Stone Life June July 2015

JUNE/JULY 2015

Life Behind the scenes on Stone’s canal

Summer festival edition

Keeping our waterways clean and tidy

Your guide to the season’s top events

win

• ECCLESHALL SHOW TICKETS • A PAMPER DAY FOR TWO

EDITOR’S LETTER

Step into summer

Laura Campbell Contents Editor laura@timesandecho.co.uk Sophie Cotton & Tracey Wardle Design & Production Jane Walters Advertising Manager jane@timesandecho.co.uk Tom Brian Advertising Sales tom@timesandecho.co.uk

Cover photos kindly provided by ©Noel Bennett Photography, www.noelbennettphotography.co.uk, Stone.

Times, Echo & Life Publications 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1BD Tel: 01538 752214 www.timesechoandlife.co.uk life@timesandecho.co.uk 15,250 copies of every issue delivered to households and businesses in Eccleshall, Stone, Trentham and the surrounding areas

I

can hardly believe that we’re now into June and July; it seems like only yesterday we were polishing off the last of the Christmas chocolates and seeing in the new year!

So now we’re in summer and to get you in the mood for balmy evenings, outdoor events and summer barbecues, in this issue we look at the exciting line ups for both Stone and Stafford Festivals, discover tasty summer side dishes to suit all palettes and take a stroll in the sunshine to the floating market with Stone’s volunteer lock keepers.

In this edition I’ve also had the pleasure of discovering more about A Child of Mine; a brilliant charity which offers help and support for bereaved families here in Stone and Eccleshall following the unimaginable loss of a child. The charity was founded by an inspirational family who have achieved something positive in the face of overwhelming grief; so please do read all about two year old Lewis’ lasting legacy.

Finally I’d like to mention that following an accident, I recently experienced first hand the skill, care and professionalism of the wonderful staff on the frontline of our NHS here in Staffordshire. The kindness of strangers is remarkably evident all around us; for example staff and customers at The Dog and Doublet in Sandon and Eccleshall First Responders have both gone out of their way to make such a difference here in our rural communities, fundraising for defibrillators that could one day save the life of you or I. Have a lovely start to the summer, and let’s hope the sun shines on us all!

Laura

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June/July 2015 5

ANY SOFA UNTIL THE END OF MAY 2015 WITH THIS ADVERT

6 June/July 2015

June/July

Editor’s Letter .............................................5

Stone in Bloom ...........................................8

CONTENTS Midsummer Real Ale Trail .......................26 Stage Directions........................................28

Stone Festival ...........................................30 Eccleshall Show ........................................32 Stafford Festival........................................34 Spotlight on Fulford .................................36 Roving Canal Traders ...............................38

Race For Life.............................................40

Alton Towers Spa Competition .................41

The Canal and River Trust........................10

Health and Beauty ....................................42

A Child of Mine .........................................14

Community Defibrillator ..........................56

Property.....................................................12 Norbury Canal Festival .............................17

Stone Mayor ..............................................18

Food and Drink Guide ..............................19

Titanic Brewery.........................................22

Recipe for Life...........................................24

Last Orders................................................25

Homes and Gardens .................................48

Stafford Borough Walking Festival ..........57

Class Chat..................................................58

Investment Matters ..................................60

Legal Matters.............................................61

Local Author .............................................62 Motoring Guide ........................................63

Stafford Fireplaces & Stoves

39 GAOL ROAD, STAFFORD, ST16 3AR

Tel: 01785 211 554 • www.staffordfireplaces.co.uk Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, closed Sun until 5th Sept, open in evening by appointment

June/July 2015 7

STONE IN BLOOM

Stone blooms with colour Stone Scouts help sow wildflower seeds for Stone in Bloom

V

ivid, fresh floral displays, improved green spaces and community participation events can only mean one thing – the 2015 Stone in Bloom campaign is now officially underway.

Every year, the picturesque streets of Stone come to life with the eye catching colours and refreshing fragrances of a wealth of flowers and plants, and after winning its eighth gold medal in a row last year, Stone in Bloom is once again aiming for the very top accolade.

Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, Britain in Bloom is a nationwide community gardening campaign targeted at transforming UK cities, towns and villages.

This year’s theme is ‘Greener Streets, Better Lives’ and the RHS hopes to convert 9,000 concrete and derelict grey areas into a green space with the help of In Bloom groups throughout the country.

To kick off the 2015 season, members of the public joined Stone In Bloom committee members and Stone Scouts in scattering handfuls of wildflower seeds around Stone train station, to create a wonderful area of colour which will now greet passengers arriving in the town by rail.

The first five children to arrive at the station were presented with a free bird box.

Meanwhile, youngsters in the towns’ schools 8 June/July 2015

have been getting stuck into the delights of gardening, preparing the school grounds for the competition.

St Michael's First School have been busy placing hanging baskets around the school in preparation for the Stone in Bloom judging visits.

The school has a very active Gardening Club, which enables the children to learn more about the environment and the great outdoors.

An eco-school which encourages recycling, St Michaels' pupils have their own garden to plant in, they also enjoy taking part in plant sales.

Over at Walton Priory Middle School, their Gardening Club also plants and weeds to keep the school grounds looking nice and colourful.

School spokesman Julie Freeman told the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines: “The youngsters have enjoyed putting together hanging baskets for Stone in Bloom, tidying the garden and planting new flowers in time for the competition.

“The gardening club is very popular with the pupils.

“We also have a new greenhouse, which means that the children can grow fruit and vegetables, which they then sell to staff, using the money to buy seeds for next years crops.”

STONE IN BLOOM

St Michael’s First School Walton Priory Middle School

June/July 2015 9

Behind the scenes o THE CANAL AND RIVER TRUST

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS KEEP OUR BEAUTI

L

ock keepers have been part of canal life for hundreds of years, and although nowadays they no longer have to fend off ‘river pirates’ looking to steal toll money, modern day volunteer lock keepers do far more behind the scenes than may first meet the eye.

In a bid to maintain the beauty of our waterways, The Canal and River Trust recently launched a search for the next generation of volunteer lock keepers.

The appeal proved popular with hundreds applying nationally. A team of 16 now looks after the stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal between Stone and Meaford.

The Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines were lucky enough to spend a morning in the Stone sunshine with five of these volunteers, some with years of experience and some brand new to the position, who were out and about learning the

Stone's dedicated lock keepers: (L-R) John Brett, John Bowes, Geoff Cooper, David Jenkins and Phil Boam.

10 June/July 2015

ropes.

Lead volunteer Phil Boam has been a lock keeper at both Stone and Etruria for the past two years and looks forward to every day that he is out on the canal.

He retired after a career in telecoms and loves his role as lock keeper, telling us it gets him out in the fresh air, doing exercise, meeting people and helping others.

