Staffordshire Guardian Issue 3

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NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM TO START WORK ON £15.7M PLAN

The National Memorial Arboretum has reached a major milestone in its £15.7m appeal. The fundraising target smashed earlier this week will mean construction work will kick off over the summer months to be completed by the end of 2016.

Since 2010, the Arboretum has been actively exploring the need to provide better facilities for visitors at its Remembrance Centre in Staffordshire. The Duke of Cambridge launched the fundraising campaign when he visited the Alrewas site in April 2009.

The new facilities will cater for 500,000 visitors per year and will include a dedicated education hub that will enable the Arboretum to expand its engagement from 10,000 schoolchildren a year to 25,000. Arboretum chiefs said more than £10m of the amount needed for the development has been raised. Work can now start,

to pave the way for a better user experience whilst celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Arboretum.

Despite the reception area, café and shop undergoing an extensive overhaul, it will be business as usual as the Arboretum will be open throughout the construction work. The landmark achievement would have been a pipeline ambition, had it not been for the magnanimous generosity of local leaders and charity groups. These include lead funders Staffordshire County Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Major donations include a £650,000 award from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN), a not for profit Environmental Body that distributes landfill tax credits on behalf of one of the UK’s leading waste and resource management companies, FCC Environment.

Sarah Montgomery, Managing Director of the Arboretum, said:

“We are thrilled to have reached this critical milestone in our bid to fund much-needed new facilities.

I’m extremely grateful to our Appeal Council, chaired by Major General Patrick Cordingley, and the Arboretum team, for all their hard work to secure funds raised so far and to all our supporters.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to WREN - the latest generous contributor to our campaign.”

Major General Patrick Cordingley, Chair of the Appeal Council, said: “Raising £10m to date is a major achievement, since it will enable us to get the building work underway within months, and we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has made this possible.”

Peter Cox, Managing Director of WREN added: “The WREN Board recognised the growing importance of the Arboretum as the nation’s centre for Remembrance, and its urgent need for new and larger facilities to

National Memorial Arboretum - Polish Forces War Memorial cope with the ever rising number of visitors. In response, the Board unanimously agreed to make two awards totalling £650,000 to support this important charity.”

The Arboretum is on course to cement its place in the community and history as a symbolic

place to learn, remember and commemorate. With the National Memorial Arboretum, Commonwealth Graves and German Cemetery on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire is helping focus the nation's remembrance and commemorations of past

sacrifice.

Fundraising will continue in earnest to raise the remaining £5.3m needed to complete the project. To donate to the National Memorial Arboretum and really make a difference, please call 01283 792 333 now.

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue2.3Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN 2 Page

Staffordshire University reveals £40 million plan to revamp Stoke campus

Artist's impression of Staffordshire University's new look

BY EMMA JAMES Staffordshire University has unveiled a £40 million plan to students, residents and businesses to give its Stoke-on-Trent campus a new look to accommodate 2,000 extra students.

The Flaxman and Mellor buildings on College Road will be refurbished in the next 18 months to use existing space and give them a more modern feel.

There will also be a new building close to the Film Theatre, which will house a cafe and general teaching rooms.

Plans for two new car parks have been revealed on the Leek Road campus to ease traffic on College Road and Station Road, and relieve the evergrowing pressure of parking for university staff and students.

A car park is planned on the Squires View site which

is currently a mix of council houses, bungalows and flats.

Mellor building will house computer games and entertainment technology courses currently based at Stafford. Film students will now be based across the road in the new look Pavilion building.

Cadman building on the corner of College Road, the original site where higher education began more than 100 years ago,will also be revamped.

Plans are being shown as the university is preparing to close its Beaconside campus in Stafford in 2016 and relocate courses to Stoke.

Work will start this summer and be finished by September 2016.

Around £4 million is also being spent on the university’s Blackheath Lane site in Stafford, which will remain open for health-related courses.

Margaret Monckton, director of estates and

infrastructure, said: “There are three main messages we want to get across.

“This is good for the university. It is good for Stoke, and we want the feedback of everyone.

“We are giving our students something that they have asked for.

“We want to engage the wider community in our plans to create a complete campus experience and we welcome their feedback on our proposals which involve a mix of new and re-purposed buildings and the creation of additional car parking.”

However the plans are already causing friction with some residents.

Barbra Whittle, 63, of Spencer Road, Shelton, told StaffsLive: “I do not think the university listens to the residents.

“I don’t think they do what they can. The main problem we have is when students come out of the

bar on campus.

“We have had cars damaged and bins tipping over.

We have never had a meeting with the Student Union.

“I want to know how much mess this will cause.”

Terry Barker, 60, of Carlton Road, Shelton, worked for Staffordshire University as a laboratory technician in Forensic Science.

He said he believes more money should be put into teaching facilities for staff.

Mehwish Javid, university quarter community partnership worker, said: “At the moment we are listening to residents, finding out what their concerns are and working with them to get their issues identified.”

Plans are on public display until April 10 in the Pavilion on College Road for students to view, and then will be moved to the Stafford campus.

Campaigners celebrate delay over Fenton Town Hall sale Campaigners trying to save Fenton Town Hall and a Minton tile war memorial containing 498 names inside, are celebrating after it was revealed the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) cannot sell the building for at least six months.

Fenton Community Association (FCA) with the help of Urban Vision North Staffordshire now hope this will give them enough time to submit an improved business plan and bid to take over the former magistrates’ court.

The association received notice from Stoke-on-Trent City Council that MoJ intends to sell the building under “asset of community value” rules.

The city council added the building it to its “Asset of Community Value” register in July 2013.

It means buildings on this register are protected and cannot be sold for six months after the owners have given notice to the city council of their intention to sell.

This is to give community groups like FCA a chance to buy the

building before it is put on the open market.

Alan Gerrard negotiates with police in November occupation Dave Proudlove, of Urban Vision, a local charity which helps communities on planning and conservation issues, said they had been surprised by the latest development in their fight to save the building for community use.

He said they had gone through this process last year and thought the MoJ were now free to sell the building.

Mr Proudlove added: “Basically, the MOJ has screwed up.

“The FCA had the building listed as an Asset of Community Value in July 2013.

“The initial six-month moratorium ended in February 2014.

“However, the FCA did not make an offer in that period. We assumed this gave the MOJ the all clear to dispose of it, but it isn’t as simple as that.”

“As the MOJ did not dispose of the building within a year after

that initial six months, the process starts again.

“Now they have notified the city council of their intention to sell, it has started a new six-month moratorium once again,” added Mr Proudlove.

“We need to make an Expression of Interest within six weeks, and then we will have until August to properly develop our proposal.”

Campaigners who fear the building could be demolished if sold, are planning to hold a “human chain” protest around the building on 15 March.

More than 10,000 people signed a petition last year calling on the building to be saved.

The town hall was occupied for more than a month after campaigners refused to leave following a Remembrance Sunday service in November.

Alan Gerrard, who led the occupation of the building, said: “The Ministry of Justice has always argued since day one of this campaign in January 2013

that their objective was to achieve best value for the taxpayer by acting as expeditiously as possible in disposing of Fenton Town Hall.

“This is yet another contradiction of that.

“All along the residents of Fenton have been shamefully treated either by the MoJ or the city council.

“Whereas in fact the solution could have been very expeditious all along, to work with the community on its proposals.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Mohammed Pervez said: “It’s pleasing from the work done so far we have managed to get this extra time.

“We will now make sure we use this time valuably by continuing to work closely with Urban Vision and giving them all the help and support they need to develop their business case for the future of the building.”

The MOJ has declined to comment.

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 Issue : Page3 3.3 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Kidsgrove railway station to receive £5.5m to improve disabled services

BY ANTOINE OMISORE More than £5 million will be spent on Kidsgrove railway station to make it more disabled friendly.

It comes after complaints from disabled passengers who are forced to travel to nearby stations at Alsager and Stoke-on-Trent to get exit the station safely.

Now, after a campaign led by Stoke North MP Joan Walley, Kidsgrove is set to benefit from the Department of Transport’s Access-for-All scheme.

Proposals include step-free access to station platforms for wheelchair users, passengers with mobility problems and those with prams or heavy luggage.

It could also fund a new station building which would act as an interchange for train, bus and taxi passengers.

Mrs Walley said it had been a long time coming.

“It’s a really exciting day,” she said.

“I think we can improve the facilities, not just the access.

“We will hopefully be able to get a transport hub where buses come up and connect with the station, making it easier for people.

“When it’s finished it will make it a much more attractive place to live and work.”

Kidsgrove train station The £5.5 million, in place until

2019, is a joint initiative between the MP, East Midlands Trains, North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, Network Rail and Staffordshire County Council.

Faye Lambert, community rail officer for North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, said: “This is a great day for Kidsgrove station.

“It is something we have been working towards for many, many years.

“Kidsgrove is a brilliant community station. The only thing that lets it down is that it doesn’t have access for everybody.

“We want to make Kidsgrove the station that passengers and the community deserve. There is fantastic potential.”

Passenger Edith Bowers, 78, of Alsager, said: “It’s excellent news.

“It is needed here, very much so.

“At the moment dragging a suitcase up those stairs is very difficult.

“It would be much easier to have a lift or a ramp. Any change would have a positive impact on the community.”

The scheme is now open for public consultation.

People can send in their views by emailing kidsgrovestationproject@ networkrail.com

Blind man spend 50 hours in a box in Trent Vale Tesco to raise awareness of autism

BY SONIA DOSANGE A blind man is spending 50 hours in a glass box for charity Caudwell Children, to help raise awareness of autism.

John Williams, 28, who lives with his wife, Sue, and stepson, George, 10, in Trent Vale, is being holed up the the Trent Vale Tesco superstore.

The former radio presenter is hoping to raise £2,500 for the charity.

He said the charity is close to his heart as his stepson is autistic.

Mr Williams, originally from Florida, said: “It feels great to be here, it’s great to know I’m going to be to be part of something special.

“Half of the fun is being in the unknown – what difficulties I’m going to face in the next 50 hours – I guess I’ll have to wait and find out.”

The challenge started on March 19 and Mr Williams will stay there until Saturday, March 21.

Mr Williams is totally blind and said he will be relying on shoppers and staff at the supermarket to get him through this challenge.

He will be given strict five-minute breaks every two hours, but apart from that he will remain in the box day and night.

He said: “We’re leaving the door to the box open and what we want to do is encourage people to drop in and if they can play an instrument, play a song, tell a

STOKE-ON-TRENT MAN SNOOPS ON HUNDREDS OF ILLEGALLY PARKED CARS has increased by more than 1,300 since 2012/13. This is A Stoke-on-Trent resident partly due to a bus lane being told how he has “shopped” introduced there to improve hundreds of motorists who access to the new Hanley bus station. Due to the bus lane park illegally on his road.

The man, who lives on Lower cars are now banned from Bethesda Street, Hanley, told exiting the road at one end.

StaffsLive he calls Stoke-on- A spokesperson for Stoke-onTrent City Council almost every Trent City Council declined day to report people who park to comment on individuals reporting parking offences. there without correct permits.

A Freedom of Information He said: “We regularly review request by StaffsLive revealed our enforcement priorities that Lower Bethesda Street depending on intelligence and was the worst road in the city for requests from members of the parking and bus lane violations. public, to make sure we are A staggering 1,519 tickets were targeting the areas which need issued on the road in 2013/14. it the most.”

The resident, who we agreed Other streets where a high not to name, said: “Parking on amount of tickets were given the road is for residents only. out for parking and bus lane People park here to go to the violations in 2013/14 include: pub and it is my right to report Station Road, Stoke – 1,258 Quadrant Road – 664 them. It is permit abuse.”

When asked how many times Stafford Street – 608 he has reported illegally parked Hill Street – 358 vehicles, he replied: “A lot of Bethesda Street, Hanley – 350 Trinity Street, Hanley – 347 times – too many to count!”

The man, who does not own a Hilton Road – 316 car but has a permit for visitors, Christchurch Street, Fenton – is aware that those parking 289 illegally will receive a £70 Piccadilly – 257 fine. He believes that since he began phoning the council, the To report illegally parked amount of cars that park there cars you can contact Parking Services on 01782 237999 or illegally has reduced.

The number of tickets report the problem online. distributed on the street

BY MARY O’HALLORAN-MILLAR

John Williams inside the glass box

joke, or drop by for a chat.

“I don’t think there is anything like this, I think this is incredibly innovative.”

He said he has been helped so far by his stepson.

He said: “He inspired me to do this, he is so excited. He’s been quite the little promotion manager, putting flyers and posters up at his school.

“He has been very helpful, both him and my wife, Sue, have been nothing but supportive.”

People can help Mr Williams raise cash by visiting him in store or by visiting www.jusgiving.com/ johnwilliams50hours

The glass box in Tesco superstore, Trent Vale

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue4.3Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN 4 Page

£52 million geothermal energy plan gets go ahead in Stoke-on-Trent

BY RHIAN CRITCHLEY Stoke-on-Trent businesses will soon be heated by geothermal energy 11km under the ground after the city was awarded a £19 million grant.

Councillors have welcomed the Government funding which will kickstart a geothermic heat scheme, called District Heat Network (DHN).

It will provide renewable heat to businesses located in Stoke, Hanley, and Festival Park.

It will be the first geothermic scheme in Staffordshire.

As well as the £19 million Government grant, £28 million will come from private investors, with the council putting in an additional £3.9 million.

The project will involve pumping water into a large hole, which would then travel through an 11km pipe producing hot water at the other side.

Stoke-on-Trent City Councillors say the renewable heat will provide businesses with more jobs and save more than 400 people’s homes from fuel poverty.

Cllr Andy Platt, cabinet member for green enterprises, said: “This could potentially be the biggest project that has ever been carried out by this council.

“The scheme will be a massive game-changer for the city.

“We have the funding now, and we have received a lot of interest from outside the city.”

Council Leader Mohammed Pervez believes the new scheme will “bring jobs and economic growth to the city”.

He added: “It is important that we accept this generous grant, it will lead to big things for this council.”

But some councillors are not convinced about the scheme.

City Independent Cllr Peter Hayward said he has always had “reservations” about DHN.

“I have no faith in this scheme whatsoever.

“The council is naive if they think the scheme will work.

“The council is basically paying a ridiculous amount of money for an 11km pipe.”

Cabinet Member Cllr Terry Crowe hit back, saying: “It comes as no surprise that Cllr Hayward is not on board with the scheme.

“City independents are always talking down the city, and I’ve had enough of it.”

Labour Cllr Joy Garner supported Cllr Crowe, saying: “If the government didn’t believe this scheme would work, they would of not have given nearly £20 million to the project. ” She also tweeted: “City Independents are stuck in the past. This scheme is the city’s future.”

All councillors voted to accept the grant apart from two City Independents.

STOKE-ON-TRENT PEOPLE ARE POTTY FOR PIES

CIGARETTE LIGHTER WARNING FROM STAFFORDSHIREFIRE SERVICE AFTER TWO DEATHS

BY SEAN BURTON

National Pie week It seems every week is dedicated to one thing or another.

Some, interesting and others not as much. But this one is bound to grab your attention and tickle your tastebuds – pie week.

It is no surprise that pastry company Jus-Rol declared British pie week and is raising cash for the Action Against Hunger charity.

Its research found that 75% of us eat a pie at least once a month.

StaffsLive decided to ask pie lovers (and a few haters) from across Stoke-on-Trent to share their views on the ‘humble’ British staple.

Graham Sutherland, 67, from Burslem, said: “I love a chicken and leek pie.

“None of that solid block of dry meat you get nowadays – I like a nice creamy filling.”

Tanya Stoves 19, from Hanley said: “I don’t like pies, I have never had a pie and will probably never have one. They just seem so boring to me.”

Given we are a nation of pie-eaters, people may think the pie was created in the UK. In fact, in the second century BC, the Greeks created the first ‘pie,’ later to be developed by the Romans, who produced sweet and savoury versions.

When the Romans invaded Great Britain in 43 AD, they brought along with them new ideas, including roads, central-heating – and pies.

In the Potteries, we are one pie short of a baker’s dozen of the region’s favourite pie-sellers, Wright’s.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned of the dangers of cigarette lighters following the deaths of two people in the space of a week.

Firefighters were called to a house on Old School Lane, Meir, at around 9.30am on Sunday, February 15, and found that householder Neil Gratton, 62, had died. His clothes had caught fire.

On February 9, an 87-year-old woman from Ashbourne Road, Uttoxeter, died after her clothes caught fire.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said both deaths could be attributed to the use of refillable cigarette lighters.

Spokesman for the service Dean Stevens said: “It is a very sad situation that two people in the county have lost their lives in this way in such as short space of time, taking the number of fatalities caused by smoking materials to five

since last April alone.

“The vast majority of our fatal fires involve elderly people and we are coming across a number of recurring factors that are either contributing to the fire occurring or the individual’s ability to escape – factors such as being a smoker or drinker, having mental health issues, having physical disabilities, being isolated and having poor living conditions” Firefighters and community safety officers will be in the area offering free Home Fire Risk Checks.

Mr Stevens added: “The visits are completely free of charge and can have life changing and potentially life-saving consequences for residents.

“If you know someone who could benefit from a check, please call us as soon as possible on 0800 0241 999 and we can arrange a convenient time to visit.

“They often don’t take long to do but they do have a long-lasting safety effects.”

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council bans sky lanterns

BY TOM BURNETT

Sky Lanterns such as this are now banned by Staffordshire Moorlands district council (photo from Creative commons, by Harvey214)

A district council has banned sky lanterns on its property.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s Cabinet voted unanimously to ban the release and sale of the lanterns, small hot air balloons popular at outdoor events, on its land.

A report recommending the ban said that the devices, also known as Chinese Lanterns, posed a threat to animals and property.

It said: “Sky lanterns pose a serious threat to wildlife and livestock through both ingestion and entrapment.

“In addition, un-extinguished sky lanterns are a significant fire hazard and the metal waste can damage farm machinery and harm livestock, they are also a contributor to the defacement of land by litter and waste.

“When sky lanterns are released, they don’t just disappear. They float back down to earth. There is evidence to show that releases of sky lanterns present an avoidable fire and safety risk.

“There is also evidence to indicate that sky lantern releases are a risk to livestock and wildlife” The report also said the ban would help to reduce anti-social behaviour.

A ban on sky lanterns is supported by many national charities and organisations, including the Chief Fire Officers’ Association and the National Farmers’ Union.

Many councils have already banned the lanterns, with Staffordshire County Council doing so in 2014.

The RSPCA welcomed Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s decision.

A spokesperson said: “We are delighted that Staffordshire Moorlands District Council are banning the use of sky lanterns on their land, and hope this might encourage other councils to follow suit.

“They may appeal to some as an unusual way to mark the various celebrations but if used carelessly they can terrify, injure and kill animals “Cattle have died after bits of sky lanterns have fallen into their feed, and scraps of the items landing in a field could be eaten by any animal from a horse to a pet dog with fatal consequences.”

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 Issue : Page3 5.5 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

1 AWARD WINNING Clinical Dental Technician Matt Burnell

The Award Winning Denture Centre as voted for by patients

“MAKING DENTURES BETTER “

Smiles

Many people struggle every day with ill-fitting, uncomfortable or unflattering dentures. Matt Burnell is an industry recognised expert in his field of cosmetic dentistry. To many of us, cosmetic dentistry means veneers or implants, where replica teeth are secured by means of a pin that’s set into the jaw, but how many of us consider a denture as a purely cosmetic procedure?

Dentures start from as little as £550 and can last for up to 15 years. If you’re struggling with an old or ill fitting denture, or want to explore replacing lost teeth, Smiles would be delighted to talk you through your options. They’re lovely people and their work is second to none.

Before

Smiles is the only Clinical Dental Technician’s Practice in Lichfield.

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Out of hours appointments by arrangement.

The Award Winning Smile Centre

“Excellent service, I will have no problem with recommending Smiles to anyone including my friends.”

- John

After

> natural looking dentures > ultra suction dentures > implant dentures > stable dentures > denture cleaning

“Matt has bent over backwards to att Burnell BSc Hons Dip enquiry through to when they received ensure is beyond. perfect.

Itof CDT RCS that (Eng), my leadingdenture their denture and The winner Clinical Dental Technician at this award had one patient quote ‘he The Smile Centre has been awarded treats you with great kindness, respect has made an exceptional difference the British Association of Clinical and dignity, he is so professional and Dental to Technology (BACDT) Award true to his word.’ And the Winner my comfort andalways confidence.” for Best Patient Experience. In is: Matt Burnell.” addition to winning this prestigious - Doris award, Matt and The Smile Centre Matt and the team at The Smile

M

were also Highly Commended in the Best Member Award category. The BACDT is the highly regarded organisation for professional Clinical Dental Technicians and the awards are a way of marking outstanding performance amongst the BACDT’s entire membership.

What makes the award so meaningful, is that Matt and The Smile Centre gained their award solely on the volume of votes given

by Smile Centre customers from all over the UK, who ensured that The Smile Centre gained the recognition it deserves.

Centre are experts in dentures and dental prosthetics. Many people struggle every day with ill-fitting, uncomfortable or unflattering dentures.

Matt Burnell BSc Hons Dip CDT RCS (Eng) is an industry recognised expert in his field of cosmetic dentistry. To many of us, cosmetic dentistry means veneers or implants, where replica teeth are secured by means of a pin that’s set into the jaw, but how many of us consider a denture as a purely cosmetic procedure?

Matt Burnell, Dental Matt Burnell, BScClinical Hons Dip CDTTechnician RCS (Eng) GDC No. 123633 Clinical Dental Technician GDC No. 123633 Some recent comments from Smile Centre clients…

“Matt you we wouldsmile like to wish :you all For a free no-obligation chat, just ring the lovely people who make

01543 415288 During the Awards Ceremony the

Dentures are cosmetic. In one fell and painless swoop they transform the smile.

President of the When clients first visit The Smile lichfield@smiles.uk.com l www.smiles.uk.com BACDT commented: Centre, Matt talks through with them

the very best for the future. Keep up the excellent work. In your profession you are the best. Also, thank you to Julie for always making you feel comfortable and welcome while you are waiting to be seen.

Good cup of tea too!” R.B.

what they would like to achieve, and

“I wish I had found out about you

upsetting a lost tooth, or an ill-fitting denture can be. They understand that our teeth and our smile are very sensitive subjects and deal with each customer or enquiry with discretion as

“Excellent service, I will have no problem with recommending The Smile Centre to anyone including my friends.” J.B.

“The Best Patient there’s no rush or hard sales involved. ago.” J.S. 46 Upper St. John Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 years 9DX Experience award is Matt and his team understand how given to the person who has shown that they have taken time to consider the patient’s needs from

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue6.3Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN 6 Page

STOKE-ON-TRENT CENTRAL CANDIDATES LOCK POLITICAL HORNS IN BIG DEBATE EVENT

FIREFIGHTERS ARE TO HOST A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION IN STONE

Big Debate in Stoke March 2015 chaired by Prof Mick Temple

BY MOLLY ANDRUSKEVICIUS Stoke-on-Trent General Election candidates locked horns in a Question Time style debate chaired by Staffordshire University professor of politics Mick Temple.

Hundreds packed into Staffordshire University’s new Science Building on Leek Road as audience members fired questions at the candidates on a range of major issues.

The one-long event, dubbed “The Big Debate”, included Labour MP for Stoke Central Tristram Hunt and his for the seat, Jan Zablocki (Green Party), Liam Ascough (Conservatives), Dr Zulfiqar Ali (Liberal Democrats) and Mick Harold (UKIP).

Immigration emerged as one of the major issues, which UKIP’s Mr Harold said “needs to be controlled” in Britain.

He said immigration from

the European Union was “overwhelming the NHS, overwhelming doctor’s surgeries, and driving down wages”.

Jan Zablocki was quick to hit back, saying: “We need to tackle the causes of immigration – war and poverty.”

Prof Temple asked Dr Ali Zulfiqar Ali if people could trust the Liberal Democrats again after they went back on their promise to remove student fees.

Dr Ali said they had no choice to bring in the fees.

“Tuition fees were introduced by Labour, increased by Labour and by the time they left office, the economy was in ruins and left us asking to increase tuition fees,” he added.

Liam Ascough also defended the Conservative’s student loan increase, saying “we have more people going to university now than ever before”.

He argued that the higher wage

increase that results from a degree makes up for the loans.

“It does not saddle students with debt,” he added.

Tristram Hunt said the Lib Dems’ failure to remove the fees “did a lot of damage to politics”.

He believes young people feel “betrayed”.

On the NHS, cardiologist Dr Ali, who has worked in the organisation for decades, blamed privatisation for it current problems.

“We have new shiny buildings but the money has come from privatisation,” he said.

He added that managers were forced to save money every single month to pay back private finance.

The debate became heated when one audience member questioned the Labour’s proposal to introduce sex education in schools to children as young as five.

Mr Hunt said education would be “statutory and age appropriate”, saying that at five years of age it would be more about the importance of family.

“No one wants to teach five-yearolds about sex,” he added.

However, Mr Harold said it was “appalling” and even labelled the idea as “bordering on child abuse”.

The same candidates will go head to head for Stoke Central again on polling day, Thursday May 7.

Firefighters are inviting Stone residents to take a look around their new community fire station as part of a special celebration event.

The crew will be showcasing the facilities which are available for local groups to use as well as giving a tour of the operational side of the station.

The community open day will take place from 1pm-3pm and then from 4pm-6pm on Monday, March 23.

A milestone will also be marked at 10.30am when a time capsule will be buried in the community fire station’s grounds. Chief Fire Officer Peter Dartford will be attending the ceremony, along with local councillors.

The time capsule will contain photographs and ID cards of the current crew, pictures of recent retirees and a photocopy of a newspaper article about Stone Community Fire Station.

Tristram Hunt the Big Debate Artwork and atpoems penned

by pupils from Christchurch Academy, some of whom will attend the event, will also be included. The children entered a competition to draw or write about their view of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Stone Baked Ltd, based in High Street, Stone, will be supplying 40 special edition cupcakes for the occasion. Half will feature the logo from the Service’s successful ‘Push the Button’ campaign and the other half will display the fire and rescue service logo.

Stone Station Manager Dave Steele said: “We are really looking forward to showing local residents around their new community fire station. For many people it will be their first look at this state-ofthe-art facility that not only allows us to respond more efficiently and effectively to 21st Century emergencies, it also enables us to engage much more closely with the people that we serve. The tour will give people the chance to

have a look behind the scenes at the operational side of the station and there will also be the opportunity to see the community rooms, which are available, free of charge, for local groups to use.

“The items that have been placed in the time capsule have been very carefully chosen so that they represent the fire and rescue service as it is today, with input from the crews and local school children. We hope that when the time capsule is dug up in 50 years’ time, it will give generations to come, a real insight into life in 2015.”

Stone’s new £3 million community fire station has replaced the outdated base on The Fillybrooks which was built in 1975. It has been designed to enable firefighters to respond more efficiently and effectively to 21st Century emergencies.

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

Groups and organisations will be encouraged to gather in the meeting rooms, creating a community hub and allowing for greater contact between local people and firefighters who serve the area.

Stone Community Fire Station was the fourth facility to become operational in phase two of a major upgrade of buildings across the county with Chase Terrace, Kinver and Longton going live initially.

In total, 10 community fire stations will be rebuilt on their current sites plus a brand new station at Loggerheads which has now replaced the 45-year-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.

McDonalds confirms interest in new Leek restaurant McDonalds has confirmed it is looking to open a restaurant in Leek.

The company says there are no fixed plans, but that the town is one they would like to invest in.

News that the fast food giant could open up sparked reaction from residents on social media, with some threatening to protest against any potential move.

Floristry supervisor Jonathan Astles, 31, said he felt the town needed more national shops rather than a McDonalds.

“Leek doesn’t really need a McDonalds but it does need some more national shops.

“Partly to bring in some shops the younger generations might want to shop at and partly to help bring

the prices down in Leek.”

Nutritional biochemist Rachell Hipkiss is also against the restaurant, saying the town had far better restaurants already.

“We have great places to eat that serve real food, locally sourced and good for you,” she said.

Ben Jackson, 23, a volunteer at Churnett Valley Railway, said: “Leek already has Subway and takeaways which offer similar food.

