CANNOCK • RUGELEY • HEDNESFORD
JAN/FEB 2014 ISSUE 5
A SELECT MAGAZINE FOR THE CANNOCK CHASE AREA
COLLIS Est. 1957
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G azette contents Chase
6
Win lunch for two people
24 Win tickets to Homebuilding & Renovating show, NEC
25 Schools Feature
30 Win a copy of Fragilie Boundaries 35 Competition winners
36 Gazette Woman - Win Body Shop Goodies
39 Small Adverts
Tracks on the Chase Copyright Rob Cross
Win lunch for two at Netherstowe House in Lichfield page 6
contributors • • • •
Caz Jo nes John Crowe Michael H ewitt Ant hony Hun t
• • • •
Joss Musgrove Knibb Kate Gome z Robert Yardle y Trevor McFarl an e
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. A limited number of the Chase Gazette are available and can be purchased at 90p from our office. All proceeds go to charity. 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.
contact the Gazette see page 39 Page 4 www.chasegazette.co.uk
Jan/Feb 2014
Editor’s Notes You can’t have what you never miss!
I was in a second-hand furniture shop in Hednesford last week when I spotted a cocktail bar. It reminded me of a conversation I had had with my cousin the previous week. My cousin recollected a cocktail bar my parents owned in the late sixties that was shaped like the bow of a motorboat complete with anchor and portholes. It got me thinking about one of my earliest memories of playing ‘hide and seek’ with my cousins in my grandparent’s house. My favourite hiding place was in the bedroom behind the dressing table or behind the telephone table in the hallway. Whatever happened to dressing tables, cocktail bars and telephone tables? Gone no doubt the same way as lava lamps, the ubiquitous freestanding kitchen unit and garden gnomes. They are to be seen these days in trendy vintage/retro shops, which are sprouting up around the country. I swear I was in one last week and it was spookily set out like my childhood home in the late 1950s. I was only a short step away from envisaging my mother complete with apron and mixing bowl with ‘Workers Playtime’ on the radiogram in the parlour (only used on Sundays). In my day if I misbehaved I would get sent to my room as a punishment. Which meant a cold room with nothing but a bed and a mahogany chest of drawers and a single wardrobe. These days a child would see a hardship being sent to their room if the wi-fi is turned off. Or am I being very cynical? I remember not having fitted carpet, TV or fridge, and when they came along they marked a landmark in our lives. I certainly remember coming home from school to central heating, a front porch, colour TV and double-glazing. But I don’t recall things disappearing. I don’t remember noticing the coalhouse doing a bunk, the wind-up alarm clock calling it a day or the roof aerial giving up the ghost, and where’s our airing cupboard gone? Wasn’t there a huge copper tank in there? Mind you, it’s a great place to hide. Yours truly, Paul Oakley. Editor
Could you help the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust?
GazetteNews
If you would like to help protect the wildlife and wild places in your local area, why not consider fundraising for the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust? Stafford Half Marathon 2014 The Trust are after runners of all abilities to run the Stafford Half Marathon on Sunday 16th March 2014 on behalf of the Trust. Runners will recieve a specially designed Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Half Marathon T-shirt, as well as help with fundraising. Sign up to the event via their website www.staffswildlife.org.uk and download your fundraising pack to start collecting sponsors For more information you can also contact the fundraising manager on 01889 880109, or email j.dennison@staffs-wildlife.org.uk. Local Man Raises £600 for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Bob Hoare, from Stafford, raised more than £600 for the Trust after trekking more than 145 miles through the challenging Kyrenia mountain range in Cyprus in just 10 days. Nature-loving Bob, who also volunteers for the Trust to carry out conservation work on reserves, asked friends and family to sponsor him for the feat. He said: "I had never done any mountain walking before so it was a bit of a challenge for me and I was quite nervous beforehand, but I really enjoyed the experience. As a Trust volunteer I could see the benefits of the work that the Trust carries out on its nature reserves. I was really pleased to raise money to support local wildlife projects.”
Southwell Mott Solicitors
Southwell Mott has taken part in Will Aid last November. Last year we raised nearly £4,500 for charity and we hope to beat that. Southwell Mott offer a full range of legal services which include:• Conveyancing • Wills • Matrimonial • Divorce • Probate • Cohabitee • Employment • Civil • Children disputes • Trusts
Southwell Mott 25 Lombard Street, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 6DP. Tel: 01543 256098 Email: ssmallman@southwellmott.co.uk jmott@southwellmott.co.uk Page 5
GazetteNews
When snow came to Cannock By Michael Hewitt
WIN
LUNCH
FOR TWO PEOPLE AT Netherstowe House
Chase the Dog
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owards the end of the 1800’s great strides had been taken to improve the conditions for all the people in the district of Cannock, Hednesford, Penkridge and Rugeley, however; Mother Nature was not to be argued with and January 1895 brought bad weather into Staffordshire. It was reported 'The snow did fall and King Frost reigned and though seasonable it no doubt pinches the poor and weak but is not unhealthy.' Fortunately the bad weather was not to deter the newly formed Cannock and Hednesford Fire Brigade who held its annual dinner in the Fire Station in the company of a few of their friends. The station, which was sited where The Prince of Wales Centre now stands (formally known as Queens Square) was described in the local Advertiser as having been 'nicely titivated up'. The report continued ‘Despite the fact that the wind blew outside and the mercury in the thermometer was low the spirits of the Firemen were high. For the second year running the popular captain, T. Arnott, was detained at the colliery and could not attend. As the bells of St. Luke's Church struck up in honour of the New Year (let us hope the clock was telling the correct time) and hooters were sounding, Mr. T. Bond struck up with ‘Salvation, oh the joyful sound'. With the Firemen in full uniform the New Year was toasted.' With the cold weather dominating the district the miners should have been working overtime to meet the demand. However; with the canals frozen over and transport at a virtual standstill there was nowhere for the coal to go. The report continued - 'Someone must have upset Mother Nature when, on 19th. January, more snow fell bringing transport to a halt. Football pitches were completely deserted and many roads into and out of Cannock and Hednesford were blocked. The Milk Waggon had difficulty in getting through but somehow managed to get its precious cargo to those most vulnerable. Many churches on the Sunday morning were deserted as people focused on clearing a passage around their own homes. At noon on the Sunday a thaw started but did not improve things until Tuesday. Up until the thaw many deer were seen coming out of the Chase in search of food and were not frightened by walkers in the area.' Snow Ploughs were not available and any snow clearance was done with a shovel and a great deal of hard work. Some streets were not cleared until a thaw had set in and this could be several weeks. Towns were deserted and shopkeepers would be the first to suffer with lack of trade. The scene in Cannock Town Centre (circa1900) illustrates the difficulties heavy snow falls brought to traders. No talk of Global Warming in those days!
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Chase is a naughty little puppy! True to form he has scampered off and got lost 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 Monday 9 September 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 Ms Alexander of Fortescue Lane, Rugeley who spotted Chase the Dog on page 39 of the December 2013 issue of Chase Gazette.
My Word
Call yourself a logophile?
Test your vocabulary with our quiz. The prize is an inner glow of satisfaction and superiority.
Q. What is globophobia? A. A fear of snow-globes. B. A fear of balloons. C. A fear of puppets.
The answer is B. Globophobia is a fear of balloons.
Cannock Town Centre looking North with St. Luke’s Churchyard on the right.(circa 1900) Photograph courtesy of Ray Smith © - The Museum of Cannock Chase
Win a Lunch for Two (Mon-Thurs) and enjoy the Netherstowe House experience. A small, family owned and run boutique hotel and restaurant that strives to be the best, with a friendly, personal touch. The family and team are very proud to have been voted 'Restaurant of the Year' at this years Taste of Staffordshire Good Food Awards. To celebrate the forthcoming festive season the award winning restaurant has created a unique seasonal menu for guests to enjoy value and excellence at lunch or dinner throughout December. Priced at just £19.95 for two courses and £24.95 for three courses, the emphasis is on affordable luxury by creating flavoursome, classic dishes with a modern twist, freshly produced on site using the finest ingredients.
The Chase Parkinson’s Group
GazetteNews
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he Chase Parkinson’s Group held its first meeting on 28th October at The Aquarius Ballroom (Victoria St, Hednesford, WS12 1BT). It was a very successful meeting with over 50 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and their guests attending.
The first meeting in 2014 takes place on the 27th January when the invited speakers will be Annette Logan (a Parkinson’s Nurse) and Jackie Murrall (Branch & Volunteer Support Officer West Midlands). Speakers have been arranged for future meetings, which run from 7.30 to 9.00 on the last Monday of each month.
Council replace grounds maintenance and street cleansing vehicles
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Councillor Carl Bennett
annock Chase Council are investing in the replacement of seventeen grounds maintenance and street cleansing vehicles early next year.
The vehicles (which are currently hired) are nearing the end of their life and subject to breakdowns. The purchase of replacement vehicles will ensure ongoing operational efficiency and reduce maintenance time as well as helping lower the environmental impact of the fleet on the environment.
Councillor Carl Bennett, Environment Portfolio Leader said: "This is the best value option for the District. We have been caught out in the past when the street cleansing companies we used went bankrupt. We have recently brought these services in house so the decision to invest makes sense to ensure that we can offer an optimum service to our residents."
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GazetteNews • Thank you to all of the readers who have sent photographs of the beautiful Chase region in to us. What a talented lot you are! To the right is another picture of the Chase by Rob Cross, who also took this issue's front cover image. • 4,000 people have signed a petition against the building of homes on green-belt land between Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay. The campaign against the development is the brain-child of MP Gavin Williamson. • NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is appealing to people across Staffordshire to consider giving blood in 2014. If you are in good health, are aged between 17 and 65 (if you’ve already donated in the last two years, there’s no maximum age limit), and weigh over 7st 12lb you could be eligible to donate. For more information or an appointment call 0300 123 23 23 or go to www.blood.co.uk
T
Frost on the Chase copyright Rob Cross.
