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Inside... December 2018
Welcome to CITYLIFE
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!
8 Christmas in Rugeley through the years By Jono Oates
12 Growing up in the 40s By Cyril Cooper
14 Along the Chester Road By the Landor (Local History) Society 25 Looking for a Forever Home Could you offer a home to Rosie? 29 Tastes of the Season By Simon Smith
30 Perfect Christmas Gifts for Her We've got Christmas all wrapped up
CITYLIFE Contacts Editor - Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048
josscitylife@gmail.com
Features - Jono Oates 07785 757201 jonocitylife@gmail.com Advertising-
Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Production - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com 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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Cannock Women’s Institute
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By Jill Gooch
ecently Cannock W.I. played host to the bi-annual Heathside W.I. Group Meeting which included Presidents and members of Hayes Green W.I. and Shareshill W.I. Club at St. Luke’s Church Hall.
We were pleased to welcome Christine Hill, Treasurer of the Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes who explained that the accounts are very healthy. Christine then shared her experience of the SFWI Spring Council Meeting from the previous day, where the speaker was Paul Martin, a very knowledgeable antique dealer. Paul was the host of the BBC programme Flog It for 16 years. Christine then proceeded to inform us about exciting themed ‘Inspirational Women’ events planned in 2019 for the Staffordshire Federation WI Centenary. The entertainment for the evening was provided by singer Michael James, who sang songs from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and
Etching Hill W.I. A
By Karen O’Brien
t a recent meeting of Etching Hill W.I. President, Mrs Ann Ingleby extended a warm welcome to guest speaker David Wright, a volunteer Search Manager for the Staffordshire Lowland Search and Rescue Team. David explained that all members of the Team are volunteers, many with professional qualifications, who receive specialist training to search for missing persons and medical training to stabilise any injured person located. The training prepares them to be able to respond to any situation. They purchase
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West End shows, which had us all foot tapping and singing along. Our own Barbara Matthews then joined him in a rendition of a Chas & Dave mix. Funny lyrics had been submitted for a competition amongst the members and the winners were Moira Johns and Sandy Hobbs from Hayes Green W.I. who were delighted with their win of £15 and £10 respectively, after reading out their funny poems to much laughter President Helen Hallchurch with and applause. SFWI Treasurer Christine Hill The raffle winners were Eileen Smith and Barbara Matthews from Cannock W.I. and Pauline Sawbridge from Shareshill W.I. Sue Davidson gave the vote of thanks and President Helen Hallchurch presented a gift to SFWI Treasurer Christine Hill. The evening culminated in a buffet and time for socialising For further information contact The President on 01889 582632 or go to www.thewi.org.uk/staffordshire
their own SatNavs and radios and meet any costs incurred such as petrol, to reach a search site. They have three vehicles to help with their search and recovery.
The SSART work as part of the UK Search and Rescue along with the Police, Ambulance, Fire and Rescue, RNLI, and Cave Rescue for which there is no charge to the government. In 2017 their rescue services saved the UK government £13.6 million. All funds received are donation based.
The Team are on 24 hour call-out with currently 59 volunteers. Lowland Rescue includes water searches; civil contingencies for major disasters; transporting paramedics to difficult to access areas; searching for vulnerable people, children, the mentally etc. The Police Force prioritise searches for missing persons and call SSART as appropriate. The Police Search Advisor and SSART decide where to search using their experience and statistics. The skills based search team consists of a Party Leader,
Medic, Navigator and Scribe. On-going training helps the volunteers to progress from Search Technicians to Search Managers. They currently have three family pets who are nationally qualified air scenting search dogs, with one trailing dog in training. In 2011 the Team received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Meeting continued with details of forthcoming events including the very enjoyable Skittles Evening at The Hen House, Hednesford and the luncheon club gathering at Weston Hall. A regular swimming session at the Rugeley Leisure Centre had now been fixed for the first Thursday in the month.
Meetings take place on the second Wednesday of the month at Etching Hill Village Hall, East Butts Road, Etching Hill from 7.45pm and new members are always made most welcome. For more information about the W.I. and the meetings planned for the year, please visit the website at www.wi-etching-hill.org.uk.
