Stone Life Aug Sept 2016 by Times Echo and Life

Stone & Eccleshall AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016

: E D I S N I

ure l pict a v i t • Fes pecial s how all S h s e l ad • Ecc on ro s l i p • Pu o Rio t

Life

• • F • F Foo u a d m nc mi se ee ti lie rv ti on s ed ng s w s , ev elc da ca e o ily te nt m re s a e d n fo d r

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A bit of ordinary in these extraordinary times

EDITOR’S LETTER

think it's fair to say these are some of the most challenging times this country, and in fact the world, has had to face in recent years. There is much which happens without rhyme or reason, and which is out of our control, so although uncertainties lie ahead, especially politically and economically, for most of us all we can do is continue as we always have done. With summer now firmly underway, the good old British weather has been predictably unpredictable with heatwaves following torrential rain proving a mixed bag for some of the big summer events. Stone and Eccleshall Life got right in on the action at the fabulous festivals which have taken place, as well as looking ahead to those special community events, Eccleshall Show for one, still to come. As usual we focus on several local clubs and groups highlighting the great work they do and the activities which they offer and make available to people right here on the doorstep. In particular the brilliant news of Stafford and Stone Canoe Club members’ recent competitive success and accolades, two local female golfers who are certainly in the ‘swing’ with their games, and how one local school is gearing up for the forthcoming Rio Olympics. So what maybe I started off trying to say was that, even as we emerge on these extraordinary times, perhaps it is a bit of the ordinary which might help us to 'Keep calm and carry on'.

Deborah Boden Contents Editor debbie@timesandecho.co.uk Sophie Cotton & Tracey Wardle Design & Production Jane Walters Advertising Manager Tel: 07817 128582 jane@timesandecho.co.uk Tom Brian Advertising Sales Tel: 07855 242693 tom@timesandecho.co.uk

Deborah

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August/September 2016 5

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August/ September

Editor’s letter ..............................................5 STING 3 peaks challenge............................8 National Association of Chimney Sweeps..10 Stone Townswomen’s Guild ........................11 Eccleshall Show ...........................................12 Stone Festival ..............................................14 Eccleshall Festival .......................................15 Bishop Lonsdale Primary School ...............18

CONTENTS

Last orders ..................................................20 Stone Food and Drink Festival...................22 Friends for life.............................................24 Barlaston Herons WI ..................................25 Stage Directions ..........................................26 Rooftop Studios...........................................27 Staffordshire Air Ambulance .....................28 3 peaks 2 wheels for Headway ...................29 Park life .......................................................30 Health and wellbeing ..................................31 Sporting life.................................................34 Stafford and Stone Canoe Club ................36 Barlaston Golf Club...................................37 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust .....................40 Homes and gardens ..................................41 Stone Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society..42 Gardening ..................................................44 Investment Matters ...................................47 Legal Matters .............................................48 Motoring ....................................................49

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August/September 2016 7

STING 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE

IntrepId champIons t B

ack on 10th June, a group of 11 colleagues from the Screwfix Distribution Centre in Stafford, set out to conquer the 3 Peaks Challenge in order to raise money for local charity STING – Staffordshire’s Therapeutic Independent Neurological Group. The group, made up of Gez Prendergast, Sam Spring, Tom Heath, Hayden Clarke, John Waldron, Mike Ward, David Bennett, Mathew Hayward, Lee Ogram, Chris Baker and Simon Holiday, were attempting this gruelling event for the first time. The aim of the 3 Peaks Challenge is to reach the summits of the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours and, consequently, the group set out to climb Ben Nevis first, followed by Scaffell Pike and then Mount Snowdon. Wincanton’s National distribution centre for Screwfix, located on Prologis Park in Stafford, has pledged to support local charity STING with its fundraising activities. Each year Wincanton, the company that deals with the distribution for Screwfix throughout the country, chooses a charity to raise funds for. The 1100 plus workforce puts on a range of activities throughout the year with the aim of raising a substantial amount of cash - and having a great deal of fun at the same time! However, some of the events are more of a testing ordeal than a ‘jolly’, and the 3 Peaks Challenge certainly falls into that category. However, with planning, training and 8 August/September 2016

determination, along with vital catering and transport support from Thomas Franks Catering and Arnold Clarke, Wincanton’s group of drivers, climbers and walkers achieved their challenge well within their 24 hour target. Ben Nevis was conquered in four hours 17 minutes, Scaffell in three hours 10 minutes, and the heroic challengers finished off Snowdon in just three hours dead! Though, fortunately, all the group survived intact.

STING 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE

take on 3 peaks trek The fantastic overall time achieved was 22 hours 45 minutes, which included all the time travelling between the countries, resting, eating and sleeping - which pays huge testament to the dedicated drivers in the group as well as the climbers. The actual mileage covered over the three mountain peaks is the equivalent to the distance covered in a full marathon! But that takes no account of the climbs and heights reached over the 3 peaks. Sponsorship money is still coming in, though the total raised is expected to reach more than £1000. STING, the charity that will benefit from the exertions of the group, works to support anybody in the area with a neurological condition, which includes multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other conditions. The group operates out of Unit 22b on Whitebridge Estate in Stone. The unit is fully adapted for disabled and wheelchair access allowing members to attend regular activities and take part in group discussions, wellbeing sessions, and exercise classes, as well as being able to access neurological therapies. Gez Prendergast, one of the participants of the 3 peaks, who also heads up the Charity Group for the site, has now recovered from the challenge. Speaking to Stone and Eccleshall Life he said: “This was one of the most extreme events that has ever been carried out by team members at

Wincanton, though it proved to be one of the most enjoyable ones as well as one that generated a great deal of team spirit. The fact that the team generated such a large amount through their sponsorship efforts for our site charity, STING, is the icing on the cake.” Vice Chairman of STING, Peter Marenghi, who also works at the site, was very impressed with the dedication of the team. He added: “For over a year now, the workforce at Wincanton has engaged in a range of fundraising activities to support our charity. Their efforts during that time have kept STING alive. Without this wonderful support, we would have ceased operating a long time ago. However, we are now able to continue to provide a wide range of vital services to many people in Staffordshire who are affected by a neurological condition. I hope all members of the team that took on the 3 Peaks Challenge are aware of just how much we appreciate their efforts for us, and what the money raised can provide for so many people.” For more information about the STING’s work in the community, contact Peter Marenghi on Tel. 07736-522474 or email petermarenghi@hotmail.co.uk. August/September 2016 9

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIMNEY SWEEPS

trade assocIatIon clean’s up for charIty

ocal trade association, the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS), who are based in Stone, have raised £2,000 in donations for the Help for Heroes charity during their annual Exhibition, which was held this year in Stratford upon Avon. Martin P. Glynn, the NACS President and CEO told Stone and Eccleshall Life magazine: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the NACS members, associate members, exhibitors, and visitors to the exhibition who made generous donations at the NACS Exhibition. Help for Heroes is the NACS’ designated charity and we are always pleased to help former service personnel, who also may wish to become a NACS Member”. Since the exhibition the NACS has been

