Stone Life June July 2016

Stone & Eccleshall

Life

JUNE/JULY 2016

Inspirational olympic message From Team GB poster boy Sam

Summer festival edition

Your guide to this season’s top events

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Step into summer

EDITOR’S LETTER

elcome to the latest edition of Stone and Eccleshall Life magazine. This special summer festival issue features everything you need to know about what is happening over the next two months right on your doorstep.

Not only do we have a full round up of all the top events going on during this year’s Stone Festival, Eccleshall Festival, Sugnall Jazz Festival and Stafford Festival, but information on the forthcoming Eccleshall Show, the next performance to be staged by Stone Revellers and the latest on what the local Young Farmers, Cadets, and various sports clubs have been to.

What’s more we have an exciting competition to win a family ticket to Flip Out and a summer recipe that really will tickle your taste buds, as well as a new quiz and all of our usual contributors columns to enjoy during your coffee break.

All this as well as the uplifting stories and sporting achievements of Chris Salmon who has completed 13 half marathons in 13 weeks to raise money for charity, how one local boy is trailblazing an inspirational Olympic message, and how several local youngsters have been enjoying stardom on the small screen appearing in prime time television adverts.

Everything you need for entertainment, inspiration and information for the summer ahead.

Happy reading.

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

Deborah

Find us on Facebook - Search for Stone and Eccleshall Life

Cover photo: noelbennettphotography.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

June/July 2016 5

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June/July

2016

Editor’s letter ..............................................5 From Eccleshall to Rio ...............................8 Stone Festival ............................................10 Soapbox Derby ..........................................13 Eccleshall Festival .....................................14 Stafford Festival ........................................16 Eccleshall Show.........................................18 Sugnall Jazz & Blues Festival ...................20 Recipes for life ..........................................22 Lymestone Brewery ..................................24 Bikers breakfasts.......................................25 Last orders ................................................26 Sandon Spring Fair...................................28

CONTENTS

Stage Directions........................................30 Rooftop Studios.........................................31 Stone Revellers .........................................33 Brilliant brushstrokes ...............................34 Quiz corner ...............................................36 Flipping fabulous competition .................37 First Aid ....................................................38 Class chat ..................................................39 Health and wellbeing................................43 Healthwatch Staffordshire .......................44 Ridgways Hearing Centre.........................46 Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ..................50 Stone St Michael’s 10k road race ..............51 STING’s lucky 13 challenge ......................52 Stafford & Stone Canoe Club ....................54 Eccleshall Young Farmers ........................55 Gardening .................................................56 Homes and gardens ..................................58 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust......................63 Legal matters ............................................64 Investment matters...................................65 Motoring ...................................................66

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June/July 2016 7

FROM ECCLESHALL TO RIO

n o i t a r i p s n e i g s ’ a s m s a e S ic m p m y l O

l a n e

FROM ECCLESHALL TO RIO

BLUE PETER BADGE DESIGNER BECOMES TEAM GB POSTER BOY

n Eccleshall school boy has become a poster boy for one of Team GB’s Olympic campaigns after winning a competition to design the latest Blue Peter badge.

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Nine-year-old Sam Millward, from Croxton, entered Blue Peter’s Team GB Sports Badge 2016 earlier this year, which asked entrants to design a new Blue Peter Sports Badge, with the focus on this year’s Rio Olympic Games.

The badge needed to celebrate sport and Team GB, with entrants required to write an inspirational message and describe the Olympic athlete that most inspired them.

Sam’s inspirational message was: Believe in yourself, train hard, keep your eyes on the prize and enjoy yourself, and he said his inspirational athlete is Tom Daley, as he is always smiling and always seems to be enjoying his sport.

He was told last month that his design had been chosen from 4,867 entries, and was invited to appear on Blue Peter to see a prototype of the badge. His prize was to be part of the Team GB ‘Bring On The Great’ media campaign and launch of the official supporters’ products. This is to encourage the public to get behind the team, and to purchase Bahia Bands – some of which will have Sam’s inspirational message on.

The youngster has already taken part in the Team GB Bahia Band photo-shoot with Anthony Joshua MBE, London 2012 Games Super Heavy Weight Champion and recently successful IBF World Heavyweight Champion.

He has also appeared live on Blue Peter with presenters Lindsey and Radzi, when they revealed Sam’s design, and gave him his Orange Blue Peter Competition Winners badge.

All of the British athletes competing in this summer’s Olympics will receive Sam’s newly- designed badge. It will be Blue Peter’s sports badge for 2016, which children will be awarded for inspiring a friend to join them in a sport they don’t currently do.

The Team GB athletes will receive their badge and Bahia Bands when they attend the 'Kitting Out' week in June at the NEC, which Sam will also be part of.

The youngster also appears on billboards around the country – the nearest one being Birmingham City Centre, on the corner of New Street and High Street, opposite the main entrance to the Bullring Shopping Centre.

Sam, a pupil at Bishop Lonsdale Primary School in Eccleshall, and a member of Eccleshall Cricket Club and Eccleshall Rugby Club, already has all of the other Blue Peter sports badges - but was told on the show he will still have to earn the badge he designed by offering further inspiration to a friend this year.

June/July 2016 9

STONE FESTIVAL

Festival line up p fun for all the fam nnual favourites such as carnival Saturday and two-wheel Tuesday return to Stone Festival alongside new additions to the line-up including Festival Flip-out and a soapbox derby this June.

With plenty going on for all the family, Stone Festival encompasses many aspects of town life, with special events celebrating all kinds of music, sport, arts, hobbies, clubs, organisations and lots of community spirit.

Carnival day is the highlight of Stone Festival and attracts scores of schools, charities and organisations, many of whom have spent weeks preparing their floats for the parade.

The main entertainment at this year’s Carnival will be provided by The Acts of Covent Garden, bringing street theatre including juggling, creepy crawlies, games, fun and laughter to bring the atmosphere of Covent Gardens to Stone.

The carnival also includes a host of charity and commercial stalls and attractions as well as cookery competitions (sponsored by GR8 Kitchenware, Arcadia, Stone), which this year are promising to be better than ever with challenges including a decorated cake, three sausages rolls on a plate and a jar of chutney.

Classes will also be held for children under

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seven and aged eight to 12.

To add to the festival atmosphere in the run up to carnival day, the fabulous Warwick’s Funfair is at Westbridge Park from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th June with rides for all ages.

And Stone festival has lots to see and do throughout the week, with everything from watercolour exhibitions and croquet for beginners to the human steeplechase and a raft race.

This year will also see Proms in the Hall for the first time, with classical music including a performance from Staffordshire soprano, Denise Leigh.

Festival chairman, Neil Gater, said: “Stone Festival has been providing and supporting events in the town for the last 40 years, and shows no sign of running out of steam.

“This year we have all the regular favourites, including - but not limited to - the raft race, dog show, steeplechase, treasure hunt, bowls, music events and the carnival day with its parade through town and activities on Westbridge Park.

“But we also have a raft of new events – including jazz concerts, pig racing, trampolines, two-wheel Tuesday, croquet, pool, mediumship and a street party.

“So something – we hope – for everybody, so

STONE FESTIVAL

promises amily come along and join in.

“The Festival has changed this year in response to what the residents of Stone have fed back to us about what they want to see – so please continue to stay involved – it’s not too early to start thinking about how you can be involved for Stone Festival 2017!”

The Stone Festival’s new website lists the full programme events as well as photographs from previous years and details of how to get involved. To find out more, visit: www.stonefestival.co.uk.

Photos courtesy of festival photographer, Martin Robinson

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June/July 2016 11

STONE FESTIVAL

What’s on at Stone Festival Thursday 2nd June 7pm: Lymestone Brewery tour, admission £13.

Saturday 4th June 10am - 4pm: Watercolour exhibition at Oulton Village Hall, admission free.

6.30pm: Pig race night at Stone Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

Sunday 5th June All day: Junior cricket competition at Little Stoke Cricket Club.

9am: Car boot sale, £5 per car.

9.30am: Westbridge 5 race at Westbridge Park.

10am: Raft race starts from Darlaston Inn, £5 per person, max four people per team.

10am: Clay pigeon shoot at Yarlet Gun Club.

10.30am: Dog show at Westbridge Park, with prizes including ‘Waggiest Tail.’

2pm: Bowls sub-final at Stonefield Park.

7pm-10pm: Proms in the Hall.

Monday 6th June 12-4pm: Festival Flip-out, Flip-out Stoke, £10 for two hours.

6.30pm: Steeplechase and dog derby at Westbridge Park. Entry fees £2.50 adults, £1 under 16s.

Tuesday 7th June 6pm: Croquet for absolute beginners at Westbridge Park.

6.30pm: Sponsored dog walk at Westbridge Park.

7pm: Two-wheel Tuesday at Westbridge Park.

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Wednesday 8th June 4pm-6pm: Golfer/Non-golfer competition at Stone Golf Club, entry £5 per team.

6.30pm: Stone Soapbox Derby, through the town centre. Races start at 7pm and spectators admission is free.

7.30pm: Stone Civic & Historical Society talk at the Frank Jordan Centre, admission £2.

10pm-midnight: Soapbox after-party at Flip-out Stoke, £12 for two hours of £15 to include pizza.

Thursday 9th June 6pm: Lions Walking Treasure Hunt starts at The Star.

7pm: A demonstration of mediumship, admission £7.

8pm: Stone Open Pool Championship Final at The Lamb.

Friday 10th June 8pm: Party in the brewery at Lymestone Brewery, admission £6.

Saturday 11th June All day: Carnival day - events in town centre at Westbridge Park.

Sunday 12th June Noon onwards: Street party celebrating the 90th birthday of HM The Queen, in Stone High Street.

2pm: Bowls final at Stonefield Park.

6.30pm: End of Festival service at St Michael & St Wulfad’s Church.

7.30pm: Festival quiz at Granvilles.

SOAPBOX DERBY

Wacky races in town centre tone town centre will be closed off to motorised traffic on Wednesday 8th June, to make way for vehicles of a very different

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kind.

The town’s first soapbox derby will take place from 7pm, with home-made carts racing through the high street in a bid to record the fastest time.