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Christmas in Rugeley through the years By Jono Oates
he season of goodwill is nearly upon us and here our Features Writer, Jono Oates, takes a look at Christmas in Rugeley through the years, from plump Christmas geese displayed outside Victorian butcher’s shops on Market Square to the traditional Boxing Day football games between local Rugeley rivals! At Christmas-time in 1885 the shops of Rugeley were gaily dressed with evergreens (green was the colour of Christmas then, before being replaced with the more usual red of recent times) and other ‘attractions of Christmas cheer’. On Market Street Mr W Toy’s butcher’s shop displayed a number of cuts of meat, as well as a collection of silver cups he had won at the Eccleshall Association as the buyer of the best beast, which proved the quality of his meats. Mr Grimley, also a butcher, on the Sheep Fair included a bullock in his display, which had been bred and fed by the estate of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and he also had three pigs for sale, from Mr Harris at Wolseley Bridge Farm. Meanwhile Mr Thomas James, a stationers, had a ‘capital assortment’ of Christmas and New Year’s Day cards as well as a fine selection of books which were most suitable as gifts. The Lichfield Mercury noted that the 1906 Christmas in Rugeley had not been marked by any extraordinary incident other than the weather! It had been very mild in previous years, with fog and rain over the Christmas period rather than snow and ice, but on Christmas Day 1906
the people of Rugeley woke to a crisp, clear and frost-bound day and by Boxing Day there was a covering mantle of snow which was deep enough to cause the local Boxing Day football matches to be cancelled. By 1935 the weather was pleasant enough for the traditional Boxing Day games to go ahead however, leading to a less-than-thrilling 1-1 draw between Rugeley Villa and Rugeley St Augustine’s in the Lichfield Challenge Cup with the sports editor claiming that the Christmas football in Rugeley had been ‘rather worse than usual’! In 1918 at Rugeley Camp in Stafford the troops who had recently returned from the First World War were entertained by Lieutenant JW Henderson of the 4th Gordons on December 28th. Lieutenant Henderson, who was well known in his home town of Aberdeen and surrounding area for his musical talent, sang to an audience of well over 700 soldiers and officers at the Rugeley Theatre. His performance was the finest seen at the camp since it had been formed and his sketch, composed by himself, was ‘full of mirth and produced much laughter’. In 1937 the Rugeley Territorials, the ‘Terriers’, took part in their annual Christmas Shooting competition at the Drill Hall in Rugeley where some excellent scores were posted, the territorial with the highest total being Lance Corporal Perry with a score of 93. On Saturday 14th December 1974 Christmas shoppers could pick up some festive gifts at the Christmas Antique Fayre and Collectors Market at the Drill Hall with thousands of bargains in paintings; porcelain; brassware and Victoriana, regardless of whether customers wanted to ‘Browse, Barter or Buy’. Admission was just 10p and 5p for children and OAPs, and a bar and refreshments were provided. In December 1982 the people of Rugeley showed their generosity with a ‘Bring, Bid and Buy’ sale at St Augustine’s Church. The target was to raise £100 but the sale reached an impressive £258 with the monies going to a number of local charities. Two of the more unusual items that were auctioned off were a morning’s work donated by one of the congregation for £4.50 and also a kiss from another ‘prettier’ member of the congregation for £2! Christmas is unquestionably a time for giving as well as receiving and there is no doubt that the people of Rugeley today will be just as generous in spirt and kind as the Rugeley residents of Christmas past. Sources: The British Newspaper Archive
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Reflections of the Titanic By Richard Winterton
A mirror belonging to the captain of the ill-fated liner the Titanic is expected to fetch thousands when it goes up for auction in Lichfield this December. Captain Edward John Smith, from Stoke-on-Trent, went down with his ship after the gigantic vessel was hit by an iceberg during its maiden voyage shortly before midnight on April 14th 1912. The silver-framed easel mirror, which sat on Captain Smith’s dressing table at home, features in Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Fine and Decorative Arts Sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre on December 12th.
Included with the mirror is a small brown envelope containing a handwritten note explaining the item’s provenance. After his death, Captain Smith’s housekeeper Ethelwynne was invited to choose any one item of his property as a keepsake and in lieu of wages. The letter, which was penned by Ethelwynne’s sister-in-law Hilda explains that the housekeeper chose the silver mirror. The note (addressed to someone called Ida) then chillingly adds: ‘She [Ethelwynne] always spooked me when she said that at times she could still see Captain Smith’s face in it on the anniversary of when the Titanic was sunk.’ The last time Captain Edward John Smith saw
his own noble, bearded visage before leaving home to take the helm of the Titanic was possibly in this very mirror. Even with one’s feet firmly on land and in the sunshine of a clear afternoon, there is something otherworldly about seeing your own reflection in such an object. Captain Smith must have surveyed his own image in this mirror countless times and the legend that his face can still be seen in it on each anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking is as compelling as it is chilling! Whoever buys this in December will have it in good time to test that legend for themselves on the 107th anniversary next April. Interest in the Titanic is as strong as ever. This mirror could fetch well in excess of £10,000 at auction. A statue of Smith was unveiled in Lichfield’s Beacon Park in July 1914. Lichfield was chosen as the location due to city’s status as the centre of Staffordshire’s diocese.
The mirror is one of many impressive lots in Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Fine & Decorative Arts Sale on December 12th. Dubbed “a sale in a generation”, the event at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, will feature a stunning collection of jewellery, gemstones, antique silver, pictures and furniture.
Viewing is on Saturday, December 8th from 9.30am-noon; Tuesday, December 11th from 10am-6pm and on the day of sale from 8.30am. The auction starts at noon.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers carries out free general valuations every Tuesday from 9.30am4pm.
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First Responders Receive Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
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n Saturday 20th October, Rugeley and District Community First Responders were presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) by Staffordshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Mr Ian Dudson.The QAVS is the highest award given to volunteers in the UK and is the MBE equivalent for volunteer groups.
Founded in 2007, Rugeley and District Community First Responders (CFRs) are a small, local team of volunteers who are trained by West Midlands Ambulance Service to provide lifesaving treatment and initial care to people in the local community when they call 999.
The QAVS presentation evening was organised by the CFRs themselves and held at Rugeley Fire Station where the scheme stores their response vehicle. It was attended by over 90 guests who had been chosen by the CFRs to represent the community they serve. It was also an opportunity to thank local people for their continued support as many of whom attended have provided much needed fundraising support to the group over the last 11 years. A number of special appreciation awards were also presented by the group, to local individuals and businesses.
Are you well?
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By Rev David Evans
any understand ‘health’ merely in terms of a lack of illness, but in fact it is more about flourishing and living a full and positive life. Real health is much more of a wrap-around sense of wellness. Clearly the NHS cannot provide such a comprehensive idea of health.The NHS has to be part of the picture, but communities themselves need to see themselves as part of the equation as-well.
The things that affect our sense of wellbeing (health) include money (or the lack of it), relationships, the physical environment, work and our sense of identity and being valued. None of these things can be taken for granted and sometimes we need support, advice, encouragement and a listening ear to help us when we struggle.
