Stone and Eccleshall Life Issue 85

ISSUE 85

Life

INSIDE THIS EDITION OF STONE & ECCLESHALL LIFE

In rehearsal for Gang Show

See page 23

Packed calendar of events for town

See page 6

Success for ladies at club

See page 22

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Mother Nature smiling upon us

Spring is a fabulous time of year when Mother Nature really does smile upon us as we start to witness lots of signs of new life as we walk out in the great outdoors.

And what a lovely scenic area of England we live in to be able to see such wonders.

As I think about the joy of Spring and feel blessed to be living in our lovely area, my heart goes out to all involved in the multitude of tragedies across the world. The on-going war in Ukraine, and the fatal earthquakes of Turkey and Syria, are just two such devastating situations which are currently occurring in our world.

On a lighter note, in this

edition of the Stone & Eccleshall Life Magazine, we feature what’s to come in our area during the nation’s Coronation celebrations in May; we also take a look at what’s been happening within local Girlguiding and Scouting groups; we feature several organisations which have gone above and beyond to raise cash for charity; plus we have several reports from community groups in the area.

If you have a story to tell about life in Stone, Eccleshall or surrounding villages – please email me at hargreavespr@outlook.com.

Until next time – take care!

Belinda

Packed calendar of markets and street food events

Having seen unprecedented support for its 2022 series of Street Food events and seasonal markets in the High Street, the partnership between Stone Traders’ Group and Stone Food & Drink Festival team has even more events planned for 2023.

Over the course of the year, Stone High Street will host no less than nine themed ‘Sunday Series’ events and six Street Food sessions.

Spokesperson for Stone Traders Group, Ed Stant, said: “The events we ran in 2022 were a huge success – they really helped bring visitors into the High Street and bolstered town centre trade, so our members were keen that we run even more events in 2023.

“We are delighted that Stone Town Council have been so supportive of the programme we proposed and we look forward to seeing the town centre bustling regularly.”

Chairman of the Stone Food & Drink Festival, Richard Stevens, said: “It’s fantastic to be working on such a packed calendar of events with Stone Traders’ Group – our aim as a festival has always been to support the town and its traders, so it was great to see so much support for the markets and street food events last year. Stone High Street really comes alive when lined with market stalls – it has always been, after all, a market town, so alongside the council markets and the ever-popular Stone Farmers’ Market, these events should help keep visitors coming to Stone year-round.”

The first of the Sunday Series events is set to take place on April 16, with a ‘Spring Awakening Market’ featuring a good mix of craft, food and gift stalls.

On May 21 the ‘Four Wheel Fest’ will see a display of cars, tractors, buses and other vehicles, while on June 18 there will be a Cheese & Wine Festival.

In July rather than a Sunday market there will be a one-day Food & Drink Festival Edition Town Market on Saturday 15 to support the annual Stone Food & Drink Festival, which is taking place a shuttle bus ride from the town centre at Kibblestone Scout Camp over the weekend.

On Sunday, August 20 the town centre will play host to a Family Dance Festival; on

September 17 there will be a market focused on Eco Friendly and Sustainable stalls, and on October 15 the flavours of the season will be celebrated with a Sausage & Cider Festival. The series will round off with the return of the popular Christmas Markets on November 19 and December 20.

In addition to these events, the popular Stone Street Food event will return - lining the High Street with stalls offering a delicious range of globally-inspired treats. They will run from 3pm9pm in the High Street on Thursday, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21 and October 19.

All these events are free to attend and jointly organised by Stone Traders’ Group and the Stone Food and Drink Festival; supported by Stone Town Council.

Stone Food & Drink Festival Chairman, Richard Stevens and Stone Traders' Group's Ed Stant

Celebrating village halls across county

Village halls across Staffordshire and beyond have been recognised during an annual initiative for “providing warm, welcoming, and inclusive spaces.”

Village Halls Week 2023 recently celebrated the many ways these volunteer-run rural community buildings support local residents, groups and businesses, particularly during difficult times.

The annual initiative was promoted by Support Staffordshire across the 180 village halls in the county.

A spokesman said: “As the country endures a cost-of-living crisis, rural communities have come to rely on the humble village hall as a place to keep warm, access basic services and socialise without the expense of travelling elsewhere.

“Halls across Staffordshire took part in the national campaign week, showcasing what they are doing for their community, and the opportunities they provide to people locally that would not otherwise exist.

“Activities included open days at local halls

and an engaging social media campaign that included touching stories from users of community buildings. Examples of village hall events which happened across Staffordshire include coffee mornings, warm spaces/warm welcome cafes, social group meetings and activities and fitness classes.”

Yarnfield Village Hall near Stone was one of the many venues which took part in the celebration.

New campaign to promote borough

Economic Development and Planning at the council, said: “Many towns across the country will envy the investment being pumped into our borough - and it is not all about money for big businesses.

