Leek Life Issue 59

A family-owned business, with traditional family

WHY COME TO US...

3 3 3 3 3

You’re not just a NUMBER

~ 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.

7 Bath Street, Leek, ST13 01538 52943 www.leekhearingcentre.c

Celebrating our Patron Saint’s Day

Scouting folk and scooter club members were among the many who celebrated this year’s St George’s Day recently.

April 23 is the date each year when we celebrate the Patron Saint of England, St George, who is also the Patron Saint of Scouting.

Members of the 4th Leek Scout Group were among lots of Moorlands Scouting folk who attended a St George’s Day event in Endon on Sunday, April 23.

The district-wide celebration was hosted by the 1st Endon Scout Group and included a parade through the village and a service at Endon Methodist Church.

As well as celebrating the Patron Saint of Scouting, St George’s Day, the event saw Scouting members all renew their Scout Promise; and a number of awards were also presented to various members.

Meanwhile, members of the Jesters Club, which is based in Leek, held their annual St George’s Day ride out on the same day.

Many members enjoyed the run out on their two-wheeled vehicles which involved stopping off for refreshments at public houses.

A spokesman for the club said of the day: “England, St George, and proud. Another successful, annual St George’s ride with a great bunch of people.”

4th Leek Scout Group

Members of the Jesters Scooter Club

So Spring is well and truly here with all its new beginnings of life in our lovely countryside and soon it will be Summer – hopefully we will have a good lot of nice weather to enjoy.

With the warmer months comes an increase in community events, no more so than in our lovely town of Leek.

We currently have a packed programme of music and art events going on as part of this year’s Leek Arts Festival, and we also have coming up the everpopular Scooterfest. Both volunteer led initiatives really do help encourage a fabulous community spirit in our town, and also bring in lots of visitors to our area – further boosting that atmosphere and also our local economy.

To see what else is coming

up over the next two months in Leek and surrounding areas, see our comprehensive What’s On Guide on pages 20 to 23.

And if you attend any events please do email over to me –hargreavespr@outlook.com –any photos from the event, better still, a selfie or two of you and your family enjoying the community spirit.

Yet again, in this edition of the Leek Life Magazine, we have featured a number of fabulous events which have been taking place of late. Plus we take a look at just some of the achievements which have been made recently by some of our townsfolk. Happy reading!

Until next time – take care!

Belinda

Cash boost for travelling Scout

AScout from the Moorlands who is set to travel to East Asia for a Jamboree this year has received a cash boost.

The Lions Club of Leek have donated £200 to Cheddleton Scout James Wilcox who is set to take part in the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea later this Summer.

James is currently fundraising to meet his target of £3,800 which he needs to attend the Jamboree.

Lions member Lynda Demaid-Jones said: “Lions John, Barb and myself of the Lions Club of Leek were recently welcomed by the Scout Leaders and Scouts of the 1st Cheddleton Scouts at their weekly meeting.

“James Wilcox one of their members has been selected to attend the 2023 Scouts International Jamboree in South Korea.

“James has been working hard fundraising,

HUG FESTIVAL

we were pleased to present him with a donation of £200 towards his forthcoming trip of a lifetime in July.”

A big green hug for the Foxlowe

HuG, the Moorlands free Green Arts Festival, returns to the Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek this Summer on Saturday, June 24, from 10am to 4pm.

Organised by Moorlands Climate Action (MCA), this annual event helps raise funds to make the Foxlowe more energy efficient. The HuG festival’s name stems from the idea of ‘hugging’ the building with insulation and the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ (cosiness).

This year’s festival is set to be even bigger and better than before, says MCA’s Lindsay Trevarthen. She said: “We’ll have a special theme on the vital importance of bees and pollinators and are particularly excited that the amazing Pif-Paf Bee Cart, an exciting, accessible walkabout theatre piece for audiences of all ages, will be joining us thanks to ‘Outside,’ the exciting new community arts programme created by, and for, the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.”

There will be a wide range of stalls showcasing a variety of arts and crafts using different materials produced with an

environmental approach and ethos, such as a workshop making notebooks using recycled materials.

Lindsay continued: “Local nature and environmental groups such as Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Swifts of Leek and Friends of the Earth will be there too.

“Celebrating Leek’s award of Bee Friendly Town status, Bill Cawley will unveil a new bilberry bee wood sculpture.

“Made by the Moorland’s own award-winning artist, sculptor and craftsman, Anthony Hammond, the beautiful public art piece will then be permanently sited in Birches Garden in Leek.”

Outdoor events are set to include weaving and spinning, and wood whittling and bodging demonstrations; and there will be activities for children and families, and musical entertainment all day; plus with poetry readings and a book stall, the spoken and written word will be represented too.

Lindsay added: “There will be something for everyone. Come along and get a wonderful green HuG.”

Sculptor Anthony Hammond next to the Bee Sculpture

Photo from last year's HUG Moorlands Green Arts Festival

LOTS OF ARTISTIC CREATIVITY FOR TOWN A

large-scale music, comedy, fine art and theatre festival is now under way in the Moorlands as the biggest and best ever Leek Arts Festival has erupted into life.

With a staggering 50 events on offer across a multitude of venues in town this year, the 2023 festival promises something for everyone to enjoy - whether your tastes run to rock, folk,

Basin Street Jazz and Blues Band

Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble

Chris Leslie

Sarah Miller and Mr Will

Sean Cannon

Simply Dylan

funk or classical music; spoken word, history and heritage, floral art or coronation capers.

