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Welcome to CITYLIFE
Welcome to CITYLIFE in Lichfield, a monthly magazine bringing you our pick of the city’s news, events and stories. Each month CITYLIFE in Lichfield is delivered to 18,000 businesses and homes in Lichfield, Kings Bromley, Fradley, Alrewas, Whittington, Stonnall, Shenstone, Little Aston, Hammerwich, Burntwood and Longdon, completely free of charge; bringing you the best that the city has to offer. Each issue features heritage stories exploring the rich history of our area, plus competitions, interviews and the latest in fashion and style. Got a story or charity event you want to share with our readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures the spirit of the city? We want to hear from you! Our business is bringing you Lichfield’s city life.
OCTOBER 2016
In This Issue
6 Win Afternoon Tea for Two at the George Hotel Answer our anagram competition for an afternoon treat. 18 Win Tickets to The Clothes Show At the NEC Birmingham 2-6 December.
20 Looking for Lichfield’s Cutest Pet Congratulations to Chewie, our Cutie of the Month!
40 A Window on the Past Postcards from the city.
44 Raise a glass to the perfect Christmas dining experience Our guide to festive food this Christmas. 44
Issue 8 October 2016
CITYLIFE CONTACTS Editor - Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048
josscitylife@gmail.com
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Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com Karen Fudger 07909 694286 karencitylife@gmail.com Production - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com
Citylife In Lichfield Ltd PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS CITYLIFE in Lichfield magazine is not connected to any other publication or publisher, and is wholly owned by CITYLIFE in Lichfield Ltd. Citylife In Lichfield
www.citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk
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Win Afternoon Tea for Two at The George Hotel
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e are delighted to be able to offer our readers the chance to win Traditional Afternoon Tea for two at the beautiful and historic George Hotel. Family owned and run, this 18th century former coaching inn on Bird Street, Lichfield has played a vital role in Lichfield’s social scene for hundreds of years and holds a special place in many local people’s hearts. The stylish newly refurbished bar is a popular venue, both day and evening, for a quick drink or meal and is particularly tempting for gin lovers as there are over 30 premium gins on offer! At lunchtimes, customers can enjoy a traditional carvery with all the trimmings and in the evening, modern British food takes centre stage in Darwin’s restaurant. The ultimate treat, full Afternoon Teas featuring a selection of dainty sandwiches and cakes are served each day in the
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Lounge Bar or restaurant - booking in advance is recommended on 01543 414822. www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk
Afternoon Tea
Traditional Afternoon Tea - £10 per person Includes a pot of tea or freshly ground coffee. Celebration Afternoon Tea - £14 per person Includes a glass of sparkling rosé wine, plus a pot of tea or freshly ground coffee.
To win Traditional Afternoon Tea for Two, just unscramble the anagram, and rearrange the letters to find a bite - sized savoury treat.
vauntlove ___ __ ____
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to ‘The George Competition’* at josscitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS by the competition closing date of Friday 21st October. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Winners will not be offered a cash equivalent.
* The George Hotel will contact the winner to arrange their prize, and may contact entrants with information, offers and news.
Congratulations to Christine Jenkins of Tamworth who gave the correct answer of 'Shortbread' and solved the anagram in our September issue.
Charity Sky Dive raises £1,850!
Craig Webb of Lichfield Windows has made a charity sky-dive from 14,000 ft to raise money for cancer charities raising an impressive £1,850! The money raised for The Joan Seeley Pain Relief Memorial Trust will go towards buying special beds for St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley, The Greenwich and District Hospital and the Rainbow Children’s Hospice in Loughbrough.
Competition Winners
Autumn Fashion Show
Congratulations Sharon Jones of Shenstone who has won a pair of tickets to the Townswomen’s Guild Autumn Fashion Show.
The National Wedding Show
Congratulations to Rebecca Smith of Burntwood and Nicola Champion of Cannock who have both won a pair of tickets to the National Wedding Show.
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Emporium showcases work by Lichfield Ceramicist
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Emporium gallery on Bird Street, is showcasing work by Lichfield born ceramicist Meghan Downs.
allery owners, Amanda Moseley and Jannette Murphy first met Meghan at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate earlier this year where she was awarded ‘Newcomer of the Year 2016’. The gallery commissioned Meghan to create a set of contemporary slab-built ceramics featuring architectural illustrations of Lichfield’s iconic buildings, including the Cathedral and the Guildhall. Each piece is unique and the collection is available exclusively from Emporium on Bird Street.
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L2F, The Lichfield Festival of Folk
Young ‘Uns John Trams
L2F, The Lichfield Festival of Folk takes place from 14th to 16th October at Lichfield Guildhall. Organisers are promising a weekend full of musicians at the top of their game. This year John Tams (five times winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards) is Festival Patron and the line-up includes John Tams and Barry Coope; The Young ’Uns (winners at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards); Ciaran Algar and Greg Russell; Blair Dunlop Band; Pete Coe; Moore, Moss and Rutter and many more.
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estival events include an exhibition in Lichfield Library looking at the many folk traditions in the Lichfield area, and on Friday 30th September, a ‘festival appetiser’ ceilidh for all the family with the Reel Hot Ceilidh Peppers takes place at Lichfield Guildhall. On 5th October a 'Folk Train' will run from Lichfield Trent Valley to Sutton Coldfield and on Wednesday 12th October there will be a Festival Quiz in the King George IV pub. In addition, on Saturday 15th October there will an 'Arts and Heritage Procession' taking place that includes many local organisations who will be accompanied by musicians and dancers from around the region as they parade from Lichfield Cathedral Close to the King's Head pub via the Market Square. There will also be dance and mummer groups performing at various sites in the city centre plus a free to enter music cafe offering coffee, cake and performances by some great local talent and a variety of workshops taking place. Tickets and details for all events are available online at www.l2f.co.uk or from Lichfield Arts box office on 01543 262223. See Lichfield Arts and L2F on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest details.
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Arts and Heritage Procession
Arts and Heritage Procession
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Nicholas Parsons ‘Laugh a Minute’
omedy lovers will enjoy Just a Minute's Nicholas Parsons as he recounts events from his career in showbusiness at the Lichfield Garrick this October.
Join the raconteur for an evening of anecdotal entertainment based on his experience of life and working in the various media of an unpredictable and always fascinating profession. Still touring in his nineties, Nicholas has enjoyed starring roles in Benny Hill, Rocky Horror Show, Mr Jolly Lives Next Door, Laugh Lines, Boeing-Boeing and many other West End shows. He has been the chair of BBC Radio 4's Just a Minute for over 40 years, and hosted of Sale of the Century on television for a record 14 years. Nicholas Parsons will be appearing for one night only at the Lichfield Garrick on Saturday 1 October 2016 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £21.50 and can be booked online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling Lichfield Garrick’s Box Office on 01543 412121.
Lichfield Jazz U
Miles Davis Night Band
nder the leadership of ‘maestro’ Nick Dewhurst, and with help from ‘old hands’ Russell Tomlinson and Brian Pretty, a series of great gigs have been organised to take place at the George 1V pub on Bore Street, Lichfield in October, November and December.
