Telephone 01543 308000 · www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
SUMMER AND AUTUMN 2014
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Skate now at Beacon Park Try out your tricks at Beacon Park’s new skatepark that we unveiled in April
We need your views Tell us what you think of our services and ideas to cut costs, and be in with a chance WIN, to win some WIN, WIN GREAT PR IZES great prizes. TO BE WON!
CENTRE PAGE PULL OUT
Individual electoral registration Summer holiday fun
The way everyone registers to vote is changing this summer. Find out more…
We’ve got a packed programme to keep children entertained over the summer holiday.
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www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/news Keep up to date on council news
Welcometo intouch
scheme, in April councillors voted to extend the development agreement, to allow more time to sign up other retailers and to progress the plans.
Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/leadersblog
Welcome to our summer and autumn edition of intouch – Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine. On top of
You will find the questionnaire in the
We're really pleased that this moves us one step closer to achieving our vision to deliver new shops and entertainment, as well as more jobs and housing opportunities in the heart of the city. Through Lichfield Town Team and
council news
centre pages of this magazine. Simply pull
Burntwood Business Crew, we’re also
and information
it out, fill it in, and send it to us by freepost.
continuing to support local businesses
about our
If you would prefer to fill in it online,
services,
please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/
in this issue
fitforthefuture
we’re running
In other news…
a Fit for
In January, we welcomed the latest
to encourage more shoppers to our city and town centres. Find out more on page 6. Fusion Credit Union has taken over the management of Jigsaw, north Lichfield’s community shop, until March 2016.
the Future
crime figures that show Lichfield District’s
Already based in Jigsaw, we couldn’t
questionnaire.
reported rate of crime is reducing year
think of a more appropriate organisation
on year, and has fallen by 35% in the
to keep this vibrant hub going.
Fit for the Future is our savings programme that we launched in response
last five years. The figures reveal that
to a continuing decline in the money
we have a lower rate of crime than
ahead with our Summer Holiday Fun
we get from the government to help
the county average, and a significantly
programme of activities for children.
fund local services.
lower rate than the national average.
There are also plenty of festivals to enjoy,
Through the questionnaire, we want
Already this year we’ve cut the ribbon
We have a busy summer and autumn
including Burntwood Wakes, The Lichfield
to know what services you use, which
on two exciting developments. At the
Festival, Lichfield Food Festival, Lichfield
ones you think are important and not so
start of 2014 we formally launched the
Proms in Beacon Park, Lichfield Heritage
important, whether you support a range
improvements to Friary Grange Leisure
Weekend and more! I hope you have a
of ideas to change our services, and more.
Centre and then in the spring we
fantastic summer, making the most of all the
opened Beacon Park’s new skatepark,
events happening right across the district.
We need to get plenty of feedback from people living across the district, so that councillors know what local people think and want when they decide on future changes to our services.
Individual Electoral Registration is coming this summer From 10 June 2014 the way everyone registers to vote will change. All voters will need to register individually, rather than as a household.
which is proving really popular. We’re also looking forward to Premier Inn opening in the city this autumn. On the back of the news that Development Securities PLC is in advanced negotiations with a national retailer to anchor the planned Friarsgate
Most people will be registered automatically and will get a letter in August to confirm they don't need to do anything else. However, some people won’t be registered automatically and will get a letter that explains what they need to do. Diane Tilley, Electoral Registration Officer, said: “It’s really important that you follow the instructions in the letter that we send you because, if you are not registered, you will not be able to have your say on who represents you locally in future elections. Being registered could also improve your credit rating.”
Above: Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park
If you haven’t had a letter about your registration by the end of August 2014, please contact our elections team on 01543 308125. To find out more, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ier Anyone who has not registered previously can register from 10 June at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
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twitter.com/lichfield_dc Follow us on twitter
Pro-skaters showcase new skatepark
Restoring Ryecroft Shopping Centre Traders and project partners gathered in April to raise a glass and unveil the newly improved Ryecroft Shopping Centre in Burntwood.