Organised by Graham Neagus and sponsored

by Stone Flip-out, the event will see up to 40 teams careering down Stone’s high street, tackling a small jump and a chicane before coming to a halt outside the St Katherine House Hospice charity shop.

The event will see the race-course marked out with safety barriers created by hay and straw bales loaned by local farmers.

A dramatic start is planned, thanks to Bassetts of Tittensor who will be providing an 18 tonne curtainside truck which will provide a stage at the starting line.

Soapbox derby racers will have 30 seconds to perform an introduction to their team, which will earn points from a panel of judges to be added to the final total.

Racers will then set off down a ramp - built by Steve Hickman of St Dominics Priory School - and into the street, with one driver and two pushers working as a team for the first 20 metres.

After that point, drivers are on their own unless they go off-course or crash, in which case pushers can help get them back on track.

Points and race times will be calculated at the end of all the runs and prizes awarded for winning teams along with prizes for fun categories including best dressed soapbox.

DBLogic are among the competitors already signed up for the race. The company is taking part in aid of the Katharine House Hospice and has spent many weeks constructing their soapbox cart (pictured).

Graham said: “What started as a mad cap idea of mine has now grown legs beyond my wildest dreams.

“Every meeting we hold whether it be at the Farmers Market or with other groups around Stone people seem to be naturally enthused by the

whole event so roll on 8th June!

“It’s going to be a truly great and memorable event - one I hope that will be repeated in years to come, bringing people from all over Staffordshire into Stone and sampling the wonderful atmosphere our town generates.”

June/July 2016 13

ECCLESHALL FESTIVAL

Victorian Street Mar

FESTIVAL DOFFS CAP TO QUEEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY

uring the height of summer residents and visitors to Eccleshall will be treated to a carnival of colour and entertainment as they welcome the return of the town’s Festival.

The 2016 Festival this year includes a public celebration of the 90th birthday of the Queen and takes place over nine days with events starting on Saturday 18th June and running until Sunday 26th June, organised by a group of local volunteers who aim to make the event one of the highlights of the town’s social activities.

One of the main events of the Festival will be the Street Market set to take place on Saturday 25th June between 10am and 4pm. Admission to the Market is free, and will feature live music, street entertainers, food stalls, a ‘strictly for kids’ area with bouncy castle and face painting, and around 80 market stalls, many of which will be operated by local clubs and organisations raising money for their own funds.

Local residents are offered places on the High Street for stalls first after which it is thrown open

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to all and sundry. The fifty or so shops in the town centre will also be open for business.

Over the years there has been numerous themes chosen for the Festival Street Market and popular fancy dress competitions, which take place on the day, however 2016 sees the return of the popular Victorian theme for the day.

And in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday on 6th June organisers are encouraging stallholders and visitors alike to get into the spirit and mark the occasion.

Once again one of the attractions coming to town for the Street Market will be an imposing ‘Monster’ truck. The truck will be on static display in the car park of the Crown Surgery all day.

An important element of Eccleshall’s Festival is music and this year live music will be performed all day at the Victorian Street Market with performances by The Blackwater Concert Band, The Uttoxeter Morris Men, Holy Trinity Church and organ music and choral singing with the Broughton Community Choir and the Bishop Lonsdale School Choir.

Another popular event taking place during the nine days of the Festival include the Ecclian Society’s annual Open Gardens event which will

ECCLESHALL FESTIVAL

rket theme returns see a selection of around 13 of the very best of Eccleshall’s private gardens open to public gaze for the weekend between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June 2016.

Holy Trinity Church hosts a Scarecrow Fest on Saturday 25th between 9.30am and 4.30pm and Sunday 26th June from 11am to 4pm. The spectacle will see the church and church yard filled with scarecrows made by local people, businesses and organisations.

Eccleshall’s Mercian Rotary Club Art Exhibition will see local artists from a wide area exhibiting their work to the public based on the simple theme of ‘rotary’ not the international organisation simply the word.

Entries will be displayed in the High Street Library in Eccleshall town centre on Saturday 25th June between 10am and 4pm for people to go along and enjoy.

On Festival Street Market Day the popular Eccleshall Community Cinema will present a continuous showing of films about Eccleshall and the surrounding area in the upstairs room at the Royal Oak in the High Street. Admission is free and people are most welcome to drop in.

Real ale fans will be pleased to read that the

Royal Oak will be hosting a Beer Festival, and ‘by Joules it’s good’! The Beer Festival will run for three days from Friday 24th, to Sunday 26th June. Available will be eight real ales and two ciders. The pub will put on a barbecue on the Saturday starting at 9.30am until 12 noon with bacon sandwiches and from 12 noon until they are gone burgers and hot dogs.

Other refreshment options on offer during the festival will be the ‘Teas to Please’ in the parish room in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Church which will be served on Saturday 25th June from 10am until 5pm and on Sunday 26th June 12 noon until 4pm where delicious home made produce and hot and cold drinks will be available at reasonable prices.

If you, your club or organisation would like to arrange an event during the nine days of the festival please get in touch. Visit the website at www.eccleshallfestival.co.uk for further information or contact Festival Co-ordinator Peter Jones on Tel. 01785 851381 / 07815 419166, email: peterwjones@btinternet.com or to book a stall at the Festival Street Market contact Libby Dale on Tel. 01785 850124, or email: libbydale@tiscali.co.uk.

June/July 2016 15

STAFFORD FESTIVAL

COUNTY TOWN

he county town of Stafford comes alive every July as the annual Stafford Festival explodes with live music, family fun and entertainment.

The festival programme has grown in popularity since 1991 and the County town is set to come alive once again in 2016 with a fantastic fun filled festival atmosphere.

Taking place across two consecutive Sundays will be the widely popular Party in the Park on Sunday 3rd July followed by the Live@The Castle music extravaganza on Sunday 10th July.

Although Stafford Festival organisers were yet

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to announce a finalised programme at the time of going to print, we have been able to reveal a few tentative details of what’s in store.

The Party in the Park festivities will once again return to Victoria Park where admission will be free and families can enjoy a whole host of fun including face painting, art workshops, entertaining shows, train rides and lots more.

Some activities will incur a small, 50p charge.

The very next weekend music lovers are expected to flock to Stafford Castle for the Live@The Castle event.

Visitors can expect an afternoon and evening of

STAFFORD FESTIVAL

N COMES ALIVE live entertainment from the very best performers on the local music.

The castle grounds will be filled with music from 12 noon until 9pm thanks to bands and singers from across the area who will be strutting their stuff on the main stage or in the chilled out acoustic marquee.

Admission, payable on the gate, is ÂŁ3 for adults and children over 12 years. Car parking is ÂŁ5.

If you wish to apply to perform at either Party in the Park or Live @ the Castle there may still be time.

Please log onto the Stafford Festival website at

www.staffordfestival.co.uk where application forms are available to fill out.

Community events like the popular Stafford Festival come together thanks to a great deal of hard work and dedication from organisers and supporters.

This local event could be the perfect opportunity for you to enhance your company profile by offering financial sponsorship.

For more information on how to get involved and support the Stafford Festival 2016 email events@staffordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619354.

Photographs courtesy of Stafford Festival.

June/July 2016 17

ECCLESHALL SHOW

Getting ready for ano

ECCLESHALL SHOW COMMITTEE HARD AT WORK

he team of volunteers who organise Eccleshall show are busy gearing up for this year’s show which takes place on 3rd September at Sugnall Park.

Now in its 69th year this hugely popular show which regularly attracts over 5,000 visitors offers all round family entertainment with main ring events, classic cars, equestrian classes, a companion dog show and the ever popular craft and horticultural competitions The headline act in the main ring will be the Lichfield Flyball Dog team and one other attraction still to be confirmed. Also in the main ring, the Young Farmers will once again be staging their Hammer Challenge which last year was a hilarious three-way contest involving big round bales among other obstacles. The ever popular pet dog agility contest will be staged in the main ring together with the children’s sports which of course features races for mums and dads.

The massive Craft and Horticulture Marquee is home to over 100 competition classes. From vegetable growing, cookery and wine making to handicrafts and photography there is something for everyone to enter. Children are especially encouraged to enter their own dedicated classes. Schedules for the classes will be available on the Show website and from Eccleshall library by the end of June.

A huge turnout of Classic Vehicles is expected - some 200 came last year - and other attractions around the showground

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include the Companion Dog Show, Craft Show, Children’s Funfair, Punch and Judy, Ferret Show and Caged Birds Display .

The huge refreshment marquee is in the capable hands of the ladies of the WI who provide freshly made sandwiches and home-made cakes and scones throughout the day, while Eccleshall Scouts on their stand will be busy cooking up sausages and burgers from early morning. Perry’s the butchers from Eccleshall provide a hog roast at lunch time, there is a licensed bar and various other food outlets in the Food Arc. Trade stand bookings are coming in and application forms are available on the show website Ever conscious of the pressures on family finances the organisers have decided to reduce the cost of a family admission ticket from £25 to £20 and this becomes even less if purchased in advance – down to just £18. All advance tickets carry a discount and can be purchased through the website which accepts card and PayPal transactions.

Advance tickets will also be on sale at James du Pavey’s offices in Eccleshall and Stone. Card payments are also accepted on the gate.

Every year any profits from the show are donated to local charities.

After the 2015 show recipients were Eccleshall Scouts, Young Farmers Ambassadors, Support Dogs, Riding for the Disabled and Lucas’s Legacy.

Show Chairman, Edward Lambert, commented: “The team is pulling out all the stops for another bumper show. The show grows in size and popularity every year and we’re looking forward to another great event.”

Details of all the show activities can be found at www.eccleshallshow.co.uk.

ECCLESHALL SHOW

other bumper show

June/July 2016 19

SUGNALL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

20 June/July 2016

SUGNALL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

June/July 2016 21

RECIPES FOR LIFE

TICKLE YOUR TAPAS T DISHES BIG ON TASTE Summer prawns with garlic butter This simple recipe for prawns in a garlicky sauce makes a delicious addition to a tapas spread just add lots of crusty bread.