In my opinion, it takes more than doctors whose time is divided into 10 minute appointment slots to maintain good health, it requires those who hold the reins of control of health systems to be open to collaboration with other players in the community who have valuable expertise, experience
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Charity Trustee and First Responder Fay Cooper explained that she had the pleasure of representing the charity at the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace back in May 2018, alongside Group Coordinator Sean Cooper, and wanted to ensure that this presentation evening was something the whole group could be part of, proud of and recognised for. She commented: “The role of a CFR can be very rewarding but it can also be very difficult and challenging with CFRs attending a wide variety of incidents; we appear / disappear at the scene of an incident, providing initial treatment often without knowing the outcome and often without anyone realising that we are volunteers, but we don’t do it for any personal recognition, we do it to make a difference in our local community, to be there when they need us, but to have been appreciated and recognised in this way is most heart-warming and a real boost for our responders.”
The group would like to say thanks to those who attended the evening and to the local community for their continued and growing support.
and skills to share. In this way the community can better maintain and strengthen itself.
The churches in Brereton, Rugeley and Armitage are made up of people who have a passion for seeing our communities flourish. Some have professional expertise; others have practical skills to bring such as listening. Volunteers regularly work in schools, visit elderly people in care homes, run the Foodbank and support people struggling with poor mental health.
I feel we need to go much further and faster in developing collaborations. Ideally, I would love to see GP surgeries and health centres involved in this type of collaborative working – building trust and confidence. As churches we would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential alliances with local health professionals who might then refer patients to properly accredited counsellors who work independently of the NHS. The Changing Room Counselling service (075 9125 7737) which is run at St Augustine’s church in Rugeley is a case in point. So far it has been challenging to move towards conversations with local health centres about such opportunities. Perhaps some of you reading this piece may be in a position to help start these conversations? If so we would love to hear from you.
Rev David Evans is Team Rector, Brereton, Rugeley and Armitage Team Ministry.
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Growing up in the 40s H
Brundy Lane
By Cyril Cooper
ere, Cyril Cooper, a member of the Landor (Local History) Society remembers his childhood growing up in Rugeley in the 1940s.
By 1940, I was just six years old so starting to be quite active. It was a wartime childhood but the war did not seem to have the effect which looking back you feel it should have had.
Things happened gradually. I remember being around the radio when Mr Chamberlain made his speech announcing that we were at war with Germany. Being a reservist, Dad was recalled to the Army and disappeared from everyday life. Life was a bit disrupted for a while and eventually we moved in to live with Granddad in Sandy Lane.
This was a great area to be growing up in with the playing field at the top end with slides, drums, helter-skelter and climbing frame etc. There was an amenity block but I only remember this as being vandalised and of no use except for climbing on to the flat roof. Seems vandalism is not new.
There were a number of children of my age in the Sandy Lane, Cross Roads and Burnthill Lane (always called Brundy Lane) area and we tended to stick together. We roamed the Common Lanes, Sant’s Brook and Hagley Park venturing as far as Fair Oak where there were the remains of buildings from the old pits. On the way to Fair Oak there were plenty of lumps of slag, we did not realise they were the remains of what was once a thriving industry in that area.
Sant’s Brook was great, as there were the remains of sluice gates which we could block up and cause small lakes to appear. Hagley Park was good, as there were dry ditches running down towards the town which we could hunker down in out of sight. Digging pig nuts out of the turf to eat was one pastime. There were sandstone culverts and I remember breaking off pieces a sandstone and trying to grind them down to make marbles – how innocent we were.
In season, we ventured up the Common Lanes to get pea and bean sticks. Imagine today a party of kids on the march equipped
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Fair Oak Pit with axes and billhooks or brumhooks as they are known locally. Tragedy visited us on one occasion when one of our number fell out of a tree and as a result
died. The tree was not very high and it had a ‘sobering effect at the time but we were soon climbing trees again.’
Horses in Brundy Lane
Old Sluice Gate at Sant’s Brook
Sandy Lane, Rugeley
Sant’s Brook
Common Lanes, Rugeley
Views invited on Rugeley Conservation Areas
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annock Chase Council is consulting on updated Draft Conservation Area documents which have been prepared for the following areas: Church Street, Rugeley Conservation Area; Talbot Street/Lichfield Street, Rugeley Conservation Area; and Trent and Mersey Canal (Cannock Chase District) Conservation Area. A Conservation Area is 'an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. There are eight Conservation areas in Cannock Chase District and the Council has been working towards an Appraisal and Management Plan for each one in accordance with legislation and policy. Public consultation started on Monday 5th November and will continue until Monday 17 December. Everyone living or working in each Conservation Area (or more widely if interested) is now invited to have their say. Appraisals are the first stage in the process, setting out the history and character of each area, from which Management Plans follow, making recommendations for their conservation and enhancement to guide development management. Each management plan builds on the Council’s adopted generic ‘Conservation Areas Management Plan’ (a package of measures available to the Council to apply to all of its Conservation Areas) by setting out specific policies for each area based on the recommendations in each appraisal. Councillor Gordon Alcott Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said: “We are lucky to have eight Conservation areas in the district that we want to preserve and enhance. To enable us to do this
Management Plans need to be in place. We want our residents to be involved in how we look after these conservation areas and sharing their views on the Management Plans is one way they can do this. We welcome constructive suggestions and comments.” Draft documents have been prepared for the above Conservation Areas and were approved for consultation by the Council’s Cabinet on 4th October. The documents can be viewed on the Council’s website at: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/planningpolicy under ‘Planning Policy News’ and at the Civic Centre, Beecroft Road, Cannock and public libraries at Rugeley and Brereton, all during normal opening hours. Comments should be sent either by email to planningpolicy@cannockchasedc.gov.uk or in writing to Planning Policy, Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, PO Box 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock WS11 1BG. All comments received will be reported to a future Cabinet meeting for updating the documents as appropriate prior to their final adoption. For all submitted comments the Council is unable to treat views confidentially. Names will be made public but contact details will not be disclosed. The Management Plans, when adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD), will be used as a guide to determine planning applications and for the enhancement of each area in a way that is beneficial to its special interest.
