Draft Mercian Trail Leaflet - 21 February

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www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

Discover the heart of Anglo-Saxon England

THE STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD MERCIAN TRAIL

STOKE-ON-TRENT BIRMINGHAM LICHFIELD TAMWORTH STAFFORDSHIRE


The Staffordshire Hoard

The Staffordshire Hoard Staffordshire, 2009 A solitary man with a metal detector makes an astounding discovery in a farmer’s field in Hammerwich, Lichfield District – more than 3,500 objects and fragments of gold and silver with precious stone decorations. Now world famous, the Staffordshire Hoard is so much more than a collection of Anglo-Saxon war booty – it’s the legacy of craftsmen whose artistry fashioned precious metals and gemstones into incredibly detailed sword hilt fittings, helmet parts and other items. It’s also the story of kings, religious men and their warriors, who carried these pieces into battle, who fell, and were later stripped of their gold.

But this is a story with missing pages... Who hid this treasure? Was it collected by the victors after one battle or several? How did all these pieces come to be buried together, and why?

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Staffordshire, 2012 A solitary farmer and his plough makes a further astounding discovery. Another 81 items of the Staffordshire Hoard, including a cheek piece and a cross-shaped mount are found in the same Hammerwich field. Find out more, keep up to date, and help to save these new dazzling treasures for the nation at www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

The Staffordshire Hoard totals 5.094 kilos of gold, 1.442 kilos of silver and 3,500 cloisonné garnets. There is nothing comparable in terms of content and quantity in the UK or mainland Europe. It is remarkable for being almost exclusively war-gear, with an extraordinary quantity of pommel caps and hilt plates from swords and daggers. Many feature beautiful garnet inlays or animals in elaborate filigree. The artefacts have tentatively been dated to the 6th or 7th centuries, placing the origin of the items in the time of the Kingdom of Mercia. Since the find, a research and conservation programme, headed up by leading experts in the field, has been launched and will be underway for several years.

“The Staffordshire Hoard provides us with vital clues to our ancient past.” David Starkey, historian and broadcaster


The Mercian Trail

Follow the story of the Staffordshire Hoard To delve further into the mystery of the Staffordshire Hoard and bring the thrilling story of Mercia to life, follow the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail across the region. The trail is in its early stages of development. Find out more about the future plans on the back of this leaflet: PAGES 4 & 5 The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Discover what life was like for the Anglo Saxons and marvel at the largest collection of Staffordshire Hoard items currently on display.

PAGES 8 & 9 Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield Marvel at the St Chad Gospels and Lichfield Angel and take in a small display of the Staffordshire Hoard, linked information boards, replicas and guided tours.

PAGES 6 & 7 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham See a changing display of the Staffordshire Hoard as conservators carry out their intricate work.

PAGES 10 & 11 Tamworth Castle, Tamworth Learn about the battles, blows and bloodshed of the Anglo-Saxon era, the kings and the kingdoms, and see a small selection of the Staffordshire Hoard. PAGES 12 & 13 Follow the story of Anglo-Saxon Mercia and the Staffordshire Hoard further afield at historical sites across the region.

www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk 03


See the Staffordshire Hoard at

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent www.stokemuseums.org.uk Open daily, visit website to check times. FREE ENTRY but donations appreciated.

What you’ll see An exciting new exhibition, which runs until Sunday 1 September 2013, and sets the Staffordshire Hoard in historical context, revealing the story of its discovery and conservation. More than a hundred specially chosen pieces are displayed in all their dazzling glory, including many previously unseen pieces. The exhibition features iPad interactives, a stunning timeline and other Anglo-Saxon treasures discovered in Staffordshire. These breathtakingly beautiful examples of delicate Saxon metalwork have intrigued archaeologists and forced historians to question what they thought they knew about England in the 7th century and the Dark Ages. Every expert has a different opinion – so, come along, find out more and tell us yours?

This seahorse is a most remarkable piece. Three of its filigree spiral decorations are the size of a grain of rice.

Long term A new gallery is planned that will uncover what Anglo-Saxon life was like in Staffordshire, the role local towns and cities played in Anglo-Saxon times, and the importance of the kingdom of Mercia.

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Betheseda Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DW Telephone: 01782 232323

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A 9ft sculpture of an Anglo-Saxon warrior, inspired by the Staffordshire Hoard, is on display in the lobby of The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.


