Newcastle Life Issue 21

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£2 WHERE SOLD

ISSUE 21

Life INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSER

John recognised for his impact on the community

£85,000 CELEBRATES COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Newcastle wins a £500 share

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CONTENTS

Issue 21 Editors Letter.......................................6

One Million Step Challenge ..............20

International Robotics Competition ...8

Silverdale Heritage Boost ..................21

UK’s Best Choir Award ......................10

What’s On ..........................................22

Snowdon Climb ..................................11

Gardening ..........................................24

GROW North Staffs ...........................12

Chatsworth Flower Show...................25

Mental Health First Aid .....................14

Stage Directions.................................26

Support Staffordshire ........................15

Recipes...............................................28

Staffordshire Museum Award............16

Motoring ............................................33

John Belfield International Salon......17

Quiz Corner .......................................38

Newcastle Lions Club.........................18

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The sun shines on Newcastle Laura Campbell Contents Editor laura@timesandecho.co.uk Holly Keates Tracey Redfern Design & Production Thomas Brian General Manager tom@timesandecho.co.uk Mobile: 07855 242693 Jane Walters Advertising Sales jane@timesandecho.co.uk Times, Echo & Life Publications 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1BD Tel: 01538 752214 www.timesechoandlife.co.uk life@timesandecho.co.uk

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warm summer welcome to this issue of Newcastle Life magazine and I'm pleased to say that the Great British Summer has finally appeared!

We are thrilled to say that this is our 21st edition and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you - our readers, advertisers and contributors - for all your support taking us to this milestone moment.

As usual, this issue is full to the brim with news and events from in and around Newcastle.

We have a round-up of a fun day which Newcastle Lions helped to host for youngsters at a Staffordshire tourist spot; a team of students who have been taking part in a robotics competition; a group of volunteers who have been out and about litter picking in their community, and exciting news about a heritage project gaining much needed funding.

Plus we feature an inspirational team of finance staff who have been putting their best feet forward for charity; a networking event which brought all kinds of organisations together; and a father of two taking on an energetic challenge.

We also celebrate a number of awards which have been presented to inspirational people in our area including an international awardwinning hairdresser and a garden design which won not just one, nor two, but three awards at a prestigious show.

And, as always, we have our comprehensive What's On listings which will hopefully guide you and your families to a whole host of events within our area.

So whether you have decided to go away this year or you are planning a UK staycation, I hope you have time to switch off, relax and enjoy the season - and don't forget to take your copy of Newcastle Life magazine with you!

Laura

Cover Photo: Ron Fox 6 Newcastle Life Issue 21

Thank you to all of you who have been in touch with your stories and events for Issue 21. Remember, Newcastle Life is YOUR magazine and we want to hear from you! Perhaps you have a story to tell or a photo to share; maybe you’d like to promote your event or your talent; or you may have exciting snippets of local history to interest our readers! Simply get in touch by emailing laura@timesandecho.co.uk

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Brighten up your kitchen this winter

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INTERNATIONAL ROBOTICS COMPETITION

Students go global with champion robot Newcastle Academy in world’s largest STEM robotics competition

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team of Newcastle Academy students have returned on cloud nine after competing amongst 17,000 young people from 37 countries in the world’s largest international robotics competition.

Although they didn’t return with a trophy, Team Newbotics101 had an experience to treasure for the rest of their lives in the annual FIRST® Championships which were held in Detroit, Michigan, USA. They were one of just two UK schools to compete in the finals having earned their place at the FIRST® Tech Challenge UK Championships in March, where they took on 50 teams from across the North West to be crowned this year’s Northern champions.

FIRST® Tech Challenge is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education programme run by charity FIRST® UK. Teams of young people (aged 12-18) take on real-world industry roles and meet weekly to design, build and programme a robot – with support from an industry mentor – to take on a global challenge.

Whilst 2018 was the first year the programme has operated in the UK, FIRST® Tech Challenge is part of a three-decade-old global movement which sees 500,000 young people participate annually.

Joanna Thorogood, Lead Mentor, Newbotics101 comments: “This competition has been such a fantastic opportunity for our students to work together as a team. Our students were all in different year groups so there was a lot of team bonding sessions before they even started. Once they started getting ready for the UK regional championships there was no stopping them. The competition is so much more than building a robot and programming it.

“As this was the first year the UK has taken part in the FIRST® Tech Challenge the students were eager to learn from some of the more established teams and took opportunities to study robots and talk to teams about their engineering notebooks and how they reach out to their local communities.

The experience of attending the World

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Championships in America has really helped the students to become more resilient, confident and to adapt to challenging situations. I am extremely proud of the students that took part and how they represented Newcastle Academy, the local community and the UK.” Using learning materials co-designed by industry, FIRST® Tech Challenge develops diverse technical and soft skills young people need to become industry innovators, such as teamwork, creative thinking, resilience to tackle challenges, and community building. Ahead of their visit to Detroit, Newbotic101 visited a number of local schools and nurseries to share their journey, build awareness of STEM and encourage hands-on engagement in robotics – demonstrating that STEM is accessible to everyone.

FIRST® UK is supported by leading UK industries working together to drive a talent pipeline and equip young people with the skills they’ll need for tomorrow’s careers. JCB, the headline sponsor for the UK Northern Championship, alongside other local employers provided industry mentors to support teams throughout the season as well as staff volunteers to steward, judge and referee the UK competition.

JCB also supported Newbotics101’s trip to the US with travel and accommodation.

