Staffordshire Outlook June 2015 by Staffordshire Outlook

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK MAGAZIN E

Delivered to: Stafford, Penkridge, Acton Trussell, Teddesley Park, Little Haywood, Great Haywood, Hixon, Western Downs, Parkside, Haughton, Gnosall, Littleworth, Rowley Park, Derrington, Castlefields

June/July 2015 www.staffordshireoutlook.co.uk

Great prizes to be won inside this issue: Win Family tickets to West Midlands Safari Park Win tickets for The Mousetrap at The Grand Theatre

JUNE/JULY 2015

Inside: Restaurants, Motoring, Entertainment, Beauty, Home Furnishings, Interiors, Charities and lots more! 01

Local magazine delivered to 20,000 selected homes and businesses*

Making the Right Choice

Open Day Saturday 6 June 2015

Chase Grammar School

Independent Co Educational School from Nursery to A Level Scholarships and Bursaries Available Contact the School Secretary to make an appointment to visit the school www.chasegrammar.com, tel 01543 501800, Convent Close, Cannock, WS11 0UR

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

A Message From The Hello readers, Welcome to the June/July edition of the Staffordshire Outlook magazine. Hopefully you are all enjoying the sunshine and are looking forward to the summer holidays? I certainly am looking forward to my break in July. Look out for the new advertisers in this edition including The Priors Dental Practise, if you’re looking for a white smile this summer. Featured in the eating out section is a restaurant review at the award winning Moat house, Acton Trussell, all this and much more. The winners from the April edition are below. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who entered. We continue to have some lovely comments from the winners of the great prizes they have won in the magazine. Don’t forget to enter the fantastic competitions in this edition, including family tickets for the West Midlands Congratulations to: Winners of tickets for Twelve Angry men at the Grand Theatre Gill Bourne, Little Haywood Mary Farr, Penkridge Janice Wookey, Rowley Park Winner of a Family ticket to the Staffordshire County Show Stephen Harlow, Littleworth

Staffordshire Outlook Magazine Ltd 30 Swinburne Close, Sutton Heights, Telford TF7 4PZ Tel: 01952 321334 Staffordshire Outlook Magazine is published by Staffordshire Outlook Magazine Limited www.staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Advertising enquiries Sharon Caldwell - Sales Director Email: sharon@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Editorial/What’s on information Mal Caldwell - Editor Email: info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Magazine design: www.s28.co.uk

Editor

Safari Park, and tickets for The Mousetrap at The Grand Theatre. You could be one of the lucky winners, good luck! The team at the Staffordshire Outlook are extremely grateful to the local advertisers who choose to advertise their business in the magazine, and to the readers who continue to support the Staffordshire Outlook. We hope that our readers will use these reputable companies when the need arises, and don’t forget to mention Staffordshire Outlook if using any of the advertisers! If you are a business owner and would like to be featured in the Staffordshire Outlook magazine then please contact us on the details below. If you belong to a local group or charity and would like forthcoming events published in this magazine please email info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk Enjoy your read in the sunshine…

Contents

Mal

Healthcare to help you make the most of life Dora Leighton Chase Grammar Brewood Singers Tile Choice win award Win tickets for The Mousetrap Four winters at war Cannock SI new president Exotic Zoo provides hands on Tech Aluminium Systems Ltd Heart Research UK Puzzles Carvers Marathon Buckley Loft Conversions Tile Cleaning Canalside Farm Compton at the park Win tickets for West Midlands Safari Park Tracy Mason Travel Recipe of the month The Moat House Restaurant Review Pillaton Tea Room The Kings Repose Restaurant Review The end of Diamond celebration Smile - The Priors Dental Practise New to Salon La Mink The Cannock Chase CACI Clinic Stafford Sports & Performance South Staffs Council Toms Tipp Walton Student boxes her way to Malta Compton Family Camp Out Goodwills Fabulous Phlox Buxtons Swansway Group Seduction Master-class by Rob Taylor Captur-ing the Moment by Rob Taylor Dennis Powney Tyres Index of advertisers Puzzle Solutions

4 6 6 6 8 10 12 14 14 16 20 22 24 25 26 28 30 32/33 34 36 38/39 40 42/43 44 45 46 50 52 53 54 54 56 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 66

We gratefully acknowledge the support of businesses whose adverts appear in Staffordshire Outlook magazine and whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert or editorial. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Staffordshire Outlook magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in any retrieval system of transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photo copying or otherwise – without the prior consent of Staffordshire Outlook magazine.*total distribution 20,000 copies across two months.

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pton Hospital m a rh e lv o W h lt a e H Nuffield of life lp you make the most Healthcare to he

Your health is at the centre of everything we do. Whether you need prevention or cure, we want to work with you to ensure your health allows you to lead the life you want. As a not-for-profit business we reinvest all profit in our hospitals, gyms, medical centres, and our expert staff. We have the highest standards of clinical care, with Consultant-led treatment, spotlessly clean rooms, and a team of dedicated and experienced nurses.

Our Health Experts

Consultants

All our consultants are highly experienced and are here to listen to you. During your consultation they will answer any questions you have and tell you all about your diagnosis and any treatment or procedure. They are all registered with the appropriate professional organisation for their specialty and hold General Medical Council registration. Having medical treatment can be an anxious time, that is why we think it’s important that you have the same consultant looking after you throughout your time with us. Your consultant will also continue to look after you when you return home, and during any aftercare.

Matron-led care

Everyone knows that matrons make hospitals run efficiently and, above all, hygienically. Nuffield Health has never lost sight of this. Our dedicated Matron takes responsibility for your nursing care and works around the clock to ensure your comfort and safety.

Physiotherapists

Our physiotherapists can help restore your movement and function if you’ve been affected by an injury, illness or are recovering from an operation. They can also provide you with advice in pain relief and rehabilitation to get you back on your feet and help you to lead a happy and healthy life.

Private GPs

You can see our private GPs at a time that suits you with minimal waiting and plenty of time for your appointment so you don’t feel rushed. They can also refer you to hospital consultants if necessary.

A guide to accessing private healthcare

Paying For Yourself

If you don’t have health insurance, it doesn’t mean you can’t have swift access to private hospital treatment. At Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital private treatment can be just as accessible by paying for yourself. Our treatment costs are transparent and covered by a one-off-payment – and are more affordable than you might think. • Enquiry You have a medical problem and DON’T have health insurance. Contact us for more information or to book an appointment. • Your initial consultation This will take place at your local Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital. There is a one off payment for this appointment. • Tests and investigations You may need further tests or investigations as recommended by your consultant. These are paid for as and when required. • Treatment If you need surgical or nonsurgical treatment, this will be arranged at a time to suit you. You will be given a guaranteed all-inclusive procedure price. • Aftercare All aftercare is included within your treatment. The Nuffield Health Promise means there are no time limits on your aftercare.*

Private Medical Health Insurance

• Enquiry You have a medical problem and you DO have private medical health insurance. Contact us to guide you through the process or to book an initial consultation appointment. Check with your

*Where possible, we promise to assist you to receive any follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required from your Consultant for as long as you may require it. If a prosthesis is used as part of your treatment this is guaranteed for the manufacturer’s official lifetime of that prosthesis. “Clinically required” indicates where further intervention and/or monitoring of a patient’s condition is deemed necessary as a direct result of surgical intervention.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

insurer that your policy covers you for treatment with us. • Your initial consultation This will take place at your local Nuffield Health Hospital. You will need your insurance policy number and pre-authorisation code and a referral letter from your GP • Tests and investigations You may need further tests or investigations as recommended by your consultant. • Treatment If you need surgical or non-surgical treatment, this will be arranged at a time to suit you. We will arrange payment directly with your insurance company. • Aftercare All aftercare is included within your treatment.

In our hospital you can expect: • Rapid access to consultations, x-rays and treatment • Matron-led care with a dedicated, friendly nursing team • First class treatment and clinical standards • Guidance and support throughout every stage of your treatment • Private, en-suite rooms with excellent facilities Don’t wait, get back to the life you love - Contact us Now! For further information on any of the above please call us today one 01902 793259 or visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com

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eighton

t - Dora L ic tr is d & k c o n n a C I S Dora Leighton is known to so many people in Cannock – as a dance teacher she taught many of them to dance. On April 3rd, Dora celebrated her 99th birthday. She has been a member of Soroptimist International [SI] of Cannock & District for 46 years, has served on many Committees and has held the office of President. She is still a keen member, attends most events, has an incredibly positive outlook on life and is ready with her point of view when required!

More can be found about the activities of the Cannock club on their website: www. sigbi.org/cannockand-district or on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SICannock whilst information about the organisation in the UK is available on www.sigbi.org.

President Janis Lomas and club members were keen to mark this special occasion: they did it by a surprise visit from many of them at Dora’s hairdressers!! Christine Smith-Toon, herself a member of SI Cannock and owner of Teddy’s hair salon in Cannock, has dressed Dora’s hair for many, many years and welcomed club members when they arrived with cake and gifts. Christine had already decorated the salon with balloons and birthday banners. Dora was absolutely delighted to see everyone and thrilled with the cards, flowers and gifts. She is looking forward to continuing her enjoyment of life in this, her hundredth year. Happy Birthday Dora!!

Chase Grammar visi Fradley Junction

Birthday girl Dora, seated, with Dr Janis Lomas, President and members of SI Cannock & District

with Brewood singers join other music-makers The Shrewsbury Light Orchestra will be supporting the Brewood Singers at a joint concert on Saturday 4th July. The concert takes place in the magnificent parish church of St. Mary and St Chads in the village of Brewood in Staffordshire. “This talented orchestra” states Musical Director David Brookes, “has visited Brewood before to support us in our popular summer concert.”

Year 5 and 6 Chase Grammar Students enjoyed a wonderfully interactive and informative day at Fradley Junction. The activities ranged from operating working locks to exploring wildlife; from identifying the dangers of water to building canals. The children came away with a wealth of new information and enthusiasm to learn more about canal side life. 06

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Tickets for the concert in Brewood with the Shrewsbury Light Orchestra are available from the secretary (on 01902 850377) or on the door. If you enjoy singing, and would like to join the Brewood Singers, whose membership ranges in age from early 20’s upwards, please contact the Secretary on 01902 850377, or Musical Director, David Brookes at singersbrewood@gmail.com. They rehearse in the Jubilee Hall, Brewood each Thursday between 8.00pm and 10pm. For further information about the Brewood Singers, go to www.brewoodsingers.co.uk You can also find the Singers on Facebook ‘Brewood Singers’ and follow us on Twitter @BrewoodSingers.

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Key Industry Award for thriving

Midlands Retailer

and products, which is essentially what everybody is looking for from a retail perspective”. L-R: Steve Ball TTA, Kevin Beasley, Tile Choice Managing Director and Gavin Maiden, Tile Choice Director

A leading Midlands independent tile retail chain is celebrating a successful business year after winning a prestigious industry award. Tile Choice, whose headquarters are based in Wolverhampton and now have sixteen stores throughout the central region, attended the 2015 TTA Crystal Anniversary Awards in Birmingham, where they were recognised for their business excellence in the retail sector winning the Gold Award for “Multiple Retailer of the Year”. The Tile Association represents all aspects of the wall and floor tile industry in the UK, from manufacture to installation. Formed in January 2000, The Tile Association represents the whole of the UK wall and floor tile industry under one organisation. The Awards recognise and reward the innovative designs and projects that have happened over the last year, as well as appreciate the consistently high level of customer service shown by retailers within the Industry.

St John’s Hotel and Conference Centre in Solihull, on Saturday 18th April, along with a black tie dinner for the estimated 400 people who attended, and was hosted by TV presenter Emma Jesson. Marketing Manager at Tile Choice, Lee Rudkin was particularly proud of the company’s achievement, “This is the third time in the last four years we have won Multiple Retailer of the Year”. “As a company, we’ve been working very hard within the retail sector and have continued to see some great results because of our dedication to make Tile Choice the market leader”. “We are great believers in utilising our experience within our industry to focus on providing only excellent customer service

The TTA Awards is now in its 15th year and is still growing fast. This year, the awards were held at 08

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

“From the quality products we offer, which are bought in bulk from trusted suppliers allowing us to pass on significant in-store savings, to the way they are presented in each specific store, we like to make each shopping experience as enjoyable as possible for domestic and trade customers alike”. “And of course, it’s all down to individual style, so we make sure we stay up to date with the latest interior design fashions as well as continuing to offer traditional products to keep ahead of our competition, and remain always able to offer people a much wider choice”. “We are extremely proud to be recognised by our piers at The Tile Association for the work our dedicated team have put in to making Tile Choice such a success”.