On Wednesday 19th October, the Mitch Perrins Trio will be performing and on Wednesday 16th November the George IV presents Tom Lindsay. Sunday 20th November features the Sarah Gillespie Quartet. Popular singer Sarah returns with a group that includes Kit Downes on piano and James Maddren on drums. Wednesday 21st December sees a ‘Christmas Special’ that includes big bands and smaller groups. All gigs start at 8pm and entry is just £5. For more information go to www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
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Sarah Gillespie
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Outstanding Results for Cathedral School Students
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Lichfield Cathedral School students celebrated another set of outstanding GCSE results in August, with 97% of students achieving at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*- C. 40% of all grades were A* or A.
to the school’s strength in delivering the highest standard of education, particularly in the core subjects. I am so proud of everyone for what they have achieved; they thoroughly deserve these outstanding results.” Darcie Thomas and Katrina Rai both achieved a remarkable 9 A* and 2 A grades. Darcie said: “I am very happy! It was hard work and these are the results I was aiming for. I am really looking forward to moving up into the Sixth Form in September to study Maths, Biology, French and English Literature.” Tanatswa Muchemenye was “absolutely amazed” with her 8 A* and 3 A grades and will join the Sixth Form to study Maths, Chemistry, Biology and French. “These results are beyond my expectations – truly fabulous! My teachers have been so supportive, I want to thank them all for their help and encouragement,” added Tanatswa. Susan Hannam added: “It is extremely pleasing to see students who are gifted performers also achieve such excellent academic results. Joe Griffiths-Brown gained 3 A*s, 4 As and 3 Bs while also studying dance, acting, singing, piano, violin and saxophone. We are utterly delighted that Joe has won a place and a scholarship to attend the prestigious Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.” Two particularly impressive results were achieved by Ranulf Prentis, who sat the French GCSE exam in July aged 12 and was awarded an A*, and Valentina Underhill-Villegas who sat the Spanish GCSE in July aged 13 and was also awarded an A*.
Prestigious Award for LHCRT L eadteacher, Mrs Susan Hannam, commented: “These exceptional results are a tribute to the incredible hard work and dedication of the students, staff, parents and governing body and are testament
ichfield’s Canal Trust has been presented with the Heart of England in Bloom’s special Environmental Award.
Announcing the award at the presentation ceremony held at Aldridge Parish Church Hall on Thursday September 15, Heart of England in Bloom chairman Roger Bache said: “Undertaking any restoration project is never easy but to do it purely through volunteers makes it a monumental task. “Lichfield Canal volunteers have literally moved heaven and earth to restore the first section of the former canal, digging it out where it’s been filled and rebuilding walls and locks, with salvaged bricks and stone whenever possible. “As if this feat of engineering wasn’t enough, they have restored the towpath and provided landscaping and seating to allow people to access and enjoy the fruits of their labours – a truly amazing piece of voluntary graft. “Here’s to the next section!” Hilary Smith, who accepted the award on behalf of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, said: “The award is official recognition for all the hours of hard work, over many years, undertaken by the environmental and maintenance teams of the Trust during the ongoing restoration of the Lichfield Canal.” The canal project was also praised for its part in helping Blooming Lichfield win a silver gilt award in the Small City category, with the judges saying: “It is truly amazing the scale of what the canal volunteers have achieved.”
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Win Tickets to The Clothes Show
and discover the next big thing at Britain's biggest fashion and beauty festival!
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he Clothes Show in association with Alcatel will return to the NEC Birmingham from 2-6 December 2016 with a new, exciting line-up of fashion, beauty, live music and industry experts.
Whether you’re looking to update your AW16 wardrobe, discover fresh new music, find inspiration to kick start a career in fashion or meet industry experts, prepare to immerse yourself in Britain’s largest fashion and beauty festival, where you’ll find all of this and more. Renowned for discovering talent across its 27 year history, The Clothes Show is recognising and celebrating the talent of young people within the music industry. 2016 will see the launch of The Clothes Show Discovers - a search to find a male and female artiste who will become the headline acts in the iconic Alcatel Fashion Theatre, in association with Capital FM. Take a seat to watch the newly named catwalk show, Rock the Runway, which will bring together a fashion-meets-music performance with over 40 models and dancers alongside the newly discovered music acts, in what is set to be the most breath-taking show yet. Trend presentations from high street favourites, compiled by ITV’s fashion presenter, Mark Heyes, will offer an insight into AW16 must haves, plus a host of well-known faces will appear in the theatre each day. TV’s brightest rising star, Laura Jackson, will kick-start the first day on Friday 2, and Presenter and fashion icon Laura Whitmore will be present ‘Rock The Runway’ in the Alcatel Fashion Theatre on Sunday 4! TV favourite, Jamie Laing will return on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 December plus you can catch Joey Essex doing exclusive giveaways in the Alcatel Fashion Theatre and appear in the Paparazzi Pen on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Shop in the Boutique Boulevard, where you will find pop up stores from the likes of Sugarhill Boutique and Lavish Alice. Fashion-forward collections from Oasis, Maniere De Voir, South Beach, Claudio Lugli, Adanola, Pretty Lavish, Gymshark, In Love With Fashion and Shoe Embassy will add to the line-up while the Designer Outlet will return with the most sought-after labels. You’ll also be able to shop from a host of Hair & Beauty brands including Rimmel, Elemis, Barry M, W7, Lee Stafford, Models Own, Spectrum Collection, Bomb Cosmetic and Cocowhite. The Discovered Catwalk in association with Cosmopolitan will be hosted by presenter and model Annaliese Dayes, showcasing collections from the Boutique Boulevard as well the latest trends from graduate designers. A host of bloggers and vloggers will take to the stage for Q&A sessions including Sarah Ashcroft otherwise known as ‘That Pommie Girl’ – not to be missed! The Style Studio, hosted by fashion expert Antonia O’Brien, will offer exclusive trend presentations and interviews from leading designers, as well as a host of fashion, beauty and health experts plus some of the UK’s leading editors. TV favourite, Mark Heyes, will also return to the show presenting trends from the catwalk to the high street. His ‘Curves with Confidence’ workshop will show you how to dress for your body shape with valuable style advice on transforming basic looks into key trends for the season Having launched the careers of many top models, designers and TV presenters over the years including Cat Deely, Holly Willoughby, Vernon Kay, Oliver Cheshire, Rosie Tapner and Erin O'Connor, this year The Clothes Show in association with Alcatel will once again be on the lookout for Britain’s next big names. Select Model Management will be scouting at the show, searching for the next 'Face Of' The Clothes Show 2016. The Clothes Show’s Educational Ambassador, Professor Caryn Franklin MBE, has been part of the show from the beginning and continues to inspire the fashion talent of the future through the Educational Programme. There will be an array of exciting seminars, workshops and awards designed to help get you to where you want to be in the creative industries! Make your day extra special and book a Diamond ticket, NEW for 2016! The package offers a truly unique VIP experience with exclusive celebrity meet and greets for you and your friends. Available on Saturday & Sunday only. For more information, please visit: www.clothesshow.com
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Citylife in Lichfield has teamed up with The Clothes Show in association Alcatel to offer a lucky reader and their ‘plus one’ the chance to attend Britain's biggest fashion and beauty festival on Saturday 3rd December. To be in with a chance of winning email your name and contact details to josscitylife@gmail.com or write to Citylife Clothes Show Comptition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS by the competition closing date of 25th November 2016 - if you are picked you will receive a FREE pair of tickets to attend the show on Saturday 3rd December!
