Leek Life Issue 57

A family-owned business, with traditional family

WHY COME TO US...

You’re not just a NUMBER

3 3 3 3

~ Here, you’ll always get the time and attention you need. We hold onto HIGHER STANDARDS

~ From the technology we provide to the service we deliver.

Experienced & highly trained EXPERTS

~ Here, we will guide you with every step of your journey. A family business with family VALUES

~ We do whatever it takes to send you home happy and satis 昀ed.

OLD FASHIONED customer service

~ We treat everyone with the care and respect we would want for our loved ones.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU...

At Leek Hearing Centre, we will strive to provide you with the best hearing care treatment available, aiming to improve your quality of life through better hearing. We aim to create a modern hearing care service for the 21st century, while still holding dear the traditional values of caring, excellent service and trust, so you can be confident that you are in safe hands.

5.0 HHHHH See some of our 5 Star Google

26 reviews

HHHHH I really remain grateful to all at Leek Hearing Centre for seeing me at such short notice. I cannot recommend them enough. From the second I walked through the door I was made to feel welcome, at ease, and reassured by both the lady at reception and Bradley who sorted my ear. I would 10000% recommend. Thank you so much again.

Victoria Marshall

3HHHHH I would highly recommend this hearing centre to anyone experiencing problems. My 91 year old mother has just purchased hearing aids from them and what a difference. She is now able to join in family social gatherings they have made such a difference. Clare was very professional and caring in her approach to my mother. The customer service is excellent. The follow up care offered, which is so important is superb. This centre is a real asset to the town.

Julie Riley

HHHHH this place issues. Went and what Came out service with people 10/10.

Lots of performances planned

AN AMATEUR dramatic group in the Moorlands has a programme of shows planned for this year.

Leek Theatre Company formed in the Summer of 2022 after the amalgamation of Leek Musical Theatre Company and Centre Stage Theatre Company.

Now members are busy rehearsing for their next production and also planning further shows for 2023.

Chloe Bayston, a member of the company, said: “2023 is looking to be a very exciting year for our society with lots of performances planned for throughout the year.

“We have already started the year with rehearsals in full swing for our April musical production of Wind in the Willows.

“Directed by Ian Wilson, Lucy Baker and Sharon Davies, this fun and family friendly production will be taking to the stage at Westwood First School from April 12 to April 15.

Tickets for this will be going on sale from March from our website.”

Chloe continued: “Following on from Wind in the Willows, the society will be performing a charity concert to raise money for The Samaritans.

“This will be a production of music and play extracts to showcase some of the best of our society and to raise money for a wonderful cause. The concert will be taking place on July 7 and July 8 and more information on this will be shared on Leek Theatre Company’s website and social media channels for those who would like to be involved in the production and for those interested in tickets.”

Chloe added: “Following these productions the society will then be looking to perform a play at the beginning of November.

“For updates on the society’s activities and ticket sales follow ‘Leek Theatre Company’ on social media and on their website www.leektheatrecompany.co.uk.”

READERS PICS

We live in a most stunning area of Middle England and are so lucky to have such wonderful countryside right on our doorstep.

Here is a selection of fabulous photographs of our Staffordshire Moorlands which have been

kindly sent in to us by reader Cliff Salt.

HAVE you snapped a stunning local scene recently? Email your pictures to news@timesandecho.co.uk.

INfORMATIvE AND CREATIvE EvENTS

The Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek is a community run facility in the heart of Leek – standing tall at the top of the town’s Market Place.

It has been run by the community for the community for the past 11 years, hosting a multitude of facilities, events and activities.

There is the Drawing Room Cafe, the main Art Gallery, the Cafe Gallery, the Foxlowe Gardens, the Bromfield function room with two stages, the Fox & Crow Gallery, Mrs Cruso’s Garden Conservatory, The Rainbow Room cinema and talks area, along with the Gateway Shed initiative run at the back of the Foxlowe.

The remaining rooms and spaces within the Georgia building are all hired out to a host of local creative businesses.

Plus the venue has a packed programme of events and activities from film and documentary nights, creative workshops, comedy gigs, talks, live music, theatre, art and language classes, actors group, as well as a number of community events throughout the year.

The latest Foxlowe Supporters’ Evening was held at the Georgian building recently and saw more than 40 people attend to hear all about what’s been happening at the centre.

Foxlowe Trust chairman Chris Thompson led the presentation about what’s been happening at the arts centre over the past year and also outlined plans for its future.

Other Foxlowe coordinators also spoke of updates from their departments within the arts centre including the Creative Hub, and theatre shows.

Visitors were treated to live music by local musicians Paul Hill and Chris Perry, as well as mulled wine and canapés.

Meanwhile, the Staffordshire Contemporary

Artist and Designer Fair made a welcome return to the Foxlowe Arts Centre last month.

Now in its tenth year, the free admission twoday event, hosted a wide variety of local inspirational creative work by professional artists, designers and makers alongside art students from Buxton and Leek College.

Event organiser Chris Thompson, who is also chair of the Foxlowe Arts Centre, said: “The Staffordshire Contemporary Artist Designers Fair was organised by Leek School of Art (Buxton & Leek College, part of the University of Derby) in conjunction with the Foxlowe Arts Centre.

“Our late colleague Suzanne Mellor was passionate about the quality and variety of art and design practitioners.

“Many who exhibited at the fair were exstudents of the school of art and also present and former tutors including Anna-Lisa Fraser who created the degree course.

“We also had a Leek School of Art stand managed by BTEC students who designed mugs, cards and Christmas decorations which was hugely popular with visitors.

“Artists included print makers, jewellers, ceramics, graphic design, 3D, textiles and fine artists.”

Chris continued: “Friends of Suzanne wanted to carry this legacy on with Cathey Yardley taking the lead role, supported by Jennie Morrey, AnnaLisa Fraser and myself with help from the School of Art staff, Celia Kent, Rob Barks and Leanne Cunningham.

“A big thank you to visitors and those that took part, we are already planning for SCadf23.”

