CANNOCK
•
HEDNESFORD
•
RUGELEY
AUGUST 2014 ISSUE 10
Hundreds of returning soldiers parade through Cannock A SELECT MAGAZINE FOR THE CANNOCK CHASE AREA
COLLIS
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CONTENTS
06 Win Lunch for Two Win Lunch for Two (Mon-Thurs) and enjoy the Netherstowe House experience.
12 Mining Brings the Railway to Hednesford Hednesford stories by Michael Hewitt.
22 A British Brewing Revolution? Freedom Brewery, Abbots Bromley. Win a selection pack.
26 A Quiet Hero The wartime remembrances of George Parry
38
30 Landor Society The Public Buildings of Rugeley and Brereton
32 Returning Soldiers Hundreds of returning soldiers parade through Cannock
36 Gazette Woman The low down on fake tans 38 La Mer Summer beach blues
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22 12
Front cover photo taken by Robert Yardley, for more details see pages 32 and 34
Contact the Gazette see page 39
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32
Letter Editor A
from the
I keep trying to lose weight… but it keeps finding me!
Ah the summertime, when you get the chance to bare your body and take up vigorous pursuits out in the sunshine. Anyone who knows me will tell you, I don’t do exercise (I don’t do walking if I can help it). The only time I’m ever seen doing something vigorously is when applying salt and vinegar. Two years ago I celebrated losing a stone in weight. It started out in response to my doctor frightening the heck out of me by informing me I was borderline diabetic. My father was a
August 2014 Issue 10
sufferer (if that is the correct term) later in life too. The doctor told me that my BMI (body mass index) was so high; I ought to be six foot three, instead of five foot four! But he did say I was a fine specimen for a seventy year old, pity I’m only sixty. Unfortunately the weight has returned and I’m back to my ‘post-fright’ shape. A friend told me if I wanted to lose a stone of ugly fat he could help me. How? He said he could cut off my head. Needless to say we are no longer friends. But it doesn’t get me down. I don’t run for the bus any longer. I don’t go careering around the Chase with small children any more. And chasing young women is something I wasn’t good at when I WAS young! Now this is what I say to all those who are obsessed with their shape or fretting about what people say about their weight. Get off the scales! I have yet to see a set of scales that can tell you how enchanting your eyes are. I have yet to see scales that can show you how wonderful your hair looks when the sun shines its glorious rays on it. I have yet to see scales that can thank you for your compassion, sense of humor, and contagious smile. Get off the scales because I have yet to see one that can admire you for your perseverance when challenged in life. It’s true; these scales can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. That’s it. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength, or love. Don’t give the scales more power than they have earned. Take note of the number, then get off the scales and live your life. You are beautiful! (Tut!) Have you seen me in Speedos? Yours truly Paul Oakley (Editor)
CONTRIBUTORS • Caz Jones
• Joss Musgrove Knibb • Michael Hewitt
• The Landor Society
• Robert Yardley
ABOUT YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE
Chase Gazette is your local monthly magazine distributed to more than 15,000 homes and businesses in and around Cannock Chase. Distribution area covers Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley. We do not seek to sensationalise but to inform and entertain our readers. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers. Chase Gazette magazine is not a franchise or connected with any other group of publications.
A limited number of the Chase Gazette are available and can be purchased at 90p from our office.
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Chase View Sumdog Success
A
Kiera Pearson, Summer Marie Richmond, Reiss Walters, Chantelle Wainwright, Angel Marsh & Paige Whyte
group of pupils from Chase View Primary School, Rugeley, are celebrating after being recognised as possibly the best mathematicians in Staffordshire after taking part in online maths programme 'SUMDOG’. The programme SUMDOG is hugely popular across the whole world with over 5 million children using it as part of their maths studies at school and at home. SUMDOG allows pupils to develop their maths skills by playing educational games against each other, with opponents often being in different countries or continents. It has been hugely popular since being introduced to Year 5 at Chase View with the children regularly accessing it at school and at home with great improvements in their maths progress as a result. Along with its ongoing activities SUMDOG periodically offers area championships and in the recent Staffordshire contest Chase View achieved success in two fields. During the week long contest, as a school they answered more correct questions than any other school in the whole county and additionally in the top 10 students in the county an incredible 7 of the places were taken by Chase View pupils out of almost 300 who took part. This represents great dedication and enthusiasm by the children as, although some of the questions were done in numeracy and ICT lessons at school the majority of the high point scoring was achieved by using SUMDOG at home or during lunchtimes. The children did fantastically well and look forward to continuing using the programme and hopefully achieving more high scores.
WIN
LUNCH
FOR TWO PEOPLE AT NETHERSTOWE HOUSE
Chase the Dog
Win a Lunch for Two (MonThurs) and enjoy the Netherstowe House experience. As the venue of choice for many milestone celebrations, such as anniversaries, birthdays and weddings, Netherstowe House Hotel and Restaurant resonates to the sound of laughter throughout the year from guests indulging in a seasonal soiree. Past well known patrons who have enjoyed doing just that include Sir Roger Moore, Helen Baxindale, Barry Norman CBE, Claire Sweeny and Idris Elba to name but a few. Netherstowe House are incredibly proud to have been voted 'Restaurant of the Year' at the Taste of Staffordshire Good Food awards, to have received an AA Rosette award for Culinary Excellence and to be recommended by the Michelin Guide. These coveted awards and accolades are testament to the dedication of their team who are incredibly passionate about delighting guests. Express Lunch Menu: 2 Courses ~ £14.95; 3 Courses ~ £19.95 12 midday to 2:30pm (Mon Fri), 1:00pm to 2:30pm (Sat)
Chase is a naughty little puppy! True to form he has scampered off and got lost
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again in this issue and we need your help to find him. He might be in an advertisement or a story, can you find him? When you have found him (he looks like the image at the top of this page) simply tell us which page he is on for a chance to win lunch for two people at Netherstowe House in Lichfield. Write the page number on a postcard or the back of a sealed envelope along with your name and address and send it to us no later than Wed 6 August to: Chase the Dog Competition Gazette Magazine P O Box 5414 Lichfield WS14 4EZ One entry per household only please (or disqualified). The Editor will draw the winning entry and announce it in the next issue of the Chase Gazette. Good luck!! Congratulations to Mr D Harper of Quarry Close, Slitting Hill who spotted Chase the Dog on page 31 of the June/July issue of the magazine.
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CGAUGUST14
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Swing Along to the WW2 Weekend 12th -13th July
n Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July 2014 the Staffordshire Regiment Museum will be alive with the ‘swing’ of 1940s performers, the action of Lindy Hop dancers, the pleasure of vintage themed stalls and the excitement of battle re-enactments. 2014 is the 70th anniversary of one of the most iconic engagements of WW2 – Operation Market Garden (the subject of the film A Bridge Too Far) and the Museum is staging a 1940s extravaganza in commemoration. The weekend is designed to be a mixture of interactive activities led by fantastic re-enactors plus performances and activities that evoke the Home Front. On the day visitors will be greeted at a WW2 ‘Guard Point’ and welcomed into the event by ‘Land Girls’. Why not wander through the Black
Market Bazaar that’s selling all manner of lovely items, including Vintage fashions and 1940s hairstyling, homewares, crafts, jewellery and sweet treats? If you’re feeling peckish, try the NAAFI canteen tent that will take you back to the time of ‘make do and mend’ or there’s the BBQ and bar (if your ration book runs to it!). Visitors can also listen to the much loved singer Bexi Owen who puts the glam into glamourpuss, and sing along with the ‘evacuee choir’ made up of local school children. Watch out for the ‘Spiv’ who might try to sell you silk stockings and you might even spot Mr Churchill in the crowd. With hoopla, coconut shy, sand art, face painting, stained glass, local history stand, book seller, ‘green-screen’ photographer, vintage vehicles (Sunday) and so much more than we can mention here, you’ll want to stay all day! This weekend is designed to be a respectful but engaging and exciting look at this period of WW2 with re-enactments that are a great way
to learn about the men of the Regiment’s heroic involvement in the campaigns of 1944. The events starts at 10am and concludes at 4pm each day. Entry £6 for adults, £4 for children under 16 and all concession including senior-citizens and full-time students. Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children £15). Edwardian Fete and Fair Sunday August 3rd 2014 On Sunday August 3rd the Museum is pulling out all of the stops to create an Edwardian extravaganza to commemorate the outbreak of WW1. Visitors can come along to the Edwardian Tea Tent where they will be served authentic cakes, can read one of the original newspapers and listen to the pianist who will fill the tea tent with evocative music. There will be lots of opportunity to shop with an impressive and extensive collection of stalls selling vintage items, fashions, crafts, gifts, jewellery, books, toys, cakes, homewares, bric-a-brac and much more. Fancy a pint or a Pimms? The period beer tent is the place to be, and with live music and drama, period fairground rides and stalls, lots of WWI themed entertainment and re-enactions and the museum collections and WW1 trench system, this is a great place to be. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the fantastic Edwardian Fair Ground rides and the Museum is proud to announce the launch of Jeff Elson’s latest book will also be taking place during the day. The author will be available to sign copies of ‘The War History of The 1/6th Battalion,The Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment) (TF) 1914-1918.’ The event starts at 10am and concludes at 5pm. Entry £4 for adults, £2.50 for children under 16 and all concession including seniorcitizens and full-time students. Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9PY. For more information go to www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com or call 01543 434394.