Stoke-on-Trent

Where to stay To make the most of your visit, and to ensure you don’t miss out on anything the city has to offer, why not stay for a couple of days? Whether you want to stay for a night, a short city break, or a longer holiday, there’s sure to be a hotel, guesthouse, B&B or self catering cottage to suit your requirements and budget. Stoke-on-Trent is famous for its potteries and is home to Wedgwood, Moorcroft, Portmeirion, Aynsley and Emma Bridgewater. With over 25 factory shops, ceramic museums and visitor centres to choose from, one day is not enough. Go on a factory tour around Emma Bridgewater, Moorcroft and Wedgwood. The Wedgwood Museum takes visitors on a 250 year interactive tour, then throw or paint a pot before shopping for great bargains. There are stunning gardens including the Trentham Estate, with its mile long lake, sculpture and arts trail, and you can tour the world at Biddulph Grange. Wander amongst the monkeys at the Trentham Monkey Forest. To find out what else to see and do visit www.visitstoke.co.uk

Don’t miss Gladstone Pottery Museum www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm Trentham Gardens www.trentham.co.uk Wedgwood Visitor Centre & Museum www.wedgwoodmuseum.org.uk www.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com Emma Bridgewater Factory www.emmabridgewaterfactory.co.uk

The Gladstone Pottery Museum gives a glimpse into the industrial revolution in the 18th to mid 20th century.

Where to eat To enjoy the very best culinary treats Stokeon-Trent has to offer, make sure you visit one of our award-winning eateries during your stay. From first class hotels and restaurants, to city pubs, bars and bistros, there is a fantastic choice of places to eat to suit all tastes and budgets. During your visit, make sure you sample the local delicacy, Staffordshire Oatcakes - delicious served hot with various fillings, including cheese and bacon. They're available from local oatcake bakers and cafes. To find a great place to stay or eat visit www.visitstoke.co.uk or call the tourist information centre on 01782 236000.

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

What else you can see in Stoke-on-Trent

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See the Staffordshire Hoard at

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery www.bmag.org.uk Open daily, visit website to check times. FREE ENTRY but donations appreciated.

The museum hosts regular ‘behind the scenes’ tours to the conservation studios. Contact the museum to find out more.

What you’ll see The Staffordshire Hoard is made up of over 3,500 objects and fragments of beautifully crafted gold and silver from the 7th century Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. Hundreds of pieces still need to be cleaned and conserved by a team of skilled conservators at the museum. In the museum’s exhibition in Gallery 16, you can see a changing display of hoard objects that have just been cleaned, and others still waiting their turn to be conserved. The exhibition tells the story of the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard and places it in its Anglo-Saxon context. As well as seeing hoard objects, you can use the interactives to take a closer look at some of the star items that are not currently in the exhibition. You can also handle a Saxon sword and knife.

Long term A new gallery, planned to open in September 2014, will uncover the secrets of the jewellery makers, who crafted the exquisite pieces of the hoard. It will also reveal little-known trading routes between the UK and eastern climes that carried the gold and garnets to our shores.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH Telephone: 0121 303 1966

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Birmingham's diverse history has created some outstanding heritage and cultural attractions to discover and explore. From jewellery makers in the Jewellery Quarter, and the origins of Cadbury’s chocolate at Bourneville, to the Back to Backs that offer a glimpse into the city’s past, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The city also boasts one of the most compelling and eclectic British arts scenes, with events, shows, concerts and more taking place throughout the year. And, if you’re visiting as a family, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with Thinktank, the SeaLife Centre, canal boat rides and more to tempt you. To find out what else to see and do, visit www.visitbirmingham.com

Don’t miss Birmingham Back to Backs www.nationaltrust.org.uk SeaLife Centre www.visitsealife.com /birmingham Thinktank www.thinktank.ac The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter www.bmag.org.uk

Where to stay Whether you want luxurious decadence, boutique chic, or low cost and practical, there’s a hotel, B&B, or guesthouse to suit your needs.

Birmingham is a vistor’s delight - from culture, to art, to history, there’s so much to be discovered.

Where to eat As a city packed full of different cultures and nationalities, eating out in Birmingham is like a gastronomic tour of the world! With enticing new restaurants opening all the time, representing some 27 different nationalities and styles of cooking, if you love to dine out, then you’re in the right place. The city boasts no less than three Michelin Star restaurants and plenty of wannabes to tempt you, and a whole quarter of the city is devoted to creating our very own Asian speciality, the Balti! To find a great place to stay or eat visit www.visitbirmingham.com

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Birmingham

What else you can see in Birmingham

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See the Staffordshire Hoard at

Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral www.lichfield-cathedral.org Open daily, visit website to check times. FREE ENTRY but donations appreciated.