To find out more about the Foxlowe Arts Centre and what’s coming up at the venue, go online to: www.foxloweartscentre.org.uk.

Belinda

Happy new year to you all

Well, another new year which, for many, means new starts with new year resolutions.

I’ve not set any personally this year – I just simply want to continue to strive and enjoy life the best I can.

Living in our lovely town of Leek certainly helps with that one for me. We have an amazing community with so many lovely folk and so much going on for all to enjoy.

So for me personally I am just looking forward to continuing to be a part of our fabulous community, enjoying what ever gigs, activities and events I am able to get to. Ok, the winter months can be somewhat quiet on that front but there’s still a varied programme of events going on in Leek and surrounding areas –

check out our What’s On feature on pages 20 and 21.

Also, in this edition of the Leek Life Magazine, we have a feature all about one of my old school chums who has gone on to become a double world champion in his energetic field. Well done Jason!

Plus we take a look at some amazing fundraising for a national charity which has been taking place in our area; and we take a peek at just some of the festive events which have happened recently – again, all helping to bring our community together.

As always, we also have a number of fabulous columns which have been written by various local folk – thank you all for your much-valued continuous contributions.

If you have a story to tell about life in Leek – please email me at hargreavespr@outlook.com.

Until next time – take care!

Belinda

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Get with the festival programme

Rondino Strings

Artists and groups planning to be part of the 2023 Leek Arts Festival are being urged to get details of their events to the organisers as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in the printed programme.

Around 30,000 copies of the programme are set to be printed and distributed throughout the area in the weeks leading up to the start of the festival at the end of April. But the informative document has to be ready to go to print by early March.

Leek Arts Festival (LAF) chairman Phil Edmeades said event organisers only have a few short weeks to provide information about their plans.

He said: “To make sure your event gets into the printed programme we need all the information no later than Monday, February 13. That gives us time to get everything in order and ready for the printers to take over early the following month.

“Event information sent to us after February 13 won’t make it into the printed programme although it will still go on the LAF website with everything else.”

Details required for the LAF printed programme are as follows: Title of event; Organiser’s name and contact details; Date, time and venue; Ticket price and where tickets will be available from; A very short descriptionmaximum 30 words - of the nature of the event.

Phil added: “All these details should be emailed to me at philedmeades@gmail.com no later than February 13.”

Key events already confirmed for the 2023 Leek Arts Festival programme include MOJO

award-winner and double BRIT-nominated star Rumer; the Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble; The Jake Leg Jug Band; an evening of the songs of Euan MacColl featuring Bob Fox, Jez Lowe and Julie Matthews; an historical lecture by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I (or someone who looks remarkably like her); a free classical music event featuring the Rondino Strings, and an evening of prose and poetry featuring local writers and performers.

There will also be a number of special children’s events - all of which will be freeincluding storytelling sessions and a Play-In-ADay event.

More information about the LAF 2023 programme will be released as it is confirmed.

Details of many of the events already planned can be found on the LAF website at www.leekartsfestival.co.uk from where tickets can also be purchased.

Rumer. Photo by Alan Messer

Anna Mcleod

David Clark

Lots of festive fun for the community

WE KNOW it is now January and all the Christmas decorations have been put away for another year but we just had to show our Leek Life Magazine readers just some of the fabulous festive events which have taken place in our lovely town of Leek.

Can you spot anyone you know in these pics?

Leek Lights Switch On Event

The Leek lights extravaganza event, which is organised each year by Leek Town Council, took place on Friday, November 18, and saw a whole host of stalls, street food, activities, fun fair rides, and live music for all to enjoy.

The event also saw Santa magically appear at two different Grottos enabling lots of families to be able to take their youngsters to say hello to the festive character. He had one Grotto in the Market Place organised by Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas; and another in the Smithfield

Twilight Market

There was lots of festive cheer at Leek’s Twilight Market which took place in the two indoor markets – Trestle and Butter – on Friday, December 9. Running from 5pm until 8.15pm, the event was, this year, organised by Leek Town Council.

There was lots of stalls

Centre which was organised by the Leek Rotary Club.

Live music this year was provided by Noman’s Land, Jo Safini, and The DAB. The live music stage, situated in its normal spot in Derby Street, was hosted by Moorlands Radio.

Meanwhile, Leek Radio hosted a festive market above the Co-operative Bank in Derby Street which saw lots of charities, community groups, and traders host stalls.

As well as the town’s festive lights already illuminating when people converged into town for the festivities, there was also a laser show adding to the sparkling evening.

offering a wide range of gifts, wares, and foody items, as well as live music by the likes of the Deadbeat Damsels, The Phoenix Singers, Noman’s Land, Salvation Army Band, and the local Rock Choir.

Local author, David Cliffe, was in attendance with his new book ‘Victorian Views’ on sale; Santa put in a welcome appearance, and The Cock Inn provided a ‘pop up’ bar with the bar staff in festive fun attire.

Leaving a tax-efficient legacy

Considering the rule of seven when making financial gifts

You’ve worked to build up your wealth. But now it’s time to make plans so your loved ones can get the most from the estate you intend to leave behind. If you think you might be affected by Inheritance Tax, it can be tempting to hold off making plans to do anything about it. But the truth is that it’s better to plan earlier for Inheritance Tax.

Estate planning is an essential element of preparing your finances for when you are no longer around but want to make sure that as much of your estate as possible is exempt from Inheritance Tax. Current thresholds are frozen until at least 2026, so it’s likely more estates could trigger a 40% Inheritance Tax bill over the coming years.

INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING OPTIONS

On your death, the first £325,000 nil-rate band (2022/23) of your estate is exempt from the 40% Inheritance Tax. However, you can also make financial gifts that will reduce the value of your estate when you die. For those who have accumulated a reasonable amount of wealth and who have children, the seven-year rule can be taken full advantage of.

This is one of the most popular and cost-effective, Inheritance Tax planning options relating to gifting some of your wealth to loved ones before you die. The idea being that the people who matter to you most could start to benefit from some form of inheritance earlier.