“I think McDonalds would be used in Leek but there is already one on the way to Stoke.”

Other concerns raised included whether local contractors would be used to build the restaurant and the quality of jobs McDonalds could provide.

Staffordshire Moorlands was recently rated the fifth worst area in the West Midlands for people earning below the living wage, according to figures from the Trade Unions Congress.

The company already has 19 restaurants in Staffordshire, including one in Sneyd Green, less than ten miles from Leek, which opened in late 2014.

A spokesman for McDonalds told StaffsLive: “We are always looking for new sites and can confirm that Leek is an area where we would like to invest, open a new restaurant and create jobs.

“We are looking at several potential opportunities in the area but currently have no confirmed plans.”

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 Issue : Page3 7.7 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Parents in the East Midlands feel banning junk food ads could cut childhood obesity New statistics show the majority of parents in the East Midlands believe stopping children being exposed to junk food adverts could cut childhood obesity, as the British Heart Foundation (BHF) delivered a 30,000 strong petition to ban the adverts before 9pm to Britain’s most famous street. (1)

to junk food adverts could help towards tackling the obesity crisis in children.

Seven in ten (71%) parents polled in the region feel the UK Government should introduce stricter regulations on the food industry to better control how junk food is advertised to children.

Almost two thirds (64%) of

“ Over 30,000 people sign

petition to ban junk food adverts before 9pm watershed

”

The BHF polled 2,000 UK parents and found 65% of parents in the East Midlands believe that stopping children being exposed

parents in the East Midlands say that adverts promoting foods that are high in saturated fat, salt and sugar affect what their children want to eat. Six in ten (62%) say junk food adverts make it harder for them to say no to their children or get them to eat healthily.

Around 30% of children in the UK are overweight or obese, increasing their risk of being overweight and developing coronary heart disease in later life. (2) Research by The Food Standards Agency has found that TV marketing of food and drink products can influence children’s food preferences. (3) Yet loopholes in the UK regulatory system mean that junk food adverts which are banned during children’s programming

can still be shown during family programming, such as X-Factor, when children’s TV viewing peaks. (4) More than 30,000 people have backed the BHF’s call for the Government to ban junk food adverts being shown before the 9pm watershed.

The nation’s heart charity took the petition to 10 Downing Street and urged the Government to take action to tighten advertising regulations and protect children.

Mike Hobday, Director of Policy at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Junk food companies are exploiting legal loopholes in the

regulatory system, allowing them to continue bombarding children with junk food adverts.

“Over 30,000 people have backed our campaign to ban these adverts before the 9pm watershed.

"By protecting young people against the sophisticated marketing techniques of junk food advertisers we can help tackle the obesity crisis which threatens the heart health of future generations.

“We urge the UK Government to heed the public’s clear call and take immediate action.”

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

8 Page Issue8.3Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

MAJORITY IN THE EAST MIDLANDS ARE UNAWARE OF THE SERIOUS RISKS OF AIR POLLUTION

STAFFORD MP JEREMY LEFROY CALLS

FOR LOWER VOTING AGE

New research reveals that exposure to pollution increases risk of stroke A recent survey carried out by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has revealed that over 80% (86%) of people in the East Midlands are unaware that air pollution can increase the risk of stroke. Yet new research carried out

by University of Edinburgh, funded by BHF, has found that being exposed to air pollution increases the risk of hospitalisation or death from stroke in the following seven days.

The research, published today in the British Medical Journal, collected data from over 100 studies across six million people in 28 countries around the world. The findings showed shortterm exposure to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and small soot particles called PM2.5 and PM10 increased the risk of hospitalisation or death from stroke. [1] The strongest adverse effects were seen on the same day of exposure to PM2.5 - small particles that are around 2.5 micrometres, or 50 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, that float, unseen in the air.

This research follows a nationwide poll which revealed that while 92% of people in the East Midlands are aware of the link between asthma and air pollution, far fewer made the link between stroke and high pollution levels – just 14% of respondents. 67% of people in the East Midlands also don’t know what their local air pollution level is or how to find out this information.[2] Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide and causes around 3,000 deaths in the East Midlands each year [3].

The heart charity says the research further highlights the urgency for the Government to bring air pollution in line with current EU limits to help reduce the nation’s risk of developing heart and circulatory conditions.

The UK is currently breaching pollution limits in 38 of 43 air quality zones and is breaking EU law. The broad East Midlands air quality zone, and Urban Area Zones of Leicester and Nottingham will not come down to legal limits until 2025. Currently just five UK zones are compliant with EU limits, although the World Health Organization still does not think these limits go far enough to protect health. [4] A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off, causing your brain cells to become damaged or die. As a leading independent funder of heart and circulatory research in Europe, the BHF is currently funding

£16 million of stroke research.

Dr Anoop Shah from the University of Edinburgh, lead author of the study said: “Long term exposure to pollution has already been linked to lung, heart and circulatory disease. This study now demonstrates that even short-term exposure to air pollution can trigger disabling strokes or death from stroke.

We hope these findings further highlight the adverse effects of pollution on health and that policies will be put in place to continue to reduce atmospheric air pollution.

“One of the key differences between risk of stroke due to air pollution and other risk factors such as smoking or high blood pressure is that the whole general population is exposed.

As such this increased risk of stroke is in the general population and not just those previously thought to be at high risk.”

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation which funded the study said: “It’s deeply concerning that in many areas in the UK, air pollution may not meet the required EU limits until 2020. It is absolutely staggering that the Government accepts that some may not meet the limit until 2030, a full 20 years after the EU deadline. This puts hundreds of thousands of people across the UK at higher but totally avoidable risk of having a stroke.

“In 2014, all three air quality zones in the East Midlands were predicted to not meet EU law until 2025 – this is unacceptable.

“This new research only compounds what we already know, that air pollution is a blight on public health, particularly on heart and circulatory diseases. We urge the Government ahead of the Supreme Court ruling next month, to do all that is possible, as quickly as it can, to protect the population from unnecessary risk of hospitalisation and death from air pollution.

Every delay is putting more people at risk.”

A major source of all pollution globally is fuel combustion, contributing significantly to atmospheric air pollution.

This week, the BHF has launched a new public guide that explain the increased risk of air pollution to those already suffering with heart and circulatory diseases, and outlines ways that people can reduce their exposure. For more information please go to: www.bhf.org.uk/ airpollution

Conservative MP Jeremy Lefroy and Labour candidate Kate Godfrey

BY ZIPO MANGALISO Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy has called for the voting age to be lowered to 16.

The Conservative MP was speaking to a number of students at Stafford College during a debate with Labour candidate Kate Godfrey.

Mr Lefroy said if the voting age could be dropped from 18 to 16, as it was in this year’s Scottish referendum, then it could be lowered for general elections.

Mr Lefroy said: “We need to work for the good of everybody, I would like to see the age of voting to reduced to 16.”

The MP agreed with his opponents in the Labour Party, who plan reduce the voting age if they win the general election in May. But he said young people need to get more involved in politics.

Mr Lefroy said: “We need to make politics more

relevant to young people, the whole system needs a large overhaul.

“It is also about encouraging young people to come into politics, the procedures and the way business is conducted is what many young people don’t find relevant.

“I think the fundamental thing we need to change in terms of engagement is to speak about the issues that matter the most. “ Labour’s Kate Godfrey also criticised the government for turning young people off politics.

She added: “They are hoping in the government that you guys are not going to vote because if you do vote then you have power, then you can turn around and hold them accountable.

“This is a government not interested in young people.”

The debate at Stafford College was part of the launch of a weekly debating society at the college.

Green Party to contest all North Staffordshire seats in General Election

Stoke-on-Trent taxi driver jailed after £20,000 cannabis bust

BY ABIGAIL FAJOBI A Taxi driver has been jailed for two and a half years for producing cannabis worth up to £20,000.

Paul Sims, 58, of Buckingham Crescent, Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent, was found by police in a boiler suit stripping cannabis plants at his old home in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent Crown court heard.

Police found 55 cannabis plants at his address, equivalent to 5.24 kilograms of skunk type cannabis, which is known as one of its stronger forms.

He pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and abstracting electricity.

Sims told the court he had grown the cannabis for his own personal use and to sell to a select group of family and friends.

He also claimed he was going to destroy £10,000 worth of the class B drug found in two of the four rooms he was growing drugs in.

Sims said £10,500 in cash found by police in a safe in his former home was money made from

his undeclared caravan renting business.

Lisa Hancox, prosecuting, told the court the 18 plants found in the first room alone would have been too much for one person to smoke in a year, as he would have to smoke seven joints per day.

She said that the £10,500 in cash found in a safe on the premises, was money made from selling drugs.

Nicholas Tatlow, defending, said: “Mr Sims is a man of good character.

“He supports his wife who is not of good health and his father who is house bound.”

He said Sims produced cannabis without realising the seriousness of the crime.

Mr Recorder Andrew Easteal said: “This was a commercial enterprise to which you were engaged in…you have not been honest with the court.

“We have been told that you are a hardworking man, however the temptation of getting easy money was too great.”

Sims was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Green Party candidates Sean Adam (Left), Brian Smith and Luke Bellamy call for the renationalisation of the railways

BY TOM BURNETT The Green Party is contesting a record number of seats in North Staffordshire.

At a meeting in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Wenslie Naylon was unanimously voted to contest the Stone Constituency seat at the election in May. Mrs Naylon currently represents Keele Ward on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and has lived in Newcastle for more than 30 years.

She also serves as vice-chairman of Keele Parish Council and has more than 15 years experience in local government.

Mrs Naylon will be running against Labour’s Sam Hale, UKIP’s Andrew Illsley and current Conservative MP Sir Bill Cash.

She said: “It will be a great showing. I am proud to be part of the surge.”

North Staffordshire Green Party leader Brian Smith is running for Staffordshire Moorlands, Jan Zablocki is running for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Sean Adam for Stoke-on-Trent North, Luke Bellamy for Stokeon-Trent South and Sam Gibbons in Newcastleunder-Lyme.

Mr Adam, candidate for Stoke-on-Trent North, said that the party was going from strength to strength in North Staffordshire.

“Five years ago we fielded one candidate in one constituency,” he added.

“Today with Wenslie we have six candidates in place covering all our north Staffordshire constituencies.

“I believe we have an equal chance in gaining seats especially with local people looking for local representation in preference to parties flying in candidates from other parts of the country.”

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 Issue : Page3 9.9 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Is the East Midlands more charitable than the rest of UK? New survey from the BHF reveals what our favourite sport says about us A new ‘sports personality’ study from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found that hiking is most popular in the East Midlands, which could reveal a lot about the locals. The analysis shows that walkers are likely to be the least materialistic, are more likely to give to charity and like their own company. The research celebrates the launch of the BHF’s 2015 events series, which offers ‘sporting personalities’ a wide range of events to get involved in across the region and beyond.

The psychological study, conducted by Mindlab, surveyed 2000 adults across the UK and highlights that the type of sport we choose uncovers a lot about our personality traits and can reveal how charitable we are, the type of newspapers we are most likely to read and show how we will vote in the next general election. The survey also revealed that almost half (52%) of adults in the East Midlands were keen to take on a challenge for charity, whatever their ‘sports personality’ type.

Dr David Lewis, Neuropsychologist and founder of Mindlab, explains: "It has long been known that exercise is not only good for your body, but also your mind. Past research has shown that exercising can act as a mood-enhancer, can be used to treat and possibly even prevent anxiety and generally has a positive effect on mental health. The results

from this study show that no matter what kind of person you are, there is the right kind of exercise for everyone."

Olympic Heptathlete Louise Hazel, who is taking on a cycling challenge for the BHF in September, explains: “Whatever your sports personality or level of fitness I would encourage everyone to sign up to a BHF event. Heart disease devastates too many lives, killing over 12,000 people across the East Midands every year. I lost my father to heart disease, he was just 50 years old. This is why I’m taking on a cycling challenge for BHF. “Taking on a challenge can help you to get fit, enjoy the sport you love and also help to raise funds for vital research which could help save more people like my dad.”

Tristam Jones, Head of Events at the BHF, adds: “This research highlights some interesting differences in the types of people who choose to take on different sports challenges. It’s great to see that so many people across East Midlands want to take on a challenge for charity and with so many events available for all fitness levels, there’s many ways to get invlolved and join the fight.”

To see a copy of the BHF’s latest events calendar and to sign up for a challenge visit https://www. bhf.org.uk/events

The ‘sports personalities’ Cyclists Vote Liberal Laid back and calm Least likely to be depressed or suffer stress Materialistic

Swimmers Make the best lovers Charitable Happiest Tidy

Runners Vote Labour Extroverts Love being the centre of attention Listen to lively upbeat music

Walkers (Trekkers) Like their own company Charitable Don’t like drawing attention to themselves Least materialistic

Cohen Cramer Solicitors Cohen Cramer Solicitors of Leeds continue with their campaign for compensation for those affected by the negligent actions of a healthcare worker appointed by the University of Derby to provide services as part of the occupational health service.

Emma Mason of Cohen Cramer Solicitors says “we now represent over 100 Claimants comprising of both past and present students of Derby University who enrolled on programmes within the Faculty of Education Health and Sciences and who were affected by the healthcare worker in questions failure to follow correct medical procedures. The practices of this healthcare worker which included the re-use of single use blood tube holders and the administration of multiple doses of vaccinations from one syringe appears to have taken place over a significant period of time”.

At present the solicitors are in communication with both the university and the representatives of the healthcare worker and are seeking to ensure that those affected by this individual’s actions receive the right amount of compensation to which they

are entitled. Many of those claiming have spoken how the news of the need to be tested for blood borne viruses came whilst they were in the middle of exams or at a time when they were dealing with other issues. Far from being reassured by the letter from NHS England as to a low risk of infection the Claimants have instructed that their medical background heightened their anxieties as they were able to fully appreciate the potential implications of what the healthcare worker had done.

Mrs Mason stated that “for many despite having received the all clear there have been longer lasting repercussions with a high number reporting increased apprehension and vigilance when undergoing medical procedures in the future. We are continuing with our work on behalf of our clients to ensure they are adequately compensated for the trauma which they have gone through and to some extent still feel occasioned by this incident.”

Cohen Cramer Solicitors can be contacted 0113 224 7847 and are able to assist any further students who feel they may be affected by the situation.

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Stoke-on-Trent students living in “silent killer” carbon monoxide fear

BY PHILIP CULLINANE Scores of students in Stokeon-Trent are feared to be living in homes without life-saving carbon monoxide detectors.

A StaffsLive poll shows around 40% of students in Shelton do not have detectors for the highly poisonous gas, dubbed “the silent killer”.

Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas that causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, and loss of consciousness.

A new study by Gas Safe Register suggests more than 50% of homes in the West Midlands do not have a carbon monoxide detector fitted.

And 56% don’t get their carbon monoxide emitting appliances checked regularly enough.

Many students in Stoke-onTrent living in private rented accommodation say they are not aware of having carbon monoxide detectors Beth Draycott, 21, Downey Street, Shelton, had to buy her own detector after concerns over poisoning.

She said: “We got a detector because everyone kept getting headaches when going in the kitchen.”

Robert Milling, 19, also on Downey Street, who got his house through Stoke Property Shop, still does not have a detector despite requesting one.

He said: “It’s quite a concern to think that myself or my girlfriend could die in our sleep.

“It’s annoying really that one wasn’t provided because if there had been a problem then we wouldn’t have known if we hadn’t got one.”

Stoke property shop edit Ray Singh, of Stoke Property Shop, admitted not all properties may have them.

He said: “The majority of our properties do have them, I can’t say that 100% all of them do.

“We ensure that gas certificates are mandatory along with smoke detectors.

“We stress to the landlord that the monoxide detectors are important and should be installed.

“When we do carry out checks we do sometimes check to make sure the monoxide detectors are in the homes.”

Julie Smith, a Stoke-on-Trent landlady, added: “It’s irresponsible not to fit fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

“It covers you as a landlord and protects your tenants. Carbon monoxide alarms are a great idea, the more things for safety

the better.”

Bellvue, a housing provider in Stoke-on-Trent, does provide carbon monoxide detectors but many tenants were not aware.

Sam Booth, a Bellvue tenant, of Cauldon Road, said: “I had no idea.”

Jessica Randfield, 20, another Bellevue tenant also of Cauldon Road, said: “I didn’t think we had a detector, it’s a relief to know that we do.”

Ruhul Jaygirdar, 20, of Leek Road, said: “We do have a detector but it’s faulty and doesn’t work, I think it is something that the landlords should prioritise to replacing.”

Housing provider Bellvue declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Gas Safe Register, which registers qualified gas fitters, said: “Carbon monoxide kills if left undetected.

“The difference with carbon monoxide is that it is invisible and has no smell or taste, so you might not realise it is there.

“Carbon monoxide gas is still leading to preventable deaths.

In the past year nine people have died from exposure to carbon monoxide gas.”

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue10.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN 10Page

General Election Special:

Runners and riders in Staffordshire

The Green Party’s Sean Adam

BY THOMAS PARRY Parliamentary candidates for seven north and mid Staffordshire constituencies have now been unveiled.

And more than 10 parties are represented across Stoke-onTrent North, Stoke-on-Trent Central, Stoke-on-Trent South, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stone, Stafford and Staffordshire Moorlands.

Now the race is on to reach the finishing line first as voters prepare to flock to the polls on May 7.

High profile figures in the race include Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt, who will fight to retain his Stoke Central seat.

Veteran Staffordshire politician Joan Walley will be retiring as an MP for Stoke North after nearly 30 years in the job.

Elsewhere, for the first time in its history, the Green Party will field candidates for all constituencies in the city.

Read on as Staffslive goes over the runners and riders.

Stoke-on-Trent North Labour’s prized filly Joan Walley will be retiring to the yard after 28 years leaving behind her a closely fought race with no clear favourite in sight.

New Labour runner Ruth Smeeth will have a hard act to follow protecting a majority of over 8,000.

Although the Tunstall resident is no political novice, after studying politics at Birmingham University and also standing for Burton and Uttoxeter at the previous election – her emphasis will be on jobs.

Conservative Ben Adams will look to end his party’s dry spell with the county councillor, who has lived in the area for a quarter of a century, pledging to safeguard healthcare and create apprenticeships.

Outside shouts could come from UKIP’s Geoffrey Locke, who will be hoping for second time lucky standing in the constituency after a rise in popularity for his party following last springs EU parliament elections.

Also looking to fill Walley’s place at the Westminster stable will be the Liberal Democrat’s Paul Roberts.

And the Green Party will make history by fielding their first ever

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt

Stoke North candidate in the form of young gun Sean Adams and away from the main pack John Millward and Craig Pond will stand as independents.

Stoke-on-Trent Central Clear favourite Tristram Hunt will be looking to gallop to the tape with many believing victory for the current Shadow Education Secretary seems like a formality.

Despite this, the Labour thoroughbred, who could form a crucial part of a future government, will see opposition from all ends of the political spectrum. The Lib Dems will stand as Hunt’s biggest hurdle after a strong showing last time out.

Former NHS cardiologist Dr Zulfiqar Ali will be taking up the reins for Nick Clegg’s party come May 7.

Elsewhere, UKIP will be backing Mick Harold, a former pottery worker from the city with a recent history of local government who could well prove a dark horse.

Tory hopes rest with former councillor Liam Ascough who slammed opponent Hunt last year over declining education standards in the area. Also in the field is 26-year-old Independent candidate Mark Breeze – the son of late councillor Paul.

He will be joined by fellow first timer Jan Zablocki for the Greens.

Unknown quantities on the start line come in the form of Ali Majid representing the Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol Party and Paul Toussaint standing for The Ubuntu Party.

Stoke-on-Trent South Labour candidate for Stoke-onTrent South Rob Flello The bookies formbook nods towards Labour’s Rob Flello, who has successfully held the seat for a decade.

Although despite this past glory, he did see his majority slashed in 2010.

Flello will be hoping to have the edge over a fresh-faced pack that includes plenty of newcomers.

Barrister duo of Joe Rich, for the Conservatives, and Tariq Mahmood representing UKIP, will be looking to lay down the law in their bid for parliament.

Alongside them will be Lib Dem candidate Peter Andras, who has previous experience running for Northumbria Police and Crime

Commissioner.

The Greens continue to break new ground in the city with Luke Bellamy their third new candidate in as many constituencies that could cause a stir.

With such a close contest, rank outsider Matt Wright standing for

them off.

This constituency looks more like a two-horse race, but Ian Wilkes from the Lib Dems, who has run his local Post Office in the borough for the last 25 years, believes he can challenge the leading front-runners.

Wilkes feels more money should be invested in the NHS. The outside runners in this one are Sam Gibbons (Green Party), David Nixon (Independent) and Phil Wood (UKIP).

Nixon, who ran for UKIP in the 2010 election, is now standing as an Independent after a longrunning internal row with his old party.

Ed Whitfield, the Green Party’s Mike Shone, and Karen Howell, from the National Health Action Party.

Shone was actually Stafford’s Mayor but stepped down from the Labour party, disagreeing with new policies and the direction the party was going in.

Current Conservative MP for Stone Bill Cash

Stafford All the bookies are pointing to Stone Conservative’s Jeremy Lefroy in Veteran stallion Bill Cash has this race, who has been Stafford’s served as Stone’s MP since MP since the last election.

1997 and is looking to reign once Lefroy is promising to support Labour candidate for Stoke-on-Trent more at the age of 74 for the new and growing businesses Conservatives.

South Rob Flello and social enterprises if he is reHe looks like the hot favourite, so elected. the Trade Unionist and Socialist CASH in now.

Kate Godfrey will be standing for Coalition may come up short.

Sam Hale is a young colt from Labour who came second in this Cheadle running for Labour constituency in 2010.

Newcastle-under-Lyme and is in his early 20s. He is Labour’s Paul Farrelly is the campaigning to protect Stone’s She is claiming the Tories won’t fight for Stafford Hospital or tackle favourite in this race. local health services.

Farrelly has been the MP He is the most likely challenger the ‘damage being done to a town for Newcastle-under-Lyme to Cash in this three-horse race that is forever being ‘consulted’ since 2001 but only beat the along with Liberal Democrats’ and never listened to’.

Lib Dems have taken a punt on Conservatives last time by just Martin Lewis. more than 1,000 votes, a real Lewis, who now resides in Keith Miller to spearhead their race, and despite receiving 16.3% photo finish.

Clayton, believes the Liberal of the votes last time round, they Tony Cox, 35, will be the main Democrats were right in going look to finish in third place once competition this year, running for into a coalition five years ago. the Tories. He is pledging to stand The Lib Dems were runners up in more. up for local green areas, fighting this one last time and will give the The stragglers in the pack in this against Labour’s plans to sell Conservatives and Labour a run constituency appear to be UKIP’s for their money once more.

Bringing up the rear is Andrew Illsley, who has been chairman of the Stone UKIP branch for the past five years also chairman of UKIP Staffordshire for the same period.

John Coutouvidis (Independent) is a 70-year-old veteran from Barlaston, a retired lecturer who taught history at Staffordshire and Keele Universities.

These two are clear underdogs in this constituency, along with Wenslie Naylon who is standing UKIP candidate for Stafford will be Liberal Democrat candidate Ian Wilkes for the Green Party.

Ed Whitfield

Staffordshire Moorlands Conservative Karen Bradley is looking to be re-elected for the first time after winning 45.2% of the vote five years ago.

Bradley is promising to protect the countryside whilst promoting the Moorlands in a bid to boost local economy.

Trudie McGuinness, born and bred in the Moorlands, is running for Labour and will challenge Bradley at the front of the pack.

She is pledging action on jobs, education, housing and the cost of living if she wins this race.

John Redfern will be competing for the Lib Dems and the 55-yearold who works for Stoke-on-Trent

Karen Bradley will contest Staffordshire Moorlands seat

the

College, has been a councillor on Biddulph South ward on the Moorlands District Council for 17 years.

The odds are stacked against The Green Party’s Brian Smith and UKIP’s George Langley-Poole, who works on his parents’ farm in Ellastone.

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 311.11 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

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Power and sizes Safety accreditations The heaters start from 0:5kw All of our heaters carry the ce through to 2:5kw and also a certification (for observing all of variety of heights and widths, so the relevant CE objectives) that there is always a heater to CE certification (proven safety suite your needs. At only 80mm approval certificate) deep they really do have a great Heater reliability slim-line look .

Not since 1991 has a single Flexibility heater been returned to the SHS rads are used as a manufacturer, either faulty or for permanent replacement for gas/ repair. Now that is reliability. The oil boilers, storage heaters (E7) reason that the heaters are so systems etc. Alternatively they reliable is down to the experience can run along side conventional of the manufacturers. Lets be heating systems to give you a fair if you had been developing a boost in real problem cold spots. product for over 60yrs you would Ease of use know it inside out, its strengths The simplicity of our heaters and weakness, which would enable us to simply plug the enable you to continually improve heater into any 13amp socket and produce a top quality product. to give you instant use of the Rigorous checks are made during heaters. There is no need for any the manufacturing of the heaters, special tariff from your electricity as well as a three hour test run to supplier. see that all is in full working order

Guarantee The high quality build and reliability of our heaters enable us to give you guarantees far exceeding that required by law.

Each heater carry a 5 year guarantee and 2 years on the thermostats.

About Simple Heating Solutions Simple heating solutions (SHS) have been trading since 2007, when we became a distributor for elti heating of East Yorkshire. After a while we became independant and began importing directly from the manufacturers thus enabling us to become more competitive than previously.

The business is run by Martin Robertson, from Rugeley, Staffordshire.

All of our heaters are manufactured in Germany by a family run business that have been in the heating business since 1946.

As you would expect from any German manufacturer, all of the products are made to a very high standard, and with such a long track record you can be sure that the reliability of the heaters is second to none.

Should you require information or advice prior to purchasing your chosen radiator, please call our Product Information Helpline on 01889 576732. Our staff can give you information on our whole product range. Alternatively, for pre-purchase queries you can contact us by email info@simpleheating.net

North Staffordshire veteran plans to launch drop-in centre for ex-soldiers

STOKE-ON-TRENT COUNCILLOR BACKS BAN ON SMOKING IN CARS WITH CHILDREN

BY SEAN BURTON A Stoke-on-Trent councillor has backed a ban on smoking in cars with children as latest figures show an alarming number of smokers in the city.

Cllr Adrian Knapper, Health and Wellbeing Cabinet member for Stoke-on-Trent City Council, hopes the new law will prompt more people to stop smoking.

New figures show about 28% of adults (aged 18 and over) in Stoke-on-Trent are smokers, while the average for England is 19.5%.

Stoke’s percentage is a significantly higher number, and has increased year on year by 1% over the last three years.

The percentage of women smoking during pregnancy in Stoke is 21.1%, compared to the national average of 12.7%.

Cllr Knapper said: “We’d rather see people who smoke in

Stoke-on-Trent kicking the habit for good, as it’s one of the biggest causes of premature death and illness.

“But if people do smoke, it’s so important they protect children from the dangers of second-hand smoke.”

Residents in Stoke agree with the ban.

Jade Ainsworth, 23, from Goldenhill, said: “I never smoke in the car with my child nor do I allow anyone else to.

“We are meant to protect our young and a car full of smoke is not only uncomfortable, but it smells and is dangerous.”

Michael Procter, a 23-year-old ecologist from Fenton, said: “I’m a smoker, and I would never smoke around kids.

“I think smoking should be banned in cars in general.

“It’s a distraction, and if you drop your fag you will probably burn yourself and crash and dropping cinders is always a risk.”

Simon Clark, director of the

smokers’ group FOREST, said: “Legislation is excessive.

The overwhelming majority of smokers know it’s inconsiderate to smoke in a car with children and they don’t do it.

“For the first time the government is dictating whether people can smoke in their own private space.

“The next step will be a ban on smoking in all private vehicles followed by a ban on smoking in the home if children are present.”

Cllr Knapper added: “I urge smokers in the city to think very carefully about the impact their smoking has on children and to make their cars and homes smoke-free.”

For help quitting smoking, visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree for a range of free support and quitting advice, including the Smokefree app and Quit Kit.

BY REBECCA CLARKE A North Staffordshire veteran plans to launch a community drop-in centre for former soldiers suffering mental health issues.