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Competition

Three lucky winners can each win two tickets to see THE MOUSETRAP on Monday 29th June at 7.30pm at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. THE MOUSETRAP returns to Wolverhampton from Monday 29th June to Saturday 4th July. The murder mystery is famous around the world for being the longest running show of any kind in the history of British theatre. The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a country house cut off by the snow discover,

to their horror, that there is a murderer in their midst. Who can it be? One by one the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts until at the last, nerve-shredding moment the identity and the motive are finally revealed. In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner.

Previous cast photography

Call the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Box Office for more information on 01902 42 92 12.

To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly and email your answer to info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk or on a postcard to 30 Swinburne Close, Sutton Heights, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4PZ with your name, address and telephone number to arrive by Sunday 21st June 2015. Winners will be notified by telephone.

Which of these is an Agatha Christie sleuth? Jessica Fletcher Jane Marple Molly Blume Nancy Drews Competition Terms and Conditions Winners to collect tickets from the box office on the night. Tickets cannot be exchanged and no cash alternative prize nights available. Winners may be required to partake in relevant publicity.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

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11 19

eir Four Winters at War… th

story

O’Connor, and Erich Stelpflug, a very remarkable young German. We hope you’ll want to share in their ups and downs, their trials and tribulations, their laughter and their tears and, most of all, their very complicated love lives. With a cast of well over fifty actors and a choir of over one hundred singers, the show promises to be a unique theatrical experience right in the heart of our beautiful Cannock Chase”

The cast getting ready for the show! - Graham Cadman, Richard Cartwright, Caroline Wilson, Emma Richards, David Eccleshall, Ann Czerneckyj and James Catwright-Ross.

The stage is set for a musical play, to commemorate World War 1 at Birches Valley Concert Venue this June, as Cannock Chase Arts Council presents Four Winters at War. The fictional play written by local writer Peter Sidgwick and local composer Jon Seymour tells the story of the lives and loves of four soldiers, all of whom find themselves on the Chase and become romantically connected with nurses serving at the nearby military hospital on Brindley Heath on Cannock Chase between 1915 and 1918. The event will be held on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2015, 6pm – 9pm at Birches Valley Concert Venue. The show will be performed rain or shine as a 360 degrees experience with the audience seated picnic style on rugs and garden chairs, surrounded by a choir of over 100 singers with four stages where the various scenes will take place. Tony McGovern, Managing Director said “Last year marked the centenary of the start of the First World War. Over the last 12 months a number of events and commemorations 12

have taken place locally to remember the huge sacrifices made by men and women across Cannock Chase. We are delighted to be supporting this event.” Lisa Shephard, Community Wellbeing Arts Officer at WLCT, said “We are proud to be supporting this event, which is providing local artists, both amateur and professional with the opportunity to develop their creative skills in every aspect and will raise the profile of the district’s local talent. It is heartwarming to see so many organisations, individuals and volunteers coming together to make, what was a seed of idea, actually come to fruition. It deserves every success.” Peter Sidgwick, Chairman of Cannock Chase Arts Council, said: “How to tell the story of half a million British and New Zealand soldiers, not to mention the nurses, members of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAACS) and even a camp full of German prisoners of war?

Craig Watts, Managing Director said “Craig Watts Holdings are proud to support the local community and celebrate the part played by Cannock Chase during World War One. We look forward to a fantastic event bringing the community together in our area of natural beauty” This is being presented by Cannock Chase Arts Council but will be very much a community event involving some 150 local amateur actors, musicians, singers, dancers, army cadets, schoolchildren and the Birmingham Pals (a WW1 re-enactment group) together with presentations from local photographers, painters, floral artists and tapestry makers. The event is being supported by the Council, WLCT, The Forestry Commission, Cannock Chase AONB, Brindley Heath Parish Council, The Friends of Cannock Chase, Festivals 360, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team. The main sponsor is Craig Watts Holdings who are proud to support the local community and celebrate the part played by Cannock Chase during World War One.

And all of them “stuck on that heathland in those lousy huts!” So many young men and women with so many stories to tell! It couldn’t be done, I decided.

Tickets are £10 per person and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Prince of Wales Centre by booking online at boxoffice.wlct.org, by calling 01543 578762 or visiting the theatre at Church Street, Cannock.

Instead, the composer Jon Seymour and I have concentrated on the lives and loves of just four soldiersTommy Allman from Cannock; New Zealanders, Digger Pitt and John

For more information about local World War 1 commemorations contact Kate McBey on 07971667218 or Lisa Shephard on 07812332964.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

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New President The new President of Soroptimist International Cannock & District is Lynne Tuckley. She was given the chain of office by out-going President Dr Janis Lomas at the AGM held in April. As she took up her new position and addressed the Club, Lynne first of all congratulated Immediate Past President

Janis and her team for the excellent Diamond Year they had organised, a year which had seen the club flourish in so many ways. She thanked everyone for allowing her to take on the role of President at a time when the club is in such excellent health and said that it is her wish to maintain and build on all that has been achieved and hand over an equally healthy Club in twelve months time. Her theme for the year is: ‘Carpe Diem – Seize the Day!’ and she will be encouraging everyone to do that by taking whatever opportunities are offered them. Lynne has been a Soroptimist for 16 years and has been involved in projects at local, national and international level. She is well known in the area having been a Court Usher in the ‘old’ Cannock Magistrates Court and more recently as Witness Support manager

Lynne Tuckley, President, SI Cannock & District 2015 - 2016

for Cannock Magistrates Court. She now works as a volunteer for the Fire Service and at Cannock Hospital. Janis and all club members wished President Lynne well and assured her of their support over the coming year as they continue to educate, empower and enable women and girls locally and globally. The first major event Lynne and her team have organised is a Quiz to raise funds for victims of Domestic Violence. It will be held at the Barns on June 30th, teams of 4 are welcome, tickets cost £8.00 per person and include hot food. Tickets and information are available by emailing si.cannock@outlook. com or phoning 07971 494510.

More information about the club and the organisation is available on the website: www.sigbi.org/cannock-and-district and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SICannock

perience ex st re fo in ra n o s d n a h Exotic Zoo provides Geography students at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School enjoyed a hands-on rainforest experience as part of their studies. ‘Exotic Zoo’, from Telford, visited the school with a wide selection of exhibits to bring the rainforest environment to life. This was to round off the students’ learning on rainforests which had been the class topic this term. Workshops ran all day allowing the students to come into the class in small groups to experience the full range of exhibits. The workshop was based around developing the children’s knowledge of the structure of the rainforest including the different levels and what can be found on these levels. Special visitors included an armadillo, a baby West African dwarf crocodile, a chameleon and two tree frogs, a pair of millipedes and a snake. Students looked at the classification of vertebrates and invertebrates, the difference between molluscs and mammals, finches and flatworms as well as finding out how animals have adopted to living in different habitats. “This workshop provided our students with a real journey through the layers of a rainforest allowing them to interact with 14

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

the animals that live there. It helped to bring their learning to life, whist providing a fun and stimulating climax to the topic.” commented Dr Martin Murray, Director of Achievement for Blessed William Howard’s Foundation School. Exotic Zoo is not open to the public but instead works with local school, colleges and education providers to offer unique animal and environment educational workshops. It is also the home to animal management courses for higher education students, as well as working with the local council running workshops outside of school environments. The centre offers animal assisted therapy and interventions through care providers to children and adults with learning difficulties, the elderly, as well as a whole host of other hard to reach groups in and around the area.

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Can you imagine a wide open space added to your home this summer, instantly generating a contemporary, stylish look? You can open up an entire area during warm summer days or partially foldback depending on the amount of fresh air and space you require. We manufacture standard windows and doors, bifold and patio doors, curtain walling and balustrade at our factory in Rumer Hill, Cannock. We manufacture all of our products in house therefore maintaining a consistently high standard and quality. Manufactured and installed to provide maximum viewing areas, our bi-fold and sliding doors add the 21st century to any property and can provide you with clearer access to your patio or garden bringing the outside in, just unlatch the high security locking and with a light push you have the access to your outdoor living area. When closed, Bi-fold and sliding doors offer shelter and warmth with little reduction in natural light, allowing you to stay connected to the outside from the comfort of your home. Our products meet the stringent security standards required for construction, security, safety, weather-tightness and strength of performance. This means behind its striking looks, your door is robust and built to last all-year round. Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Glass production has developed so much over the past few years that almost anything is possible to achieve your desired look, so please do not hesitate to contact us with your bespoke ideas, plans and projects. 16

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Whether we are asked to create and plan original bespoke designs from your requirements or we are working with other architects and designers, we promise you that from the moment we take on your project, we will work very closely with you from the start to the finish. With our wealth of experience you can be assured that our ability to transform some style into your property comes with an attention to detail and uncompromising commitment to quality and performance, our aim is to deliver a first class product, at a competitive price. After we have installed your product, we offer after sales care advice to maintain and increase the effective life of your bespoke glass product. So if you are looking at updating your property and injecting style and the 21st century cutting edge chic, with a local Cannock based company, contact the team at Tech Aluminium Systems Ltd. For more information visit www.techalumsystems.co.uk, call 01543 467272 or pop into the new showroom at Unit 10 Rumer Hill Business Estate, Rumer Hill Road, Cannock, WS11 0ET.

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h UK and help rc ea es R rt ea H r fo r ee nt lu Become a vo longer lives r, ie pp ha r, ie lth a he e liv ity make your commun

Riley Platts

With June bringing National Volunteer Week, Heart Research UK are seeking out the help of local volunteers all over the country to help them beat the country’s biggest killer, heart disease. Any time you can give takes them one step closer to winning the battle and with one person dying in the UK every seven minutes, it’ a battle well worth fighting. Without volunteers supporting Heart Research UK with the work they do, children like three-year-old Riley Platts (pictured) would not have benefitted from the advances in research that helped save his life. Riley has gone through several major operations that would not have been available without

the technology developed and paid for by charities like Heart Research UK. Because heart disease affects people all over the UK, they need willing volunteers from all corners of the country and in-between to represent them in their local area. Their work spreads far and wide and some of the activity Heart Research do includes helping children live normal lives after surgery, funding grants in local communities to educate the public with crucial health matters, pioneering medical research, masterclasses training the UK’s young clinicians to be our experts of tomorrow as well as talks in schools to help prevent unhealthy lifestyles occurring. The total cost relating to cardiovascular disease in the UK is estimated at £19 billion each year so joining Heart

Research UK to do whatever you can in the time you have available will help reduce these huge costs and prevent approximately 80% of the deaths that occur which are associated with heart disease. Volunteering for Heart Research UK is an extremely rewarding experience. Whether you are looking for work experience, a student increasing their knowledge, retired people with time to give, out of work, inbetween jobs or a full time parent - they can offer you a role that will complement your life, fit around your usual day and give you a huge sense of fulfilment and experience. Their volunteering roles are flexible dependant on your availability and skills, so whether you only have a couple of hours to spare a week or have more time to offer on a regular basis they’ve got a role at Heart Research UK to suit you. If you would like to be part of their fabulous team then please fill in your details on their website www.heartresearch.org.uk/ get-involved/volunteering For further details please call 0113 234 7474 or email community@heartresearch.org.uk

Dom, Riley and Kath Platts

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Why not join them today and you’ll not only be working with a friendly and well-respected team, but you will be making a difference in the fight against heart disease in your community.

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Carver Wolverhampton marathon events Planning is well underway for the 2015 events scheduled to take place on SUNDAY 6th SEPTEMBER. The Marathon and Half Marathon are very popular with runners from not just Wolverhampton but all across the country. The organisers are well into the planning now and it is hoped that we can capture the sense of community spirit in West Park again. Race Director/Chair Mary Harding says: “Now in its 18th year the events have grown with The Banks’s 10K replacing the relays and the Cousins 20K cycle ride, always popular with families. Alongside all of that the children’s mini marathon encourages youngsters to take part and this year we are pleased to announce the introduction of the 3K Walk in the Park kindly sponsored by Call Print. It is hoped that families will enter for the walk and feel part of the events. There will be medals for all finishers. Entries are coming in each day and we are now on Facebook and Twitter if anyone would

like to send us a message. Online entries can be made through the marathon website www.carverwolverhamtonmarathonevents.co.uk or via Carvers Building Supplies. The Committee are always looking for volunteers to help with the many duties on Marathon weekend. This could involve manning a water station or marshalling around the course or duties in the park”. It is a great event for the city and good fun to be part of. Mary hopes that the loyal sponsors and supporters feel they get some promotion through the events. It certainly would not be the success it has become without their backing.