Ed Cervantes-Watson, CEO, FIRST® UK comments: “Newcastle Academy’s exemplary approach to the FIRST® Tech Challenge programme demonstrates what it takes to embrace every opportunity to learn, challenge and grow.

Not only did they absorb every learning opportunity at the world championships, they also took the time to educate and engage with other local schools about opportunities in STEM and robotics, from pre-school to secondary school, investing in their local community. Improving access to STEM opportunities across the UK is critical if we’re to tackle the STEM skills gap and stimulate social mobility. Newcastle Academy has shown that with learning opportunities that stimulate their independent growth, every young person has the ability to exceed their potential and broaden their aspirations.”

Registrations are open for the next FIRST® Tech Challenge UK season 2019-20 - the global theme this season is powered by Star Wars: Force for Change, challenging teams to reach new heights and build a galactic metropolis that’s out of this world.

Visit firstuk.org for more information.

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UK’S BEST CHOIR AWARD

Best UK choir award for North Staffs singers

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ilverdale singers the Daleian Choir were thrilled to be crowned the UK’s best choir recently. The group attended the bi-annual Cornwall International Male Choral Festival at the magnificent Truro Cathedral, where choirs from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and South Africa came together to sing their hearts out. It was the first time the Daleian choir had entered such a prestigious world-wide competition.

Each choir had to prepare three numbers to perform. The Daleian choir, under the direction of Glynn Edwards and accompanist Susan Talbot, wished to display their ability over different musical challenges and so chose Nirvana by Stephen Adams, an unaccompanied Latin sung Canticle - Ave, Maris Stella, 10 Newcastle Life Issue 21

and finally an extremely difficult song - a traditional African-American Spiritual – Glory, Glory Hallelujah, where the piano accompaniment worked against the rhythm of the voices, a number which would prove challenging for any accompanist and choristers to perform.

The adjudicators were selected from the best throughout the world and to the choir’s amazement they stood and applauded at the end of their selection.

The competition is grouped by the total numbers within each choir, and it was announced at the end of the competition that the Daleian Choir had won the best UK choir in their group, Effie going on to be crowned the best UK choir of all the groups – an impressive acclamation for any choir let alone one that

started just sixty years ago in the small mining village of Silverdale.

Musical Director Glynn Edwards commented that he was shocked to win two awards. He said: “It has taken many months of hard work and meticulous attention to detail, including learning to pronounce Latin. But it paid dividends with an astonishing performance. To win not one but amazingly two top awards and become the overall UK champion choir of the competition was beyond my wildest dreams and a tribute to all the choristers and our outstanding accompanist Susan Talbot.”

During the weekend the choir travelled to various parts of Cornwall to perform alongside other choirs at different venues including the Eden Project and Bude.

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SNOWDON CLIMB

Funding boost gives children a special opportunity

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n epic Snowdon climb has provided a funding boost for Newcastle’s Peter Pan Centre for Children with Special Needs.

Earlier this year, 126 TSB Partners, their families and friends across Staffordshire, North Wales and Shropshire climbed Mount Snowdon to raise money for 23 local charities in the area. TSB’s Hanley branch donated their portion of the funds to the Peter Pan Centre, and the money will be used to cover the cost of 12 disabled children to enjoy a morning or afternoon session at the centre.

Through sponsorship and other fundraising events held in the run-up, the team raised over £17,000 for TSB’s Local Charity Partners including the

Douglas Macmillan Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent, the Green Tree House Charity in Biddulph and Wyrley Juniors Football Club, to name just a few.

Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands.

Catherine Cool, from the Peter Pan Centre for Children with Special Needs, Newcastle under Lyme, said: “The money the TSB branch in Hanley has raised for us covers the cost of 12 disabled children to enjoy a morning or afternoon session here, at the Peter Pan Centre.

Amazing!”

Commenting on taking part, Lynsay Thomson, Area Director for Staffordshire, North Wales and Shropshire

said: “I’m so proud of the team today, it’s been very emotional! Everyone has worked really hard over the months, putting in a lot of training and effort to make today’s fundraising event such a success, we’d like to thank everyone who has supported and helped us. The weather was wet and windy but every step was completely worth it knowing the difference that our funds will make. These local charities are a vital part of our communities and we’re honoured to have them as charity partners.”

Instead of having a centrally chosen Charity of the Year, Partners working at TSB are empowered to support a local cause that shares the Bank’s passion for helping local communities thrive.

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GROW NORTH STAFFS

£85,000 celebrates c

Newcastle wins a £500 share

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ommunities across the West Midlands have been awarded over £85,000 of National Lottery funding to host celebrations as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend.

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This is thanks to a partnership between the West Midlands Combined Authority and The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. GROW North Staffs hosted

an event for residents of Newcastle-under-Lyme during the Homecoming Festival, which took place in the town at the end of June. Crowds were able to learn new skills by creating recycled art and tie dye

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GROW NORTH STAFFS

community spirit t shirts. There was also arts and crafts to celebrate heritage, working with professional artists to celebrate local heroes. The Tshirt’s will be making an appearance at GROWfest in September.

Following the huge success of the first Mayor’s Community Weekend last year, communities were invited to apply for grants of up to £500 each to hold a celebratory event on Saturday 29th June and Sunday 30th June 2019. The event with GROW North Staffs was part of 170 others across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent,

Telford, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire.

The aim of the Mayor’s Community Weekend is to bring people and communities together.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, said: “The West Midlands community is the best in the UK and the Community Weekend gives us all a chance to come together to enjoy a day of fun events, food and festivities.”

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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Newcastle veteran champions UK wide mental health

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wo former comrades who met while serving in the armed forces 34 years ago have reunited in a new battle to improve the nation’s mental health.