Come and learn about a soldier's experiences. Page 8 www.chasegazette.co.uk
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Rugeley’s International Ball Boys
upils from Chase View Primary School in Rugeley, along with friends from Holy Name Primary School in Great Barr enjoyed the thrill of being international ball boys and flag bearers in May, as they undertook duties for a series of three UEFA Under 19s qualifiers held at Walsall's Banks's Stadium. The children were invited to undertake these roles by Walsall FC head of community Adam Davy, who said that it was due to the fact that the children had done a similar job for Walsall in the past and had always been extremely reliable and well behaved. The first match was played in the pouring rain between England and Montenegro and the children were treated as an integral part of the staff from the moment they arrived, being briefed by a member of the Football Association. Prior to the match they held the official flags on the pitch as the players lined up, and undertook their roles as ball boys in a convincing 6 - 0 win for England. Several Premier League players took part in front of a crowd of nearly 2000. After the game the children had the opportunity to meet the whole England team and received a
The group with the England team commemorative pendant and pen from the Football Association. The second match saw Montenegro take on Ukraine in front of a much smaller crowd. This meant much more action for the boys.
At the end of the game both teams stopped to talk to the children and sign autographs. The ball boys were again presented with gifts from the FA.
On the pitch with commemorative gifts from the Football Association
With the England flag and players before the game Page 10 www.chasegazette.co.uk
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Mining Brings the Railway to Hednesford
Hednesford’s first Railway Station (c.1860)
By Michael Hewitt of the Cannock Conduit Trust
H
ednesford’s first railway station opened in 1859 on the Cannock Mineral’s railway line, part of which ran from Cannock to Rugeley Town. The line was taken over by The London and North Western Railway a decade later (though the LNWR had worked the line from the outset). Before the discovery of coal in the area the railways across the country provided fast travel from London in the south to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow in the west and Nottingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh in the east putting paid to horse-drawn coaches and toll roads. When coal was discovered however, it needed to be transported from the pit heads quickly and efficiently to its various consumers. Initially, the only means available other than by road, was by using the canals. The barges used were slow as many were pulled by horses or later by steam engine. In winter the canals would often freeze and halt any movement of supplies. The effect was that many coal miners were laid off as there was nowhere for the coal to go bringing difficult times to many people in the district. In order to overcome this, the railway companies built rail links from the mines to the main railway lines and these connections became known as ‘mineral lines’.The snow in winter still caused some disruption but nothing as severe as frozen canals. An example of the importance of mineral rail links came shortly after Cannock had built its own Gas Company when, on the 20th
January 1864, the Board of Directors, agreed to buy land from the London North Western Rail Company adjacent to Cannock Railway Station in Podgey Lane (Girton Road). The land was purchased for £130 per acre but only after agreement that the rail company “accommodated the gas company with a communicating line”. This short line was vital for coal to be delivered directly into the gas works via the various mineral lines and main line. The early image shown here of the station shows a train, left of picture, approaching the platform. The Station Master’s house is on the right. Some trains pulled up to three coaches, all fitted with bench seats to carry miners from one area to another. They became known as ‘Paddy Trains’ and were a welcome sight for these hard working men who, prior to the trains, had to walk in all weathers to and from the mines. Sadly, in November 1876 the old station burned down to be replaced a few years later. The new station became, like others, multi-purpose, carrying more passengers and varied freight other than just coal. New villages within site of the Hednesford pit heads sprang up and were named Chase Town, Boney Hay, Chadsmoor, Heath Hayes, Wimblebury, Hazel Slade and Rawnsley. Though bicycles were becoming popular it would still be some time before miners could afford this luxury and as previously stated had to either walk to their work or, if fortunate enough, rode by pony and cart.
New Memorial Embroidery Unveiled
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he Burntwood Memorial Tapestry was unveiled on Friday May 23rd 2014 in the entrance of the Burntwood Memorial Community Association (Burntwood Institute). Previously there was a memorial plaque in the entrance of the Hall which was removed when the new Memorial Stone was erected in the grounds. The Memorial Embroidery was designed by Barbara Marshall and worked by Nicola Buffin, Pauline Goodfellow, Catherine and Maureen Degregorio, Jan Gillett, Bette Hanson, Pauline Larner, June McDearmid, Barbara Marshall, Jackie Perry, Ken Whinrey and Anne Wooliscroft, all members of 'Embroidery for Burntwood Community' It shows scenes of an industrial coal mine and the beauty of Cannock Chase. Both would be familiar to the men who served in either of the two world wars. In the Great War local Miner’s skills were in demand to construct tunnels and trenches. Some of the men were known as the Chase Terriers. Cannock Chase had the distinction of being the site of training camps used in both World Wars. Enlisted recruits came from all over the country, and were housed in what became temporary towns. They could not
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help but admire the beauty of Cannock Chase. At the dedication ceremony the embroidery was received on behalf of the Hall by Gwyneth Howells, a Trustee of the Institute. The unveiling was carried out by Jean and Colin Main whose son was shot down whilst on active service in Iraq. He was educated at Chasetown High School and he had always wanted to be a pilot. The project, which is in 3D embroidery, took
three years to complete and cost £3,000. The Group wishes to thank to all who helped with funding including Burntwood Town Council, Aldi, Co-op, Lichfield District Council, Councillor Paul Atkins and Tom Ford of Unique Interiors plus all those who have made donations, and special thanks to Burntwood Family History Group who provided background information.
Sitting Pretty with Ralvern Ralvern Ltd are manufacturers of high quality custom made bespoke sofas, settees, chairs, chaise longue and rise-and-recliners. Since 1946, the company has been creating upholstered furniture that are true works of art, by methods that ensure not just extraordinary levels of comfort and style, but durability and longevity. Ralvern Upholstery is run by Simon and Chris Edwards. Simon commented: “I get a real buzz from seeing the delight on our customer’s faces when their suite is delivered. Our customers are our most important asset and we truly love what we do.” All Ralvern upholstered furniture is made at their showrooms and atelier workshops in Cannock. When you step through the doors you are surrounded by utterly gorgeous furniture, from traditional country-vintage and high-end glamour to casual-chic and cutting-edgecontemporary pieces, every sofa, chair and chaise longue is a work of art, quite literally. Ralvern has a selection of styles in its brochures for customers to choose from, that can be covered in your own selection of fabrics. If you see something that you like, but need the design to be adapted to you (maybe you are tall and need a longer seat or maybe you would like a three-seater rather than two) no adaptation is a problem and it all comes in the price. Ralvern furniture combines the convenient delivery time (from 8 – 10 weeks from order) of a bulk-buying high street retailer with the style, panache and quality of a boutique craftsman. Alternatively, if you have an idea of the kind of sofa, chair or window seat that you need, but can’t find exactly the right piece to fit, just come in and chat to Simon who will create a sketch from your description to exactly suit your home. All Ralvern furniture frames are made of a hard wood, laminated and veneered to give it high tensile strength. This beautiful wood is shaped, planed and crafted in the on-site woodworking shop. Sitting on a Ralvern sofa or chair is like floating on air, seriously reducing pressure on the back. How do they achieve this? In the base of the chair each Ralvern piece has a set of sturdy traditional springs set into the frame. This is what the padded seat sits on, which distributes your weight down into the base of the sofa, providing serious comfort with excellent support (there’s no wallowing about or difficulty getting up). Everywhere you look there are signs of bespoke ateliermade quality. Buttoning, piping and folding are all finished by hand. These are heirloom pieces at a fraction of the cost of other similar items. There are many different fabrics to choose from, and the colour ranges have the kind of subtlety that means that
you can match that exact duck egg or forgetme-not blue that you’ve been looking for. From brocades to silks, fine-grain leathers and linens to velvets and much more, the Ralvern ranges are as beautiful as they are hardwearing. Upholstery routinely lasts 15 years of hard wear, and when you’re ready to replace your upholstery, just drop in and your sofa can be remade as new, using your original frame. Buying Ralvern gives you the extraordinary craftsmanship of the past combined with contemporary materials and eye for design. This company was established in 1946 by Simon and Chris Edwards’ great-grandfather and has always been ahead of the crowd. In 1981 they adopted the use of only the highest standard of fire retardant materials, eight years before their use came into law. One of the things that you notice as soon as you enter the shop is the subtle smell of freshly cut hardwood that hangs in the air. There’s no odour of chemical foams and dyes that you get in most high-street furniture retailers. In addition, Ralvern offer a complete reupholstery service on any item, not just their own. Got a Victorian chair that needs a new horsehair filling? No problem, from traditional methods to contemporary innovation, Ralvern can handle the lot. For an informal chat about your new suite, or just for a look around drop in to their showroom at Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock WS11 7XN. For more information call 01543 505539 or go to www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk where you can take a virtual tour of the showroom and workshops.