North Staffs Veterans Group was set up by ex-Sgt Steve Clews, from Sneyd Green, Stoke-onTrent.

The group provides support for former soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder and other related mental health conditions.

The centre will give veterans access to therapy rooms, advice and even emergency accommodation.

Steve said: ”Our aim is to provide a permanent walk in centre.

“Whether they be on the streets,

whether they’ve been referred to us clinically, whether its through the police… we want a five-day a week walk in centre.”

Steve suffered his own personal battle with post traumatic stress which led to him almost taking his own life after a 12-year stretch in the forces.

The lack of knowledge and support for the condition inspired the launch of the group.

They also offer help and advice with finances, housing and other medical treatments.

They also operate a 24/7 support line for soldiers and their families.

Steve added: ”It’s also about supporting the families, there’s a lot of relationship breakdowns due to this and it’s helping the family know what’s going on.”

Ex -Grenadier Guard Mark Coates is one of the many exsoldiers the group has helped.

Mark, who came out of the army in 2006 after serving in Iraq, Kenya and Bosnia, met Steve after his marriage broke down.

Mark said: ‘”There’s a lot of lads who had everything done for them so don’t know how to cook a meal, don’t know how to set benefits up, don’t know how to approach a doctor.”

The project receives no funding and relies on donations but they are currently incorporating as a charity.

To find out more and to donate towards the project, visit http:// north-staffs-veterans.org/en-us/ Support-Us

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Teenage market founder says it will have ‘huge impact’ in Stoke-on-Trent

BY TONY COSTIN The co-founder of a teenage market, which aims to encourage young people’s creativity, said it will be a boost to Stoke-on-Trent.

Joe Barratt, 22, along with his brother Tom, 20, founded the Teenage Market in their hometown of Stockport in 2012, after feeling their local marketplace did not offer anything interesting.

Their idea involves traders aged between 12 and 25, who are given a stall to sell their own products, and performers, who can show off their talents in front of an audience.

After successful markets across the North West, including in Manchester and Wolverhampton, the brothers are finally bringing the event to Stoke-on-Trent.

The market will be open for business on May 16 in Hanley.

Joe Barratt said: “We’re really excited that the Teenage Market is coming to Stoke-on-Trent as part of our national campaign to

set-up teenage markets in every town and city in the country.

“With Stoke-on-Trent having signed up to run one, it is a big step forward for us, as we are now in nearly 20 towns and cities across the country.

“We’ve seen the huge positive impact the Teenage Market has had on other cities across the country and I’m confident that we’ll see the same impact in Stoke-on-Trent.

“The main benefits include increasing spend in the local area, engaging with families and getting people to stay and enjoy their time in the city centre.”

The first market organised by the Joe and Tom Barratt in their hometown of Stockport received national media coverage as more than 70 traders and 20 performers took part.

Spaces for traders and performers are still available for the market in Hanley and you can apply online on their website and the deadline for submission April 24.

Majority in the East Midlands are unaware of the serious risks of air pollution New research reveals that exposure to pollution increases risk of stroke A recent survey carried out by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has revealed that over 80% (86%) of people in the East Midlands are unaware that air pollution can increase the risk of stroke. Yet new research carried out

by University of Edinburgh, funded by BHF, has found that being exposed to air pollution increases the risk of hospitalisation or death from stroke in the following seven days.

The research, published today in the British Medical Journal, collected data from over 100 studies across six million people in 28 countries around the world. The findings showed shortterm exposure to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and small soot particles called PM2.5 and PM10 increased the risk of hospitalisation or death from stroke. [1] The strongest adverse effects were seen on the same day of exposure to PM2.5 - small particles that are around 2.5 micrometres, or 50 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair, that float, unseen in the air.

This research follows a nationwide poll which revealed that while 92% of people in the East Midlands are aware of the link between asthma and air pollution, far fewer made the link between stroke and high pollution levels – just 14% of respondents. 67% of people in the East Midlands also don’t know what their local air pollution level is or how to find out this information.[2] Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide and causes around 3,000 deaths in the East Midlands each year [3].

The heart charity says the research further highlights the urgency for the Government to bring air pollution in line with current EU limits to help reduce the nation’s risk of developing heart and circulatory conditions.

The UK is currently breaching pollution limits in 38 of 43 air quality zones and is breaking EU law. The broad East Midlands air quality zone, and Urban Area Zones of Leicester and Nottingham will not come down to legal limits until 2025. Currently just five UK zones are compliant with EU limits, although the World Health Organization still does not think these limits go far enough to protect health. [4] A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off, causing your brain cells to become damaged or die. As a leading independent funder of heart and circulatory

research in Europe, the BHF is currently funding £16 million of stroke research.

Dr Anoop Shah from the University of Edinburgh, lead author of the study said: “Long term exposure to pollution has already been linked to lung, heart and circulatory disease. This study now demonstrates that even short-term exposure to air pollution can trigger disabling strokes or death from stroke.

We hope these findings further highlight the adverse effects of pollution on health and that policies will be put in place to continue to reduce atmospheric air pollution.

“One of the key differences between risk of stroke due to air pollution and other risk factors such as smoking or high blood pressure is that the whole general population is exposed.

As such this increased risk of stroke is in the general population and not just those previously thought to be at high risk.”

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation which funded the study said: “It’s deeply concerning that in many areas in the UK, air pollution may not meet the required EU limits until 2020. It is absolutely staggering that the Government accepts that some may not meet the limit until 2030, a full 20 years after the EU deadline. This puts hundreds of thousands of people across the UK at higher but totally avoidable risk of having a stroke.

“In 2014, all three air quality zones in the East Midlands were predicted to not meet EU law until 2025 – this is unacceptable.

“This new research only compounds what we already know, that air pollution is a blight on public health, particularly on heart and circulatory diseases. We urge the Government ahead of the Supreme Court ruling next month, to do all that is possible, as quickly as it can, to protect the population from unnecessary risk of hospitalisation and death from air pollution.

Every delay is putting more people at risk.”

A major source of all pollution globally is fuel combustion, contributing significantly to atmospheric air pollution.

This week, the BHF has launched a new public guide that explain the increased risk of air pollution to those already suffering with heart and circulatory diseases, and outlines ways that people can reduce their exposure. For more information please go to: www.bhf.org.uk/ airpollution

Poor internet connections cost East Midlands economy £1.1bn a year • Workers lose 49 hours every year due to slow internet access • 34% of employees say internet at home is faster than at work • Workers look for other jobs during periods of IT downtime Despite a growing reliance amongst businesses on the internet, recent research has discovered that slow internet connections are costing the East Midlands economy £1.1bn a year in lost productivity, as more than a million are left unable to work during periods of IT downtime.

The research commissioned by business communications firm, Daisy Group, found that the average worker is unable to complete their normal job responsibilities for up to 56 minutes every week due to poor broadband speeds, while 11 per cent admitted that their internet connection grinds to a halt more than 13 times in any given seven day period.

According to the study, more than a third (34%) of respondents said that their home internet connection was ‘much faster’ than the one they use at work. This is despite the government’s effort to roll out fibre broadband across the UK and offer free grants to subside the costs of upgrading a connection.

Jan Wielenga, Product Manager for Data Networks at Daisy Group, said: "Too many businesses are still relying on basic ADSL connections that are aimed at the residential users. These are businesses that struggle to cope with the high-bandwidth demands of software and apps that workers use.

“It is simply unacceptable for businesses that rely heavily on the internet to experience periods of downtime, particularly at a time when fibre and dedicated Ethernet connections have never been more affordable and available.

“The internet going down or running slowly for 56 minutes per week doesn’t sound much, but the result of any loss of productivity is that businesses suffer.”

During periods of slow internet access, half (50%) of those surveyed admitted that they turn to their smartphones for non-related work activities, such as online shopping and checking social media.

Worryingly, six per cent of respondents admitted to using their smartphones to look for other jobs when they have no internet access.

The research suggests that the average worker loses 49 hours of productivity a year through slow internet access or IT downtime. Taking the UK’s average wage of £13 per hour, and 77% of the East Midlands’ workforce of 2.2 million that use the internet in their job roles, it is estimated that £637 worth of productivity is lost per employee per year, which across the region mounts up to a staggering £994m.

The research was conducted to assess the takeup of the government’s SuperConnected Cities scheme that helps subsidise the cost of a superfast connection upgrade for SMEs. Businesses located within a defined postcode in 22 cities are currently eligible for a grant of up to £3,000, with more cities due to be added to the scheme in April 2015.

“A strong digital infrastructure has become the backbone of any forward-thinking organisation because it ensures that they are prepared for the future. However, there is a lack of awareness amongst SMEs that the SuperConnected Cities scheme exists which is hindering the UK economy.

Now really is the time to upgrade to avoid being left behind the competition,” added Wielenga.

To assist SMEs decide which connectivity solution meets their requirements, in conjunction with the CBI, Daisy is hosting a free webinar on the subject on 26th March. The event is being hosted by one of Daisy’s data network experts and will also feature the CBI’s Tom Thackray, Head of Enterprise and member of the CBI’s digital team.

Information on the event can be found here: www.daisygroup.com/superfast-connectivitysme-webinar/

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Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton tours Emma Bridgewater pottery factory after designing her own charity mug

BY BECCI HAYES & LAUREN ROBERTS The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton took her first look at the Emma Bridgewater mug that she designed to raise money for children with serious illnesses.

Kate, 33, who is a patron for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH) for which the mugs are raising money for, approached the Stoke-on-Trent ceramics firm with the idea after seeing her previous charity collections.

She was then shown a design created by Matthew Rice, Emma Bridgewater’s husband in November 2014, unique to the Hanley pottery factory, where she got hands-on involved with creating the ceramic art.

The design included sunflowers, ladybirds and butterflies.

The Duchess was asked how she would incorporate the design onto a new mug and came up with the simple idea of just using the ladybird.

Designer and factory owner Emma Bridgewater told StaffsLive: “This is a really special occasion and involved lots of preparation.

“I was so excited and really, really pleased when we talked about the design so we said right, this has got to be perfect. This is amazing.

“The ladybird design itself was all Kate’s idea.

“We wanted to incorporate pattern and Kate pointed out the ladybird and said what if we just took that?

“The mugs are different-looking – sensible and

practical – really good. She’s got it.”

The charity mugs, which go on sale on March 3 at £19.95 each, will donate £5 per individual mug sale towards the Donna Louise Hospice, the local Stoke-on-Trent hospice that cares for children with terminal illnesses.

The mug comes as part of a new cup and teapot collection, created at the Stoke-on-Trent pottery factory, which opened in Lichfield Street in 1985.

Kate Middleton welcome arch As well as personally welcoming the Duchess, Matthew Rice designed a welcome archway sign, similar to the one that welcomed Charles and Camilla to the factory in 2010.

Emma added: “We wanted a marvellous arch.

“We are so pleased as it looks brilliant and very simple.”

Stafford retailers warn new complex could “divide” town centre

BY RICHARD HILTON Stafford town centre has had more than its fair share of woes during the economic downturn.

Vacancy rates are high and many empty retail units now line Stafford’s High Street.

Some famous names along Gaolgate Place, Greengate Street and Bridge Street have fallen foul of the recession, along with numerous independent retailers. The Guildhall Shopping Centre lies half empty, and Princes Street is devoid of life save for a number of charity shops.

Stafford Borough Council is hoping to attract shoppers and new investment with the Riverside leisure and entertainment complex – a £70 million development bringing in new shops and restaurants.

But some, like Karen Entwistle of Stafford Fancy Dress & Party

in Princes Street, fear this new development could potentially cause more harm to those areas already suffering from deserting tenants and shoppers.

One of the few positive attractions to the north end for shoppers is Marks & Spencer, but this big name will be vacating their existing store next year for a new unit at the Riverside.

The Guildhall Shopping Centre is also set to lose River Island at the same time for the same reason.

There is a fear among retailers that a North/South divide could open up within Stafford.

“We don’t seem to get the attention the rest of the town get,” said Karen.

“We don’t get decorations at Christmas, we don’t have CCTV, it’s down to the independent stores to do their own thing.

“I think the council could do a lot more.”

Ted Manders, head of planning

and regeneration at Stafford Borough Council, conceded that there was the danger a North/ South divide could open up in

Stafford.

However he feels it would be a short-term issue and that a joint study by DTZ and Urbed has

been commissioned to report on how to best support the north part of the town centre.

The study’s findings are due to be

published in the summer.

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Marco Parco Pierre White Restaurant, Kegworth Sight loss support

OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Friday 3rd April 2015, marked a special day in history for BEST WESTERN PREMIER Yew Lodge Hotel as the doors of the brand new Marco’s New York Italian restaurant were officially opened.

Mrs Pick, Company Secretary of the hotel, proudly did the honours of declaring the restaurant open with a traditional ribbon cutting. It was an understandably emotional time for the family who have owned and managed the hotel for three generations. Mrs Pick explained “The launch of the new restaurant means a great deal to my husband and myself and indeed the whole family. We are extremely proud of our loyal and enthusiastic staff, who, have worked so hard to make this all possible."

The first 2 weeks have been a real success as the impressive new team ran several 'soft launches' ahead of yesterday’s VIP launch, which took place in the restaurant. The New York Italian themed event including New York style taxi’s, live entertainment and

attend to celebrate the welcomed addition of the restaurant to the hotel and Kegworth area.

The restaurant has been an exciting move for the wellknown BEST WESTERN consortia. Andrew Denton, Head of Communications at BEST WESTERN GB says; "Marco’s New York Italian will be a great addition to an already popular Premier hotel in the Best Western portfolio. It demonstrates the commitment to quality our members are investing in, raising standards and expectations for guests and casual diners alike. I am sure it will be a great – and extremely tasty – success” John Merison, Owner of John Merison Builders and President of the North West Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, says; “Tonight is the ambience of New

“

Tonight is the ambience of New York in an Italian environment ... just perfect. ”

of course, delicious Marco’s New York Italian drinks and canapés, saw over 100 East Midland business leaders and media

York in an Italian environment ... just perfect. What an absolute delight to be here this evening and witness so many business leaders coming together to celebrate the arrival of this new and truly wonderful restaurant to Kegworth. The area has been in need of something like this for a really long time and hats off to Yew Lodge for being the one’s to give it to us.

For more information about BEST WESTERN PREMIER Yew Lodge Hotel or to book a table at Marco’s New York Italian restaurant, visit www. yewlodgehotel.co.uk or bookings@marcoskegworth. com

T

01509 672518

W

www.yewlodgehotel.co.uk

E

bookings@marcoskegworth.com

Consultants play a valuable part in modern business They usually hold a specific expertise and can take that speciality from firm to firm, confidentiality assured at all times if they want to keep working.

From a business perspective, it means smaller companies don’t need to employ staff to look after one part of their affairs.

For example, accountants tend to work in a consultancy-type capacity. They are not on the firm’s payroll but are paid on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly retained rate.

Many firms retain public relations and advertising consultants on the same basis.

Although consultancy fees may seem dear compared with full time employment, the employer doesn’t have to worry about holiday cover, national insurance contributions, income tax, sick pay, maternity pay or any of the other on-costs normally

associated with employment.

If, for example, a small or medium-sized company wanted to investigate and adopt low carbon sustainability initiatives – DNCC has a conference on this very topic scheduled for 10 October, keep watching www.dncc.co.uk for details – they could employ a consultancy to undertake the work for them.

The consultants would either have knowledge of or investigate the best ‘green’ initiatives for the size of the company, bearing in mind growth plans, suggest a course of action, identify the long term savings to the business, oversee adoption of the initiatives and then leave the firm with no sacking or redundancy or final payoff unless one was included in the contract at the beginning.

The contract would normally be specific to that one

task and on completion, the consultancy costs end. It clean, it’s simple, it’s flexible and it’s tax deductable.

If you want to bring that down to everyday life, think about food shopping. You can either take time out of your day to drive to the supermarket, walk round choosing what you want, queue at the checkout, pack your bags, pay, load the car, drive home, unload the car, carry your bags into the house and put everything away, or you can press repeat order on your smart device, pay, and at a prescribed time your shopping is delivered, leaving you time to, well, go clothes shopping, perhaps.

That, in essence is how consultancy works. It frees up your time to focus on more important things, like running your business.

programme celebrates 12 years of helping blind and partially sighted people in England Event in Derby attended by people who benefited from ‘Finding Your Feet’ course On Thursday 12 March, an event was held to celebrate 12 years of the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) ‘Finding Your Feet’ programme, a support programme designed to help blind and partially sighted people deal with some of the practical and emotional challenges of coming to terms with sight loss.

Around 30 people who have attended the programme over the years came together at the Hallmark Hotel in Derby. As well as reflecting on the impact ‘Finding Your Feet’ had on their lives, they shared hints, tips and ideas on living with sight loss. The event saw attendees take part in workshops on topics such as using technology in their daily lives and getting involved by influencing policy through campaigning.

One of the event organisers, Annette Dinnall from RNIB, said: “‘Finding Your Feet’ has helped around a thousand people to meet others who are in a similar situation and share their knowledge and experiences. We’ve worked with 22 local society partners to offer more local support and we’re delighted that people with sight loss can continue to benefit from this great programme as part of Living with Sight Loss programmes.

“This event brought together some of the participants and facilitators, and it’s been great to celebrate and showcase the benefits of this course for people with sight loss and their families.

“Anyone thinking of attending the ‘Finding Your Feet’ course can find out more by calling our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.”

Joyce, who attended Thursday’s event, said of her experiences of the programme: “I was very lucky as I actually went on a residential ‘Finding Your Feet’ course with my husband only two months after I was registered blind, and for those two months I sat at home and thought ‘Well that's it. I'm registered blind.

What can I do for the rest of my life?’ When I went on the ‘Finding Your Feet’ course it was a revelation… It was the start of a whole new life for me.”

Joyce added: “The course was wonderful, the peer support and being able to talk to people in exactly the same situation, who had the same problems, and getting the emotional support, knowing all the benefits, and different organisations who could offer help and services.

“There was someone there to help you with how to put on your make-up, how to distinguish your clothes... as well as advice on computers and mobile phones. It was just amazing what was packed into two days.”

‘Finding Your Feet’ courses are now delivered by Action for Blind People as part of its Living with Sight Loss programmes. To find your local Living with Sight Loss programme, you can phone the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.actionforblindpeople. org.uk/finding-your-feet-programme

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STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY Three Horseshoes pub and hotel UNVEILS 40 MILLION INVESTMENT IN will open spa in Staffordshire STOKE-ON-TRENT AND STAFFORD

A spa that will recreate the feeling of lying on a beach is set to open in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The family-owned pub and hotel, the Three Horseshoes in Blackshaw Moor will unveil the the Mill Wheel Spa at the end of March 2015 and will offer a range of treatments to help people relax and unwind.

The rural setting of the place has inspired the theme of the spa at the venue, which is already one of the most popular wedding venues in North Staffordshire.

One of its highlights will be a beach hut experience, which will let people soak up vitamin D for 25 minutes while lying

in warm sand and listening to relaxing music and inhaling essential oils.

There will also be a stone bath – mineral stones heated in an oven before being dipped into a basin filled with cold water to fill the room with steam.

The spa will feature a UK first – the Mill Wheel shower.

It relies on water power and involves hot and cold water pouring out of the wheel’s shovels to complement the spa’s hot and cold treatments.

Five of the hotel’s rooms will also be altered to include their own private gardens with outdoor hot tubs.

The expansion will create 13 more full time jobs at the venue.

Wendy Kirk, head of marketing, said the idea came to them last March when they were sitting in a spa during a UK break.

She said: “We were in the hot tub with our builder friend Rob, and asked if he could build one for us.

“It went from there and work began in September last year.

“We hope to become a premier spa destination and encourage people to spend longer in the area” The Kirk family have owned the Three Horseshoes since 1981 and under their ownership it has gone from a country pub to having a 26-room hotel and three restaurants.

Staffordshire University has revealed plans for a £40 million investment to revamp its facilities in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford.

Plans include new computing labs, gaming labs and state-ofthe-art TV and music technology studios.

The announcement comes just three months after Vice Chancellor Michael Gunn announced a £5 million cost-cutting plan which left staff facing redundancy and cuts on department budgets.

The university has also started the task of closing its Beaconside campus in Stafford, which will see about 3,000 computing and entertainment technology students move to its Stoke-onTrent by 2016.

Planning applications as part of the latest revamp announcement are to be submitted to Stoke-onTrent City Council between now

and April.

Margaret Monckton, director of finance and infrastructure and deputy chief executive, told StaffsLive: “There has been a full review of our estate and how buildings are used which has helped determine where money will be spent.

“There is also a need to replicate some of the facilities we currently have at Stafford.

“The campus move will happen over the summer of 2016 to limit disruption to students.”

The other Stafford campus on Blackheath Lane, which supports nursing, midwifery and health courses will remain open and is set to be revamped with a four million pound investment.

Mel Ramsay, President of Staffordshire University Student Union, said: “We have two members of our officer team who

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sit on the board of governors, the Student Union wasn’t directly involved but we do attend the meetings and they get to hear the student voice.

“I’ve understood that the students at Blackheath Lane campus feel a bit left out in the past.

“This money will allow them to get a whole range facilities they’ve wanted, they have been banging on this door for a long time.”

Mel explained that although the plans for improving accommodation and sports facilities are a year away, the fact that the university is recognising the need to improve these areas is a fantastic step forward.

Members of the public can view and comment on the planning applications through a public access page available on the planning section of the Stoke-onTrent City Council’s website.

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Children in Need wildlife project youngsters enjoy nature in Hanley February on the one day it was sunny; it was a perfect day.”

Mrs Gornell attended an event with her family at Apedale Country Park, which was specifically for children and young people with disabilities.

She said: “I took my son Liam, who has autism. It’s great for him to be involved too.”

Wildplay was featured on BBC’s Children in Need in November at the Think Tank Museum in Birmingham.

BY CARRIE HUGHES Hanley Park hosted a special Children in Need funded project that aims to “get kids excited about wildlife and nature”.

Wildplay, which is run by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, encourages children to get involved with nature by organising outdoor activities.

These include hunting bugs, den-building, clay making, fossilhunting and finding animal eggs.

The charity targets children living in cities who are less likely to go outside and introduces them to parks in their area.

Hannah Farley, 25, organiser of Wildplay in Hanley, said: “Nowadays, it’s all about iPads and iPhones, so it’s amazing to see how enthusiastic they are about insects.”

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust received a £28,000 grant from Children in Need to help with running costs.

They took children down to the studios where they had their faces painted in a camouflage style, and one of the colleagues even dressed up as a badger.

Sarah Rodgers, 44, who has worked with the charity for four years, came from a social work background where she had previously worked with children with disabilities.

She said: “It’s great for me to be outdoors and playing with the children.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust said: “Wildplay has been running for more than 10 years, and over those years we have also received funding from Barnados Better Play Fund and The Big Lottery.”

A similar event was held in Central Forest last week, with more than 100 people turning up.

Helen Gornell, a Stoke-onTrent mother-of-three, said: “My children find it fun!

“They went to this event before in

“I love it and I’m learning with them.”

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was founded in 1969 and is the county’s leading nature conservation charity.

They run events to encourage people of all ages and background to discover enjoy and care about the natural world.

If you would like to get involved visit www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk

Hannah Farley, Wildplay organiser

Pet obesity set to soar in East Midlands, warns vet charity PDSA launches pet slimming contest to fight the flab of nation’s pets Findings from the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report say four out of five veterinary professionals* have seen an increase in pet obesity cases in the last two years.

Obesity is the number one concern among vets when it comes to man’s best friend. But worryingly, nearly half of people surveyed are not aware it’s a major issue**. This is a huge concern, says PDSA, given that four out of five vets and vet nurses* also believe there will be more overweight pets than healthy pets in five years time.

Pet owners in the East Midlands are among the worst offenders in the UK for to feeding their animals fatty treats: according to the report, 67% of pet owners in the region regularly feed their animals high calorie treats such as crisps, cake and takeaways, which is fuelling the pet obesity epidemic.

Obesity can contribute to pets developing deadly conditions that can cut their lifespan, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, as well as debilitating conditions including arthritis.

To help combat the pet obesity crisis PDSA today launches its annual Pet Fit Club competition and is inviting owners of the UK’s biggest pets to take part in the fat fighting contest.

Nicola Martin, PDSA Head of Pet Health and Welfare, said: “Over the past decade, Pet Fit Club has transformed the lives of some of the UK’s most obese pets. We have helped nearly 100 animals shed over 60 stone, so are welcoming entries again and offering our expertise.”

Early East Midlands entrants to this year’s

PDSA Pet Fit Club - 10.9kg cat Guy fills the tray.

competition include Guy the cat from Leicester, who is almost three times his ideal weight, and Sony the rough collie from Derby, who needs to lose around 20kg.

Pet obesity isn’t confined to cats and dogs: vets see round rabbits and even rotund rodents.

PDSA Pet Fit Club participants will take part in a tailored diet and exercise programme, overseen by expert vets and nurses over a six month period.

Owners can enter their pets at www.petfitclub.org. uk; the deadline for entries is Sunday, 26 April, 2015.

Nicola Martin added: “PDSA’s research has shown that pet obesity is a growing problem and that too many people are continuing to feed their pets inappropriate foods including takeaways, cake, cheese and chips and sadly many pets aren’t getting enough exercise.

“Pet obesity is entirely preventable and we’re trying to help owners understand that while their pets may beg for food, and giving a treat is a way of showing affection, ultimately it could be killing them with kindness.”

PDSA’s PAW Report, produced in conjunction with YouGov, provides the biggest annual insight into pet health and welfare and has highlighted some of the not-so-sweet home truths about our pets’ unhealthy habits when it comes to diet and exercise.

Pet obesity – The Facts • 89% of owners are aware of obesity-related issues such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis • 88% of owners acknowledge that overweight pets will have a shortened life span • Over 5.5 million pets get treats as part of their daily diet • Over 2 million owners give treats because their pets beg for them • In the dog house: Dog owners are significantly more likely than cat and rabbit owners to feed their pets unhealthy treats. And by quite a margin too – 83% of dog owners feed their pets at least one of these unhealthy things, compared to 38% of cat owners.

• Over six million dogs are walked for an hour a day or less*** Dr Philippa Yam, leading animal obesity expert at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, said: “It’s clear that pet obesity continues to be a major issue due to a lack of understanding about pets’ welfare needs. PDSA’s Pet Fit Club competition has successfully raised awareness of

Daisy before this serious, but entirely preventable condition and continues to help many pets year on year.”

Ten years of PDSA Pet Fit Club PDSA Pet Fit Club was launched in 2005 and has already helped 63 dogs, 26 cats and 6 rabbits lose a total 60stone 6lb. This weight loss is the equivalent of 384 bags of sugar, more than 6,700 sausages, 761 tins of dog food or over 500 blocks of lard.

Case studies Guy the cat (Leicester) Guy the eight-year-old, 10.9 kilo curvy cat from Leicester is loving, loyal and according to his owner, has never been slim. Angie Barcock has had Guy since he was 12-weeks-old. She collected him on 5 November, so he was named after Guy Fawkes.

“He has always been a big cat,” said owner Angie Barcock. “He is the best cat ever, he’s so calm and placid, and he follows me everywhere. Guys is an indoor cat so perhaps doesn’t get as much exercise as outdoor cats, but he eats normally, he’s just lazy.”

Ms Barcock added that she wants her beloved cat to lose weight with PDSA’s help for Guy’s health, as she is worried about his heart.

Sony the Rough Collie (Derby) Three-year-old Rough Collie Sony (pronounced Sonny), has always been a big boned dog, but his owner became worried when he started struggling on walks. His owner Caroline Hawkridge said: “Sony has never enjoyed exercise, especially if it’s raining, but I noticed he’d started walking very slowly so I took him to PDSA. When the vet told me how overweight Sony had become, and that it could shorten his life, I was really shocked.”

Daisy After Sony currently weighs around 45kg but should be between 20-25kg. Caroline continued: “Sony is so special to us; my daughter has epilepsy and Sony alerts me when she’s having a fit. I was devastated to think we could lose him early, so I’ve put him straight on a diet. He never got many treats, although he’s been known to raid the bins for leftovers given half a chance!”