Former RAF gunner Gary Peake (57), from Newcastle, and his friend Phillip Delbaugh (58) met on a tour of Northern Ireland in 1985 and became pals. They kept in touch and three decades later they’re working together at Staffordshire company Acacia Training.

The pair now deliver Mental Health First Aid training across the UK and are urging all employers to support the wellbeing of their workforce and customers by ensuring they have qualified mental health first aiders in the workplace.

Around one in four people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year, according to the charity Mind. For Gary, it was his own personal experience that inspired him to become a first aider. Gary was medically discharged from the armed forces in 2015, after a 31-year career as a military parachutist and team medic. He developed PTSD and struggled to find employment. Now he is passionate about helping others to learn the signs that someone could be struggling and to provide early intervention, giving them the tools they need to have those difficult conversations with co-workers or customers.

Gary explained: “It’s standard for companies to have trained emergency first aiders – now we want to make it standard for them to have mental health first aiders too.

“Finding a purpose to help others overcome

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d i i d PTSD was an iimportant depression, anxiety and part of my recovery and working for a supportive employer has been crucial. Supporting people to stay at work and perform to the best of their ability can be a key part of their recovery and ultimately benefits the employer too.”

The Mental Health First Aid training is a twoday course which gives participants a deeper understanding of the issues that affect people’s mental health and teaches them practical skills that can be used every day, including how to spot symptoms, assessing the risk of self-harm, confidentiality and the best way to offer support.

Gary added:“Prevention is always better than cure and it’s fantastic to see more and more major UK companies realising the importance of wellbeing at work and signing their employees up to Mental Health First Aid training courses. I’ve had such positive feedback from people who have done the course and told me that they found it lifechanging.”

Gary has now trained more than 600 people and earlier this year he won a Mental Health Star award at the Thrive Mental Health Commission Awards.

Victoria Sylvester, director at Acacia Training, comments: “Gary and Phil are real assets to our team and have already helped hundreds of people to support their colleagues and customers.

Employers are becoming increasingly aware that they need to take a less stigmatised view on mental health, and they can do this by making sure that they have trained mental health first aiders in the workplace.”

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SUPPORT STAFFORDSHIRE

Volunteers unite to share ideas

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ll sorts of voluntary and community groups in Newcastle-under-Lyme came together this July at a Support Staffordshire networking event.

Held at Wolstanton Methodist Church, this was an opportunity for local groups to showcase what they do and meet others active in Newcastle-under-Lyme and the wider North Staffordshire, offering a chance to promote services and share ideas. Advisors from Support Staffordshire were also there to help with all aspects of running an organisation, including funding.

This networking event is one of the quarterly voluntary sector meetings that take place under the name of Newcastle-under-Lyme Voluntary Sector Locality Forum. These are held to provide an opportunity for local voluntary and community groups to find out about key current issues and planned initiatives, generally by health or other public sector bodies such as Staffordshire County Council, that are relevant to the sector, to provide feedback on these, and to network and share good practice with other voluntary groups.

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For more information about Support Staffordshire go to www.supportstaffordshire.org.uk or call 0300 777 1207 or follow @supportstaffs on twitter for the latest updates.

KIDS CLEAN UP

ot afraid to get stuck in to community activities, Wolstanton Rotary Club recently held a litterpick on Wolstanton Marsh.

The Club were joined by 11 pupils from St Wulstans Primary School and were fortunate to choose a sunny Monday afternoon for the project.

The group managed to fill eight sacks with litter, tidying up the community for everyone to

enjoy – finishing off the afternoon with a much deserved ice cream!

Rotarian David, who took part in the group, commented: “Thanks must go to the pupils for their participation, Newcastle Borough Green Team for supplying bags and President Robin for the ice creams!

Pictured are the litter picking team with Rotarian David and club President Robin.

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STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM AWARD

What’s your favourite Staffordshire museum?

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ominations are now open for a prestigious awards ceremony which recognises the efforts of volunteers instrumental in the continuing success of museums across Staffordshire.

The West Midlands Volunteer Awards are open to any individual or group of volunteers in Accredited museums across the county, including Newcastle’s very own Brampton Museum and Art Gallery.

Winners can be nominated by a third person who may be a colleague, friend, visitor or family member and those nominations are now being sought so a shortlist can be drawn up ahead of the awards being presented at a special event in Birmingham in September.

The awards are being organised by West Midlands Museum Development (WMMD) - a programme set up four years ago with funding from Arts Council England and managed by The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

Charlotte Edwards, of WMMD, said: “It is important to recognise the hard work and dedication of all those volunteers who give freely of their time to ensure their museums thrive in order to provide the ultimate visitor experience.

“Nominations are now open and we want as many people as possible to get involved by getting their votes in so we can make this year’s awards bigger and better than ever.

“There are five categories - four of which are nominated, Individual, Young Person, Group and Project, and one Excellence award which will be the judges award for the overall winner.

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“The first two categories recognise outstanding contribution by an individual, 26 years or over and young person 25 years or under who have given time and commitment to a museum, art gallery or heritage site.

“The Group award will go to a team, that’s a minimum of two people, whose work has had a meaningful impact on a museum, art gallery or heritage site, while the Project category focuses on an outstanding project which has made a positive contribution to a museum, art gallery or heritage site.

“Previous winners and finalists are eligible for nomination and nominators can enter their nominee into more than one category.

Nominations will close on July 22nd and the shortlist will be announced on August 1st, with the awards being held on September 11th at the Birmingham Hippodrome. All shortlisted nominees and their nominators will be invited to the awards ceremony.