Leek Arts Festival chairman, Phil Edmeades, said: “Our small group of volunteers have worked hard to ensure this year’s programme is as varied as it can be and we are extremely grateful to all those local groups and individuals who are staging their own events to be part of a festival which many towns, much bigger than Leek, would be proud to host.

“We’ve distributed 35,000 copies of the

printed programme in and around the area, many of them pushed directly through people’s letter boxes. All anyone needs to do now is to turn out and enjoy what’s on offer.”

The 2023 Leek Arts Festival programme runs until June 22. Full details of all eventsand information on how to buy tickets - can be found at www.leekartsfestival.co.uk

See our What’s On Guide on pages 20 to 23 for what’s still yet to come for this year’s Leek Arts Festival.

The Rondino String Quartet

The Peak District Big Band

“Leek Life is exactly what it is”

IHAVE just woke up in a philosophical mood thinking: “What is Leek Life?”

We all live in ‘Leek life’ and it’s pretty wonderful most of the time. It’s the small mundane things here in Leek that makes it a little different, like when I walk around town, I’m sure that someone will stop me for a chat, an update, a moan or just to have a laugh.

Sitting in Derby Street, watching the world go by, trying to read into people’s lives via their faces.

Leek life is all of us here, sharing and giving when we can. Listening to the buskers giving such a variety of musical sounds. From classical guitar, a very vibrant and energetic sound from the young man with the coloured hair, the flute and the other guitar players, through to Sinini the reggae man who sends me a message every time he is coming to visit Leek so that I can give him a big introduction.

So many ladies with all different coloured hair and the various tattoos. The lonely people who really want someone to chat to. Even the street preachers with that different sounds. Roadworks - I won’t go there.

More people are talking of the state of the world. So many views for so many things. I go sometimes to St Edwards Church at midday on a Wednesday to say hello to the special people who can gather there to have tea and biscuits in the warmth of the church. I had a lovely baked potato with tuna. Really tasty. Met some new people there. Practical christianity.

Leek Life...We have such a big music talent here in Leek which manifests itself a lot in different venues. The Blues & Americana weekend is a resounding success and famous everywhere.

Scooterfest is another success for Leek. Hundreds of scooters just for a few hours but what a few hours that is and its packed all over the centre of Leek.

Seeing the changes on the street with empty shops and some are reoccupied by other businesses. So

many groups here for people to join and do something useful and rewarding. A football team, rugby team, hockey teams, cricket teams and others give so much to us to enjoy. Even just supporting them.

A wealth of intelligent people here that give us

great events at the Foxlowe and let’s be honest, not many towns have anywhere near that Leek has.

All the events that are put on for us like the bands in Brough Park. Bands from all around to enjoy. The list is endless.

Leek Life is lots of great things and everyday living. It’s about people mainly and a history/architecture, the Peak District National Park.

Leek Life is all this and more and I, for one, am proud to live here with such a lot of good people. A gold coloured letter posting box. Brindley, the amazing canal engineer. One of the tallest war memorials at 90 feet tall. Many things here that make Leek special and to be very proud of.

Full of people who care, such as the Ukraine group who raise money to support those who suffer in their home land. The lovely lady who knows that she will die sooner than later from a brain tumour, whose daughter will be doing a 10,000 feet sky dive to raise funds and awareness of this horrible affliction. People here that are always willing to help out when needed.

A food bank that is overwhelmed with people in need. Leek Life. This is what we are here. People who care about others.

Yes, I hear some criticisms but not all is perfect but we try to make this great town as perfect as we can. Pot holes, traffic, parking, dog poo. Yes, we have all this too but so has every town in this country got the same.

For me, Leek Life is exactly what it is..Leek Life. Three market days, three public parks. The Queen of the Moorlands.

Be proud good folk of this wonderful town of Leek and take care of it and yourselves.

Leek Town Crier

Bill Lomas

Leek Town Crier Bill Lomas.

Photo by Pauline Felstead

Izzy Bailey

Celebrating creative young talent

We have so much creative talent in our Moorlands town of Leek – here we feature just one of those Leekensians who is definitely making her mark with her creativity.

12-year-old Izzy Bailey, who attends St Edward’s Academy in Leek, has been producing some amazing drawings – partly inspired by her two artist parents.

Izzy told us: “I’ve enjoyed creating art from a young age but feel I have developed my skills after getting some alcohol markers a few years ago.

“My Mum and Dad are both artists so they have been part of my inspiration. I watch a lot of YouTube tutorials on how to draw and colour.

“I use Ohuhu markers mainly. But also like to paint with water colours.”

Izzy continued: “I love to draw people inspired by anime and different styles. I like to try and create my own style.

“I would like to enter competitions. I’m currently working on a competition piece for Moorlands Climate Action.”

As for her aspirations for the future, Izzy said: “I would love to study illustration when I finish

school. My other hobbies are running, fashion, makeup, hanging out with friends.”

Izzy’s parents are Deb and Rob Bailey. Deb said: “Izzy spends hours drawing and painting. She has a natural passion for art.

“We’re very proud of her. We always tell her to do what makes her happy.”

Izzy’s school has also said how proud they are of her creative talents.

A spokesman for St Edward’s Academy in Leek, recently posted a photo of Izzy with some of her artwork on the school’s Facebook page, and said: “We love to celebrate our pupil’s achievements. Well check out these fabulous pictures drawn by Izzy.

“She has such an amazing talent - the detail in the pictures that she shared with us is fantastic.”

A decade of Buxton & Leek College

More T Levels on offer at BLC

Buxton & Leek College are offering five exciting new T Level study routes from September 2023. Available study routes now include Digital, Education, Health, Engineering, and Carpentry & Joinery.