For more details visit the website www.carverwolverhamptonmarathonevents.co.uk 24

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Buckley Loft Conversions is a family managed company based in Cannock, producing 1000’s of outstanding conversions & extensions all over the Midland’s area, adding space, value and style with innovative design and quality construction. Whatever your budget or requirements a loft, garage conversion or extension could be the ideal solution to your particular needs. With the added bonus of providing additional usable floor space, personal design input and the increase in value to your home. To help we provide a Free Design & Quotation – After visiting your property to discuss your needs and ideas we return with hopefully a design you will be delighted with – for inspiration visit www.loft-conversions.com

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ing care of k ta , e c n a n te in a M e il T

your tiles

Cleaning and maintenance of wall and floor tiles is essential in keeping high standards of hygiene throughout the home or workplace. Tiles are easily maintained if you follow just a few simple procedures in their cleaning and maintenance. This is especially important in the kitchen, where tiles are exposed to greases and spillages which could effectively damage the finish of the tile if not dealt with accordingly. Tile Choice stocks a range of cleaning products to suit everyday cleaning to the most demanding of situations. As you may be aware some wall and floor tiles need more maintenance than others, if you have got natural stone tiles they will need to be treated with sealers which will then protect the tiles from any potential stains as these tiles are very absorbent. Glazed porcelain tiles will also need to be sealed as the surface of the tile is also absorbent to stains. If the tiles are left untreated, further down the line you will see that the surface will turn black where the dirt has been absorbed in to the tiles making it hard to clean them back to its original condition. Where as ceramic tiles do not need any protective treatment once they are laid,

the only maintenance they need is cleaning them from time to time.

The top 3 point in tile maintenance are as follows:

Sealing Before sealing takes place the area should be inspected for adhesive residues and general dirt deposits. The areas must be perfectly clean and dry before applying sealant as any dirt or other deposits may interfere with the sealing process and become more permanent. It is recommended that all areas that require sealing are cleaned. There are a few different products that will protect stone. Each has its own characteristics and has been designed to give a required finish or to be used with a specific stone.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Grouting For all natural stone, Granfix Floor Tile Grout is recommended. Flexible admixtures should be used in the correct proportions where appropriate. Follow the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions, remembering that polished finishes can be scratched by hard or abrasive objects. The grout should be applied over the whole area ensuring that the joints are completely filled. Remove excess grout with a damp sponge, making sure that it is rinsed out frequently with clean water.

Maintenance Products are available to keep natural stone looking at its best. Many of the products are used for more than one type of stone; however, it is important to use the right product that applies to your material.

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01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

le Success…

tes Doub ra b le e C ss e n si u B l a c Lo

Ashley Moore (cold room)

Chris & Wendy Barton

Owners of Canalside Farm, near Stafford, will be celebrating the huge success of their new Canalside Café this month, as they mark its one year anniversary on the 14th July. The new Café, which has created 14 new jobs, has been extremely busy from the moment it opened, serving up to a staggering 400 people a day. The new Café, which serves a wide variety of locally sourced food, including fruit and vegetables fresh from the Farm and meat straight from their Butchery Counter, has proved to be extremely popular, with visitors enjoying watching the canal boats go by on the lovely decking area, overlooking the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Cafe - Exterior

anniversary! Four years ago, in August 2011, the Farm opened a brand new Farm Shop, which enabled the owners to introduce a new bakery, butchery and delicatessen. The new shop has proved to be yet another huge success story, where the turnover has more than quadrupled and 12 new jobs have been created! “We have always had a Farm Shop on site, but the new Shop has meant that we can stock so much more, enabling customers to do their weekly shop here. The butchery in particular has been extremely popular, and we’ve got a great team of qualified butchers who make all of their own products, including burgers, pork pies, faggots, meat balls and a staggering 20 different varieties of sausages!” said Owners Chris and Wendy Barton. In fact there is no wonder the new Café has been so successful, with all

Owners Chris and Wendy Barton (pictured) said: “We are truly delighted by how busy the new Café has been and are very grateful to all our customers for their support. It was the first time we had run a catering establishment, so wasn’t sure what to expect, but the feedback from our customers has been amazing – saying that the food is delicious and the location is stunning. We have even become a regular ‘stop off’ point for cyclists and walking groups, and even the odd canoe!” The new Café was the second phase of the Farm’s exciting new development programme and on the 1st August, the Farm will be celebrating yet another 28

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Anna Chell

of this delicious home-made produce, plus fruit and vegetables straight from the Farm - customers couldn’t wish for fresher ingredients on their plates! As a way of saying ‘thank you’ to all of their customers, the owners will be running a free prize drawer from the 14th July to the 1st of August, to mark the two anniversaries of the Farm Shop & Café. One lucky person will win a meal for 4 people in the new Café, up to the value of £50 and the winner will be announced on the 2nd August. Canalside Farm Shop is located in Great Haywood, just 6 miles from Stafford. It is situated just off the A51, between Stone and Rugeley (postcode ST18 0RQ). For further information please telephone 01889 881747 or log onto the their website www.canalsidefarm.co.uk

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Compton in the Park! On Sunday June 28th In West Park, Wolverhampton between 10:30am and 8:30pm

Compton Hospice

Caring Together

Charity Reg No: 512387

Local charity Compton Hospice is once again set to take over West Park in Wolverhampton on Sunday June 28th 2015 with their ‘Compton in the Park’ spectacular.

the day in style. Rock it out as the sun goes down to all your favourites from the legendary band as you enjoy a beer from the Compton bar.

Now in its 6th Year, the annual event promises to be a great day out for all the family with a range of multicultural entertainment from The Shikidim Belly Dance Troupe and Michelle Lewis’s Ultra Star Cheerleading Squad, kid’s rides and crafts and the very best BBQ food served by The Compton Coffee Shop.

For more information please contact fundraising on 0845 2255 497 or visit https://www.compton-hospice.org.uk/ fundraising/events/compton-in-the-park/

All new for this year the Compton Pantomime, staged by local drama company Mystical Productions, is set to keep the kids entertained with a host of fairy-tale characters, whilst The Paws for Thought Dog Display team will wow dog lovers everywhere with their pawfect performances! For those that like to get involved in the action there’s the Annual 5 Mile Sponsored Memory Walk and Fun Run, the Compton Cup 5’a side Football Tournament and the Compton Colour Blast 5k run and Colour Party. Plus, our Wolverhampton’s Got Talent section is perfect for those on four legs or two! Bring the kids along to join in with our Strictly Quirkey Dance Performance and Competition, run by the cast and crew of the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts – a prize for the best moves - or enter your pup into our Pet Stop Pooch Parade. Pets really do win Prizes! Phoenix Rising and the UK’s premier Queen Tribute act Queen II take to the stage to round off 30

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

With free entry for all the family, what better way to start off the summer? The fun starts on Sunday June 28th between 10:30am and 8:30pm.

Registered Charity No. 512387

COMPTON IN THE PARK SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2015 West Park Wolverhampton

QUEEN II

PHOENIX RISING

STRICTLY QUIRKEY DANCING COMPETITION PET STOP POOCH PARADE

ALSO FEATURING PAWS FOR THOUGH DOG SHOW • SHIKIDIM BELLY DANCE TROUPE MICHELLE LEWIS ULTRA STAR CHEERLEADING SQUAD COMPTON CUP FOOTBALL ANNUAL 5 MILE SPONSORED MEMORY WALK AND FUN RUN COMPTON COLOUR 5K COLOUR BLAST • CHILDREN’S PANTOMIME BOUNCY CASTLES • CHILDREN’S RIDES AND GAMES MARKET STALLS • FACEPAINTERS • PETTING ZOO FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

o Family tickets to be w Family tickets to be won to visit new “Land Of The Living Dinosaurs” at West Midland Safari Park. One of the most dramatic walkthrough Dinosaur exhibits in the UK is now open at West Midland Safari Park and we have 5 FAMILY TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY. “Land of the Living Dinosaurs” is the very latest exhibit to open at the Park and is one of the most adventurous. Costing £2.5m, the immersive walking trail features 38 life size animatronic dinosaurs, each with moving eyes, mouth and neck. From the first moment of glimpsing the skeleton of a mighty T-Rex at the entrance, the scene

is set for an extraordinary journey through the reign of the dinosaur. It plays with the senses and really does give the feeling of walking amongst live beasts that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. There’s the chance to meet some of the most formidable creatures that made history including the curious Dilophosaurus, fearsome Gorgonops and two of the biggest towering 8 metres tall, the Apatosaurus at 25 metres long and Argentinosaurus, even longer at 30 metres. A life size adult Tyrannosaurus Rex elevated on 4m rockwork casts a dramatic shadow, whilst the impressive Sarcosuchus, meaning ‘flesh crocodile’ represents one of the largest crocodile-like creatures that is thought to have ever lived. Sound effects indicative of the lost world add atmosphere, whilst static fossil displays, exotic planting, a volcanic vent, three pools and geyser intensifies the whole experience. As well as visiting this brand new exhibit there are discoveries of the animal variety around every corner, too. The inspiring four-mile, self-drive safari is home to a variety of wild and wonderful animals

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | MAY/JUNE JUNE/JULY 2015

such as Indian Rhino; Cheetah; Lions; Tigers; Giraffe; African Wild Dogs and Elephants – including the adorable baby elephant, Sutton who is nearly a year old! There are some marvelous attractions to visit on foot, too! Lorikeet Landing is one of the latest – and is the place where you will encounter free flying rainbow lorikeets in a tropically themed exhibit. There’s also Penguin Cove, along with a variety of splendid other attractions like Twilight Cave; Mark O’Shea’s Reptile World, Creepy Crawlies, Seaquarium and Sea Lion

Theatre, with live Sea Lion shows performed several times each day. Located in the African Village is “Walking with Lemurs” which is the perfect place to encounter lemurs at close quarters in the

largest Lemur Walk-through in the UK. Last but not least, is Meerkat Mayhem. This exhibit has glass walls to allow the perfect viewing opportunity of these lovely little animals.

Contact Details - for lots more information Email: info@wmsp.co.uk Official website: www.wmsp.co.uk Phone: 01299 402114

Facebook and Twitter There is always something new happening at West Midland Safari Park, why not Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter? http://www.wmsp.co.uk/facebook http://www.wmsp.co.uk/twitter

This month we have teamed up with West Midlands Safari Park and five lucky readers will each win a family ticket. For your chance to win please answer the following question:

Email your answer to: info@staffordshireoutlook.co.uk or on a postcard to 30 Swinburne Close, Sutton Heights, Telford. TF7 4PZ with your name, address and telephone number.

The immersive walking trail features how many life size animatronic dinosaurs?

Entries to be arrive by Tuesday 30th June 2015. Competition Terms and conditions The ticket is valid for four people to visit on one occasion up to 6th November 2015 (Theme Park rides not included). The ticket also includes admission to the four- mile, self-drive safari, Discovery Trail exhibits, animal encounters, African Village and live shows. Usual admission is £19.99 for adults, £14.99 for children and £17.99 for concessions. Children under 3 years admitted free. (Rides extra). Lots more info: www.wmsp.co.uk 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

Famed for its year round sunny climate, Lanzarote’s landscape is a mix of ochre coloured lunarscape mountains and low lying lava fields whilst the coast is a haven for watersports fanatics. Luxury holidays in Lanzarote are perfect for holiday makers, with perfect weather for windsurfing and sailing, clear waters for diving and snorkelling, and fabulous beaches for sun worshippers. Classic Collection Holidays are pleased to offer guests an exclusive range of 4 and 5 star hotels in Lanzarote. Ranging from family friendly hotels to spa centres, from beachfronts to resorts.

Seaside Los Jameos Playa Tranquility in typical Canarian surroundings

Set in landscaped gardens amidst palm trees, the low rise Seaside Los Jameos Playa boasts spacious guest rooms dotted around the gardens and excellent facilities for all the family with beach access across a pedestrianised roadway. A typical Canarian style lobby creates a large airy space boasting a high domed ceiling, palm trees and a piano bar. Numerous sports facilities include shuffleboard, squash court, mini golf and tennis school with all-weather tennis courts as well as a playground, mini club and children’s pool.