He said: “After retiring, I wanted to spend more time outside. Living in Stone, the canal was ideal it's a great way to meet people and believe it or not it's even helped me lose weight!

“We are busiest in summer, helping boaters to operate locks, but I love what I am doing so much that I still volunteer during the winter, helping with maintenance.

“I find the social history of the canals and their marvellous engineering fascinating. All locks are

on Stone’s canal

THE CANAL AND RIVER TRUST

UTIFUL WATERWAYS CLEAN, SAFE AND TIDY listed and each is unique, with specific mechanisms.

“There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes - litterpicks, tidy ups, painting and maintaining locks, spotting potential hazards, fixing what is broken and providing a visible presence for those using the waterways.”

In fact, a large part of the role involves talking to tourists. With thousands of people travelling through Stone from all over the UK and abroad every year, the volunteers are always on hand to provide advice and local information, welcoming walkers, cyclists and those travelling on holiday boats to Staffordshire.

As we ambled along the towpath, every single boater that passed us gave us a friendly wave or slowed to speak.

And the volunteers are brimming with interesting facts about the canal. For example, between Star lock (by The Star Inn) and Lime Kiln lock, the canal rises by 11.88 metres (39ft 4ins). On average around 30 boats a day travel through the town, and in 2014, the 18th century Star lock recorded a whopping 6000 lockages (when a lock is filled and emptied.)

During our stroll down to the Floating Market, a boater points out a smashed light to Phil, who is straight on the phone to organise for it to be mended. “Keeping the towpaths in good condition and well maintained is a large part of the role,” he explained.

As is cleaning up the mess left in and next to the water.

“People dump all sorts of things in there pushchairs, rubbish, wood and even shopping trolleys,” Phil continued. “This can all be dangerous to boats using the waterways, so we spend a lot of time fishing things out of the canal.

“Another huge problem we come across is dog mess, which is often carelessly left on the towpath.”

So what do the new volunteers make of their new role?

Above: Stone and Eccleshall Life’s Laura Campbell speaking to David Jenkins On his very first shift, Stone resident David Jenkins told us: “It's great to be able to promote our beautiful area and help out anyone who needs us.

“I wanted to give something back and this is perfect – you can work the hours you want, you get plenty of fresh air, the chance to meet lots of different people and all the boat owners really appreciate the work we are doing. So far it's very enjoyable.

“I retired four years ago and as a keen cyclist often use the canal paths. I enjoy helping to support the local community and on beautiful sunny days like today, it's great to be outside.”

The Canal & River Trust is the charity that cares for Staffordshire's canal network. Over 32,000 boats in the UK now call the waterways home; a figure higher than at the height of the industrial revolution. For more information on the fantastic work volunteer lock keepers in Stone do, go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk June/July 2015 11

PROPERTY

12 June/July 2015

LIVE IN LUXURY AT

Lakeside

PROPERTY

L

akeside at Wedgwood Park is a stunning collection of luxurious homes set among acres of beautiful parkland on the historic Wedgwood Estate.

The prestigious David Wilson Homes Mercia development features an exceptional selection of detached four and five bedroom homes located within walking distance of the village of Barlaston in Staffordshire. The bespoke homes have been designed to complement their setting and the landscaped gardens and tree lined avenues mean Lakeside sits in harmony with its surroundings.

At Lakeside you can experience the very best of country living with glorious parkland and a picturesque lake on your doorstep. You can unwind by taking a walk through the parkland or woodland while when you need a faster pace of life the bustling cities of Manchester and Birmingham are each an hour’s drive away.

And it couldn’t be easier to make your move to Lakeside at Wedgwood Park as David Wilson Homes Mercia has various schemes available to help you get moving.

If you are looking to take advantage of Help to Buy, but still have a property to sell, then why not use our Movemaker scheme? Through Movemaker we will sell your existing property for you. When you reserve your new home you will have peace of mind that the price is fixed and we will instruct two estate agents on your behalf to sell your home, manage all the valuations, viewings, liaisons and phone calls. Once a buyer is found the estate agent will help to complete the sale and once complete you will be able to move into your new home using the Help to Buy scheme.

Help to Buy is available on homes up to the value of £600,000. You will need just a five per cent deposit and you will receive a 20 per cent loan from the government and take out a 75 per cent mortgage.

Heather and Bryan Sargeant were the first buyers to reserve a home at Lakeside as they decided to move back to the area where Heather grew up.

Heather said: “The fact we’ve bought from plan has only made the experience more exciting. We’re able to choose many of the finishes so we’re able to make this property exactly how we want it. We’re both really excited to be moving back to the area and feel very lucky to be the first people to reserve at this historic and prestigious location that means so much to my family.”

Bryan said: “We’d already decided to move closer to where Heather was brought up and had put our house on the market. As soon as we heard that new homes were to be built at Wedgwood, we registered our interest and within a few weeks had reserved a property.”

There is currently a selection of five bedroom homes available to buy at Lakeside at Wedgwood Park and prices start from £495,000.

To find out more call 0844 8113322.

The line is open from 8am-9pm Monday to Friday and until 8pm Saturday to Sunday.

Alternatively please visit www.dwh.co.uk for more information.

June/July 2015 13

A CHILD OF MINE

Helping others face unbe M Vicky Smith with her daughter Frankie

otivated by a tragedy that left them feeling isolated and alone, one local family have turned their overwhelming grief into a very special charity that helps parents in Staffordshire cope with the loss of a child.

Gayle and Stuart Routledge were thrilled when their second baby, Lewis, was born in 2007 - a perfectly healthy child and a new little brother for their daughter Georgia.

However at just eight months old, Lewis started to display symptoms which would ultimately lead to the devastating news that he had a rare form of cancer.

Gayle spoke to the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines about the beginning of what was to be a very difficult journey. She said: “At first, Lewis’ right eye had swollen and it was put down to hay fever and then an eye infection.”

“But we were back and forth to the doctors and when the eye infection didn't subside and he was later admitted to hospital.

“The ENT consultant was concerned when he 14 June/July 2015

couldn't hold his head properly, and a CT scan revealed a huge mass in his eye.”

Lewis had a rare childhood cancer called neuroblastoma; an aggressive childhood cancer of the nervous system and by the time it was discovered, was already at stage 4.

Gayle continued: “Lewis underwent chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and a few days before his first birthday, a five hour operation to remove the primary tumour. Surgeons managed to get 100% of it, but shortly after his operation, high dose chemotherapy caused Lewis to contract a liver disease called VOD, which is where the veins to his liver became blocked and we nearly lost him.

“It was an intense time, such a lot for such a little boy to take, but he was happy, strong and he came through it - his strength taught me so much.

