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Inside... March 2018
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.
6 Win Afternoon Tea for Two Courtesy of The School House 16 Happy Mother’s Day Perfect Gifts for Special Mums 24 Hidden Spaces Sandfields Pumping Station
36 A Window on the Past To the loveliest mum in the world 42 Unearthing History By Gary Starkey
44 A Perfect Reflection of Your Perfect Day Style to reflect your wedding
CITYLIFE Contacts Editor - Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048
josscitylife@gmail.com Deputy Editor - Kate Gomez 07742 917708 katecitylife@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
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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Win Afternoon Tea for Two at The School House
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he School House, Church Hill, Weeford, near Lichfield is a unique venue for afternoon teas, delicious lunches, relaxed or occasion dining and wonderful weddings – all in the picturesque heart of the countryside.
Enjoy fantastic food, great wines and a relaxed atmosphere in The School House’s stunning restaurant, Manley’s Brasserie. Whether you fancy a succulent steak, fresh seafood, cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, a British classic or something a little different, Manley’s seasonal menus are designed with fresh, local Staffordshire produce at their heart. Manley’s Brasserie chefs use influences from around the world (as well as closer to home) to create dishes to suit all tastes. Their menus feature some of Staffordshire’s finest meats, Chef’s much-loved homemade pies and personally selected fresh fish from Birmingham's famous markets. Looking for private dining for that very
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special occasion? With five beautiful private dining spaces within The School House, that are appropriate for 16 to 150 diners, they can offer the perfect environment for everything from a business meeting to a private family event. For more information just go to www.schoolhouse.co.uk or call 01543 480009.
Win Afternoon Tea for Two at The School House
The School House’s Afternoon Tea is quintessentially English, and includes finger sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones, beautifully presented alongside a pot of tea of coffee – or why not add a glass of Prosecco? Served on Tuesday to Saturday between 12.30pm and 4.30pm, The School House’s Afternoon Teas are a delightful way to spend an afternoon in beautiful surroundings. Afternoon Tea is £14.95 per person (Tuesday to Friday) and £17.95 (Sunday).
To be in with a chance of winning afternoon tea for two, just unscramble the letters to find a delicious Italian dessert
RUMITISA
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To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to The School House 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 Friday 23rd March. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Winners will not be offered a cash equivalent. Full terms and conditions on page 50. Congratulations to J Stephens who gave the correct answer of Eggs Benedict and solved the anagram in the February issue.
Kayleigh’s Fundraising Challenge
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wo years ago, Kayleigh Murphy had a double lung transplant, due to having Cystic Fibrosis. Since then she has been determined to live life to the fullest, setting herself a series of fundraising challenges as a way of saying thank you to both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where she had her life-saving treatment and to her donor and the donor’s family. Last year, Kayleigh raised over £4,000 by taking part in a dog-sledding trek in Norway. This time round, Kayleigh will travel from Lichfield to Iceland in July for ‘The Viking Challenge’, a 230km trek on horseback to raise money for two causes which are close to her heart. Funds raised by Kayleigh will go to the British Horse Society and the Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Home from Home’ project, which will enable the hospital to provide free accommodation for relatives of transplant patients to stay in whilst their loved one undergoes treatment. Kayleigh told Citylife that although she was lucky enough to have been treated locally, other patients have to travel to the transplant unit from all over the country, something which can add additional strain at an already stressful time. Alongside her more adventurous challenges, Kayleigh also organises all sorts of fundraising events nearer to home, from charity balls to bake sales. On Saturday 7th April, The Cuttle Bridge Inn Hotel in Sutton Coldfield is hosting a 1920s night arranged by Kayleigh. Tickets are £12 per person which includes a complimentary drink and food, and there will
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also be the chance to win prizes with a Peaky Blinders theme in the raffle! Once again, all proceeds are going to The British Horse Society and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s ‘Home from Home’ project. To find out more about Kayleigh’s Viking Challenge, and to make a donation, please visit her fundraising page at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/kayleighmurphy. For tickets to the 1920s night, please call 07506 431217 or email kj_murphy@msn.com.
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Military Badge Collection
By Nick Thompson – Medal & Militaria Consultant at Richard Winterton Auctioneers Since the late 1700s the Military forces of almost every country in the world have had some form of insignia for their force’s helmets, caps and other headgear. Some would say that the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, are right up there, near the top, when it comes to metal cap and helmet badges to signify one Regiment or Corps from another. When it comes to collecting, the specialised fields that open up are almost endless, i.e. collecting by a certain battle; collecting by a local Regiment or Regiments associated with each county - for example Staffordshire; or collecting to a specific division or formation you really can make your own rules up as you go along. Almost every military fair I attend has a huge number of these badges for sale, and the prices can range from a couple of pounds, right up to £50 plus for a scarce Regiment or formation. So, no matter how deep your pockets, there is something out there for the collector to start his way up the fascinating badge-collecting ladder. We at Richard Winterton Auctioneers are
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extremely pleased to offer a large collection of British Military Cap Badges and Helmet Plates in our next Military Sale on Monday 30th April, 2018. This collection of almost 800 specimens has been catalogued into lots which represent the finest of our important military history. The badges represented cover almost every Line Regiment and Corps from the late 1800s through to the recent past. Some of the lots are specific, i.e. badges to the Imperial Yeomanry. Some are specific to the Corps, including some scarce units. Hundreds of Line Regiments feature also, including a cap badge from the 1800s of the Carlow Rifles.
This sale will attract attention from the keen enthusiast, dealer, and beginner alike, and together with other items of medals and militaria will form a significant part of the sale.
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Lichfield to Welcome Fairport Convention
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ichfield Arts has announced that the nationally-acclaimed folk-rock band Fairport Convention will be appearing at the Guildhall on Tuesday June 5th as part of their 50th Anniversary tour.
Fairport Convention have been making music for over fifty years. Credited with originating British folk-rock music, the band has been through many changes but the current members retain a passion for live performance. This year’s Winter Tour will feature a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and new material from their most recent studio album 50:50@50 celebrating their golden anniversary.
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Fairport Convention has attracted critical acclaim: the band has won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award; Radio 2 listeners voted Fairport’s ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’; and their story has been celebrated with a major documentary on BBC Four television. Fairport Convention features Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on drums and percussion.
Lichfield Arts commented: “Fairport Convention have been leading lights in the folk rock music scene for years, influencing countless musicians along the way. The intimacy of the Guildhall, blended with their exemplary music making skills will make this an unmissable concert. It is already proving very popular, so we suggest you snap your tickets up soon to avoid disappointment.” Tickets are £25 and are available from www.lichfieldarts.org.uk, by phoning 01543 262223, or calling into the Lichfield Arts Box Office in Donegal House on Bore Street.
Cathedral celebrates praise from Minister for Faith
Recently, the government released a report documenting, and notably commending, forty-two Anglican cathedrals across England. This was following the Minister for Faith, Lord Bourne’s tour around the country, where he looked into the cathedrals’ community involvement, commitments to promoting local economic growth and their place as continued sites of worship. Lichfield Cathedral received several mentions throughout the report, and was praised for technological advancement, architectural improvements and artistic events. The report highlights how cathedrals are the heart of many communities, providing pastoral care and religious guidance to a range of visitors from young people to those suffering from HIV. Lord Bourne used Lichfield Cathedral as one of several examples when disclosing that the links between faith leaders across cathedrals are evidently strong. Lichfield were also credited for the continued efforts to support the Lichfield Festival, which was founded in 1981, by John Lang, a previous Dean of Lichfield. In addition, the report mentioned how Lichfield Cathedral was successful in being awarded £1.49 million of funding towards stonework repairs and electrical modernisation through the First World War Centenary War Fund. The work was praised for reducing the cathedral's energy consumption, enhancing architectural features and ensuring the Cathedral remains watertight. Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, commented: “The report is a great reflection of all the hard work put in by the cathedrals. We’ve put huge amounts of effort into cultivating continual involvement from the community and I’m particularly proud of our app which the report touches on. It gives more people access to the St Chad Gospels, and ultimately that’s what we want to do, increase the accessibility of our work.” To read the report visit, www.gov.uk/government/publications/cathed rals-and-their-communities. Lichfield Cathedral runs regular services, events and learning opportunities, to find out more visit, www.lichfield-cathedral.org/. Alternatively, call 01543 306100.
Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield Cathedral
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Lichfield Arts in March
wo leading instrumental bands will play Lichfield Guildhall when both Leveret and Spiro perform as part of their Eccentric Orbits Tour on Saturday 10th March at 8pm. Leveret rely on their mutual trust and intuition to create their music entirely in the moment – there are no arrangements and the focus shifts constantly and compellingly between three masters of their instruments. Spiro draw inspiration from minimalism and electronic music. Their live shows feature intense ensemble playing which aims to transport audiences on an exhilarating journey far away from their roots in English folk. Tickets are £17, £15.30 for Friends of Lichfield
Win Tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest at The Lichfield Garrick! Citylife has teamed up with the Lichfield Garrick to offer one reader and their plus one the chance to win tickets to this fantastic production!
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he Importance of Being Earnest will play at the Lichfield Garrick from Tuesday 27 March until Saturday 31 March. Oscar Wilde’s much loved comedy The Importance of Being Earnest follows Jack Worthing’s endeavours to marry Algernon’s cousin, the beautiful Gwendolen. But first he must convince the fearsome Lady Bracknell of his respectability. Wilde’s classic play looks at the clash of town and country in a story of romance, identity, perambulators and capacious
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Arts and £8.50 for under 16s. Lichfield Arts’ special Ceilidh takes place on Friday March 30th, led by Lichfield’s own Reel Hot Ceilidh Peppers with caller Peter Cole. The Reel Hot Ceilidh Peppers play fun and lively barn dance and ceilidh music - ideal for a good dance. Tickets for the Ceilidh are £7 with under 16s being £3.50.
All events start at Lichfield Guildhall at 8pm, with doors opened from 7.15pm. For tickets and further information, visit www.lichfieldarts.org.uk phone 01543 262223, or call into the Lichfield Arts Office in Donegal House on Bore Street.
Leveret and Spiro
handbags. Hannah Louise Howell will play Gwendolen, and she will be joined by Geoff Aymer, Louise Coulthard, Thomas Howes, Peter SandysClarke and Simon Shackleton, playing Chasuble, Cecily, Algernon, Jack and Lane/Merriman respectively. They join the previously announced Gwen Taylor as Lady Bracknell and Susan Penhaligon as Miss Prism. Hannah Louise Howell’s theatre credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Alastair Whatley earlier this year at South Hill Park Arts Centre. Geoff Aymer’s televsison credits include Guerilla and Eastenders and Louise Coulthard won the Lustrum Award at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe for her play, Cockamamy. Thomas Howes is best known for playing William Mason in ITV’s Downton Abbey. He has since appeared as Yashvin in the 2012 film adaptation of Anna Karenina and played Winston Churchill in Murdoch Mysteries. Peter Sandys-Clarke’s TV work includes The Royals, The Crown and Indian Summers and Simon Shackleton has appeared in EastEnders,
Silk, The Queen, Lewis and Torchwood. Tickets start from £23.50 and are available from the Box Office on 01543 412121 or www.lichfieldgarrick.com
Win, Win, Win!
To be in with a chance of winning a ticket for you and your plus one to see The Importance of Being Earnest on Tuesday 27 March at 7.30pm, just send your name and contact details to Importance of Being Earnest Competition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS or email citylifecompetitions@gmail.com by the competition closing date of Friday 16th March. For full terms and conditions see page 50.
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The English Soap Company briar rose pure soy candle £10.50, The English Soap Company pink grapefruit soap £4.50, Cotswold Lavender soap £1.50, Cotswold Lavender body wash £4, Sebini of England lavender and sage luxury scented candle £11 and a range of Mothering Sunday cards £1.75 - Available from The Shop at No.9
Cherish frames are perfect for presenting images of loved ones 10"x8" £29, 5"x7" £19, 3.5"x3" £15 - Available from Arthur Price
Silver-plated 8" Mounted Rose Bowl in a 'petal' style, with a Net and Bead design border. Height 10cm. Presented in an Arthur Price of England gift box £125 Available from Arthur Price
Fox and Chave silk clutch bags inspired by the works of Gustav Klimt £50 Available from The Shop at No.9
A range of gift vouchers including Afternoon Tea, an ideal treat for Mum - Available from The Strawberry Cabin
Dune by Sophie Conran is delicate and delightful with a distinctive textured starburst embossed finish on each handle, six person, 44 piece set £245 Available from Arthur Price
Tea strainer and matching drip cup from the Tableware set. Presented in an Arthur Price of England gift box £49 - Available from Arthur Price
Happy Mother’s Day! Perfect gifts for special Mums…
Stockists: The Shop at No.9, 9 The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD City Jewellers of Lichfield, 39 Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LA. Dame Oliver's, 19 Dam Street, Lichfield, WS13 6AE. Arthur Price, Britannia Way, Lichfield, WS14 9UY.
Silver drop earrings by Carat London £240 Available from City Jewellers
Silver heart bracelet by Shaune Leane available in three colour ways £210 - Available from City Jewellers
Blissful aromatherapy back massage and mini facial using your choice of skincare. £45 for 55 minutes (usually £64) during March 2018 - Available from Body Beautiful Mother’s Day afternoon tea, £15 per person Available from The George Hotel
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Sophie Oliver Sterling Silver boxed jewellery from £30 to £40 Available from The Shop at No.9
A selection a Paperblanks notebooks and address books from £12.50 to £20 Available from The Shop at No.9
Sterling sillver rainbow moonstone statement bracelet £225 and sterling silver moonstone ring £35 Available from Dame Oliver's
Rose quartz tassel necklace £35 and crystal necklace £29 Available from Dame Oliver's
Sterling silver, green amethyst, moldavite, jasper and prehnite statement bracelet £250 and sterling silver citrine earrings £15 - Available from Dame Oliver's
Sterling silver and blue topaz ring £29 and sterling silver moonstone leaf ring £26.50 Available from Dame Oliver's
The Strawberry Cabin, Manor Farm, Watling Street, Hints, Tamworth, B78 3DF. Body Beautiful Day Spa & Beauty Salon, 20 Dam Street, Lichfield, WS13 6AA. The George Hotel, Bird Street, Lichfield WS13 6PR.
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A visit to Friends 2 Friends DRY EYES? GET SOME O RELIEF
n a recent visit to Cruck House to meet Friends 2 Friends, Citylife met with staff, volunteers and members to find out more about what the charity does and the difference that being part of the group has made to people’s lives. On leaving school or college, many adults with learning disabilities lose their social network and find themselves isolated. In response to this, Friends 2 Friends was set up here in Lichfield in May 2012 to create a fun and relaxing environment, where new friendships could be made. Originally, the group was solely for adults with learning disabilities but more recently, in agreement with existing members, the group is now open to other vulnerable adults. One of the main aims of the charity is to promote confidence and independence through a variety of activities and events, all of which are decided by the group, and member led, with support from staff and volunteers. Kylie, one of the group’s members, told us that being part of Friends 2 Friends had given her the confidence to apply for and get a job, something she wouldn’t have even considered previously. Regular activities include street dancing, art and a cookery group and new ideas are regularly suggested by members according to their interests. For example, Dhal had never been on a bicycle and wanted to learn how to ride. After attending sessions arranged by Friends 2 Friends, he can now be seen confidently cycling around Lichfield on his own bike. Other opportunities for members include attending workshops and training courses and there are often talks on subjects aimed at helping members to make informed choices. Another member, Steph, said that one of her favourite things about coming to Friends 2 Friends was the opportunity to learn something new and that she had recently taken part in a sign language course. Each year, an anniversary award show takes place in May and there are many other social events throughout the year including a talent show, quiz night and discos all of which give members a chance to celebrate and support each other, as well as raising much needed funds. This year, thanks to We Love Lichfield, the group are looking forward to their first ever seaside trip! The session times and venues for Friends 2 Friends are as follows: Monday 10-1pm (Cruck House); Wednesday 2-4pm (Curborough Community Centre); Thursday 1pm - 3pm (Cruck House); Friday 10 - 12pm (Cruck House); Saturday 10 - 2pm (Cruck House on the1st and 3rd Sat of the month) and Saturday 11 - 3pm (Curborough Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Sat of the month). Anyone interested in joining is welcome to drop into one of the sessions or to have a chat with Allison on 07800 576645. You can also find out more about Friends 2 Friend on Facebook @f2flichfield.