GIFT REDUCES EACH YEAR

It also reduces the value of your estate. Meaning, when it’s assessed for Inheritance Tax, your potential liability could prove lower. Or even

better, you don’t have one at all. In order for bigger financial gifts to be fully exempt from Inheritance Tax, you need to live for at least seven more years.

If you die within seven years of making the gift, it is still considered part of your estate and it will be included in your Inheritance Tax assessment. If you die between three and seven years, you would still have to pay some tax on the gift if it exceeded the available nil-rate band. The amount payable on the gift reduces each year once you have survived the gift by over three years. Only after seven years is the full gift no longer part of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

INHERITANCE

TAX PLANNING IS A HIGHLY COMPLEX AREA OF FINIANCIAL PLANNING.

INFORMATION PROVIDED AND ANY OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE FOR GENERAL GUIDANCE ONLY AND NOT PERSONAL TO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, NOR ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC ADVICE.

PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE SHOULD BE OBTAINED BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION.

INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING IS A HIGHLY COMPLEX AREA OF FINANCIAL PLANNING. THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOES NOT REGULATE INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING.

There are many ways you might be able to reduce(or even eliminate) a potential liabilit. But the longer you wait, the more expensive some of these options might prove. It goes without saying that none of us knows when our time will come. That’s why it can really help to start making plans now. Doing so could help you maximise the amount of inheritance you leave to loved ones.

More than £35,000 raised by community

More than £35,000 was recently raised by the community of Leek for the Royal British Legion (RBL)’s annual Poppy Appeal.

The annual fundraiser for our area has seen a band of dedicated volunteers come together to make this years appeal a success. This year the appeal has been coordinated by Bruce Daniel, who is the new Poppy Appeal Organiser for Leek.

Bruce said: “This years Poppy Appeal has raised £35,868 from the Leek area.

“Despite all we hear about austerity this reflects the real generosity of Leek people and the enthusiasm of all the volunteers who distributed boxes throughout the area and stood at collection points throughout the two-week campaign.”

Bruce continued: “Thanks, are also due to the staff at the supermarkets who made our collectors welcome and the shopkeepers who placed our boxes so prominently on their counters.

“Many times, our collectors were approached by ex-service personnel who shared their experiences of military life and the support they have received from the Legion when the need arose, which is heartening to all.”

Meanwhile, former Poppy Appeal Organiser

for our area, Carley Mellor has been praised by the RBL for her amazing contribution during the seven years she held the volunteer role.

In a letter to Carley, a spokesman for the RBL said: “We would like to sincerely thank you for the time you have served as Poppy Appeal Organiser. Without your valued support over this time, we would not have been able to have a presence locally in your area.

“Whilst you have been the PAO you will have made an incredible difference to a great many lives.

“You have raised an amazing £261,530 in your seven years as PAO. Thank you.”

Carley said of the amount she has helped raise for the RBL: “It is absolutely brilliant and I’m honestly overwhelmed.

“Lockdown impacted on the fundraising a lot, but the Royal British Legion and the community have been brilliant and it’s lovely to see how much we have raised.

“I’m shocked by the amount and it’s fantastic to see that the hard work has paid off.

“I want to thank all of the volunteers that have worked alongside me over the years, I have loved every second of it.”

Do you volunteer for a charity locally?

Email our Editor Belinda at belinda@timesandecho.co.uk

Poppy Appeal volunteers Jean and Bruce Daniels

Carley Mellor with Mick Brough

Newcastle-under-Lyme School is a top ten Independent school, and the third ranked co-educational Independent Day School, in the West Midlands according to the Sunday Times Parent Power Survey 2023.

With an outstanding academic, co-curricular and sporting reputation, NULS offers an unrivalled education to children from 2 to 18.

From Nursery to Sixth Form, pupils thrive in the classroom and beyond, benefiting from outstanding facilities including a 25m Swimming pool, state-of-theart Sports Hall, Forest School, Astro-turf pitch and dance studio.

This year, we launched a new programme: We Thrive which supports pupil development and brings together work across the school on equality, diversity and inclusion. Nothing is more important to us than supporting and nurturing our wonderful school’s community.

Prep Adventures, launched in November, brings

outdoor learning and a raft of in house expertise to our Prep pupils as they learn through archery, orienteering, kayaking, kite flying and much more. Our pupils love to be outside, love to learn and love to have fun.

In Seniors, Sport, Music and Drama continue to be the backbone of our co-curricular activities alongside our Combined Cadet Force, DofE programme and a diverse range of clubs and societies. This term we look forward to a wonderful production of ‘Les Miserables’ from our drama and music departments.

Life in the Sixth Form is rich and varied as involvement in co-curricular activities continues. Pupils are challenged academically, show leadership to our school as prefects and benefit from expert support in making their choices about university, careers and beyond. Many of our Year 12 students will soon be visiting New York, broadening their horizons in every sense.

This is just a taste of life at Staffordshire’s leading independent school. Contact us today to arrange a visit at nuls.org.uk or by calling 01782 631197.

“Pupils thrive in the classroom”

Denstone College turns 150 years old!

On Saturday 24th June 2023 Denstone College welcomes you to the College to celebrate our 150 year milestone.

The theme of the day will be exploring “Heritage” and rightly so. We have a rich history and one that we are proud of. Not only that, our aim is to celebrate our own personal stories and individual cultures, discovering all the things that make us unique.

Please arrive from midday where you will find our food village open from 12pm serving delicious street food, and treats from vendors such as Project D Donuts. A classic car show, sporting and musical highlights across the campus PLUS the “Big Denstone Draw” - part of our first art & literary exhibition, featuring a live and interactive art installation where we imagine the future of the College 150 years from now.

We will be encouraging you to enter into the fun run and enjoy some of the funfair rides on offer.

The day will consist of the below;

Music: Denstone College is home to a number of musical groups. From The Big Band, to Chapel Choir and everything inbetween. They will have a big presence on the day.

A Classic Car Show: If you have a classic car and would like to bring it on the day, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate you.