10 August/September 2016

invited by the Help for Heroes charity to become a partner, which the NACS is incredibly proud of. If anyone is interested in Chimney Sweeping then you can attend a training course at the NACS National Chimney Training Centre in Stone, Staffordshire. Further details can be found on the website www.nacs.org.uk or by telephoning 01785 336555. NACS staff pictured left to right: Bob Leonard - Chairman, Juni Weaver Merchandise Controller, Rod Murdoch - Safety Director, Martin Glynn - President and CEO, Ron Clark - Honorary Life Vice President, David Donald - Head of Training, and Sally Caine General Manager. Also pictured Martin Glynn and Bob Leonard presenting the donation to Help for Heroes.

celebratIng 69 years of courage, hope and faIth

STONE TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD

tone Townswomen’s Guild has been part of the town of Stone since 1947 and will celebrate its 69th year in November. Meetings, with a group of friendly ladies, are held in the very comfortable and attractive surroundings of Bromfield Court community room in Stone, on the third Wednesday of each month at 2.15pm where light refreshments are served during the afternoon. Each month, interesting speakers come along and bring their expertise with a slide show or a talk, with subjects ranging from details about perfumes, or the life of bees, to beautiful photographs of the British Isles accompanied with music.

Once or twice a year, an outing is organised and Christmas lunch this year will be held in December at Granville’s restaurant in Stone. At the end of August there will be a trip to Trentham Gardens with a lunch organised and travel via the community bus. The speaker at the 21st September meeting will be Guide leader Maureen Recine, who will describe how the modern girl guide movement undertakes wonderful projects, helping those in poorer areas of Africa. Newcomers to Stone Guild are welcome for a small entry fee on the first visit. For more details please contact Pam on Tel. 01785 812561, Ann on Tel. 01785 815889 or Pat on Tel. 01785 813143.

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eccleshall celebrates 69th year of ann

ake sure you get Saturday 3rd September pencilled into your diaries. It is the date all the hard work and dedication of a group of local volunteers pays off. It is of course the date for this year’s Eccleshall Show, which in 2016 celebrates its 69th anniversary. Founded in 1947 with the aim of providing a social event for the local community, Eccleshall Show has expanded significantly in recent years but remains a very traditional rural event run by enthusiastic and committed volunteers. The 2016 Show will be held on Saturday 3rd September at the usual venue for the showground of the Parks, Sugnall ST21 6NF. As well as offering a jam packed day of activities, fun and entertainment for the whole family, the committee have even managed to slash entrance prices this year. The price of a

12 August/September 2016

Family Ticket (2 adults / 3 children) has been reduced to £20 from £25 and even cheaper if purchased in advance - you can snap it up for only £18! There will be all the usual trade stands, charity stalls, refreshment tents, games, rides, and main ring entertainment which this year will feature Lichfield Flyball team. Lichfield Flyball Club is the Flyball section of Lichfield and District Dog Training Society. Flyball is a team racing activity for dogs in which each dog has to run down a course over four jumps, retrieve a tennis ball from a dog friendly delivery box and return over the four jumps. The dogs find this great fun and as soon as they realise what they are doing they get excited and noisy, especially while waiting their turn. It is sure to be a big crowd puller especially for the dog lovers out there. The show is however not only run by

lunteers, r charIty

ECCLESHALL SHOW

nnual show

volunteers but each year gives generously to several local charities who benefit from the proceeds of the event. No less than five local charities received donations from last year’s very successful show. Eccleshall Scouts, Riding for the Disabled, Young Farmers Ambassadors, Support Dogs and Lucas’s Legacy were the beneficiaries with representatives from each organisation recently accepting cheques from Society members. Show Chairman Ed Lambert said: “Every year the Show Society donates any profits to charities connected to the area and in particular the contribution from the Scouts and Young Farmers to the organising and smooth running of the show on the day is vital to its success” Full details of all the show activities along with the free shuttle bus service running from the town to the showground and back on the day can be found at www.eccleshallshow.co.uk.

August/September 2016 13

STONE FESTIVAL

nonstop festIval fun

tone Festival returned with dozens of fantastic events from regular highlights such as the dog derby, raft race and carnival day - this year with a royal flavour provided by Stone District Girlguiding unit - to new events such as the soapbox derby.

14 August/September 2016

ECCLESHALL FESTIVAL

royal flavour for queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bIrthday

Victorian Street Market theme at Eccleshall Festival was combined with celebrations for the 90th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II, seeing a host of entertainments and attractions enthrall residents and visitors alike.

August/September 2016 15

RIDGWAYS HEARING CENTRE

Let the specialists hav Celebrating 30 years in the hearing industry

ou wouldn’t think twice about booking an appointment to see an optician if you were having trouble with your eye sight so why should your hearing be any different? This simple change in mindset is something Alison Ridgway and the team at Ridgways Hearing Centre based at 4 Queen Street in Newcastle under Lyme, have been working on changing, with some fantastic results. People today, more than ever before, are recognising that the most important ingredient to a happy and fulfilling life is good health. A person’s health can have a far reaching impact on their quality of life, family, and financial security, with hearing loss being a major contributing factor to this. Hearing loss can occur for a number of reasons and to anybody, not just the elderly. Some causes can be natural and others would surprise you. As people age, they might begin to lose their

ring Hea s los lems prob nd’ ‘sou ar? li fami

16 August/September 2016

hearing as a result of the natural aging process but one of the most common causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises. There are also medical reasons for suffering hearing loss such as viruses, bacteria, heart conditions or after suffering a stroke, a head injury, tumor and even certain medicines can effect how well you can hear. New studies have revealed some surprising causes as well, like diabetes or hypertension. The business was initially set up by Alison Ridgway, a fully qualified audiologist and ear care practitioner with over 30 years experience in the hearing industry where she has worked in the NHS and private sector as well as with many local GPs and ear, throat and nose specialists. Alison, along with her small independent team, including Karen Mallaburn and Barbara Millard, are able to offer help and advice on any aspect of your hearing care. Ridgways Hearing Care offers a whole host of services, many of which are becoming less and less available on the NHS. These include: hearing tests; full ear examinations, including advice on wax management; ear wax removal performed by a qualified ear health care practitioner with no need for ear drops or oil prior to treatment; safe gentle irrigation techniques to remove ear wax; demonstrations and trials of hearing aids; advice on National Health and private hearing aids; tinnitus management; advice on telephone and television solutions. They are so confident of their services, they even offer clients a two month money back trial. As an independent business, the Ridgways team are also able to offer cross market products to suit every individual’s needs and at very competitive prices too. The stigma associated with wearing a hearing aid is a thing of the past these days with devices designed to enhance an individuals hearing experience in a variety of listening environments,

RIDGWAYS HEARING CENTRE

ave a word in your ear

depending on their lifestyle and how active they are. The products available on the market at the moment are a far cry from the old fashioned conspicuous aids of years gone by. Technology has come on amazingly in this field with wireless, easy to adjust aids available in several styles and

in a variety of discreet and Did you stylish colours, with some virtually know yo invisible. hearing ur Based in Queen hea has a dir lth Street in Newcastle e under Lyme, the effect on ct your small team of friendly overall and approachable staff will ease the process of h ealth? seeking advice on your ear health with their personable and welcoming style. They will then be able to professionally point each client in the right direction as regards to what the next steps will be in sorting out their hearing problems, while offering advice on treatment types and products which will best suit each individual and their needs.

