform items, badges, etc. We were fortunate enough to receive great interest from the bidding public, and many prices were achieved in excess of guide prices. What about Medals and Militaria from other countries I hear you ask? I probably see more Imperial German and ‘Nazi’ medals and badges than any other country after UK forces. The German market however is a tricky one due to the existence of so many copies and fake items that flood the market. It can be very difficult to distinguish the genuine item from a copy, but again with time and a little research we are in the main able to offer the vendor an accurate guide price for items placed into sale.

What strikes me about medals is that there is always a story behind the name and rank impressed or engraved around the rim. It’s the collector that finds out that story, and in this way the recipient of the medal lives on. If you have any medals or military items that you would like valued, please look out for our regular Valuation Days at Fradley Park, and come and see us, you may be pleasantly surprised with what you may have.

Free valuations every Tuesday from 9.30am to 4pm at the Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Land, Fradley Park, Lichfield, WS13 8NF.

Free valuations on Mondays 10th July and 24th July at The Trinity Center, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1TF, 2pm to 3.30pm.

Call for new Poet Laureate

taffordshire poets are being invited to put themselves forward for the role of Staffordshire Poet Laureate. The Staffordshire Poet Laureate is a two year position open to adults aged 18 plus. Staffordshire County Council Libraries and Arts Service are behind the initiative, which aims to promote an appreciation of poetry across the county. Applicants must either live or study in Staffordshire, share a love of poetry and a desire to promote it. The successful applicant will take up their role at the end of September 2017. Gill Heath, Cabinet Member responsible for libraries at Staffordshire County Council, said: “We’re now in our fifth year and we’ve had some wonderful laureates, including the current Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Bert Flitcroft, and Young Poet Laureate, Isobel Horsley, both of whom have done a fantastic job. Our new laureates will enjoy a busy year writing and performing poems for special events and I would definitely encourage anyone with an interest in poetry to apply.” Entries for Poet Laureate close on 30th August 2017. Winners will be announced on National Poetry Day, 28th September 2017. Further details can be found at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries

wo young volunteers who help run free weekly tennis sessions at Beacon Park have just gained their first coaching qualifications, thanks to the national charity which runs the scheme, Tennis For Free (TFF). Sam Brown, aged 18, and 17-year-old Charlotte Ward both help at the Sunday afternoon sessions at Beacon Park. Sam and Charlotte recently completed their LTA Level 1 coaching qualification, funded by TFF. Charlotte, from Great Haywood, started to play tennis at the age of nine at Lichfield Friary Lawn Tennis Club where her mum Hilary played. Sam, from Lichfield, started playing tennis at Lichfield Friary Tennis Club aged just three and now helps coach at the TFF sessions, the club and goes into schools with the coaching team to encourage youngsters to take up the sport. Run in partnership with Lichfield Friary Lawn Tennis Club and the local council, the free TFF sessions are held at Beacon Park every Sunday between 2pm and 4pm and everything is completely free – you don’t even need a racket. Anyone interested in joining can register at www.beaconparktennis.co.uk or for further information go to www.tennisforfree.com

Shield Roller Garage Doors Would like to congratulate and thank Mr and Mrs Bonsall on being our 100th customer.

Shield Roller Garage Doors started trading in July last year and has gone from strength to strength. We are a small family run business offering what is often thought of as luxury electric insulated roller garage doors at extremely competitive prices. I would like to thank all customers over the last year for their business and will continue to strive to achieve the highest standards. For information on our door prices and to book a quote please call. Tel : 07401 375138 Email: shieldrollergaragedoors @virginmedia.com Facebook: Shield Roller Garage Doors

Pictured is Director of the company Paul Smith presenting Mr and Mrs Bonsall with a bottle of champagne and box of chocolates.

Tennis For Free Volunteers

Sam Brown, Charlotte Ward and James Graney

Charity Dog Walk

his year the Mayor of Lichfield, Councillor Mrs Janice Greaves and Sheriff of Lichfield Councillor Andrew Smith have chosen two particularly deserving charities to support; Guide Dogs for the Blind and Staffordshire Blood Bikes. In keeping with the theme, the Mayor and Sheriff are pleased to announce their first event in support of these charities; a sponsored dog walk taking place on Sunday 9th July. The route is a gentle three mile (or six mile return) walk from the assembly point at Tippers on Europa Way along the canal path, finishing at Pool House Veterinary Practice on Fosseway Lane. Walkers, and their four legged companions, are asked to arrive in time for the walk to begin at 10am on the day. Free car parking is available for participants on Tippers’ car park. Registration is £5 and includes tea and cake for the humans and a treat for the canines! All proceeds will go towards Guide Dogs for the Blind and Staffordshire Blood Bikes. To register and receive your sponsor form please contact Sarah Wallace, Lichfield City Council, Donegal House, Bore Street, WS13 6LU, call 01543 309854 or email sarah.wallace@lichfield.gov.uk please note - all walkers must pre- register.

Open Air Cinema at the Market Square!

On Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July, Lichfield Market Square is hosting a free open air cinema. From 10am each day, come along and enjoy the Wimbledon Finals and the British Grand Prix, plus family favourite movies such as The Secret Life of Pets (Saturday morning); Beauty And The Beast (Saturday afternoon); The Lego Batman Movie (Sunday morning) and Mama Mia (Saturday night). The event is free, and there’s deckchair seating available free-ofcharge too plus lots of food and drink stalls.

