Lichfield Gazette Oct 2013

THE MAGAZINE REFLECTING LIFE IN THE CITY OF LICHFIELD

October 2013 ISSUE 54

Welcome to Vintage Street News • Competitions • Gazette Woman • What’s On • Dining Out

COLLIS Est. 1957

FENCING, GATES AND SHEDS!

MAJOR SUPPLIER AND FITTER OF ALL TIMBER FENCING, GATES AND ALSO JOINERY GATES IN SOFTWOOD AND CEDARWOOD. CALL FOR YOUR NO OBLIGATION QUOTE AND SITE VISIT.

COLLIS DIY

6 days a week delivery service available to all areas

All major cards accepted

TEL: 01543 686370

FAX: 01543 675221

QUEENS DRIVE, CHASETOWN, BURNTWOOD WS7 4QF

OPEN:- Monday-Friday 8am-6pm. Saturday 8am-5.30pm. Sunday 9.30am-1pm

www.collissheds.co.uk

Page 3

October 2013 Lichfield

G azette contents

6

Netherstowe House Competition

19 Ghosts of Lichfield 40 Win tickets to Garrick’s Snow White 42 Heritage 47 Gazette Woman 48 Win tickets to the Clothes Show 56 What’s On/Dining Out 62 Small Ads

Cover by Paul Oakley.

Designers ladies, Vintage Street page 38

Win lunch for two at Netherstowe House page 6

contributors • • • • •

Caz Jones Laura Bowcutt PG Mitchell Kate Gomez Patrick Comerford

• • • •

Joss Musg rove Knibb Robert Yardley Phil Preece John Crowe

ABOUT YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE Lichfield Gazette is your local monthly magazine distributed to more than 18,000 homes and businesses in and around Lichfield. Distribution area covers Lichfield City, Alrewas, Fradley, Shenstone, Hammerwich, Kings Bromley, Longdon, Burntwood, Whittington and Little Aston.

A limited number of the Lichfield Gazette are available and can be purchased at 90p from the Heritage Centre at St Mary’s in the Market Place. 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. Lichfield Gazette magazine is not a franchise or connected with any other publication.

contact the Gazette see page 62 Page 4 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Editor’s Notes It’ll all be superstitious nonsense: touch wood!

I encountered a cat in Beacon Street recently. There’s something about a black cat walking across your path, but I can never remember whether it’s good luck, or an evil omen. I do know I am very fond of them, so I don’t know what that says about me.

Mumbo jumbo (not the mumbo jumbo on the gobbledygook side, more along the lines of hocus-pocus), is something I have never believed in. I’m talking about the saluting magpies, avoiding walking under ladders, touching-wood, new shoes on the table, even walking on cracks in pavements - sort of thing.

Superstition always seems to be a matter of long held beliefs and prejudices. Black cats and magpies being a couple of good examples of this as the superstitions around them seem to have their basis in neither tradition nor religion. The answer it appears lies somewhere between folklore and voodoo.

As it is October and coming into the ‘witching’ season I though I would find out whether a black cat crossing your path is considered benevolent or malevolent. The folklore surrounding black cats varies from culture to culture.

In Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches. This has led to most of western and southern Europe considering the black cat as a symbol of bad luck, especially if one crosses paths with a person, which is believed to be an omen of misfortune and death.

In Germany, some believe that black cats crossing a person's path from right to left, is a bad omen. But from left to right, the cat is granting favorable times.

However in Great Britain, black cats are seen as lucky and are often given in token form to brides. In Scotland it’s believed that a strange black cat's arrival into the home signifies prosperity.

In Celtic mythology, a fairy known as the Cat Sìth takes the form of a black cat. Black cats are also considered good luck in Japan. Furthermore, it is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors. Right, I’m off to find the lady in Beacon Street who owns the black cat…fingers crossed she might be in, or knowing my luck she’s gone out for a spell!

Yours truly, Paul Oakley. Editor

Nicky Snazell’s Pain Relief Clinic at Wolseley Bridge has increased its MBST technology for the treatment of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, bone fractures, spinal discs and sports injuries to tendons and ligaments. It now has two of the three latest Open 700 systems available in the UK. MBST is a proven, safe derivative of MRI scanning technology. Developed in Germany, it has been highly successful across Germany and Austria with over 290 treatment centres and over 150 Orthopaedic Consultants trusting and using MBST on a daily basis. Over 150,000 patients have been treated and there have been zero reported side effects, making it risk free.

MBST is unique in its ability to regrow cartilage, bone and heal spinal discs, tendons and ligaments. This highly complex technology is able to saturate targeted body tissue with energy, stimulating the cells to grow. A recent 10 year study of over 4,500 patients has proven its ability to reduce pain, reduce frequency of pain and improve mobility. It not only treats the symptoms, but also gets to the very heart of the problem, by treating the cause itself.

Our success story this month is about a Royal Marine, who following tours of duty in the Gulf, returned home in agony unable to bend his knee properly. Worse still, he was due to start Commando training and the Medical Officer told him he would not pass and to take a desk job.

Just two weeks after MRT treatment he had a virtually full range of movement back and he went on to pass his Commando training, to the astonishment of the Medical Officer.

Regular tours of duty are no problem. In fact with regular top ups the knee just keeps getting better and better.

Page 5

GazetteNews

The Swinfen Broun Trail

A

s part of Lichfield Historic Parks project, Lichfield District Council is proud to launch the Swinfen Broun Trail. The trail leads children and their families through Beacon Park and across to Minster Pool, following a map to find eight brass rubbings, and solving missions and challenges along the way.

Funded by the Heritage Henry age 5 on the Swinfen Broun Trail Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, the trail features a cartoon figure of Colonel Swinfen Broun, who gifted 12 acres of land to extend Beacon Park towards the end of his life in 1943.

The Colonel sets eight challenges throughout the trail, including a wordsearch, anagrams, finding crowns and a castle turret on Martyrs’ Plaque, and spotting a selection of animals on the fountain in Museum Gardens.

The eight brass plaques for the brass rubbings have been created to explain the history of Beacon Park and Minster Pool. This includes finding out where Beacon Place’s underground ice house was, discovering the origins of Martyrs’ Plaque in the park’s Herbaceous Garden, and learning about the pilgrims who crossed a much larger Minster Pool by ferry in the olden days to get to the cathedral.

The Swinfen Broun Trail is available to buy for 50p from the Ranger Station Beacon Park, which is next to the crazy golf course.

Local views sought on number of councillors for Lichfield T

he independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking local people how many councillors they think should represent Lichfield Borough Council in the future.

The six-week public consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will also consider changes to the number, names and boundaries of the council’s wards.

The Commission has considered evidence submitted to it by the council and is now consulting residents on a proposal that would see the authority represented by 56 councillors, the same as the current arrangement.The Commission is asking local people whether they think 56 is still the right number of councillors for Lichfield or whether there should be more, or fewer, councillors in future.

Max Caller, “Chair of the Commission, said: “This is your chance to shape your council for the future. We are asking people across the borough whether they agree that 56 councillors is still the right number to represent Lichfield. We want to know if you think 56 is the right number of councillors to be able to take decisions effectively and whether it’s the right number to represent the interests of all the borough’s communities.

“If you don’t agree that Lichfield should be represented by 56 councillors, we want you to tell us your alternative and why you think there should be more, or fewer, members of the council in the future.

“Once we have taken a view on the number of councillors, we will re-draw ward boundaries to accommodate those elected members and we will ask local people to have their say during that process as well.”

Further information about the review is available at www.lgbce.org.uk. Residents can have their say directly at consultation.lgbce.org.uk.

Page 6 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

WIN

LUNCH

FOR TWO PEOPLE AT NETHERSTOWE HOUSE

FIND MINSTER THE CAT! Win a Lunch for Two (MonThurs) 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. Head Chef and his Kitchen Brigade have created a new Express Lunch menu for you to enjoy Monday to Saturday. The emphasis is on creating flavoursome, classic dishes with a modern twist, freshly produced on site using the finest seasonal ingredients.

Express Lunch Menu:2 Courses ~ £14.95; 3 Courses ~ £19.95 12 midday to 2:30pm (Mon - Fri), 1:00pm to 2:30pm (Sat) Minster is a little rascal! True to form he has got lost again in this issue and we need your help to

find him. He might be in an advertisement or in a story, can you find him? When you have found him (he looks like the image at the top of the page) simply tell us which page he is on for a chance to win. Write the page number on a card or the back of a sealed envelope along with your name and address and send it to us no later than 21st October 2013 to ‘Minster The Cat Competition’ PO Box 5414, Lichfield WS14 4EZ. Or by email to minsterthecat@hotmail.co.uk subject "Minster Comp". One entry only please (or disqualified).

The Editor will draw the winning entry and announce it in the next edition of Lichfield Gazette.

Congratulations to Congratulations to Mrs S Chandler of The Rise, Christchurch Lane who spotted Minster on Page 54 of the September magazine.

Good luck!!

Page 7

LG OCT2013

GazetteNews

Competition Winners Telegraph Cruise Show Competition.

Congratulations to Wendy Martin of Burntwood, Mark Eccleston of Birmingham, Heather Jones of Lichfield and Kay Martin of Lichfield, all winners of a pair of tickets to see The Telepgraph Cruise Show at the NEC on the 21st and 22nd September. We hope that you had a great time.

The Body Shop Strawberry Skin Competition.

Congratulations to Heather Benham of Cricket Lane, Lichfield, winner of the The Body Shop strawberry gift set.

Boots No.7 Competition.

Congratulations to Clare Darby winner of the Boots No.7 Gift bag.

My Word

Call yourself a logophile?

Test your vocabulary with our new quiz. The prize is an inner glow of satisfaction and superiority.

Q. What is a vespiary?

A. A wasp nest.

B. C.

A scooter shop.

A kind of sun hat.

• Lichfield Heritage Weekend (28th & 29th September) was a resounding success this year with the warm weather attracting thousands of visitors to this popular event.

The theme of the weekend was ‘Tales Through Time’ and heritage venues across the City threw open their doors for free, including St John's Hospital, the City Cells, The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield Cathedral, Erasmus Darwin House, Dr Milley’s Hospital, Lichfield Record Office and Lichfield Heritage Centre.

• Samuel Johnson’s 304th birthday celebrations also took place on Saturday 28th at the Birthplace Museum on Market Street and within the Market Square, where Mayor of Lichfield Cllr Bob Awty placed a wreath on the statue of one of the City’s most famous sons.

• On Thursday 12th September the Heart of England in Bloom Award Ceremony took place at Drayton Manor Park, attended by the Mayor of Lichfield and the Chairman of Lichfield District Council. Blooming Lichfield once more attained a Silver/Gilt Award.

Well done to all involved!

See more photos on our website.

Mayor Cllr Bob Awty and local school pupils Photograph by Peter Young.

Lichfield Lions Golf Day great success A

very successful Golf Day in support of St Giles hospice was organised by the Lions and hosted by Whittington Heath Golf Club earlier this year. On the day nearly 50 hardy souls battled the elements and completed 18 holes to raise £2,500.

Lion President, Ross Ward supported by fellow Lions John Whitehouse, Dave Boylan and Mike Knight (who organised the event) are pictured presenting the cheque to Helen and Anne from the St Giles fund raising team.

The hospice has received nearly £60,000 from the golf days organised by Lichfield Lions over recent years and plans are being drawn-up for another event in 2014.

Lichfield Lions is now in its 41st year and a target has been set to raise £1,000 for each year the club has been in existence, with the majority of funds raised being donated to good causes in and around Lichfield.

Lichfield Lions club is keen to welcome new members to help the community whilst having a good time and making new contacts from all walks of life in and around Lichfield.

Why not come along to one of their regular meetings at the George Hotel, Bird Street on the second and fourth Monday of each month? Or contact President Ross Ward via email at lichfieldlions@hotmail.co.uk

The answer is A. A vespiary is a wasp nest.

Ross Ward, John Whitehouse, Dave Boylan, Mike Knight and Helen and Anne from the St Giles fund raising team.

Page 8 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Page 9

Page 10 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Page 11

GazetteNews

The curious tale of six buttons and the epic battle of San Sebastián.

A

n exhibition created by a Staffordshire Regiment Museum volunteer is telling the curious tale of six dusty buttons, found in the archives of the Basque Government’s archaeology department.

In 2010 James Whittaker, a volunteer at the museum and a keen amateur historian on the history of the Peninsular Wars was contacted by a fellow British historian visiting Spain.

The historian had discovered a set of buttons found buried with the bones of a soldier who fell at the epic storming of San Sebastián that took place on August 31st 1813.

The period of conflict known as the Peninsular War was part of the British wars with France and their leader Napoleon that broke out after the French Revolution in 1789.

As part of the offensive, Napoleon requested that his European allies blockade British goods. All but Portugal agreed. In 1807 Napoleon sent his troops into Portugal to subdue it. Spain was in turn invaded by French troops who seized sites of strategic importance while Napoleon put his own brother on the throne. At this Spain rebelled, and British troops arrived to fight Napoleon in the peninsula in 1808. San Sebastián is one of the most remarkable battles of this conflict.

Staffordshire’s 38th Foot was part of a British army of 30,000, fighting against a Napoleonic force of over 200,000 men. The siege and storming of San Sebastian, in 1813, was undertaken under the command of General Graham. The town and fortress of San Sebastián was held by the French and well fortified being on a peninsular surrounded on 3 sides by water, the town protected by high stone walls.

After several days of shelling these walls, hundreds of British troops tried to gain access through breaches made in the defences, whilst being fired on by French guns, but to no avail. It was then that General Graham had an inspired idea. For 20 minutes he told his troops to lie down whilst his own guns again fired on the walls.

Soldiers had to lie with their faces pressed to the ground whilst projectiles whizzed just inches from their heads. The idea worked and San Sebastián fell.

The buttons discovered in Spain may have belonged to Major John Werge of the 38th Foot. He died during the final storming of San Sebastián and was buried near where he fell. Through many months of negotiation, it was agreed that by kind permission of the Basque Government and the government’s GOAZ archaeology department at San Sebastián, the buttons might spend a short time in Britian, to launch an exhibition on the Staffordshire regiment’s involvement in the action. James Whittaker commented: “These buttons tell a fascinating story in the history of our regiment and are just part of the intriguing collections on offer at the museum.”

Replicas of the buttons are currently on show to ensure their preservation.

The exhibition was officially opened on September 3rd by the Deputy Mayor of Tamworth Mr Richard Kingston. This Staffordshire Regiment Museum also exhibits military vehicles, medals, uniforms, weapons and more personal items such a letters home from the front and even a wedding dress. The museum is known all over the UK for its remarkable WWI trench system that visitors can walk through to get a taste of what life would have been like for some soldiers in both world wars. This trench system is undergoing a massive redesign and will be open to the public again soon.

The museum regularly holds events throughout the year, and is planning a series of fascinating and evocative commemorations of the beginning of WWI from August 2014.

Go to www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.co.uk for further details. The museum is open Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm and 12.30 – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. It can be found at Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9PY. Tel: 01543 434394.

Page 12 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Lichfield Arts ticket giveaway

L

ichfield Arts celebrates its 40th birthday next year and yet many people in Lichfield and the district are not aware of the work carried out by this charitable organisation. Long-term residents may remember Lichfield Arts Centre based in the Old Post Office on Bird Street (now the site of Ego and some rather expensive apartments). Since its closure and subsequent demolition, Lichfield Arts has been somewhat “underground” but has continue to exist, focussing on promoting concerts in the Lichfield Guildhall and organising a variety of festivals each year including Fuse.

Lichfield District Arts Association (to use its full title) is often assumed to be part of the District Council. Many people mistake it as being attached to Lichfield Festival, especially as Fuse takes place at the same time as the Festival each year. Just as Lichfield is described as “A hidden treasure in the heart of the country”*, Lichfield Arts is a hidden treasure in the heart of Lichfield.

Director Dave Simcox muses on why this may be: “I think that perhaps the genre labels “Blues”, “Folk” and “Jazz” put people off. Each one conjures an image, for example, we all know that Folk audiences all have beards and chunky sweaters, and that’s just the women! Seriously, much of the music we put on in the Guildhall defies easy categorisation, but the world likes to put labels on things, especially music.”

Dave reckons that local people would enjoy many of the artists regardless of their genre label and he is on a mission to prove it: “I would love to see bigger attendances at our concerts. I want people to come to see an act on our recommendation, to be open to experience something new.”

This is your chance to get something for nothing. If you are not already on the Lichfield Arts customer database, you are eligible for two offers: • Two tickets for the price of one for any concert in the current Autumn programme (subject to availability).

• When you take up the first offer, your name goes into a draw to win another two tickets ABSOLUTLEY FREE!** Details of all concerts are on www.lichfieldarts.org.uk To claim your two-for-one tickets and enter the draw, send an email to dave.simcox@lichfieldarts specifying the concert you’d like to attend. * A description used by Visit Lichfield ** For a concert specified by Lichfield Arts

Lichfield Film offers a great night out

L

ichfield Film cinema project is offering an alternative to the usual type of cinema, showing film in a relaxed atmosphere and with the chance to see something different.

Screenings so far have included the independent Oscar-award winning ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ (which was the first sell out event).

From October Lichfield Film is moving to their new home venue of the back room of the George IV pub, which has just installed a brand new top-of-the-range screen and projecting system to provide an even better experience.

Screenings will now be on the first and third Wednesday of every month, with some special screenings from time to time.

On Wednesday 2nd October the film showing will be Rust and Bone - the brutally beautiful recent release from French director Audiard, starring Oscar winner Marion Cotillard.

For further information contact lichfieldfilm@gmail.com All Lichfield Film events are £5 entry, with doors opening at 7pm.

Page 13

Where art and engineering meet: Lichfield’s colourful railway bridge

O

By Patrick Comerford

ne of the interesting combinations of engineering, architecture and Victorian art in Lichfield is the colourfully-decorated Victorian railway bridge in Upper St John Street, just west of Lichfield City rail station.