COMMON SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS • Frequently having to ask people to repeat themselves • Having trouble hearing in noisy or busy places • Misunderstanding conversations • Finding that people are mumbling • Increasing the volume on the television • Avoiding social situations If any of these sound familiar it is a good idea to make an appointment with Alison or one of her team at Ridgways Hearing Care where they will carry out a full hearing evaluation. This will confirm if you have a hearing loss and together, with the help of the staff at Ridgways, can determine the correct course of action. Hearing loss treatment is a simple process that can quickly get you back on track and enjoying life to the fullest. What better reasons could there be to pop in or ring up and make an appointment with the team at Ridgways today.

4 QUEEN STREET, NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME, ST5 1ED Tel: 01782 622545 • Mob: 07581 087908 Web: www.ridgwayshearingcare.com E-mail: info@ridgwayshearingcare.com August/September 2016 17

BISHOP LONSDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

head braves the shave eccleshall teacher’s ‘bald’ decIsIon

eadteacher of Bishop Lonsdale primary school in Eccleshall took a ‘bald’ decision in order to show his support for cancer sufferers, and raised more than £800 for Macmillan Cancer by having his hair shaved off. Chris Middleton volunteered to Brave the Shave in order to support cancer sufferers connected with the school. “Over the last six years, while I have been head of Bishop Lonsdale, I have known so many parents and children who have suffered as a result of having someone diagnosed with cancer and so I took the decision to go under the razor in recognition of them,” he said. “I’ve had fantastic support from everyone here, from staff to parents and children, and there was a great atmosphere when I actually had the shave, which I did on stage in front of the whole school. “I’m thrilled with the amount of money we’ve raised so far, and there’s still more coming in. “I’m now hoping the warm summer continues, as it is a little chilly having no hair!” The total raised so far is £841.70, which includes the proceeds of a raffle and cake sale on the afternoon of the shave, as well as a generous donation from local Eccleshall business, Perry’s Butchers. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at https://bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/christoph er-middleton/

18 August/September 2016

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LAST ORDERS

savourIng the taste of Independence

posItIvIty Is a glass half full

ell the vote to leave the European Union has come and gone and that was a bit of a surprise but nothing quite prepared us for the political fallout that followed. As the nightly television broadcasts revealed more squabbling and back stabbing, I turned to my bottle of eight year old Laphroaig that I purchased after last year’s Stoke whisky festival. Alas the contents are no more and this delightful spirit consigned to the memory. However, it did remind me that splits are not confined to political parties. My treasured bottle came from the independent bottlers Douglas Laing & Co. Douglas Laing & Co was inherited by two brothers Stewart and Fred Laing from their father more than 40 years ago. In 2013 they went their separate ways, unlike the current political ruptures this was an amicable separation, with Fred Laing continuing the Douglas Laing name and Stewart having been joined by his sons Andrew and Scott in a new venture Hunter Laing & Co. As I mentioned last year independent bottlers are well worth exploring as thanks to them we have access to some remarkable whiskies that would have otherwise been lost. At this year’s whisky festival we were next to Gordon MacPhail,

20 August/September 2016

perhaps the best known independent bottler. Of particular interest was the story of ‘grandfather’s cask’. Many moons ago grandfather MacPhail purchased a case of Mortlach whisky for the extortionate sum of £50. 70 years later what was left of the whisky, the angels having taken a very large part, was bottled and released as 70 year old Mortlach. According to the teller of the tale the whisky was truly amazing, not that we mortals are likely to savour such divine spirit. The £50 investment has now turned into millions and there were not many bottles released! So if you haven’t tried an independent bottler it is definitely worth exploring perhaps to ease you through the machinations of political intrigue that we see each day. Moving forward we must all be positive; all regard our glasses as half full rather than half empty. In my case though, thinking back to the eight year old Laphroaig, I’d rather have my glass completely full!

Whisky expert Dave Pickard of Old School Wines, Tittensor. T. 01782 372888

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August/September 2016 21

STONE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

make festIval a date In your ‘foodIe dIary’

taffordshire’s biggest gastronomic gathering will mark its 12th year on the weekend of Friday 30th September, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October this year. Drawing food lovers from far and wide with its mix of artisan food stalls, talks, live cookery demonstrations, interactive cookery classes and family fun, it is fast becoming a red letter day in the ‘foodie calendar’. With over 15,000 visitors flocking to the main Festival site at Westbridge Park, on the edge of the market town of Stone, in 2015, this year’s event is expected to be even bigger. On the Saturday, festivities spill out into the town’s picturesque Georgian High Street, which is lined by the festival Farmers’ Market; offering everything from fresh fruit and veg to meat, poultry, game, preserves - and much more. From noon on Friday through to Sunday afternoon, the main festival at Westbridge Park opens its gates; offering the chance to discover Staffordshire’s very own food heroes, browse stalls from some of the UK’s finest artisan producers, enjoy informative presentations in the Talks and Tastings Tent, watch top local chefs in action in the Demonstration Kitchen and even join in with

22 August/September 2016

interactive cookery lessons in the ‘Cookery Classroom’. Little ones, meanwhile, will be kept entertained by Professor Panic and his sidekicks in the Panic Circus Big Top, with free children’s cookery classes and craft activities also on offer. There’s also ready to eat food on offer to suit every taste – from filled Staffordshire oatcakes through to exotic street food – whilst for those with a taste for the finer things in life, a pop-up gourmet restaurant will serve a la carte lunches and cream teas. The Beer Tent has a true party atmosphere with Staffordshire brewers out in force and great live music from the adjacent Live Music Stage. If you’re seeking a more sophisticated atmosphere, meanwhile, an elegant bar serves wine and champagne by the glass or bottle alongside a delectable selection of gins and cocktails. The 2016 Stone Food and Drink Festival will take place on Friday 30th September, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October. Entry to Westbridge Park is £7 per person for the day; or weekend tickets are £15 per person (accompanied under 16s go in free). A park and ride facility will also be available from Aston Marina in Lichfield Road, Stone, Staffs, ST15 8Q. For more information visit www.stonefooddrink.org.uk.