Why use us? • customer satisfaction in our products • a sofa that will last you longer than expected • free delivery • free parking • see us in the manufacturing process • factory showroom
01543 505539 • www.ralvernupholstery.co.uk
Unit 19, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffordshire - WS11 7NX Page 13
Beat the crowds and get your lasting power of attorney now W hen David Cameron recently urged the pharmaceutical industry to step up its efforts to find an effective treatment or cure for dementia, he repeated the government’s concerns over the growing number of people suffering from debilitating mental illnesses. Research from the Alzheimer’s Society forecasts that there will be over a million people with dementia by 2021, highlighting that getting your affairs in order has never been more important. The government is so concerned about the number of people who have not yet planned for their later years, including what would happen to them if they were affected by dementia or any other debilitative condition, that it has announced that it will be holding a ‘life planning day’ in 2015. The life planning day is intended to promote awareness about making a will and creating a lasting power of attorney to manage your property and financial affairs and health and welfare if you are unable to. Choosing your attorney while you are of sound mind ensures that you are in control of who is to act on your behalf. Your chosen attorney must be someone who you can trust to act in your best interests. Whilst making a will is relatively straightforward and can be done quite quickly, the process of appointing an attorney is more complicated and can take a long time. A lasting power of attorney cannot be used until it has been registered and there are no shortcuts or urgent applications that can be made to speed
up the registration process. With this in mind it would be a good idea to look at preparing your lasting power of attorney now, before the government’s campaign begins. The Office of the Public Guardian, the organisation who registers and oversees lasting powers of attorney, is already very busy. It currently receives 2,000 registration applications per day, with the average registration application taking 14 weeks to complete. The number of people preparing and registering lasting powers of attorney is set to increase in the next few years, as will the likely time delays. As an experienced wills and probate lawyer, I see many people in the distressing situation where they are unable to make important decisions on behalf of their loved ones and have no alternative but to make an emergency application to the Court of Protection. This can be costly and take a long time to be processed, leaving their loved ones vulnerable in the meanwhile. I can therefore only encourage you to put your affairs in order now, ahead of the government campaign getting under way. Make time today to get your lasting power of attorney. Shelly Wainwright Wills and Probate Solicitor Ansons Solicitors
Summer’s here and the time is right... S
ummer is with us, and there’s never been a better time for you to take the chance to look at your diet, exercise and wellbeing. Eat Well Staffordshire has a campaign to encourage older people to Eat better...and Feel better! Eating well is one of key secrets to enjoying a better quality of life, helping to ward off infection and injury, avoiding falls and keeping good mental health. It can mean that you enjoy a few more years of life, and the years you do have are more comfortable. Eating less than your body needs of the right sorts of food can impact on lots of aspects of your life. Getting thinner and frailer is not a normal part of getting older and unexpected weight loss when you are not trying to diet is something to guard against, and try and get help if you find it happening to you or someone you know. Eat Well Staffordshire can provide a free nutritional and lifestyle assessment from a professional dietitian and trained volunteers with free follow ups and access to a wide range of information, advice and support. With your permission we can refer you to other organisations that can help – we have links to a huge range of organisations. If you are seeking help to lose weight, we can put you in touch with Waistlines a local NHS weight management
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service. If you would like to get a bit fitter and do some gentle exercise, we can advise you about free local group walks, and low cost exercise classes. We can even provide a bit of support with cookery workshops and demonstrations, help with finding a meal provider or delivered grocery, provider or
Traditional Crafts workshops at the Museum of Cannock Chase
Join Dave Knowles of the Forest of Mercia for traditional craft workshops: Including: Monday 28 July - Plant wigwams, Tuesday 5 August - Swedish fruit baskets, Monday 11 August - Round trays and Tuesday 26 August - Willow bird. Each session takes place from 9.30am1pm and is free (advance booking essential). The Museum of Cannock Chase can be found at, Valley Road, Hednesford, WS12 1TD. Tel: 01543 877666 or go to museumofcannockchase@wlct.org for further information.
where you can get some help with your shopping. The Eat Well Staffordshire team can be contacted on 01785 788 496. If you would like further information about walks and seated exercise groups, telephone 01785 788 472. www.ageuk.org.uk/southstaffs.
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Plans Announced for Designer Outlet Village in Cannock
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lans were announced on June 12th for a major new designer outlet village in Cannock. A multi-million pound development is due for public consultation. It is claimed that the plans would create hundreds of jobs and provide a huge economic boost for Cannock Chase District and the wider West Midlands region. Talks have been under way between development partners Rioja Developments and Development Securities PLC, and Cannock Council, to deliver this major Chase development at the Mill Green site in Cannock. The proposed designer outlet village would hold up to 130 designer outlet retail units, new restaurants and a cinema, together with approximately 2,000 car parking spaces within a landscaped development next to the Mill
Green Nature Reserve. It would include a mix of designer brands that are not found in local town centres, therefore offering a retail destination that could attract customers from all over the West Midlands. The Mill Green site has been identified as the best location to maximise the potential of the proposed development.The excellent public transport links will provide access from all parts of the region, and being in close proximity to Cannock town centre, it is hoped that existing traders and retailers will benefit from an influx of regional visitors and tourists from further afield. If approved, the 28,500 sq m (307,000 sq ft) retail and leisure destination will be the biggest development of its kind in the region.
Rioja Developments and Development Securities will now start to consult extensively with local and regional communities. Councillor George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council, commented: “We’ve held very productive discussions with Development Securities and Rioja Developments with regards to delivering a designer outlet village at Mill Green. “The council-owned site has enormous potential due to its strategic location and our hopes are that the development can create a new, unique retail destination for the region providing a substantial economic boost to the area and putting Cannock Chase firmly on the map. “We hope that extending the range of shopping to include designer outlet stores will complement our existing town centres to the benefit of all. “We’ll now be working with the developers on a consultation programme and look forward to sharing the plans with the local community.” Initial enquiries can be made to the Community Affairs team on 08000 355 872. Alternatively visit www.millgreenoutletvillage.co.uk for more information.
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Public exhibition for Mill Green development announced
eople in Cannock are being invited to have their say on plans for the major new designer outlet village. A two-day public exhibition will take place at South Staffordshire College’s Cannock Campus,The Green, Cannock, WS11 1UE. It will be held on Friday 11th July from 2pm to 7pm, and on Saturday 12th July between 10am and 2pm. Members of the development team will be on hand and happy to answer questions and gather feedback. Following consultation with the local community and key stakeholders, all comments will be reviewed and considered before the planning application is submitted to Cannock Chase District Council by the end of the year. For more information about the plans, please visit www.millgreenoutletvillage.co.uk where members of the public can provide feedback on the scheme from Friday 11th July. Enquiries can also be made to the Community Affairs team on Freephone - 08000 355 872. Page 16 www.chasegazette.co.uk
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350 New Jobs for Rugeley
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mazon has announced that it has submitted a planning application to expand its fulfilment centre in Rugeley. If the application is successful, 350 new permanent jobs will be created at the Towers Business Park centre. The planning application seeks permission to create a new entrance to the building and construct a new roundabout within the site to enhance traffic flow in and out of the centre. Additional car parking spaces are also proposed, plus a new bus stop on site. The interior of the building, which is already home to many millions of products, will be reconfigured in order to double its capacity. Amazon opened its Rugeley fulfilment centre in September 2011 and currently employs over 600 permanent Amazon associates. Across the UK Amazon employs more than 7,000 permanent employees, 5,800 of these are permanent employees in UK fulfilment centres. In 2013 Amazon created 15,000 temporary positions in the run up to Christmas. Councillor George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: “A planning application has been received which, if approved, will see the expansion of Amazon's distribution capacity at their warehouse in Rugeley. Amazon's proposal to invest further in Rugeley is to be warmly welcomed, together with the new jobs that would be created. This shows that Cannock Chase is an attractive place to invest and create jobs for local people.” Amazon has invested over £1billion in its UK Operations. Amazon also supports the British economy by purchasing goods and services from British suppliers, over the last 5 years more than £1billion has been paid to delivery companies like Royal Mail to deliver packages across the UK. Amazon also has UK fulfilment centres in Doncaster, Dunfermline, Gourock, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Swansea Bay. Amazon expects to create around 2,500 seasonal roles at Rugeley this Christmas.
Time Team’s Phil Harding Opens New Mining Gallery
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he Museum Cannock Chase’s new Mining Gallery was officially opened by Time Team celebrity Phil Harding on Saturday 28th June.