Celebrate ten years of Buxton & Leek College and apply now for your 2023 place. There’s still time to apply.

Don’t worry, if you’re still undecided on your next steps or haven’t had the chance to apply yet, it’s not too late to join BLC on a course or programme this year. Plus, the fun developments in the works to celebrate a decade of learning at BLC mean there’s no better time to apply than now.

Offering a variety of career focussed pathways in Level 2, Level 3, Apprenticeships, and T Levels, BLC can cater for your needs no matter your age, abilities or ambitions. Their full-time vocational programmes are available in subject areas including Art & Design, Carpentry & Joinery, Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Hospitality & Catering, Business, Hair & Beauty, Sport, Public Services and many more.

All of the programmes available at Buxton & Leek College provide students with access to the professional settings, workshops, and technologies needed to thrive in their chosen career.

Even if you don’t achieve the GCSE grades you’re expecting, BLC’s Information, Advice, and Guidance Team will help you go over all your options and find the right pathway for you.

Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship

Thanks to apprenticeships at BLC, earning money, and improving your CV & employability with practical experience has never been easier. The College has links with some of the region’s top employers and many of their apprentices stay on after studying and move up the career ladder with promotions.

Equipping students with the valuable skills employers are looking for through classroom teaching paired with a 45-day in-depth placement, this vocational alternative to A Levels is also recognised by universities and other education providers.

Adult learners welcome too

BLC can also help with career changes, promotions, or developing new skills through their wide range of adult courses, which are available to anyone 19+. Subject areas include Accountancy, Management, Digital Skills, Hair & Beauty, and more.

Whether your schedule demands learning be online, face-to-face, or a combination of the two, Buxton & Leek College will have a course that fits into your life. And because many of their courses are full funded, depending on your circumstances, you could study your course for free.

And if you need to top-up or re-take your maths or English GCSE, then BLC have a variety of functional skills and fast-track options available too.

May Open Day

On Saturday, May 13, Buxton & Leek College are inviting you to both their Leek and Buxton campuses from 10am to 1pm. Marking ten incredible years of BLC, this Open Day will be bigger and better than ever, with live music being performed at both sites, and a host of fun activities from all of their curriculum areas for you to get involved with.

For more information and to apply for a course, go to www.blc.ac.uk or contact Buxton & Leek College on 0800 074 0099 or via email: enquiries@blc.ac.uk

“I did it my way”

With a new Leek Town Mayor set to be elected this month of May, here outgoing mayor Bill Cawley looks back on his civic 12 months.

I did it my way. I have an odd political mentor, James Knox Polk. Not the first name that would spring to most lips, but the 11th president of the United States who was president in the 1840s teaches all leaders a valuable lesson.

He set out four goals he wanted to achieve in his one term of office, one of which was to massively increase the size of the United States. It was in his time that California and Texas came into the union, largely by declaring a war on Mexico.

He carried out all his pledges, I have not done that, but on St Valentine’s Day 2022 I did write a letter to an unimpeachable source laying out my ten objectives as Leek Mayor.

They were: 1) Marking National Holocaust Memorial Day: This happened on January 27 when Leek was the venue for an event marking the story of Leonard Kaufmann a child refugee in 1939 who owed his survival to the Arles family who rescued him from Nazi tyranny. This particular story will end when Leonard and his family visit his boyhood home – Sharpcliffe Hall in May. I hope this becomes a permanent feature with the incoming Leek Mayor.

2) The Platinum Jubilee Woodland which is now the Elizabeth Wood was planted with 96 trees marking each year of the late Queen’s life. It is a tribute to the efforts of the Chauveau family that this has come to pass.

3) The Platinum Jubilee event with an Elvis Presley Tribute act took place on June 4 at Leek Town Football ground.

4) Memorial to Women Silk Workers and early trade unionist Harriet Kidd. This is an ongoing project and I have attended a meeting with the Potteries Working Class History Group about marking the history of Chartism in the town. On International Women’s Day in March, I did highlight the career of Alice Tredwell, a Leek resident and early railway pioneer in India.

5) William Morris Exhibition: With the help of Karen Bradley MP, I did get this back on the agenda and used this imitative to support the £17.1 million funding that came to the town in January after I and others supported the SMDC application.

6) Bee Friendly Town: A great success and I was positive in getting Leek recognised as one of six national Bee Friendly towns last May - it was my

first triumph. Since then, we have had the sculpture of the Bilberry Bee created by Anthony Hammond currently at the Foxlowe with an event planned in the early summer.

7) Fundraising: The pennies have to be fully counted, but ‘It’s Your Round’ quiz and the MR James ghost story telling event in December were highlights. I comfortably exceeded my target of £4,000. The Leek to Leek cycling challenge which was topped up by my employer, Morrisons-, making a total of £1,090 was a success. The two beneficiaries of my chosen charities Jessie’s Fund and Beatrice I think can be pleased by my efforts. Thanks to all who supported my efforts.

8) Civic Sunday July 3: This event set the tone of my mayoral year. The African Drumming Group and the catering by the Malawi Group Cultural Zebra were a great success. It was a wonderful sunny day with cricket being played and, as my friend Derek Alcraft down from Northumberland remarked, all that was required was a Spitfire flying overhead to make for a quintessentially English scene.

9) Awards: It was suggested by Admiral Sir Trevor Soar the Deputy Lieutenant for Staffordshire to nominate an individual or an organisation for a King’s award. I have still to do this and will be my last act as mayor based on my observations over the year.

10) Chocolate Soldier 100th anniversary: An event to mark the life of the Chocolate Soldier Ted Hassall whose letters are in the Imperial War Museum was marked on the anniversary of his

death on February 15 at Leek Cemetery. It was a poignant event.

