Local Calendar

Issue 55

Editor’s Letter.........................5 Local Calendar........................6 Leek & District Show............10 History Book.........................11 Queen’s Baton Relay.............12 Pub Award.............................13 Aid Support Appeal..............14 Blues & Americana Festival.18 Campaign For Real Ale.........20 Leek Town Crier...................21 Leek Club Day......................23 Reflections Coaching............23 Dr Plot’s................................25 Tales From The Past.............26 Wes Webster.........................26 Quiz Corner..........................28 Gardening.............................30

LOCAL CALENDAR

New calendar by our Brett

Brett Trafford’s images will be a familiar sight, famous for his trademark Leek panoramic view and also the striking Leek Life Magazine cover photos he kindly supplies us.

Brett is a freelance and commercial photographer, born, bred and based right in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands, here in Leek.

Brett said: “The 2023 calendar is the 11th year that I’ve used my pictures in a local calendar and work has already started on the 2024 calendar.

“The pictures for this year come from all over the Staffordshire Moorlands, from Sheen to Dimmingsdale, and showcase the wide range of beautiful views we have.

“The biggest challenge I have is narrowing down the pictures to just 12 and one of the ways that I select the pictures is to pick places that are great to visit.”

Brett is happy to arrange delivery/collection – give him a call on 07801 058345 to reserve your copy or pick up a copy online at www.bretttrafford.com/store/

The calendar is also available from Ally Cats in Derby Street, Leek; Old School Tea Rooms Cheddleton; Ipstones shop and the Galley Coffee Shop at Rudyard.

Brett also creates bespoke calendars for business customers. To find out more email Brett at brett@bretttrafford.com, or go online to http://www.bretttrafford.com.

New Leek performing arts school ready to shout its success from the Rooftops!

Having launched in September 2021, just as things started to get back to ‘normal’ after lockdown, Leek’s all-singing, all dancing Rooftop Studios has enjoyed a phenomenal first year.

Now boasting a rollcall of over 200 students, the studio offers classes in a diverse range of disciplines for children and adults – including Saturday Stage Academy training, tots dance, RAD ballet, ITSD tap and modern street dance, alongside ACRO/cheerleading, LAMDA acting class and Vocal Smash singing group; plus private guitar and singing tuition. The studio also boasts a professional recording studio, allowing students to get a real insight into the production process.

Students have had plenty of opportunity to showcase their skills –having performed in regular showcases throughout the year and at 022 Dance at the Regent theatre in Hanley. Music students have also released their own work onto spotify and other platforms, and the first crop of RAD ballet and ISTD dance examination candidates all passed with distinctions.

Studio principle, Claire Simpson, says:

“It’s been a real whirlwind first year –coming from lockdown situation we weren’t sure how ready people were to take the plunge and get back to coming into the studio, the response has been fantastic. Growth has been amazing and we’ve got some really talented kids working with us – it’s been a pleasure to build out new little Rooftops ‘family’ and see so many strong friendships forged.”

With the 2022/23 calendar looking even more packed with performances – including a full-school showcase performance at the Stoke Rep Theatre in July 2023 now is the time to enrol to be part of this vibrant stage and dance school. Free trail sessions are offered for all classes – for full details head to www.rooftopstudios.co.uk or email

ENROLLING NOW FOR SEPTEMBER

Ballet // Tap // Jazz // Street Dance // Heels // Cheer/Acro // Drama // Musical Theatre // Group and Private Singing // Pre-School Classes // Adult classes // Silver Swans Ballet // Modern

Holiday Workshops // Children’s Parties // Theatre Productions and associated TV/Theatre agency We’re passionate about training youngsters in the arts. We’ve created a safe space, giving them a home to express themselves and be whoever they want to be. Building confident individuals who strive for excellence! We welcome new starters at all levels and abilities.

Free trial Sessions available in all classes. Email Leek@RooftopStudios.co.uk to register your interest & book a free trial class.

/RooftopStudiosLeek

Local Prep School to offer a brighter, more sustainable education for its pupils

The Prep at Denstone College are well into their facility developments known as ‘Phase II: Developing Education’. Following a most successful launch in September, they have seen numbers and interest in the Prep grow beyond all imagination.

It truly is achieving its aim of being the prep school of choice for parents in the Midlands. This work will see major building work to the second floor to deliver extra large, open-plan classrooms including a dedicated art and creative space and an innovative science and technology discovery space. This work will benefit the entire age range and the pupils will be excited to see their new lighter, brighter educational spaces.

The exciting developments have both an ecofriendly and pupil wellbeing approach at the core of why we are investing in the facility. The new facilities will create bigger spaces with more natural light available for our pupils. The inclusion of the skylights, along with sustainable materials being used, means that they will be doing more to have less impact on our planet. Inspiring our pupils with our conscious actions to have less impact on the environment around them.

The Prep at Denstone College have also listened to parent feedback and have invested in the refurbishment of one of their boarding facilities, Hartley House. This will host children from 7 to 13 years old for both boys and girls, in their own separate spaces. There will be options available for full time, weekly as well as flexible boarding choices, affording every child the opportunity to benefit from time away from home.

The Prep and Denstone College have a ‘One School’ approach, and this is a huge part of that. The boarding house helps facilitate the integration of boarding for pupils in The Prep and the First and Second Form at the College, so when a Prep pupil does take that exciting step up to ‘big school’, it won’t feel so daunting.

Denstones next open morning is on 1st October, or alternatively if you would like to have a private tour of Denstone College, please find our more at www.denstonecollege.org.