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September 2017 12 29
Inside...
12 A Window on the Past
Rugeley’s History Written in Stone
20 Rugeley Family Celebrates Arrival of
Fifth Generation Welcome Eleanor!
22 Your Image Competition
Calling all photographers and artists
29 The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
By Kate Gomez
Welcome to CITYLIFE
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Welcome to CITYLIFE in Rugeley, a monthly magazine bringing you our pick of the area’s news, events and stories. Each month CITYLIFE in Rugeley is delivered to 11,000 businesses and homes in Rugeley, Ravenhill, Etchinghill, Slitting Mill, Armitage, Handsacre, Colton, Hill Ridware and Hamstall Ridware, completely free of charge; bringing you the best that the area has to offer. Each issue features heritage stories exploring the rich history of our area, plus competitions, interviews and the latest in fashion and style. Got a story or charity event you want to share with our readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures the spirit of the region? We want to hear from you!
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CITYLIFE Contacts Editor - Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048
josscitylife@gmail.com
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Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Karen Wraxton 07791 635019 kaz.citylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com Production - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com Citylife In Lichfield Ltd PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS CITYLIFE in Lichfield and CITYLIFE in Rugeley magazines are not connected to any other publication or publisher, and are wholly owned by CITYLIFE in Lichfield Ltd. Citylife In Rugeley
Citylife in Rugeley 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 Rugeley or Citylife in Lichfield Ltd.
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A Forever Home for Tia and Taylor?
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By Ruth Dewis of Rugeley Welfare For Dogs
ere, Ruth Dewis of Rugeley Welfare For Dogs talks about Tia and Taylor, who are searching for a new forever home.
Taylor is a three year old male Staffie cross, and the son of Tia. He is microchipped and castrated and is very good around children and cats. He does get a little excited when due for a walk as he loves to go. He also loves his fuss and cuddles. We would really like Taylor and Tia, who are a great pair, to stay together.
Tia is approximately five years old. She was a rescue dog and is great around cats, other dogs and children. She is microchipped and great on and off the lead. She just loves hugs and fuss.
If you think you could offer these dogs a home then please call Ruth on 07900 090993 or Pauline on 07971 817877 or see facebook.com/rugeleydogwelfare. A home check and a donation will be required.
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John Porter - Master of the turf By David Derry
ohn Porter was born in Rugeley on the 2nd March 1838. His parents were John Porter (Snr), a tailor, and Alice Porter, a dressmaker. Later the family lived in Albion Street, Rugeley. Due to ‘business reasons’, at the age of ten, John and his family moved to London. Within two years were all living back in Rugeley! On leaving school in 1852, his father wanted John to go into the legal profession to study law. However John was more interested in horses, and spent most of his time at the Saunders training stables in Hednesford, where Dr William Palmer, (of ‘Palmer the Poisoner’ fame) kept his horses. Whilst at the stables, John became more and more repelled by the idea of spending is career sitting behind an office desk - the open-air life was for him. For about twelve months he stayed at the stables, but the day came when his parents said “something must be done about young John Porter’s career”. In 1853, a breakthrough came when a Mr Henry Padwick of Michel Grove stables near Worthing, Sussex advertised for an apprentice jockey. John jumped at the chance, he wrote a letter to Mr Padwick and in reply he was offered an apprenticeship. His first race was at Goodwood in 1854 on a horse
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called Diana. His last race in the saddle was on Carmel at the 1858 Derby. On Mr Padwick’s retirement in 1857, the stable moved from Michel Grove to Findon in Soon after the move, John’s Sussex. apprenticeship was terminated! At Findon, William Goater made John secretary/ manager of the stables. In 1863, Sir Joseph Hawley gave John the chance to become trainer at Cannon Heath Stables, near Kingsclere in Berkshire. New stables were built at Kingsclere, which John took over. In Sir Joseph Hawley’s will, John was given the chance to buy the Kingsclere estate at a price he could afford and he purchased the estate. Between 1863 and 1905, as trainer and owner of Kingsclere, he trained 23 British Classic race-winners, and had wins in the Epsom Derby seven times and the Epsom Oaks three times. His stable also won the Ascot Gold Cup four times, the St Ledger Stakes six times, the ‘Two Thousand Guineas’ five times and the ‘Thousand