Other events crowded into my year of which the most prominent was Royal events with the death of the Queen and the Royal Proclamation in September and ended with my marking the Coronation on May 6.

I have attended 120 plus mayoral events during the year and civic events in other towns. I did not go to all events that fellow members of the ‘chain gang’ of other local town mayors primarily do because of work commitments.

I also carried out a number of other enterprises such as the creation of the civic sash as a nod to the traditional silk industries of the town; making a dog town mayor in October on International Animal Day; and linking the events around the laying of the poppy wreaths to the exploits of local servicemen who laid down their lives to preserve our freedoms; then there was the Street Preacher controversy which continues.

Finally, I am most proud of rejuvenating our relationship with our twinned town of Este particularly getting the Garibaldi Staffordshire figure which my brother and I purchased. I am an internationalist by nature and I have worked very hard to maintain this vital connection to our European friends. It is one area that I will continue to work on.

Finally, I would like to thank the fellow Stokie who prophesied on a local social media site that I would be the worst mayor ever. I hope I disappointed him.

Top award for the Old Mill

AMoorlands bar and smokehouse restaurant has come out tops in a district-wide award.

The Old Mill Bar and Smokehouse in Leek has received its second award from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The Staffordshire Moorlands branch of CAMRA has been presented The Old Mill with its Spring Pub of the Season award, after it was nominated and discussed at a recent meeting.

CAMRA chairman Steve Barton said: “Local members were impressed at the huge range and style of beers and real cider on offer at The Old Mill, since it opened in November 2018.

“The 12 specialist craft keg beers sourced from all over the world are complemented nicely with up to four cask ales, with the house ‘Old Mill Bitter’ by Whim Brewery of nearby Hartington being a regular and best seller.

“A selection of real ciders plus specialist spirits and cocktails are sold too.”

Steve further explained about the Old Mill’s journey: “Proprietor Nathan Walwyn with wife Bernadetta went on an extensive research tour to see what was happening in other areas, to get some ideas on what they thought might work for Leek.

“Nathan had a clear vision of what he wanted to create, to add to the already vibrant cask ale scene in town. But at the same time offer customers something a little different with a modern twist.

“He then set out to transform two floors of the former textile mill into the specialist craft beer bar we see today. The downstairs area houses the main bar with its impressive bank of keg beer taps, four hand pulls for cask ales and a selection of real cider.

“A constantly updated illuminated menu board is above the bar, so that eager customers are given all the info they need on what beers and ciders are on sale, such as the brewery/producers name and location, style, strength, and a brief description of the beer taste.

“The first floor of the Old Mill is the dining area, which has become very popular, especially at busier times with advance booking strongly recommended.

“The conversion of the former textile mill and more latterly an antiques shop did not go unnoticed at the time in wider CAMRA circles, as it was nominated for the national buildings’ awards scheme shortly after its time of opening.

“A small specialist judging panel visited the Old Mill early in 2019, just before the first full lockdown. They were made up of some obligatory

beer enthusiasts, and architect, a structural engineer and a representative from Historic England.

“The judges were obviously very impressed by the conversion, with the splendid Victorian building being stripped back to the bare brick and stonework, which had remained in remarkably good condition. And the whole building being sympathetically converted into the warm and welcoming bar we see today.

“They were particularly pleased with the way in which nearly all of the internal fixtures and fittings are made up mainly of recycled wood, steel and the reuse of older materials such as railway sleepers, scaffolding planks and poles, old floorboards and the like. The Old Mill was presented with a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate from the CAMRA National Buildings Committee, in the ‘conversion from another use’ category.”

Steve added: “It is always a great pleasure to present an award on behalf of CAMRA. Our local members have been pleased to see The Old Mill go from strength to strength in a relatively short space of time.

“And if you take the almost two years of Covid restrictions out, when virtually no trading was allowed at all, The Old Mill is truly a great success story, and only adds to the wonderful and vibrant pub, cask ale, craft beer and real cider scene, that we are lucky enough to have right on our own doorstep, in the great pub town of Leek.

“It is no coincidence this is the second CAMRA award that has been presented to this relatively new venue, since it opened.

“All credit goes to Nathan and his team for what has been achieved at The Old Mill.”

Nathan said of the award: “The Old Mill Smokehouse Leek is extremely proud to receive the CAMRA award.

“We know this is not an easy time for any small independent business. This award is dedicated to the hard work of all our wonderful staff.

“We thank our family, friends and customers for their ongoing support and encouragement.”

Nathan Walwyn and Steve Barton. Photo by Damion Snow

New venue for gastronomical festival

Following the success of its first summer festival in 2022, the Stone Food & Drink Festival is once again set to run in July this year – on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16.

However, with work set to commence on extensive developments on the town’s Westbridge Park, the event’s usual site, the festival team has been forced to find an alternative venue for the 2023 event.

The festival, which attracts thousands of visitors to Stone each year, will take place at Kibblestone Scout Camp just, 1.5 miles north of the town centre.

With a shuttle bus service and a packed programme of events planned for the town centre throughout festival week, the goal of the event remains to help bring visitors, and their revenue, into Stone for the benefit of local businesses.

Chairman of the non-for-profit event, Richard Stevens, explained: “After a fantastic return to full capacity last year and seeing a great turnout for our first ever summer event, the team was excited to start early planning for a July 2023 festival on Westbridge Park.

“However, when we approached the borough council to secure the park site it was made clear that, due to proposed works, we would be unable to use Westbridge Park in July or October 2023.