Above: Gravity pro skater at the launch
Project partners and supporters, as well as keen skaters, assembled at Beacon Park’s new skatepark in April to see the ribbon cut to officially open this popular new destination. Following the ribbon cutting, skaters, including Gravity pros, took to the skatepark to showcase the facility. Councillor Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, commented: “On behalf of the council, we’d like to once again thank all our funders and everyone who has supported the project. We hope everyone enjoys using the skatepark and takes pride in it, helping us to keep it a pleasant place for all.” We regularly inspect the skatepark, but if you have any concerns, please contact our parks team on 01543 308867 or email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk
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The £145,900 skatepark was funded by section 106 capital and contributions, The Veolia Environmental Trust, Lichfield City Council, Staffordshire Local Community Fund, and Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership. We also contributed towards the landscaping.
“At the launch we all enjoyed seeing what can be achieved on the ramps and bowls, after plenty of practice!” Councillor Andy Smith Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks
Building work included resurfacing the shopping centre’s front car park, refurbishing the back car park, smartening up the forecourt area, and upgrading and reconnecting the lights. The improvements came about after local traders formed the Ryecroft Traders Association, to address the shopping centre’s rundown outside space. Councillor Ian Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Development, said: “We were delighted to award the project High Street Innovation money, as part of Burntwood Business Crew. This project has been so important for the area, making it more pleasant for traders, shoppers and residents alike. It’s been great to see everyone coming together on this project, and shows what can be done when we all work towards one goal.” The repairs were funded by Burntwood Business Crew (with High Street Innovation funding), Burntwood Town Council, Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership, and Staffordshire County Councillor, Sue Woodward, through the Staffordshire Local Community Fund. Local traders are also contributing to the ongoing maintenance of the shopping centre’s public areas.
Changing Places in The Friary Car Park www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/changingplaces
As a Changing Places toilet, our facility on the ground floor of The Friary Car Park offers people with profound and multiple learning or physical disabilities extra features and more space to meet their needs. Our Changing Places toilet in The Friary has: I a height adjustable changing bench and tear-off paper roll to cover it I a hoist system to lift people between wheelchairs and the toilet /changing bench I enough space so the bench and toilet can be approached by carers from either side The Friary Car Park Changing Places toilet in Lichfield can be used by anyone with a radar key. It is open from 8am to 5pm daily.
Above: Project partners launched the improvements
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www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/carparkmap A handy map of our city centre car parks
Where is your child tonight? Pictured: Jenni Williams, Bob Haynes & PCSO Davina Hickman
This spring, we joined forces with a number of agencies to urge parents across Burntwood to be aware of where their children are, and to promote a range of activities that are offered to local young people to keep them busy. Councillor Andrew Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, explains: “We all want to keep our children safe. However, young people are vulnerable and may get involved in anti-social or illegal activities such as underage drinking or drug taking.
“This is why we are running a campaign to remind parents that they should ask their children where they are, who they are with and what they are up to.” Councillor Andy Smith Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks
Love Your Pool Following the makeover of Friary Grange Leisure Centre’s swimming pool changing rooms, we launched the ‘Love Your Pool’ campaign on Valentine’s Day to urge people to fall back in love with our 25-metre swimming pool.
A big part of the ‘Where is your child tonight?’ campaign is to promote the many activities that are on offer to young people who live in or go to school in Burntwood. This includes streetcheer, trampolining, dance and more from just 50p to £1. To find out what is on offer to young people across the Burntwood area, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/positivefutures The ‘Where is your child tonight?’ project is run in partnership by Lichfield District Council, Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Police, T3 and CRI. The low cost activities are offered through Lichfield District Council’s Positive Futures, which is funded by the council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership.
So, whether you like having fun in the pool with friends, are learning to swim, or want to keep fit, we have a session for you. For the swimming pool timetable, to find out about swimming lessons, or how to book a pool party, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ loveyourpool
Above: Friary lifeguard, Charlie Watt
FIT FOR FUTURE QUESTIONNAIRE - PLEASE PULL OUT, COMPLETE AND RETURN - THANK YOU
We ask for your views every year, and the responses we’ve had to date have been used to shape the services we currently provide. However, because our financial position has become so much more pressured, we need to ask for your views again to help councillors make the right decisions. Your views will help shape the decisions councillors will make next year about our future budgets. To give your views, send your completed questionnaire to FREEPOST RTHY-YAYX-SURB, Lichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield WS13 6YU by 5pm on 23 June 2014.