Guineas’ twice – an impressive tally. In total his stable produced 1,063 winners with prize money totalling £787,583. During his career he trained horses for King George V, the Duke of Westminster, the Duke of Portland, the Earl of Crewe, the Earl of Portsmouth and locally, Lord Berkeley Paget and Colonel Paget. In 1905, he retired from training horses, left Kingsclere, and moved into a property called ‘Strattons’, and then to ‘Ormonde House’, again near Newbury. During 1903 and 1904, John Porter applied to the Jockey Club for permission to build a new racecourse at Newbury. The Jockey Club rejected his proposal, stating that there were already enough racecourses in the country. However, a chance meeting with King Edward VII changed things around. The King was interested in his idea, so the Jockey Club gave the go-ahead to build Newbury Racecourse. The Newbury Racecourse Company was formed on the 26th April 1904. The first race took place on the 26th and 27th September 1905. In recognition of John Porter being the founder of Newbury Racecourse, The John Porter Stakes race for older horses is run in his honour. It was first run on the 29th September 1928, it still takes place today during April. John Porter died on the 21st February 1922, aged 83. He is buried with his wife at St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere. ‘The National Horseracing Museum’, stated that “John Porter was the most successful trainer of the Victorian Era”.
David Derry is a member of the Landor (Local History) Society.
Cannock W.I. By Jill Gooch
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t a recent Cannock W.I. meeting, Gaynor Woodward brought a ‘hug’ (the collective noun for a group of teddy bears) along to meet members, and in fact members were actually offered a hug, as Gaynor introduced each of her bears. Gaynor is an ‘arctophile’, (a person who has a passion for teddy bears) and both makes and collects bears. The bears helped tell the story of the origin of the first “teddy” that was named after Teddy Roosevelt who had refused to shoot a bear during a hunting party; and of Margaret Steiff who began by making bears for her family. Gaynor judged our monthly competition, which was themed to her talk entitled ‘Come for a Hug’, and chose as the winning teddy a bear made from the lining of a war time airman’s jacket, brought in by Margaret Walker. Continuing our determination to improve our I.T. skills and promote communication, a Facebook page has been set up for Cannock W.I. and members are encouraged to post and share pictures and information. Further information is available at www.thewi.org.uk/staffordshire www.facebook.com/oakleafstlukes
Arthur Price, Sophie Conran Cutlery Set Competition Winners
Congratulations to Mrs L Mead, Mr A Rodwell, and Ms A Scandrett who are all winners of a Sophie Conran 24 Piece Cutlery Set, courtesy of Arthur Price.
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A Window on the Past 1
Rugeley’s history written in stone By The Landor Society
Rugeley holds a remarkable number of both listed and “of special architectural or historic interest” buildings. These special places add character and continuity to the history of this much-loved town. In this month’s Window on the Past, The Landor Society explores Rugeley’s history through its beautiful buildings.
1. Horse Fair - this timber-framed house with painted brick is probably early 16th century. The casement windows are Victorian, and the ashlar wall to the left was also listed.
2. The Old Chancel, its wall facing Station Road and this tomb are all listed. The stone table tomb of 1696 marks the resting place of sisters Elizabeth Cutting and Emma Hollinshurst. The slab is carved with two effigies depicted in linen shrouds, showing that their family were rich enough to pay the fine for them not being buried “in sheep’s wool only”. 12
3. Crossley Stone House - late 18th century brick building, whose door-case with curved volute pediment was photographed in 1957.
4. Wolseley Road - this late 18th century red brick house on the corner of Church Street was popularly known as ‘Lottery Hall’. Legend says it was built on the proceeds of a lottery. 5. Brook House, Brook Square - before its refurbishment by the firm of solicitors, Gardner Champion, this early 19th century building was a private house.