Upper St John Street is crossed by this bridge, which is built of ashlar and cast-iron. The bridge, close to the junction with Saint John’s Hospital, was first built for the South Staffordshire Railway in 1849, and was later altered in 1882 and 1969.

On each side, the bridge is decorated with brightly-coloured heraldic insignia that encapsulate the story of the Cathedral City and the arrival of the railway.

The railway came to Lichfield in 1847 with the opening of the Trent Valley Railway track from Stafford to the BirminghamLondon line at Rugby. The first station was in Streethay, over a mile from the city centre. Two years later, a second station was built in the centre of Lichfield when the South Staffordshire Railway was opened that ran from Walsall through Lichfield to the Midland Railway at Wychnor, in Tatenhill.

The coats-of-arms on the bridge were selected by Richard Green of Stowe House, a Lichfield banker who paid for their carving. He was originally Chairman of the Lichfield Railways Committee, and a partner in the firm of Palmer Greene Bankers, which collapsed in 1855.

On the north side of the bridge, there are two pairs of relief armorial bearings below the frieze and one large one to the parapet.

The upper shields depict the old borough seal of Lichfield and the three lions passant guardant or leopards of England. These two shields were originally placed in the centre of the parapet, on the north and south sides of the bridge.

Lichfield’s ancient city seal shows three Christian knight martyrs, Lichfield Cathedral and a ring of trees. In the mid-13th century, a story developed that the name Lichfield meant ‘the field of corpses’, and local lore said the name recalled the martyrdom of Saint Amphibalus, a follower of Saint Alban, and 1,000 of his disciples in Lichfield in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian ca 300.

There is no evidence of any cult of the martyrs, and the story is not mentioned in the cathedral chronicles. However, in 1549 the new City Corporation chose to incorporate symbols of the mythical martyrdom in the design of its seal. The macabre seal depicts severed limbs, shields, swords, the cathedral and a grove of trees.

A century later, in 1651, the story of the martyrs, as told by local people, explained the vision of the Quaker George Fox, who said he saw blood flowing through the streets of Lichfield as he walked barefoot in the snow outside Saint Mary’s Church.

The lower shields on this side of the bridge are the coats of arms of four bishops of Lichfield: • John Hackett (1592–1670): he became Bishop of Lichfield in 1661, immediately after the English Civil War. Following the destruction of the cathedral in successive sieges of the Close in the civil war, he had the task of restoring Lichfield Cathedral.

Bishop Hackett’s arms are similar to those on his monument in Lichfield Cathedral.

• Roger de Clinton (died 1148): he rebuilt Lichfield Cathedral in the 12th century and was responsible too for introducing the medieval grid street plan for Lichfield that survives to this day.

However, he was bishop in a pre-heraldic age and the arms attributed to him are those of the Diocese of Lichfield. These arms are in red and white, with a large cross in the centre between four smaller crosses: Party per pale, gules and argent, a cross potent and quadrate in the centre, between four crosses patée, all counter-charged.

• William Hayworth (died 1447): he was Bishop of Lichfield from 1419-1447, and was the original founder of Dr Milley’s Hospital on Beacon Street, which he endowed in 1424. He gave the site in Beacon Street on condition that a rose was given to the Bishop of Lichfield on the Feast of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist (24 June), a custom that was revived in 1987. The arms ascribed to Bishop Hayworth show eight bishops’ mitres against a blue background.

• John Lonsdale (1788-1867): a former Principal of King’s College, London: he was Bishop of Lichfield (1843-1867) when Page 14 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

the railways came to Lichfield in 1847, and it is his vision that led to the foundation of Lichfield Theological College. Bishop Lonsdale’s arms are quartered in blue and white, with the second and third quarters displaying a black bugle. A gold band engraved with three amulets runs from the top right to the bottom left.

On the south side of the bridge, there are four armorial bearings representing local families: The colourful coats-of-arms on the railway bridge at • Anson: From 1831, the Anson family held the title of Earl of Lichfield. In 1847, the first earl’s son, Thomas George Anson (later Upper St John Street, Lichfield, display a decorative the second earl in 1854), was the Liberal MP for Lichfield, while combination of engineering, architecture and Victorian art (Photograph: Patrick Comerford) the earl’s younger brother, General George Anson (1797-1857), was Chairman of the Trent Valley, Midland and Grand Junction Railway and MP for Staffordshire South. Later, another member of the family, Bishop Adelbert John Robert Anson, was Master of Saint John’s Hospital, opposite this bridge. The arms of this branch of the Anson family are: Argent, three bends engrailed gules, and in the sinister chief point a crescent gules. However, this display omits the red crescent.

• Dyott: Richard Dyott (1808-1891) of Freeford Hall, south of Lichfield, He was a director of the South Staffordshire Railway and MP for Lichfield from 1865 to 1880. When he died at Freeford, he was buried at night in the family vault in Saint Mary’s Church, The royal arms of England on the north side of the Lichfield, following a centuries-old family tradition. The arms here bridge are also shown on many family monuments in the Dyott Chapel in Saint Mary’s: They are a tiger passant sable, armed and langued gules.

• Forster: Sir Charles Smith Foster, a Walsall banker, lived at Lysways Hall, Longdon, outside Lichfield. He was Chairman of the South Staffordshire Junction Railway, and later of the South Staffordshire Railway. In 1849, his daughter, Ellen Catherine Foster, married Captain Richard Dyott, who was also instrumental in bringing the railway to Lichfield.

• Bagot: The Bagot family of Blithfield, near Rugeley, about six miles north of Lichfield, kept the famous Bagot herd of goats.

Colonel Richard Bagot was a Governor of Lichfield Close during the English Civil War until he died on 7 July 1645 at the age of 26.

Two days later, he was buried in the south aisle choir of Lichfield Lichfield’s ancient city seal displayed on the north side Cathedral. The Bagot arms on the bridge are: ermine, two of the bridge perpetuates a mediaeval myth about chevronels azure. martyrdom Have another look at these colourful decorations the next time you are passing by.

Additional sources: Howard Clayton, Cathedral City: a look at Victorian Lichfield (Lichfield, 4th ed, 1992).

Michael Greenslade (ed), A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 14: Lichfield (Oxford, 1990).

Chris Upton, A History of Lichfield (Chichester, 2001).

Photographs: Patrick Comerford More information on Patrick Comerford is available at: www.patrickcomerford.com

The coats-of-arms of Bishop John Hackett and of the Diocese of Lichfield, representing Bishop Roger de Clinton, two bishops who rebuilt Lichfield Cathedral

The coats of arms of the Anson and Dyott families on the south side of the bridge

The coats of arms of Bishop William Hayworth and Bishop John Lonsdale The coats of arms of the Forster and Bagot families on the south side of the bridge

Page 15

GazetteNews

A message from our new Local Police Team Commander.

I

would like to take a moment to introduce myself as your new local policing team commander. My name is Inspector Rachel Joyce and over the last few weeks I have been getting to know the team of police officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and police staff, who provide the 24/7 community policing you value so much.

I am looking forward to meeting as many local residents as possible in the coming weeks and months and all of us at Lichfield are committed to keeping our community safe.

We are working even closer than ever before with our partners at Lichfield District Council. Our police enquiry desk has moved a short distance long Frog Lane to the nearby council building's reception, which is just a moment along the road.

There are many issues that police have to deal with which are related to things like housing or anti-social behaviour that the local council can also offer help with. Bringing services under one roof is a step forwards to dealing with some issues in a more joined up way.

We work very closely with our colleagues at the district council on a daily basis to deal with the things that matter to our communities and this move enhances that.

The new police front desk will deal with all the issues dealt with at the Police Station, including reporting crimes, taking reports of lost and found property, recording road traffic incidents, handling driving documentation if proof is required, supporting vulnerable people, crime appointment administration and handling complaints.

The new police customer services desk will open week days from 9am and 5pm. There will also be a police assistance button on the front of District Council House for any out-of-hours enquiries.

And of course the new enquiry office is just one of the ways we’re accessible to local people. We can be contacted 24/7 on the nonemergency number 101, or as always, in case of an emergency on 999. Our officers will continue to be available around-the-clock to respond to incidents and meet the needs of the communities. Inspector Rachel Joyce

Museum Volunteers Receive Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service O

n Tuesday 3rd September the Staffordshire Regiment Museum was delighted to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson CBE and Mrs Jane Dudson, the High Sheriff of Staffordshire Susie Lillingston, representatives of the Mercian Regiment, museum staff, trustees and volunteers to a glittering presentation of a prestigious award.

In May this year, volunteers at the museum were given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, known as the ‘MBE for volunteers’ for: “Providing an exceptional educational service for local schools within the museum and preserving its regimental collections.” The Queen’s award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. At the presentation ceremony, Mr Ian Dudson CBE handed a certificate signed by HRH The Queen and the engraved crystal award to Mr James Whittaker and Mrs Christine Gilbert as representatives of the over 120 individuals who donate their time, enthusiasm and expertise to the museum.

Dani Pritchard, Curator of the museum said: “We are so proud of our amazing volunteers, without them the museum would be a much lesser place. It’s a privilege to work with them.”

In the second half of the ceremony, Lance Corporal Watchman V, the much loved mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment was promoted to Corporal by Mrs Jane Dudson, who awarded him with his new chevrons of rank. LCpl Watchman, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, is present at many 3rd Battalion (Staffords) and Mercian Regiment events, including the home-coming parades that took place in Lichfield, Stafford and Burton The mascot tradition in the Regiments of Staffordshire stretches back to the 19th century. In 1882 The South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to march with Lord Wolseley to the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum. During this journey the Regiment’s pet dog known as “Boxer” leapt from a moving train and was seen lying unconscious, presumed dead at the side of the track. A few days later a very thin and bedraggled dog staggered into camp and collapsed. Boxer had walked over 200 miles along the scorching dessert railway track to rejoin his regiment.

The museum can be found at Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield WS14 9PY. Tel: 01543 434394. The museum is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 12.30 to 4pm and bank holidays 12.30 to 4pm.

The museum is planning lots of exciting developmentss and events over the coming months. Go to www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com for further details.

Chase Gazette goes from Strength to Strength

O

n the 16th August copies of the first issue of the Chase Gazette started to land on the welcome mats of 15,000 homes and businesses in the Cannock Chase area. This A4 glossy magazine is distributed to Cannock, Hednesford, Rugeley and Penkridge and is already becoming an intrinsic part of these communities.

The Chase Gazette is put together by the team that bring you the Lichfield Gazette.

We’re following a winning formula, bringing the Chase area news, competitions, lifestyle and heritage features, edited by Paul Oakley and Deputy Editor Joss Musgrove Knibb.

If you’d like to see a copy of the Chase Gazette, go to www.chasegazette.co.uk and have a look at our online September issue.

If you’ve got something you want to tell the Chase District about, get in touch at gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk for further information and advertising rates.

The Gazette goes from strength to strength!

Page 16 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Mr James Whittaker, the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Ian Dudson CBE and Mrs Christine Gilbert

Page 17

GazetteNews

Crime Panel welcomes Staffordshire Police Commissioner

M

r. Matthew Ellis, Staffordshire’s Crime and Police Commissioner attended the last meeting of the Lichfield District Crime Prevention Panel and received a very warm welcome from Panel Members.

Mr. Ellis presented his consultation document “Safer, Fairer, United Communities for Staffordshire 2013 – 2018” which includes his vision for policing in the County.

Mr. Alan Birch, Chairman of the Panel, commented: “Mr. Ellis has certainly ‘hit the ground running’ since his appointment and Panel Members were extremely encouraged with his vision for improving policing and community safety in our area. The Panel, whose Members are all volunteers, strive to achieve local solutions for crime prevention and are well known in Lichfield District for giving advice and making products available to local residents. The work of the Panel fits squarely with the aims of the consultation document. We wish Mr. Ellis every success.”

Mr. Ellis responded: "It was great to speak to Lichfield District Crime Prevention Panel Members about opportunities for local solutions including the soon-to-launch Commissioner's People Power Fund. It was a fascinating meeting in which Members were fully on board and were very receptive with some very insightful questions. This gives me great optimism and confidence, going forward, that by working with local partners we can make a real difference to the people of Lichfield District."

Emporium Celebrates its First Birthday!

E

mporium art gallery in Bird Street celebrated their first birthday on Saturday 14th September.

Customers and exhibiting artists enjoyed cake and fizz whilst watching demonstrations of various crafts from some of the gallery’s highly skilled makers.

The town crier was on hand to announce the celebration to the people of Lichfield, and live music was played in the street by two of Emporium’s versatile artists, adding to the occasion.

Emporium was set up last year by Amanda Moseley and Jannette Murphy, two local art graduates and entrepreneurs, offering bespoke exhibition space for emerging and established artists to exhibit and sell their work.

Amanda & Jannette Page 18 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Arthur Price become Lichfield Garrick’s first ever headline season sponsor

L

ichfield’s Garrick Theatre is celebrating after securing headline sponsorship for the next season in its first year as a charitable trust. World famous cutlery and gift manufacturer Arthur Price, whose client list includes the Savoy Hotel and members of the Royal family, and also supplies a number of large high street retailers including House of Fraser and Debenhams, is the new partner for the Garrick.

The headline sponsorship will be for autumn 2013 through to the end of spring 2014 and as part of the deal everybody who receives their show tickets via email will get a free Arthur Price gift voucher plus lots of other prizes throughout the season.

Simon Price, Arthur Price CEO, said: “I’m delighted by this sponsorship. The Garrick is not only a venue for excellent arts and entertainment across the region, but also works extensively with local groups, especially children and youth, as part of its outreach programme.”

Adrian Jackson, Lichfield Garrick Chief Executive and Artistic Director, added: “I’m delighted that Arthur Price is our first ever headline sponsor. They are a local company that has an international reputation, but also contribute a great deal to the local voluntary sector in the district.

“I’m also very pleased from the perspective of the Garrick’s new status as a charitable trust. Having a large brand sponsor in our first year as a trust is a real coup as we drive the business commercially. One of the main reasons we became an independent charity was to secure partnerships from elsewhere and enhance what we can offer to Lichfield and beyond.”

James Leavesley, Chairman of the Lichfield Garrick Board of Trustees, commented: “The sponsorship from Arthur Price is not only a milestone in the history of the Garrick, but their sponsorship will be contributing to the whole customer experience and will bring added value by offering customers free vouchers and gifts which will hopefully attract new people into the arts and entertainment sector of the city.”

Lichfield Town Crier Ken Knowles

Simon Price, CEO of Arthur Price, Adrian Jackson, Lichfield Garrick’s CEO and Artistic Director, James Leavesley, Chairman of the Lichfield Garrick Board and members of the under 13 Garrick Theatre Summer School Performing Arts students inside the Lichfield Garrick.

GazetteFeature

The Ghosts of Lichfield!

A

By Kate Gomez

t Halloween, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is said to be at its thinnest. As such, it’s a perfect time to share stories about some of the spirits that are said to have haunted this ancient city of ours over the years.

Yeomanry House was built in the early eighteenth century opposite St John’s Hospital on the site of the Old Culstubbe Hall. In 1896, the Friary Girls school moved into the building, having outgrown its old premises on Market Street. Boarders at the school often told their teacher that they had heard a baby crying in the night and would ask her if they could see the child. Yet there was no baby anywhere on the premises.

Although tempting to chalk this up to the vivid imagination of schoolchildren, it’s interesting that previous occupants of the building, including Captain Webster, an Adjutant of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, also reported hearing the cries. An explanation for this haunting was that a servant had murdered her child, but whether there is any truth to this story, or whether it was fabricated to add weight to the story, we will probably never know.

Yeomanry House was demolished in 1925.

Did the ghost disappear along with the building, or are these pitiful cries still heard in that area late at night?

The Friary School is also associated with another supposed haunting. After leaving Yeomanry House in 1921, the school occupied the buildings which are now used as Lichfield Library. At the west end is ‘The Bishops Lodging’, once part of the Franciscan Friary dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. Some of the old pupils from the school recall stories of a mysterious figure haunting the grounds, passing through the stone archway which now stands in the college campus. Is this the spirit of one of the grey friars returning to disobey the king’s orders? Or perhaps it is Richard the Merchant, whose grave was disturbed in the eighteenth century and whose faded fourteenth century tombstone can still be seen today, embedded in the walls of the building.

The cellars at the library are said to be connected to a network of tunnels that supposedly runs beneath the city. A stretch of tunnel leading from here to Sandford Street, is reportedly haunted by a young girl, who is believed to have been trapped down there.

Some say she was playing truant and hiding in the tunnels when workmen

came to seal up the entrance, others say that the roof collapsed and rescuers were unable to save her. One of the entrances to the tunnel may be beneath a sixteenth century building on Sandford Street, where former owners have reported that their dogs would refuse to go down into the cellar, and tell tales of poltergeist activity and strange shadows within its timber framed walls.

The nearby Kings Head pub on Bird Street, thought to date back to 1408, is said to be haunted by a young woman who worked as a maid at the pub, and lost her life during a fire. Likewise, a presence is said to be felt at a building on Breadmarket Street where, in 1873, a blaze claimed the lives of three generations of the same family, as they slept above the premises of their clock and watch making business.

In the eighteenth century, two wellknown Lichfield residents told their own versions of what once seems to have been a well-known story. David Garrick mentioned a supposedly haunted spot known as Bessy Banks’ Grave on ‘The Dimble’, which he described as ‘a sunken road leading north from Lichfield where two trees form an elegant arch over a stream’. Anna Seward wrote a poem for her friend Honora Sneyd, from the spot, and according to her, it was ‘the grave of a suicide’. The poem begins, “It suits the temper of my soul to pour/Fond, fruitless plaints beneath the lonely bower/Here, in this silent glade, that c h i l d h o o d fears/Where the lovedesperate maid, of vanish’d years/Slung her dire cord between the sister trees/ That slowly bend their branches to the breeze/And shade the

bank that screens her mouldering form/From the swart Dog-Star, and the wintry storm.”

Some years later, another poem on the subject was published by Frederick Price.