JoIn the gastronomIc gatherIng

STONE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

he team behind the popular Stone Food and Drink Festival, billed as ‘Staffordshire’s biggest gastronomic gathering’, has launched a series of opportunities for businesses to get involved in the event. Set to take place on the town’s Westbridge Park from Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October, the event, which is in its 12th year, is once again expected to see in excess of 15,000 visitors through its gates over the weekend - and to attract over 20,000 people into Stone during festival week. The range of packages on offer represents an exceptional opportunity for businesses to align their brand with a hugely successful community event and showcase their products and services to an enthusiastic captive audience - as festival Chairman, Richard Stevens, explained: “The festival is a not-for-profit, community interest company run by volunteers. As such, it relies on the support of local businesses and organisations to help cover the costs associated with running an event of this scale. We’ve enjoyed seven fantastic years with Taste of Staffordshire as our lead sponsor, and are hugely grateful for their support but, with the funding stream that fed into the festival coming to an end, we now need to seek new sponsors.

“As a result, we’ve looked long and hard at the ways we can work with companies to enjoy mutual benefit and have come up with some very attractive propositions. Any business interested in getting involved should contact us soon for a sponsorship pack, as we are already talking to a number of interested parties.” Available packages range from lead sponsorship of the event to support of individual zones – like the Little Foodies Zone and music tent – with comprehensive PR, marketing and social media support; through to corporate hospitality packages ideal for wooing important clients. Bill Bennet, General Manager of Mercedes Benz of Stafford, which sponsors the festival’s Talks and Tastings Tent said: “The Stone Food and Drink festival is a real magnet for people that have an interest in the finer things in life, and 2016 will be our fourth year sponsoring the Talks and Tastings Tent. Our involvement with the festival has introduced us to plenty of interested customers and helped raise our profile in the local area” For more information on the opportunities available for businesses to get involved in the 2016 Stone Food and Drink Festival, email info@stonefooddrink.org.uk or call 07564 378 916 (please leave a message if no answer).

August/September 2016 23

FRIENDS FOR LIFE

vIva l’ItalIa! student exchange success

talian students have been welcomed by their peers in Stone as part of a Summer School project. Organised by The Friends of Bagnacavallo formerly Stone Twinning Committee - the Summer School saw a group of students from the ancient arts town in the Ravenna Province, stay with families in Stone and attend Alleyne’s Academy. The Friends of Bagnacavallo’s Margaret Termine, said: “2016 marked the 13th visit to Stone by students from Stone's friendship town Bagnacavallo. “Hosted by local families, the students attended

24 August/September 2016

classes at Alleyene's Academy in Stone where lessons in English were taught by a teacher of English as a foreign language. “In addition to their formal lessons, the students enjoyed preparing an afternoon tea, joined the schools sports day, enjoyed meals out and visited Stafford, Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and Alton Towers, so becoming immersed into English life and culture.” Friends of Bagnacavallo are a group of local people with a passion for Italy, friendship with Bagnacavallo and the education and exchange of students.

sIlversmIthIng evenIng

BARLASTON HERONS WI

ave you ever wondered just how much work goes into making items out of silver? Barlaston Herons WI had a wonderful evening finding out all the specialist skills required to make items such as jewellery and trinkets. The evening was delivered by a fascinating lady named Penny. She shared her 47 years of experience in silversmithing with us. Her background as a teacher often inspired her designs, as did books, the internet and nature. The types of silver that silversmiths use include silver sheet, wire and tubes. Penny gave a fascinating insight into all the processes of silversmithing including cutting, shaping and creating patterns. The designs she displayed were amazing and so

detailed. We soon realised the method of giving each finished piece a hallmark is a serious business. This is a legal procedure and is a record for the future. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and we all went away with gained knowledge and a renewed

appreciation for all things silver. The next meeting will be Wednesday 17th August, 7.30pm at Barlaston Methodist Hall, ST12 9DP. It will be a chance for everyone to share their crafting skills and to attempt something new. New members always welcome.

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Stage Directions

by Richard Lane

stafford festIval shakespeare 2016: show’s success not dampened by wet weather he organisers of Stafford Festival Shakespeare (SFS) are now hard at work behind the scenes at Stafford Castle removing all set and staging after another successful production. Nearly 8,000 eager Shakespeare fans tuned out to see this year’s production of Othello during its run from 23rd June to 9th July, in what has been described as one of the most “critically well received” shows in memory. The audiences, press and broadcast media were united in their praise of the production, set in the historical grounds of Stafford Castle. “What a few weeks it’s been” commented SFS

26 August/September 2016

Producer Derrick Gask.“This has been an incredible production and one of the most critically well received in recent memory. All of us at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre have been touched by the comments from audience members who have been overwhelming in their praise for the acting, as well as the set and costume design, and the unique interpretation of one of the bard’s most famous tragedies. “Unfortunately, some unseasonal weather wasn’t kind to us which meant tickets sales trickled off after a very strong start. In fact by midJune Othello was outperforming last year’s production. But as always the

audience stayed dry in the covered seating while the actors bravely soldiered on to produce a memorable performance. “I am so thrilled that Stafford Festival Shakespeare continues to attract audiences locally and nationally – in spite of the rain and wind! We are hugely proud of the show’s success and would like to thank our ever loyal audience for supporting Stafford Festival Shakespeare” concluded Gask. The production starred Oliver Wilson in the title role, alongside Niall Costigan as Iago, Madeleine Leslay as Desdemona and Hester Arden as Emilia. All four principal characters were highly praised by audiences and critics alike for their moving and measured performances and, together with the remaining cast of actor musicians, regularly drew standing ovations from the mesmerised crowds. This year’s production of Othello was the 26th annual Stafford Festival Shakespeare produced by Stafford Gatehouse Theatre for Stafford Borough Council Leisure and Culture Services.

hat-trIck of performIng arts dIstInctIons

ROOFTOP STUDIOS

5 year old Lucy Dodd, a student at Stone’s Rooftop Studios performing arts school, has just achieved distinctions in no less than three disciplines. The talented youngster made the coveted grades in her LAMDA drama, RAD ballet and ISTD Tap exams following training in all three at the studio. Whilst Lucy’s achievement is outstanding, she’s not alone in having cause to celebrate – pupils across the board achieved fantastic results, with a 100% pass rate. In ballet and tap exams, which saw 30 students aged from five to 16 take exams ranging from Pre-Primary to Grade 6, the majority scooped High Merits with four students achieving distinctions. In LAMDA drama, meanwhile, all 12 of the students taking their exams passed; six with High

Merits and five with distinctions alongside Lucy. Studio director, Laura Keeling, said: “We’re massively proud of all our students and the hard work and dedication they’ve shown in the run-up to their exams. Their efforts have certainly paid off! Credit must also go to our very talented team of teachers for guiding the students through what can be a stressful time and bringing out their full potential. “In Lucy’s case we’re blown away by how hard she worked and the fantastic end result. Studying for three sets of exams outside of school work takes grit, determination and commitment alongside talent. She has proven herself beyond doubt. We really think she’s got what it takes to follow her dream of a career in the industry, and we’ll be here to support her every step of the way.”