Sony is now being helped by PDSA vets and nurses to get to a healthier weight.

Daisy – 2014 PDSA Pet Fit Club champ A formerly bulging Bulldog – who was so lazy she had to be bribed with ham to exercise – was crowned ‘pet slimmer of the year’ after shedding over a quarter of her bodyweight.

Daisy’s passion for extra portions had caused her waistline to expand, along with her preference of hitching a ride to pounding the pavement. She started the competition weighing in at a hefty 28.3kg but with PDSA’s help and her owner, Gillian Turrell’s determination, she lost around 8kg in weight – meaning that she shed an impressive 27% of her bodyweight.

Gillian said: “The difference in Daisy is amazing.

Losing the weight has really improved her mobility.

Before she struggled to climb the stairs – now she sprints up them! And she has a waist again! I’m so grateful to the vet staff at Middlesbrough PDSA Pet Hospital for their help and guidance, and for how they’ve helped to transform Daisy’s life. I’d encourage any pet owner worried about their pet’s weight to enter Pet Fit Club.”

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 317.17 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Border Collie Trust (Great Britain) rescues and rehomes Border Collies and collie crosses throughout the UK. Registered Charity (1053585)

About Border Collie Trust GB Kennels Situated in the heart of Staffordshire, purpose built kennels are our base and rescue centre for the work the Trust undertakes throughout the UK in the care, rescue and rehoming of Border Collies & Collie crosses

For help, advice and information

0871 560 2282

For further information you can contact us by email: info@bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

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86% of parents in the Midlands are bailing their children out of debt

With the increase in rental prices and fewer jobs available to young people, more children are relying financially on their parents than ever before.[1] A study by TopCashback.co.uk, released today, reveals that 86 per cent of parents in the Midlands admit to helping their children, 18 or over, out of debt in hard times.

A further 63 per cent of parents still have their children, 18 or over, living at home without charging them rent to ease the financial strain on their kids.

The research also reveals that around half of parents feel they weren’t taught enough about money management by their own parents, which in turn has had a knock-on effect on the way their own children manage their finances. A further 35 per cent of parents confessed they could have taught their children more about money management.

However, 65 per cent of parents feel they’ve taught their children enough about managing their finances to become financially independent. A quarter of parents say their children are ‘savvy savers’ and 18

per cent even describe their kids as ‘thrifty’.

When asked what they believe to be the most effective way of teaching children about money management, more than half of parents claim giving their children an allowance and making them budget their own spending has been the best approach.

This compares to a quarter of parents who’ve used household tasks such as grocery shopping to teach their children about money management.

Other key findings reveal that: More than two-thirds of parents in the Midlands confess they would not trust their children with their personal credit card Around half of parents believe that the best age to teach children about managing their finances is between 6 and 10 57 per cent parents do not think their children know how to budget their finances effectively The full set of statistics for the East and West Midlands are displayed in the infographics below:

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PENSIONS LEGISLATION CHANGES IN 2015 If you are at least 55, from the 6th April, you will be allowed to access your pension benefits in any way you choose, giving you freedom to take some or all of your pension fund as a lump sum and, subject to paying income tax on three quarters of your fund, at your highest marginal rate, you can do with as you please.

For anyone with a small pension fund, were providing an income by annuity purchase or directly from the fund, is not practical this new freedom is likely be a welcome.

The greater flexibility afforded to the majority will also be a welcome change. Importantly though, in order to work out how best to utilise your pension accounts, and what is best to do, you will need to carefully weigh up a number of factors ~ these being the impact of income tax, the immediate and long term effects on personal cash flow, your lifestyle and future plans, life expectancy, expenditure and inheritance tax etc…

A less publicised yet significant improvement from April will be how pension benefits are treated after death.

Passing pension fund wealth down to future generations is an extremely tax efficient estate planning solution.

Restrictions on who you can nominate will be removed allowing you to nominate anyone at any age to benefit from your pension on death.

If you die after age 75, payments will be taxed at the beneficiary’s marginal rate. But if death occurs

before age 75, the nominated beneficiary has a pot of money they can access at any time completely tax free.

In either case, the funds are outside the beneficiary’s estate for IHT while they remain within the drawdown account and will continue to enjoy tax free growth.

And it goes on and on…..

The ability to pass on pension wealth doesn’t stop there. The nominated beneficiary can nominate their own successor who will take over the drawdown fund following their death – unlike the current rules where lump sum death benefits are the only option for non-dependants.

This will allow accumulated pension wealth to cascade down the generations, whilst continuing to enjoy the tax freedoms that the pension wrapper will provide.

Tax rate determined by age at last death Each time a pension fund is inherited by a nominee or successor, the tax rate will be reset by the age at death of the last drawdown account holder.

Where the pension fund is not essential to meet an older survivor’s needs, it may well be better for the original pension member to nominate their much younger adult child, grandchild or other family member as the death benefit nominee, thereby avoiding the capital falling into account for inheritance tax and permitting them to take tax free income for years.

It seems that these days everyone is talking about pensions but the more that people talk the less clear it all seems to be.

The problem can be that it is so confusing to the average person that the best solution for many seems to be to ignore it and hope for the best.

The bad news is that is probably about the very worst course of action but where can people find someone who is prepared to talk to them about pensions in plain English without all the nonsensical jargon.

At Advice on Pensions we are committed to providing answers to the questions that you may have about your pensions in simple, easy to understand terms.

We take the time to sit down with our clients, find out their needs and then explain the best options for them without resorting out to the kind of jargon that so few people understand.

So if you want to know whether you can use your pension to pay off your mortgage early, or take a cruise or maybe, just maybe you want to know whether you can retire now, we can explain it all to you.

We know this is your pension money, we know that you have sweated blood and tears to get

your pension to where it is today and we also know that knowing what best to do with it can be a huge worry.

Don’t you think you deserve to sit down and discuss in comfort what your options are and how best to achieve your goals? We certainly do and we are committed to ensuring that we present the very best advice to all of our clients.

No two people are exactly the same or have exactly the same needs or goals which is why we feel it is absolutely vital to give the personal touch to everyone who consults us.

If you would like to arrange an initial confidential meeting, informal discussion then please feel free to give us a call, theres even a FreePhone number for you and whats more the Initial consultation is FREE. We have both Male and Female Advisers available to discuss your options.

If you want Advice on Pensions then call….

08000 725592, if you're looking for a salesperson try a double glazing firm. www.adviceonpensions.co.uk the place to turn to for “Expert Advice for a Worry Free Future"

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Whats On www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk

Hanley Party in the Park set to raise cash for charity

BY ROSA ELLEN Hanley Park will play host to the Party in the Park festival next month in a bid to raise money for charity.

The free event, which will take place on Sunday April 19, aims to bring the community together in a day of family fun and activities.

Live music, DJs and dancers will take to the stage along with cultural performances and markets.

Fairground rides and children’s entertainers will perform and there will be food and drink stalls.

Organiser Chloe McPherson said: “Our main aim for the event is to create a day of family fun through the exploration of music, art and culture and to bring together the local community to raise money and awareness for the charity.”

There is also a personal reason behind the fundraising event.

Nicholas Donald, from Oxfordshire, died in January this year aged 23 from an epileptic fit, and was a close friend of one of the Staffordshire University events team which Chloe belongs to.

“The charity we have chosen is Epilepsy Action for Chanel Morales, who recently experienced the loss of a close friend due to an epileptic fit in his sleep,” added Chloe.

Epilepsy Action is a national charity that directly

helps over 1.2 million people UK wide who suffer from the condition.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “Epilepsy Action is always delighted to receive valuable funds.

“The Party in the Park sounds like it will be a brilliant event, honouring the memory of Nicholas Andrew Donald, raising money and raising awareness about epilepsy in the local community.”

MUSICIAN DAN WHITEHOUSE ‘EXCITED’ ABOUT STAFFORD PERFORMANCE

BY RHIAN CRITCHLEY A singer songwriter from Birmingham is set to perform at a Stafford cafe.

Dan Whitehouse, 36, will perform a collection of songs at the Number 15 coffee house on April 25.

He will be joined on stage by local musicians, Sandy Stanton, and Helena Raby and will perform songs from his latest album, Raw State.

Dan, whose music has been described – unusually – as a cross between Cat Stevens, and The Streets , told StaffsLive: “I’m used to performing at intimate venues like coffee shops – when I toured Canada it was my first visit, so I did many gigs at small intimate venues of about 30 40 people.”

The musician has had different jobs, including being a bouncer, before becoming a performer: He also spoke about his journey into music and his inspirations.

He said: “I was really inspired by Chuck Berry, I watched him rip it up at the Wolves Civic Hall in 1990 – he was 66 at the time, and absolutely on fire!”

“I would say Bruce Springsteen’s solo acoustic tapes, Neil Young’s Harvest and Otis Redding’s Sing Soul were the records that had the strongest emotional impact on me.”

Derbyshire Guardian.

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Come on a whistle-stop tour of America’s frontier as part of the LPO’s ‘Live and Local’ series.

Bernstein Overture, Candide Bramwell Tovey Songs of the Paradise Saloon Dvorˇák Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Tuesday 21 April | 7.30pm 01782 206000 | musicmaniauk.com Supported by

Staffordshire Guardian.indd 1

10/04/2015 15:19:29

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OH YES, IT’S LADIES NIGHT AND… DJ SARA COX HAS AGREED TO PLAY AT UTTOXETER RACECOURSE! Top radio DJ Sara Cox has announced that she will play a live at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Ladies Night - Thursday, 11 June 2015.

Already regarded as one of the most glamorous events on Staffordshire annual calendar, Ladies Night at Uttoxeter Racecourse gives groups of gals, and their pals, the perfect excuse to get glammed-up and in mood for a girls’ night out with a difference.

But the guest appearance by radio personality and TV star Sara Cox at this year’s Ladies Night promises to lift the annual night of racing to completely new level, as Staffordshire’s answer to Ascot prepares put the ladies under the spotlight and give them an excuse to slip into their favourite frocks, have an evening of fun watching seven races and - for the first time ever - boogie the night

away as Sara spins her Eighties classics and modern hits.

David MacDonald, Executive Director at the racecourse said, “We were determined to try something different from the usual tribute bands after racing on our Ladies Night, and what better way than to follow the racing with a DJ set from one of Britain’s most respected and loved DJ’s of the last 20 years?

Some of our customers will have followed Sara in her Radio 1 days and many others will be fans of her current Sounds of the 80’s Radio 2 show.

“We’re all delighted she has agreed to come to Uttoxeter, and now we’ll make sure this isn’t just any ‘usual’ DJ set. We’re planning a huge production, with custombuilt staging and laser effects, and it’s already looking like this could be a Uttoxeter Night like no other!”

Ladies Night at Uttoxeter already has a widespread reputation as

an evening of sheer indulgence for a crowd of well-dressed and well-heeled race-goers. PIMM’s and champagne flow in equal measures, and - for those who fancy their chances - there’s always the fun of having a flutter.

As ever, there will also be prizes on offer for the Best Dressed Lady, and the Best Hat. “I love a good day at the geegee’s myself,” says Cox. “I can’t wait to get back up North, have a bit of a flutter and get those lovely ladies strutting their stuff on the dance floor. It may be Ladies Night, but I’d say it’ll be a very popular occasion with the gents of Staffordshire and Derbyshire too!”

Ladies Night will take place on Thursday, 11 June 2015. Tickets are available from just £10 both online at www.uttoxeterracecourse.co.uk or over the phone from the racecourse office on 01889 562561.

Cirque Berserk wows crowds at the Regent Theatre in Hanley

BY RICHARD HILTON When is a circus not a circus?

When it’s a Beserkus of course!

Cirque Berserk is not your average circus.

Performing on stage rather than in a traditional Big Top, Cirque Berserk is made up of some of the most death defying and mesmerizing acts you are ever likely to see.

Tumblers from Timbuktu, a Czech knife thrower, a Mongolian archer who is also a contortionist, a fire-breathing robot, and the “Globe of Terror” are just some

of the performers who made up the menagerie of mayhem at Hanley’s Regent Theatre.

StaffsLive was given a unique glimpse behind the scenes when Cirque Berserk stopped off in Stoke-on-Trent during its national tour, to preview of some of the thrilling acts.

We also teamed up with former Staffordshire University student and Express and Star writer Kirsty Bosley, who went along for the ride!

More information on Cirque Berserk can be found at www. cirqueberserk.co.uk

STEP INTO SUMMER WITH THE STAPEHILL EVENING WALK

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Walking for Health aims to put a spring into the step of people living in the Burton area by welcoming back the Evening Health Walk on Tuesday 21st April to September 2015.

The group will meet at Stapenhill Hollows (car park behind St Peter’s Church), Stapenhill Road at 6.30pm ready for a 6.45pm start.

As part of its continued commitment to the Healthy Borough initiative the Walking for Health scheme is funded

by East Staffordshire Borough Council. It is also supported by the Ramblers Association, MacMillan Cancer Support and the Walking for Health

Committee.

The evening Health Walk will allow other residents, who may be at work and are unable to attend the current daytime walks, to participate in the scheme.

Walking is a great form of exercise that is easy, sociable and can improve your health. It’s currently recommended that you should aim to do 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. If you come along to a health walk, this can go some way towards this goal. All Health Walks in East The Maltsters, Staffordshire are free and open to anybody wanting to walk and explore the local community.

If you would like to participate in

the Health Walk turn up at the car park of Stapenhill Hollows, behind St Peters Church on Stapenhill Road from 6.30pm onwards to complete a short registration form. Limited car parking is available.

We also offer other health walks during the daytime at Barton under Needwood, Yoxall, Tutbury, Stapenhill Gardens, Stretton, Meadowside Leisure Centre, Rolleston on Dove, Horninglow and Eton.

For more information please contact Joanne Smith on 01283 508191 or email joanne. smith@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk or visit our website at www. eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

Derbyshire Guardian.

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Blurton Community Centre celebrates 10th anniversary

BY ROB SMITH A volunteer-run centre that hosts activities for the people of Blurton has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Food, refreshments as well as demonstrations were laid on at the Oakwood Road centre by the activity groups that normally use it to mark the milestone.

It was the first purpose-built community building in Blurton, and hosts a range of activities including arts and crafts, drama and martial arts.

Stoke-on-Trent’s Lord Mayor Majid Khan attended the anniversary celebrations He said: “This is my first time visiting here, and I have to say it is a fantastic facility.

“You can tell by looking at it that it

is well-used and well-looked after.

“A lot of facilities like this are closing down because of a lack of funding and a lack of use, and I think this facility is a credit to the community and the committee that runs it.”

The Old Blurton Community Association, now the Blurton Community Centre Association, opened the Blurton Community Centre in April 2005 after a lengthy planning process.

The voluntary group, led by Georgina Hulse, has kept the centre running with the help of grants, including a donation from Stokie superstar Robbie Williams.

Miss Hulse said: “We have had a lot of good times and a lot of bad times, but we have got a good team here.

“To take on a project like this with

no prior experience, I think this is a big achievement and this group deserves recognition.”

In February 2015, the centre received £1,645 from the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s People’s Power Fund to fund a sports programme.

This will pay for Stoke City Football Club staff to host weekly football, netball and cricket sessions for children.

The association’s secretary Roy Naylor, 52, said: “The PCC grant is the first one we’ve had in a few years, and the programme is meant to keep 10 to 16-year-olds off the streets and out of trouble.

“We have also applied to the Staffordshire Environmental Fund to help with running costs, and to the lottery fund to replace faulty equipment.”

Young Stoke-on-Trent artist wins New Art West Midlands award

Singer Jake Shakeshaft rules out joining One Direction after leaving BBC’s “The Voice”

BY ABIGAIL FAJOBI

BY KATIE WHEWAY A Stoke-on-Trent student has won an award for her talented artwork.

Jade Simpson, 21, from Chatterley Whitfield, near Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, studied Fine Art at Staffordshire University.

She has scooped an award from the New Art West Midlands group, which aims to highlight creative new artists from institutes across the UK. Jade was one of five winners in the competition.

As well as winning the award, she won £1,000 which

she aims to spend on more art work and to invest on creating studios to work in in Stoke-on-Trent.

She said: “I was overjoyed to be a winner as the competition was strong.

“I want my work to become famous and appear in galleries all over the world.”

Her art is based on natural history and how the world views the natural world, including wildlife.

She uses materials and objects such as cardboard, wood, fur and fabric.

Jade’s work is currently on display at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery until May 17.

Newcastle-under-Lyme’s “The Voice” star Jake Shakeshaft has ruled out joining a band – even if it was One Direction!

The teenager, who was spotted at The Leopard pub in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent during an open mic night, is weighing up his options after leaving the BBC show.

And Jake, 19, of Hereford Avenue, Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, has revealed he has had approaches to join bands.

The singer, who performed Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me” on the show, was shocked as anyone when he heard the news Zayn Malik had quit One Direction.

“Although they need a new member now, I don’t think I quite fit the bill for a boy band,” Jake said.

“I have had a couple of people approach me before and say would you like to be in a band.

“But for me I think things have really taken off in my solo career and I have received a lot of exposure as a solo artist.

“People know me know as a solo artist and like what I do, so if I suddenly reinvent myself in another boy band people would be like okay that is not the person we liked and supported.”

The former Newcastle College student has now returned home and is concentrating on his music and taking part in fundraising events.

“Music is a passion for me and it always has been even before I picked up a guitar and I always just had fun with it,” he added.

“If ever I was going to have a career in anything then it would definitely be in music.

“I left college and work in June on good terms and

the lecturers knew it was the right decision for me, but it was a tough decision to make because it was either I had a constant income of money or I live hand to mouth doing what I love.

“I am definitely working on solo material and I am working on hopefully releasing an EP some time this year, so write now I am focusing on writing and producing new music.”

Despite being axed from The Voice, Jake praised his mentor Will.i.am for all his coaching and support.

“Will.i.am is a really cool guy and the thing I like the most about him was the fact he never sugar-coated something because he thinks it is what you want to here, he only ever tells you things straight.

“I personally think I picked the right coach.

“But in the end our group was just so different in many ways, you had people who played instruments and people who played pop songs and then you had Sheena McHugh who is just unreal.

“It was such a tough call on who to take through and it was hard to cut it down from eight to three.

“The minute you are not in the competition anymore it’s like you have lost an arm.

“I came out of the competition and I was like ‘wait, I have no need to travel down to London or Manchester anymore’, and I hate that.

“While I was on the competition it was absolutely one of the best times of my life.

“One moment your like ‘ohh, I’ve got to go down to London to do things with Will.i.am’, and then you realise ohh wait I have to go to London to work with Will.i.am!

“It was an amazing experience and you kind of take it for granted when you are involved in it because it is a really long process that took up the best part of nine to ten months.”

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Madeley High School event for Transplant Games hopeful Sam Griffiths raises £4,000

Heavyweight theme park Alton Towers goes toe-to-toe against rival Thorpe Park

by Jeremy Thompson.

BY ABIGAIL FAJOBI Sam and Nicola Griffiths at Madeley High School

BY ABIGAIL FAJOBI A fundraiser in aid of Sam Griffiths was hailed a success after Jake Shakeshaft, The Overtones and residents flocked to the show to give their support.

The event was held at Madeley High School to help fund teenager Sam’s trip to compete in Argentina at the World Transplant Games.

The 14-year-old gold medalist, of Silverdale, Newcastle-underLyme, was diagnosed with a rare heart condition and underwent a life-saving heart transplant aged seven.

Madeley High School’s hall was packed with local supporters to the extent many had to stand and watch the show.

Nicola said: “All through the time we’ve had to go through what we went through with Sam, we have been so lucky because of the support network we have had.

“Family and friends have really helped us and this is not just with raising money for things, but for the emotional side and backing me up when I was crumbling and finding it difficult with what I was

going through with Sam. “Sam’s friend’s especially at Madeley High School get behind him and everyone has just been incredible and we are really fortunate to have them around us.”

Sam added: “I have great nonstop support, especially from friends and family and it has really helped us out a lot to do things like what we are doing today.

“I am very happy with the turnout because it was better than I expected and Jake has been really amazing as everyone is loving him, which is really good.”

The Griffiths family raised more than £4,000 at the fundraiser - a big part of the £12,000 they need to fly the family to Argentina.

Ex ‘The Voice’ contestant Jake Shakeshaft jumped at the chance to help out after reading Sam’s story.

The Stoke-on-Trent star joked and said the audience at Madeley High School were better than ‘The Voice’.

The singer performed some of his own songs such as ‘Speak-up’, which was inspired by comments he received on the reality singing

show, and covers of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Don’t’ and Blackstreet’s ‘No Diggity’.

Jake said: “Nicola got in touch with us and sent us Sam’s story, which was like six pages long, but I read it all from page to page and by the time I had finished there was no doubt in my mind and I couldn’t say no to helping out.

“It was a really inspiring and heart-wrenching story, so I was ready to do anything I could to help.

“I really enjoyed today and on top of that the crowd was absolutely amazing, so I can’t nock it at all and I really wish him the best.”

Madeley High School’s headteacher Martin Kerridge said: “We felt this was a wonderful opportunity to let the community show Sam their support.

“He is a good student and he has such a positive and humble attitude, which made this event a simple decision for the school to make.

“It has been a fantastic event and we have been really lucky to have the Overtones and Jake Shakeshaft in a little village like Madeley.”

AthleFit comes to East Staffordshire East Staffordshire Borough Council is proud to be introducing AthleFIT. AthleFIT is the brand new fitness programme from England Athletics, which combines athletics with a fun and exciting programme of getting and keeping fit.

The sessions will be non competitive and can be loosely based on a circuit ype class.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in running, jumping and throwing activities.

The AthleFit session will start to take place at Shobnall Leisure Complex from Friday

24th April – Friday 17th July (excluding 29th May 2015), 6.00pm – 7.00pm. The sessions will cost £3.50 or £2.50 with a Leisure Pass.

The sessions aim to target anyone who wants to get fit and stay fit. AthleFit sessions, will be delivered by trainers and leaders who have been trained by England Athletics in conjunction with the FIA (Fitness Industry Association).

East Staffordshire Borough Council has received some funding Staffordshire Athletics Network in order establish Athlefit in East Staffordshire.

Patricia Said AthleFIT is a great

opportunity to improve your fitness and health. The sessions will be inclusive and open to all. Athlefit uses the principles of athletics to improve fitness, but most of all the session will be fun!To find out more about AthleFit watch the video at www. englandathletics.org/athlefit For more information, please contact Patricia Newman, East Staffordshire Borough Council on (01283) 508191 or email patricia.newman@ eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

Alton Towers claims it’s not out for the count following a recent Twitter survey, which named Thorpe Park as the number one theme park attraction in England.

The survey was based on which attraction had generated the most conversation on Twitter over the last 12 months.

StaffsLive has pitted the two giants in theme parks against each other to find out once and for all who comes out on top in a theme park boxing match.

In the red corner, Staffordshire’s Alton Towers steps into the ring looking to knockout Surrey’s Thorpe Park.

Spectators take your seats. Let’s get ready to rumble.

Round one – Ticket prices Alton Towers are charging a whopping £37.80 for a single adult for a day of adventure, while Thorpe Park comes out ahead with prices at £24.99. It seems that Thorpe Park will definitely leave you with more change in your pocket, but is it value for money?

Winner: Thorpe Park *These prices are the prices you would pay if you booked your ticket online today for May 13.

Round two – Family friendly With thrill rides such as Colossus and Nemesis Inferno, Thorpe Park does not exactly scream childfriendly at first blush. However, the theme park has recently tried to revamp their image as rides such as Logger’s Leap and Angry Birds 4D Experience to pack a punch.

Alton Towers on the other hand has a whole area dedicated to families, with the introduction of the world’s first ever Cbeebies Land last year, which features many rides based on the much-loved children’s channel.

Winner: Alton Towers Round three – Latest new attractions Alton Towers is going down the more rural route with the introduction of their enchanted village, which will feature tree houses for guests to stay in.

Thorpe Park is opting for a modern twist with the introduction of its I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Maze.

Even though the maze is a good idea, the enchanted

forest definitely deserves an A for effort.

Winner: Alton Towers Round four - Thrill rides Thorpe Park is definitely every thrill-seekers heaven as it features the ride Stealth that has a 205ft drop and Swarm that travels forwards and backwards.

Alton Towers and its 14 loop-the-loops can’t quite compete.

Winner: Thorpe Park Round five – Hotels Alton Towers has dedicated a lot of energy into providing themed lodging for guests. From Cbeebies-themed rooms for kids to high-end luxury hotels, Alton has it all. Thorpe Park has been knocked out of this round as it only has one sharkthemed hotel on site Winner: Alton Towers Round six – Atmosphere Although Thorpe Park has put a lot of effort into their themed rides such as Saw – The Ride, the theme park just can’t compete with the towers and gardens at Alton. It is definitely a breathtaking view.

Winner: Alton Towers Round seven – Food and drink Thorpe Park offers a good range of restaurants, which includes food from Mexico, America and China, however Alton Towers takes this round to the next level through their themed restaurants such as the Secret Gardens Restaurant, which also offers a wide range of food. Every restaurant is a new experience.

Winner: Alton Towers Round eight – Halloween Alton Towers definitely offers horror seekers the opportunity to indulge themselves in the Halloween spirit at the resort’s Scarefest, but ‘Thorpe Park’ trumps the latter on this round, with its scary ride in the dark events and the terrifyingly realistic acting from staff during the theme park’s Fright Night.

Winner: Thorpe Park The Verdict With five wins and three losses, it’s a points victory for Alton Towers (though we may be a little biased).

SEAN LOCK PERFORMANCE SELLS OUT IN RECORD TIME Following the announcement that high profile comedian Sean Lock is to perform at the Brewhouse in April, the venue has announced that tickets sold out in less than 48 hours.

The performance will mark another sell out crowd at the Brewhouse, but for those who missed out on tickets, there are plenty more opportunities to see comedy at the union street venue.

Awarding winning comedian Susan Calman will

embark on her first UK tour with a date at the Brewhouse on Thursday 28th May 8pm.

Then later this Autumn, star of Celebrity Juice and Hebburn, Chris Ramsey will take to the stage on Friday 2nd October 8pm.

Tickets for both performances are now on sale by calling Box Office on 01283 508100 or by visiting www.brewhouse.co.uk to book online.

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 325.25 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

The Midlands Rally & Events Club The Club for Rally Exhibitors and Participants with Family and Friends.

2015 DATES 16th & 17th May SIX HILLS STEAM & FAMILY SHOW Nr Wymswold, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 3LY 25th & 26th July BASSETLAW STEAM & TRANSPORT COUNTRY SHOW Blyth Road Showground, Worksop, Notts S81 0RD 15th & 16th August RUSHCLIFFE STEAM & COUNTRY SHOW Rushcliffe Country Park, Ruddington, Notts NG11 6JS 29th, 30th & 31st August FRIDEN DALE STEAM TRANSPORT & FAMILY SHOW Middleton by Youlgreave, Derbyshire DE45 1LY 19th & 20th September KEDLESTON HALL STEAM & FAMILY SHOW Keddleston Hall, Kedleston, Derbyshire DE22 5JH

Tel: 0115 913 5823 / 07901 984627 e-mail: dave.hoyles@ntlworld.com www.themidlandeventsclub.com

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24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

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11th of April

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Day two of the festival is when Aintree sees the ladies take the stage. As well as the breathtaking action on the racecourse, Ladies Day will include the search for the most stylish racegoer.

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f o n o i t u l o The Ev

Stag and H n

The stag and hen party scene is one which has really taken off in recent years and which has boomed into a multi-million pound industry.

During last year’s May bank holiday weekend it was estimated that more than 70,000 hen and stag party goers descended on UK towns and cities – a new record for the UK with Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton, Newcastle, Manchester and London also among the hotspots.

Stag and hen events were once a rather tame affair…a group of lads or girls would go down to the local pub for a knees up to celebrate the last night of freedom before settling down to married life.

Perhaps there might have been a stripper involved and, in the case of the stag do, then the groom might have found himself tied to a lamppost in a state of undress, much to the amusement of passing motorists.

However stag and hen parties have gone from ad-hoc events put on by a group of mates during the lunch break into highly organised affairs which can cater for every taste and budget.