In this version, entitled ‘The Circuit Lane’, Bessy is found drowned and her grave described as a green mound where four cross roads meet. A place known as ‘Bessy Banks Grave’ can be found marked on early nineteenth century maps of Lichfield, and the place name was still in existence as late as 1914, when the Lichfield Mercury carried an advertisement for the sale of land at Bessy Banks. However, it seems that the true origins of the story and the identity of Lichfield’s love-desperate maid were lost long ago. In 1805, Lichfield printer and bookseller, John Jackson, described the place as, ‘once the famous rendezvous of lovers….now no more is remembered than that poor Betsy (sic) is said to have fallen victim to hapless love’.

The place name and its provenance may have disappeared, but has the ghost of Bessy Banks vanished with them?

Another tragic female, in the form of a lady dressed in a white nightdress is said to have been witnessed wandering the lanes and fields of Leomansley. Possibly related to this are the reports of a spectre in the area that local historian John Jackson investigated in the 1930s. Mr Jackson described how in the late eighteenth century, considerable alarm had been caused when several people passing by the site of the ancient manor at The Abnalls

The Bishop’s Lodgings

had witnessed an apparition. Mr Jackson visited the site at midnight on several occasions to see if this phantom would materialise but reported that the closest thing to a ghost he saw was weird forms in the trees and bushes created by the dim light, and on one occasion the gentle waving of a white nightgown pegged on a clothes line. It may not be haunted, but traces of the moated medieval manor house can still be seen in a field at the edge of Pipe Green.

Having read these tales, do you believe that the old residents of Lichfield sometimes return to walk amongst us? If you need further convincing, perhaps you should join one of the Gruesome and Ghostly tours taking place in Lichfield this Autumn. Details can be found on the www.visitlichfield.co.uk website, or via the Tourist Information Centre at the St Mary's Centre on Market Square.

Sources: The History of The Friary School by Helen Mullins. History of the City and County of Lichfield and History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Lichfield by John Jackson www.pastscape.org.uk Mystical Happenings by Carol Arnall The Poetical Works of Anna Seward with Extracts from Her Letter and Literary Correspondence Lichfield Mercury Archive

Richard the merchant’s tombstone. lichfieldlore Page 19

GazetteNews

Archbishop of Canterbury Encourages Parishioners to Support Credit Unions

T

he Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, has called on church parishioners to lend a hand to credit unions in a bid to provide an alternative to payday lenders. He hopes that skilled churchgoers with financial experience will volunteer at their local credit union.

The Church of England's Director of Mission and Public Affairs, Malcolm Brown, said the aim was to encourage a more diverse financial sector. He said the Archbishop, was interested in promoting credit unions because: "They are an established route of access to finance.

If we can develop the credit union sector that will widen the finance sector more generally. With a more diverse financial sector, there should be less need for payday lenders who extract exorbitant interest rates.”

Reproduced from the Fusion Credit Union newsletter by kind permission of the Fusion Credit Union. More information is available at: Phone: The Archbishop of 01543 415032 07972 656182 Website: Canterbury. www.fusioncreditunion.co.uk Fusion Image Credit Union Limited ,The Old Mining www.archbishopofcanCollege Centre, Queen Street, terbury.org Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 4QH

Page 20 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Exclusive visits, activities and talks for Lichfield National Trust members

T

hroughout the country the National Trust has many support groups which are organised solely for the enjoyment of its members. One such group exists in Lichfield and goes by the title of the South East Staffordshire Association of National Trust Members.

This highly enthusiastic group offers a variety of activities to suite many tastes. Amongst these activities are coach trips to National Trust sites, Members of the Lichfield National Trust exclusive car trips to privately owned country Supporters Group on a recent private visit to Langley Priory homes where the owner provides a conducted tour, talks of general interest by excellent speakers (held in St Mary’s Centre, £2 including coffee/tea and biscuits), short and long walks led by first-rate guides who are familiar with local history, a 4/5 day holiday (next year based in the Bath/Wells area with trips to nearby places of historic interest) and mid-year and Christmas luncheons.

Events in October are to be held on Wednesday October 2 (Short walk at Melbourne), Thursday October 10 (Long walk at Milford and Belper), Thursday October 17 (Talk – George Vernon and Sudbury Hall at St Mary’s Centre).

In November there will also be a Christmas spectacular coach trip to Tatton Park with shopping and a Christmas show.

Although based in Lichfield, this active group also attracts members from Tamworth, Burton and Uttoxeter.

Information and a free newsletter can be obtained from the Membership Secretary, Rosemary Tole on 01543 263981 or the Chairperson, Pam McKniff on 01530 272756. They can be found on the National Trust website or www.sesnationaltrust.btck.co.uk

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance 2013 T

he damp and autumnal weather didn’t dampen the enjoyment of the crowds of people who assembled to watch the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance on Monday 9th September. The Horn Dance is performed each year on Wakes Monday, and is thought to be one the oldest rural rituals in the country.

The Horn Dancers are made up of six Deer-men, a Fool, a Hobby Horse, a Bowman and Maid Marian (normally a feller in a long dress!).

The dancers make a succession of complicated circles and figures of eight, sometimes rearing up towards each other. The horns used are ancient reindeer horns that have been carbon dated to around the 10th century, and are thought to have been taken from reindeer descended from the herds brought over by the Vikings.

The horns are collected from St Nicholas’ church before 8am, and the dance carries on, processing and stopping, around the bounds of the village until the evening, by which time they have covered 16km’s At several farmhouses and stops along the way the owners provided drinks and cakes to keep the dancers and crowds fed, before having a go at some of the dance steps themselves!

Lichfield Festival of Folk 25th-27th October T

his excellent value festival held at the Guildhall will be hosting the usual excellent quality performers throughout including the Kimbers Men, John Kirkpatrick, Les Barker, The Jigantics, Folklaw and PIG. In addition to a tremendous line-up the festival includes Fringe events that are generally free. Full festival tickets are just £38 with day tickets from £12.50 New for this year is the L2F Festival Market! Why not take this opportunity to stock up on early Christmas presents at this quality craft market to be held in the Guildroom on Saturday 26 October?

Just ask any of the volunteers accompanying the ‘morris’ sides, ‘mummers’ and ‘Jack in the Green’ performing in the city centre during the weekend for directions to what promises to become a real gem in the Festival calendar.

For full details, line up and tickets, go to www.lichfieldarts.org.uk

Page 21

GazetteNews

Great War Dig Gets Underway in Staffordshire

O

n Monday 9th September archaeologists began the excavation of a large model which helped troops to achieve one of the most successful offensives of the Great War.

The scaled terrain model was built by German Prisoners of War at Brocton Camp on Cannock Chase in 1918, and is the only surviving replica of its kind in the United Kingdom. The model represents the town of Messines in Belgium and its surrounding landscape.

In 1917, the Messines Ridge formed an anchor in the German front lines, but a week-long offensive of infantry attack, aerial bombardment and heavy shelling in June resulted in an Allied victory.

The battle was fought in the build-up to the much larger Passchendaele offensive which would begin in July of that year.

Following the return of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade outfit to Brocton Camp, they had the scaled replica of their sector of the battlefield built to serve as a training aid and as an act of commemoration.

With the outbreak of the Second World War the site was once again used as a military training camp and the area became overgrown and eventually buried.

Now Staffordshire County Council, in a project funded by Natural England, is to excavate the model to capture a record for future generations of the role it played in World War I. Following this, it will be carefully protected and reburied to ensure its continued survival.

Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, said: “With the approaching 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, it seems the right time to excavate the model to ensure that the legacy of the men who served at the camp lives on for years to come.

“We see ourselves very much as custodians of the land and of the memories it holds and this is a wonderful opportunity to bring the site back to ‘life’ for future generations.”

Archaeologists have already carried out exploratory work and it is hoped that much of the model, which included replicas of a church and other buildings, remains largely intact.

The prisoners of war, under the guidance of the rifle brigade, built the model and rendered it in concrete. Fossilised in the concrete are trench railway lines, trenches and roads; contour lines are also represented and the model was properly aligned to the compass.

Experts from the county will be working closely with specialists from No Man’s Land and local volunteers to ensure the site is protected as the 35m by 40m site is excavated, whilst protecting the surrounding environment.

Once the site is fully exposed details will be photographed and recorded – before it is preserved by being carefully reburied in mid October.

Due to the location, scale and fragile nature of the model it is impossible for it to be moved or left uncovered.

Troops in training jumping over trench. © Courtesy NAM Page 22 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

H

Shopping just gets even better…

eart of the Country Shopping Village has grown from one original farm and craft shop called Three French Hens, into a beautiful shopping village boasting boutiques, craft stores, independent retailers and awardwinning restaurants. Family owned and managed, the Stubbs family ensure Heart of the Country retains its rural feel by cultivating trees, flower beds and hedgerows within and around the shopping village.

Visitors can enjoy lunch in courtyards surrounded by flourishing fauna and gardens, take a relaxing stroll through woodland, and shop in peace, away from the hustle and bustle of the high street.

Heart of the Country Shopping Village has a large car park and offers free parking and disabled parking. Why not call and find what we found?

Heart Gallery – always an interesting and varied collection of what is new and original in the world of art.

See the Paul Horton “love & Hope” Museum Collection, profiling work which coincidentally will be on show at the Water Hall Museum in Birmingham on 12 October.

Paul Martyn Furniture – the smell of the newly hewn wood and beeswax is enough to make you want to buy! See their new collection of handpainted chunky plank-top rustic tables and matching chairs. Also the new X-legs dining tables are very stylish.

The Pear Tree Creperie is reknown for its superb offerings.

This remains one of the biggest draws for the centre with many visiting from far and wide. It’s almost like being in Paris - c’est magnifique!

Heart Cookshop – if you are a cook, or are inspired to cook by the many TV cookery shows, or if you know someone who cooks and are looking for a gift, then you will love this shop full of gadgets, utensils and paraphernalia to do with cooking.

Allen Brown Jewellery – no wonder people travel from all over the country to visit Allen Brown. Design. Their work is renowned and you can get old heirlooms remodeled into contemporary pieces. Also see their new jewellery collections arriving now for the new season.

Bridal Rooms - Offering beautiful gowns from some fantastic designers, at prices to suit all budgets, choose your wedding

GazetteFeature

OPI manicures and pedicures, Minx toes, Mineral make up Jane Iredale and much more.

La Maison Bleue - Offering an extensive range of French style furniture, ceramics, bed linen, toiletries and home accessories. See Moulin Roty – a celebrated range of French soft toys loved by children across the continent. You will find inspiration for every room in your home.

Tres jolie!

Magical Story – Simply everything for Chrismas! No point going elsewhere when Magical Story have it all here and at the right price. You may think that is a wild claim but believe me you can save a lot of time by starting your Christmas shopping at the Heart of the Country.

Anthony John Hair Salons – this National Award Winning salon is both professional and creative, focusing on beautiful cuts, colouring and styling. Picking up awards at last month’s London Fashion Week, you can ask no more of your stylist than sheer excellence and attention to detail. Open Tuesday – Sunday.

Boutique Eleven - offers stylish clothing and accessories for women that reflect femininity, confidence and style. All of their ever evolving collections have a contemporary edge that is easy to wear for all age groups and includes sought after brands such as Masai & Sandwich.

Lazy Days - Cupcakes and more – this brand new cup cake/coffee shop has been such a huge success in a short space of time that they are now moving to a new unit on site! The bigger premises will have a demo theatre seating up to 40, a mini milkshake bar, tots corner, baby changing etc. Lazy Day Cakes offers a variety of flavoured cupcakes, fat free, gluten free and dairy free cupcakes as well as speciality celebration cakes and wedding. You will also be able to take part in cake decorating workshops.

Rohan Travel Unlimited - Specialists in climate clothing. Find everything you need to keep you dry, warm, comfortable or cool wherever you are going in the world.

Midland Log Cabins - Boasting a wide range of garden buildings and furniture, to add comfort to your outdoor living, the show site is situated in the garden at Heart of the Country Shopping Village.

at The Heart of the Country Shopping Village dress in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at The Bridal Rooms.

See an additional new range of dresses for the curvier lady sizes16-34.

Knitique - something radical in the world of creativity, knitting is the rediscovered frenzy that is sweeping the globe. Knitique is new and bursting with fresh ideas with brands like Bergere de France, Artesano, Wendy Yarns, Designer Yarns, Debbie Bliss, as well as DK 100% British wool.

La Belle Cuisine - offer an extensive and varied range of modern, traditional and contemporary kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. Visit their design studio to discover how they can create for you a bespoke and exclusive interior project.

Seasalt at Chadwick’s - is now in its second Autumn/Winter season at Heart of the Country, and is now showcasing a fantastic collection of beautifully designed clothing. Now in-store, this year’s range includes lovely stylish rainwear and soft organic cotton tops with unique cotton prints, all designed at the company’s design studios in Cornwall. Knitwear, trousers, soft cord skirts and dresses complete the collection. Accessories include attractive hand woven scarves and Seasalt’s famous colourful jute bags, Handybands, Sailor Socks and Fluffies… all of which make ideal gifts all year round.

The Barn Restaurant – now open 12 years, this AA award winning restaurant offering sandwiches built to order, tempting salads and scrumptious cakes and traditional Sunday lunch, two courses from £10.95.

BeautyQuest - Enjoy an extensive range of beauty treatments including Sothys facials and body treatments, Environ, St Tropez tanning, waxing and threading, Calgel and

Page 23

GazetteNews

Lichfield Food Festival 2013 dishes up a treat!

T

he second Lichfield Food Festival, which took place on and much more. There was also a selection of craft stalls Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, and children’s workshops, which meant there was attracted thousands of people to the city. something to suit all tastes.

From nine master chefs who cooked up a storm in the Emporium art gallery hosted Fruity Tooty - a food Lichfield Garrick, to a special Farmers’ Market, and the sculpture contest – on the Saturday which was judged by Best of Local Brewing event, foodies from across the chef and expert margarine sculptor Simon Smith. region were spoilt for choice at the Lichfield Food Festival.

Adrian Jackson, Artistic and Executive Director of the Then Sunday saw the judging of the Cupcake Lichfield Garrick, said: “Lichfield Food Festival was a huge Competition. There were 31 entries into the contest, which success. It was great to see the theatre so packed with included celebration cupcakes and monster-themed around 6,000 people visiting over two days. As well as cupcakes for the younger bakers. browsing the food producers’ stalls in the Studio and The cupcakes were tasted and judged by the Theatre Bar, festival-goers enjoyed the ten free cookery competition sponsors, Vicky Woolston and Lizzy Braine, demonstrations Managers of by local and The Kitchen regional chefs on Shop on Market our main stage.

Street in “It was a Lichfield. pleasure to be T h e y involved in the awarded the festival and great first prizes to to see so many S o p h i e people enjoying Langham (age all the different 4 to 11 elements of it.” category), to Local retailers A l i c e and restaurants Lainingham also saw a boost (age 12 to 16 in trade as category) and Food Festival market thousands of to Rachel people flocked to the city for the popular event.

Grassby (age 17+ category).

Restaurants and cafes on the World Food Trail, that All three winners received vouchers to spend in The offered £10 set menus, were packed with diners. Many Kitchen Shop as well as Lichfield Garrick theatre tickets. festival-goers also followed the Ale and Wine Trail, Eleven-year-old Sophie Langham won two tickets to see sampling wine and ale for £3 a glass at drinking the festive pantomime Snow White and the Magic Mirror, establishments across the city. and Alice Lainingham and Rachel Grassby both won two Tippers on Europa Way hosted three free cookery tickets to see Masterchef Simon Smith at the Garrick on 10 demonstrations, featuring celebrity chef Rachel Green on October.

Saturday 31st August.

Vicky Woolston, Manager of The Kitchen Shop, said: The three demonstrations saw the Kill it! Cook it! Eat it!

“The standard of baking and decoration was really high, chef expertly prepare a number of delicious dishes on the and we were really impressed with the creativity of all the Falcon induction range cooker, which attracted audiences bakers. Well done to the winners and runners up, and of up to 100 each show. many thanks to everyone who entered the competition.”

Amy Tipper said: “We are once again pleased to be Lichfield Food Festival was organised by the Lichfield involved in the Lichfield Food Festival. Rachel Green gave Garrick and Lichfield District Council – in association with three fabulous demonstrations in our purpose built kitchen, chef Simon Smith, Lichfield City Council and Lichfield Arts. showcasing the Falcon Induction range cooker. We were It was sponsored by Midlands Co-operative, Tippers, Three thrilled to see so many people in the showroom.”

Spires Shopping Centre and The Kitchen Shop.

Lichfield Arts’ Best of Local Brewing event in the Guildhall’s Guildroom was a popular attraction over the weekend. A steady stream of people sampled and bought Real Ale and cider from a range of local producers, including Backyard Brewery, Woody Cider and Quartz.

Throughout the festival weekend, Lichfield City Council’s special Farmers’ Market packed out the Market Square, surrounding city streets and Three Spires Shopping Centre, with just over 70 stalls offering a wide Lichfield Arts' Best of Local Brewing event variety of produce, including a tasty choice of hot food, in the Guildhall's Guildroom pies, cheese, olives, fudge, cakes, locally sourced fruit, Page 24 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Winner and runners up in the middle category

Winner of the adult category, Rachel Grassby with judges

Runners up in the adult category, Claire Bourton and Lucy Gee , with judges

Winner of the junior category, Sophie Langham with judges

Get Creative At Highclare Pre-School HIGHCLARE SCHOOL NURSERY & PRE-SCHOOL, caters for children from 18 months, to 4+ years.

Highclare Nursery & Pre-School aims to provide a unique learning experience for all children and this year we have included some extra special ‘Creative’ sessions for children attending Highclare PreSchool. In addition to their morning sessions, which concentrate on independent learning in phonics, literacy and numeracy, they have creative sessions each afternoon. These include: Music & Movement; Let’s get cooking; French & Sign Language, Introduction to Spanish; ICT, Gardening; Mini Maestros; Ballett & Dance; Cool Kids Core Stability, and much more. These sessions are led by highly qualified and specialist staff and supported by our excellent team of qualified Nursery Nurses and Teaching Assistants who are skilled and knowledgeable and hold high levels of qualifications including Foundation degrees and BA Hons. They provide a wealth of age appropriate activities to

enhance the children’s learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Highclare Nursery & Pre-School is open from 7.30am to 6pm and offers morning, afternoon or full day sessions. There is also a choice of full year or term time contracts and fees are inclusive of all meals, snacks and nappies, and are paid monthly. All children are offered an inclusive healthy lunch and snack during the day, freshly prepared on site and special dietary needs can be catered for.