“By 18 months old he was walking and happy – bald, but happy! But then he developed what we thought was an ear infection and we found out he had relapsed – the cancer had returned in a little

Lewis Routledge

bearable loss

bone in his ear.”

In January 2010 the family, who live just outside Stafford, received the devastating news that his care had now become palliative.

“We had tried to stay positive through everything - we always hoped that our child would be the one to have the miracle recovery.

As parents, you never give up, but in the final months of his life, while he underwent radiation therapy, a treatment that left him radioactive, we were told that the cancer had spread to his brain and it was then that we finally accepted what was going to happen” Lewis died shortly afterwards of multi organ failure - he was only 2 years and 9 months old.

The loss hit the family hard – but it was the sense of being completely on their own that they found surprising.

“In the end, I suppose we were relieved that he was no longer suffering and that the endless bad news from doctors was over.

“But we were overwhelmed with the feeling of being on our own – after months being

‰

A CHILD OF MINE

“A shining comfort in the darkest of times”

When Vicky and Phil Smith lost their precious daughter Frankie at just 11 weeks and 2 days old, the Meir Park family had no idea of where to turn. It was then that A Child of Mine stepped in to help.

“There were no indications during my pregnancy that anything was wrong with Frankie,” Vicky explained.

“She was small, but there were no warning signs.

“When she was born she wasn't breathing for herself.

They took her away and put her on a ventilator.

“We were told she'd been starved of oxygen during birth and we were hopeful she would recover, but as the weeks went on, she couldn't swallow, didn't cry and didn't move.

“A brain scan revealed that Frankie had a severely damaged brain stem, but the experts couldn't explain it – even world renowned neurologists had never seen a child like Frankie. We felt so lost.

“Eventually, after spending most of her short life in hospital and then a few precious days at the Donna Louise Hospice, we brought her home. She died in my arms on the 5th August 2014.

“It was devastating. When you lose your child, you feel like you're falling from the cliff that you've been teetering on, you're floating and you just don't know where to turn.

“We have so much love for The Donna Louise Trust, they were truly fantastic before and just after Frankie died, and have provided constant love and support and will always be there if needed.

“However, as a bereaved mother, I had, and still have an overwhelming feeling of loss, and after taking advice from a face to face support worker for Scope, who has since become a very close friend, it was then that she put me in touch with Gayle, who I had been told had been through something similar.

“The charity has been an incredible comfort during the times we really needed it and Gayle has become a good friend.

“It's easier to talk to other bereaved mums about both the happy memories and the difficult moments that you are faced with when you have a poorly child. It’s a comfort to know that you don’t have to put on a mask for anybody “There's no way around the pain – it's awful, and that's that, but it's that mutual understanding, meeting someone else who knows exactly how I feel, that has been such a huge comfort for me.

“There are certainly gaps in bereavement care after you lose a child, as there is large sense of loneliness and a huge readjustment is needed to get back to “normal”.

A Child of Mine is absolutely fantastic for both practical advice and long term peer to peer support; to meet others who have been through the same thing and to see that they are able to carry on alongside the pain.

“Along with our other two children, Maddie (3) and Maisie (15), we're slowly finding a new normal, but I will carry our beautiful Frankie in my thoughts every single day.”

June/July 2015 15

Our Space

A Child of Mine has launched a local group here in Stone especially for bereaved children.

'Our Space' is a new idea in which struggling young people aged 10 and over affected by the loss of a sibling or parent can meet once a month.

A place where they can share their experiences in a safe environment and build confidence through humour, drama, games and activities, it gives them the chance to meet others the same age who have been through the same thing.

Parents can attend and the next sessions will be held at Stone Community Fire Station, 22nd June and 13th July. The sessions are facilitated by a fully trained outreach drama teacher and counsellor.

Sunshine and Rainbows

Sunshine and Rainbows are playgroups for bereaved parents and their children born before or after the loss.

Anyone affected by the death of a child or baby is welcome to attend, free of charge, in a safe and friendly environment to meet others who understand. There are plenty of toys and activities, light refreshments and a listening ear, held from 11am until 1pm at Hanley Community Fire Station on Friday 26th June and Friday 31st July.

Lewis Routledge with his mum Gayle

16 June/July 2015

surrounded with the support of doctors and nurses, we felt like the door was shut on us and we just had to get on with it.

“We wondered what would parents do who lose a child suddenly? Where would they go for support? We had met other families along the way and they were a huge help, so the idea came about that we wanted to give something back.”

And so A Child of Mine was born – originally an information website and now a successful charity, it is there for parents if the most unbearable, unimaginable loss ever happens.

“We fill in the gap,” explained Gayle. “A Child Of Mine is a complete resource offering information, guidance and support - a ‘one stop shop’. The charity now supports families across Staffordshire who have lost a child at any age and works closely with healthcare professionals to improve the care they give after a child dies.

“Our work is our legacy to Lewis and it is because of him that we can provide peer support, filling the gaps in bereavement care that we feel exist.”

Through the charity, the family are able to remember Lewis, and have since gone on to have another little boy, Jamie, who is now three.

Gayle added: “Lewis taught us a lot in a very short time, he gave us the strength that would help us, to help others and we wanted to give something back for him.”

‰

A CHILD OF MINE

For more information, email hello@achildofmine.org.uk or go to www.achildofmine.org.uk Frankie with her sister Maddie

NORBURY CANAL FESTIVAL

Canal festival certainly not a wash out

C

old weather and heavy rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of visitors to this year's Norbury Canal Festival, despite the main field resembling a paddling pool!

Taking place over the first May bank holiday weekend, the Friday evening attracted the largest number of boaters to the now traditional Boaters’ Meal that the festival has ever seen.

Held in the Junction Inn, 51 boaters enjoyed a three course carvery, all washed down with some good ales.

On the Saturday, those that did brave the cold weather enjoyed a fabulous evening of entertainment by the Lydia O’Dowd Band, who played their own renditions of popular songs, followed by the headline act of Vavoom.

The marquee was full and the audience danced the night away to an excellent assortment

of 50’s Rock 'n' Roll, Beatles and Rolling Stones hits.

Sunday morning saw yet more steady rain in the morning, but a drier afternoon brought a few more people to the event, with many enjoying the evening's Jammin’ at the Junction session with Paul Gibson, Steve O and Stone Cold Sober-ish band.

However a warmer and drier Monday meant that the crowds finally turned out in full and the festival really came alive. In fact, Norbury was so packed, the pub ran out of most of its food and the cheese boat sold out of cheese!

A spokesperson for the festival told the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines: “Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this another successful event. Roll on 2016 when we are due some better weather!”

