ISSUE 53
£2 WHERE SOLD
Life
EDITOR S LETTER
Time for reflection and new beginnings Belinda Hargreaves Contents Editor news@timesandecho.co.uk Jane Walters Advertising Sales jane@timesandecho.co.uk 07817128582 Erin Tuckwell Tracey Redfern Design & Production Times, Echo & Life Publications 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1BD Tel: 01538 752214 www.timesechoandlife.co.uk life@timesandecho.co.uk
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W
ho else feels like the restrictions we had during the pandemic already seem ages
ago? Gone are the days of having to remember a mask as well as your keys and mobile - before leaving the house; gone are the days watching the news for the latest restrictions to be put in place or lifted it appears that life has, for many of us, gone back to normal. My heart goes out to those whose lives will just not be the same after the pandemic though those folk who have perhaps lost a loved one, or who are perhaps continuing to suffer from long covid, or perhaps lost their jobs and or businesses due to the surreal times of Covid-19. So it s Spring time a time for new beginnings, as they say. Not only are we seeing blooming new life in our gardens and public open spaces but this Spring sees new beginnings from the surrealness of the pandemic. Many of us have perhaps changed ways in which we live that could be: continuing to work from home; not going out as often as we used to; or ensuring we spend more time with family and friends, now that we can. In this edition of the Leek Life Magazine, we feature a large What s On section as there s just so much coming back to life in our town and surrounding areas. Leek Arts Festival has made a
most-welcome comeback this Spring, and so too will Scooterfest this May. There s also lots going on as our community joins the nation in celebrating Her Majesty The Queen s Platinum Jubilee. I know I have said it many times before, but we are lucky to live in such a thriving community within Leek and the Moorlands with so many folk going above and beyond to ensure we have a packed programme of events for all to enjoy. Also in this edition, we have a feature by our retiring Leek Town Mayor who reflects on her year in office; we also feature a number of other fantastic regular columns written by local folk each reflecting on the move away from the pandemic into new beginnings. Whatever your new beginning is this Spring I hope it all goes well and . don t forget our still-fairlynew-beginnings of the weekly Leek & Moorlands Echo newspaper which is out every Wednesday morning in most independent local news outlets in the area, as well as at Co-op and Asda in Leek. It is packed, every week, with all the latest local news, events, sport and my favourite aspect smiley faces of folk in our community!
Leek Hea Repeat Front cover photo by Brett Trafford Photography www.bretttrafford.com
ISSUE 53 Editor s Letter ........................6 Leek Arts Festival ..................8 Campaign for Real Ale..........14 Leek Town Mayor .................16 Patient Locality Group .........17 Tales From The Past............20 Breckles ...............................20 Leek Town Crier ...................21 What s On ............................22 Women s Institute ...............26
ar
Samaritans ...........................27 Quiz Corner..........................28 Reader s Pics........................28 Gardening ............................29 Local theatre ........................30 Endon Community Choir.....30 Reflections Coaching............32 Leek Lions............................32 Financial Matters.................34
LEEK ARTS FESTIVAL
Arts festival is back with
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Moorlands town s already vibrant and exciting entertainment scene is enjoying a massive boost this Spring as the town s annual arts festival brings more than 40 extra events for culture lovers to enjoy. Leek Arts Festival was cancelled in 2020 and never even got off the ground in 2021 because of Covid-19. But this year it s back with a bang thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers who have worked hard to put together the programme of 41 attractions including national, international and local artists. Events include gigs featuring, among others, Scottish songstress and former Fairground Attraction star Eddi Reader; surrealist comic Boothby Graffoe, madcap musical comedian Scott Doonican, godfathers of folk-rock Fairport Convention, the fantastic Tri Nations Trio - supported by the Leek U3A African Drummers - local rockers Climax Blues Band, internationally renowned jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane, concerts on the bandstand at Leek s Brough Park, comedy nights at the Foxlowe Arts Centre and at Leek Cricket Club, a free folk music day; and even a demonstration of floral art. Leek Arts Festival chairman Phil Edmeades, said: When we were forced to cancel the 2020
Climax Blues Band
Scott Doonican
B G festival just days before that year's programme of events was about to kick-off we expected to be back in business the following year. But Covid had other ideas and we had to scrap any idea of a festival in 2021 as well. Happily, the situation has improved enough to allow us to go ahead in 2022. We re excited at the idea of people coming along to festival events and enjoying themselves, particularly as nearly half of everything in the programme is available free of charge. Free events in the 2022 LAF programme include The Tri Nations Trio, The Rondino String Quartet and the LAF Folk Day, together with Blues and Americana sessions, ska events and acoustic gigs featuring local musicians at pubs across the town. Phil added: There are also opportunities to see artists at work in their own studios, an arts trail showcasing fine art, ceramics and photography in the windows of shops and businesses throughout Leek Gareth and a major exhibition Lockrane Astound 22 - of work by
LEEK ARTS FESTIVAL
a bang
Fairport Convention
Eddi Reader
Boothby Graffoe
third year degree students at Leek School of Art. All these are also free of charge. Full details of the Leek Arts Festival 2022 programme are available at www.leekartsfestival.co.uk
from where online tickets for many gigs can be purchased. Physical tickets for most major events are also available to buy at the Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Buxton & Leek College has launched new courses as part of their awardwinning adult education programme, many of which are completely free or part funded. Gain a qualification that helps you in your current job, learn something completely new or even change the direction of your career. Subjects on offer include AAT Level 2 and 3 in Accounting and Bookkeeping, bo oth of which are free for anyonee earning up to £18 8,525. Boost your conffidencee, your knowledge, an nd yourr CV.