A Fun Run: More details will be available closer to the time.

www.denstonecollege.org

Denstone College, Denstone, Staffordshire, ST14 5HN

A Food Village: Have you got a food stall that you would like to have involved during the day? We are looking for everything from drinks vendors to street food.

YourlocalspecialistinStaffordshire

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“It is not all doom and gloom in Leek”

Firstly I’d like to wish all Leek Life Magazine readers a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

January 2023 marks ten years since the setting up of Moorlands CAMRA. The area formerly came under the umbrella of the huge Potteries branch, who were one of the early pioneers of the Campaign for Real Ale movement, being formed in 1974.

Throughout 2011 / 2012 and after much discussion in The Potteries branch, it was decided that to better represent Leek and the whole Staffordshire Moorlands area, a sub-branch should be set up, to concentrate entirely on Moorlands pubs and breweries.

In the first week of January 2013, the very first Moorlands sub-branch meeting was held in The Huntsman Cheadle. We recently held our tenth anniversary meeting in the very same venue, almost ten years to the day.

At that informal meet up, we discussed some of our achievements and more importantly, raised a glass to some pubs we had lost over that period.

Obviously, the great pub town of Leek came up in conversation. We have certainly lost some local pubs over that period just like everywhere else all over the UK. But as always Leek has bucked the national trend, with having several brand new pubs and bar businesses opening their doors, making our home town still retain a far more vibrant pub scene than almost any other I know of.

If we think for a moment which pubs have been lost, The Moss Rose at the Thorncliffe turn on Buxton Road, The Royal

Oak which stood where the pharmacy is, next door to Lidl. Then at the other end of town, The White Lion at Bridge End, The Abbey Inn, Abbey Green. More recently we have lost The Flying Horse on Ashbourne Road, The Pride of the Moorlands (formally The Herdsman) Junction Road, and The Travellers Rest Leekbrook. And of course we cannot let the loss of the iconic Quiet Woman in St Edward Street go without a mention.

Well folks it is not all doom and gloom in Leek…..

I am so pleased to report that the grade II listed Quiet Woman has been bought by someone who is well known and respected in the local pub trade, and after some minor refurbishment, it is hoped will reopen as a pub once again in March, if all goes to plan.

So, at long last after a turbulent decade, grand old lady of St Edward Street will once again be added to our great list of town centre pubs, with its future secured and in safe hands.

Let’s not forget that during the first ten years of Moorlands CAMRA we have also seen a range of other new venues open. The intimate setting of Cobblers in Russel Street, the magnificent former textile mill that has been reincarnated into The Old Mill Bar and Smokehouse in Haywood Street. Then we have Beyond the Pale in The Smithfield Centre at the bottom end of Ashbourne Road, the only venue in Leek to have a rooftop seating area. The amazing transformation of the former Central Club into The Silk Mill in Market Street. And not forgetting the two intimate venues of Brew(ce’s) in Stanley Street and Spout Brew House in St Edward Street.

Steve Barton Chairman of the Staffordshire Moorlands branch of CAMRA

Steve Barton

Looking back on civic year so far

AS 2022 has come to an end and 2023 begins, here the current Mayor of Leek, councillor Bill Cawley, shares, in pictures, a run down of his time in the civic role during 2022:

1 - With wife and daughter when made Mayor in May.

2 - At the Nicholson War Memorial when the proclamation was made by Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

3 - With ‘Elvis’ at Leek Town Football Club during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

4 - ‘Inspecting the troops’ during Civic Sunday in July.

5 - Launching the Mayoral ‘hoodie’ at Westwood

College Art Department show.

6 - At an awards ceremony for AC Leek Town in July.

7 - Visiting the Kibblestone International Guide Camp with District Commissioners in August.

8 - Paying tribute to her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September.

9 - With ‘Catherine of Aragon’ at St Edward’s Church’

10 - With wife at Halloween.

11 - In Leek’s twin town of Este in Italy with ceremonial police guard.

12 - With Derek Hulme who is the world champion leek grower.

What’s on in Leek and the Moorlands

We 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.

Plus check out our weekly sister publication of the Leek & Moorlands Echo for further updates and events.

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

Borderland Voices

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

Leek Morris Dancers

7.15pm-9pm at the Scout Hut, Clerk Bank, Leek. Every Friday. All welcome. Details: 07875 406120.

Leek Warm Hub

5pm-8pm every Wednesday at Leek Radio, above the Co-operative Bank on Derby Street in Leek, entrance accessible at the side of the building on Bath Street. Details: www.facebook.com/groups/leekwarmhub.

Market & Car Boot

Sellers set-up from 7am-7.30am, visitors 7.30am until noon at Cattle Market, Junction Road, Leek. Most Sundays. Details: www.facebook.com/leeksundaymarketandcarboot or www.leekcarboot.co.uk.

Rock Choir

7.30pm-9.30pm at Trinity Church, Derby Street, Leek. Every Thursday. Cost: £25 a month. Details: www.rockchoir.com.

Roller Disco

Every Saturday at Brough Park Leisure Centre. 2.30pm-4pm. All ages and abilities welcome.

Sunday Supplement

10.30am-3pm in Leek town centre. Artisan Market with over 50 stalls of handmade crafts and foodie treats. Plus live music and lots of the towns’ independent shops, cafes and pubs will also be open. First Sunday of every month.

Coming up

Running until February 18

Exhibition at The Nicholson Museum and Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek. A Case for the Ordinary: Staffordshire asylums and the patient experience. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm last admission at 3.30pm.

Friday, January 20

Live Music. The Red Lion, Leek at 8.30pm with Dirty Ruby.

Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Guitar Monkey.

Saturday, January 21

Live Music. The Cock Inn, Leek at 9pm with The John Street Revival. Live Music. The Greyhound Inn, Warslow at 8.30pm with One Million Fingers/The Red Letters

Sunday, January 22

Live Music. The Cock Inn, Leek at 4pm with Koos Kap and the Rockshots.

Friday, January 27

Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Andy Costello.