6. Lower Brook Street - a close-up of the Ionic fluted pilasters on the upper storeys of no.17 (Clinton’s Cards), another early 19th century building.
7. Brindley Bank Pumping Station - listed in 2006, it was built 1902-7 by William Vaudrey, the engineer of the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company in ‘Tudorbethan Revival’ style.
The Landor Society is a focus for those who wish to learn more about the history of Rugeley and its surrounding parishes. It was founded in 1953 and was named in honour of Walter Noble Landor, local and county historian, who became the Society’s first President. More information is available at www.landorlocalhistorysociety-rugeley.btck.co.uk Please note that these images may not be reproduced, copied, or used in any way without express permission from Citylife in Lichfield Ltd and The Landor Society.
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The Timeless Style of Ercol
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By Richard Winterton of Richard Winterton Auctioneers
ucian R Ercolani (or “The Old Man" as he is affectionately known in the company), founded Ercol in 1920. Born in Italy in 1888, Lucian's family moved to London in the 1890s. There he went to night-school at the Shoreditch Technical Institute where he studied drawing, design and the theory and construction of furniture. In 1907 he made his first piece of furniture - a musical cabinet, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Years later the company tracked this down and still have it to this day. Between 1910 and 1920, The Old Man worked in the design teams for what would later become Parker Knoll and G-Plan, before founding Ercol in 1920. He designed the company's products for many years. The Windsor range remains one of the most popular ranges over half a century after it was first launched in its original guise, and a few years ago they reintroduced some of Lucian's classic designs, which now form the Ercol Originals range. Furniture was designed for the Living
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Room, Dining Room and the Bedroom to suit any style from formal or casual, contemporary or traditional, plus new designs for the modern day. Ranges are named Adrano, Cosenza, Teramo, Bosco, Capena, Evergreen, Chesham, Marino, Renaissance, Romana and Windsor, and the company provides exclusive ranges to big retailers such as John Lewis, Next, White Company and Furniture Village. Through the auction market, the sale of Ercol in recent years has got stronger and stronger with high prices being achieved. At our most recent sale we had a price battle between room bidders and internet bidders for an Ercol Elm spindle back Windsor chair which sold for a hammer price £260. An Ercol Blonde Elm room divider/shelves sold for a hammer price £480 and an Ercol Light Elm rectangular extending dining table with two extra leaves and six matching spindle back chairs sold for a hammer price of £900. We hold a free valuation service every Tuesday from 9.30am to 4pm at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley
Park, Lichfield, WS13 8NF. For larger items or house clearance please contact us to book an appointment for a home visit.
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Summer Reading Challenge
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ver 8,000 children from across the county have signed up for Staffordshire libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge. Staffordshire's library Service are backing the reading campaign and are asking the county's 4 to 11 yearolds to borrow and read any six library books during the summer holidays. This year’s theme is Animal Agents, based on a detective agency staffed by all kinds of clever animals – furry, scaly and slippery – who are out to crack a case at the library with a little help from their friends. To take part in the challenge, all children need to do is to head to their local library where they will be given a collector folder to keep a record of their reading journey. As children read their library books over the summer, they collect stickers which will help them crack the clues and help the Animal Agents find out what's really been going on behind the scenes! Animal Agents runs throughout the summer with a range of events and activities planned in the county's libraries. The campaign finishes on 11 September and people can find out more at their local library or at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/libraries
The Holly Bush By Tim Jones
‘The Holly Bush’ is a former pub that served the pits of Cannock Chase. All the pits in the Rugeley area were in the Brereton part of Cannock Chase until Lea Hall Colliery in the Trent Valley opened in 1960. The last of the Brereton pits on the Chase to close was the Brereton Colliery in Colliery Road, which was kept open until 1960 to maintain local skills for the opening of Lea Hall. The miners of course needed somewhere to quench their thirsts after hard day’s work. The ‘Holly Bush’, the only thatched pub for miles, served that purpose for very many years, from, it is believed, about 1800. In 1965, five years after the pit closed, the Holly Bush served its last customers. Antiques Fairs were held there in the 1970s and 1980s when it had a tiled roof. The Holly Bush is now an attractive re-thatched, private house in the peaceful Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a Grade II Listed Building. The photo shows it in the 1950s, when ramblers, as well as miners, used it. Tim Jones is Chair of the Brereton & Ravenhill Heritage Committee.