Visitors enjoyed a range of activities at the event including coal mining puppetry, storytelling, arts and crafts and quizzes, as well as performances of mining poetry, prose and theatre, plus music from the Rugeley Power Station Band. There was also the chance to enjoy the new, interactive Mining Memories exhibition which is the result of a £150,000 transformation including a £97,600 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This new, permanent coal mining gallery for the local community allows people to experience a ‘day in the life’ of a miner and explore features of the mines. Visitors can try out interactive displays including a crawl-through tunnel. To find out more, visit www.wlct.org/museumofcannockchase
Alan Taylor from the Heritage Lottery Fund, WLCT Trustee Michaela Kerr, Cllr Christine Mitchell, Osie Cotterell who was a Bevin Boy who worked in the Cannock Chase coalfield and Phil Harding from Time Team
Burntwood Resident wins Design Prize
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Burntwood resident has been recognised for his interior design skills as part of a national competition, for the colourful and relaxing interior of his summerhouse. David Quinn beat 240 others to scoop second prize in the Dunster House Great British Garden Retreat competition, which invited summerhouse and log cabin owners from across the country to submit their personal designs. Ian Blazeby, marketing manager of the family-run log cabin and shed creators Dunster House, explains, “We launched the Garden Retreat competition to give our customers the chance to show off their interior design skills and their ingenuity in making the most of their garden buildings. It also gave us a useful insight into how our customers are using their summerhouses and log cabins; everything from a relaxing ‘man cave’ to a hobbyist’s workshop or home office.”
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Picnic Cinema Cannock Chase 2014
Picnic Cinema is a unique opportunity to experience classic cinema and camp over in some of England’s most spectacular forests. A must for film lovers and culture vultures, Picnic Cinema is a boutique festival experience combining film, fancy dress and a bit of a party thrown in for good measure. This year Picnic Cinema will tour across England bringing this special night out to Cannock Chase on: Fri 22nd Aug - 28 Days Later (18) (camping and non camping tickets available) Sat 23rd Aug - The Big Lebowski (15) (camping and non camping tickets available) Sun 24th Aug - Close Encounters of the Third Kind (PG) (camping and non camping tickets available) Tickets on sale now, buy online or call 03000 680 400. For more info go to www.picniccinema.co.uk.
Image www.forestry.gov.uk
Free tennis coaching at Hednesford Park
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ualified coaches from Cheslyn Hay Tennis Club, in partnership with WLCT's Sports Development team and part-funded by the Sportivate programme, will be delivering the tennis coaching sessions between 10am and 1pm on Sundays between 22nd until 27th July. There will be three hour-long sessions each Sunday as part of the Great British Tennis Weekend: Mini Tennis for five to 10-year-olds, 10am-11am, Junior Tennis for 11 to 16-year-olds, 11am-12pm and Tennis Xpress coaching sessions for over-16s, 12pm-1pm. Chris Perrin, who will be leading tennis activity at Hednesford Park alongside other coaches and leaders, said: "We are really excited to be running free tennis sessions at Hednesford Park. It's a great chance to try tennis at Hednesford and find out what a great sport it is. We hope to continue these sessions throughout the year and we encourage everyone to get involved." Advanced booking is highly recommended as places are limited. For further information email cheslynhaytennis@live.com or phone Chris Perrin on 07969 829318.
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A British Brewing Revolution? By Joss Musgrove Knibb
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hat’s your favourite tipple? Are you a wine buff or maybe a classic gin and tonic is more to your taste? It’s quite likely that many of you reading this will be part of the growing movement of British brewing enthusiasts. For many years, British brewing had a rather unglamorous image. It was commonly held that home grown beers, ales, ciders and perrys were a s o m ew h a t Tim Massey - Director acquired taste and could not stand up to the sparkling, lighter produce of our E u r o p e a n neighbours. How wrong we were. Recently, I visited Freedom Brewery in Abbots Bromley, where I was given a tour by Director Tim Massey, and got to sample some of the utterly delicious tipples coming out of this gem of British Brewing. The brewery is set in rolling countryside in the middle of a 2,000 acre estate. You reach it by travelling down a long, wide and leafy lane (scattering chickens as you pass) that passes through deciduous woodland and shimmering wheat fields. Its brewing vats rise out of the landscape as a surprise, gleaming silver in the sun. As you approach, look out on your right for a heart-shaped coppice on the hillside (planted to reflect the ‘Freedom Brewery Heart’). The brewery is small by the standards of mass produced brewing, but modern and bustling. The directors take a very hands on roll, and everywhere is the smell of hops and malt. Here,Tim tells us a little about the brewery that is so close to his heart... JMK: Tell me about Freedom Brewery TM: My business partner, Andrew Taylor and I bought the brewery about nine months ago now, after I’d tried to buy it three times before! The brewery was started in 1995 and it was ahead of its time as there was no one really doing craft lagers then. It was known as a pioneer of English craft lager. We’ve probably grown by 50% over the last year. We’re currently spending £800,000 on a new brew house, new kegging machine, new boiler, basically everything we’ve got is new plus new fermentation and maturation tanks. Were New fermentation and maturation tanks
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The beers are kegged up
building a wetlands drainage system as well. As all the water we use in the brewing process comes direct from a bore-hole into the Burton watertable. The water will flow out into our wetlands draininage system and five acres of ditches, reeds and willow will naturally clean it before it goes back into the watercourse. We’re looking at creating our own electricity supply too. JMK: What do you produce here? TM: We’re a multi-award-winning brewery, including International brewing awards for most of our products. We brew six products of our own and 30% of our beers are organic. There are six main beers, Freedom Four which is our biggest seller, Freedom Pilsner which is an original beer, Freedom Organic Lager and Freedom Organic Dark which is one of Jamie Oliver’s favourite beers and Pioneer which is like a pale ale, plus Freedom Stout. We also brew a beer called Barbecoa, which is Italian for ‘freedom’, for Jamie Oliver’s Italian Restaurants. It’s the biggest seller there. We brew a beer for The London Edition Hotel and we do a beer for The Red Bar in Grosvenor House. JMK: There used to be a bit of snobbery about English beers, that seems to have gone. TM: There’s a craft beer movement going on with small producers taking a lot of time producing keg as opposed to cask beers (cask is hand pulled) and these craft beers are really flying. The public are moving away from big brewers, big advertising, big chemicals and additives. JMK: Are most of your staff local? TM: We have 18 employees and all bar one are local. We’ll double the size of our workforce over the next 12 months. I’m from Stoke, living in Eccleshall. Pretty much everyone is local here JMK: What makes Freedom beers different? TM: The big difference is that underneath us is the Burton water table, the best brewing water in the world. Over the water table is a bed of sulphur and gypsum.The water filters through that and you get a very hard, very high mineral content water. They used to call it the ‘Burton snatch’...the sulphury smell of the water. We’re unusual in brewing with completely untreated hard water (it’s constantly tested for impurities) and this means that we need to de-scale the tanks every 2 weeks, but we believe that the water makes the difference,. Also, we only use water, hops, malted barley and yeast and occasionally some other grains like wheat. There are no additives in our beer at all. All our beers are vegan, none are pasteurised. Lager is supposed to be matured for quite a long time. Ours is matured for at least four weeks so it takes five weeks minimum to make a lager. Big commercial brewers make their lagers in a matter of days. It’s that maturity that gives you a fuller flavour, a better mouth feel and natural carbonisation. JMK: So how are the beers created? TM: The difference between lager and ale is
that lager uses bottom fermenting and ale top fermenting yeast. After a week of fermentation we transfer it to a maturation tank where it’s chilled down to minus 1.Then you crop the yeast off. The lager is matured for a minimum of four weeks, it goes to filtration and then it’s kegged or bottled. All of our lagers are naturally carbonated, no additives, so that you don’t get the ‘gassiness’ of some lagers. JMK: Can you tell me a little about the new brewery? The new brewery enables us to brew four times a day. We’ve been brewing seven days a week for quite a while now, and everyone’s a little bit tired! It will increase production by four times, when we have more tanks we can increase it by ten times. We’ve brought our own malt mill and silos which means we can we produce probably around 12,000 barrels and we expect to double that by next year. JMK: Is brewing fun? TM: It’s the best job I’ve ever had, I couldn’t be happier. It’s exactly what I want to do. I’m in the middle of a beautiful 2,000 acre estate and everyone who works here is great. We’re not trying to be clever, we’re just trying to brew the best lager we can brew with the facilities we’ve got.
WIN WIN WIN
We have a taster pack containing six 330ml bottles of Freedom Ales to give away in our Freedom Brewery competition. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question.