June/July 2015 17

Mike begins year as mayor STONE MAYOR

L

ong standing Stone Town Councillor Mike Williamson is looking forward to an exciting year ahead after recently accepting mayorship for the ensuing 12 months.

The father of two, from Walton near Stone, has served his local community as a Conservative member of the local council for the past eight years and is keen to use his term as town mayor to help promote the town positively and raise funds for several good causes close to his heart.

In addition to his involvement with the council Mike, 68, is also an active member of Stone Rotary Club and chairman of Stone First Responders.

Having lived locally for more than 40 years, he spoke to Stone and Eccleshall Life Magazine following his succession, about the sense of honour accepting the role of mayor has brought him.

“This is the first time I have served Stone as town mayor and it is a great honour for me.

“I am really looking forward to being able to represent the whole of the town and to help promote Stone as a place that people really want to visit.

“I shall be supporting the town throughout my term and look forward to visiting not only the larger organisations and events, but am also keen to help raise the profile of the many small scale groups operating here in Stone.

“What I’d really like to do is to be able to get

SAFER COMMUNITIES FOR RURAL VILLAGES

S

lindon and Bishops Offley are the two newest locations for life saving community defibrillators.

Eccleshall First Responders have now installed the two devices, and one has a rather unusual new home in a BT Phone Box at Slindon, which was adopted by the Slindon Village Trust from BT for £1.

Both devices have been provided under a joint initiative between local groups and the West Midlands Ambulance Service whereby the groups provide the secure box and WMAS provide the defibrillator and training.

Eccleshall First Responders are still looking at funding for additional units in the village – it is important that they are placed in locations where they can be reached by people within two minutes.

18 June/July 2015

out into the community and support the local area as much as I can.”

The charities Councillor Williamson has chosen to raise funds for during his term in office are: Stone First Responders, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Stone Stroke Club and STING (Staffordshire Therapeutic Independent Neurological Group).

Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Cathy Collier handed over the mayoral chain to Councillor Williamson during Stone Town Council AGM held at Stone Station Community Centre on Thursday 14th May. During her year in office Councillor Collier raised more than £3,000 for local good causes including: Guide Dogs for the Blind, Stone Guides and Scouts, Stone Stroke Club and Stone Alzheimers Drop-in.

The new mayor will be accompanied on civic appointments throughout the 2015/16 municipal year by Consort Councillor Margaret Goodall.

Councillor Sue Shaw has been elected to serve as Deputy Mayor with her husband Mike as consort.

Stone and Eccleshall Life Magazines

Food & Drink Guide

June/July 2015 19

PAUL GILMOR QUALITY TO T

OULTON, STONE, ST15 8UW T: 01785 817580

20 June/July 2015

A RENOWNED chef and restauranteur is set to turn the definition of pub food on its head.

Paul Gilmore, known throughout Staffordshire as one of the top chefs in the county, has taken over the kitchen at The Wheatsheaf pub in Oulton.

Paul will serve an array of pub-style dishes which have all been given a restaurant-quality overhaul.

He said: “In recent years the pub trade has moved away from the usual pub-grub towards restaurant style food and they have done this quite successfully.

“However, we are moving towards traditional pub food but done to the standards and quality of a top restaurant, so everything is made from scratch with the very best quality ingredients.

“It’s about making pub food the very best it can be.”

This is not a ‘back to basics’ approach. Instead Paul has designed a menu which will appeal to all palates and pockets, using his years of experience combined with his skill and flair as a chef to showcase how ‘pub grub’ can be so much more.

The pub’s restaurant menu will feature a range of mouth-watering starters, while the main courses will always feature at least one ‘pub classic’ such as a steak and kidney pudding or Staffordshire Lobby as well as a variety of delicious desserts, including Gilmore’s “ultimate” bread and butter pudding.

Whitebridge Wines of Stone have provided a selection of choice beverages to accompany the menu - while a dazzling array of flavoured gins will also be available with specially chosen quality mixers.

And while the pub will not be serving bar meals “no knives and forks in the bar!” said Paul - instead, in a nod to the retro classics, The Wheatsheaf will offer hot snacks such as chicken, mini burgers and chipolata sausages in baskets with fries.

“We have thought carefully about everything,” Paul added.

“A lot of our ingredients will be locally sourced, but only if they are of sufficient quality.

“Everything will be made with attention to detail, skill and the very best ingredients available.

“I aim to show people how fantastic pub food

r p c b

l t

ORE BRINGS RESTAURANT O THE WHEATSHEAF

t

r

“

“I think what they do is fantastic and if any of can be without breaking the bank. the young people are keen and show promise, I “This is not fine dining, it is a pub style menu of hope to give them the experience of working in a restaurant quality, but remains affordable. proper restaurant kitchen during service.”

“The menu will change with the seasons and Paul is very excited about the future we will continue to source the very best of The Wheatsheaf. that Staffordshire has to offer.”

He said: “Oulton offers the Paul, who is downsizing his own very best in the pub experience. restaurant near Uttoxeter to a “Near to The Wheatsheaf private dining experience and I aim to show people where we are showcasing how cookery school, is also fascinated make the very best out of a by what will be happening in his how fantastic pub food to pub menu - is The kitchen each day.

Brushmakers, a proper pub “The building itself is owned can be without serving fantastic ales. by local businessmen Matt breaking the bank “For people who want to Wilcox and Alan Appleby. Matt, drink in a proper pub, The who is also a director of a leading Brushmakers is ideal. They don’t Staffordshire youth project ‘Unity’ serve food - all the focus is on the will be running cookery lessons for beer. disadvantaged youngsters and so far they “I’ve regularly travelled there from have done an amazing job.

Uttoxeter to sample a pint because I think they offer “The young people will be there during the day the best quality beer and the landlord there has learning about food preparation and then returning often visited my restaurant in Uttoxeter. the kitchen to readiness for the commercial “Now we’re practically next door to each other!” operation at night.

”

,

June/July 2015 21

Can you name the ale?

T TITANIC BREWERY

itanic Brewery is inviting the public to suggest a name for a beer they are producing especially for the Cheese and Ale festival in Stafford.

The lucky winner will get to pull the first pint of ale at the festival, which will be held on Saturday 6th June; will take home 36 pints of the beer, as well as a commemorative pump clip designed around the winning name.

Suggestions can be made via twitter using #nametheale or by email to hbladon@staffordtowncentre.co.uk using #nametheale in the subject line.

A panel including Titanic experts and the Mayor of Stafford Borough will choose the best

name for the ale.

This is the second year of the festival which is a collaboration between the Town Centre Partnership and Stafford Borough Council.

Town Centre Partnership Chair, Chris Lewis, said: “What a great competition to win. The inaugural Cheese and Ale festival was a huge success attracting tens of thousands of people with exhibitors having to stock up throughout the day just to keep up with demand.