SI Cannock Quiz Night
hank you to Soroptimists International Cannock District for sending us this report on their latest meeting. SI Cannock and District’s latest speaker was Kara Bird who works as an embalmer within the Co-operative Funeral profession. She was introduced by team President Lakhwinder Thompson and, despite this being a possibly difficult subject, gave an interesting and at times amusing talk. Kara has worked in the profession for 20 years and explained that the most rewarding part of the job for her is the reconstructive work she undertakes, thus giving comfort to the bereaved when they see their loved ones at peace. She told club members that she has done reconstruction work with soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan and that a team of embalmers are set to fly out to the Philippines to work in the disaster areas. Kara feels it is important that work such as hers is ‘de-mystified’ so that it is not seen as something to be frightened of – indeed, she has told her own 4 year old daughter about her job. Soroptimist Ann Rotchell thanked Kara for her enlightening talk. The quiz, on Tuesday 14th January, is being held at The Barns, Huntington, to raise funds for the BIG project - Birthing in The Gambia. Teams of four are invited to participate, tickets are £7.50 each and a hot supper is included. Teams can register on Kara Bird with Lakhwinder Thompson, Team si.cannock@outlook.com or by President SI Cannock & District phoning 07971 494510
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A Fortunate Coincidence
By Trevor McFarlane
ith national fervour stirred at the outbreak of the Great War, the men of Cheslyn Hay once again proved their pride and patriotism in their country by volunteering in droves. Despite the fact that mining was a reserved occupation, it has often been said that Cheslyn Hay had more volunteers for its Osmund Hawkins lived to the full but still left size than any other village or town in England. And these life£174,000 in his will in 1957. volunteers came from men from all walks of life. Some from a comfortable, privileged and moneyed background whilst some came from more desperate and hard working surroundings, but either way their motives were of the same order. It was seen as a matter of personal pride to enlist in the early days of the conflict and two of these first volunteers were Mr Osmond C Hawkins and Jack Hawkins. Both named Hawkins and both from Cheslyn Hay, but that is where the similarities ended. Not related, Mr Osmond was from Glenthorne House, eldest son of the owner of the Coppice Colliery Thomas Albert Hawkins, educated at Cambridge University and joined as an officer in the Second North Midland Field Battery in company with Major C. Hatton and ‘other local gentlemen’ whilst Jack from Station Street had been working at Gilpins since leaving school and enlisted on 4th September 1914 when he was just eighteen years of age. Their unit had been engaged in the trenches incessantly and they suffered several casualties from this local force but in June 1915, Lieutenant Osmond Hawkins was struck by a piece of shrapnel on his left thigh which placed him out of all action and an inevitable return to England for rest and recuperation. However, Mr and Mrs John Hawkins received a letter from their son Jack explaining the incident and remarking how lucky he, himself, had been during the same raid. A section of Jack’s letter reads... ‘We still keep going up to the trenches and are having some very rough times with shells etc. I shall never forget Friday afternoon we had no less than 41 shrapnel shells at us in less than a quarter of an hour and our officer, Mr Osmond Hawkins was wounded in the thigh. When they started shelling we all lay down in the bottom of the trenches and Mr Hawkins came to where I was lying and said there were too many in the trenches, so I rushed out into a dugout and the officer moved into the place where I had moved from and was hit with shrapnel. If I had not gone to the dugout I might have had it myself. A few minutes later Mr Hawkins intimated that he was hit and the shells were dropping all around. Four of us Corporal Wilner, Sapper Pagett, Sapper Edgerton and myself went to him while Sapper James rushed off on a cycle to the dressing station for a doctor. While he was away we laid him on a door and ran with him all the way to the dressing station – about six hundred yards away and under heavy fire. The doctor heartily congratulated us on our work and also took our names and reported us to the General for our brave work. I am pleased to say we did our duty.’ The following week news was received that ‘Sapper Jack Hawkins RE, youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Hawkins of Station Street, Cheslyn Hay, has been recommended for the D.S.M. for bravery in the field. For the remainder of their lives it seemed that the paths of Mr Osmond Hawkins and Mr Jack Hawkins hardly ever crossed as the former, as owner of the Hawkins Colliery, spent most of his life at his Berkeley Street address in London and Jack, after being demobbed, became transport manager at the Cannock Agricultural before spending the rest of his life in the licensing trade, keeping the Anglesey Arms in Bridgtown for 20 years. Jack died suddenly aged only 60 in 1956, twelve months before Osmond, the man whose life he saved. Reproduced from Tales of Cheslyn Hay by kind permission of Mr Trevor McFarlane
Jack Hawkins (seated centre) with his trombone, a mainstay for years with the renowned Cheslyn Hay Victoria Band. Page 8 www.chasegazette.co.uk
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GazetteNews
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Pinson’s Leap The Story of a Story By Kate Gomez
verywhere has its stories. From highwaymen to heroes, from lost souls to extraordinary discoveries, these tales bring the past of our villages, towns and cities to life and capture our imaginations. The 14th Annual National Storytelling Week takes place between February 1st and February 8th this year, and what better way to celebrate than by telling a story about a story.
Colton Mill Bridge, Rugeley
In 1893, a native of Rugeley returned from many years’ absence and was dismayed to find that many of the town’s traditions were fading into oblivion. The maypole at the Horse Fair had been removed and the wild scenery of Stile Cop and the pleasant grounds at Hagley were no more. Yet above everything else, it was the disappearance of an old inscription, once carved into the stonework of the Colton Mill Bridge that compelled this Rugeleyite to write to the Lichfield Mercury, under the pen name ‘Colton Bridge’ and share the following tale. Around the end of the seventeenth century, a young man called William H Pinson was responsible for collecting the mails from Rugeley, Colton and the Ridwares, and carrying them to Stafford in a leather valise strapped to his saddle. One dark and stormy winter’s evening, William’s friends warned him that there was a gang of rogues operating in the area known as the ‘Old Wood’ and begged him to take care. However, William was a bold and fearless rider and, determined to get the mails through to Stafford, set out unafraid into the dark Rugeley night. Yet, as he reached the bridge which would take him out of the town, he encountered the band of ruffians which his friends had forewarned him about. They set upon him, demanding that he hand over his valise. “You will never handle Pinson’s mails”, cried William and, with a shot from his pistol, he steered his horse over the parapet of the bridge into the dark and icy waters of the River Trent below. According to ‘Colton Bridge’, no one knows whether William Pinson survived the Page 10 www.chasegazette.co.uk
leap, but the people of Rugeley paid tribute to their brave postman by marking the spot on the bridge with the inscription ‘Pinson’s Leap’. ‘Colton Bridge’ considered these events were such an important part of the town’s history that a ‘Pinson Memorial Committee’ should be formed to raise funds for a brass tablet to replace the inscription and ensure that ‘Pinson’s Leap’ was not forgotten by the people of Rugeley. However, just a week after Colton Bridge’s letter was published, another article appeared in the Lichfield Mercury, telling a different version of the story, as follows. One evening in 1816, the postman who was usually responsible for taking mail to the Ridwares was unable to do so, and the task fell to his colleague, twenty one year old James Pinson. Despite being an inexperienced horseman, James was given a blind pony to carry out the job. As darkness fell and James crossed the narrow, old bridge something spooked his sightless mount, who vaulted over the low parapet of the bridge, landing in the field below. The pony was killed but Pinson was unharmed and is presumed to have continued his journey on foot or to have returned to the town for assistance. Someone marked the site of the accident for posterity (or perhaps mischief) with a crude inscription on the corner of the bridge which read ‘J Pinson’s Leap 1816’. The above version is mostly supported by an entry in the ‘Provincial Occurrences’ section of The Monthly Magazine published in 1815, which gives ‘a short account of an extraordinary accident happening at Colton Mill, Staffordshire’. The magazine describes how a young man was conveying the mail bag from Rugeley to Uttoxeter on horseback, when on arriving at the bridge to Colton, his horse took fright and jumped the battlement, falling from a height of twenty feet into very shallow water, killing the horse on the spot but leaving the young man unharmed. However, there are some differences, namely the year in which these
Colton Mill Bridge Rugeley and the River Trent
events are said to have occurred and also in the ending, which in this account has the postman, scared of being punished for the accident, running off and leaving the mail bags behind him. Perhaps this is why, years later, James Pinson was said to have ‘administered a sound castigation to a lad who twitted him many years after on his famous leap’? Whilst his pride may have been damaged by the fall, it seems that his career as a postman was not. The 1851 census for Rugeley shows a James Pinson, aged 56, living in King Street with his wife Martha, and children John, Sarah, Betty, Thomas, William and Frank and working as a letter carrier! The Mercury described the ‘Colton Bridge’ account of Pinson’s Leap, as ‘purely imaginary’, yet this isn’t strictly true. All three accounts recounted above are really just different versions of what is essentially the same story. Every time a story is told it evolves - whether we intend to or not we exaggerate and we sensationalise, we miss bits out and we add bits in. Perhaps by the time Colton Bridge had heard the story it had been told and retold umpteen times by the people of Rugeley and had absorbed a little bit of the imagination of each of
The River Trent flowing under Colton Mill Bridge
Lots of graffiti but the inscription to 'Pinson's Leap' is long gone
them? There may be no inscription or brass tablet on Colton Mill Bridge but let’s hope that story of the story of Pinson’s Leap lives on. Sources: Lichfield Mercury Archive The Monthly Magazine, 1815
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A Winter's Tale Mr and Mrs Smith
GazetteNews
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ohn and Jean Smith could be your neighbours. Generally they do well, get out and about, try and keep active. But their family live miles away, and they struggle a bit with housework, find the shopping very hard work, and no longer run a car they use buses, which are very good but not as frequent as they used to be, and although neighbours offer to help, Mr and Mrs Smith don't like to feel they are imposing. They have been married for fifty years and they feel they do all right. Do you know anyone like them? Jean is a bit worried because John has started to get a bit forgetful and Jean has recently had a fall and is a bit nervous about getting out for the shopping. Jean used to the cooking and can't do what she used to do. The milkman no longer delivers on that road, and the free newspaper sometimes is left in the porch.