Preparation time: less than 30 mins Cooking time: less than 10 mins Serves: 2-3

22 June/July 2016

Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 50g/2oz butter 12 large raw prawns 2 garlic cloves, crushed salt and freshly ground black pepper small handful parsley, chopped Method: In a wok or a large pan heat the oil and butter.

Add the prawns and garlic and stir well Stir fry until the prawns are pink (about 4-5 minutes).

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and scatter the chopped parsley over.

Serve at once.

RECIPES FOR LIFE

TASTEBUDS - SMALL E It's getting warmer and that can only mean one thing - outside dining!

Tapas is the perfect way to enjoy a summer's evening; sit back, relax and enjoy a leisurely few hours sampling little bite sized dishes bursting with flavours.

Piedmontese peppers This is a great recipe for summer tapas, and it's low calorie too. Lots of beautiful Mediterranean flavours in this dish - enjoy!

Preparation time: 0 mins to 1 hour Cooking time: 30 mins to 1 hour Serves: 4 Ingredients: 8-12 ripe plum tomatoes 4 red peppers, stalks left on (for decoration), cut lengthways in half, seeds removed 4 garlic cloves, sliced 5-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper 8 large canned anchovies, cut in half lengthways small handful fresh basil

Method: Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.

Pour boiling water over the plum tomatoes, leave for 10 seconds, carefully remove from the water and refresh in a bowl of cold water. Peel off the tomato skins.

Place the halved peppers into an ovenproof dish (preferably one that will be nice enough to present later), cut-side up.

Place the garlic inside the peppers and then fit the tomatoes inside too, pushing them gently into the space. Add a small pinch of salt and a grinding of freshly ground black pepper. Spoon over the olive oil and then place into the oven.

Bake for about 45 minutes to one hour, turning the heat down a little if you notice any excessive scorching of the peppers.

Once they are nicely softened and have slightly collapsed, remove the peppers from the oven.

Criss-cross each pepper half with an anchovy, baste with the oily juices and allow to cool to room temperature. Top with basil leaves and serve.

June/July 2016 23

LYMESTONE BREWERY

Raise a glass to real ale eal ale has seen an impressive revival in recent years and in Stone, Lymestone Brewery is among those at the very forefront of extolling the merits of a proper pint.

The brewery, which supplies it’s real ales to outlets within a 50 mile radius of Stone, has five permanent cask beers along with seasonal cask beers and bottled beers.

Permanent brews include Stone The Crows, Ein Stein and Foundation Stone, while bottled

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beers include Stone Dead and Abdominal Stoneman.

As well as holding regular tours of the brewery, which include a bowl of Lymestone Lobby, the brewery also threw open its doors in March for its annual spring 20:20 beer festival.

With 20 real ales and 20 ciders and perries on offer (hence the name), the event is an ever popular addition to the brewery’s busy calendar.

BIKERS BREAKFASTS

BIKERS TALK ROAD SAFETY OVER BREAKFAST

ikers from across the area are being targeted in a campaign to help promote safer riding on the county’s roads.

The ‘Staffordshire Bikers Breakfasts’ events are being rolled out by the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership. The mornings offer bikers the chance to meet the road safety team and partners, with the opportunity to access training and advice on safer riding; and all over a bacon butty and a brew.

As well as meeting other bikers and learning about the ‘Ride it Right’ routes located across the county, they will get the chance to win some prizes including a set of new bike tyres donated

by Michelin.

Mark Deaville, Cabinet Support Member for Transport and Highways at Staffordshire County Council said: “Keeping our roads safe is one of our top priorities and this includes helping our bikers to improve their riding skills when out on the county’s roads.

“Bikers only represent around 1 per cent of all traffic on our roads but they make up 28 per cent of those killed or seriously injured. That’s why it’s important we reach out to them through events like this to make sure they have

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the skills and know-how to keep themselves and other road users safe.

“Staffordshire remains amongst the top counties for road safety in the country, which is a record we are proud of and will continue to work hard at to improve even further.”

Two Staffordshire Biker Breakfasts are being held locally on Sunday 5th June, at Loggerheads Hotel, Loggerheads, Newcastle, and on Sunday 3rd July, Darlaston Inn, Meaford, Stone.

The breakfast events are just one of a number of schemes that the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership runs which has seen a steady fall in the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on the county’s roads. This along with ‘Right it Right’, Biker Awareness sessions for car drivers, BikeSense Rider Development scheme, and the Biker Jack Young Rider campaign are all helping to encourage safer riding and reduce the number of accidents.

For further details on the events search for Staffordshire Bikers Breakfasts, email bikers@staffordshire.gov.uk, Tel. 0300 111 8012 or visit the Staffordshire Bikers Breakfast Facebook page.

June/July 2016 25

LAST ORDERS

Will leaving EU affect whisky sales?

don’t know how you feel but I am beginning to become bewildered and angered by politicians telling us that if we don’t vote the way they want us to at the forthcoming European referendum that the world will suddenly end and it will be our fault!

Hard facts seem to be in short supply but I decided to look at the view of the whisky industry to see their stance, particularly as the message from Scotland, in general, appears to be to stay in the community. Whisky sales are falling.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association the fall in sales seen over recent years continued last year with a fall of 2.4% compared to a fall of 7% the previous year. So whilst this marks an improvement anything that affects the sales of one of, if not, the largest export from Scotland would be hard felt.

Would leaving the Union affect whisky sales?

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The Star Inn 21 Stafford Street, Stone, ST15 8QW

01785 813096 www.starinnstone.co.uk 26 June/July 2016

The overwhelming majority of views are that it would and that the impact would be significant. The whisky industry is totally geared to the European model. Single market common standards in labelling, certification and licensing have led to ‘hassle free access’ to the single market of 500 million people, add on the advantages gained from EU free trade agreements with countries around the world and you begin to see where people in the industry are coming from.

We are told that trade arrangements would be made if we left but how would that work in practice? In the past we have looked at whisky production in France. Couple this with brandy and cognac production and you can imagine the French allowing the free trade of Scottish whisky.

As France is a major consumer of Scotch whisky you can begin to see the picture. Not that I would blame the French, we would do the same if the situation presented itself.

So does this mean I will be voting to stay come the referendum? Well I don’t know. I abhor the excesses of Brussels, immigration is a thorny issue and do we really want to be governed by nonelected bureaucrats who it seems really don’t like us as a nation?

It’s important and it’s difficult enough to turn you to drink!

Whisky expert Dave Pickard of Old School Wines, Tittensor. #STARINNSTONE

T. 01782 372888

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WEDNESDAYS - BURGER & BEER NIGHT THURSDAYS - COCKTAIL NIGHT (15% OFF) SUNDAYS - AMERICAN ROAST (12:00 - 23:00) Contract House, Stafford Street, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8QW www.smokeandrye.net | 01785 501254 facebook.com/smokeandrye | smokeandrye@gmail.com Mon & Tues - Private Only | Weds & Thur - 17:30 - 23:00 Fri & Sat - 12:00-15:00/17:30-00:00 | Sun - 12:00 - 23:00

At Smoke & Rye we are devoted to craft food & drink, bringing the unique taste of America to the UK. Let us lead you into the land of succulent smoked meats, tangy sauces, rockin' rubs and smokin' liquors June/July 2016 27

SANDON SPRING FAIR

Crowds turn out to hi

ours of the historic Sandon Hall, food and craft stalls, family fun activities and live music proved to be a huge draw for the 2,500 people who visited the first ever Sandon Spring Fair at Sandon Hall over a weekend in April.

The new event, run by Sandon Hall in partnership with the team behind the Stone Food & Drink Festival, attracted a broad demographic of visitors.

General Manager at Sandon Hall, Jon Guard, said: “It’s been a fantastic weekend. The turnout was great and the feedback from visitors and stallholders has been overwhelmingly positive, with many exhibitors already enquiring about how to book for next year.

“Overall, it’s been a real success and is certainly something we’d like to make an annual event.”

For more information on the event, visit www.sandonspringfair.co.uk and for more information on Sandon Hall itself visit www.sandonhall.co.uk.

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28 June/July 2016

SANDON SPRING FAIR

istoric hall

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June/July 2016 29

Stage Directions

by Richard Lane

Win tickets to see Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre at The Regent Theatre oin one of literature’s most iconic heroines on a journey of courage, romance and tragedy with the World Première tour of Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre.

Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë and performed during the 200 anniversary of her birth, Northern Ballet will bring this beautiful love story to life at The Regent Theatre from

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Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th June 2016.

Jane Eyre is choreographed by internationally acclaimed British dance-maker Cathy Marston who previously created the Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities for Northern Ballet in 2008. For this new production, Cathy has brought on-board composer Philip Feeney to compile and arrange a score for Jane Eyre made up of original compositions and existing work. In addition, Patrick Kinmonth, who has worked closely with photographer Mario Testino and has designed over 20 theatrical productions, will design the sets and costumes.

Completing the creative team, Alastair West, whose Northern Ballet credits include Giselle, I Got Rhythm, A Christmas Carol and The Architect, will design the lighting.

Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE said: ‘Having already adapted Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights it seems appropriate that Northern Ballet should also immortalise her sister’s Jane Eyre through dance and doing so in the bicentennial anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth makes it all the more special.’

Join Northern Ballet for this beautifully timeless tale told through the Company’s unique blend of classical ballet and drama.

Northern Ballet will also perform its new children’s ballet Tortoise & the Hare at The Regent Theatre on Wednesday 15th June (performances at 12.30pm and 2.30pm).

Tickets are now on sale and are available from The Regent Theatre Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or visiting www.atgtickets.com/stoke

To win two tickets to see Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre at The Regent Theatre on Tuesday 14th June at 7.30pm, answer the following question correctly:

WHICH OF THE BRONTE SISTERS WROTE JANE EYRE? Circle your choice:

a. Charlotte

b. Emily

c. Anne

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

Please send your entry to Leek Life Magazine, 18 Tape St, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST10 1BD. Deadline for entries: Tuesday 7th June 2016 30 June/July 2016

ROOFTOP STUDIOS

LOCAL SIBLINGS TO STAR IN TV ADVERT

SIBLING STARS IN THE MAKING

brother and sister from Eccleshall are set to appear on TV screens across the country in a new advert for the leisure store GO Outdoors.