WIN,WIN,WIN
You can also fill it in online at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/fitforthefuture
Fill in and return the questionnaire to be in with a chance to win:
See back of questionnaire for more details. *Key:
£
small net budget (up to £50,000)
This costs*
We empty your black and blue bins and recycle your waste.
£££
We make sure local restaurants are clean and safe.
££
We investigate noise and pollution complaints.
££
We clear rubbish and fly-tipping and take legal action to stop it.
£
We clean and litter pick areas including town centres and some verges.
£££
We make sure events and businesses (including pubs and taxis) are safe and well managed by licensing them.
£
We organise elections – including local, general and European.
££
We give support to people in housing need and help homeless people.
££
We give means tested grants to people with disabilities to adapt their homes.
£
We give means tested council tax discounts and benefits to people in financial difficulty. We make sure new buildings are approved and take action against those without planning permission. We check new buildings and extensions to make sure they are safe and sound.
£££
£
£
We make sure developers invest in the local area – from street lighting, to schools and play areas.
£
We create plans for the future development of our district – such as where more housing or office buildings can be built.
£££
We work with partners, including the police, to help make local areas safer and to reduce anti-social behaviour.
££
We provide a website so you can find out information, report problems, order services and more.
£
We answer enquiries, complaints and freedom of information requests.
££ moderate net budget (between £50,000 and £200,000)
Don’t know
Every year, we spend over £10 million to deliver a range of services, from leisure centres and planning, to emptying bins and supporting local businesses. We’ve been cutting costs for a number of years as part of Fit for the Future - our current savings programme - and have already saved £4.8 million in recent years. Due to further cuts in our funding from government we need to save at least another £2.4 million by 2016. To do this our councillors will face some difficult decisions about which services we should continue to provide, what we can cut or reduce, and which services we could charge for to raise more income.
Is each service below important and you use it, important but you don’t use it or not important. If you don’t have a view, tick don’t know.
Not important
Give your views to help safeguard the local services that are most important to you.
Please tell us about the services we have to provide Q1
Important, but don’t use
Your view
We have to deliver some services by law - this includes things like emptying bins and checking the cleanliness of local restaurants (these are called statutory services).
Important
District services questionnaire
£££
£££ large net budget between (£200,000 and £900,000)
FIT FOR FUTURE QUESTIONNAIRE - PLEASE PULL OUT, COMPLETE AND RETURN - THANK YOU
We deliver a range of discretionary services because they improve our district and support businesses and jobs. We could choose to cut back or stop these services.
How often do you use Lichfield District Council facilities?
This costs*
Don’t know
Never
Less Often
Burntwood Leisure Centre
Stop
Cut back
Protect
Which services should we protect, cut back or stop. If you don’t have a view, tick don’t know.
Monthly
Please tell us about the services we choose to provide Q2
Weekly
Please tell us approximately how often you use the following facilities we provide.
Daily
Q3
Friary Grange Leisure Centre King Edward VI Leisure Centre Lichfield Garrick Theatre
£££
Council run car parks in Lichfield City
We collect big items of household waste, like sofas & fridges for a charge.
£
Council run car parks in Chasetown
We provide a waste and recycling service to businesses.
£
Lichfield City public toilets
££ ££
We provide business support and advice and encourage new businesses into the area.
££
We provide car parks at a range of locations and our wardens monitor parking in streets and car parks.
£
We provide scooters to city centre visitors with limited mobility.
£
We provide and maintain public toilets at a number of locations.
££
Our customer services desk is open 8.45am – 5.15pm, Monday-Friday.
££
Our telephone lines are open 8.45am – 5pm, Monday-Friday.
£££
We issue ‘intouch’ magazine twice a year to keep you up to date.
£
We give advice to help people keep warm and reduce their energy bills.
£
We provide advice to protect and improve historic buildings and conservation areas.