If you left school without achieving a gradee C (4) or above in GCSE English or maths, then you can retake them at Buxton & Leek College for free. The college excels in this area and for successive years has exceeded the national GCSE resit achievement rattes. In 2021 the college wa as awarded a Times Educcational Supplement FE Aw ward for its outstan nding GCSE resit provisio on. Functional skills prog grammes are also available..
Learn ning is delivered in a variiety of ways depending on the course including on campus, distance learning incorporating scheduled online lessons, and in some cases a blended approach of both online and face-toface. All adult courses are open to anyone aged 19 years or over and many of the courses are free or partfunded. The college also holds regular Open Days at Buxton and Leek campuses where you can find out more. The next Open Day is on Saturday, May 14 between 10am and 1pm. For more information about BLC s adult education programme, or to apply online, go to www.blc.ac.uk
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Brighter, more sustainable education announced for The Prep at Denstone College
I
n September 2021, Denstone College welcomed a new, younger audience. The Prep at Denstone College successfully opened for pupils aged from 4 years old upwards. With The Prep doing so well and reaching over 100 pupils in the first year, Denstone College has announced Phase II: Developing Education . The Prep aims to have smaller class sizes and more inspiring space. Lotte Tulloch, Head of Denstone College said Following a most successful launch in September, we 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. We have now started breaking ground to deliver the much anticipated second phase of building work which will be ready for opening in September 2022. The developments will include extralarge open-plan classrooms with dedicated spaces for art and creative, innovative science and technology discovering spaces.
Along with this, space will be provided for individual support and a high-end ICT computer suite. The 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 eco-friendly and pupil wellbeing approach at the core of the investment. The inclusion of skylights along with sustainable materials being used, means that The Prep will be doing more to have less impact on our planet. Inspiring pupils with conscious actions to have less impact on the beautiful environment around us. Bespoke tours of Denstone College and The Prep at Denstone College can be arranged by emailing admissions@denstonecollege.net or calling 01889 591415.
CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
Lots of family owned and run pubs
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am often asked, what makes Leek different. Why is the Leek pub scene so vibrant, so diverse and always seems in a far better shape than other similar towns and even some much larger cities? I always give a similar reply to who ever is asking the question. Leek is different (and in my humble opinion) far superior to any small town in the UK because many of the pubs are privately owned, either by small, independent locally based breweries or have been owned and run by the same family for many years. That way many of Leek s great and diverse range of pubs and bars are not subject to the accountant led culture of many of the larger property owning pub chains. They tend to be the ones that are run from a computer screen, sometimes hundreds of miles away. They are the ones that you see constantly changing hands or closed with a To Let sign over the front door. Or, in the worstcase scenario, closed, demolished and replaced with a dozen or so houses within a few months. Because many of our great pubs are privately owned and family run, they are most definitely different. The owners
have had the time and behind the scenes effort to put in. They can adapt and change to current trends plus have over half a century of experience running them to a high and profitable standard, which of course benefits us lucky enough to call Leek home. Benks in Stockwell Street is an excellent example of this in practice. Benks has been owned and run by the same landlady Sara Bentley since 1992. In fact, Sara celebrates a milestone 30 years running the pub this July. Sara s parents Brian and Lynn Bentley first managed the pub in 1969 (which was originally called The Union) from the then owners John Joule s Brewery of Stone. In time the nickname of Brian Benk was adopted as the pub name, but in a discreet nod to history, the original name is etched into one of the front windows and the old hand painted pub sign is displayed on a wall just inside the back door. Joule s brewery was sold to the mighty Bass empire in 1978 along with all of its tied houses, with Brian and Lynn buying it outright from Bass in 1980. It was in turn passed on into the very capable hands of Sara when she was just 18 years old. So, in fact it has been run by the same family for an
incredible 53 years. That is certainly a true testament to the hard work, dedication and longevity put into the local pub scene, which doesn t go unnoticed. Well done Sara! Also along similar lines, The Blue Mugge on the corner of Osborne Street and Queen Street has been owned and run by the Harrison family since 1976. The current and well respected landlord Paul Harrison (known as Harry to locals) started working behind the bar to help out his mum and dad Geoff and Celia in 1984, taking over in his own right in 1988. Now the next generation of Harrisons in Sophie and Dan are very much part of the scene at The Blue Mugge. Yet another family owned and run pub in the Ball Haye Tavern (known as Bodgers to locals) is worthy of a mention, which has been owned and run by Pete and Marianne Hudson since 1999. These are just a few examples of what I tell people when they ask: Why is Leek different? Cheers! Steve Barton Chairman of the Staffordshire Moorlands branch of CAMRA
LEEK TOWN MAYOR
Leek reflects a community Here, as her term of being Leek Town Mayor comes to an end, councillor Lyn Swindlehurst reflects on her year in the civic role:
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t the start of my Mayoral year, I thought of the many different approaches to the role. We were still working within pandemic restrictions, and mindful of how our town had coped and supported each other, and what we perceived as important. I decided I wanted to be a Mayor that was visible in the community, and support charities that had that principle at their heart too. I chose Borderlands Voices and Family Action for that reason.
Interacting with those enjoying our town and regenerating a sense of community spirit and enjoyment was heart-warming.