“And this year it is coming together very nicely and now someone will have a brilliant opportunity of making their mark permanently on the festival by naming a beer produced especially by a great local brewery.”

THE

THE GEORGE & DRAGON

BOREHOLE

at Meaford

A WARM AND WELCOMING MICROPUB

Come and join us for the

JUNE BEER FESTIVAL HOUSE WINE £9.45 PER BOTTLE LAGER & BITTER £2.50 PER PINT • GUEST ALES

Children and dogs welcome until 8pm Off licence on the premises just like the old days...

Purchase bottled beers, cask ales and ciders bring your own containers

SPECIAL OFFERS ALL WEEK FROM 5PM

• Monday - Grill night - 2-for-1 on steaks • Tuesdays cask ale £2.20 per pint • Wednesday - Curry night -curry with a free drink £6.95 • Thursday - 2 main meals & a bottle of wine £20 • Friday - Prosecco Night £9.99 • Sunday lunch - 12 noon - 9pm with free dessert £10.35 • Sunday - Glass of wine & pint of beer £5.00

Unit 2 Mount Road Industrial Estate, Mount Road, Stone, ST15 8LL Tel: 01785 813581

Lunchtime Main Meals - Mon-Fri 12-5pm

OPENING TIMES: 12 noon to 9.30pm Sun to Thurs 12 noon - 11.00pm Fri & Sat

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE

MEAFORD ROAD, STONE, ST15 0PX

T. 01785 748787 www.georgedragonmeaford.com

OPEN 7 DAYS 12 NOON - 11PM FOOD SERVED EVERYDAY 12NOON - 9PM FUNCTION ROOM AVAILABLE

Dining & entertainment at its best

brasserie

Granville Square, Stone • Tel: 01785 816658 Serving till 1.30am Friday & Saturday

CELEBRATING 31 YEARS IN STONE

LICENSED FOR WEDDINGS

Sit in our beautiful garden and enjoy a superb lunch from our

NEW SUMMER MENU UPCOMING LIVE MUSIC ON

WEDNESDAY 15th JULY

FREE ENTRY THURSDAYS B.D. LENZ • THURSDAY 11th JUNE - BOLLYWOOD NIGHT Bollywood dancers and Indian style tapas menu • THURSDAY 25th JUNE PROUDLOVE Mick Giliker’s brand new 5-piece lineup • THURSDAY 23RD JULY SPANISH TAPAS NIGHT with SYNERGY See our website www.granvilles.st for full entertainment schedule and lots more

Back from New York with his fantastic jazz-funk band Free admission

June/July 2015 23

DIP INTO SUMMER...

I RECIPE FOR LIFE

t's official - the Great British Summer time is finally here, and although we may not have the scorching heat of the mediterranean, or the humid sunshine of the Bahamas, our English summers can (occasionally!) surprise us with long spells of luxurious sunny days and balmy evenings.

For many of us, the change of the season marks a change of pace, so now is the time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy chilled out al fresco dining with friends and family.

However; tricky, time consuming and heavy

Smoked Mackerel Dip

Tomato & pepper dip

Preparation time: 10-15 minutes Serves: 6 Ingredients 375g jar of sweet Peppadew piquanté peppers 3 tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 tbsp sundried tomato paste a bunch of chives, snipped Method Tip the piquanté peppers into a blender, add the tomatoes, sundried tomato paste and most of the bunch of chives. Whizz together until blended, but still chunky. Season with pepper and spoon half into a serving dish, sprinkle over the remaining chives and serve with lots of crisp, fresh, raw vegetable sticks and bread. The other half of the dip will keep refrigerated for three days.

24 June/July 2015

recipes are not really compatible for outdoor social gatherings in June and July. So why not spend more time outside with your loved ones, and less time stuck in the kitchen, by sampling these uncomplicated and refreshing sides with your evening nibbles – which can be prepared beforehand and refrigerated.

These dips will perfectly compliment your summer salads, toasted breads, grilled burgers and vegetable skewers – all you need now is a chilled, sparkling glass of prosecco, a few friends and those warm summer evenings. Enjoy!

Preparation time: less than 30 minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients 250g smoked mackerel fillets, skinned and finely flaked 142ml tub soured cream bunch spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped 4 tsp horseradish selection of crunchy raw vegetable, to serve Method In a mixing bowl, stir the smoked mackerel, soured cream and spring onions together to make a textured dip, then stir in the Make a batch of this simple, healthy dip and keep it in the fridge for whenever you want a quick bite horseradish.

Spoon into a serving bowl and serve with sticks of raw veg for dipping. Can be chilled for up to three days.

Feminine tastes

T

he election has come and gone and once the incessant media frenzy as to who’s going to lead the unsuccessful parties is complete we can all get back to normality – what a relief! A certain Scottish lady seems to have increased her power base by a significant margin and coupled with noises from the other parties is this the time for the emergence of the female side of politics? If it is then in the corridors of power there needs to be a suitable tipple to provide relief from the endless debates and scheming.

Last year we saw Haig deliver David Beckham’s whisky which, judging from the response at our tastings, had a great appeal to feminine tastes. A large part of this was because the whisky was smooth and relatively sweet. Well time has moved on and Ben and I at Old School Wines have found the perfect dram for the ladies.

Its name is Togouchi and it’s a Japanese blended whisky. Very smooth and particularly sweet this is no ordinary whisky. The label states “Japanese blended whisky� but in fact it comprises Scottish malt and Canadian grain whisky. Blended after the requisite import taxes have been paid the

LAST ORDERS

whisky is then naturalised.

Yes naturalised – a new one on me as well- but it is not just held in barrels in a an old dusty warehouse this whisky is transformed by being kept in a disused railway tunnel where the environment is held at a constant 14 degrees C and 80% humidity. The railway tunnel was built in 1970 by the Japanese railway company as part of the Kabe to Hamade line but the project was never completed and the rest as they say is history.

Preservation railways of the UK rejoice, now there appears to be a new use for that redundant tunnel which may have been abandoned as surplus to requirements; couple that with the idea of naturalisation and the Country’s whisky train is well and truly on the tracks. Plenty for the newly ensconced ladies to ponder in the House of Commons!

Whisky expert Dave Pickard of Old School Wines, Tittensor. T. 01782 372888

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June/July 2015 25

One long night; six great pubs MIDSUMMER REAL ALE TRAIL

F

ollowing the success of last year's Midsummer Real Ale Trail, the team behind the Stone Food and Drink Festival has organised another fun filled evening of beer-themed festivities.

The trail will take in the sights and sounds of watering holes around Stone’s outlying villages, with chauffeured transport for ticket holders via the famous Midsummer Minibuses.