“The renovation of the Market Square in Stafford is already taking shape; work has begun on the £5 million History Centre nearby; there is the £28 million ‘Skills and Innovation Centre’ for the College to be completed this year. And the much anticipated £1.5 million transformation of Westbridge Park in Stone gets underway soon.”

Amajor campaign to promote Stone, Stafford and surrounding areas is getting underway.

The promotional campaign by Stafford Borough Council is set to showcase the range of independent and brand shops, restaurants, attractions and other businesses in the county town, Stone, Eccleshall and across the borough.

‘Our Beautiful Borough’ plans include a visitor trail, redesigned website, adverts in traditional and online media, video, and 360 panoramic experiences of key places - with a roll out expected from next month.

A spokesman for the council said: “Around £80,000 secured by Stafford Borough Council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) - which is part of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda - will be supporting the proposals.

“The borough council was awarded one of the largest pots of money in the country from the government’s ‘UKSPF’ after successfully putting forward schemes to help culture, regeneration, and climate change.

“The promotional work is being carried out by Staffordbased design company, Verso.”

Councillor Frances Beatty, Cabinet Member for

Cllr Beatty continued: “We have a very good news story to tell. It is great to see this new campaign to promote our area being launched with a view to selling our wonderful borough to visitors, shoppers and potential investors.

“And I hope local people will also be ambassadors for and help make sure the messages are received far and wide.”

A new heritage website has been launched recently by Freedom Leisure www.historicstafford.co.uk, events over easter and the Kings Coronation are going ahead at Victoria Park in Stafford with people able to find out more from the Stafford Borough Council website and the council also has an ‘events calendar’ on its website where organisers can list local events that are going on.

Learning all about the bees

Acommunity group has been visiting schools to teach youngsters all about bees.

Members of the North Staffs Community Rail group were joined by folk from The Bumblebee Conservation Trust for a visit to St Dominic’s Priory School in Stone.

A spokesman for North Staffs Community Rail said: “We had a lovely time with pupils from St Dominic’s Priory School in Stone recently.

“The Bumblebee Conservation Trust delivered

seed sowing and bug hotel making sessions with some of the pupils and they were then joined by two of Stone Stations volunteers for a planning session to find out the best plants for bees.

“Together they agreed on the plants for some new planters at the station and the school.”

They added: “The new planters should be in place by the end of the month thanks to funding from London Northwestern Railway.”

“The place to try something different”

Trentham Canoe Club was established in 2006 to promote and develop canoeing in the area.

The club shares their facilities with the local rowing club (Trentham Boat Club) and together they make up the Trentham Watersports Association.

Trentham Canoe Club offers a multitude of activities including: Kayaks for solo paddling; Canoe for solo or tandem paddling; Coracle a fun challenge; Racing Boat using speed, tactics and stamina; Bell Boat for multiple paddlers; V6 Outrigger a crew boat for six people to work together Hawaii-Five-O style; Dragon Boat which is based on an ancient Chinese team boat for up to 22 paddlers; Canoe Polo which is like a combination of kayaking and basketball with a little bit of rugby thrown in; and Stand Up Paddleboarding.

A spokesman for the club said: “Having this great mix of craft means we can offer a gentle paddle using a Kayak, Canoe or Paddleboard, or something more competitive like Racing Kayaks or the Canoe Polo team perhaps join a crew boat of six on the Hawaiian V6 Outriggers or paddling our Dragon Boat crewed by up to 22, there is something for everyone to try.

“You don’t need experience, and most craft are suitable for people from aged eight, with no upper age limit.

“Our brilliant coaches are experienced and patient and paddling is fabulous fun which can have great physical and mental health benefits (you can only think of paddling).”

The spokesman continued: “Based on Trentham Estate Lake, it is a beautiful and safe place to learn the basics or improve your techniques.

“Why not try some of the other disciplines too, it’s never too late to learn something new and our taster sessions allow you try different crafts under the safe guidance of our experienced and friendly coaches.

“We also offer a six-week introduction course and you can gain a basic paddling award which of course makes all the difference to your confidence but booking is essential.

“Trentham canoe Club is a registered CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club) making it a notfor-profit organisation and thereby allowing fees to be kept as affordable as possible.”

For further information go online to: www.trenthamcanoeclub.co.uk, or email info@trenthamcanoeclub.co.uk.

Green light for funding boosts

The green light has been given for more than £4.5 million to be spent on a raft of projects across the borough.

Stafford Borough Council was awarded one of the largest pots of money in the country from the government’s ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’ after successfully putting forward schemes to help regeneration, climate change and culture.

And senior councillors have now given the go ahead for the money to be spent on a string of projects at a recent meeting.

They include the new Crown Wharf Theatre and scout building in Stone, the History Centre in Stafford, town centre regeneration, supporting businesses through new grants schemes and the possibility of creating an enterprise centre to encourage investment in rural businesses.

The money has come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is part of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda.

A report which was discussed by members of the council’s cabinet said: “Stafford Borough Council was allocated a provisional sum of £4,673,363 to cover both revenue and capital expenditure.