South Staffordshire and is completely free of charge. It will provide links to cookery classes, shopping services, meals in the home, bereavement support, carer's support, care and help at home services, lunch clubs, and much more besides. The service includes some of the best known names in the area and has links across many agencies. It we cannot help directly, normally we will know someone who can.
There is a new wellbeing service that will do a free check on nutrition, lifestyle, wellbeing and a host of other issues, and using a professional dietitian, a large support network and trained volunteer mentors, will try and provide a range of support and signposting, following an initial assessment. The Eat Well Staffordshire service is a partnership led by Age UK
Would you like to make a Winter Wish for yourself, or a neighbour, or a friend? Would you like the reassurance that your loved one, friend, or neighbour was getting enough nutrition this Winter to keep themselves well and illness at bay? The temperature is chilly and summer seems a long way off. Spring is round the corner, but there are some crisp and cold
Are they getting enough this Winter?
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The new service has a focus on people over 65 and will consider people from across the whole of Southern Staffordshire, where there is a concern for wellbeing where there is potential to provide support particularly in relation to food, diet and wellbeing, social contact and access to services which will keep people well in good spirits and better able to ward off infection, falls, depression and isolation.
challenges to face before April beckons!
Nominate your neighbour or friend or family member - with a Winter Wish for Wellbeing - telephone the Eat Well Staffordshire Team on 01785 788 496/7 for further information and support. We also have a limited number of training opportunities for volunteer mentors - if you think you might be interested in this rewarding role, phone 01785 788 483 or 496.
Information can also be found on www.ageuk.org.uk/southstaffs
(The case study is a composite of several people)
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GazetteNews
Celebrate Special Occasions in Memorable Style…
Hednesford author secures publishing deal after 26 years
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hen you have a special event to mark, there’s only one way to celebrate, and that’s in style. With two restaurants, sumptuous lounges, a charming bar and two private events suites, Netherstowe House in Lichfield resonates with the sound of laughter and celebration throughout the year. Their long-standing team can help you plan original and memorable celebrations and events, taking care of all the important details, so you can sit back, relax and cherish time spent with your guests. Netherstowe House specialise in stylish and intimate events and exclusive use wedding parties. They can comfortably accommodate up to 30 guests for fine dining and up to 50 guests overnight in their boutique bedrooms and contemporary Courtyard Apartments. The approach to this unpretentious gastronomic hot spot gives a real sense of seclusion which makes it the ideal venue for those looking to indulge in a seasonal soiree and past well known guests who have enjoyed doing just that include Sir Roger Moore, Helen Baxindale, Barry Norman CBE, Claire Sweeny and Nelson Mandela actor Idris Elba to name but a few.
Exclusively Yours… Exclusive use of Netherstowe House means that the hotel, courtyard apartments, restaurants and grounds will remain closed, and their discreet and dedicated team will become yours for the entirety of your stay - you will be Lord of the manor! All that’s left is for you to tell them how and where you would like to dine, and their award-winning chefs will prepare the menus. Cocktails can be served in the lounge, garden or bar and beauty treatments can take place in your room. They can also assist in the organisation of most activities and a chauffeur can be booked for small group tours. With pretty gardens, elegant interiors and attentive personalised hospitality, Netherstowe House Hotel and Restaurant is simply the most impeccable backdrop for unforgettable gatherings and romantic wedding celebrations. They’d Love to Hear From You… The Netherstowe House Hospitality Team will be delighted to show you the venue and discuss your specific requirements in greater detail. Call 01543 254270 or visit www.netherstowehouse.com
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uthor Rosemary Craddock (80) who was born and lives in Hednesford has secured a publishing deal with her latest novel The Lovegrove Hermit, after a gap of 26 years. Rosemary’s first book The Secret House was published in 1979 and she then went on to have a book published nearly every year until 1986 when The Devil’s Folly was launched. She has been writing since childhood and has had several novels published full of mystery, romance and intrigue, most of them set in the nineteenth century. In 1987, after writing seventeen chapters of her work in progress, Rosemary decided that there was something missing so she put it to one side. She did not write again for many years. Two years ago, Rosemary watched a Tom Stoppard play called Arcadia and it was this play that inspired her to write a book where one of the characters was a hermit and the name The Lovegrove Hermit came to her immediately. All bundled up, with the synopsis and a covering letter, the manuscript was sent off to her previous publisher – Robert Hale Ltd and they almost immediately came back and offered her a publishing contract. Rosemary said: “I’m delighted after all this time, that the same publisher enjoyed my book and decided to go ahead and publish it. I’m already working on the next one, so watch this space!” The book was published on 31st October 2013 and is available to buy in Hednesford Library as well as via www.halebooks.com
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GazetteNews
Two Staffordshire solicitors complete collaborative law training
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hilst the super-rich frequently hit the headlines with divorces involving long, drawn-out expensive courtroom battles, couples separating in Staffordshire can now take a less stressful approach. Experienced family lawyers Susan Davies and Laura Lambert from Ansons Solicitors in Lichfield and Cannock have now completed their training to offer an alternative way to settle family disputes, known as collaborative law. Under the collaborative law process, each person appoints their own collaboratively trained lawyer and the couples and their respective lawyers all meet together to work things out face to face. Each person has their lawyer by their side throughout the meetings and so benefits from their support and legal advice when required. Everyone involved, including the lawyers, signs an agreement that commits the parties to trying to resolve the issues without going to court and prevents the lawyers from representing you in court if the collaborative process breaks down. That means everyone is absolutely committed to finding the best solution by agreement, rather than through court proceedings. The collaborative option is suitable for all aspects of family breakdown, including disputes
over children or finances and is an ideal process for pre-nuptial and civil partnership agreements. It can also be used to resolve disputes arising from the separation of an unmarried couple. “The benefits of the collaborative service are clear”, says Ansons family law expert Susan Davies. “Couples feel more in control and the process encourages openness and honesty instead of mistrust. By communicating face to face we can help each couple to find constructive solutions that suit their personal situation.” During the negotiations, which take place over a series of meetings, other professionals such as accountants, pension experts and financial advisors can be invited to join the meeting to offer advice. The lawyers manage the whole process and help you to come to an agreement. To help you get legal advice when you need it most, Ansons Solicitors family law department are offering free initial appointments on all family law matters throughout January. To claim your free initial family law appointment contact Susan Davies 01543 267 190 or Laura Lambert on 01543 431 996 at Ansons Solicitors. Ansons have offices in Cannock and Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Carol E Wyer looks at the funny side of the menopause
The work of the award winning Rugeley author Carol E Wyer often manages to find the funny side of the ageing process. In her latest book she tackles an issue that doesn't always put a smile on women's faces. It's called Grumpy Old Menopause, and it's a light-hearted guide to making it through that time of life, with an A-Z of strategies, anecdotes and jokes. Grumpy Old Menopause is out now.
Rugeley Road car park prioritised for shoppers
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annock Chase Council and Aldi have announced plans to place a maximum four hour waiting time restriction on the Rugeley Road car park, Hednesford.
This is so that shoppers and leisure user’s needs are prioritised. The car park remains free to use up to this four hour maximum. The four hour restriction is being put in place to prevent people from leaving their car parked all day in this car park.
Cannock Chase Council will introduce a parking order on the Council’s section of the car park, to impose a four hour maximum stay and the parking order came into effect on 9th December 2013. The restriction will operate between 8am and 3pm Monday to Saturday, excluding Bank Holidays. Anybody parking for more than four hours from this date may be subject to a penalty notice.
The arrangements would be subject to regular monitoring for the maximum benefit of shoppers. Aldi will be introducing a similar arrangement based on the four hour maximum stay for the section of the car park that is under their management and will also be keeping this under review to ensure their customer needs are being met.
Councillor Diane Todd, Portfolio Leader for Town Centre Regeneration said: “It is important as part of the town centre regeneration that the car park is used for its intended purpose as a short term shopper’s car park and for leisure use.”
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20% OFF In celebration of our 2nd birthday
Reasons to Celebrate our
2nd BIRTHDAY
As The Smile Centre approaches its second birthday there’s good reasons for you to join them in the celebration of their success with a 20% discount* If you don’t have any natural teeth you can go straight to The Smile Centre, if you have some natural teeth or implants you can still go straight to The Smile Centre and they, where necessary, will organise any appointments with a dentist for you. The Smile Centre is the only Clinical Dental Technicians Practice in Lichfield, Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, out of hours appointments are available. Book your free consultation today.
*Discount applies to dentures only, for consultations before 31st January 2014
A few comments from our patients, you too could be feeling like them;
“I would recommend The Smile Centre, Lichfield for excellent service and products.” S Ellicott, Lichfield
“I have no ridge on my lower jaw. My lower denture fits like a glove so I am delighted with my new dentures and my new smile.” E Bartle, Cannock
“I am extremely pleased with my new dentures. I feel they are tailor made for me (which of course they are!). I didn’t realise that dentures could be so carefully crafted for an individual.” C Harris, Burntwood
“The most comfortable dentures I have ever had.” S L Redfurn, Rugeley
Come directly to a Clinical Dental Technician - The Smile Centre is the only Clinical Dental Technician’s Practice in Lichfield. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Out of hours appointments by arrangement.