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A Window on the Past
Along the Chester Road
Here, The Landor (local history) Society takes a look at the Chester Road from the eighteenth century through to the present day.
This is the first of three excursions along the A51, north from Rugeley towards Stone, which for many centuries was the King’s Highway from London to Chester. By 1818, four coaches a day travelled this road enroute to Liverpool, having called at Rugeley. This road became subject to the Turnpike Act of 1729, which allowed Lichfield Turnpike Trust to use a proportion of the money raised by tolls for the upkeep of roads.
1. Wolseley Hall, built 1820, demolished 1967. This card is postmarked 1923, but is believed to have been photographed c.1910 2. Part of the ill-fated Wolseley Garden Park in the 1990s. The site is now part of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s headquarters. 3. The Roebuck Inn, built c.1820 as the Wolseley Arms. After a dispute with the Wolseley family the name was changed to the Roebuck in the mid-nineteenth century. 4. The sugar tanker that demolished the front of the Roebuck Inn c.1954/6 5. The inn in the late 1950s. The repairs included blocking up the door on the corner. The posts and rails have been removed and the
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ivy stripped away. The older name ‘Wolseley Arms’ has been revived. 6. Wolseley Bridge which replaced the medieval bridge destroyed by floods in 1795. 7. Bishton Hall, built in the late eighteenth century by John Sparrow, a banker. It later became St Bede’s School. 8. Bishton Lane showing the Victorian houses built for the bailiff and estate workers from Bishton Hall. The Landor (local history) Society is a focus for those who wish to learn more about the history of Rugeley and its surrounding parishes. It was founded in 1953 and was named in honour of Walter Noble Landor, local and county historian, who became the Society’s first President. More information is available at www.landor-localhistorysocietyrugeley.btck.co.uk
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The Treasures of Bishton Hall
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By Adrian Rathbone
ere, Hansons Auctioneers’ Associate Director Adrian Rathbone reviews the sale of the contents of Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, which incorporated the Autumn Fine Art Auction and ran from October 10-19.
The auction world descended on Staffordshire in October to plan the monumental task of selling the entire contents of Bishton Hall, a listed 18th Century mansion nestled in leafy countryside on the edge of the late Lord Lichfield's Shugborough estate. The current owners, the Stafford Northcotes, moved to the hall in 1946 and transformed it into St Bede's Prep School. Many pupils went on to lead distinguished careers. Country House auctions are few and far between in these days of internet technology, but it quickly became evident that few could resist the allure of taking a punt at select objects in a romantic setting. The first day of viewing witnessed more than 600 visitors and all viewing and sale days were vibrant. The auction of the contents and fine art stock combined smashed the £1 million barrier and provided Hansons with its most successful auction to date. Silver kicked off proceedings and it was 20th Century silver that stole the show. Lot 84, a Liberty & Co Arts and Crafts Cymric timepiece designed by Archibald Knox flew past the £3,000 top estimate to reach £5,200. Jewellery and watches followed on from the silver. Lot 183, a diamond two-stone cross-over ring weighing approximately 4.20ct sold for £5,800. In the watches section, the highest price was £3,500 bid for Lot 240, an immaculate, boxed circa 1988 Rolex bi-metal Oyster Perpetual Datejust wristwatch. The Connoisseur Ceramics section offered fine English porcelain from the 18th Century and later. The highest single price was for Lot 489, a circa 1887 Royal Worcester reticulated teacup and saucer which brought £5,000 against a £1,500 top estimate. However, it was the clock section that broke all records with Lot 884, a Thomas Tompion circa 1690 bracket clock selling to a private UK buyer for £200,000. Highlights from the sale of Bishton Hall’s contents included Lot 3005, a pair of 19th Century Anglo-Indian campaign black lacquer chests on stands which fetched £7,000 and Lot 3009, an oil painting by Van Der Bosch titled 'The Connoisseurs' at £6,400. Discovered in an upstairs bedroom cupboard was Lot 3081, a Victorian Officer’s 17th Lancers shabraque which made £3,000. Meanwhile an outbuilding had been the home for many years for Lot 3095, a 1958 Series One Land Rover. Now considered an icon of design and engineering, four phone bidders battled for it, and it sold for £19,000. However, Lot 4540 was the undisputed hidden treasure of Bishton Hall. Concealed for many years at the back of an old bookcase was perhaps the 'holy grail' of the antiquarian book world. A fine example of the 1776 first edition of 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of
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Nations' by Adam Smith is both sought after and rare. Estimated at £30,000-£50,000, a USA and UK phone bidder battled for it, with the latter eventually winning it for £65,000.
Hansons Auctioneers offer free valuations of silver, antiques and collectables every Monday at The Hedgehog Inn, Stafford Road, Lichfield, WS13 8JB, from 10.30am-12.30pm. To find out more, please phone 01283 733988 or email arathbone@hansonsauctioneeers.co.uk.