££
We manage countryside and areas of natural beauty.
££
We manage some parks and open spaces in Burntwood and Lichfield.
£££
We run three leisure centres and some outdoor sports pitches in the district.
£££
We financially support the Lichfield Garrick and its community work.
£££
*Key:
£
small net budget (up to £50,000)
We’ve come up with some ideas that could save us money or generate income (which would mean we could cut fewer services). We have not taken any decisions, nor will the ideas necessarily happen, or indeed prove possible once further research has taken place. That said, we’re keen to know if you support the ideas before we carry out further work.
Q4
Ideas to generate income
Do you agree or disagree with each idea below. If you don’t have a view, tick don’t know. Charge for emptying brown bins – other councils charge around £30 a year. Charge for evening parking in Lichfield city car parks (after 6.30pm). Charge for parking in council run car parks in Chasetown – for example £1 a day. Charge people to park in disabled car parking spaces and bays. Increase council tax by a small amount every year (between £2 and £5 a year for example). Charge more for leisure activities – such as swimming and badminton. Charge the public for events like Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park, and charge events organisers more to use our parks.
££ moderate net budget (between £50,000 and £200,000)
This could generate (approx)
Don’t know
We help attract tourists to support local businesses and jobs.
Burntwood public toilets
Disagree
We promote and support town and city centres to boost footfall into shops and businesses.
Agree
We empty your brown bin and compost your organic waste.
£790,000 £36,000
£10,000
£40,000
£70,000
£30,000
£5,000
£££ large net budget between (£200,000 and £900,000)
FIT FOR FUTURE QUESTIONNAIRE - PLEASE PULL OUT, COMPLETE AND RETURN - THANK YOU
Close the public toilets in Lichfield and Burntwood and work with shops, cafes and pubs so shoppers and visitors can use their facilities.
Stop monitoring or fining people for allowing their dogs to foul public places. £100,000
Clean local streets, roads and paths less often.
£10,000
Maintain district council run parks and green areas less frequently.
£20,000
Don’t give charities full business rate relief(by law charities get 80% relief, but sometimes we give a further 20%).
£34,000
Reduce council tax discounts for working-age residents on lower incomes.
£490,000
Cut back the annual subsidy we give to the Lichfield Garrick.
£150,000
Reduce the amount of CCTV coverage in the district.
£20,000
Open our customer services desk and telephone lines for fewer hours.
£46,000
Stop community transport that gives low-cost transport to community groups.
£25,000
Transfer leisure centres to a private management operator or trust.
£50,000
Hand King Edward VI and/or Friary Grange leisure centres back to the schools to manage them which could change public opening hours.
£75,000
Transfer parks, outdoor sports facilities and areas of countryside to parish councils, sports clubs or voluntary organisations. Stop or reduce large grants (between £5,000 & £50,000 a year) to voluntary organisations who deliver services in the community. Stop or reduce small grants (between £50 & £2,000) to voluntary groups. Stop managing development projects such as play areas or community facilities, if other organisations can deliver them. Take longer to process planning applications (still within statutory timescales). Merge more services - from planning and benefits to finance - with adjacent council(s) or become a unitary council so we can cut costs. Stop having a chairman’s car and driver. Further reduce district councillors. From May 2015 there’ll be 47. Could we cut back further?
Don’t know
Disagree
This could save (approx)
Agree
This could save (approx)
Don’t know
Do you agree or disagree with each idea below. If you don’t have a view, tick don’t know.
Disagree
Ideas to save money Agree
Q5
£7,500
£150,000
£196,000
£23,000
£59,000
£10,000
£570,000 £17,000
£3,000† † per councillor
Q6
Any other ideas
Do you have any ideas about how we could do things differently, including any positive steps we could take to reduce the costs of our services or increase our income?
All figures are indicative based on net direct expenditure and take account of any income we receive. Figures for savings and income ideas are based on loose assumptions and may change if developed further.