Why not find out more about Highclare Nursery & Pre-School at one of our Open Mornings. You will

be welcome to come along and try one of our ‘Taster’ Sessions by booking a visit to one of our exciting Creative afternoons. Please ring the Admissions Office for more information on: 0121 386 8218.

At Highclare School children’s happiness and safety is the central part of providing a nurturing environment where each child is encouraged to reach his/her full potential.

For Further information about Highclare School, please contact the Registrar & Marketing Manager, Julia Baden, on 0121 386 8218.

Page 25

GazetteFeature

Norton & Stafford Bathrooms

A

“SECOND TO NONE”

re you thinking of updating or improving your bathroom? Then you’ll probably want someone with years of experience in planning, designing and fitting the bathroom of your dreams? And at the right price?

This is where Norton & Stafford Bathrooms come in, an independent and family run business. Established for 40 years, Norton & Stafford Bathrooms provides all the experience, reassurance and choice that you’d expect from a top class team of sales people, designers, craftsmen and installers.

To begin with there are two fantastic showrooms, one in Norton Canes and one in Stafford, undoubtedly the largest showroom in the area with more than 70 displays.

Browsing around the showroom is a fantastic way to help you make the all-important final decision about style, colours and design, which is why Norton & Stafford Bathrooms regularly update their displays ensuring the widest choice possible. Their team of experienced staff monitor the latest industry trends and only select ranges that meet their own exacting standards in terms of quality and style.

This is not an internet service; it’s a personalised individual service which is tailored to customers’ needs and they pride themselves in providing excellent customer service. Consequently, a lot of their success is due to customer recommendations and repeat business.

Whilst choice is important, Norton & Stafford Bathrooms strive to support British brands whenever possible and they aim to support local businesses by being part of the ‘Buy Local’ scheme.

Those Finishing Touches Of course it’s not just about choosing a new suite; there are so many other things to consider and this too is one of the many strengths of Norton & Stafford Bathrooms. With the latest bathroom accessories from brands like Bossini, Bristan, Imperial, Inda, Keuco, Rena and Smedbo you’ll be able to add those finishing touches which will see your new bathroom bang on trend with a modern twist or perfectly suited to a more traditional setting. Very soon there will also be the launch of the ‘Roman @ Home’ accessory range.

When is a radiator not just a radiator? When it’s also a towel warmer or a functional, yet stylish and effective addition to give the smallest room in the house that ‘wow’ factor. Norton Bathrooms has a radiator area displaying stylish radiators for the whole home, and at competitive prices too.

Sometimes the most simple bathroom suite can be beautifully enhanced by the choice and style of wall and floor tiles and there is a wide range on display for you to choose from. If you find it all a bit overwhelming then you can rely of the friendly staff here to help you with your choices. Pick up great ideas on how to use tiles to create stylish new looks too.

Maybe you dream of changing your bathroom to a wet room? No problem. Norton & Stafford Bathrooms are also experts in all flooring solutions, under floor heating and wet rooms.

They offer a free home survey and complimentary design no matter what your bathroom requirements are.

Page 26 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

You will be assigned a personal designer whose professional 3D CAD designs will allow you to see the future of your bathroom before committing to buy.

Norton & Stafford Bathrooms is a company with a heart, and they work with the local community. This year they held a fundraising Ball on behalf of The Teenage Cancer Trust and raised a massive £5,500. In addition to this they support local schools with work experience programmes and they are also sponsors of Berkswich FC, a boy’s football team in Stafford.

Peace of mind With experienced quality bathroom fitters for your total peace of mind and the added bonus of strong relationships with the biggest names in bathrooms, it means you can enjoy a reassuring touch of luxury in your home at an affordable price.

And if you’re still not convinced, here are some testimonials from some very satisfied customers: "We were impressed with the design, planning and installation. Nothing was too much trouble; a truly excellent service"- Mr & Mrs Mercer, Sutton Coldfield "We have lived in this area for a number of years and our impression of Norton Bathrooms was that you would be too expensive for us to use. However we were seriously mistaken. We cannot recommend the staff and Norton Bathrooms highly enough..." Mr & Mrs Williams Cannock "Having travelled across the West Midlands to many showrooms, we obviously made the right choice. The quality of your product, design service, fitting and after sales have been second to none. We will be recommending your team to all our friends." Mr & Mrs Knapton- Rugeley

GazetteNews

Lichfield Ladies Circle donate £500 to charity.

Innovative RemPods arrive at Lichfield

L

ichfield Ladies Circle recently made a donation of £500 towards the Tamworth and Lichfield Branch of the MS Society.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological condition which affects around 100,000 people in the UK. There is currently no cure for the disease. The debilitating condition can cause a number of symptoms of varying severity, including fatigue, blurred or loss of vision, weakness and spasms in the limbs and balance problems.

Jodie McCabe, a member of Lichfield Ladies Circle commented: “With both of my parents living with the condition, and my late mother-in-law also having had MS, I am only too aware of the impact the condition can have on individuals and their families. So I am thrilled that Lichfield Ladies Circle is able to donate to this worthy cause and help contribute, albeit in a small way, to the great work that the MS Society does.”

The Tamworth and Lichfield Branch of the MS Society provides invaluable support to anyone in the local area living with or affected by the disease. The group runs weekly sessions where people can get advice about equipment and living aids or just have a cup of tea and a chat with others who understand. The group also arranges weekly yoga / exercise classes.

The donation will be used to help local MS sufferers, including financial help towards transport costs to enable an MS sufferer to have a respite holiday in Portsmouth, and also financial support for a lady who has an urgent need for a wet room as her MS has deteriorated very quickly.

Margaret White, Lead Support Officer for the Tamworth and Lichfield Branch said: “The donation will mean so much to these people, thank you very much Lichfield Ladies Circle.”

Lichfield Ladies Circle is a friendly group of women between 18 and 45 who want to have fun, socialise, make new friendships and fundraise.

They meet twice monthly, usually on a Tuesday evening, to have fun nights out, try out new activities, and in the process raise money for local charities. To find out more about Lichfield Ladies Circle visit their website www.lichfieldladiescircle.co.uk The Tamworth and Lichfield Branch of the MS Society can be contacted on 01827 895719. The weekly drop-in sessions are held between 1pm and 3pm on Tuesday afternoons at Glascote Methodist Church, Neville Street, Glascote, B77 2BA. The branch also holds a support meeting in Lichfield at Holy Cross Church, St Johns Street every 2nd Tuesday in the month. For more information please contact Gary on 01543 481006.

T

wo ‘pop-up’ 1950s living rooms have been delivered and set up at Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Lichfield.

The Reminiscence Pods – or RemPods for short – which recently featured on the TV show Dragon’s Den, have been paid for by the hospital’s League of Friends. One is now in the day room of the Anna Ward and the other is in the day room of the Darwin Ward.

Sister Tina Luke said they were already proving to be a great talking point among patients who remember the authentic newspapers, magazines and furnishings included in the ‘room’. A reproduction television and radio are included which have modern technology embedded and will play original 1950s programmes, films and music.

Meryl Hewitson-Groves, Chair of the League of Friends, said she was delighted that they had placed their order before the RemPods achieved national fame on the hit BBC2 programme where businesses bid for investment from millionaire entrepreneurs in return for a share of their business.

“The hospital could see the potential that these innovative RemPods had to relax and reassure elderly patients who can share happy memories of their younger days and feel more comfortable and confident in hospital as a result,” she said. “We were delighted to support them by funding the purchase of two RemPods.”

The Trust’s other hospitals are also benefitting thanks to the generosity of their own League of Friends fundraisers. Queen’s Hospital is having four RemPods and Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital, in Tamworth, is having one.

Viewers of Dragon’s Den recently saw Gloucestershire-based RemPods creator Richard Ernest win over ‘dragons’ Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden who agreed to make a joint £100,000 investment in his company.

Richard said the nostalgic features of the RemPods all help to stimulate chat and promote a relaxed, calmer state of mind.

He explained: “If patients are feeling distressed and anxious in the unfamiliar surroundings of a hospital, the RemPods take them back to happier times.”

Long term memory can stay intact when people suffer from dementia, and hospitals already using the pods say the results have been incredible.

Lichfield City neighbourhood area L

ichfield City Council has applied to Lichfield District Council to designate the parish of Lichfield as a ‘neighbourhood area’, in the first stage of creating a ‘neighbourhood plan’ for their area.

This follows in the path of other parish councils across the district that are preparing their own plans to shape how their communities will be developed in the future.

The opportunity to comment on the proposed Lichfield City area designation is running until Monday 21 October 2013.

To comment on the proposed Lichfield City designation or to find out more about neighbourhood planning, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplans or call Lichfield District Council on 01543 308196.

To find out more about the Lichfield City neighbourhood plan or if you want to get involved, please contact Lichfield City Council on 01543 250011 or email enquiries@lichfield.gov.uk.

Page 28 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

L to R: Meryl Hewitson-Groves, Chair of Samuel Johnson League of Friends; Maureen Hemmingsley, Secretary of Samuel Johnson League of Friends, Sister Tina Luke and Sister Claire Wood.

Doug Hyde- ‘The most popular living artist in the UK’ S

ince he was named as the country’s bestselling artist and described in a BBC news broadcast as ‘the most popular living artist in the UK’, Doug Hyde has become a fine art phenomenon. His original paintings and limited editions have become highly soughtafter collectors’ items and he has won countless awards. As well as being the subject of four HYDE Moonlit Walk lavishly illustrated books, he has been featured in numerous articles and on national TV and radio on several occasions, and on a recent tour of Japan, collectors queued around the block for an opportunity to meet the man whose artwork transcends boundaries and crosses continents.

This autumn Whitewall Galleries in Lichfield is mounting an exclusive retrospective exhibition of some of Doug’s best loved work, as well as launching ‘Rural Retreat’, a brand new collection of show-stopping limited editions and sculptures. Having grown up in central Bristol, Doug recently moved to rural Gloucestershire with his family, a step which represented a massive change in his lifestyle.

To celebrate this significant event he built this

HYDE Rain Stopped Play

very special work around his new life in the West Country, a uniquely personal tribute to life, love and lasting friendships.

The beauty and tranquillity of Doug’s surroundings offered a peaceful new HYDE Lunch Time environment in which to think, observe, imagine, sketch and create some of the finest work of his career, and a whole new cast of enchanting characters are introduced, ready to steal our hearts. www.whitewallgalleries.com www.facebook.com/whitewallgalleries www.twitter.com/wwgalleries

Page 29

Gazette City People

Allen Necchi Living Art in Wood and Stone

By Joss Musgrove Knibb

A

llen Necci is a sculptor and carver whose work is part of some of the greatest buildings in the UK, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle.

Allen lives with his family in Hednesford, just a short way from where he was born and grew up. His workshop, also in Hednesford, is full of the paraphernalia of a working sculptor. A drawing-board stands in the corner covered in sketches of a classical work. On the many shelves are half-finished carvings, finished commissions waiting to get packaged up, jam jars full of clay moulding tools, chisels, mallets and other tools of the trade. The floor is scattered with wood shavings around a full scale articulated skeleton (for judging correct anatomical proportions) that stands next to a work-in-progress clay portrait head of his daughter.

It’s a real working studio where the sculptor spends a lot of his time.

Allen has been drawing for as long as he can remember, but it was during life-drawing classes in Cannock that his wood-carving talent was picked up on by the course tutor, whose husband, Stuart Osbourne, headed a Sculpture course at Stafford Art College. Allen was accepted on to the course and went on to achieve a Diploma and Post Graduate in Sculpture. Allen is still very grateful to Stuart, (a highly regarded sculptor in his own right and excellent tutor) for the time and patience he put in to teaching him.

This course led to him exhibiting at Shugborough Hall as part of a group show, where his work was noticed by Linford Bridgemans, the Lichfield based (now sadly no longer in business) architectural and ecclesiastical restoration company, who took him on. At Linford’s Allen was lucky enough to be apprenticed to sculptor and

carver Dennis Parsons MBE. He commented: “Walking into Bridgemans was a revelation. There were all these guys working on massive lumps of stone, I was just handed a chisel and told to get on with it. I was so lucky to be working with Dennis. He was incredibly generous with his time and really wanted me to learn. He was the best role model I could ever have, a fantastic carver and a lovely man.

“Wood is a very tricky material to work in, it’s actually harder than stone as the wood grain makes it hard to manipulate. Stone carvers can’t carve wood, but wood carvers can carve stone. Dennis could do the lot.”

Seven weeks in however, as soon as he has earned enough money, Allen took himself off to Italy to see firsthand the work of the Michael Angelo.

When Allen got back he was 25 and unemployed.

Luckily, a government new-business-set-up scheme was then in operation, allowing him to work for himself, and to be hired back by Linfords where he stayed for several years.

For ten years Allen also taught wood-carving at Lichfield College of Art. Whilst tutoring Allen came across a lady who wanted to learn to carve but had debilitating arthritis in her fingers. To get round the problem Allen made her a small, lightweight mallet that allowed her to work at her own pace. Eventually the action of carving helped to alleviate a lot of the pain in her hands. He also remembers a young man who used the creative outlet of wood-carving to overcome some very difficult mental health problems, who was then offered a job as a carver at one of our great cathedrals.

He is a firm believer in the healing power of creating art and believes that great art should be available to

A work-in-progress.

Page 30 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Allen in his studio everyone, not just to those who can afford it.

Allen now works as a freelance carver and sculptor, with commissions that cover many aspects of the art form he loves, from re-carving stone tracery in a Saxon church, to sculpting portraits in bronze and carving fantastically detailed pieces in wood. His carving skills are also in demand for adding names to both personal and national memorials.

He has also worked on projects all over the world, including sculpting ‘chocolate’ waterfalls in plaster at Pinewood Studios.

Allen’s work is installed in Windsor Castle, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Lichfield Cathedral to name but a few.

“I was and still am obsessed by sculpture and I’m incredibly lucky to be doing something that I love.”

Allen’s work is a brilliant example of the kind of exquisite craftsmanship that brings tourists flocking to our grand houses and cathedrals from all over the world.

When working on a portrait bust, his down-to-earth character allows him to get his ‘sitters’ (the subjects of the portrait) to relax, allowing him to create truly arresting works of art that capture something of the real individual. When looking at them you almost feel like saying hello.

For more information on Allen Necchi’s work go to www.anecchi.com

The veiled bride

Page 31

GazetteFeature

G-Scapes of Lichfield……..Nurseries, Garden Design & Construction

Exciting News at G-Scapes G-Scapes has reached 40!

G

-Scapes of Lichfield is proudly celebrating 40 years of Garden Design and Construction…… a truly impressive milestone!

The company was set up by Malcolm and Elizabeth Gee in September 1973.

Malcolm began his horticultural career at the tender age of 12 helping on a dahlia and chrysanthemum nursery in Lancashire. After leaving school, he served his apprenticeship in a local parks department gaining valuable hands-on experience. A move to the Midlands with Malcolm’s job found Malcolm and Elizabeth relocating to Lichfield.

With the benefit of Malcolm’s solid horticultural background, and passion for plants, it was time to go it alone, and G-Scapes of Lichfield was born!

Time for a change……or two!

After 40 years at the helm, Malcolm has made the momentous decision to

Page 32 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

hand over the role of Managing Director to Daniel, Elizabeth and Malcolm’s youngest son. Daniel has worked within the business for the last 15 years, using his valuable technical expertise to head the Landscape and Commercial Contracts Divisions. He has masterminded projects ranging from domestic landscape schemes to managing a major 4 year contract for Network Rail.

Daniel has gradually modernised the business by re-structuring and developing new working practices to help maximise efficiency.

The family values of the company have been further strengthened by the return of Robert, the oldest member of the Gee family, to Lichfield and to GScapes.

Having worked in the business for 10 years, Robert left Lichfield to set up his own Garden Design and Construction business in Bournemouth. He also developed and managed garden

Robert, Malcolm, Elizabeth and Daniel

centres in Bournemouth and London.

10 years later he has returned, bringing a wealth of valuable experiences.

Elizabeth Gee still retains a pivotal role in the business. She has been Company Secretary and accounts manager for the last 40 years and has the unenviable task of keeping the menfolk of her family in check!

These are exciting times for GScapes. With the combined expertise and horticultural experience of the two Gee brothers, the Company is in a position to go from strength to strength but never losing sight of the importance of the values of a family run business.

The back-up team The role of the loyal and dedicated GScapes workforce cannot be underestimated in explaining G-Scapes’ success.

Martin Neenan manages G-Scapes’

GazetteFeature own Fullbrook Wholesale Nursery and heads a team, growing a wide range of quality plants for garden centres and other landscape businesses.

G-Scapes currently has an 8 strong landscape team and landscape designer, Joyce Bullock. The team has been responsible for designing and constructing inspirational gardens for hundreds of clients across the West Midlands. The staff are renowned for their professionalism and the courteous and hardworking manner in which they transform gardens. They enjoy and take pride in their work. GScapes are very proud of the Silver-Gilt medal awarded for their show garden at the prestigious RHS Gardeners’ World Live Show at the NEC last year.

forward to shedding some responsibility and handing over the day to day running of the business to his two sons. GScapes will continue benefitting from his wealth of knowledge and experience for many years to come.

But hanging up his wellies….no chance!

He is a true plants-person at heart and you will still find him at his own Fullbrook Nursery in Watery Lane following his true passion……growing plants.

Will Malcolm actually retire?