Q. Jamie Oliver’s favourite Freedom beer is
A. Freedom Organic Dark
B. Freedom Stout
C. Freedom Pioneer To enter (entrants must be 18 years or over), just send your answer, name, address and contact details to Gazette Freedom Competition, PO Box 5414, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ or email gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk by the competition closing date of 7th August 2014. One entry per household please, duplicates will be disqualified. Good Luck! For more information on Freedom Brewery go to www.freedombrewery.com Please drink responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk
Getting Ready for School
Catherine Harvey - Footsteps Nursery and Preschool
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s we prepare to say a fond farewell to our school leavers - starting “big school” in September - we reflect on how far they have come. This really brings home the importance of our role as practitioners in an early years setting, supporting young children in their Journey of Discovery. I’m sure many of you with children due to start school in September nervously opened your letter or email confirming school places. Worrying “have we been given our preferred school?” and a little anxious at the very prospect of your child making the transition. After all, they are still very young, it is only natural to wonder if they are ready for this next step. Early Years is an incredibly important
platform to build an education upon, the skills that children arrive with in Reception class can have a significant impact on their educational achievements. Much has been written about `school readiness` a term which has been bandied about by various politicians when discussing their desire to raise attainment and narrow the ever widening achievement gap in schools. Ofsted commissioned a report to help us understand the terminology ‘Are you ready – Good practice in school readiness’. This document states that “too many children start school without the range of skills they need” and “the quality of a child’s early experiences is vital for their future success”. But there is much debate about what school readiness is - Ofsted needed a 31 page report to attempt to explain it - and if you include the differences of summer born to winter born children the debate widens even further. At Footsteps we understand our role and take the job of preparing our pre-school leavers very seriously, whilst recognising that all children are individuals. Young children have to be interested and have fun whilst learning as well as working towards the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) outcomes. Confidence is the underpinning skill required when met with new situations, this is true even as adults. A confident child will be able to ask
their teacher for support, be happy to listen and ask questions, notice what is happening in the world around them. Most of all they will have the physical and emotional skills to cope with new situations as they arise. We work in close partnership with local schools to support our children’s transition, inviting reception teachers to visit and take part in our forest school and cookery clubs. By seeing the wide range of skills our preschoolers have developed we hope to ensure their new teachers have the same high expectations of our children as we do. Early years practitioners and parents play an incredibly important role in preparing children for school but maybe we shouldn`t be asking “are our children ready for school” but rather “is the school well prepared and ready for our children?”
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What’s on at...
What’s on at Hednesford Library in July Saturday 5th July 10am-11am Councillors Surgery. Free, drop in.
Thursday 10th, 17th July 9:30am-1:30pm IT Classes. Fully booked– enquiries to Hednesford Library. Thursday 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st July 2pm-3:30pm Golden Oldies Club. Drop in to this new group, meeting to socialise. Free.
Friday 18th, 11th July 10:45am –11:15am Baby Bounce and Rhyme. Free musical session for babies and toddlers under 4. Drop in. Monday 21st July, Saturday 26th July Library Booksale. Normal opening hours apply, please contact the Library for more information. Monday 7th July 2pm-3pm Reading Group. Free, drop in, new members welcome.
Wednesday 16th, 30th July 9am-1pm Start 2 Appointments made via the Job Centre Free 1-1 interviews available but must be booked via the Job Centre.
What’s on at Cannock Library in July Tuesday 8th, 15th, 22nd July 2pm-4pm Knit and Natter. Free event, drop in, new members welcome.
Thursday 10th July 10:30am-11am Baby Bounce and Rhyme Free Event, drop in suitable for 0-4 year olds. Places are limited due to space constraints. Friday 11th July Tots Time Craft Event for under 5’s Free event, currently full, waiting list for places.
Wednesday 16th July 2:30pm-3:30pm Reading Group meets monthly 3rd Wednesday of every month) Free event, currently full, waiting list for places. Friday 25th July 9:30am-10:30am Summer Reading Challenge Craft Activity. Free, booking is required. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years
What’s on at Norton Canes in July Saturday 5th July 10am –12noon Councillors Surgery Free event, drop in.
Saturday 5th July 9am-1pm Warhammer Extravaganza Free event, drop in suitable for Aged 12+
Monday 7th July 2:30pm-4:30pm Norton Canes Get Together Group Arts and Crafts and Light Refreshments, new group. Call 01543 500404 for more information.
Tuesday 8th, 17th, 22nd, 29th July 1pm-4pm. Knit and Natter Free. New members welcome, drop in.
Tuesday 8th July 7pm-9pm. Historical Society Meeting Free event, new members welcome, contact the Library for more information
Thursday 10th, 17th, 24th 31st July 1pm-3pm Card Club (run by Norton Canes Partnership, please contact the group re charges) Please contact the group for more information, small charges apply for materials.
Thursday 10th, 17th, 24th July 3:30pm-5:30pm Youth Service Homework Club Free event, drop in suitable for 11– 16 year olds.
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Friday 11th, 18th July9:30am—10am Baby Bounce and Rhyme. Free musical session for Babies and Toddlers under 5. Drop in.
Thursday 17th, 31st July 9am –1pm Cannock Chase District Council Housing Surgery Free event, drop in for housing advice. Thursday 17th July 10am –12noon Historical Society Coffee Morning and Family History Group. Free event, please feel free to drop in. New members welcome. Saturday 26th July 11am-12noon. Reading Group Free event, drop in, new members welcome.
What’s on in Rugeley in July Monday 7th, 14th July 10am-10:30am Baby Bounce and Rhyme Free musical session for under 5’s.Drop in. Wednesday 9th July 2pm –2:30pm Reading Group Free, drop in, new members welcome.
Friday 11th, 18th July 10am-10:45am Crafty Caterpillars Tots Group Free Craft session for 2-5 year olds (younger siblings welcome). Drop in, no booking required.
Saturday 12th July Activities going on throughout the day. Summer Reading Challenge Launch Free drop in. Contact the Library for further information. Tuesday 15th July 9:30am –12:30pm Job Centre Plus Advice Help with CVs and applying for jobs. One to one appointments available please contact Cannock Job Centre for Information.
Friday 25th July 10am-12noon Reading Café Free drop in. Have a cuppa and chat about books.
Tuesday 29th July 9:30am-12:30am Job centre advice session Help with CVs and applying for jobs. One to one appointments available please contact Cannock Job Centre for Information.
Charity Barn Dance At Holy Cross Hall, Lichfield BARN DANCE 8th August Tickets £10 per adult, children under 12 free includes food and live band. In aid of Give Life Live Life Charity. Tickets and more information available from Geraldine Roberts 07917 131913
Brereton Carnival Saturday 12th July 2014 "A Day at The Movies" Procession leaves Hawkins Yard, Redbrook Lane at 11am, Birch Lane, Coalpit Lane, Main Road Brereton, Redbrook Lane, finishing at Hawkins. Free entry to Fun Day 12 noon til 5pm at Ravenhill Park. Live entertainment, including "Rock Dogs", clog-dancers, stilt-walkers, local group displays, charity stalls, fun activities, hot and cold refreshments. Grand Draw: 1st prize £250 Superbreaks voucher plus £100 spending money, 2nd prize Rugeley and Brereton Traders vouchers worth over £250, 3rd prize Hoar Cross Day Spa voucher. Plus many other amazing prizes! Tickets on sale now at Brewery Street Shopping Centre Cafe! Limited parking on site for legitimate blue badge holders only.
Free event parking on Wheelhouse Road. Please park considerately. For more information, please visit the BRACE website www.breretoncarnival.co.uk Reproduced by kind permission from the Brereton and Rugeley Links Newsletter. Barn Dance The Victory Hall, Slitting Mill BARN DANCE with Fish & Chip Supper 7.30 pm Friday 11th July 2014 Tickets £7.50 including supper and tea/coffee Tickets available from Beryl Freeman on 01889 582645 or Jane Simkin at the Parish Office, St. Augustine’s, Station Road, Rugeley (Tuesday/Friday mornings). Proceeds in aid of St. John the Baptist Church Reproduced by kind permission from the Brereton and Rugeley Links Newsletter Summer fete, Rugeley St. Augustine’s Church, Station Road, Rugeley Summer Fête Sunday 13th July, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Free Magic Show Stalls, Face Painting Refreshments, Games Grand Prize Draw and lots more! Reproduced by kind permission from the Brereton and Rugeley Links Newsletter
Church choir, Rugeley St. Augustine’s Church Choir needs new members! All ages welcome, all voices (Bass Tenor, Alto & Soprano) Men, women, teenagers, also boys/girls aged 7yrs upwards (able to read, we will teach them to sing) We are hoping to welcome a new group of children and adults into our choir in January and may consider changing our practice night. If you are interested please let us have your contact details so that we may get in touch in the New Year. For more information contact the Organist and Choirmaster Mr Paul Geoghegan 01785 713419 paul@musicmakers.demon.co.uk St Augustine's Church, Station Road, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 2HG Reproduced by kind permission from the Brereton and Rugeley Links Newsletter
Cannock Chase Summer Forest Fundays Why not come along and join the Forestry Commission's learning team for a Summer Forest Fundays? Fundays take place every Wednesday morning from 10.30am until 12 noon on: Wednesday 23rd July - Pond Dipping Wednesday 30th July - Minibeasts Wednesday 6th August - Shelter Building Wednesday 20th August - Pond Dipping Wednesday 27th August - Minibeats Meet outside Birches Valley Cafe, Cannock Chase. No dogs allowed.