Cuisine

The Spa and wellness centre offering a Finnish sauna, steam room and a variety of massages and beauty treatments, is a must for those wishing to pamper themselves.

International cuisine is readily available, although Tapas bars are found all over the island. Much of the food is similar to that of Southern Spain although as you would imagine, fish is predominant. Many of the luxury hotels in Lanzarote offer great choices of international and local dishes.

The popular resort of Puerto del Carmen is only 10 minutes’ drive away and can be easily reached by public transport or a 20 minute seaside walk. A member of Seaside Hotels Collection and Travelife Sustainable Tourism Gold Award holder.

Local dishes such as pescado a la sal, fish baked in salt, along with fresh tuna, calamari and octopus can be enjoyed with papas arrugadas, wrinkly potatoes boiled in seawater and served with mojo, a traditional Canarian sauce made with garlic and herbs.

Hotel Facilities • Interconnecting rooms • Rooms suitable for people with disabilities • Fitness room • Spa/Wellness centre • Kids club (supervised) • Babysitting • Outdoor heated pool Los Jameos Playa • Outdoor pool 7 nights, All Inclusive. • Children’s pool £3,872 total price – departing • Wifi in public areas from Birmingham and • Tennis courts including private transfers.

Special Offer

For Further details please contact Tracy Mason Travel on 01785 712332 34

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Family room based on 2 adult and 2 children sharing 12th August 2015

T: 01785 712332 We specialise in an extensive range of travel from UK breaks, to around the world tailor made holidays to your dream destinations. We are a privately owned travel agency. Call in to speak about your next holiday, relax with a coffee and take your time deciding your next destination! Tracy Mason Travel, Stone Cross, Penkridge, Stafford ST19 5AS

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

By Michael Peter Whitehurst Email: mike@takefood.co.uk

Recipe of the month

Serves 6 - 8

Lemon Posset with Blueberry compote and Almond biscotti thins EQUIPMENT

METHOD

• • • • • • • • • •

Read through once and measure everything out before starting.

Scales Measuring jugs 1 large and 3 smaller Mixing bowls Set of heavy based pans Lemon zester or the fine side of your grater Reamer / juicer Wooden spoon Spatula Sieve 6 - 8 glass jars or tumblers

INGREDIENTS POSSET • 600ml double cream • 150g of caster sugar • 2 medium sized unwaxed lemons COMPOTE • 350g frozen blueberries • 50ml water • 50g caster sugar BISCOTTI • 100g Organic plain flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 30g ground almonds • 50g whole skin on almonds • 75g caster sugar • 1 beat up egg • 3 drops of almond extract 36

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

POSSET Firstly, pour the cream into a pan on a moderate heat and bring gradually to the boil. Once bubbling add the caster sugar and whisk until dissolved then add the zest of one lemon and the juice of one lemon, taste the mixture and if not lemony enough add more lemon juice, don’t forget to leave a little juice for the blueberries. COMPOTE Whilst the cream is coming up to the boil add the blueberries, water, sugar and lemon juice and simmer and stir until a blue jam appears. Once you have a jam consistency remove from heat and divide into glass jars, allow to cool and then pour in the lemon posset mix and allow to cool - you can do this the other way round if you like, lemon first. Although this dessert can be quick setting you should make these the day before or first thing in the morning to be sure they will set ready for dinner. BISCOTTI Switch your oven on to 170˚C gas mark 3. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, ground almonds into a large mixing bowl then add the whole almonds, sugar and egg, mix together with a wooden spoon then bring the mix together with you hands into a dough. Place onto a floured tray and bake in the oven for half an hour and then allow to cool completely - by this time the possets should be starting to set. Once the biscotti is completely cooled slice it into thin slices and turn the oven down to 150oC, gas mark 2 and place back in the oven until crisp. SERVING SUGGESTION You could make smaller versions of these in shot glasses to serve at a party or as part of a trio of desserts and add lemon flavoured meringue and lavender scented sponge with whipped cream.

Open from 5.30pm - Midnight (7days a week)

Indian Cuisine The Kings Repose have been awarded a 5 star award from rate my place for Kitchen Hygiene. Misbah the master chef can cook anything to suit customers requirements. All of the superb mouthwatering dishes being freshly prepared at the time of ordering, using only the finest produce.

New Road Featherstone Nr. Wolverhampton WV10 7NW

01902 307846 01902 738299

Described by many customers as a culinary experience of a lifetime.

Eat in or take away

Our award-winning Orangery Restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience; the magnificence of our location coupled with the temptations of our menu. Whether you choose from our tantilising A La Carte Menu or indulge with the Tasting Menu paired with wines, you can be sure there is something to suit any taste.

The Moat House Hotel Lower Penkridge Road, Acton Trussell, Staffordshire ST17 0RJ

Our reputation for quality often means that availability within the restaurant becomes limited.We recommend therefore that you book your table in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tel: 01785 712217 Email: info@moathouse.co.uk www.moathouse.co.uk

Download Our FREE Restaurant Diary Booking App

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

nT The Moat House, Acto

The Moat House Acton Trussell offers luxury accommodation, fine dining, function rooms and conference facilities for any occasion and is an exclusive wedding venue situated in Staffordshire. Set in the picturesque village of Acton Trussell, The Moat House is a family

owned grade 2 listed manor house dating back to the 14th century. After making a reservation a few weeks ago, my partner and I were more than looking forward to dining at the award winning Orangery Restaurant at The Moat House in Acton Trussell. Upon our arrival we both now understood why our friends and family were recommending The Moat House to us. The hotel

russell

and restaurant is a beautiful establishment running along side the canal and overlooking the lake with lots of wildlife in and around. As we walked towards the bar entrance we noticed two outside seating areas, one area beside the lake and another near to the hotel entrance and had we arrived earlier we both mentioned that it would be nice to have drinks outside, especially being such a pleasant sunny evening. As we entered the bar area we were welcomed by Andrew the Restaurant Manager who showed us to our table in the Orangery Restaurant. The décor inside the restaurant was as beautiful as the outside, with stunning chandeliers, oak flooring, also very spacious and elegant, everything you would expect from a fine dining restaurant! Once seated we were given the menu and the extensive wine list to peruse. Andrew explained that there were two menu’s for us to choose from, one being the a la carte and the other was the lunch and early doors menu (available 12:00 – 14:00 Monday to Saturday, 2 courses for £18 and 3 courses for £21, also available 18:30 – 19:30 Sunday to Friday, 2 courses £21 and 3 courses for £24)

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

We were then presented with an Amuse Bouche which was very pleasing to our palettes and left us excited for what was to come.

After ordering a bottle of Pinot Grigio to share we were ready to browse through all of the wonderful dishes available to us. After much deliberation I decided on the 3 courses from the early doors menu and my partner choosing from the a la carte.

beer sauce (supplement £3) and for my partner the Staffordshire sirloin steak, roasted vine tomato, Portobello mushroom, triple cooked chips and sauce béarnaise.

For starters I chose the New farm asparagus, air dried ham, crispy Legbar egg and smoked hollandaise sauce and for my partner the goats’ cheese cannelloni, heritage beetroot, black olive tuiles and pistachio granola.

And last but not least, my favourite part of the meal, desserts! I wanted to try them all but went with the Chocolate fondant, blood orange ice cream and hazelnut wafer and my partner choosing the peanut butter cheesecake, cookie crumble, roasted banana ice cream, banana jam, toasted marshmallow and peanut tuiles.

For our main courses I opted for the Entrecote of beef, served medium rare, white onion puree, asparagus, shallot, morels, onion ash, and

Once our order was taken, our friendly and attentive waiter offered us freshly made sour dough bread and also topped up our glasses.

Shortly after, our starters were served and both were delicious with great flavours which left us eagerly anticipating our main courses. Our main dishes did not disappoint, both the steak and the entrecote of beef were phenomenally tasty and cooked to perfection. When our desserts arrived we both said how beautifully and skilfully presented all of the dishes had been this evening and again the flavours were outstanding! We finished our evening with filtered coffee and said it was quite possibly one of the best meals we have had, and we have eaten well, many, many times all over the world!

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

Pillaton Tea Room We really do pride ourselves on good home cooked food and we spend many hours preparing and cooking our cakes and meals from scratch so that our customers can enjoy the taste of freshly cooked food. We also like to listen to our customers suggestions and feedback and have acted upon those requests off customers, one of our regular customers asked back in September if we were ever thinking of doing cottage pie as it was his favourite meal, we found the best way of making it fresh every day and then we added it to the menu. Now it is one of our best-selling meals!

We are a family run tea room situated in the grounds of Pillaton Garden Centre, in Pillaton, Penkridge on the (B5012) Cannock Road, ST19 5RZ. Just 10 minutes from Cannock by car, 15 minutes from Rugeley and 20 minutes from Stafford. Our tea room is located in a beautiful Victorian glass house and boasts fantastic decor and surrounding’s. We can cater for up to 50 people inside and out and during the summer we have tables and chairs outside to enjoy the sunny weather and in the winter we have a fantastic log burner always burning away to keep you warm and cosy. The atmosphere is lovely and very friendly and we have brought back traditional good customer service where the customer comes first. We have a vast menu starting the day with our breakfast menu that is served until 12, full English, bacon and egg sandwiches and many more. We also have a wide range of tasty lunch time snacks including oven baked jacket potatoes, fresh cut sandwiches, toasted Panini’s, all served with our home-made coleslaw. The main menu consists of , gammon, scampi, cottage pie, chicken curry, chilli, local butchers burger,

Thai fishcakes, cod and chips and many more. We also have a fantastic kids menu for £3.99 and beautiful tasting coffees and special tea to try. Pillaton Tea Room is run by myself Sarah and my husband Paul since February 2014. Paul and I decided that we wanted to create a tea room where people could go for very good value home-made food. We bake all of our cakes and meals at the tea room, from fresh fruit & cherry scones to cottage pie, chicken curry and chilli con carne. We have a very varied menu with lots of different lunch time meals and snacks to choose from. These days I think it’s hard to find somewhere that you can get good quality food without it costing too much. We are expanding all the time as our customers are growing from strength to strength and we have decided to even start catering in the evenings for special events and we are really pleased with the bookings we have received. We are looking into other dietary factors such as gluten-free and celiac to see if there is anything we can do to provide food for people with the dietary requirements, if you would like to follow the progress of this I will be updating the website and our Facebook page in due course. We have recently added over six new homemade meals and we will be adding a summer menu in March for something lighter to enjoy in the warm weather.

Our customers are our friends and it is always a joy to see regular/new customers come in for chat and a bite to eat. We have a lot of charitable groups that visit our tea room and we make every effort to help them create a lovely atmosphere to get together in. We can reserve tables for group bookings or any customer with specific requirements. We are also now catering on special evenings such as Valentines night and Mother’s Day , we don’t normally open at night for Valentine’s Day but we have had a lot of customers asking us too which is brilliant. If you would like to see all the latest news and events you can look on our website: www.pillatongardencentre.com and our facebook page Pillaton GC. Why not come and try us for yourselves, we will look forward to seeing you here!

Pillaton Tea Room, off the B5012, Pillaton, Penkridge, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST19 5RZ Free wi-fi available Opening Times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am to 4:00pm (Bank Holidays: 10:00am to 4:00pm) 40

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Blue Ginger has been awarded for the 2nd year, a Five Star Food Hygiene Rating. OPENING HOURS Sunday:1pm-10pm Mon-Thurs: 5.30pm-11.30pm Fri-Sat: 5.30pm-Midnight

SUNDAY BUFFET Dine in only. Eat as much as you like from a wide range of our exquisite dishes. 1pm-10.00pm

Adults £7.95/Child £4.95 2 FOR 1 MEAL

20% DISCOUNT FREE HOME DELIVERY FREE BOTTLE OF WINE

On all dishes including specials Monday to Thursday - Dine in only

on all food orders collected

Within 5 mile radius and on orders over £10.00

Stafford Road, Huntington, Cannock, Staffordshire WS12 4NU

with every takeaway order above £25.00

01543 500 300

Authentic Indian and Bangladeshi fine dining experience in the longest established Indian restaurant in Cannock since 1971.

Fully licensed and recently refurbished to a very high standard.