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Cutest Pet Competition Citylife in Lichfield’s
Cutie of the Month! Chewie
Chewie is nearly ten years old and is owned by Steffan.
Zeus - Lucy Zeus’s owner told Citylife: “This is our entry for Lichfield's Cutest Pet! He is just 6 months old and loves to play.”
Daisy - Daisy’s owner Denise told Citylife: “Daisy is a little older than the photo now but still as lovely.”
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hank you to all of our lovely readers who have sent in pictures of their pets for our Cutest Pet Competition. We think that all of your furry friends are gorgeous, but there can only be one Cutie of the Month and the winner for October is Chewie! Congratulations to Chewie and his owner Steffan.
The final winner of Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet will win a Trophy and £200 Cash Prize. The winner will be chosen from all of the pictures sent in and will be announced in the December issue.
To enter Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet Competition, send your pics to the editor at josscitylife@gmail.com or post them to Citylife in Lichfield’s Cutest Pet Competition. PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. Remember to let us know your pet’s name, and, apologies, but we can’t return pics posted to us.
Dexter - Dexter is owned by Steve and Gayle who told Citylife: ”This is Dexter, our loveable one year old Labrador. His favourite activities are playing with his ball in the local park, sleeping, cuddling and of course eating his dinner!”
Edward - Edward the King Charles Cavalier is owned by Anne. He is nearly four years old and has been learning to surf this year!
Mylo - Mylo’s owner Nikki told Citylife: “Mylo is four years old. He is my running partner, confidant, and the face of my little dog craft business.”
Winston - Winston’s owners Claire and Dave told Citylife: “This is our gorgeous Victorian Bulldog Winston. He has just turned one and is full of character as you can see. He thinks he is a human! He has the loveliest eyes that melt everyone. He is an absolute joy and we would be lost without him.”!
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Lichfield City Centre Development Partnership Launched
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Business and community representatives from across the city and region, including members of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnerships, gathered at Lichfield Cathedral in September to formally launch the Lichfield City Centre Development Strategy. avid Gage MBE DL, Chairman of the Board of Staffordshire University and newly installed Chairman of the Lichfield City Centre Development Partnership, commented: “I was delighted to help launch Lichfield’s new City Centre Development Strategy and am looking forward to playing an active role in shaping the future of Lichfield City, a place which I think has huge untapped potential and many hidden gems. The strategy aims to elevate Lichfield City and its role in the wider Lichfield District by enhancing existing attractions, delivering better and more targeted promotions, providing improved visitor facilities and ensuring visitors want to stay longer and spend more. Above all, the strategy aims to increase visitor spending in the city by 5% per annum over the next five years, leading to an additional annual contribution of £46m to the local economy and supporting 850 additional jobs – something we can all support.” The partnership includes key landowners and partners in the city including Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield District Council, Lichfield City
Council, Staffordshire County Council and the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, commented: “A shared vision for the city is vital if we are serious about it reaching its full potential as a visitor destination that draws people in from across the region, nationally and internationally, supporting hundreds of businesses and jobs. We are home to one of the most awe-inspiring cathedrals in the land, have amazing history and heritage that weaves together stories of Anglo-Saxon warriors, Samuel Johnson, Erasmus Darwin and more. It is only by pulling together through a strong partnership that we can make the most of these assets, whether that’s improving visitor facilities, marketing ourselves better, or joining up to attract funding.” The strategy has five key ambitions which will be delivered by five working groups: •Create an attractive, multi-faceted yet coherent city centre, which encourages visitors to linger and explore. •Improve the quantity, quality and appeal of the city’s attractions and facilities, to attract and cater for a year round increase in visitors and spending. •Improve access to and within the city and facilitate orientation and exploration. •Raise awareness of Lichfield and its individual assets and facilities as a leading heritage and events city in central England. •Ensure all stakeholders are engaged and pulling in the same direction and secure support for the delivery of the strategy. The strategy can be downloaded from www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/citycentrestrategy
Caring for your pets this season
Britannia Park Veterinary (Part of Hillman Veterinary Group)
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Richard Hillman and his team have been caring for pets for the last 30 years – looking after your pets as if they were their own. They understand the special relationship that people have with their animals, and are committed to providing the individual quality of care that you would expect. They offer a full range of professional healthcare services for your pet in a friendly environment. Services are delivered by Veterinary Surgeons, Registered Veterinary Nurses and their teams and Hillman Veterinary Clinics are all recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as Accredited Practices. Hillman Veterinary Clinics offer friendly and professional consultations 6 days a week, plus a 24 hour emergency service. To book a consultation please call the surgery on 01543 416336. With their highly-qualified, dedicated and professional staff, top-of-the-rage facilities and caring and compassionate ethos, you can rest assured that at Hillman Veterinary Clinic your pet is receiving the very best care. Britannia Park Veterinary Centre can be found at Unit 60 Britannia Way, Britannia Business Park, Lichfield WS14 9UY. Telephone 01543 416336 check the website to find your local branch www.hillmanvets.co.uk
J HOWELL & DAUGHTERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS LICHFIELD & ALREWAS
NOW LICHFIELD & ALREWAS’S ONLY FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS 24 hours a day
We are proud to be Lichfield's longest established family run funeral directors offering a wide range of choices to suit all requirements. Horse drawn, non religious ceremonies, floral tributes and memorials are but a few of the services we offer. Pre-paid funeral plans are also available.
For a truly personal service please call
01543 255776
Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS
01283 792923
36 Main Street, Alrewas, Burton Upon Trent. DE13 7AA
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Lichfield Georgian Festival Success
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The city’s heritage venues and streets were packed with people enjoying Lichfield Georgian Festival this September. n celebration of Lichfield Heritage Weekend, local tourist providers held the city’s first Lichfield Georgian Festival which included a range of themed talks, walks, activities and entertainment for all ages. The free entry festival included a Georgian encampment in Beacon
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Park, costumed characters, a Georgian fashion show, a Son-et-Lumière light show as well as gin and tea trails, live entertainment and more. Heritage venues threw open their doors and offered guided tours and activities over the weekend, including The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Erasmus Darwin House, St Mary’s in the Market Square, Lichfield Cathedral, the Guildhall prison cells, Lichfield Record Office in Lichfield Library, Wade Street Church and Dr Milley’s Hospital. Georgian townsfolk, soldiers and highwaymen paraded around the city centre in character, stopping to talk to visitors and pose for photos. There was a food market along Minster Pool Walk and free activities and entertainment on the city’s Market Square on Saturday, including free face painting and craft activities, where children enjoyed decorating masks and fans. There was plenty of entertainment on offer on Market Square, including the Dr Johnson birthday celebrations with the Lichfield Singers, a performance by Intimate Theatre, a Mini Town Crier Competition, sea shanties by the Lighthouse Company, and music from both Wildfire Folk and the City of Lichfield Concert Band.
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Lichfield’s Isobel is new young poet laureate!