“The awards are a great way to say thank you to all those volunteers who contribute so much every day all-year round and we are hoping for a strong response to our call to get behind the nominations process.”

They are open to any individual or group who volunteer within an Accredited Museum, or Working Towards, located in Birmingham, the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

To nominate a volunteer visit https://mdwm.org.uk/peer-to-peer/ and follow the guidance to complete the entry form.

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JOHN BELFIELD INTERNATIONAL SALON

John recogni n sed for his impact im c on the communit it y

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MAN, who runs a hair salon in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been awarded an international award for his services in the community.

72-year-old John Belfield received the International Community Impact Award in recognition of the effort he has put back into the local area over the years.

Mr Belfield received his award at the Houses of Parliament and becomes the first ever winner of the award.

Mr Belfield told Newcastle Life Magazine: “It’s like winning gold at the world championships.

“I’m a born and bred Stokie.

“My community has supported my family’s business all my life.

“Without them giving us their support we wouldn’t be in business.”

His salon has undertaken many fundraising events for many charities in his career, including a refuge rehabilitation centre that supports women who have been the victims of domestic abuse.

He gave the foundation £3,500 last year and his salon donates presents and provides a three-course meal every Christmas.

This stretches to chocolate eggs at Easter for the children with various other fund raisers throughout the year.

He and his staff furthermore raised £3,600 for Cardiac Risk in the Young after a 17-year-old footballer died during a match after suffering a heart attack.

Within the last couple of months, a bakeoff raised £380 for Cancer Research UK and the shop regularly donates goods and products to charity raffl f es and competitions.

This only brushes the surface of all the voluntary community work Mr Belfield has done, with yet more events in the pipeline.

However, the salon owner is quick to

ensure the praise is not directed solely at himself.

He said: “It’s a team effort. I’m very proud of my team of girls.”

Mr Belfield was nominated by the National Hairdressers Federation, the biggest hairdressing organisation in the country.

Out of 200 contenders, John came out on top as the overall winner.

The John Belfield International salon has been in the family for over 100 years.

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NEWCASTLE LIONS CLUB

Lions give the signal for Newcastle Lions Club unites with friends

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fter weeks of cold winds and heavy rain, the sun shone at the annual Lions Foxfield Railway Fun Day, held on Saturday 22nd June.

Seven North Staffordshire Lions Clubs came together to host the Fun Day at Foxfield Railway, Blythe Bridge, for families of children with special needs from across the area. This annual event, now in its 15th year, continues to go from strength to strength and is supported by Clubs in Cheadle, Gnosall and Newport, Leek and Biddulph, Newcastle under Lyme, Stoke on Trent, Stone and Uttoxeter.

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Lions had arranged a series of stalls with games and competitions for the children, including face painting, and there were several funfair rides, a miniature railway and birds of prey. There was an inspiring performance from the Inter Theatre Choir, Dandelion the clown entertained adults and children alike and there were visits from the Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes, plus a Police Support Vehicle which attracted lots of attention. An added attraction was a fly-past by the Red Arrows, which was totally unexpected but none the less spectacular!

For most of the children, however, the climax of the day was a ride through the countryside on one of Foxfield Railway’s beautifully restored steam engines.

A record number of 83 Lions were in attendance to make sure that everyone had a good time and the day went without a hitch, with around 500 visitors enjoying the summer sunshine.

According to Lion President John Leigh of Newcastle Lions, this annual event is one of the members’ favourite service activities. He explained: “To see the smiles on the faces of so many people makes the hard work really worthwhile and a number of parents of children with special needs have told us how

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NEWCASTLE LIONS CLUB

r family railway day ds to put on a show stopping day of fun

much they appreciate being able to share the day with other families in a similar situation. The Lions Clubs of North Staffordshire would like to thank everyone who helped to make this day such a success, in particular the volunteers from Foxfield Railway who gave up their time so willingly to help the Lions again this year.”

One parent who enjoyed the day added: “Superb day, such a privilege to be able to come and enjoy precious time out - that doesn’t happen with our special ones very often”.

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ONE MILLION STEP CHALLENGE

Taking big strides for Diabetes UK

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Trentham father-of-two will be doing the One Million Step Challenge for Diabetes UK a year after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes following a heart attack.

Graeme Smith, 44, who works in cyber security for Bentley Motors, is taking part because he wants to raise awareness of Type 2 diabetes and encourage people to make healthier choices with their food and also get more active.

The event takes place between 1 July and 30 September, and invites people to push themselves out of their comfort zone, by taking one million steps over three months and getting sponsored for every stride.

It will take Graeme at least 10,000 steps a day to reach his million.

He has been preparing for the challenge by walking along a canal near his home with his family and said: “Out of the blue I suffered a heart attack last year and my consultant asked me why I had not mentioned my Type 2 diabetes. That was the first time I realised I had

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the condition. I had experienced no symptoms like being thirsty or going to the toilet a lot and there was no family history.

“Shockingly my consultant told me that looking at the damage to my heart, he believed I had been living with diabetes for a number of years and this is what had caused the damage to my heart.

“It was lying in wait for me like a ticking time bomb and then exploded without any warning. I was a little overweight and my job is deskbound, so I certainly didn’t do as much exercise as I should, but we eat healthily as a family and yet this was happening to me in my 40s.”

Graeme had a triple heart bypass in August and since then has started making sure he takes regular exercise to get fitter and healthier and manage his diabetes. He has lost two stone and has even inspired a number of his colleagues to also take on the challenge.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. There are an estimated 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke. With the right treatment, knowledge and support people living with diabetes can lead a long, full and healthy life.