The team at Padma Restaurant are deeply committed to selling standard in excellence and quality. At Padma we are offering our customers a wonderful dining experience with a taste of warm Indian hospitality.

Fri-Sat 5.30pm till 1.00am

Sun-Thu 5.30pm till 11.30pm

Tuesday Banqueting Night Three Course Meal for £9.95

Popadom and Chutney, Any Starter, Any Main Meal, With Rice or Nan *Fish, King Prawn and Duck - £2.00 extra *

Padma Lounge Bar & Restaurant 8 High Green Court Newhall Street Tel: 01543 502 101 / 01543 Cannock Email: info@padmalounge.co.uk Staffordshire WS11 1GR www.padmalounge.co.uk

572 040

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

Royal

Flush Geoff Hall follows in the footsteps of royalty to bring you an inside look at the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Repose, Featherstone.

The Kings Repose, New Road, Featherstone, Wolverhampton WV10 7NW

To book a table please call 01902 307846 or 01902 738299 42

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Speaking of eating, it’s time to get to it: chop, chop, as the chef said to the waiter.

It’s funny how the brain works. That tangled electro-chemical web is made up of billions of neurons, all bouncing messages around for purposes that are largely of no consequence whatsoever to mankind. Here is a case in point. It’s nothing more than a causal connection that I made just now, after thinking back to last night’s fine dining with friends at the King’s Repose Indian restaurant in Featherstone: There I was just inside the entrance, chatting and being a model paradigm of wit and joviality, when I saw the Bombay Mix on the table. My dining companions - partner Gisella; friends, Brian and Sam Saunders - all remarked upon how nice it was to see the spicy mix of dried peanuts, chickpeas, curry leaves, corn, rice, lentils and onion. So often conspicuous by its absence in other curry houses, plainly the King’s Repose had scored highly already. But more specifically, that humble bowl of goodies has just sparked a flashback to a story from two years ago relating to The Queen and her fury after discovering that royal protection officers had been helping themselves to her Bombay Mix and nuts in Buckingham Palace.

A quick Google tells us that: ‘Palace officials sent a memo to royal protection officers warning them to “keep their sticky fingers out”; after Her Majesty noticed the snacks were disappearing. The Queen became so incensed that she even began marking the bowls to check if the levels were dropping.’ The fact that I should remember the story when reviewing the appropriately regal King’s Repose made me smile - but not as much as our party did last night, however. Much merriment began with chatting and the aforementioned nibbles at the bar/ lounge space downstairs, before continuing up into the restaurant above. The King’s Repose is very olde worlde inside, not at all what you’d expect from the usual Indian restaurant; so often they can be modern to the point of being soulless, but not here. Here there are exposed beams, portraits of Charles II and Oliver Cromwell on the walls, antique swords trussed to the converted-barn walls and all manner of paraphernalia peculiar to a theme loosely connected to the buildings history, which is reputedly said to be on the site of one of Charles II’s many hiding places. Once upstairs and seated we take full advantage of our friends’ intimate knowledge of the restaurant, which has been located on New Road, amid a delightfully pastoral idyll consisting of mature trees and manicured lawns, for more years than either of them can remember. Eating at the restaurant on an almost weekly basis, they cite the excellent value-for-money food, friendly staff and the restaurant’s unique atmosphere as the main attractions.

We start, as is traditional, with a poppadom and mint sauce. We order our starters from a menu bursting with temptingly tantalising treats. Gisella plumps for the ‘Murgh Tikka’ (£3.50) – boneless chicken, marinated in mild sauce, cooked in tandoor – whereas I go for ‘Lai Bagun’ (£3.95) – Beef, tomato filled with spiced chicken chat, cooked tandoori style and served with salad. Both dishes arrive quickly and are piping hot, having been delivered by personable waiting staff. Special mention goes to the fine quality of the beef, which is both tender and tasty, but each dish is very well received. Attention to detail when presenting food is clearly a high priority at King’s Repose. Now to the mains: King’s Repose Chicken Tikka Vindaloo (£8.95) from the ‘Old Favourites’ section of the menu and, from the ‘House Specialities’ board, ‘Chamura Bengali’ (£17.95), which consists of king prawns and breast of chicken in a signature sauce. Gisella polishes off every morsel of her vindaloo and is full of praise for what she calls “an expertly-judged juxtaposition of flavours; familiar yet fresh; spicy but not to the detriment of the overall dish.” In short, it’s delicious. My choice leaves my taste buds overwhelmed with joy; the dish explodes with rich textures and rewards the sophisticated palate. The prawns are crisp and well-cooked; the sauce is exquisite. The white wine we have on the table complements it well. And so to dessert - Mango-based Kulfi Indian Ice Cream (£2.50) - which we elect to share. It’s a sweet and successful way to end. And now, with the sheer volume of restaurant reviews that I have under my belt causing my brain to flag, I must try to end anew this restaurant review. How about a word of advice I wonder? Yes that’s it: be sure to book your table in advance, dear reader, as the restaurant can get extremely busy, especially at weekends. It’s a no-brainer, really.

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

ary Year

d Annivers n o m ia D e th f o d n E e Th

L-R: Outgoing President Dr Janis Lomas with Incoming President, SI Cannock & District, Lynne Tuckley

SI Cannock & District held its AGM at The Barns on 14th April. The meeting marked the end of the club’s Diamond Anniversary year: the first meeting of interested women was held in July 1954 at the Gas Showrooms in Cannock and the Club was chartered at a formal event held at Eaton Lodge Hotel in Rugeley in February 1955. Dr Janis Lomas was the club’s President for this very special anniversary year and she reported on the successes and achievements of the year, thanking club members for their support. The year had seen some very special events: a visit from Mary, Queen of Scots [Lesley Smith, curator of Tutbury castle], two wonderful visits to Tutbury Castle; an afternoon tea and fashion cavalcade at Ingestre Hall; International Night with a speaker from Bletchley Park followed by a visit to Bletchley; Christmas celebrations at Trentham Gardens and at The Barns; and a magnificent glittering evening at Rodbaston Hall to celebrate the 60th, Diamond, Charter evening. During the year club members had continued to support Pathway, the refuge for women victims of Domestic Violence by providing toiletries throughout the year and Christmas gifts; St Giles Hospice by providing 44

cakes on a regular basis – these are offered to visitors at the Hospice; the Soup Kitchen in Mill Street when Cannock Soroptimists helped to provide and prepare a Christmas meal. In addition they have held events to raise funds for international projects such as Birthing in the Gambia, known as the BIG project; for the International President’s Appeal to provide solar power for cooking and lighting in areas of Asia and Africa so that women and girls do not have to spend most of their day collecting firewood and therefore can spend time on their education; and for the organisation’s Emergency Fund, enabling Soroptimists to send funds to any disaster area in the world as soon as they are needed. The club has also continued its work raising awareness on the issues of sex trafficking and domestic violence and has also held events to raise awareness on the debilitating condition of endometriosis. Members have organised and attended events to learn more about Female Genital Mutilation [FGM] and are now in a position, along with all other clubs in the Region, to begin taking action on this issue.

that we would use the year to bring everyone together, involve as many people as possible and have a year of fun and friendship while not forgetting our Programme Action work which is the heart and soul of our club and what makes it different from other clubs. I will leave you to judge to what extent the Diamond Anniversary year fulfilled the promise that we set out for it’ Members confirmed that the aims had been well and truly met!! President Janis went on to thank her ‘Diamond Girls’ Jill Gooch and Trish Mellor who had helped her plan the year and had served as secretaries to the club for the year. President Janis was thanked by members for all that she had done for the Club to make the 60th year so special and for the fun and fellowship they had all enjoyed. Incoming President Lynne Tuckley presented her with a Tutbury rose bowl containing roses and ‘diamonds’.

President Janis Lomas said to the members: ‘We were determined More can be found about the activities of the Cannock club on their website: www.sigbi.org/cannock-anddistrict or on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SICannock whilst information about the organisation in the UK is available on www.sigbi.org.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

ce Smile… with confiden Did you know that the average person will smile more than four million times during their lives?

procedure to brighten your smile. There are many ways to whiten your teeth, both at home and in the surgery. The Priors Dental Practice offers an extensive menu of whitening choices. This allows the patient to choose from several whitening methods from quick home kits with no special trays required, to in-surgery power whitening, which is intended to significantly lighten your teeth on the day.

Your smile is one of the most important things about you. Smiling is such a simple thing, yet it helps to reduce stress, establish trust and promote a sense of wellbeing. Smiles are contagious, helping to spread good feelings among people, even strangers. To help make sure your smile is the best it can be, ask your dentist if there is anything you are unhappy about. Here at The Priors Dental Practice, we have a wide range of the latest techniques available, from implants and cosmetic dental work to teeth straightening and whitening. Your smile can be enhanced by the whiteness of your teeth. The colour of teeth varies from person to person. Sometimes teeth can get stained through smoking or drinking tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and red wine.

Whether you have a special occasion coming up or you just want to have a whiter, brighter smile, teeth whitening could enhance your smile and boost your confidence.

But there are several ways they can be made to look whiter. Lightening them by just a few shades can make a big difference to your smile. With the summer season fast approaching, teeth whitening is a straightforward, effective and safe

To experience an immediate improvement to your smile and to discuss which type of whitening treatment would be most suitable for you, please contact The Priors Dental Practice to arrange your free whitening consultation. Call one of our friendly team on 01785 712388.

Winners of the Best Patient Care in the Midlands 2014 New patients welcome We provide a comprehensive private dental care service including: • General Dentistry and Hygienist Services • Implants and Cosmetic Dentistry • Root Canal Treatments • Orthodontics and Smile Enhancements Mr John Scholey (Specialist Orthodontist) BDS FDS RCS (Edin) FDS (Orth) RCS (Edin), MOrth RCS (Edin), MOrth RCS (Eng), MDentSci Dr Daniel Young (Associate Dentist) BDS (Sheffield)

01785 712388

www.thepriorsdentalpractice.co.uk

Mark Emms (Principal Dentist) LDS RCS (Edin) MSc (UCL) Conservative Dentistry GDC No 59898

Miss Karen Juggins (Specialist Orthodontist) BDS (Hons), MFDS RCS (Eng), MSc, MOrth RCS (Eng), FDS (Orth) RCS (Eng) Dr Lukas Javorskis MSc Endodontology (Kaunas, Lithuania)

The Priors Dental Practice, Pinfold Lane, Penkridge, Staffs. ST19 5AP info@thepriorsdentalpractice.co.uk

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

New to Salon La Mink Nioxin the No1 stylistrecommended thinninghair brand in the US has now launched a new range of hair styling products exclusive to Salon La Mink – Nioxin 3D Styling. With 8 new products in the range, see below for details. • Therm Active Protector – Heat activated that leaves hair shiny and protect against breakage • Rejuvenating Elixir – A leave-in elixir to help rejuvenate hair texture, leaving it soft, manageable and with natural movement. • Thickening Spray – A spray to add texture, body and lift for thicker fuller styles. • Bodifying Foam – A stylish foam that provides manageable body and hold for thicker, fuller looking styles.

• Definition Crème – An anti-frizz smoothing cream that holds gives definition and refines hair texture. • Regular Hold Niospray – A workable, light hold finishing spray to help create fuller looking effects. Easy to brush out. • Thickening Gel – A strong hold gel that provides definition and hold, with stiffness or stickiness. • Strong Hold Niospray – A firm finishing spray with extra hold for longer-lasting end looks. For all of the Nioxin products please contact Salon La Mink for more information.

hair, great for length or to add colour flash to your hair. Micro rings are small rings that work great on thicker hair. Nano rings are 90% smaller than micro ring making them virtually invisible, even when hair is up!

The benefits: • 100% Eastern European human hair • Price Range from £100 • 12 months guarantee on hair • Hair can be re-used • No heat, no glue, NO damage Molly Brotherton

New to Salon La Mink: Molly Brotherton We would like to welcome our new stylist Molly Brotherton to Salon La Mink. Molly specialises in hair extensions. She says “We are excited to now stock Micro and Nano Ring Hair Extensions at the salon. These extensions are perfect to give you thicker, fuller looking

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Katrina Before

Katrina had long fine hair, the micro ring hair extensions have given her extra length and thickness. Salon La Mink are offering the readers of the Staffordshire Outlook a free hair extension consultation, so we can discuss your requirements and asses your suitability for the hair extensions. With prices starting from just £100 contact the salon for more information.

