Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Stone ne

& Eccleshall ISSUE 78

Life INSIDE THIS EDITION OF STONE & ECCLESHALL LIFE

Cash boost for canoe club See page 12

A good year for theatre project See pages 28 and 29

Community awards See page 32

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ISSUE 78 Readers Pictures ........................6 Editor s Letter .............................7 Climate Change ..........................8 Fulford Village Group.................9 Stafford Shakespeare................10 Jubilee Celebrations..................11 Canoe Club ................................12 Staffordshire Police...................13 Education Supplement .............14 Buddy Bag Foundation ............22

What s On. .................................24 School Competition....................26 Theatre ......................................27 Crown Wharf Theatre...............28 Grant Funding..........................30 Gardening..................................31 Community Awards .................32 Quiz Corner...............................33 Women s Institutes...................34

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 5

READERS' PICTURES

Wonderful garden wildlife

W

E live in a most beautiful scenic area of Middle England and we love to see pictures from our readers which they have snapped when out and about in the local area and even further afield.

Here are two fabulous snaps which have been kindly sent in to us by Mandy Tams.

They were taken by her husband Tyrone Tams in their garden in Walton.

HAVE you snapped a stunning local scene recently?

Email your pictures to news@timesandecho.co.uk.

6 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

editor s letter

My heart goes out to all

Belinda Hargreaves Contents Editor life@timesandecho.co.uk Erin Tuckwell & Tracey Refern Design & Production Jane Walters Advertising Manager Tel: 07817 128582 jane@timesandecho.co.uk Tom Brian General Manager Tel: 07855 242693 tom@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

H

appy New Year to you all from everyone here at the Stone & Eccleshall Life

Magazine!

Let s hope this year brings at least some kind of normality back into our lives. It s been a tough almost two years for so many my heart goes out to all who have been affected by the pandemic in whatever way they have.

We can but forge ahead and look to the future which will hopefully be brighter for all.

Here we have yet another packed edition of the Stone & Eccleshall

Cover photo courtesy of Noel Bennett

Life Magazine we have everything from award winning companies to an amazing community stalwart going above and beyond for charity, plus there s news of a cash boost for a popular sports club; an invitation from a council for members of the public to help with the areas battle with climate change; as well as a look back on the past 12 months of a very exciting project in town.

Do you have a story which you would like to share with our readers? Please get in touch with me by email at belinda@timesandecho.co.uk. But for now, happy reading!

Until next time take care!

Belinda

noelbennettphoto graphy.co.uk,

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Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 7

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change panel for borough

A

new group has been set up which sees residents joining forces with Stafford Borough Council to help tackle climate change and increase green recovery.

The climate change and green recovery stakeholder panel will be meeting for the first time in the coming weeks and includes residents from across the borough who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental issues.

The council asked for people to get in touch with them if they wanted to be a part of the stakeholder panel.

Councillor Jonathan Price, Cabinet Member for Environment, said it was an excellent opportunity for the council and those passionate about the environment to work together.

He said: I am really excited that we have a group of residents that have put themselves forward to be a creative force for generating great ideas and promoting initiatives that will benefit our community and beyond.

They have enormous passion about what they want to see, and that is what is important to us we want their energy to drive schemes forward, challenge the status quo, and take a hands-on approach.

Some members of the panel are already strong voices on groups such as There is No Planet B and Sustainability Matters and will have their inaugural meeting as a group in February.

The borough council set a 2040 date to be carbon neutral from its own activities and last year added Climate Change and Green Recovery as one of four priorities in its new business plan.

Work has progressed quickly and was recently recognised in a survey published by Sustainability West Midlands in which Stafford was placed ninth overall in the region - with the report emphasising progress made in a variety of areas including generating energy from renewable sources.

The authority has partnered with Keele University, the Centre for Alternative Technology and other Staffordshire councils to look at what is

8 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

required to achieve the zero carbon targets. And proposals to remove carbon from the atmosphere have already been agreed such as creating a new Local Nature Reserve in the centre of Stafford, including hundreds of trees.

Previous measures included replacing cremators which more than halved gas consumption at the crematorium on the town s Tixall Road and installing solar panels to the roof of the Civic Centre in Stafford.

Cllr Price continued We are heading in the right direction to being a zero carbon authority.

We have already demonstrated that we are not just talking the talk when it comes to tackling climate change. We made it a priority and we will work as quickly as we can to make us carbon-free from our own activities.

We are, though, a very tiny cog in a global wheel and locally we need our community, businesses and organisations to do their bit to contribute to this agenda.

More information can be found on the council s website at: www.staffordbc.gov.uk/ClimateChange-and-Green-Recovery%C2%A0.

Funding for village youngsters

A

village group is inviting youngsters to apply for an annual funding pot.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Fulford Village Group Young Person s Bursary.

A spokesman for the group explained: This is an annual award of £100 offered to reward and encourage endeavour in young people from the village.

The award is open to any youngsters who live in the village of Fulford, who are aged between eight and 18-years-old; or who live outside the village but attend, or have attended, Fulford Primary School.

FULFORD VILLAGE GROUP

The spokesman said: The bursary is offered to assist costs that will be incurred, and may be preventing, the young person from attending or receiving help with any of the following: sport, music, art, theatre, creative skills, voluntary placements.

Applicants must explain what the bursary will be used for, what this means to them and what difference it will make to their personal and/or career development.