Jessica and Callum Cresswell aged nine and eight respectively, who train at Stone performing arts academy Rooftop Studios, were cast in the ad following auditions in Manchester in early March.

Filming took place just a week later in Wales with the pair put forward for the roles by Londonbased BAM Actors’ Agency which has a close relationship with students of Rooftop Studios’ Saturday Stage Academy classes.

Jessica and Callum’s mum, Ginny Cresswell, said: “We’re all so excited about the advert – it’s brilliant that Callum and Jessica have had the chance to work together. Jessica has been with BAM Actors’ Agency for over three years now, and has had some really good opportunities to work on everything from adverts to extras roles in films – she even got invited to audition for the role of Sophie in the new BFG film last year, but we were away on a family holiday when the call came.

“Callum got interested in joining when he realised that not only was his sister having lots of fun, but that he could also earn money to expand his Lego collection - so he signed up, too! This is the second time they have been successfully auditioned to work together as siblings – there was another commercial last year, but filming was cancelled at the last minute. The GO

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Outdoors experience has been fantastic throughout – the auditions were relaxed and friendly, really allowing the kids to show the family dynamic as well as their singing skills. They were up against a lot of other youngsters, and we are so proud of their achievement having been chosen for the roles. We’re now looking forward to seeing the final cut of the ad on TV and to the next opportunity that comes around.”

Laura Keeling, Studio Director at Rooftop Studios added: “We’re all hugely proud of Jessica and Callum, this was a great opportunity and they performed brilliantly. We love giving our students the chance to gain professional performing experience – whether they’re building a CV with a view to a career on the stage, or simply want to have fun. BAM Actors’ Agency are great partners, we’ve been working with them for a number of years to offer our Stage Academy students the chance to join a professional, London-based agency and there have been some brilliant results. The team at the agency are great at working with kids and matching them to suitable roles for audition, and we can’t wait for the next agency recruitment session.”

June/July 2016 31

LUXURY CAT ACCOMMODATION Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-12pm & 5pm-7pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm

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32 June/July 2016

STONE REVELLERS

Curtain goes up on next show

he curtain is about to go up on Stone Revellers next show, a stage adaptation of the brilliant and much loved sit-com, Father Ted. Centralising around the well intentioned but occasionally amoral Priest, Ted, the story takes audiences along a hilarious and often surreal journey.

With the ‘help’ of his impossibly dense side kick, Dougal, the constant pestering of his house maid, Mrs Doyle and the less than cooperative and verbally abusive alcoholic, Father Jack, Ted’s battle with his own patience, theist morality and general sanity are tested to the very limit. Throw in an explosive and intimidating Bishop whose only goal is to be finally rid of the whole bunch and you’re left with

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a great evening of comic satisfaction for all the family.

There’s even a fish and chip supper included with the price of a ticket.

Don’t miss this fantastic show being staged from Tuesday 7th June until Saturday 11th June.

Performances run from 7.30pm to 11pm at St Michael’s Hall, in Lichfield Street, Stone.

A fully licensed bar will be available. Tickets cost £12 and are available from the Home and Colour Centre on Stone High Street, Tel. 01785 817307.

For any more information email Info@stonerevellers.org.uk, visit the website www.stonerevellers.org.uk or www.facebook.com/stonerevellers, Twitter: @StoneRevellers.

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BRILLIANT BRUSHSTROKES

The art of Fine Art

ith realistic, vibrant paintings perfectly capturing landscapes, animals, people and still life, Derek Shapiro’s fine artwork is truly breathtaking.

With an obsession for realism, his stunning creations have the detail of a photograph and the soul of a painting, with an eye for detail so true to life it’s easy to see why his successful painting career has spanned an incredible 35 years.

But surprisingly, Derek was denied a place at Art College when he left school.

With no formal qualifications to his name, he spent years doing various jobs, including a stint in the rag trade working for master tailors.

But although he enjoyed it, this was not the type of work he was inspired by and eventually Derek went in search of pastures new.

It was not until he was 28 years of age that he got back into the art world, after spotting an advert in the local paper; he ended up working at the world-renowned Wedgewood group, in the prestige department of Coalport China where he trained to paint on fine bone china.

Derek, who has had a working gallery at

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34 June/July 2016

Slater’s Craft Village for the past 15 years as well as a small gallery in his home village of Woore, spoke to Newcastle Life magazine about his prolific career.

He explained: “I wasted my time at school, I was not really interested in it, and because Art College required O-Levels which I didn’t have, I never got in.

“I remember working for a week solid before my interview at Coalport in an effort to put together a portfolio of work, which at the time I also didn’t have!

“But my hard work paid off and they must’ve seen something in me because I was offered the job, ahead of people who had in fact been to Art College and gained degrees. It was great.”

Derek started as a freehand artist, painting on fine bone china for the gift ware market, eventually working on historic editions and prototypes.

When he was made redundant in 1979, he was determined not to be deterred and he set about creating freelance artwork to sell and within a few years decided to switch to oil painting.

Completely self taught in oil painting, Derek now spends his time creating visually stunning pieces in oil on canvas.

His obsession and attention to detail is evident in the works he produces today and cover an eclectic mix of subject matter, which is quite a rarity in itself, for an artist to jump from one subject to another. His aim is to work without compromise to achieve the space and depth no matter the subject which give his work the substance he strives for.

He continued: “ the way I achieve the end result I’m looking for is by working on several paintings at the same time, so whilst I’m waiting for paint to dry I’ll switch to another canvas, and because my paintings take a long time to do I can return to each painting with fresh eyes. Another reason is my attention span is low and I get bored painting the same things - it keeps things interesting doing different things. Besides, I’d hate to be labelled as the artist who paints stick figures!

In the past he has exhibited in various galleries in the UK and the Netherlands and been accepted by the Society of Marine Artists in the Mall Galleries as well as holding solo exhibitions at Tatton Park, Weston Hall the N.E.C. and even the South African Embassy and has plenty of exciting projects on the horizon.

BRILLIANT BRUSHSTROKES Derek specialises in commissioned work and also offers a full restoration service of period and old oil and water colour paintings. You can view Derek’s art at www.shapirofineart.com, on Facebook, Twitter and he now has an online Etsy store.

Before

Country Gallery After

HIGH QUALITY PICTURE RESTORATION SERVICE

• For oil paintings, watercolours and prints • No matter how damaged, old, dusty or discoloured • All work carried out by qualified experts • We offer an assessment service without obligation Please call 07746 001904 or 01630 647345 for an appointment June/July 2016 35

QUIZ CORNER

Let’s get quizzical COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

General Knowledge Quiz 1. Which magician who was born in Middlesbrough with the first names Newton Edward died in March aged 77?

2. A fillet of beef, covered in pate and mushrooms, wrapped in puff pasty and baked in an oven. Whats the name of this dish?

3. According to a 16th century law what colour must all Venetian gondolas be painted?

4. What word links these years: 1666, 1851, 1963?

6. Who fell for Ann Darrow in 1933?

7. In the nursery rhyme who was the black sheep's second bag of wool for?

8. In which athletics event is the women's world record better than the men's?

9. Which country took the song '1944' to Eurovision success in May? 10. What monopoly square is found between Marlborough Street and Bow Street?

A ‘Fathers’ quiz for Fathers Day 1. Which singer had a hit with 'Father Figure' in 1988?

2. Father Abraham was associated with which cartoon characters?

3. Which actor played the title role in the 1991 film, ‘Father of the Bride’?

4. What island did Father Ted have his parish on?

5. In which book would you find the characters Scout and her father Atticus Finch?

6. In the Shakespeare play what was Hamlet's fathers name?

7. Which cricket ground has a weather vane topped by Old Father Time ?

8. Who is Jaden Smith's father who appeared with him in the 2006 film 'The Pursuit of Happiness'?

9. What is the connection between The Magic Roundabout and the father of the disciples James and John?

10. Released in 1966, which Beatles song features Father McKenzie darning his socks?

General Knowledge Answers: 1. Paul Daniels (He was born Newton Edward Daniels and took his stage name of Paul from his son); 2. Beef Wellington; 3. Black; 4. Great (Fire, Exhibition and Train Robbery); 5. Max Verstappen (Aged just 18 years and 228 days he beat Sebastian Vettel's record by 2 years and 210 days); 6. King King (The giant gorilla fell to his death from the Empire State Building protecting Ann); 7. The Dame; 8. Discus (Men's record is 74.08m while the Women's is 76.80m due mostly to the discus being half the weight for women); 10. Community Chest Fathers Day Answers: 1. George Michael (Only got to number 11 in the UK but was a US number One); 2. Smurfs (First appeared in a Belgian comic in 1958); 3. Steve Martin (He reprised the role played by Spencer Tracy in the 1950 original); 4. Craggy Island (Unfortunately Frank Kelly, who played foul-mouthed Father Jack died in February this year exactly 18 years after the death of Father Ted himself Dermot Morgan); 5. To Kill A Mockingbird (Pulitzer Prize winning novel written by Harper Lee and published in 1960); 6.

Hamlet; 7. Lords; 8. Will Smith; 9. Zebedee (He was a jack-in-the-box in The Magic Roundabout); 10. Elenor Rigby

36 June/July 2016

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

5. Who became the youngest ever F1 race winner when he won the Spanish Grand Prix in May?

FLIPPING FABULOUS COMPETITION!

WIN A FAMILY FLIP OUT!

lip Out trampoline arena in Stone is THE new family and leisure venue in Staffordshire.

Since Flip Out Stoke opened last December, more than 150,000 big and little ninjas have enjoyed some good flipping fun at the trampoline arena at Stone Business Park; giving more than 250 five star reviews and getting it into TripAdvisor’s top 10 places for fun and games in Staffordshire as a result.

The 27,000 ft2 arena is home to a range of fun trampoline based activities – including an under 7s area, foam pits, wall climbers and basketball trampoline ‘slam dunk’ court. If you’re not feeling super fit or adventurous and you just want to leave the kids to it, there is a cosy café and galleried viewing area where you can sit, chill out and keep an eye out!