I have spent many days walking around town and meeting our residents and visitors to try to engage with their views and opinions. Many events have been shared with our Leek Town Crier, Bill Lomas who has taught me a great deal about engagement with our community, Bill has been a good role model. The events we have had in town this year, some of which were made possible through the Government s Welcome Back fund, have been advantageous to our community. Interacting with those enjoying our town and
regenerating a sense of community spirit and enjoyment was heartwarming. We owe a thank you to the Leek Town Council Events Committee and Totally Locally for the days we enjoy together. Spending days watching children and families together has been a longawaited pleasure. I have enjoyed the camaraderie of the Royal British Legion (RBL) at several memorial and celebratory events. We have stood together in thought and reflection on many occasions, for me not on
of i ers Remembrance Sunday as sadly I had Covid and couldn t attend. A profound regret for me, though Bill Cawley, my Deputy Mayor, was an excellent civic head in my absence. The RBL supported me at my Civic Service, and also at the rededication of the memorial at St Edward s church. The list of memories will be with me and my family to talk about for many years. Some significant moments were celebrating with a wonderful lady on her 103rd birthday, which I thought would not be beaten, then, I m asked to visit another lady, who at the end of April was 105. Other events include visiting children with severe disabilities with Santa and joining in their outdoor party, even if I did agree to dress as an elf. Visiting choral events and drama performances, a champion win by Leek Rugby Club, drumming workshop, dementia groups, and an extremely moving Holocaust memorial event, all have left memories in my heart. The Mayor s role is to ensure Leek is represented in other towns via engagement with other Mayors and dignitaries. The Mayors and Chairs of other local towns have been a joy to know and work with. We have had a great deal of laughter, and also some enlightening debate. In my final month, I had a Mayor s ball to raise more money for my chosen charities, and a trip to Este, our twin town. Much of Leek reflects a community of givers. Those who have supported me in my role, supported each other in regenerating Leek, and those who are always giving to others with no need for recognition. I really thank those who care for and about others.
T
he Patient Locality Group for Leek & Biddulph has continued to meet throughout the Covid pandemic via the internet facilitated by the Primary Care Network (PCN) staff. This has enabled patients across the five practices to be appraised of the developments of the PCN and how these help patients to receive support closer to home. The individual Leek Practice Patient Participation Groups are all now meeting again face to face. In addition to the normal services provided by the practices additional support to individual patients can now be provided by Social Prescribers, Clinical Pharmacists, Occupational Therapists, Dietician, First Contact Physiotherapists, Mental Health Practitioner. In October 2021 the PCN took over the organisation of the extended access to clinicians which provides additional GP appointments Monday to Friday from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday morning appointments in Leek and Biddulph. These appointments can be accessed via the GP Practice Reception. The Covid vaccination programme which was so successfully run in Leek & Biddulph by the PCN has ceased as all the practices wished to concentrate on providing the best possible service to patients. Those patients over 75 and those identified as vulnerable will be alerted by NHS and can get their Booster vaccinations at NHS vaccination centres e.g. JCB Cheadle, Milton or Smallthorne, or Walk in Clinics and details of these can be found on the NHS Vaccination website. One area of concern that has come to light in recent weeks is the shortage of Community Pharmacists which has resulted in some Pharmacies in Leek closing for part of their normal opening hours due to lack of a Qualified Pharmacist to oversee the issue of prescriptions. This has been raised by the Locality Group with the CCG Pharmacy team and we are awaiting feedback. As can be imagined this is quite inconvenient to patients who go to collect their medication only to find the Pharmacy closed. This highlights the national shortage of health professionals in all disciplines. The next phase of PCN recruitment is now taking place and they are seeking applicants for the posts, IT & Business Intelligence Officer, three Care Coordinators, Occupational Therapist and Administration Assistant. If you or someone you know may be interested please share and take a look at our new listing in NHS Jobs. For further information please contact Lisa Dulson, PCN Business Manager via e mail lisa.dulson@northstaffsccg.nhs.uk.
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TALES FROM THE PAST
I
t is 50 years since the first group of refuges from Uganda began to arrive.
In November 1972, 300 of them were relocated to Raleigh Hall near Eccleshall formerly a woman s prison. They arrived from Uganda having endured a traumatic few months, the human product of President Idi Amin Africaisation policy of ensuring that businesses were owned by Africans, the result being that Asians who contributed greatly to the Ugandan economy were ordered to leave the country within a 90 day period with their goods and personal wealth confiscated by the authorities. Many Asians in Uganda were in the clothing and banking, businesses their ancestors had moved to Uganda to service the British garrison and migrants who lived in either Kenya or Uganda. The representation of Indians in these occupations was high, stereotyping of them in Uganda as tailors or bankers was a regular occurrence. South Asians had significant influence on the economy, constituting one per cent of the population while receiving a fifth of the national income such as concentration of wealth lead to bitterness. The privileged and protected
lives that were led behind gated communities from which the Africans were excluded sowed seeds of hatred which Amin exploited for political advantage when his own stock was low. These feelings of resentment that the Africans felt towards the Asians and its background were explained in a letter in a local newspaper. Rowland Kent from Stone a civil engineer in the 1930s in Uganda described the way in which Asian shopkeepers exploited their economic power forcing African farmers to sell their produce at a fraction of the price. Amin had popular support when he began expelling Ugandan Asians in the autumn of 1972. 70,000 were ordered out of the country about half of the Asians, primarily of Gujarati origin, came to Britain. The large group that arrived in Staffordshire were assigned a volunteer usually from the WRVS and the Red Cross. They were exhausted from the 2,000 mile trip many were penniless having been expelled without compensation for businesses and property. Some were also robbed by troops en route to the airport and the women had been sexually assaulted. The refugees were fed on arrival at Raleigh Hall and initially there was some confusion
over diet as some were vegetarian. One of the arrivals, a former Uganda MP Mr Patel said that he had been impressed by the spontaneous warmth his family had received on arrival in England who had made them felt welcome. Local Authorities were allocated £50 per person and additional money for temporary schools and housing. The authorities in North Staffordshire seem to have done their best to accommodate the Uganda Asians through the winter of 1972. Housing was made available in most of the towns in the area. The Potteries housed several families in Hanley in November 1972 and Leek accommodated families on the Haregate estate. In Biddulph the Jaffers formerly from Kampala were housed at 14 Coppice Close local MP David Knox was part of an official delegation who came to see whether they were setting down in the community. There were efforts made by voluntary groups, of which local churches seemed to be at the head of making the traumatised newcomers welcomed. Basic necessitates such as furniture and clothing to cope with a British winter were made available and Christmas Parties were organised for the children who must have found the change in circumstances bewildering. By Bill Cawley
BRECKLES
Decade of business for couple The owners of an independent shop in the Moorlands have been celebrating ten years of running the business. Breckles Wholefoods, which is situated in Leek, is an independent health food shop which has been in Leek for over 30 years, starting out on Fountain Street before moving to it s current location in Stanley Street. Breckles has been run by husband and wife team Carron and Phil Holroyd for ten years.