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My Month
in Parliament
By Amanda Milling MP
My annual ‘Best Retailers of Cannock Chase’ competition for 2018 is in its closing stages. The competition, which is in its fifth year, aims to find the best independent shops, market stalls and cafés/restaurants across Cannock Chase. You can vote for your favourite shop, market stall and café/restaurant in Rugeley until 26th November, so there isn’t long left to cast your vote. The winners will be announced on Small Business Saturday, which takes place on 1st December 2018. So, get on your bike and make sure you go to www.bestchasebusiness.co.uk to find out more about the competition and, importantly, to vote. Speaking of getting on your bike, I have taken part in two cycle challenges recently. The first was the ‘Rugeley to Bordeaux Cycle Challenge’ at Rugeley Tesco. The event was
organised by St. Augustine's Church, in partnership with Rugeley Leisure Centre, Rugeley Lions, and Rugeley Rotary and saw volunteers from a variety of different local groups, organisations and local schools cycle for slots of 30 minutes on a line-up of spinning exercise bikes loaned for the day by the Leisure Centre. The challenge was organised to raise money for the Changing Room Counselling Service which is run at St. Augustine’s Church, which helps support local residents struggling with mental health problems. It was a brilliant event and a huge thank you to everyone involved in organising the event and also those who took part. The second cycling challenge was a special event in Parliament to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. More than 120 MPs and Peers took part in the 12-hour static bike ride, each cycling as far as they can on an exercise bike in five minutes. We were joined by members of the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy also took part in the race. All money raised on the day helps The Royal British Legion provide
lifelong financial, social and emotional support for the Armed Forces community - serving men and women, veterans, and their families. I was very pleased to be able to support the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal by taking part in the charity bike ride, managing 2km in the 5 minutes. I also recently joined forces with fellow Staffordshire and Stoke MPs to host a ‘Celebration of Staffordshire’ Event in Parliament. The event showcased the best that Staffordshire has to offer to a variety of Government Ministers, media and fellow MPs. The attendees from the County were wide ranging and included Cannock Wood’s ATP Group. I was very pleased that we were able to show fellow MPs and Ministers the best that Staffordshire has to offer. As always, if you need my help with any issues or problems, please contact me on 01543 877142 or email amanda.milling.mp@parliament.uk All that is left for me to do is to wish you a very happy Christmas and all the very best for 2019.
What to Do if Your Hard Drive Fails By Neil Fletcher
If your hard drive is going bad, chances are strange things are happening and you’re a little panicked. It’s where you put your digital memories, your household files and maybe that thesis you’ve been working on for months. As far as you’re concerned, that hard drive IS the computer and failure is not an option. Perhaps it was overheated, knocked around or came from the factory with a flaw. Sorry to say, but eventually all hard drives will fail. So how do you know if it’s definitely the drive and what should you do? Start by watching for these signs: Computer slowing down: Because most hard drives contain moving parts, the slower it gets, the slower your computer gets. It’s a bit like a record player, with spinning plates and a needle whipping from 22
side to side. Your hard drive may eventually take longer to spin up and longer to retrieve files, which will have an impact on everything from booting up to playing games. Blue screen of death: A classic Windows error, this is when your computer locks up to only show a blue screen with an error code, which while it does mean something specific has gone wrong, can always be translated loosely to ‘nope, not today’. The more often your computer does this, the more severe the problem is. Not booting up: During the initial bootup stage, your computer is loading a program stored on the hard drive – it’s your operating system. If some of the files have a problem or can’t be found, Windows won’t boot. Errors vary, but the outcome is the same. Corrupted files: Sometimes a file won’t open because the computer says it is corrupted. Some essential pieces of the file are missing, and unlike a book where a
missing page is only inconvenient, it’s a deal breaker for computer files. Noises: You’re familiar with the normal noises your computer makes, but as the hard drive fails the noises can change. You might hear clicking, grinding or even a scifi phaser noise. Noises will get louder or speed up during heavy file access. Whenever something is clearly wrong, the key is to stop and turn your computer off. Continued use can result in more data loss. Even if you don’t have a backup yet, turn it off now because the large task of backing up can cause extra strain on an already delicate hard drive. It’s tempting to hurry and try to get a quick copy of your files, but in these cases, it’s not about time – it’s about the extra spinning, scratching, warping and electrical charge, all dissolving your precious data with each access. Bring it to us and we’ll do all we can to retrieve your data. Call us at 01889 579990.
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Rugeley & District Lions News By Peter Fielding
The route for our Christmas Float, organised in conjunction with Rugeley Rotary Club, is in this issue of Citylife. We hope to start at around 6.15pm and have to finish at 9pm. We hope you will all come out to see Santa as he is whisked around!
Don’t forget the Rugeley & District Lions Club Toy Collection! We are collecting toys in new or unused condition (this can include unwanted gifts as long as they are unused). Toys can be donated at drop off points from Monday 19th November to Sunday 16th December 2018. The drop off points in Rugeley are Gymophobics, Tesco and St. Joseph’s Community Centre. For more details please ring Debra Coburn on 07970 380746 or e-mail the Lions at randdlions@hotmail.com If you wish to see how and what we do in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us using the above contacts.
Motorland 2008
Advertising Feature
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f you are looking for your next new car, Motorland offers a huge choice and variety, with over 250 cars to choose from at their sites in Cannock, Bloxwich, Brownhills and Walsall. Their friendly and knowledgeable team are happy to assist you in your next car buying experience. They pride themselves on truly listening to the customer, offering straightforward advice and never exerting pressure to buy. They are your local, friendly, trustworthy car specialists, and through their recommended finance packages they can offer you cars from as little as £12 per week, with £0 deposit finance deals also available plus an up to seven year finance facility. For your next car visit one of Motorland’s four sites, or go to www.motorland2008ltd.co.uk to view all cars across their branches. For more information and an informal chat about your motoring needs call Motorland Cannock on 01543 877320. Finally, Motorland would like to wish all their customers, old and new, a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 24
J HOWELL & DAUGHTERS FUNERAL DIRECTORS LICHFIELD
LICHFIELD’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT, FAMILY RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS. SECOND GENERATION BUSINESS HERE TO ASSIST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. 24 hours a day
We are proud to be Lichfield's longest established family run funeral directors offering a wide range of choices to suit all requirements. Horse drawn hearse, non religious ceremonies, floral tributes and memorials are but a few of the services we offer. Pre-paid funeral plans are also available.