Siobhan Clifford, Diabetes UK West Midlands Fundraiser, said: “We’re really grateful to Graeme for supporting our work to fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of those living with diabetes.

“The One Million Step Challenge is perfect if you want to take steps towards a healthier you.

You can take on the challenge alone, or better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved. You can walk it, jog it or dance it.

How you complete your steps is up to you. The money you raise while you do it will fund our fight for a world where diabetes can do no harm.”

To sponsor Graeme visit www.step.everydayhero.com/uk/the-fit-flops To sign up for the One Million Step Challenge go to www.diabetes.org.uk/step

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SILVERDALE HERITAGE BOOST

Silverdale delight at heritage boost

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ilverdale Parish Council are celebrating receiving a £75,840 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting new project, ‘Silverdale Colliery – A Fitting Tribute.’ The project will see Silverdale Mining Tribute restored and a series of community heritage activities take place, culminating in a community celebration to commemorate the Tribute restoration.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the project will restore Silverdale’s Mining Tribute and host a series of creative community heritage activities, including a lantern parade and open air community theatre performance, for people to take part in. The project will also be looking for people to interview about their memories of the Working Men’s clubs that were an important part of Silverdale’s past.

Chair of Silverdale Parish Council, Henryk Adamczuk commented: “Silverdale Mining Tribute will be 23 years old this year. It is a landmark bronze sculpture created by artists Michael Talbot and Steve Whyte and originally funded from donations of over 60 individuals and several national organisations with the leadership of local author Gerald D’Arcy.

Dedicated to miners who lost their lives in the

Silverdale mines it charts the development of mining and the lives of local notables, Sir Joseph Cook, Lord Cadman, Fanny Deakin and Harold Brown.

“The completion of the Tribute coincided with the demise of coal mining in Silverdale, so it is a focal point of local history. We want the monument and its heritage to continue to contribute to the life of the community. This project will not only ensure that the Tribute is there for future generations, but will also share elements of Silverdale’s mining history in new and exciting ways.”

Commenting on the award, Project Manager Sarah Bonam said: “Silverdale’s mining history is important to many people and it is great that we will be able to share elements of it to a wider audience and give the community the opportunity to help us commemorate and celebrate it with this National Lottery grant.”

Vanessa Harbar, Head of National Lottery Heritage Fund West Midlands, said “We are delighted to support this project which, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep.”

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON Do you have an event to share? Let us know!

Email laura@timesandecho.co.uk and we will do our best to feature your event in our what’s on guide Nature Tots is an indoor and outdoor adult and toddler group run by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

Each week has a different theme; bug hunting, marvelling at magic or exploring a story. All Jumble sale in aid of Diabetes UK, at activities are designed to encourage your toddler's Bradwall Lodge, Porthill. 2-4pm. engagement with nature. So why not join in for 30p entrance, bargains galore and crafts, trails and games, snacks and storytime. By free parking. attending this event you are helping your local Saturday, 20th July wildlife charity to deliver conservation work across Staffordshire. £5.50 per child, £3.50 per additional sibling. Westport Lake visitor centre, 10am – 12.

Email:GetWild@staffs-wildlife.org.uk for more information and to book.

Friday, 19th July To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, the Brampton Museum will be holding a family friendly exhibition this summer, celebrating all things space!

Newcastle Lions Club will be A touring exhibition, from Emma Warren Exhibitions, manning a desk in the Guildhall looks at toys from the 60's and 70's, influenced by the foyer for the week at the end of space race. These toys and games explored the fantasy July, giving information on of space travel and of living on other planets. their Message in a Bottle Everything from ray guns and space patrol walkie scheme, other Lions projects talkies to moon shoes and flying saucers were and looking for people who produced. A range of these original childhood would like to help others within favourites is included in this exhibition. the community.

There will also be space themed activities and crafts The desk will be Monday-Friday too!

10.00 until 4.00 pm and 10.00 20 July-1 September to 1.00 pm Saturday.

Come along and Meet the The Brampton museum will be holding a talk about Coal Mining Lions! in North Staffordshire at the time of The Minnie Pit Disaster in July 29th for the week January 1918. Dr Lloyd Boardman and Jim Worgan will give an illustrated talk on the Minnie Pit Disaster and the working lives of the miners in North Staffordshire in the early part of the 20th century. The talk will coincide with a Memorial Service to be held in the Parish Church of Audley to commemorate the receiving of all the bodies from the disaster on the 12th January 1918. A Service of Commemoration was held in the church on August 16th, 1919. Admission is £4.00 for Friends of Brampton Museum.

And £5.00 for visitors. Please ring the museum to book a place 01782 619705 Wednesday 7th August at 2.30 pm

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WHAT’S ON

Staffordshire Cycling Festival is relocating to Newcastle Under Lyme for the next 2 years and will be offering the longest sportive route in the history of RideStaffs, topping 78miles - 10 more than their previous longest ride. Riders can choose from 38 or 78 miles according to ambition and fitness.

For more information, visit https://findarace.com/events/staffordshirecycling-festival Saturday, 11th August

The Purple Rainbow support group will be meeting this August at M&S Community Room in Wolstanton. This is a Staffordshire pancreatic cancer Purple Rainbow support group for people diagnosed or affected by pancreatic cancer. At each meeting there will be nurses from The University Hospitals of North Midlands who can offer advice and support and there will be wide range of people coming along. 2-3.30pm 14th August

Wolstanton Rotary Club will be holding their Rotary Family Fun Bandoree at Apedale Heritage Centre this September. There will be Brass Bands, children’s fairground rides, stalls, punch & judy, magic show, catering, archery, steam trains and lots more besides.