Carron said: We have four loyal members of staff plus me and Phil. Two of our staff, Lesley and Lyn, have both been with us for the ten years - Lesley has now been here for 25 years. Carron continued: Phil and I have been in this industry since leaving school and we took over the shop ten years ago. We sell a large range of health food catering for vegetarians, vegans and celiacs.
It s time to put the oomph back into Leek
LEEK TOWN CRIER
I
get a strange feeling sometimes walking around Leek and chatting to lots of locals and visitors.
The biggest topics are the rise in the cost of living/fuel bills and the small businesses worry that due to the drops in trade, they will have to rethink their ways of making a living. One is having to think about going back on the building to compliment the family income with another afraid that she may have to close her shop. These are real fears for a lot of traders. It s great news for them when the Sunday Supplement comes around on the first Sunday of the month and the first of the year saw a huge crowd descending on our wonderful town to enjoy the Queen of the Moorlands and all the offerings it has to give everyone. Thinking ahead a little, on June 2, I, as your town crier, will be giving out a very special proclamation on Sparrow Park at 2pm. I am inviting several groups and organisations in Leek to come and be a part of this great celebration for our wonderful Queen s 96th birthday and her platinum anniversary. It will be a good time for all of us to celebrate. There will be balloons for the children and flags on display. Hopefully we can all sing together: God save the Queen. At the moment, we have not heard back from Buckingham Palace for permission to perform the special cry from the front of
Buckingham Palace but we still hold out for a golden opportunity to do this. Look out for Party in the Park; music on the bandstand in Brough Park on the refurbished bandstand. Endon Well Dressing is back but for two days not three. I will attend for one day as I m elsewhere for the other day. Also the Leek Show will be on this year at their new location at Longsdon fields. There are lots of things happening in Leek soon and throughout the summer, like the Scooterfest will happen this year after a break. On May 14, I will be in Hanley to give support for their open day at Bethesda Chapel as I used to do years ago. It s an open day there and the chapel has been very lovingly restored to its former glory (almost). It really is a wonderful achievement by a few volunteers. You will find all the dates for the different happenings as the year progresses in this great publication, notice boards around town, etc. It s really time to put the oomph back into Leek for this summer season. Don t forget, the more people who pull together will achieve much more and I know that you can do it, good folk of Leek. Take care of each other always. Don t, please, forget the Leek Foodbank as the needs grow greater for help. Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas
BRECKLES We also sell vitamins, cbd, bodycare, refills, household products, local honeys crystals, essential oils, freshly made sandwiches and salads (made on site every day), herbs, spices, and we also have fresh bread and oatcakes daily, plus lots more. Breckles is situated at 14 Stanley Street in Leek. For further information find the business on Facebook or call 01538 387660.
WHAT S ON
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e have many fantastic community events and activities in our area. Here s just some of what s coming up. Please note that the information in this feature was correct at the time of print but all events are subject to change. Please check with the venues/organisers for updates. A big thank you to local musician John Crimes for helping us collate some of the music gigs in the area. Do you have a public/community event coming up which you would like to appear in our What s On feature? Email what, when, where, etc, to our Editor Belinda at hargreavespr@outlook.com.
Regular Events 2pm-4pm at the Bandstand in Brough Park, Leek. Selected Sundays throughout the Summer. May 15: Ashbourne Town Brass Band. June 5: Music for the Party in the Park (midday-5pm). June 12: Macclesfield Concert Band. June 26: Poyntons Youth Brass Band. July 10: The Mundy s. July 24: Swinging Woodpeckers. August 14: Congleton U3A Jazz Band. August 28: Ukulele Band. September 11: Uttoxeter Town Band. September 25: Blues and Americana. Creative Writing at Leek Health Centre every Wednesday at 10.30am-12.30pm, plus Expressive Art at 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: www.borderlandvoices.org.uk. 7.15pm-9pm at the Scout Hut, Clerk Bank, Leek. Every Friday. All welcome. Details: 07875 406120. >>
10.30am-3pm in Leek town centre. Artisan Market with over 50 stalls of handmade crafts and foodie treats. Plus lots of the towns independent shops, cafes and pubs will also be open. First Sunday of every month. Chair Yoga at Trinity Church on Thursdays at 9.30am-10.30am. Yoga at Trinity Church on Thursday at 6.45pm7.45pm. Yoga at The Maude on Friday at 9.30am-10.30am. Details: www.facebook.com/yogamindchairyoga
Coming up
...