August/September 2016 27

STAFFORDSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE

sIsters havIng a ball sIblIngs on track to raIse £100k

tone’s fundraising sisters Ange and Cath Arnold look set to break the £100k barrier this year, as they host their 12th annual Staffs Air Ambulance Ball. The event, which will take place at the County Showground on Saturday 8th October 2016, will see revellers enjoy a fantastic evening of great food, live entertainment and dancing – all in the name of a great cause. Over its history, the ball has, to date, raised just under £90,000 for the County Air Ambulance Trust which, in turn, offers financial support to the three Air Ambulance charities in the region in a grant making capacity to fund operational costs and infrastructure projects. The 2015 ball raised an exceptional £11,400 through a combination of ticket sales and fundraising on the evening; which includes a charity auction and raffle with fabulous prizes generously donated by the ball’s supporters. If the 2016 event follows suit, it will mean that the sisters have reached the landmark of having raised £100,000 for the charity. Speaking to Stone and Eccleshall Life Cath

28 August/September 2016

said: “We were delighted with the figure from last year’s ball – it’s the most raised to date from a single event, but must admit it came as a bit of a surprise when we totalled up and realised quite how within reach of the £100k mark we were getting! “Air Ambulance services are entirely selffunded, so rely on their own fundraising efforts and those of their supporters to operate. The reason we chose the County Air Ambulance Trust to donate our funds to is that it works with several local midlands air ambulance services to help assist with critical investment projects – from buying new kit to providing funds to install helipads at hospitals. We’re now pulling out all the stops to raise over £10,000 at the next ball so we can break the barrier. The air ambulances need our support and you quite simply never know when you might need their life saving services.” Tickets for the 2016 Staffs Air Ambulance Ball are on sale now, priced at £40.00 a head, and include a delicious three course meal. To book yours, tel. 07989 018646, 07876 472722, or email info@staffsairambulanceball.co.uk. For more details or to sign up to receive email updates about the event visit www.staffsairambulanceball.co.uk.

3 PEAKS 2 WHEELS FOR HEADWAY

makIng headway

team of 12 amateur Stafford cyclists aged from their early 20s to over 60s are committed to raising funds for Headway South Staffordshire by undertaking a massive challenge from 10th September to 17th 2016. They are currently in training to climb the three peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and use their bicycles as their only mode of transport between the three peaks. This amounts to over 456 miles of cycling and an 11,180 feet ascent in total on foot.

The reason this local charity has been picked is because one of the team members suffered a severe head injury as a child 20 years ago and wanted to acknowledge the great work the charity does for adults and their families with acquired brain injuries following accidents or medical events. The team have set themselves a target of ÂŁ10,000 to raise for Headway South Staffordshire by the end of the challenge. Local businesses have been very generous with sponsorship which is helping to push the team on. The event will include

ascending the three highest peaks in the UK, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and we will be riding on road bikes between them, a distance of 449 miles. Team 3 Peaks 2 Wheels are: Joe Ellement, Lyndon Ellement, Kev Finney, Dave Bevis, Simon Twissell, Rich McGirk, Al Judkins, Paul Holmes, Al Bentley, Steve Stone and Donna Stone. The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress can be followed at www.facebook.com/groups/3pe aks2wheels4headway/. Any donations gratefully received at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundr aisers/3peaks2wheels.

August/September 2016 29

defIbrIllators Installed at stonefIeld park PARK LIFE

Lifesaving defibrillator has been installed at a Stafford Borough park in

Stone. The equipment, which is there for anyone to use on someone in cardiac arrest, has been installed at Stonefield Park in the town. Housed in a yellow box, the defibrillator at Stonefield Park is on the pavilion near to the main gate off Field Terrace. Fitting a defibrillator and housing unit costs around £2,000 with Stonefield Park’s equipment paid for by Stafford Borough Council.

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Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said: “These are vital pieces of equipment. Having access to them can mean the difference between life and death so, as far as I’m concerned, the more places that can accommodate them the better.” In an emergency people phone 999 and the ambulance service will give them the code to open the box housing the defibrillator. An ambulance is then despatched and the operator provides guidance on what to do. This is all explained on the front of the box.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Decluttering and Creating Positive Energies How often do you take the time to clear out the clutter and unwanted things in your life? ). %0-.(0 ) %0,.0&+ +). 0&) 0 )-.+0 ,.., 0 (# 0 " e all accumulate things that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need and they end up lying around in cupboards, drawers and wardrobes. When there is too much stuff in our homes the energy canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t flow freely and becomes stagnant. When was the last time you thought about having a clear out? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Albert Einstein Where do we start? The best thing to start with is paperwork. Begin to get more organized by having an inbox for all paperwork. Put it all in an inbox tray ready for filing. As soon as the mail comes through the letterbox throw away any junk mail immediately. Designate a sturdy filing box and sort bills receipts and any other paperwork into separate files so they are easy to find when you need them.

Drawers and cupboards Spend some time each week sorting out a drawer or cupboard (do this for up to an hour as it can be very time consuming and tiring sorting through old stuff). Have a couple of bin liners or rubbish sacks ready and label one â&#x20AC;&#x153;throw awayâ&#x20AC;? and the other â&#x20AC;&#x153;maybe keepâ&#x20AC;?. Put the things back in the cupboard or drawer that you are definitely keeping, put the stuff to throw away in a bag for recycling and keep the maybe stuff until you have decided what to do with it.

Quick clear up This can be done when you have a few minutes to spare and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to spend hours clearing up. Find 5 things that are lying around and find a permanent place for them. Make sure that every time you use these objects that you put them back in their designated place. Now that you have done some clearing, open the windows and let the air circulate through your clean spaces, relax and have a cuppa.