There are also birthday party packages and special after dark sessions on Friday evenings

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from 8pm to 10pm – complete with music, lasers and smoke machines.

The Flip Out team have kindly donated four passes for one hour’s bouncing as a competition prize for Newcastle Life readers - so the whole family can enjoy a great Flip Out together!

Flipping normally costs £10 per hour, plus a £1.50 charge for a special pair of Flip Out grip socks that you can keep and reuse for future visits.

Flip Out Stoke is open from 9am to 10pm daily at Stone Business Park (postcode ST15 0SS). Booking is strongly recommended, particularly during school holidays and weekends – you can book online at www.stoke.flipout.co.uk or call the team on 0845 450 9553.

For all the latest offers, cool pictures and news, follow the guys at www.facebook.com/FlipOutStoke, or on twitter or Instagram at @FlipOutStoke

To win a free family pass for Flip Out Stoke (an hour-long session for four people), simply answer the following question correctly:

HOW BIG IS THE FLIP OUT ARENA? a: 15,000ft2

b: 7,000ft2

c: 27,000ft2

(Circle your answer)

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

Please send your entry to Stone Life Magazine, 18 Tape St, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST10 1BD, or email your answer with your name, address and telephone number to admin@timesandecho.co.uk.

Entries to be received by 24th June 2016. Booking in advance is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment www.stoke.flipout.co.uk. Winners will be required to buy their Flip Out grip socks at a cost of £1.50 per pair.

June/July 2016 37

FIRST AID

Learn to be a life-saver T

he green and black uniform of St John Ambulance volunteers, with a silver eightpointed cross, is a familiar sight to millions of people across the UK and the world.

One of the nation’s leading first aid providers, St John Ambulance volunteers can be seen at hundreds of events from village fairs to football matches - each of them giving up their time to provide first aid when needed.

In Stone, SJA Corporal, Ellis Nevitt, is appealing for young people to consider learning vital first aid skills by joining the town’s branch of St John Ambulance Cadets.

Ellis said: “The cadets and adults unit of Stone

38 June/July 2016

consists of only 10 people altogether and five of those are cadets.

“There are a lot of events that we try to provide first aid cover for, but with busy adult members, cadets off to university and some with training not yet finished, we are in need of urgent help.

“St John Ambulance offer first aid training to youngsters from the age of just seven and many of the people you see volunteering have been committed to the organisation since that age.

“Being a cadet has been a great experience in knowing that you know what to do when it matters most and also about making friends with other people.”

The mascot of young St John Ambulance volunteers, Bertie the Badger (pictured), is the namesake of the badger setts - the groups for younger children interested in getting involved with the charity.

The Stone cadets unit meets every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm at the Frank Jordan Community Centre in Lichfield Road and is open to everyone above the age of seven.

More information is available at www.sja.org, or parents of potential cadets are welcome to contact the unit on 07737 752538.

CLASS CHAT

WE HAD A ‘BALL’ ST DOMINIC PRIORY SCHOOL

t. Dominic’s Priory School in Stone held their Spring Ball at Stoke City Football Club’s Britannia Stadium recently.

The event was kindly sponsored by Stoke City Chairman, Mr Peter Coates and organised by Mrs Stacey, a parent at the school on behalf of the PFA. 10% of the funds raised from ticket sales were donated to Douglas Macmillan Hospice, the rest of the proceeds will go towards projects that will enrich and enhance the pupils educational experiences at the school.

Nick Hancock, comedian, presenter, actor and one of the best-known Stoke City supporters around kindly agreed to give his time for the evening and acted as a very able and humorous Master of Ceremonies.

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The Auction was hosted by Mark Gardiner whose expertise and experience ensured all donated Lots received the maximum of bids.

Entertainment was supplied by ‘Groove Environment’, a fantastic seven piece band playing classic soul, funk and disco covers; they had everyone up on the dance floor which shows just how good they really were.

Rebecca Harrison, Headteacher of St. Dominic’s Priory School expressed her appreciation to all involved and reiterated how much the funds raised would enhance the school and their students.

Visit the school’s website www.stdominicspriory.co.uk to view pictures of the event and learn more about the evening and the school.

June/July 2016 39

CLASS CHAT

New facilities are something to smile about hildren and staff are celebrating the completion of a host of new facilities at All Saints (CE) school and Busy Bees nursery in Standon.

New facilities include a new early years allweather outdoor playground, an outdoor classroom for key stage 1 pupils, and a redesigned multi-purpose classroom which is home to the school’s Kingfisher club for before and after school care.

The school is a voluntary-controlled CE school with just under 60 children aged 5 to 9. It serves Standon, Cotes Heath and surrounding villages and is also home to Busy Bees pre-school, which opens from 8.55am to 3.30pm during term time.

The new indoor and outdoor learning spaces have been created thanks to a £10,000 big lottery grant, combined with funding from All Saints Church and the school’s PTFA. The new early years play area includes artificial turf so that children can play out safely whatever the weather, as well as a den building area, story-telling circle, balance beam, mud kitchen and sand and water tables.

Headteacher Vicki Bradley commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the new facilities and all the great team work that has helped to secure funding and get everything completed. We are a small, close-knit village school and parents, governors and teachers have all worked together to enhance pupils’ access to outdoor learning and play as a regular part of their curriculum.”

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40 June/July 2016

She added: “Indoors, our redesigned intervention room provides a creative and inspiring multi-purpose classroom, housing our extensive home reading book library and allowing small groups to work quietly and access additional support with a variety of activities. It is also home to our Kingfisher Club for wraparound care from 7.55am to 5.30pm.”

In addition to the school’s indoor and outdoor learning facilities, the school PTFA has renovated the pond with support from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, a donation of bark from Travis Perkins, and funding from the parish council.

CLASS CHAT

WALTON PRIORY STARLET IN ADVERT WITH LIVERPOOL FC my Keen-Wicks, a pupil at Walton Priory Middle School, has found fame starring alongside Premiership footballers in a new television advert.

Amy appears alongside Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp in the most recent Nivea for Men products advert. The local youngster isn’t however unfamiliar with the bright lights of stardom after featuring in other TV adverts before this. Amy who loves music and drama said: “It was fascinating to see how all the shots were edited and put together to make the final piece. I have learnt a lot from this.”

Acting headteacher Lindsay Taylor-Potts said: “Although Amy appears in a cheeky role in the ad she is actually a very polite and hardworking young lady and we are all very proud of her at Walton Priory”.

The advert can be seen on television or online at youtube.com/NIVEAMENUK. Amy is currently in rehearsals for the school production of ‘Alice the musical’ which will be performed between 6th and 8th July.

In other school news, as part of their science curriculum lessons, Year 5 children have had the

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opportunity to take part in an exciting adventure. Pupils from the school were chosen to participate in the Rocket Science experiment that compares seeds that have been in space, with Tim Peake, against ones that have remained here on Earth.

Mrs Williamson, Year 5 class teacher, remarked: “The children were very excited and privileged to be part of this experiment and have been speculating about what they think may happen to the seeds.”

Seeds have now been planted and the children have to make careful observations about progress made.

June/July 2016 41

TITTENSOR

C H I R O P O DY / P O D I AT RY State Registered Chiropodist with the Health & Care Profession Council

Member of "The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists"

Over a decade of NHS experience Bachelor Honours Degree in Podiatry Medicine Offer various treatments: Nail cut & treatment of skin & nail infections, Removal of Hard Skin & Corns, Verruca treatment, Ingrowing toenails, Nail surgery.

20 Bracken Close, Copeland Avenue, Winghouse Lane, Tittensor, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST12-9JD For an appointment please call

Leila Burgess mobile: 07946 353816 (please leave a message & you will be contacted)

www.tittensorchiropodyandpodiatry.co.uk Info@tittensorpodiatryandchiropody.co.uk

42 June/July 2016

Barlaston Herons

lively and enjoyable AGM took place in April with 28 ladies celebrating a busy centenary year.

The Herons have had some fantastic speakers throughout the year including humorous talks, various craft sessions and nature aspects such as design your own hanging baskets. All meetings, of course, accompanied by home baked refreshments!

A huge thanks was given to all 36 members as each individual is part of this wonderful WI and all contribute in many ways from baking, running stalls and charity/community work.

Particular thanks was given to Jo Gent who has stepped down from the role of president following a busy year and Sam Taylor was welcomed as president for the coming year.

There is a real focus this next year to increase the social events and encourage shared hobbies alongside learning new skills. The Barlaston Herons WI welcomes new members and visitors to their meetings held on the third Wednesday of the month starting at 7.30pm and held at the Methodist Hall in Park Drive, Barlaston.

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Are you getting enough R&R? (Rest & Relaxation) Hints and tips on wellbeing with Diane Connor FdSc MFHT ummer has arrived and our annual Stone Festival is upon us. A time to have fun and to enjoy being outdoors. There are many ways in which we can experience rest and relaxation .A simple picnic by a river or in the park. Time spent with friends in the garden maybe enjoying a barbecue. There are also other ways to experience that lovely feeling that rest and relaxation creates.

in the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all parts of the body. The art is the unique technique that the therapist applies to the reflex areas by use of the thumbs and fingers. Reflexology is a holistic therapy in that it uses the feet or hands to treat the whole body and aims to restore balance by increasing the circulation to the internal organs and glands.

Have you considered Reiki and Reflexology?

So How Can R (Reiki) & R (Reflexology) benefit a person?

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These two complementary therapies when combined together give a wonderful healing effect on the body and mind and help to create feelings of calmness and peace so necessary in today’s world.

So what is Reiki and how does it work?

Well to put it simply Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of healing that was discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in the late nineteenth century. Reiki energy is transferred from the Reiki Practitioner to a person by the laying on of hands. By channelling positive energy into the body of the client a Reiki Practitioner can help the person to release negative stress and recharge their energy levels to promote balance and calmness. Reiki is not a religion and you don’t have to believe in it in order to receive its benefits.