A judging panel will consist of three people representing village groups.

Application forms are available from fiona.shield@btinternet.com, and the closing date is Friday, February 18. The successful applicant will be informed by March 1.

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 9

STAFFORD SHAKESPEARE

Tickets selling fast for Shakespeare

S up.

tafford s Romeo & Juliet summer spectacular looks like being the bestselling Shakespeare show in years with more than 3,000 tickets already snapped

The outdoor production will mark its 30th anniversary with The Bard s most famous play and a host of new features at Stafford Castle.

The show runs from June 24 to July 9 and some shows have already sold out.

Marketing Manager Keith Harrison said: We ve already had to add an extra show in for schools, because the response has been so incredible.

A few days after we put the extra performance in, it was sold out, too. A lot of students and pupils are studying Romeo & Juliet for their exams and there s no better way to understand Shakespeare than by seeing his work performed live.

We ve also had a lot of people buying tickets as Valentine s Day gifts, which is a really romantic thing to do.

The show will be directed by Gatehouse Theatre manager Tim Ford, who has previously overseen similar outdoor productions and is an extremely experienced creative force.

10 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Tim has described taking on the show as a huge honour and also a huge responsibility.

Among the new features at the event will be improved catering facilities and a new stage layout that will give improved sight-lines and a superb view of the castle as a backdrop.

Keith added: We ve split the grandstand in two this year, with a choice for the audience of whether to sit in the Montague or Capulet areas.

People who have been up to the castle before will be in for a real surprise when they see how different it is going to be this year.

It s the 30th Anniversary and we really want to make it special to mark the occasion.

In terms of casting, the key roles have yet to be announced but Keith said: We are talking to some very big names, some high quality actors, and there may be one or two surprises along the way.

The key thing is that we not only maintain the quality of what s gone before over the past 30 years but we enhance it. And we genuinely think this will be the best Shakespeare production that has ever been staged not just in Stafford, but across the entire county.

Tickets for the show are available from www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk.

Planning in motion for celebrations

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

E

ccleshall Parish Council is working towards joining the nation in celebrating the Queen s Platinum Jubilee this year.

The council s working group, which is focusing in the celebrations, met in January to continue the planning of the coordination for the events in the parish to celebrate the Queen s Platinum Jubilee on June 2, 3, 4 and 5.

A spokesman said: The council is planning a number of events themselves and is working with businesses and organisations in the parish who will be staging their own events.

The group plans to fill all four dates with a variety of events.

If anyone has any ideas for an event, street party etc please get in touch with Councillor Ros Taylor on 01785 859068 or email her at ros.taylor@eccleshallparishcouncil.co.uk for a chat.

Volunteers will also be wanted for the many events, if you can assist, please get in touch.

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Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 11

CANOE CLUB

Cash boost for club s anniversary

A

Staffordshire canoe club has been given an early birthday present - a £2,500 donation from digger giant JCB. Stafford and Stone Canoe Club celebrates its 50th anniversary next year and has produced ten Olympians since it was founded including JCB sponsored slalom canoeist Adam Burgess, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at last year s Tokyo Games.

Now JCB has donated the money to the club to enable the purchase of three new canoes as it nurtures future Olympians.

The JCB-branded canoes were given their first outing on the Trent and Mersey Canal at

12 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Stone in a training session hosted by Adam Burgess.

Adam said: It s so important that the Club has the highest standard of equipment possible to give all the young people joining the best chance to progress, so it s fantastic that JCB is supporting the club in this way.

I joined the club at the age of ten and it was the best decision of my life. All the training I did with them from a very young age has turned me into the athlete I am today.

Adrian Croome, Secretary of Stafford & Stone Canoe Club, said: We are thrilled to receive this support from JCB as we approach our 50th anniversary next year. It helps us to build on everything we have achieved

in the last half century.

Stafford and Stone Canoe Club has produced more Olympians than any other club in the UK and support like this ensures we can continue to nurture the athletes of the future, as well as give local youngsters the opportunity to develop an interest in a fantastic sport.

A JCB spokesman said: Stafford and Stone Canoe Club has gone from strength to strength over nearly half a century and has given hundreds of young people the opportunity to get involved in a rewarding and challenging sport.

We are delighted to support them with this donation.

Thomas Kent, aged 12 and Molly Woods, aged 11, pictured with Adam Burgess

STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE

Drivers urged to avoid high street

D

rivers are being urged to avoid Stone High Street, which is closed to most vehicles, after more than 40 were stopped travelling on the street recently.

The message has been sent out by Staffordshire Police.

A spokesman for the force said: Officers were carrying out patrols in the area as part of national neighbourhood policing week of action when they spotted the motorists entering the High Street, despite a public space protection order being in place.

The order prohibits vehicles from accessing the street other than for loading or unloading and in emergencies.

They added: If you are found to be driving along the street, in breach of the order,

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you risk being fined £100.

During one day in January, in the space of two hours from 4pm to 6pm, officers warned a total of 43 drivers who appeared to be planning to enter the street in breach of the order.

Chief Inspector Giles Parsons, of Stafford Borough NPT, added: We are working with the local council to raise awareness of the order being place and respond to local residents concerns over the dangers relating to the number of drivers travelling along the High Street.

Unfortunately, if the problem persists, we may have to conduct enforcement action.

To report issues affecting your area, visit the Staffordshire Police website.