“To access the funding allocation the Borough

Council was required to prepare an Investment Plan to show how it would wish to use the monies in line with guidance and criteria published alongside the provisional allocations.”

The total allocation covers a three-year period to 2025 and is aimed at boosting communities, supporting local businesses and improving skills as part of the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ fund.

Along with helping to kit out the auditorium at the Crown Wharf Theatre in Stone with £495,000, finishing the refurbishment of the town’s scout building with £100,000; and supporting the £7 million History Centre development in Eastgate Street, other areas the funding will be spent on include: £1.5 million towards the Stafford town centre transformation programme; Around £1 million to drive the visitor economy; £250,000 on climate change projects; £500,000 for grants to help local businesses grow and; £1 million to support business innovation.

Crown Wharf Theatre in Stone

Donations galore for centre

Acommunity centre in Stone has received a multitude of donations from various organisations.

The Stone Community Hub, which is situated within the Frank Jordan Centre in Lichfield Street, is a registered charity dedicated to “improving the lives of local residents by providing support and advice in times of need.”

They provide a place to meet and discuss opportunities and concerns in a warm, supportive environment.

A spokesman said: “Our Hub provides essential support to vulnerable residents of all ages who live in Stone and surrounding villages.

“We aim to give hope, build self-esteem and empower people to improve their prospects and live healthier, happier lives.

“We provide: employment advice, health and wellbeing sessions, advice on managing debt, IT support, help with form filling, Blue Badge applications etc, craft sessions, daily drop in sessions, social support via a free drop-in Café and a food bank. Our Monday Hub Grub provides a hot meal to those needing company or other support.”

Amongst the latest donations the Hub has received are food supplies and school uniform.

For further information go online to: www.facebook.com/stonecommunityhub or call 01785 812417

Voter ID needed for council elections

New Government rules mean residents wanting to vote in the forthcoming local council elections will need to show photographic identification at polling stations.

The new national voter identification requirement comes into place for the May elections across the borough and beyond.

A spokesman for Stafford Borough Council said: “It will mean anyone turning up to vote at a polling station will need to show identification - with a list of accepted forms of ID listed on the Electoral Commission website.

“They include a UK passport, Driving Licence, or disabled blue badge and you can find the full list from www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-ama/voter/voter-id.

“If people do not have any of the accepted identification they can apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ at www.gov.uk/apply-forphoto-id-voter-authority-certificate. The last day to apply is 5pm on Thursday, April 25.”

The spokesman continued: “Forty seats on Stafford Borough Council will be up for grabs

in the 23 wards that make up the electoral area. And there will also be a number of polls taking place for seats on parish councils in the borough.

“There are more than 100,000 registered voters in the borough who will have the opportunity to vote on who they would like to see running the local authority.

“The borough council delivers a range of functions for the public such as the household waste and recycling collection, street cleaning, maintaining parks and open spaces, as well as bereavement and planning services.”

To find out if you are on the electoral register to be eligible to vote contact elections@staffordbc.gov.uk - or to register to vote go to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/how-do-youregister-to-vote.

St Joseph’s Preparatory School

Cast announced for Shakespeare production

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has announced that Titanic star Jonathan Hyde has joined ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the role of Nick Bottom and Milly Zero of The Crown and EastEnders fame, will play the role of Hermia.

Jonathan is possibly best known for his leading roles in films such as Richie Rich, Titanic, The Mummy and Jumanji among many others.

In Titanic, he played infamous White Star Line chairman Bruce Ismay, who encouraged the captain to speed up and then sneaked into a life raft after disaster struck.

On the smaller screen, Jonathan most recently played Eldritch Palmer in four seasons of FX TV series The Strain and also David Napley alongside Hugh Grant in A Very English Scandal for Amazon/BBC.

Jonathan has worked extensively at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Prospect Theatre Company, Almeida, Menier Chocolate Factory and the great Citizen’s Theatre Company of Glasgow.

Last year he was nominated for an Olivier Award for his role in Gently Down The Stream at the Park Theatre.

Jonathan said: “Shakespeare is very special to me, and so is A Midsummer Night’s Dream; I played Puck in 1978 in the Benjamin Britten

opera of the Dream at the Sydney Opera House.

“And Isobel Buchanan, who was singing Helena, married me two years later. So, to be reunited with the Dream 45 years later and to be playing Nick Bottom is a real thrill.”

Milly Zero is best known as Dotty Cotton in BBC TV’s EastEnders. Her television debut was at the age of 13, in CBBC’s ‘All At Sea’, playing Hannah Enright.

Milly trained at The BRIT School for Performing Arts in London and graduated in 2017. She has also appeared in the Netflix series The Crown.

She said: “I can’t wait to get on stage at The Gatehouse, with such a wonderful cast and team.

“Hermia is a wonderfully fiesty, defiant and exciting character and I feel very lucky to get the chance to take her on.”