City of Lichfield Probus chooses Acorns Children's Hospice
Ken Marshall, Chairman of The City of Lichfield Probus Club, has confirmed The Acorns Children's Hospice as his charity of the year. Acorns have two hospices in the Midlands, which cater for children with life limiting conditions. The fund-raising will culminate with a cheque presentation at their charity luncheon later in the year. The City of Lichfield Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of the month at St Matthews in Burntwood and, after a lunch, have a variety of speakers on interesting subjects. For further details please contact chairman Ken on 01543 686965.
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By Clive Marchant
Here, Clive Marchant, dry eye specialist and managing director of Colin Lee Opticians talks about dry eye syndrome, and how to tackle it. Do your eyes often feel dry or irritated? Do certain activities, like reading or working on the computer make your eyes feel scratchy? Are you wearing your contact lenses less because they feel uncomfortable? If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may have what eye-care practitioners and doctors call dry eye syndrome. It’s a common problem but you don’t have to live with it. What is dry eye? Dry eye means that you might not be making enough tears, that the tears which are being produced are poor quality or that the tears that are produced evaporate away faster than they should. The normal function of the tears is to keep the surface of the eye wet and lubricated, so any shortage of tears or reduction in their quality can produce a gritty, burning sensation of the eyes and can also disturb vision. There are many symptoms of dry eye syndrome. They include: Dryness; burning, stinging or itching; a gritty feeling; irritation from wind or smoke; blurred or smeary vision; ‘tired eyes’; red eyes; excessive eye watering; photophobia (sensitivity to light) and contact lens discomfort. If you think you have dry eyes come and talk to us at Colin Lee Opticians. We run a specialist dry eye clinic where our opticians will assess your tears and look for possible causes of dryness. With the right advice and products we can often help you to experience a big reduction in dry eye symptoms. Our bespoke three month program will give you the best chance of getting rid of dry eyes forever.
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Your Garden in March By Byron Lewis
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arch heralds the start of the gardening year and as the weather (slowly) improves, there are plenty of jobs to keep you busy in the garden.
Give an instant boost to your patio and borders by adding some seasonal patio plants like Pansy, Viola and Primroses - full of bright colours which you can use to fill any gaps in your display. Likewise, why not plunge pots of ready planted spring bulbs like Daffodils and Crocus into your display. Enjoy the colour they give - then plant them out properly into borders where they will establish to give colour for years to come.
It’s also time to look at your lawn and repair any thinning or bare patches. This can be done quickly by sowing some fresh seed over the patches (called overseeding). Before you apply the seed, rake out any moss and sprinkle a little fresh compost over the area. Water and allow to drain, then sow the seed on the patchy area. You may want to protect the area from the birds with some string or polythene to give the seeds a helping hand. You should see germination within one to two weeks.
Then focus on your beds and borders. Weed seeds will be starting to shoot now, so get a hoe and turn over the soil – this stops the seedlings from taking hold and will reduce trouble later in the season. Once you have done this, consider applying a mulch like Ornamental Bark to the borders. This reduces weed problems, and also keeps in the water – reducing your workload in the summer!
Many seeds can be sown in March - flowers and veg too. Why not try growing your own tomatoes this year? There are plenty of varieties available from seed, whether you prefer sweet flavoured cherry tomatoes, or Italian and traditional types - most tomatoes are easy to grow. Sow in a seed tray and germinate on a warm windowsill. Keep them in a heated greenhouse or conservatory. Depending on variety, some can be grown outdoors in the summer but do check the seed packet carefully before you buy. Alternatively, ready-grown plants are available later this month!
Finally some seasonal highlights for March: The lush rich colour of Rhododendron and Camellia flowers are bursting into bloom, as are the scented blooms of Viburnum. Pieris (Forest Flame). Spring is definitely on the way!
Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre at Curborough Craft Centre. Telephone 01543 254306. Find them on Facebook and Twitter.
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Congratulations to Lichfield Garden Centre!
Byron Lewis and his team are celebrating five years in business at the highly regarded and popular Lichfield Garden Centre.
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yron opened the doors of Lichfield Garden Centre at Curborough Countryside Centre on February 1st 2013. Byron who previously worked at G-Scapes (a Plant Centre based on the same site) has spent his whole career working in horticulture. Byron graduated with a horticulture degree from Pershore College in 1999, and during this time he and his fellow students also won a coveted Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. Following this, Byron spent 14 years at Caerphilly Garden Centre, where he worked his way up from trolley collecting work experience to manager. This has given him a unique insight into all aspects of caring for a wide variety of plants. Byron commented: “I love working in horticulture, no day is ever the same and our customers and regulars make every day a pleasure!” Byron’s team of Jenny Devaney, Nicola Owen and Tim Fowler have decades of experience in working within garden centres. The first five years have ‘gone very quickly’, and the centre has grown, with upgraded facilities and an extension to the covered area. Lichfield Garden Centre’s coach trips are also a big part of what they do – taking visitors to the Malvern Spring Flower Show, Prince Charles' Highgrove Gardens at Tetbury, the Hampton Court Flower Show and many more exquisite gardens and fascinating events. For more information go to lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk, subscribe to the email newsletter or visit Facebook and Twitter.
Lichfield Garden Centre specialises in annuals; perennials; shrubs; David Austin roses; herbs; trees; bedding plants; spring planting; garden and water features; garden furniture and much more. Many of the plants - especially the summer patio plants, are grown locally in Kings Bromley, Barton and Sudbury, which may make a difference to the overall health of the plant as they’re not stressed by a drastic change in climate – leading to thriving healthy planting! The Lichfield Garden Centre Christmas Shop welcomed Santa in his grotto for the first time in 2017. This proved such a success that he’ll be visiting again this December. The garden centre has also established itself as a centre for real Christmas trees, with nearly 600 sold last year. If you’re looking for a gift for a gardening or wildlife enthusiast, their on-site gift shop holds a beautiful range of cards, gifts and gardening supplies – plus bird and wildlife food and planters. New this year are ceramics, glassware and natural beeswax candles. Right now you can also find a beautiful range of spring planting. Byron is also a favourite speaker at many groups and clubs, where he gives engaging talks on plants, followed by the opportunity to purchase plants and shrubs. If you’re interested in booking Byron to speak for your group or club, just get in touch, and Byron and the team are always happy to give free gardening advice to visitors to the garden centre. Byron commented: “I love working in Lichfield and Staffordshire, people are so friendly and it really is home. We’re looking forward to many more years working within such a lovely community.” Lichfield Garden Centre is open seven days a week from MondaySaturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 10am-5pm and can be found at Curborough Countryside Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, WS13 8ES Tel: 01543 254306 or email info@lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk
Congratulations to Lichfield Garden Centre on their 5th Anniversary from:
Smart Garden Products The Bransford Webbs Plant Company Woodlodge Pots Westland Composts
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New Appointments at Community Foundation
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he Community Foundation For Staffordshire has appointed two new Vice Chairs as it targets becoming one of the biggest of its type in the UK. Simon Price, CEO of Arthur Price and Stafford-based procurement consultant Jonathan Andrew will help steer the community grant and fund management organisation through the next few years as it expands, whilst ensuring it delivers its key objectives of helping those in need. Simon Price, is the Chief Executive of cutlery and gift firm Arthur Price. He is the fourth generation to be at the helm of the of the 115 year-old company. Patron of community fund We Love Lichfield, ex Sheriff of Lichfield, Simon has been a Foundation
Trustee since 2013 Their roles are to support the growth of the Community Foundation For Staffordshire as it targets fund value of £20m by 2025. Simon will focus on raising awareness of the Foundation and leading its local community funds. Jonathan will lead on governance and ensuring the grants awarded make an impact. Steve Adams, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation For Staffordshire commented: “We are growing every year and expect to have funds valued at £20m by 2025 which would see us as one of the biggest of its
Steve Adams, Simon Price, Jonathan Andrew, and Roger Lewis
kind in the UK. We celebrate ten years in operation in 2018 and have grown significantly in the past few years giving away over £1m per year across the county. The positions of Vice Chair have been created to ensure we not only hit the target, but mostly importantly increase the amount we can distribute to those in need and organisations that make a difference to our communities.” Anyone who wants to find out more about The Community Foundation For Staffordshire can call 01785 339540 or visit www.staffsfoundation.org.uk
J HOWELL & DAUGHTERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS LICHFIELD & ALREWAS
LICHFIELD’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT, FAMILY RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS. SECOND GENERATION BUSINESS HERE TO ASSIST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. 24 hours a day
We are proud to be Lichfield's longest established family run funeral directors offering a wide range of choices to suit all requirements. Horse drawn hearse, non religious ceremonies, floral tributes and memorials are but a few of the services we offer. Pre-paid funeral plans are also available.