Isobel Horsley, aged 16 from Lichfield, has been chosen as the new young poet laureate for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
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sobel performed her powerful poems alongside her fellow shortlisted poets, at a special poetry event at the Shire Hall Gallery on Saturday 3 September. The prestigious competition is a joint initiative between the city and county councils to promote a love of poetry and showcase the creative writing skills of 14-18 year olds across the area. Isobel, currently a pupil at King Edwards School, said: “I'm thrilled to be chosen because I can share my other poetry with my age group and perhaps convince them it's not as boring as they think it might be. I like writing about things I see or I think are interesting. In my year as poet laureate I want to try and organise some mixed media competitions and see if we can get more people enthused about poetry, or maybe start a club in my local library about performing and reading poetry. I’m really excited” Gill Heath, Cabinet Member responsible for libraries at Staffordshire County Council, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Isobel to her new role. Isobel is our fourth young poet laureate which is proving year on year to be a popular scheme for our county’s young writers and poets. I know the judges were very impressed with her poetry and performance skills. I wish her every success in her forthcoming role, she’s in for a busy year writing and performing poems for special events, and helping
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us to boost appreciation of poetry in younger people across the county. “I’d also like to thank outgoing post holder Mathilda Houston-Brown who has done a marvellous job and I offer her our best wishes for the future.” The judges, including current Staffordshire Poet Laurate Bert Flitcroft and outgoing Young Poet Laureate, Mathilda Houston-Brown said they were impressed with Isobel’s poems and ability to engage the audience when delivering her poetry. Mathilda said: "I was struck by Isobel's passion for poetry, she had an interesting way of using different voices that made her poetry unique. Being Young Poet Laureate is a task with a lot of responsibility, and we felt that Isobel would really throw herself into the role and take as much out of it as she could. I certainly know that it has brought me a lot of joy, and encouraged my confidence, and I hope it will be as beneficial to Isobel as it was to me. Good luck Isobel!" Isobel will take up the role at a special celebration event on National Poetry Day on 6 October.
How to minimise your divorce costs
If divorce is on the horizon, your financial future may seem uncertain and funding legal fees can feel like a daunting prospect. That is why at Ansons Solicitors, we believe in being clear about your cost options from the outset. We offer a free initial one-hour consultation from our offices in Lichfield, Cannock and now in Sutton Coldfield. We also offer an attractive fixed fee divorce package so you can get the very best legal advice when you need it most. However, getting divorced also involves financial separation and making arrangements for children. Resolving these complex issues is where legal costs can build up, depending on how events develop and how long it takes. Laura Lambert explains your options for covering the legal costs of divorce and what you can do to minimise them:
1. Consider a collaborative approach This is where you and your spouse arrange a series of meetings to negotiate an agreement together with your collaboratively trained lawyers, saving time and money.
2. Legal Service Payment Order You may be eligible to apply to the court for an order specifically to fund your legal fees in ongoing financial proceedings connected to divorce.
3. Instruct the right level of solicitor While you may want to use the most senior lawyer in the firm, this will incur a higher hourly rate which may not be necessary if a junior member of the team is able to complete the work at a lower hourly rate. 4. Be honest about your assets Costs can spiral if either spouse deliberately tries to conceal or understate the value of assets or income, or go out of their way to be uncooperative.
5. Be aware of third party costs If we need to instruct a barrister or accountant we will discuss this with you before they become involved as this will incur an additional cost.
For more information on collaborative law or covering the costs of divorce, please contact Laura Lambert on 01543 431 996 or email llambert@ansonssolicitors.com. The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.
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Preserving and Safeguarding Whittington Heath Golf Course A recently approved scheme that will help to offset the potential incursion of HS2, has secured the future of historic local heathland. Not least because there has been a golf course at Whittington Heath for 130 years and the scheme has confirmed the course has a future as well. The course was first created in 1886 by Lieutenant-Colonel George Simon, and used by serving soldiers based at Whittington Barracks (now Defence Medical Services, Whittington) but its clubhouse has an even longer history. It was originally built as a grandstand in the 18th century where visitors could view horse-racing on a race course that stood on the site before golf on the land was even thought of.
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he current golf course was modelled by Harry Colt in 1929. He was an internationally renowned designer who also created some of the most beautiful and highly regarded courses in the country, including Wentworth in Surrey. There are rights-of-way across Whittington Heath Golf Club, and walkers, joggers and locals all enjoy this beautiful piece of Staffordshire, with its important heathland habitat, trees and thriving wildlife. This, in addition to the golf course itself with 18 mature and highly regarded holes. It was therefore with dismay that the club learned the course was to be heavily impacted, and ultimately bisected, by HS2. The club was faced with the task of preserving this important, popular and historic course as much as possible, while also safeguarding the established wildlife habitats. It has always been an important part of the community, raising over a quarter of a million pounds for charity in the last decade alone, and through its ‘Young Golfers’ projects, where young people in the area are given golf tuition by club Professional Mike Raj, free of charge, with tuition subsidised by the members. With this in mind, Whittington Heath Golf Club has negotiated a way forward with HS2 that will preserve (and where necessary re-create) the historic course, safeguard the club’s community activities and significantly increase the important, rare, and increasingly threatened heathland wildlife habitat.
Adjacent to Whittington Heath Golf Club are fields currently used as arable land. They were originally wild heathland, only being claimed for farming relatively recently. Its purchase and integration to the current site means five new holes will be created, to seamlessly blend with what HS2 leaves behind. In addition, the small pockets of heathland that will be lost to HS2, will be significantly expanded. Areas of ‘acid grassland’ – part of the make-up of these pockets of heathland will be physically transplanted, allowing the
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Club Professional Mike Raj
unique make-up of plants and biodiversity to be saved. Native heathers will be added, to revert what is now arable land back to its natural state of heathland, all under the professional guidance of ecologists. Wetlands will also be added - all publicly accessible. This expanded habitat will allow larger heathland species of birds and animals that aren’t currently attracted to the existing small pockets of habitat, to live in the area. It’s an overall project that will add an important large heathland site to the national cache of such environments.
During the entire process the golf course will remain open, with 18 holes permanently available to play. The Club is committed to ensuring that ‘service-as-usual’ continues for players, walkers, and wildlife, and has worked to preserve this important and historic course for future generations. Sadly, and unavoidably, the clubhouse will be lost. A new clubhouse, with much improved disability access will be created, with some of the fabric of the original clubhouse incorporated into the new design. At no point will the club be without a clubhouse, and as
The new course and heathland habitat
work progresses, the club will continue to be the thriving hub that it is today. The approval of planning permission that will save this important site, was a landmark moment. All of this this been negotiated with HS2 over the last 6 years but from here the work and challenge really begins. Committee member Keith Ridgway, who spent a career in the construction industry, took over the project in the later stages of negotiation. Keith commented: “The basis of ‘equivalent reinstatement’ means the level of our current facilities will be maintained on a new-for-old basis, but we’re still losing an historic building as well as mature heathland as a consequence. So the ecological element has been an important factor in the plans. While the new golf holes will be constructed to replicate the traditional heathland environment, there’ll also be around 10 hectares of HS2 as it will cross heather and acid grassland, four eco-ponds, the course additional hedgerow and woodland along with The clubhouse as it was public access. The status of the ecological land is in the 19th century preserved by a binding agreement and the golf club is responsible for maintaining it as such on behalf of HS2.” This announcement is believed to be the first of its kind relating to HS2 but it’s not the first time that Whittington Heath Golf Club has been impacted by national events. During WW2 the land was used as a holding camp for American soldiers, with the site covered by tonnes of rubble and clinker used to create roads, concrete construction and Nissan huts. After the war, the job Proposed new began of clearing and reclaiming the course. Clubhouse elevation Now, for a second time, this venerable site will survive and Whittington Heath Golf Club is proud to have played its part, supported by community Those Interested in playing or visiting Whittington Heath Golf Club can call 01543 groups who have worked tirelessly with them to 432317 or visit www.whittingtonheathgc.co.uk for more information. safeguard its history for generations to come.