I doubt it! He is certainly looking

Page 33

GazetteNews

With The Best Will In The World

A remarkable achievement for a special little boy Statistics show that around two thirds of Britons do not have a Will, adopting instead a ‘head in the sand’ approach to formalising their wishes after death. For couples who are not married but living together it is even more vital to understand the importance of making a Will and implications of dying ‘intestate’ (without a Will). Here Helen Bradin, Partner at solicitors Bradin Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP explains why no-one should turn a blind eye to sorting out their affairs.

Q: I’m only 25, not in a long term relationship and don’t have a house, so why do I need to make a Will?

Helen: We so often find that people delay writing a Will for the reasons that you have given – thinking that they are too young or that they do not have enough assets or possessions. We tend to think of large cash inheritances and property but if you suddenly die without a Will the law takes over and dictates how any money or possessions (even the smallest ones) you do have will be distributed - which may not be how you would have wished. Even though you are young and single it’s never too early to be prepared.

Just because you have a Will, it doesn’t mean you are going to die any time soon.

Helen Bradin, Partner Bradin Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP based on Beacon Street, Lichfield.

Q: I have bought a house with my partner. I presume that he would automatically inherit my half of the house and my belongings in the event of my death anyway?

Helen: This is an area where often people come unstuck. Under the Rules of Intestacy, when a person dies without a Will there are strict and specific laws governing who can administer your estate, who can inherit from it and how much they will receive which follows your family tree, in a pre-determined order of priority. As you are not married, you and your partner cannot inherit from each other unless there is a Will, so if you want to ensure that he inherits your assets and possessions it’s important to formalise it. I have dealt with far too many arguments between family members that could have been avoided by simply making a Will.

Q: I’ve seen Will writing packs in shops and on the Internet so surely I can write my own Will?

Helen: Yes, this is an option though unless your Will is extremely straightforward there is a risk that it would be invalid. And the more complicated the parameters, the higher the risk. The language of Wills is based on legal precedents and the ‘jargon’ can be confusing although it is much clearer than it used to be. If you choose to make a Will yourself it is advisable to get a solicitor to check it to make sure it will have the effect you want and to avoid any potentially costly legal disputes after your death.

P

aramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service have completed an epic 940 mile bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds to purchase a special physio-therapy vest for the son of Lichfield paramedic Stephen Roberts.

Fin Roberts (7) has Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that necessitates regular medical treatment. The cycling event was staged to raise money for a physio vest to support Fin in his home treatment to prevent hospital admissions.

Riders on the epic journey included Katie Maughan, Callum Grove, Mark Beardshaw, Keith Ennis, Stuart Golby, Dave Mycock, Ben Popple, Stephen Roberts and Connan Hoult.

The riders set off on the 9th September, and concluded the ride on the 20th, cycling around 90-115 miles a day and covering 160 miles on their longest leg. The ride was funded by the riders themselves, business and individual sponsorship with all donations going directly to 'Fin's Pot'.

Lichfield based Freedom Cycles sourced shirts and repair packs and also provided maintenance training, spares and consumables etc to the riders.

Tempest Ford, Lichfield provided the specialist cycle shirts designed and printed for the event. Brian Carruthers, Owner of Tempest Ford commented: “This is a brilliant cause and we were delighted to be able to help.”

Further information is available on the event’s facebook page Jogle 4 Fin and donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/joglefin At the time of starting out the group had managed to raise around £4,000 towards Fin’s vest. The effort that the team has put in to the ride is truly inspirational and a remarkable achievement.

Q: How often do I need to update my Will?

Helen: As a general rule we advise people to review their Will every five years and after a change of circumstances such as having a child, getting married, separating, divorcing or remarrying where there could be several family members who may make a claim on the Will such as a second wife/husband or children from a first marriage. You should also consider who will be responsible for any children under the age of 18 and set up trusts to provide for dependents.

Q: Who can make a Will?

Helen: Anyone over the age of 18 can make a Will. For it to be legally valid it has to be signed in the presence of two witnesses and signed by the two witnesses in the presence of the person making the Will. Be aware though that if a witnesses is a beneficiary they can make the will invalid. Wills must also be made voluntarily and by a person of sound mind.

Bradin Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP is supporting Will Aid in November, waiving its fee for a basic Will in return for a donation to charity.

For advice on family and other legal matters contact Bradin Trubshaw & Kirwan LLP on 01543 421840 for a consultation or email hcb@btpsolicitors.co.uk Page 34 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

West Midlands Ambulance Service Team, Debby Whiting - Freedom Cycles and Brian Carruthers - Tempest Ford

Page 35

GazetteNews

Have your boss captured for charity!

E

mployees from across Staffordshire are being offered the opportunity to get their own back on their bosses by having them ‘captured for charity’ at Tutbury Castle on Wednesday 16th October 2013.

Action for Children is on a mission to hold the country’s most deserving bosses and community leaders to ransom, and the children’s charity wants you to nominate its victims.

Amanda Quinn, Area Fundraiser for the West Midlands at Action for Children, explained: “At one point or another we’ve all wished our boss would just disappear, and now Action for Children can make this happen.

We are going to round up senior management from companies and other VIPs from across Staffordshire and take them to Tutbury Castle jail, where they will be held until a ransom is paid.”

Armed with only a mobile phone and a list of business contacts, colleagues and friends, Action for Children’s ‘Very Important Prisoners’ will aim to raise £1,000 each in order to secure their release, meaning that employees will be able to relax until the pennies start rolling in.

Amanda continues: “We want bosses and community leaders of all kinds, from the extremely strict to the super laid back; the very nasty to the very nice.

Our team of ‘boss-nappers’ is ready to pounce, so if you want your boss to be captured for charity, get in touch!”

The captives will be taken by limousine to the castle jail by dressed up ‘henchman’ at 10:30am at Tutbury Castle, Castle Street, Tutbury, Staffordshire DE13 9JF. The Action for Children fundraising team will be on hand to set up the captives’ online giving pages and provide all the fundraising advice.

There will also be a buffet lunch and once all captives have raised their minimum sponsorship they will be escorted back to reality!

If you think your boss deserves to be captured please contact Amanda Quinn, Area Fundraiser for the West Midlands at Action for Children, on 0121 454 4292 or amanda.quinn@actionforchildren.org.uk All money raised will help Action for Children provide a wide range of support to children and families across the Midlands.

Gilbert Savage

North tower by floodlight

Page 36 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Gearing up to celebrate MusicShare

L

ichfield Cathedral’s singing outreach project – MusicShare – has worked closely with over 100 schools and thousands of children since its founding in 2003 and has received national acclaim.

The idea behind MusicShare was a simple one. It involved taking the Cathedral Choristers (who spend many hours a week practising and performing at a professional singing level) out to local schools to demonstrate what can be achieved when time, passion and energy are honed in a particular activity. Three schools were visited each term, coming together for a concert in the Cathedral at the end of term.

MADE IN LICHFIELD

By Regal Carpentry It is so nice these days to know you can still get good old-fashioned service and a quality product ‘Made in Lichfield’.

Windows are finished German precision multi-point locking system (that you might find on the better UPVC windows) and sealed double glazed window units. Regal offer free design service and use their experience to design and create the perfect finish. * windows * conservatories * orangeries * building extensions We do not employ salesmen.

Multi-point window

Contact Chris or Lisa on 01543 300893 or arrange to see them at Unit 6, Greenhough Road, Lichfield or Chris will visit your home by appointment.

Out of this grew another project, taking the form of a Saturday morning choir for children aged 6-16. Lichfield Cathedral Young Voices have since performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in a BBC broadcast as part of the Lichfield Festival, and in the premier tour of Karl Jenkins ‘The Peacemakers’ as well as featuring in many home-grown events.

MusicShare having reached the milestone of 10 years, surviving (even thriving) a celebration is due!

St Cecilia – the Patron Saint of Music – is feasted each year on 22nd November. This year the 22nd also marks the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten. MusicShare was founded in November 2003 and the Cathedral are combining all three celebrations by performing Britten’s community opera ‘Noye’s Fludde’. This musical setting of the medieval miracle play about Noah and the Ark is performed by a cast and orchestra made up principally of school children. At 3pm and 7.30pm on Friday the 22nd November, the Cathedral will come alive with this wonderful hour-long depiction of Noah’s struggle for survival against the almighty flood.

The Cathedral are dedicating an entire weekend festival to his works. Lichfield Cathedral Chamber Choir is performing his cantata St Nicolas; renowned musician, choral trainer and Britten expert, Paul Spicer is giving a lecture on his sacred work; and baritone Philip Lancaster rounds the weekend off with a recital of his setting Songs and Proverbs of William Blake.

Tickets are available from the Lichfield Garrick Box Office (01543 412 121, www.lichfieldgarrick.com). Please enquire about discounts for attending multiple events.

For further information regarding MusicShare visit www.lichfieldcathedral.org or for further information on Benjamin Britten visit www.britten100.com.

Page 37

GazetteNews

Vintage Street is back!

L

ast year Vintage Street market took place indoors and featured lots of fashion. This year it is happening outdoors with an interiors special!

This great mix of vintage and designer made wares is kicking off with the Vintage Street Interiors Market on Sunday October 6th in Lichfield Market Square, plus a ‘Christmas Corner’ at 21 Tamworth Street opening on the same day.

The market will offer a mix of products all designed and selected to make homes look fabulous, including furniture, glassware, home-styling and designer-made items. No matter what your style you'll find something to suit.

If it’s a nifty fifties coffee table, those perfect shabby chic cushions, a painted kitchen dresser or vintage china you’re after, you'll find it here.

The Split Screen Bakery will also be providing coffee and cake and some of the Oxjam team may turn up with some tunes.

October 6th is also the official launch day for Christmas Corner. The Vintage Street team tells us that they’ve ordered the snow especially for you, and have snowballs for you to eat.

Why not come and meet the designers both in the shop

Page 38 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

and on the market to discuss your Christmas commissions.

They will be showcasing a huge range of their products that will be available in the shop from October until December, giving you the chance to order bespoke items for friends and family and find that special something for you or your home.

For more information contact lucy@blue-strawberry.net

PETS CORNER

Eden Gallery

Preparing Your Pet For Party Season!

by Pool House Veterinary Hospital

Did you know that an estimated 80% of pets are scared of fireworks?

A fear of fireworks is an extremely common problem in dogs and cats, and fortunately there are many ways in which you can help your pet stay happy throughout the firework season. However, if left unaddressed a mild firework fear may progress to a more serious noise phobia where dogs and cats become stressed by other sounds such as thunder, gun shots and even everyday noises such as a car door slamming.

As with most things, preparation is the key to managing your pet’s firework fear. Ideally starting about 2 months before fireworks are expected to start. A noise desensitisation programme has been proven to help many pets deal with sound related fears. Desensitisation involves exposing your pet to stressful sounds in a controlled method whilst they are relaxed and occupied with a toy, and there are various CDs available with pre-recorded sounds such as fireworks, thunder and car alarms that have all been shown to help many cats and dogs.

Many firework fears have also been managed with the help of pheromone therapy in the form of Adaptil™ for dogs and Feliway™ for cats.

Adaptil ™ is a synthetic copy of the natural appeasing pheromone that mother dogs produce to comfort and reassure their puppies. It has been scientifically proven to help both puppies and adult dogs cope in stressful situations such as with fireworks and loud noises associated with the party season.

Feliway™ is a synthetic copy of the facial pheromone that cats produce to mark their home as a safe and secure environment. Whilst some cats may not necessarily develop a noise phobia like dogs, confining them during fireworks and the party season can be stressful and lead to unwanted behaviours such as scratching furniture, urine marking and inter-cat aggression. Feliway™ has been scientifically proven to prevent or reduce these stress related behaviours, and help cats adjust to their environment.

Adaptil™ and Feliway™ are available as plug in diffusers and sprays, and Adaptil™ is also available as a collar. It is recommended that you begin to use them 2-4weeks before fireworks are expected to start, and that you continue to use them during and after the party or firework season ends.

There are also herbal products available that are widely used during the firework season and have been shown to reduce anxiety by calming and relaxing cats and dogs naturally. They do not sedate pets, but enable them to relax and to be unconcerned by the noises that would normally cause stress.

E

has it all

den Gallery was recently opened by Chris Smith at the Hexagon at Curborough Hall Farm Countryside Centre (the new name for Curborough Craft Centre). The business is divided into gallery and framing workshop over two floors.

Chris, who has twenty years framing experience, has previously owned galleries in Tamworth for several years in the mid nineties.

A long time member of The Fine Art Trade Guild, everything is produced to the Guild’s approved standards and code of ethics. Whether it is framing for the gallery or their bespoke framing service, all framing is done on the premises.

Eden Gallery has begun to feature open and limited edition prints by well-known and up-and-coming artists such as Alister Colley, whom they have been appointed stockists for in the region. Also you can see popular artist Sam Toft’s limited edition prints. Sue Howells is a popular Birmingham Chris Smith of Eden Gallery artist and her limited edition prints are very collectable.

Jonathan Roberts offers a series of black and white prints featuring classic British comedies like ‘Dads Army’, ‘Only Fools and Horses’, ‘Porridge’ and ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ – they look like pencil sketches – very charming.

Collecting prints for your home need not cost the earth, because prices for prints start at £6.75 for a small unique print/card, to £240 for a framed limited edition.

There is something for every taste in this charming gallery, including engravings – all hand coloured some with local content including Lichfield Cathedral. The Art Deco collections are very popular.

Why not call and see Eden Gallery for yourself – open Tuesday – Saturday 10-5 (Sunday until 4pm).

Eden Gallery Fine Art - Framing

Oops

by Sue Howells

Top Tips for the Big Night!

• Provide a cosy den or hiding place for your pet whilst fireworks are going off.

• Walk your dog early in the evening before fireworks start.

• Ensure windows, doors and cat flaps remain closed to prevent pets escaping and to reduce the noise.

• Close the curtains and put on the TV or some music, and provide distractions such as toys and chews.

• Ensure your cats have access to enough litter trays, especially if they are being kept indoors.

• Ignore any fearful behaviour, as dogs may pick up on their owner’s anxiety which can make the problem worse. Stay calm and act normally.

If you would like any advice on the things you can do and the products available to help keep your pets happy during the party season, then contact Pool House Veterinary Hospital on 01543 262464. Our free nurse consultations are run by qualified Veterinary Nurses who can help and advise you on preventing and reducing stress this season, as well as with any other queries you may have.

For further information or for treatment advice please contact Pool House Veterinary Hospital on 01543 262464 or 01543 262433

Flower Girl

by Mark Braithwaite

The Hexagon Centre Curborough Hall Farm Countryside Centre Watery Lane, Lichfield WS13 8ES www.edenartandframing.co.uk eden.smith15@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01543 268393

Page 39

GazetteNews

Garrick’s Snow White panto set to be the fairest in the land

Paul Oakley talks to BBC Midland’s Joanne Malin about her forthcoming performance in Snow White and The Magic Mirror (December 6 – January 5) PO. Hello Joanne. I think the last time we spoke was Christmas 2008 and it’s always nice to welcome you back to Lichfield. What made you decide to do the show?

JM. I’d been the Good Fairy last time, all sweetness and light, and I was still working at ITV. This is the first break I’ve had since working at the BBC and they have kindly allowed me to have six weeks off which I really appreciate. When Adrian Jackson said, “Why don’t you come back and be bad!” I thought hmm that’s a challenge; I’ve never done that before! So that’s what drew me back here and I love Lichfield anyway.

PO. You seem to have quite an affinity with Lichfield.

JM. I’m President of the Friends of Garrick Theatre so I’ve always kept in touch. I know this is going to be a fabulous Christmas show about Snow White and The Magic Mirror, not Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and I’m playing Queen Evilene. It’s an original piece for the people of Lichfield by Ian Adams who will be playing

Queen Evilene, Prince Harry, Snow White and Dame Fraulein Strudel

Lichfield City FC Bower Team Success

I

n September Lichfield Mercury Bower Queen Savannah Bennett presented a cheque for £150 to Darren Leaver, Chairman of Lichfield City Football Club. The funds were raised from a Bower Day street collection.

During the cheque presentation Lichfield City FC was represented by President Andrew Lock and Vice President Stephen Burns, and one of the Bower Queen Competition Organisers Kath Marks represented the Bower Committee.

Lichfield City FC’s float, organised by Tracy Potts, won first prize on Bower Day as most competitive float.

Page 40 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

the part of a traditional Pantomime Dame - Fraulein Strudel.

We get to wear these fabulous costumes made and designed locally just up the road near Stoke on Trent.

Even the sets will all be designed especially for this show.

In most shows you’re involved in you get old costumes and old sets from various places around the country. The people of Lichfield will get a completely original piece.

Ian Adams has written a great family Christmas pantomime – they’ve had great shows here the last few years but this is going to be about family fun, laughs and gags. I’m even looking forward to the booing and hissing so bring it on, that’s what I say!

PO. Are you going to be singing in the show this time?

JM. I’m going to be singing and I’ve gone back to tap so I’m tapping as well at some point so I’m trying to lose some weight. I’ve gone to a diet club again to get into shape. If I’m not fit I won’t have the stamina to keep going with such a busy schedule – it’s 54 shows! As Joan Collins showed a few years ago in Birmingham – she thought panto would be easy but she was off sick after a couple of days. That’s what you’ve really got to guard against and make sure you’ve got the stamina to be on stage twice a day for 54 shows here in Lichfield.

The people of Lichfield should really appreciate this place. When you see what Adrian Jackson does with the kids here, things like Summer Holiday Clubs, Youth Theatre, the choir that they have here and amateur singing here – it’s really vibrant. I know those people that I come and see at the theatre will come in to see us and hopefully be inspired for the next thing they do, but it’s always, always a good show in Lichfield and I’m really proud to be here again.

Joanne Malin as the evil Queen Evilene For more information about performance times, ticket prices and availability go to www.lichfieldgarrick.com or call the Box Office on 01543 412121

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO

SEE SNOW WHITE AND THE MAGIC MIRROR

To be the lucky family to win a family ticket (two adults/two children) for the performance of Snow White and the Magic Mirror on Sunday 8th December at 6pm, simply answer our question and the first correct answer drawn out of the bag will be the winner. Entries must reach us by November 20.