• REPAIRS • DENTURES • FINANCE • RELINES • DENTURE STABILISTAION AVAILABLE
CGZ
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GazetteNews
Acorns Thanks Chase for 25 years of support
A
s a year of special celebrations draws to an end, Acorns Children’s Hospice is reflecting on being part of the Cannock Chase community for a quarter of a century. In the 25 years since Princess Diana officially
opened the first Acorns hospice in Selly Oak in Birmingham, 41 life limited and life threatened children and their families from across Cannock Chase have
www.childlife.org.uk
received care and support from the charity. Chief executive David Strudley commented: “Acorns relies on voluntary donations and fundraising for the majority of the income needed to provide specialist palliative care, so we simply wouldn’t have been able to help those 41 children and families without the ongoing support of the local community. “We know from our records that in the last 25 years individuals, groups, organisations and businesses in Cannock Chase have helped us to the tune of over £749,000. At our current running costs of £750 per child per day, that’s the equivalent of nearly 100 days of care for local life limited children! The ways that people find to support Acorns are endless and never cease to amaze and humble us.” Cannock Chase has also supported the children’s charity through its network of stores, by either donating unwanted items or shopping for clothing, books and many other goods. The shop in Brownhills has enjoyed 18 years of custom from local shoppers to help raise vital funds. David Added: “It’s not just financial support that we want to recognise and say thank you for. Acorns depends on an army of volunteers giving up their time to help out in the hospices, shops and out and about in the community. There are currently 18 active volunteers from Cannock Chase alone supporting the organisation. Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to do so much valuable work.” This look back comes as Acorns enters the first full calendar year of its ambitious five year growth strategy which aims to help to provide palliative care and support to the 2,000 plus estimated life-limited and life-threatened children in the region. “On behalf of everyone at Acorns, I extend a big thank you to the Cannock Chase community and appeal to supporters past, present and future to make Acorns a part of their plans for 2014 in whatever way they can.” For further information about Acorns Children’s Hospice visit www.acorns.org.uk, email info@acorns.org.uk or call 01564 825000. Page 18 www.chasegazette.co.uk
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GazetteFeature
Stepping Back in Time
T
Market Square, Rugeley.
hanks once again to the lovely people at the Landor Society for sending us such a great selection of photographs to share with our readers. This time we’re exploring Market Square in Rugeley. 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
A close-up of Whitworths in 1915
Market Square by the 1960’s - Masons had been taken over by International Stores. R H Dean was a butcher.
The Shoulder of Mutton - This inn was in Rugeley during Dr William Palmer (Palmer the Poisoner’s) time. It stood near to where the Clock Tower is now. It was demolished when the Town Hall in Anson Street was built. Page 20 www.chasegazette.co.uk
Market Square in about 1910 - Dilger’s were house furnishers. The shop with white blinds is the chemist Averill’s which later became Boots. To the right of the ‘National Provincial Bank of England’ is the short lived ‘Central Commercial’ Hotel.
Market Square, probably mid 1920’s - Whitworth’s is now George Masons. Tunnicliffes were bakers and confectioners.
Market Square around 1900 - The shop on the left is Whitworth’s.
The beginning of Market Street in 1905 with Harris’s ironmongers on the left (later Blagg’s) and the Shrewsbury Arms on the right.
The Old Town Hall Rugeley - The Old Town Hall is shown here with a market underneath and the “Penny Bank” at the front which was added in 1844. The building on the right is now part of Colin Lee’s Opticians. Page 21
GazetteNews
CANNOCK CHASE ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’
T
he Business Start-up & Growth Show – Staffordshire 2014 will take place on Thursday 30th January 2014 at the new Aquarius Ballroom, Hednesford – next to the New TESCO’s store. The aim of the show is to bring local businesses together. If you are a new or existing business or thinking of starting a new business we can potentially offer you free business support to help your business grow. This ALL day event, open to the public FREE 10am – 4pm, will help you get started or gain valuable help and advice from likeminded people. Organiser Linda Whitehouse says: “The aim of the show is to bring private sector and public sector third party providers all under one roof (which is not an easy task to say the least!) We are using this as a pilot event and will then be hoping to run it on a regular annual basis. ‘Start ups’ need all the help and support they can get, plus sole traders and SME’s as we all know are the back bone of this country, and no more so than here in the Cannock Chase area.” There are exhibition/trade stands available and there is still time to book your own stand and get you and your business noticed. Stands/space are from £199 - larger stands and sponsorship packages are available. Don’t miss this great opportunity to raise your business profile locally. Here’s what you can find: • Several Workshops, Business Presentations and Seminars throughout the day • Signposting to other organisations and 3rd party providers • 3 Inspirational Guest Speakers • Speed Networking Meeting (All proceeds from Networking event going to TWO local charities – Midlands Air Ambulance & Teenage Cancer Trust) – tickets on sale £10 per delegate • Lots of Fun interaction Activities on the Day • 5 minute interviews “Pitch your Business” to the panel. Winner gets a prize (yet to be confirmed) AND lots more happening on the day. Linda Whitehouse explained her philosophy and reason for the show: “I'm a local entrepreneur and have 4 small businesses. I take my role as a local councillor very seriously and work hard within my local community to bring the right people and services together. My career so far for organising events and seminars locally, nationally and overseas is second to none. I am also a keynote and public speaker and organise and attend lots of workshops and networking groups. I feel the power of networking is key to help and support local people start or grow an already established business which I know first hand is much needed in our local community.”
Page 22 www.chasegazette.co.uk
GazetteNews
Win tickets to the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, NEC, Birmingham, 27-30 March 2014 T
he National Homebuilding and Renovating Show, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements and running from 27-30 March 2014 at the NEC in Birmingham, is a must for those building a new home from scratch or tackling a renovation project. For 2014, the exhibition, aimed at the serious self-builder, is reenergising itself with a host of new features including the Energy Saving Home and Sustainable Homes Show. Visitors will be inundated with niche products and over 500 specialist exhibitors that you won’t find on the high street. Piers Taylor, award-winning RIBA architect and copresenter of BBC2 series ‘The House that £100k Built’, will be making his debut appearance at the show this year by joining one of the country’s leading property experts, Michael Holmes, editor-in-chief of Homebuilding and Renovating magazine, and Charlie Luxton, sustainable architectural designer and presenter of More4’s ‘Building the Dream’, who will be educating and inspiring visitors about the innovations and trends within the industry. Piers is joining the show to share his knowledge on striking the balance between high quality architecture and amazing value when building your own home, including the importance of investing time and money in design detail and recommendations on selecting the right designer. For bespoke advice, attendees can take advantage of a free 15-minute consultation with Piers in the Ask The Experts zone. Reducing energy and making financial savings is increasingly at the forefront of Britons’ minds, and this year, the first ever interactive consumer Energy Saving Home is making its debut at the NEC. The Energy Saving Home is a walk-through experience offering insight into the latest technologies to help you save money and control your household energy consumption. The best possible time to think about sustainability is when you are in the planning stages of building or renovating your home. This year’s new Sustainable Homes Show is where serious builders will gain a greater understanding of how to incorporate ecological materials such as organic insulation, sustainable wood flooring, solvent-free paints and rainwater harvesting systems into your project Charlie Luxton offers 12 years of experience in designing eco homes and has a passion for environmentally friendly community projects. Charlie will be on hand to guide home builders through the steps involved in making greener decisions when considering home improvements. All the experts provide credible commentary and recommendations for every aspect of your project, ranging from design, finance, renewable, energy sustainability, restoration and legal issues. The team of specialist property experts to join Michael Holmes, Piers Taylor and Charlie Luxton this year also includes: Jason Orme (editor of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Roger Hunt (award-winning writer and eco expert); David Snell (self-build and plot finding expert); Chris Reeves (chartered builder and lawyer); Hugo Tugman (architectural designer and Real Homes magazine design expert); and Bob Branscombe (chartered surveyor and builder).
Page 24 www.chasegazette.co.uk
For fresh comprehensive tips and solutions tailored to your requirements, head over to The Advice Centre where you will discover all the expertise you need to achieve your project. Running into difficulties or confusion over planning permission applications? Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine expert Sally Tagg and her team of leading planning experts from Foxley Tagg will also be available at The Planning Clinic to provide customers with an insight into the most recently updated rules, regulations and bespoke advice to put your woes at ease. Visitors can also attend Sally’s daily planning permission seminar in the Self Build Theatre. The Ask the Architects enables guests to meet certified RIBA Architects such as Piers Taylor who will consult on design ideas and the intricacies behind the build process from site analysis to developing a construction brief for your contractors. You can also choose from eight free daily seminar sessions taking place in the Self Build Theatre and Eco Home Theatre where the show’s key experts share their first-hand industry expertise for 30-minutes. Whether you’re a novice or a serial self builder, these sessions provide details on how to add space and value, reveal self-build secrets and offer renewable energy options for the home. No matter how small or large your project, visitors will leave with an abundance of credible information to help you along with your self-build or renovation plans. Standard tickets are £12 if booked before 3pm on 26 March 2014 or £16 on the door (a £1.75 transaction fee applies). Children under 16 go free. Tickets also allow entry
into both The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show and the new Home Improvement Show, taking place in the same hall.
For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 581 1377.
WIN, WIN, WIN
We’ve got ten pairs of tickets to the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show be won. To enter our competition, just answer the following question: Q: St Paul’s Cathedral, London was designed by British Architect. A: Sir Christopher Wren B: Richard Rogers C: Renzo Piano Just send your answer, name and contact details to Gazette Homebuilding Show Competition PO Box 5414, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ or email gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk by the competition closing date of Friday 7th February 2014. One entry per household please. Duplicates will be disqualified.