Book an appointment with Molly in June or July for hair extensions, you will receive a free aftercare pack worth £25 Katrina After

Let us pamper you this Spring with our fabulous offers La Minky loyalty offer Have 5 appointments and receive a 6th for free, choose one treatment from the following as your free reward:

Eyebrow wax Face & upper body massage Nail tidy and varnish paint (above free rewards available until the end of August 2015)

LaMinky

Shellac Nails

For £15 (Normal price £20)

Offer runs till the end of June 2015

Swedish Back Massage

For £15 (Normal price £25)

Offer runs till the end of June 2015

All offers subject to availability.

Telephone 01543 500 340 www.salonlamink.co.uk

Please mention this advert at time of booking. Dawtry Stables, Dawtry Farm, Watling Street Hatherton, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1SD | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK 01952 321334

Looking For The Perfect Body Without Surgery?

Imagine a non-surgical fat reduction procedure that costs a fraction of what most treatments cost, is permanent, and tackles those tough spots like ‘love handles’ and belly fat. UltraSlim LipoFreeze Cryolipolysis and Ultrasound Cavitation Lipo are the most effective non surgical body sculpting treatments available on the market today. Inches can be lost off any given area of the body with a short, simple treatment administered in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Cryolipolysis LipoFreeze (Fat Freezing) delivers controlled cooling to reduce fat by up to 40% during a single treatment, while Ultrasound Cavitation Lipo & RF delivers instant results for fat reduction, in addition to targeting cellulite, reducing stretch marks and tightening loose skin after child birth. We are shaped by what we love, but you’ll love the shape you can achieve at UltraSlim Clinics. Before

After

Before and After 1 UltraSlim LipoFreeze™ Treatment’

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

ULTRASLIM LIPOFREEZE™ CRYOLIPOLYSIS Target Excess Fat & Reduce Cellulite • Treat up to 4 areas simultaneously to reduce time and costs • Clinically Proven, FDA Medically Cleared and Effective • The latest treatment to banish unwanted fat permanently • Undeniable results by up to 40% in only one treatment • No Surgery, No Scars & No Downtime • The treatment all the stars and celebrities have been shouting about

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UltraSlim Clinics 36-38 Berry Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HA T: 0844 288 7297 E: info@ultraslimclinics.com

www.ultraslimclinics.com 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

em last longer th ke a m n ca u yo w ho Aesthetic treatments;

way. ‘The need for speed’ has extended to the kitchen and dining room. If we take the time to stop and analyse our lifestyle we almost invariably fall short in several areas of nutrition. Don’t Panic - Help is available! Visit the ‘Nature’s Sunshine’ page on our website and take the free online ‘Lifestyle Analysis’. Answer all the questions honestly and the results are always informative. You can then choose to either order the products online, or discuss them with your practitioner when you visit.

To date we have looked at Beauty/Aesthetics through the ages, how our machines work and what treatments we can offer to help you achieve your desired result. But what happens when you leave the clinic after your treatment? What can you do to help preserve the results that our treatments have produced? The most obvious way is to book regular (usually monthly) ‘top ups’. This will allow our practitioners to maintain and improve upon the initial results. However there is much more you can do. The skin is a good external indicator of health. To maintain that ‘healthy glow’ eating well is essential. The modern lifestyle can make this very difficult, years ago, before the advent of fast/convenient food, the ingredients of our meals were generally simple and nutritious. In the 21st Century our intake of chemicals, food additives, preservatives and colouring agents has changed this dramatically. The skin is now subject to far more harmful environmental pollutants than ever before plus the everyday stress of modern life. So what can you do to help reduce these effects? The main areas which have an impact are: a good skin care regime, a balanced nutritious diet and continued treatments. There is a skin product to suit most skin types; The Chase CACI Clinic can carry out a free skin analysis using 50

a ‘Wood’ lamp, with the result being recorded on the universally accepted ‘Fitzpatrick Scale’ for identifying skin types. You can then choose from the finest products to suit your skin. We recommend Deborah Mitchell ‘Heaven’ Bee Venom range and the ‘Arbonne’ range of products. These two ranges are both extremely effective and ethically produced. For more details please consult your practitioner when you visit. The balanced nutritious diet can be more difficult to achieve, with so many of the pressures of life getting in the

Finally, there is a fabulous hand held CACI machine available to purchase for use at home, to continue the wonderful work done by your practitioner at The Chase CACI Clinic. This is an easy to use device that allows you to ensure that all the treatments you receive from us have the maximum possible effect. Please ask your practitioner for more information. This may all seem a little daunting but can be incorporated into your daily life with ease. The three pronged approach to skin care, nutrition and home treatments will leave you feeling and looking better.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU: Problem

Suggested Treatment

Lax facial muscles Lacklustre complexion ‘Crows Lines’ Smokers lip Acne Unwanted Hair Skin Tags Facial Thread Veins Cellulite

CACI Facelift/Radio Frequency CACI Microdermabrasion plus Heaven Products CACI Eye Lift/Radio Frequency CACI Lip treatment/Radio Frequency Galvanic treatment/Light therapy Apilus Xcell Pur Apilus Xcell Pur Apilus Xcell Pur CACI treatment/Radio Frequency

We want to assure you that your visits to our clinic are very important to us. We want you to see and feel the benefits, not only in the short term but for years to come. We have total confidence in ourselves, our equipment and our products and want you to enjoy the outcomes. Our aim is simple: ‘Sana in corpore sano faciem’ – ‘A healthy face on a healthy body’ Our skills, equipment and products, added to your positive attitude to skin care, nutrition and home treatment will combine to achieve this aim. Visit us soon to take that first step; we are sure you will be satisfied with the results.Visits can be booked online at our website: www.chasecaciclinic.co.uk via email on info@chasecaciclinic.co.uk or text our mobile 07432 027763.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

The Chase Clinic

Private Clinic by appointment only

" Putting your face first so your looks last" • The latest top of the range CACI Ultimate machine • Apilus Xcell PUR electrolysis machine - only the third in the country and the first outside the South of England. • The very latest Synergy Radio Frequency and Light Therapy equipment. • All combine to give the very best outcomes for discerning clients. • Stockists of 'Heaven' Products by Deborah Mitchell

10% off

for readers of the Staffordshire Outlook magazine - please mention advert when booking

Professional, Caring and Ethical Please contact us about

Personalised ersonalised vouchers for any occasion!

www.chasecaciclinic.co.uk

Pillaton Hall Farm Pillaton Penkridge Staffordshire ST19 5RZ

01785 713477 07432 027763

info@chasecaciclinic.co.uk 01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

nce Academy a rm o rf e P d n a s rt o p Stafford S Hayley, Owen and Dariusz. Schools are supported in Primary School PE but also GSCE dance provision. More recently a new venture has been the establishment of holiday provision in partnership with Staffordshire University. This provision commenced at Easter but will operating throughout the year. Sessions will commence at 8.30am and finish at 5.30pm but also provide flexible times to support working parents. Over 100 young people took advantage during the Easter period.

April marked the first anniversary of the Stafford Sports and Performance Academy. Established in 2014, Director Stephen Glover established the organisation to provide opportunities in a variety of sports for young people across the Stafford District.

With the success of dance and music shows in Stafford, others in the county are now benefitting from the work of Steve and his team. Shows now take place in Crewe, Stoke, Lichfield, Uttoxeter, Cannock and Telford - engaging thousands of young people in music and dance. The plan for 2016 is to operate in areas wider afield such as Lancashire and Derbyshire. Alongside the shows Steve and the team also support a number of local young singers by providing an avenue of opportunities. Singers include Sam Hollyman who recently performed on BBC’s the Voice, and Georgia Fielder who wowed audiences at Sheffield’s Motor Point Arena amongst others.

The first year has seen many successes and hundreds of children engaged in positive sports activity in a variety of locations. Every week over 300 young people are engaged in community dance and cheerleading sessions led by Nicole, Hayley, Iona, Dariusz and Jackie. The highlight for these young people is May 2nd when all 300 perform to a sold out Gatehouse Theatre audience. This culminates a week of school dance shows at the theatre which will see over 700 young people participating. Earlier in the year 600 singers from 20 school choirs took part in the Stafford and Stone Celebration of Music event at the Gatehouse Theatre. This is now the second time the Stafford Sports and Performance Academy have organised the event which is growing rapidly. 25 schools are already booked for 2016. Another community element going from strength to strength is their community gymnastics club. Predominately sessions are held at Walton Priory in Stone but other satellite centres see gymnasts supported by British Gymnastics Qualified coaches Chris, Abi, Keri, Hannah and Tasha. The club currently works with over 100 budding gymnasts per week. Many primary schools are also benefiting form the expertise of the Academy staff. Keri Lees, former Olympic athlete, leads on this element along with Nicole,

Aside from the many actives mentioned the Stafford Sports and Performance Academy have supported young people with mental health issues and hope to work with young people to support a healthy weight. Plans are now in place to introduce School Sport Apprentices into Stafford, sporting trips around the globe and potential sports visitors from China and the USA. Steve Glover, director and founder of the Stafford Sports and Performance Academy, said, “I am thrilled with our first year. I am privileged to work with a fabulous team of highly qualified and enthusiastic staff. Our aim is to continue to grow and provide further opportunities for young people in sport and music across the Stafford and Stone district. We are grateful to have received support from local businesses including the Brand Warehouse but also additional support from organisations such as Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent and Sport England. We welcome more young people to join any of our activities. Further information can be found on our website - www.staffordsport.co.uk or Facebook www.facebook.com/staffordsport or feel free to call me on 07793891029.” Photos are from a variety of sessions, events and activities over the last few months.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Forward to Health South Staffordshire Council have recently launched a brand new scheme called ‘Forward to Health’ scheme (FTH) which is a 12 week exercise programme to help people of all ages to get fitter and healthier.

The FTH scheme may be recommended to you by your GP or healthcare professional, or you can refer yourself.

As part of the scheme we are offering three, 1 to 1 consultations with an exercise specialist which will include:

How to take part:

The scheme has been specifically designed to encourage people with health and esteem concerns to take part in more physical activity which will help to improve their health and wellbeing.

• FREE gym sessions*

To take part in FTH there is an initial cost of £35.00 (Less than £3 per week) which gives you 1-1 consultations for the 12 week scheme along with all of the benefits listed above. You will need to book in for an initial assessment with one of our fitness experts.

• Discounts on classes and activities at all of our leisure centres

*Please be aware that you will be required to answer a few questions relating to your medical conditions

• Nutritional Advice • Programme Design • Health Checks including weight, height, BMI, body fat and blood pressure

What happens next: Following the 12 week programme, an exclusive offer is available to participants entitling them to a three month Forward to Health Plus membership. This gives free use of individual activities for just £40.00… less than £3.33 per week. For more information visit www.sstaffs.gov.uk/exercise or contact your nearest South Staffordshire Council leisure centre direct and request to book in for an initial assessment for the Forward to Health Scheme.

Contact: Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre: 01922 417790 Codsall Leisure Centre: 01902 844032 Penkridge Leisure Centre: 01785 714152 Wombourne Leisure Centre: 01902 898202

FORWARD TO HEALTH WE WANT TO HELP YOU TO GET FITTER AND HEALTHIER

FREE GYM INDUCTION

of all ages with medical conditions

GET FOR ALL THI S LE £3 P SS THAN ER W EEK

User must be 16yrs+ Voucher valid to 31st July 2015 Voucher must be presented at reception at the time of booking Induction MUST be booked in advance: Cheslyn Hay: 01922 417790 Codsall: 01902 844032 Penkridge: 01785 714152 Wombourne: 01902 898202 Name................................................................................... Postcode ............................................................................ Leisure Centre used ....................................................... Staffordshire Outlook – June 2015

more information on 01902 696518

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

Tom’s tip: Heel Pain? Heel pain is also known as ‘policeman’s heel’. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis which is commonly referred to as a heel spur. The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia is inflamed. This condition can be very painful and cause considerable amount of suffering. Symptoms include a dull ache which is felt most of the time with episodes of a sharp pain in the centre of the heel or on the inside margin of the heel. Often the pain is worse on first rising in the morning and after rest and is aggravated by prolonged weight bearing & thin soled shoes. Causes of heel pain • Biomechanical problems (walking abnormalities) are a major cause of plantar fasciitis. • Tight plantar fascia (this is often caused by tight calf muscles).