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Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 13

Education supplEmEnt

Education Supplement

14 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Education supplEmEnt

More funding to help schools through pandemic

N

ew multi-million-pound funding from NHS England is set to enable all schools to fully support the in-school vaccination programme, and air cleaning units will be provided in all classrooms and teaching spaces that need them, the Education Secretary announced in January.

The Department for Education is to distribute a total of £8 million in funding from NHS England to support secondary schools with the vitally important in-school vaccination programme for young people hosting NHS vaccination teams and passing on materials about vaccination to further boost protection.

A spokesman for the

Government's Department for Education further explained: This comes as over 50 per cent of 12-15year-olds over 1.5 million people have now had at least one dose of the vaccine.

The government is also committing to deliver up to 9,000 air cleaning units to early years, schools and colleges across the country to improve ventilation in classrooms up to 1,000 more than originally promised.

Since the government launched its application process, 1,265 education settings have made valid applications to receive an air cleaning unit. The further commitment will ensure every setting will receive the units they need.>>

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 15

Education supplEmEnt << The units will help in classrooms and teaching spaces where quick fixes to ventilation are not possible, such as being able to open a window.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: Face-to-face education for all students has consistently been my priority, and that is why I am pleased to further strengthen the tools available to schools to manage transmission of the virus, including funding air cleaning units for the small number of classrooms that need them due to poor ventilation, and providing additional NHS funding to free up staff time to engage with the vaccination programme for young people.

My message remains the same as ever testing, ventilation and vaccinations are our best weapons against the virus keep testing, and get your vaccination as soon as possible.

NHS vaccination lead for 12-to-15s Nick Hulme added: The additional £8 million in investment from the NHS will aim to further support schools to roll out the vaccine.

It is vitally important that families get

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16 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

their young ones protected - either in school, through an appointment booked online at a vaccine centre or at one of hundreds of walk-in sites.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: Keeping children in school with face-to-face teaching is absolutely essential for their education, health and wellbeing.

Vaccines are the best way to protect students from Covid-19 and, combined with better ventilation, will help keep cases down and schools open.

Young people can get their vaccines at school, through walk-in sites across the country or their parents can book an appointment online please do not delay.

The number of valid applications for an air cleaning unit is in line with expectations, mirroring the findings of a survey of education settings also published today, which found that only three per cent of settings using carbon dioxide monitors reported sustained high carbon dioxide readings that couldn t otherwise be addressed.

Education supplEmEnt The survey published today on schools use of carbon dioxide monitors also showed that of the vast majority of settings that are using the CO2 monitors, 95 per cent were able to use them to manage ventilation in their classrooms and teaching spaces.

Special schools and Alternative Provision have already received the air cleaning units they applied for, while all other settings with valid applications will receive them as planned from the start of February.

The education department spokesman added: Further information is set to be provided to schools with further details on how the NHS funding for vaccination support will be distributed.

The funding for schools to

continue to support the vaccine programme will provide secondary schools, special schools and alternative provision with a one-off payment of £1,000 with an additional uplift based on

pupil numbers.

These measures enhanced ventilation, vaccines, as well as regular testing remain crucial to keeping young people in classrooms, learning face-toface.

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 17

Education supplEmEnt

Stafford Grammar School named top school in Staffordshire

A

fter being named as the top performing independent school in Staffordshire according to The Times, Stafford Grammar School is preparing for another show of their co-curricular excellence, supporting their fantastic academic prowess.

Pupils are taking part in their annual musical, following a year s break due to COVID. Head, Mr Thomas, explains, We have been delighted to have been named as the top school in Staffordshire by The Times, but here at Stafford Grammar life continues as normal."

Our academic success speaks for itself, but it s the atmosphere at the heart of the school that means so much. Later this term we will see our whole school musical Guys and Dolls take place, with pupils from Year 7 to Upper Sixth getting involved not only on stage, but also with costume, make-up, set design, lighting and sound. That s the true measure of SGS.

18 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

We have just over 400 pupils from Reception to Upper Sixth, which makes the pupils' involvement in drama productions, music performances and sports teams so much more important. Creating rounded individuals who get involved and are a pleasure to be around is our true success.

To find out more visit staffordgrammar.co.uk or email admissions@staffordgrammar.co.uk

Education supplEmEnt

Exciting year ahead for Manor Hill

2

022 is set to be an exciting year for the community of Manor Hill First School as, in September, the school will welcome its first cohort of 45 children for their Reception year.

Since 2019 the school has had an extensive programme of redevelopment to prepare for an increase in pupil numbers and by 2025 will offer places for 225 children.

Headteacher, Jess Roden said, We are delighted that our school is growing so rapidly and are excited to share our wonderful facilities and beautiful grounds with even more children.

At Manor Hill we have so much to offer, we have tailored our curriculum to provide teaching and learning of the highest standard which is always enriched with a sprinkle of Manor Hill magic! Children thrive here and we are a school family, with the shared values of Collaboration, Creativity, Resilience and Exploration

20 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

underpinning all that we do. It is important to us that our children love coming to school and that they walk through our doors each day eager to learn and go home with happy hearts and minds.

This year we plan to extend our already fantastic Forest School provision into the new meadow area that has been allocated to us as part of our expansion, this will provide many new opportunities for the children s outdoor learning as we plant trees, sow the meadow, and develop the area.