GazetteFeature
Time to decide - School Open Days
O
ver the next few months Independent, Fee Paying and State Schools will be holding Open Days, and inviting prospective new pupils and parents through their doors. The decision on which primary, secondary or indeed sixth form your child or young adult attends can be a complex one, but one that can be enormously helped by visiting each school to find the right ‘fit’. Many parents/carers of Year 6 students will have already planned which school their child should attend in the next school year. Year 7 in secondary school brings whole new challenges to both parents/carers and children, not least the emotional challenge of acknowledging change, as children take their next momentous step towards adulthood. If you are in this position, take the opportunity to visit the top schools on your wish list, as often the atmosphere of school can be very different to that described in their brochure. It’s not always safe to assume that the secondary school of your choice will accept your child; they may have reached their maximum intake by the time you approach them or you might simply be too far outside their catchment area. And, a word to the wise, if you put off the decisionmaking process past the next few months you might find that your preferences, if you have any, are no longer available. Before visiting a secondary school you should include some investigation on your part as there are an astonishing number of questions you need to consider. Are you familiar with the school’s reputation? Have you looked at their most recent Ofsted report? What percentage of pupils goes on to further education? If your child is particularly interested in sport, music, science or languages, what are the facilities in school to support this interest? Do they offer any after school clubs? You should also find out what benefits the school can provide for your child; for instance do they have local business links or ties to universities?
Head teachers tend to agree that there is no substitute for actually visiting a school so that you get the ‘feel’ for the place. It also gives you the opportunity to scrutinise everything from the standards of the bathroom facilities to the number of extra-curricular events pinned up on the school notice-boards. What are the school’s admission criteria? Your child may not meet the school’s criteria on grounds of distance, academic ability (in the case of grammar and selective schools) or religion. The criteria will be found in the school's own prospectus, as well as in your Local Authority's website. Go to www.staffordshire.gov.uk and click on the ‘Parents and Families’ link, and then go to ‘Schools’.
School Choice Advice Service Following application to the school of your choice, you then have to wait to know if your application has been successful. At this point you should remember that if you are not happy with the decision you have the right to appeal against the decision. The School Choice Adviser may be able to provide you with further help regarding the appeals
process. This service provides support to parents/carers with the appeals process, offering independent, impartial and free advice. However the School Choice Adviser cannot make decisions for you or guarantee a place at a particular school. Based at Tipping Street in Stafford, you can contact the School Choice Adviser for Staffordshire County Council on 01785 278992, by email on choiceadvice@staffordshire.gov.uk or visit the website at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schoolchoice You might also find the following websites useful: www.gov.uk www.dcsf.gov.uk www.mumsnet.com www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk www.parentdish.co.uk www.autism.org.uk www.schoolsnet.com www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk
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If school is preparation for life, then it must be co-educational
Advocates of single-sex schooling tend to assert academic advantages to justify the gender divide. In reality, it has proved difficult, if not impossible, to provide the evidence to support this view.
Single-sex education is an approach that still has significant support, whether at the whole school, the classroom or subject-specific level. The recent driving force appears to be the belief that physical differences between male and female brains mean that boys and girls have different, potentially incompatible, learning styles that cannot be accommodated in one classroom. Evangelists such as John Gray (Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, 1992), Louann Brizendine (The Female Brain, 2008) and Leonard Sax (Why Gender Matters, 2005) use words such as “innate” and “hardwired” to describe sweeping generalisations that claim girls are more relational, boys are more competitive. The scientific evidence, however, presents a completely different picture. Neuroscientist Lise Eliot called on years of research and her own work
Page 26 www.chasegazette.co.uk
in the field of neuroplasticity for her book Pink Brain, Blue Brain (2010) and showed how gender differences emerge over time, fostered by social factors rather than being fixed biological facts. Essentially, our brains continue to develop throughout our lives and the basic material present at birth changes every day based on what we do with it. It’s not nature or nurture – it’s both.
Generalisations about inherent male or female abilities reinforce damaging stereotypes and expectations, allowing parents to attribute any skill or defect to innate differences. Language and literacy are learned skills, which is why education and not biology is both the cause and the answer to sex differences in reading skills. A 2011 study published in Child Development showed that children as young as six years of age had adopted the stereotype that boys are better at maths.
Children thrive when teachers and parents accept that children, not genders, have different learning styles. A good school provides the flexibility to accommodate all learning styles, and provides
engaging and accessible lessons that challenge those of higher ability and supports those who need it. Good teachers know each individual child and adapt their teaching methods accordingly – one size does not fit all.
A co-educational environment can, however, better prepare students for higher education and life beyond. Pupils need to learn to interact as equals in the classroom so that they can interact as equals in the workplace. The mixing of both sexes in a coeducational environment enables students to study, work and play together, as well as express and share their own ideas and opinions, and encourages them to overcome any shyness and build their confidence.
Each parent must choose the school they believe will provide the environment to enable their child to excel, whatever his or her interests may be. Children must be happy in order to learn effectively, and to achieve the most important educational outcome - a life-long love of learning.
Made to measure
adjective: specially made to fit a particular person or thing. How pleased would you be if you could provide made to measure education for your child? Or on the other hand, how much would you appreciate it if your child was able to measure up to the standards of any higher educational institutions or workplaces? With so many restrictions on what we can and can’t do in schools it is refreshing that as an independent school we can still adapt the curriculum to provide the best fit for your child. We regularly throw in an extra GCSE where there is a particular skill. Like Meghan who has recently joined the school in year 8 after a year in France. She will take her GCSE this year after a few lessons to polish her writing skills. Or Charlotte who has
11am to 3pm
decided that she would like to take Music GCSE in a year just for fun. We have been known to add an extra A Level where someone want to study more than the usual four. Similarly we occasionally reduce the number of GCSEs for example when a child is struggling with Dyslexia. We can offer unusual combinations and we tailor your child’s curriculum to get what we know are the best results for them. In short we have the experience to know what the right decision is when it comes to subjects. In a school where the children are known by all and are treated as individuals they cannot hide at the back of a class nor evade the issue if they are not working hard. However the focus is not just on education. Our children become well rounded young adults who expect to do their best at all times. They have ambitions to do the best that they can. Some have very specific aims like Felicia who wants to be a vet. She was almost written off as a failure at her previous school and was told she would never pass maths GCSE. Now she is studying five A levels including Maths and only last week received her first offer of a university place to become a vet. She, like many others will take their experience
here at Chase Grammar and will measure up well to the needs of the wider world as they take their next steps in life. So how do we raise expectations and make sure that children achieve their full potential? It may seem odd but we make the work easy. We start with the very basic skills and we work at these until they are secure. We create secure foundations for all the future knowledge that will sit upon these foundations. This builds confidence and develops the right skills for the future. Higher up the school we encourage students to try. Universities may say that they only require three A levels for entry to the courses but if you aim at four or even five, you are more likely to get what you need and if you get more, then it will only impress employers more. In a way it is like the old adage “If you want something doing, ask a busy person”. We like our students to be kept busy. Those who achieve more are those who aim high and try to accomplish more.
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Stafford Grammar School
Stafford Grammar School and Stafford Preparatory School offer an exceptional education with an outstanding level of pastoral care providing the encouragement and support necessary to enable every individual to fulfil his or her potential. It is our belief that everyone can be successful. Our ethos of traditional values aims to teach our pupils the value of hard work and discipline whilst providing a happy environment for all. The Grammar School has built a formidable academic reputation and is now an established centre of excellence at all levels including admission to top universities. In summer 2013, 56% of GCSE results were A*/A; 67% of A level results were A*/B grades. Academic excellence is not our sole aim: our students excel in sport, music, drama and all other extracurricular activities.
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A wide variety of sports is taught at Stafford Grammar School. Pupils play matches against both local maintained schools and schools in the independent sector. Our students excel at the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, each year achieving more Silver and Gold Awards than all the other schools in the area. We have a flourishing concert band, big band, choirs, instrumental groups and orchestra. Music concerts are held regularly at school and at various local venues including a recent performance at the Birmingham Symphony Hall. This summer our concert band will be touring in Spain following very successful tours in France and Italy. The Preparatory School currently educates children between the ages of 5 and 11 in the grounds of Stafford Grammar School. A reception class for 4 and 5 year olds will be opening in September 2014. Lessons are taught principally by specialist primary teachers, with Stafford Grammar School staff teaching subjects such as science, design technology, music, ICT and P.E. to the key stage 2 pupils. Activity beyond the classroom is plentiful – competitive sport, a wide variety of music and outdoor education, all
complemented by clubs and educational visits which enrich the curriculum. During Stafford Preparatory School's first five years, the children have achieved some spectacular successes on the sporting front winning forty trophies locally and nationally. Our aim is to give our pupils an exciting and challenging primary education which will give them an enthusiasm for learning and prepare them for life at senior school in the best possible way. Parents may visit Stafford Grammar School or Stafford Preparatory School by prior appointment on any school day.
Subscribe to the Chase Gazette We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this issue of the Chase Gazette. If you do not currently receive the Chase Gazette, we offer a popular subscription service. For a yearly fee (that includes postage) we will send you your preference of either five or all ten issues of the Chase Gazette. Just fill in the form below and post it to us at Chase Gazette, PO Box 5414, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ along with a cheque for the correct amount made out to Chase Gazette. Choose from either 10 issues of the Chase Gazette (covers a 12 month period) for £22 (fee includes VAT and postage) 5 issues of the Chase Gazette for £11 (fee includes VAT and postage)
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GazetteNews
I
Local Author Publishes first Novel
n December Belgravia Press announced the publication of Fragile Boundaries by Johnny Leavesley. Mr Leavesley is a lawyer, businessman, husband and father of five who served for six years as Midlands Treasurer of the Conservative Party and is High Sheriff of Staffordshire in nomination for 2015. Johnny is also Chair of Lichfield Cathedral Fundraising Committee. In this debut novel Johnny draws from his own experiences in the Levant to expose the clash of cultures that takes place when East meets West. Through a narrative about two young adults falling in love, the book explores the ways in which social status in the Arab world determines women’s choices and opportunities. Issues such as addiction, sin, the cultural role of religion, misogyny, arranged marriages and honour killings are brought to the reader’s imagination through elegant, precise prose. The reader is drawn into an elite’s world, compellingly described by crafted storytelling. The novel can be ordered in hardback at www.belgraviapress.com/fragileboundaries/ for £14.99. E-book formats will are available from 2nd December on Kindle, Kobo, Nook and ipad.