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August/September 2016 33

pupIls on road to SPORTING LIFE

sportIng fortnIght at st mIchael’s

he spirit of the Olympics has been brought to life during a two-week event dedicated to sport and its impact on cultures around the world. The Road to Rio fortnight at St Michael’s First School in Stone saw coaches from different sports hold workshops for students, with a former pupil and an Olympic hurdler among those inspiring the youngsters to embrace sport in their lives. PE and Georgraphy coordinator, Debbie Satongar, organised the event in June, which included a sponsored dodgeball tournament in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Debbie said: “The event coincided with cricket week, which we held last year with help from Stone Cricket Club and also with National Schools

34 August/September 2016

Sport Week. “It brought my two subjects together as each year group took on a country and learned about their culture and the sports they excelled at, as well as how sport had shaped people’s lives. “We have a link school in Kenya, so the children looked at long-distance running and the impact it has had there. They also wrote letters to the students in Kenya about the project. “There are a lot of children in school who are very bright and achieve well in English, maths and science, and there are a lot of children who aren’t as comfortable in the classroom. “This gave every child the chance to succeed in whichever area they are strongest in. “We have a child with very

complex needs who is very shy in the classroom but is the most talented gymnast of her age that I have ever seen.” Retired Olympic hurdler, Keri Lees, has been running gymnastics sessions at the school, but for the Road to Rio fortnight, showed the children videos of her performance in the 400m hurdles at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The students also enjoyed a visit from former pupil, Adam Burgess, World Champion Slalom canoeist. Debbie added: “They were both really inspiring. Adam brought in a picture of him as a pupil at the school and seeing him in uniform brought it home to the children that they could achieve great things too. They really related to him and some of his teachers are still at the school, so it was really nice.

to rIo

SPORTING LIFE

“It was a fantastic fortnight.The enthusiasm from the children and the cooperation and support from the local area and parents was fantastic. “Inspire sports group worked with us during the week to make sure that the sports activities were accessible to all our pupils, whatever their abilities and it was wonderful to see the children becoming completely confident in their own skin and not worry that if you’re not ‘sporty’ then you can’t do sport. “We made sure to accommodate everyone and get everyone involved - there’s such a team ethos at the school. “I would like to thank Stafford and Stone Canoe Club, Stone Hockey Club, Stone Cricket Club, Stoke Rugby Club and Inspire sports group from Stafford, who all come for free to work with the children.”

August/September 2016 35

STAFFORD AND STONE CANOE CLUB

chrIs wIns mcconkey memorIal slalom’s 30th year

tafford and Stone Canoe Club’s (S&SCC) Christopher Bowers has won the prestigious Paul McConkey Memorial Slalom trophy in the 30th year of the prestigious event. Organised by the club chairman, Dave Royle, and supported by S&SCC members and friends, the annual contest was held at Holme Pierrepont National White Water Centre, Nottingham over a weekend in May, attracting premier and division 1 paddlers from all over the UK. The slalom commemorates S&SCC stalwart and international canoeist, Paul McConkey, who trained at Stone from 1978 and went on to join the British Team that won the World Team Championship and the Wilkinson Sword Trophy in 1983 - a success they repeated in 1984. Shortly after the the birth of his daughter in 1986, Paul became National Men’s Team coach. He was tragically killed in a crash in December of that year. S&SCC paddlers won four out of the five categories in this 30th annual contest, with awards for Mark Proctor, Ettiene Stott and Adam Burgess as well as Lizzie Neave receiving The Ruth Holdway Memorial Trophy and Christopher Bowers taking The Paul McConkey Memorial Trophy.

36 August/September 2016

golfers qualIfy for natIonal fInal

BARLASTON GOLF CLUB

esther and Jane do It ‘fore’ the gIrls

ocal golfers Esther McNeill and Jane Martin, both members at Barlaston Golf Club, have made it through to the National Grand Final of the American Golf Ladies Championship after a tough qualifying competition at High Legh Park Golf Club. The pair will now take their places at Ryder Cup venue The Belfry on 9th and 10th September to battle it out over the Brabazon Course for the title of best Ladies Pair in the U.K. In a closely fought contest, the pair were edged into second place by Preston pair Kate Clarkson and Sue Green while just holding off Christine McEwan and Lesley Hewison from High Legh Park Golf Club who matched their 43 point total. A fantastic back nine 23 points secured the second qualifying spot and all three pairs will

now take on qualifiers from all over the UK in the National Grand Final at the iconic Midlands Ryder Cup venue. “After the success of our 9 Hole and Junior Championships last year, we added the Ladies Championship for 2016,” commented Daniel Gathercole Head of Marketing at American Golf. “We’ve been delighted with the amount of ladies taking part and look forward to welcoming all the qualifiers to the Belfry for a wonderful weekend of golf that will end with the crowning of our first ever Ladies Champions.” Entry to all of the American Golf Championships, including the American Golf Ladies Championship, is free and is part of the nationwide retailer’s drive to promote the game of golf and get more people out playing golf more often. August/September 2016 37

crIspIn court care home now open! C

CRISPIN COURT CARE HOME

rispin Court, one of Avery Healthcare’s flagship retirement and care homes, has now opened its doors in the delightful old market town of Stafford. Offering residents the highest levels of luxury, care and support, creating a unique combination of hotel standard services and quality retirement living with a real sense of community. This brand new luxury home is the latest addition to a portfolio of over forty five Avery homes nationwide, including seven other homes in Staffordshire; Avery’s approach is to nurture an atmosphere of care and community, all delivered in a luxury lifestyle. Resident Well-being has a proactive focus; with a caring and supportive team to ensure residents have the highest quality of support for physiological, psychological, social, and nutritional needs, all tailored to individual circumstances. A wide range of healthy exercises, well balanced and freshly prepared restaurant quality dining, along with daily activities and outings, are all part of everyone’s Well-being. Rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated, with single rooms to companion suites for couples, all with luxury en-suites and many of the ground floor rooms with patio doors opening directly on to the gardens. Freshly

brewed coffee and home baked cakes can be enjoyed in the Piano Café, or refreshments can be taken on the delightful garden terrace or relaxing in one of the many lounges. Residents can be pampered in the salon with a hair or beauty treatment, and films are shown in Crispin Court’s very own cinema. Every day at Crispin Court will be a happy and memorable experience in senior living, and no more costly than more standard offerings locally. So for luxury you can afford and the best in residential care in beautiful and spacious surroundings come and see us a Crispin Court. Call the General Manager Lorraine Ford on 01785 529715