The UK has even got its own stag and hen hotspots – party towns and cities which have been only too keen to capitalise on the vast

amounts of money being spent on such events.

Now on a typical Friday or Saturday night, in towns and cities across the UK it is often difficult to go for a night out with bumping into at least one stag do or hen party.

Such is the demand to cater for this growing section of the market that businesses have stepped in to organise the entire events, from hotels, activities, T-shirts and themed events for the weekend.

With hotels, nightlife and full programs of entertainment all set up to meet the needs of the stag and hen crowd there is more to choose from than ever before.

Increasingly people are making a weekend break of it and booking two nights of fun and entertainment which goes much further than just drinking to excess.

Outdoor karting, paintballing events, VIP admission to clubs and comedy events are all popular and there is a growing number of ‘party facilitators’ who take care of the planning to ensure the events go off as smoothly as possible.

Stag and hen parties are now so organised that some revellers are even taking private jets to get them to their destination so that the overall party experience gets remembered for a lifetime.

WHITE WATER RAFTING Canoeing & Canyoning in Snowdonia National Park T: 01678 521083

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On the River Tryweryn, near Bala, North Wales, LL23 7N

ZORB SOCCER

The beautiful game has just got a little more cooler as Zorb Soccer bounces into town. The latest craze of Zorb Soccer involves playing a game of football – whilst wearing a gigantic plastic bubble on your upper body. This enjoyable, exuberant sport is a great way to keep fit whilst having bucket loads of fun with your friends.

The innovative brains behind this operation is owner Mario Gerroni, an entrepreneur with a zest for excitement and adventure. A diehard Aston Villa supporter and FA qualified football coach, Mario is clearly passionate for all things related to football. Based in Birmingham, Zorb Soccer boasts multiple venues where you can enjoy this high octane sport guaranteed to give you a buzz that will stay with you for days.

The best bubble football company in the Midlands, Mario has engineered the company’s meteoric rise by seeing Bubble Football featured on TOWIE, BBC 3 and The One Show. Mario said, ‘We have worked with a

wide range of clients, from Land Rover to Birmingham County FA, in addition to numerous multieducational establishments. It is more than just a pleasurable pursuit. It’s the ideal way to burn calories and blow off steam in an entertaining and unique way.’

The name of this game is to score goals as in football, except you’ll be strapped inside a giant transparent sphere whilst propelling yourself from inside the ball. Pushing replaces tackling and there will no doubt be plenty of friendly debate whether a move is considered to be off-side.

The bouncing beauty of Zorb Soccer is it versatility. It’s great for any age, from the intrepid 13 year old to a sprightly 60 year old. Anyone organising parties or celebratory events, from birthdays to stag and hen bashes should check out Zorb Soccer’s offerings.

Imagine playing Zorb Soccer whilst wearing a custom made tee-shirt at your stag or hen party.

Why not drop a few helpful hints to your best man or maid of honour by pointing them in the direction

of Zorb Soccer?

Alternatively, if you’re a best man keen to throw the best stag party in the whole wide world, why not organise a Zorb Soccer party with a difference? Or if you’re a worried maid of honour struggling to come up with a unique idea for your childhood bestie who deserves only the best, how about snubbing clichéd tradition and throwing an awesome bacholerette Zorb Soccer party instead?

A Zorb Soccer session will save you going to the boring gym whilst guaranteeing hours of enjoyment with your mates. Packages are tailor-made to suit you and with pocket-friendly prices that include Zorb hire, party referee and team photos, all that’s left to do, is pick up the phone and make the call.

Round up your mates and prepare yourself for a day of Zorb Soccer that you won’t forget. Call now on 07873 599 264 or visit www.zorbsoccer. co.uk to make a booking. Are you game?

Derbyshire Guardian.

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WHAT WE DO

Bubble Trouble Hits Birmingham!

If there’s something more fun than charging around in a giant inflatable Zorb smashing into your friends and scoring some goals, then we haven’t found it! This exhilarating and extreme version of our much loved football has been sweeping across Europe and seemingly passed the UK by!

Well not any more! Zorb Soccer (aka Bubble Football) are bringing this high energy game to the UK! It’s time to buckle up and see if this football loving nation has got what it takes to beat the Europeans at their own game. Zorb Soccer operate in Birmingham, the Midlands and all over the Nation so get in touch and get on down with the Zorb!

Requirements: This is only for 13 year olds and above due to the size of the Zorbs and nature of the game.Min Height 4.10’’ to Max 6.5’’ If you’re very muscly or generally over 6.5 in height, there is a possibility that you may not be able to fit inside the Zorbs. Max Weight 18 Stone.

• • • • • • • • •

VISIT US AT ZORBSOCCER.CO.UK OR CALL US ON 07873599264

filx

Corporate Events Day Hire Charity Events Educational Bookings Festivals Parties Stag/Hen Does Team Builders Tournaments

SG2015

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Staffordshire

Weddings 2015 The UK's wedding industry is worth more than £10 billion a year which makes it an expensive and often stressful occasion for which to plan.

It should go without saying that planning is key… from sorting out everything from the engagement announcement to the big day and the honeymoon could take many months or planning…or even more.

One of the most important considerations is the location that the wedding itself and a lot of thought and planning must go into getting the right venue.

According to the weddings website Hitched W.I.F.E. here are some top tips for choosing the perfect wedding venue: -Ensure it fits within your wedding budget -View the venue to make sure it will fit the capacity of your guest list -Sign a contract once you’re happy with the terms and conditions being offered -Don’t hand over a deposit unless you’re 100% sure of your wedding date and the details of your day and finally -Be sure that you are both happy and comfortable with your chosen wedding venue choice

The same website also revealed that when it comes to UK weddings, we are a nation of traditionalists with 78 per cent of brides surveyed saying they would follow the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition for their big day.

It is thought that wearing something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue will bring good luck to the bearer and can include anything and everything from jewellery to headwear, an old wedding dress, a blue garter and more!

The 2014 Wedding Report from confetti.co.uk showed that the top three venues were churches, hotels and castles followed by registry office weddings and then weddings abroad.

The average age for a groom is 30 with the bride 28 and, on average, UK couples will have spent 2.5 years living together before tying the knot.

The most popular wedding tradition is cutting the cake and the most popular honeymoon destinations are Mexico, Mauritius and the Maldives.

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 331.31 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

5 REASONS TO GET MARRIED AT STAPLEFORD PARK One of the finest and most beautiful examples of an English house From1894, when the house was now in the ownership of Lord Gretton, a wealthy brewer of the firm Bass, Ratcliffe and Gretton, if finally represented the magnificence of English architecture through the ages and allowed the entertaining of house guests on a grand scale as was common in the Edwardian era.

Today Stapleford is regarded by many as one of the finest and most beautiful examples of an English house that bears the imprint of distinct architectural styles over the centuries, from Tudor to Victorian. Over time Stapleford Park has been renovated to maintain its elegant and relaxed style whilst retaining its original charm which lures its guests back again.

The Church Stapleford Park has its own beautiful Church of St Mary Magdalene on the estate grounds which makes a perfect place for a Blessing. This is one less thing for you to worry about as your guests won’t have to travel in a city they may not be familiar with, from one location to another!

Grand Hall and an Orangery The Grand Hall & Orangery provide the ideal setting for your wedding reception. With views of the stunning countryside the Grand Hall can seat up to 180 people for your wedding breakfast, whilst the Orangery is licenced for Ceremonies for up to 140 people and is perfect for either your wedding ceremony or pre-dinner drinks.

Cottages on-site If you are not local, but would still like to get married at Stapleford Park, there is no need to worry about how your bridal party is going to get there in time for the wedding! Stapleford Park has on-site cottages for the bridal parties for the night before. Pavillion Cottage includes three en-suite bedrooms, a lounge and cottage. Gardener’s Cottage comprises of four en-suite bedrooms, with lounge, dining area and kitchen. Each of the four rooms are sponsored by well-known companies such as Range Rover, MGM, IBM and Coca Cola. They are also decorated accordingly, with features that include a television and video with a cinema curtain backdrop!

The Perfect Wedding Look The spa in the Victorian stables is the ideal setting to unwind and receive some pre-wedding pampering, where their personal therapists create the perfect wedding day look in the relaxed atmosphere of their treatment rooms.

There is nothing better than being pampered, whilst you relax, just hours before you tie the knot! www.staplefordpark.com +44 (0) 1572 787000

Contact Suzanne Amesbury (Events Manager): 07500 697038 Email: events@burtonritzworldbuffet.co.uk

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Countdown to Your Wedding day 12months before

Decide on your wedding budget Book venue for reception Book venue for ceremony Arrange Wedding insurance Decide on theme/design/style

10

months before

Compile your invitation list Send out Save the Date cards or messages Book caterer Book Photographer Book florist Book Hair and Make up Book transport Book cake Bookband/DJ/Other entertainment

7

months before

Dress and accessories

6

months before

Order invitations Bridesmaids dresses and accessories Groom's suit and accessories Buy wedding rings Book honeymoon Check passports etc. are up to date if required for honeymoon!

5

months before

Groomsmen attire Book hair and make-up trial

4

months before

Organise favours Send invitations – this may be required earlier if guests need to travel, etc.

Book wedding night accommodation Accommodation for guests Gift registry

3

months before

months before

Finalise menu for wedding Arrange hen/stag parties Book ceremony rehearsal Chase up unanswered invitations

1

2

weeks before

Confirm numbers with reception venue Prepare speeches Ceremony rehearsal

1

week before

Pack for your honeymoon

Gifts for bridal party Consider music and any readings for ceremony Stationery for the day (e.g. Order of service)

2

Confirm final numbers with Final dress fitting Book final hair appointment Choose gifts for your wedding party.

month before

Arrange Seating plan Order table plan, place cards, etc.

The Day Before

If you’re going on honeymoon directly after your wedding arrange for your luggage to be left at the place where you are spending your wedding night.

If you’re giving each other gifts – give these to the best man/chief bridesmaid to look after Have a manicure and generally relax Have an early night!

Your Wedding Day

Enjoy every moment!

Give someone the task of arranging the collection and safe keeping of any cards and gifts for you at the end of the night.

After Your Wedding Send thank you cards

Matharu Photographic Studios

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3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Education www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk

Teen pupils in Staffordshire awarded young cadets certificates

BY QUEENIE GOREDEMA Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire Matthew Ellis awarded youngsters with junior cadets certificates.

Ten year six pupils from Greatwood Primary School in Tean successfully completed the cadet course.

The original scheme, aimed at 14-17 year olds, was launched in 2013 by the Police and Crime Commissioner to strengthen the links between police and young people.

The junior scheme was launched in June last year at Heron Cross Primary School by then Chief Constable Mike Cunningham and Mr Ellis.

Mr Ellis said: “Cadets in general were a thing I promised at the election to reconnect young people with policing.

“That’s been done for 14-17 year olds.

PCSOs, those brilliant people who work in communities, had a superb idea to lower the age

to really connect with the younger generation, much younger.

“That’s what has happened here, that’s what we’ve seen today and it really starts to get youngsters to understand what police do.

“Bit of citizenship, bit of doing the right thing, bit of engagement with the community.

“I think we’ve seen the enthusiasm they have to do this, so it has been a brilliant day.

“I think its about confidence, it’s about understanding that police officers and PSCOs aren’t ones to be frightened about, they’re the ones to understand and rely on as a friend, somebody to protect and help them.”

He hopes the programme will help children be responsible in their behaviour.

“I hope it helps them to understand right from wrong. I hope it helps them to understand the harm that not behaving properly causes to others.”

Nearly 900 children aged eight to 10 have completed, or are due to

enrol on the programme.

Successful units are already up and running in Cannock, Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent with more to follow.

“Staffordshire Police will hit their 1,000th cadet very shortly,” Mr Ellis added.

“I think it’s proven to be working so it’s making a difference.

“There’s about 100 schools so far been done across Staffordshire and that will keep rising.”

PCSO Adam Charlesworth, who led the programme at Greatwood, said: “Six sessions altogether and they’ve learnt how they use the radios and why we use the radios.

“It links in with communication skills, how to keep themselves safe and local neighbours and looking for weaknesses in their property and the school property so they can get a good idea of crime prevention.

“Nowthey’re 10-11 years old, they really need to start thinking about what they’re doing when they’re out in the community and not

causing crime or any sort of antisocial behaviour.”

School Leader Ben Adamson believes the programme will educate young children on how to react in dangerous situations.

“We recognise the importance

of children being safe in the surrounding areas, being aware of stranger danger, crime prevention and working as a team in school and outside of school,” he said.

“The children have been working

PCSO Charlesworth on a range of activities – E-safety, cyber bullying, keeping themselves safe while out playing, and also the hard work police do in and around the area and the importance of supporting that.”

Students from Nepal visit Staffordshire on school exchange AN INNOVATIVE TREATMENT FOR SWALLOWING PROBLEMS

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T: 01785 878278

treat dysphagia through throat muscle reeducation. Its technology and methodology is proven to transform the life of so many children and adults in the UK. Our consultant has pioneered this therapy in the UK and

E: info@vitalstim.co.uk

Visit: www.vitalstim.co.uk

Teenagers from Nepal are being housed in the Staffordshire Moorlands as part of an exchange trip with Endon High School in Stoke-on-Trent.

The pupils, from Kuleshwa Secondary School in Kathmandhu, are living with families of year 10 and year 11 students from Endon.

It follows a trip by 13 students from Endon High who travelled out to Kathmandhu for a week in February.

They toured Nepal, travelling to various parts of the country that even some of the Nepalese students had not been to.

Both parts of the trip were funded

by Endon as well as sponsors from the local community.

Students organised charity events such as bag-packing in supermarkets and even their own fashion show to fund their trip to Nepal, and for the Nepalese to travel here.

Laurilene Lafine is a French teacher at Endon who travelled to Nepal with the pupils.

She said: “Last year, we raised some money to get some of our children to go there and all of this academic year we raised some money to get some of the children to come and visit us.

“They haven’t got money really, so we did different events in the

school to raise the money.”

Many of the Nepalese students had never left Kathmandhu before, so Staffordshire Moorlands has been an eye-opener.

Suduesh, a teacher at Kuleshwa, said: “The system of learning is vastly different in the UK because Nepal itself is a poor country!”

They will enjoy a number of trips during their UK stay, including Trentham Gardens, Llandudno in North Wales, London on Easter Saturday, and finally Alton Towers on Easter Monday.

Derbyshire Guardian.

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Business www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk

SANTANDER LAUNCHES NEW BREAKTHROUGH BANKING SERVICE FOR THE UK’S MOST AMBITIOUS BUSINESSES Santander launches new Breakthrough service with an unparalleled suite of support for the UK’s most ambitious businesses SMEs that describe themselves as ‘ambitious’ are more likely to grow, trade globally, hire staff and need a dedicated relationship service – but are underserved by the current market The launch was announced at the Santander SME Summit in Leeds on March 25th – part of Santander’s Breakthrough Moments Box UK tour taking place across 2015 Santander Corporate & Commercial, the leading challenger bank in the UK, yesterday announced a new suite of services and products for the country’s most ambitious businesses. The launch is part of Santander’s plan to further disrupt and enhance the UK business banking market, and double its current SME market share to 10% by the end of 2016.

Based on four years’ experience of working closely with UK businesses – including hundreds of fast-growth SMEs under the Santander Breakthrough programme – the new proposition from Santander is built around five key service ‘pillars’ that will

look to accelerate the business growth plans of more ambitious SMEs: Knowledge; Talent; International; Connections; and Finance. The new service will retain the Breakthrough brand but significantly expand on the success of the previous initiative.

Recent research conducted

by Santander Corporate & Commercial1 found that around a third (36%) of UK firms describe themselves as ‘highly ambitious’ and that this segment are more likely to grow, trade globally, foster positive networks and partnerships, and hire more staff. The study found that increasing their customer base is their primary business aim; it also revealed that they need a dedicated relationship-based banking service, a programme of focused support, and are more likely to switch banks in the search for service.

‘International’ is a core pillar under Breakthrough given that trading internationally and exporting, as well as developing relationships with overseas suppliers, has become a key consideration for many UK businesses looking to grow. The research found that 56% of highly ambitious businesses already trade internationally and a quarter (23%) said they will look to expand further into international markets in 2015.

To help businesses trade internationally, Santander offers a range of unique services such as the online Trade Portal and the Trade Club – a network of five million SMEs based all over the world that bank with Santander.

Marcelino Castrillo, Head of SME at Santander Corporate & Commercial, said: “We have developed an unparalleled understanding of what the UK’s most successful and ambitious businesses need from a banking partner, and have brought this together into our new Breakthrough proposition.

For example, the Trade Portal offers incredible insights into exporting opportunities while our unique Santander Universities and internships programmes are focused on connecting businesses with the right employees.

“Ambitious SMEs are the beating heart of the UK economy – they are more likely to expand, innovate and trade across borders.

Santander has unique strengths that can help meet these needs,

including innovative financing solutions and a relationship banking ethos built on our Simple, Personal, Fair principles. By creating a distinctive, unique and innovative programme, tailored to the needs of ambitious SMEs, we are confident that we will become the bank of choice for ambitious SMEs.” The new Breakthrough service was announced at Santander’s SME Summit in Leeds, a oneday networking event discussing key trends in the SME sector and showcasing Santander Corporate & Commercial’s support for UK businesses. The summit is part of a UK tour taking place across 2015 which will see Santander’s portable Breakthrough Moments Box visit key towns and cities in the UK, offering insights, advice and events for business owners.

Further information about the Tour can be found at www. santandercb.co.uk/knowledgehub/events Further information about Santander’s Breakthrough service can be found at http:// w w w. s a n t a n d e r c b. c o. u k / breakthrough

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01889 271 777

Experienced Staffordshire warehousing and distribution business Air & Ground will be concentrating on building up its client base across the West Midlands in 2015.

The company, which was formed 19 years ago, is diversifying into offering storage and logistics services after initially being established in the civil and military aviation support sector.

The expertise and problem solving abilities the company developed working with some of the biggest names in aviation are now being offered to companies of all sizes across the UK that need to find a flexible and scalable solution to meet their storage and distribution needs and free up floor space at their premises and

warehousing@airandground.com

cut staffing costs.

Air & Ground Supply Chain Director Matthew Powell, who acts as the first point of contact for Air & Ground’s new customers, said: “We have got extensive storage capability for a wide range of palletised goods and we welcome hearing from potential new customers who need space of any size for their business’s needs. ”Air & Ground, which has its headquarters in London Road, Shirleywich, near Stafford, has 60,000sq ft of capacity within its existing three warehouses in the village of Hixon, but will also identify extra warehousing within the area to meet customer’s requirements.

“We have been doing storage and distribution for 10 years now, but we are

now concentrating on ramping that up.

We have unique skills and abilities that we have developed over the years and we are now looking to utilize them in a different way.

“We have a 22-strong team within the business and we will certainly be looking to take on more warehousing staff as we grow and take on extra sites,” said Mr Powell. The existing team has specialist skills and experience in computercontrolled stock control, inventory management and large parts handling.

Its Hixon warehouses of 15,000, 30,000 and 45,000 sq ft are all secured with ADT alarms and 24-hour CCTV security systems and are equipped to handle high value goods.

The facilities, which stand nine metres to the eaves, provide multiple loading bays and equipment such as 10-tonne overhead cranes. There is also a drive on container port facility.

Air & Ground also has a fleet of goods handling vehicles and equipment including forklift trucks, said Mr Powell: “We pride ourselves on being able to handle goods and pallets of all sizes, including large and awkward items, and we offer a mixture of storage choices.

Some of our units have floor storage and others are racked.

“We have the flexibility and ability to handle the largest items. “That was proved by us having previously won contracts to store parts for the wings for the gi-ant Airbus A380 aircraft,” explained Mr Powell.

Air & Ground’s pallet storage is on a weekly rate while storage contracts based on a sq ft basis are from six months upwards.

“We are happy to negotiate on rates dependent on the individual circumstances of each customer,” added Mr Powell.

Businesses that would like to find out more can contact Mr Powell on 01889 271777 or e-mail matthew.powell@airandground. com. Air & Ground also has details of its warehousing and other services including exporting on its website www. airandground.com from which a brochure can also be downloaded.

“We welcome hearing from any business in the West Midlands looking for a solution to their storage and distribution.

In most cases we can find something that is suitable to their needs.

We are always prepared to go the extra mile for our customers,” said Mr Powell.

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PESCADO HELPS BUSINESSES GO SUPERFAST Businesses in Birmingham are taking advantage of a Government voucher scheme that enables them to install superfast broadband.

Birmingham is one of more than 120 locations around the UK to be eligible for the vouchers aimed at helping companies to grow and develop.

In addition to SMEs, registered charities, social enterprises and sole traders can all qualify for the Connection Vouchers scheme which offers up to £3000 per customer to install dedicated superfast circuits to their business.

Fraser Watson, Managing Director of Pescado, one of the scheme’s approved suppliers, said: “The Connection Vouchers scheme is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to upgrade their broadband and gain real business benefits.

“A better broadband connection enables businesses to improve their services, enhance their customer experience and reduce software and hardware costs.”

In December, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the Government was making £40million available from April 2015 to March 2016 to help more

cities roll out the Connection Vouchers scheme.

Fraser added: “We have already helped a number of businesses across the UK take advantage of the vouchers which can be worth up to £3000 to businesses.

“The impact of upgrading to superfast broadband can be transformational for a business.”

Business communications specialist Pescado provides clients across the UK with communications services, mobile office and converged, IT and cloud services. .

Clients include national brands such as Crabtree & Evelyn,

Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and Lexmark International as well as SMEs across the UK. Fraser added: “We have a unique offering in being able to make a business’s technology work seamlessly from connectivity such as business grade fibre, server maintenance and support right through to mobile handsets.

Customers love the fact we talk about their business technology in a language they understand and which is focussed on helping them achieve their own business growth objectives.”

Record £1 million Branson business prize

We caught up with David Barker of Relevant Business Solutions, which is about to launch its services across the Midlands, to find out what makes this new company different from other “Quality Consultants..”

Q: Who are Relevant Business Solutions?

We offer Quality Systems maintenance and a wide range of Quality Improvements, to Midlands based companies, on a Retained Management basis. Phase two coming up shortly is Environmental Systems support.

Q: So you don’t put in Quality Systems such as ISO9001 as a traditional consultant, you maintain them instead?

We can of course first help a client to develop their existing systems to comply with standards such as the upcoming update to 9001, but to answer your question, our aim is to build up a longer term relationship with our clients rather than hand them an “off the shelf system” and walk away.

Q: A “Retained Management” service”?

Yes. We aim to support local businesses by acting as a cost effective alternative to hiring permanent staff, interim managers or contractors, to undertake tasks which sometimes slip in resource challenged organisations.

For example, maintaining internal audit schedules and associated procedure updates /improvements.

We can also help with Product Quality initiatives including Supplier Development, or project work such as New Product Introduction in a range of industries.

Q: Will not potential clients be put off by the old adage: “You cant get rid of a consultant once they are in”?

Hopefully not! The business model is built around regular contract reviews to ensure we are providing the right type and level of support the client needs at any given point in their business cycle. By only charging for resources the client requires helps us to deliver a very cost effective, yet professional, service.

To find out more, please visit the company website: relevantbusinesssolutions.co.uk

‘#VOOM: Pitch to Rich 2015’ from Virgin Media Business offers business-changing opportunity for UK entrepreneurs to pitch to Sir Richard Branson Virgin Media Business has launched a nationwide competition, with an unprecedented £1million business accelerator prize fund, to find the country’s most exciting and innovative businesses.

In an intimate three minute television message, first broadcast on Channel 4 on Tuesday evening, Sir Richard Branson cited bravery as the defining characteristic of an entrepreneur. He invited startups and innovators from across the UK to pitch their ideas to him in Virgin Media Business’s “#VOOM: Pitch to Rich 2015”, in association with the world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn. The competition is the latest Virgin Media Business initiative to support small, growing UK businesses – the disproportionate drivers of the national economy.

This has included the introduction of specifically-designed broadband services and the creation of free expert resources to help entrepreneurs make the most of the opportunities created by the digital world.

Throughout #VOOM: Pitch to Rich 2015, Virgin Media Business will highlight the success of

thousands of UK businesses.

Stories, videos and news from Sir Richard Branson, the judging panel and participating businesses will be published regularly on LinkedIn, to inspire start-ups to develop their great ideas and become a success.

Winners in each of the three categories will be chosen by the Virgin founder, along with a prestigious team of judges, in a live final on the 26th June: Start-up: for exciting new businesses with huge potential.

The winner gets £150,000 marketing support plus mentoring and help from Virgin StartUp’s professional business advisers for a year. Two runners-up receive £50,000 marketing support.

New Things: for big new ideas with the capacity to disrupt.

The winner gets £50,000 cash towards development, plus mentoring from Virgin’s Investment Team. Two runnersup receive £10,000 each towards development.

Grow: for existing businesses that are ready to go big-time.

The winner gets £250,000 marketing support, and two runners-up receive £100,000 marketing support.

All three category winners will also receive a full internet and fixed and mobile voice package from Virgin Media Business for 12 months, unlimited travel on Virgin Trains for 12 months, a place on the

Accelerator Network programme (www.theacceleratornetwork. com/​ ), a free package of pro bono advice from the ICAEW Business Advice Service (www. businessadviceserviceblog.com) and a membership to the notfor-profit private members club at The House of St Barnabas (www. hosb.org.uk).

One more £50,000 marketing support prize will be awarded to the semi-finalist with the most votes at the end – the People’s Choice.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder, said: “Launching a business can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. But entrepreneurs shouldn’t let this hold them back from achieving their full potential. Pitch to Rich is a brilliant opportunity for UK businesses to make their mark on a global stage. If you think your business has great potential, then enter Pitch to Rich today, as you never know where it may lead you.”

Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business, said: “Digital connectivity is playing a huge part in helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses, propelling the economy forward. Right now, great British businesses, like the thousands we work with, are seizing the opportunity that digital can have and shaking up their respective markets. Every strong

economy needs game-changers and through Pitch to Rich we hope to inspire even more.”

Peter Maxmin, Marketing Director, LinkedIn EMEA, said: “There is an incredible level of entrepreneurship and innovation on LinkedIn and this amazing competition gives our 17 million UK members a wonderful opportunity to display this entrepreneurial spirit on a global scale. LinkedIn offers great tools to showcase your experience and ideas, and provides a unique network through which to grow your business and drive support for your entry. We’re thrilled to be part of the journey!” #VOOM: Pitch to Rich 2015 builds on the work of Virgin Media Pioneers, the online community for entrepreneurs, and follows the success of last year’s Three New Things, a competition held by Virgin Media Business to unearth three new technologies with the power to change the way we live and work for good. #VOOM:Pitch to Rich 2015 is also going on tour, visiting six UK cities in April to unearth local talent and give entrepreneurs and business an opportunity to go head to head and pitch their ideas to some of Branson’s trusted pals. The events are also an opportunity for the local community to get behind their talent, and show their support – helping them to make it to the live finale.

Locations include:

DATE

LOCATION

VENUE

PRESENTER

KEY SPEAKERS

Wk 1: 21/04

Manchester

Gorilla

Emma Crosby

Richard Reed, Innocent. Renaud Visage, Eventbrite.

Wk 1: 22/04

Birmingham

Boxxed

Emma Crosby

Sharmadean Reid, Wah Nails Founder

Wk 1: 23/04

Brighton

The Basement

Emma Crosby

Jonas Druppel, Dubsmash Founder.

Rob Love, Crowdfunder and River Cottage co-founder.

Wk 2: 28/04

Cardiff

Millennium Centre

Emma Crosby

Paul Lindley, Ella’s Kitchen Founder.

Wk 2: 29/04

Edinburgh

Dynamic Earth

Emma Crosby

Jo Malone, Founder Jo Malone & Jo Loves

Wk 2: 30/04

Belfast

The Mac

Rachael Latham

Stephen Greene, Founder Eds Easy Diner

Interested businesses and individuals should register their interest at www.pitchtorich.co.uk

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“If you prefer to earn whilst you learn, in a real working role, then an Apprenticeship could be for you.”

Young people are now legally required to stay in training or education up until their 18th birthday.