Our onsite Nursery has grown too, we now have 3 classes, offering full time places for children aged 2 and over. The school led wraparound provision, Hilltops, allows children aged 3 and over to extend their school day from 7.30-5.30 making us a great choice for busy families.

Families are encouraged to book a tour of the school to find out for themselves that Manor Hill is the place to be!

BUDDY BAG FOUNDATION

Elfing around in aid A

n Eccleshall lady has been pulling out all the stops for charity.

The Buddy Bag Foundation, which helps vulnerable children with a backpack of essential items - on being taken to safety away from domestic abuse, asked its ambassador in Eccleshall, Sylvia Keris, who collects in knitted teddies as comfort items for each Buddy Bag, if she could help with their Christmas fundraising campaign.

Sylvia took up the challenge to dress 24 hours a day, every day in December, as an Elf - a feat she started last year during lockdown, to bring a little festive cheer.

So wherever she went, whether food shopping, to the GP s, on walks, to business meetings, etc, she was dressed as an Elf. And jingling her bells and getting up to Elf mischief to raise a smile and some much needed funds for Buddy Bags wherever she could.

Local businesses asked the Elf to appear in their premises and charities asked the Elf to go along so she could promote their good causes as well.

Humorous pictures and postings appeared nearly everyday on various local Facebook pages, from the end of November - when Sylvia appeared at the town s Christmas Tree Festival and Elverra Pony Rescue, right through December.

Other pictures show an Elf and Safety lesson at Walton Hall Academy, the National Elf Service, and many photos with friendly exotic animals who were excited to see Elf. One lady in Walton, Stone, Wendy Twigg, asked Elf to turn on her House Christmas lights in return for collecting donations for BBF. More pictures can still be seen on Facebook to amuse people and the Elf Webgiving page for Buddy Bags is still open for donations at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/elf2021 and so far the donations online and offline have raised more than £750.

Sylvia said: On behalf of The Buddy Bag Foundation, I would like to thank all the people who have already kindly donated to the Elf2021 Christmas fundraising campaign.

22 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Hopefully I succeeded in bringing festive smiles once again to people throughout Staffordshire and surrounding areas.

One of Sylvia s trips out as Elf was joining Santa for a surprise visit to Eccleshall Library s Baby Bounce and Rhyme Christmas Special session.

The regular weekly Bounce and Rhyme session attracts babies and little tots with their mums or dads to have 30 minutes of fun and laughter singing or giggling along to nursery rhymes, and encourages little ones from an early age to look at children's books in the library, and read along with their parents.

Sylvia said: Eccleshall Library is a community led library run by the Rotary Club of Eccleshall Mercia and many happy volunteers, and would like to encourage more visitors to use the facilities for group activities, including the regular Friday morning Baby Bounce & Rhyme sessions run by Pam Davies from 10am until 10.30am.

Santa and I joined in singing and giggling and jingling along to the Nursery Rhymes, which were specially adapted for the festive season, declaring that Santa got stuck up the chimney etc.

And we then handed out special presents of little story books to all the children, and festive chocolates were handed out to everyone, before Santa and Elf were on their way back to the workshop to continue making Christmas presents for children throughout the world.

d of charity

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 23

WHAT S ON

What’s on...

I

t s most certainly fantastic that community events and activities are making a welcome comeback. Here s just some of what s coming up in our area.

Please note that the information in this feature was correct at the time of print but all events are subject to change.

Please check with the venues for updates.

Regular Events

Fulford Village Walks are back

Fulford Village Walks Starting on the Village Green at 10.30 the walks will be at a gentle pace and will take us on footpaths around the village. The walks will however, involve climbing over stiles and walking across muddy terrain, so sturdy footwear is recommended and wellies if there has been lots of rain. We will be back by about 1.00 in time for anyone who has worked up an appetite to have Sunday lunch or hot baps at the Shoulder. Dates include: Sunday, February 6, Sunday, March 6 and Sunday, April 3. Details: 01782 398280.

24 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Coming up...

At the World of Wedgwood Valentines Afternoon Tea: Sunday, February 13.

Creative Club: Pottery painting in the Decorating Studio: Throughout February Half Term.

Mother s Day Event: Wedgwood Tea Room, Sunday, March 27.

Young Enterprise Fair: Student stalls in the Darwin Suite, 10am-3pm Saturday, March 26.

February Half Term: The V&A Wedgwood Collection launch their all new family trail Spring Festival: April 9 to April 24. Spring events.

Details: www.worldofwedgwood.com

World of Wedgwood

At Stafford Gatehouse The Colour Room (film) Tuesday, February 8.

Stafford Film Theatre from Tuesday, February 8.

Handbagged (drama) from Tuesday, February 8 to Saturday, February 12. Leopoldstadt - National Theatre Live Thursday, February 10. Gordon Buchanan (talk) Friday, February 11. Menopause The Musical Tuesday, February 15 and Wednesday, February 16. Henning Wehn (comedy) Thursday, February 17. Let s Dance with Nicole Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20. Theo the Mouse Tuesday, February 22 to Friday, February 25.

Comedy in the Met Friday, February 25. Strictly Come Dancing s Giovanni Pernice Saturday, March 5.

