“Stand and give thanks for this town”

now, I will give praise where it’s due. All out individual shops, market stall holders, in and out, even the buskers that frequent our pavements giving different sounds from classical violin to the rather throaty young man who to me seems to be making a lot of noise but with a huge amount of enthusiasm, and the Reggae man from Leeds, Sinnini.

Yet another Leek Life Magazine here with its amazing diversity and interesting stories of groups and individuals, achieving great things within the communities in and around Leek.

As your town crier, in and out of my regalia, I see and meet such a large number of different people. I’m probably the most well-known person in Leek. Or as a few have said, that I am Leek or the face of Leek.

Sometimes the mundaneness of every day life in Leek can mean that we don’t see the real Leek. The Leek that I see and interact with, are the local folk who love this town and spend their money here and support the small traders, indoor and outdoor markets, the artisans, Sunday Supplement market, the many events that happen here, put on by the town council events committee and individuals.

We have empty shops as some retire, close down or cease trading. What I love to see are the traders who move around and set up in a slightly different place. I have helped to open a few like Coffee 1 which is a success story, watched the amalgamation of the Dougie Mac and the Donna Louise making it able to give a complete coverage for young and older alike. A great success story, but leaving an empty shop on Derby Street.

The traders in the Trestle Market moving to the Butter Market. I have given a couple of shouts for them with a couple to come. What’s extra special to me is the determination and sheer guts that they have. Never to be defeated but to move, change and carry on. The excitement and dedication that they have.

What I have noticed most of all is the growth in visitors and locals in town and that is encouraging for all. I have made a lot of friends with this wonderful group and I’m very proud to know and, in some instances, help them.

I have hundreds of stories to tell but just for

There are so many different elements to any town, community and we should be very thankful for them all. Even to the guy who I saw giving out little religious leaflets. He sang hymns all the time that he was doing it, much to the amusement of the recipients, including me.

People of Leek, stand and give thanks for this town and those who live and visit here. Once again, give what you can to these appeals: Ukraine, Turkey and Syria, Leek Foodbank, Samaritans and the Salvation Army. A massive thanks to all our NHS staff and those that serve. OYEZ!

More Than 40 Events For Festival

TheQueen of the Moorlands is set to explode with a wall of sound and colour as organisers of this years Leek Arts Festival have lined-up a programme of more than 40 events.

Music, in a bewildering variety, fine art, creative writing, children’s story-telling sessions and poetry are just a few of the options on offer between mid-April and early June this year when the 2023 festival will be in full swing.

And there’s clearly an appetite for what’s on offer, with tickets for many events being snapped up by eager festival fans.

So much so that this years headline gig, MOJO award-winner Rumer, has already sold out, more than three months ahead of the event going ahead.

Festival chairman Phil Edmeades said: “We’ve been delighted by the response both from groups and individuals keen to stage their own events as part of this years festival and by the clamour for tickets for some of the gigs we’ve got planned.

“Rumer tickets started to fly out from the moment we announced they were on sale and now they’ve all gone.

“There’s not a single ticket left and we won’t be able to offer any on the door on the night. The

In the Footsteps of Ewan

Foxlowe Arts Centre will be bursting at the seams that evening.”

Other key events in the 2023 LAF programme include Simply Dylan on May 5, the free Folk Day, which this year will be in honour of the late Lorna Davies and will feature Sean Cannon of The Dubliners; an evening of local poetry, a free gig featuring Mr Will of the Tri Nations Trio and the U3A African drummers; and a special event ‘In The Footsteps Of Ewan MacColl’ inspired by the works of the legendary folk singer-songwriter who penned many famous songs including ‘Dirty Old Town’ and ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.’

Phil added: “We’ve also got free story-telling sessions for children; a free string quartet event in the back yard of Leeks quirkiest pub and; back for the first time since 2019, the fabulous Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble led by Joe Broughton.

“It’s going to be a very hectic six weeks or so.”

Full details of all LAF events confirmed so far, and information on how to buy tickets, can be found online at www.leekartsfestival.co.uk.