Astound 22. Exhibition by students from Leek School of Art in the Nicholson Institute, Stockwell Street, Leek. Running until May 28. Gallery open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Sister Susie Blues Band at the Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 8.30pm. £12.50. One Million Fingers/The Red Letters at The Old Mill Smoke House, Leek, 8.30pm. Coffee Morning and Cake Sale at Trinity Church, Derby Street, Leek. 9am-midday. Proceeds to Rudyard Methodist Church. Details: 07518 074185. Carrie Martin & Gordon Giltrap at Alstonefield Village Hall, 7.30pm. Ray Parker with Mike Gledhill at The Cock Inn, Leek, 4pm. Live Music at the Fountain, Leek. TBC. 5pm. Helen Walford hosts Tuesday Mights Live at The Roebuck, Leek. 8pm. The Howlin Walfords at the Old Smokehouse, Haywood Street, Leek. 8.30pm.
Dave Hulatt at the Cock Inn, Leek. 8.30pm. The Sixties Survivors at the Dog & Rot, Macclesfield Road, Leek. 8pm. North Staffs Jesters Scooterfest in Leek town centre. 11am onwards. Details: 07817 429616 or www.facebook.com/jesterssc.
Scooterfest Charity Darts Knockout at Benks, Stockwell Street, Leek. Registration midday until 1.45pm for 2pm start. Plus raffle. Supporting Prostate Cancer UK. Plant Fair at Carsington Water. Details: www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Northern Soul Night at the Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 7pm. £5. Acoustic Anarchy at the Cock Inn, Leek. 4pm-6pm. Yewstock at the Yew Tree Inn, Cauldon. Running through until June 5. Tickets from £6. Details: https://yewstockfestival.co.uk. Endon Well Dressing. Also on Sunday. Details: www.facebook.com/EndonWellDressing.
The Crezz at the Cock Inn, Leek. 8.30pm. Tom McConville and Michael Biggin plus Brooks Williams and Dan Walsh at Alstonefield Village Hall. 7.30pm. Party in the Park Goes Platinum in Brough Park, Leek. 10am-5.30pm. Organised by Leek Town Council. One Million Fingers at the Cock Inn, Leek. 4pm-6pm. Suzie Ungerleider plus Chris Cleverley at Alstonefield Village Hall. 7.30pm. Musical Celebration of the Queen s Platinum Jubilee at Endon Methodist Church, Station Road. Featuring Moorlands Voices with special guest Bibi Simpson. Tickets £10. Proceeds to NSPCC/Childline. Details: 07710 234223. Summer Craft Fayre at Meerbrook Village Hall, near Leek. 11am-3pm. Refreshments, raffle and more. Details: 07518 074185. Lil Jim at The Cock Inn, Leek. 4pm-6pm. Northern Soul Night at the Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 7pm. £5. The Achievers at The Maude, Clerk Bank in Leek. Tickets: www.wegottickets.com/event/545319.
The Achievers
Find even more events on the next page > Endon Well Dressing
WHAT S ON
Leek Arts Festival 2022 Eddie Reader 40th Anniversary Tour at the Foxlowe. £25. Doors 7.30pm for 8pm. Folk Day at the Foxlowe. Midday-5.30pm.
Fairport Convention at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £25. Peak District Big Band at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £12.
Are you attending the Leek Arts Festival? Send us your pictures! Email us at news@timesand echo.co.uk
Climax Blues Band at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £15. Jubilee Choral Evensong at All Saint s Church, Leek. 4pm. Boothby Graffoe at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £15.
Evening Ceilidh at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £6. Leek Ska presents at The Cock: 2pm Alcohol Links, 3pm Skalinskis. Leek Ska presents at The Roebuck: 7.30pm Roots to Nowhere, 8.30pm Herbie Jack. Cuckoo s Nest Folk Club presents Bernard Wrigley at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £12. Leek Blues & Americana Session at The Cock. 8pm.
Music in Sparrow Park. Check website for details. Gareth Lockrane with the Joe Tatton Trio at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £12.
Gareth Lockrane
An Evening with Scott Doonican at the Foxlowe. 8pm. £12. Music in Sparrow Park. Check website for details. A Night of Vintage Soul Music at Leek Cricket Club. 7pm. £5/£6. Sigmund Troy d at the Foxlowe. 7.30pm. £10.
Fairport Convention
For further details and to purchase tickets for any of the Leek Arts Festival events, go online to: https://leekartsfestival.co.uk/events-list/
Other events at the Foxlowe Arts Centre Art Exhibitions: Exhibition of Intastitch Up Close and Personal. Running until June 4 in the first floor gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, between 10am and 4pm. Plus art in the Drawing Room Cafe by Maggie Hatchard running until May 13. Cafe is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm, plus the first Sunday of the month.
WHAT S ON Joanne McNally: The Prosecco Express. Comedy. Tickets £18. Doors 7.15pm for 8pm.
Sunday, June 12 One Family, Four Jubilees. Theatre. Tickets £7.50. Doors 11.15am for 11.30am start. Friday, July 1 Ian McNabb (The Icicle Works) Solo Show. Music. Tickets 316.50. Doors 7.30pm.
Foxlowe Films: Every Tuesday evening with doors open at 7pm for 7.45pm screening time. Tickets £5. Coming up - May 17: West Side Story (12A); May 24: After Love (12A); May 31: House of Gucci (15); June 7: Sound of Metal (15); June 14: Ali & Ava (15); June 21: Belfast (12A); June 28: The Duke (12A); July 5: Parallel Mothers (15); July 12: The Worst Person in the World (15); July 19: Summer of Soul (12A). Saturday, May 21 When Rivers Meet. Music. Tickets £17.50. Doors 7.30pm for 8pm.