What you’ll see The origins of Lichfield Cathedral are rooted in the time scholars believe the Staffordshire Hoard was buried.

Credit Lichfield Camera Club, Keith Jones

The cathedral’s Chapter House boasts the stunning Anglo-Saxon treasures, the Lichfield Angel, believed to be a piece of the tomb of St Chad, and the St Chad Gospels, which are older than the Book of Kells. A small number of pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard are also on display alongside exquisite replicas. Visitors to the exhibition can learn about the Christianisation of Mercia and the heroic figure of St Chad, as well as marvel at the stunning Anglo-Saxon treasures on display.

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Lichfield Cathedral 19A The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LD Telephone: 01543 306100


With a history spanning back to Anglo-Saxon times, featuring tales of saints, gospels, playwrights and dictionaries, Lichfield is a history lovers’ delight. The city boasts an eclectic mix of heritage venues. From Erasmus Darwin House, the home of Charles Darwin’s grandfather, through to birthplace of the father of the modern dictionary – the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. And, to see an exhibition of 2,000 years of Lichfield’s rich and varied past, step into Lichfield Heritage Centre in St Mary’s Church in the city’s market square.

Lichfield is a history lover’s delight - travel back in time at our many visitor attractions.

Don’t miss Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk Erasmus Darwin House www.erasmusdarwin.org Wall Letocetum Roman Site www.english-heritage.org.uk National Memorial Arboretum www.thenma.org.uk

No visit to Lichfield District is complete, without a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum. Set in 150 acres of wooded parkland, it features the stunning Armed Forces Memorial, which is a nationally significant focus for remembrance. To find out what else to see visit www.visitlichfield.co.uk/attractions

Where to stay From cosy farmhouse bed and breakfasts to stylish contemporary hotels, Lichfield District has a range of accommodation for couples, families and groups. Whether you want to snuggle up before a roaring fire in one of our rural villages, or taste the highlife at a city centre hotel, we’re sure you’ll find something that’s just right. Where to eat For a sumptuous treat, sample elegant splendour at Chapters, the cathedral’s coffee shop, afternoon tea at the Tudor Of Lichfield, or visit the Green Room at the Lichfield Garrick, one of the region's best loved theatres. As night falls you will be spoilt for choice – from country pubs, to city centre Thai, Italian, Indian, and fusion cuisine. And, with award winning restaurants across the city and district, even the choosiest connoisseurs will be pleased. To find a great place to stay or eat visit www.visitlichfield.co.uk

Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield

What else you can see in Lichfield

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See the Staffordshire Hoard at

Tamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle www.tamworthcastle.co.uk Open Tuesdays - Sundays, April to October Saturdays & Sundays, October to April Visit website to check times. Entry fee applies.

What you’ll see Step back in time and experience the weapons and warfare of the Anglo-Saxon age in the stunning setting of Tamworth Castle. Tamworth was the ancient capital of Mercia. It was once home to the Mercian kings, the site of King Offa’s palace, and was a royal administrative centre. See pieces of the Staffordshire Hoard brought to life, with replica weapons and hand-on activities. Marvel at the intricate sword fittings, then build your own sword, have a go at rune writing and try on some Saxon costumes.

Explore the rest of the castle with its 900 years of history. See the maze of intact rooms, halls and chambers that still echo with events from the castle’s Norman beginnings, Medieval dynasties, Tudor grandeur and great family influences.

Tamworth Castle flies a flag bearing the cross of St Alban, a yellow cross on a blue background. This flag has been used since the time of Henry VIII as the flag of the Kingdom of Mercia and the English Midlands.

Tamworth Castle The Holloway, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7NA Telephone: 01827 709626

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Dating back to Saxon times, Tamworth had one of Britain’s earliest watermills positioned on the River Anker, and had a royal mint from the reign of King Aethelstan (924 - 939). Discover how ancient meets modern today as you wander around this beautiful historic town. Visit the magnificent church of St Editha dating back 1200 years, believed to be named after either the daughter of King Egbert of Wessex, or the aunt of King Edgar, who refounded the church in 963. St Editha is credited with spreading Christianity across Mercia in the 900s. Gaze upon Tamworth’s beautiful Town Hall, built by Thomas Guy of Guy’s Hospital in London. Look for the bronze statue of Sir Robert Peel, former Tamworth MP and twice British Prime Minister. In Victorian times Tamworth was his home and was where he founded the modern police force. And, if you’re visiting as a family, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with the SnowDome, Drayton Manor Theme Park, cinema, bowling alley, a theatre and more right on the doorstep. To find out more call the Tamworth Information Centre on 01827 709581 or Don’t miss visit www.visittamworth.co.uk Drayton Manor Theme Park www.draytonmanor.co.uk SnowDome www.snowdome.co.uk Strykers Bowl and Kids Kingdom www.namcofunscape.com Take a Blue or Green Badge Guided tour www.visittamworth.co.uk