We Love Lichfield £20,000 giveaway

ore than £20,000 has been handed out to good causes across Lichfield and Burntwood. The We Love Lichfield fund summer presentation at The George Hotel on June 16 saw recipients plus civic dignitaries, family and friends from across the district gather to collect their grants and celebrate volunteering with invited guests. Nearly 100 people attended the presentation, hosted by We Love Lichfield Patron Simon Price, CEO of Arthur Price. Simon commented: “The We Love Lichfield Fund is five years old and run for volunteers by volunteers. Volunteers are, in my view, incredible people and the backbone of our society. They give their time for nothing and look after people and for that I would like to say thank you.” Copperfields Club was the 100th recipient of a We Love Lichfield grant and Wildfire Folk received the 150th grant. The recipients on June 16th were Kendall & Wall; Community Interest Company; The Lichfield & District Live at Home Scheme; 1st Longdon Guides; Burntwood Memorial Hall Community Association; Association of Staff, Parents and Friends of Rocklands School; Copperfields Club; Contact the Elderly; City of Lichfield Friends; City of Lichfield Concert Band; Churches Together in Lichfield; Burntwood Town Council; Lichfield Cruising Club; Lichfield Festival; Hammerwich Parent and Toddler Group; Lichfield Festival of Music; Friends2Friends; Lichfield Garrick Theatre; Longdon Flower Club; Shenstone Community Library Association; St Anne's Church Chasetown; Shenstone Village Hall Management Committee; Victim Support; U3A Croquet Club; The Guild of St Mary's

Lichfield; Whittington and Fisherwick Good Neighbour Scheme and Wildfire Folk. During the presentation, Simon thanked Martyn Rowley and Paul Glover who held a fund-raising ball at Darnford Moors Golf Club recently which raised £9,000 over two days - half of which will go to WLL. He also thanked photographer Robert Yardley who, during his year as the Sheriff of Lichfield, raised £3,500 for WLL having declared it as his charity of choice. Simon also thanked the The George Hotel for hosting the event. For more information on We Love Lichfield visit www.welovelichfield.com

Lichfield Camera Club Summer Exhibition

Lichfield Camera Club will be holding their annual Summer Exhibition from 2nd July to 28th July at the Chasewater Innovation Centre, WS8 7NL. Entrance to the exhibition is free and there will be in excess of 100 photographs on display. The photographs are all the work of club members and include the winners in a number of different competition categories. There will be a broad spectrum of subjects and styles on display including landscapes, wildlife, travel and portraits.

A Guide to Lasting Powers of Attorney

By Richard Wells, Managing Partner at Philips Legal Solicitors

ccessing someone’s finances if they become incapacitated or ill is a complex and protracted process, which could make things very difficult for a spouse, partner or children. Bills could go unpaid and if cash is needed for any purpose, it would be inaccessible. Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows someone that you trust to act on your behalf should the need arise. Your chosen person can then manage your affairs in your best interests. This could be in the long term or until such time that you are able to take up the reins again yourself. There are two types of LPA, both of which Philips Legal Solicitors can help you with. A Property and Affairs LPA This allows your nominated person to: • Manage your finances and property • Make sure your bills are paid • Make decisions about your assets

A Health and Welfare LPA This allows your nominated person to: • Make decisions about your medical treatment • Decide whether it’s best for you to continue to live at home or whether residential care would be more appropriate If you haven’t set up an LPA, your loved ones may have to pay out a lot of money on your behalf. The Court of Protection would have to appoint a deputy to manage your affairs, which is both time-consuming and costly. An LPA will avoid the distress of a delay and also preserve your assets to pay for the care you may need in the future. With Philips Legal Solicitors, setting up an LPA is a pretty straightforward process. Simply call us free on 0800 228 9988 and we will happily give you more details or arrange a meeting.

Beacon Park’s Drive-in Movie! L

ichfield District Council is inviting everyone to watch the first ever Drive-in Movie at Beacon Park on Saturday 12th August. The cult musical Grease will play on a giant inflatable screen to movie-lovers from the comfort of their cars. On the night, drivers simply tune their radios into the movie soundtrack frequency to hear the film and all its classic songs. There will also be a reserved area in front of the cars for on foot ticket holders to bring along chairs and enjoy the film outside. Councillor Iain Eadie, Cabinet Member Leisure, said: “Beacon Park is such a fantastic local resource with a packed programme of activities running all year round, and we’re delighted to add a brand new event with the launch of our first ever drivein movie. Grease is the perfect opening film, and everyone is welcome to dress up as Pink Ladies or T Birds, but it’s not compulsory!” Lakeside Bistro will be selling movie snacks, such as hotdogs, popcorn and drinks, which will add to the drive-in atmosphere. See Grease on a big screen at Beacon Park on Saturday 12 August. Gates will open at 7pm and the film will start at 9pm. Entry is by ticket only which must be pre-booked. It costs £20 per car with a maximum of four people (£5 extra a head), and £5 to attend on foot which includes headset hire, plus a £15 refundable deposit for each headset, payable on the night. Tickets are available to buy at the Beacon Park’s Ranger Station, over the phone by calling 01543 308867 or online at www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk/drivein where you will also find the Drive-In Movie Frequently Asked Questions.

pace 2017 is set to blast off on Monday 24th July with a range of different activities across Staffordshire. Re-launched by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, in 2015 after a sixteen year break, Space provides fun activities for young people during the summer holiday. It’s about giving 11 to 17 year-olds the chance to get outdoors and keep active, learn something new, increase their confidence and help make their community a safer place.