“This was a huge hit for the team – following a year out due to Covid and a reduced capacity event in 2021, the festival simply would not survive another year out – so we started looking at alternative ways that we could still run a festival.

“Having investigated various options, Kibblestone provided an ideal opportunity – it has the space and infrastructure the event needs, ample on-site parking and is close enough for us to run shuttle buses to and from the town centre to ensure the festival still benefits town centre businesses.

“As part of our commitment to the town, we are once again working closely with Stone Traders’

Group to get local businesses involved in the event and will be running a packed programme of town centre events during the run-up to the event, something we are delighted to return to now restrictions have fully eased.

“We are confident that we will put on a great foodie event for Stone in 2023, and intend to return to Westbridge Park as soon as we are able –hopefully for the 2024 festival.”

Full details and tickets are set to be released in early 2023 via the festival website at www.stonefooddrink.org.uk.

Sat

15 & Sun 16 July 2023

Kibblestone Scout Camp

(Our new home while development is underway on Westbridge Park)

FREE, regular shuttle buses running from town plus Park & Ride from Hitachi (formerly ABB, Oulton Rd) One day pass £12pp / 2 day pass £20pp (Accompanied under 16s free)

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.

Breastfeeding Support Group

1pm-3pm at Leek Fire Station, Springfield Road, Leek. Breastfeeding mums and mums to be welcome as well as any siblings. Details: 07792 08389.

Bingo

Every first Tuesday of the month at Onecote Village Hall. Doors 6.45pm, eyes down 7.30pm.

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. Every fortnight on 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

Friday, May 12

Live Music 7.30pm at The Maude, Clerk Bank, Leek. With Michon Young.

Saturday, May 13

Seedling and Plant Swap 10am-2pm at Cheadle Road Allotment Site, Leek. Hosted by the Leek Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association. Live Music 8.30pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With The DAB.

Sunday, May 14

Bandstand Concert 2pm-4pm at Brough Park

Bandstand, Leek. With Macclesfield Concert Band. Free event. Details: www.facebook.com/broughpark.

Live Music 4pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With Levi Knapper.

Thursday, May 18

Floral Talk 7pm at Meerbrook Village Hall, near Leek. Ian Sutherland shares his expertise of growing Dahlias. Admission £5. Details: 07518 074185.

Friday, May 19

World Music 7pm for 7.30pm at The Maude, Clerk Bank, Leek. An evening with Sarah Miller and Mr Will. Free event. (LAF)

Over Alderley Brass Band 7.30pm at Rudyard Methodist Church, near Leek. £7. Proceeds to church funds. Details: 07518 074185.

Saturday, May 20

Children’s Story Telling 11am-11.30am, Midday12.30pm, 2pm-2.30pm, 3pm-3.30pm at The Maude, Clerk Bank, Leek. Free event. (LAF)

Staffordshire Moorlands Open Art Exhibition

Live Music 8.30pm at The Old Mill Smokehouse

Leek. With The Tetleys.

Saturday, May 27

Specialists for Sales & Repairs

Established

Running until June 24 at the Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek. Club. Live music from ‘The 45 Sound,’ large market and parts fair, plus Ridden Custom Show. Details:

3.30pm at Rudyard Methodist Church,

Club. To include: classic cars, lorries and vans, coaches, auto jumble, tractors, military vehicles, motorbikes and scooters, stationary engines. £6 admission. Under 15’s free. Details: www.autoextravaganza.co.uk.

Gazing at The Stars. 3pm for 3.30pm at The Maude, Clerk Bank, Leek. With contemporary pianist and composer Rebecca Hunt with special guest guitarist Nella Allen. Tickets £12. (LAF) Choral Evensong 4pm at All Saints Church, Compton, Leek. Prayer Book Society Choral

Street, Leek. Free admission. (LAF)

Quality Car Sales

New stock arriving on a weekly basis many other cars available to order

Luminarium Midday-6pm at Leek Hockey Club, Macclesfield Road. An interactive walk-in sculpture by Architects of Air hosted by the Outside project. Running until Monday, May 29. Free event but by ticket only available at www.outsidearts.org.

Sunday, May 28

Service and Repairs for all makes and models

Bandstand Concert

MOT & Insurance Repairs

Vehicle Air Conditioning

Bandstand, Leek. With Jazzworks. Free event. Details: www.facebook.com/broughpark. The Rondino String Quartet

Wilkes Head, St Edward Street, Leek. Free event. (LAF)

Collection & Delivery Service available on request

Live Music

Unlucky Strike.

Recovery

Wednesday, May 31

EV Charging now available (appointment only)

Staffordshire County Show Also on Thursday at Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford. Details: www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk.

Visit: www.jpgcars.co.uk

Saturday, June 3

Tel: 01538 382388

Burton Street, Leek, ST13 8BU

The Bluesmakers 9pm at The Cock Inn, Derby Street, Leek. Hosted by Mike Gledhill. Veterans of

Local family law specialists

Call us for a 20 minute no obligation telephone consultation to identify the options available to you

• Divorce (including Same Sex Marriages and Farming Divorces)

• Dissolution of Civil Partnerships

• Court applications (Children & Finances)

• Pre and post nuptial agreements

• Arrangements for children – advice for parents and grandparents

• Drafting mediation agreements

T: 01538 361697 M: 07974 645147

E: jo@jojohnsonfamilylaw.co.uk

W: www.jojohnsonfamilylaw.co.uk

Jo Johnson Emily Hinton

SUPPORTING UKRAINE WHAT’S ON

the Leek Blues scene since 1983 in a special performance to celebrate their 40th anniversary featuring original members of The Johnny Waterhouse Blues Band. (LAF)

Sunday, June 4

Live Music 10.30am onwards in Leek town centre. With Sunday Supplement Music.