This does not mean that they have to stay in school and that working in a real job is no longer an option. Apprenticeships are a mix of real work, training and education – an option that is increasing in popularity, not only for young people but adults too! Buxton & Leek College offer a wide range of Apprenticeships, across a number of sectors and want to help raise the awareness of what apprenticeships are and how they can be a great career choice.

Apprenticeships give learners the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification and develop professional workplace skills whilst earning a salary.

They’re ideal for learners who want to go straight into employment whilst continuing their education and training.

Apprentices come into College one-day a week, and specialist Assessors from Skillsbase, the employment training division of Buxton & Leek College, visit them at their place of work as part of the programme, working closely with their employer.

There are currently over 150,000 employers nationwide who recruit Apprentices including large businesses, public sector organisations, charities and councils as well local independent businesses.

Research by the National Apprenticeship Service shows that 85% of Apprentices will continue in employment after finishing their Apprenticeship and 64% will stay in employment with the same company that they completed their Apprenticeship with.

Is an Apprenticeship right for me?

If you want to enter the world of work whilst continuing with your training and education then an Apprenticeship could be for you. As an employee you will work alongside experienced staff to gain job specific and transferable skills whilst earning a wage. You may even be an adult in employment, and want to further your skills and career development with an Adult Apprenticeship.

What types of Apprenticeships are available?

A common misconception is that Apprenticeships are only available in manual careers, such as plumbing or construction. At Buxton & Leek College we offer Apprenticeships in various subject areas: Apprenticeships are available at Level 2 and Level 3 and take between 12–24 months to complete.

• Accounting • Business Administration • Beauty • Carpentry & Joinery • Childcare & Education • Computing & ICT • Customer Services • Engineering • Hairdressing & Barbering • Hospitality & Catering • Motor Vehicle • Painting & Decorating • Sport Are Apprenticeships better than A Levels, BTECs or other study options?

No one choice is better than another, it’s more about trying to find a study option that suits your style of learning. If you prefer to earn whilst you learn, in a real working role, then an Apprenticeship could be for you. If you want to go to University, some

Apprenticeships already attract UCAS points or allow you to study for a Technical Certificate. You can read about some of our Apprenticeship success stories at www.blc.ac.uk to see what our Apprentices have gone on to achieve in their careers.

What do I need to become an Apprentice?

The usual requirements to become an apprentice are: • You must be 16 years or older • GCSE Maths and English at grade A*- D • To have an employer in mind, or be able to work with us to find you an apprenticeship employer – at Buxton & Leek College we work with a wide range of employers. Our Apprenticeship vacancies are always available on our website.

“

If you want to enter the world of work whilst continuing with your training and education then an Apprenticeship could be for you.

”

What happens if I haven’t got what is needed to become an Apprentice?

Do not panic – at Buxton & Leek College we now offer a range of Traineeships, that can help you progress onto an Apprenticeship.

Are you a business interested in employing an Apprentice?

Thousands of businesses across the UK offer Apprenticeship opportunities because they recognise their effectiveness at increasing productivity and help them to address skills shortages. Our qualified and competent Assessors, who have years of industry experience, will be your main contact who will conduct an organisational needs analysis to ensure the correct training and support is provided.

Apprenticeships can also help develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

If you have current employees who would benefit from an Apprenticeship, our Assessors can provide information, advice and guidance on progression opportunities. We’re pleased to have already worked with some of the regions largest organisations, such as Belle Engineering, Chatsworth Estate, DHL and Allied Healthcare on delivering high quality and effective programmes.

“

The Government are offering small businesses an employer grant in recognition of offering an Apprenticeship opportunity to 16-24 year olds.

”

The Government are offering small businesses an employer grant in recognition of offering an

Apprenticeship opportunity to 16-24 year olds There are some industry bodies that also offer grants. For more information and eligibility criteria please contact the College.

As an employer of an Apprentice you will be expected to provide the following: • Support and development of the learner through hands on training • Release of your learner, when appropriate • Support of the learner in the workplace through supervision and mentoring • A weekly wage of no less than the national minimum wage for an Apprentice • A minimum of 30 hours per week direct employment which includes time spent in training.

Once you’re up and running we advertise your vacancies through the National Apprenticeship Service, our website, local press and College newspaper and we encourage you to advertise through other media too. We will then screen

applicants for their suitability before forwarding their details to you for interview(s). We may also have learners that are ready and waiting for employers like you so we will be able to match them to you straight away.

Where can I go for more information?

Whether you are a future Apprentice or an employer interested in hiring an Apprentice, you can call us on 0800 074 0099 and speak to our specialist Skillsbase staff. You can also apply for Apprenticeships and Traineeships through our online application form at www.blc.ac.uk. There is also an opportunity to visit us at our Campuses and talk to us directly at our next Advice Days: Wednesday 22nd April at Leek and Thursday 23rd April at Buxton, both events 5pm to 8pm – call us to book today.

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4 Unforgettable Days In Verona

A Great way to reward or incentivise your staff with an unforgettable 4 day break in the beautiful city of Verona

“Verona is known as the “City of love”, from the The 4 day tour can include: famous Shakespeare tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet.”

• 3-night 4 star accommodation (including breakfast) • A half day cooking class where you can enjoy making Hi2events have put together a fabulous short tour pasta and authentic dishes from the Venetian region. that is a perfect way for businesses to get top results Choose from either lunch or dinner, which will be 3 from their staff by achieving or winning this 4 day courses that you eat afterwards along with some of the leisure break. It is a great way to inspire your staff famous wines of the region. to be high achievers and for companies to reward • Wine tasting matching the dishes prepared and the their top players, that is much more meaningful than most famous are Valpolicella a red wine that gets its name a cash reward or voucher. from the area between Verona and Lake Garda where it The tours are for a minimum of 6 people and are is produced. Or perhaps try the Soave, a delicious white tailor made to suit the requirements of every group, from the village of Soave, just 20 kilometres away. for whatever achievement or occasion you want to • Then a visit to the cellars producing Valpolicella, celebrate, and are equally suited to a group of friends Amarone and Soave wine as well as extra virgin olive looking for a fun weekend or mini break too. oil. An amazing experience where you will taste wines The choice of venues and adventures when you get with flavours you had never imagined, and then choose there are individually arranged to suit your group and a few bottles of your favourite to take home afterwards. their interests.

• Then time for an unforgettable Walking Tour of Verona: There is a lot to see, and all within walking distance.

Here is a tempting example: Don’t miss the beautiful Verona square of Piazza Brà, and at the side of it you will find the magnificent Roman “4 days in Verona, a beautiful city in northern arena where the Verona opera festival takes place in Italy, which is impossible not to be enchanted summer. Then it’s along the famous shopping street Via by its elegance, history,and the beauty of its Mazzini down to the house of Juliet, complete with the landscapes and river.” famous balcony and a bronze statue of Juliet.

• Half day tour to Lake Garda (30 minutes from Verona) including lunch. Take in the views of Medieval Castles around the shoreline. Sit or stroll along the beaches and take pictures of the rocky cliffs above the northern shoreline. of Lake Garda.

Have we tempted you?

That is just one example of the packages we can put together for you. Take your Regional Managers, high achievers or your most hard working staff. It’s a great way to develop loyalty, competition and achievement in your teams and an inexpensive way to reward your top sales people that they will talk about for a long time afterwards. Best of all, it’s a business expense.

Or why not get together with a few friends; 3 or 4 couples would be perfect; and let us put together a short break tailor made to your love of food, wine and travel that will have lasting memories ….

Contact us now for more information on: 0116 240 2330 or info@hi2events.co.uk visit www.

hi2events.co.uk

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Branson announces £1 million business prize #VOOM: Pitch to Rich comes to Birmingham

Are you dealing with HR issues instead of focusing on growing your business?

Do you get your contract templates and HR advice from the internet and don’t know if your business is really protected?

Virgin Media Business has announced the launch of ‘#VOOM: Pitch to Rich’ 2015, a nationwide search for the best business minds across the UK. In association with Eventbrite, the search will be kick started with six events, taking place up and down the UK throughout April.

In Birmingham the event will be held on 22nd April at Boxxed. With over 16,000 new businesses set up in Birmingham in 2013 alone, the region is already recognised as a driver of national entrepreneurship.

During the evening, Virgin Media Business will scout out the most innovative local talent. Three lucky candidates will be given the opportunity to pitch to leading entrepreneur Sharmadean Reid, founder of Wah Nails, and a panel of experts. Attendees will also benefit from one-on-one financial advice, as well as information about business funding and mentoring from Virgin StartUp.

Peter Kelly, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business, said: “Digital connectivity is playing a huge part in helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses, propelling the economy forward. Right now, great British businesses, like the thousands we work with, are seizing the opportunity that digital can have and shaking up their respective markets.

Every strong economy needs game-changers and through Pitch to Rich we hope to inspire even more.”

The overall competition winners will be selected by Sir Richard Branson and a panel of trusted pals in a live final on 26th June.

Reserve tickets for Birmingham or any of our other regional events at: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/pitchtorich. www.pitchtorich.co.uk

Introducing the Spring Offers from ConciseHR – the leading HR consultancy for small businesses in Staffordshire and Derbyshire…..

Evergreen contracts – let us create a bespoke employment contract for you… and keep it up to date in line with legislation – from £300 (normal price £500) Virtual HR Manager – Same day phone response on all your people issues - from £75 / month (normal price £100 / month) Tweet - @concisehr Visit our website www.concisehr.co.uk See testimonials from the companies we help.

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£1.5m deal secures Minton Archive collection in Staffordshire

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND PROFITABILITY

BY EMMA JAMES The iconic Minton Archive is to go on permanent display in North Staffordshire.

It has been bought from Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton and gifted to the city of Stoke-on-Trent – home of the Minton factory until it was demolished in the 1990s.

The announcement ends an eight-year long fight to protect the future of the world-famous Minton Archive as a historical collection.

It includes thousands of documents, manuscripts, patterns and paintings dating back to 1793.

The collection was put up for auction at £6.5 million, but was scrapped because of a public backlash and has been kept in storage.

The Art Fund and a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund has helped buy the collection from WWRD, who own the Royal Doulton and Minton brands.

Stoke-on-Trent City Archives has been gifted the ownership, and items from the Archive

are going on show at Wedgwood Museum and Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley.

The Art Fund was able to protect Minton Archive after the success of campaigners to save the Wedgwood collection, and support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and donations from The Pilgrim Trust, and Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement.

Art Fund director Stephen Deuchar said: “For years, the Art Fund has fought to protect the Minton Archive, keeping it in its rightful place in Staffordshire, and bringing it into safe public ownership.

“We’re delighted an archive that incorporates major works of art amid a treasure trove of industrial history has finally been saved for the nation.

“It offers an unprecedented insight into design and manufacturing processes from the 18th to the 20th centuries, thereby telling the fascinating story of Staffordshire’s renowned pottery industry in colour and depth.

“We are grateful to WWRD for agreeing to sell the archive intact to a public institution.”

The Minton Archive includes the records of Minton, Royal Daulton, along with hundreds of thousands of items that show more than two centuries of innovative pottery manufacture, design and production.

The Archive is currently based at the Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston and at Bonhams.

WWRD chief financial officer Anthony Jones said: “We are delighted the archive will remain in Staffordshire.

“It will be accessible to all and a reminder to the world of our rich industrial heritage.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council assistant chief executive Charlie Stewart said: “We are delighted this wonderful archive is coming home to Stoke-on-Trent.

“Along with the Spode and the Wedgwood archives, it is one of the great industrial archives of the ceramic industry and has international importance.

“A lot of work will now take place to catalogue everything so people can see this magnificent collection themselves.”

“Unlock the potential in your leaders, team and business” At Peak offer proven training techniques used in the UK armed forces and commercial organisations, tailored to give your people and your business a boost.

This unique approach combines successful training and development concepts with techniques that have successfully been deployed in both military and commercial training environments. We can help your business by tailoring the following programmes to suit your needs: • Peak Leadership • Peak Teamwork • Peak Experience • Time Management Andy Walker, Director of At Peak has worked extensively with the Royal Navy, who place great emphasis on leadership and management skills at all levels; the defining factor in the success of its people. He has also had experience leading commercial teams as the General Manager in a large and very profitable

E: info@atpeak.co.uk

health club. More recently he was engaged as National Training Manager specialising in leadership and operational training for one of Richard Branson’s companies. Andy is passionate about leadership development and is also a qualified trainer, coach and mentor registered with the Chartered Management Institute.

Having recently been engaged to design and deliver officer training for the Royal Navy Leadership Academy, we want to share valuable lessons learned with you – starting with our Daily Habits of Successful Leaders Checklist, free when you send an e-mail to At Peak quoting ‘daily habits’ in either the title or message body.

It costs nothing to find out more but could help make you, your people and your business more successful. View our website, send an e-mail or call Andy for an informal chat to discuss how we can help.

T: 07970 271662

W: www.atpeak.co.uk

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

42Page Issue42.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Business risk management should include making a power of attorney As a business owner or director, have you ever considered what would happen to your business if you became incapable of making important day to day decisions?

You may think that a power of attorney is only necessary for the elderly, but business owners are also vulnerable to health risks that could affect your mental or physical capacity - such as increased levels of stress, travelling abroad and participation in adventure sports.

Marie Tisdale, partner and wills and probate solicitor at Ansons Solicitors in Lichfield, advises all business owners and entrepreneurs to create a lasting power of attorney.

“Drawing up a lasting power of attorney should be as much a part of your risk management approach as taking out key-man insurance” advises Marie If your business is run as a partnership or has a board of directors, it is prudent to ensure that all members have a lasting power of attorney to cover what happens to their company voting rights, shares and drawings.

Once you become unable to manage your own decisions even your close family do not have an automatic authority with company

employees, your contacts or your company bank or Companies House.

Creating a lasting power of attorney is relatively straightforward and it can cover both your business and personal finances, or you can make two separate ones. For example, you may want to appoint your second-in-command at work to act alongside a trusted family

member.

Alternatively, you might appoint an independent professional.

For advice on appointing a lasting power of attorney or any wills and probate matter, contact Marie Tisdale in the wills and probate team on 01543 267 981 or mtisdale@ansonsllp. com.

Ansons Solicitors has offices in Cannock and Lichfield, Staffordshire.

EUROCELL TO FACILITATE GROWTH STRATEGY FOLLOWING £45 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING 12th March 2015 – Derbyshire-based Eurocell, a market leading, vertically integrated UK manufacturer and distributor of innovative window, door and roofline PVC products, has agreed a £45 million revolving credit facility to support the firm’s growth strategy following on from its recent successful Initial Public Offering (IPO). The funding is being provided jointly between Santander Corporate & Commercial and Barclays Corporate Banking.

Established in 1974, Eurocell has become a core supplier of window, door and roofline PVC products to wholesale and trade customers across the UK. The group, which has developed its own 131-strong branch network, primarily supplies product into the UK repair, maintenance and improvement market as well as the new build and public sector markets.

The business, which was acquired by H2 Equity Partners in September 2013, posted group revenue of £173.1 million as at the end of December 2014, up 10.3% year-on-year and adjusted EBITDA increased 70.8% to £26.1 million. Having announced its intention to proceed with an IPO, its shares listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of £175 million.

The £45 million in funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial and Barclays Corporate Bank will be used to support the Eurocell’s wider growth strategy in the UK window, door and

roofline PVC product market.

Patrick Bateman, Chief Executive of Eurocell, said: “Over the last few years, Eurocell has developed a leading position in the manufacture of innovative window, door and roofline PVC products. We have worked very hard to get to this position. Looking forward, we have exciting plans for the company and I’m wholly confident that the management team has a clear and decisive strategy for growth at this key time for the business.”

Richard Venters, Relationship Director at Barclays Corporate, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this long standing customer as they move into the next exciting stage of their development. With an excellent market position, a clear strategy for growth and a strong management team, we are confident that Eurocell is well placed to capitalise on the opportunities ahead and look forward to supporting them in achieving their ambitions.”

Joe Duane, Relationship Director at Santander Corporate & Commercial, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Eurocell at this critical stage in the firm’s history. The business has developed a very strong position in the UK, driven by customer service excellence and highquality products, and we have no doubt that it will be able to build on this as it looks to expand, launch new products and grow its market share.”

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 343.43 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Following a radical change in pension legislation earlier this month savers now have unprecedented control over their money upon retiring. Now, retirees no longer need to ever buy an annuity with their pension pot – meaning anyone over 55 years of age can now cash in their pensions and spend the money however they wish.

“Professional advice from a friendly and approachable company” Retirees can now access their pension pot like a bank account and withdraw cash as and when they please, or empty the pot in one hit. Whether drawing large sums is wise is very questionable though, and the whole area should be approached with caution, and ideally advice sought from a specialist.

Drawing what might appear to be even relatively small sums could still lead to large and unexpected tax bills, with many people accidentally moving themselves into paying 40% tax.

You could be the target of fraudsters. Be extra vigilant of cold-callers who offer anything free, from a complimentary pension review to wanting to discuss investments using your pension fund. Never

“Our Highly Qualified staff offer the highest standard of advice and service”

volunteer extra information, ask to be removed from their list and hang up immediately.

Most people massively underestimate their life expectancy, and there is real risk that if you draw large amounts from your pensions you may run out of money for the future.

There is a vast array of options for people accessing their pensions now, and this will increase with further innovation. One size does not fit all, and it is easy to become bewildered by the numerous choices on offer. Some providers will not offer the new pension freedoms, and others will make hefty charges for doing so. How do you navigate this pension minefield?

Acuity Financial can help by going through your pension details with a fine toothcomb to discuss

“Providing clear financial vision to both private and corporate clients” which options would bring you the most benefit. We make the time to sit down with you and really listen to exactly what you’re saying, because our most prized assets are our clients. It is our primary focus at Acuity Financial to understand what you want in your present situation and where you want to be.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out our website and learn more about what our existing clients say about us.

Pick up the phone for pension peace of mind and get in touch with us today on 01543 440 300, or click onto our website on www.acuityfinancial. co.uk.

Call us on: 01543 440 300 Email your enquiry to: enquiries@acuityfinancial.co.uk Acuity Financial Consultancy Limited, New Media House, Davidson Road Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 9DZ

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

44Page Issue44.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Tinsdills Solicitors announce their new service for employers.

Staffordshire Guardian – (April 2015) In order to help local businesses minimise the potential for employment disputes and their consequences, Tinsdills are now offering their Resolve Employment Law Service.

Employees are more aware of their legal rights under the employment legislation than they ever were. It is therefore imperative that employers maintain their internal HR documents, contracts, policies and procedures to ensure they are properly equipped to deal with any potential employment disputes. The employer who is not up to date with their obligations is at a higher risk of facing an employment tribunal claim.

The new fixed price service is intended to help businesses avoid employment disputes by ensuring that their clients are operating to the best standards of employment practice and procedures. Tinsdills will undertake an annual review of key employment documents and procedures. In the event of an issue arising, Tinsdills will provide expert advice by telephone on HR issues when it is needed, enabling companies to deal with any employment disputes swiftly and effectively.

Tinsdills’ service includes an insurance policy which will provide cover for legal costs and most awards

and settlements of up to £250,000 per claim if, after all of the support and advice provided, an employment tribunal claim should occur, Elaine Goodwin, Employment Law Solicitor at Tinsdills comments: “Any claim issued against your business by an employee can be very costly both financially and to the reputation of your business. At Tinsdills we believe that prevention is better than cure and this service offers you expert advice and support to minimise these risks and all for a competitive fixed fee”.

“ Tinsdills Solicitors are one of the largest and most experienced firms in North Staffordshire” To find out more about how Tinsdills can support, advise and protect your business against employment disputes, please contact Elaine Goodwin on 01782 652 300..

About Tinsdills Solicitors Tinsdills Solicitors are one of the largest and most experienced firms in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire with offices in Leek, Hanley, Newcastleunder-Lyme and Sandbach.

Our specialised departments offer an expert and

friendly legal advice service for personal and business clients including residential property, family law, company and commercial, wills trusts and probate, professional negligence and personal

injury.

For more information call 01782 652300 or visit http://www.tinsdills.co.uk

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 345.45 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

46Page Issue46.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Home Improvement www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk

COLD WATER COULD HEAT 1 MILLION HOMES

At least 1 million homes and businesses across England could be tapping into clean renewable heat hidden in our waterways, a new online tool for communities has revealed.

The innovative and interactive online map has revealed the secret energy in over 4,000 rivers, estuaries, canals and coastal sites across the country that together could provide over six gigawatts of low-carbon heat to communities. By installing a water source heat pump people can help eliminate the need for dirty gas-fired domestic heating and a typical household could slash its carbon footprint by up to 50 per cent.

Launching the new map at Battersea Power Station in London today, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “We need to make the most of the vast amount of clean, renewable heat that lays dormant and unused in our rivers, lakes and seas.

“Doing this will help contribute to an energy mix that maximises clean, reliable home-grown resources rather than relying on foreign fossil fuels. It also provides a system that bolsters growth in our local economies, protects the natural environment, and creates resilient communities that are capable of producing sustainable power systems.

“This is exactly why we’re giving local people, developers and councils the keys they need to unlock the enormous potential of our waterways.”

Battersea Power Station is the latest developer to announce that it will be looking into installing a water source heat pump. Today, energy company SSE was appointed to carry out a full heat pump feasibility study. The company will also investigate

the re-use of existing engineering infrastructure that was built 80 years ago to connect the Power Station to the Thames when it was generating power. If a heat pump is installed at the site, it would be one of the energy sources used to provide heat to around 4000 new homes, shops, offices and public amenities being provided at the Power Station.

Phillip Gullett, chief operating officer at Battersea Power Station, said: “We are looking at a range of options to deliver the energy required for the homes, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities being created here at Battersea Power Station.

“Being located on the banks of the River Thames in central London we are ideally placed to investigate what role water source technology may play in supplying our energy needs and we are delighted that SSE will be undertaking a feasibility study to establish the options available to us.”

Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, the charity that cares for 2,000 miles of waterways in England & Wales, said: “We very much welcome today’s announcement, which recognises the huge potential of water sourced heat pumps to deliver a low carbon solution to the UK’s heating and cooling demands.

“We have a number of innovative projects already underway, or in development, on our canals and rivers. These are delivering benefits for waterside businesses and the environment and proving again that, 200 years after they were built, the waterways are still bringing a whole range of benefits to the nation.”

THE HEAT IS ON TO ENSURE WARMER, HEALTHY HOMES FOR EVERYONE Local Authorities on the front line of tackling cold homes can now apply for their share of a £25 million Central Heating Fund, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey has announced.

The money is expected to help up to 8,000 fuel poor homes living off the gas grid stay warmer for less through the installation of complete first-time central heating systems.

New details have also been unveiled of the £1 million warmth-on-prescription fund that will boost nine local authorities in their efforts helping people in fuel poor households whose health is affected by cold homes. Schemes like the Dudley Winter Warmth Support Service will improve around 180 fuel poor households by installing a range of energy efficiency measures and the Warm and Healthy Homes Programme in Durham will provide essential training to over 100 health and social care professionals to ensure fuel poor households are identified and supported.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “The heat is on for warmer, healthy homes. Over one million homes are now warmer and cheaper to heat thanks to the Government’s ECO and Green Deal policies. Today’s £25 million competition will go further to help thousands more.

“Fuel poverty has fallen every year since 2010,

however there are still too many people affected by it. That is why we have introduced an ambitious Fuel Poverty Strategy and are mobilising frontline services to innovate how we identify and target those living in cold homes”.

Rachel Fisher, head of policy at the National Housing Federation, said: “A much needed long term plan to end the housing crisis within a generation shouldn’t just address the chronic shortage of new homes, but also bringing empty homes back into use and improving the quality of existing homes.

“DECC’s new £25m Central Heating Fund provides a unique opportunity to improve the quality of life of thousands of tenants by lifting them out of fuel poverty with the installation of new heating technologies, including renewable heat. We would encourage housing associations to take an in-depth look at this funding to see how they can use it to make the most lasting impact.”

Up to £2 million in additional funding, available in 2015/16, has kick-started a collaborative programme, working with local authorities and partners on future pilots that will continue to build on the progress made so far. These include community energy schemes, giving face-to-face advice and building on the success of Big Energy Saving Network.

COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECT FIGHTS FUEL POVERTY IN CANNOCK CHASE An innovative scheme is raising funds to install solar panels on council-owned bungalows in the Cannock Chase region. The panels will provide free electricity to the tenants, who are mainly pensioners struggling with rising energy bills.

Chase Community Solar is run by a team of volunteers and was established in 2014 after an approach by Cannock Chase Council following a successful pilot scheme.

Councillor Frank Allen, Cabinet Lead for Housing, Cannock Chase Council, said: “Our tenants have been badly

hit by rises in energy prices in recent years and through this project we can give many of them an opportunity to reduce their energy bills by getting free electricity when the sun is shining.

“By targeting bungalows we will be giving the most help to the older members of our community.

In addition to reducing tenants’ electricity costs the project will also help to reduce the district’s carbon emissions.”

Cannock Chase is the second most deprived area in Staffordshire after Stoke-onTrent, with an estimated 1 in 9 households suffering from fuel poverty. Council tenants

benefiting from the solar panels can expect to save between £100 and £200 a year on average on their energy bills through the free electricity generated.

The project is being funded by private investment via a community share offer.

Around £630,000 has been raised so far, with the final target being £750,000.

Investors will enjoy a projected 7% average annual return on their money plus EIS tax relief of 30%.

You can find out more at www.chasesolar.org.uk.

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 347.47 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Reasons for choosing SHS Radiators

How do they work?

The heat is produced electrically via an element that is embedded within a clay tile. The tiles are then placed into the heater, the number depending on the required kilowattage for the particular room. All of this is controlled by a very accurate thermostat.

The thermostat is then set to the required temperature. They can be turned on & off manually, or set on a timing system. Our heaters are designed to radiate heat as well as produce natural convection so that the heat is distributed as evenly as possible, thus giving you a cosy and comfortable even

room temperature.

Safety accreditations All of our heaters carry the ce certification (for observing all of the relevant CE objectives) CE certification (proven safety approval certificate) Heater reliability Not since 1991 has a single heater been returned to the manufacturer, either faulty or for repair. Now that is reliability. The reason that the heaters are so reliable is down to the experience of the manufacturers. Lets be fair if you had been developing a product for over 60yrs you would know it inside out, its strengths and weakness, which would

enable you to continually improve and produce a top quality product.

Rigorous checks are made during the manufacturing of the heaters, as well as a three hour test run to see that all is in full working order before shipment to the uk.

Running costs SHS radiators not only provide you with a very powerful heater, But also provide low running costs. This is due to the design and efficient way they deliver heat. The tiles not only heat up very quickly but also have great storage capability.

Once the room is up to the required temperature, the thermostat will than take control, only giving small bursts of power to the heater when required, to keep the room at an even a temperature.

Versitility Our heaters can be used in many different ways.

They can be wall-mounted, freestanding, or on castors, giving you a wide choice. There is also a range of over 200 colours available in the ral. Range.

Controls Heaters have built-in thermostatic controls so that each room heater can be controlled individually.

Remote control is available, or the more popular option of a simple mechanical timer.

Power and sizes The heaters start from 0:5kw through to 2:5kw and also a

variety of heights and widths, so that there is always a heater to suite your needs. At only 80mm deep they really do have a great slim-line look .

Flexibility SHS rads are used as a permanent replacement for gas/ oil boilers, storage heaters (E7) systems etc. Alternatively they can run along side conventional heating systems to give you a boost in real problem cold spots.

Ease of use The simplicity of our heaters enable us to simply plug the heater into any 13amp socket to give you instant use of the heaters. There is no need for any special tariff from your electricity supplier.

Guarantee The high quality build and reliability of our heaters enable us to give you guarantees far exceeding that required by law.

Each heater carry a 5 year guarantee and 2 years on the thermostats.

About Simple Heating Solutions Simple heating solutions (SHS) have been trading since 2007, when we became a distributor for elti heating of East Yorkshire. After a while we became independant and began importing directly from the manufacturers thus enabling us to become more competitive than previously.

The business is run by Martin

Robertson, from Rugeley, Staffordshire.