Historically, the Space programme was led by police in Staffordshire during the 80s and 90s and provided activities during the summer holiday with the aim of improving engagement with young people. As part of space 2017 there is a wide variety of events available to young people across Staffordshire. Youngsters who live in Lichfield and Burntwood can take advantage of the Space Summer Pass, from Lichfield District Council. The pass, which costs £20, gives access to a whole host of activities over the entire summer holiday period and means

2017 blasts off!

young people can get their swing on with Crazy Golf, splash around during pool sessions with giant inflatables, and light up with glow in the dark sporting sessions and much more. Fun Club are also hosting their free family fun day again this year where families can come together and get involved in arts and craft, dance and team sports. Mr Ellis said: “I am constantly amazed by the reaction to Space, from people who participated in the original scheme in the 80s and are happy it’s back for their children to enjoy, to the youngsters taking part in activities on offer and having a fantastic time. Last year there were over 1,000 activities available and over 12,400 young people attended and took part. This is an incredible response and it was great to see such positive activities taking place. Space is all about engaging with youngsters, giving them the opportunity to take part in activities and learn new skills while keeping active and improving their health and wellbeing, it’s about helping them to become good citizens of Staffordshire.” Activities are being added to the Space website daily so please keep checking back: www.staffordshirespace.uk

City Image Competition calling all photographers and artists!

ver the coming months, we’d like to see your photographs, drawings and paintings of Lichfield and the surrounding area. Each month we’ll publish a new selection of the work received, and the final winning image (announced in the December 2017 issue) will receive a £200 prize and ‘City Image’ Trophy. For terms and conditions see page 48. The competition is open to all ages. Photographs, paintings and drawings should be of Lichfield city or the surrounding area and countryside. Please note that you should own the copyright to any image that you send in and the image should be your own work. If sending in a photograph, please make sure that you have permission to submit the image from any individual who may be

pictured in your work, and also appropriate permissions if the photograph was taken on private property. To enter, email your images to citylifecompetitions@gmail.com or post them to City Image Competition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. Apologies but we cannot return images sent to us, so if submitting a drawing or painting you may want to send us photographs of your work rather than original artwork. We have been blown away by the talent of the artists and photographers who have sent us their work so far. We print here a selection of those images that truly capture our beautiful city. Thank you to everyone who has submitted their work.

The Remembrance Garden, an original gouache and watercolour painting by Ivor W Leech

Cathedral from Gardens of Remembrance by David Pring

Copyright of these images remains with the creators and Citylife in Lichfield Ltd and they may not be reproduced by any unauthorised individual or organisation.

By Sue Caldicott The Old Library, an original gouache and watercolour painting by Ivor W Leech

Citylife in Lichfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

City Image Cont...

Shot at Dawn - National Memorial Arboretum by Dennis Verdon

Kings Bromley Marina by Michael Colton

Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum by Michael Colton

The cathedral from Stowe Pool by Gill Hine

Beacon Park by Ady Awty

Night-time by Phil Sutcliffe

Eating In With Arthur Price

e all love going out for something to eat but there’s nothing better than welcoming people into your home and putting on a spread. It could be a celebration, anniversary or just a get together. It doesn’t matter if it’s brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, tea, dinner or supper - or even a midnight feast, sitting around a table having a chat, laughing and joking with friends and family is what makes eating in at home so special. So, the question is, do you go formal or feasting? Children of the 1970s and 80s who remember hiding behind the bannister listening into our parents’ chitchat over steak chasseur and percolated coffee have seen the demise of formal dinner parties. Indeed, many attribute the passing of this formal affair down to the loss of separate dining rooms in new houses, with their big, open-plan kitchen/diners. Indeed, the new way of entertaining is called the ‘kitchen supper’ which involves big sharing platters spread across the open plan layout for people to feast upon. The only question for hosts then is do you prepare for people to pick and nibble, or present the guests with a big plate so they can take their time whilst munching in a traditional way, with maybe a pseudo main course and dessert? Here are some simple rules for a successful gathering: • Guests must bring a bottle or two (alcoholic or otherwise). • Create a flexible menu to cater for food intolerances • Don’t put out huge amounts of nibbles as guests arrive, as they will just fill people up before your amazing cooking • Choose a mixture of retro and newer music, and make a streamed playlist • Experiment with the food. Go for it, maybe not duck-a-la-banana, but enjoy sharing new meals with friends.

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Lichfield 10K Saxon Hill donation

By Lorraine Amos of Lichfield Running Club

ichfield Running Club and Ansons Solicitors were delighted to meet with staff and pupils at Saxon Hill Academy last month to present a £1000 donation from the proceeds of last year’s Lichfield 10K race. The money will be put towards a larger fundraising campaign to purchase an inclusive playground for the children who attend the school. Cass Jackson, 10K Race Director and active member of Lichfield Running Club commented that: “The club were really pleased to see the donation was going to a very good cause. Saxon Hill Academy is the location of our club headquarters so we have an ongoing relationship with the team here. We are all committed to embracing fitness at all levels so a play area and equipment is an excellent initiative.” Wes Morris, from Saxon Hill explained that due to the complex physical needs of the children it is difficult to find equipment for them that is easy for them to use. The roundabout will be customised so that it can be accessed by all the pupils within the school. The Lichfield 10K Road Race and Family Fun run is organised by Lichfield Running Club members and is a proud event on their running calendar. Now in its 22nd year, the race is credited to BARR gold standard and marshalled by club members who offer support all along the route. The races will be held on Sunday 10th September, starting at 10.30am from King Edward VI Leisure Centre. The 10K race will be available to online entries only however competitors for the family fun run can either enter online or on the day. Finishers of both races will receive a commemorative medal and those running the 10K will also receive a souvenir T-shirt. Online entries are already filling up fast! Please find all details at: www.lichfield10k.co.uk