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Free cycle training for young people
The training enables children to progress from traffic free riding to quiet residential roads, before building confidence on busier roads while increasing their awareness of other road users.
The £1.2 million funding for the next three years has been made available from the Department for Transport. Recognising the County Council’s efforts over the last ten years providing training to around 68,000 pupils.
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School children from across Staffordshire will continue to benefit from free cycling training over the next three years.
ikeability, the National Standard cycling proficiency scheme, run by Staffordshire County Council provides secondary school aged children with free biking lessons to encourage safer cycling.
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Every year up to 10,000 Staffordshire pupils receive training, and cycling is fast becoming one of the county’s favourite past-times.
Individual cycling maps for all districts, which show both traffic free and quieter routes suitable for cycling and on the road are also available from local libraries or can be downloaded at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/cycling.
Funding now available to support Staffordshire’s armed forces communities
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rganisations from across Staffordshire are being invited to apply for funding to help support their local Armed Forces Communities. A new round of the £10 million annual fund available through the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Covenant opened on 23 September 2016. The funding offers financial support to organisations and projects to help integrate Armed Forces and civilian communities across the UK and deliver valuable local services to the Armed Forces Community. Now Staffordshire County Council is supporting groups with their applications. Cllr Alan White is the County Council’s Armed Forces Champion and a former serving member himself. Alan said: “Staffordshire has a long and proud military heritage, which continues to this day with the Defence Medical Services in Lichfield and the Royal Signals in Stafford, as well as a large number of reserve units and cadets. “We want to be able to support our local armed forces, those serving, veterans, cadets and their families to be more involved in the local community’s activities. Most organisations are eligible and lots of different services and projects are being considered for funding, so I would encourage groups to make an application.” For further information on the funding visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/covenant-fund-guidance-onhow-to-apply or contact Amanda Dawson-Blower at Staffordshire County Council at: amanda.dawson-blower@staffordshire.gov.uk
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Proms ends summer in style
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Thousands of people waved their Union flags and sang with gusto at this year’s Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park on Saturday 3 September. n spite of the threat of wet weather, thousands of people flocked to the park for the eighteenth free Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park.
The sun shone through the clouds as The City of Lichfield Concert
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Band performed popular classics while the audience found their spaces and set up their picnics. This led up to the main concert, which featured The British Police Symphony Orchestra, its Musical Director and Conductor Richard Jenkinson and professional singers, Claire Prewer, Richard Coxon and Aaron Prewer-Jenkinson. The orchestra’s rousing musical line-up included a 20th Century Fox Fanfare, Hansel & Gretel Overture as well as film scores from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Harry Potter. The main concert was expertly compered by proms favourite, Danny Mizon who took the audience through the musical programme and entertained the crowd with his witty humour. A highlight for the evening was a surprise re-enactment from the 4th King’s Own Regiment of Musketeers. Proving a big hit with the audience, the musketeers performed a mock battle between the French and English with musket fire in time to Beethoven’s rarely heard Battle Symphony Opus 91. The rain held off until the fireworks finale which included everybody’s proms favourites, Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.
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The Yoga Collective
lare Whitehouse and Lynny Jennings are the experts behind The Yoga Collective, an exclusive Yoga studio set in the beautiful countryside of Elmhurst. Both Clare and Lynny have over 40 years combined teaching experience. They are both qualified tutors in yoga teacher training and holistic and sports massage therapists. All levels are welcome at The Yoga Collective, from beginners to the more experienced. If you have never tried Yoga before, The Yoga Collective is the ideal place to learn at your own pace, in a friendly and inclusive environment. The Yoga Collective keep class sizes small, with a maximum of 12 students in each session, which allows Clare and Lynny the time to work with people on an individual basis, offering exactly the right level of support to each student. The Yoga Collective are also delighted to announce the launch of Baby Yoga starting after autumn half term. See their website for details www.the-yoga-collective.com for details.
Lynny Jennings (left) Clare Whitehouse (right)
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Hunt & Gather
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unt & Gather craft-based gift shop, at 2 Tudor Row, are a family business that has been trading since 2014. They are passionate about bringing you the most beautiful, unique and exquisite gifts, home and garden wares, jewellery, ceramics, soft furnishings, fabrics, lighting and furniture. They explore and travel the world for inspiration leading to a range that includes many pieces that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Over half of their stock is made using recycled materials, including beautifully seasoned timber gathered from local sources and turned into ethical and one-of-a-kind gifts and more.
Based for over two years at Middleton Hall, Hunt & Gather has expanded to bring you an even larger range in their new shop in the heart of Lichfield
Hunt & Gather is run by Tracey Lathbury and Stephen Hughes, who look forward to welcoming you to their beautiful store at 2 Tudor Row, Wade Street, Lichfield, WS13 6HH. Telephone 01543 250010.
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Lichfield opticians focus on Assistance Dogs charities
eam members from Specsavers Lichfield will be showing their support for national charities Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People with a fundraising day on Friday 7th October. The charities provide essential aid and support to the blind or partially sighted and those affected by hearing loss across the UK, giving them freedom, mobility, emotional support and independence. The opticians and audiologists in Market Street will be welcoming volunteers from the charities along with their four-legged companions into the store to raise much needed funds and awareness. Specsavers, along with Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, would like to invite Citylife in Lichfield readers to come and join in the fun, which will include a raffle, a cake sale and a chance to meet some of the incredible dogs that provide fundamental care. For more information, please visit Specsavers at 43 Market Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LA, call 01543 417 517, or go to https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/lichfield.
Meeting a Rock n' Roll Legend!
Local resident Sue Kulas first met legendary guitarist John Lodge in the 1960s when he first found fame as one of the members of super-group The Moody Blues. Since then Sue has been a fan of the man and his music, and was delighted when Citylife in Lichfield Magazine and the Lichfield Garrick arranged for her to meet him in person when he appeared at the Garrick on Saturday 10th September. Sue commented: “I'm delighted. This has made my year! He was really friendly and charming and he's a great entertainer. I had a fantastic night!"
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A Window on the Past
Postcards from the City
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1. The old Bandstand, Beacon Park. 2. Bird Street. 3. Bore Street. 4. View of Deans Croft houses from St Michael's Church. 5. Market Street. 6. The Three Crowns, Breadmarket Street. Samuel Johnson stayed here in later life. The pub closed in 1964. 7. The ‘Soldiers Home’, which was originally the grandstand of Whittington Racecourse. 8. St John’s Without the Barrs, showing the Marquis of Anglesey pub in the background. 9. Bird Street showing the old Post office. 10. Market Square, from a postcard dated 1944. 11. Reverse side of postcard.