Theo the Mouse is coming to Stafford Gatehouse

WHAT S ON

Phoney Fools and Horses is coming to the Stafford Gatehouse

Phoney Fools and Horses (comedy) Saturday, March 5. Azor (film) Tuesday, March 8. Flo & Joan (comedy) Wednesday, March 9. Singing in the Rain (film) Thursday, March 10. That ll be the Day (music) Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11. Matt Forde (comedy) Friday, March 11.

Friends the Musical Parody Saturday, March 12 and much more.

Details: https://staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk/whatson.

Friends the Musical Parody is coming to the Stafford Gatehouse

Spring Plant Hunters' Fair on Saturday, April 2 Sugnall Walled Garden, Eccleshall. Entry to the plant fair £1 and brilliant two-acre walled kitchen garden. A great place to find some wonderful plants to get your gardening season off to a great start. Featuring many highly respected specialist nurseries. The plant fair runs from 10am-4pm. The Walled Garden (ST21 6NF) is on the B5026, Eccleshall to Loggerheads road, two miles from Eccleshall. Details: www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk.

Easter Weekend Plant Hunters Fair Sunday, April 17 and Monday, April 18 The Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge. £5.00 entry to garden and plant fair.

This Easter Sunday and Monday the wonderful Dorothy Clive Gardens are opening their gates for what has become one of the bestloved garden events in the region with a winning line up of the best nurseries around, a most charming and beautiful garden and a truly relaxing and inviting atmosphere. The 12-acre Dorothy Clive Garden features a superb woodland garden, alpine scree, a damp garden and spectacular flower borders. Famed for its dazzling spring display of rhododendrons and azaleas with massed drifts of bulbs. The Plant Hunters Fair boasts 20 brilliant nurseries, including RHS Medal Winners offering a tremendous variety of plants. The fair runs from 10am-5pm both days. The garden is on the A51 near Woore, four miles south of Bridgmere, (TF9 4EU for satnav). This event is a ticketed event with limited tickets available full details at www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk.

Do you have a public/community event coming up which you would like to appear in our What s On feature? Email what, when, where, etc, to our Editor Belinda at hargreavespr@outlook.com.

Plant Hunters Fair

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 25

SCHOOL COMPETITION

Enterprising students meet the ‘dragons’ S TUDENTS from a Stone school, and two Stafford schools, have been joining others from across the county in taking part in a Dragon s Den style competition.

Pupils from six schools in Staffordshire entered the Michelin Development s Young Enterprise Dragon s Den to gain feedback and ideas on start-up businesses they developed themselves.

The event was the first stage in the Young Enterprise Company Programme, which is set to see further stages held at World of Wedgwood and the New Vic Theatre ahead of regional and national heats and the European final.

The six schools taking part in the programme are Stafford Grammar School and King Edward VI High School, both in Stafford, Alleyne s Academy in Stone, Abbey Hill School and College in Meir, St Thomas More Catholic Academy in Longton, as well as Blythe Bridge High School in the Moorlands.

Each group of students, all aged between 15 and 19, were given four minutes to pitch their ideas, which included personalised lunchboxes, dog collars made from donated jeans, hi-vis bag covers, resin coasters, children s books and an interactive learning toy.

The Dragons who judged the students pitches, offered positive feedback and gave advice, were Leigh-Ann Elliot from NCFE and Sonya Farrall from BabaBaboon, as well as James Gibson and Nicki Ockleton from Michelin.

Paul Phillips, area manager at Young Enterprise UK, said: After 18 months of sporadic in-person education, it s been great to see groups of resilient young people deliver such professional presentations.

Organisation, research and communication skills are just some

26 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

of the key areas that have been highlighted during the event, and it s been great to see the pupil s confidence grow throughout the day.

The annual Young Enterprise Company Programme has been running for more than a decade, offering young people the chance to learn business-related skills and work with mentors from local companies, which this year includes Dunelm, Staffordshire University and Mazars Accountants.

Michelin Development works in the regions where Michelin premises are or have been located, to support the economic

regeneration and long-term prosperity of the local business community.

Carol Hopkins, Michelin Development Co-ordinator, said In partnership with Young Enterprise, Michelin Development has provided local pupils with an opportunity to learn valuable skills that can be applied to their future careers.

It s clear to see that their hard work and preparation has paid off, with the event giving the teams a drive to continue in the Company Programme.

To find out more visit www.michelindevelopment.co.uk

THEATRE

SMASH HIT MOVIE COMES TO LOCAL STAGE

H

it songs are set to be the focus for the next show by a local theatre group.

North Staffs Operatic Society (NSOS) will be presenting Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical from March 15 until March 19 at Stoke Repertory Theatre.

The show is set to feature hit songs such as Hot Stuff, It s Raining Men, Finally, Go West, I Will Survive, I Love the Nightlife, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and more.

NSOS has been entertaining people of

Staffordshire for over 125 years. A spokesman said: We are a group of people dedicated to promoting great theatre with wonderful local talent - and over the years, we've been home to a lot of it.

Robbie Williams, Jonathan Wilkes, and Anthea Turner are just some of the names that have been part of our journey so far.

Don't miss out on the next chapter of our story, book now to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three

friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydneybased performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback.

They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever imagined, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous.

NSOS had set to present Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical back in 2020, and had just started the dress rehearsal for the show when like all theatres across the country, Stoke Repertory Theatre closed due to the pandemic.

Tickets for the NSOS shows are available by calling 01782 393333 or online at nsosltd.org/priscilla.