Thursday, June 2 Leek Comedy Club. £10. Doors 7pm for 8pm. Saturday, June 11
For further details and to purchase tickets for any of the Foxlowe Arts Centre events, go online to: https://foxloweartscentre.org.uk.
WOMEN S INSTITUTES
H
ere we have reports from some of our local Women s Institutes in the area. What s your WI been up to? Email our editor Belinda at news@timesandecho.co.uk.
Cheddleton WI Mal welcomed everyone, to Cheddleton WI s April meeting, including Helen, who was unable to be with us last month. Birthday greetings were given to Claudia and Gay. Mal gave details of a forthcoming book sale and coffee morning, and mentioned a collection envelope for coppers for the Donna Louise Trust, and gave details of an easter egg scam. These went up on the noticeboard, along with all the details of SFWI events that Mary read out. She also mentioned that we will be voting on the resolution for the AGM next month: members could read up on this in WI Life. A trip to the Three Horseshoes for lunch was arranged for later in the month. Doreen collected the annual subscriptions, and thanked members, including one or two who, unable to attend the meeting, had sent theirs along. The speaker was member Mary Cooke, a
Wetley Rocks WI
We started our April meeting with the minutes from last month, these were read by Cynthia, approved by the members and signed by Pat. Pat reminded us that the Homes and Gardens tickets were now available, and she confirmed the booking for the VE Day Afternoon Tea, 14 of the members will be going so that is a good turn out. In addition, activities from other local WIs to which members were invited, were also mentioned. Pat then introduced the night s speaker, which was a hands on demonstration for Card Making, by Sue Robinson. There were four pre-planned that members could follow, or they could make their own arrangements with the pre prepared pieces. There was a demonstration on card cutting too. It provided an opportunity for members to explore their creativity and how they would arrange shapes they were given. There was also an additional social aspect as we were able to chat whilst we created. There was a cost of £1.50 per individual for materials. It was good to have a change and have a more activity-based meeting as it provided a contrast to the more usual speaker. It was subs night so there was additional admin for both Cynthia and Pat, as well as the usual raffle draw and refreshments. We look forward to our AGM and a talk on Scarf Stying on May 10 at 7.30pm in Wetley Rocks Village Hall. New members are welcome, and the first three meetings are free, for further details please contact Cynthia on 01782 551077. Report by Jen Woodhead
beekeeper, who had brought along her equipment, including a hive, - without bees, and kept members enthralled with details of the work and lives of the different types of bees, and the management of the hive. Mary sold little jars of her honey, with the money going to the Red Cross Appeal for Ukraine. The competition for a bee related item was won by Steph, with Mal second. Items were purchased from the bring and buy stall, raffle prizes were won, and tea and coffee enjoyed. Next month the talk is on Blood Bikes and the competition is a fridge magnet. Report by Mary Worwood
WOMEN S INSTITUTES
Ipstones WI Joy welcomed the members to our Annual General Meeting, and we were delighted to have three new members to join our committee. Our very welcome members were Pauline, Margaret and Jean. Since we had a large amount of business to get through the minutes of last month s meeting were left out for members to read during refreshment time. All the correspondence was included in our newsletter, but special mention was made of the 52 week Earth Day Challenge which will be discussed at a later date. There were some great suggestions made as to what we might get involved in. Our speaker for the May meeting will be Kelly Hubbard who will demonstrate Natural Skin Care Products and speak about the charity that the company Tropic promotes. Sheila Leeson and Jean Lowndes will provide refreshments at that meeting. Our President Joy gave her President s
address in which she described the way in which we had all coped with the problems of the past tumultuous years. She made special mention of our new members and her confidence that they may encourage some new ideas and initiatives. Joy thanked the committee for all their hard work and presented them with flowers. She thanked, a long-standing friend, Mel Smith, from Cheddleton WI, who had come along to help with the voting etc. Mel gave us a little insight into how her own institute had coped with Covid. The officers were elected, and Joy retained her position as president which she carries out brilliantly. The financial statement was read and duly proposed, seconded and accepted with a feeling of relief that we are still solvent. The raffle was won by First Rosie and Second Jeanne. The welcome and excellent wine and cheese refreshments were then brought out and enjoyed by all. Thank you our committee. Report by Joan Mitchell
SAMARITANS
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training room at the Leek branch of Samaritans has been named after a longstanding volunteer.
The surprise dedication was revealed at a handover ceremony this Spring. The ceremony marked a change in leadership as director Vickie Whitelegg stepped down after three years in the role. Samaritans gathered at the Leek branch in Queen Street recently to bid farewell to Vickie and welcome new director Steve Williams. Vickie was presented with gifts, including dollars towards a forthcoming holiday in California. Long-serving Samaritan Judy McDuell who has trained more than 400 volunteers to support people in crisis, was surprised at the event when it was revealed the Leek branch training suite had been named after her. Judy has been a Samaritan in Leek for 37 years and has trained more than 440 people to support callers in crisis. She has previously served as director and in 2018 was recognised by HM The Queen with an invitation to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Judy said: It was lovely seeing everyone again a reminder of just how wonderful and selfless all Samaritans are. There s a whole team in Leek and across the country.
We give quite a lot of a night every week and support people all the way through. People think it s all misery, but when you feel you have helped somebody it s really rewarding. We can say we have saved lived and that s a privilege in itself. Now serving in a largely advisory capacity, Judy was invited to declare The Judy McDuell Training Room officially open. She said: It was an occasion to thank the retiring director and welcome the new director, so it was a great surprise when I was somehow the star of the evening. The wonderful thing was a beautiful golden plaque on the training room door. It was covered with a pair of little curtains that I had to draw I felt like the Queen! I feel so honoured I never thought I d have something named after me. To find out more about Samaritans, visit: Samaritans.org.