Reflexology

Reflexology is another form of natural healing that is both an art and a science. The science lies

These two powerful treatments when combined can: • Induce a state of deep relaxation • Relieve pain • Accelerate natural healing • Amplify energy levels • Dissolve energy blocks in the body • Improve health and well-being

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Book your appointment now on 07967 434232 1 Mile from Stone Town Centre www.angelinaholistictherapies.net

June/July 2016 43

HEALTHWATCH STAFFORDSHIRE

Share your views on healthcare ealthwatch Staffordshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care services in Staffordshire, delivered by Engaging Communities. Our job is to argue for the consumer interests of those using health and social care services across the county, and give local people an opportunity to speak out about their concerns and health care priorities. The information people share will help improve local services for all! We can also signpost you to local services and give you information on what is available.

Everyone who uses health and social care services has the right to expect a high standard.

Healthwatch can help your local services achieve these standards, but to do this we need your help. We need you to ‘Have Your Say’ about your experiences of health and social care services in Staffordshire; we want your feedback, stories and comments – as many as possible.

We constantly monitor and review our Experience Exchange feedback platform which records experience of local services.

Your feedback provides essential information on how we can

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argue for your interests and of those using health and social care services across the county.

When you engage with us and give us your feedback it helps service providers to make decisions that shape their services and the information you provide helps to enhance the experience for your fellow service users. We listen to your feedback and pass this onto relevant people who make decisions or changes that reflect what you tell us. If you wish to submit your own feedback, suggestion or comment visit our Experience Exchange site; www.healthwatchstaffordshire.c o.uk/x2 Healthwatch Staffordshire also offer a range of volunteer opportunities, anyone can volunteer, and all you need is passion and enthusiasm. We welcome a diverse range of volunteers from all walks of life, from sixth form students looking to gain experience to put on UCAS applications, University students doing health and social care related degrees, and professionals looking to give some of their spare time to a good cause.

Training and support is available for every role, and

Our wonderful Advocacy Team - awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) after a lengthy assessment and accreditation process.

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We are extremely pleased to have been accredited with Volunteering England's Investing in Volunteers standard.

experience is not essential. The most important thing we look for is a belief that people in Staffordshire should have the best health and social care services possible, and a desire to be part of making that happen.

We also provide a free, confidential and independent health complaints advocacy service to support residents of Staffordshire make complaints about their NHS care and treatment. From GP complaints, concerns about your dentist, delays getting appointments, problems with your clinical care at hospital, we can help with any complaint about the NHS. Our specially trained advocates can support you to make your complaint, help you to get answers to questions and make a real difference to help improve local health services by highlighting where problems are. You can talk to us free on 0800 161 5600. Talk to us Make your voice count.

For more information, visit our website at www.healthwatchstaffordshire.c o.uk; call 0800 0518371 or search for HWStaffordshire on twitter, Healthwatch Staffordshire on Facebook.

HEALTHWATCH STAFFORDSHIRE

June/July 2016 45

RIDGWAYS HEARING CENTRE

Let the specialists hav Celebrating 30 years in the hearing industry

ou wouldn’t think twice about booking an appointment to see an optician if you were having trouble with your eye sight so why should your hearing be any different?

This simple change in mindset is something Alison Ridgway and the team at Ridgways Hearing Centre based at 4 Queen Street in Newcastle under Lyme, have been working on changing, with some fantastic results.

People today, more than ever before, are recognising that the most important ingredient to a happy and fulfilling life is good health. A person’s health can have a far reaching impact on their quality of life, family, and financial security, with hearing loss being a major contributing factor to this.

Hearing loss can occur for a number of reasons and to anybody, not just the elderly.

Some causes can be natural and others would surprise you.

As people age, they might begin to lose their

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ring Hea s los ems l b o pr d’ ‘sounar? li fami 46 June/July 2016

hearing as a result of the natural aging process but one of the most common causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noises.

There are also medical reasons for suffering hearing loss such as viruses, bacteria, heart conditions or after suffering a stroke, a head injury, tumor and even certain medicines can effect how well you can hear. New studies have revealed some surprising causes as well, like diabetes or hypertension.

The business was initially set up by Alison Ridgway, a fully qualified audiologist and ear care practitioner with over 30 years experience in the hearing industry where she has worked in the NHS and private sector as well as with many local GPs and ear, throat and nose specialists. Alison, along with her small independent team, including Karen Mallaburn and Barbara Millard, are able to offer help and advice on any aspect of your hearing care.

Ridgways Hearing Care offers a whole host of services, many of which are becoming less and less available on the NHS. These include: hearing tests; full ear examinations, including advice on wax management; ear wax removal performed by a qualified ear health care practitioner with no need for ear drops or oil prior to treatment; safe gentle irrigation techniques to remove ear wax; demonstrations and trials of hearing aids; advice on National Health and private hearing aids; tinnitus management; advice on telephone and television solutions. They are so confident of their services, they even offer clients a two month money back trial.

As an independent business, the Ridgways team are also able to offer cross market products to suit every individual’s needs and at very competitive prices too.

The stigma associated with wearing a hearing aid is a thing of the past these days with devices designed to enhance an individuals hearing experience in a variety of listening environments,

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RIDGWAYS HEARING CENTRE

ave a word in your ear

depending on their lifestyle and how active they are.

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

in a variety of discreet and Did you stylish colours, with some virtually know yo invisible. hearing ur Based in Queen hea has a dir lth Street in Newcastle e under Lyme, the effect on ct your small team of friendly overall and approachable staff will ease the process of health? seeking advice on your ear health with their personable and welcoming style.

They will then be able to professionally point each client in the right direction as regards to what the next steps will be in sorting out their hearing problems, while offering advice on treatment types and products which will best suit each individual and their needs.

COMMON SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS • Frequently having to ask people to repeat themselves • Having trouble hearing in noisy or busy places • Misunderstanding conversations • Finding that people are mumbling • Increasing the volume on the television • Avoiding social situations If any of these sound familiar it is a good idea to make an appointment with Alison or one of her team at Ridgways Hearing Care where they will carry out a full hearing evaluation.

This will confirm if you have a hearing loss and together, with the help of the staff at Ridgways, can determine the correct course of action.

Hearing loss treatment is a simple process that can quickly get you back on track and enjoying life to the fullest. What better reasons could there be to pop in or ring up and make an appointment with the team at Ridgways today.

4 QUEEN STREET, NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME, ST5 1ED Tel: 01782 622545 • Mob: 07581 087908 Web: www.ridgwayshearingcare.com E-mail: info@ridgwayshearingcare.com June/July 2016 47

48 June/July 2016

June/July 2016 49

STAFFORDSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE

Stone Community Fire Station EVENT MARKS OFFICIAL OPENING

tone’s new community fire station was officially opened during a special ceremony at the end of spring.

Chief Fire Officer Rebecca Bryant and Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) Councillor Mark Deaville joined Station Manager David Steele at the celebration which took place on Wednesday, 20th April.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson CBE, performed the official opening, watched by serving and former firefighters based at Stone and visiting members of the Estonian Rescue Board. Local dignitaries were also in the audience along with representatives of organisations that use the community rooms.

Station Manager David Steele said: “This is a very exciting time, both for the firefighters who are based at Stone and for members of the local community.

“The station is part of a multi-million investment to make Staffordshire a much safer place to live, work and visit. The ethos behind the new-look facility is to provide a multi-purpose venue with a variety of functions.

“Stone Community Fire Station will not only be a response facility where firefighters will turn out to emergencies but will also provide a base where vital prevention and protection work can be carried out with and for the people.

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50 June/July 2016

“The community fire station is a very strong tool in the fire service kit. Interacting much more closely and regularly with local people will help us to reduce the number and severity of incidents reported. This, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities, ensure it is fit to meet the needs of a 21st Century fire and rescue service.

The £3 million community fire station has replaced the outdated base at Fillybrooks, Walton which was built in 1975. It was designed to enable firefighters to respond more efficiently and effectively to modern-day emergencies.

Stone Community Fire Station opened on 12th January, 2015 and was the fourth facility to become operational in phase two of a major upgrade of buildings across the county. When the project is complete, 10 new community fire stations will have been built plus a brand new station at Loggerheads which will replace the 45year-old station at Ashley.

The first phase saw three additional stations developed and seven stations replaced between October 2009 and September 2011. The Service will have invested a total of £90 million, funded through a Private Finance Initiative, on improving the stations when the project has been completed.

Facilities within the building have been created specifically with the community in mind and for the use of residents.

STONE ST MICHAEL’S 10K ROAD RACE

On your marks...

RUNNERS PREPARE FOR POPULAR ROAD RACE

rganisers and participants of this year’s Stone St Michael’s 10K road race are gearing up for another successful event which is set to take place on Sunday 19th June.

The popular road race will again be supporting St. Michael’s CE (VC) First School and Girlguiding Stone Outward Division’s Kenyan SMILE project.

Now in its 22nd year, the two lap course is one of the UK’s flattest courses with personal bests almost guaranteed.

Supported by Stone Master Marathoners and North Staffordshire Road Running Association, the race attracts hundreds of runners each year, many taking part in a serious capacity and others just for fun.

Only advance entry into the 10k is accepted with the race limit set at 600 entrants who must be at least 15 years of age on the race day (19th June 2016) in order to participate. The course is unsuitable for wheelchairs and use of MP3/other music players is strictly prohibited for safety reasons. Any runners found using music players will be disqualified.

Prizes will be up for grabs for all age groups, and will be presented as soon as possible after the race in the school hall.

Male and Female changing and toilet facilities are available at the school, but no showers. There

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is however a supervised security room in which kit can be left. The route is a fully marshalled and coned off two lap course along the A51 and A34 with lead motorbike and back-up vehicle.

Runners are asked to assemble in Weaver’s Lane by 9.50am and will be under starters orders from the school at 10am prompt.

The event has now come to incorporate the school’s summer fate which includes a children’s fun run, stalls, and a super selection of homemade cakes before and after the race so is ideal for the whole family to go along to.

The Stone St. Michael’s 10K is a non-profit race with all proceeds shared between St. Michael’s CE (VC) First School and Stone Outward Division Girlguiding SMILE project.

Since the race was re-introduced in 2005, many local and international runners have featured in the event, which last year helped raise over £3000, and in the previous four races organisers have reached the maximum entry of 600 well before race day, so don’t delay and get signed up to race today.