The question is: Who is the actor who

will play Fraulein Strudel pantomime this year?

in

the

Answers on a postcard or a sealed down envelope to: Panto Competition, Gazette Magazine, PO Box 5414, Lichfield WS14 4EZ The winners will be notified by post.

Good luck!

GazetteNews

Able Buddies Disco great success

A

team from Able Buddies has set up a disco in Lichfield for people with physical or learning disabilities and their carers.

The disco is aimed at people with special needs over the age of 16. It runs every Thursday night at the Lichfield Social Club on Netherstowe Lane in Lichfield from 7.00 - 9.30pm With good disabled facilities, Lichfield Social Club is a great venue for the disco. The evening is run by qualified support workers to ensure that anyone coming along will be well looked after.

DJ, Jason Wright, commented: “The disco has been running since the beginning of December and is becoming very popular, we all have a great time and it is wonderful to see every one enjoying themselves.”

Organiser, Jeanette White explained : “Able Buddies provides personal assistants (Buddies) for those with special needs to enable them to engage in activities of their own choosing which encourages personal choice and independence. We quickly found that the range of group activities available in the Lichfield area is quite limited so we had to do something about it. With generous support from Lichfield Social Club we have been able to provide the disco and it’s becoming a great success.”

For further information on the disco or Able Buddies visit their facebook page or contact Jeanette on 01543 277247 Page 41

GazetteHeritage

Lichfield City Centre looking north 1960.

See no Swan Road as it had not been build yet

The Lichfield Heritage Collection holds 12,000 items, photographs old and new, maps, books, documents etc. all relating to Lichfield past and present - copies of which can be purchased.

The Heritage Collection is housed in the Lichfield Heritage Centre, St Mary’s Church, Market Square, Lichfield, Tel: 01543 256 611.

The collection is free to view, opening times Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.00am to 12.30pm.

If you have any photographs etc. relating to Lichfield, the Heritage Collection would be very grateful to receive these items for everyone to enjoy seeing them. Come and see our wonderful collection. All photographs copyright of Lichfield Heritage Centre Page 42 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

GazetteNews

Children’s Hospice receives £5,500 donation from Lichfield Rotary Club:

W

hen Natalie Wood, fund raiser for Donna Louise Chrildren’s Hospice was asked to give a talk to Lichfield Rotary Club this September, she was promised a free lunch and a small donation.

So imagine her surprise at being presented with a donation to discover that ‘small’ donation was a cheque for £5,500!

The money came from the Club’s efforts in organising a 118 mile sponsored walk around Staffordshire’s footpaths and byways. The route was based on Bob Bibby’s book ‘The Staffordshire Cakes and Ale Walk’. The event took place in April and covered paths running up hills and along canals, streams and official footpaths, starting in Lichfield and ending in Burton.

The event was organised by Rotary member Peter Sharpe and helped by other members including Brian Homewood and individuals outside the club who also did the whole walk. Club President Chris Spruce walked several sections of the route and this combined effort led to sponsors donating £5,500.

At the cheque presentation Natalie Wood told the Club members that the Hospice (which is based near Trentham Gardens) is designed to allow children fun and games and new experiences whilst at the same time offering support and respite for their parents. The Hospice has some eight single spacious bedrooms and two family rooms plus rooms designed to entertain children who often have hearing and sight problems, helping them to be actively engaged in experiences not available elsewhere in our County.

The costs of running the Hospice is some £2.5 million per year and the charity relies on grants and donations for its continued support.

Natalie Wood and Rotary Club President Mr Chris Spruce with members of the club.

Page 43

GazetteNews

Beacon Park boules and table tennis launched

A

new boules court and an all-weather table tennis table have been launched at Beacon Park this September.

The new facilities have been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, as part of Lichfield Historic Parks project.

Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Communications & Tourism, commented: “Boules is such an enjoyable outdoor game and can be fun for all ages, so it’s wonderful to see the new court open for play. I am also pleased that visitors can now play table tennis, which means there are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy at Beacon Park.”

The boules court is to the left of Lakeside Bistro in Beacon Park and does not need to be booked. Anyone can play on the court with their own boules, or equipment can be hired for £2 (plus a £5 deposit) from the Ranger Station, next to the crazy golf course.

The new table tennis table is to the right of the crazy golf course.

Bats and balls can be hired from the Ranger Station for £2 (plus a £2 deposit).

For more information please call Lichfield District Councils parks team on 01543 308867.

Enid’s Mercian March.

E

Andy Chatwin, Andre Hefer, Rob Taylor and Derek Love.

Music for Reflection Celebrity Concert Series

L

ichfield Cathedral is hosting a series of free concerts throughout Autumn performed by distinguished cathedral musicians.

Concerts include: Andrew Lumsden from Winchester Cathedral Tuesday 15th October 19:30 performs music by Debussy, Reger, Bach, and Coates’ March ‘The Dambusters’ Ian Tracey from Liverpool Cathedral Tuesday 12th November 19:30 performs music by Franck, Peeters, Whitlock, and Bach’s ‘Chaconne’ in D minor Martyn Rawles from Lichfield Cathedral Tuesday 3rd December 19:30 performs music by Elgar, Schmidt, Bach, and Berlioz’s ‘Hungarian March’

New Table Tennis tables are now available

nid Corker (71), a remarkable lady from Stokeon-Trent has recently completed a 200 mile walk in just 16 days, taking in the Mercian Regimental counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire and Worcestershire.

Enid has undertaken the walk (accompanied by Mercian personnel) to raise money for the Mercian Regiment Benevolent Fund, and to help re-enforce the strong links between the Regiment and the counties.

The Mercian Regiment Benevolent Fund provides hands-on help to both wounded personnel, their families, and the families of the fallen.

Along the way, Enid stopped her walk briefly in Chester, Derby, Lichfield, Nottingam and Worcester to present a memorial scroll to the Lord Lieutenant of each county. The scroll lists the names of 28 soldiers from the Mercian Regiment who have died in action since 2007. The scrolls are now displayed in the City or Guildhalls of each location.

Enid started her walk in Chester on Saturday 31st August and arrived at Lichfield Guildhall on 10th September where she was greeted by applauding crowds, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire,

The Mayor of Lichfield Cllr Bob Awty, Chairman of Lichfield District Council Cllr David Laytham, members of the Regimental Association and local dignitaries, as well as Sgt Jim Fellows, The Mercian Regiment’s first Chelsea Pensioner who saw action with the regiment in Malaya.

Enid told the Gazette: “It’s been great, especially as the weather has been a bit cooler. We’ve covered 135 miles so far, and we’ve got another 70 to go until Worcester.

“I think it’s essential that we show our military that we support them, and that we are here for them. I hope that this walk will help provide practical support.

Thanks so much to everyone who has helped us along the way.”

Enid completed her walk on Sunday 15th September, a remarkable achievement by an inspirational lady.

Enid’s Just Giving page can be found at www.justgiving.com/Enids-MERCIAN-March

Tickets £10 per concert, to book visit the Cathedral Shop, No. 9, The Close or call 01543 306150 For more information please call 01543 306100 or visit our website www.lichfield-cathedral.org

Presentation of the scroll Enid arrives in Lichfield

Image © Lichfield Cathedral Page 44 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Enid is greeted by the Mayor

Enid and team set off for Worcester

GazetteNews

Tour Day for Freedom

O

by team saga

n Wednesday 18th September, it was an early rise for Team Freedom aka 'Team Saga' in preparation for making our way to Stone to watch the Tour of Britain pass through.

Freedom Cycles in Lichfield opened at 7.30am to provide the riders with a breakfast of coffee and croissants. After being fed and watered, they set off on their merry way. Thanks to John Grigg for mapping the route which took the riders mostly along the nice and quiet lanes through Blithbury and on towards Stone.

Even though the journey was arduous with many a mountain on the way (!) the riders all made it to the spectator point which was near Barlaston.

Luckily one of the riders turned up on a cyclo-cross bike so found the journey quite comfortable! Just as everybody was envisaging all kinds of ways to get their own back on John, he repaid them all by falling into the biggest pile of cow dung ever seen by man! Many thanks to the mechanics in the garage in Stone for lending us their watering can.

'We rode sixty miles there and back for fourteen seconds of entertainment!'

After the peleton had passed, Rachel – Simon's partner provided hot drinks and fig rolls – which were relished with grateful thanks!

Once the tour had gone, we gathered the troops and set off down the A51 back towards Lichfield, making a quick pit stop at Salt for a pint and a bite to eat. A combination of a tail wind and getting the group working well together meant we had a speedy ride home. Big thanks to Simon for sticking at the front and pulling back those that were tiring.

A great day was had by all.

The Freedom Rides are a social event, and we ride every Tuesday at 6pm (this ride normally includes a pub stop on the way!), and the second Wednesday of each month at 10am. All rides leave from the shop at the Bus Station in Lichfield.

A Flying Start for X by Trollbeads now available from City Jewellers!

T

rollbeads exciting new product, X by Trollbeads, now available from City Jewellers, Market Street, Lichfield and described as “the next revolution in personalised jewellery” launched worldwide on Wednesday, 18th September 2013. Already this stunning new jewellery collection is creating a big stir in the UK market.

The innovative design features high quality silver, bronze, gold and black Rubber X links which connect with a “simple twist” to create bespoke bracelets and necklaces. The linking system uses an X-shaped bevelled edge connection which is completely secure. Customers can choose from over seventy cleverly designed and playfully themed links crafted by nine different Trollbeads artists designers, each of whom brings their own individual interpretation and style to the elegant yet functional design.

A bracelet featuring black Rubber X links with a single bronze and a designer silver X link retails at £75 and can go to up to £500 for a complete silver or £10,000 for a complete gold bracelet.

For more information go to www.cityjewellers.co.uk

Page 46 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Gazette Woman

Page 47

GazetteWoman

F

Win tickets to the Clothes Show Live!

6th – 10th December at the NEC, Birmingham

ashion, beauty, celebs and music all under one roof what more could a girl want? This year Clothes Show Live will take place between the 6th-10th December at the NEC, Birmingham. The show is set to be the hottest ticket on the fashion calendar, with over 500 leading fashion and beauty brands, non-stop catwalk shows, gorgeous celebrities, tempting bars, and inspirational fashion demonstrations over five days.

Fashion Fireworks Start the day in the ultimate shopping heaven with the best in high-street fashion, unique boutiques, vintage collections and new designer labels. You and your friends can spend the ultimate girl’s day out being pampered and receiving top tips from hair and beauty stylists. Take your seat in the spectacular ALCATEl One Touch Fashion Theatre, in association with Company Magazine, and watch as more than 40 models and dancers showcase the latest high-street, designer, boutique and couture fashion collections on the world’s largest catwalk. Hosted by fashion icon and designer Henry Holland, you’ll be immersed in a fashion carnival. Don’t miss an appearance from this year’s Face of Clothes Show Live, Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model winner Jade Thompson.

Shop ‘till you drop Teaming A-list runway collections with high-street must-haves, the High-Street & Designer Catwalk in association with Cosmopolitan will treat you to the ultimate fashion frenzy. As will the Image Catwalk, where you can see up-and-coming graduate collections from colleges and universities across the UK. Beauty Bonanza Enter a world of beauty, pick up expert tips and stock up on the hottest hair and beauty brands including Clarins, Bare Minerals, Elemis, Models Own and

Rimmel. The Beauty Hall will play home to the Style Studio, where visitors can see hair demonstrations, expert fashion interviews and make-up how-to’s. Find the tools and techniques to shimmer, shine and gloss with make-overs, style transformations and inspirational trend reports. Having launched the careers of many top models over the past 25 years including Oliver Cheshire, Rosie Tapner, and Erin O'Connor.

The Future of British Fashion Continuing its support for the future of British fashion, Clothes Show Live will be hosting its Creative Awards Programme where students will have the chance to win educational bursaries and fantastic work experience placements.

Celeb Alert Clothes Show Live will once again play host to loads of your favourite celebs including stars from the world of music and reality TV. Already confirmed to be appearing at the show are Peter Andre, TOWIE’s Amy Childs and Made in Chelsea stars Oliver Proudlock, Jamie Laing and Caggie Dunlop, plus all of the presenters from the recently launched Clothes Show TV, including BINTM star Annaliese Dayes.

Paparazzi Pen The Pap Pen in association with Capital FM will provide visitors to Clothes Show Live with the chance to have their picture taken with their favourite celebs.

Take Me Out Live Hit primetime TV series Take Me Out is set to launch its first ever live stage show at Clothes Show Live this December. The king of dating, Paddy McGuinness, will be playing cupid to 30 single girls all looking for their Mr Right- 10 of which will be chosen at Clothes Show Live every day!

27/4, 365 - Clothes Show TV Also don’t forget to check

out the newly launched Clothes Show TV for up to the minute exclusive behind the scenes access, makeup and hair tutorials, as well as style advice and trend forecasting from the glamorous world of fashion.

Visit: youtube.com/clothesshowTV

Get Your Ticket

To book your tickets visit: clothesshowlive.com or call 0844 5811 256 For group bookings of 10+ please visit: clothesshowlive.com/groups or call 0800 358 0058 Standard ticket: £28 includes entrance to clothes show live and a dedicated seat in the alcatel one touch fashion theatre.

Platinum ticket: £40 includes entrance to the show, fast track entry and a platinum seat in ALCATEL one touch fashion theatre, plus, official show guide and show bag filled with fantastic goodies. NUS student ticket: £25 includes entry to clothes show live and a dedicated seat in the ALCATEL one touch fashion theatre. only with a valid NUS card which must be shown on entrance.

Win a pair of tickets to the Clothes Show Live!

We’ve teamed up with the clothes show live to offer two readers to win a pair of tickets to this glamorous event.

To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question: Coco Chanel, creator of the haute couture fashion house Chanel was born in: A. France B. Italy C.Sweden Just send your name, answer and contact details to Clothes Show Live competition. PO Box 5414, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ or email gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk by the competition closing date of 25th November 2013. One entry per household please, duplicates will be disqualified.

Mellow Fruitfulness – Autumn Colour Trend 2013

There are some luscious colour trends making their presence felt in both haute couture and high street collections this Autumn. Berry shades are hot this season, with the palest pinks through to holly-berry reds all making their mark. Here’s a delicious selection to whet your appetite.

1 Blueberry - Blue scarf £29.90 – available from CC Cabochon necklace £29.50 – available from CC

3

1

2

2 Raspberry - Sarah Crosier Hats rose feather clip £25 – available from Dame Oliver Rosie Fox London father and crystal band £14.50 – available from Dame Oliver Dante lozenge necklace £22 – available from Dame Oliver Silver ring bangle £8.50 – available from Dame Oliver

Stockists details.

A Touch Of Class. www.finestlingerie.com 15 Market St, Lichfield, WS13 6JX. Tel: 01543 257696 C C Viyella www.viyella.co.uk 45 Bore St, Lichfield, WS13 6LU. Tel: 0 1543 417819 Bijou at No.15 bijou15.co.uk 15 Tamworth St, Lichfield, WS13 6JP. Tel: 01543 411201 Dame Oliver's www.dameolivers.co.uk 19 Dam St, Lichfield, WS13 6AE. Tel: 01543 256600 Page 48 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

3 Rowan - Marie Jo bra and brief £68.95 & £31.95 – available from A Touch of Class 4 Juniper - Prima Donna Madison 4 bra and briefs £63.95 and £31.95 – available from A Touch of Class.

6 Mulberry - Jo Costi 60’s inspired bangle £10 – available from Dame Oliver 70’s inspired bangle £10 – available from Dame Oliver Jewel necklace £10 – available from Dame Oliver Jewel bracelet £7.50 – available from Dame Oliver Mulberry tunic dress £52 - available from Bijou at no.15

5 Blackberry - Dante ring necklace £22 – available from Dame Oliver Glass cabochon necklace £27.50 – available from Dame Oliver Muted berry necklace £18 – available from Dame Oliver Glass lozenge necklace £27.50 – available from Dame Oliver Jive Bunny dress, Cherry Tonic, £111 - available from Bijou at no.15

7 Rosehip - Plum scarf £29.90 – available from CC Hot pink pashmina £29.90 – available from CC Bibe dress, £48 - available from Bijou at no.15

GazetteWoman

Page 49

GazetteWoman

Dressing Up and Stepping Out

By Joss Musgrove Knibb

OK, so autumn might see us having to search out cardigans and jumpers as summer’s heat starts to fade, but on the plus side it’s a great excuse to go shopping for some fabulous new boots. Fashions for footwear autumn 2013 don’t disappoint with a seriously eclectic range of designer inspired loveliness appearing on the high street.

Here’s a quick précis of the top trends in boots this season.

2. Low, high and higher.

In Autumn 2013 any length goes, from shoes-boots to thigh-length. Heels are also on the high side with spike and stacked heels striding out all over. Fabric pull-up boots are also back.

Philip Lim leather over-the-knee boots £875

1. Fur From fur swathed ankle boots to full on calve-length luxury, faux fur has gone grown-up, teaming the best fake fur with towering spike heels, patent leather and pointed toes.

Burberry Woodley studded leather wedge ankle boot £695

4. Cut outs Boots with cut out sections allowing a little flesh to show through are surprisingly sexy, and happily they’ll still keep you warm, worn in the day or dressed up at night, this is a trend that’s resurfaced for 2013.

Gianvito Rossi cut-out ankle boots £590

3. Beautifully treated leathers are all over the high street with jewel shades and glossy back patents adding a glamour to Autumn days.

Gabor Patent boots £160 – available from Friary Shoes, City Arcade, Lichfield. www.friaryshoes.co.uk

5. Toe caps.

Pointed toes are featured in many designer collections for autumn, with many accentuating them with metal and metallic leather toe-caps.

Miu Miu metal tipped suede ankle boots £590 Images: www.net-a-porter.com

6. Embellishment Roses, glitter, frogging, zips, beading, bows, you name it.

Hardly subtle but joyous to wear.

Markus Lupfer glitter finish leather ankle boots £860

Marco Tozzi patent knee boot £49 – available from Rieve, 10 Tudor Row, Lichfield Tel: 01543 251705

7. Classic Happily, butter soft leathers, classic brogue or riding boot styling, wedges, low or medium heels and all those things that translate into a wearable boot are also popping up in collections.