A Fairytale Find in Lichfield

By Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers

fascinating piece of animation history has been unearthed in Lichfield at a weekly valuation day at The Hedgehog organised by Hansons Auctioneers in aid of St Giles Hospice. Commenting on the find, Charles Hanson, manager of Hansons Auctioneers, and as seen on BBC One Bargain Hunt, commented: “They are a pair of original cels from Walt Disney’s first animated feature length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The cels, dating from 1937, were brought along to Hansons Auctioneers Lichfield valuation day. In 1937 Walt Disney and his large staff of animators revolutionised the animation industry with their first animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Never before had animators tackled animating the human form convincingly, let alone attempted to entertain an audience with animation for the entire length of a feature film. The two cels are presented in their period frames, unopened and complete with provenance and original gallery labels. The cels were originally sold in an exhibition of the original paintings for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which was held at Leicester Galleries, Leicester Square, London, in December 1938 with the firm Ernest Brown and Philips Ltd. One cel is of Snow White and the Wicked Queen, which is one of the most celebrated scenes in the Snow White film - the Wicked Queen presenting the innocent Snow White with the poisoned apple is a classic Disney image. The other cel depicts Snow White being swept up by her animal friends with deer and rabbits. “When Snow White premiered in 1937, it was a critical and commercial success, ushering in the golden age of animation. The film cost 1.4 million dollars to make, and was briefly the highest grossing film of all time, before the success of Gone with the Wind which came two years later… the cels measure 15 x 16.5 inches, and their

condition is remarkably good, with the colours still vibrant. The owner of the cels had inherited them and we suspect they were bought at the original exhibition in the late 1930s.” The cels will be offered in Hansons Summer Jewellery and Fine Art Auction on 1st July. The poisoned apple cel has an estimate of £10,000 to £15,000, and the animal cel carries an estimate of £5,000 to £8,000. Entries of jewellery, watches, silver, antiques and paintings are currently being invited for the next Fine Art Auction 28th to 30th September until 1st September. Hansons hold their free valuation days every Monday at the Hedgehog Inn, Stafford Road, Lichfield, WS13 8JB from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Donations are in aid of St Giles Hospice. For further details of all auctions, valuation days and home visits please phone 01283 733988 or email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk

The Dreaming A

musical version of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummers Night’s Dream will take centre stage at the Lichfield Garrick in early August. The Dreaming is the second Community Musical produced by the theatre, following on from the success of 2016’s production, The Hired Man. Over 70 talented local performers from across Staffordshire, the West Midlands and beyond are now deep in rehearsals including several cast and crew members representing Lichfield and the surrounding district.

Lucy Mills (16) from Lichfield who plays a Woodlander and a Waltzer in the show said: “I worked behind the scenes as the makeup/mud girl for The Hired Man and saw how amazing and successful the show was. This gave me the confidence to take part in the Lichfield Garrick’s Acting Youth Theatre’s production of Cymbeline and once The Dreaming was announced, I really wanted to be involved in this as well. Acting has always been a hobby which I thoroughly enjoy and hope to continue with.” Directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Tim Ford, The Dreaming incorporates cast and crew members from all aspects of the local community who are offering their expertise in making this production - including West End and Broadway musical director, Angharad Sanders, and co-director Craig Sanders, who directed Crimes Against Christmas at the theatre last December. Matthew Bishop (16) from Burntwood who plays a Boy Woodlander in the show added: “I love the opportunity to work alongside professionals who can help amateur actors discover their skills and to create an amazing piece of theatre for the audience to enjoy. I’m a massive fan of musicals, I know more than 30 off by heart and The Dreaming is one of my personal favourites. It’s going to be so much fun performing at the Garrick.” With music by Howard Goodall, the composer of such wellknown theme tunes as The Vicar of Dibley and Blackadder, and lyrics by Charles Hart (The Phantom of the Opera), The Dreaming was originally commissioned by the National Youth Music Theatre in 2001 to rave reviews. The show has a distinctly spooky edge, mixed with superb comedy and of course as you would expect from Howard Goodall some glorious tunes. The Dreaming is playing at the Lichfield Garrick from Monday 31 July to Saturday 5 August with a variety of evening and matinee performances. Tickets start from £12.50 and can be booked online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling the Box Office on 01543 412121.

Lucy Mills

Matthew Bishop

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Your Garden in

July

By Byron Lewis

uly is the start of the summer holidays for many people - but if you have pots and hanging baskets growing well, the last thing you want to happen when you are away is to lose those great summer blooms. In this month’s gardening column we take a look at some ways of prolonging the summer show so that when you come back from your well deserved break, your plants still look good! Let’s start with the most important first – your hanging baskets, wall planters, pots and window boxes. These normally need watering once a day when the weather is warm and sunny, but unless you have very friendly neighbours who love watering, they are going to dry out! To try and reduce this problem as much as possible, there are a number of things you can do: Include water retention gel in your compost – these special granules swell up and absorb up to 400 times their own weight in water, releasing it gradually as the baskets and pots dry out. You normally mix this into the compost when you initially plant them up, but if you forgot to do this earlier in the summer fear not – by making a few holes in the soil of your baskets and pots with a pencil, you can pour the granules in and they will have the same effect. Remove all the flowers from your pots and baskets – this sounds a bit silly but by removing the flowers, less energy is used by the plants for seed production – using up less water. The other side benefit of this is that when you return from your well-earned break there will be a flush of new buds waiting to burst into colour. Group pots and window boxes together – doing this means the pots will give each other shade and therefore slow down the rate at which they dry out. Another useful tip is to try and use stone or clay pots instead of plastic – the heat generated by the sun quickly dries out the root systems of plants in plastic pots, whereas clay and stone pots stay cooler for longer. Lawns and Borders – Don’t forget to cut the lawn a day or two before you leave for the airport. This ensures the lawn won’t be too long to cut when you get back – it’s also worth giving the lawn a liquid feed and a good water before you go. With your borders, follow the same principle of removing flowers to make sure that you have bushy plants with plenty of buds by the time you return from your break. Follow these tips for longer lasting baskets and you can relax. That’s all for now – good gardening, and if you are taking a break, enjoy! Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre at Curborough Countryside Centre. Telephone 01543 254306 or visit the website at www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk

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Frank Halfpenny Hall By Kate Gomez

ne of Lichfield’s lesser known buildings is Frank Halfpenny Hall which dates back to 1848, and until 1934, was a Primitive Methodist Chapel, after which it was used by the Salvation Army. In 1958, the hall was bought by Lichfield City Councillor Frank Halfpenny and given by him to the Lichfield and Tamworth Constituency Labour Party, who acknowledged this generous gift by naming the building on George Lane after him. Cllr Halfpenny was born in Stoke-on-Trent but came to Lichfield (after serving with the Staffordshire Yeomanry in the First World War) to manage a tailors shop on Market Street. His involvement in local politics began with his election to the City Council in 1936 and three years later, he was appointed Sheriff. Due to the outbreak of the Second World War that year, the 1939 Sheriff’s ride was hugely scaled down and the tradition was upheld by Frank and just one other rider. In 1965, he became the city’s first Labour Mayor but sadly passed away the following year, leaving behind wife Mary, who would herself go on to serve as both Mayor and Sheriff, and three sons. In more recent years, the building on George Lane has been home to Abacus Pre-School and at a recent open day, staff, volunteers and parents were joined by Godfrey Halfpenny, one of Frank’s sons. As he unveiled the hall’s new sign, which features the name of the hall alongside the name of the preschool, Godfrey also revealed that having served as Chairman of the Education Committee on Staffordshire County Council, his father would have whole heartedly approved of Frank Halfpenny Hall now being used as a place of learning. Jenny Holtham, chair of the committee, was delighted to welcome Godfrey to the pre-school and is also looking forward to welcoming more children to Abacus in September 2017. Places are still available for two to four year olds and anyone interested can contact manager Sarah Johnson on 01543 254 168 or via email info@abacuspreschoollichfield. co.uk. Godfrey Halfpenny

Sarah Johnson, Stephen Sanders, Godfrey Halfpenny and Jenny Holtham

Whittington Countryside and Craft Fair

This year’s Whittington Countryside and Craft Fair takes place on Saturday September 2nd from 10am till 4.30pm. All of the usual attractions will be there, including the Punch and Judy show; the amazing Jez Avery’s Stunt Vehicles; the Ferret show; lots fabulous crafts, cakes and flowers and so much more, plus the welcome return of the Climbing Wall. Food and drink are available all day, plus free parking. Tickets are available on the gate and cost £12 for a family, £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. All profits are ploughed back into local community ventures and charities.

Bringing 'The Creperie' to your event

'Event Crepes', the business that brings an authentic Creperie experience to your event is aiming to spread their love of crepes throughout the Midlands. 'Event Crepes' is helping planners of Weddings, Private Parties and Corporate Events who want a catering wow at their event. This new experience of seeing your crêpe made fresh in front of your eyes is certainly keeping guests happy and entertained. Mark Lewis, who owns 'Event Crepes' commented: "We have seen the popularity of crêpes grow recently, with more people enjoying the choice of the many different options that we can provide at an event. Our customers can create a bespoke menu for their guests to enjoy. This can easily cover all tastebuds with delicious authentic savoury galettes and sweet crepe choices. Guests with special dietary requirements are also easily catered for with gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options." The 'Event Crepe' concept is very simple. The business can set up a 'Crêpe Bar' inside or outside with very little fuss. Ideal for parties at your home, Tipi or marque weddings, church halls, corporate venues or office premisses... with no kitchen facilities required, the possibilities are endless. Event Crepes have recently worked at Private Parties in Four Oaks, Lichfield and surrounding villages. Moxhull Hall, Tutbury Castle and Kings Bromely for Wedding receptions and have completed Corporate events for Porsche Solihull, NHS Derbyshire and Bentley Birmingham to name a few. Contact Mark Lewis on 07843 216112 or email mark@eventcrepes.co.uk www.event-crepes.co.uk

Thor Sculpture installed at Garrick

hor (God of Thunder) by Bob Tweddle is the last sculpture to be displayed in the Garrick Theatre’s box office as part of the Sculpture and Art Foundation CIC Made from exhibition. Derbyshire Hopton Stone, Bob has painstakingly spent over six months in creating this carving. Bob, from Lichfield, ran a building company in Burntwood from 1973 until 2006 and took up stone carving at Dudley College once he retired. He commented: “My stone sculptures are mainly for family and friends but I occasionally take on commissions. I passed a City and Guilds course at Dudley College with credits. I then joined a group of sculptors at Dudley College calling themselves the Shapeshifters ” said Bob. Thor (God of Thunder) is the fourth piece of work to be displayed at the Lichfield Garrick this year. Bob’s sculpture will be on display in the Lichfield Garrick’s Box Office until September 2017. For more information about the Sculpture and Art Foundation CIC visit www.sculptureandartfoundation.com

Specsavers’ 1940s Charity Day

n Saturday 24th J u n e , S p e c s a v e r s , Lichfield, held a 1940s themed charity day (complete with 1940s music and memorabilia throughout the store) in conjunction with ‘Armed Forces Day’. All the staff came in 1940s dress and baked cakes to traditional recipes that were sold for a donation to their chosen charities. A total of £139 was raised which was donated to Help for Heroes, Blind Veterans UK and The Royal British Legion. Specsavers commented: “We also held a charity raffle with some great prizes donated by local supporting businesses including McKenzie’s Restaurant, Lee Garden, Ego, Flowers by Design, Damn Fine Café and The Salon to name but a few. We couldn't raise such a good amount without their support. Tony from The Royal British Legion in Lichfield also came along to support the day and help raise much needed funds for our chosen charities. The day was a great success enjoyed by both staff and customers. We would like to thank all the local businesses for their continued support for these events and all our customers who kindly donated.”