15th - 19th MARCH 2022

Stoke Repertory Theatre To book, call the NSOS ticket line on

01782 39333

or book online at nsosltf.org/priscilla (Booking fee applies online)

s Featuring Hit song such as: Hot Stuff - It’s ally Raining Men - Fin Go West - I will e Survive - I love th st Nightlife - Girls Ju Wanna Have Fun and more...

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 27

CROWN WHARF THEATRE

T

he all new theatre project for Stone is coming along nicely here a representative of the Crown Wharf Theatre (CWT) charity takes a look back on progress over 2021: On behalf of all the team at CWT, we would just like to say a huge thank you for the tremendous support people have given us over the past year.

Whether you ve joined us for an event, shared your amazing talents free of charge, represented CWT volunteering at this year s Ironman event, helped unload building materials on site, driven all the way to Hull to pick up a donated kitchen, bought a pint of Much A-Brew About Nothing at the Joule s pub or simply popped a pound in a bucket, it all gets us one step closer.

2021 has seen the Crown Wharf Theatre project get back up on its feet and back out in the community. There s certainly been lots going on this year: The year started with the live stream of A Midsummer Night s Dream which, as well as raising funds for the project, reminded us all how much we missed live theatre.

This was followed by some sneak-peek site tours of The Crown Wharf pub which gave us an opportunity to thank some of our wonderful supporters of the project that have sponsored a seat or offered donations in kind so far.

Then there was of course the grand opening of the pub itself, which we think is even more impressive than anyone ever imagined and gave us the opportunity to host some events right on the Crown Wharf site.

The amazing new pub inspired us to host our first Theatre Takeover event which took place on the August bank holiday, bringing us ukuleles, musical theatre, Shakespeare with a twist, live comedy and the first of many pub sing-a-longs. Come on, it s a pub attached to a theatre.

28 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

CROWN WHARF THEATRE Then there was another first with Wharfstock, our first music festival made possible by the team over at Stone Food & Drink Festival. Vinyl Overdrive, Hairy Eyeball & Lack of Commitments raised the roof, raised funds and rocked the crowd. And despite holding an outdoor event in October, we managed to avoid the rain.

If only there was a big enough space able to host indoor events all year round.

Music Theatre International released the rights to a cabaret of songs for a limited time in support of the theatre industry to reduce the cost of performing and maximise the fundraising potential and Theatre 1 took full advantage, entertaining the Sunday night Crown Wharf Theatre Bar community, once again showing their support and raising some valuable cash in the process.

Onto the build update - 2021 was the year that saw Crown Wharf Theatre taking over the theatre site from Joule s in April, when we signed our 50 year lease.

We immediately got to work, and the first priority was making some essential changes to the back of house areas to ensure the facility could cater appropriately for the wide range of community groups that have expressed an interest in the project.

We have built a small link extension to ensure undercover access to the toilets and dressing rooms, and made some big internal layout changes that have afforded us two large chorus dressing rooms, meaning the theatre will be able to host casts of up to 60 performers. Great news for local theatre companies, performance academies, schools, scouts, guides etc.

With the major works complete we have gone on to commission an electrical specialist to bring mains power into the auditorium and carry out the first fix electrical installation back of house.

With all that completed in the autumn, we now have a contractor working on site installing all the insulation and plasterboard. The back of house areas are looking more and more habitable by the day.

We have some incredible help over the year, local electrical lighting specialist LAUK have donated our domestic lighting fixtures (CWT trustee Leo is pictured with Oliver Freer from LAUK), Magnet have donated a kitchen and another local company AT Commercial Interiors are helping with our bathrooms.

More exciting still, we have recently learnt that one of our funding bids has been successful. The Community and Environment Fund, in place to benefit communities being disrupted by the construction of HS2, has awarded CWT with £75,000. This means we are now ready to start work in the auditorium, and from January we will be focussing on the complex electrical installation, hanging the lighting grid and laying down a substantial sprung timber floor.

This really is an exciting start to 2022.

To find out more about Crown Wharf Theatre go online to www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk.

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 29

GRANT FUNDING

Almost £8,000 handed out in grants

C

harities and voluntary groups have received a share of nearly £8,000 from Stafford Borough Council as part of a grants scheme.

Nine organisations had a share of the fund from the council s Small Grants initiative which offers up to £1,000 to help continue work that benefits residents across the borough.

Many of the organisations attended a special event on the bandstand at Victoria Park in Stafford, to receive their cheques from Mayor of the Borough, councillor Tony Nixon.

The fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire - an independent charity whose aim is to strengthen local communities across the county.

It is open to groups and volunteers in the area who aim to make life better for residents with potential grants of between £100 and £1,000 that can be used to pay for a range of costs such as new equipment, training, or go towards the running of an event.

Among the groups that can apply are community and voluntary groups, registered charities, and social enterprises.

Recipients of this year s awards included Stafford Welcomes Refugees, the Women s Wellbeing Club, the Stone Scout and Guide Band and Chebsey Parish Hall Limited.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for communities and health at the borough council, 30 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

said it was very important for the local authority to support the great work of local groups and organisations from right across Stafford Borough.

He said: These projects benefit our residents, can bring about a lasting benefit to the wider community or help ensure an organisation can remain sustainable. They are run by selfless volunteers, often funded by generous donations from our residents and businesses, and it is only right that the council also supports them in whatever way we can.