WIN WIN WIN
We’ve got three copies of Fragile Boundaries by Johnny Leavesley for Gazette readers to win in our competition. To be in with a chance, just answer the following question:
Q. Fragile Boundaries is set in the Levant. The Levant is an old name for a large area that includes which of these sets of countries? A Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Israel and Turkey B. Denmark, Norway and Sweden C. Thailand and Cambodia.
Just send your name, answer and contact details to Fragile Boundaries Competition, PO Box 5414, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ or email gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk by the competition closing date of Tuesday 18th Feb 2014. One entry per household please, duplicates will be disqualified. Good Luck!
New opportunity for Chase Community Groups funding
Page 30 www.chasegazette.co.uk
P
PCC welcomes new Victim’s Code of Practice
olice and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis welcomed the launch of the new code that ensures victims have a real voice in the criminal justice system in December. Victims will now be able to explain to the court and offender how a crime has hit them through reading out a Victim Personal Statement. This will then be taken into consideration by Matthew-Ellis-and-Sue-Arnold judges when determining the sentence. The move fits exactly with the radical re-think of existing victim services in Staffordshire. Commissioner Ellis has asked his Deputy, Sue Arnold, to review and reform current practices: “so that victims of crime are treated as people, not a number.” At the top of the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner's agenda is putting the victim first and achieving the best outcome for them - whatever the scenario. Work is already well advanced with support agencies across the county including the voluntary sector - to provide a single gateway to a clearly mapped-out support route for victims. Deputy commissioner Arnold said: “I welcome today’s launch which gives victims the choice to explain to a court in their own words the personal and emotional impact a crime has had on them – a process known to help victims recover and cope better. “This is a big step towards what we are trying to achieve in Staffordshire to make the system fit the individual, rather than the person fit the system - one that treats victims with dignity and respect.” The new Victim’s Code will also give a "real say" to the businesses hit by 9.2 million crimes each year - enabling them to write an Impact Statement to explain to the court how crime has affected them. Latest statistics over a seven year period show that 276,000 crimes have cost county businesses nearly £433 million in theft, damage and consequential loss at a rate of more than £7,000 an hour. "Fraud alone costs companies in this country £9.1 billion with business going under as a result of crime. Yet only 10 per cent of business crime is ever reported to the police which is in part due to a lack of confidence that anything will be done about it. “Who supports business when they going through this trauma? It is our duty to look after the economy when it is under attack. "Businesses have different needs to individuals who, in the main, are treated well by the authorities in the aftermath of a crime. We want to ensure firms are better served when they find themselves the victim of crime.”
C
ommunity based organisations from across Cannock Chase are being given the opportunity to apply for small grants in the first round of grant giving from the Chase Community Fund. The Chase Community Fund launched in 2011 and is a cost effective and efficient way for local businesses and people to give something back to the district. Pooling all donations helps to create a pot of money that can be allocated to local needy groups and charities. Now the fund is set to make its first awards. Community or volunteer led organisations based and working in the district can apply for small grants to help with their day to day work – it could be to provide new toys for a nursery or playgroup, buy new equipment for a local sports team, pay for speakers for a luncheon club or pay for room hire for a social club. Any community based organisation can apply. The first grants will be given out prior to Easter and applications will open in January. More information can be found on the Staffordshire Community Foundation website, www.staffsfoundation.org.uk or by calling 01785 353789.
Countdown to Young Police Cadets Concert
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eople are being urged to snap up tickets for a major concert to raise thousands of pounds for Staffordshire Young Police Cadets. Tickets are on sale now for the show by the British Police Symphony Orchestra (BPSO) which will be staged at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre on Saturday 12 April at 7.30pm. The event will have a Legends and Heroes theme and the orchestra will entertain the audience with music including Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Sibelius’ Finlandia. The Cadet scheme was a key election pledge for Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis. It aims to strengthen links between the police and young people and promote good citizenship. Successful Cadets units have already been launched in Stafford and Cannock thanks to funding from Patrons and Sponsors. All proceeds from the concert will help pay for the on-going roll-out of the Cadets programme across Staffordshire in 2014, including the purchasing of uniforms, the allocation of transport and much more.
Tickets are on sale now at www.lichfieldgarrick.com Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold, who is organising the event, said: “Staffordshire Young Police Cadets are already working hard to support their local community. “The service is all about giving advantages to young people – some from challenging backgrounds – who through a positive and vibrant programme can learn how to become responsible citizens. “We want to sell 450 tickets to raise money for the Cadet charity and allow new units to be formed, uniforms to be provided, transport allocated and much more. “Tickets will provide a great experience for friends and family as well as ensuring your hard-earned money goes to a great cause which is making a real difference locally.” The BPSO is made up of musicians from across the UK, many who are either serving or retired police officers, police staff or other members of the extended police family.
GazetteNews
O
Welfare Box Packing Day Great Success
n Friday 20th December members of the public, The Mercian Regiment, Tamworth MP Chris Pincher and Museum staff gathered at the Regiment Staffordshire Museum (Lichfield) to undertake the mammoth task of packing a Welfare Box for every member of 3 & 4 Mercian who will be in Afghanistan this Christmas. The Tamworth SOS (Support our Soldiers) campaign had been organised by Christopher Pincher MP, the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, the Tamworth Herald and TCRFM, with the aim of providing a Welfare Box for every soldier on deployment from 3 Mercian (The Staffords) and 4 Mercian (Reservists) on their current tour. The public had responded to the appeal by sending in hundreds of items including books, toothpaste, t-shirts, sweets and savoury snacks. Many people also provided letters, Christmas cards and messages of support. The items were gathered at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum where in 4.5 hours a Welfare Box for every soldier was packed, sealed and labelled. Over 700 boxes were then posted to provide a little taste of home over the festive season. The Staffordshire Regiment Museum can be found at Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9PY Tel: 01543 434394 www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com
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Rawnsley’s International Football Star, Gerry Hitchens
F
ormer England international footballer Gerald Archibald "Gerry" Hitchens (8 October 1934 - 13 April 1983) was an English footballer, who played as a centre forward. He was born in Littleworth Road, Rawnsley and his Mum & Dad had a Chip shop in Littleworth Road in a shed close to Trafalgar Inn. He began his career as a coal miner. He played in Shropshire with Highley Youth Club and Highley Miners Welfare between 1952 and 1953. He appeared in a county cup final for the Miners at Aggborough, the home stadium of local Club Kidderminster Harriers. His performance was being watched by the Harriers club secretary Ted Gamson, who went on to offer Hitchens a contract. After several seasons in the reserves, Hitchens played fourteen games for the first team, scoring six goals. Despite interest from West Bromwich and Aston Villa, Hitchens moved to Cardiff City in January 1955 for a fee of £1,500 and later moved on to Aston Villa in 1957 for £22,500. He spent four seasons there scoring 96 goals in 160 appearances.
He made his debut for England in 1961, scoring after just 90 seconds in an 8-0 drubbing of Mexico, and two weeks later scored twice more in Rome as England beat Italy 3-2. This brought him to the attention of Internazionale, who signed him in the summer of 1961 for £85,000 (the equivalent of £2 million in today’s money) as part of a spate of British exports (Jimmy Greaves, Denis Law and Joe Baker also moved to Italy that season). He played for England in the 1962 World Cup in Chile, winning seven caps, scoring five goals. However when Alf Ramsey took over as England manager, Hitchens' international spell ended-Ramsey preferring to pick homebased players.Nevertheless, Hitchens stayed in Italy for nine years (a record which still stands in the Guinness Book of Records), also playing for Torino, Atalanta and Cagliari. After retiring from the professional game in 1971, he played for Worcester City and Merthyr Tydfil before moving to Wales, to manage an ironworks. In 1977 he moved to Flintshire to run his brother-in-law’s timber firm.