• Excessive flattening of the arch on weight bearing. • Excessive pronation (rolling in of the foot too much) • Obesity is a major cause of plantar fasciitis. Which is why this condition is common in middle aged and over weight adults. • A sudden increase in weight, such as pregnancy can also lead to plantar fasciitis. • A sudden increase in walking or a sporting activity can also be a contributing factor. • Standing for long periods at work. • There are several conditions which may cause pain under the heel. Osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, fractured heel bone, bursitis, neuritis, oedema, circulatory issues, poly and fibromyalgia are but a few. Treatment options for heel pain Orthotics (insoles)- One of the most effective treatment options. This comes with Stretching exercises for plantar

fascia and calf muscles. NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) may also be prescribed by your chiropodist/podiatrist or doctor. Plantar Fascia night splints, Steroid/ local anaesthetic injection and surgery are further treatment options.

Thomas Casey Chiropodist/Podiatrist

HCPC registered See a Podiatrist/Chiropodist for an assessment and treatment if you’re desperate, or call Tom Casey on 07828 613615.

Way To r e H g in x o B Is t n e d tu Walton S Beth England, aged 13, and a Year 8 student at Walton High School started Kickboxing in November 2013 and competed for the first time in November 2014. In her first competition, Beth took a silver medal and was spotted by Lee Matthews, owner of Lee Matthews British Military Martial Arts. Lee acknowledged Beth’s potential and was very impressed with her ability. He suggested to Beth’s Sensei, Tony Anderton, owner of Rugeley Martial Arts and Fitness Centre, to put her on his competition squad, Team SAS. This gave Beth partial Sponsorship (which covers one free training session per week and her training kit). She received her place on the squad at the Christmas Kickboxing Awards Evening. Since November Beth has gone on to fight at the Watford Open in January, where there were fighters from all 54

over the world, fighting one of the Hungarian National Team. She also competed in The Gold Rush league in Manchester in February where she took Bronze and Telford interclub where she took two silver and one bronze. Beth’s latest achievement was being awarded a Silver in the intermediate category for 16 years and under and Gold in her Novice category. Beth is also competing in Edinburgh the first weekend in May. Beth alongside her fellow Team SAS members will be attending trials for the England Squad competing in the 2015 World Martial Kombat Federation (WMKF) World Championships to be held in Malta in November, with the view of making the team and representing their country on the world stage. Some of which will be defending their current world titles attained in Tunisia during 2014.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

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Family Camp out & Activity Weekend Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd August 2015 Pause the computer games, put down the smart phones and shut the lids on those laptops… This summer’s Compton Hospice Fundraising event is all about family time! Bring the whole clan and join the hospice team as they set up camp in the heart of the picturesque Kinver Scout woods from Friday 21st-Sunday 23rd August 2015. Pitch your tent and enjoy a range of crafts and activities including archery and rifle shooting - all for one great price! Let mum master the climbing wall, while dad tries his hand at African drumming and the kids go all Ray Mears in our bushcraft sessions. Alternatively simply soak up the sun and get back to nature as you and your family explore the woodland glades away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To round things off why not join in the Compton Campfire, complete with a traditional singalong (full weekend campers only). Make this summer one to remember and sign up today! Proceeds go towards Compton Hospice. (Day passes and full weekend without camping tickets also available. Tents not provided for weekend campers.)

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August 2015

PLEASE FILL IN CAPITAL LETTERS DETAILS

Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………DOB………………………………………………… (must be over 16 to attend alone, however under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over ) Address……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Postcode…………………………… Tel no.(Day)…………………………………………………………………(mobile)…………………………………………………………………………………… Email address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Names of other persons in your group: 1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………DOB (If under 18)……………………………………………… 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………DOB (If under 18)……………………………………………… 3…………………………………………………………………………………………………………DOB (If under 18)……………………………………………… 4…………………………………………………………………………………………………………DOB (If under 18)……………………………………………… DECLARATION ** I understand that I will be responsible for anyone under the age of 18 in my party ** ** I understand that single and group photographs may be taken of myself and my household at Compton Hospice events and I am happy for any photographs to be used for Compton Hospice marketing and future publications** ** I and my family are physically fit enough to take part in this event and have no underlying medical conditions that would prevent us from taking part** ** I agree to the terms & conditions printed overleaf**

Signed……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

TYPE OF TICKET Please indicate how many tickets in the boxes provided Full Weekend (with Camping)

Full Weekend (No Camping)

Adult

(aged 16+)

£25 per adult

Adult

(aged 16+)

£20 per adult

Child

(under 16)

£20 per child)

Child

(under 16)

£15 per child

Family

(2 Adults + up to 3 Children)

Single Day Tickets

£80 per family

(please indicate which day you would like to attend by ticking the relevant box)

Adult

(aged 16+)

£15 per person

Child

(under 16)

£10 per person

Family

Saturday

(2 Adults + up to 3 Children)

£65 per family

Sunday

Family (2 Adults + up to 3 Children) £45 per family

PAYMENT • •

UNDER 5’S GO FREE!

I enclose a cheque made payable Compton Hospice for £……………… I authorise Compton Hospice to use the following card details to take a payment of £………………

Mastercard

Visa

(please tick appropriate card type, please note we can not accept any other types of card)

Name on Card __________________________________ Card No. ______________________________________ Start Date ______________________________________ Expiry Date ____________________________________ Security Code _______________

(Last 3 digits on back)

Signed _____________________________________________

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17 MERCIA DRIVE PERTON A well positioned and immaculately presented detached bungalow close to open fields and standing in a favourable South Staffordshire village close to local amenities and within convenient travelling distance of Tettenhall Village and Wolverhampton city centre. Benefitting from full double glazing, recently fitted new combination boiler and an attractive private rear garden. Entrance Hall, Lounge, Modern Kitchen, 2 Bedrooms, Bathroom. Garage and Pretty Rear Garden. No Upward Chain

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STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

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of Attorney’? r e w o P g in st a ‘L a d e e Why do I n After a Will, one of the most important documents that all adults should have in place is a Lasting Power of Attorney. These documents, ‘LPAs’, enable you to personally choose who will be authorised to make your decisions should you loose mental capacity. Do not think loss of mental capacity is only a problem for the very elderly perhaps with dementia. It is not an age related problem. Anyone can loose capacity at any age. Sadly all it takes is something as simple as a fall or a car crash, or a stroke. And this can happen to anyone at any age. If you do not have the documents in place and the problem does

occur, then someone, generally, but not always a family member must make application to the Court of Protection for them to be authorised by that court to make your decisions. This process is very long and complex and expensive. It can take up to 9 months and several thousands of pounds in fees. This is a very painful process for a family member to have to undertake on your behalf. And, you may end up with someone you would not have chosen yourself having the legal authority to make your decisions for you. Even worst is the case where the court may have to choose a professional person as attorney, who will then be charging your estate significant fees,

possibly for years, for making your decisions for you. The answer is very simple, have your LPAs prepared now, while you can clearly make your own decisions about who should be the named attorneys. For further information, advice and guidance call Mike Humpherson who is the local Senior Consultant representing Goodwills Legal Services Ltd. A home visit service is provided to take your instructions for your Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Contact details: Mike Humpherson T: 0845 678 7010 M: 07771 992717 E: mikejh@globalnet.co.uk W: www.goodwillsmidlands.co.uk

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Fabulous Phlox By Martin

The spring bulbs are putting on a great show in the garden but when they finish there is sometimes a lull before the summer blooms kick in. They can give years and years of service in the herbaceous or mixed border and provide a wonderful, scented summer display. Phlox hate being in pots so buy in spring and plant out before they become root-bound. They also hate being in greenhouses so avoid “pumped-up” plants forced on in heat. We’re all guilty of impulse buys (how else have I ended up with over 70 varieties of Phlox in the garden) but before planting out, stop and think. Phlox are very long-lived plants and although easy to move they will always leave behind roots that will send up new plants – so plan where you want them to grow first. The ideal site is sunny, with rich, well-dug soil with perhaps a little late afternoon shade to protect them from the extremes

of summer heat. In practice they get full sun or light shade in my garden and do pretty well in either. Border Phlox are incredibly hardy and start to show new growth in February. The new leaves are often attractively coloured but only a few varieties maintain these coloured leaves into summer, the others gradually turn green. Good coloured leaf types include Starfire, Blue Paradise and Logan Black. Variegated Phlox have lovely white and green or cream, red and green leaves throughout the summer to compliment the flowers. Enriching the soil with compost dug into the top 1ft of soil will do wonders for the plants. I find the chalk in mushroom compost helps to reduce mildew problems. I always give my Phlox a good dressing with a well-balanced fertiliser like Growmore in spring followed by blood, fish and bone in mid-summer. Also give the plants some space if possible to improve air circulation; plant border phlox about 2ft apart. Water the ground not the plant and try and use water at air temperature (say from a water butt, or a can filled a few hours before) rather than an icy blast from a hosepipe. Phlox are often recommended as candidates for the “Chelsea Chop” – the practice of cutting plants by about half their height around the time of Chelsea Flower Show to create bushier, later flowering plants. I rarely do this: instead I remove spent flower head in late July and into August to encourage side shoots to flower. Phlox make good cut flowers – cut in the morning and remove the lower leaves.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Blow

At the end of the season cut down the stems to ground level and put them in the council green waste bin rather than the compost heap to avoid carrying any pests or diseases from season to season. There are 100’s of varieties to choose from and often it’s the old, heritage varieties that are new to our nursery range as they are “rediscovered” growing in happy neglect in an old garden. In recent years we have reintroduced the old German varieties Sternhimmel (Starry Sky) and Lavendelwolke (Lavender Cloud) to go with Monte Cristallo and Kirchenfürst plus a brand new English variety raised by Terry Dagley and named Maude Stella Dagley as well as promoting old English varieties such as Elizabeth Arden, Bright Eyes and Border Gem. Once you’ve grown border Phlox you will be hooked by the beauty of the flowers and the heady scent on a summer’s evening. Janet & I run SpecialPerennials, a small garden nursery in Hankelow Cheshire where we hold two National Plant Collections and grow a large range of plants for a nature friendly garden. Our garden was featured on BBC Gardener’s World in 2014. Our website www.specialperennials.com is full of colour photos and growing tips. We sell by mail order and at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season. We will be at Arley Arboretum, near Bewdley on Saturday 4th July, Sugnall Walled Garden on Sunday 5th July and at the National Memorial Arboretum on Saturday 1st August. We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

Buxton’s Buxton’s Ltd is a family firm that have been supplying lawnmowers and other garden machinery for over 50 years. From their site on the edge of Cannock Chase the company has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the major suppliers of mowers in the midlands. Because of Buxton’s high service levels and exceptional showroom and workshop facilities the company

is an authorised main dealer for all of the top brands of lawnmowers, John Deere, Honda, Mountfield, Hayter, Toro, Stihl, Countax, Viking, Bosch, Stiga and Husqvarna. These top brands are backed up by factory trained mechanics who can carry out any servicing or repairs necessary. Buxton’s continual growth is due in part to their main road location on the A34 between Cannock and Stafford, but also their belief in the traditional values of excellent customer service and good value for money. Buxton’s supplies mowers to suit every lawn and every budget, as well as a complete range of garden machinery, including blowers, brushcutters, hedgetrimmers, shredders, cultivators and log splitters. All of these machines are designed to make those garden chores quick and easy. Buxton’s try to make the buying process easy, they have lots of

demonstration machines that you can try out on their lawn, and their experienced staff will offer friendly advice to help you select the right machine for you. You can even part exchange your old machine in towards a brand new one. Buxton’s ltd are specialists, and in the age of large impersonal national retailers it is refreshing to find a company that prizes good customer service above everything else.

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MOTORING

Would you like to reach over 40,000* readers in Cannock, Stafford and surrounding areas? Now is the ideal time to promote your motoring special offers or events in The Staffordshire Outlook Magazine. For further details on promoting your motoring call Sharon Caldwell

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s-Travag g g E y n n u B r e st a E y Swanswa

Lynn Everill, volunteer at Moorlands Homelink commented; “It was a really lovely treat for our group of elderly folk. The Easter Bunny certainly brought some fun with him, as well as some very lovely Easter eggs!.”