Chloe leather knee boots £860

Page 51

Page 52 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Page 53

GazetteWoman

Charity Fashion Show –

O

Wednesday, 23 October Lichfield Guildhall

n Wednesday, 23rd through the day to style the CC October 2013, the model’s hair and the ladies Mayor and Mayoress, from Boots No 7 counter, will Cllr Bob and Mrs Eileen Awty perfect their look to and the Sheriff and Sheriff’s complement the essential Lady, Cllr Terry & Mrs Penny range for the Autumn season.

Thomas will be welcoming Mrs Eileen Awty, Mayoress guests to the Guildhall for an of Lichfield recently visited the evening of fashion and businesses sponsoring the entertainment. This will be the event to find out just what will fifth successful year of holding be on show: the Fashion Show at the Guildhall to raise funds for the CC is an internationally Mayor and Sheriff’s Charities. renowned women’s clothing Tickets are priced £10 which includes a welcoming reception drink and goodie bags for everyone. All monies raised will support the Friends of the Samuel Johnson Community Hospital and St Giles Hospice.

The Fashion show is sponsored by a number of local companies; including CC of The Mayoress, Mrs Eileen Awty Lichfield who will bring their Autumn collections. Francesco with Jenny Brown and Sue Mangan hair salon will be working

line dedicated to stylish, Together they create a modern fashion- focused garments that and sophisticated look in earth represent the very best in colours of cognac, turquoise, classic dressing with a modern turmeric and camel. finish. Boasting both the Manageress, Carole and her Viyella and CC brands there team will showcase the must will be plenty to admire. The have season’s fabrics and Viyella style this year draws on designs, which you just can’t Eastern influences and focuses afford to miss. on colour and the unusual use of colour; pattern is a key element with inspiration taken from Japanese Kimono weaves using micro-print textures incorporating an organic, geometric influence. The collection uses rich velvets, corduroys and merino yarns saturated with colour and including mandarin collars and Chinese knot buttons. The CC collection draws on Western American and Navajo references, with an abundance Eileen meets Boots Manager, of patterned knitwear from the Marion Mills and Beauty Consultant Fairisles and jacquards with Elaine Pearce fringing in soft handle fabrics.

At the Boots counter, Beauty Consultant Elaine Pearce is celebrating the first year anniversary of the No7 Match Made Foundation Service and to celebrate No 7 are launching a new Match Made Concealer, easalt at Chadwick’s, Lichfield’s exclusive stockist of Seasalt clothing at Heart of the Country which is available in 17 skinShopping Village, is celebrating with Seasalt after the company was recently awarded with true shades to complement all The Queen’s Award 2013. of the Match Made Lisa Chadwick, owner of Chadwick’s said: “Seasalt is the first ever fashion company to win the Foundations. Use it to cover Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development, and I am so proud to be associated with such a flaws, blemishes and age spots successful family business. to give a beautifully even skin “I saw an opportunity to open a shop at Heart of the Country almost two years ago and decided tone. A study of 2000 women it was a great idea to bring coastal fashion to the Midlands. My growing loyal customer base has was completed to map the skin proved it was the right thing to do.” colour of UK women across a Chadwick’s is now on its second Autumn/Winter season and is again showcasing a fantastic range of ethnicities the results collection of beautifully designed clothing. Now in-store, this year’s range includes lovely stylish were used to identify the best rainwear and soft organic cotton tops with unique cotton prints, all designed at the company’s 17 skin-true shades that cover design studios in Cornwall. Knitwear, trousers, soft cord skirts and dresses complete the collection. the UK population. Elaine and Accessories include attractive hand woven scarves and Seasalt’s famous colourful jute bags, the No7 team will be on hand Handybands, Sailor Socks and Fluffies… all of which make on the night to discuss ideal gifts all year round. individual colour plans – on the Go and have a browse at Chadwick’s at Heart of the night you will also be able to Country, located next to The Barn Restaurant. Open six days book an appointment for a free, a week, (Tuesday to Sunday) 10.00am to 5.00pm, in store, mini makeover.

Chadwick’s is closed on Monday (except for Bank Holidays).

Telephone: 01543 484325 or 07971 958144

SEASALT AT HEART OF THE COUNTRY CELEBRATES THE QUEEN’S AWARD

S

Find us at Heart of the Country Shopping Village, WS14 9QR. 18 shopping outlets, just off the A38, Swinfen, Near Lichfield. www.heartofthecountryvillage.com

Page 54 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Galatea Jeans & Penveor Cardigan

Eileen consults Senior Stylist, Charlotte Smith.

Francesco Group Lichfield, part of one of the largest hairdressing companies in the UK, are now operating from their brand new, stylish and contemporary salon in Gresley row. Their mission is to provide a truly bespoke experience within a light and spacious environment – offering a standard of service that all clients truly deserve. The 14 strong team are trained to the highest technical standards by Wella Professionals. Offering a full image consultancy service, they will give expert advice: using skin tone analysis, taking into account eye colour, features and lifestyle to advise you on the best colour choice for hair, make-up and clothing.

Not only that, Francesco Group salons raise the bar on skills by ensuring staff are confident and capable across the ethnic diversity of all hair types. On the catwalk, the Francesco team will be demonstrating a variety of simple ‘try at home’ ideas on styling and hair management, in addition they will be showcasing some of their best salon products.

During the interval they will available for individual consultations.

The Mayoress, Mrs Eileen Awty commented that she is overwhelmed by the support of these local businesses working together to support the Mayor Charity and Sheriff’s Fundraising: “I am truly impressed that we have such wonderful retail outlets here in Lichfield and I would like to thank all those concerned for giving so generously to make what is surely going to be a wonderful evening.

I am especially grateful to the Lichfield Gazette and Robert Yardley Photography for promoting the event.”

For more information or to purchase a ticket, please contact Kate Durrant at Lichfield City Council, Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield, 01543 309854 or call in to CC on Bore Street, Lichfield.

Seating is limited and tickets are going fast!

All photographs courtesy Robert Yardley Photography

Page 55

What’s on

Dining Ou

t

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH IN LICHFIELD Theatre Preview October 2013

By Phil Preece Now the days are shorter there’s all the more reason to look out for great theatre to make the dark nights more appealing. This month there’s plenty of good stuff on offer locally including ambitious youth theatre and some interesting musicals from amateur groups.

Starting on November 5th and running until the 9th in the Garrick Studio is Jason Robert Brown’s emotionally powerful musical ‘The Last Five Years’, which tells the story of two newlywed New Yorkers who find marriage a challenge in the city that doesn’t sleep.

The 6th of November sees WBOS Youtheatre presenting the school edition of ‘Miss Saigon’ till Saturday 9th, while the following week Lichfield Operatic Society mounts Lloyd Webber/Jim Steinman’s Whistle Down The Wind in the Garrick’s main house.

On 14th November South Staffordshire College’s Performing Arts students will be giving their version of Mike Leigh’s ‘Abigail’s Party’ in the Studio, while the 15th sees the same college’s BTEC students Tue 1 – Sat 5 Oct Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice 7.30pm (and 2.30pm Thur & Sat) at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Middle Ground theatre presents a classic medieval murder mystery adapted from Ellis Peters’ famous medieval sleuth Cadfael.

Starring Richard Walsh, Peter Ellis, Stephen Beckett and Rupert Baker.

Tue 1 Oct Neaten and Natter 11.00am to 1.00pm at Beacon Park. Monthly volunteer event.

Make friends and help to keep Beacon Park beautiful. Tasks include litter picking and weeding.

Wed 2 Oct Hedge laying, Dead Hedging and Scrub Clearance 10.30am to 3.00pm at Ironstone Heath. Using the traditional countryside practice of hedge laying, learn to make a living fence out of plants whilst at the same time improving this beautiful site for both public and wildlife. To book your free place, please contact the countryside team on Tel: 01543 308183. Off Stables Way, Lichfield WS7 1ZZ. Park either Page 56 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

in Fair Lady Drive or on the grass verge next to the site.

Lichfield Cathedral Library Tour 10.30am to 11.30am at Lichfield Cathedral. An opportunity for you to explore the hidden treasures of the historic library built in 1249, a rare glimpse of an incredible collection housed above the Chapter House.

Tickets £9 per person. To book please visit the Cathedral Shop, No 9 The Close or call 01543 306150. (Please note tour numbers are limited, access is restricted and bags cannot be taken into the library) Thu 3 Oct Lichfield Farmers' Market 9.00am to 3.00pm on the Market Square. A wonderful selection of wholesome locallyproduced food. Also an excellent choice of hand-made arts and crafts and many other traditional items.

Fri 4 Oct – Sun 6 Oct Mease Valley & Area Flower and Harvest Festival At St Andrew's Church. ?

Produce stalls, demonstrations and refreshments available.

Fri 4 Oct – 7.30pm.The

performing Frank Vickery’s ‘Trivial Pursuits’ - both include matinees.

On Saturday 10th Walsall Operatic Society follow up their previous successes with ‘The Magic of the Movies’ in a relaxed cabaret style, showcasing songs ranging from ‘Les Miserables’ to ‘James Bond’ plus Disney classics and chart toppers, including a “By Request” section which could bring some surprises.

All-in-all a busy month, and after that it’s panto time. Oh yes it is!

See you there!

Phil Preece

Coventry Philharmonic Singers & St. Martin’s in the Field Music Group Concert. Tickets £6 including refreshments. Contact 01827 373533 or email MBrowne526@aol.com.

Sat 5 Oct - Harvest Supper 7.00pm for 7.30 pm. Tickets £10, Contact 01827 373257 or email rector@measevalleychurches.c o.uk.

Sun 6 Oct - Harvest Thanksgiving at 10.15 am, followed by an Auction of Produce.

Fri 4 Oct The Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society 8.00pm at Lichfield Heritage Centre. Discovering Charles I; lecture by Prof Richard Cust, Birmingham University. Visitors welcome - £3 at the door.

Refreshments available from 7.30pm. For more info call 01543 416144.

A Pleasing Terror 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio. A gripping one man show performed by R M Lloyd Parry. The ghost stories of MR James retain their power to

terrify and amuse.

Sat 5 Oct Ride to The Wall 6 2.00pm till 4.00pm at the National Memorial Arboretum.

2013 sees the 6th year of this unique event, brings motorcyclists from near & far together to attend a memorial service on the steps of the Armed Forces Memorial at the NMA on the first Saturday in October, in order to remember those who can no longer ride by our side. The event has also highlighted the immense generosity and kindness of the wider motorcycling community.

For the full programme go to: www.rttw.org or contact Martin Dickinson, Founder of RTTW Tel: 07740 871983 A Warning to the Curious 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio. The English seaside has never looked so menacing. Performed by R M Lloyd Parry. Lost Hearts was among the first stories the author wrote and it offers one of his most memorable villains, the predatory scholar Mr Abney. A young archaeologist is haunted and hunted by the guardian of an ancient treasure.

Sun 6 Oct Cycle Rides for All in Lichfield 10.00am till 3.00pm at Freedom Cycles, Lichfield Bus Station.

Out and about in the district on guided cycle tours for all ages and abilities on the first Sunday of each month. Everyone is invited to get on their bike and join in with this new season of guided cycle rides from 3.5 miles through to 23 miles, and the rides always arrive at somewhere scenic or interesting.

For more information, please contact Freedom Cycles on 01543 411633 or the Jigsaw community shop on 01543 253666.

Lichfield Vintage Fair and Flea Market 10.00am to 3.00pm at the Guildhall. Absolutely Vintage Darling is pleased to bring a vintage fair and flea market to the historic City of Lichfield.

Clothing, memorabilia, china, glass, jewellery, home wares, kitchenalia and much much more!

Vintage Street Interiors Market 10.00am to 4.00pm at Lichfield

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH IN LICHFIELD Market Square. The market square will be smothered in the best in specially selected vintage and designer made products for your home.

Furniture, glassware, home styling and designer made products.

Andy Cutting 8.00pm at the Guildhall. A technically outstanding melodeon player, he is a warm performer, gently engaging his audiences with his fine wit.

Colwyn Male Voice Choir 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. An evening of popular music performed by Colwyn Male Voice Choir. The evening will feature favourite songs from the shows and traditional Welsh Choir favourites. All proceeds from this evening will be donated by the The Rotary Club of Lichfield St Chad to St Giles Hospice and Polio Plus.

Tue 8 Oct A Night to Remember 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Featuring The Ivy League and Paper Lace

Wed 9 Oct Art, Architecture & Entertainment in the Georgian Period 10.00am – 4.00pm at Ersamus Darwin House. Hosting their fourth lecture day including three eminent speakers. Lucy Bamford, Elaine Mitchell and Andy Foster will cover a variety of topics under the title -‘Art, Architecture & Entertainment in the Georgian Period’. The day will include light refreshments and lunch and is priced at £25 per ticket. Spaces are limited so please call 01543 306260 to book a ticket.

Quill 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. The artistry of guitar and violin is complemented by five vocal harmonies. Quill has developed a unique musical style which has captured many varied influences, playing Celtic Fleetwood Mac-ish rock.

Thu 10 Oct Masterchef Simon Smith 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio. Simon will be joined by a guest chef and between them they will

demonstrate a number of dishes for dinner parties and healthy eating with many money saving ideas. A fun and light-hearted look a current cookery trends for the beginner and creative cook alike.

Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums, mysterious masked choreography with inventive lighting, muscular synchronisation timed to perfection, post-apocalyptic martial imagery & infectious belly laugh humour - all in a spellbinding display of sheer athleticism. Feel the energy and experience the power of this unique performance.

Fri 11 Oct Murder Mystery Evening 7.30pm to 10.30pm at Best Western Premier Moor Hall Hotel and Spa. Join us for The Richards saga…a Halloween mystery with sinister undertones… This fantastic Murder Mystery evening includes a three course dinner during which the mystery

Party atmosphere at Qmin this Christmas

The festive season really starts at Lichfield’s leading Indian restaurant on 1st December. Their Christmas Party Menu is available from that date up to 24th December.

Enjoy our friendly party evenings with fabulous Qmin cuisine.

On 25th December you can enjoy a superb Christmas Day Lunch which is an exquisite exclusive Indian meal.

Bookings have already been made for Christmas Day Lunch, so you are strongly advised to contact Qmin for details on 01543 255000.

Qmin will be pleased to tailor-make menus to suit any preference, dietary choice, or budget for Christmas Parties or any occasion.

Qmin captures India’s diversity, with more than 120 authentic recipes across the country. Sample their fusion cooking in modern and relaxed surroundings, served by very attentive staff.

We invite you to experience the Qmin brand of Indian cuisine and promise you a feast for your senses.

Remember, bookings are now being taken for the Festive Season, so contact Qmin soon.

Call Qmin on 01543 255000 www.qmin.co.uk

Page 57

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH IN LICHFIELD

Ceilidh in the Cathedral and Staffordshire Brass Band Concert 11 - 12 October 2013.

On Friday 11th October get your dancing shoes on for a Ceilidh in the Cathedral with the dynamic young ‘Monster Ceilidh Band’.

This talented group of musicians blends traditional folk with modern beats to create an innovative and contemporary style. Whether you are a seasoned ceilidh-goer or a first-timer, come along and join us – it’s going to be a great evening!

On Saturday the cathedral are hosting The Staffordshire Band, one of the best Brass Bands in the country and Senior Cup Runners-Up 2010. With a history stretching back over 100 years, the band plays a wide variety of music from the classics to film and TV themes. There’ll also be an opportunity to sing along to some favourite hymns and traditional favourites, all in the stunning surroundings of the Cathedral Nave.

Both events are in support of the Cathedral’s East End Appeal.

Ceilidh in the Cathedral takes place on Friday 11th October at 19:30 Tickets are £10 from the Cathedral Shop. The Staffordshire Band event takes place on Saturday 12th October at 19:30. Tickets are £15 from the Cathedral Shop. Tel: 01543 306150.Special offer - book both events for just £20.00. For more information visit www.lichfield-cathedral.org

unfolds, courtesy of professional actors. It’s up to you to examine the clues, question the characters and work out who committed the murder! £35 per person; or £131 for 2 to include an overnight stay.

Malcolm Stent and Friends 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Midlands favourite Malcolm Stent and his mates bring a new show of laughter and song.

Sat 12 Oct Lichfield Cathedral Library Tour 10.30am to 11.30am at Lichfield Cathedral. See Wed 2 Oct for details.

Music Hall Memories 2.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio. An illustrated history of variety stars of the 1940s to the 1950s. Duggie's back with a new programme of the cream of variety and music hall favourites.

Duggie's knowledge of the old stars is incomparable and his presentation will include over 30 film clips of the stars of yesteryear.

Barbara Dickson 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Join Barbara and her musicians for an evening of great music, including some of her favourite hit songs Walsall Jazz Orchestra plus support 7.30pm at the Guildhall. A brassy big band with fine soloists plus a blistering rock infused rhythm section. With local lads Tim Amann and Nick Dewhurst.

Sun 13 Oct Joe Brown 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Packed with timeless classics, rockabilly, gospel, country, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll.

Mon 14 & Tue 15 Oct The Shakespeare Schools Festival 7.00pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. The Lichfield Garrick is delighted to welcome the UK's largest Youth Drama Festival to our stage. The Shakespeare Schools Festival works with 1000 secondary, primary and special schools all over the UK, making it possible for them to stage abridged

Page 58 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Shakespeare productions in their local professional theatre.

Each night four schools will perform four different Shakespeare plays. Come along and celebrate the achievements of your local schools in a wonderful evening of entertainment.

Tue 15 – Sun 20 Oct An Inspector Calls 7.30pm (and 4.00pm Sun) at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio. A Lichfield Players Production. It's 1912 and prosperous manufacturer Arthur Birling is hosting a family celebration. However, the arrival of an Inspector investigating a working class girl's suicide turns the mood of merriment and self-satisfaction on its head. But who - if anyone - is ultimately responsible for her horrific premature death?

