Leek Life Jan Feb 2017

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

CAMRA AWARDS

Life

Raising a glass to thriving real ale pub

S’oaring’ success

Local rowing club first past the post

WIN

ts to ticke pera on O Buxt use Ho

JAN/FEB

Editor’s Letter......................................6 North Staffordshire Rowing Club .......8

Buxton and Leek College ...................10

Recipe For Life ...................................12 CAMRA West Midlands Regional Pub

of the Year ..........................................18

Staffordshire Police ...........................20

Folk at The Foxlowe ...........................21 Foxlowe Arts Centre ..........................22

Stage Directions.................................24

Property .............................................26

Home Improvements .........................31 Gardening ..........................................32 The Food Awards England ................34

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust...............35

Tourism Awards ................................36

Reflections Coaching .........................39

Leek ASC............................................40

Leek Community Fire Station ...........42 Quiz Corner........................................44

Lasar Radio ........................................45

Motoring ............................................46 Classified............................................50

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO ANOTHER YEAR OF ‘LIFE’ IN LEEK

t is fair to say 2016 was certainly a rollercoaster of a year in many aspects, particularly on a national and international level with some very big changes ahead regarding the political landscape.

No matter what your personal opinions on these matters may be, one thing is for sure, within our own small town and local community the pace of chance is generally felt much less acutely. Rightly or wrongly this does offer us a little bit of a reprieve from worrying world news and the chance to celebrate and enjoy more trivial aspects of life.

For many the new year means new year resolutions. Instead of vowing to watch what you eat, or have every good intention of heading to the gym this January, why not choose to be a little kinder to yourself and take up something more enjoyable. In this issue we celebrate the s’oaring’ success of one local sports club which has managed to inspire a new generation of rowing enthusiasts, increasing the membership of its youth section ten fold in the past few years.

North Staffs Rowing Club which operates from the beautiful Rudyard Lake is a shining example of a sport, not only offering massive health and fitness opportunities, but opening itself up to all members of the community regardless of age, sex and ability - just one example of something new to sample in 2017.

Continuing in a sporting vein, young members of Leek Amateur Swimming Club have also been making a splash. They celebrated a phenomenal medal haul at the final competition of last year, despite being up against some stiff opposition from much larger clubs. Well done to all involved and another example of what fantastic talented and committed young people Leek is producing.

There is plenty of new music, theatre and arts coming to the town this year for people to enjoy too, and of course we are all getting behind one of the town’s biggest success stories of the past two years, the rise of Ashbourne Road’s Earl Grey pub.

Joint licensees Mark Sidebotham and Rob Bailey (better known as Sidey and Bayo) will find out if their winning form is set to continue as the results of the next round of CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year competition are revealed after the pair scooped the West Midlands Regional Pub of the Year last year.

We all have our fingers crossed for you lads.

So as we look ahead to the forthcoming year we would love to hear from anyone who would like to see their event, club, or group featured in Leek Life, why not make 2017 the year you get in touch.

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Deborah Boden Contents Editor debbie@timesandecho.co.uk Sophie Cotton Tracey Wardle Design & Production Thomas Brian Advertising Manager tom@timesandecho.co.uk Mobile: 07855 242693 Jane Walters Advertising Sales jane@timesandecho.co.uk Times, Echo & Life Publications 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1BD Tel: 01538 752214 www.timesechoandlife.co.uk life@timesandecho.co.uk

Deborah

Did you know that you can read Leek Life online?

Front cover photo courtesy of Brett Trafford

Visit www.timesechoandlife.co.uk

www.bretttrafford.com 6 Leek Life January/February 2017

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• ALL FAMILY MATTERS Divorce, Child Maintenance, Child access, pre-nuptial agreements

• ACCIDENT CLAIMS AND ALL LITIGATION MATTERS Accidents at work, road traffic accidents, trips and slips, neighbour disputes

• MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE • WILL WRITING, ALL PROBATE MATTERS Have you got round to making a will to look after your loved ones?

T: 01538 388809 12 Market Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6HZ Email: nick@uprights-solicitors.co.uk

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE ROWING CLUB

S‘OARING’ SUCCESS

LOCAL ROWING CLUB FIRST PAST THE POST

land-locked district at the heart of England might not seem the obvious location for an award-winning rowing club – but the Staffordshire Moorlands can boast one of the finest.

North Staffordshire Rowing Club’s efforts to encourage young people to take up the sport saw them win the Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) Satellite Club of the Year at a recent awards ceremony after the membership of the junior section has increased ten-fold in just a few years.

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The Satellite Club programme is aimed at encouraging sports clubs to develop links with local schools on school sites.

Junior Head Coach at the Club, Tony Riddington, said they were very pleased to have been named winners, speaking to Leek Life he said: “It means a lot. It’s great to be recognised because there were lots of other equally deserving clubs that this award could have gone to. One of the best aspects of winning is that best practice is then shared with other sports so we can all learn from each other – we’re very pleased to have won.”

The Club, which rows at the picturesque Rudyard Lake, runs a Monday night club for young people at Leek High School throughout the

Councillor Brian Johnson (right) presenting the award to North Staffordshire Rowing Club’s Iain Hall (left) and Mark Foster (centre).

8 Leek Life January/February 2017

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE ROWING CLUB

year, except during July and August, and another session on Wednesdays from October to March.

In addition, it also runs sessions in the Spring term at Churnet View Middle School, St Edwards Academy and Endon High School.

Those who transition from the satellite club to the rowing club become regular young rowers who train hard and compete at regional and national level. Older rowing club juniors come back to assist with the satellite club enabling them to develop their leadership skills and provide positive role models for younger members.

This approach has supported the sustainability of the satellite club which is also the result of the strong relationship the club has developed with the school.

Mr Riddington added: “The sessions are proving to be a great way of engaging with young people and their families and getting more people

involved in the sport. As a result of the enthusiasm the youngsters have shown, we’ve now got five parents who are learning to row having been inspired by their children.”

The award was presented to the Club by Councillor Brian Johnson, cabinet member for sport and leisure at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. He said: “I was delighted to present this award to North Staffordshire Rowing Club for the fantastic work they do to encourage young people to get involved in the sport.

“It’s clearly paying off as the membership of the junior section, which was set up in 2009 with seven members, has increased ten-fold to just over 70 in 2016. The results speak for themselves and I’d like to add my congratulations to the club on winning this much deserved award and wish them, and the youngsters they’re inspiring, continued enjoyment of rowing and success in the future.”

Leek Life January/February 2017 9

NATIONAL AWARD NOMINATION BUXTON AND LEEK COLLEGE

MITCHELL MAKES IT INTO FINAL FIVE

0 year old Mitchell Collier from Leek, has been recognised for his customer service skills at a national awards ceremony.

The former Leek student who studied Hospitality at Buxton and Leek College’s Buxton Campus, was shortlisted as a finalist in the Customer Service Star of the Year award run by Boutique Hotelier.

The young Guest Relations Assistant, who works at Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire, rubbed shoulders with industry professionals from the country’s top luxury and boutique hotels at a glittering awards ceremony in London. He was one of just five finalists in his category with the competition attracting more than 260 nominations from 100 hotels.

Mitchell was pipped to the post by JeanLuc Bouchereau from Villa Magdala in Bath whom judges finally chose after being bowled over by the number of Trip Advisor reviewers who commented on his willingness to go above and beyond for guests.

Mitchell, who attended college in 2014, said: “It has been an incredible two years since I left, from working at the beautiful South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex and then moving on to Belmond Le Manoir. It has been such a wonderful and informative experience and I continue to learn so much from my colleagues in the hospitality industry.

“Being nominated for the award was overwhelming and being shortlisted in the top five from hundreds of UK hotels is an incredible achievement in itself - I am incredibly proud to have been recognised.

“We are currently nominated for ‘Front of House Team of the Year’ by the Hotel Cateys.

It is an honour to be part of such a committed and talented team who continue to strive for perfection.”