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Win an Mtech Formula Renault 12 Lap Driving Experience worth £199!

Citylife in Lichfield has teamed up with Mtech Motorsport and Engineering to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Formula Renault 12 Lap Driving Experience worth £199 (see details below) on Monday 4th September 2017 – the perfect experience for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an F1 driver!

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question: Mtech is based in…

A. Staffordshire B. Derbyshire C. Worcestershire

To enter, send you answer (A, B or C), name and contact details to Mtech Competition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS or email citylifecompetitions@gmail.com by the competition closing date of Friday 4th August 2017. Terms and conditions apply – see page 48.

A Window on the Past

From its earliest beginnings, Lichfield has been a place based on trade. We have family businesses in the city who are still being run by the second, third, even fourth generations of the same entrepreneurial families. Walking through the city recently on market day I was struck by how bustling our centre is - we still have bakers and butchers and greengrocers. Buildings that were shops 100 years ago are still shops today – long may our city centre thrive and continue!

Serving the City

Thank you to the local history group ‘You’re probably 7. Frisby’s and B.T. Redington from Lichfield Staffs if…’ for these wonderful and 8. Kim’s Kabin and W. Osborne cycles on Bore Street in the evocative pictures of businesses that many of our 1960s readers will remember. 1. A&H Worsey, newsagent and tobacconist and Manley butchers shop on Tamworth Street 2. Victoria Wine on Market Street in the 1960s

3. Market Street in the 1970s showing Focus TV Rentals and Bon Marche 4. Smith & Parker Ltd, Bore Street, in the 1960s

5. Royce ladieswear, Market Street, in the 1960s (now Oxfam).

6. Pricerite (now Iceland) and Merrett (now New Look) on Market Street in the 1970s

9. Granary discounts store on Bore Street in the 1970s (on the site of the old Adelphi Cinema, now Wilko)

For more stories, pictures and memories, visit the group’s Facebook page ‘You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if…’ or go along to their next meeting on Tuesday July 4th and Tuesday August 8th from 7pm till 10pm at Lichfield Social Club, Purcell Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 7PH. For more information call 01543 416393 or 01543 268842. The group’s great displays of local photographs and memorabilia can be booked free of charge to appear at shows, nursing homes and clubs etc. Please note, these images remain the copyright of the image owners as listed and Citylife in Lichfield Ltd and may not be reproduced, copied, or used in any way without permission.

5 6

Bee Orchid (image courtesy of Pipe Green Trust)

A Walk on Pipe Green

By Joss Musgrove Knibb

n late June, on the hottest day of the year so far, I went for a walk across Pipe Green, Lichfield, accompanied and guided by Jane Arnold, Pinner of the Pipe Green Trust.

‘Pinner’ is a job title we don’t often hear of these days. Pinners originally gathered in lost grazing animals that might have been wandering loose and damaging crops. The animals were kept in pinfolds, or walled enclosures and corralled until their owners came to collect them (after paying a fine for allowing them to wander in the first place). There’s a rare example of a pinfold still standing on Pinfold Lane off Beacon Street.

These days, Jane and other members of the Pipe Green Trust manage the Green, working with ecologists from Natural England; farmers and volunteers to keep this extraordinary space a beautiful environment for the plants and animals that call it home, and for the public who get to enjoy it, free of charge, 365 days a year.

Pipe Green covers 11 hectares and is a Site of Biological Importance and is currently managed under a

Countryside Stewardship scheme. Quietly thriving here are wild orchids, including the rare Bee Orchid, Greenfinches, Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Whitethroats, Grasshopper Warblers, buzzards, kestrals, owls and bats (including Pipistrelles and Daubenton’s Bats). Butterflies and moths also thrive here, as do frogs, and in the autumn there is a colourful display of waxcap fungi.

Extending from the Western Bypass to Maple Hayes, and from Leomansley Woods to Abnalls Lane, the Green offers views of the spires of the cathedral that will not have changed for centuries.

Jane Arnold

The Green is also home to animals that only thrive in certain habitats. The Green is a rare example of ‘unimproved meadowland’ and is grazed by a friendly herd of

Long-tailed tit - image courtesy Bob Russon

cattle. These keep the long grasses down, allowing plant species such as the rare Adder’s-tongue Fern, along with some of the orchid species and Meadow Saxifrage to grow. The meadowland is a mosaic carpet of tiny flowers, and has been grazed for hundreds of years.

The fen habitat is home to species that like to keep their feet wet, and on the day that we explored the Green, the Marsh Thistles were being visited by Greenfinches who love their seeds.

Leomansley Brook wanders across the green, bordered in places with Watercress and Meadowsweet and is home to Minnows, Sticklebacks, Damselflies and Dragonflies. There are mature hedgerows (that, Jane tells me, are full of blackberries in the autumn) that are important food sources for insects and birds alike.

Stand here and it’s hard to believe that you’re within walking distance of a busy city centre.

You can access Pipe Green from Abnalls Lane, Leomansley (in fact you can walk through the woods to the Green) and from the football pitches’ car-park on the Western Bypass. If you’ve never visited, you’re missing a treat. What other city has this kind of beauty so close to its centre? The public are welcome to come and enjoy this beautiful space.

If you’d like to help keep Pipe Green in optimal condition, and have a few hours to spare, friendly volunteer working parties meet there on the first Sunday of every month (10am till 12 noon), where you can do as little or as much as you wish. For more information on the working parties and on Pipe Green go to www.pipegreentrust.org or visit their Facebook page.