Tourists have been visiting Lichfield for centuries - sending postcards home showing some of the sights that have attracted thousands of visitors to our beautiful city. Although some of these views are a little changed, or may even have been swept away by new developments, many of these sights are still recognisable today.
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12. St Mary’s Church, the Three Crowns pub and Samuel Johnsons Birthplace Museum, early in the 19th century. 13. St Chad’s Church, showing Littleworth Cottages that were demolished in the 1940s.
Our thanks to the local history group ‘You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if…’ for this fascinating collection of postcards – mementos of happy visits and summer holidays past.
For more memories, pictures and stories, visit the group’s Facebook page ‘You’re probably from Lichfield, Staffs if…’ or go along to their next meeting on Tuesday 11th October at 7pm at Lichfield Social Club, Purcell Avenue, WS13 6TS. For more information call the group on 01543416393 or 01543268842.
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Lichfield Food Festival in Pictures
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More than 180 food and drink stalls, Great British Bake Off stars, children’s entertainment and live music were just some of the treats enjoyed at Lichfield Food Festival in August. he sun shone over most of the weekend, which added to the festival feeling. However, there was a heavy downpour late on Saturday afternoon which meant that the Hue and Cry live acoustic set
moved from outside Lichfield Cathedral to The Angel Inn. Festival goers also enjoyed watching KitchenAid cookery demonstrations in The Kitchen Shop on Market Street over both days of the festival. Lichfield Arts hosted a local brewers’ event, offering real ale and craft cider in the Guildroom of the Guildhall on Saturday. Then on Sunday home bakers entered their homemade birthday cakes into the Birthday Bake Off and more than 200 festival goers voted for their favourites, before the main judging by Julie Crisp from Cakeydora Baking Academy. Cakeydora awarded four-year-old Sophie Antcliffe first place in the junior category (ages 4-15) for her salted caramel cupcakes and Katherine Archer came first in the adult category with her Finding Dory birthday cake. Festival goers voted six (and three-quarter) year-old Theo HarrisonLark’s Lego construction inspired cupcakes top in the junior category for the People’s Choice award and Katherine Archer’s Finding Dory cake in the adult category.
Lichfield Arts with Best of Local Brewers Bab Elgood and Liz and Rob Tilston
Kitchen Shop demonstration
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Cupcake deocrating
Sophie Antcliffe age 4 and Julie Crisp
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Raise a Glass...
to the Perfect Christmas Dining Experience 44
Here at Citylife we're already looking forward to Christmas and deciding where we're going to book our Christmas celebration. We’re not on our own - across the region businesses are planning their Christmas parties and meals; exploring the fantastic range of cuisines and venues available in our city.
No matter what you're looking for, from laid-back dining to a full party-night, Lichfield restaurants and venues can provide exactly what you need. Looking to book a family meal or gettogether with friends over the next few months? Here's our guide to some of the tastiest options on offer.
Christmas at McKenzie's Restaurant
McKenzie's Restaurant have created a wonderful Christmas Menu for the festive season that includes something for everyone. The whole team at McKenzie’s are dedicated to bringing you lots of 'Christmas Cheer' and tables will be decorated with crackers to add to the spirit of goodwill. To book the Christmas Menu, go to mckenziesrestaurant.com and click on the booking page to see availability and prices or call on 01543 417371.
Come and visit the AWARD WINNING
BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR • • • •
Established over 20 years
Surrounded by 3 car parks. All free after 6.30pm
Superb menu with a vast choice selection. Experienced chefs from Hong Kong & Malaysia. Open 12 noon till late. Superb function room, seats up to 65.
Visit our website: www.leegardenrestaurants.co.uk 50 Tamworth Street, Lichfield WS13 6JJ Tel: 01543 418515/01543 254388
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Ruby Restaurant
Ruby Chinese Restaurant at 29 St John Street is recognised as one of the best Oriental restaurants in the Midlands. They pride themselves on using only the finest and freshest ingredients, from some of the best suppliers in the UK. Each dish is created by experienced chefs and can be adapted to your personal preferences. The attractive restaurant interior features a Chinese Garden dining area, and is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. The ‘All You Can Eat’ Chinese Buffet (available every week-day and on Sunday) offers excellent quality at a highly competitive price, and with its extensive take-away menu, no wonder the Ruby Restaurant is such a popular choice. The Ruby Restaurant can be found at 29 St John Street, Lichfield. Tel: 01543 251144.
parking after 6:30pm, Lee Garden cater for any occasion. Lee Garden also offers a private function room for up to 60 guests which is ideal for business or private functions. Lee Garden are currently taking bookings for Christmas parties, and is a great place to celebrate New Year. Why not come along to their popular Chinese New Year Celebrations with authentic Lion Dance?
Party atmosphere at Qmin this Christmas
The festive season really starts at Lichfield’s
Lee Garden
Lee Garden restaurant specialises in Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. It has been established for over 30 years and is the largest restaurant in Lichfield. Open seven days a week from 12 noon right through until late, and with plenty of free
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leading Indian restaurant with their fantastic Christmas Party Menu. Enjoy their friendly party evenings with fabulous Qmin cuisine. On 25th December you can enjoy a superb Christmas Day Lunch which is an exquisite exclusive Indian meal. Bookings have already been made for Christmas Day Lunch, so you are strongly advised to contact Qmin for details on 01543 255000. Qmin will be pleased to tailor-make menus to suit any preference, dietary choice, or budget for Christmas Parties or any occasion. Qmin captures India’s diversity, with more than 120 authentic recipes across the country. Sample their fusion cooking in modern and relaxed surroundings, served by very attentive staff. They invite you to experience the Qmin brand of Indian cuisine and promise you a feast for your senses. Remember, bookings are now being taken for the Festive Season, so contact Qmin soon. Call Qmin on 01543 255000 www.qmin.co.uk
Christmas at The George Hotel
The George Hotel on Bird Street is the perfect place to enjoy a Christmas celebration this year with friends and work colleagues. Pre-Christmas, you can let your hair down and dance the night away at one of the Christmas Party Nights, or enjoy a quieter celebration in the restaurant. At lunchtime there’s a traditional carvery featuring a succulent roast turkey with all the trimmings, and in the evening you can enjoy the best of modern British food in Darwin’s restaurant with an à la carte menu and a Celebration menu for just £19.95 for 3 courses. The George is open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve for bookings and there is also a packed programme of special festive events including Senior Citizens’ Lunches, Christmas Flower arranging and Intimate Theatre’s ever popular Christmas Voices. If you’re out and about in Lichfield, the bar at The George is the perfect spot to enjoy your favourite tipple at any time of day, and if gin is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice as there are over 30 premium gins to choose from on the menu! For more details of The George’s full Christmas programme pop in to the hotel on Bird Street or visit the website: ww.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk.
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Enjoy the Festive Season at the Pear Tree Creperie
It's time to start planning your festive celebrations with friends and family. The Creperie Christmas decorations will be going up in the last week of November to coincide with the launch of our 'Christmas Specials' . Traditional turkey or pork savoury galettes and a choice of three new sweet crepes, including Cherry and Brandy flambé, are available to get you in to the Christmas spirit. If you're looking for a private or corporate Christmas party we tick all the boxes. Festive gatherings from 10 to up to 85 guests can easily be accommodated. Our group party menu includes our four course 'Christmas Set Menu' for £19.90, or we have over 40 sweet crepes and savoury galettes to choose from. Alternatively our new 'Live Catering' team can come to your venue and prepare made-to-order crepes and galettes for your guests or staff. Prices start from £550 for 50 guests (based on a savoury and sweet each). If you like live music, don't miss our 'Christmas Party Sax Night' on Friday December 9th. Samantha-Jayne will be performing live music whilst you enjoy a relaxed meal with friends and family. Please see our website for Christmas opening times throughout December. Call 01543 481807 for table bookings.