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10 Leek Life January/February 2017

HEALTH-KICK RECIPE FOR THE NEW YEAR RECIPE FOR LIFE

FOUR OF YOUR FIVE A DAY

Spanish meatball and butter bean stew This hearty one-pot recipe for

is full of Mediterranean flavour, with pork, red onion, peppers and smoked paprika, it also includes an impressive four of your five a day, so is not only tasty, filling but is also packed full of goodness.

You are always welcome at

The Hollybush Inn Delicious homemade food served everyday including Sunday when we serve a traditional roast, and delicious daily specials

• Families welcome • Outdoor play area • Dog friendly • Large beer garden • A selection of real ales

Canal Side, Denford, Leek , ST13 7JT

01538 371819

12 Leek Life January/February 2017

Ingredients • 350g lean pork mince • 2 teaspoons of olive oil • 1 large red onion, chopped • 2 peppers, sliced, any colour will do • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tablespoons of sweet smoked paprika • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes • 400g can butter beans, drained • 2 tea spoons of golden caster sugar • small bunch parsley, chopped • crusty bread, to serve (optional)

Method Season the pork, working the seasoning in with your hands, then shape into small meatballs.

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the meatballs and cook for 5 mins, until golden brown all over.

Push to one side of the pan and add the onion and peppers. Cook for a further 5 mins, stirring now and then, until the veg has softened, then stir in the garlic and paprika. Stir everything around in the pan for 1 min, then add the tomatoes. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 mins. Uncover, stir in the beans, the sugar and some seasoning, then simmer for a further 10 mins, uncovered. Just before serving, stir in the parsley. Serve with crusty bread for dunking, if you like.

Stylish Accommodation…

We offer stylish rooms, free on site car parking, complimentary wifi and, at weekends, an award winning restaurant that uses great produce from the best local butchers’ and suppliers.

You’ll also be able to appreciate that produce at breakfast time with our Gold award winning sausages and butchers’ dry cured bacon. If a full English is not your thing then how about the finest hot smoked salmon from the Outer Hebrides?

Special Occasion?

If you have a special anniversary or birthday to celebrate this year then for parties of 20 – 40 we can offer private dining, lunch or dinner, any day of the week!

Getting Married?

Tel: 01538 383729 Web: www.peakweavers.co.uk King Street, Leek ST13 5NW

Our restaurant also makes the perfect venue for an intimate wedding celebration providing a day to remember tailored to your wishes.

Less formal…

For christenings, wakes and business meetings etc a homemade buffet option is also available.

Wines

Whisky

Passionate about what we sell, all our wines are tasted and personally selected so whether you need a food and wine match, a gift idea, or like us, you just love your wine, let our knowledge and expertise help you make the perfect choice.

Choose from a selection of blended whisky, single malts, rare and collectables as well as our very own independent whisky label...

Try before you buy

We hand select and sample individual casks to be bottled for our rare cask range. ese have come from several different distilleries including Caol Ila, Longmorn and Bruichladdich.

Our Enomatic Wine Dispenser, the world’s number one wine serving system, provides up to eight wines for you to try, or choose any bottle from the store.

Relax with friends to taste and enjoy.

A family run business Set in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands, Wine and Whisky stocks hundreds of wines from around the world, specialist whiskies, real ale, continental beers, spirits and liqueurs.

Dedicated in offering high quality products for all occasions we guarantee great value for money.

16 Leek Life January/February 2017

The Queen of the Moorlands

ese whiskies are ideal for the serious whisky enthusiast or collector, with only a limited number of bottles of any rare cask available.

Under the Queen of the Moorlands whisky label we also have a 10 and 15 year old Speyside single malt, which are both proving very popular.

Find out more: www.queenofthemoorlands.com

Something extra • Glass loan • Wedding wine • Wholesale • Loyalty card scheme • Gift packaging • Free local delivery • Nationwide delivery

Get in touch wineandwhisky.com 22 Russell St, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5JF

Tasting experiences

01538 382408 email: info@wineandwhisky.com

Our tasting events provide a great opportunity to try new wines, whiskies or spirits.

Events can run in conjunction with local venues and restaurants or at your home where we come to you equipped with wine, glasses and tasting notes.

If whisky is more your tipple then we regularly arrange whisky tasting evenings. Contact us to find out when the next event is happening.

A case for every occasion Each month we offer a variety of case deals. ese cases are an ideal way of enjoying a selection of wines at a great price.

Free delivery on all products

facebook.com/thewineshopleek twitter.com/thewineshopleek instagram.com/thewineshopleek Leek Life January/February 2017 17

RAISING A GLASS TO TH CAMRA WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL PUB OF THE YEAR

LEEK WATERING HOLE AMONGST THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY eek’s very own Earl Grey will have a tough job beating the success it achieved last year after it was announced as CAMRA’s (Campaign for Real Ale) West Midlands Regional Pub of the Year.

During a presentation event at the intimate Ashbourne Road boozer Gary Timins, the CAMRA West Midlands Regional Director formally presented joint licensees with the coveted trophy infront of a packed pub full of regular customers, local CAMRA members, Leek Deputy Mayor and even the Town Crier. The short ceremony even got a mention with a live broadcast on the BBC Midlands Today programme.

Joint licensees Mark Sidebotham and Rob Bailey (known to regulars and friends as Sidey and Bayo) set out to create a place they both wanted to drink and socialise in convivial surroundings and to serve carefully sourced beer

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18 Leek Life January/February 2017

in as near perfect condition as possible.

They have fastidiously stuck to their simple original vision with the place being an immediate hit with the local drinking fraternity and CAMRA members alike. It has grown from nothing into the huge success it is today with their vision, attention to detail and outstanding customer service certainly paid off with the Earl Grey being awarded this fantastic title.

No pub in the combined branches of Potteries and Staffs Moorlands has ever been awarded the prestigious title of West Midlands Regional Pub of the Year. The reincarnated Earl Grey has had an astonishing rise to fame after opening in its present guise as recently as July 2014 following extensive restoration and building works after a period of four years being closed.

It was presented with the Staffordshire Moorlands Pub of the Season in autumn 2015 by the local committee, went on to be voted as Staffordshire Moorlands Pub of the Year 2015, votes being cast by all local members, making it eligible to go forward to the

THRIVING REAL ALE PUB

CAMRA WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL PUB OF THE YEAR

Staffordshire county Pub of the Year competition which it won by votes from representatives from all the other branches in the county.

They then progressed into the heady ground of the regional competition, where an experienced regional ‘judging panel’ visited all the county winners and voted accordingly.

The Earl Grey now finds itself in the top 16 pubs in the UK and now continues its journey in the National Pub of the Year competition.

Results for the next round where the competing pubs are whittled down to the final four will be announced later in February.

The Chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands sub-branch of CAMRA Steve Barton said: “What a fantastic achievement for the Earl Grey and in such a short space of time since opening in 2014.

To be voted as the Staffordshire Moorlands Pub of the Year, immediately followed by the County Pub of the Year and now this, is an almost unbelievable series of events. We are all immensely proud to have the County winner in our sub-branch area and now to have a Regional title too means the Earl Grey really is at the top of its game.

“It has never happened in the northern part of the Region before and as well as certainly putting the Earl Grey in the Regional and National spotlight, it is also great news for the town of Leek with all its great pubs and the Staffordshire Moorlands as a whole. People from far and wide will be asking about The Earl Grey, Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands. I think it is wonderful news. I honestly believe that the whole area should benefit from the great work the boys at the Earl Grey have put into their pub over the past two and a half years. It has paid off big time and has put Leek firmly on the National CAMRA radar.

Other

pubs will definitely benefit indirectly from this Regional award coming to Leek.

“The really pleasing thing for me is that it is obviously not just us who feel that way as the votes were from people from outside the area who would not know the Earl Grey or this area well. Senior and experienced judges from CAMRA from the whole of the West Midlands Region took part in the surveys and set out on visits to all the county winning pubs as ‘mystery shoppers’.

“The fact that these senior and experienced people agreed that the Earl Grey was the best pub in the West Midlands region, means it is going forward to the next stage of the National Pub of the Year competition.”