Live Music 4pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With Acoustic Anarchy.

Tuesday, June 6

Live Music 8pm at The Roebuck, Leek. With Live in Leek Session.

Saturday, June 10

Johnny Coppin and The Phoenix Singers in Concert 7.30pm at All Saints Church, Leek. Tickets £16 (£5 U18s). Details: www.phoenixsingersleek.co.uk or 01538 388900. (LAF)

Live Music 8.30pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With Cry Baby and the Hoochie Cochise Boys.

Sunday, June 11

Bandstand Concert 2pm-4pm at Brough Park Bandstand, Leek. With John Milner Band. Free event. Details: www.facebook.com/broughpark.

Live Music 4pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With Jason Huxley.

Friday, June 16

Live Music 8.30pm at The Old Mill Smokehouse, Leek. With Acoustic Anarchy. Live Music 7.30pm at The Maude, Leek. With Taner Gable.

Saturday, June 17

Live Music 8.30pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With The DAB.

Sunday, June 18

Live Music 4pm at The Cock Inn, Leek. With Freefall Acoustic.

Friday, June 23

Live Music 8.30pm at The Old Mill Smokehouse, Leek. With Half Man Half Brisket.

Live Music 7.30pm at The Maude, Leek. With Lyle Divinsky.

Saturday, June 24

Live Music 8.30pm at The Cock Inn Leek. With One One Million Fingers/The Red Letters.

Sunday, June 25

Bandstand Concert 2pm-4pm at Brough Park Bandstand, Leek. With Salvation Army Band. Free event. Details: www.facebook.com/broughpark.

What’s on at the Foxlowe Arts Centre

Art Exhibitions: ‘Figuratively Speaking’ featuring the work of painter Clare Lord, sculptor Denise Dutton, and print media artist David Gleeson, starting on May 6 and running until Saturday, June 17, in the first floor gallery which is open Wednesday to Saturday, between 10am and 4pm. Followed by an exhibition by Derek Higginson from June 24 until August 5. Plus exhibition by artist printmaker May Jayne Pellington until May 13 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. See website for details.

Foxlowe Films: Every Tuesday evening with doors open at 7pm for 7.45pm screening time. Tickets £6. See the Foxlowe website for details of forthcoming screenings.

Life Drawing Sessions: Every Tuesday. 1pm3pm. £10.

Friday, May 12 Rumer. Music. SOLD OUT. (LAF)

Saturday, May 13

The Lorna Davies Folk Day. Music. Midday5.30pm. Free event. (LAF)

Evening Ceilidh. Music. 7pm for 7.30pm. £5. (LAF)

Wednesday, May 17

Quiet Fire Basin Street Jazz and Blues Band. Music. 7.30pm for 8pm. £10. (LAF)

Thursday, May 18

The Power of Poetry. Poetry and performance. 7.30pm. £5 (LAF)

Friday, May 19

John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett. Music. 7.30pm for 8pm. £15. (LAF)

Saturday, May 20

Repair Cafe. Moorlands Climate Action. 10am2pm.

The Jake Leg Jug Band. Music. 7.30pm. £12. (LAF)

Sunday, May 21

In the Footsteps of Ewan MacColl. Music. 8pm. £20. (LAF)

Monday, May 22

Erika Lewis & Steven Paris. Music. Presented by Maven Productions. 7.30pm for 8pm. £12.

Wednesday, May 24

Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. Music. 8pm. £15. (LAF)

Thursday, May 25

Justin Moorhouse: Stretch & Think. Comedy. 7.15pm for 8pm. £15.

Friday, May 26

The Peak District Big Band. Music. 8pm. £8. (LAF)

Wednesday, May 31

Bisous Basin Street Jazz and Blues. Music. 7.30pm for 8pm. £10. (LAF)

Thursday, June 1

Leek’s Comedy Club. With Sean Heydon, Sully O’Sullivan, Orlando Gibbs, and compere Tony Cowards. 7.15pm for 8pm. £12.

Thursday, June 8

Chris Leslie. Music. Presented by Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club. 7.30pm for 8pm. £12. (LAF)

Friday, June 16

Gabriel Moreno: Cultural Ambassador of Gibraltar. Music. 7.30pm for 8pm. £14. (LAF)

Thursday, June 22

The Hunger. Theatre and poetry. 7pm for 7.30pm. £7. (LAF)

Saturday, June 24

HuG Festival. Hosted by Moorlands Climate Action. 10am-4pm.

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

PLEASE NOTE: Any events in the ‘Coming Up’ and also in the ‘Foxlowe Arts Centre’ listings with (LAF) next to them are part of this year’s Leek Arts Festival. For further information and to purchase tickets, go online to: www.leekartsfestival.co.uk.

Crowds gather to witness the Easter Story

Many folk came out in a Moorlands town for this years Good Friday to celebrate the Easter Story.

Members of churches from across Leek gathered on Friday, April 7, to take part in the annual Churches Together Walk of Witness through the town centre.

The event saw a short service take place at the foot of the Nicholson War Memorial at midday followed by the procession of the cross to the Butter Market Cross in the town’s Market Place

for another short service.

Then crowds moved back down to Sparrow Park in Derby Street to watch a two-hour long Passion Play which was presented by Manna Theatre Company.

The play involved lots of local folk taking part as extras in the scenes which told the story of the miracles of Jesus, his death and resurrection.

The Easter weekend continued with a multitude of services at the different churches across the town.

Planning for show continues to progress

ARRANGEMENTS for this year’s Leek & District Show are “making good progress” state the volunteer team behind the agricultural extravaganza.