Got a story or charity event you want to share with our readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures the spirit of the region? We want to hear from you! Contact Citylife at josscitylife@gmail.com
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Rugeley Family Celebrates Arrival of Fifth Generation
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hese are remarkable pictures - they show Eleanor Talbot, who was born in February 2017, surrounded by her family and being cradled in the arms of her great-greatgrandmother, Mrs Doris Smith. The birth of Eleanor added a fifth generation to the family, with almost a century between the birthdays of the oldest and youngest member. Mrs Doris Smith, Eleanor’s great-great-grandmother, was born in 1919, in the middle of the Great War. Before WW2, Mrs Smith worked as a seamstress at Keys in Rugeley, and went on to become a cook and dinner-lady at Brereton School and Hob Hill School. Mrs Smith was also a key-holder to Brereton Methodist Church until recently. Ms Gail Croxall, Eleanor’s great-grandmother, was born in 1944. Gail lived in Brereton and worked as accounts and project manager at MENCAP, and then as Project Manager at Family Focus in Rugeley. Ms Croxall is now retired, and is a Rugeley Flower Club member and national demonstrator. She enjoys 20
spending time with her five grandchildren and first greatgrandchild. Mrs Julie Wilkes, Eleanor’s grandmother, was born in 1964. Julie lives in Rugeley and attended Fair Oak High School. Mrs Wilkes was a landscaper, and now works as Manager for Byrkley Garden Centre. Mrs Laura Talbot, Eleanor’s Mum, was born in 1987. Laura lives in Armitage and went to Fair Oak High School, Rugeley. She graduated from Canterbury University in 2012 and is now Dispensing Optician Manager at Colin Lee Opticians in Rugeley. Laura got married at Brereton Methodist Church. 76 years earlier, on the very same date, her great-grandmother Doris also married at the Methodist Church. Although no longer with us, Laura was lucky enough to have met her own great-greatgrandma, Alice. Everyone at Citylife would like to congratulate the family on their beautiful new arrival.
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Your Image Competition
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calling all photographers and artists!
ver the coming months, we’d like to see your photographs, drawings and paintings of Cannock Chase and the surrounding area. Each month we’ll publish a new selection of the work received, and the final winning image (announced in the June 2018 issue) will receive a £100 prize and ‘Your Image’ Trophy. For terms and conditions see page 34. The competition is open to all ages. Photographs, paintings and drawings should be of Cannock Chase and the surrounding area and countryside. Please note that you should own the copyright to
any image that you send in and the image should be your own work. If sending in a photograph, please make sure that you have permission to submit the image from any individual who may be pictured in your work, and also appropriate permissions if the photograph was taken on private property. To enter, email your images to citylifecompetitions@gmail.com or post them to Your Image Competition, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. Apologies but we cannot return images sent to us, so if submitting a drawing or painting you may want to send us photographs of your work rather than original artwork.
Brocton Fields by the German Cemetery ‘Light before a storm’ - watercolour painting by Paul Massey
Looking towards Etchinghill by Darren Bussler
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Through the trees at Birches Valley by Keith Marriott
Copyright of these images remains with the creators and Citylife in Lichfield Ltd and they may not be reproduced by any unauthorised individual or organisation.