The production, which will also feature Broadway star Kerry Ellis, is supported with direction by Sean Turner, choreography by Chris Whittaker, Lighting by Barry Smith, music composition by Stamatis Seraphim, costume design by Jida Akil and set design by Anna Phillips and runs at the Gatehouse Theatre from June 23 to July 9.

For further information, go online to www.gatehousetheatre.co.uk.

“Something for visitors of all ages”

within the Show including the Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Competitions, the Farriery Competition where blacksmiths compete to make the perfect horseshoe before using it to shoe a horse, the Egg, Cavy (guinea pigs and hamsters) and Rabbit Show together with the Bee & Honey Show with its working hive.

TheStaffordshire County Show will be held on Wednesday, May 31, and Thursday, June 1.

The show offers something for visitors of all ages. Youngsters will enjoy riding on the narrowgauge steam railway or traditional attractions such as Punch & Judy and donkey rides.

Teenagers and adults will be thrilled by the Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team as they perform heart stopping stunts in the Main Ring. Whilst the next generation of farmers will be inspired by the first-class entries in the livestock competitions which are held across the Showground.

The show, which is held at the Staffordshire County Showground on Weston Road, some four miles from Stafford, is one of the area’s major events of the summer and is expected to attract more than 65,000 visitors.

During the school half-term holidays the show offers a full day out for all the family from as little as £42 for two adults and up to three children. A packed Main Ring programme includes a range of attractions, in addition to the Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team, the Young Farmer’s Floats (Thursday) which this year has a theme of ‘A Day in History,’ show jumping (Wednesday), the Grand Parade of Livestock as well as the Parade of Hounds (Wednesday).

New for this year in the Country Pursuits Arena is an incredible demonstration of dog agility and obedience from the West Lancs Dog Display Team. Visitors can also watch the birds of prey display, the ferret roadshow, have a go at fly casting or sit back and learn all about sheep with the Sheep Show.

Around the Showground there will be demonstrations of traditional rural crafts such as thatching, coracle making and drystone walling as well as a display of vintage cars and agricultural machinery.

However, at the heart of this traditional county show that has been held for over 200 years is livestock with over a thousand cattle, sheep, pigs and goats and over fifteen hundred horses and ponies.

There are a number of competitions and shows

In addition the Dog Show will attract around 2,000 dogs representing every breed of dog in the UK, so if you thinking of buying a dog this is an ideal opportunity to compare the various breeds and talk to their owners.

Children of all ages are especially well catered for with a children’s farm, fairground rides and the opportunity to have their picture taken with the giant tortoises that are up to 80 years old. Shopaholics will be able to browse over four hundred trade stands selling everything from cars to hot tubs.

In addition there is a food hall with a further 50 stands selling a range of mouth-watering local produce for immediate consumption or fresh and packaged items to take home.

When it’s time to take a break what better way to relax than having a picnic next to the bandstand listening to the brass band or the jazz band. However, for something more tranquil there is a twenty-acre wood – ideal for a walk in the shade or a quiet picnic.

Once again the show organisers are delighted that Rea Valley Tractors and Dunstall Holdings will be the event’s main sponsor.

Early Bird tickets, which offer a substantial saving on the gate price, are on sale now until midnight on May 27 to print at home or download to your phone.

Further details about the show and details of how to purchase early bird tickets are available on the website at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk or follow the show at Facebook@staffscountyshow.

Now more than ever there are so many questions when choosing a new car, and with what looks like an electrified future, Pinkstones MG Stoke have put together some of the biggest concerns drivers face when thinking about going electric.

EVs have a low range.

Most EVs have a similar range to a comparable vehicle in their class with an internal combustion engine. The average UK driver covers only 142 miles a week. The MG4 EV and MG5 EV boast ranges of up to 323 miles and 250 miles respectively. That means more than enough range to cover most people for over a week without the need to charge. For those longer journeys, MG EVs have a great cruising range to get you to your next toilet/coffee stop and a halfhour charge bringing you to 80% battery to continue your journey.

There aren’t enough charging stations. Whilst it’s true that there are no where near as many charging points as fuel pumps in the UK right now, there is also little need to visit a charging point if you’re able to do your every day charging at home. If you do need to charge on the road, there is lots of opportunity to charge at supermarkets, restaurants and even apps helping you find one of over 39,000 charging points to fit within your lifestyle.

EVs need a long time to charge. With the fantastic range of EVs today, it’s rare you’ll need to wait for your car to charge at all.

If you’re able to charge at home, simply plugging in once a week to cover your milage over night is the perfect way to avoid waiting for a charge. If you do need a faster charge whilst you’re out and about, the MG4 EV is capable of reaching 80% charge in just 35 minutes, while the MG5 EV attains the same level in 61 minutes.

The battery will be expensive to replace. In the early days of EVs, battery replacement was a concern for people thinking about the transition to electric, however, most electric vehicle batteries outlast many other components of the car. With the MG4 EV and MG5 EV your battery is covered under the 7 Year Warranty giving you confidence in your new EV throughout ownership.