It was a privilege, and very humbling, to meet them all and to hear about the great work they are doing, and it is important that they know they are very much appreciated by our community, and I thank them all for the great things they are achieving.

The successful applicants, and the amounts awarded, were: Stafford Cultural Events CIC £1,000. Chebsey Parish Hall Limited - £1,000.

Stafford Welcomes Refugees - £600. Stone Scout and Guide Band - £1,000. Parkinson s UK Stafford Branch - £1,000. Cerebral Palsy Mid Staffordshire - £1,000. A Child of Mine - £750.

Women s Wellbeing Club CIC - £615. Choice Recovery - £750.

For further information about the grants, go online to https://staffordshire.foundation/grants/sbcsmall grants.

GardeninG

Spring flowering favourites

A

fter a long winter it s wonderful to walk around my garden and see signs of my spring flowering favourites getting busy for a wonderful show.

Ajuga, (common name bugle) has kept looking good through the winter but now the rosettes of leaves are looking fresh and glossy and I m just waiting for the first short spikes of blue flowers to emerge. These are unassuming plants that spread, noninvasively, by sending out runners much like strawberry plants do creating ground hugging clumps.

They do well in some shade but aren t that fussy.

My favourites are the bronzeleaved types like Atropurpurea, the darker Black Scallop and the reddish Burgundy Glow. The flower spikes are short and neat about six inches / 15cm tall. Larger and more impressive is Caitlin s Giant. Ajuga are easy to grow and propagate as the runners root easily. They don t seem to suffer from any pests or diseases.

Another tough and accommodating spring flowerer is lungwort (pulmonaria). The plants grow in sun or part shade and prefer moisture. The flowers are loved by early flying bees. They do seed a bit and are best cut back really hard after flowering as the leaves can be tatty and sometimes get a bit of powdery mildew.

They soon grow fresh, healthy leaves after this treatment. Good varieties include the vivid Blue Ensign, the paler Opal and the pink flowered Mawson s Red or Dora Bielefeld. One of my favourites is Cotton Cool, with almost completely silvered leaves that makes a wonderful foliage plant through the year.

Another lovely spring-flowering foliage plant is brunnera, a relative of borage and equally good for bees.

The clumps of heart-shaped leaves

are crowned with forget-me-not like blue or sometimes white flowers.

Modern varieties have introduced incredible silvered leaves, either netted with silver lines as in Jack Frost (blue flowers) and Mr Morse (white flowers) or almost entirely silver like Looking Glass. They are best cut back hard in early summer to encourage fresh, new leaves.

Spring in the perennial garden is truly something worth waiting for with lots of easy to grow flowers to perk up your plots and beautify your borders.

Janet and I organise Plant Hunters Fairs, specialist plant fairs at wonderful locations with special reduced entry on these days.

Please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk for a full list of all our 2022 plant fairs.

(Please always check the website for event confirmation and ticketing before travelling).

Local Plant Fair dates for your diary: Sugnall Walled Gardens, near Eccleshall on Saturday, April 2. Capesthorne Hall and Gardens on Sunday, April 10. Dorothy Clive Garden on Sunday, April 17 and Monday, April 18. Cholmondeley Castle Gardens on Sunday, April 24. Weston Park on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2.

Martin Blow

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 31

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Heroes recognised at awards event I m pleased we have been able to recognise their achievements. In my eyes they are all winners and I hope the evening demonstrated to them how much we value all they do to make our borough a better place to live, work and visit.

U

nsung heroes across the community of Stafford Borough were the big winners at an annual awards ceremony.

The Stafford Borough Council Community Awards returned to the town s Rising Brook Community Church recently after taking place online last year because of Covid-19 restrictions.

And the roll of honour included volunteers, organisations and businesses who were among around 30 shortlisted nominations attending the event along with the Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Tony Nixon, and local MP, Theo Clarke.

All the winners, and those highly commended, were announced over several categories to an audience of around 150 people.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, Cabinet Member for Communities and Health, said it had been another incredible year with so many inspiring stories of those who had stepped up to the mark and helped others in their community over the last year.

The categories included Community Action, Environmental Improvement, Social Wellbeing and Local Hero

32 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

as well as an award to recognise sporting achievements in the borough which was introduced for the first time last year.

Nominations were open to all people, groups and organisations operating within the borough with projects that have been running during the last 12 months.

Among the winners were Period Power, Staffordshire County Showground for their Covid-19 Vaccination Centre, the Stafford Welcomes Refugees Young Volunteers Project, and Christopher Hurst, who has dedicated his time to work, such as repairs on the canal towpath and working on flooding issues on the village green in Barlaston.

Cllr Pert, said: It was a wonderful evening and fantastic to see so many inspirational people from across our borough.

In the face of adversity we have seen many individuals, volunteers, groups and businesses stand up and be counted in so many different ways.

I knew that individual efforts and the voluntary sector were strong in Stafford and the surrounding areas but what s been delivered in 2021 has been amazing.

And the awards went to: Community Action: Winner - Period Power. Highly Commended - Hearts and Hands Social Wellbeing: Winner Stafford and District Carers Holiday Trust. Highly Commended - The Island Restaurant: Eat in to Help Out. Environmental Improvement: Winner - Roots Larder CIC. Highly Commended Street Floral Display.

Local Hero: Winner Christopher Hurst: Environmental Works. Highly Commended Susan McKeown: Hixon Millennium Green.