All proceeds will go to Alice charity & Peter Pan nursery. The event is being held in conjunction with Audley & Kidsgrove Rotary clubs.

Sunday 8th September from midday

Wolstanton Rotary Club will be hosting an Annual Charity Golf Day at Wolstanton Golf Club.

Teams of 4 - £160.00 including meal, with Proceeds going to DougieMac Hospice & RNLI Friday 13th September

An Annual Choral Evening at Stoke Minster will bring together the City of Stoke on Trent Male Voice Choir & Dougie Mac Choir in a fabulous evening of entertainment from 2 of North Staffordshire’s leading choirs.

Proceeds to DougieMac Hospice Friday 15th November at 7.00pm

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gardening

Hardy sages for the flower garden

L

Part 2

ast time I wrote about the hardiest ornamental sages that come from Europe. This time it’s the turn of their more exotic looking cousins from Central and South America. Many of these are also hardy in our winters but you need to take some care in selecting varieties as there are also lots of tender ones that need to be taken indoors in winter.

The hardy types have become a mainstay of my garden because they bloom for so long and attract lots of bees.

Among the toughest is Salvia macrophylla which forms a woody, upright shrub about 2ft (60cm) tall and has wrinkly leaves and brightly coloured flowers from June through to October.

The best of these is Pink Blush with masses of vivid pink flowers that just won’t be ignored!

Salvia microphylla is equally as tough and is known as Blackcurrant Sage – just rub a leaf and smell to discover why. These grow to a more domed, eventually sprawling shrub about 2ft (60cm) tall. There are lots of lovely colours available. Hot Lips has red-lipped, white flowers in summer. One of my favourites is Trelissick Creamy Yellow with her pale-yellow flowers that have a hint of warm pink at their necks.

New to the garden are the “Wishes” series.

The large, tubular flowers and arching stems make them ideal for a sheltered spot at the front

of the border. Three colours are widely available – Wendy’s Wish (deep pink); Love and Wishes (purple) and Ember’s Wish (deep orange).

All these types need some sun and will survive the winter in a well-drained soil. I also mound some old compost over the crowns of the plants in winter. If you have a wet soil in winter, then they make ideal plants for patio pots but remember to keep the pots somewhere out of heavy frost in winter. All are best pruned back in spring to a nice shape to stop them getting too leggy.

I’ve only scratched the surface of the wonderful world of ornamental sages there are literally thousands of species and varieties out there waiting for a home in your garden.

Janet & I run Special Perennials, website www.specialperennials.com we will be at the Plant Hunters’ Fair at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas DE13 7AR on Sat 27th July, free entry to plant fair; Abbeywood Gardens, Delamere CW8 2HS on Sunday 18th August, fair & gardens £3.00; The Dorothy Clive Garden, nr. Market Drayton TF9 4EU on Sunday 25th & Monday 26th August, fair & gardens £4.00 and at Weston Park, Shifnal TF11 8LE on Sunday 8th September, fair & gardens £2.50. For full details of these and other Plant Hunters’ Fairs please see www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk We are happy to bring orders to plant fairs for you to collect.

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CHATSWORTH FLOWER SHOW

Four awards for Wedgwood’s creative garden

W

edgwood’s 260th anniversary Chatsworth show garden has made Royal Horticultural Society history as the first show garden to secure the highest number of accolades that can be achieved in all four award categories.

The Wedgwood Garden was announced as the public’s favourite at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show recently, after it had already won the RHS Gold Medal, Best in Show and Best Construction Award.

Designed by horticulturalist and RHS Ambassador, Jamie

Butterworth, the garden was inspired by RHS founder John Wedgwood’s vision of using the power of horticulture and plants to connect people and unite communities.

The haul of all four accolades is a first for any designer at an RHS show, and is all the more remarkable as the garden is Jamie’s first garden design at 24-yearsold.

Jamie said: “I’m completely over the moon.

Creating my first show garden for such a prestigious company has been a real privilege, and to mark such a special anniversary with four

top honours is just incredible.”

Christian Bachler, Wedgwood Senior Vice President, added: “Our 260th anniversary garden showcases the deep connections between Wedgwood and the Royal Horticultural Society.

“As the founder of the Royal Horticultural Society, John Wedgwood set in motion what was to become one of Britain’s greatest institutions.

“His legacy is celebrated in this garden and his passion and enthusiasm to connect people through horticulture is clearly as relevant and popular today as ever.”

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Stage directions

**

by Richard Lane

WIN 2 TICKETS FOR THE HILARIOUS A COMEDY OF ERIC’S AT THE NEW VIC

W

e have teamed up with the awardwinning New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, to give away a pair of tickets to see A Comedy of Eric’s.

Blackadder meets Carry On as David Graham Productions travels 400 years back in time to meet Uncle Eric’s ancestor, Edric the Smith. Surprisingly he’s a lazy, good for nothing who relies on money from his wife, Mistress Merrily, landlady of the Talke Inn. Could this man really be Eric’s ancestor?

When William Shakespeare arrives at the inn their world is turned upside down and a host of questions have to be

answered. What is Edric’s codpiece really hiding?

What does She Loves You sound like when played on a lute? And did Edric really write The Bard’s best lines?

Yes, it’s Eric and the gang meet Shakespearean comedy! It might be set in Tudor times but, once again, it’s a fabulous night of comedy and the greatest hits of the 1960s!