Saturday, January 28

Live Music. The Windmill, Werrington at 9pm with The Missing Link.

Sunday, January 29

Coffee Morning. 10am-midday at Flash Village Hall. Free event as part of Village Halls Week. Live Music. The Cock Inn, Leek at 4pm with Unlucky Strike.

Friday, February 3

Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Spencer D Elvis.

Friday, February 10

Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Clockwork Monkey.

Tuesday, February 14

Wildlings. 10.30am-midday at Tittesworth Water, near Leek. To book, go online to: www.staffs-

wildlife.org.uk/events.

Friday, February 17

Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with SM55.

Friday, February 24

Garden Talk. 7pm at St Paul’s Church Centre, Novi Lane, Leek. A slideshow and talk by John Bebbington entitled: ‘A Year in the Life of an Allotment.’ Hosted by the Leek Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association. Tickets £5. Details: 0518 074185. Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Jo Safina.

Friday, March 3

Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Dave Jameson.

Friday, March 10

International Women’s Day Celebration. The Old Stable Yard at Heaton House Farm, Rushton. £24. Details: 07518 074185 or suzsheldon@btinternet.com. Live Music. The Silk Mill, Market Street, Leek. 9pm with Sac & Craic

What’s on at the

Foxlowe Arts Centre

Art Exhibitions: Exhibition by the Society of Staffordshire Artists until March 11 in the first floor gallery which is open Wednesday to Saturday, between 10am and 4pm.

Plus more art in the Drawing Room Cafe which is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm, plus the first Sunday of the month.

Foxlowe Films: Every Tuesday evening with doors open at 7pm for 7.45pm screening time. Tickets £6. Coming up – Where the Crawdads Sing (15) on January 24; Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (PG) on January 31; The Perfect Candidate (PG) on February 7; A Bunch of Amateurs (12A) on February 14. Plus documentary screenings on Wednesdays: Pleistocene Park on January 25; and The Seeds of Vandana Shiva on February 22.

Friday, January 20

Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer. Music. Doors 6.30pm for 7pm. £15.

Friday, January 27

Sherlock Holmes – The Sign of the Four.

Theatre.7.30pm. £13.50 (£10 for students).

Thursday, February 2

Leek’s Comedy Club. With Paul Pirie, Roger Monkhouse, Alex Camp and Dave Twentyman as compere. Doors 7pm for 8pm. £10.

Friday, February 3

Our Man in the Field. Music. Supported by Helen Walford. Doors 7.30pm for 8pm start. £10.

Saturday, February 11

Seed Share. Gardening event. 11am-2pm. Free admission with donations welcome.

Saturday, February 25

Nature Elly. Theatre. Shows at 11am and 2pm. £10 adults and £7 children.

Thursday, March 2

Leek’s Comedy Club. With Silky, Steve N Allen, Lovedev Barpaga and Raul Kohli as compere. Doors 7pm for 8pm. £10.

Friday, March 3

She'Koyokh. Music. Doors 7pm for 7.30pm. £13.50.

Sunday, March 5

Energy Day 2023. Hosted by Moorlands Climate Action. 10am-4pm.

Saturday, March 11

Squidge – The Interactive Film Experience. Family event. Family ticket (up to five people, maximum three children) £38. Shows at 11am and 2pm.

Friday, March 17

Bez in Conversation Tour. SOLD OUT

Wednesday, March 22

Marty & Olivia Wilson-Piper. Music. Doors 7.30pm for 8pm. £14.

Friday, March 31

China Crisis. Music. Doors 7.30pm for 8pm. £23.50.

For further details and to purchase tickets for any of the Foxlowe Arts Centre events, go online to: https://foxloweartscentre.org.uk.

is a good thing and good things never die”

here and the general feeling of optimism of a lot of Leek folk as they tell me that their towns are shrinking and no one has the feeling that we have here in Leek.

One of my sponsors has retired and gone and left his mark here with very satisfied customers and I will miss him. Two new shops to open here soon and a small stall holder moving from the Trestle Market to the Butter Market and sees the greater opportunities that lay ahead. I’ve been asked to give her a special ‘cry’ this month.

I watched (again) the Shawshank Redemption film last night. Great film. The phrase that stuck in my mind was this. Hope is a good thing and good things never die. I walk around Leek centre with that hope everyday and see and hear it everywhere.

Here we are again, at the beginning of another new year.

As your town crier, I have seen many changes here and there around our lovely town over the past year. Old businesses closing only to be replaced by new ones. I have many thoughts on these changes and those thoughts stay hidden in my head.

As Leek Town Crier, I chat to hundreds of local people but also to visitors too. People are very worried about the rising cost of everything, what’s happening around the world that is indirectly affecting us here in Leek.

It’s not my purpose to talk of doom and gloom although I am going through the same as every one else. One of the many remarks that I hear from some visitors is that they admire the self preservation that they see

I have some bookings coming up but just for now, I will be resting and wrapping up well especially after my Santa beard has gone. Thanking all those that have pledged good donations because of it.

I thank all the groups and institutions that fill this town with hope and music and art and all good things that tell me that Leek is different from most other towns. A few town criers from other towns tell me the same thing.

It’s so easy to say we will get through all the bad times together but some won’t. Hope is a good thing and good things never die. If you are in need of help, it’s waiting for you to “ring that bell” and Simone will hear you.

This is the year of our Lord 2023. Happy new year, everyone.

“Hope

Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas

Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas

Photo by Pauline Felstead

Double world champion for our Jason J

ASON Burgess recently walked away from the gruelling sport Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) immortalised as its only double world champion.

The 46-year-old, from Leek, signed off from OCR by claiming a silver medal in this years World Championships staged in the Stratton Mountains in Vermont, USA.

But there was to be one last challenge this remarkable all-round sportsman couldn’t resist on home soil . . . the Spartan Challenge

Here is Jason’s rise to OCR world fame and his challenges along the way, in his own words:

From when I was a very young boy I have always been extremely active, growing up on Fairview Road, Leek. I was the youngest boy in the street and having all the fields behind us was the perfect childhood.