Electric vehicles are too expensive.

It’s true that electric vehicles are slightly more expensive on the forecourt than a comparable internal combustion engine car. Savings to be made in the cost of ownership of an EV can be found through vehicle tax, emissions charges and the biggest saving is the cost per mile on the road, with reductions of up to 50% per mile giving you an overall cheaper cost of motoring.

If you’re not quite ready for the move to full EV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicles are the perfect choice. With the average driver only covering approximately 30 miles per day, the MG HS PHEV is the perfect option to use electric on most journeys, but when you need that extra range for longer trips you can seamlessly switch to petrol.

Best feet forward into the Spring

Spring is on the way, the days are getting longer and here at the Stone Ramblers, we are making the most of it.

We are always busy. Our annual New Year Meal was a great success, giving us all a chance to meet up without the walking boots! We have had a fabulous short break in February to Shropshire with trips to Malta and Gozo and Malhamdale in North Yorkshire later in the year.

Our new website www.stoneramblers.org.uk is up and running, where you will see our forthcoming varied walks, including our well attended Wellbeing Walks. Our walks cover a wide area including the Peak District, Cheshire, Shropshire, Wales and of course, Staffordshire. The original website was set up over twenty years ago by John Spriggs, who has maintained it ever since, for which we are all so grateful.

Our working party, consisting entirely of volunteers, working with Staffordshire County Council continues to repair stiles and improve footpaths locally. We are always looking for new volunteers and details of how to get involved are available on our website.

It was great to meet so many potential new members and our recent stall at Stone Farmers’ Market earlier in the month. Look out for us next time.

A huge thanks to all our volunteers, bring on the good weather and happy walking.

Report by Penny Meakin

Joining in on worldwide celebration

Members of the Stone Girlguiding movement have been joining in on a worldwide celebration.

World Thinking Day is a celebration of ten million girls worldwide that has taken place on every February 22 since 1926.

It remains a day for all Guides and Girl Scouts to think of each other and celebrate their sisters all around the world.

A spokesman for the Girlguiding Stone & Eccleshall Division said: “Our Thinking Day celebrations this year, were held at Walton Priory Middle School.

“It was great to celebrate with Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, Trefoil and Leaders from across Stone and outlying villages.

“Lots of fun singing, creating a guide-tingle and hot dogs and s’mores ..always a hit.”

They added: “Lovely to have our county commissioner, Cat Kerr, able to join us too.

“Huge thanks to everyone who helped make it such a lovely occasion for the girls.”

To find out more about Girlguiding, go online to: www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Success for ladies section at club

Acricket club has been having great success within it’s ladies section.

Wedgwood Cricket Club’s female section keep on going from strength to strength.

Club member Gareth Copeland said: “We’ve gone from no ladies section two years ago to now running two women’s teams.

“They have their own committee, we have a female club president, we’ve hosted a women’s festival and the team have joined forces with the all ladies solicitors team at Gent Law as sponsors.”

Gareth continued: “We have girls from as young as seven up to 70, mums and daughters, and even mums and grandmums.

“We’re also changing our junior policy

this year from traditional white trousers to darker colours to hopefully make the teenage girls a bit more comfortable during their periods.”

To find out more go online to: https://wedgwoodcc.play-cricket.com.

Scouting members gang show

Rehearsals are underway for a variety show by folk from Stone.

The 2023 Stone Gang Show is set to take place at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Stoke-on-Trent from April 12 to April 15.

Stone District Gang Show has been putting on a variety show for over 50 years, with the youngest Beaver to the oldest Scouting leaders taking part.

Any profit from the show is put back into Stone District Scouting to provide Scouting for many young people.

A spokesman for the show further explained: “A Gang Show is a collection of Scouts, Leaders, Explorers, Beavers and Cubs joining together to make a theatrical performance to entertain their community.

“Gang Show offers great opportunities for learning, building confidence, making friends and life long memories for all those involved.

“Entirely volunteer run, this show is packed full of musical talent and entertainment with comedy, music, acting and singing.”

The four evening performances of the Stone Gang Show 2023 will start at 7.30pm, and there will also be a 2pm Matinee on the Saturday.

For further information go online to: www.facebook.com/gangshowstone.

In rehearsal for the 2023 Stone Gang Show

A previous Stone Gang Show

Royal town centre celebrations

Atown centre party is set to take place in Stone this May as part of the nation’s celebrations of HM The King’s Coronation.

Stone Town Council is planning a Coronation Party in the High Street on Sunday, May 7, the day after the King Charles III’s official Coronation.

Everyone is invited to this free to access family fun day. Entertainment will be headlined by top Abba tribute band Bjorn UK, supported by local bands Head Over Heels, Vinyl Overdrive and Murphy’s Marbles, with the Stone Choral Society opening the event.

including fairground rides, is also being planned. There will also be a prize for the best Coronation-themed cake submitted by 2pm on the day. The party will start at 12.30pm and continue until 5pm.