To advertise in this “What’s On” section please send details to : caz@lichfieldgazette.co.uk
The Wartime Remembrances of a Quiet Hero
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By Joss Musgrove Knibb
n 2011, I was lucky enough to meet Mr George Parry, a veteran of the Battle of Arnhem (the subject of the film A BridgeToo Far) and of the conflicts that took place in Sicily and Italy during WW2. On a rainy afternoon in the library of the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, quite by chance, I sat down for a cup of tea with George, and was held spellbound as this quiet man told me about his war-time experiences.To my knowledge, the following is the most complete transcript of his service ever written down. George died in late December 2011 aged 95 years old. He was born in Cannock in 1916 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage to Joyce whom he married in August 1946. Mr Parry’s funeral service took place in Cannock, and was a very moving occasion with friends, family and veterans all sharing their stories of George. George joined the South Staffordshire Regiment in January 1940 and at the time that we spoke was in all likelihood the only member of the South Staffordshire Airbourne Division who saw action in Sicily that was still with us. Talking to George made a deep and abiding impression on me. In this, the 70th anniversary year of the Battle of Arnhem, we present here the story of a quiet hero, a veteran of Arnhem, a husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather and a man that Staffordshire can be very proud of. GP. I was 23 when I joined the army in 1940. We all went to Britannia Hall for training. My Regimental number was 4919190, you never forget it. I was part of the 2nd South Staffs 6th battalion, a regular battalion.Then I was transferred to the 59th Divisional HQ in Northern Ireland as a Signaller. I was unhappy with the job so I tried to get back to my battalion.Then we got an order that the 2nd battalion South Staffs was coming home from India. I joined the 1st Airborne Brigade in 1942, and I went back as a signaller. As a signaller you look after communication through the wireless, Morse code and flags.You mainly used the wireless set, that was the top means of communication.They used to break down a lot, the heat really affected them. There were different strengths of wireless, they were powered by two batteries of six volts so twelve volts in total. If the terrain was clear with no obstruction you could get a signal, if you were in a spinney or anything you had no chance, as it would stop the flow of ground waves. It was ground wave radio you see not air wave, you’ve got to have a strong wave or it won’t work. All this only applied to an 18 set radio. I joined the Airborne near Newbury, the office was in an old stable in Kingsley, Newbury. Then we moved about a fair bit - ended up at a big barracks
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On Tuesday 19th September 1944 this picture was taken showing (on the left) George Parry and Lt Reynolds (gesturing).
on Salisbury Plain. We were put through extensive training there at Netherfield. It was training for glider pilots in a Hotspur glider. At that time I thought it was more or less an adventure, we were unaware of the fear attached to the gliders. The soldiers called them “flying coffins”. We were fools to be there in the first place. The first time I went to Africa we sailed from Liverpool, when we got there it was so hot, but we thought never mind, we’ll be moving on soon. It was a place called Mascara and it was hotter still. We were sweating under canvas like bulls till we got acclimatised, there was a lot of dysentery and upset stomachs, but we prepared here for Sicily. We left for Sicily on a Friday in the late evening 9th July 1943, 68 long years ago. I bet you think O.K he’s guessing the date now, no-one’s memory is that good after 68 years! I remember the date as it was my Mother’s birthday. We went from an airstrip in North Africa and flew over the Mediterranean, arriving a few minutes before 10pm, then we glided in to land in Sicily. Looking back now it’s really frightening, you just wanted to get the blessed thing down quick, sometimes we’d cover our faces on the way down, you’d get a sickening feeling, we’d all have white faces – the thing is with a glider you see is that you either land safely or don’t land safely – there’s no middle ground. A lot of us were dropped in the sea, they were cast off too soon or too late so that there was no space to glide in. When you start to come down you can’t do anything, you’ve got no option you’ve just got to hope you land safely. They lost a lot of men. The planes that dropped us in had mostly American pilots, maybe a few English too. It’s hard to define which planes cast off too soon or too late but there were ever so many that came down in the Med and couldn’t keep afloat. Some were saved by being picked up by some old Desert Rats that were just coming back from North Africa overnight by sea, they made for some of the gliders cast short in the water. When then Navy got there and started heavy shelling it shook the island, then it was really frightening. Our objective was the Ponte Grande Bridge in
Syracuse. One glider landed safely near the bridge with four or five others, the same number of men who now have military medals, they got to the bridge and an officer climbed underneath to remove the mines. I landed safely and got captured for fifteen minutes by the Italians. There was a party of us, eight of us so we thought OK lets push on into the spinney. We were crawling from tree to tree, there was a lot of the enemy around, when I reached around a tree for my canteen to have a have a drink of water I heard “Oi, how long you been here corporal?” That was Eddie Cund, he was from Walsall. We were overrun by a big platoon of Italians, they captured us, took our shoelaces, took our paybooks, and that was a hell of a job to get ‘em back. Sgt Williams was in tears! We were captured for 15 minutes to an hour. We were lying low in a ditch, keeping out of sight when Ernie Harper, from Wolverhampton - he was a married chap with two kids, got shot right in front of me. Silly fool, should have gone on lying low but he got a towel on a Sten gun and was waving it at the Italians and they just shot him there and then, lying low would have been safe, my God they fired on us like hell. When we were captured they took my synchronised watch and different things off other men and we were marching away down a railway line when the Cornwall’s came.They’d come over by boat overnight and we were released.We found our way back to the Ponte Grande and we stayed there for a couple of weeks. I was 26 now. We went back to Africa after that, and then after Sicily I came home to Woodall Spa in Lincolnshire to prepare for the Battle of Arnhem. When we got back to Woodall Spa we had a lot of route marches and exercises in the field. We were kept busy all the time. I was at the airfield loading up for Arnhem at dinnertime on Sunday 17th Sept 1944, it was a sunny, showery day, like today. We dropped in to Wolfheze in the Netherlands, about 600 of us Staffords. I’ve heard different opinions on whether the Germans knew we were coming or not, I think that the people at the top (Dutch puppet government) told the Germans and they were
waiting just the other side of the bridge...information may well have been passed on by the Dutch authorities. In any case it was insisted that we made the landing, there were people there with no chance. Still, in my opinion I can’t understand if they really knew that the 9th and 10th Panzer Division were waiting for us why it went ahead? It could have been aborted again, it wasn’t and we lost so many men. It was a catastrophe, no doubt about it, glorious victory it wasn’t. Wolfheze was not too far, perhaps six or seven miles from the bridge. We made about two attempts on it. Lt. Col. McCardie, a battalion commander was in charge. The second and last attempt was in the afternoon. When the Germans broke through at the bridge we retreated. Retreat, it’s a nasty word. You know people say - those who fight and run away? It’s not like that. We managed to get away, a platoon of us. We were near to the bridge when the Germans broke through.The 9th and 10th Panzer came... tanks firing up the road. We went into a slit trench behind a mansion house that someone had dug out. We were rousted out with guns ‘‘rouse rouse!’’. Lt. Reynolds and Lt. Col. McCardie were still inside the house. Reynolds was captured and as they led us away he shoved two fingers up, the German cameraman was smiling at us you see, still, I thought if Reynolds keeps doing this to the guards we are definitely going to stop a bullet here. Then Lt. Reynolds shouted “it’s no good sir, no good, it’s too late.” I don’t know what he was planning but Lt. Col. McCardie was captured there and then. So now I was a POW of the Germans, at camp 12 at Linberg, right in the heart of Germany.There were French nationals, Arabs, Indians, people from all over. From here just before Christmas 1944 I was moved to Comato in Czechoslovakia. It was so very cold.We worked on the railway there, or pretended to work. I was working with a Czech feller, a fetch and carry man for him holding the bolts tight - jobs like that. I was there for 7 months when I first heard that Hitler had packed it in. I don’t know how the information got to us but we were released, the guards just....left. Some went off into Germany. I made my way back with an artillery battery that had come back from Russia, they were on their way to Germany, they dropped us off at Carlsberg in Czechoslovakia and I got to the American lines. They gave us food, we thought we were at a coronation feast compared to what we’d had. From there we were headed back to England but we had to be deloused first, stripped down, we were crawling. JMK. Can you tell me about your medals? GP. Looking at the ribbons, three stars for three battles so that’s Germany, the Med and Italy. There’s two round medals, the Defence Medal and the Victory Medal. There is also the Prisoner Of War medal, and another that is a commemorative one from the Dutch government. JMK. How many children do you have George? GP. I have five children, ten grandchildren, ten great, great grandchildren; I bet you think blimey, he’s been busy! At this point a Staffordshire Regimental Association member who was with us during this interview added: “And a great many friends without a doubt. How many flights in total did you make George?” GP. Well, one, two ......seven in total. You don’t realise at the start what war is, it’s only with hindsight you think never again. The whole of England was at war....soldiers, women making munitions - up all night. Washing clothes and things for those who’d been bombed out. It’s different, there is a feeling of all for one and one for all. We’re all in it.