I suppose growing up in the 80s we were always outside playing, running around, building dens, playing football, hide and seek or on our bikes.

The only time you would be in the house was perhaps Saturday morning to catch up on Fraggle Rock, Super Ted and Batfink.

There is no question in my mind when I really started getting into sport it was when I started Leek High school. I was lucky enough to have such PE teachers that were passionate about their profession - Mr Sales and Mr Long.

It was obvious that they were very keen sportsmen that wanted to pass on their passion of fitness and winning. With those two games teachers Leek High school made it to every final, almost winning every competition we entered.

Some days I remember having PE in the morning, rugby training at dinner time and then doing schools' cross country after school.

Every day there was an opportunity to do physical exercise and those two games teachers would demand the best out of you. Mr Sales and Mr Long created a number of athletes just to name a few: Kevin Dean - Professional cricketer for Derbyshire for over ten years; Adam MillwardPlayed Rugby League for Nottingham Outlaws and Great Britain Amateurs; John Caller - England basketball player.

I can never thank these teachers enough for

giving up so much of their own time to pass on their passion for sport and well-being to me.

When I left school there was a big sporting hole which I needed to fill. I had been doing jujitsu with Jean and Gary Mealey for many years, which had set good foundations for my next sport - boxing.

I got introduced to this by a friend and we used to travel to Buxton four to five times a week. I loved this new-found sport but found it extremely difficult to keep my composure when in the ring. It took me two years before I was allowed to have my first bout and even then I found it difficult to keep control.

My first bout was in Sheffield and I was on second from last on the cards. It was a long night waiting to get in that ring and I was so nervous. It was fair to say 95 per cent of the people that were watching had come from Leek.

When I was walking to the ring the place erupted and as you can imagine this didn’t help my nerves or my composure. The boxing match did not last long. The referee stopped it halfway through the first round and my opponent was on his way to hospital.

I remember the spectators being happy about the result, but my boxing coach was far from happy as my boxing skills were non-existent.

For those people who knew me well will know I had many more bouts after that, filling out many venues with spectators.

With boxing for many years, I had to run to keep my weight down and I started to enter running races including fell and cross country.

I then got asked to join Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club, which I did and started

Jason on his way to winning his final racethe Spartan Challenge

SPORTING CHAMPION

to train with them.

My first race for the club was their very own Summer Series, which was a fantastic set of races with tough competition.

After coming in the top five in the first two races the team manager introduced me to coach Dave Owen.

Dave was just like my old games teachers. He did not reward mediocrity and expected nothing but the best you could give.

From that moment I came away from boxing and put my time and effort into running. Myself and Dave became a team. I knew I had to come away from boxing as my metacarpal bones in my right

hand had been broken seven times, not to mention a broken jaw and a nose that was like a boomerang.

I ran for the Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club for many years classing myself as an okay club runner, winning the odd race here and there.

Then one day I got told about an obstacle course race that was happening in Derby. It was called ‘X Runner,’ so I entered not knowing what to expect.

There were thousands of runners that went off in waves of 150 every 15 minutes throughout the day. There were plenty of runners faster than me in the race, but they could not get over the obstacles or complete the

swim sections as quick as myself, so I was lucky enough to win the prize money.

With Dave Owen coaching me on my running and I was now doing plenty of strength classes at Brough Park leisure centre with fitness instructor Samantha Moss. This kind of racing was ideal for me. I was lucky enough to win every race I entered and started to travel around the country to do more.

The best races at the time was the men’s health survival of the fittest which took place in London/Nottingham/Manchester/Edinburgh/Card iff which I managed to win them all.

In 2014 I decided to run the JCB Mud Run which was a local enjoyable race. To my surprise JCB invited me to run for the UK JCB team in Savannah Georgia USA. It’s fair to say this trip was amazing and the JCB Savannah employees made us feel so welcome, giving the UK team tours of their factory and surrounding areas.

I will never forget the race in Savannah as it was the only time I’ve been scared so much so I was running backwards towards oncoming runners: I didn’t realise there were alligators in Savannah!

I was told the day before the race that an alligator had to be removed from the lake in front of

the factory as the race went straight through the lake.

I was the first athlete to get to the water section and when I started to run into the water there were some pretty big fish jumping out the water at the side of me to get out of my way.

At first glance running at speed the first thing that went through my head was ‘alligator;’ as you can imagine I got out of that water and started running the other way quicker than Usain Bolt!

It’s fair to say I did not win that race but I eventually finished. I believe I was the quickest through the water section!

In 2015 I started to develop problems with my kidneys, which put a stop to my sporting activities as I needed a major kidney operation. I was in hospital for a while and even when I came home I could not move very far as I had a stent fitted, which was extremely painful when I moved around.

After being ill for most of that year - a couple of months not being able to move far at all - my fitness was the worst it had ever been. But at least I was well again.

As soon as I was able to I started work on my fitness again, pushing harder than ever before trying to get back what I'd missed.

In 2017, I competed in my first major tournament, the Obstacle Course World Championships at the Blue Mountains resort in Ontario, Canada. I had trained for 18 months for this one race, studying all my opponents and developing a race strategy: my race strategy lasted three minutes 20 seconds.

I was planning on sitting behind the race flavourite, but when we hit the first hill I went up it so fluently and smoothly I left the other athletes behind.

From that point I took the lead and never looked back. I made no mistakes and managed to win a race I cannot remember anything about.

The whole trip to Canada still seems to be a blur to me. I look back on videos and don’t even recognise myself. Maybe that’s just being so focused on what I had to do.

I believe there is one thing harder than being at the top of your chosen sport and that is staying at the top.

That year I also decided to go for the European Championships in Denmark. This race demanded a lot of upper body strength work tackling rigs and

obstacles I had never seen before.

I knew I was in good shape and the work I had done with Dave Owen and Samantha Moss put me in good stead as I came home in first place.

In 2018 the Obstacle World Championships were held in the UK just outside London. So this was something I wanted to win on my own soil in front of my own family. This also gave me a big advantage as I knew the course and terrain, so I could study the obstacles beforehand.