If you have not yet visited our very own proud regional Pub of the Year, why not give them a try. You will not be disappointed. The Earl Grey, in Ashbourne Road always stocks quality real ales, unusual craft lagers and premium beers, plus uncommon spirits and wines.

Leek Life January/February 2017 19

STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE

DEDICATION RECOGNISED

LONG SERVICE AWARD FOR GLENYS

fter serving as a Special Constable, serving on police community panels and volunteering for the force in the town, Leek’s Glenys Robinson has been recognised by Staffordshire Police.

The great-grandmother, who has worked alongside police officers in Leek since 1972, was presented with a 40 year long service award by the force’s Chief Constable Jane Swayers.

The presentation at Staffordshire Police headquarters saw a combined total of nearly 400 years service rewarded and praised.

Glenys began her time with the force as a special constable, later joining the Crime Prevention Panel and Police Safer Neighbourhood Panel before working as a police volunteer when the opportunity arose four years

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20 Leek Life January/February 2017

ago.

Glenys said: “I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m 75 and still doing volunteering and working on the two panels.

“It’s very rewarding to be able to work and help in the community that you live in. We’re very lucky that we live in a place as nice as Leek.”

A former road safety officer, Glenys was awarded the MBE in 2000 for services to the community.

Glenys lives with her husband, Doug Swann, a former police officer. She has three sons, two step-daughters, 14 grandchildren and a greatgranddaughter.

She added: “I was overwhelmed to receive the award and very happy and humbled.

“You just get up and go and do it, you don’t really think about awards and things, but it’s very nice when somebody does recognise it.

“I’ve always found it very rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone.”

FOLK DUO RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS

FOLK AT THE FOXLOWE

uckoo’s Nest Folk Club kick off their first Folk at The Foxlowe slot with the return of acclaimed duo Dempsey Broughton.

The new regular session of folk music, hosted by the Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club at Leek’s community run Foxlowe Arts Centre started back in October and will be starting 2017 in style with a gig by a duo whose first ever gig together was right here in the town back in 1999.

With their new album, (their third), Off By Heart, out on 19th January, the duo are set to play a hand full of promotional intimate live dates, including the Foxlowe on Thursday 12th January 2017.

Since forming in 1999, Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton have now recorded three albums and toured extensively in over 20 countries round the world. Combining emotive songs, unrivalled instrumental capability, and a spectacular high energy show, they never fail to create a spellbinding atmosphere.

Their long awaited album, Off By Heart is a collection of nine tracks ranging from outlandish and inventive instruments, to traditional and original songs, with a ‘slightly political twist’ running through. Highlights include Wheels Of The World, an old comment on politicians that seems even more relevant today; The Post Truth Reel, an instrumental filled with anger and sadness; and Resurrection Jack, which is based on an anti-racist poem by the late Dublin-born writer and editor, Evangeline Paterson.

The list of musicians they have played with is impressive, and includes Whippersnapper, Mary Black, Joss Stone, Dando Shaft, The Urban Folk Quartet, Fairport Convention, The Albion Band, Dave Swarbrick, and even soul legend Percy Sledge. But their partnership is a unique pairing.

“Whatever other projects we have done over

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the years, we always end up back together because we have so much common ground in our music,” said Joe. To pigeon hole their style of music would be to do them a disservice. They draw on folk music from all corners of the world, but their experience in jazz, soul, classical, pop and rock music takes the results into original and uncharted territory.

What you’ll notice at their concerts is not only the originality of what this acoustic duo plays, but also the simple fact that they do it so well. Kevin has a fantastic voice and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s greatest acoustic guitar players, whilst Joe is simply unmatched in the world of fiddle pyrotechnics.

To top it all, the Dempsey Broughton show is playful and entertaining - you almost have to pinch yourself and remember to take it all in as they swoop from beautiful song to mind blowing tune, via a stream of hilarious banter. Two hours with Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton can seem like 10 minutes.

See Dempsey Broughton ahead of the release of Off By Heart on Thursday 12th January 2017 at Foxlowe Arts Centre, Stockwell Street, Leek.

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets cost £10 and are available from the Foxlowe or for more information visit www.facebook.com/FolkAtTheFoxlowe.

Leek Life January/February 2017 21

FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE

COLOUR COMES T

SHOE KANGAROO AND THE BIG BAD BOOT

eing welcomed to Leek’s Foxlowe Arts Centre this month is international award winning Norfolk based puppet company Garlic Theatre.

Their innovative theatre work encourages imaginative play for the early years in schools and delights family audiences in the UK and around the world.

Taking to the stage in Leek on Wednesday 26th January, Garlic Theatre present Shoe Kangaroo and the Big Bad Boot, inspired by Spike Milligan and old shoes.

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“

Did you ever lose a shoe?

That tumbled into a bird that flew Over the sea to an island new Where creatures strange and mysterious grew From a wondrous, magical Shoe Kangaroo.

22 Leek Life January/February 2017

”

RFUL PUPPET SHOW S TO THE FOXLOWE

FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE

A strapping tale filled with shoes, which promises to be a delightful old load of cobblers sees Garlic Theatre take the audience on a fantastical journey to the island of lost shoes with clowning, mime and beautifully crafted puppets.

Directed by Steve Tiplady, puppetry direction by Liz Walker, music composed by Iklooshar Malara, and performed by Mark Pitman, this fantastical tale of the secret life of shoes and what they get up to when you are not there will take the young audience members on a journey to One Shoe Island where farmer Bunyan is fishing for shoes helped by little Roo and a one eyed welly boot.

Their little world of fun and laughter is interrupted by the discovery of a naughty red boot who threatens to walk all over them.

Where did it come from and what does it want? Shoe Kangaroo goes on an adventure to save her little Roo and discover what the boot is really up to.

Magical transformations and beautifully crafted shoe puppets combine in this bizarre, funny, poetic and imaginative show.

From the company that brought to the stage Old Mother Hubbard, Billy Goats Gruff and There’s A Monster in My Piano, produced by one of the country’s leading children’s puppet companies, this show is being brought to Leek by Live and Local. The performance lasts 45 minutes, is aimed at children aged three to nine years of age and starts at 5.30pm – between tea time and bedtime. Tickets are priced at £5.00 and are available from the Foxlowe.

Leek Life January/February 2017 23

Stage Directions

by Richard Lane

WIN TICKETS FOR A JUDGEMENT IN STONE AT BUXTON OPERA HOUSE uxton Opera House has announced it is one of the theatres to be included in Bill Kenwright’s brand new 2017 tour of the thriller classic, A Judgement in Stone written by Ruth Rendell!

A Judgement in Stone tells the story of Eunice, who struggles to fit in when she joins a wealthy family as their housekeeper. The very reason for her awkwardness, long hidden and deeply buried, leads inexorably to a terrible tale of murder in cold blood - on Valentine’s Day. Ruth Rendell’s brilliant plot unravels a lifetime of deceit, despair and cover ups which, when revealed, brings a shocking revelation almost as grizzly as the murder itself.

Building on the phenomenal decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, which sold over two million tickets and continually played to packed houses around the UK, Bill Kenwright presents a new production adapted from one of the most celebrated works of Ruth Rendell, often hailed as the successor to Agatha

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Christie.

Credited with revitalising the mystery genre, Rendell was first published in 1964 and was awarded a CBE in 1996. Her prolific output included film and TV as well as 80 novels and one of the genre’s most famous characters, Chief Inspector Wexford.

Widely considered to be one of Rendell’s greatest works, A Judgement in Stone is loved for

its brilliant rendering of character, plot and motive, and is undoubtedly the Queen of Psychological Crime at her thrilling best.

A Judgement in Stone takes place at Buxton Opera House from Monday 13th to Saturday 18th March 2017 at 7.30pm.

There are also Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

Tickets are priced from £22 to £32 and discounts are available.

To win two tickets to see A Judgement in Stone answer the following question.

WHO PLAYED INSPECTOR WEXFORD IN THE TELEVISION SERIES? a.George Baker

b. David Jason

c. Benedict Cumberbatch

(Circle your answer)

Name........................................... Address........................................................................................................................................ .........................................................................................................................Daytime phone no.................................................