FIT FOR FUTURE QUESTIONNAIRE - PLEASE PULL OUT, COMPLETE AND RETURN - THANK YOU
Q7
About you
Q8
This section will help us to get a picture of who took part in this survey. It will also help us to find out whether people from certain areas of the district, or from particular age-ranges, have different preferences. The information you give us will be held confidentially and will not be used to identify you, or passed to any third party. What is your postcode? This is used to help us analyse the results, and not to identify you.
Are you?
Male
Want to get more involved?
Are you interested in giving your views as part of future consultation activities run by Lichfield District Council? Yes
No
If you are please let us know how you would prefer to be contacted: Your name:
Female Your preferred method of contact: (telephone number or email address)
How old are you? Under 18
18-24
25-34
55-64
65-74
75+
35-54
Do you have a longstanding disability, illness or infirmity? Yes
To thank you for filling in our questionnaire, we would like to enter you into a prize draw to win one of four fantastic prizes:
No
To which of these groups do you consider you belong? White British White Irish Eastern European Asian / Asian British – Indian Asian / Asian British – Pakistani Asian / Asian British – Bangladeshi Asian / Asian British – Chinese
Enter our prize draw
Black / Black British – African Black / Black British – Caribbean Multiple / Mixed – white & black Caribbean Multiple / Mixed – white & black African Multiple / Mixed – white & Asian
• One year’s free individual gym membership at Burntwood or Friary Grange leisure centres • Two tickets to see Houghton Weavers at the Lichfield Garrick on 11 September 2014 • A guided city walking tour and cream tea for two or a Gruesome & Ghostly tour • A pair of tickets for Lichfield Cathedral’s new tower tour To enter the draw, please fill in your details below: Your name:
Other Your preferred method of contact:
If other, please specify:
(telephone number or email address)
Are you? Working full time
Working part time
Education/training
Unemployed/looking for work
Long term sick or disabled
Retired
Not working
Other
If other, please specify:
Thank you for taking time to give us your views. To keep up to date on the next steps, look out for our next issue of intouch, which is issued twice a year, or visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/fitforthefuture
To give your views, send your completed questionnaire to FREEPOST RTHY-YAYX-SURB, Lichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield WS13 6YU by 5pm on 23 June 2014. Your details will not be cross referenced against the views you have given as part of this questionnaire. They will also be stored securely and will not be passed to any third party organisation in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
If you have any questions about this questionnaire, or would like a large print version, please call 01543 308000.
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/housingoptions For housing help and advice
Come and have a summer of fun! We have a packed summer holiday activity programme to keep kids active and entertained all summer long at our leisure centres and Beacon Park. Highlights include: Holiday Club at Burntwood Leisure Centre – daily sessions that feature art, sport, bouncy castle fun, swimming and much more. It costs £18 for 9am to 4pm days or £23 for 8.30am to 5.30pm days. Footy for a fiver at Burntwood, Friary and King Edward VI* leisure centres. Simply turn up, pay £5 and play a game with friends on
a section of our synthetic pitches. Sports courses including swimming lessons, triathlon coaching, badminton, tennis and much more. Take a look at our summer holiday fun listings and find out more at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ holidayfun *Weekends only
Beacon Park Fun Day Wednesday 13 August 2014 11am to 3pm Free entry Join us for fun and games at Beacon Park this August. Don’t forget to bring your teddy and enter the Teddy Bear Games for your chance to win prizes.
Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park Saturday 6 September 2014 From 6pm, main concert 7.30pm Free entry, donations welcome Bring a picnic, meet up with friends, wave your flags and enjoy an evening of music, fireworks and fun in the beautiful surroundings of Beacon Park. The City of Lichfield Concert Band will play from 6pm as the crowd gathers ready for the main concert at 7.30pm. The British Police Symphony Orchestra and singers will then perform a programme of popular classical music and proms anthems. A fireworks display to the sounds of Land of Hope and Glory will bring the spectacular evening to a close. To keep up to date on proms news, how to book VIP seating, and car parking arrangements on the night, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lichfieldproms
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www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk For visitor information and news of our city’s historic parks
Host a Totally Locally WS7 event
‘No Cold Calling’ zones We joined forces with Staffordshire Police and Trading Standards to launch ‘No Cold Calling’ zones across the district this spring.