QUIZ Corner
Let s get quizzical 1 Cigar, Rebut and Sissy were the first three answers on which internet word game bought in January 2022 for a seven figure sum? 2 Which toy company was founded by the Hassenfeld siblings? 3 Kristen Stewart, Emma Corrin and Naomi Watts have all played which royal on screen? 4 Which ceramicist produced Bizarre ware? 5 How many pawns are on a chess board at the start of a game? 6 Which 2022 ITV thriller tells the story of Fi Lawson, who arrives home one day to find a family of strangers moving into her house and her husband, Bram, has disappeared? 7 What does a barium meal precede? 8 What began as the Pilton pop, blues & folk festival? 9 Which TV show took its title from a Whiskas advert? 10 In which decade was the first Magnum ice cream sold?
11 Who was announced as the representative of the United Kingdom at Eurovision earlier this year? 12 What amp fuse would you typically find in the plug of a kettle? 13 Who got a haircut in Judges 16:19? 14 How many basic positions of the feet are there in classic ballet? 15 Which horse, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, retained the Champion Hurdle at this years Cheltenham Festival? 16 In the weekday TV schedule at what time does This Morning usually start? 17 Eating which meat is avoided by superstitious cricketers? 18 Who is Lewis Hamilton s teammate this season at Mercedes? 19 Edward Woodward, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah all played which character on film or TV? 20 Which continent lies in all four hemispheres?
Quizzes compiled by Paul Steele - email: pnsteele@aol.com. Paul's 'Which One?' quiz game is available on Amazon.
COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE
1 Wordle Tip May 1st s word will begin with the letter A 2 Hasbro 3 Princess Diana 4 Clarice Cliff 5 Sixteen 6 Our House 7 X-ray examination 8 Glastonbury festival 9 8 Out of 10 Cats 10 1980s (1988) 11 Sam Ryder 12 Thirteen 13 Samson 14 Five 15 Honeysuckle 16 10am 17 Duck 18 George Russell 19 The Equalizer 20 Africa
Reader s Pics Photo by Cliff Salt
Brough Park Bandstand in Leek. Photo by Tony Lovatt
GARDENING
Hardy Geraniums for Spring Colour
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pring is the time we plant colourful flowers of bulbs and shrubs in our gardens and parks. The perennial garden is quite at this time, but one garden favourite is putting on an early show: coloured leaf hardy geraniums. One with the showiest leaves is Sericourt with leaves that are pale lemon in colour in March, becoming greener as spring turns to summer. It is quite fast growing making a good sized clump in a year. Margaret Wilson has green leaves with white stripes forming a low mound. The pale, mauvy blue flowers are perfectly set off by the leaves. The leaves keep their patterning through the summer as well. This variety is best grown in light shade. Springtime is slightly taller and has pale green leaves with bold red markings and does well in sun or shade. The similar Lisa has less red but a soft whitish centre to the leaves. Again. this one is good in sun or shade.
A giant among geraniums is Rachel s Rhapsody, which has bizarrely variegated leaves in spring. Each leaf is different, sometimes with large blotches of cream or paler green with small patches of red, and at other times green with almost lacy white patterns. Cutting back hard in midsummer which encourages a fresh crop of patterned leaves. Claudine Dupont has leaves are golden yellow with small red marks across them. The books will tell you this type needs moist shade for us she thrives in full sun on a dry sandy bank. Sometimes leaves can be dark and mysterious. Samobor is a very well-known variety with dark, almost black marking on the leaves. This one comes true from seed and can produce too many seedlings. Cut of the flower stems before the flowers fade to prevent seeding the maroon flowers are nothing to write home about and won t be missed. Victor Reiter is a variety of the native meadow cranesbill and has dark, almost purple leaves and pale violet flowers. Hardy geraniums are one of the easiest and best garden plants and the coloured leaf varieties are just as accommodating with the added bonus of garden interest early in the season. Get down to your local plant fair this spring and pick up one (or more) of these little gems. Janet and I organise Plant Hunters Fairs, specialist plant fairs at wonderful locations. Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for a full list of all our 2022 plant fairs. Martin Blow
LOCAL THEATRE
Wealth of talent for fundraising concert
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wo amateur dramatic groups are joining forces to host a fundraising concert this Summer. Following on from the success of their recent Coffee Morning for Ukraine charity event, Leek Musical Theatre Company is now embarking on another fundraising venture and for this they will be joined by Leek Centre Stage Theatre Company. The two companies are joining forces to present Concert for Cancer to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and Cancer Research UK. A spokesman for the groups said: The decision to support these two causes came about because in the past 12 months several company members have been affected either directly or indirectly by this awful disease. Co-directed by Lucy Baker, Jean Pointon and Ian Wilson, as you might expect, the show is set to
ENDON COMMUNITY CHOIR
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Moorlands choir has recently taken part in a concert at a city cathedral.