Please send your entry to Leek Life Magazine, 18 Tape St, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST10 1BD. Deadline for entries: Tuesday 7th February 2017.

24 Leek Life January/February 2017

HAVE A SPLASHING TIME

wimming is a great activity for you and your baby or toddler to take part in together. It is great fun, good exercise, and can help them get used to the water at a young age and gain confidence from a safety point of view as well as become confident swimmers.

The privately owned heated swimming pool at Butterton Moor House is the perfect place to introduce your child to the water. Based just five miles out of Leek, the pool has mums, babies and toddlers sessions available on a Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am, as well as a relaxing ladies only swim on a Wednesday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm which tea and coffee is provided.

The pool is clean and warm providing a relaxing atmosphere as well as showers, a toilet, hair dryer, changing mats and a safe play pen for children to go in for ease during and after showering/changing.

Swimming costs are kept as reasonable as possible with adults charged just £6 per session and babies and toddlers under the age of four free of charge.

Private hire for individual and family swims is also available. Give Diane a call to discuss your requirements.

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Butterton Moor House Warm, beautiful, private swimming pool

Our private pool is ideal for families, mothers and babies or toddlers and groups swimming together.

Heated changing/shower rooms, baby change mats, hair drying facilities.

Birthdays/celebration pool parties ask for details

Mums, babies & toddler swims Wed & Fri 9.30am onwards - £6 per adult, babies & toddlers free

Prices per hour: Adults £7, Children (ages 4-12) £3, Babies/Toddlers Free. Pool minimum cost £15 per hour Parsons Lane, Butterton, Staffordshire, ST13 7PD Phone: 07870 380375 www.buttertonmoorhouse.co.uk e-mail: dianemlatham1@gmail.com

KILN DRIED HARDWOOD LOGS

• Supplied in 1 tonne bulk bags • Free local delivery • Burns hotter & cleaner than regular seasoned wood

Call John the Log Man 07708 863242

Toni-Ann Scott • One-to-One Support • Confidential • Dedicated room in LEEK TOWN CENTRE • Flexible Appointments

Tel: 07713 031956

• Divorce (including Same Sex Marriage and Farming Divorces) • Dissolution of Civil Partnerships • Court process (Children and Finances) • Pre and post nuptial agreements • Arrangements for children – advice for parents and grandparents

Worried about visiting a Solicitor? Don’t be!

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

T: 01538 361697 M: 07974 645147 E: hello@jojohnsonfamilylaw.co.uk W: www.jojohnsonfamilylaw.co.uk Leek Life January/February 2017 25

PROPERTY

“PRICE IS WHAT YOU PAY. VALUE IS WHAT YOU GET.”

PROPERTY

e are all guilty of choosing the cheapest option at times when making consumer choices, (who isn’t interested when something, on the face of it, looks like a bargain?) however, when it comes to property - arguably your greatest asset - you have to think very carefully about how and why you instruct an agent. The agent’s fee should not, in our view, be the deciding factor. There are many important elements to consider if your chosen agent is to achieve the outcome you want or need. For the majority of customers, this is to sell or let their property to the right buyer or tenant at the highest possible price, in the desired time frame with the least hassle. The agents that offer you cheap fees will have to make cuts in their service, which in turn will be detrimental to you achieving your goals.

It is easy to put a For Sale or To Let board up; finding the right buyer or tenant and getting the best price for your property requires hard work and dedication to the job. It requires marketing your property to the widest possible audience to maximise interest and achieve the best price for you; it requires a knowledgeable agent who is on hand to listen, advise and guide you throughout the process - from preparing your property to go on the market to the day when the keys are handed over.

It requires effective feedback on viewings, ongoing advice and recommendations. It requires an agent who truly understands the needs of you as a seller or a landlord; who knows the local market inside out and exactly who is looking for a property just like yours and what those buyers’/tenants’ needs are so the agent can highlight and match the features of your property to the customer in order to achieve the best price.

It requires skilled negotiation to overcome objections. Once the sale or let is agreed it requires regular communication, reassurance and hand holding throughout the process in order to keep the transaction together and moving along within the desired time frame and with the least possible hassle to the customer.

Recently, some customers have come to us

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feeling disillusioned that their property has not yet sold or let having instructed an agent to whom they have also paid the fee upfront. Or they have opted to use the agent with the cheapest fee and the agent has not delivered on any of their promises. They express concern or sometimes real anguish, that not enough is being done by the agent to market the property. Another concern is that some agents are charging additional costs for ‘extras’ which means the real fee you pay ends up considerably higher than originally quoted.

Hunters says, “It is important for sellers to understand that choosing an agent who charges low fees, often up front, is not necessarily going to produce costs savings, nor get you the best price for your property. An agent who offers a ‘no sale no fee’ will offer a much more comprehensive service and be able to add value at every stage from valuation to completion. This often means achieving a higher price for your property and therefore works out much more financially beneficial for the seller. In addition, a good agent will reduce the stress and take over full management of the sales progression process.”

“We believe that a good estate agent should work on a no sale, no fee basis. Simple. At Hunters, our agents are trained to understand the importance of delivering excellent customer service and don’t charge if they don’t deliver. But we don’t expect you to take our word for it, 96%* of our customers say we get it right and we’re very proud of that.”

*On average 96% of Hunters customers who responded to our Customer Service Team between Jan-Dec 2015 said they were happy with our services. *Hunters Landlord Survey 2016

Leek Life January/February 2017 27

PROPERTY

Great service from Chris and Dan “The house sold in 2 weeks for a price in excess of what we thought we would get and I would strongly recommend Chris and Dan to anybody selling a property”

Christopher Kay Leek

Your local property expert in Leek that’s open 24/7 Get your FREE home valuation appointment EweMove.com/Leek or call Chris on 01538 54 24 54 28 Leek Life January/February 2017

Ch rist o

Hi, I’m pher W

a

lth all B ranc h Dire ctor of Ew eMove Leek

PROPERTY

SIMPLE TO ‘EWES’ WEBSITE SCOOPS TOP AWARD

he UK’s first hybrid estate agency is celebrating after adding two more awards to its trophy cabinet following this year’s Negotiator Awards.

EweMove, which currently operates 97 branches nationwide, scooped Gold in the Best Website category and secured the Bronze medal for the Best Agency Franchise, at the glittering awards ceremony on the 1st November.

Billed as the premier awards scheme for the UK’s residential property market, the annual Negotiator Awards recognise the very best across UK residential estate and letting agencies, and this year saw a record number of entries from estate agents, lettings agents, property managers and suppliers from across the industry.

Declaring EweMove the ultimate winner in the highly competitive Best Website Category, judges praised the agency for its ‘simple and easy to ‘Ewes’ online offering’ which incorporated ‘great branding.’

Daniel Walthall, Branch Director of EweMove Leek, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been recognised with the top award at such a prestigious awards scheme in the property industry calendar. We’ve invested a great deal of time and energy into making sure that our website reflects our business’s core values by providing our customers with the very best buying and/or selling experience, whilst providing all the tools our franchisees need to

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deliver the very best customer service – each and every time.

“As an agency, we’ve always prided ourselves on being daringly different, and we’ve continued to innovate and lead the way across every aspect of our business - changing and adapting our approach in order to move with evolving market trends and, most importantly, our customer needs.”

These two major industry accolades mark another key achievement for the EweMove team this year, which has also seen the agency shortlisted for Franchise of the Year alongside McDonald’s in the Best Franchise Awards, winners of which are due to be announced later this year.

EweMove, is the UK’s most trusted sales and lettings agent based on independent reviews through Trustpilot. The country’s first ever hybrid estate agency, it was launched in 2014 and manages and sells thousands of properties across the length and breadth of the country. EweMove prides itself on providing exceptional customer service through its network of experienced local property agents just like Daniel Walthall, all supported by a national operations centre and cutting-edge technology.

For more information, please visit EweMove.com/Leek, email daniel.walthall@ewemove.com or call 01538 542454.