He died in 1 9 8 3 playing in a c h a r i t y football match at Castell Alun s p o r t s ground in Hope North W a l e s . Seconds a f t e r heading a cross over the bar, Hitchens collapsed and was taken to Wrexham General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His ashes were interred in Holywell, Flintshire on 20th April, 1983. He was only 48 years old. Reproduced from the Hazel Slade Local History Society Newsletter by kind permission of Mr Derek Davis www.hazelslade.org.uk
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The body in the Gas Works
GazetteFeature BY ANTHONY HUNT
down the pit at West Cannock’s Number 3 Colliery. He had in his possession a knife and a flash lamp. On searching his home they found clothing with what looked like blood on the suit and cuffs of the shirt. They also found notepaper in his pocket which matched that of a letter sent from Birmingham on the previous Friday, purporting to be from Elizabeth and announcing her departure to London with a friend. Gaskin’s questioning at Cannock Police Station (he had refused to be taken to the Hednesford Station) lasted the remainder of that day and all during the Saturday, but he stubbornly kept to When Mrs Emily Talbot entered his story of not meeting his wife. Hednesford Police Station on the However, suddenly on Sunday morning of Thursday February 20th morning he announced that he had 1919, little did she know the horror that indeed killed his wife and would was about to unfold. Telling the Duty guide the police to where he had Constable that her daughter, Elizabeth, hidden the body. Superintendent had been missing since the previous Morrey was just about to sit down to afternoon when she had gone to his Sunday lunch when he received Hednesford Pool along the Rugeley a message. It simply said: “Can you Road to meet her estranged husband. go to Hednesford and search for the She said that she was afraid that body without the Hednesford Police something dreadful may have knowing. I will take you and show happened. you where it is. You will want two Elizabeth and her husband Thomas men and two drags to pull in Gaskin had been married for about five Thomas gaskin standing opposite directions.” years, but theirs was a stormy Piling into taxis the police relationship. After only a year of marriage he had been accompanied Gaskin to Hednesford where he led them sent to prison for continual theft, and in 1916 he had to the Gas Works in Victoria Street. Pointing to the gas been released on the proviso that he went to fight in the holders he told them the body was in the water War. That he had done and it was not until late 1918 surrounding the tanks. Having climbed the fence which that he had been discharged. surrounded it they dragged the water and eventually On his very few visits home from the Front , husband discovered a headless corpse. After finding the body and wife had quarrelled and he had preferred to live Gaskin then took them to the scene of the actual back at home in Bridgtown with his mother. When he murder, the woods close to the Valley Pit. There he finally returned from the War once again he stayed with described the events which led to him murdering his his mother, despite several attempts by Elizabeth to wife and dismembering her body. He had persuade him to live with her. He had even refused to dismembered Elizabeth’s body at night, several hours give Elizabeth sufficient money to look after their after the murder, after first going home to establish his children. alibi. He had gone to the pictures with his brother, left On the afternoon of Wednesday February 19th , a there early and returned to Hednesford to hide the neighbour (named Thomas Saunders) brought a note body. Amazingly no one had seen him as he first of all to Elizabeth from her husband Thomas, requesting a put her corpse into a wheelbarrow borrowed from the meeting to discuss their relationship. Despite Mrs pit and then, realising it was leaving a trail across the Talbot’s reservations Elizabeth quickly put on her hat meadow which was covered in a sharp frost, returned and scarf and left the house in Brindley Road, happy to it and then actually carried the body over his shoulders meet her husband near Hednesford Pool. She had not to the Gas Works. been seen since. It was not until 9.40 a.m. on Tuesday that the head Mrs Talbot told the constable that she had been was finally found at the Gas Works, only hours before to Bridgtown earlier that morning to confront Thomas, the initial inquest. Proceedings were short with just the but on arriving at his mother’s house in Londford Road police and Mrs Talbot giving their statements. The she had been told that he had not turned up at the much longer inquest took place on March 5th before Mr proposed meeting. During their conversation he Morgan, the County Coroner. It was during those informed Mrs Talbot that he wanted Elizabeth to stop proceedings that the court would hear of the following him around and that he wanted a divorce. tempestuous relationship between Elizabeth and Then fearful for her daughter’s safety Thomas Gaskin. Sitting passively she had come to the police station. throughout Gaskin listened as the Having listened to her story the court was told of his wife’s behaviour Constable told Inspector Woolley who – she had had three children during instigated a search of the Hednesford their short marriage, none of which area, concentrating efforts around the belonged to her husband. However, pool which was at the time just a boggy she had insisted that he pay for the meadow. Other officers went to upkeep of them and had continually interview Gaskin at his home. The pestered him for maintenance search continued throughout the day money. He had refused to pay her and well into the following morning, but anything and had asked for a nothing was found. Such was their divorce which she denied him. belief that something dreadful had Finally, when all else failed he happened to Elizabeth that they had decided to end his problem decided to arrest Gaskin on the Friday once and for all – he would kill afternoon just as he was about to go Elizabeth Gaskin (right) Elizabeth. But it was the fanatical
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Anthony Hunt, Author
manner in which he attacked her that sealed his fate. Dr Butter described the post mortem which was extremely gruesome, so much so the one juryman almost fainted and the newspapers, always on the lookout for the sensational, refused to print the details. The inquest jury had no choice but to find him guilty and he was sent to Winson Green Prison to await trial. At that trial on July 14th the only chance that the Defence had of saving their client was to stress Gaskin’s odd behaviour throughout his early life and the effect that being a tunneller in the War had had on him (he had been buried alive once). What made that evidence weak was their client’s attempt to create an alibi for himself - hardly the behaviour of someone insane – and the report of the prison psychiatrist who declared him odd though perfectly sane. The verdict was a foregone conclusion – Thomas Gaskin was guilty of murdering his wife and would hang. Strangely enough the people of Hednesford and Cannock got up a petition to save Gaskin from the gallows with as many as 6,000 signatures, but to no avail. Thomas Henry Gaskin was hanged at Winson Green on August 8th, 1919. Macabre as it may seem the horrific event has gone down in Hednesford folklore. The plantation, between the War Memorial and the Museum of Cannock Chase, where the dreadful murder happened, has ever since been known as Gaskin’s Wood and local children are still wary of treading its paths. Other apocryphal tales have also emerged to colour the crime even more, such as Gaskin singing ‘At the End of a Perfect Day’ in the Uxbridge Inn after committing the murder, all thankfully untrue. More details of the inquests and the witnesses called appear in Anthony Hunt’s book ‘Murder and Manslaughter around Cannock Chase’ while his latest murder book, ‘More Murder and Mayhem around the Chase’, tells many more tales of local crimes.
The funeral
‘Totally Locally’
launches in Burntwood
I
n a bid to boost the local economy, a group of traders called the Burntwood Business Crew, are encouraging local people to shop more in local independent shops, rather than elsewhere or in big chain stores this year. David Whitehouse, Chairman of the Burntwood Business Crew and owner of InLife Design on Swan Island, explained: "If every adult in the WS7 postcode area spent just £5 a week extra in local independent shops and businesses, this would be worth a staggering £4.3 million to the local economy every year. In reality, what this means is more local shops staying open, more businesses that supply them succeeding, more local jobs, and a nicer place to live and work.” Cllr Helen Fisher, Lichfield District ward councillor for Burntwood Highfield, commented: “To launch Totally Locally WS7, we're sending out a leaflet to local homes, asking people to stop and think and, rather than walk or drive past, to pop into a local shop and give it a go. There are some fantastic shops and brands across the Burntwood area, including Swan Island, Chasetown High Street, Morley Road, Ryecroft, Sankeys Corner and the business parks. From Yankee Candles, to Gucci glasses, handmade jewellery and GHDs, you can pick up some fantastic products locally.” Peter Robinson, Principal Lecturer and Head of Department for Leisure at the University of Wolverhampton, added: “It’s a well known fact that when people shop locally they can make the difference between a local area thriving or failing. Not only does spending locally help the shops, it boosts the local supply chain – so local suppliers, producers and more all benefit from that £5 spent over the counter. It is estimated that £5 spent locally can be worth over £25 to the supply chain, and businesses from farmers and craftsmen, to manufacturers and more, who all employ hundreds of local people, really do rely on people shopping locally. “Shopping locally can mean the difference between a bustling high street with great cafes, shops and bistros, and one with boarded up shops and vacant units. This project provides an opportunity for people to make a difference to their local economy. Sometimes you feel like you can’t make a difference, but when it comes to shopping Totally Locally – you can.” The new website www.totallylocallyws7.co.uk lists over 100 local businesses and that number is growing all the time. The website is split into shopping categories, as well as shopping areas to make it easy to find what you are looking for. Cllr Helen Fisher concluded: “We’d encourage as many people as possible to look at the website and find out about all the great shops and offers available locally. If you are a business in the area and you aren’t listed on the website, just drop elizabeth.thatcher@lichfielddc.gov.uk an email and we’ll add your business up straightaway.”
GazetteNews
Local Company Shortlisted for Award
A
local Hednesford company has reached the final four in the category of Promotion/Events Business of the year at the Business Networking Awards 2014. Chase Promotions Ltd will attend the awards ceremony at Drayton Manor Hotel on the 1st March 2014 with other finalists from around the midlands. The finalists have been judged on service, profits, future aspirations and charity/community involvement. The owner of Chase Promotions, Darrell Mawle said: “It’s great to be recognised in this way especially as we will reach the milestone of 10 years in business next month. We have excellent suppliers and customers and I want to thank them for their support over the years.” Chase Promotions supply Promotional Merchandise and advise customers in the best ways to use it to raise their sales. More information can be found at www.chasepromotions.co.uk
B
Cedar Tree Squash Club Reunion
ryan Webster has told the Chase Gazette that there will be a reunion for players and friends of the old Cedar Tree Squash Club on Friday 7 March at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Lichfield St, Rugeley WS15 2EH. Starting at 7.30pm there will be a live band and of course there will be a bar although the club will be happy for people to bring their own food. Tickets cost £7 and are available from Bryan Webster and can be obtained by calling him on 01889 582 978 or 07823 336 592 or by emailing bryweb@gmail.com Please tell all your friends from the squash club to give everyone the chance to be there.
Group Name
What’s On at Cannock Library Dates and Time
Additional Info
Warhammer Group meet
Saturday 25th Jan 10am- 1pm
Mammoth Cheese Cannock Library Reading Group (meets once monthly – last Thursday of every month)
Thursday 30th Jan 5:45pm -6:45 pm
Drop in, free event, this group is suitable for children over 8
Baby Bounce and Rhyme. Musical session for babies and toddlers.
Competition winners
Clothes Show Live Competition. Congratulations to Victoria Saunders of Rugeley, Jeanette Roberts of Lichfield, Sally Clatworthy of Lichfield and Kelly Hubble of Cannock, who all won a pair of tickets to the Clothes Show Live. Midland Karting Competition Congratulations to Mark Walker of Raven Close, Cannock, winner of 60 minutes of karting for two worth £70!
Thursday 16th Jan 10:30am-11:00
Free Event, drop in. Suitable for 0-5 year olds
Still recruiting new members please contact the library for more information.