Local, family owned motor group, Swansway, secured the services of the Easter Bunny and proceeded to spread happiness and Easter eggs around the Stoke and Stafford area. 62

The Swansway Easter Bunny visited Katharine House Hospice; Shugborough Childrens’ Ward at Stafford County Hospital; Moorlands Homelink and Chapel Street Nursery, both in Cheadle, as well as dropping eggs off at various other sites.

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

Family owned and run Swansway Group operates Stoke and Stafford Audi and Stafford Land Rover, all just a stone’s throw away from the Easter Bunny’s bouncing ground! Director David Smyth, explained; “As a family business we are keen to support children and old folk, in fact, the whole family unit; we felt the Easter Bunny was ageless, you can enjoy a cuddle with a bunny and an Easter egg, whatever age you are”!

aster-class SeductioBynRoM b Taylor

I reckon legendary Irish poet W.B Yeats got it wrong when he wrote, ‘Wine comes in at the mouth and love comes in at the eye.’ Either that or he’d been drinking too much Guinness, because I think I’m falling head over heels in love with a Sat-nav. If that sounds unlikely, listen to this: she ain’t no ordinary synthesised approximate of a siren, but the living beating soul of an Alfa Romeo – specifically the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2 175bhp TCT Exclusive. Forget nostalgia and the Alfa V6 engine, with congested roads, all any motorist wants is the quickest route around the chaos, so these days you choose the engine with your head – in this case a frisky yet frugal 175 bhp 2 litre diesel unit – and the Sat-nav with your heart. Seduced by only her dulcet tones; everything else is pure imagination. There is a real warmth and humanity to her every utterance and I’ve found myself using her for even the shortest, most familiar journeys. She embodies beautifully the essence of the Giulietta, to which her ethereal spirit is bound: exotic, fiery and soulful. Never before has my pulse quickened and heart raced at the prospect of a trip to Wolverhampton.

Once inside – and now making full use of all five of my senses – I’m struck by the Giulietta’s cabin, which is swathed in supple red leather and laden with soft-touch plastics. There’s kit worth over £2000 thrown in as-standard for this Exclusive spec model, including rain-sensing wipers; automatic headlights; electric-folding door mirrors; tinted windows; an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror; and electric front-seat lumbar support. Everything inside is laid out with a sensible, intuitive take on the modern hatchback. And, yes, it may be just a hatchback and relatable as such but it’s still ever-so-slightly special. The Giulietta beguiles where a Volkswagen Golf makes a sound case in a Powerpoint presentation; bewitches as none of its competitors can. As my girlfriend Nicola adds, even its key-fob is sexed-up. Some car anoraks may point to Alfa’s of yore as explanation for this frisson of excitement, but they’re all ensconced in the pub, pedantically ruminating over the technical minutiae of every make and model of car since Benz’s Motorwagen, so it can’t be that. Maybe it’s the ever-unfathomable machinations of image. Maybe it’s the value-for-money pricing of just over £25,000. Maybe it’s how this car looks. But I’ll get to that. The engine starts unceremoniously enough, but quickly piques your interest when up and running, as it can

be both docile and dumbfounding if the situation presents. It’s quick - 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds; top speed, 135 mph - but economical too: 64.2 mpg on the combined cycle and responsible for just 116 g/km of Co2. It rides really well on its sports suspension and is never jarring. Equally the Giulietta is a capable performer whenever it’s possible to string a few corners together and is thus entirely justified in wearing the accoutrements of sportiness, like the 17” alloy wheels, a sports leather steering wheel with red stitching; aluminium sports pedals and kick-plates and side body skirts. The TCT semiautomatic gearbox is a willing and able partner in crime too, always impressive in its smooth changes and intelligence. But above all else, the Giulietta’s exterior visage is a stunningly attractive thing to behold. A total knock-out. So, yes, it may have been the sensuous sounds of its Sat-nav that first hooked me, but it’s the Alfa’s looks that have me sold; hook, line and sinker because nobody loves an ugly car. As I watch the dying embers of the setting Spring sun light the sky one last time, I gaze from my window upon the Giulietta’s beauty, wine glass in hand, and conclude that old William did have love sussed after all: ‘I lift the glass to my mouth, I look at you, and I sigh.’

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g the rMoment Captur-in By Rob Taylo

Despite myriad technological advances in the last twenty years, nothing captures a moment in time better than a humble photograph.

17” alloys. And you can go much, much further than you’d every imagine possible with bodywork decals and contrasting roof colours. The theme of customisation continues inside also with detachable and washable seat covers, although there’s little value in going too over-the-top, as the standard cabin is such a nice place to be.

Whether in sepia or in infinitively editable iPhone form, the photograph is still the simplest expression of the way things are right now. If I had to today choose a muse to point my lens at, in an effort to best describe the motoring zeitgeist, I can think of no better candidate than the Renault Captur.

The shiny black centrepiece console houses an intuitive and well-designed Sat-nav; the plastics feel robust and well-made; the ergonomics are very good. The raised driving position gives an appreciable sense of empowerment and provides a field of vision far superior to that of the everyday hatchback. It is here where the Captur really starts to makes sense and goes along way to explain the current rash of mini-SUVs on the market.

Sitting high atop underpinnings of a conventional hatchback – the Renault Clio – but not constrained by the hidden architecture of traditional 4x4 systems, the Captur is Renault’s answer to that most modern phenomenon: the urban cross-over vehicle. It answers today’s ever-increasing demand for high-driving positions, masses of internal space and funky personalisation options. Yet despite giving so much extra over the hatchback the Captur remains clever, not corpulent; funky, not fat. It looks very striking in just about every colour combo I’ve seen, with its visualcortex arresting hues, jacked-up stance, sloping roofline and in this as-tested spec – Dynamique MediaNav – big 64

Riding higher than you ordinarily would injects a hitherto unknown confidence into driving around the urban jungle; you feel ever-so-slightly omniscient. The steering is light but accurate and the ride feels especially fluid when at speed and cruising. The city stuff is a cinch too - thanks to dainty dimensions and minimal overhangs – meaning you can place and park it with consummate ease. So it’s almost small enough for you to be able park it in your pocket and it won’t see you out of pocket either

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK | JUNE/JULY 2015

with comparably low running costs – especially when allied to this 1.5 litre diesel 90 bhp unit. With combined fuel consumption officially listed at 76.3 mpg and Co2 at 95 g/km, the Captur cheats so many of the charges that are traditionally levelled at SUVs. Furthermore, it’s reasonably lively off the line – 0-62mph in 12.6 seconds; 106 mpg flat-out – and torquey enough – packing as it does 220 Nm - to make mincemeat of motorways. But what really is the Captur’s trump card – other than its value-for-money pricing at just over £16,000 – is the sense of space inside. Wherever you sit – front, rear or in Fido’s spot in the boot - there’s oceans of leg, head and storage room. The boot space is listed at 377 litres, so there’s more than enough room for a few crates of Evian. It’ll surely capture your imagination – like it did mine – as to how Renault has managed to make big internally something so small externally. The Captur is seemingly a motoring panacea: providing almost every benefit of every class of car, with none of the inherent drawbacks. So, in this pointand-shoot society, there’s really only one target that prospective mini-SUV buyers need aim at.

new website s e h c n u la s re y T y e n w Dennis Po Dennis Powney Tyres is pleased to announce the launch of its new website, fully interactive across all platforms, especially optimised for smartphone. The site gives easy access to the full range of products available.

tyres. A tremendous offer from a solid and reliable global brand. For further information please do not hesitate to contact Russ Powney.

The most obvious benefit to customers is the ability to reserve tyres to be fitted at a time most suitable to you. A simple registration enquiry provides the tyre size and a range of tyres and prices are presented. Recommendations are made, tyres from all major manufactures are available alongside competitive economy and mid-range tyres. No payment is required to reserve and book a time for tyres to be fitted, an email confirmation is sent and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it. Alongside the new web site, Dennis Powney can now offer a 2 year warranty against accidental damage and free puncture repair on all Apollo

Dennis Powney Tyres is long established and is proud to be a local business in the area. However we also realise the value of the internet and the ability to check prices from the comfort of your home or whilst out and about. Every effort has been and will continue to be made to make sure all prices are competitive not only locally but also nationally. Thus providing Cannock and the surrounding area the best of both worlds. Local and honest customer service with National on line pricing.

www.dennispowney.co.uk

Dennis Powney Tyres is heading into its 26th year of business fully aware of its history, with its new website another chapter begins in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. Please visit and have a look, its fresh and modern easy to navigate, at the same time Russ and the team are always on hand to offer impartial, fair and trusted advice. www.dennispowney.co.uk

info@dennispowney.co.uk

Tyres and exhausTs Watling street Bridgtown Cannock staffs Ws11 0BW

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Tyres . exhausTs . Oil . Wheel aligmenT . Balancing Brakes . BaTTeries

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Index of Advertisers Beds & Bedroom Furniture Chasewood CRS DRF Kitchens and Bedrooms Interiors Italia Rootwood Roll-a-robe Beauty La Minky The Chase CACI Clinic The Cottage Surgery UltraSlim Carpets (Supply & Fit) CRS Stafford Carpets & Flooring

15 11 21 19 18 27

47 51 55 48/49 11 29

Interior Designers Driveways Accumix Concrete 23 Interiors Italia Standeford Garden Construction 9 Kitchens Education DRF Kitchens and Bedrooms Chase Grammar 2 Lighting Fire-place The Lighting Warehouse Fireside Factory 23 Loft Conversions Furniture/Furnishings Buckley Loft Conversions CRS 11 Interiors Italia 19 Restaurants/Eating Out Ralvern Ltd 13 Blue Ginger Rootwood 18 Padma The Kings Repose Garden Standeford Garden Construction 9 The Moat House Tiles Garden Machinery

Car Sales/Services/Repair Dennis Powney Tyres 65 Buxtons 61 Four Ashes Renault Specialists Ltd 67 Glass & Hardware Specialists Charity/Hospice Tech Alum Systems Ltd 17 Compton Hospice 31/57 Hairdressers Concrete 47 Accumix Concrete 23 Salon La Mink Council South Staffs Council

Hospital (Private) 53 Nuffield

Dental Practise The Priors Dental Practise

Hypnotherapy 45 Sue Starr

Tile Choice

SUDOKU

Tracy Mason Travel Goodwills

25 37 39 37 37 68 35 59

Windows 4 Clairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conservatory Systems

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35 Winterwarmth

PICTOGRAM

2. Make a night of it 3. No two ways about it

STAFFORDSHIRE STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK OUTLOOK||JUNE/JULY JUNE/JULY2015 2015

Wills

1. Half time

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£25 *All models over 3 years old and out of Renault warranty period. Prices start from as listed. Please call for more details and exact price for your vehicle.

10 Reg and 60 Reg Vehicles DONT FORGET YOUR CAM/TIMING BELT!

Most Renaults require Cam/Timing Belt change at 72,000 miles or 5 years (whichever comes first). Cam/Timing Belt failure will result in serious engine damage, so make sure yours is changed at the correct intervals. Call us for more details.

FOUR ASHES RENAULT SPECIALISTS Station Drive, Four Ashes, Wolverhampton WV10 7BU

01902 790123

01952 321334 | WWW.STAFFORDSHIREOUTLOOK.CO.UK

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THE LARGEST SELECTION OF WALL & FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT THE MIDLANDS

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Great value on all tiles inc.natural stone

If you are looking for an up to the minute design for your kitchen, bathroom or en-suite, traditional style or a modern and contemporary design for your lounge, hallway or conservatory. Tile Choice can meet your every requirement at exceptional prices. Our fully trained and experienced staff will assist you in planning your room layout, how to prepare the surfaces to be tiled, and advise you on the correct tiles and tools to complete the project, with the minimum disruption

50 all tiles UPTO

% off

CANNOCK

LICHFIELD

WALSALL

BILSTON

Units 25&26 Longford Ind.Est Longford Rd WS11 0DG

13 Titan Way Britannia Ent Park Lichfield WS14 9TT

Birchills House Birchills Ind.Est. Green Lane WS2 8LE

7 Millfields Road Bilston Wolverhampton WV14 0QJ

01543 469400

01543 264795

01922 746666

01902 405526

SHREWSBURY • WEST BROMWICH • BIRMINGHAM • PERRY BARR • BROMSGROVE • KIDDERMINSTER • BURTON • DERBY • NORTHAMPTON • KETTERING • CORBY

STAFFORDSHIRE OUTLOOK JUNE/JULY 2015 OPEN 7 DAYS A| WEEK