Leek Life January/February 2017 29

WHY USE A PLANNING CONSULTANT? PROPERTY

HOW CAN I HELP?

taffordshire Moorlands has recently announced a further delay in the production of the Local Plan for the District. Meanwhile, the shortage of deliverable housing land remains.

The latest figures show that in March last year there was only 1.87 years supply when the requirement is that there should be a 5 year supply.

This means that at the moment the policies relating to housing, including those which can restrict the location of housing, are not up-to-date.

The Council can still take account of these policies but they carry less weight than they would if there was an up-to-date Local Plan.

If you are considering building houses, or any other development, we can advise on the best way to obtain permission. Now is actually a good time to submit applications for housing because the lack

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of an up-to-date Local Plan means that some policies are not up-to-date.

Since my last article the practice has obtained a number of permissions including barn conversions to residential use, a farm worker’s dwelling; the establishment of an event and wedding venue in the Peak Park, extensions to a house in the Green Belt, and several equestrian facilities. The practice also had a part in the recent permission for a pizza delivery service using electric bikes in Leek.

Current work includes two “Grand Design” or contemporary design houses, housing developments, development in a Conservation Area, agricultural buildings and worker’s dwellings, listed building conversions, an outdoor riding area, extensions to a care home, new houses in the Peak District, industrial units and a horse breeding stud.

The thoughts and comments in this article are those of the author alone.

Ken Wainman Associates Ltd Chartered planning consultant Need help obtaining planning permission or with planning appeals or enforcement issues? I can help.

I am an experienced qualified planner specialising in obtaining planning permissions, planning appeals and enforcement issues and used to handling often difficult applications.

Farm building to house conversion

31a St Edward Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5DN t 01538 386 808 | m 07968 774785 w www.kenwainmanassociates.co.uk | e ken@sgaplanners.co.uk 30 Leek Life January/February 2017

TOP HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR T

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

here seems to be something in the air at the start of a New Year which makes homeowners want to re-decorate, or spruce up tired looking rooms in their houses.

If now that 2017 has rolled around, you’re feeling the New Year itch, be sure to use our fantastic local companies to get your homes looking rejuvenated!

The New Year is an excellent time to consider adding on to your home before the spring, as well as completing indoor projects while the weather is cold. Home improvements can range from upgrading existing fixtures and finishes to knocking down walls and adding on square footage. Whichever improvements you have in mind, here are a few tips to guide you throughout the process.

Firstly, assess your home to determine the current state of things and look at what ideas you want to implement. Walk through your rooms and decide what jobs feature on the wish list and which need doing out of necessity.

Also ask yourself how long you plan to be in your home. If you are planning on selling your home this year, your budget for improvements may be different than if you plan to stay put for a while. If you want to get your return on investment, ensure you upgrade the parts of your home that home buyers are interested in.

Seek out inspiration by flicking through home and garden magazines, picking up colour swatches from the local DIY shops and seek out some innovative ideas.

It is important to know your budget. With Christmas only just behind us money is often tight for many home owners at this time of year.

Instead of getting discouraged, use the first few months of the New Year to plan your project and budget without stress.

If major improvements are on the cards, make sure you seek out the proper permits from the local planning authority.

And remember to been flexible. Even though you would like your new kitchen remodel done in eight weeks, the reality is it may take 12 weeks.

The same is true for budget, and resources. Try and become more flexible with your planning and factor in extra buffer time and money for your own sanity.

Even though there is a serious side to home improvement, it should also be fun and rewarding. If you aren’t going to enjoy your hard work and effort, hire a professional and leave the hard work to them.

Home improvement projects can be a great way to kick off the New Year and get your home in order for the upcoming months. Follow these tips to help you plan your project and gain inspiration.

Believe it or not, home improvement is easier than you think with patience and right fact finding before you get into your project. Happy home improving into the New Year!

Leek Life January/February 2017 31

GARDENING

DREAM BORDERS

by Martin Blow

he depth of winter is when I take time to dream about the summer and imagine how the garden is going to be when I’ve got it “just so”. Of course, the great thing about gardening is it’s never completely finished and there’s always one more tweak to be made.

I’ve always loved the traditional herbaceous borders of our British stately gardens and this winter I’ve been thinking about how I might plan and plant one on a smaller scale.

We can't all have the space for a traditional border on a grand scale but we can learn a lot from them.

Firstly, aspect: the border will need some sun during the day or your choice of plants will be severely limited. You may be able to let more light in by pruning back or removing overlarge shrubs.

Next the backdrop: traditionally a large, sheltering hedge or wall. These are fine but don't forget that hedges take moisture and goodness from the soil and walls cast a rain shadow.

Fences, or shrubs are just as good a backdrop, or dispense with one completely and plant an island bed instead. A border along a path with a lawn to the other side is just as traditional and you can make this backdrop so much better by edging the lawn to produce a neat, sculpted shape.

It’s a common "mistake" to dig a narrow border in a small garden. To my mind, it looks

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32 Leek Life January/February 2017

like the plants are scared to be there and are cowering against the fence. Learn from the grand gardens and give your borders some depth.

I'd like to say make the border twice as deep as the tallest plant you're going to put in it or at least as deep as the height of the backdrop but this isn't always possible. My tip to avoid timidity is to make it twice as deep as you first thought you would!

The next point to consider is colour. Some people get technical about it and others think it doesn't matter. I think the key is to choose one or two key colours for the border.

In traditional borders these key colours are repeated at intervals along the border. This repeating colour theme gives rhythm and visual structure to the planting and is probably more important than matching colour shades and tones within the planting.

Pick some tough plants, that quickly bulk up, are easy to divide and flower again rapidly after planting as your rhythm section. I like Silk Flower (Sisyrinchium striatum) with its swordshaped leaves and spikes of cream flowers. It is easy to divide and establishes a good clump quickly.

Remember that reds shout out and look closer than they are. So, if you plant them at the far end of the border you’ll make the garden look shorter. Whereas blues are “receding” and have the opposite effect.

A border will seem longer than it really is if you make it wider at the near end and gradually

GARDENING

narrower as you move to the far end. This false perspective is a useful trick to use in the small garden.

The next consideration is season of interest.

It would be lovely to have a border in full flower all through the season but in reality, this doesn't happen with perennials.

There are lots of things you can do to extend the season though.

It’s tempting when you go to a plant fair in spring or autumn to buy a selection of plants in flower and dot these around your garden to give you some colour everywhere. But this lacks impact, and grouping them together in a block or strip in the border or bed packs a real colour punch at lean times of year.

Think of plants with lovely buds or young leaves to add interest early in the season.

Oriental Poppies (Papaver) and Bearded Iris have short flowering season but the buds of the former and sword-shaped leaves of the latter start looking good weeks before the flowers.

Giant Scabious (Cephalaria) always have delightful and very visible buds as do Cornflowers (Centaurea). Cupid’s Dart (Catananche) is another with lovely, long lasting buds before the blue flowers open.

Traditional borders are planted with tall

plants at the back and shorter ones at the front but also think about “spot plants”: upright, architecturally shaped plants that are taller than those around them. These add drama to a border. Good perennials for this are Veronicastrum, Bugbane (Actaea), Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia), Mullein (Verbascum) and Delphinium.

The old adage was to “spend a penny on the plant and a pound on the hole” and this is good advice when planting a border. Proper preparation is time well spent.

Prepare the soil well by removing all perennial weeds, digging deeply and adding compost or muck in liberal quantities. I sprinkle a granular fertiliser every spring and top this up with bone meal in planting holes.

Planting distances vary but a good rule of thumb is around 2ft / 60cm apart for large or very vigorous plants and 1ft-1ft 6in 30-45cm for others. You can of course plant more densely for a more rapid effect.

Don’t forget to water plants even if it rains until the plants are growing strongly – don’t drown them though!

Enough dreaming, it will soon be time to sharpen the spade and get digging for that dream border.

Martin and Janet Blow run Special Perennials, website www.specialperennials.com.