The race has grown from strength to strength, now becoming a family event firmly established as one of the area's top races.

You can enter online at www.stone10k.co.uk or by post Stone 10k , 17 Craddock Road,Stafford ST16 1QA. Enquiry Line: 07804043541

June/July 2016 51

STING’S LUCKY13 CHALLENGE

Half-marathon man Chr

DEDICATED RUNNER COMPLETES GRUELLING CHALLENGE

hris Salmon, a Stock and Systems Analyst at Wincanton’s National Distribution Centre for Screwfix, recently completed an incredible challenge by running 13 half marathons in 13 weeks for local charity STING – Staffordshire’s Therapeutic Independent Neurological Group.

STING, which is based on the Whitebridge Industrial Park in Stone is Charity of the Year at Wincanton’s National Distribution Centre for Screwfix, and Chris is hoping to raise £5000 for the charity.

After competing in half marathons ranging from London to Llanelli, and Stafford to Silverstone, Chris’s final events were Lichfield Half Marathon on Sunday 1st May, Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 8th May and Chester Half Marathon on Sunday 15th May. At Lichfield Chris was accompanied by his girlfriend Shaney Maull, who was attempting her

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52 June/July 2016

very first half marathon. Sunshine early on gave the impression that running conditions would be good, however, after a promising start, Chris was met by conditions that he was starting to become used to on his runs as the clouds came across, followed by the expected wind and rain!

However, as always, Chris battled bravely on to finish in another impressive time of 1 hours 47 minutes – 289th out of 903 finishers. Shaney was delighted to come in shortly after in 1 hour 56 minutes. Chris has been extremely consistent throughout the course of his first 11 half marathons, recording times between 1.39 and 1.48 despite hugely varying weather and course conditions – a testament to his preparation, fitness and determination.

After 11 half marathons in the previous 11 weeks, Chris was understandably feeling the effects of almost 150 running miles behind him when he took on the Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 8th May. A large field of runners was not the ideal condition in which to take on the race, but Chris dug into his reserves of energy to compete with the excellent atmosphere helping him cross the line in a worthy time of 1 hours 50 minutes. The impressive finishers’ medal was a deserved

STING’S LUCKY13 CHALLENGE

ris charity success

reward for this effort.

A beautiful sunny weekend was just what Chris was hoping for in order to conclude his amazing ‘STING’s Lucky 13’ challenge. And that was just what Chris was greeted with as he lined up with around six and a half thousand other runners at Chester Racecourse on Sunday 15th May to set off through the ancient streets of the city.

Wonderfully enthusiastic crowds cheered on the runners from the start creating an electric atmosphere for the runners right along the course. The crowds, and a host of bands and other entertainment lifted their sprits (as well as their pace) along the bright sunny route through Chester. The run finished in the centre of the city, with further large crowds enthusiastically greeting and singling out many individuals as they crossed the line.

After 13 weeks of testing half marathons, Chris would have been forgiven for merely strolling in to finish in one piece. However, despite expectations, he arrived back in 683rd place in an

incredible time of just over 1 hour 39 minutes, recording his fastest time of all 13 of his events!

After completing his ‘STING’s Lucky 13’ challenge, Chris is now having a deserved rest and putting his feet up (metaphorically speaking of course), though will no doubt shortly be planning further mind-boggling, energy-sapping challenges. An adrenaline junkie like Chris will surely not be content to play chess or do crosswords for the rest of his life – so watch out for news of his next campaign.

Chris’s amazing feat has brought him very close to his target of raising £5000 for STING, though anyone can still add to this sponsorship total by visiting localgiving.com to pledge an amount on his ‘STING’s Lucky 13’ link.

Alternatively text ‘HALF13 £10’ to 70070 to make a £10 donation.

For further details of Chris’s ambitious challenge, or to find more information about STING’s work in the community, contact Peter Marenghi on Tel. 07736-522474 or email petermarenghi@hotmail.co.uk.

June/July 2016 53

STAFFORD & STONE CANOE CLUB

Canoeists head to Krakow

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54 June/July 2016

Mike Dickinson and Isaac Barker.

Jasmine Royle and Christopher Bowers (pictured) both put in powerhouse performances over the two days, securing themselves places in the Tean GB U23 team for the World Championships in Krakow.

Paul Sunderland and David Bain secured reserve places on the team.

S&SCC spokesman, Deborah Homer, said: “A fantastic weekend of racing and again S&SCC paddlers have performed outstandingly.

“We congratulate you all.”

Photographs by Peter Milsom

wo canoeists from Stafford & Stone Canoe Club are to compete as part of Team GB at the sport’s World Championships this summer.

Athletes from the club will travel to the ICF Junior and U23 World Championships in Krakow, Poland, in July after excellent performances in selection races held in April.

The selection event for the 2016 GB Junior and U23 teams took place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April at Lee Valley White Water Centre, London.

Race one on Saturday would see competitors race over the full day with the best of their two runs counting towards their result, while the second and third races were both held on the second day, putting additional pressure on the paddlers.

Competing for selection for the C1 junior team were newly promoted Sam Maingay, while Robert Harratt had his sights set on the U23 team.

In the C1 women category, Jasmine Royle and Megan Bate were both competing as under 23, while the K1 men competing for selection from Stafford and Stone were Christopher Bowers, Paul Sunderland, David Bain, Austin Barker,

ECCLESHALL YOUNG FARMERS

Harriet reaches top heights in Backpool n Saturday 7th May, Harriet Wilson, member of Eccleshall Young Farmers Club (YFC), took to the stage to give a polished performance representing Staffordshire YFC in the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) Member of the Year finals at the Winter Gardens, in Blackpool.

Harriet, aged 24, did brilliantly in the finals coming a very credible 3rd place overall in the very hard fought national competition.

Harriet has been an active member of her local club, Eccleshall for ten years. She works for Co-operative Food as the Agricultural Manager for Dairy, a position which she attributes to her involvement in YFC from a young age which enabled her to develop a passion for developing a career within agriculture by networking across the industry, gaining skills through training and taking part in competitions, as well as gaining invaluable experience in a variety of sectors and throughout supply chains.

Harriet is the current Vice-Chairman of the Agricultural and Rural Issues (AGRI) steering group for NFYFC, West Midlands Area ViceChairman and a Club Leader of Eccleshall Young Farmers, her local club of whom she was the Club Chairman last year.

Within her involvement in the NFYFC AGRI forum she hopes to strengthen links with key industry stakeholders and continue to develop NFYFC projects such as; a match-making service for young farmers to access collaboration opportunities, increase the awareness of food production to school children and promotion of agriculture as an attractive and varied career path.

Harriet said “I am really looking forward to working with the AGRI steering group to drive forward projects and link in with key industry partners, like the NFU.” As part of the NFYFC Member of the Year Competition, Harriet has already won the Staffordshire County round, West Midlands Area round where she fought off strong competition from eight other members across the five counties and will now be amongst the top seven finalists from across the five area of YFC in

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England and Wales. The final consists of an informal interview with a panel of selected judges and then live on stage questions in front of the Drama competition audience in Blackpool.

For information on becoming a member or details of your local Club, contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser, on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.co.uk for further information. Our website at www.staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk has updated information about Staffordshire YFC and the local clubs, including recent event photos or follow the page on Facebook “Staffordshire YFC” or Twitter @staffyfc .

June/July 2016 55

GARDENING

Geraniums: Easy plan

by Martin Blow

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he hardy geraniums are well-loved plants that seem to have fallen out of fashion with garden trend-setters over recent years. I can’t understand why: they’re easy to grow, give great value in the garden and there are varieties that do well in the most difficult spots.

Commonly called Cranesbills (due to the shape of their seed pods) they are completely different to the half-hardy bedding plants many gardeners call Geraniums – these are really Pelargoniums.

Cranesbills come in many shapes and sizes from tiny alpines to large bushy monsters 34ft tall and wide. Some, but by no means all, are quite invasive – I sincerely regret planting Geranium malviflorum after 5 years of trying to irradiate it. However, most Geraniums are well-behaved and easy to care for. Here are some of my favourites for different locations.

For dry, sunny spots you can’t do better than the Bloodroot Geraniums (G. sanguineum) which are prostrate plants with a mat of ground-hugging stems with small slug-resistant leaves. The flowers are large in

56 June/July 2016

relation to the height of plants and come in many shades of pink as well as white. One of the best is “Elke” with very large silver-edged pink flowers. I’d also recommend Striatum (veined pinked flowers), Glenluce (lavender pink) and Album (pure white). You can cut these plants hard back after the first flowering (May – July) and they will respond with more flowers in August or September.

For shady but not too dry spots the Mourning Widow (Geranium phaeum) makes a good link between spring and summer with flowers from late April through to early July.

She gets her name from the mournful, maroon flowers of the wild types, however there are showier varieties to choose from.

My favourite is Geranium phaeum Album with masses of pure white flowers to brighten up a dark spot.

For really shady, dry places Geranium Czakor will provide ground covering, aromatic leaves and brilliant magenta flowering in early summer. This really is a tough customer succeeding where most plants would fail.

My favourite for more open sunny borders is the lovely, but fairly tall Meadow Cranesbill

GARDENING

nts for difficult places – Geranium pratense. These flower in midsummer and often repeat in autumn. The best of these is Mrs. Kendall Clark who has pearlyblue flowers and grows to 2ft 6in – 3ft tall.

Blue geraniums are also very popular, the best being the low growing Johnson’s Blue but I prefer Gravetye or Irish Blue as they flower for so much longer. The double Geranium himilayense Flore Plenum is also very attractive and low growing. The superstar of blue Geraniums must be Rozanne – she was voted plant of Centenary

by The Royal Horticultural Society for very

good reason. Her large white-centred blue flowers smoother the trailing stems of the plant from June to October and she grows well in partial shade. I find she makes a lovely container plant as well.

Geraniums can all be cut back after flowering and some will rebloom but all will grow fresh, attractive leaves. It’s worth dividing them every few years after flowering to keep them vigorous. They will benefit from your normal garden feeding programme – I feed with Growmore in spring and blood, fish and bone in summer.