On Friday 19th June, revellers will get the chance to sample some of the finest pubs in the Stone area.

Beginning at The Borehole – Lymestone Brewery’s new pub next to the brewery on the Mount Industrial Estate – and departing at 6.30pm prompt, the trail will tour The Boar at Moddershall, The Shoulder of Mutton at Fulford, The Hunter at Saverley Green, The Roebuck at Hilderstone, The Green Man at Milwich, and The Red Lion at Day Hills; with enough time allowed for a pint - or two - in each.

Included in the ticket price is a seat on the minibus and some light refreshments as provided by each establishment.

Looking ahead to another popular night of

26 June/July 2015

frivolity, Stone Food and Drink Festival Chairman Richard Stevens told the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines: “The Midsummer Real Ale Trail has become a hugely popular annual event – no surprise really as what better way is there for real ale fans to spend Midsummer’s eve?!

“However, there is another facet to the occasion which has a wider impact upon the town and the surrounding area.

“Our aim, like the festival week trails, is to take business out to some of the great village pubs we’re lucky enough to have nearby. We’re especially delighted that this year the event will start at Stone’s newest pub, The Borehole, and that we will be helping to support our local brewers Brad and Viv in their new venture.”

Tickets for the Midsummer Real Ale Trail are £15 per person, inclusive of minibus transport and light buffet refreshment in the pubs.

To book call 07564 378 916, visit www.stonefooddrink.org.uk to buy tickets online or pop into Follwell’s Estate Agents in Granvilles Square during office hours.

s ’ r e h t a F e t a r b e l e C Day at

The

t r a H e t i h W

Now taking bookings

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST 7 days a week from 9am Prices from £4.95

The White Hart Hotel welcomes 3 great chefs KEVIN HULSE, GREG WARD, CRAIG MORTON Previously from The Wayfarer - Stone

CARTER STREET, UTTOXETER, STAFFORDSHIRE, ST14 8EU Look at our website for up-to-date information and offers

www.whiteharthoteluttoxeter.co.uk bookings@whiteharthoteluttoxeter.co.uk

01889 562 707

Stage Directions

by Richard Lane

West End workshops for young performers

S

tafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre (SGYT) have an exciting opportunity for 14-16 year olds to participate in theatrical workshops lead by a professional West End actress.

There will be a total of four workshops on Monday evenings at 5.30 – 7.30pm throughout June as taster sessions for new members to try SGYT ahead of the new Autumn term.

Each two hour workshop will feature songs, scenes and dance routines from four different West End musicals:

Katie Kerr 28 June/July 2015

June 1st: Wicked June 8th: We Will Rock You June 15th: Legally Blonde June 22nd: Sweeney Todd The workshops will be lead by Katie Kerr, whose professional debut was as Chiffon in the award winning production of "Little Shop Of Horrors" at the Menier Chocolate Factory alongside Sheridan Smith, later transferring to the West End. She then went on to star in "Fat Pig", as Helen, directed by Neil La Bute also in the West End and has subsequently gone on to perform in several other plays and musicals such as Bridget Baines in "A Chorus of Disapproval "(Uk Tour), Lynne and Sylvia in "Stepping Out" ( Uk Tour),Big Sue in Boy George's TABOO(Brixton Clubhouse) and, "Wicked" (UK Tour) where she played Shen Shen and understudied Madame Morrible.

Katie most recently has been seen performing alongside Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel in the English National Opera's production of Sweeney Todd at London's Coliseum.

She also appeared in BBC 1 drama "What Remains".

Each session is ÂŁ6 and pre-booking is essential as places are limited. Places can be pre-booked at the box office, where a membership form will be given. Any members who do not return the membership form will not be able to join. Places must be booked by Friday 30th May. Any further information can be obtained by calling the administration team on 01785 619080.

Holiday with a difference

Canal Cruising Company Ltd Est 1948

Bowman Antiques Fairs Are delighted to remind the discerning lad adyy and gentleman that tha t the d da ates for their Antiques & Art Fairs Fairs for 2015

Situated in the picturesque town of Stone, a family run business over 65 years

2015 EARLY BIRD OFFERS • CAMRA, IWA & NHS Staff Members 10% discount - see website for details • Pets welcome • All prices inclusive of diesel • Vb Graded 2-8 berth quality narrowboats for hire • Choice of excellent routes • Beginners and experienced crew welcome • Weekly or short breaks available

are as foll ollo ows:

Giant 3 day day antiques & art f Stafford bingley hall ST18 0bd Frid rida ay, Saturd Sa turda turd ay, Sunda SundSunday ay Friday, Saturday, 30th/31st Jan/1st Feb 19th/20th/21st June 6th/7th/8th March 17th/8th/9th 9th/20th/21stAugust June 7th/8th/9th August 25th/26th/27th September 25th/26th/27th September 11th/12th/13th December 11th/12th/13th DECEMBER 10AM-5PM EACH EACH DAY

SELF DRIVE DAY BOAT HIRE March-October (Tues,Wed, Thurs Pick up 10am Return 4pm) 2-4 persons £160 • 5-8 persons £250. Lock & driving tuition included

For more details, special offers and live availability

visit us at www.canalcruising.co.uk

Admission £5 adults adults £3 concessions as is usual at at events organised by the Bowman famil famil amilyy there are hundreds of good qualit y dealers in the rare the exotic the unusual the beautiful and the hard to find.

Crown Street, Stone, Staffs ST15 8QN

Tel: 01785 813982 Fax: 01785 819041

@antiquesfairs.

Email: mail@canalcruising.co.uk

Supporting: “The Honest Truth” national Campaign Small changes save lives

Enviable 1st time pass rate

inSTruCTion For BEGinnErS, PASS PluS AnD FlEET DrivErS Be trained in the Police System of Car Control unt Disco ock Calm confident driving b on l s for g Amplified levels of concentration n i k o bo nts stude “Thanks to you Pam, we are a family of 1st time passers!” - Maxine.

“Thank you for having the patience of a saint.” - Claire “Hope all is well and you are still working your magic” - Sophie and Alex “Thank you so much for trying to promote safer driving around horses to your pupils. it really is much appreciated” The British Horse Society

NEW BUILDINGS FARM B OA R D I N G KENNELS

A holiday home for your dog

Be our guest you will have loads of fun Opening Times 8am till 10.30pm, 4pm till 6pm Open 7 days a week (Including Bank Holidays) Tel:

01889 505174

Phone Pam on 07973 255186 June/July 2015 29

CIRCUS SKILLS, OPERA, DOG AND RAFT RACES: IT’S TIME STONE FESTIVAL

STONE FESTIVAL Opera Soprano Denise Leigh

P

eople in Stone are buzzing with excitement as the annual Stone Festival gears up for a week of fun filled activities for all the family.