All the same I did not have this race so easy. I wasn’t even in a leading pack until halfway through, but at the later stages I managed to pull through and take the win.

All the training in preparation for these races was starting to take its toll on my knees. I was forever seeing osteopath James Bews and eventually had to have my meniscus tendon on both knees operated on.

I have also had scans on my Achilles heels as I am constantly in pain with them. Plenty of physio on them but no operations yet.

Over the last couple of years there has been a bit of downtime for obvious reasons, but in the background I have still been keeping fit.

My preparation for the 2022 Obstacle Course World Racing Championships Stratton Mountain resort, Vermont, USA: I would’ve retired from this sport in 2019, but with having the operations and then not being able to compete due to Covid, I said that this would be my last year no matter what.

I wanted to retire on my own terms, not through injury or age, but I must admit some mornings I was having to go downstairs backwards with the help of the banister.

This race in the USA was going to be my last obstacle course World Championships and I wanted to go out on top.

It was so hard to be consistent with my training as I was fighting back injury all the time.

My coach Dave Owen structured my training in such a way it was smarter not harder and that is what has got me to the start line. There was no pressure on me to perform at this World Championships, only

the pressure I apply to myself, which is immense. I push myself to the limits to not just please myself and embrace the pain, but please the people that have given up their time to coach me, guide me and push me in the right direction.

I could explain how the race went but, in the

end, I came second to the better athlete and I was the first to shake his hand, only for him to break down and tell me he never thought of the day would come when he would beat me.

I was planning on that being my last race. However there was something called the Spartan European Championships coming up in the UK.

This is something like obstacle course racing but a lot more strength is required and suits the bigger athlete. I had qualified for this earlier on in the year and put this on the back burner to see how I felt after the world champs. I decided to run this race just two days before: not the best preparation, but I knew this was going to be my last chance to run against the best in Europe.

I was not the race favourite as I do not specialise in Spartan races and with doing the World Championships only two weeks before, no one expected me to be even racing on about competing at the sharp end.

After about two miles into the race I found myself in a small group but there were two athletes pulling away (French and Spanish). Every time we were faced with another obstacle one of the athletes in my pack dropped away, eventually leaving me on my own chasing the two other athletes.

After the swim section of the course, I really started to find my rhythm and began the chase down the other two athletes eventually coming alongside the Spaniard.

After a mile or so of racing alongside each other I eventually started to pull away, with only the leader to chase down with less than a mile to go. I knew I had to give it everything I got left in the tank with no

mistakes as the Frenchman was the Spartan world champion.

I eventually got alongside him with only 400 metres left to go. One last push was needed and with the finish line in sight that’s what I gave, eventually winning by five seconds.

When I was on the podium it was nice for the commentator to announce that this was my last international race and I was retiring from the sport.

Any athlete is only as good as the people they have around them. I’ve had some fantastic people around me and all my achievements have been down to them.

Two times OCR World Champion; OCR Silver medallist world champion; Spartan European champion; OCR European champion

Jason Burgess

Snowdrops symbolise hope S

nowdrops are one of the first flowers of the year, traditionally putting on a show for Candlemas, (February 2) and they symbolise Hope. Climate change is now seeing Snowdrops flower earlier and earlier.

Snowdrops flower well in moist shade, although they too don’t like waterlogging. The bulbs notoriously dry out rapidly out of the soil so it’s best to plant them when growing and flowering. Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time. Many nurseries sell them “in the green”; as bunches of leafy bulbs freshly dug from the soil just after flowering has finished. Dry bulbs rarely succeed. Add compost or leaf mould to the soil and plant about 4in / 10cm deep. Once you have an established clump you can sit back and enjoy the show year after year. There’s no need to cut back the leaves after flowering as they feed the bulbs and soon die back naturally. If you are growing your snowdrops in grass, avoid mowing until the leaves die back.

If your snowdrops eventually become shy of flowering, it’s time to dig them up before they die back and divide the clumps before replanting in refreshed soil.

The only problem you are likely to encounter is that squirrels and less commonly mice will dig up the bulbs when you first plant them. Physical barriers such as rabbit wire can deter squirrels; lay as a sheet across the area, weighted down and hidden by a mulch of leaves or make a dome or frame to cover smaller areas.

Snowdrops can be confused with snowflakes (Leucojum) some of which also flower in spring, others in summer. These can be planted from dry bulbs more successfully. The spring flowering ones are varieties of L.vernum; the summer ones tend to be a lot taller.

There are now many hundreds of varieties of snowdrop and collectors, known as Galanthophiles, pay big money for rare and new varieties. For the less smitten gardener there are plenty of common varieties at reasonable prices; the choice is for single or double flowers and green or yellow markings.

Snowdrops can be planted alongside other early flowering bulbs and corms such as crocus, cyclamen and dog’s tooth violet. They also associate well with hellebores, winter aconite and winter flowering shrubs like lonicera or

viburnum. In all cases it’s best to keep the snowdrops in clumps for greater impact.

Pottertons Alpine Nursery offer a great range of bulbs and potted plants. They attend some of our Plant Hunters’ Fairs or visit www.pottertons.co.uk for more details.

Martin Blow

Janet & I run Plant Hunters’ Fairs, specialist plant fairs at wonderful locations offering special reduced entry rates to the gardens on the plant fair dates.

Plant Fair dates for 2023:

Sugnall Walled Garden, Eccleshall on Saturday 25th March, Garden and Fair £1.

The Dorothy Clive Garden on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th April, Garden and Fair £5. Cholmondeley Castle Garden on Sunday 23rd April, Garden and Fair price tbc.

Weston Park on Sunday 30th April & Monday 1st May, Garden and Fair £4.

Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield on Sunday 14th May, Gardens and Fair £4.

Please check www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for event status before travelling. Some venues may require tickets to be purchased in advance.

Two golden rules to achieving your goals this year

Ahhhh it’s that time of year again. January is approaching and we will all be thinking about resolutions.