August/September 2016 39

wIldlIfe to thrIve

STAFFORDSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

wolseley centre Improvements pools and across the River Trent. Youngsters ildlife will thrive at Staffordshire are also catered for with the Centre’s Play Trail, Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre which includes a welly splash bridge and headquarters thanks to a whole host musical sculptures. of improvements which have taken place during the past 12 months. Meanwhile, the Tuesday and Wednesday The Trust has been working to make the groups who volunteer on the site are centre, based near Rugeley, an even more continuing jobs including path resurfacing, welcoming place for an array controlling non-native of wildlife following the invasive species such as improvements, which Himalayan balsam and include seeding areas with American skunk cabbage and The Wolseley wildflowers, planting within refreshing the benches and Centre is set in 26 the woodlands and near picnic tables to make the Swan Lake, and the creation Wolseley Centre an even acres of beautiful of a new pond area. more pleasant place to visit. grounds which are New bat boxes have also Victoria Liu, Warden at been installed along the bat the Wolseley Centre, said: full of interesting path at the centre in “With summer almost here, features and collaboration with people will be planning days Staffordshire Bat Group. A out, and the Wolseley Centre wildlife-friendly new pair of binoculars were is somewhere we think display gardens also donated to the site and people will enjoy visiting and have been installed in the exploring. It is a great place wildlife watching hide to help to have a peaceful walk, or people get closer views of come and watch different birds such as reed buntings, mute swans and bird, bee or butterfly species and much more. kingfishers. “A lot of hard work from our team and The Wolseley Centre is set in 26 acres of particularly our brilliant volunteers continues beautiful grounds which are full of interesting to go into running and maintaining the site.” features and wildlife-friendly display gardens. The Wolseley Centre is open Monday to The site also has a network of accessible Friday between 9am to 5pm and Saturday and footpaths which are easy to navigate and ideal Sunday, 10am to 5pm. The Wolseley Centre is for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The Wolseley easy to find on the A51 near Rugeley. For more Centre boasts three lakes with a boardwalk information visit the Trust’s website – where visitors can enjoy views over tranquil www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk.

“

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40 August/September 2016

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HOMES AND GARDENS

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the floor, enabling faster sales and higher house prices when it comes to resale. Flooring finishes explained: A UV lacquered finish is applied while the floor is in production. This means fitting is made simpler and quicker. The finish can be satin or matt, the advantage is that it offers a hardwearing layer that will protect your floor and allow you to mop it clean. Natural Oil is machine applied in factory and a second coat is then applied once installed. This makes installation longer and more costly. Day to day maintenance can also be more challenging, with special soap and regular re-oiling required. UV oil is another factory finish option providing a good level of protection for the floor and the same ease of installation as a lacquer finish. Day to day maintenance remains simple and crucially the floor can be spot repaired and re-oiled. Updating your flooring is one of the easiest ways to add perceived value, and will make a big difference to the look and feel of your home.

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socIety marks mIlestone annIversary STONE CHYSANTHEMUM AND DAHLIA SOCIETY

tone Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society celebrates its 30th anniversary this year which they marked recently with a special lunch and visit to Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire. A bus trip was taken by members to visit the hall and gardens and to have lunch on Thursday 23rd June. The Society, which now has an impressive 116 members, is looking forward to the 30th Anniversary Open Show, set to take place on Saturday 17th September, it will feature new and existing exhibitors including one of the original members David Bond of Stone

who is still showing. The event will be open to the public from 2pm until 4pm and will be staged at Walton Community Centre in Mill Lane, Stone. There will be 48

classes of chrysanthemums and dahlias including classes for novices. Please tel. 01785 812097 for any further details or email harrison.helen74@yahoo.co.uk.

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GARDENING

Desirable daisies by Martin Blow

or the lawn-proud garden owner daisies are weeds to be fought with and removed at all costs. For the flower gardener the daisy family are one of the glories of summer and the most desirable flowering plants. From low growing carpeters to 8ft giants for the back of the border there is a daisy for every garden. This month I’ll share some of my favourites from my own garden with you. Technically daisies are members of the Aster (or Michaelmas daisy) family and all have rayed petals and a disc or cone at the centre and all share the same attractiveness to bees and butterflies. Let’s start with Asters, those late bloomers that come in a range of colours from white, through pink, lavender to the dark purple. The best of these is the variety ‘Mônch’, which blooms from August and never gets mildew. I also love the tall growing ‘Calliope’ who has black stems, glossy leaves and flowers in October and November. Aster need a reasonably sunny spot and soil that holds some moisture - so mulch them well in spring. For brighter colours you can’t do better than Heleniums – one of my passions. We have a large collection in our garden and have a good range in our catalogue. These are certainly sun lovers and come in shades of red, orange and yellow. Perhaps best known as tall plants for the back of the border blooming in August and September there are also some new, shorter ones that start flowering in late June: ‘Red Army’ is bright red and 2ft (60cm) tall and ‘Mardi Gras’ is a similar height with flowers that blend red, orange and yellow. ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ has similar flowers but is nearly 3ft tall. ‘El Dorado’ is one of the best new varieties with large golden yellow flowers. He is about 2ft 6in tall (75cm) but doesn’t need staking. ‘Flaming Katy’ is taller and a fiery orange-red. Two closely related plants are commonly known as Cone Flowers: the pink or white Echinaceas and the yellow Rudbeckias. In our garden we find the old

varieties are more reliable than the many new ones. For Echinacea I recommend ‘Ruby Star’ (bright pink) and ‘White Swan’ and for Rudbeckias the soundly perennial ‘Deamii’ and ‘Goldsturm’. For a really tall one try ‘Herbstsonne’ (‘Autumn Sun’), which will grow 6ft (180cm) tall. The yellow rudbeckias will also grow well in dappled shade. We all loved growing annual sunflowers as kids and there are some less tall perennial types to choose for the garden. Their flowers are smaller but very numerous. ‘Happy Days’ is only 3ft (90cm) tall with large flowers whereas ‘Lemon Queen’ will get to 6ft (180cm) tall and has masses of pale yellow flowers in autumn. Some are scented – the variety ‘Bitter Chocolate’ smells exactly like that! Coreopsis (common name Tickseed) are popular low-growing plants but some are not hardy here. We grow the reliable Zagreb and the beautiful pale yellow Moonbeam as these are hardy for us. These will spread to form a good sized clump and are easy to divide in spring. Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum) were once common cottage garden plants and they are making a comeback as gardeners remember just how easy and reliable they are. Most are white although there are a few pale yellow varieties to be had. My favourite is ‘Beauté Nivelloise’ which one cheeky customer renamed “bad hair day” after the wayward look of the petals. ‘Fiona Coghill’ has large, ball-shaped flowers that remind me of a florist’s Chrysanthemum. Shasta Daisies love a well-drained sunny spot and will survive drought well. We are used to buying African Daisies (Osteospermum) as half-harder summer bedding but there are a few winter hardy ones to find. The white ‘Lady Leitrim’ has been in my family’s gardens for at least four generations and always survives even the hardest winter provided the soil is well-drained. She will flower from May to early winter. There’s sure to be a member of the daisy family to suit your garden; keep an eye open for those lovely flowers.

Janet and Martin run Special Perennials, www.specialperennials.com. They will be at the National Memorial Arboretum (DE13 7AR) on Saturday 6th August, free entry to fair and arboretum (P&D parking). The Dorothy Clive Garden (TF9 4EU) on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th August fair and gardens only £3.50 (normally £7.50). Weston Park (TF11 8LE) on Sunday 13th September fair and gardens just £2.50 (Normally £6.50). See www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk, the couple are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for customers to collect. 44 August/September 2016

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INVESTMENT MATTERS

NOT PUTTING ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

ut simply, different assets – equities, property, bonds, cash and so on – have not only different costs and accessibility issues, but can also move counter-cyclically to each other. For example, when equity values fall, bond values can rise; but not always. What this means is; if you spread your investments over several different asset classes, you will not do as well as if you had selected only the one that eventually turns out to have performed the best, but you will not do as badly as if you had selected only the one that has performed the worst. What will happen is; you will get some of the performance of each class, in other words, balanced performance.