Sport and Leisure: Winner Stafford Dodgeball Club Junior Dodgeball Club. Highly Commended Elements Fitness and Wellbeing / Macro Cafe.

Judges Award: Winner Staffordshire County Showground Covid-19 Vaccination Centre.

Young Heroes: Winner Tom, Seb, Joban and Harrison for the Stafford Welcomes Refugees Young Volunteers Project.

Special Recognition Award: Winner - The Community Foundation More information about these awards and the recipients can be found at: www.staffordbc.gov.uk/commu nityawards.

quiz corner

Let’s get quizzical

COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

General Knowledge Quiz 1. Which UK charity is named after a New York bar?

2. Which Lloyd Webber musical borrowed a title from Elgar?

3. Whose albums have an average title of 23.75?

4. Which planet rotates on its side?

5. Which Serbian tennis player was initially refused entry into Australia in January?

6. Who was jailed in December in New York for her involvement with illegal procurement for Jeffrey Epstein?

7. Why was Rebecca Welch in the footballing news in January?

8. Which actor, who died in January aged 94, was the first black actor to win the Best Actor Oscar? and the

. What?

10. Boxer Anthony Joshua has a tattoo of which continent on his right arm?

11. What do Americans call the game of draughts?

12. Which sport has a finish line that is not crossed?

13. In which city did Michael Jackson suddenly die in 2009?

14. In which decade was Justin Bieber born?

15. The opening line 'Christmas won t be Christmas without any presents' comes from which Louisa May Alcott novel?

16. Which is England's largest landlocked county?

17. Which well-known pair live at 6 West Wallaby Street, Wigan?

18. Who was Henry VIII's wife at the time of his death?

19. Where on your body would you wear a fascinator?

20. Which is bigger ... 3 squared or 2 cubed?

General Knowledge Answers: 1. Stonewall 2. Starlight Express 3. Adele (19, 21, 25 and 30). 4. Uranus 5. Novak Djokovic 6. Ghislaine Maxwell 7. First female referee to be in charge of an FA Cup game 8. Sidney Poitier 9. Cursed Child 10. Africa 11. Checkers 12. Swimming 13. Los Angeles 14. 1990s 15. Little Women 16. Shropshire 17. Wallace and Gromit 18. Catherine Parr 19. On Your Head 20. 3 squared (9 as opposed to 8)

Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78 33

Quizzes compiled by Paul Steele - email: pnsteele@aol.com - Paul's 'Which One?' quiz game is available on Amazon.

9. Complete the title of the Harry Potter play currently in the West End. Harry potter

WOMEN S INSTITUTES

H

ere we have a report from one of the local Women s Institutes in the Stone area.

What s your WI been up to? Email our editor Belinda at hargreavespr@outlook.com.

Stone WI The first Wednesday of the month of December was a celebration of our Christmas festivities. After singing Jerusalem in a social distancing array and through our masks, there were several items on our WI business list mainly to do with our participation in some of the activities we hoped to support in our town.

Afterwards we participated in a Christmas quiz which had 40 questions and anagrams. We sat at tables of three or four people, so solving the questions was a team effort.

It was meant to be a bit of fun and I suggested that it was a good idea to make a guess rather than leave a blank in the answer space. For instance, if the anagram clue contained a 'v', it could probably be part of the word ivy or virgin.

Did you know that the total number of gifts given in The 12 days of Christmas was 364, or that eggnog is reported to have originated in medieval England?

Another fact is that William the Conqueror was crowned king of England on Christmas Day in 1066. I also included some Christmas song anagrams, e.g. Jill begs Len gives us Jingle Bells and Tinsel Two gave us Let it Snow.

Now here s one for you to try: To wishy washy rare crummies.

I enjoyed preparing the quiz and it was tackled with enthusiasm and laughter by our members whilst enjoying a cuppa and some Christmas food..sausage rolls, crisps, mince pies etc.

It was a success and gave us a chance to natter and discuss ideas.

Report by Pam Farnsworth 34 Stone & Eccleshall Life Issue 78

Aston-by-Stone WI What would Christmas be without a pantomime? Astonby-Stone WI celebrated the festive season with home-grown entertainment: a poetry reading, a rendering of Santa Baby by President Chris Payne, and our very own pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Cunning artwork Kate Wain with represented the Dwarfs, while the Centenary WI members filled the other Cup roles. A self-catering buffet provided the refreshments, and despite the winter weather, members had a pleasant and convivial evening.

In January we met on a damp and foggy night, no less determined to enjoy ourselves. The President s welcome was as warm as ever. It was a strange feeling to sing Jerusalem through a mask, but we were not daunted.

We had no speaker; instead, we held an auction of surplus items in order to raise money for the ACWW, the international Women s charity Members in 'Snow White supported by the and the Seven Dwarves.'

WI Members Terry Milward and Anita Murphy proved their skills as auctioneers, raising a little over £50, and amusing us with their slick banter.

Kate Wain read her story Memories are made of this, which took us back to her childhood visiting Cornwall, and won the SFWI Centenary Cup in 2021.

We also discussed the Resolutions put forward for the Annual Meeting in Liverpool later this year, each member having the right to vote for one of the Resolutions put forward.

Our next meeting will take place on February 9, when Priscilla Masters, a local author, will speak.

We meet at Aston-by-Stone Village Hall at 7.30 pm, and all ladies are warmly invited to attend.

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