All of our heaters are manufactured in Germany by a family run business that have been in the heating business since 1946.

As you would expect from any German manufacturer, all of the products are made to a very high standard, and with such a long track record you can be sure that the reliability of the heaters is

second to none.

Should you require information or advice prior to purchasing your chosen radiator, please call our Product Information Helpline on 01889 576732. Our staff can give you information on our whole product range. Alternatively, for pre-purchase queries you can contact us by email info@ simpleheating.net

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

48Page Issue48.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Spring Garden time!

Half price membership offer

Gardening can be highly rewarding, fun and utterly addictive hobby and the best way to do it is to jump right in and start experimenting.

You don’t need to sit down and read up on an entire manual on gardening before getting started but these few pointers should get you off to a good start.

Also remember that there is a wealth of information about the subject online, in books and magazines and on specialist gardening programmes on television.

The key is not to become daunted at the sheer amount of information available, but just to get started at a pace which is good for you.

So here are some top tips for ensuring that you get your gardening hobby off to the best possible start.

It is very important to know your soil type.

Different plants grow better in different soil types so matching plants to soil type is very important indeed. There are three main soil types - sand, silt and clay and staff at your local gardening centre will advise you on which plants are best for which soils.

Different types of plants also need different amounts of light and nutrients, so plant similar plant types together for best results.

Also take time to learn to identify common pests and diseases which may attack your plants so that you can take appropriate action. Note that reaching for the nearest chemical spray

is not always necessary and more eco-friendly alternatives should always be considered.

Talking of being environmentally friendly, don’t forget that you can make your own compost from kitchen scraps and prunings which you can use to start a compost heap.

Don’t forget to remove dead flowers from flowering plants every few days as this will prolong the flowering season. This is especially important in the case of flowering annuals but it also applies to many flowering shrubs.

Just like humans, plants need regular watering but different plants need different amounts of water. Take time to know how much water your plants need and how often they need to be watered. Under or over watering plants could lead to disastrous results so understanding this is very important indeed.

When it comes to gardening there are many common mistakes which people make such as planting in the wrong spot, such as an area which is too dry, too moist, to hot or too cool for the species being grown.

It is also quite common for people new to gardening to pull up plants instead of weeds so ensure that you know your plants from your weeds.

In all gardening can be a really rewarding hobby and as you get more skilful then you will be rewarded by ever better results.

Join Buuerfly Conservation for just £1.33 a month* and receive a copy of our exclusive Gardening for Buuerflies and Moths booklet and a FREE pack of buuerfly friendly plant seeds in your welcome pack.

To take advantage of this great offer: join by direct debit online at www.buuerfly-conservation.org/join or give us a call on 01929 406015 – quoting promotion code: GARDEN50 Don’t let buuerflies disappear from our gardens - your support today can help them thrive for future generations to enjoy! *Half price membership for one year, offer available for new members joining by direct debit only with promotion code - closes 31 May 2015.

Butterfly Conservation is a charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)

Johnson Hall and Bury Bank garden centres are familyrun businesses in the heart of Staffordshire with more than 60 years experience in the world of horticulture.

They produce top quality plants at affordable prices and have everything from small shrubs to large trees.

Customers regularly praise their friendly and experienced staff who are always happy to advise on anything from plant selection, growing and care tips and any other matters to do with gardening.

Johnson Hall Garden Centre is located just outside Eccleshall on the A519 Newport Road. It is set

in the delightful surroundings of a Victorian walled garden and the nursery was formally the gardens of Johnson Hall.

Bury Bank Garden Centre is located in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside, on the A51 just a mile from the A34 Darlaston Inn roundabout.

It was established in 1991 growing shrubs, trees & hardy nursery stock while the plant centre was added in 1998 to serve their retail customer base.

By growing onsite they are able to offer their customers a diverse range of plants not always found in a typical garden centre.

One of the services which is proving very popular at the

moment is plant hire for weddings and special events.

Almost any plant from the nursery can be hired and can also be supplied with decorative pots to suit your theme.

Plants can transform any venue, are perfect for adding that finishing touch and provide structure and colour.

They also have a very popular Greenhouse Emporium which features new and vintage items for the home and garden.

Be sure to check it out if you are looking for something interesting or collectable for your home and garden, old or new, vintage/ antique and industrial items.

AWARD WINNING HANGING BASKETS

Greenhouse Emporium Johnson Hall Nurseries, Newport Road, Eccleshall ST21 6BD 01785 850400

Plant Hire for Weddings and Special Events

Bring your own Hanging Baskets

Open 7 Days a week - Monday to Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pm and from 9:30am - 4:00pm on Sundays

Bury Bank Plant Centre, on the A51 at Darlaston ST15 0QA 01782 796353

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 349.49 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

J E LINDSAY BUILDING CONTRACTORS Service & Quality guaranteed

ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN

BATHROOMS KITCHENS PLUMBING ELECTRICS

FASCIS SOFFIT’S BRICKWORK PLASTERING

Replacement doors and windows in UPVC

WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON PRICES OR SERVICE !

Tel: 01283 295659 Mobile: 07770786896 jelindsayltd@gmail.com Over 20 years experience as a NHBC registered house builder

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

50Page Issue50.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Interior Showroom Your Home In Our hands.....

All brands in carpet and flooring Bespoke suites Occasional furniture Curtains & blinds Room accessories Be individual without the price tag!

Gas & Plumbling Top quality, reliable and accredited repairs and installs

Friendly reliable service Breakdown & repairs New Systems Boiler changes Radiator upgrades

Big energy savings can be made

All work guaranteed

Showroom opening times: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5.00 Sat 9:30 - 5.00

Blyth House, Hordern Rd, Tettenhall, Woldverhampton, WV6 OHS

www.theblythgroup.co.uk

Telephone: 01902 745362

Offering all building requirements

Proffessional Carpet & Uphoistery Cleaning

Free Quotes Maintenance & Repairs Personal & Reliable Domestic Commercial

Eliminates 99% of dust mites Highly trained operatives NCCA apporved Prompt, professional and friendly service Over 60 years of delivering first class building services

Property Services

NCCA membership assures very high standards of cleaning

Cleaning Services

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 351.51 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

24 : Derbyshire 52.3 Issue Guardian.

52Page Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Holidays

Apartment in El Valle Golf Resort, Murcia, Spain Luxury 2 Bed Room Apartment ( sleeps 4)

www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk Almost everyone looks forward to going on holiday… whether it is a quick weekend break to a couple of weeks or more in some foreign destination, holidays are a time to relax and enjoy yourself.

However the lead up to the annual vacation can be stressful as there is a lot you will need to remember to get right. In fact the better prepared you are in the months and weeks leading up to your getaway, the more enjoyable it will be.

There can be few things worse than arriving at the airport only to discover that you don’t have the correct visa, that your passport has expired or that you have left your ticket receipts on the kitchen table.

Sadly things like this happen to people every year

and it can totally ruin their holidays…so ensure that it does not happen to you.

Spend time to ensure that all your documentation is in order, that you have enough travel money, that you know what clothes you need for your destination and that your holiday insurance is up to date.

If you are going to exotic locations then you may need to get the appropriate vaccinations and no matter where you go then you may have to make arrangements for your pets to be looked after or for a neighbour to keep an eye on your home while you are away.

Plan now to ensure your holiday is one that is remembered for all the right reasons.

This 2 bedroom apartment has been prepared and furnished to the highest specification to ensure everything is available for you to enjoy and relax during your stay on this 5* exclusive location. The two bed rooms are fully fitted with designer wardrobes, there is a Hydro jacuzzi bath and shower, Fully integrated modern stylish Kitchen. Internal and External dining on large balcony with a south facing aspect, boasting panoramic views over whole resort and pool private to apt

Algarve Villa

With summer around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about your holiday. How about retreating to a stunning villa whilst sunning yourself on the beach? Make your vacation extra special by jetting off to sunny Portugal and staying in the luxurious Vale do Garrao villa in the Central Algarve.

This three bedroom split level exclusive property is the perfect place to enjoy your privacy whilst indulging in the vibrant restaurant scene at dusk.

Beautifully furnished with a contemporary twist, this

open plan villa boasts modernised bathrooms, a living room which opens out onto a private swimming pool and patio area and terrace with a large built-in barbecue. Its ideal location in the Golden Triangle means that the villa is approximately 8 minutes from the beach with nearby restaurants and a golf course too.

What are you waiting for? Call Andrea now on 353 871 913327 to book that dream vacation – you deserve no less.

For details and bookings please contact: tony.whitehead@blueyonder.co.uk l 07758938497 www.ownersdirect.com property ref: S24802

Villa in Opio, Alpes Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur, France

Villa in Vale do Garrao, Central Algarve, Portugal

•

This popular, luxurious, modern open plan villa, has a large swimming pool with a slide for the children, and backs onto the Vale do Garrao gardens. It is 4 minutes walk from the lake and 8 minutes walk from the beach. Here are the Vale do Garrao famous restaurants with excellent food at reasonable prices and entertainment in summertime.

• Property type: Villa • Sleeps: 8 (3 bedrooms) • Bathrooms/Toilets: 3 • Pool • Air conditioning • Internet access • Pets accepted

For further information or to book please call Andrea on +353 871913327 or visit us on Owners Direct, property reference - P11530

block, space to accommodate 4 sun loungers as well. From your comfort there is either air con or fan cooling as well as a full entertainment package, Cable TV, DVD, and music centre.

The apt is located only 2 minutes from the exclusive Golf Resort Club house delivering an 18 hole international championship golf course, which provide access to restaurants, gymnasium, WiFi access and supermarket - an excellent facility to share with other guests.

Sleeps 7 (2 ensuite doubles 1 twin, 1 single) • Pool • Internet Access • Golf • SKY TV

If it is peace and quiet you are seeking, beneath cobalt Provençal skies, accompanied by birdsong and the distant bray of a donkey across the valley, then this is the villa for you.

Safely within a gated, wooded hillside Domaine with tennis court, cou this is very much a comfortable family home from home. It offers easy living, Wi-Fi, Sky TV, a video & dvd library and a well equipped new kitchen. The master bedroom with balcony and en suite bathroom have recently been converted to create a

tranquil room with a view at the top of the villa. The pool and beautiful gardens also offer complete privacy and a welcome relief from the strains and stresses of everyday life.Yet within short driving distance cloistered square of 14th is the cloiste Century Valbonne, with its buzzing cafes, restaurants and popular Friday morning market. There are two golf courses within 5 minutes drive and others in easy reach.

For further information please visit us on Owners Direct; Property Reference - FR22093

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 353.53 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Mobile Home in Benodet Near Quimper, Brittany, France Superb 4* Yelloh Village Site with all Facilities, near Beaches, Sleeps 6 (3 Bedrooms)

Villa Mimosa 3 Bedroom Villa With Private Pool And Views Over e Mountains & Akamas Coast.

Mimosa is a great value 3 bedroom villa in a fantastic location with breathtaking views. e house is in an elevated position on the winding road from Polis to the mountain village of Lysos and close to the villages of Steni and Peristerona. e views over the Evruoto Dam are outstanding and in the other direction there are views over the olive and citrus groves to the Akamas coastline and the Blue Lagoon. e house is in the mountain village of Peristerona, which is famous for maintaining the beauty and traditions of Cyprus.e soft, undulating hills are covered in vines, olive trees, wild owers and herbs. We highly recommended taking the old road from Peristerona to Lysos village and then down to Pelathousa and on to Polis -the drive is absolutely beautiful.

• Sleeps: 6 • Bedrooms: 3 • Bathroom: 2 • Property type: house • Minimum Stay: 7 nights Your mobile home, 2 or 3 bedroom, is situated in a quiet location on the campsite away from (but not too far from) the camp facilities. You will not be disturbed. A terraced area for outside dining and a large grassy area for play, BBQ (all equipment provided including patio table and chairs), sunloungers and ample room to park your vehicle.

Camp facilities include an outdoor pool with slides, an excellent indoor water complex. Restaurant and

bar with entertainment. An outdoor adventure area (L ‘Acrobat), horse riding, cycle hire, shop, take away pizza shop. The large white sand beach is just 10 mins walk, where you will find eating places and gift shops in abundance. It is also ideally located to take advantage of a superb road system so you can see all the magical places that makes Brittany so popular.

For information and bookings please visit: www.jantomholidays.com

FRENAROS HOMESTAY VILLA

• Sleeps: 10 • Bedrooms: 4 • Bathrooms: 4 • * 7 Nights Minimum Stay 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Villa set in extensive well maintained garden. A two storey 4 double bedroom modern villa 2 with ensuite. One family bathroom. 2 reception rooms. Spacious kitchen diner. Guest cloakroom. Decorated and equipped to an excellent spec. The property has deep verandas on both floors.This Villa mirrors 58a and sit round the pool area. matu gardens and small orchard to the rear seclude The mature the property and gives you the privacy to enjoy your holiday.

Situated outside the village of Frenaros, you are a short distance away from local amenities eg a 24hr convenience store, the local supermarket, butcher and wonderful bakery and patisseries.The Villas are fully airconed for the summer heat and centrally heated in the winter.

Owner Martha Behiri 07812073165 i

www.homeaway.co.uk/p1103644

For more information contact owner, Carrie King on (UK)+44 02032868330 or visit us on www.cyprusescapes.villas

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

54Page Issue54.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Motoring www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk

This months car reviews

By Syd Taylor

Peugeot 108 Allure 1.2 3dr

Like Mole from Wind In The Willows I was brushing away the winter cobwebs only to be overcome by an urge for freedom.

'Hang Spring cleaning' I said. 'I need to go a roamin'.'

As luck would have it at that very moment a shaft of March sunlight reflected off something new and shiny on my drive. My test car was here.

Discarding my duster with the zest of the newly liberated I hastened to the door and fell in love at once. Call it madness but the little Peugeot that winked at me perkily had all the 'Je ne sais quoi' of a Parisienne Spring - redolent of 'Left Bank cafe' and 'right-on motoring' of a fun kind.

Here was a supermini with a superabundance of everything you could wish for when tackling the dusty highways and byways of our Sceptred Isle. If there is such a thing as stress free motoring I felt certain that my lucky stars had delivered it straight

to my door.

You've got to hand it to the French - they know how to put together a really stylish package.

Personalisation is a key element of the 108's appeal with a huge range of colours, ambiences, trims and themes. This Peugeot looked as mouthwatering as a tasty aperitif with a promise of things to come.

Already invigorated by its promising contours I jumped in and before you could say 'Alexander Dumas' I was buzzing down the road like a musketeer on a mission. It would be a cardinal sin to suppose that I broke any motoring regulations. Not even the shoots of Spring would have me shooting traffic lights - but I can assure you that the seductive road manners, sensible controls and perfect poise of this supermini had me seduced.

Inside there's room for four plus a boot that's now bigger than in the previous 107. Seat quality, comfort and support are at 'big car' levels and the

whole interior of the £11,095 five door Allure offers luxury. There's a touch screen infotainment system with reversing camera as well as a multi-function steering wheel. Needless to say there are plenty of safety features.

It's a wishing well of motoring tick lists come true.

Looks nice? Tick. Comfortable? Tick. Economical at a claimed 65.7 mpg? Well nearly 'tick'. (Expect around 50 mpg.), Roadholding, ride and handling?

Tick. Performance? Tick. The 1.2, 82bhp three cylinder petrol engine is a gem that will take you to about 105/110mph. Seldom have I come across such a welcoming all-round little package of promise

that's more than adequate for the Springtime tides in mans affairs.

In fact, 'affair' is the key word here, for nothing more describes ones association with the 108.

It's an affair of the heart thanks to innumerable personalisation options.

In no time at all as I motored along I felt a yearning for leafy boulevards and twisty Provencal tracks and here I was in Walsall. In Walsall, indeed, but as enraptured as our friend Mole on the river: so jolly in spirits that even the heaviest traffic compounded with the usual roadworks, failed to get my whiskers twitching in a rat-like manner.

peerless expertise in all things motoring. Made from high strength boron steel, rigidity and occupant protection are assured.

Truly a car for all seasons - combining passenger and load virtues with high-riding impressiveness and injecting into the mix the irresistible zippiness of a ‘pokey’ little miracle of an engine. And I mean ‘pokey’ as in ‘poke’. The 123bhp 1.0 three cylinder engine gives punch, push and positive delivery of a sort unthinkable not long ago, when given the cars credentials as a practical family machine. 112mph, 53mpg, good ride and handling, light and easy to drive and well put together... and all for £15,995 for the well specified ‘Titanium’ variant.

This is a well integrated car that can do so many things so well. As a handy family workhorse it brooks no nay sayers - but open its lively potential and it will gallop off down the home straight. In short it’s a safe bet - an important consideration today.

For those who have forgotten that SUV stands for ‘sports utility vehicle’ I thought it only fair that I should explore these wide parameters.

Accordingly I took a trip to the supermarket with an aged aunt as passenger, dropped in at a boot sale with a grumpy cousin and rocketed up to The Lakes with a lively lass. I’m pleased to report that this trio individually expressed their admiration (For the Eco Sport !). It can pack away a big load, offer passenger comfort and yet take to twisty roads with sure-footedness.

Here is a Ford of many colours that will invite black looks from rivals. The Eco Sport undoubtedly elicits justifiable ecomiums galore.

If global motoring has a glittering future, then Ford put a finger on the pulse. Maybe not yet saving the rainforests but at least ensuring that praise comes raining down.

Ford Eco Sport Titanium 1.0 EcoBoost Until such a time when we can fill our tanks with tap water we have to accept that there’s no such thing as 100% eco-friendly motoring - but we should not lose sight of the fact that to all ends and purposes we are as near as dammit there.

Let’s be honest; todays ultra efficient engines represent astonishing engineering achievements.

So much so that the spectre of beard and sandal motoring can be locked away securely in the box.

We are the lucky people who can take to the road in style and relish little sporty routines on the way.

It’s an important day indeed for the motoring

fraternity when a venerable company such as Ford enters the supermini SUV stakes. Replete with an uncompromising design profile, the Eco Sports truly international appeal, in these days of globalisation, throws a golden motoring girdle around the planet. Based on the Fiesta, designed and developed in South America and built in India for the UK market it’s a world-wide offering.

It’s a design that reaches the parts that other small SUVs cannot reach and it endorses yet again that other manufacturers have many miles yet to cover before they can match Fords

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 355.55 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI 184PS DSG

Critical readers have sometimes rather wickedly cast aspersions on the veracity of my roadtests - suggesting that the cars I drive can’t all be ‘that good’. To which I reply ‘Sir or Madam, Doubting Thomas or Thomasina both - let me open your eyes to the truth of the matter’.

We are in a golden age of motoring. We have never had cars so good. Modern cars are more reliable, more economical, more comfortable, assuredly one hundred times safer, better performing and - dare I say - better looking than ever before.

And right on cue to prove my point, may I introduce you to the Skoda vRS diesel: a car of today designed to delight throughout everyday of ownership. A superlooking sleek machine of excellent performance, poise, and verve.

It sits on the road like a spring-heeled pentathlete ready to pounce. A glance inside reveals an interior as temptingly comfortable as a pullman carriage while the understated dynamism of the overall concept bespeaks purposefulness. High quality materials, class leading space for occupants and a large hatch boot opening reveals more storage room than in my grandmother’s attic. And..there’s every electronic adjunct to safety which Skoda rightly term Smart Protection.

Let me give it to you straight. This 184PS turbo diesel is a splendid engine. Paired with the remarkable 6 speed DSG automatic gearbox that can be

electronically programmed, at the push of a button, for parsimony or for rocketship mode when you feel the need for speed - it’s a wonderful combination.

Smooth, quiet and punchy, the vRS would make a real value alternative to the Typhoon if there are further defence cuts. A squadron of these would soon see-off those Russian Bears, I can tell you!

It’s as good as you like: fun, fun, fun all the way and yet as safe as houses - and as enduring as a Neolithic monument (My local taxi firm have several 400,000mile Octavias) and it’s as dependable as an oil sheikhs bank balance.

Speaking of mineral wealth it won’t set you back a packet at the pumps. When was the last time you sat behind the wheel of a 145mph express that could return a realistic 50mpg? Is that the sound of silence I hear? Amazed? Well you jolly well ought to be.

You settle into that most comfortable and enticingly evocative cabin where everything fits perfectly.

There’s no geeky nonsense, no bizarre novelties - just a commonness disposition of controls and instrumentation - all within easy reach of a perfect driving position.

Start up and there’s just enough noise to promote the tiniest flutter of anticipation - yet nothing too brash: nothing to disturb the pleasurable sense of refinement. Before you know it you’re away.

Remember, you’re not reading the words of an MP declaring an interest. You’re reading the comments

of Mister Impartial himself.

But on the road with the vRS who can remain impartial for long? Such responsive road manners, such controllable power and torque, such a business-like sense of ‘doing the business’. And the best news is that nothing in its class (representing, as it does, one of the best) offers such good value at £25,410. I can’t see the point in paying more because you will struggle to get a better buy than this Skoda.

As I said at the beginning, we live in a ‘golden age of motoring’ - and yet you’ll often hear the ignorant complain that all cars now look the same and lack character. That this is patently not true was brought home to me as I pulled up at the kerbside (where by some miracle of science double yellow lines were absent) to post a letter - a letter of thanks to Mr.

Skoda for delivering me a new Octavia vRS An admiring voice said “Mister. That’s a nice car”.

“Surely” I responded, “It’s a car like any other”.

“No Mate” He insisted. “It’s better than many I’ve seen - and I’ve seen a few, I can tell you”.

Curious, I prompted “In what way did it attract your notice?’”

He thought for a moment, scratching his head.

“Dunno” He pondered, adding “Every which way I should think so”.

So you see: cars are not all the same. An Octavia radiates in ways not yet fully understood, a singularity of purpose that is the distinguishing mark of the good automobile.

dual sliding side doors make it easy. Six tie-down points and bodyside fixing points mean your load is secure even when looping the loop or dodging the potholes down Billiard Table Boulevard.

It might be a lightweight van but there's nothing lightweight about its premium quality feel - so the £13,221 price (excl. VAT) can be justified. Inside the cab it's big and there's plenty of space and comfort.

It has long been argued that happy workers are the most productive and in the case of commercials, happy drivers produce positive outcomes. Not that you would expect to find leopard skin upholstery and furry dice as standard trim, but you do get clever design elements that permeate its ambience to produce - almost without the driver knowing it - an ineffable sense of well-being. Here is where hard facts alone fail to do justice to the symbiotic inter-relationship of cleverly proportioned design elements. A pleasing tactile experience of fixtures and fittings, an apposite deployment of light and

ventilation that soothes the silver flustered soul even without you being aware of it.

It's jolly enjoyable to drive too. The 1.6 95PS diesel is a sturdy little humming unit that's a background melody for todays busy van man. It realistically returns about 60mpg (Ford say 74.3) and puffs out just 100gms of CO2/km - which is less nastiness than bad halitosis - and the 'snickety snick' five speed gearbox, good ride and handling, all combine to speed you along in this heaven sent little marvel that will keep you cool when delivering at a hot pace.

Not since Batman's utility belt has a functional device radiated such charm. It's a four wheeled harbinger of glowing good fortune.

Ford certainly know how to deliver the goods where good delivery is at a premium. The small businessman - be he butcher, baker or candlestick maker - will make it his business to get better acquainted with the bountiful benefits available to connoisseurs of the Courier.

Ford Transit Courier Trend. 1.6 TDCi

With the wings of Mercury to speed you along, this heaven-sent, all-new little big van from Ford is ahead of its direct rivals. Compact and versatile it offers 10% more load volume with 2.3 cu.m and a payload of 660kg.

It brings a new level of technology and functionality to the segment with its brilliantly designed, driverfriendly cab, solid construction that has completely consigned the traditional 'van rattle' to history and all the thoughtful functional touches to delight the user. Even the illumination in the load area is brighter than a thousand suns when compared to the dim bulb interiors of some penny pinching rivals.

It's sunshine all the way when loading or unloading one of these.

'Yes -that's all very well' I hear you say 'But how does it shape up in practical terms when it comes to load lugging?' Well - I'm pleased to report that its hugely accommodating 1.62 metre load length means it will take the ubiquitous Europallet plus some additional odds and ends. Fold down the extra cost 'fold- flat' passenger seat, open the folding mesh load-through bulkhead and loads of up to 2.59 metres can be carried.

'But how is that squeezed in?' You're wondering.

Simple. Wide-opening rear doors and single or

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

56Page Issue56.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Our Top Restaurant & Cafe reviews by tripadvisor

VISIT US Tues 7am –5pm Wed 7am –5pm Thurs 7am –5pm Fri 7am –5pm Sat 7am –5pm

Thebridgebakehouse

bridgebakehouse

Our beautiful family run Artisan Bakery is our pride & joy and we hope it makes your day when you visit! Everything is made fresh daily by Camilla, our very talented patisserie chef who has worked at Michelin Starred Restaurants and gained experience in the UK & France while her sister Courtney runs the shop with a constant smile & is happy to help you choose which delicious treat to try.

* Full delicious range of freshly

made artisan cakes & biscuits, secret recipe pies, sausage rolls, special sandwiches & freshly baked continental breakfast goods.

* Full choice of handcrafted

coffees, unique teas and soft drinks.

* Primarily a quick and easy takeaway shop.

* Wonderful little seating area outside with outdoor heaters.

EASTER SPECIAL Full range of Finest Amazing Easter Eggs & Wonderful Chocolate Gifts!

Some exclusively sold in the High Peak!

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 357.57 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Currently No1 on

tripadvisor

Marsh Head Cafe & Bistro

in Newcastle Staffs

Cafe open 8am to 3pm mon to sat & 9am to 1pm on Sundays Bistro open Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6pm till 11pm

> Our daytime Cafe offers, the best english breakfast in newcastle, staffs, panini’s, sandwiches, daily specials and speciality coffee’s & tea’s > At night we offer a fantastic menu selection of home made pizza’s, pasta’s, Steak & Fish dishes, Burrito’s & other weekly specials > Remember - we don't serve alcohol, so bring your own beers and wines!!

MARSH HEAD CAFE & BISTRO A family run Staffordshire business is taking its business to the next level by extending their offerings from cosy café to include a delicious bistro menu. The Marsh Head Café and Bistro is now serving authentic American and Italian themed food in the evening in addition to their regular café offerings.

The ever popular café catches the breakfast and brunch crowd, serving the best Full English Breakfast in Staffordshire and beyond. Diners can look forward to a light luncheon menu, from hot-off-the-sandwich-press paninis and steaming speciality teas and coffee, whilst the Bistro serves freshly baked rustic pizzas, creamy pasta dishes, steak, fish and burritos. Going the extra mile, dishes can be amended to suit vegetarian and coeliac palates.

The café used to be a betting shop which had been empty for three years before husband and wife team Shaun and Jacqui Davies acquired it. They immediately saw its potential and knew that the unique building location overlooking beautiful views of the Maybank Marsh would be an excellent draw to the eatery they had in mind.

Jacqui said, ‘It was a gamble for us being our first

business venture, but one that’s paid off. We are now number 1 on TripAdvisor in the Newcastle Staffs area and the only way is up.’

Building on the popularity of their café, the owners decided to extend their opening times and spin off a Bistro-style eatery for evening diners. The popularity of the Bistro is augmented by the ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ motto, where diners can enjoy home-cooked food whilst sipping their own choice of alcohol bought from home.

To connect with the Marsh Head Café and Bistro, check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marsh-Head-CafeAnd-Bistro/630805563612288?fref=ts Opening times for the Marsh Head Café and Bistro are as follows: Café: 8am to 3pm Monday to Saturday & 9am to 1pm on Sundays.

Bistro: 6pm to 11pm Thursday to Saturday.

To dine at the Marsh Head Café and Bistro please call 01782 620983, where you will enjoy one of the best meals of your life.

“Lovely Food, friendly atmosphere, reasonably priced” Reviewed 21 March 2015

“lovely people who care about their customers” Reviewed 17 March 2015

“lovely food! Everything is so fresh!”