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William Lunn’s Homes
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By Kate Gomez of Lichfield Discovered
A year ago, I came across a plaque outside a row of bungalows on Stowe Road that reads ‘Municipal Charities Of The City Of Lichfield, William Lunn’s Homes, Original Grant 26th June 1667. Re-built 1959.’ I found this intriguing, so I nipped out for another look.
hanks to a friend, who helped me with a bit of research, I now know the basic history of these homes. In 1654, William Lunn left two almshouses for six poor widows in his will. The date of 1667 given on the plaque is when Edward Lunn (presumably his son) conveyed them to a trust. By 1762, there were six two roomed cottages on the site and as the plaque tells us, these were replaced with six new bungalows in 1959. As the plaque doesn’t tell us, because it too dates to 1959, more were added in the 1980s. I called into Lichfield Record Office to take a look at the accounts book they hold for Lunn’s Charity. It covers the period 1851 to 1883 and begins with a description of the trust as follows: ‘William Lunn of the City of Lichfield by indenture dated the 26th June 1667 gave to Trustees certain messuages and two acres of land within the city.’ This land was to be used for the upkeep of homes for six widows of the City of Lichfield. As well as recording payments made for various services (coal from Mr Brawn, and later Mr Summerfield, Mr Gorton for repairs and perhaps most intriguingly, a payment of 10 shilling on 27th March 1874 to Mr Duvall for ‘removing a nuisance’, it tells us that the women were each paid an annual sum of 5 shillings each and that they were allowed half a ton of coal five times a year. The book starts with a list of those allocated rooms as at 11th October 1851:
Sarah Thacker admitted in 1837; Jane Smith in 1843; Catherine Trigg 1845; Mary Bullock (undated); Hannah Cresswell (undated) and notes that one former resident, Elizabeth Walker is dead. Her place is given to Helen Hartwell aged 79. And this is how it continues every year – a list of women and a note of those who have died (or left, for reasons unspecified), and those who take up residence in their place. Sometimes the husband’s name is included, sometimes the name of the street the women were leaving
for the almshouse. For example, in 1879, Widow Sarah Harris of Stowe Street/George Lane was appointed inmate in the place of Widow Belfield who quit aged 61 years. There is a memorial to William Lunn Gent. in St Chad’s church describing his gift of two houses in Stowe Street and two acres of land in Longfurlow for the benefit of six poor widows forever. So, Lunn is buried at St Chad’s and I imagine that many of the widows who benefited from his gift are buried there too. Are their graves marked I wonder?
Kate Gomez is the author of history blog Lichfield Lore, and one of the founding members of local history group Lichfield Discovered. Kate is currently working on her first book on the history of Lichfield.
Sources: ‘Lichfield: Charities for the poor’, in A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 14, Lichfield, ed. M W Greenslade (London, 1990), pp. 185-194 h t t p : / / w w w . b r i t i s h history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol14/pp185-194 Coley, N. Lichfield Book of Days, The History Press
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From Door-stop to £650,000 Chinese Vase fit for an Emperor
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rare Chinese blue and white vase discovered propping a door open in a West Midland home has recently sold for a record, £650,000. This is the second highest single price achieved at auction outside of London to date this year. This fairytale story came about when a Chinese vase was discovered by Hansons Auctioneers.
Commenting on the find, Charles Hanson, manager of Hansons Auctioneers and as seen on BBC1 Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip commented: “The vase was uncovered in a West Midland home and incredibly had been used for many years as a door-stop.” It was first unearthed by Hanson’s Associate Director and Lichfeldian Adrian Rathbone. Adrian added: “On examining it, I was quite surprised at how imposing it was, (66cm high). Painted in blue I was particularly mesmerised by the character mark on the base of the vase. After a careful period of assessment with consultation with specialists in the field of oriental porcelain a guide price had been set at £300,000 to £500,000. I was delighted to see it sell for over the estimate for £650,000 at Hansons Auctioneers in June. It was bought by a Chinese businessman. “It is a quite spell binding vase. Made in China during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-99), it was just possibly manufactured by the Imperial kilns for the Emperor's Summer Palace. Of hexagonal outline it is brilliantly painted in tones of cobalt blue. With boughs of pomegranate and peach alternating with flowering branches, it is a work of art, painted with the Qianlong mark to the base. With important Chinese porcelain once removed from China during the 19th century and being bought back by Chinese billionaires, 54
today pedigree and provenance are so important in a market where later copies can easily deceive the more cautious collector. The provenance of this vase is rock solid. Our client inherited the vase from a Great Aunt who had acquired it during her life in Cornwall in the 1920s when such things could be picked up relatively cheaply.” The manner of the vase's decoration was inspired by artists working on porcelain in the Yongzheng period (1723-1735). The design became one of the most favoured for all the noble Palaces in the period by his son Emperor Qianlong. A similar vase can be found in the Nanjing Museum in China and other important museum and private collections. The vase's pattern incorporates clear design influences from the European baroque, and elegantly combines the traditional 'heaped and piled' effect of much earlier Ming blue and whites. The vase can truly be described as life changing. Find out if you have a hidden gem waiting to be found in your house. Maybe a dusty old vase, a flaking painting or a dazzling diamond? Hanson’s experts hold regular free valuation days in both Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield. These events are held in aid of St Giles Hospice.
Lichfield valuations are every Monday 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Hedgehog Inn, Stafford Road, Lichfield, WS13 8JB. Sutton Coldfield valuations are held once a month on Tuesday from 10am to 2pm at St Chad’s Church Hall, Hollyfield Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7SN. Dates for this year are 11th October, 8th November and 6th December. Free home visits can be arranged for large/bulky items, house clearance advice and downsizing solutions. Please phone 01283 733988 or email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk for further details.
Last Few Days of Summer Sale!
It's the last few days of the Summer Sale at that unique shop - Dame Oliver's on Dam Street, Lichfield.
New Autumn stoke from Adini, Capri, Braintree, Ralston and Angel Circle ranges plus knitwear, winter hats and accessories. Dame Oliver's is also now stocking a range of vintage jewellery.
Offering incredible choice, value and affordable individuality, why not visit Dame Oliver's at 19, Dam Street and find out why this is one of the most intriguing and popular shops in the city centre?
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LOCAL NEWS Community Challenge Continues
Lichfield Ladies Circle are partnering with a select group of local and reputable businesses to promote special offers that benefit local good causes. Each offer lasts one calendar month in 2016, with each business enjoying one month in the limelight. Lichfield Ladies Circle promote the 'offer of the month' for each business in the local press and social media. This August, Beauty by Kirsty Ray raised money for St Giles Hospice. Beauty by Kirsty Ray provided the August offer of nail treatments. They also held a special open evening on Wednesday 31st August offering treatments at reduced rates, accompanied by Angie’s Beauty Academy, Forever Living and Erase UK. Total monies raised were £132.60. Kirsty Ray chose to support St Giles Hospice as one of her friends is currently receiving treatment there. Other businesses who have been involved in the 2016 Communty Challenge include Majestic Wines, Margheri and Francesco Group raising money for their nominated charities. Any business who would like to be part of the Community Challenge with Lichfield Ladies Circle should contact 0800 148 8595 or info@lichfieldladiescircle.co.uk .