For a truly personal service please call 01543 255776
Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS
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Looking for a Forever Home By Rugeley Welfare for Dogs
ecently, Ruth and Pauline of Rugeley Welfare for Dogs attended a First Aid for Dogs course, organised by Deb and Pam from Freedom Pets. The course was led by Danny Hickman, and the fee for the course paid by Ruth and Pauline, plus a percentage from the funds raised by items bought went to Ravens Rescue UK who are a Midlands rescue and homing charity for dogs and cats and Harley's Hounds Animal Rescue, who take in and rehome unwanted dogs. This month, Rugeley Welfare for Dogs are urgently looking for a forever home, or a foster home for Rosie. They commented:”Rosie is ten years old and would be happiest being the only dog in the house as she has had no experience of living with other dogs or cats. She is so loving and loves a stroll.” To find out how you could help support Rugeley Welfare for Dogs, for more information, or if you think you could offer a new home to a dog in need of re-homing, please call Ruth on 07900 090993 or Pauline on 07971 817877.
Revamp for Trust’s Wolseley HQ
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taffordshire Wildlife Trust has been awarded £75,000 from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) to put towards improvements to its Wolseley Centre home. The county’s largest nature conservation charity, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year – was successful in its bid for funding which will go towards 26
What’s On at Your Local Church this Christmas
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or details of all events and services over the Christmas period go to brateamministry.org/diary
St. Augustine's Parish Church, Station Road, Rugeley in December: 4th Tuesday, 6.15pm, Guides Carol Service 5th Wednesday, 7pm, Advent Celtic Communion Service 9th Sunday, 12.30pm, Bring & Share Lunch 10th Monday, Decorating the Christmas Tree 2nd - 16th Wed to Sun, Christmas Tree Festival 23rd Fourth Sunday of Advent, 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Sung Eucharist, 6pm Christmas Carol Service by Candlelight 24th Christmas Eve, 5pm Family Crib Service, 11.30pm Midnight Mass 25th Christmas Day, 9.30am Christmas Morning Family Service
St. Michael's Parish Church, Main Road, Brereton November 24th Saturday, 12 noon - 3pm Christmas Fair & Market December 2nd Sunday, 3pm Christingle Service 10th Monday, 7pm An Evening with Phil & Bruce of Blue Serge 11th Tuesday, 7pm Candlelit Carol Service 15th Saturday, 10.30am - 3.30pm Christmas Tree Festival 24th Christmas Eve, 5pm Crib Service, 11.30pm Midnight Mass 25th Christmas Day, 9.30am Family Communion
The Church of the Good Shepherd, Hislop Road, Pear Tree Estate December 12th Wednesday, 7pm Carols around the Christmas Tree with seasonal refreshments and Christmas Raffle
The Church of the Holy Spirit, Mount Road, Etching Hill December 24th Christmas Eve, 11.30pm Midnight Communion
St John the Baptist, Slitting Mill December 5th Wednesday, 10.30am Christmas Coffee Morning 18th Tuesday, 7.30pm Carol Service by Candlelight with seasonal refreshments and Christmas Raffle 25th Christmas Day, 9am Holy Communion and Carols
the redevelopment of the Centre, near Rugeley, the Trust’s home since 2003. The CEF fund has been created to benefit communities along the route that are disrupted by the construction of Phase One of HS2, with the aim to fund projects that will enhance the quality of life and the environment of communities disrupted by the construction of HS2. Work on the revamp is due to begin in November on the Wolseley Centre. The redevelopment will see the creation of a new café with views over the lake to enrich the visitor experience, a new car park offering more spaces, improved interpretation and introducing new features
across the well-visited site. The Wolseley Centre is home to many different wildlife habitats including peaceful woodland, a colourful hay meadow, a river, tranquil ponds, lakes and lush marshland. It is home to breeding kingfishers, otters, and a diverse and abundant population of bats. The new café will raise vital funds to help protect wildlife and wild places across Staffordshire. Work on site began week commencing Monday 5th November and is due to be completed in time for an official opening at Easter 2019. For updates, visit the Trust’s Facebook or Twitter pages.
Roast Goose and a Plum Pudding – the Meals of Christmas Past
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By Jono Oates
his Christmas Day most of us will sit down to a meal of turkey and Christmas pudding while wearing a paper crown hat - but where did these traditions come from?