For a truly personal service please call
01543 255776
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Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS
01283 792923
36 Main Street, Alrewas, Burton Upon Trent. DE13 7AA
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Hidden Spaces Each month, Citylife explores one of Lichfield’s ‘Hidden Spaces’ to give readers a glimpse into part of the city’s fascinating history not usually seen by the public. In this issue, we explore Sandfields Pumping Station, and see how work to restore this Grade II* Listed Building and its unique Cornish Beam Engine is progressing.
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n the mid nineteenth century, in industrial towns in the Black Country, fresh, clean drinking water was scarce and as a result, cholera was rife. Water here in Lichfield was plentiful, thanks to the surrounding springs which had been supplying both the city and the Close since medieval times and so engineer John Robinson McClean came up with a scheme which would allow water from the city to be distributed to the places where it was so desperately needed.
The South Staffordshire Waterworks Company was established in 1853 for this purpose, and resulted not only in the building of Sandfields Pumping Station but also the transformation of Minster and Stowe Pools into reservoirs and the installation of a pipe alongside the track of the South Staffordshire Railway, to carry water from the Pumping Station to a reservoir at Walsall. In the 1960s, many of the buildings associated with the pumping station were demolished, but the blue brick engine house designed by Birmingham architect Henry Naden remains. The current building dates to 1872/3 and was built as an extension to an earlier engine house built in 1858, the façade of which can still be seen within the pumping station. A more modern building dating to the mid 1960s was built on the foundation of this earlier building. The engine itself was manufactured in 1873 by J&G Davis of Tipton and is the only surviving example of its kind. Other stunning features include a cast iron staircase and two cast iron columns inside the engine house manufactured and installed by Thornewill and Wareham of Burton on Trent. Over the last year, volunteers have been working hard to rectify some of the damage caused to the building and its contents, following several years of neglect, and to begin the long process of restoring Sandfields Pumping Station to its former glory. The Lichfield Waterworks Trust are currently in negotiations with owners Persimmon Homes regarding the long term future of this incredible building, which is one of the Midlands’ most important industrial heritage sites. If you would like to find out more about the work of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust, and their plans for Sandfields Pumping Station, please visit lichfieldwaterworkstrust.com.
Sources Lichfieldwaterworkstrust.com historicengland.org.uk
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Premier Transfer Services - for when image is everything!
Premier Transfer Services is a family run, privately owned business, providing transport for all areas of Staffordshire, the UK and Ireland. They are a leading provider of chauffeur driven executive cars and minibuses for the more selective traveller. Their fleet of vehicles is luxury gold class standard and driven by professional, licensed chauffeurs, but costs are kept at very affordable prices. Keith Warner, owner of Premier Transfer Services and its sister companies, the Image Luxury Cars company and Wightwick Transfers, have over 20 years’ experience in luxury travel. Premier specialise in Corporate Hospitality offering a door to door service with professional chauffeurs, who know how to avoid traffic delays and the points closest to your event where they will drop you off and pick you up. Premier Transfer Services are ideal for airport transfers and seaport transfers. They will keep you up to date with your transport details to make sure you arrive for your departure in stress-free comfort. They will also check your route for delays, and will transport you safely and smoothly to the departure terminal. Premier Transfer Services are fully licensed by South Staffordshire Council as a Private Hire Vehicle Operator. All drivers hold, regularly renewed, Private Hire Licences. All vehicles undergo rigorous inspections and are regularly serviced by the relevant main dealer. They will transport you to your destination in either a Mercedes R class, Jaguar XJ or an executive Renault Traffic. Premier also provide chauffeur driven wedding transportation for your special day. Their modern Jaguar XJ
in a stunning cashmere gold with leather interior is ideal for the main bridal party. Premier also specialise in: Luxury travel to sporting events such as Royal Ascot, and the Henley Regatta and luxury travel to special occasions and days and evenings out. Why not hire the vehicle and Chauffeur for the whole day, and have a vehicle waiting for you to take you wherever you want? For a quote or a no obligation chat call 07860 622545, 01902 566500 or email enquiries@premiertransferservices.co.uk Premier Transfer Services for when image is everything.
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Stunning Silver By Adrian Rathbone of Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers Wonderful finds often come from unexpected places and such was the case when I visited a farmhouse in the area. We happily do house visits to value items, as well as house clearances, and I had been called in to examine some objects. Among them was a stunning piece of antique silver that was more than 100 years old an Edwardian ewer. It was far from ordinary. For me it exemplified just why silver is so special. A feast for the eyes, it featured exquisite decoration that entranced me. There was so much to see - entwined trees, mythical figures, an eagle hunting, a snake coiled round a branch, a parrot, lions, an eagle feasting on antelope, frogs, lily pads, foliage and more. It was an extraordinary example of craftsmanship, made by Elkington & Sons of Birmingham. It had military significance too. Dating back to 1914, it bore an inscription: ‘Presented to Lt Col Mitchell on his retirement by the officers of the 5th York and Lanc Regt, 1914’. It entered our most recent Fine Art Auction with an estimate of £3,000 to £5,000 but sold for an eye-watering £7,700. I wasn’t surprised. Silver of this quality deserves to be valued and cherished. Some people mistakenly think silver is only worth its scrap value. Pieces like this demonstrate its artistic merit at the highest level. Silver is used to create both decorative and practical items and displays elegance and pedigree. We sell it in all its forms in both our monthly Antiques and Collectors auctions and our Fine Art sales, the next one being in March with fine silver coming under the hammer on March 23rd. Our Fine Art silver Auctions brings together a wonderful mixture of items such as antique photo frames, unusual pin cushions, snuff boxes, Victorian vesta cases, George III
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tablespoons, medals, sugar bowls, decorative butter dishes, George IV candlesticks, sporting trophies and more. A favourite of mine from a recent auction was a Victorian silver and glass claret jug from 1890 in the manner of modernist pioneer Dr Christopher Dresser. It had an estimate of £80-£100 but sold for £200. Another piece that took my eye was an Edwardian silver shoe pincushion which sold for £110. Novelties always sell well. So, if you have any silver or any Image by Hansons other manner of antiques or A Victorian silver and glass collectables at home you would like advice upon, come and see claret jug from 1890 in the Hansons silver expert Victoria manner of Dr Christopher Dresser Sheppard and myself, Associate Director, Adrian Rathbone. We are in Lichfield every Monday 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Hedgehog Inn, Stafford Rd, WS13 8JB. The event is held in aid of St Giles Hospice. Free home visits are available for large/multiple items, estate clearance and downsizing advice. For further information please contact Adrian Rathbone on 01283 733988 or email arathbone@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
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Can you make Paddy’s Day?
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his month, the Greyhound Trust Hall Green introduce us to another dog who is hoping to find a new home. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if Paddy had a new owner in time for St Patrick’s Day?
Poor Paddy has been waiting a long time to be someone’s best pal. He’s been at Greyhound Trust Hall Green kennels for almost 10 months now. This lovely boy is still being overlooked as he doesn’t always show himself well. He’s such a great dog who has so much love to give once he gets to know you. He loves a fuss and a cuddle and when it snowed around Christmas time turned into a playful pup and had lots of fun.