A spokesman for the council said: “Come to Stone High Street on May 7 for the biggest party in town. With music, refreshments, and children’s entertainment it will be a fun afternoon for all the family.”

King Charles III

Food and drink will be available from High Street pubs and restaurants and specialist traders. Children’s entertainment,

Further event information will be made available nearer the day, and details will be on the council’s website at www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Contact the council on 01785 619740, or email to clerk@stonetowncouncil.gov.uk, if you would like further information or would like to have a stall at the event.

Support available for community events

Residents and organisations in Stafford Borough can get roads closed for free for street parties to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

The Stafford Borough Council move follows the record number of street closures for events to mark the platinum jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II last year.

A spokesman for the council further explained: “And local organisations are also being urged to bid for lottery money to put on activities as part of the national occasion.

“The long bank holiday weekend takes place in May and local people across the borough are being encouraged to join neighbours to celebrate the first coronation of a monarch in 70 years.

“The Government has asked local authorities to highlight the National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme where community groups can apply for funding of up to £10,000 for events and activities.”

The Coronation ceremony for His Majesty, King Charles lll, takes place on Saturday, May

6, at Westminster Abbey. Over the weekend there will be initiatives such as the ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ across the country, and a concert at Windsor in the evening, on Sunday, May 7. And there’s the ‘Big Help Out’ community activity on the following day - Bank Holiday Monday.

The Stafford Borough Council spokesman continued: “The council is waiving the usual charge for closing a road during the bank holiday weekend for coronation parties.

“The local authority had between 40 and 50 requests for street closures for the Jubilee celebrations last summer - a huge increase on previous numbers.”

People can find out more information from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/road-closures-forevents - and can check advice on organising a street party from the Government’s website.

For Stafford, celebrations are being planned for Victoria Park with more details to be announced soon on the borough council’s website at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/victoriapark-events.

A spokesman for the borough council said:

“We had such an amazing response from people organising street parties last summer and I hope our community will be gearing up to celebrate together to mark the coronation of our new King.

“It would be lovely if those scenes of last year were recreated across the borough and I’m glad we

can again waive the fees for road closures to ensure local people can have a safe party in their street with neighbours.”

Residents across the borough can apply for a road closure by going online to www.staffordbc.gov.uk.

Jubilant jigsaw to mark Royal occasion

Stafford-based Great British Jigsaws has launched a jubilant jigsaw to mark the momentous occasion of King Charles III’s coronation.

Produced entirely in Staffordshire, this vibrant new jigsaw is ideal for puzzlers that want to buy British and support small businesses.

The cheery 1,000-piece jigsaw has been designed by established Stone-based artist and illustrator Emma Joustra, who is renowned in the local area for her unique and colourful art installations in three North Staffordshire hospitals.

Featuring King Charles and the Queen Consort standing proudly against a backdrop of The Mall and Buckingham Palace, the coronation jigsaw portrays joyful well-wishers from all over the British Isles waving their Union Flags, roses, thistles, shamrocks and daffodils.

Overhead, the Red Arrows roar their way across a red, white and blue sky, from Windsor, over the London skyline including The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.

Emma underwent extensive research to create a puzzle that speaks of the King and his love of the British people, animals, conservation and the environment. You can spot garden birds, plane trees, wild parakeets and a raven from The Tower. Bees, butterflies, ladybirds and dragonflies join the celebration, whilst the royal couple’s rescue dogs sit dutifully at their feet.

Great British Jigsaws was formed in March 2020 by husband and wife team Jason and Kathy Cornish. The Stafford-based duo and their team manufacture jigsaws using a unique print system, which allows for short run production with the feel of a traditionally mass produced litho printed jigsaw.

Made in Staffordshire by Great British Jigsaws and with a 100 per cent recycled puzzle board, the finished 1,000-piece King Charles III coronation jigsaw measures 69cm x 48cm is now available.

To find out more or to place an order, go online to www.coronationjigsaw.co.uk.

Here’s just some of what’s coming up in Stone, Eccleshall and surrounding areas.

Please note that the information in this feature was correct at the time of print but all events are subject to change. Please check with the venues/organisers for updates.

Regular Events

Craft & Collectable’s Markets

Every third Saturday of the month in Stone town centre. 9am-3pm. Details: www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk

Fulford Village Walks

Starting on the Village Green at 10.30am the walks take a gentle pace and take participants on footpaths around the village. The walks also however, involve climbing over stiles and walking across muddy terrain, so sturdy footwear is recommended and wellies if there has been lots of rain. Generally back by 1pm in time for anyone who has worked up an appetite to have Sunday lunch or hot baps at the Shoulder. Every first Sunday of the month. Details: 01782 398280.

Rock Choir

8pm-9.30pm at The Main Hall, The Crossing Community Centre, Station Approach, Stone. Every Tuesday. Plus 10.30am-midday at St Bertelin’s Church Hall, Holmcroft Road, Stafford. Cost: £25 a month. Details: www.rockchoir.com.