Today the most popular choice for the main course of our Christmas dining table is roast turkey but in the 16th and 17th century a goose, or capon, was the most popular ‘bird’ to eat on Christmas Day. The rich and wealthy would also enjoy tucking into a peacock or swan - despite the fact that the swan was under royal protection at that time! Gradually, during the 17th century turkey became more popular and by Victorian times had become the preferred meal of choice for many families, helped by the famous scene at the end of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol when Ebenezer Scrooge sends a large turkey to the impoverished Cratchit family. After the turkey or goose dinner the Victorian family would sit down to a plum pudding. Originally plum pudding was a pottage, or porridge, called frumenty which consisted of wheat or corn boiled with milk. Later, to make it sweeter and more interesting, plums, prunes and eggs were added, the mixture then being poured into a dish until it eventually transformed into the oval-shaped Christmas pudding we know today. Silver sixpences were added to the puddings during Victorian times, although the tradition of inserting lucky charms goes back several hundred years. Whoever found the hidden coin was believed to receive good luck for the rest of the year! A sprig of holly was added to the top of the plum pudding which was believed to represent Christ’s crown of thorns and the puddings were flambéed by pouring brandy over them and then set alight. Christmas Crackers are also a Victorian addition to the dining table, they were invented around 1846 by Thomas Smith, who had seen bon-bon sweets wrapped in tissue paper in Paris and brought the idea back to the UK. Later he added a love poem, or motto, to the inside and then came up with the idea of including a banger inside the paper wrap twist so that it ‘cracked’ when the ends were pulled apart. Originally called cosaques they eventually became known as crackers and now include a paper hat crown, and idea which goes back to Roman times, when the citizens wore hats at the Festival of Saturnalia, which took place at the end of December. Whether you celebrate your Christmas this year with a meal that is traditional, or modern, have a wonderful Christmas Day dinner! Sources: www.ProjectBritain.com www.whychristmas.com www.historytoday.com
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Advertising Feature
Rugeley - a wonderful place for Christmas Shopping
Rugeley is the most wonderful place for Christmas shopping, with its historic town centre filled with independent businesses selling gifts for everyone in the family. While-away a wonderful afternoon browsing their fantastic ranges and pop in to one of Rugeley’s friendly and cosy cafes for lunch or a light bite. Visitors to the town centre can’t fail to notice the long history of the city reflected in its buildings, from medieval and Georgian to impressive Victorian structures. For everything you need this Christmas season, from gifts and cards to beauty treatments and party-wear, visit Rugeley town centre, you’ll be glad you did!
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Tastes of the Season
Here, Chef Simon Smith explores two dishes that are a delicious way to celebrate the tastes of the season. The nights have now drawn in and a chill is in the air so it’s time to think of warming dishes and some game cookery. Russells of Shenstone and Coates of Alrewas have great stocks of game from local suppliers but you may have to order in advance. Bear in mind that game is always very lean and benefits from the addition of some fat. The most common and easiest method is to wrap game in streaky bacon. This will baste the meat and also give you crispy bacon.
I have just returned from Krakow where I was really surprised at the wonderful food scene great restaurants, good prices and some novel ideas. Well worth a trip for anyone looking for a quick break with flights from Birmingham.
I shall be doing a couple of these dishes at local demo events (both are free). The first is Tippers Christmas Market on 24th November from 10am to 4pm (demonstrations at 11am, 1pm and 3pm) and the second is at Arthur Price on 28th November at 7pm with lots of discounted Christmas gifts available. Sour sausage and cabbage soup
This dish comes from Krakow and although it sounds bizarre is a great one-pot dish and ideal winter filler.
You will need: 1x Large cottage loaf 1+½ Pint chicken stock 1 pk Chicken sausage (new product at Waitrose) or Bratwurst 3x Large Maris Piper potatoes ½ Savoy cabbage 1x Tin cooked haricot beans or other bean of choice 1x Lemon
Method Peel and roughly chop the potatoes and cook in the chicken stock. Take the cottage loaf, cut off the top and hollow out the centre. Put the hollowed out loaf into a preheated oven to dry out and lightly toast the centre. Once the potatoes are cooked blitz with a hand blender or in a food processor. Put back into the pan and add the sausages and beans and cook for a further 5-10 minutes until the sausages are cooked, (I take my sausages out of the skin first for a better result). Zest lemon and add zest and juice to the soup. Finely shred the cabbage, add to the soup and cook for a further minute. Serve in the cottage loaf which can then be eaten. You can add other ingredients to suit your taste such as tarragon, mushrooms or maybe whole grain mustard. Breast of pheasant with lemon and celery
This English dish is comforting and warming on a winter’s evening.
You will need: 4x Breast of pheasant (or crown for a larger portion) 4x Rashers streaky bacon ¼ pint Game or chicken stock ¼ pint Double cream 1x Head celery 1x Lemon 12x Brussels sprouts cooked and refreshed in cold water 4ozs Cranberry sauce (or fresh cranberries if you prefer)
Method Wrap the pheasant breasts (or crowns) in streaky bacon. Peel the celery to remove the long strands and cut into two inch batons, then poach them gently in the stock. Put the pheasant into a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 10 minutes for breasts (or 15 minutes for crown). It’s difficult to give an exact cooking time – just be careful to not dry it out. Once the celery is cooked add the double cream and, if needed, thicken with a bit of cornflour. Add the zest and juice of the lemon, the Brussels sprouts to heat through and the cranberry sauce (or fresh cranberries to poach until soft).
Simon Smith runs a catering business from his production kitchen in Lichfield, providing bespoke private dinners plus wedding, corporate and event catering. If you are looking for catering or a day of cookery skills go to www.simonsmith-chef.com
Please take extra care when preparing foods and handling hot foodstuffs. Go to www.food.gov.uk for further details. Food preparation is undertaken at your own risk.
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£90
9ct sapphire and diamond pendant and chain - available from MW Jewellery & Repairs.
All frames are priced including single vision lenses and are included the 2-4-1 offer - available at Specsavers.
£180
From £17.95 Dermalogica skincare gift sets - available from Channings.
9ct ruby and diamond ring available from MW Jewellery & Repairs.
Perfect Christmas Gifts for Her
From stocking-fillers to special gifts, we've got your Christmas shopping all wrapped up. From £4.50
£25
Afternoon tea £10.95 per person. Luxury afternoon tea £15.95 per person, T&Cs apply - available from Savannah's Tea Room.
£25 Hand-made heart door wreath available at Poppies Shabby Chic.
French Art Deco photo frame available at Decodance.
£75
Australian bodycare range - available from Channings.
Natural wax candles: votives, candle tins and reed diffusers from £3.99. Gift sets from £8.95 - available from Channings.
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Cocktail cabinet, unique to Poppies - available at Poppies Shabby Chic. Pair of German Art Decor figures, £40 each or £60 for the pair - available at Decodance.
Dysons - available from Dyson Revivers.