My Month in Parliament
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By Amanda Milling MP
it is currently Parliamentary recess and I am back home in Brereton and spending my time attending events, and meeting with community groups and constituents. Over the last month I have attended many community events in Rugeley and Brereton including the Brereton Carnival and the service at St Augustine’s Church to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele. Cannock Chase District Council have recently launched a consultation regarding the future use of the power station site. I believe the regeneration plans for Rugeley should be ambitious, bold and visionary. This is a very large strategic site and I want to ensure it becomes home to businesses that attract high skilled, highly paid jobs for local residents. This is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a prosperous future for generations to come. I would urge residents to participate in the consultation to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. We also have a new franchisee for the Chase Line, with a new operator taking over from December 10th this year. Once the electrification works are completed and have been tested, we will get a half hourly service on the line which will extend to weekends by December 2018. A full Sunday service will follow in the coming years. This is a great boost for Rugeley. The electric trains will provide hundreds of extra seats each hour and will therefore address much of the overcrowding on the line. I will be looking to meet the new operators as soon as possible to discuss the issues faced by passengers over the last few years to ensure these issues are tackled going forward. As always, if you have any issues that you need my help with then please email me on amanda.milling.mp@parliament.uk or call 01543 877142.
Country Music Evening
A Country Music Evening is held each Sunday evening featuring JOHN WILDWOOD and FRIENDS plus guest singers at The Chetwynd Arms in Upper Longdon (halfway between Lichfield and Rugeley) starting at 8.15pm.
Come along to hear Country/Irish/Folk/60's. The entrance fee is ÂŁ2.50 - unless you wish to sing a song with us, and we have a charity raffle.
Easy on the ear music with Guitar/Bass/Mandolin/Violin. For information phone John on 01543 258379.
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Your Image Competition
Cont...
Painting of Hednesford in the 1960s by John Hewitt
Cannock Chase by Linda Jones
The River Trent running through the Wolseley nature reserve – By Sharon Painter
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Lillies after the rain – by Kathleen Clark
By Nicky Akins
A Guide to Lasting Powers of Attorney
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By Richard Wells, Managing Partner at Philips Legal Solicitors
ccessing someone’s finances if they become incapacitated or ill is a complex and protracted process, which could make things very difficult for a spouse, partner or children. Bills could go unpaid and if cash is needed for any purpose, it would be inaccessible. Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows someone that you trust to act on your behalf should the need arise. Your chosen person can then manage your affairs in your best interests. This could be in the long term or until such time that you are able to take up the reins again yourself. There are two types of LPA, both of which Philips Legal Solicitors can help you with. A Property and Affairs LPA This allows your nominated person to: • Manage your finances and property • Make sure your bills are paid • Make decisions about your assets
A Health and Welfare LPA This allows your nominated person to: • Make decisions about your medical treatment • Decide whether it’s best for you to continue to live at home or whether residential care would be more appropriate If you haven’t set up an LPA, your loved ones may have to pay out a lot of money on your behalf. The Court of Protection would have to appoint a deputy to manage your affairs, which is both time-consuming and costly. An LPA will avoid the distress of a delay and also preserve your assets to pay for the care you may need in the future. With Philips Legal Solicitors, setting up an LPA is a pretty straightforward process. Simply call us free on 0800 228 9988 and we will happily give you more details or arrange a meeting.
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Rugeley Rotary and Brereton Library
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embers of Rugeley Rotary Club have been cleaning up the outdoor reading area at Brereton Library and are also committed to maintaining the area. Users of the library are now welcome to use the area for relaxing, reading and meeting others. Two Rotary members are also volunteer library assistants at Brereton and find it both rewarding and enjoyable. Brereton Library is in the process of changing to a community managed library. Anybody interested in becoming a voluntary library assistant should enquire at the library in Talbot Road, Brereton. To get involved in this and other local and world-wide projects, why not take a look at becoming a Rotarian? Visit rugeleyrotary.org.uk or their Facebook page Rugeley Rotary for more information. The pictures show before and after the work.