Stone Farmers Markets

Every first Saturday of the month in Stone town centre. 9am-3pm. Details: www.stonefarmersmarket.co.uk

Stone Street Food

Thursdays: May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19. Stone High Street. 3pm-9pm. A celebration of global flavours in the heart of Stone.

Walton Lunches

Every Thursday at Walton Community Centre. Free two-course hot meals for those in need. Details: 01785 814813.

World of Wedgwood, Barlaston

Lots of different events and activities at this Barlaston tourist spot including markets and workshops. Details: 01782 282986 or www.worldofwedgwood.com

Coming up...

Friday, March 31

Great British Birds Talk by Ashley Grove at 7.30pm at Eccleshall Parish Room. Admission £3. No booking required, includes refreshments. Details 01782 680250.

Saturday, April 1

Stone Choral Society Spring Concert of the Messiah at 7.30pm at Christ Church.

Sunday, April 9

Plant Hunters’ Fair. 10am-5pm at the Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge, near Bridgmere. Admission £5. Plus on Monday, April 10. Details: www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk.

Wednesday, April 12

Stone Gang Show. 7.30pm at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Stoke-on-Trent. Running until April 15. Plus at 2pm Matinee on the Saturday. Presented by Stone District Scouting. Details: www.facebook.com/gangshowstone.

Sunday, April 16

Spring Awakening Market in Stone High Street. 10am-3pm. Garden themed market including plants, shrubs, herbs, ornaments, tools, pots and more.

Saturday, April 22

St George’s Day Re-enactment. 1pm-3pm in the Market Square, Stone. Details: www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Civic Dinner. 7pm at Stone House Hotel. Details: www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Sunday, May 7

Coronation Celebrations. Stone High Street. 12.30pm5pm. Details: www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Sunday, May 21

Big Boys Toys. Stone High Street. 10am-3pm. Cars, tractors, buses and more on display.

Saturday, May 27

Floating Market/Waterside Events. Canal bank near Stafford Street in Stone. Also on Sunday and Monday. Details: www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Sunday, June 18

Cheese and Wine Festival. Stone High Street. 10am3pm. To include wine merchants, glassware, cheese, tableware and more.

Friday, June 23

Stafford Shakespeare at Stafford Gatehouse. A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Running until July 9. Details: www.gatehousetheatre.co.uk.

Sunday, June 25

10k Road Race. 10am-noon. Stone. Organised by the Stone St Michael’s 10k Road Race group.

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.

Appeal for community projects for Rotarians to support

Anew defibrillator has been placed outside Eccleshall Community Library thanks to a project between Eccleshall Community Library, Eccleshall Parish Council and Eccleshall Rotary.

Now the Rotarians are calling on new projects for them to help support.

A spokesman said: “Calling local clubs, associations and charities. Thanks to the generous support of people in Eccleshall, Yarnfield and surrounding villages we wish to continue our key aim to support our local community.

“We were pleased to be able to contribute to the cost of the defibrillator at Eccleshall Library recently, but we have room to do more.

“With this in mind if e.g new or replacement equipment is needed by a voluntary group we may be able to help.

“We also support local charities– to make an informal enquiry please contact us.”

The spokesman continued: “What information to send? Final details not needed at this stage but please include the following: brief details of what you would like to have funded; an idea of the approximate amount involved; the name of your organisation; the contact person’s name and contact details including email address and telephone number.

“If it would help to discuss over the phone prior to making a request John Ogbourne is contactable on 07796 273885.”

Meanwhile, Eccleshall Rotary Club is also on the look out for additional likeminded volunteers to join them.

The spokesman said: “If you’re interested in joining Rotary Eccleshall Mercia to use your time, talents,

professional skills and energy to improve the lives of people in your local community, read on.

“And, in the process, you can enjoy the benefits of business networking, personal development, meeting new friends, hearing inspiring speakers, having a great deal of fun and experiencing that special sense of fulfilment that comes from achieving something really worthwhile.”

To find out more about the club, go online to: www.rotaryribi.org/clubs/page.php.

Let’s get quizzical

COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

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

2 Which Olympian was crowned Dancing on Ice winner 2023?

3 Which film won the 2023 Best Picture Oscar?

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

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

6 Which England cricket captain had the initials MCC?

7 Which spread is named after a French casserole dish?

8 Tyrol is a region split between which two countries?

9 Charles Warrell created what series of spotters’ guides?

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

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

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

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

14 What did Robert Wilson supposedly photograph in 1934?

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

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

17 What is the third letter of the Greek alphabet?

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

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

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

Scent-sational climbers

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

Honeysuckles are well known for their scent, and our native species Lonicera periclymenum is one of the best in the world for scent. In flower for most of the summer it is best in shaded from the midday heat and equally scented, but with a hint of spice and earlier into flower is Lonicera x italica.