It may be due to his age (Paddy is six and a half years old), his gender, or his colour that he’s being overlooked but most likely it’s a combination of all three. It’s understandable when families with young children ask for a younger dog to grow up alongside their children, but older dogs like Paddy have so much love to give and can be just as sprightly as younger dogs. It’s well known that black
Cadets visit new Police Facility
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dogs and cats often get overlooked in all rehoming centres and people often think the girls are easier to look after than the boys but that’s just not the case. Let’s hope that Paddy doesn’t have to wait for much longer to find his forever family.
The Greyhound Trust Hall Green is the local branch of the national Greyhound Trust charity and is committed to finding new homes for some of the 9,000 dogs who retire from racing each year. The branch is run entirely by volunteers who are involved in anything from helping to walk and socialise the dogs to fundraising. New volunteers are always welcome, whether you are able to help out regularly or just every now and then. For more information on the Trust, and how to become a volunteer or foster carer, visit www.greyhoundtrusthallgreen.org.uk. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Police Cadets, established by the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis in 2013 and delivered by Staffordshire Police, paraded in their new uniforms for the first time (commissioned thanks to the support of Lichfield St Chad Rotary).
The cadets regularly take part in lots of different activities in the community. The scheme was launched to encourage good citizenship and improve links between police and young people within Staffordshire.
If you think you might be able to give Paddy a home, please call the Trust on 0121 426 4810 or email hallgreen@greyhoundtrust.org.uk to arrange to come along to their Watford Gap Kennels in Little Hay and meet him. They’re open every day 10am – 3pm, by appointment.
ichfield Police Cadets were recently given a guided tour of the city’s newly-opened police facility. The Lichfield unit of the Staffordshire Police Cadets performed a drill at the new premises in front of more than 100 people, including parents, police, Lichfield St. Chad Rotary and Sue Arnold, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.
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Sue Arnold with Lichfield Police Cadets
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The Month in Pictures
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February
e take a look at the events and activities of the last month, bringing you a roundup of the city in pictures...
Magnificent Monsters at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Finishing line at the Extreme Challenge, Catton Hall
Magnificent Monsters half term fun at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Lets go fly a kite at Beacon Park
Farren, winner of the highest kite competition at Beacon Park
A helping hand at Midland Karting, Fradley
Damian from Mckenzie’s Restaurant, winner of the men's Pancake Race on Bore Street
Stations of the Cross art exhibition, Chapel House at Lichfield Cathedral
Winners of the Men's Race at the Extreme Challenge, Catton Hall
Stations of the Cross exhibition (showing original artwork by Peter Walker) at Lichfield Cathedral Mayor Janice Greaves and Sheriff Andrew Smith at the Shrovetide Fair
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Images by Jonathan Oates www.jonotourism.co.uk
Thumbs up at Midland Karting, Fradley
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LHCT Event News
ickets are on sale for Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s annual fun quiz night, to be held at Boley Park Community Centre on Saturday March 17.
The maximum team size is eight, but smaller groups will be matched up to make a team for the quiz, which costs £5 per person. Doors will open at 7pm with quiz mistress Jayne Preston starting the first round at 7.30pm. Quizzers are asked to bring their own drinks and nibbles. Tickets can be ordered from Sue Williams on 01543 671427 or 07968 168728 (email suzi_williams@hotmail.com), or team bookings can be made by visiting www.lhcrt.org.uk/quiz.htm. The Trust is also holding a guided walk on the Summerhill section of the restoration project on Saturday April 21. The two kilometre tour, from The Boat Inn, on the A461 Walsall Road, to the aqueduct over the M6 Toll Road and back, will show walkers the huge progress made on this section in the last year, with help from corporate volunteers from all over the country as well as the Trust’s own volunteers. There is no charge for the event, which will run from 10.30am to 1pm, but a donation would be appreciated.
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Our month on the farm
Here, Annamarie Stone of Woodhouse Farm and Gardens talks about life down on the farm.
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ince last month, Violet the pig has given birth and so the farm is currently home to 13 piglets, all varying in size and number of spots, plus one exhausted Mum! It’s always great to have new life on the farm and more piglets are due at the end of this month. We are also expecting calves in April, and we’ll learn whether our first attempt at rearing sheep has been successful by the start of May.
In terms of food production, we are just entering the period known as the ‘hungry gap’, where much of last season’s produce has been used up and the current year’s crop isn’t ready so there is very little in the way of fresh produce available. The days of plenty will return however - we have just added
aubergines, lettuces, peppers, chillies and tomatoes to the crops we are growing under cover in the polytunnels. Out in the garden proper, it’s all about preparation for the new season. Over by the north wall, we are getting the bed ready to plant Jerusalem Artichokes tubers, the onion bed has been manured and ploughed and the flower beds have been tidied. Now that the fruit bushes have been pruned, Allan is tying the remaining canes in to give them protection against any wintery weather that’s still to come. You may remember some months ago, Penelope the pig was proving to be something of an escapologist? Well it seems that she’s been passing on tips to the geese in the orchard as they keep disappearing off into the woods. On one recent occasion when we went in to herd them back out again, we found they’d not
only made a nest but had also laid eggs in it! Every day here on the farm brings with it an increased sense that spring is now well on its way. Little by little, the nights are drawing out, temperatures are increasing and the trees are beginning to bud. The woods are full of snowdrops with crocuses and daffodils making a welcome appearance. We might not have seen the last of the bad weather but at least now the end is in sight! Woodhouse Farm and Garden is open to the public between 11am and 4pm every Friday and Saturday and is located just off Fisherwick Wood Lane, on the outskirts of Whittington. For more information, please visit www.woodhousefarmandgardencic.org.uk or contact Annamarie on 01543 432005 or annamarie@woodhousefarmandgardencic.org. uk.
The tree has had to be regrown using cuttings three times over the years due to the first willow tree, which was thought to have been planted in 1700, being blown down in 1829. The second was destroyed in a storm in 1881, and the third cut down in 1956 as it was unsafe. The current tree was grown from a cutting of the previous (third) incarnation of Johnson’s Willow. Now the tree survey has revealed that the fourth and current willow tree is coming to the end of its life. The required works will involve removing its main branches, which will reduce the load on the decayed parts of the tree, but will not stop new shoots from growing from the trunk. However, when the reduction work is carried out, if the decay is found to be very widespread, the tree may need to be cut down immediately. As the tree is historically significant, the council will take cuttings from it to grow a new Johnson’s Willow as near to the original spot as
possible. In addition to the works to the willow at Stowe Pool, the tree s u r v e y recommended felling a number of mature trees at Beacon Park. Councillor Iain Eadie, Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Leisure & Waste, commented: “We are the custodians of roughly 33,000 trees across the district, and we carry out the tree survey every three to five years to make sure that they are not at risk of losing large branches or of falling down. The survey has shown that a number of trees in Beacon Park need to be taken down. They are lovely, mature trees and we know they will be missed by park goers, but again we must put the safety of the public first and complete these necessary tree works.”
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significant willow tree by the side of Stowe Pool, known as Johnson’s Willow, needs to be reduced in size, after an inspection found evidence of decay, which could make it unsafe. Lichfield District Council’s tree survey, which involved an external tree inspector assessing the health of thousands of trees on district council land, revealed that this important historical tree needs to be reduced in size. The tree grows to the side of Stowe Pool and is famous for having been Dr Samuel Johnson’s favourite tree, when he lived in, and later revisited, Lichfield in the 18th century. For this reason, it is now called Johnson’s Willow, though in his time it was known as the Lichfield Willow. The tree was also of interest to other 18th century authors, including the Lichfield poet Anna Seward and the American poet Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, both of whom celebrated the tree in their work.
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A Window on the Past To the Loveliest Mum in the World! It’s difficult to describe how much our mums mean to us. They’re often the ones who teach us our first lessons about life, and for many of us our mums continue to be our best friends for decades to come.
This month’s feature, filled with images from members of the local history group – ‘You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if…’ is dedicated to every mum out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re adopted, brought up by grandparents, other relatives or carers, we all know who we call ‘Mum’, and we know just how very, very special you are. 1.
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Mary Smart with son Dennis in 1943.