£12.50
From £50
Get that sparkle for the festive season, Glitter Lips - available from Beyoutiful.
£7.99 £9.99
From £15
Scented drawer liners available from Gifts from the H rt Photo frames, various colours available from Gifts from the H rt
£19.99
Scarves from £3.99, hats from £5.99 available from Lipstick Powder and Paint.
£3.50 Christmas and patterned slippers - available from Nib Nabs.
Red flower LED light, various designs - available from Gifts from the H rt Mugs printed from £6. Printed pillowcases from £13 - available from Instaprint.
Stockists: Gifts from the H rt, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. Nib Nabs, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. Poppies Shabby Chic, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. Decodance, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY.
£11.99
Skincare make-up from Jane Iredale - available from Beyoutiful.
£9.99 Vanity cases - available from Lipstick Powder and Paint.
Virus shawl available from The Little Wool Shop.
Large shawl with tassels £15, jumpers £15 available from The Little Wool Shop. MW Jewellery and Repairs, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. Lipstick Powder and Paint, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. Dyson Revivers, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. The Little Wool Shop, Brewery Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley, WS15 2DY. Instaprint, 21 - 23 Albion Street, Rugeley, WS15 2BY.
Perfume set - available from Lipstick Powder and Paint.
£15 Savannah's Tea Room, 5 Market Street, Rugeley, WS15 2JH. Channings, Suite 1, Bow Street Chambers, Market Square, Rugeley WS15 2AZ. Tel: 01889 570444. Beyoutiful, 2A Upper Brook Street, Rugeley, WS15 2DN Gymophobics, 3 Market Square, Rugeley, WS15 2JH
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Rugeley Remembers
On 11th November 2018 Rugeley came together to remember the fallen of all wars, and to commemorate the ending of the First World War. We present here this moving occasion in pictures....
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Salvation Army Cannock Citadel Band Christmas Concert
Taking place on Wednesday 5th December 2018, 7 30pm at St. Paul's Methodist/United Reformed Church, Lichfield Street, Rugeley.
Admission is £6 payable on the door. Light refreshments are available.
All proceeds will go to charities.
St. Augustine’s Church Choir - Sing for Christmas!
Once again we are looking for people to join our Church Choir at St. Augustine's, just for the Candlelight Carol service on Sunday 23rd December at 6pm. This was very successful last year and we had a great evening.
Don't worry if you can't read music. All ages are welcome (11 upwards). You must be able to attend the rehearsals on 7th, 14th and 21st December from 6pm to 7pm. For more information please speak to Jayne Gould or Joan Surplice (01889 800465) or turn up at 6pm on Friday 7th December for practice.
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS WANTED
Earn extra money delivering magazines in various areas. Must be over 16
Call Marie 07548 682576
Competition and Prize Draw Terms and Conditions 1.Entrant’s details will be held and processed in line with Citylife in Lichfield Ltd’s Privacy Policy, which in turn adheres to GDPR Data Protection legislation. For a copy of our Privacy Policy please email josscitylife@gmail.com 2.By entering the prize draw/competition, you agree to the terms and conditions stated. 3.The closing date is stated on each individual prize draw or competition. 4.Entrants’ details will be securely held by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Details will be held only until the closing date of the competition. After this date entrants’ details will be securely destroyed/deleted. Winners’ contact details will be securely stored only until the winner has been informed of their win/prize. After this details will be securely deleted/destroyed. 5.Entrants’ details will never be shared with any third party. The only exception to this is the name (and if the prize is to be posted) address of Competition/Prize Draw winners that will be communicated to the competition partner to allow winners to securely claim their prize, after which all details will be securely destroyed. The initial and surname of winners will be printed in our magazines – no other details will be published. 6.By entering the competition/prize draw, entrants agree to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd using or publishing materials provided by the entrants (but not address or contact details apart from initial and surname) in any of their publications and online. 7.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any breach of copyright or breach of
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any other legislation entailed by entrants in their creation or submission of materials. 8.Only one entry per prize draw/competition, per reader. 9.Except in the case of cash prizes, no cash equivalent will be offered and the prize is non-transferable. 10.All prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers' terms and conditions. 11.No purchase necessary. 12.Prize draws and competitions are only open to UK residents aged 18 years or over (unless otherwise stated). 13.Competitions and prize draws may not be entered by any employee of individual associated with any employee, agent or third party of Citylife in Lichfield Ltd. 14.Winners will be selected at random in the case of applicable prize draws and competitions, or by an independent judge in the case of photographic/art competitions from all entries received. 15.Winners will be notified by Citylife in Lichfield up to 28 days after the closing date of the competition/prize draw by the contact details provided by the entrant. 16.A list of the surnames and county of residence of the winners will be available by writing to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd no earlier than six weeks after the competition closing date. 17.When the prize draw/competition winner has been selected, this decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
18.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for the prize being lost, damaged or delayed in transit. When the prize is provided by a third party, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any change to the prize, or for the quality of the prize provided. 19.Competitions may be amended or withdrawn at any time. 20.By entering the competition or prize draw, you agree to having your name, (photograph, where stated) and city or county of residence published in any of Citylife in Lichfield’s publications and online. 21.Unless otherwise stated, the promoter is Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield, WS14 4JS. 22. Citylife in Lichfield Ltd do not express any warranty or endorsement of any competition prize, information, service or product provided in connection with a competition by printing or otherwise publicising any competition. 23.To the full extent of the law, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd shall not be liable for any loss, claim, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind incurred as a result of entering this prize draw or competition. 24.By submitting photos, text or artworks as part of competition/prize draw entries you agree that you own these photos text or artworks, that it is your original work to which you own all rights to distribute, and that your entry is accurate, moral and legal.
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