What do we want to achieve? Where do we want to go? What will we give up?

The most important question of course is: How will we achieve it?

It’s easy to set goals, however, I’ve always maintained the key to achieving them is around your motivation for doing it and sometimes that's lacking because we tackle some goals only because we feel we should.

The quickest win to get motivation is to make yourself accountable to someone else and it is as easy as telling them what you're intending to achieve. Quite simply we are human and being kind to ourselves we do not necessarily put the pressure on when needed. Letting someone else down can be another matter and also the fear of losing face in front of others.

2022 has been a blinding year for me. I set out to do a few wild swims, found a swimming group and have been every week between the end of May and Christmas. I told them I would swim until the clocks went back, October would be cold, November colder. Yet here I am

raising money for cancer research and swimming on near frozen water in December and I'm still going - because I told the whole of my social media following that I would do it - making myself accountable.

My second golden rule is when the goal seems too huge, just take it one step at a time. And that's what I’m doing, one swim at a time. So I have plans to swim this week - once, as for next week - I’ll decide at the end of the week.

Carolyn Trafford is a Creative Life Coach, supporting others in reaching their own goals in a creative way since 2010. Author of “Don’t Just Dream It – Achieve It!” (A great way to kickstart those goals). This interactive book is available from her online shop: https://carolyntraffordart.ecwid.co m/Dont-Just-Dream-It-Achieve-ItBook-p196854491).

Carolyn Trafford

Artist & Creative Coach

07714 216388

Email Caro@reflectionscoaching.co.uk

www.carolyntrafford.com

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The Primary Care Network for Leek & Biddulph covers the five GP Practices in the towns – here Bas Pickering, a member of the Patient Locality Group, continues his updates for the Leek Life Magazine:

WE WILL BEAT ANY LIKE FOR LIKE QUOTE 01538 307005

encouraged to make written comment regarding patient views to PCN management after the meeting.

managing the extended access scheme for Leek and Biddulph. This provides additional emergency GP appointments from 4pm to 8pm each evening and on a 9am to 1pm Saturday morning with telephone appointments on a Sunday.

At the PLG meeting in May the group were able to question the local pharmacy representative regarding the concerns raised by members that some local pharmacies had been closing at short notice during their normal opening hours.

Tel: 01538 387169 or 07875 464866

info@livearth.co.uk www.livearth.co.uk

Graham Bagshaw

PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

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As you will all know there have been many reported scare stories in the national press and media regarding the major workload issues in the NHS. However, we seem to be very fortunate with our GP practices across Leek and Biddulph. The workload of patients wishing to see a clinician does not appear to be reducing and the staff are affected by illness just like the patients and hence there have been staff absences due to Covid and other seasonal infections thus reducing the appointments available.

The Nook, Butterton, Leek, Staffs, ST13 7SP

T: 01538 304518

M: 07841 708861

In order to ease some of the pressure on GP Practices the NHS is developing the local pharmacists to diagnose and treat a range of minor illnesses and conditions thus enabling the patient to obtain medical advice quickly.

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So if you have a cold, sore throat, headaches and a number of other well publicised minor conditions please see your pharmacist in the first instance. Who will if necessary refer you to your GP practice if he or she consider your symptoms need more detailed investigation. If you ring NHS 111 they will guide you to the pharmacist when appropriate.

The Primary Care Network are now

Call Thomas Brian on 01538 752214 or 07855242693, or email tom@times andecho.co.uk

You will be offered an appointment by your practice reception when they are unable to offer you an appointment in normal hours at your practice. You will see a local GP who has access to your records and the appointment will be at one of the five GP practices. This programme is providing many extra appointments each week and is almost always fully booked.

We were advised that this was due to the shortages of dispensing pharmacists which meant it is difficult to obtain a locum pharmacist when a regular staff member is taken ill. This has been aggravated by the continued absences of staff due to Covid infection.

He pointed out that it is illegal for medicines to be given to patients if there is no pharmacist on the premises and hence when there is no pharmacist on site patients collecting

The Primary Care Network is continuing to develop it’s services to patients in Leek and Biddulph. The PCN team are producing case studies demonstrating how their joint working reduces the workload of GP Practices and by working together with GP’s tackling Patients with complex problems in order to improve their quality of life.

All GP practice Patient Participation

Groups need more volunteers to help them support the work of their practice and act as a critical friend to seek to improve the service to patients. So if you feel you can give some time to help your GP practice please contact reception or Facebook pages to signify your interest so that the patient group can contact you with a view to you becoming a member.

Bas Pickering

Leek and Biddulph Patient Locality Group

prescriptions the wider is likely may be All new member have feel you running welcome. To practice patient three Locality the five which Report

Let’s get quizzical

COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

1 The world-famous American highway Route 66 originally ran from Santa Monica in California in the west to which city in the east?

2 In the James Bond films, Bond typically receives his gadgets from a member of the British Secret Service named ‘Q’; for what single word does this letter ‘Q’ stand?

3 In 1994, which Japanese manufacturer of automotive parts created the QR (“quick response”) code as a way to track components during the manufacturing process?

4 Which England Lioness went into the jungle camp on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!?

5 Rishi Sunak finally decided to attend COP27 in November which was held in which country?

6 32 year-old Syabira won which television programme in November?

7 Where did Changeover Day take place on 14 February, 1966?

8 Which two South American countries have Atlantic and Pacific coastlines?

9 Noah replaced Oliver as what last year?

10 Who did England play first at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

11 Who replaced Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor of the Exchequer?

12 Over one thousand Paddington Bear toys and similar teddies left in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II went to which charity?

13 Three contestants in the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing shared which surname?

14 What does the K in the mountain K2 stand for?

15 Whose estate trademarked the title “queen of crime”?

16 Which award is known as the animals’ Victoria Cross?

17 What weapon is named after a French Basque city?

18 Who won the 2022 Formula One Drivers Championship?

19 Elizabeth Debicki took over from Emma Corrin as Princess Diana in which Netflix series?

20 Who plays the title character in the new Disney+ series Wednesday?