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Dirty Dancing Tribute Show
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he perennially popular An Evening of Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show* returns to the Lichfield Garrick on Wednesday 13 September. In its 7th hit year of touring the UK and internationally, the show is a fully choreographed, highly interactive concert celebration of the music from the iconic movie. An Evening of Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show is directed by Paul Spicer with choreography by Leanne Harwood and pays homage to the greatest movie soundtrack of all time, and includes the classic songs: Big Girls Don’t Cry, Hey Baby, Wipeout, Do You Love Me and many more. An Evening of Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show is playing at the Lichfield Garrick on Wednesday 13 September at 7.30pm. Tickets are £22 and can be booked online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling the Box Office on 01543 412121. *Please note this production is not affiliated with Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage in the West End or on tour in the UK or worldwide.
Sheepfair Community Centre Celebrates 10 years!
Advertising feature
On 29th September 2007, 2nd Rugeley Scout group opened their new centre, Sheepfair Community Centre, near Rugeley town centre – a facility that offers a home to our Scout group and wider community organisations including Rugeley Phoenix over 50s group. The community centre was funded by Big Lottery Fund Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Staffordshire Environmental Fund to a total cost of £403,422. This year we are delighted to be celebrating our 10th anniversary with a party for our Scout Leaders, service-users, family and friends at the centre, to thank them for their support over the last 10 years. We would like to thank J Mason Associates, Cannock Chase District Council, Rugeley Phoenix, Cllr Mick Grocott, Cllr Ray Jones and local residents for their support that has made this community centre a lovely place that we can call our home. The centre’s facilities include a main hall, meeting/training room and office facilities with a fully fitted modern kitchen, plus disabled access and baby changing facilities. We hire the centre to voluntary groups, for children’s parties, weddings, wakes and christenings. If you would like to find out more about the centre or how to book it please contact Delma Draper, our booking clerk by emailing delmaanddavid@virginmedia.com
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Students Take to the Pitch
ecently, students from Redhill Primary School joined up with their counterparts from Chase View Primary school, Rugeley, to act as ball boys and girls at Walsall Football Club v West Bromwich Albion’s pre-season friendly match at the Banks's Stadium. The evening began with a training session and match on the astro-turf pitch before the children were led out by captain Shaun Sutcliffe. West Bromwich Albion put out a strong team with several premier league internationals including Chris Brunt, Hal Robson Kanu and James McLean taking part. Everyone enjoyed an excellent evening in a very closely contested game which Villa won scoring two goals to one infront of a crowd of almost 5000. At the end of the game the children were congratulated by Walsall Community director Paul Larvin for their terrific enthusiasm and behaviour. The night was made extra special for two Redhill pupils; Shaun Sutcliffe and Arron Thomas who were presented with personalised Walsall new season home shirts in recognition of their fantastic sporting achievements during their final year at Redhill. Both Shaun and Arron have played a huge part in the school being the first in the area to gain Gamesmark Gold twice. Some of the group will return to Bescot in October to be ball boys and girls again when Walsall play Blackpool in the league. 28
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
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By Kate Gomez
he Abbots Bromley Horn Dance takes place this year on Monday 11th September. Here, Kate Gomez looks at the fact and folklore behind this fascinating survival. The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance takes place on the Monday nearest to the first Sunday after the 4th of September each year, also known as ‘Wakes Monday’. Just before eight o’clock in the morning, the current generation of horn dancers, comprising of six deermen, a fool, a hobby horse, a bowman, a man dressed as Maid Marian and musicians, collect the six sets of reindeer antlers from the church of St Nicholas in the village. This signals the start of their 10 mile journey around the parish, stopping off at several farms and pubs en-route to perform and partake in some well earned refreshments – the largest set of horns weighs over 25lbs! Lunch is at Blithfield Hall, the historic home of the Bagot family, where members of the public can watch the dance performed on the lawn of the house from below the ha-ha. The origins of the dance are unknown, although some believe it may have been a pagan fertility ritual. Perhaps adding weight to this theory is the fact that ‘Maid Marian’ carries an inflated pig’s bladder on a stick, which is said to enhance the fertility of any woman it comes into contact with! Others have suggested the dance was connected to hunting rights. There is also uncertainty over how old the dance is - there is written evidence of a hobby horse dance taking place in Abbots