They will be at Plant Hunters’ Fairs at Carsington Water, Ashbourne (DE6 1ST) on Saturday 25th March, Bramall Hall Stockport (SK7 3NX) on Sunday 2nd April, the Dorothy Clive Garden (TF9 4EU) on Sunday/Monday 16/17th April and Consall Hall Gardens, Wetley Rocks (ST9 0AG) on Sunday 23rd April.

For full details of these and other Plant Hunters’ Fairs please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk Martin and Janet are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for customers to collect.

Leek Life January/February 2017 33

THE FOOD AWARDS ENGLAND

HEAD CHEF TOM BRINGS HOME THE BACON

usinesses came together to celebrate the food industry at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel recently which played host to a black tie ceremony in which 26 awards were presented to restaurants and suppliers from across England.

Derbyshire restaurant, White’s of Ashbourne, scooped the award for Best Restaurant East Midlands and was represented on the night by owners Robert and Jo Everett along with head chef Tom Houghting from Leek.

White’s has been established for just over two years and has steadily gained a reputation for great food within a relaxed atmosphere.

Providing a short menu using much local produce presented in a modern, imaginative way and a popular cocktail list, White’s has been well received in Ashbourne as well as being a destination venue from nearby villages, towns and beyond.

Jo said: “The team at White’s and our lovely regular guests know what a great product we

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34 Leek Life January/February 2017

have here but to have that recognised by winning such a high profile industry award at an amazingly prestigious event was just magical. It really does make the long hours and effort so worthwhile.”

“The results were based on a public vote,” said Robert “and so we would just like to thank everyone who took the trouble to vote for us. We also need to give recognition to Head Chef Tom who joined us in the summer and has brought extraordinary flair to the menu. As with all chefs, he works very long hours and has shown great commitment so we were thrilled that he was able to be with us on the night and be a part of the celebrations.”

The ceremony, organised by Creative Oceanic, welcomed over 300 guests from across England and was hosted by the former Miss United Kingdom, Rachelle Perez. In addition, the awards supported the Make a Wish Foundation UK to fundraise for a worthwhile cause, with over £850 raised on the night.

BREEDING BARN OWLS

STAFFORDSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

NUMBERS ON THE INCREASE

taffordshire Wildlife Trust is sharing some good new year news after the numbers of breeding barn owls recorded in the county showed an increase on the previous two years.

Figures over the past few years have

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Barn Owl by Jon Hawkins of Surrey Hills

suggested there are fewer barn owls in Britain than ever before. But the Trust’s Staffordshire Barn Owl Action Group (BOAG) has reported 44 breeding pairs in 2016, compared to 40 in 2014 and 2015.

This year, BOAG monitored 294 nest boxes where they found 40 breeding pairs of barn owls with another four breeding pairs found using natural nest sites such as mature hollow trees and old buildings.

BOAG —made up of a small group of volunteers affiliated with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust—formed in 2001.

The group build, install and monitor nest boxes across Staffordshire.

The Staffordshire Moorlands continues to be a stronghold for the county’s barn owl population. There was also an increase of numbers in the Stafford area—from two breeding pairs in 2015 to 10 in 2016.

Helen Cottam, BOAG volunteer, said: “Barn owls are a cherished sight across our region. It has been well documented that their numbers have plummeted, with populations falling by 70 per cent due to farming techniques intensifying, meaning nest sites and foraging habitats were being lost.

“Even though it is a small increase, this is very pleasing news and a step in the right direction. There is still a long way to go to keep protecting these beautiful birds. We need more nest boxes and more volunteers.

“While monitoring, we also found tawny owls, little owls, kestrels, stock doves, a mandarin duck, jackdaws and even one very surprised looking stoat all using the nest boxes which we installed.”

For more information about BOAG contact Helen on 01889 880100 or email h.cottam@staffs-wildlife.org.uk.

Leek Life January/February 2017 35

RURAL BUSINESSES EXCE TOURISM AWARDS

ateries and hospitality businesses in the Leek area have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the toursim industry in Staffordshire.

Businesses thriving in the rural hinterlands around the bustling market town of Leek attended the prestigious 2016 NFU Mutual Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards held at Alton Towers.

The event, attended by more than 150 people, was compèred by BBC radio and TV presenter Joanne Malin. Entertainment came from magician and illusionist Andrew van Buren.

The awards were independently judged and verified by Service Science.

Entrants were reviewed and marked on their commitment to delivering excellent customer service, training and skills for employees,

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36 Leek Life January/February 2017

sustainability and environment, along with dedication to best practice, quality of service and product.

Secret Cloud House Holidays at Cauldon Lowe were awarded Gold in the Glamping Provider of the Year category.

The brainchild of farmer’s daughter, Catherine Hine, the business offers glamping in luxury yurts with on-site facilities including a sauna and beauty treatments.

With a huge emphasis on the environment, in 2016 Secret Cloud House Holidays introduced wood-fired hot tubs for each of the five yurts, which look out over the Staffordshire Moorlands and Peak District.

Highly commended in the Restaurant of the Year category, Greenway Hall Golf Club at Stockton Brook offers classic British dining with

CEL AT TOURISM AWARDS

TOURISM AWARDS

a modern twist.

Open to members and non-members of the golf club, the restaurant takes pride in preparing every single dish in-house with a focus on using locally-sourced ingredients of the finest quality.

Greenway Hall Golf Club Restaurant aims to provide excellent service and value for money with special offers including ‘gourmet burger night’ and a special lunch time menu.

In the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Staffordshire University, Beaver Hall Equestrian Centre at Bradnop was highly commended.

As well as offering a venue for equestrian competitions, events and livery, the business includes a farm park, riding school and cafe along with caravan and camping facilities.

Visitors can partake of a range of different activities and families can even host pony-ride birthday parties at the site.

Beaver Hall Equestrian Centre also offers a variety of packages including animal experiences and ‘own a pony’ days, ideal for children and families of all ages.

Sarah Montgomery, chairman of Enjoy Staffordshire, said: “Annual spend in Staffordshire by visitors has grown by almost 40 per cent since 2008 and the sector employs a shade under 30,000 people – 28 per cent more people than it did eight years ago.

“It’s a tribute to the excellence celebrated here today and to the hard work, creativity and professionalism of those here today and in the wider sector.”

BBC radio and TV presenter Joanne Malin

Greenway Hall: L-R Joe Lewis and Matthew Lockett

Secret Cloud: (L-R) Ian and Catherine Hine, with Luke Withers from NFU Mutual’s Stone branch

Beaver Hall: Anne Pearn and David Kinsella Leek Life January/February 2017 37

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38 Leek Life January/February 2017

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE YEAR?

REFLECTIONS COACHING

with Carolyn Trafford

Goals, Resolutions, Plans, Targets It doesn’t really matter what you call them.

Every January we sit down to do the same thing.

Grab a diary or new notepad and work out what it is we want to achieve for the year.

Make it too easy and your goal won’t challenge you. Too challenging and you set yourself up to fail.

It can be really tricky to get right and there’s no magic formula. Even as a strategy coach I sometimes struggle to set mine at the right level.

Take my book launch as an example. If you read my column regularly you’ll know I turned to crowdfunding to help publish my book recently. I had to set a target with the crowd-funding company and I set it ridiculously high. I could have achieved it, but it would have meant sacrificing other goals including my degree assignment submission. The time could have been valuably spent promoting my campaign on social media, but at what cost?

Instead I decided not to beat myself up about it and accept it was what it was. I am only human after all. I learned lots on the way about how to crowd-fund and how not to. I hit about 25% of my target – it may not sound much but it was enough to get some books printed at a much lower price than the individual ordering price and that means I

am able to launch the book for sale in January.

For me that is an amazing outcome and one I should be proud of. That’s what I want to share with you. It would have been so easy to have focussed on the 75% I didn’t achieve rather than the 25% I did.

How often do you focus on the negative?

I was raised with what my parents considered good manners and that included not showing off.

As individuals I believe that’s what we do. We choose to hide our light under a proverbial bushel so as not to boast. It is this that makes it difficult to acknowledge our achievements.

So in 2017 I would love you to add being proud to your list of goals.