Lichfield Fuse Festival!

ver the weekend of July 7th to 9th, Beacon Park will once again host the popular and free family music festival, Lichfield Fuse. Returning for its sixteenth year, Fuse has become one of the largest free community events in the Midlands. This year’s festival promises to be better than ever before with a diverse celebration of music spread across two main stages. Both will be buzzing with live music throughout the whole weekend. Full listings and details can be found on the website fuselichfield.org.uk as well as in the printed programmes that can be picked up from Donegal House in Lichfield and will be available on the gate across the weekend. Festival Co-Director Cathy Fellows commented: “There are so many musical highlights on this year’s programme - there really is something for everyone! From musical comedy to Jazz and Funk, from pop to rock ‘n’ roll, from hip hop to Bhangra, we have it covered.” As well as the music programme, Fuse offers a range of free and inclusive activities and workshops too. Straight from the fields of Glastonbury comes Panic Circus who return after being so well received at last year’s event. Head clown, Professor Panic and his team will be running circus skills workshops including plate spinning, unicycle riding and tight rope walking as well as offering a range of storytelling, clown and puppet performances for the kids. Families can also join in with the range of activities offered by Junk Orchestra who will be hosting the Recycled Rave, junk instrument building and the Fuse Sound Garden. Other free activities, workshops and demonstrations include breakdancing, urban art, boat building and even blacksmithing! For more information and event timings visit www.Fuselichfield.org.uk and follow @LichfieldFuse on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates. #LichfieldFuse.

Home welcome

• Buying • Selling • Renting • Letting

LOCAL NEWS Walking Lichfield’s Canal

Lichfield Canal’s connection with the community was demonstrated when a group of city residents took part in a two-mile return walk to learn about the work done by the canal’s restoration trust. Accompanied by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust engineering director Peter Buck and his wife Jeanne with communications director Christine Howles, the group walked from Darnford Park to the site of a proposed tunnel under the Cross City railway at Birmingham Road. A Boley Park resident, Derek Jones, who arranged the walk so that he and his neighbours could find out more about the canal, commented: “All the Lichfield residents who took part in the walk found it a very enjoyable experience. All present, including those who had lived in Lichfield for 40 years, gained a new insight into what had happened, why and what needed to be done. They found the input from the canal trustees very useful and would recommend other groups approach the trust for a similar walk. Children and dogs are most welcome. Naturally a reasonable voluntary donation for the trustees’ time would be appropriate to help them raise the one million pounds for the latest project.” The group’s own voluntary donations raised £75 for the Trust’s David Suchet Tunnel Vision appeal.

The Lichfield Prize 2017 Dreams and Extremes Exhibition

An exhibition of thought provoking work by the Lichfield Prize competition finalists can be viewed at Lichfield Cathedral and Emporium gallery from 7th to 15th July. The competition theme this year focused on America. Artists from around the country have interpreted and expressed this wide and very topical subject in an variety of media from paint and photography to sculpture and printmaking. The overall winner selected by an experienced judging panel receives prize

money of £500 sponsored by Lichfield BID together with a two week solo exhibition at Emporium. The prize giving will take place in the Cathedral at the opening of the exhibition. An additional prize, The People’s Choice, has been introduced this year. Sponsored by Keelys LLP, visitors to the exhibition can vote for their favourite piece and a prize of £200 will be awarded to the artist with most votes. Ballot slips and boxes are available at both venues and votes can also be cast by emailing the gallery. Voting will close at midday Saturday15th July and the winner announced at 3pm at the Cathedral.

Sizzling Temperatures for third IRONMAN competition

A temperature on 29C greeted athletes who took part in the county’s third IRONMAN 70.3 competition in June. Hundreds of spectators

Competition and Prize Draw Terms and Conditions 1. By entering the prize draw/competition, you agree to the terms and condition stated. 2.The closing date is stated on each individual prize draw or competition. 3.Where stated in the competition that a clearly stated competition partner will contact the entrants after the competition with news, stories and offers, entrant’s contact details will be passed to this competition partner for these marketing purposes only. As stated in the competition/prize draw, if you do not wish to receive marketing information from the competition partner stated, please add the words OPT OUT to your entry. For a copy of Citylife in Lichfield Ltd’s privacy policy please write to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. 4.By entering the competition/prize draw, entrants agree to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd using or publishing materials provided by the entrants in any of their publications and online. 5.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. 6.Only one entry per prize draw/competition, per reader. 7.Except in the case of cash prizes, no cash equivalent will be offered and the prize is non-transferable. 8.All prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers' terms and conditions. 9.No purchase necessary. 10.Prize draws and competitions are only open to UK residents aged 18 years or over (unless otherwise stated). 11.Competitions and prize draws may not be entered by any employee or individual associated with any employee, agent or third party of Citylife in Lichfield Ltd. 12.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/applicable competitions from all entries received.

took advantage of the sun as they came out to cheer on competitors along the route, which saw over 2000 people complete a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run through stunning Staffordshire countryside. Scores of volunteers were on hand to give out water and support athletes along the way. The day started off at Chasewater, where the sun certainly helped people plunging into the cold water at 7am on the start of their IRONMAN journey. Professional athletes Italian Giulio Molinari and Britain’s Lucy Gossage led the field, with Gossage scoring a hat-trick of wins at IRONMAN70.3 Staffordshire. Over 2000 local, national and international competitors took on the gruelling challenge, battling soaring temperatures to cross the finish line. Many people were raising money for local charities.