It all kicks off on Sunday 7th June with the Annual Raft Race, which will depart the Darlaston Inn at 10am, with registration opening at 9am.

Last year's winners Winghouse Spirit completed the course in just 41 minutes. Well worth a watch, teams will try to make it to the other side of Stone in their very own homemade rafts. Expect plenty of friendly competition!

The rest of the week will see car boot sales, organised walks, dog shows, dog steeplechase events, a golf competition, Warwick's Funfair, quizzes, motor cycle meetings and brewery tours, to name just a few events.

A much loved highlight of the festival Party in the Park will this year see performances from 30 June/July 2015

Stone bands CID and The Formula, who will be supporting the main act Monkey Finger. Bands will take to the stage at Westbridge park from 6.30pm.

Earlier on the same day, Proms in the Park will include something for all tastes, from opera to folk, classical violins to piano duos. It will take place between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on Friday 12th – why not bring a picnic!

The concert also includes performances from St Dominic's Choir, Sarka and Rosie, Crooked Bawbees, Radio Mary and the Opera Soprano Denise Leigh. A truly classical set of artists set against the background of historical Stone.

Finally on Saturday 13th June, the Festival will draw to a close with the ever popular traditional Stone Carnival, which will process through the town at 1.30pm, before finishing at Westbridge Park.

As well as the usual array of stalls and

OG SHOWS ME FOR

L 2015!

attractions, this year Circus Whizz, a series of street and circus acts, will be on hand to dazzle the crowds with jugglers, fire eaters, dancers and exotic animals.

And if you fancy having a go yourself, an inflatable circus skills workshop will teach you how to juggle balls, clubs, diablos and sticks; spin a plate or a western spinning rope; balance on pedal-gos, cup and fun stilts; hula hoop; catch cups and balls, spoons and rings, and Olympic ribbons.

Give it a try – you may discover a hidden talent!

For a full list of activities, venues and times, visit the Stone Festival website at www.stonefestival.co.uk or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ Stone.Eccleshall.Life.

STONE FESTIVAL

Saturday 6th June • 10am-4.30pm - Oulton Watercolour Exhibition at Oulton Village Hall.

Sunday 7th June • 9am - Car Boot Sale at Westbridge Park.

• 9.30am - Westbridge 5 Race. Starting from Westbridge Park.

• 10am - Raft Race on the River Trent from Darlaston to Walton Bridge.

• 10.30am - Dog Show at Westbridge Park.

• 2pm - Bowls Annual Sub Final at Stonefield Park.

Monday 8th June • 6.30pm - Steeplechase & Dog Derby for humans and dogs starting from Westbridge Park.

Tuesday 9th June • 6.30pm - Sponsored Dog Walk starting from, and returning to, Westbridge Park.

• 7pm Stone & District Motorcycle Club Open Bike Night, Westbridge Park.

Wednesday 10th June • 4pm-6pm - Competition for golfers and nongolfers at Stone Golf Club.

• 7.30pm - Stone Civic & Historical Society Talk at the Frank Jordan Centre (free). Talk on the Battle of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington and his lady friend Mary Anne Jervis from Meaford.

• 7.30pm Lymestone Brewery Tour.

Thursday 11th June • 6pm and 7pm - Lions Walking Treasure Hunt from The Borehole pub, Mount Road.

Friday 12th June • 2.30pm - 5.30pm - Proms in the Park, Westbridge Park.

6.30pm-11.30pm - Party In The Park, Westbridge Park.

Saturday 13th June ‘Carnival Day’ • 1.30pm - Carnival Parade starting from ABB heading to Westbridge Park for 2pm.

• The Great Carnival Cake Competition.

• All Day - Main arena acts: The Acts Of Covent Garden. Juggling, creepy crawlies and games bring the atmosphere of Covent Gardens to Stone.

• All day - Westbridge Park will be filled with charity and commercial stalls throughout Saturday.

• 7.30pm - Stone Cantiamo & Sheffield Chamber Choir in concert at St. Michael's Church.

Sunday 14th June • 2pm - Stone Festival Bowls final at Stonefield Park.

• All day - Little Stoke Cricket Club host the Stone Festival Junior Cricket Competition.

• 6.30pm - St Michael & St Wulfad’s Church host traditional ‘End of Festival Week’ Service.

• 7.30pm - Festival Quiz at Granvilles. Teams of up to six.

June/July 2015 31

Fun for all the family ECCLESHALL SHOW

P

reparations for the 67th annual Eccleshall Show are well underway as the volunteers who manage the event each year get ready for the event on Saturday 5th September.

The showground at The Parks, Sugnall which extends over two fields will see a packed programme of equestrian events, a huge entry of classic cars, a companion dog show, in excess of 60 trade stands, the giant Craft and Horticulture marquee and main ring events throughout the day.

And, for readers of Stone and Eccleshall Life, the Eccleshall Show Committee are offering three family tickets as prizes (see competition details below).

Show Chairman Edward Lambert is very optimistic for the success of the 2015 show.

He said:“This show is all about giving our visitors a really good day out, and once again we are confident that it will all come together really well.

“In the main ring we have a really exciting show from a talented trio of gymnasts performing aerial gymnastics, plus all our regulars like the dog agility and children’s sports.

“There’s so much going on all over the showground - great traditional family entertainment with real community spirit.”

The show has always been about family fun and this year will be no exception with The Above and Beyond team heading up the entertainment in the main ring with amazing aerial gymnastics.

Elaine Hill returns once again with her

Eccleshall Show committee 32 June/July 2015

sheepdogs herding ducks.

Also in the main ring will be the ever popular Dave Coe demonstrating his skills with his Jarrovian gun dogs and of course there will be Children’s Sports and home spun fun with the Dog Agility Competition where anyone can enter their pet.

The massive Craft and Horticulture Marquee is home to nearly 120 competition classes.

From vegetable growing, cookery and wine making to handicrafts and photography there is something for everyone to enter.

Children are especially encouraged to enter their own dedicated classes.

Schedules for the classes will be available on the Show website and from Eccleshall library in July.

A new addition last year was the Pet Show where youngsters can enter their rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs and others in any of the nine classes.

With 43 classes in the Equestrian section, secretary Fiona Fraser and her team are once again anticipating a large number of entries for this very popular event which draws entries from far and wide.

A huge turnout of Classic Vehicles of all descriptions is expected.

Vehicles arrive with their enthusiastic owners keen to share their knowledge.