We’re delighted to be a part of Burntwood Business Crew, which sees us joining forces with Burntwood area traders, local councillors and Burntwood Town Council to boost local shopping areas. This summer the partnership has launched a new events fund, and is hoping local events organisers will apply for up to £5,000 to host a Totally Locally WS7 event in Burntwood shopping areas, such as Sankey’s Corner, Ryecroft, Chasetown High Street, Morley Road and Swan Island. From farmers' markets and craft fairs, to vintage tea parties and Christmas events, the Business Crew wants to hear from organisers with ideas for fantastic events that will have the potential to increase the profile of Totally Locally WS7, and encourage people to love shopping locally. The money for the events fund has been set aside from the £50,000 High Street Innovation funding that we awarded to Burntwood Business Crew. The money was
given to us by the government to increase footfall into shops and businesses. Last December Burntwood Business Crew launched the Totally Locally initiative, which encourages local people to walk into, rather than walk past, the shops in their area. As part of Totally Locally WS7, flyers have been sent to homes across Burntwood and a new website www.totallylocallyws7.co.uk has been developed that lists hundreds of businesses across the WS7 area. The deadline to apply to the events fund is 4pm on 27 June 2014. Events need to take place before the end of summer 2015. To find out more and apply for funding visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ burntwoodeventsfund
Investing in our city
a new city map, a new website and more. Part of the money is also being invested in developing a Business Improvement District for the city. This is where local businesses pay a small amount on top of their business rates into a shared fund that they manage to deliver city initiatives - from festivals and events, to deep street cleaning and more. City businesses were asked if they would consider supporting a BID earlier this year and over half said yes, and another 25% wanted more information about what it could deliver for the city. The Town Team will be working with businesses this summer to find out more about what they want delivered in the city as part of a potential BID, and we're asking for as many city businesses to get involved
We're proud to be working closely with city businesses and partners as part of Lichfield Town Team. Lichfield Town Team was awarded over £50,000 funding to boost the high street by the government in 2012, and since then has been working on a range of exciting projects. These include a new ‘shop, eat, drink, explore Lichfield’ brand that can now be seen on the back of buses across the region,
The zones are designed to deter cold callers, who claim to be selling goods or offering services around the house or garden, and to combat distraction burglaries. Participating residents are given a pack that includes no cold calling signs to display on their street and contact numbers to report any bogus callers that ignore the signs. To find out more about making your street a ‘No Cold Calling’ zone, please contact our community safety team on 01543 308777 or email community.safety@lichfielddc.gov.uk
as possible. So, if you are a city business owner and feel passionate about the city, find out more at www.lichfieldbid.co.uk Don’t forget, if you love, shopping, eating, drinking and exploring Lichfield, remember to visit www.inspiringlichfield.co.uk for the latest news and offers.
Above: Partners celebrate plans for a city BID
Lichfield District Council’s residents’ magazine
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/reportit From a lost dog to fly-tipping, report a problem online
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August Venues across Lichfield City Free entry
Exciting plans are afoot for this summer’s Lichfield Food Festival, and we are proud to be one of the organisers of this free festival, now in its third year. The festival’s main sponsor, Central England Co-operative, will be tempting festival-goers with a selection of food and drink products and, in association with Chef Simon Smith, will present a series of pop-up cookery demonstrations by chefs from across the region over the two days in the city centre. Lichfield City Council will present its popular Lichfield Market, featuring passionately produced food from across the region and a wide range of goods. On Saturday, on top of the general market on the Market Square, there will be a range of food stalls along Three Spires Shopping Centre. Then on Sunday, there will be a special farmers’ market on Lichfield’s Market Square, which will extend through Three Spires. The Best of Local Brewers is returning to the Guildroom of Lichfield’s
Guildhall over the festival weekend. Brought to you by Lichfield Arts, it will feature a selection of Real Ales from local breweries plus craft lager and traditional ciders. The ‘Kill it! Cook it! Eat it!’ star, Rachel Green, is returning by popular demand to present three cookery demonstrations at Tippers (Europa Way) on Saturday 30 August that will be offered on a first come, first seated basis. Also in the pipeline is a children’s Cupcake Hunt by Visit Lichfield and The Kitchen Shop is running kitchen equipment demonstrations by top brands at The George Hotel and within its Market Street store over both days. For more information check the festival programme that will be out soon or visit www.lichfieldfood.co.uk
Lichfield Food Festival is organised in partnership by Lichfield District Council, Central England Co-operative, Chef Simon Smith, Lichfield City Council, Three Spires Shopping Centre, Lichfield Arts, Tippers, The Kitchen Shop and The George Hotel. It is sponsored by Central England Co-operative and NFU Mutual.