Defibrillator installed at Cannock Shopping Centre
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n Monday 9th June three members of Cannock Shopping Centre staff were trained in the use of defibrillators and first aid to ensure that if any shoppers become seriously ill whilst at the centre, they are given the best possible chance of survival. A defibrillator is a device that can be used to restart someone’s heart when they’ve suffered a cardiac arrest. These machines are extremely easy to use, meaning people of all ages and walks of life can provide emergency care to those who need it, quickly and effectively prior to the arrival of an ambulance. West Midlands Ambulance Service has provided staff with free training and at present has loaned an automated external defibrillator to the shopping centre whilst they work together with the Cannock Rotary Club in applying for a permanent defibrillator. West Midlands Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation also run a free two hour course called ‘HeartStart’, a community training scheme which teaches individuals vital life-saving skills including CPR and using a defibrillator. Anyone can attend the classes and more information can be found at www.wmas.nhs.uk/Pages/HeartStart.aspx The defibrillator will be located in the Security Control Room within the shopping centre. Cannock also hosts two public access defibrillators at St. Luke’s Church and it is anticipated that a further two defibrillators will be installed within the bus station and ASDA later on in the year. Cannock businesses wishing to enquire about a defibrillator are invited to contact Matt Heward, WMAS Community Response Manager, on 077930 40310.
Published by kind permission of the Parry family. Copyright J. Musgrove Knibb.
George and Joyce Parry.
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Cannock Shopping Centre announces Star Pa
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n Friday 13th June Natal Chapman, Centre Manager of Cannock Shopping Centre presented Derrick Saunders with an engraved Star Pa Award and a £50 voucher from Scotts menswear retailer just in time for Father’s Day, as part of the shopping centre’s ongoing search for unsung heroes in the Cannock community. After receiving a number of nominations, Derrick, aged 69 from Great Wyrley, was chosen as the latest winner of the Cannock Shopping Centre Star Awards. Derrick was nominated by his daughter, Linda. Following a diagnosis of prostate cancer 4 years ago Derrick underwent surgery which, although a success, unfortunately left him with lymphoedema which has caused a large swelling to his leg and hindered his mobility. In the years that followed, Derrick’s knee subsequently deteriorated to the point that he required knee replacement surgery in April 2014. The surgery carried a higher risk as a consequence of complications associated with his lymphoedema and Derrick also endured a prolonged recovery period due to difficulties with rehabilitation physiotherapy. However, despite the struggles with his health, Derrick has remained stoic, upbeat and strong for his family. Linda Saunders, aged 42 from Cannock, commented: “As soon as I saw the competition I knew I wanted to nominate my dad for Cannock’s Star Pa because he is very deserving of such an award. My dad has always been there for me and my older sisters, as well as my mum, and he has also supported me with my disabled daughter whom I have raised as a single parent for 20 years. After all his worries, and the setbacks with his health, my dad still smiles and makes light of every situation – regardless of how he really feels inside he still manages to crack a joke and that’s what makes him a Star Pa!”
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Latest jobs figures
idan Burley MP has welcomed recent unemployment figures, which show the claimant count in Cannock Chase and across the UK is continuing to fall. Figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of unemployed claimants in Cannock Chase constituency in April 2014 was 1,393. This represents a rate of 2.8% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. The number of claimants is 766 lower than in April 2013 and 34 lower than in March 2014. Aidan commented: "While there is still more to do, these latest set of figures are very welcome and show that we are heading in the right direction. More people in jobs means more people bringing home a regular pay packet, giving themselves and their family a more secure future.”
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The Public Buildings of Rugeley and Brereton
O
ur thanks go out again to The Landor Society for these evocative pictures of Rugeley and Brereton.
With the expansion of the town in the mid nineteenth century, need and public pride dictated the provision of improved public buildings. A Town Hall, with open market space underneath, had been built in 1790, with a Savings bank (the Penny Bank), opened in 1817, adjoining. This was demolished when the new Public Buildings were built in 1878. Thes included a Market Hall, Assembly Room (which also acted as Court Room), offices for the Local Board (forerunner of the District Council) and the Police Station with cells and accommodation for officers. A hospital, built by public subscription was opened on Brereton Road in 1871. The new century saw the building of a new Police Station and Post Office (pictured in the June edition of the Chase Gazette). A Fire Station in Taylors Lane was opened in the 1930s. The County Library opened a Centre in the Town Hall in 1931 with 500 books. It was relocated to premises in Brook Square in 1943. Rugeley and Brereton finally got full time libraries in 1960. 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.landor-localhistorysociety-rugeley.btck.co.uk
The Fire Station, demolished when the new station was built on Bryans Lane
The old Town Hall and Penny Bank in Market Place
The new Town Hall building, the main entrance to the market was under the clock tower.
Brook Square. The shop in the low building to the left was used by the County Library from 1943, in the mid 1950s it moved to the first floor rooms above Pendlebury’s, with access through the door on the far right. The interior of the market circa 1970
Brereton Library on Main Road, opened in 1960, photographed in 1994.
Page 30 www.chasegazette.co.uk
Dr William Palmer’s house, opposite The Shrew, when it was the Post Office circa 1904 – 1910.
Rugeley District Hospital circa 1900
Mother’s Day should be more than once a year!
H
ere at the Collier’s table we believe that mom’s everywhere deserve recognition for all the hard work and tasks they perform – day in day out!
So, with this in mind we are making the great money saving offer below which gives you a super opportunity to show your appreciation for all her efforts on behalf of your family. No preparation, no cooking, no clearing up and no washing up! Give her a real treat she will enjoy Why wait for the next official Mother’s Day. Once a year is just not enough!
To reserve your table call The Colliers, on 01889 503951.
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Hundreds of returning soldiers parade through Cannock O
ver 250 soldiers from The Mercian Regiment marched through the centre of Cannock on Friday 27th June to mark their return from operations in Afghanistan. The Mercian Regiment and the Staffordshire Regimental Association have also been granted the Freedom of the District. The parade started at 12pm in Cannock town centre where both organisations received a velum scroll to mark the granting of the Freedom. The decision to grant the Freedom honour on both “Eyes right!” organisations received unanimous backing from Members of Cannock Chase Council. The awarding of the Freedom grants "the freedom to march through the streets of the District with bayonets fixed, drums beating and Colours flying". Cllr George Adamson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: "With the centenary of the start of the First World War almost upon us, it has never been more important to show our respect and gratitude to serving soldiers and veterans of our Armed Forces. The Council is committed to working with its local Armed Forces Communities and what better way to Mercian Regimental Band. show our support and appreciation.” Captain Matt Odell, Adjutant 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, said: "It is a tremendous honour for the Mercian Regiment to receive the Freedom of Cannock Chase. The parade is also part of a homecoming tour, to celebrate the Regiment's return from a nine month gruelling and challenging tour in Afghanistan. "We are looking forward to welcoming the soldiers home, who have all worked extremely hard during the past nine months. However, this immense success on operations has come with a price, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of WO2 Taking the Salute Ian Fisher who was tragically killed in Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams OBE, action whilst serving with A Company." The Lord Lieutenant of The march began at 12pm, with a Staffordshire, Mr Ian salute taken by Lord Lieutenant, Ian Dudson CBE and Dudson. The Colonel of the Regiment, Chairman of Cannock Brigadier Andrew Williams, and the Chase Council, Mr Alan Chairman of Cannock District Pearson.
Members of the Staffordshire Regimental Association.
Children from St. Peter's School, Hednesford, line the route.
Council, Alan Pearson. The parade was led by Commanding Officer of 3 MERCIAN, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Davies. A military band accompanied the soldiers who were also joined by the Staffordshire Regimental Association Mascot, Lance Corporal Watchman V. A short reception then took place, where local soldiers were presented with their operational service medals for Afghanistan. Since its formation in 2007, the Regiment has spent more than two-and-a-half years in on operations in the country. All photos By Robert Yardley Continued on page 34
Town Crier, Peter Taunton, giving instruction to school children. Page 32 www.chasegazette.co.uk
WLCT wins family fitness funding L
EISURE provider WLCT has been awarded £50,000 of Sport England funding to get more families in Cannock active. The funding is part of a three-year £2 million project called Make Your Move, which aims to increase opportunities to participate in sport at a local level in innovative and creative ways. WLCT will use the money to introduce the MyFamilyFitness programme, which will provide familyfriendly participation opportunities through exercise classes, fitness and sports sessions, focusing on deprived communities with the highest levels of inactivity and obesity. Cllr Christine Mitchell, Cannock Chase Council Culture and Sport Portfolio Leader, said: “The Sport England funding is great news for the work being done in Cannock Chase District to encourage local people to take part in sport. Our partnership with WLCT is a fruitful one that is really making a difference.” The Sport England National Lottery Funding is being distributed by Sporta, the representative body for leisure and cultural trusts in the UK. Leisure trusts are able to apply for up to £50,000 and in the first round 13 different projects throughout the UK are being supported.
