Life GET FIT A pers TIPS on
guides al trainer y how to ou through keep th at year’s resolu new t going! ion
VACCINE HOPE First dose from university administered in global fight against Covid-19
I SS UE 2 8
Editors Letter ..................................7
Town Centre Investments ...........23
Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank..........8
Keele University Vaccination......24
New Year’s Honour List...............10
Winter-ready Vehicles .................24
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust .........11
Newcastle Baptist Church ..........25
Mental Health...............................12
Images of Yesteryear...................28
New Year’s Fitness Resolutions..14
Newcastle Snow ..........................30
Staffordshire Police......................16
Newcastle Markets ......................31
Postcode Lottery ..........................17
Gardening ....................................32
Thompson Wright Donations.....20
Quiz Corner ..................................33
Military Charities..........................22
New beginnings
H Isaac Johnson Contents Editor laura@timesandecho.co.uk Holly Keates Tracey Redfern Design & Production Thomas Brian General Manager tom@timesandecho.co.uk Mobile: 07855 252693 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
ello everyone and Happy New Year! Let me introduce myself. I’m Isaac and have been at Times & Echo Publications since the summer of 2019, reporting on the news desk for the Cheadle & Tean Times, the Blythe & Forsbrook Times and the Uttoxeter Echo. I have now been passed on the baton of Newcastle Life editor from Laura, who I’m sure you will agree did an absolutely fantastic job of bringing to light the terrific stories the Newcastle-under-Lyme community were involved in over the past four years. I think we can also agree that 2020 was a year like no other. Never before have we savoured our social life, our freedoms and most importantly our health so much. 2020 was a year that involved pain for most people, me included. It has taught each and every one of us valuable lessons. But now we look ahead to 2021 with renewed hope – and two new Covid-19 vaccines. While we have come to the realisation that ‘normal life’ is still a little more than a stone’s throw away, there is lots to be positive about. If and when the rollout of the vaccines is successful, we could see the return of holidays, sporting events and catch-ups with friends and family within the next 12 months. Some of us will be able to hug our loved ones for the first time in a very, very long time. In this edition, there are many words of hope and encouragement ahead of the new annum as we also shine a spotlight on the heartwarming gestures of kindness over the festive period from residents and businesses in Newcastle. From kind donations and prestigious awards to keep-fit tips and timely gardening advice, there’s something for everyone in Newcastle to enjoy within these pages. While we must not forget the happenings of 2020, let us try to look ahead to 2021 with optimism, hoping and praying that the final Covid-19 chapter is written at some point this year. In the meantime, there are many things we can do to keep ourselves safe and content to help us through what is due to be a tough first part of the new year. For those who may be mentally struggling in any shape or form with the pressures and anxiety of the pandemic, there is a section inside on how you can anonymously and confidentially seek support as well as how you can apply handy tips on what you can do to boost your welfare. Be sure to know that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you enjoy the first Newcastle Life magazine for 2021 and brings a smile or two to your face. After all, I’m only the messenger – it’s the community of people in and around the town that brings you some joy this January. Winter warmth to you,
Isaac
Newcastle-staffs foodbaNk
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food bank in Newcastle-under-Lyme helped thousands of struggling families in and around the town last year, and now is looking ahead to 2021 more determined than ever to help those in need. Newcastle-Staffs foodbank located in Chesterton fed more than 5,500 people throughout 2020 - 1,883 of which were children. Despite experiencing such a challenging year, project lead Jane Baker (pictured) explained that coronavirus hadn’t held the service back in providing for the community. “2020 has been such a strange and difficult year for everyone,” she said. “However, the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic has not stopped us – it has just meant we’ve had to find new, Covid-safe ways of delivering our services. “We are very proud of the fact that all of our centres have stayed open in the same locations at the same times throughout 2020, offering some consistency in a very turbulent year for clients. “But 2020 has also been a year of huge generosity from the community and we’ve seen record donations from the public, businesses, individuals, schools, churches, groups - the list goes on. “We hope 2020 has made us stronger and more resilient as a foodbank, able to adapt to the changes thrown at us. “We also hope it has made us stronger as a community bringing together volunteers, clients, donors and supporters.” Built on values of bringing communities together, providing practical compassionate help and challenging injustice, the foodbank has been inundated with donations despite the town going through such an uncertain period. “We feel incredibly grateful to everyone who