Eileen Wilson with daughter Fiona Dearn
Jane Dayus Hinch with son Fraser
Shelly Spooner with daughter Jodie
Kim Dutton with daughter Emily
Margaret Whitelaw with daughter Viv Gouldingay
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Gladys Gallagher with son David in 1944
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Mabel, great grandmother of Joss Musgrove Knibb, with her son Robert in 1911.
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Barbara Smart with sons Stuart and Mark in 1972
For more stories and memories, visit the You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if… Facebook page, or pop along to one of their meetings. The next meetings takes place on Tuesday 6th February and Tuesday April 3rd At Lichfield Social Club, Purcell Avenue from 7 till 10 pm For more information contact 01543 416393 or 01543 268842. Photos and memorabilia displays can also be booked for shows at nursing homes, clubs etc, free of charge.
International Street Food Comes to Beacon Park
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afé International is a celebration of International Street Food and Drinks taking place within Beacon Park this May - featuring flavours from around the world and the theatrics of street cooking. Café International will open for the first time at 10am on Saturday 5 May. French Crepes, Sicilian Cannoli and Japanese Hirata Buns are just some of the dishes on offer and guests will be able to enjoy their international cuisine from the comfort of a central marquee with a fully stocked, licensed bar (which will be open until 10pm). Two further Capri Marquees will house Gin and Prosecco bars where guests can dine in style on the Rattan furniture. In addition there’ll be Entertainment, Food and Drink for children too. The organisers have been working with Lichfield District Council with the aim of supporting the Lichfield Historic Parks project and bringing people from across Staffordshire and beyond into the vibrant city of Lichfield. Café International, a Lichfield based Events Management Company, was created by Stefan and Nicola, who live in Lichfield and own the Lichfield based creperie; ‘Cathedral Crepes’. For more information, and details on sponsorship or VIP seating areas email info@cafeinternational.co.uk or go to www.cafeinternational.co.uk
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Early bird booking for Lichfield Festival 2018
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hether your tastes are theatre, music, art, shows for the kids, or picnicking by the cathedral and soaking up the atmosphere, there will be something for everyone at this year’s Lichfield Festival (4-14 July). A full rundown of what’s on this year is still to come but the Festival has announced a handful of events available for early bird booking from Monday 5th March.
is also the venue for two comedy shows on the early booking list. Tom Allen is known to many through his appearances on TV shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, BBC’s Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, and he’ll be appearing at the theatre on Saturday 7th July. On Saturday 14th July, Mark Steel, star of Radio 4’s Mark Steel’s in Town and newspaper Columnist of the Year will be at the Garrick with his new show, Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright.
For Lichfield Festival early bird booking, please visit www.lichfieldfestival.org or phone 01543 412121. The full programme will be available from early April.
Tom Allen
The Festival’s opening event in Lichfield Cathedral on Thursday 5th July is a brand new dance show featuring Neil and Katya Jones. The Strictly Come Dancing stars have 70 major international trophies between them and are World Champion Latin dancers, and this bespoke show has been commissioned exclusively by Lichfield Festival with ballroom and Latin dancers in solo and group dances.
On Friday 13th July, restaurant critic Jay Rayner recounts some of the most excruciating nights out he’s ever had in his show, My Dining Hell, at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. The Garrick
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Jay Rayner
Neil & Katya Jones Image: Ryan Kenner
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Unearthing History
Here, Gary Starkey, local metal detectorist and member of the Tamworth and Lichfield Search Society gives us an update in his ‘detecting diaries’.
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y near neighbour Dave has recently bought a house nextdoor to his own which comes with a largish lawn, so I asked if it was OK to give it a scan with my trusty and recently repaired Safari detector - he said ‘no problem’. I found some rubbishy bits at first but right at the bottom of the lawn I had a good signal. Digging down about six inches I saw a red tile lying flat in the ground, but the signal was still there so I prized the tile carefully out and lying below it was a round disc. I picked it out and brushed the loose soil off it, and could see a standing figure but it wasn’t too clear. I thought it could be a suffragette badge so I took it home after showing Dave for more research. I cleaned it up and was surprised to see the figure was a knight in armour with a shield. On the shield were three lions and on the other side of the knight was the England flag. It had some words over the top which still haven’t been deciphered. A lovely early find which looked like it had been placed under the tile deliberately! Just goes to show you never know when something wonderful is going to turn up! I’m yet to show Dave the item cleaned up but I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see it as he is very interested in historical items, having produced his own silver coins based on James I coinage for an island project in the Hebrides. Just after Christmas, I spoke to another David – a farmer who lives in our village, about detecting again on his fields as I hadn’t been back for about three years. He knows where old trackways and a certain Saxon settlement area is, and he kindly gave me permission. I asked my detecting partner Paul to come along as it’s a huge area and quite remote. On our first time out we found what looked like a large Saxon 42
pin-head, a buckle and Roman coin. On our second time out we tried a grass field with a slope, and between us we found five Roman coins including two Lance Sestertius coins and a Republic silver coin. Also, a first for me, an Irish hammered coin. I also found a large lead gaming piece and a lovely spindle whorl with decoration on it. Paul had three Roman Brooches and we both found a few lead rolled up Roman curses. These seem quite common so the Romans must have been falling out with each other quite often! We hope to get back up there often and soon. It’s near an area where I found my Bronze Age axe-head a few years ago and so we
hope something like that may surface again. We have been very quiet at the club lately due to bad weather and difficulty in finding land and suitable parking, but this should pick up soon. Three of us are going to a rally in February to Ely in the Fens so are quite hopeful for some good finds. I will report next time if anything good has come up.
If anyone out there would like myself or our club to do a dig on your land, please call me to discuss. We do charity digs, midweek digs or Sunday digs and we pay for the privilege of detecting. If you’d like a chat about this, just call me (Gary) on 0777 906 4271.
WIN a voucher to try new spring menu at The Strawberry Cabin
Set in the heart of the picturesque Staffordshire countryside, The Strawberry Cabin is surrounded by the fruit fields of Manor Farm at Hints. With a delicious range of food on offer and a warm welcome guaranteed from the Cabin Crew, it’s a great place to enjoy ‘a little taste of the countryside’, all year round. Breakfast is served until 11.30, followed by lunch between 12pm and 3pm, with a traditional roast on Sundays. A wide range of hot and cold drinks, tempting cakes and scrumptious snacks are served throughout the day. For a real indulgence, take Afternoon Tea at the Strawberry Cabin, and enjoy a selection of both savoury and sweet treats, served together with ‘bottomless’ tea or coffee. The Strawberry Cabin is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 4.30pm and between 9.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays (closed Mondays). For more information, visit www.strawberrycabin.co.uk or call 01543 483680. The team at the Cabin are delighted to announce that they have recently been joined by Simon Doveston who, as Head Chef, is creating a range of signature dishes and specials for a new spring menu. Simon is a wellknown and well-respected local chef, bringing with him a vast wealth of culinary experience from his time at the Dog Inn at Whittington, The Plough and Harrow at Shenstone and The Red Lion at Longdon, and of
course, Doveston’s in Lichfield. To celebrate Simon’s arrival, The Strawberry Cabin are offering readers the chance for themselves and a loved one to try out the new spring menu.
To be in with a chance of winning a £30 voucher to spend at The Strawberry Cabin, just answer the following question:
In which village near Lichfield can you find The Strawberry Cabin?
a) b) c)
Hints Whittington Shenstone
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to ‘The Strawberry Cabin 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 Friday 23rd March 2018. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Winner will not be offered a cash equivalent. Full terms and conditions on page 50.
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A Perfect Reflection of Your Perfect Day
Our weddings may well be the biggest events that many of us ever organise. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a large country house event, or a more intimate celebration, there are lots of ways to add those finishing touches that ensure that your wedding reflects your style as a couple.
Lichfield brides are in the lucky position of living in a vibrant city that sits in spectacular countryside. All choices are open to you, from a country themed marquee in a flower meadow to the splendour of a city mansion or high-end hotel.
No matter your personal style - contemporary, tradition, boho-luxe or vintage, we’ve selected some of the best local businesses to provide those finishing touches - from perfect invitations to bridesmaids’ gifts.