Tense and revelatory, the journey from ignorance to knowledge will captivate to the last ingenious twist.

Tue 15 Oct Art Workshop 6.30pm at Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. Create striking paintings and drawings in the monthly mixed media workshops led by award winning artist Carole Collier.

Individual attention in small, friendly sessions with a different theme each month. Workshops take place on the third Tuesday of each month. Advance booking essential.

Wed 16 Oct The Lichfield Bank Crash of 1856 2.00pm and again at 7.00pm at Lichfield Heritage Centre.

Scandal, Lies, Treachery & Theft! as told by our talented costumed players. This is a tale of Fraud, Embezzlement & Ruin. Tickets are now on sale priced at £5 (incl tea & cake) for the 2.00pm performance and £7.50 (incl wine & nibbles) for the 7.00pm performance. Tel: 01543 256611 for further information.

Ha Ha Holmes 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Starring Joe Pasquale.

There's a beast on the moors, a crime to be solved, and with the Ha Ha team on the case - what You'd be can go right?! absolutely barking mad to miss this pipe-smoking new show from theatre's funniest parodists

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH IN LICHFIELD as Holmes and Watson embark on their most dangerous adventure yet ... hunting down The Hound of The Baskervilles.

Thu 17 – Sat 19 Oct Sleeping Beauty 7.30pm (and 2.30pm Sat) at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Vienna Festival Ballet present their enchanting production of The Sleeping Beauty. A classic fairy tale set to Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes, all combine to portray the struggle between good and evil.

Thu 17 Oct Heathy Woodland management 10.00am to 2.00pm at Gentleshaw Common The AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) volunteers are joining with the CPCG to work in the ‘heathy woodland’ area on Gentleshaw Common which needs management to allow the understory of rare dwarf shrub species to flourish. We’ll be cutting down selected small trees to create gaps in the forest canopy.

To book your free place call 01543 308183. Directions: Gentleshaw Common, meet in the car park opposite the Redmoore Inn, Rugeley Rd WS15 4RU. Fri 18 Oct The Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society 7.30pm at St Mary’s Centre.

Boscobel House; lecture by Alex Dziegiel, curator.

Visitors welcome - £3 at the door.

Refreshments available from 7 30pm. For more info call 01543 416144.

Sat 19 Oct Viva Vienna Concert by DECO 7.30pm at Lichfield Cathedral.

Classical Brit Award winning violinist Jack Liebeck will return to perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the city's own Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra. Beethoven's uplifting and serenely lyrical Violin Concerto in D will be the perfect showcase for Liebeck's dazzling virtuosity and exquisite musicianship in the most wonderful surroundings. Before this popular concerto, DECO will perform Mozart's Symphony No.39-one of the great composer's final three symphonies, and a work surrounded by almost as much mystery as the legendary Requiem. To book tickets please visit the Cathedral Shop, call

01543 306150 or email shop@lichfield-cathedral.org Sun 20 Oct Sunday Lunch With A Touch Of Jazz At Swinfen Hall Hotel. See Sun 29 Sep for details.

Steve Clayton and the 44s 8.00pm at the Guildhall. King of Barrelhouse Blues and Boogie Woogie, his perfect blues voice and dexterous piano playing accompanied by the original 44s: Howard Gregory (guitar/violin).

Howard Smith (drums) and Bob Boucher (bass).

Dirty Dusting 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Three cleaning ladies, (past their sell-by-date) start up a telephone sex line! Starring Crissy Rock (Bendorm and I'm a Celebrity),Pat Dunn (Hebburn), Leah Bell, Jason Jones (Hebburn) Tue 22 Oct Secret Love - A Sentimental Journey through the Life and Music of Doris Day 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Expect plenty of laughs, a few tears and some surprises in this celebration of Doris Day. Acclaimed Singer and West End actress Claudia Morris has been inspired throughout her career by the voice, wisdom, courage and convictions of one of Hollywood's best loved actresses and singers.

Lichfield Cathedral Candlelit Tours 7.30pm (arrival at 7.15pm is recommended) at Lichfield Cathedral. As the darker nights draw in, spend an atmospheric evening appreciating the beauty and history of our Cathedral.

Tickets are priced at £12.50. Early booking is highly recommended, to book please call 01543 306150 or visit the Cathedral Shop.

Wed 23 Oct Lichfield Cathedral Candlelit Tours See Tue 22 Oct for details.

Thu 24 Oct An Evening of Mediumship with TV Psychic Tony Stockwell 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. It’s not creepy or kooky, mysterious or spooky. It’s Psychic Medium Tony Stockwell.

Lichfield Civic Society 7.45pm at Lichfield Heritage Centre. Talk on ‘The History and Associations of Maple Hayes Hall’ Page 59

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH IN LICHFIELD

by Joss Musgrove Knibb. All are welcome to this meeting of the Lichfield Civic Society.

Members Free. Non Members £3 at the door.

Fri 25 – Sun 27 Oct Lichfield Festival of Folk The annual Lichfield Roots and Folk Festival is being relaunched this year as 'L2F - The Lichfield Festival of Folk'. Go to www.lichfieldarts.org.uk for full listings.

Fri 25 Oct Into The Shadows 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Studio.

Into the Shadows recreate the unique sounds of The Shadows, playing all their hits, and perform many of the early Cliff Richard hits from the days when The Shadows were his backing Group Elvis Through The Years 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Elvis Through The Years recreates the musical atmosphere of the 50s, 60s and 70s with high-energy

Page 60 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

interpretations of Elvis Presley's greatest hits. Gordon Elvis is also known as one of the best Elvis Tribute Artist in the world after winning Images of the king in Memphis Tennessee 2012.

Sat 26 Oct Half-term family activities at the NMA 10.00am to 4.00pm at National Memorial Arboretum. Inspired by your visit to the Arboretum, create your own special print; take it home to show off to friends and family! Use merino wool and have a go at wet felt making; create a felt poppy picture or a memory bangle.

Print making 10am - 12pm. Felt making 2pm - 4pm. No booking required. £1 per adult, £1 per child An Evening of Dirty Dancing 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. The original box office smash hit tribute to one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time and has been wowing audiences nationwide since 2010

Sun 27 Oct Antique, curio and flea indoor market 10.00am to 4.00pm at Curborough Antiques and Craft Centre. Curborough farm is a great place for mooching, cake, dog friendly dining and has lots of free parking. It’s just perfect for a Sunday morning purchase and peruse with your pooch.

Matthew Ford’s Swing Legends 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Presented by Terry Dash Music. Matthew and his nine piece Swing Legends band perform the songs of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Matt Monro, Michael Buble and more. If you are a fan of Swing, Standards, The Great American Songbook, and music of the Rat Pack, then this is the show for you.

Mon 28 Oct Half-term family activities at the NMA See Sat 26 Oct for details

Classic medieval murder mystery at the Lichfield Garrick this October

Peter Ellis

Stephen Beckett

Middle Ground Theatre Company proudly presents the world première stage adaptation of Ellis Peters’ famous medieval sleuth Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice at the Lichfield Garrick this autumn.

Starring Richard Walsh, Peter Ellis, Stephen Beckett and Rupert Baker, the chilling play will run at the theatre from Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th October 2013.

The play is set in the winter of 1139 and raging civil war has sent many refugees fleeing north from Worcester, among them an orphaned boy, his beautiful 17 year old sister, and a young nun.

When they seem to have disappeared somewhere in the wild winter landscape of frost and snow, Brother Cadfael embarks on a dangerous quest to find them. The search will lead him to discover a chilling and terrible murder, and a tale of passion gone astray.

Richard Walsh, best known for playing Albert “Sicknote” Quigley in London’s Burning, stars as Brother Cadfael. The talented cast of fifteen also includes TV stars Peter Ellis (The Bill), Stephen Beckett (Coronation Street/The Bill) and Rupert Baker (London’s Burning).

Ellis Peters’ Cadfael novels have sold millions of copies globally, and this world stage première celebrates the centenary of the author’s birth. Featuring film projections, lavish settings and bespoke music, this stunning new production is produced by Middle Ground Theatre Company, who this year mark 25 years of bringing quality drama to the stage.

Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice will run at the Lichfield Garrick from Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th October 2013, at 7.30pm with a Thursday and Saturday matinee performance at 2.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £19.50 to £23.50 (£15 for students), and can be booked online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling the Box Office on 01543 412121.

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH IN LICHFIELD Tue 29 Oct Lichfield Cathedral Candlelit Tours See Tue 22 Oct for details.

Wed 30 Oct – Sat 2 Nov The National Tribute Awards 2013 7.30pm at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. A Festival of some of the very best Tribute Bands and Artists.

Go to www.lichfieldgarrick.com for details of full line up.

Wed 30 Oct Lichfield Cathedral Candlelit Tours See Tue 22 Oct for details.

Thu 31 Oct Haunting Halloween in Lichfield 6.00pm to 8.00pm at Erasmus Darwin House. Spooky trails and tails!!! A chance to dress up in your spookiest Halloween costume! Eerie tales, spooky trails and lots of activities! Admission £2.00 per person, Suitable for all ages.

Sausages and burgers will be provided.

Fri 1 Nov Blast from the Past 8.00pm at the Guildhall. 600 years of musical history in 90 minutes, complete with a bewildering array of musical instruments such as hurdy-gurdy, rauschpfeife and vihuela, an unforgettable musical journey!

Sat 2 & Sun 3 Nov Drayton Manor Fireworks At Drayton Manor Theme Park. A weekend of spectacular fireworks will bring Drayton Manor Theme Park's 2013 season to a close. The display will be accompanied by music and will set the sky alight with all the colours of the rainbow!

Sat 2 Nov LARA AGM 10.00am to 12noon at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (near Christ Church).

Annual General Meeting of the Leomansley Area Residents Association (LARA). All residents of Leomansley and Darwin Park are invited. Come along and hear from local councillors and police, and have your say in the future of Leomansley.

Half-term family activities at the NMA See Sat 26 Oct for details.

The Police Commissioner at Speakers' Corner 12 noon to 1.00pm at Speakers' Corner.

Matthew Ellis, Police Commissioner will be reviewing his first year in the role.

Sun 3 Nov Lichfield Vintage Fair and Flea Market See Sun 6 Oct for details.

Wedding Open Day 11.00am to 3.00pm at Best Western Premier Moor Hall Hotel and Spa. The day is designed to give you a real taste

of Moor Hall as a wedding venue. The Charter Suite will be fully dressed for a wedding breakfast with crisp linen, bright cutlery and gleaming glassware, a room will be set for a civil ceremony, and you will be able to view the four poster bedrooms, wander the grounds and chat to our experienced wedding coordinators who can advise on every aspect of your special day.

When was the last time you visited the ‘Mucky Duck’ at Fradley Junction?

Tue 5 Nov Neaten and Natter At Beacon Park. See Tue 1 Oct for details.

Saturday 9 Nov Night in the Trenches An opportunity to experience a soldier’s life in the trenches of WW1 at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum.

Let the museum take you back to the life and conditions our brave troops were facing during the First World War. Guided tours are provided between 4.30 pm and 8.15 pm and will take visitors on a journey through the museum’s trenches. Re-enactors and museum staff will be on hand to bring history to life.

Booking is essential. Adults £6. Senior Citizens, concessions and children under 16 £4. Family ticket £15. www.staffordshireregimentmuseum.com Contact details for listed venues: Alrewas Hayes - Nr Lichfield, Burton-onTrent DE13 7DL. Tel: 01283 791625 Beacon Park – Lichfield WS13 6QZ. Tel: 01543 308869 Curborough Craft Centre - Watery Lane, Lichfield WS13 8ES. Tel: 01543 264050 Drayton Manor Theme Park - Nr Tamworth B78 3SA. Tel: 0844 472 1960 Erasmus Darwin House - Beacon St, Lichfield WS13 7AD. Tel: 01543 306260 The Guildhall - Bore St, Lichfield WS13 6LU. Tel: 01543 262223 Lichfield Cathedral - The Close, Lichfield WS13 7LD. Tel: 01543 306100 Lichfield Garrick Theatre - Castle Dyke, Lichfield WS13 6HR. Tel: 01543 412121 Lichfield Heritage Centre - St Mary's Centre, Breadmarket St, Lichfield WS13 6LG. Tel: 01543 255423 Lichfield Tourist Information Centre - St Mary's Heritage Centre, Market Square, Lichfield. Tel: 01543 412112 Moor Hall Hotel & Spa - Moor Hall Drive, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield B75 6LN National Memorial Arboretum - Croxall Rd, Alrewas DE13 7AR. Tel: 01283 792333 Staffordshire Regiment Museum – Whittington Barracks, Whittington, Lichfield. Tel: 01543 434394 St Andrew's Church - Clifton Campville, Tamworth B79 0AR Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum Breadmarket St, Lichfield WS13 6LG. Tel: 01543 264972 Swinfen Hall Hotel – Swinfen, Nr. Lichfield WS14 9RE. Tel: 01543 481494

Do you think the people of Paris are up the Eiffel Tower every weekend, or those who live in Athens take time to admire the Acropolis close up? It’s a bit like us living so close to Fradley Junction…we know it’s marvelous, but rarely go to visit. And what better time to do so than early summer when the scenery is at it’s very best.

The Swan, known to all far and wide as the ‘Mucky Duck’, is a friendly, family style pub in a beautiful setting on the crossroads of the Coventry/Trent and Derby canal, which is Fradley Junction. You really ought to rediscover Fradley Junction, ideal for a relaxing day out for dog walkers, ramblers, cyclists and canal boat enthusiasts.

Something for everyone It’s easy to enjoy Fradley Junction with all its colour and tranquility and its nearby nature reserve, which features in a couple of published British Waterways trails, or just sit with a beer (or a cup of tea) and watch the world float by. It’s like Venice off the A38!

Over the past six years Rick & Tracey have resisted the urge to make The Swan into a trendy ‘gastro pub’ and kept it as a traditional canalside-socialising pub that folk have loved for well over two hundred years. Open 7 days a week, The Swan has something for everybody – it’s a retreat from the hurly burly of everyday life. It has a Sunday Carvery every week 12 noon - 3pm with five meats and fresh vegetables for £10 inc. sweet and coffee. Lunch is served Mon-Sat 12 noon 2.30pm with a full menu available every evening 5.30pm - 9pm.

If your fancy is for traditional and homemade foods then The Swan is the place to enjoy a mixed grill, sirloin steak, beer battered cod, pork-belly & black pepper plus homemade curries and pies. Plus freshly made sandwiches, snacks and much more.

Beer and entertainment The Swan has a superb selection of beers on draught such as Abbot, Pedigree, Black Sheep, and guest ales such as Timothy Taylor, Sarah Hughes ‘Dark Ruby’, Woody’s Shropshire Lass and Holden’s Black Country Special. And of course all your popular ciders and lagers.

And talking of something for everybody – why not call and enjoy the evening entertainment. Every Thursday evening is Folk Night, with Open Mic on Sunday evenings together with other events on throughout the summer months. And something unique is the Curiosity Shop, now open at the rear of the Mucky Duck selling all manner of things where you are welcome to have a mooch-around.

Rick & Tracey extend a warm welcome and suggest you rediscover Fradley Junction and The Swan this weekend.

The Swan at Fradley Junction Canalside eating at its best DE13 7DN Telephone 01283 790330 We are a dog friendly pub

Page 61

GAZETTE small ads Services

Services

Services

£

Would you like to earn an extra income?

Or are you just tired of your job and want a change?

Then get in touch and let me show you how you can earn anything from £200 - £2000 a month.

£

Advertise in this space for only £20 plus vat

To find out more contact Laura Jordan on 07970 036110

Gazettecontacts Editor

Paul Oakley 07875 475540 / 01543 302748 paul@lichfieldgazette.co.uk Deputy Editor

Joss Musgrove Knibb 07833 735048 gazetteeditorial@hotmail.co.uk Production

Helen Smith 07967 154187 pebblesdesignagency@hotmail.co.uk

Distributors wanted contact Marie 07548 682576 Advertising

Vic McClure 07872 165695 vic@lichfieldgazette.co.uk Steve Brown 07740 166497 steve@lichfieldgazette.co.uk Rebecca Hill 07535 634794 rebecca.lichfieldgazette@gmail.com National Sales David Baker 07818 686015 david@lichfieldgazette.co.uk

GAZETTE MAGAZINE PO Box 5415, Lichfield, WS14 4EZ

www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Page 62 www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk

GAZETTE small ads Services

Services

Services

Pretty Nails & Beauty Tanning

Bedrooms • Home Office

SPECIAL OFFER, OCT & NOV WITH EVERY FULL SET OF NAILS AT £15 YOU GET A FULL BODY SPRAY TAN FOR £15 ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT

Made to measure locally by family business

Please contact KIM : 07792 837767 5 St John Street, Lichfield WS13 6NU Open Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm (Late night Wed, Thur, Fri until 8.30pm by appointment)

Mark Waldron Interiors Tel:01543 473700

Trade Kitchens DIRECT FROM THE FACTORY

Leaflets distributed

Why not ask about our leaflet distribution, leaflet design and print services.

We cover 18,000 homes and businesses every month.

Enquiries to paul@lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Tel :- 01543 302748 Magazine Advertisement

Sales Vacancy Did you enjoy our magazine?

Do you think you have what it takes to sell advertising for us?

We currently have two well-loved publications, Chase Gazette and Lichfield Gazette, and we are looking to receive applications from candidates who would like to join us.

Are you the sort of person who can easily converse with our potential and regular advertisers, and demonstrate a mature, creative and honest attitude?

The role requires the ability to communicate with business people at all levels as well as work to given deadlines.

Hours and salary are negotiable and an immediate start is available. Some newspaper ad sales or similar previous experience would be an advantage, but some training on the job can be arranged.

The successful candidate should be a car owner with a clean driving licence as the role calls for constant access to retailers and services throughout this area. Some telephone sales will be involved in the sales process.

If this sounds like the kind of sales position you are looking for, why not let us know a little about yourself by sending an email in the first instance with a short summary of your career to date.

Contact by email: paul@lichfieldgazette.co.uk

Page 63