Lichfield Heritage Weekend: Hidden Histories Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September Lichfield Market Square and venues across the city Lichfield is full of interesting buildings to explore and hidden histories to discover. Enjoy this weekend festival when heritage attractions throw open their doors for free to show you all their hidden secrets! A full programme will be out in August. To be added to Visit Lichfield’s mailing list, please call Tourist Information at St Mary’s in the Market Square on 01543 256611. www.visitlichfield.co.uk/heritageweekend
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Food and Drink Trails Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August Many eateries across the city will offer diners set menus for £10, and bars and pubs will offer a glass of wine or ale for £3, as destinations on the Wine and Ale and World Food trails. Find participating establishments, or register to be a venue on either of the trails, at www.lichfieldfood.co.uk
Baking Competition Three Spires Shopping Centre Sunday 31 August This year we’re challenging amateur bakers to make a wedding cake top tier or six wedding cupcakes, to win vouchers to spend in The Kitchen Shop. Younger bakers can enter four Cinderella themed cupcakes to be in with a chance to win a family ticket to see Lichfield Garrick’s pantomime of Cinderella this Christmas. Enter online at www.lichfieldfood.co.uk
Above: Rachel Grassby’s winning entry in the adult category in 2013’s competition
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
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www.visitlichfield.co.uk Find out about local festivals, events and attractions
Insulate your home and reduce your energy bills
Driving community groups across the district If members of your community or voluntary group struggle to get to activities, why not let our Community Transport scheme help? The low cost mini bus service is available for hire and costs from just £5.50 an hour, plus 80p a mile. To find out more, call 01543 308165 or email community.transport@lichfielddc.gov.uk
New government grants for cavity wall and loft insulation are on the way. This means local residents could get either free or heavily discounted insulation measures, and the grants will not be based on age or income. Homes that are well insulated can see energy consumption fall, making it cheaper to heat and kinder to the environment. These grants will be for a limited time, so call now to find out if your household is
eligible and to access the best deal and a certified installer. To register your interest, call our Warmer Homes, Greener District energy advice line for free (from a landline) on 0800 677 1543.
Get in touch with Lichfield District Council
Get in touch with your councillor online
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ contacts
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ councillors
01543
If you have a
308000
Volunteer We are always looking for more volunteers to devote a few hours of their time each week to become Community Transport drivers. Anyone aged 25 or over with a full, clean driving licence can apply. Contact the team to find out more.
St Mary’s in the Market Square
Café
For some of the best home-made cakes in Lichfield, it’s a great pla ce to start or finish your day in our beautiful city.
local issue you need advice on, contact your local district councillor.
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More news
To follow council news throughout the year, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk /news W
Feedback
To give us your feedback about intouch, please call Esther Epstein
· Homemade scones es and cakess es & light bites · Soups, sandwiches · Hearty homemade de meals d coffees · Specialist teas and · Entertainment for or fa families & kid kids ds · Open Mon-Sat 9.30am till 3.30pm · Free Wi-Fi
Come and try our brand new menu!
Café Gift Shop Tourist Information Lichfield Museum Church
on 01543 308778 or email esther.epstein@lichfielddc.gov.uk
01543 256611 | www.stmaryslichfield.co.uk
Intouch is published by Lichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6ZB, Summer & Autumn 2014 © Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this magazine is correct. However, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or disappointment arising from misinterpretation, error, omission or subsequent change to the information. Main front cover shot courtesy of Rob Shelley.