This year’s family friendly event will be taking place at it’s new home of Dunwood Fields, just outside of Leek, for a second year running. It will take place on Saturday, July 29.

A spokesman for the show said: “Following the successful relocation to the Dunwood Fields, the Leek Show now has the space to host a wider range of events.

“As well as all the traditional livestock competition classes, the main show ring will include shire horses and pony events, show jumping and private driving.

“In the marquees, the horticultural sections will be presenting various competitive classes for fruit and vegetable produce together with flower arrangements and all the variety of arts and crafts.”

Show director Bruce Daniel continued: “We are putting together a complete programme for all age groups and interests.

“We shall have a Farrier Competition, Dog Show and a display of Vintage Vehicles. Leading farm services and equipment suppliers will be participating.

“Trade stand bookings have been received from across each of the three counties bordering the Staffordshire Moorlands. On offer will be delicatessen, artisan food, garden furniture and a range of decorative and healthy life style products.”

The Leek Show team are also making provision to try and kerb the long traffic queues which were experienced going into the new show site last year.

The spokesman said: “From experience gained last year, the organisers will be taking steps to help minimise congestion on the A53 Leek Road.

“This includes provision for a third entrance/departure gate and additional car parking

facilities from the Leek direction to the showground.”

To keep up to date with this year’s event go online to: https://leekshow.org.uk.

“Have your cake and eat it”

How do you know when to eat cake – you just know don’t you?

If there are two lessons in life to learn, then it is these: Trust your instincts; Explore opportunities when they present themselves before choosing between “Yes” or “No.”

These two rules form the basis of many decisions I have made over the last few years and I won’t apologise for talking about them frequently because they are so important.

I chose these rules as a result of learning from past mistakes. If I had not followed these rules then I would not be an artist and I would still be working in a job I hated. They also lead me to do stand up comedy for charity, train to be a life coach and challenge myself with my outdoor swimming. All things that have helped me grow as a person.

Regular readers will know I work part time alongside my part time business. It was a choice I made a few years ago, I wanted to leave financial services, have the flexibility of being my own boss but the security of a pay packet to cover the bills. Have my cake and eat it (didn’t we talk about cake last time?).

Good part time work can be more difficult to find than full time and I have done a variety of jobs, (some I haven’t liked, some temporary, some not enough hours) before returning to my core skill set around mortgages.

I did not want to go back into the corporate financial services world and wanted a role that fitted better around my new skills.However it ticked a lot of boxes and has been a great little job, hours to suit, a job I was skilled in and some nice colleagues being the icing on the cake (cake again). Sometimes you just know something is not right and I needed to trust my instincts and move on. I was a square peg in a rectangle shape so there was no point jumping into any old role that didn’t fit as comfortably, I just needed a squarer shape to slot into.

But eyes and ears were always open for a

better fit. So almost four years on, I have left that work, in a world I’m confident and competent in, within a sector that I have worked most of my life to take a role in the not for profit sector doing something completely new.

It is a steep learning curve but the opportunity presented itself and I had to explore its possibilities. It is more hours which will be more challenging to get a great work/life balance, but it excited me immediately and at that point I realised how much of a rut I had been close to being in.

We make so many decisions daily based on instincts, when someone asks if you want a brew (and cake) you do not have to think too hard, yet we do not apply this instinctive thinking to bigger decisions and we often try to answer the questions based on logic.

It is so easy to let our head talk us into or out of an opportunity. Statements like: “I don’t know how to do that” or “that will change my routine and make life difficult” are simply not helpful. Those questions should be replaced by: “it’ll be interesting to learn something new” and “how can I make changes to make this work.”

These are much better questions to be asking and lead us in the right direction by challenging us to explore the truth. They may not always lead you to say “Yes”, however at least you will be saying “No” for the right reasons.

I would love to hear about when you have accepted a challenge. Feel free to email me with your stories at the address below or leave a comment on my blog on the website.

In the meantime, I am off to eat cake.

Goals don’t just happen, you have to plan for them

Receiving professional advice is one of the main advantages of working with a financial adviser. Without obtaining this advice, there may be risks that you are disregarding. Emotional factors also have an influence on financial decisions and these can cloud our judgement, causing us to make illogical or irrational choices.

ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

This includes confirmation bias, when we seek out information that reinforces an existing belief, which can lead to overconfidence in investment decisions. Your financial adviser will help provide objectivity and identify any possible risks you may not be aware of. Having financial goals is also one of the main reasons to obtain advice.Whether it’s planning for retirement or another objective, having an experienced professional by your side can help you create and execute an investment plan tailored to achieving your individual goals.

SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

If you are planning for your retirement, you now have more choices than ever before.While this offers numerous opportunities, it also means that careful consideration and knowledge of pension allowances, tax-efficient savings and other factors have become essential in order to ensure a comfortable retirement. Knowing what assets you hold and having a clear strategy is key to creating a successful investment portfolio, but these portfolios can become complicated over time. For example, you may have investments with several different providers, overlapping funds or funds that don’t align with your goals any longer.

START MINIMISING TAXES

In such cases, it may be beneficial to bring all of your investments together and simplify the portfolio.Your adviser will help you do this, as they will be able to construct a streamlined portfolio with a clear

strategy suited to your specific needs and risk tolerance. When it comes to wealth building and preservation, tax planning is key. Investing within an Individual Savings Account (ISA) can be a way to start minimising taxes. However, there may be more complex strategies available that could further reduce the amount of taxes you have to pay.That’s where professional advice, if appropriate, will ensure you are able to maximise your tax savings by taking advantage of alternative sophisticated strategies.