What do we mean by balance? Balance should not, however, simply be seen as the difference between, say, equities and property. Even within what may look like a single asset class, there are wide variations. Take, for example, equities. There are those within the FTSE100, which includes the largest companies in the UK (by market value), the FTSE250 (also called the mid-cap market because the capital value of the companies is smaller than those in the FTSE100), and smaller companies, such as those on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Then there are different business sectors such as banks, technology, energy or manufacturing; each has the propensity to move in different directions from the other. Similarly, there are different geographical regions. Many people like to invest mainly in UK markets because there is no direct currency risk involved. However, there are times when investing in different parts of the

world can offer potential benefits that outweigh variation in currency values. How things can get out of balance While it is important to consider a realistically diverse investment strategy that is consistent with the level and type of risk that you are prepared to accept, you must also recognise that the very fact that assets will perform differently from each other means that, through time, the initial asset distribution is likely to become out of kilter. Those assets that have performed well will come to represent a higher proportion of your overall investments than was originally planned and might not be appropriate for a changing risk profile.

It is essential to review your asset allocation strategy regularly with your independent financial planner, so that you know where you stand and whether any changes need to be made. It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. The value of investments is not guaranteed and will fluctuate; you may get back less than you put in. Stuart D Bryant is a fee-based Certified Financial Planner, specialising in personal lifestyle planning and investment planning.

SDB Strategic Planners Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tel: (01782) 712233

NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS GIVING INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL ADVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF LEGISLATION, WHICH CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE VALUE OF INVESTMENTS CAN GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP; YOU MAY GET BACK LESS THAN YOU INVEST.

August/September 2016 47

LEGAL MATTERS

grIndeys solIcItors launch new websIte dedIcated to famIly law

Divorce rates are in decline At a time when both marriage and divorce are in decline, Grindeys have launched a website dedicated to family law and divorce. The need for legal advice and support in this area remains crucial given the changing nature of society and family relations. According to the Office of National statistics the number of divorces year on year is in decline, and has been since 2004. Certainly this trend is reflected in the figures for the last three full years. In 2013 the number of Decree Absolutes (the document which finalises a divorce) fell from 115,000 in 2013 to 102,000 in 2015. This could be perceived as a positive trend, however the statistics need to be compared to two others: a decline in the number of marriages per year, a trend which started in 1973; and the increase in the number of people living together – cohabitees. In 2013, the latest statistics available, there were 242,000 marriages in the UK compared to 426,000 in 1972. In 2012, there were 5.9 million people cohabiting in the UK, double the 1996 figure.

makes no provision for the rights of cohabitees with regards to property and possessions. As a general rule if you own it at the beginning of the relationship then you will own it at the end! That said, there are an increasing number of legal cases that have been successful in questioning the law’s stance on the legal rights of cohabitees. It’s only a matter of time before the law adapts to meet the needs of a changing society. It should also be noted that the lack of marriage does not equate to a lack of children. 38% of these 5.9 million cohabitees have children together. The law does make provision for the rights of children regardless of the parents’ marital status and so demand for legal advice with regards to child arrangement orders, is increasingly high. There is also a growing trend for grandparents to seek legal advice with regard to contact with grandchildren. Fortunately the English legal system does recognise the valuable contribution a grandparent can make to a child’s life, especially if they have provided childcare.

Increased demand from cohabitees, unmarried parents and grandparents Despite these figures the need for family law advice is not in decline. Approximately 42% of marriages will end in divorce – a sad statistic indeed. Then there are the cohabitees. English law currently

Relationship agreements provide protection Today, compared to twenty years ago, people tend to be older when they ‘commit’ to a relationship and have often acquired a reasonable amount of wealth and naturally they want to protect it. This is reflected in the increased demand for documents such as the cohabitation agreement and the prenuptial agreement. The changing scope of society and the families within it is why Grindeys have launched a website dedicated to these matters. The aim of the website is to provide families with access to family law information and the website includes content, news and features which anyone in a family crisis should find useful. Daniel Rushton, Head of Family Law at Grindeys comments, “Access to information is crucial for families going through crisis. The website is full of general information but every family law case is different and the outcome is very much based on a person’s specific circumstances. This is why we have introduced a discounted fixed fee consultation for clients, which can be conducted either face to face at our offices or over the telephone. The consultation provides people with advice relevant to their situation. The consultation is not necessarily the start of legal proceedings. It is designed to give people a clear outline of their options.” They also offer a fixed fee consultation created to meet the needs of business owners or people with complicated financial or family arrangements. Daniel continues, “The website will be an ongoing project with a view to adding content and features based on client feedback and so we welcome, in fact actively encourage, any views and opinions about the website from clients and the public.” The new website can be found at www.family-lawand-divorce.co.uk

www.family-law-and-divorce.co.uk

48 August/September 2016

MOTORING

new clIo draws on renault sport’s wealth of knowledge and expertIse

he New Clio R.S. 200 EDC, Clio R.S. 220 Trophy and new GT-Line look pack, all incorporate the advances offered by the New Clio and further enhance that package by drawing on Renault Sport’s wealth of knowledge and expertise. “The new Clio R.S. offers the full spectrum of Renault Sport technology for immediate driving pleasure. Each customer will be able to choose from three types of chassis and two power outputs. The model also inaugurates the highly efficient and innovative R.S. VISION lighting system, Renault Sport’s exclusive lighting signature,” announced Patrice Ratti, CEO of Renault Sport Cars. The New Clio R.S. is available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a choice of two power outputs (200hp and 220hp on the Trophy version), mated to six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheelmounted paddle shifts. It is the only car in its class to offer three

different types of chassis, giving customers the opportunity to ‘tailor-build’ their own Clio R.S. The Clio R.S. also innovates with an unprecedented equipment package for the segment, including Launch Control, the R.S. Drive system which enables a choice of three driving modes (Normal, Sport and Race), the R.S. Monitor application and hydraulic compression bump stops developed by Renault Sport for rallying. With the GT Line look pack, the new Clio takes on a sporty look with forceful features that immediately set it apart. The New Clio with the GT Line look pack is equipped with Dark Metal air scoops in the front bumper along with lateral sills (like the Clio R.S.), uniquely designed 16-or 17-inch wheels, as well as an exclusive exhaust with a chrome tail pipe and a Dark Metal rear bumper panel. The New Clio and New Clio R.S. are available to order and go on sale in the UK from September with customer deliveries from the autumn.

August/September 2016 49

MOTORING

50 August/September 2016