For more information on What’s On at your local library call Cannock Library on 01543 510366, Heath Hayes Library on 01543 279675, Hednesford Library on 01543 422798 and Norton Canes Library on 01543 279592. Page 35
GazetteWoman
Simple steps to beautiful skin
It’s no secret that freezing weather, wind, rain, central heating and a little over indulgence during the festive season can all take their toll on our skin. By Joss Musgrove Knibb
I’m not a supporter of drastic measures when it comes to skin care. So many products promise to somehow ‘rejuvenate’ (or make young again) your skin and that seems to me to miss the point a bit. Culturally we are bombarded with messages that only youth can be beautiful and this is simply not true – just look at Catherine Deneuve, Joanna Lumley and Honor Blackman, beautiful women who have stayed away from the knife and have developed a richer beauty than they possessed in their 20’s.
A lot of how your skin will age is down to your genes. If your Mum looks great at 50, it’s likely you will too, provided you stay away from the three big no-no’s – smoking, sun worshipping and rapid weight loss and gain, all of which stress your skin and can leave it dull and unsupported.
This does seem to me however to be a little unrealistic, many women sunbathed in the 80’s when a natural tan was deeply fashionable, many women have dabbled with smoking in their youth and anyone who has had children has probably experienced their fair share of weight gain and loss. In other words, life happens, there’s no need to stress, and there are lots of simple and easy ways that you can get your glow back. No matter what point you start from, here are a few simple pointers to help you look your best in decades to come.
Avoid sugar (as much as possible). OK, we all like the occasional treat but sadly refined sugar consumption triggers a natural process called glycation. During glycation sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins resulting in the creation of harmful new proteins called advanced glycation endproducts or AGE’s. These harm all of the cells in the
However, we produce most HGH during deep sleep, and therefore less if this sleep is interrupted. An old and uncomfortable mattress can really scupper the chances of a good night’s rest, so if you can, change it and reap the benefits of better health and glowing skin.
body and stiffen collagen molecules, reducing skin elasticity. Less collagen equals more wrinkles and sagging skin.
Avoid sleeping on your side This is a hard one to change but if you can, try to sleep on your back. Laying your cheek on a pillow all night helps furrow the skin and helps those wrinkles deepen, not just on your face but also along your cleavage.
Exfoliate when you shower. Keep a tube of gentle facial scrub in the shower and use it when you can. The sloughing away of dead skin cells helps to increase cell turnover, and new cells are smother and more radiant. The only considerations are, don’t scrub too hard, don’t use it around the eyes or sensitive areas and only use it when your skin is feeling up to it!
Happily, using a facial scrub triggers the skin to produce more collagen giving us firmer skin. We stop producing lots of collagen in our 20’s so adding to your supply in this simple way can only be a good thing.
Choose your sunscreen wisely The best way to keep skin looking good is to use sunscreen. It will not only keep at bay wrinkles, discolouration and brown spots, but given time, it will also seriously improve the appearance of any you may have.
Sleep well Be a little lazy and have that lie in! Although we may be resting when we are asleep, our remarkable bodies are carrying out hundreds of renovation jobs! When we’re asleep our bodies produce human growth hormone (HGH). This hormone keeps skin smooth and supple,
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keeps the hair soft and energy levels high.
Moisturise. There’s no need to spend a fortune, just choose something right for your skin (lighter for younger skin, richer for more mature skins) and apply it when you can. It’s a good idea to avoid applying moisturiser to the area right under your eyes. Ironically doing this actually causes this delicate skin to puff up and creates bigger bags.
If your skin is prone to fine dryness lines that show up under makeup, put a layer of your moisturiser on underneath your foundation. You may feel that this will leave your face feeling sticky but actually it won’t. It also smoothes over those fine lines giving your skin a much smoother and fuller appearance.
If you have a few fine lines around your mouth and at the corners of your eyes, dot on a little rich moisturiser in those areas, it will immediately soften their appearance.
Fake it! Add a little illuminator to your foundation; this gives your skin a luscious glow that simply looks healthy.
Stay away from strong colours in the daytime. Try and match your blusher, lipstick etc to your natural skintone. A good trick to learn is the lower lip trick. The colour of the skin on the inside of your lower lip can give you a good template for finding the right shade of lipstick for you. Match it correctly and it makes a lot of difference.
As the old phrase goes, beauty does come from within. It’s down to eating well, looking after yourself and sleeping well. Hard to do when we have so many demands on our time, but being a little kinder to ourselves makes life just that little bit nicer, and as an added bonus gives you good skin and shiny hair – result!
Images www.beautyrsvp.com
GazetteWoman
Fashion Fit for Purpose
So, like millions of men and women all over the UK you’ve decided that 2014 is the year that you’ll improve your fitness! By Joss Musgrove Knibb
Next racer-back t-shirt £12 - £14
Next cuffed joggers £18
Be you planning to take a few more walks, or employing a personal trainer to hone you to perfection, you’ll need to invest in some decent gym or fitness clothing. If you’re heading for the gym for the first time, or after a long break, please don’t drag out those old jogging pants from the back of the cupboard. They’ll probably have faded, the material will have ‘gone’ in a couple of spots, and paired with a comfy t-shirt they’ll leave you feeling awful. It’s odd but looking reasonably good in a new gym outfit has the effect of encouraging you the put the effort in to look even better. Fitness clothing can be as high tech or as basic as you wish. Here’s our choice of some great pieces that you might even be tempted to wear out of the gym!
Jack Wills Ledbrook gym bag £39
Nike Element half zip top £45 (Available from JD Sports)
Lulu Lemon skinny groove pant £88
Nike Pro Core Capri pant £25 (Available from JD Sports).
Nike Dri-Fit t-shirt £45 (Available from JD Sports).
Shock Absorber ultimate gym bra £35 (Available from ASOS).
Next zip through sweater £20
Stockists next.co.uk lululemon.co.uk asos.co.uk jdsports.co.uk Page 37
GazetteWoman
Skincare that’s Good Enough to Eat
1. Vitamin E
By Joss Musgrove Knibb
The Body Shop has been trading now for 37 years, and their brand of cruelty-free, ethically-traded products have led the way for other Fair Trade brands. I must admit however that in the last few years I had stopped using their products regularly. This all changed recently when out-of-the-blue I became allergic to a very well know brand of shampoo and conditioner. Once I’d had that initial reaction, it didn’t seem to matter what product I used (including baby shampoo) – I was allergic to everything I tried. After a little bit of online research I learned that what I was reacting to was the sulphates that many shampoos contain. Body Shop products do not contain these sulphates, I switched brands and have never looked back. This has led me to ditch many of the expensive creams and moisturisers I previously used in favour of Body Shop versions. For me, their products work brilliantly. The Body Shop have a plethora of great skincare products available both in-store and online. Below, you’ll find a few of their most popular ranges that include moisturisers, cleansers, toners, facial washes, eye creams, serums and oils, face mists, cleansing bars, skin brighteners and illuminators, lip creams, masks, hand creams and much more. 1. Vitamin E Loved since 1977, the Vitamin E skincare range has stood the test of time. If you’re concerned about the damaging effects of the environment on your skin, the Vitamin E range can help to protect against pollution, cigarette smoke and UVA/UVB rays. Popular Vitamin E cream and Vitamin E oil are suitable for all skin types and help to protect the skin from premature ageing. 2. Tea Tree Prone to blemishes, blackheads and oily skin? Tea Tree is nature’s alternative to harsh ingredients. Products are made with Community Fair Trade organic Tea Tree oil, clinically proven to give clearer skin from one week. The range also uses Tamanu oil extract which is reputed to help generate new tissue and improve the healing process for skin. 3. Nutriganics™ Skin Care Nutriganics™ was developed for women typically aged 30-40 years to help improve the appearance of the skin and smooth the first signs of ageing. The benefits of the Nutriganics™ organic skincare range will appeal to those who are looking for alternative anti-ageing products. Combining Community Trade Babassu oil with 14 other organic ingredients, Nnutriganics™ is the first certified organic skincare range for addressing the first signs of ageing. 4. Vitamin C This range will help revive dull looking skin by adding Vitamin C for skin to your routine. The ultimate antidote to tired skin, this refreshing range features Vitamin C moisturiser, a brightening microdermabrasion scrub and ground-breaking products like the Vitamin C radiance capsules and facial radiance powder mix. 5. Aloe This range of fragrance-free and alcohol-free Aloe Vera products is clinically proven to be suitable for sensitive skin and help to soothe signs of irritation. Aloe Vera is a natural skin soother and perfect for allergy-prone, itchy or red skin. The Aloe Vera used in products is sourced from Community Fair Trade partners and contains no added preservatives. 6. Seaweed Designed for combination skin, Seaweed skincare helps to restore balance and control excess oil to help give you a shine-free, matte finish. The oil and soap-free Seaweed cleansing facial wash is great for removing impurities, or try the mattifying moisture lotion SPF15 to protect from the sun. You can also get to work on any problem areas with the facial Page 38 www.chasegazette.co.uk
exfoliator and pore perfector. 7. Pomegranate The Body Shop’s Pomegranate products are especially formulated to address the signs of ageing. The washes, toners, lotions and serums help the skin to feel firmer and soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Use the refreshing eye rollon for the delicate eye area, or the Pomegranate cream for a temporary lifting effect to help the skin appear plumper and hydrated. More information on all of the ranges is available at www.thebodyshop.co.uk
7. Pomegranate
WIN WIN WIN
The Chase Gazette has got together with the Body Shop to offer our readers the chance to win this fabulous gift set. It includes: Vitamin E Cream Cleanser (200ml), Vitamin E Hydrating Toner (200ml) and Vitamin E Moisture Cream (50ml). To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question. The Body Shop was created by pioneering business-woman Anita... A. Roddick B. Rogers C. Redwood To enter, send us your answer, name and contact details to Gazette Body Shop Competition, PO Box 5414, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ or email the Deputy Editor, Joss Musgrove Knibb at gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk by the competition closing date of 30th January 2014. One entry per household please, duplicates will be disqualified. Good luck!
6. Seaweed
5. Aloe
4. Vitamin C
2. Tea Tree
3. Nutriganics™ Skin Care
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Gazettecontacts Editor
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