To win two tickets to see A Comedy of Eric’s at the New Vic, answer the following question.

(Circle your choice.)

WHAT IS DAVID GRAHAM’S ALTER EGO? A.

MARGOT FONTEYN

B. DARCY BUSSELL

C. GINGER ROGERS

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

Please send your entry to Leek Life Magazine, 18 Tape St, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST10 1BD. Entries to be received by Tuesday August 6th.

The prize can be used for any performance of A Comedy of Eric’s. The production runs from Monday 19 to Saturday 31 August 2019.

Tickets are non-transferable and are subject to availability.

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DO YOU HAVE A KEEN EYE FOR SUPERB SNAPS? Can you look at the world around you and capture inspired and eye catching landscapes Life and portraits?

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We are looking for photographers in the Newcastle area who can express the beauty and diversity of our lovely corner of Staffordshire through the lens. Amateur or professional, we would love to hear from you if you would like to see your creative work published on the front cover of our magazines. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, please email life@timesandecho.co.uk

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recipes for life

A real treat to come home to AS we come into June and July there is lots of lovely fresh produce in season, perfect for some light and tasty summer recipes.

Many berries including blackberries make their first appearance, along with melon and peaches. Sweetcorn, broccoli, beetroot, watercress and courgettes are also particularly good and seafood lovers can enjoy fresh,

seasonal scallops.

Why not try our recipe for this peppery, salmon and watercress quiche, a real treat to come home to.

For this recipe you will also need a round, loose-bottomed 24cm/10in tart case at least 3.5cm/1½in deep, plus baking beans for baking blind.

Eaton Mess Ingredients:

500g/1lb 2oz strawberries, hulls removed 400ml/14fl oz double cream 4 x 7.5cm/3in ready-made meringue nests, crushed 1 table spoon of ginger cordial Sprigs of fresh mint, to garnish

Method: Serves: 4 time: Preparation 10 minutes

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1.Purée half the strawberries in a blender. Chop the remaining strawberries, reserving four for decoration.

2.Whip the double cream until stiff peaks form, then fold in the strawberry purée and crushed meringue. Fold in the chopped strawberries and ginger cordial.

3.Spoon equal amounts of the mixture into four cold wine glasses.

Serve garnished with the remaining strawberries and a sprig of mint.

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recipes for life

Salmon and watercress quiche Ingredients:

For the pastry case 200g/7oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting 100g/3½oz butter, cut into small pieces, plus extra for greasing 1 free-range egg yolk A little water For the filling: 400g/14oz salmon fillet A little butter Salt and black pepper 2 large handfuls watercress 4 free-range eggs 400ml/14fl oz double cream

Method: 1.For the pastry case, put the flour and butter into the bowl of a food processor. Add a pinch of salt and blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. If you prefer, rub the butter into the flour in a bowl with your fingertips.

2.Add the egg yolk and enough water to bring the dough to a firm ball. The less water you add the better, as too much will cause your pastry case to shrink in the oven.

3.Pat the pastry into a flat round on a floured surface then roll out to a rough circle large enough to line the tart tin. Lightly butter the tin, dust it with a small amount of flour, shake out any surplus then lower in the circle of pastry. Push the pastry right into the corner where the rim joins the base without stretching it. Make certain there are no holes or tears. Trim the overhanging pastry and place in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes.

4.Set the oven at 200C/400F/Gas 6. Put a baking sheet in the oven to warm. Line the pastry case with kitchen foil and baking beans and slide onto the hot baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and

Serves: 4 time: Preparation 1 hour e: Cooking tim 25 minutes carefully lift the beanss and foil out out.

5.Return the pastry case to the oven for five minutes or so, until the surface is dry to the touch. Remove from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven temperature down to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

6.For the filling, place the salmon in a baking dish, brush with oil or butter, season lightly with salt and pepper and bake for 15 minutes, or until the flakes part easily.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool a little, then break into large pieces. Place the pieces of fish in the tart case.

7.Wash the watercress leaves and remove and discard the thickest of the stems. Put the still-wet watercress into a saucepan, cover tightly with a lid and place over a high heat. Cook for a couple of minutes, or until the leaves wilt a little. They should keep their colour. Turn the watercress over once with tongs, let it steam a further few seconds, then remove from the heat, cool under cold running water and squeeze dry.

8.Tuck the watercress into the tart case in between the salmon pieces. Gently whisk the eggs and cream, pour into the case and bake for 25 minutes, or until set. Serve warm.

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32 Newcastle Life Issue 21

Newcastle Life Issue 21.qxp_Newcastle Life 12/07/2019 10:31 Page 33

DRIVE FOR LESS IN ECO FRIENDLY FIATS

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MOTORING

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R RETAINS THE AUTO EXPRESS BEST HOT HATCH AWARD FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING

T

he Honda Civic Type R has retained the Auto Express award for Best Hot Hatch in 2019. Continued domination of this highly competitive award category for three years proves that the Civic Type R delivers the most rewarding driving experience in the hot hatch arena.

A 5-star review and Best Hot Hatch award from the expert judging panel at Auto Express, despite the high standard of competition, is a clear indication that the fifth-generation Civic Type R boasts performance credentials worthy of the iconic Type R badge. Auto Express New Car Award winners are judged on aspects such as performance, handling, design, practicality, connectivity and running costs.

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief, Auto Express said: "Despite many new contenders emerging onto the scene to challenge the Honda Civic Type R for its crown, none has managed to topple this Japanese giant of the performance world. For the third year in a row the Civic Type R is our hot hatch of the year, and the reasons why haven’t been altered by the passage of time. In fact, the longer the Civic is on sale and the harder its rivals push, the more the Type R’s talents shine through."