Aethelflaed's statue - the Lady of the Mercians stands at the foot of Tamworth Castle

Where to stay Make Tamworth your base and choose from first class hotels, cosy B&Bs and a superb choice of caravan and camping sites. Tamworth has a range of accommodation that offers a great welcome, superb value for money and a family friendly atmosphere. Where to eat With many local food suppliers on its doorstep, Tamworth offers a great range of eating places. Check out family run restaurants such as Christopher’s and Da Quino’s Italian, enjoy the atmosphere of the many bustling bars like Wetherspoons, or opt for a real ale house, a quaint café, or a coffee shop for a light bite. There are also lots of famous brand outlets and pubs offering traditional food and drink.

Tamworth Castle

Tamworth

What else you can see in Tamworth

To find a great place to stay or eat visit www.visittamworth.co.uk

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On the trail of the Anglo-Saxons across Staffordshire

On the trail of the Anglo-Saxons across Staffordshire and beyond The name Mercia derives from Mierce - people of the march or border. King Offa, who built a famous dyke to protect Mercia's border, was the best known Mercian king. Tamworth was his capital and he was buried at Swinfen, near Lichfield City, which was home to St Chad, who helped convert Mercia to Christianity in the 7th century. After his death Chad's bones were enshrined in Lichfield Cathedral. Staffordshire and Birmingham were once part of Mercia and are rich with Anglo-Saxon stories, waiting for you to discover.

St Wystan’s Church, Repton www.reptonchurch.org.uk St. Wystan's Church, Repton has been described as ‘one of the most precious survivals of Anglo-Saxon architecture in England’. Along with parts of the chancel, crossing and transept, the church has an Anglo-Saxon crypt, once described by Sir John Betjeman as ‘holy air encased in stone’. It was built during the reign of King Æthelbald (716-757), King of Mercia, and later converted into a mausoleum to receive the bodies of powerful Anglo-Saxons. Its domed and vaulted roof is supported by decorative pillars.

St Chad's Church, Lichfield and The Two Saints Way www.saintchads.org.uk St Chad's Church was founded by Chad in 669. Chad came to Lichfield to be its first bishop and settled at the site of a spring of fresh well water. Here he founded a small monastery beside the well, which still exists today. The church was rebuilt during the 12th century and nothing remains of the original Anglo-Saxon building. The Two Saints Way, a pilgrimage route between Lichfield and Chester, passes by the well. Find out more at www.twosaintsway.org.uk

St Peter ad Vincula, Stoke www.stokeminster.com Stoke Minster was founded in the 7th century as a ‘holy place’, which can be translated into Old English (spoken by AngloSaxons) as ‘Stoche’, on the River Trent - hence Stoke-on-Trent. The first stone church was built in 805 and the remains of this can still be seen in the churchyard. Although the church was rebuilt in 1826 it still boasts its Anglo-Saxon font and carved stone preaching cross. Stoke Minster is also included on The Two Saints Way.

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On the trail of the Anglo-Saxons across Staffordshire

The Anglo Saxon Charters Staffordshire Record Office, Stafford Anglo-Saxon charters were royal documents that granted lands and privileges to individuals, churches and abbeys during the Anglo-Saxon period. Over 1,000 charters exist today, with 200 in their original form. Staffordshire Record Office holds some of the most important charters, including the Will of Wulfric Spot, dating back to 1004. You can view the charters by appointment only. Call 01785 278373 or visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk

St Bertelin Stafford & Ilam, Derbyshire

Mercian Trail touring exhibition A touring exhibition is being developed by Staffordshire County Council. The team have secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the exhibition will begin to tour regional venues in 2013. The exhibition will tour schools, galleries, visitor centres and more, taking the story of the Staffordshire Hoard and Anglo-Saxon Mercia to a wide audience. For dates and venues visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

www.stmarysstafford.org.uk www.ilam.org.uk St Bertelin is the patron saint of Stafford, and is credited with founding the town in 700. He was a holy man who established St Bertelin’s chapel, the remains of which can still be seen today in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Stafford town centre. St Bertelin is reputed to have died at Ilam in Derbyshire, where his tomb can be visited at the Church of the Holy Cross.