PROVIDING INVALUABLE GUIDANCE

In addition, to maximise potential returns within your risk appetite, it will be appropriate to look beyond domestic stocks.When managing your own portfolio, you may sometimes be guilty of suffering from ‘home bias’, which involves over-investing in local stocks at the cost of international ones.Your financial adviser will help you to use the full breadth of investment opportunities and make sure that you are getting the best potential returns.

If you have recently come into a large sum of money, it can be difficult to know what to do with it. Your financial adviser can provide invaluable guidance in this situation and help you make the right decision. You’ll have many questions such as should the money be invested or used to pay off your

mortgage? Will there be tax implications? And is it best to invest all at once or over time?

It’s important to remember that tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

COMPLEX FINANCIAL MATTERS

Your adviser will be able to assist you with these decisions, ensuring that you get the best possible returns and maximise your wealth in the long term. When it comes to complex financial matters, receiving professional financial advice is important.

For instance, the introduction of the Lifetime Allowance means that investors must now be aware of how much they accumulate in their pension accounts, or risk facing an excess tax charge.With expert guidance, you can plan accordingly and make sure that your retirement goals are met without risking a substantial tax bill.

Scent-sational climbers

Thismonth I am looking for climbing plants with great fragrance. I asked clematis expert, Charlie Pridham, who also grows a wide range of other climbers for his top picks. For clematis Charlies selected C.montana 'Elizabeth' a pale pink from the 1950's which particularly good in the spring and for later in the year C. 'Betty Corning' with its pale blue bells and C x triternata-rubromarginata which produces mass of pink and white vanilla scented flowers.

Honeysuckles are well known for their scent, and our native species Lonicera periclymenum is one of the best in the world for scent. In flower for most of the summer it is best in shaded from the midday heat, and equally scented, but with a hint of spice and earlier into flower is Lonicera x italica. Lonicera glabrata which flowers in August and September, highly scented and evergreen. From a garden perspective I think all honeysuckles benefit from being pruned from time to time to take out the oldest wood and help them renew themselves from the base”.

Roses are renowned for their scent and the rambling rose group gives good results with very minimum effort. The wichuriana types like 'Alberic Barbier' and 'Francois Juranville' have flexible stems for tying in and apple-like scent. More recognisably rose scented are ramblers like 'Rambling Rector' and 'Pauls Himalayan Musk' which are best for growing into trees and hedges".

The last mention goes to Wisteria floribunda. This flowers like crazy and apart from looking

fantastic in early summer the perfume is absolutely gorgeous.

Charlie will be attending the plant fairs at Hodnet Hall on Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11, with climbing plants from his nursery, Roseland House.

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

Planet Fair Dates:

Battlefield 1403 Farm Shop, Shrewsbury on Saturday, May 13, Free Entry to Plant Fair

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

Hodnet Hall & Gardens, Market Drayton on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, Garden and Fair £5;

Sugnall Walled Garden, Eccleshall on Saturday June 17, Garden and Fair £1. For further details go online to: www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk.

Martin Blow

DECORATING

TO ADVERTISE YOUR

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

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

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

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

Welive 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 Springtime in the Staffordshire Moorlands which

prescriptions have to be turned away. In view of the wider role planned for pharmacists by NHS it is likely that some changes to the Medicines Act may be forthcoming in the future.

READERS PICS

All three Leek GP Practices want to recruit new members to their patient groups as numbers have declined during the Covid pandemic. If you feel you could make a positive contribution to the running of your practice you will be very

To express your interest please visit your practice website/Facebook page or just enquire at patient reception. Each practice is permitted three patient representatives to the Patient Locality Group and this group is involved across the five GP Practices for Leek and Biddulph which make up the Primary Care Network.

Report by Bas Pickering

have been kindly sent in to us by some of our readers.

HAVE you snapped a stunning local scene recently? Email your pictures to hargreavespr@outlook.com.

Bluebell. Photo by Peter Wetton

Lambs. Photo by Peter Wetton

A lamb.

Photo by Kate Ainsworth

Let’s get quizzical

COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

1 Beginning in 2012 which television series of solving crimes ended in March 2023 after nine series?

2 Which Olympian was crowned Dancing on Ice winner 2023?

3 Which film won the 2023 Best Picture Oscar?

4 What was the apt maiden name of Buzz Aldrin’s mother?

5 Who is to replace Sue Barker as the main presenter of the Wimbledon coverage later this year?

6 Which England cricket captain had the initials MCC?

7 Which spread is named after a French casserole dish?

8 Tyrol is a region split between which two countries?

9 Charles Warrell created what series of spotters’ guides?

10 Who was the sole survivor of the wreck of the Pequod?

11 How was Margaret Lake better known who died aged 80 in March?

12 Which county adopted St Petroc’s Cross as its flag?

13 In what decade was the last prosecution under the Witchcraft Act 1735?

14 What did Robert Wilson supposedly photograph in 1934?

15 What is the world record for stacking M&M’s?

16 Which city has statues of Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx?

17 What is the third letter of the Greek alphabet?

18 If a horse has odds of 3/1 what percentage chance does the odds imply it has of winning the race?

19 Which hero of Greek mythology was accidentally poisoned by his wife, Deianeira, when she was tricked by the dying centaur Nessus into giving him a venomous tunic?

20 The 1960 song "Only the Lonely" was the first No. 1 hit for which singer?

Welive 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 some of our readers.

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

Photo by Angela Lilley Photography

Photo by Cliff Salt

Photo by Cliff Salt

Photo by Matt Holdcroft

Photo by Matt Holdcroft

Photo by Cliff Salt