So how do you do this?

Take a diary, journal or notepad. In fact a pile of post it notes/scraps of paper and a glass jar works well too. Every time you do something good, no matter how big or small, pop it into your journal or onto a piece of paper in your glass jar. It doesn’t matter how small or trivial it seems – write it down, create a habit and do this daily. Later in the year or when you’re feeling a bit low take them out and read them. You’ll be amazed how much you’ve achieved.

My book “Don’t Just Dream It Achieve It” – will be launched in January and is packed full of ideas and activities to help you achieve your goals – do get in touch if you’d like to be advised when it’s launched or go to my website www.reflectionscoaching.co.uk and sign up for my newsletters.

I genuinely would love to hear what your goals are. Please take time to drop me an email at the address below and let me know what it is you want to achieve this year.

Carolyn Trafford is a Leek based personal strategy coach supporting others in achieving the life they want. If there’s something you want to achieve get in touch today.

Carolyn Trafford - Reflections Coaching • Tel. 07714 216388 • Email: Caro@reflectionscoaching.co.uk • www.reflectionscoaching.co.uk • https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/carolyntrafford/area/

Leek Life January/February 2017 39

SWIMMING CLUB MEM AT THE NORTH MIDLAN LEEK ASC

eek Swimming Club were up against some tough competition from much larger clubs as they took to the water at the North Midlands Championships held in Macclesfield over two weekends back in October, 2016.

This didn’t however phase the 32 strong squad at all with the swimmers amassing a huge collection of 79 trio coloured medals between them!

Just as important as medal winning, swimmers were rewarded for their time commitment and effort in training by achieving lots of brilliant ‘personal best’ times, with some getting PB’s in every single event they competed in.

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40 Leek Life January/February 2017

The medal haul and PBs weren’t the only achievements the Leek Swimmers were out to get during the competition with one of the major highlights for the Club being young swimmers Sam Yates, aged 11, winning the Junior Individual Medley trophy, and Mandy Chen, aged 10, claiming the award for best girl in her age group and third best girl of the competition.

Older swimmers Emma Ashley and Callum Rushan, both 14, went on to win the Individual Medley Skins and were happy when presented with a cash reward for their amazing efforts.

Topping the Championships off in style for the Leek Club was Harry Lancaster whose achievements saw him not only win 14 medals

MBERS MAKE A SPLASH ANDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEEK ASC

and topped his age group, but also won the Top Boy of the whole competition out of all the age groups, coming away with a shield, a cup and a boxed trophy, and all at the tender age of just 11!

Commenting on their performance, Head Coach Rob Bryan told Leek Life: “I am incredibly proud of the performance of Leek ASC swimmers, they have trained hard in preparing for this event and have achieved some great results.�

A list of Leek ASC from the North Midlands Championships are as follows: Emma Ashley 6 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze; Oliver Barlow 1 bronze; Olivia Barratt 1 silver; Eleanor Cartlidge 1 gold, 2 silver; Edward Chen 1 bronze; Mandy Chen 8

gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze; Rosie Grain 1 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze; Alfie Lancaster 1 bronze; Harry Lancaster 6 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze; Raff McMahon 2 bronze; Callum Rushan 7 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; Eden Schiller 2 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze; Robyn Schiller 2 silver; Leo Taylor 1 bronze; Scarlet Tinwell 1 gold; Ewan Underwood 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; James Yates 2 gold; Sam Yates 1 gold.

Pictured is a group shot of the medal winning squad from Leek ASC who competed in the North Midlands Championships last year. And Harry Lancaster who won Top age 11 boy and Top boy of the whole competition sat with his brother Alfie.

Leek Life January/February 2017 41

LEEK COMMUNITY FIRE STATION

COMMUNITY STATION eek’s community fire station was officially opened during a special ceremony at the end of last year attended by Chief Fire Officer Becci Bryant and in which Karen Bradley, MP for Staffordshire Moorlands and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, performed the official opening.

Leek Station Manager Carl Mason also attended the event along with Chairman of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority Councillor Stephen Sweeney.

Following the opening ceremony, guests were treated to a tour of the station, including both the operational and community facilities. The crew also put on an animal rescue display and the V4 concept car was showcased.

The £3.4 million community fire station replaced the outdated base on Springfield Road which became operational in 1971. It was designed to enable firefighters to respond more efficiently and effectively to 21st Century emergencies.

Speaking to Leek Life Station Manager Carl Mason said: “The new community fire station in Leek has already proved to be a real hub for local people and organisations. Like all of the PFI 2 facilities, it was designed with two purposes in

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42 Leek Life January/February 2017

LEEK COMMUNITY FIRE STATION

N OFFICIALLY OPENED mind - to meet the needs of a 21st Century fire and rescue service as well as providing a valuable meeting space, free of charge, for community groups.

“The rooms have proved to be a vital link between residents and our crews, community safety officers and volunteers who now have more opportunity to discuss fire safety, both in homes and on the roads. This greater level of engagement means that we can work with residents in order to prevent incidents happening in the first place, which, in turn, will save lives. The new community fire station also has far superior training facilities and amenities which allow crews to continue providing a first-class emergency response cover.”

When it opened in January last year, Leek became the ninth facility to be operational in phase two of a major upgrade of buildings across the county. In total, 10 community fire stations have been rebuilt. The first phase saw three additional stations developed and seven stations replaced between October 2009 and September 2011. The Service will have invested a total of £90 million, funded through a Private Finance Initiative, on improving the stations when the project has been completed.

Leek Life January/February 2017 43

QUIZ CORNER

Let’s get quizzical COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

General Knowledge Quiz 1. Who won last years series of the X Factor?

2. Which is the only planet in our solar system not named after a god?

3. In Cluedo what is the only combination if the murderer’s surname, weapon and location all begin with the same letter?

4. Who wrote the fairy story Hansel and Gretel?

5. In which decade was Muhammed Ali born?

8. Which village in the Peak District is reputedly the highest in England at 1518 feet above sea level?

9. If you were running the 400m hurdles, how many hurdles would you have to clear?

10. Created by Davros, what was the most famous export of the planet Skaro?

A ‘Love’ quiz for Valentine’s Day 1. From which musical does the song 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' come?

2. In which novel does Catherine Earnshaw fall in love with Heathcliff?

3. Which hit begins, ' Oh my love, my darling I hunger for your touch'?

4. Who is the Roman Goddess of Love?

5. Which American actress starred in the television program 'Ghost Whisperer' and appeared in Enrique Iglesias' video for his 2002 hit 'Hero'?

6. Love apple is an old name for which fruit?

7. Which American golfer has won over 20 PGA Tour events and captained the 2012 US Ryder Cup team?

8. Which 2003 British Christmas romantic comedy featured an ensemble cast including Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth and Liam Neeson amongst many others?

9. King Edward VIII gave up the throne to marry who?

10. Which member of Take That was the first to achieve a solo number one when he topped the charts in 1996 with 'Forever Love'?

General Knowledge Answers: 1. Matt Terry; 2. Earth; 3. Miss Scarlet with the Spanner in the Study; 4. The Brothers Grimm; 5. 1940s; 6. Billy Crystal; 7. Nineteen; 8. Flash; 9. Ten; 10. Daleks.

Valentine's Day Quiz Answers: 1. Jesus Christ Superstar; 2. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte's only novel written in 1845/6); 3. Unchained Melody; 4. Venus; 5. Jennifer Love Hewitt (She also appeared in 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'); 6. Tomato; 7. Davis Love III; 8. Love Actually (Directed by Richard Curtis who also directed Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral); 9. Wallis Simpson (They were married in 1937); 10. Gary Barlow (Robbie Williams' first number one was in 1998).

44 Leek Life January/February 2017

Quizzes compiled by Paul Steele (Question writer and Quizmaster) from Cheddleton email: pnsteele@aol.com

6. Who played Harry in When Harry Met Sally?

7. What was the average age of the American combatants in the Vietnam War, according to Paul Hardcastle?

NEW RADIO STATION FOR THE MOORLANDS A

LASAR RADIO

brand new radio station for the Staffordshire Moorlands is launching online with the first broadcast going live on 1st January at 12pm.