St Peter’s Church, Kinver www.stpeterskinver.org St Peter’s Church was built in the reign of Wulfhere, the first Christian king of Mercia, in memory of his two sons. It is believed that the church was built to signify Wulfhere’s and the kingdom’s conversion from Paganism to Christianity.

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The Saxon Kingdom of Mercia

The Saxon Kingdom of Mercia Mercia, 7th century – a time of deadly conflict Around 410 the Romans lost control of Britain. The Roman army left to defend France against Barbarian invaders. We do not know exactly what then happened in Britain, but things changed dramatically. Petty kings took over local communities, coins went out of use and town life declined. Germanic migrants from continental Europe began to arrive in the mid 5th century, bringing with them a culture we now know as Anglo-Saxon. This culture spread and several kingdoms were formed. One of the great kingdoms to emerge was called ‘Mercia’. Mercia was often at war with its neighbours, and its borders fluctuated with its fortunes. At its height it stretched from Wales to the east coast, north to the Humber and south to the Thames.

Early Mercia was not a literate society and much of what little we know about the Mercians was written by the Northumbrian monk Bede, who regarded them as enemies. The great Mercian kings included Penda, who was killed in 655, his son Wulfhere, and Offa, who reigned in the 8th century.

Journey back in time with the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail ... The proud kingdom of Mercia is expanding its power and lands. Its armies are fighting bloody wars with neighbouring kingdoms – Northumbria to the north, East Anglia to the east and Wessex to the south. Superbly armed warriors fight and die on blood splattered battlefields. Their swords and battle finery are collected and stripped of their gold fittings. Gathered together with religious artefacts and other fine objects, this precious treasure is mysteriously buried on a hill top. Follow the Mercian Trail to find out more…

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The Saxon heartland of Mercia covers the region that today includes Lichfield, once the home of St Chad, Tamworth, once the home of King Offa, Birmingham, Stafford and Stoke.


Researching and conserving the Staffordshire Hoard is vital to unlocking its secrets, and shedding a light on the Dark Ages. Already garnet-encrusted objects from the hoard have visited the Louvre Museum in Paris for analysis, and a team at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery are meticulously cleaning and conserving the hoard. The archaeological research work, which will help to piece together the mystery of the hoard, is being carried out at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

To continue this vital conservation and research work, and to display the hoard in a series of galleries and exhibitions, we now need to raise further significant funds. To find out more about this vital work to care for one of our nation's finest treasures, visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk We are very grateful to English Heritage and the many other funders who have supported the conservation and research programme to date. To donate visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/donate

Researching and Conserving the Hoard

Researching and Conserving the Hoard

Researching and conserving the Staffordshire Hoard

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How to get to the heart of Anglo-Saxon England STOKE-ON-TRENT

We look forward to welcoming you to Staffordshire and the West Midlands, located in the heart of the country, to enjoy all that the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail and our region have to offer.

M6

STAFFORDSHIRE

A5

Stafford

Help us to develop the Mercian Trail

Shrewsbury

LICHFIELD Telford

M54

M6 Toll

SHROPSHIRE

TAMWORTH M42

Wolverhampton M6 M6

BIRMINGHAM

W.MIDLANDS

For detailed travel directions to any of the venues on the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail, please visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

Kidderminster

M40 M5

For information about the delights of Staffordshire, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com or for more information about the delights of Birmingham visit www.visitbirmingham.com

The Staffordshire Hoard is owned and cared for by Birmingham City Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, on behalf of the nation.

Hereford

Warwick

WARWICKSHIRE

Worcester

WORCESTERSHIRE

Coventry

M42

Stratford-upon-Avon

The Mercian Trail Partnership brings together Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield District Council, Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council. The aim of the partnership is to tell the emerging story of the Staffordshire Hoard and the Anglo-Saxon history of the region, through a series of informative permanent and temporary displays and a programme of outreach activities aimed at residents and visitors alike. The trail is in its early stages of development and long-term, feature galleries are planned at Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, as well as enhanced displays at Lichfield and Tamworth, along with a touring exhibition that will tour schools, museums and more, led by Staffordshire County Council. If you would like to donate to the ongoing development of the Mercian Trail and conservation and research of the Staffordshire Hoard visit www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk


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