has gone out of their way to support NewcastleStaffs Foodbank this year,” Jane continued. “And we must also say a huge thank you to our volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make sure we can continue to hand over emergency food parcels to voucher holders at a time when everyone, whatever their circumstances, has had to re-evaluate all the freedoms and rights we take for granted.” With Christmas now gone, many families will be low on money and many may find themselves in a very tough situation. Jane, who has been involved with the charity has been doing since its inception in 2012, said she anticipates a “very harsh winter” for struggling community members with the pandemic very much still a central issue in all of our lives. However, she also has a message of encouragement. “The foodbank was established to help people in crisis,” she stated. “And a crisis can be anything from suddenly finding you have an extra mouth to feed because you are caring for a poorly relative to losing your job, or suddenly having the children off school for months on end like we had from March. “What we are concerned about is that people who might never have found themselves in such a crisis before do not know how to go about getting help. They may feel ashamed or embarrassed. “Our message is one of hope but also one of compassion and we urge anyone who needs food, or who needs the help of some of our signposting partners, to get in touch without delay.” Despite the difficulties of the year, the foodbank has made great progress in growing their connectivity to help those in need within the community. Its army of 80 volunteers have helped feed 320 more people last year than they did in 2019 and the service has teamed up with convenience store
Newcastle-staffs foodbaNk
chain One Stop along with initiatives such as finance advisory scheme ‘Money Matter’ ran by Christian charity Saltbox. This partnership provides the opportunity for foodbank users to enrol in online and telephone financial advice sessions. It has also allowed them to hand out 60 care boxes packed with slippers and hot chocolate as well as contact information for support services. Newcastle-Staffs foodbank has seen a brilliant response from Keele University in its call for more volunteers too, now setting up the ‘A Guiding Hand’ project which invites youngsters between 18 and 24years-old to gain valuable work experience before entering the world of employment. Jane added: “We’ve also been able to rely on the backing of some of our long-standing partners such as Aspire and that has been crucial. “Our volunteers have also been brilliant, finding new roles or taking on extra responsibilities as we shield those who can’t come to the centres as usual. “And we’ve welcomed new members of staff. We thank them all.” She continued: “As a foodbank seeded by The Trussell Trust we believe in a future without the need for foodbanks. “We are committed to ending hunger and working towards ending poverty in the UK. We are one of very few organisations that are pushing for changes that would actually see us out of a job – but that’s what we are really striving for. “Clients come to us at some of the most distressing points in their lives and we hope that when they leave, they leave having the pressure of putting food on the table eased a little bit, but more importantly they leave knowing that our community actually cares and values them.” If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Newcastle-Staffs foodbank, email aguidinghand@newcastlestaffs.foodbank.org.uk. There are a number of ways to donate: You can visit http://www.newcastlestaffs.foodbank.org.uk/ and search the ‘give help’ section; You can visit its Crowdfunder page for online donations at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/newcastle-staffsfoodbank---covid19-crisis-appea; Or anyone who would like to stage an event in aid of NewcastleStaffs Foodbank should email fundraising@newcastlestaffs.foodbank.
new year’s honour list
Community members named in New Year’s Honours List
T
wo people from Newcastle-under-Lyme have been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for 2020.
Every year the list recognises those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their respective fields, whether that be sport, charity, medicine or other industries. This time around, a plethora of Staffordshire residents are to be honoured for their services including two from the town of Newcastle. Darren Teale (pictured), founder of Junction 15 Productions, will be awarded with an MBE for his services to media and vulnerable communities in the UK and abroad. He told Newcastle Life: “Receiving this honour has been very humbling for me personally but it is also a recognition of the fantastic people who have made their voices heard through the films we make at Junction 15 Productions. “I see this not as the cumulation of 15 years’ work but the beginning of many more projects to come.” Michael Deakin will receive an honour too, a BEM for voluntary services to scouting and
charity in Staffordshire. Vera Bloor, District Commissioner for Newcastle-under-Lyme Scouts, commented: “We have received the very exciting news that another member of our district Mr Mike Deakin has been awarded BEM in the New Year’s Honours List for services to scouting. “This is a huge honour, and is testament to Mikes dedication to scouting.” Alan White, leader of Staffordshire County Council, congratulated both of the recipients on receiving such a prestigious and deserved honour. He said: “It is rewarding to see Staffordshire people recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in the New Year’s Honours, particularly after such a challenging year for everyone. “All recipients have demonstrated great commitment, dedication and service to others and today they have received the national recognition they deserve.” Among this year’s big names to receive an honour is British Formula One all-time great Lewis Hamilton, who will receive a knighthood, and hip hop music artists Craig David, who will be presented with an MBE.