Bromley in 1532 but the horns themselves are not mentioned until 1686, when Dr Robert Plot described the dance in his book, ‘The Natural History of Staffordshire’. However, thanks to carbon dating carried out when one of the horns was damaged in 1976, we do know that the horns themselves are around 1,000 years old. At the end of the day, around twelve hours after they were first collected, the horns are returned to the church where they remain until the following year’s dance. Although the dance is performed outside the parish boundary on other occasions, a second set of horns is kept for this purpose. There is a story, told by Jack Brown of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, that in the 19th century, the dancers took a set of elk horns to perform in Burton on Trent, but after consuming a considerable amount of rum, managed to ‘misplace’ them. Whether they were stolen or whether they ended up in the River Trent after the dancers decided they were too heavy to carry back to Abbots Bromley, is another of the tradition’s enduring mysteries. Each year visitors come from far and wide to witness this captivating custom, with a lucky few even being invited to participate in the dance. This year’s dance takes place on Monday 11th September and further information, including a schedule of approximate timings for the day, can be found at www.abbotsbromley.com/horn_dance.
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Doing it properly By Rev’d David Evans
have noticed a couple of really encouraging things recently. I am not sure if we can say that they’re trends or not yet, but it does seem that more and more parents are enquiring about getting their children baptised or christened, and couples who’ve been together sometimes for years want to explore getting married in church.
For parents wanting to have their children christened we ask that they attend a preparation session on a Saturday morning. It has been interesting to listen to the parents talking about why they want to have their children baptised, especially in an era when society is supposed to have turned its back on church. Similarly, couples who have been living together for years decide to get married in church. The reasons make interesting listening. Interesting not just for the reasons given, but also how things are said. Now being a bloke, I understand how men often find it difficult to talk about feelings and deeper issues of a spiritual nature. However I was very struck recently when we were discussing the things that had influenced the decision to have a child baptised. One Dad said that it was the impact of the birth of his child on the way he viewed life. At moments such as the birth of a child, we often re-assess what’s important in life. These are ‘deep’ moments; something seems to resonate within and we are stirred
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Opportunity to join the Safer Neighbourhood Panel By Pat Tams
hen it comes to our local police, what do you know? How do they operate? Why are they under scrutiny by residents? You can find out, first-hand. Get the facts, not rumour or speculation. Why not get involved in a more practical way? Volunteers are being invited to join a panel which liaises regularly with the local police chief and where recommendations are made and acted upon. The Safer Neighbourhood Panel covering Rugeley and Cannock was the first one in Staffordshire to be set up, two years ago, and ten more have followed. All the panels come under the auspices of Matthew Ellis, the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, who believes that local policing is vital and says the public should play a part in influencing that, via the panels. Calling these neighbourhood groups 'invaluable', he feels it's essential for them to put local police performances in the spotlight. Lesley Harrison is chairman of the Rugeley panel. She believes that organisations are accountable to public bodies and funders and the people they serve and she too feels that it is important for local residents to be involved. They must have a voice in making sure that these services are the best they can be. Lesley commented: "We are developing a work plan of issues we feel
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to look beyond ourselves and we look afresh at our priorities. For couples coming to church to get married there is often a similarly deep stirring. Often people will say things like ‘we want to do it properly’. What that means may vary for different couples, but I take it to mean a desire to be accountable to one another at a deeper level, and that doing it in church gives such a deeper sense: that we are making promises to each other in front of God as well, of course, as in front of our friends and our community. The decision to live together can be made privately, but marking the decision in a public ceremony and in a ‘holy place’ gives a sense of accountability that honours the love and commitment that exists. As a priest I find huge encouragement in this. Couples who have been happily living together have nothing to prove about their relationship, but the desire for a church wedding speaks of a desire for an added level of meaning and stability to their home life. It resonates with a deep sense of our identity. The desire for connection and accountability speak to me about the people we are made to be. We are made to be together. We all have much more in common than divides us. Rev’d David Evans is Team Rector of the Parish of Brereton and Rugeley.