Endon Community Choir took a major role in the recent performance at Lichfield Cathedral of a choral work called Zimbe - an arrangement of traditional songs from all over Africa in a jazz style. The Moorlands based choir sang this lively and dynamic music alongside 90 children and 150 adults, accompanied by the composer Alexander L Estrange and his jazz quintet as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Staffordshire Entrust Music Service. A spokesman for the choir said:
feature items from musicals - Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Sister Act, Starlight Express, Les Miserables and many others. The spokesman continued: But there will also be sketches and instrumental items as the concert is designed to provide an enjoyable evenings entertainment for all tastes, made even more enjoyable by knowing that you are supporting a deserving cause. To add to the money raising effort there will be a bumper raffle and a wine-bar. The regular supporters of the Leek amateur theatre scene will recognise many familiar faces because when the idea of the concert was first mooted all of the members of both companies were keen to be part of it so the directors have a wealth of talent available to showcase. Concert for Cancer will be staged on July 8 and July 9 at Westwood First School in Westwood Road, Leek. Details of ticket prices and where to book will be advertised nearer to the date of the event. People can follow what s happening at the company online at
Dan Hollingshurst, the musical director of Endon Choir conducted the work and Katie Maddon from Endon was the superb soloist, having previously sung the piece at Carnegie Hall in New York four years ago. Endon Community Choir is now rehearsing music ready for the Endon Well Dressing and the Queen s Platinum Jubilee in early June. The spokesman added: Singers in Endon Community Choir are all amateurs who sing for pleasure, and the choir welcomes any new members who would like to come along on Tuesday evenings from 7pm until 9pm in Endon Village Hall. The emphasis is on having fun, and making friends, so it is informal and no previous singing experience is needed and there are no auditions.
If you d like to find out more about the choir please contact Yvonne on 07826 554208 or email
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REFLECTIONS COACHING
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am being asked, with more than the average frequency, how I am. It is nice, wonderful in fact to be asked and more so to be able to say back to normal. That is aside from the stone in weight I gained from six months comfort eating following my diagnosis. I have recently been away for a short five day break with a friend and it was a glorious thing to do. We enjoyed five days of laid back, walks, easy dining and a few drinks. In many respects, I feel that this draws a line under the last six months (almost to the day I received my diagnosis). It is also spring, I have enjoyed a normalish birthday and I feel great, in fact, I feel normal. It begs the question: What is normal? Six months ago my normal would not have included scars, tattoos, or discolouration from the radiotherapy, nor would normal have involved popping a pill every day to suppress my Oestrogen levels - yet it does now. So it has become my new normal.
New normal is a phrase associated with Covid. It is about learning to change and adapt to new circumstances. It is about putting up with things that are out of our control. If we are unable to adapt and change to new circumstances then life can leave us feeling bitter and resentful. If we accept our new normal (and this can be any life change) then it aids us in getting on with life and moving forward, and hopefully with a smile on our faces. I know I have to move forward, accepted my scars and my weight gain (although the latter is temporary) and enjoy life. I intend to be as good a person as I can be and to enjoy as much of life as possible. I will leave you with those thoughts, whilst I go off and count some calories, but if this strikes a chord with you then get in touch. My job is all about helping people move forward.
Reflections Coaching Contact details: 07714 216388. Email: Caro@reflectionscoaching.co.uk. www.carolyntrafford.com
LEEK LIONS
It is always good fun
O
ur March meeting was a little bit special as we had the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of three of our members Barbara Oliver, Ron and Jane Emery who have each completed 25 years service as Lions. Lions Clubs International recognises the service of members and to recognise their years of service Lions President Alan presented them with their 25 year Chevron Awards from our International President. Unfortunately, as Jane was unable to attend the meeting, Ron accepted the Chevron Award on her behalf.
On Sunday, March 20, Lions Barbara Oliver, Lynda Demaid-Jones and Les Critchlow attended the 100th Anniversary Rededication of the War Memorial Service at the Church of Saint Edward the Confessor, Leek. After the service we met up at The Silk Mill for Sunday lunch, which we all enjoyed. At our April meeting, Lions President Alan and members extended a warm welcome to our guest Elle Cartwright. On April 28, Stoke-on-Trent Lions Club hosted the Annual Zone Challenge. Alan, Les, Barbara, Marge, Lynda and Elle joined in the fun and games to be honest
Ron, Alan, John, Barbara,
Les and Marg at the Leek we never Lions March meeting know what to expect but it is always good fun. Uttoxeter Lions Club were worthy winners. We are looking forward to Scooterfest on May 22. We will be distributing Message in a Bottle and Message in a Wallet free of charge. Please collect yours from our stall.
Report by Lynda Demaid-Jones
Marg, Elle, Barb, Alan, Les and Lynda at the Zone Challenge
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JOURNALIST
financial matters
Cost-of-living crunch
28
YEARS
Yewstock Music & Beer Festival 3rd, 4th and 5th June 2022 This is the first fii Yewstock since 2019 because of the pandemic. The Yew Tree Inn has always had a vibrant vii music scene, with everyt ything t from Brass Bands, Morris Dancers and Folk Nights to Open nights, Elvis and Rock Nights over the years. This all culminated in 2013 when the idea of a music festival started to take shape. The pub has always been a real ale pub, in the 1970's when most pubs were selling keg beers the Yew Tree Inn stuck with real ales and became a mecca for real ale drinkers throughout the Staffordshire Moorland and beyond, and although most pubs now sell real ale It has remained a place of pilgrimage for those in search of a great pint in a great British pub. And so, it was only natural that the music should be accompanied by a good pint of beer.
30 ACTDS CIDERS
R 30 BEE
S AN
IENDLY, FAMILY FR R 16 FREE N UNDE CHILDRE NDLY DOG FRIE CAMPING OD COLD FO HOT AND BAR COFFEE
All Although Yewstock is a 3-day event, you can just come along for a few hours, a day or the whole weekend. This year the festival coincides with the Queens Platinum Jubilee. The Yew Tree Inn is hosting a Manchester based Queen Tribute Band on the evening of Thursday 2nd June.
Yew Tree Inn, Church Lane, Cauldon ST10 3EJ | 01538 309 876.
Yewtreeantiquepub.co.uk Opening Times Mon-Fri 6pm - 10pm m|S Sa attt---S a Su S un u n 112 2n no oo o on - 110 o 0pm 0