34 Newcastle Life Issue 21

Phil Webb, Head of Car at Honda UK, commented; “We are incredibly pleased to continue to collect category wins and best-inclass reviews for the Civic Type R, three years after we launched this fifth-generation model. It’s a testament to the engineering focus of the car, who tested this car at the same facility used to develop Honda Formula One power units. The goalposts may have moved on, but the Civic Type R remains a top class performer.”

The 2.0-litre VTEC TURBO engine, producing 320 PS with peak torque of 400 Nm, is mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, safeguarding an intimate, rewarding connection with the drivetrain and the driver. Power is directed through the front wheels and the fourpoint Adaptive Damper System, developed specifically for the Type R, provides performance that can be tailored to the drivers mood through three drive modes; Comfort, Sport and +R. The Honda Honda Civic Type R is available from £31,550 OTR (inc. VAT) or from £319 per month on a 37 month PCP at 5.9% APR Representative.

To find out more about the Honda Civic Type R, visit https://www.honda.co.uk/cars.html

Newcastle Life Issue 21.qxp_Newcastle Life 12/07/2019 09:42 Page 35

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MOTORING

Volvo UK new car sales soar by 27% in the first six months of 2019, to 29,989 units

V

olvo Car UK has sustained its exceptional new car sales performance through the first half of 2019, selling 29,989 units. The total marks an impressive 27% increase in sales volume on the same period last year and keeps the company on course to meet its target of 60,000 annual sales by 2020.

Volvo’s strong results are in contrast to the wider automotive retail landscape, where the market as a whole has declined by 3% year-onyear. Increasing its market share from 1.80 to 2.36%, Volvo has also consolidated its position as the UK’s fastest-growing premium car brand.

In fact, Volvo is the third-fastest-growing car brand overall, behind only MG and Dacia.

The impressive UK figures contribute to a new record first-half total for Volvo’s global sales, which have climbed by 7.3% year-on-year, with 340,826 cars sold.

Volvo is reaping the rewards of its comprehensively renewed product range, offering a superb line-up of award-winning models that resonate strongly with customers for their combination of cool Scandinavian styling, efficient powertrains, peerless safety and clever application of advanced technologies for on-board connectivity and comfort.

The XC40 compact premium SUV

36 Newcastle Life Issue 21

maintained its position as Volvo’s best-seller during the first six months of the year, demonstrating the strength in depth of its customer appeal. It represents all that is best about Volvo today: a car that is desirable, technologically advanced and versatile. It combines efficient performance with outstanding comfort, seamless connectivity and class-leading practicality. Unsurprisingly, its larger sibling, the XC60, was the next most indemand model, confirming the popularity of the mid-size SUV in the UK marketplace.

Volvo’s desirability is also reflected in the performance of Volvo Selekt Approved Used Cars, where first-half UK sales rose by 13% compared with 2018, to 16,653 units.

Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK Managing Director, said: “Our sustained growth in the UK and globally sets the seal on the successful transformation of our brand. We are proud of what we have achieved in building a top-quality range of vehicles that people want to own and drive, but we are not complacent. We will develop our model range to ensure it continues to set new standards, while also introducing innovative ways for people to access and experience our products and services.”

For more information on the entire Volvo range, please visit www.volvocars.com/uk

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QUIZ CORNER

Let’s get quizzical

COMPILED BY PAUL STEELE

1.Which Chinese technology company did Google pull update support for in May 2019?

2. In the nursery rhyme there was a crooked man, what did the crooked man find on a crooked stile?

3. Western grey, eastern grey and red are all species of what animal?

4. What is Mons Meg, which can be seen in Edinburgh Castle?

5. Which country won the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest?

6. Which actress plays Captain Marvel in the new film of that name?

7. In the world of rock and roll, how is Richard Penniman better known?

8. Which US state has 21 official languages?

9. Who played the part of the Genie in the 2019 live-action version of the Disney film 'Aladdin'?

10. Which actor played Ben in Butterflies and Lionel in As Time Goes By?

A Wales Quiz for their National Eisteddfod of Wales 1. What is the name of the island off the north-west coast of Wales covering 720 square kilometres?

2.The second Severn crossing bridge carries which motorway into Wales?

3. A statue of Lewis Carroll's White Rabbit stands at which North Wales Resort?

4. How many counties in Wales begin with the letter P? 5. What is the Welsh national anthem known as in English?

6. Which Welsh city is the smallest city in the United Kingdom?

7. At which castle was Prince Charles made Prince of Wales?

8. What was the name of the Welsh mining village where a slag heap collapsed onto a school in 1966, killing over 100 children?

9. Which Welsh town was the setting for the TV series, 'The Prisoner'?

10. Which TV show is returning to screens this Christmas starring Welsh actress Ruth Jones as Nessa?

General Knowledge Answers: 1. Huawei; 2. A Crooked Sixpence; 3. Kangaroo; 4. A Cannon; 5. The Netherlands; 6. Brie Larson; 7. Little Richards; 8. Alaska; 9. Will Smith; 10. Geoffrey Palmer; Wales Answers: 1.

Anglesey; 2. M4; 3. Llandudno; 4. Two - Pembrokeshire and Powys; 5. 'Land of My Fathers'; 6. St David's; 7.

Caernafon; 8. Aberfan; 9. Portmerion; 10. 'Gavin & Stacey'

38 Newcastle Life Issue 21

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

General knowledge quiz

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