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The School House All the rooms at The School House are approved for civil ceremonies for up to 140 guests. For larger receptions that include dancing and entertainment, the Wyatt Pavilion, a luxury semipermanent marquee structure with a state-of-theart sound system, is the ideal room as far as size and flexibility are concerned. The School House (now Manley’s Brasserie) sits on 11 acres of privately owned grounds and is surrounded by rolling fields. For a particularly unforgettable entrance, you can even arrive at your reception by helicopter! The School House cater for small intimate occasions to large family gatherings and with no set packages they are extremely versatile, nothing is too much trouble to ensure you have the Wedding Day you always dreamed of. In addition, they offer your wedding guests a choice of dishes when selecting each course on the day. Not be be missed is the Wedding Fayre taking place at The School House on Thursday 19th April from 6pm to 9pm, featuring everything from the essential to the unique for your big day, including: Photo booth; Photographers; Florists; Wedding cars; Entertainers; Bridalwear; Magician; and free admission and parking.
Dame Oliver's
Dame Oliver's is a unique boutique, much loved by stylish women across the region. Their extensive selection of hats includes everything from subtle fascinators to statements hats, from designers including Vivien Sheriff, Nigel Rayment, Failsworth, Niche, Max & Ellie, Vixen, Rebecca Couture and Victoria Ann Millinery. Prices range from £10 to £500, and everything has been specially selected to provide affordable individuality to every outfit. In addition, Dame Oliver’s can embellish your own hat with colour accents to perfectly compliment your colouring and style. Dame Oliver's also stock matching bags and stoles in a myriad of tones, plus matching ties and handkerchiefs so that men's outfits can be co-ordinated too! Their jewellery ranges are also ideal for everything from statement wedding accessories to bridesmaids’ presents. You can find Dame Oliver’s at 19 Dam St, Lichfield, WS13 6AE. Telephone 01543 256600
Erase UK All brides are beautiful, but at Erase UK each bride can make sure that they are 'photo ready' and glowing, with Erase's range of exclusive
beauty treatments at a fraction of the costs typically charged at other prestige treatment centres. Erase UK will help you achieve healthy and rejuvenated skin and teeth, with facial and body treatments that provide firmness and elasticity to the skin, body toning and localised activated collagen to achieve a rejuvenated face and recover the natural whitening in your teeth. Planning your honeymoon? IPL hair removal, Cryolisis Lipo and tanning treatments ensure fussfree beach beauty, and their range of skin-care products from Natural Dermacare are organic and paraben free. Erase UK can be found at 1 Tudor Row, Wade Street, Lichfield, WS13 6HH. Call 01543 419516 or go to erase-uk.co.uk for more information.
City Jewellers City Jewellers carry extensive ranges of jewellery to suit all budgets and all tastes, from traditional to contemporary designer brands. If you are looking for a special something to wear on your wedding day they have beautiful diamond set bridal jewellery and a wide range of pearl jewellery in store. They also offer beautiful pendants, earrings and bracelets from as little as £30, which make perfect gifts for bridesmaids and loved ones. It's not all about the ladies, they cater for the gents too, with a fabulous selection of cufflinks, pocket and wrist watches available to view in their first floor watch gallery. You can find City Jewellers at 39 Market Street, Market
Square, Lichfield, WS13 6LA. Tel: 01543 416412
The Shop at No.9 The Shop at No.9, on the beautiful Cathedral Close stocks a unique and individual range of beautiful gifts and accessories perfect for Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts. The Sophie Oliver range of sterling silver jewellery features hearts, wings and 'tree of life' designs in necklaces, earrings and bracelets, that are perfect for any age and come in a stylish gift box. Silk clutch bags, scarves and beautifully scented candles are also a wonderful way to say 'thank you' to those who make your special day even more special. The Shop at No.9 can be found at 9 The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD. Telephone 01543 306150.
All Aspect Art & Print All Aspect Art & Print have the skills and artistic flair to perfectly reflect your style on your special day. We are here to help with many of the services needed to plan and record the day’s events, creating everything from contemporary to classic wedding invitations, orders of service and thank you cards - all designed and printed to perfectly fit your personal theme. Your photographic memories of the big day can also be printed on quality photo, art paper, or canvas and beautifully mounted and framed to create a truly personal artwork – a wonderful way to cherish special memories for years to come. All our work is created and produced in-house, so we
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are truly accountable. We ensure that we work with you to guarantee that the final product is to your satisfaction. As a long-establish print and fine art framing specialist, we can also put you in touch with trusted photographers, wedding cake specialists and florists who have a proven track record and a long list of satisfied customers. We take great pride in the work that we do and have served families and businesses for over thirty years, many on a repeat basis. Wedding days are one of the biggest and happiest events in our lives and the start of a new chapter. We understand the importance of getting the details just right.
Bespoke Cakes by Eat My Muffin Bakery Eat My Muffin Bakery is an award winning local business with a passion for creating bespoke wedding cakes. An afternoon tea style consultation service is available to couples, during which time you can discuss the details of your day including venue, wedding style and colour scheme to ensure that designer Sarah can create your dream cake for your special day. During consultations, six delicious flavours are available to try as standard and if there are any additional flavours you would prefer to try, this can be arranged for a small additional cost. Following the consultation, Sarah will design a bespoke cake unique to you as a couple. Wedding cakes are Sarah’s passion, and she considers it an honour to honour to be able to play a part in your special day. Consultations with Sarah are £20 and last around an
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hour. This is refunded against the cost of your cake, if you decide to book with Eat My Muffin Bakery. The bakery also offers couples a date reservation service for £50, which includes a free consultation and will be refunded against your order. For more information, and to see a gallery of designs created by Sarah, please visit www.eatmymuffinbakery.co.uk For a quote, or to book a consultation, please call 07775 874 382, or email sarah@eatmymuffinbakery.co.uk
The George Hotel Set in the heart of Lichfield, this charming 18th century former coaching inn with a stunning Regency banqueting suite offers an elegant and relaxed setting for wedding receptions, civil ceremonies, evening receptions and renewal of vows. Whether you’re looking to organise a small party or a large celebration of up to 100 guests, the staff at this family owned hotel pride themselves on offering warm, personal and flexible service and they will tailor make your wedding to suit you and advise you on every tiny detail of the arrangements to ensure that your wedding will be happy and carefree. Picturesque Minster Pool and Beacon Park are just nearby and provide a fabulous backdrop for your wedding photographs, and after the wedding guests can relax and stay overnight in one of the beautifully appointed ensuite rooms at preferential rates. The George’s new “Try Before You Buy” offer means that you can experience the food and service at the hotel with no risk - book an overnight stay and dinner in Darwin’s and the cost will be refunded when you book your wedding reception! If you’re on a budget, the hotel’s all inclusive wedding package is now available on selected dates
Gift vouchers available
in 2018 and includes a 3 course meal with coffee, evening buffet and lots more for 50 day guests and 80 evening guests; at just £3,900, it’s really great value, and in the words of a recent TripAdvisor reviewer: “Looking for a wedding venue? The George Hotel is the place to choose!” Please visit www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk or call The George on 01543 414822 if you’d like to know more.
Salloways Jewellers Life is a once-only experience, made up of fleeting moments that pass in the blink of an eye. Some, however, evoke feelings so intense that they stay with you for years – an embrace at sunset, a proposal beneath the stars, a wedding day straight from your dreams, a honeymoon in paradise and anniversaries that prove true love is eternal. The memories stay with us for a lifetime. But they need treasuring if they are to remain fresh. For centuries the gift of a ring has served as a powerful symbol that has almost magical powers to conjure up the past. It is not merely an ornament but a potent talisman that, with a single glance or touch, sends a jolt straight to the heart. Established in 1967, our wedding ring supplier Brown & Newirth® approach each design with the reverence it deserves - their rings are not just a marriage of precious metals and brilliant diamonds but memories made real once again and preserved for all time. Fall in love with our jewellery from your very first visit. From "Will you?" to "Forever and Always" and
for every magical moment in between, we capture them all as crystal clear memories that last a lifetime. Choosing jewellery for the most important moments in your life is an occasion in itself. Mark the occasion with a visit to the relaxed, intimate Salloways showroom at 23-25 Bore Street, Lichfield and allow us to help write your love story.