are important to consider. This includes a wish list such as exploring how police locally work with people deemed vulnerable, how drug crime can impact on the community and responses to anti-social behaviour. We examine facts and figures and statistics. We question, review and scrutinise, and we look in depth at matters including community safety, police response to incidents and ways in which Force officers carry out their work." Panel members meet regularly for discussions over an informal 'free speech' lunch at Rugeley or Hednesford, leading to an agenda for presentation to the police chief. Feedback on that is given personally by that officer at a meeting some weeks later. Panel membership is voluntary (travel expenses are paid) and meetings are held locally through the year, alongside training sessions and involvement in practical work. Interested? Help shape the future of policing in Rugeley and Cannock - your voice will count, and be heard. If you'd like to join the local panel but want to find out more first, contact Jan Matthews, the panels' co-ordinator, at 01543 500404 or email her at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-neighbourhood-panels/
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A Wonderful Time at the LDD Group
he LDD Group is a friendly and safe environment for children and young adults with disabilities to enjoy craft activities, movie nights and games – have a lot of fun and develop important life skills along the way! It’s a great way for young people to meet up with old friends and make new ones, with the support of volunteers, and building confidence along the way. The group is run and supported by CESS. Recently, the group enjoyed a visit from the ‘Animal Man’ who introduced the young people to owls, lizards, snakes, toads and meerkats! LDD Group takes place at the Rugeley Rose Theatre on Mondays 13 to 18 year olds attend sessions from 5pm to 7pm, and 18 to 25 year olds attend sessions from 7pm to 9pm. Sessions cost £2 and include healthy snacks and drink. For more information, contact Annette on 07584 285968. 32
Advertising feature
Vesta Space
Based in the Midlands, Vesta Space supply and install sliding wardrobes and storage solutions direct to the public, and also specialise in the retail, trade and contract marketplaces. Vesta Space have years of experience in working with national and regional developers as well as contractors of all sizes, and pride themselves on their delivery and service - taking ownership of projects through to completion and making the whole process as hassle free as possible. Vesta Space was formed by Jon Meek and Mark Davies in early 2017, whose knowledge in the marketplace and commitment to the highest levels of service have guided the company to success.
Jason Hodson (formerly of Portico Midlands and Spaceslide) is Vesta Space Sales Manager and has over 15 years’ experience in the design and installation of stunning sliding wardrobes and storage solutions, direct to the public and to the trade.
Jason commented: “I create a personalised service with each and every order. Providing customer care and clear communication is paramount in creating the customer journey. Becoming part of the team at Vesta Space has allowed me to do what I really enjoy ‘working in a fantastic environment and being able to offer solutions to customer requirements’. I am committed to going above and beyond to ensure a customer’s needs are serviced to the best of my ability.
“We have a range of products to suit every budget as well as complementing interior systems. We work one to one with individual clients or with key departments including commercial, sales, design, technical and operational to ensure a suitable solution is agreed and a quality finish is achieved.”
Vesta Space can be found at Unit 5, Westgate Trading Estate, Aldridge, WS9 8EX. Tel: 01922 324050
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Citylife Welcomes New Deputy Editor
Citylife magazines are growing, and we're delighted to announce that Kate Gomez - writer, local historian and trustee of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust, has joined the team as Deputy Editor of our latest title, Living in Tamworth, which launches on August 26th. Kate's first book, 'The Little Book of Staffordshire' was published in April this year and Kate will be bringing her love of local history and community to Living in Tamworth, Citylife in Lichfield and Citylife in Rugeley magazines.
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS WANTED
Earn extra money delivering magazines in various areas. Must be over 16
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
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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
Call Marie 07548 682576
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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