Reviewed 12 March 2015

“Fantabulastic great service great food lovely atmosphere” Reviewed 7 March 2015

2 Upper Marsh | Maybank, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 0PU Call us to book a table: 01782 620983

F like us on facebook

“Gorgeous food, lovely staff” Reviewed 27 February 2015

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

58Page Issue58.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

The Okeover Arms tel: 01335 350305

email: enquiries@theokeover.co.uk

www.theokeover.co.uk

FRIDAYS

2 fish chips & mushy peas for £12.50

Food is served: Monday to Friday: 12.00 - 3.00 pm & 6.00 - 9.00 pm Saturday & Sunday: 12.00 - 9.00 pm Our times may vary during school holidays

The Okeover Arms is one of the most welcoming pubs on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District.

Perfectly situated between Ashboune and Dovedale, our country pub is ideally located for locals and visitors.

traditional indian cuisine

Offering a warm welcome and good home cooked food, daily specials board and a delicious carvery on Sundays.

Our inviting B&B, all including en suite facilities for your comfort. With our free WiFi, flatscreen TVs and tea and coffee making facilities.

Join us for a Sunday Carvery for only £7.95!

Mappleton, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2AB

visit us at: www.thalii.co.uk 01782 411 800

thalli, 38 kingsway, stoke on trent, st4 1jh

taste@thalii.co.uk

THE BLYTHE INN

Serving traditional food and real ale in the restaurant and bar, all day every day

Lunch-time SPECIALS 2 courses for £5 3 courses for £7.50 FRIDAY Lunch Hot Table £5.95 AFTERNOON TEA Sandwiches, Cake, Tea and Homemade Scones £9.95 “Friendly Welcome”

PIE NIGHT Every Monday Homemade Pie, Chips & Peas £4.95 TRADITIONAL SUNDAY CARVERY Served 12 noon - 3pm £6.95 Adult £3.95 Child

“Welcoming”

Always a warm welcome in this family friendly pub. Hidden away in a lovely Staffordshire Valley between Uttoxeter and Stafford with views over rolling Staffordshire countryside, the pub is fast developing a great reputation for its food which is locally sourced and cooked to order. The Blythe Inn specialises in a variety of traditional favourites alongside more innovative dishes and the emphasis is always on freshness. Whatever your tastes, you are bound to find something to fancy from superb steaks, fresh fish, homemade dishes and vegetarian selections. Great roasts and fresh vegetables make the Carvery very popular at weekends.

Over the years the Inn has been restored and extended to provide a very comfortable and enjoyable place to have lunch or evening dinner in the 70 seater restaurant and cosy lounge bar.

The Inn is able to cater for a wide variety

“Friendly Welcome” Reviewed 20 February 2015

“Stunning Food, great pub too.”

Reviewed 28 September 2014

“Excellent place for food”

“Excellent place for food”

“The best carvery and gorgeous country pub!!”

“Stunning Food, great pub too”

Reviewed 5 February 2015

“The best carvery and georgous country pub!!”

Reviewed 7 December 2014

Open daily - 11:30am - 11:00pm To book a table telephone: 01889 500487 or visit us at: www.theblytheinn.co.uk Boothe Lane, The Blythe, Nr Kingstone, Staffordshire, ST18 0LT

10% off your food bill with this advert

of functions such as weddings, christening, private parties and company presentations, in the restaurant or marquee. Coach parties are welcome by prior booking.

The Blythe Inn has 5 touring caravan pitches available with electric hook-up adjoining its grounds, which make it an ideal base for visiting nearby attractions such as Uttoxeter Racecourse, Stafford Showground, Manor Golf Club and Alton Towers among many others.

Situated on the premises there is a lovely beer garden, which is a fantastic place to relax with a refreshing drink in the summer months. There is a large garden where children can play, have a game of football or play on the bouncy castle.

So whatever you’re looking for, a tasty meal for 2, a quiet drink with friends, or somewhere to bring the kids, The Blythe Inn has it all.

“Welcoming” Reviewed 15 February 2015

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 359.59 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Have something to advertise?

Call our sales team:

01283 499689

EXPERIENCED CARE ASSISTANT REQUIRED Wallfield House Residential Care Home

Findern, Derby, DE65 6BA

NVQ2 Necessary Experience on Medication Handling Person must be flexible Contact Toni Norbury for more information and Shift availability

01332 510605

Located in Wilnecote, Angels of Tamworth is a local and friendly shop with a wide range of adult products from brands such as Smiffys, Doc Johnson, Dreamgirl and Leg Avenue.

One of their main product lines is clothing, with wedding lingerie, corsets, body stockings and other assorted lingerie alongside costumes, fancy dress, hosiery and fetish clothing.

Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or need an outfit for a party or a night out, Angels have something for every occasion.

They also sell a wide selection of adult toys, lubricants and

adult entertainment. If you’re looking for an adult board game to spice up a party or erotic books and DVD’s, their stock is constantly updated to ensure you plenty of choice.

Their toys are designed for both men and women, with a range that varies from props for Hen Nights and Stag Do’s to more intimate bedroom aids.

Angels of Tamworth also have many ‘Lotions and Potions’ available, with organic, silicon based and water based lubricants on offer alongside play enhancement products.

For customers with more specific interests, bondage kits and restraints are stocked

as well as many other pieces of equipment.

With free click and collect (on items in stock)available from the store combined with free UK delivery on orders over £30, Angels of Tamworth look to offer excellent value for money whilst maintaining a high standard of quality.

Free car park For more information or a closer look at the products on offer, why not take a look at our website ,www. angelsoftamwor th.com or alternatively, visit the Angels of Tamworth store in Wilnecote, Staffordshire.

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

60Page Issue60.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Tingles Health & Relaxation Studio LTD www.tinglesmassage.com Calls cost £1 per minute plus network rate charges.You must be at least 18 years of age and be the bill payer or have the bill payers permission to use this service.

This service is brought to you by Tingles Health & Relaxation LTD in conjunction with Sound Advertising T/A Mediatel.

Our customer service number is 07415065818 If it’s your first visit and you are feeling nervous.

Then you can chat on a one on one, with one of the ladies first.

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Just want to chat with one of your ladies, then here is your chance. *Free membership quote “massage” Little Tingles 230 London Road Stoke ST4 5RH 01782 746060

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Opening Times Saturday - Wednesday 10am - 8pm Thursday & Friday open 10am - 10pm

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 361.61 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

Russell Grants Monthly Horoscopes APRIL 2015

ARIES March 21st - April 20th Attention and acclaim will come your way in early April. This is a great time to go on auditions, first dates and job interviews. Easter will be a time of true rebirth for you. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th marks the end of a difficult relationship phase. It will be much easier to collaborate with a business or romantic partner as a result. A short trip for pleasure will lift your spirits during the middle of the month. Be ready to accept an unusual offer near the 18th, when the New Moon invites you to take a bold, but calculated risk. You might have to spend a little more money than you would like, but this is a worthwhile expense. Money from a scholarship or grant will become available as April turns into May. Take this opportunity to expand your horizons. This is a great time to learn a craft, like landscaping, making furniture, or designing clothes.

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st You’ll see impressive results from a health regime on the 4th, when a Lunar Eclipse showcases your hard work. Resist the urge to get drawn into an argument about religion or politics around the Easter holiday.

Old grudges have no place during a season of rebirth. Money for luxuries will be more readily available during the first half of the month. Take this opportunity to splurge on a new computer, collectable book, or fun trip. The New Moon on the 18th will inspire a vivid dream. Keep pencil and paper near your bed at this time, as you need to remember this powerful message. A friend will ask you for a loan during the second half of April. Be ready to refuse. You can’t afford to throw your resources away on someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of hard work. It’s time to put an end to this dysfunctional relationship

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st You’ll acquire some valuable information or skills at the start of April. Use this knowledge to further your career. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th marks the successful culmination of a creative or romantic endeavour.

This will be a time of profound emotional fulfilment. Go ahead and throw a party on Easter weekend.

Friends will be eager to celebrate your good news. Don’t buy into any conspiracy theories near the 8th; they’ll just stop you taking advantage of a golden opportunity. Keep your activities under wraps towards mid-month. The last thing you need is to get unsolicited advice about an important project. The New Moon on the 18th puts you in contact with some dynamic pioneers. Being in their presence will make you more innovative. A fantastic idea for conserving resources will occur as April comes to a close. This concept can be spun off into a profitable business or product.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd The beginning of April is perfect for selling the fruits of your labour. Creative ventures will be particularly lucrative. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th marks the successful end of a property deal. This is a great time to sell a piece of land or break a lease. Easter could get stressful, thanks to tension between you and your partner. Try to share the spotlight with your amour or resentment will set in. You will feel rather reclusive in mid-April. Give yourself a little extra time to rest and relax before work really picks up. The New Moon on the 18th will attract an exciting career opportunity. If you’ve ever wanted to launch your own business, this is the best time of the entire year to do so. An executive will entrust you with a secret at the end of the month. Mum’s the word.

LEO July 24th - August 23rd Your star power opens doors for you, both personally and professionally, at the beginning of April. The Lunar Eclipse on the 4th marks the successful end of an intellectual endeavour. You could finish a course or get a letter of recommendation around this fateful day. Easter could take a stressful turn due to a nagging health problem. The sooner you get treated for this condition, the happier you will be. It will be much easier to pursue your dreams aroung the middle of the month, when obstacles that once blocked your path vanish into thin air. The New Moon on the 18th will inspire you to go on a glamorous holiday.

Take advantage of last minute discounts on hotel rooms and plane fares. Your career gets a big boost as April turns to May. Be ready to apply for a promotion or high powered position. The fringe benefits of this job will be significant.

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd Someone will seek your professional opinion in early April. Be sure to charge for these services. This could be the beginning of a lucrative side business for you. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th marks the successful end of a moneymaking venture. You’ll be able to put your earnings towards a holiday home or addition to a cherished collection. Easter could get rather tense, thanks to a family argument over money. You’ll have to demand your fair share of an inheritance or family business. An interest in law, publishing, or education will prompt you to take a class at mid-month. The New Moon on the 18th brings a windfall in the form of a royalty check or insurance settlement. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to collaborate on a book as April turns to May. This project will bring you plenty of intellectual stimulation. It will also allow you to make a name in your desired field.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd The opening days of April prompt someone special to make a declaration of love. This is an opportune time to get engaged or married. Alternatively, you might decide to move in with your amour, or launch a business with an entrepreneur. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th brings a satisfying conclusion to a contract.

This agreement has enriched you, both personally and professionally. Easter could be tense, thanks to an argument between your relatives and best friend. It may be best to keep the two parties separate. The chance to write a book or study abroad will arrive in mid-April. Prepare to expand your horizons. The New Moon on the 18th is perfect for entering into a business agreement or signing legal papers. Resist the urge to rush a physical relationship in the closing days of April. Patience and understanding will help your partner overcome some childhood taboos.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd The Lunar Eclipse on the 4th brings a satisfying end to a bureaucratic matter. Now you have official papers, you will be able to move forward with career plans. Easter could be stressful, due to a loud argument between relatives. Try to keep out of this ridiculous battle. You may have to bring an impractical colleague down to Earth on the 8th; there simply isn’t enough money to carry out their ideas. A writing project will have to be revised in mid-April. Don’t be discouraged. The corrections you make will be a tremendous improvement. The New Moon on the 18th is ideal for launching a health regime. Taking an unusual fitness class will be a lot more fun than you expected. Let your best friend or partner talk you into making a personal transformation as April turns to May.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st Early April will prove a fulfilling time for you, when you will gain all sorts of favourable attention for a creative endeavour. The Lunar Eclipse on the 4th brings the successful culmination of a group project.

Your work on this job will lead to bigger and better assignments. Easter takes a tense turn thanks to an argument over money. Someone has been spending far too much cash on luxuries. The opportunity to study with a talented teacher arrives on the 6th. Sign up for this class before all the spaces are taken. It becomes much easier to get the funding you need for academics in mid-April. The New Moon on the 18th is ideal for launching an art project. If you’re in the market for love, you’ll meet someone who makes your pulse pound. The attraction will be instantaneous. Avoid going to extremes as April turns to May. Practice moderation in all things.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th You’ll find a receptive audience for your ideas at the beginning of April. This is a great time to work on behalf of a charitable organisation. Donating your energy to a worthy cause will put personal problems in their proper perspective. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th marks the satisfying conclusion of a career matter.

It looks as if you’ll be awarded a cash prize, dividend, or expensive holiday as thanks for your hard work.

Easter could be stressful, due to a stubborn relative who challenges everything you say. Stay as far away from this trouble maker as possible. The New Moon on the 18th is perfect for adding a member to your household. Make room for a quirky relative or roommate. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to write a book or teach a class in the closing days of April. There is a considerable market for your expertise.

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th Relationships take on a cosy, comfortable aspect at the beginning of April. It’s good to know you are loved and appreciated. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th finds you graduating, publishing some written work, or finishing up a legal matter. The result will be much better than expected. Easter could be stressful, due to a friend’s unreasonable demands on your time. The New Moon on the 18th affords a great opportunity for networking. Be sure to attend a professional conference or party near this date. Your family will be a wonderful source of support during the second half of April, offering to run errands and even financial assistance if you are in a position to help. A generous relative may even offer to guarantee a small loan for you. You’ll be very flirtatious in the final days of April, thanks to an attractive newcomer to your social circle. The two of you have similar tastes and dislikes, which makes for hilarious conversation.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th The first days of April are ideal for salary negotiations. A Lunar Eclipse on the 4th allows you to pay off a big bill, which comes as a relief. Easter may be tense, due to an unpaid loan between you and a friend. If you’ve been looking for work, you’ll get promising responses on or around the 8th. Mid-April is ideal for taking a class. It will take some time to master new material, but with a little patience and persistence, you will acquire expert knowledge. The New Moon on the 18th brings an unexpected source of income. It will be much easier to afford luxuries after accepting this job. Family members may not understand your growing interest in a particular subject. Don’t take the bait when they try to tease you. You will feel on top of the world when someone you respect singles you out for praise and attention at the end of April.

Sport

24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

62Page Issue62.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

www.staffordshireguardian.co.uk

BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW:

Jordan seeks new challenge in BTCC Shake-up

Tamworth’s 2013 BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan has switched teams.

Jeff Smith takes over Tamworth’s Eurotech team.

a Volkswagen CC for Team BMR. Plato, champion in 2001 and 2010, is the winning-most driver in the BTCC with 88 wins from 455 starts in a career spanning 18 years.

This is a real coup for BMR chief Warren Scott, and a statement of intent for his young team. In the team’s second season, last year, The cars line up on the grid, ready for the new season. he tempted double champion Alain Menu back to Britain. For Get set for the most action- to sign another leading driver. race 2, but he will be looking 2015 Turkington has brought his packed weekend of the “There are not many who could forward to racing at Donington engineer, Kevin Berry, from WSR season (18th/19th April) as the replace a driver like that,” said where he has won twice before. and Plato brings Carl Faux with Dunlop MSA British Touring Harrison. “We looked around and New Eurotech owner Jeff him from Triple Eight. The already Car Championship returns to Andrew was the obvious choice.” Smith will drive one of the cars enthusiastic BMR squad has now Donington Park. It promises to be Jordan takes his race engineer, added a wealth of experience the most unpredictable season Andy Brown, with him to Triple which should help them to for years with new cars and Eight and his father Mike has develop the promising VW into a There are not many who could replace a driver championship contender. drivers, and a big shuffle in the sold Eurotech team to Jeff Smith. established order. There will be This will help Mike to concentrate like that,” said Harrison. “We looked around and Turkington explained his decision thrills and spills guaranteed for on Andrew’s career and other to join Scott’s team. “You want to Andrew was the obvious choice. projects including his own historic the three races on the Sunday. go somewhere you feel you have a Tamworth’s 2013 champion racing programme. chance to win,” said the champion.

Andrew Jordan has left the Jordan will be a little disappointed “Given time there is the possibility himself teamed up with last that we will do that. Warren is the season opening alongside Martin Depper. family-run Eurotech Racing team with in search of a fresh challenge he weekend, at Brands Hatch, which At one point it appeared as year’s closest rival Jason Plato, motivated and ambitious and I hopes will bring a second BTCC yielded a best result of fifth, in though history could repeat itself. in a ‘superteam’ line-up, to drive share his enthusiasm. Sometimes title. Jordan has signed a oneyou have to take a risk and step year deal to drive a Pirtek-backed outside your comfort zone.”

MG6 for Triple Eight Racing, a At Triple Eight, Plato turned the seat vacated by Jason Plato’s MG6 into a winner on its debut departure. Ian Harrison’s squad in 2012 and nearly did the same have won a host of driver, team with the VW at Brands Hatch. and manufacturer titles and hope Plato was leading when he picked to keep Jordan at the front. up a puncture towards the end of In three seasons Triple Eight race 2, having taken third in race recorded 22 race victories with 1. Turkington inherited third place the MG6, but no titles, so Jordan upon Plato’s retirement, but it expects the car to be competitive. was third driver Árón Smith who “Joining this team gives me the stole the spotlight. With a second best chance I have of winning the place in race 1, and third in race title again,” said Jordan. “I had a 3, Smith heads to Donington third number of options. My father and in the standings, just one point off I spoke at the end of the year the lead. Warren Scott drives the because I wasn’t at the level I fourth car. needed to be in 2014. We looked Andy Priaulx almost had a fairy at the option that worked best for tale return to the BTCC. He took us.” pole position in West Surrey Jordan has previously driven for Racing’s 2014 title-winning BMW Triple Eight, in 2008 and, with 125i M Sport, after an absence Gordon Shedden gives the new Honda Civic Type R (right) its first win from Andy Priaulx’s BMW. Plato leaving, Harrison was keen of 12 seasons, before finishing A lack of funding meant 2009 British Touring Car champion Colin Turkington found himself without a drive in 2010. Having taken his second title for West Surrey Racing last year the genial Ulsterman was unable to secure a drive with WSR when title sponsor eBay withdrew. Andy Priaulx and Sam Tordoff were lined up to drive two of the three WSR BMWs and while team boss Dick Bennetts wanted Turkington back, it was the equally popular Rob Collard who eventually secured the drive.

Remarkably the champion finds

“

”

Jeff Smith takes over Tamworth’s Eurotech Colin Turkington finally gets the chance to team. defend his BTCC crown.

second in race 2 by just 0.040 seconds to Gordon Shedden.

The Guernseyman has had a stellar career taking a European and three World Touring Car titles, but missed out on a crack at the British title having just one promising season in 2002.

Two pole positions during a standin appearance at Oulton Park, in 2001, led to a drive in an Arena Motorsport Honda Civic for 2002.

With a win and three podiums, Priaulx finished fifth before Honda reduced their commitment for 2003, and Priaulx was out of a drive.

His drive in Australia’s Bathurst 1000km earned him a seat in the Belgian RBM team’s BMW European Touring Car programme for 2003 and, with them, he took the 2004 title.

When the series was given World Championship status in 2005, Priaulx dominated and was crowned World Champion for three consecutive seasons.

Since then Priaulx’s BMW career has seen him in the DTM (German Touring Cars) and racing sports cars in Europe and America, but he is now excited by his return to the BTCC. “I’m a touring car driver and I’ve had a fantastic career,” says Priaulx.

“I’ve won in GTs but it’s touring cars that really excites me.”

Prixaulx led the opening race, but his choice of soft tyres soon had him falling down the order. Team mate Rob Collard also made a great start from the second row and took over to claim victory as Priaulx struggled. Priaulx lies fourth in the championship, three points off the lead. Third driver Sam Tordoff improved steadily through the weekend to finish fourth in the final race.

It was Team Dynamics who captured the Brands Hatch headlines as they took two wins

Derbyshire Guardian.

Issue 24 : Issue Page 363.63 STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN with the new Honda Civic Type R, which is not yet available on the road. Gordon Shedden gave the new Type R its maiden victory, as he did with last year’s estate-type Tourer. With Plato’s demise in race 2, 2012 champion Shedden just held off Andy Prixaulx, before Matt Neal held off the Triple Eight MG6 of Jack Goff, in race 3, to claim his 54th career win.

The triple champion is now joint leader, on 37 points, with Goff who is still looking for his first victory.

Premium marque Infiniti joins the championship for 2015 with their Q50 and drivers Richard Hawken and Derek Palmer Jr. The team is run by ’Support Our Paras’, made up entirely of ex-servicemen and whilst Hawken and Palmer both have a lot of historic racing experience, it will be a huge learning curve for the whole crew.

Also new to the championship are the first and second in last year’s

There are a couple of rule tweaks this year, with drivers not allowed to save the soft-option tyre exclusively for the final reversegrid race at each meeting. They will have to use it strategically on

three occasions in each of the three races during the season, with the exception of the highspeed Thruxton circuit. The race two grid will be according to fastest lap times from race one,

not finishing order.

29 cars are expected to race at Donington as the Motorbase Ford Focus’s of Mat Jackson and James Cole will not appear until Snetterton.

Andrew Jordan has made a steady start to the new season

Clio Cup, Mike Bushell, in an AmD Ford Focus, and Josh Cook (Power Maxed Chevrolet Cruze).

After Brands Hatch, Bushell leads the points in the Jack Sears Trophy for rookie drivers.

Joining later in the year, at Croft, is Nic Hamilton, younger brother of F1 World Champion Lewis. Nic has raced in Clios, and this will

a big step up in class, but as the first disabled driver in the BTCC he wants to inspire others. “When I was young I was not expected to be able to walk,” says Nic, who suffers with cerebral palsy, “but I have always set myself goals, and being a racing driver was one. I hope I can inspire others to achieve their dreams.”

The BTCC Class of 2015.

STOKE CITY BOSS MARK HUGHES WANTS GOALKEEPER ASMIR BEGOVIC TO RE-SIGN

BY MARY O'HALLORAN-MILLAR

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says he wants goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to re-sign in the summer.

Second choice keeper Jack Butland, who is in the England national squad, recently signed a new four-year contract with the Potters.

But Hughes insists the fact Butland has re-signed does not affect their decision with Begovic.

He said: “I think they motivate each other.

“Asmir Begovic is arguably one of the best keepers in the Premier League and that’s a bold statement and is absolutely true.

“To progress we need to keep our good players at the club.”

Hughes believes Stoke City are

Asmir Begovic

probably the lowest spenders in the Premier League but that is not his strategy for the future.

He said: “We’ve done some good deals and got some good players here.

“But that can’t be a strategy moving forward because obviously we need to invest in the team if we want to continue to get better.

“If we have the opportunity to bring a top player here, that would cost a significant amount, then the means would be made available to do it.”

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce often says a manager has to start in the Championship and bring a team up to the Premier League.

And Hughes agrees.

He said: “It is very difficult,

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes addresses the media

especially with foreign ownership, as they look abroad.

“Whether that is right or wrong, I’m not sure.

“There’s not many who have more games in the Premier League than Sam and myself.

“In the end you have to be able to show you can do the job, and over the years I think myself and certainly Sam have been able to do that and that’s why we are still doing it.”

FIRE CADETS TEAM UP WITH PORT VALE FOOTBALLER FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT Fire Cadets based in Sandyford teamed up with Port Vale Football Club player Nathan Smith as part of a community project.

The defender joined 10 young people, aged 14 – 17, while they were giving the garden at the Agnes and Arthur Care Home in

Bradeley a facelift.

They have been transforming the grounds to make them more relaxing and inviting so that the residents - some of whom have dementia or learning difficulties can enjoy spending time outside.

Asda in Tunstall provided plants

for the project after the Fire Cadets took part in a sponsored bag pack at the store to help raise money for equipment.

Fire Cadets Instructor Jess Patten said: “We are delighted that Port Vale Football Club is supporting this worthwhile project

Port Vale FC defender Nathan Smith with the Fire Cadets in the garden at Agnes and Arthur Care Home in Bradeley

and that Asda has donated plants which will be used to brighten up the garden.

“The young people have been giving up their spare time and have worked incredibly hard during the Easter break to make a real difference to the care home’s residents. They have really spruced up the garden which I am sure will have a positive impact on the quality of life of those who use it in the summer months.”

Hanley Fire Cadets also revamped the garden at North Shelton Community Centre last week.

The venue re-opened in 2013 and is being managed by ‘The Foundation’, a non-profit organisation which relies on donations and grants.

The facility provides a safe place for older people to meet and it could also benefit pupils at St Marks Etruscan School who may use it for extra-curricular activities in the future.

Fire Cadet Morgan Bailey, 15, with Port Vale FC defender Nathan Smith and 16-year-old Fire Cadet Jonathan Ashton in the garden at Agnes and Arthur Care Home in Bradeley

Sport 24 : Derbyshire Guardian.

64Page Issue64.

3 Issue STAFFORDSHIRE GUARDIAN

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STOKE-ON-TRENT TO HOST TOUR OF BRITAIN STAGE START

Sir Bradley Wiggins (second) riding in the Tour with Team Sky The route 2015 Friends Life Tour of Britain has been announced with Stage Six leaving Stokeon-Trent for Nottingham on Friday 11th September. This is British Cycling's premier road cycling event giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world's best teams and riders competing on their door step.

In 2013 the Tour was won by Sir Bradley Wiggins riding for Team Sky. The Tour will start in Wales for the first time, in the modern era, with Anglesey hosting the start of the opening stage to Wrexham, finishing eight days later in the heart of London with an iconic new circuit taking in many of the capital's world famous sights.

The hope and intention is to encourage eight days of aggressive, uninhibited racing, the sort of action that has become the trademark of the Tour of Britain. Other firsts for British Cycling's premier road cycling event include a stage start in the Scottish capital

Edinburgh and two stages taking in Northumberland and the north east of England.

Stage Two sees the race return to the heart of Lancashire for the first time since 2010, from Clitheroe to Colne, while Cockermouth in Cumbria will be the start venue for the first of two stages to include Scotland. Stage Three heads through Carlisle, and the Scottish Borders, to finish in the grounds of Floors Castle at Kelso.

A second Scottish stage will begin from Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, showcasing some of the city's iconic landscapes, before heading through the Borders and Northumberland to the finish on the coast in Blyth. Stage Five will trace Hadrian's Wall from Prudhoe in Northumberland into Cumbria and the Lake District before finishing atop Hartside Fell in the Pennines. At five-miles long and 1,904-feet high, the climb will provide the highest and toughest summit finish in modern Tour of Britain history.

Friday’s Stage Six will join Stoke-

on-Trent to Nottingham, with the latter returning to the route for the first time since 2012. The 189-kilometre stage will start in the city centre of Stoke-on-Trent, which has on five occasions hosted a stage finish of the contemporary Friends Life Tour of Britain, last hosting the race in 2013 with a stage start. The stage will then take in Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands, before passing through previous stage start venues Buxton and Bakewell, and on to Matlock and Belper, with the exact route through the Peak District subject to final confirmation from Derbyshire County Council. The stage is set to finish at the Central Promenade on Nottingham's Forest Recreation Ground.

Councillor Adrian Knapper, cabinet member for Health and Well Being at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We're very pleased to be bringing this prestigious event back to Stokeon-Trent and North Staffordshire for a seventh year. Previous races

held in the city have always been very successful with residents, schools, businesses and community groups turning out to cheer on the cyclists.

"By hosting the race here we are putting Stoke-on-Trent on the map, bringing world class cyclists to our city, giving a cash injection to the local economy and promoting everything that is good about cycling.

"Our city has a wonderful network of more than 160km of cycle routes and we have just opened a purpose-built cycle hub in the city centre, the first of its kind in Stoke-on-Trent. World-class events like the Tour of Britain, The route for Stage Six from Stoke-on-Trent to Nottingham. combined with our commitment to cycling, encourage more people joining two cities both with a rich before the final stage in the centre cycling heritage, which is sure to of London. to get on their bikes."

"Stage Six will not be an easy play a part in shaping the overall Once again ITV will screen stage at all for the riders, and may race for the Friends Life Yellow three-hours of live coverage of every stage, starting on ITV for well be the toughest of the entire Jersey."

2015 Friends Life Tour of Britain, The penultimate stage will be the the opening Wales stage before said Mick Bennett, Race Director longest of the 2015 Friends Life reverting to ITV4 for Stages Two of Friends Life Tour of Britain Tour of Britain at 225-kilometres, to Eight. ITV4 will also screen a organiser’s SweetSpot. “We have heading from Fakenham in one-hour highlights programme an exciting and very scenic route Norfolk to Ipswich in Suffolk, each evening during the race.