Armed forces Day at the NMA
O
n Saturday 28th June, despite early rainfall, Armed Forces Day at the National Memorial Arboretum was attended by visitors in their thousands who came to show their support and appreciation for the Armed Forces community. A host of activities and displays took place throughout the day to entertain visitors of all ages, including a circus skills workshop, children’s craft activities, a cadet drill display and a Royal Army Physical Training Corps gym display. There were also performances from several choirs, including Cannock ExService Men’s choir, and from The Trinity Dance Group. The presentation of the Ride to the Wall 2013 cheque was particularly well attended, with a record breaking £82,750 donated to the Arboretum from last year’s remarkable motorcycle event. This brings the total funds
raised by the annual event for the Arboretum to over £316,000. The planned flypast of World War I aircraft was unable to take place because of the weather conditions, but the RAF’s Dakota flypast was an unexpected highlight of the day.
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Hundreds of returning soldiers parade through Cannock. Continued from page 32
Staffordshire Regimental Association Mascot Watchman V, with WO2 Greg Hedges, Watchman's handler, taking the salute, followed by Standard Bearers.
Guests at the reception at Cannock Leisure Centre.
The Mercian Regiment Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams OBE presenting medals. The Reception at Chase Leisure Centre
The Reception at Chase Leisure Centre
Freedom of the District presented by Mr Alan Pearson, Chairman of Cannock Chase Council. Page 34 www.chasegazette.co.uk
The Staffordshire Regimental Association and the Colour Party of the Mercian Regiment 3rd Battalion (The Staffords).
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Gazette Woman Faking It T
o fake it or not to fake it? It’s a question that many of us ask ourselves as we’re faced with the prospect of arriving on our beach holiday with pale, British skin. Now, I’m a fan of celebrating our ‘English Rose’ complexions. For years I experimented with many types of sunless-tanning product and for me, the effect usually wasn’t subtle enough. Now however, bronzing products have caught up with other cosmetic treatments and come in a range of applications that suit pretty much everyone (even someone as lily-white as yours truly!). Sunless tanning products generally fall into two categories - cosmetic bronzers that wash off and sunless tanners that stain the skin and fade as skin cells slough off.
Cosmetic bronzers These products are essentially a form of make-up that add a bronzed glow to the face and body. When you want to remove them, it’s as simple to do as any other makeup. Modern bronzers are also light enough to be used daily. Bronzing powders These are ideal if you’re looking for an easily controlled bronzing option as they are applied with a large, soft brush to brow, cheekbones, nose etc, anywhere you would naturally catch the sun, and can be built up until you reach the required depth of colour. Many also contain luminosity to avoid a matte or muddy effect. MAC Bronzing Powder £20 – Available from maccosmetics.co.uk Bronzing gels and mousses These used to be tricky to apply, but modern gels and mousses are light, fresh and add a sheer layer of colour to face or body. The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel for Face £12 – Available from thebodyshop.co.uk Page 36 www.chasegazette.co.uk
Spray bronzers Almost accident proof, these bronzers are remarkably quick to apply and with a bit of practice you can avoid any patchiness. Spray bronzers are also great for covering imperfections.
sprays. Combined moisturizing cream and lotion formulas build up gradually, add hydration and can be easier to apply than sprays because they allow more control. Gels and sprays dry faster, making them more convenient, and may work better for combination or oily skin types because they're not as heavy as cream formulas. Johnsons Holiday Skin Body Lotion £5.10 – Available from boots.com
M&S Faux Glow Instant Tan Spray £13.50 – Available from marksandspencer.com
Sunless tanning at the salon Salons offer anti aging tanning treatment applications that will leave you with dewy, youthful skin with an added subtle glow. Many include an exfoliating and moisturising treatment before tan application, and with treatments taking from as little as fifteen minutes, and costing from around £20, this is a luxury that most can afford. Many salons also offer a ‘spray tan at home’ option.
Stick bronzers These products can be stroked right on to the skin for instant colour. Top Shop Glow Stick £10 – Available from johnlewis.com Sunless tanning at home Sunless tanners contain a chemical compound that darkens or stains the skin giving you a tan that will develop and deepen after application, or will add a little instant colour. If you’re self tanning at home, make sure to purchase the right product for your skin type. Most tanning products now come in fair, medium and dark formulas. Fair tanning formulas will give you a lighter, peachy glow. Self tanning bronzers come in several formulas including creams, lotions, gels, mousses and
Salon tanning treatments come in many formulas including all organic and even containing real gold particles for added glow. Sculpting tanning treatments use a spray pen to add colour to the abdomen etc, giving a more toned appearance.
Staffordshire College Beauty Therapists Sweep Board
B
eauty Therapy Students from South Staffordshire College are celebrating progress through the regional heats of the WorldSkills UK competition. WorldSkills UK is a framework of regional and national skills competitions delivered each year across the UK for young people and adults.
South Staffordshire College Beauty Therapy students, studying at the College’s Tamworth and Cannock Campuses, competed in the WorldSkills regional competition held at Newcastle-under-Lyme College and enjoyed successes across the board. Jade Aspley, aged 19
from Rugeley and Michaela Hackett from Burntwood competed in the Beauty Therapy Intermediate category and walked away with 1st and 3rd places respectively. Rebecca Hall, aged 20 from Tamworth took 2nd place in the Beauty Therapy Advanced category and Stevie Sherlock, aged 22 from Tamworth and Emily Slater, aged 18 from Cannock took 1st and 2nd place in the Nail Enhancements Intermediate category.
South Staffordshire College Beauty students were given a design brief entitled Once Upon a Time and swept the board, with Nicola Newman from Lichfield, Katie Bacon and Amy Craddock, both from Burntwood, taking the top three slots respectively. Beauty Therapy student Rebecca Stevens, from Cannock, continued the success story, coming second in the Beauty Therapy Advanced category. The students started preparation about two months ago leading up to the regional heat to prepare them for the tough competition. They will now have to wait until August to find out if they have qualified for the WorldSkills National Final.
Families urged to cut back on sugar
F
amilies across Staffordshire are being encouraged to curb their sugar intake – as part of a new national drive to tackle the impact on health. A report by Public Health England sets out plans to deal with the “challenge” of reducing the amount of sugar people consume - and follows calls from leading health experts for parents to ditch fizzy drinks and fruit juice and offer children water instead. In Staffordshire, latest figures show almost a quarter of reception aged children are now classed as being overweight or obese and by the time children become teenagers they are typically consuming 50 per cent more sugar than is recommended. Staffordshire County Council took on the remit of public health in April 2013 and Mark Sutton, Cabinet Support Member for Public Health, said simple lifestyle choices can make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of Staffordshire residents. In its report today “Sugar Reduction: Responding to the Challenge” Public Health England outlines steps to tackle the issue including offering tips for families to cut down sugar, a national campaign on sugar reduction in January 2015 and advice to the food industry, government and consumers on nutrition messages on sugar. The main sources of sugar for younger children are soft drinks, fruit juice and confectionary, with teenagers getting their increased intake from soft drinks and energy drinks. Dr Alison Teale, a public health consultant with Staffordshire County Council, said: “Diets which are high in sugar not only contribute to weight problems, but also make people more prone to a range of serious health issues in later life, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. “So we would certainly encourage people to look at their diets to see how easy, small changes can make a significant difference to reducing their risk of longer-term health problems.” Simple Sugar Swaps: Drink – Swap sugary drinks for water and lower fat milk Snack – Swap sweets, biscuits and cakes for fruit, unsalted nuts, rice cakes or toast Breakfast – Swap sugary cereal for porridge or whole wheat biscuits Pudding – Swap sugary puds for low fat plain yoghurts or fruit Food labels – Swaps products for those labelled “no added sugar” or “sugar free”
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Leaflets distributed
Southwell Mott Solicitors Southwell Mott has taken part in Will Aid. Last year we raised nearly £4,500 for charity and this year we will equal that figure.
Southwell Mott offer a full range of legal services which include:• Conveyancing
• Matrimonial • Cohabitee • Employment • Children disputes • Trusts
Why not ask about our leaflet distribution, leaflet design and print services? We cover 15,000 homes and businesses every month. Enquiries to Paul Tel :- 01543 302748
• Wills • Divorce • Probate • Civil
Southwell Mott 25 Lombard Street, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 6DP. Tel: 01543 256098 Email: ssmallman@southwellmott.co.uk jmott@southwellmott.co.uk
Gazette contacts Editor
Paul Oakley 07875 475540 / 01543 302748 paul@chasegazette.co.uk Deputy Editor
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Helen Smith 07967 154187 pebblesdesignagency@hotmail.co.uk
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