Lonicera glabrata which flowers in August and September, highly scented and evergreen. From a garden perspective I think all honeysuckles benefit from being pruned from time to time to take out the oldest wood and help them renew themselves from the base”.

Roses are renowned for their scent and the rambling rose group gives good results with very minimum effort. The wichuriana types like 'Alberic Barbier' and 'Francois Juranville' have flexible stems for tying in and apple-like scent.

More recognisably rose scented are ramblers like 'Rambling Rector' and 'Pauls Himalayan Musk' which are best for growing into trees and hedges".

The last mention goes to Wisteria floribunda. This flowers like crazy and apart from looking fantastic in early summer the perfume is absolutely gorgeous.

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

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

Planet Fair Dates: The Dorothy Clive Garden on Sunday, April 9, and Monday, April 10, Garden and Fair £5; Cholmondeley Castle Garden on Sunday, April 23, Garden and Fair £5; Weston Park on Sunday, April 30, and Monday, May 1, Garden and Fair £4;

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

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

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

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

Martin Blow

Schools raise £16,000 for charity

Schools across one academy in Staffordshire have collectively raised £16,000 for charity.

Pupils ranging from just three-years-old to 18-years-old, from 15 schools within The Painsley Catholic Academy, have raised an impressive total of more than £16,000 for CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) the international development charity.

A spokesman for the academy said: “The schools started their fundraising in December and selected the CAFOD World Gifts campaign. Gifts include goats, vegetable gardens, toilets, water facilities and reading programmes.

“Pupils took part in a range of fundraisers, from Christmas jumper days to cake sales, nonuniform days and creating luxury hampers to be raffled. The children at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Stafford enjoyed making craft items to sell and took part in multiplication tables challenges and a pyjama day.

“Children at St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School in Stone took part in a mini-marathon and older students at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School, Stafford, organised a giant game of musical chairs in the sports hall with an entrance fee and a small charge for spectators.

“Zac Byrne from St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, in Tean, raised an amazing £300 with a sponsored head shave on the last day of term.”

Chief Executive Officer of The Painsley Catholic Academy, Stephen Bell said: “As a Catholic community, we teach all of our children to care for each other, particularly the most

vulnerable.

“The world faces many challenges and we are proud to support those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

“We must work together to build a better world for the future.

“Taking part in these joint fundraising activities is a great way of doing this and CAFOD World Gifts really make our pupils appreciate the impact that they can have.

“Our pupils, of all ages, really enjoy coming up with new and fun ideas to raise these funds.”

Fundraising for CAFOD is set to continue into the coming months across the academy, with the hope of boosting the total by even more and many schools are already planning activities for Lent.

The Staffordshire based Painsley Catholic Academy comprises 15 schools, 13 primaries and two secondary schools with sixth forms.

St Dom's Mini Marathon

Musical Chairs Winner

Harvey Brook

St Anne's crafts

Musical Chairs at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School

Barlaston Herons WI

Barlaston Herons celebrated their 10th Birthday recently with a Murder Mystery evening staged by the committee. The event was well attended: we had an Italian theme and served pizza and mocktails during the evening which was a great success.

We meet every third Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall in Park Drive, Barlaston.

The next meeting will be in March when we will welcome ‘The One Arm Sewist’ to speak. Many will remember Gill Thomas from The Great British Sewing Bee. Because of demand, this event will be ticket only for non members.

Nevertheless on April 18 all will be welcome to our meeting when The House of Colour will present a demonstration entitled ‘I Can't Wear That.’

Report by Patricia Boulton

Staffordshire Federation WI

Oneof the greatest threats to our planet is the climate crisis and the ladies of the Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes gave their own interpretation of this in their Annual Quiz, held at the Staffordshire County Showground recently.

Over 200 members of the WI from across Staffordshire decorated their tables with the problems and some solutions and most were dressed in red to emphasise the danger that climate change poses.

Messages urged everyone to take actions themselves to reduce their own impact on the planet and not to leave it to someone else.

The quiz questions covered a wide range of subjects with the last round dedicated to climate change. Interesting facts for the climate answers were added by the Quiz Master, Karen Sulway who chairs the Education & Public Affairs Committee, which organised the event.

The winners of the Quiz with an impressive 79 out of 100 was the Team from Rolleston-on-Dove WI who will hold the Knighton Challenge Shield for the year. The runners-up were Great Haywood WI who will hold the Val Smith Memorial Shield.

Helen Mancey, Federation Chairman, said:

“The Annual Federation Quiz is a firm favourite and starts our calendar of events for the year.

“It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic teams joining in and having a fun evening in a fabulous setting.”

The Best Dressed Table award was given to Brocton WI’s Team A. The full list of results and more photos are on the ‘SFWI:Staffordshire Federation Women's Institutes’ Facebook page. Report by Karen Sulway

Gnosall WI Jambusters

THERE’S A REASON WE KEEP WINNING AWARDS

THERE’S A REASON WE KEEP WINNING AWARDS

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