Lichfield Townswomen's Guild Afternoon Tea Competition

Congratulations to M. Moore, winner of a pair of tickets to the Townswomen's Guild Aftermoon Tea

13.Winners will be notified by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd up to 28 days after the closing date of the competition/prize draw by the contact details provided by the entrant. 14.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. 15.When the prize draw/competition winner has been selected, this decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 16.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. 17.Competitions may be amended or withdrawn at any time. 18.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 Ltd’s publications and online. 19.Unless otherwise stated, the promoter is Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. 20. 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. 21.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. 22.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.

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 July

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July Cars in the Park An annual extravaganza in Beacon Park, Lichfield, with over 1000 classic cars to view!

1st & 3rd Saturday of the month (starting 1st July) Cellar Tours at Erasmus Darwin House. Step back in time with exclusive access to the cellars under the museum. Catch a glimpse of Lichfield’s hidden history. Tickets £2. First come, first served. 01543 306260, enquiries@erasmusdarwin.org

Friday 7th to Sunday 9th July FUSE Festival Lichfield Arts Fuse Festival is back for 2017. Come along to our FREE music and arts festival. This year features lots more brilliant music and loads of family activites.

Friday 7th to Saturday 15th July Lichfield Festival One of the country's premiere arts and music festivals - various venues. Go to /www.lichfieldfestival.org for further details

Saturday 8th July Florette Festival Market 10am to 4pm, around The Close and surrounding streets, Lichfield.

Sunday 9th July Lunar Lecture and Cathedral Close Tours at Erasmus Darwin House At 4.30pm, tickets £5. Anna Seward, affectionately known as the ‘Swan of Lichfield’, was an esteemed and outspoken poet in the 18th Century. Find out more about her unusual life and times on this afternoon talk or join one of our experienced guides for timed tours of Lichfield’s historic Cathedral Close where she

resided. Tours take place at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Booking essential. enquiries@erasmusdarwin.org 01543 306260

Saturday 15th July Rocklands Special School Summer Fayre 12 noon till 2pm at Rocklands School, Purcell Avenue, Lichfield. Fun for all the family including stalls, games, refreshments, and raffle. Come along and support our school, we are fundraising for a sensory garden for our children. Please email clairejennings@rocklands.staffs.s ch.uk for more details. Monday 17th July Lichfield Embroiderers' Guild: A presentation of her work by Priscilla Jones - 2D and 3D textile artist. 7pm for 7.30pm at the Fire Station, Birmingham Road, Lichfield WS13 6HU. Plenty of free parking opposite. Please join us for what should be a fascinating evening showcasing some lovely work by a talented textile and mixed media artist. Visitors very welcome - £4 for further information, please call Iva Davies on 01543 252177 or email iva@davies125.plus.com

Thursday 20th July Senior Citizens’ Summer Lunch At The George Hotel, Bird Street, Lichfield T: 01543 414822. Enjoy a glass of Buck’s Fizz or orange juice and a delicious three course lunch in the Garrick Suite with entertainment from the jazz and blues singer, Holly Hewitt. £19.50 per person.

Thursday 20th July Ian Macleod Whisky Distillers Dinner At Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 308 3751. Join us for an exclusive evening of fine food accompanied by award winning

whiskies from Ian Macleod Distillers. £59 per person or from £179 per couple with an overnight stay in a double room

Thursday 20th July Lichfield Civic Society Meeting and Talk At 7.45 pm. Broctonlager : Brocton Prisoner of War Camp 1917-1919. Speaker: Beryl Holt. The meeting will take place in The Lichfield Room, Wade St Church Community Hall, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6HS. Admission is free to members and school students. Non-members are always welcome - £3 at the door.

Sunday 23rd July NEW Summer Plant Hunters’ Fair at Middleton Hall, Middleton, Tamworth, B78 2AE 10am-4pm. Plant Fair at Middleton Hall with entry to the Gardens, Hall and Fair all for just £2. It’s just the right time to pick up some late flowering plants to give your garden a boost and we know that the nurseries will have just the right plant to set your summer garden ablaze with colour. Details at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk

Tuesday 25th July Lichfield Branch of 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.

Saturday 29th July Plant Hunters’ Fair at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, DE13 7AR 10am-4.30pm. Popular plant fair with a great

line-up of 18 specialist nurseries from across the country. The plants are lovingly grown by specialist nurseries and these enthusiastic plants people are on hand to give honest, straightforward advice on choosing and growing the right plants for your garden. FREE ENTRY to the Plant Fair and Arboretum (P&D parking) Details atwww.planthuntersfairs.co.uk

Saturday 29th July to 1st September Discovering Giant Tortoises: Galapagos Exhibition at Erasmus Darwin House 11am – 5pm, Free. A special exhibition, kids’ activities and trails throughout the summer holidays in partnership with the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

Friday 4th and Saturday 5th August Big second-hand book sale at Lichfield Methodist Church 10am till 3pm. Lichfield Methodist Church, Tamworth St. In aid of church and other charities. Book donations welcome, please contact Don Male 252653.

Monday 7th August Lunar Lecture on Lunar Society Member Samuel Galton at Erasmus Darwin House At 7.30pm. Join Cambridge academic Dr Harry Smith as he delivers an engaging talk on this little-known 18th Century man, religious non-conformist and gun maker, Samuel Galton.

Sunday 24th September Nearly new baby & kid sale. 2.30pm till 4pm at Boley Park Community Hall, Ryknild Street, Lichfield, WS14 9XU. www.mommasandshoppers.co.uk. Quality pre-loved baby equipment, prams, toys, books, clothes up to the age of 10 years being sold. Bargains for Christmas for a fraction of high street cost. Admission £1.50. Kids free.

Holiday Cottage To Let Woolacombe North Devon

Details/Pictures:www.leesideholidays.com

Email: johns@leeside.myzen.co.uk Tel: 0121 353 6613