Lichfield Society of Artists Awards
The Lichfield Society of Artists held their annual awards exhibition at Lichfield Library on Saturday 10th September, where MP, Michael Fabricant who is Patron of the Society, awarded several prizes. The Armour Brown Award (for best in show) went to Jean Dugard for her impressive landscape painting ’The Rocky River Gorge’, which also won the Michael Fabricant Award for best landscape painting. Michael commented: “The Society is a marvellous outlet for local talent. Their next exhibition will be held in Spring 2017 at The Friary, but I am keen to ensure that sufficient hanging space is available at the new Library in St Mary’s Centre for their next Awards
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Exhibition in autumn 2017 when the Library has moved.” Further information about the Society go to lichfieldsocietyofartists.co.uk
Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Staffordshire Search and Rescue Dog Team
Lichfield District annual canvass
As part of Lichfield District Council’s annual voter registration canvass, households across Lichfield District will have received a form in early August asking residents to check whether the information, which appears on the electoral register for anyone living at the address, is correct. The council is now sending out reminders to any households that did not respond to the initial form. The aim of the form is to make sure the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. This is an opportunity for residents to make sure that when elections take place they will be able to take part. Diane Tilley, Electoral Registration Officer at Lichfield District Council, said: “Make sure you can have your say at the elections next year, by simply checking the form and returning it as soon as possible. “If you’re not registered, we’ll send you information explaining how to do this or you can just go online to apply to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.” It’s particularly important that anyone who has moved address recently looks out for the form and returns it, as well as checking whether they are registered. Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that across Great Britain, recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time. Any residents who have any questions can contact the elections team by calling 01543 308125 or emailing elections@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Dog walkers take Towpath Trail for charity
To celebrate its fifth birthday, Oscar Pet Foods, Lichfield, held a family-friendly fun walk along the Lichfield Canal Heritage Towpath Trail on Sunday September 25. By donating £5 dog owners helped raise funds for three local charities, Lichfield and
Jane Sutton and Jane Adams
Silver-Gilt for Lichfield in HOEIB Awards
Lichfield has again been awarded a prestigious ‘Silver Gilt’ in this year’s Heart of England in Bloom Awards. Heart of England in Bloom commented: “The judges thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Lichfield in the sunshine, and in particular, meeting the variety of dedicated volunteers who are working so hard together to make Lichfield bloom – their efforts are certainly paying off. “Highlights on the tour included the allotments, where lucky dog walkers benefit from surplus produce left at the gates, Beacon Retirement Village with its array of floral features, Beacon Park and the community garden which provides opportunities for a range of people to get involved in gardening, Tudor Row with its beautiful baskets and cheery bunting and the Lichfield Canal project – it is truly amazing the scale of what the canal volunteers have achieved through volunteer work.” The award was presented on 15th August by Les Goodwin from HOEIB.
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Advertise your event in our what’s on guide for only £3 for up to 75 words max, please contact Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048 josscitylife@gmail.com. (Local Charities and advertisers may place what’s on listings free-of-charge).
Your Citylife What’s On in October
Friday 7th October Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society Meeting and Talk Held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield. Friday 7 October 8 pm: The Morale of the British Army in the First World War, talk by Professor Gary Sheffield. Visitors welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments available from 7 30 pm. For more info call 01543 416144.
Friday 14th October Heritage Evening At 7pm. "Heritage Evening on WW1" – an evening of songs & tales from the WW1 era at Lichfield Library. Tickets are £5 (incl tea/coffee) & are available now from the library (booking essential).
Sunday 16th October Wedding Fayre 11am to 3pm at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 308 3751 A wide range of exhibitors will be on hand to help you organise your very special day. Fashion shows at 12pm and 2pm featuring the very latest wedding dresses, mother of the bride outfits and men’s formal suits. Free admission & £100 worth of vouchers to be won!
Alrewas Arts presents Roving Crows In concert at Alrewas Village Hall An award-winning Celtic Rock Band with fiery fiddle, trumpet, guitar, drums, bass and vocals to give you an energetic and entertaining evening never to forget. Start 8.00 pm. Bar 7.15. Info and tickets (£8.50) from Lorna on 01283 790799
Thursday 20th October Lichfield Civic Society Meeting and Talk At 7.45 pm. West Midlands Environment Agency: Challenges and Opportunities. Speaker: Lisa Pinney, MBE. The meeting will
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take place in The Lichfield Room, Wade St Church Community Hall, Frog Lane, Lichfield, WS13 6HS. Admission is free to members. Non-members are always welcome - £3 at the door.
Friday 21st October Elvis Tribute Evening At Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 308 3751 Kevin Paul provides an explosive and passionate performance with that all important Presley charm. £35 per person, includes a three course meal, entertainment and disco, or from £129 for 2, including an overnight stay. Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society Meeting and Talk Meetings held at The Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield. Friday 21 October 8 pm: Agincourt, Talk by Dr Simon J Harris. Visitors welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments available from 7 30 pm. For more info call 01543 416144.
Sunday 23rd October Wedding Open Day 12 – 3pm at The George Hotel, Bird Street, Lichfield T: 01543 414822 Meet our wedding co-ordinators and see just how lovely your wedding day could be at The George. Admission free, register online for your free tickets.
Tuesday 25th October 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. Our next Meeting is on Tuesday 25 October 2016. For further information please contact 01543 263347 or 255698.
Thursday 27th October South East Staffordshire Association of National Trust Members Meeting and Talk Held at St Mary's in the Market Square, Lichfield at 7 30 pm. Thursday 27 October: Richard III, the King under the Car Park, talk by Dr Richard Buckley. Members £2, non-members £4. For more info call 01543 416144.
Friday 28th October An Evening with Lola Lamour At The George Hotel, Bird Street, Lichfield T: 01543 414822 Enjoy a delicious three course evening meal in the Garrick Suite with nostalgic entertainment from the glamorous vocalist, Lola Lamour. £27 per person or from £109 for 2, including an overnight stay. Friday 28th October Murder Mystery Evening At Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 308 3751 Put your investigative skills to the test and enjoy a fun filled evening of murder, mystery and intrigue at
the Halloween ball. £37 per person or from £149 for two with an overnight stay.
Sunday 30th October Afternoon Tea with the D-Day Darlings At Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, Moor Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 308 3751 Relive the good old days of wartime Britain as the delightful DDay Darlings take you on a nostalgic musical journey back to the heart of the 1940s. £24.50 per person
Save The Date Saturday 19th November
Christmas Market At Tippers Lichfield.
Crime & Punishment at Lichfield Museum in St. Mary’s in the Market Square.
The St. Marys' Players present "Crime & Punishment" - the clerks' tale of the Lichfield Bank Crash. At 7.30pm. Tickets priced at £6.50 are available now from the Tourist Information desk in St. Marys.