LASAR RADIO (Leek and Surrounding Areas), which can be heard exclusively online aims to bring the best news, music and entertainment to the Moorlands area.

The station is the brainchild of John Barratt from Cheddleton who wanted to break away from the traditional radio format and launch the platform exclusively online. One of the main goals for that station is to strengthen the bonds throughout the community, speaking to Leek Life John explained: “I feel like the Moorlands area needs a fresh and vibrant injection of community spirit, through radio LASAR can deliver that.”

The station is further enhancing this sense of community as its entire staff both on air and behind the scenes is voluntary and come from all walks of life. With presenters ages ranging from 14 to 80 LASAR is giving people the chance to

learn about radio and present their own shows for the first time whilst having experienced mentors on hand to help. John continued: “We are trying to fill the gap that leaves radio listeners wondering whether to switch off, with that in mind each specialist show will explore a different genre of music, from everything 1950s to the best in new up and coming, there promises to be something for everyone.”

The website for the station has been designed by 19 year old student Alexander Harrison who has been hard at work making sure that everything was ready to go live at 12pm on 1st January. After launching with a very special New Years show Lasarradio.co.uk promises to be a one stop shop for all information related to the station, the presenters and links to the stations sponsors.

LASAR is keen to link with local businesses and develop a network across the Moorlands area; if you have any events or news you feel the station should be looking at please contact LASAR on their Facebook page.

Leek Life January/February 2017 45

FIAT LAUNCHES NEW ‘SWAPPAGE CAMPAIGN’ MOTORING

new end-of-year campaign, designed to help customers swap their current Fiat car for a new one, has just been launched

by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK. Called ‘The Big Swappage Deal’ the initiative offers drivers an extra incentive to trade in their current vehicle, with a range of extra ‘swappage’ bonus offers on top of any value the participating Fiat dealer has put on the customer’s car.

The deal covers the entire range of Fiat models – except the new 124 Spider – and includes the award-winning 500, the 500L and 500X, as well as Tipo, Panda, Punto, Qubo and Doblo. The Swappage Bonus varies depending on Fiat model selected, ranging between £500 and £2,500.

“The Fiat Swappage Scheme will appeal to customers with cars of any age, make or model,” says Paul Runza, brand manager Fiat UK.

A

adrian wilson

THE ORIGINAL INDEPENDENT RENAULT SPECIALIST TRUST THE BEST

pr No og w ra do Pe Ren mm ing C uge au ing key itr o lt, fo oe t & r n

Adrian Wilson Garage Salisbury Street, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 5EE Telephone: 01538 399255

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46 Leek Life January/February 2017

“However the offer is still available for customers who do not have a part exchange vehicle – they will be eligible for a Swappage cash discount of up to £2,500.”

New for old will save you money. The cost of running an old car can be astronomical, passing MOTs with worn parts LET US GIVE YOU £2,750* MINIMUM ALLOWANCE FOR YOUR OLD CAR, WITH OR WITHOUT MOT, UPTO 10 YEARS OLD Benefits of new: 3 years full warranty, up to 70mpg, low road tax, low insurance, the pleasure of a brand new car.

Leek Life January/February 2017 47

MOTORING

RENAULT ZOE TAKES GREEN CAR TITLE

he all-electric Renault Zoe has taken top honours at the 2016 Green Apple Awards, presented at the House of Commons and singling out cars that are both good to drive and economical in the real world.

The awards, presented on Friday 11th November are organised by the Midlands-based The Green Organisation and judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

After clinching the category for pure electric

T

and hybrid cars, the Zoe went to take the Green Apple champion title, beating a diesel version of the Audi A6 in second place overall.

One of the judges said of the Zoe: "It is by some measure the most convincing all-electric vehicle I've driven. So good, in fact, that it only takes a few miles to forget what's powering you along so convincingly."

Midland Group chairman Ian Donaldson presented a Renault representative with the top place award at the House of Commons.

SUPERMINIS The Mazda2 1.5 litre diesel had to be content with second spot this time, after a category win last year.

The supermini champion for 2016 is the car that was runner-up in 2015 - in the shape of the petrol powered Suzuki Celerio Dualjet.

One judge said: "It is a remarkably driveable and economical city car."

SMALLER FAMILY CARS Second place went to the Honda Civic 1.6 iDETC, chosen, as one of the judges said, "because

48 Leek Life January/February 2017

it is stylish, good to drive and refined, and one of the most genuinely economical cars in its class."

The winner is another British-built hatch - the new Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi 110 Ecoflex.

A Midland Group judge commented: "The new Astra shows there's lots of life left in diesels."

LARGER FAMILY CARS Here, the fight was, perhaps not surprisingly, between a couple of cars from Germany.

In the end second place went to the BMW 320d ED with the winner emerging as the Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI Bluemotion.

SMALLER SUVs and 4x4s A whole year has not been able to shake the judges from their 2015 decisions.

That means in second spot we have the Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi 110 2WD while the winner - for the second consecutive year - is the Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 110 4x2.

A judge said of the Dacia: "It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, it’s rugged and does what it says on the tin without any fuss or needless frills. The running costs are great, as is the price to buy or lease."

PURE ELECTRIC AND HYBRID CARS The Uber driver's favourite Toyota Prius drives

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We service most cars & 4x4s from NEW, including CHRYSLER and JEEP using OE and Equivalent Quality Parts.

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MOTORING

quietly into second spot.

The winner this year, though, is the Renault Zoe, the French car maker's entry into affordable purely electric family transport.

EXECUTIVE CARS In second place is the impressive Jaguar XF EPerformance but it has to give way to this year's winner, for the second year in a row - the Audi A6 2.0 TDI Ultra.

One of our judges said: "The Audi has a build quality that is second to none. Love the handsome looks, the logical switchgear – the fuel tank that keeps on giving – and the effortless mile munching, planted drive."

OVERALL GREEN APPLE CHAMPIONS for 2016 In second spot was the Audi A6.

A judge said: "It offers performance, practicality prestige, frugality and a fit and finish that justifies the price-tag."

But taking the top step this year is the Renault Zoe. A judge said: "The Zoe shows Renault's commitment to the future of electric power in an affordable package that looks good, drive well and does its bit to make the planet a little bit greener."

" ! " "! "! " " ! " "! "! " " ! " ! "! "! ! " ! " " " "!

RUDYARD LAKE

If you’re looking for a new car or 4x4 then Rudyard Lake Garage should be your first stop. We can buy or part exchange your current vehicle and help you get into your new car quickly without hassle.

We provide excellent after care and we can service and MOT your vehicle when required.

We also offer an extensive diagnostic and repair service should your vehicle need that expert touch to get it running smoothly again. We also offer a Free Collection and Courtesy Car service. If you require any further info then please feel free to give us a call.

Telephone: 01538 306254 ! " ! " ! ! " ! " ! " ! " ! " " !

www.rudyardlakegarage.co.uk Leek Life January/February 2017 49

CLASSIFIED

Graham Bagshaw PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

• City & Guilds approved • Installation & service The Nook, Butterton, Leek, Staffs, ST13 7SP

T: 01538 304518 M: 07841 708861

ELECTRICAL SERVICES Domestic & commercial Friendly & reliable Covering Leek, Cheadle, Uttoxeter & surrounding areas

WE WILL BEAT ANY LIKE FOR LIKE QUOTE

01538 307005

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

Professional Decorator

• Painting & decorating in the Moorlands since 1974 • Expert help & advice with all your decorating needs

Tel: 01538 398225 for a FREE ESTIMATE Mobile: 07970 077892

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E: greenfrogltd@gmail.com Free no obligation quotes

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www.malelectrician.co.uk

Please call 07811 176311

Leek Electrical Block paving and groundwork specialists • Decorative paving • Natural stone • Flagging • Fencing • Kerbing • Wrought iron • Gates • Garden walls CALL DARREN ON: 01538 420371 or 07538 490259 info@holland.co.uk • www.dwholland.co.uk

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