Janet and Martin Blow run Special Perennials, a small garden nursery in Hankelow Cheshire. Their website www.specialperennials.com is full of colour photos and growing tips.

They sell by mail order and at Plant Hunters’ Fairs throughout the season and will be at Hodnet Hall Gardens TF9 3NN on Sat/Sun 4th/5th June (beautiful 63 acre gardens and fair only £3.50) and Sugnall Walled Garden (ST21 6NF) on Sunday 3rd July (gardens & fair £1.00) For plant fair details please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk June/July 2016 57

HOMES AND GARDENS

Next meeting set...

COLOUR IN THE LEAF

he Gardening Club of Stone Chrysanthemum and Dalia Society are set to meet for their next meeting on Thursday 9th June.

The meeting will commence at 7.45pm at the Christchurch Centre in Stone, ST15 8ZB. The talk for this meeting is entitled ‘Colour in the Leaf’ and will be hosted by Anthony Norman from Conquest plants of Macclesfield.

Everyone is welcome to go along and join the talk which will include lots of information, questions and debate following the guest speaker, plus refreshments all for £1.50. for any further information please call Tel. 01785 812097/813067.

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HOMES AND GARDENS

Repaint and redecorate efining the seasons is a rather tricky undertaking these days with our seemingly changing climate and weather patterns.

Traditionally June and July signal the transition from spring into summer offering the perfect opportunity for homeowners to give their property a timely overhaul.

Here are some easy-to-do projects that will make your house look great in time for the warmer weather that we’re all hoping for!

Whether you want your house to look great for you or for a potential buyer, these simple ideas can go a long way to making your house look better without costing you a lot of money.

Giving the front door and windows a fresh lick of paint will also give your home a clean and bright look. Be careful not to buy very cheap paint however as most outdoor surfaces tend to get quite a beating from the elements with cheaper paints tending to fade and flake more quickly.

If however the weather fails to live up to our hopeful expectations, as it often does, then an internal improvement project would be a more sensible prospect to undertake so why not redecorate or spruce up a room which might be looking a bit tired.

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HOMES AND GARDENS

Spruce up your home this summer

efore diving straight into a big property overhaul you first need to assess your home to determine the current state of things and look at what ideas you want to implement. Walk through your rooms and decide what jobs feature on the wish list and which need doing out of necessity.

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

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

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

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

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DO SOMETHING WILD THIS JUNE

STAFFORDSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

rom heading outside and listening to bird song, exploring a local nature reserve or even hugging a tree, people across Staffordshire are being invited to make room for nature and do something wild every day this June.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is inviting people across the county to take part in 30 Days Wild, an initiative challenging individuals, friends and families to sign up for a pack full of encouragement and ideas to get people engaging with nature throughout the whole of June.

The challenge involves people doing something nature related each day during June.

Challenges can be as simple as feeling the grass between your toes, planting wildflowers in your garden, reading your favourite nature book or downloading a phone app to tell the difference between different bird calls.

Jon Owen, Assistant Communications Officer for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “30 Days Wild aims to get as many people as close to nature as possible.

“During our busy lives, it is difficult sometimes to take a step back and look at the world around us.

“One of the best things about the challenge is if you do miss a day, you can just pick it up the following day and go from there.”

More than 18,500 people took part in The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge last

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year, committing around 300,000 ‘Random Acts of Wildness’ - different ways to connect with, experience and take action for nature.

Lucy McRobert, The Wildlife Trusts’ Nature Matters campaigns manager, said: “Last year, thousands of people undertook Random Acts of Wildness everywhere, from the centre of London to the Outer Hebrides.

“People let their lawns grow wild, adults danced in the rain and made nature cocktails while families created wild works of art, went star-gazing and created homes for wildlife in their gardens.

“Even people at work found time for wildlife, by taking meetings outside in the sun and transforming work spaces into wildlife habitats. “ The 30 Days Wild initiative was launched to help ensure people give themselves some time with nature and do something wild every day in June.

An impact study, by the University of Derby, of 30 Days Wild last year, revealed sustained increases in participants’ happiness, health, connection to nature and positive environmental behaviours, such as feeding the birds or growing flowers for pollinators like bees.

People can join in on social media using #30DaysWild and #MyWildLife and a 30 Days Wild Facebook Group.

Registration is now open to sign up for a pack full of ideas and encouragement for 30 Days Wild. People can do so by visiting www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild

June/July 2016 63

Staffordshire’s Industrial rities receive a Heritage comes with a 00 fundraising pot price – hearing loss!

LEGAL MATTERS

LEGAL MATTERS

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orth Staffordshire, and the towns and cities within it, has a history steeped with Competition’ regular dress down days heavyalongside industrythe such as mining, and ‘bring a bag to work’ scheme. manufacturing and steelworks but these It is four years since Grindeys Community was industries, which have historically boosted our formed and in that time it has raised in excess of local economy, comeJanine at a cost.

The £20,000 for localhave charities.

Webb, a hearing of local people!

Grindeys Community Committee member Working“There in heavy withat the constant commented, is aindustry huge appetite Grindeys to presence ofthe loud noise without any form engage with community and support our of local hearing canfundraising cause industrial deafness. charities.protection Each year the ideas get more adventurous andof creative and with the plans we The symptoms industrial deafness, which have for 2015 wehearing hope to and smash last year’s target.” include loss of tinnitus, often do not show until many years after the damage has *If you are interested in finding out hearing more about occurred.

People suffering with loss are Grindeys Community andworking the fundraising list please often unaware that the environment is to email community@grindeys.com to be added onto blame and assume their hearing loss is purely age the mailing list. related. There is a generation of local people who T: 01782 846 441 are suffering with industrial deafness which has a E: info@grindeys.com huge impact on their quality of life.

W:www.grindeys.co.uk

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deys year

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June/July 2015 61

Unfortunately the damage is irreversible but there is some good news for sufferers because their former employer may be liable to pay compensation.

In 1963, the government produced a report about excessive noise in the workplace and the potential damage to employees’ hearing.

Information was published and circulated to business owners which advised how to protect hearing by the use of ear plugs or noise reduction methods. Today any employer who ignored the initial report, and all other subsequent guidelines and laws that have been issued since, could be liable to pay compensation if an employee’s hearing has been damaged.

Compensation can even be claimed if the employer no longer exists. It is the company that insured the employer at the time of the employment that pays the compensation.

Grindeys have successfully won compensation for clients who worked for the National Coal Board, the former Steelworks and some of the now nonexistent ceramic firms.

To successfully claim there are criteria that need to be met: there must be adequate hearing loss; the noise in the workplace was over 85 decibels (to put into context this would make shouting necessary to have a conversation with nearby colleagues); they must bring the claim within three years of the date the deafness occurred or, the date they knew or ought to have known, that their hearing loss symptoms were associated with exposure to excessive levels of noise.

If you, or a friend or family member, meet these criteria more information can be found on Grindeys dedicated website www.industrialdeafnesscompensation.co.uk.

Alternatively contact one of our specialist lawyers on 01782 840 415 and they can answer any questions you may have. We offer an initial free assessment and in most cases, claims are negotiated on a no win, no fee basis so there is no risk to the claimant but compensation amounts range from £1,000 to £15,000.

MARKET VOLATILITY IS A FACT OF LIFE ne of the questions most frequently asked is whether market volatility is something that investors should worry about. The simple answer is that although we have seen great one-day market movements in recent years, there is nothing to fear from this.

Short term volatility is not something that should concern most investors for several reasons; not least of which is that losses and gains are only notional until the investment has been actually realised. For most people, having to wait a little longer than hoped for to get a better return is likely to be no more than an inconvenience.

Only those with a fixed date on which money has to be accessed (such as an impending retirement date) are likely to be affected and they can manage the situation by moving money gradually into less volatile assets.

O

Pound-cost averaging

There is even some potential benefit from fluctuating asset values, for those making regular investments. The reason for this is that more shares (or units in a collective investment) are purchased by a given regular sum of money invested, when prices are lower, than when they are higher. So, if prices suddenly drop when money is due to be invested, the amount will

INVESTMENT MATTERS

purchase more units in the fund. When it comes to selling, the investor will, therefore, have more units to encash, at a hopefully higher price than had he or she invested everything on ‘day one’.

This does not mean that lump sum investments are inferior to regular ones; simply that there are potential benefits from each approach. What really matters is that there is a clear investment strategy that reflects objectives and risk tolerance and that sufficient asset class diversity is present to avoid the ‘all eggs in one basket’ syndrome.

It is important always to seek independent financial advice before making any decision regarding your finances. For further information, please contact SDB Strategic Planners Ltd. Stuart D Bryant is a fee-based Certified Financial Planner, specialising in personal lifestyle planning and investment planning.

SDB Strategic Planners Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Tel: (01782) 712233

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

June/July 2016 65

MOTORING

Flower power keeps you moving asic car checks and regular maintenance can help Moorlands drivers avoid breakdowns and prevent unexpected bills for parts and repairs according to one of Britain’s most well-known motoring organisations, the AA. To help drivers remember the basic checks any car needs come rain or shine, the AA has come up with a simple acronym FLOWER:

damage may already have occurred by then.

FUEL

ELECTRICS

B

Top up when you pass a filling station rather than delay looking for one until the fuel light comes on – particularly if you’re driving in an unfamiliar area.

LIGHTS

Clean all exterior lights regularly and check for blown bulbs and cracks in the lens.

OIL

Cars can consume as much as a litre of oil every 1,000 miles. Check the oil level regularly (your handbook will show you how). Don’t wait for the red oil pressure warning light to come on - engine

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WATER

Overheating is a common cause of breakdowns, especially in hotter weather. Check the coolant level regularly (the handbook will show you how) and if the level always seems low, check for leakages. Top up the windscreen washer fluid too.

Battery problems are the number one cause of breakdowns at any time of year. Renew an old, tired battery before it lets you down. Also make sure that your electric radiator cooling fan starts running when the engine gets hot – you can check this by running the engine with the car stationary.

RUBBER

Incorrectly inflated tyres are not only unsafe, they wear out faster and can increase fuel consumption by around 5 per cent. If you’re driving with extra passengers or luggage, remember to increase your tyre pressure accordingly (see your handbook).