The Style Lounge Whether you’re planning to wear your hair elegantly up or in a romantic, unstructured style, the team at The Style Lounge can create stunning bespoke bridal hairstyles to ensure you look and feel incredible on your special day. To make the morning of your wedding as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, The Style Lounge offers exclusive use of the salon to
Wild City
bridal parties, who can enjoy champagne and croissants whilst their experienced and friendly stylists create stunning looks for the bride-to-be, bridesmaids and the mother of the bride. Jess, the salon’s new nail artist, will also be available for manicures and pedicures to ensure a picture-perfect look from head to toe. The Style Lounge is also delighted to welcome a new Creative Director, Nicola, who has recently joined the team from a salon in Wimbledon and is a
qualified L’Oreal Colour Specialist. After the big day itself, The Style Lounge can offer styling, tailormade treatments and advice to keep your hair looking beautiful and radiant during the honeymoon and beyond. The Style Lounge is a luxury boutique hair salon, set in a gorgeous Grade II listed building in the heart of Lichfield and brides-to-be are always welcome to pop in for a coffee and a consultation. You can find them at 5 -7 Greenhilll, Lichfield, WS13 6DY. Tel: 01543 897790.
ES Jewellery Fit for a Princess - Make your wedding ring extra special! This service is unique to ES Jewellery and is aimed specifically at women who have an unusual shaped engagement ring where a standard wedding ring just won’t do. Fit for a Princess is an alternative to standard wedding rings and one in which Emma and Steve will design and craft your unique wedding ring to fit exactly around your engagement ring. The effect is stunning and the fit extremely comfortable on the finger. All work is carried out in ES Jewellery’s fully equipped workshop using all the latest techniques and equipment. Of course attention to detail and craftsmanship are built into the work as standard, and, because all the work is carried out by themselves, you will find their pricing extremely competitive. If you are planning to get married, pop in to ES Jewellery at 1 Tamworth Street, Lichfield, esjewelleryltd@gmail.co.uk or call 01543 255879 to arrange an appointment at a convenient time for you.
F
rom magnificent peregrines nesting on the cathedral spires to urban foxes and the beautiful birds that visit our garden feeders - Lichfield is a city that is filled with a surprising selection of wonderful species. At Citylife, we're intrigued by the ecology of our area, and we'd like your help to highlight some of the rare and everyday wildlife that you, our readers encounter in our city and surrounding countryside. If you've been lucky enough to capture a snap of one of the birds, animals, invertebrates, amphibians wild plants, fungi etc that make their homes with us, we'd like to see it! Every month we'll print a selection of them here in our exploration of our wild city. To submit your images to us, email them to josscitylife@gmail.com with your name and a brief description of the image. Terms and conditions on page 50.
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Home welcome
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• Buying • Selling • Renting • Letting
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). Please clearly mark your email ‘what’s on listing’.
What’s on in March
Wednesday 7th March Burntwood Folk Club Open Mic Night If you play, sing, tell folk stories or just like to listen, you are welcome at The Ashmole Club, Meerash Lane, Hammerwich from 8pm to 10.30pm. Admission to this acoustic event is free. For more information visit facebook.com/burntwoodfolk
Wednesday 7th March Lichfield U3A At 2pm in the Guildhall, Lichfield U3A's main meeting, with speaker Neil Weyham whose talk is entitled 'Caught Clean and Bowled'. New and prospective members will be interested in our forthcoming Showcase Event on Wed April 11th from 1pm - 4pm in the Guildhall. This offers a free opportunity to see what all our interest groups can offer. There will be displays, musical entertainment, opportunities to get 2 free month's membership - and cake! For further details, please see our website www.u3asites.org.uk/lichfield or ring our enquiry desk on 07510 634476
Friday 9th March Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society Friday 9 March 8 pm: In the Footsteps of Caesar: the Archaeology of the first Roman Invasions of Britain, talk by Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick, University of Leicester. Meetings held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield. Visitors welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments available from 7.30 pm. For more info call 01543 416144.
Saturday 10th March Volunteer Open Day Come and join the team at Erasmus Darwin House and discover more about the exciting roles on offer. Call in between 11am – 4pm. For more
information call 01543 306260 or email enquries@erasmusdarwin.org.uk
Monday 12th March Lichfield Waterworks Trust Monthly public meeting at 7.30pm, The Bowling Green pub, Friary Rd, Lichfield. Update on campaign to restore Sandfields Pumping Station, Lichfield followed by a talk by Bob Williams of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, ‘Where Are We Today?’. All welcome - attendance free but voluntary donations welcome. For more information, visit lichfieldwaterworkstrust.com
Saturday 17th March Cellar Tour 2.30pm, Erasmus Darwin House, Beacon Street, Lichfield. £2 per person. To book call 01543 306260 or email enquries@erasmusdarwin.org.uk
Saturday 17th March Plant Hunters’ Fair National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas, (DE13 7AR). 10am – 4.00pm. Free entry to the Plant Fair and Arboretum (P&D parking.) Popular plant fair featuring many highly-respected specialist nurseries with a great range of perennials, shrubs, trees and old heritage varieties. More Plant Hunter’s Fairs coming up during April at the Dorothy Clive Garden, Middleton Hall, Sandwell Valley Park, Consall Hall Gardens and Sugnall Walled Garden. Full details at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk
Tuesday 20th March South East Staffordshire Association of National Trust Members. Meetings held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield at 7.30 pm. AGM followed by ‘George and Mary - a Love Story?’, a talk about the Curzons of Keddleston Hall by Heather Herrington. Members £2, non members £4. For more info call 01543 416144.
Thursday 22nd March Lichfield Civic Society The Hawaiian Islands, speaker Gareth Phillips. The meeting, held in association with the Royal Geographical Society, is at 7.45pm in The Lichfield Room, Wade Street Church Community Hall, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6HS. Admission is free to members and students. Non-members are always welcome, £3 at the door.
Tuesday 27th March Arthritis Care Are you living with Arthritis? If so, why not come along to the monthly meetings of the Lichfield Branch of Arthritis Care. We usually 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
Friday 23rd March Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society 8 pm: Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire: a Neolithic Landscape, talk by Dr Keith Ray. Meetings held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield. Visitors welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments available from 7 30 pm. For more info call 01543 416144.
Wednesday 28th March Stonnall Conservation Society Ian Braisby, qualified in both English and German, works as a tour manager throughout England. He specialises in the Midlands where he has lived for most of his life and through facts, anecdotes and stories brings to life different parts of this area. His talk entitled, ‘Made in Birmingham – Manufacturing Over the Years’ starts at 7.30pm at the Youth and Community Centre, Main Street, Stonnall WS9 9EE.
Saturday 24th March Spring Crafternoon at Samuel Johnson's Birthplace 2pm-4pm, £10. Enjoy being creative in a friendly adult workshop and make a personalised felt animal. Bring basic hand sewing skills and your imagination! All materials and refreshments provided. Call 01543 264 972 or email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk
Term-time Saturdays (March 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th) Words Alive! The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, 10.30am - 11.30am, £3 per session, discounts for family groups. A weekly club for 7-11 year olds who love words! Read, write, create, act, and illustrate in an inspiring setting. Call 01543 264 972 or email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk
Friday 30th March – Sunday 15th April Sam's Spy Trail The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, daily between 10.30am and 4.30pm, £1 for trail pack Easter trail and free drop-in activities available daily throughout the school holidays. Call 01543 264 972 or email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk
Saturday 31st March – Monday 2nd April Easter Weekend Erasmus Darwin House, Beacon St, Lichfield, 11am – 4pm. To include Tea Room, tours & children’s activities. Free entry (small charge for some activities). For more info, call 01543 306260.
Thursday 5th April Spy School The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, 11am and 2pm, £3.50. Have you got what it takes to become a top secret agent? Find out in the return of this fun codebreaking word workshop for the Easter holidays. Ages 7+ call 01543 264 972 or email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk
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Are You a Coin Collector?
If you’re a coin collector, visit Gary Starkey's coin cabinet in Lichfield Antique Centre (next to Minster Pool), Lichfield for coins and artefacts from early to modern. For more information call 07779 064271
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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. 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.
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