A host of other attractions around the showground including the Companion Dog Show, Craft Show, Children’s Funfair, Punch and Judy, Ferret Show and Caged Birds Display will ensure a really good day out for all the family.

ly at Eccleshall Show

ECCLESHALL SHOW

There is a licensed bar, hog roast and providing great refreshments are Eccleshall and Broughton Women’s Institutes.

The gates open on September 5th at 10.30am.

Advance tickets with a 20 per cent discount can be purchased online from the show website up to 1st August and thereafter up until the show at 10% discount Tickets on the day are £8 with special rates for families, children and senior citizens and underfive’s are admitted free.

Credit and debit card payments can now be processed on the gate.

There is a free shuttle bus from Eccleshall town to the showground which runs throughout the day.

Last year, Eccleshall Show Society donated more than £1000 to eight local charities

following a very successful show in 2014.

Donations were presented to Support Dogs, St John’s Ambulance, Gnosall, A Child of Mine, Riding for the Disabled, Eccleshall Scouts, Eccleshall First Responders and Young Farmer Ambassadors.

TICKET GIVEAWAY

To be in with a chance to win one of three family tickets to Eccleshall Show, simply answer the following question and return this form to: Times Echo and Life publications, 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 1BD. Q: Elaine Hill returns to Eccleshall Show on Saturday 5th September with her sheepdogs - but what kind of creature will the sheepdogs be herding?

Answer:................................................Name:.................................................................................

Address:............................................................................................................................................

..............................................................Tel number:........................................................................

Closing date for competition entries: Friday 31st July 2015

June/July 2015 33

Town to come alive STAFFORD FESTIVAL

34 June/July 2015

e for annual festival

S

tafford is set to come alive this July as the eagerly anticipated annual Festival explodes with live music, family fun and entertainment.

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

Taking place across two consecutive Sundays will be the widely popular Party in the Park on Sunday 5th July followed by the Live@The Castle music extravaganza on Sunday 12th July.

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

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

Some activities will incur a small, 50p charge.

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

Visitors can expect an afternoon and evening

STAFFORD FESTIVAL

of live entertainment from the very best performers on the local music.

The castle grounds will be filled with music from 12 noon until 10pm thanks to bands and singers from across the area who will be strutting their stuff on the main stage or in the chilled out acoustic marquee.

Admission, payable on the gate, is £3 for adults and children over 12 years. Car parking is £5.

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

Please log onto the Stafford Festival website at www.staffordfestival.co.uk where application forms are available to fill out.

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

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

For more information on how to get involved and support the Stafford Festival 2014 email events@staffordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619354.

Photographs courtesy of Stafford Festival.

June/July 2015 35

Spotlight on

FULFORD

e that’s big A little villag y spirit on communit tryside just

ire coun leafy Staffordsh ity Situated in the rd is a commun lfo Fu from Stone, a ts as bo ich down the road wh se knit village activities for focussed and clo gular clubs and re of up e lin skills, w fabulous ne rn new friends, lea locals to meet n. ve fu exercise and ha tennis to tidy to walks, table From festivals r fo everyone. ly is something llage. ups, there real www.fulfordvi sit vi n, io at rm fo in e or For m ll.org.uk/ fulfordvillageha com and www.

Village tidy ups

of the An initiative to keep Fulford tidy as part a e becom has n etitio comp e Villag Best Kept in the community drive to ensure all residents onment to village have a clean and pleasant envir

live in. e Sally Jones is a member of Fulford Villag e. schem the d behin n isatio organ the Group two or She said: “We have communal clear-ups together three times a year where everyone gets to keep and we clear leaves or sweep pavements the village looking tidy for everyone. have “There are also a number of people who they try their own little patch of the village which to keep clean and tidy. take “We have a wide variety of people who ren.” part from retired residents to young child about Anyone who would like to find out more ar regul the to along the tidy ups can come which are meetings of the Fulford Village Group, month each of day Tues third and held on the first at The Shoulder of Mutton pub at 8pm.

Community choir and orchestra

Inspired by television ’s Gareth Malone, villagers in Fulford lau nched a 10 week projec t to create a community cho ir back in 2012.

Since then, the choir has expanded to aroun d 60 members and has even encompassed musicians in the area with the launch of a community orchestra .

Musical Director, Da n Hollingshurst, takes fortnightly rehearsal s at Fulford Village Ha ll from 4pm to 6pm.

Music teacher and cho ir member, Wendy Godfrey, said: “The cho ir is open to anyone old er than 12 and we have performed twice at the Victoria Hall in Stokeon-Trent as well as giv ing regular concerts in the village.

“The orchestra came about because of the age range of the choir - wh ich is about 14 to 84 - and the number of people who play instruments , whether they are you ng people who are stil l learning or older peo ple returning to someth ing they haven’t done in a while.

“There is no requirem ent to read music in the choir, there are no aud itions and it is a friend ly group to be a part of. ” Anyone who would like to take part in the cho ir or orchestra can contac t Wendy on 01782 398 186.

36 June/July 2015

of walks ce on the first Sunhdsapyecial e g a l l i la it V ep April, w alks tak

w ber to Village Septem t th from and August. n o m h nd mee eac en May hance to chat a ble e ia c tw e o s b walks also a c is a very rink and o is s e lk g a d illa The w ed by a m the v ople fro es follow other pe nd is sometim utton pub.

M na rus walk occasio he Shoulder of wn Cho a D a s e d ron tT lunch a 15 line up inclu t; a rhododend den s id 0 2 h fa k s e a e h T nd tre tty bre acon bu utiful shrubs a of the village a with a b be tskirts and see the n the ou berries walk to d area o owed by straw ontact n la d o o c in a w alk foll ation, mmer w e inform and a su unch. For mor rp summe 398280 n 01782 Fiona o

Table te

nnis

Fulfest

A whopping 400-500 peo ple attend this popular annual event; a local music festival especially for local peo ple. It is held on the Vil lage Green in July every yea r.

The village comes to life with music as the roads are closed off and residents gather togeth er to enjoy a fantastic line up of entertainment, a hog roast, barbecue and refr eshments.

Coffee mornings

Every month, older vill agers in Fulford get together for an inform al coffee morning hel d at the village hall.

Kath Tooth and Jean Conlon, both members of the Village Hall Comm ittee, host the casual coffee mornings on the third Thursday of each mo nth from 10am until noon in Fulford Village Ha ll.

Kath said: “When the senior residents club folded it seemed a nat ural progression that those people would contin ue to come to the cof fee mornings to enjoy a chat over coffee or tea and biscuits.

“It is all very informal - it’s very much a soc ial thing - but sometime s we organise a speake r to come along and we reg ularly go on outings to Llandudno in the sum mer and Trentham for shopping and Christm as lunch in November or December.”

Weekly ta ble tennis months h sessions ave prove over the d a huge What sta hit in Fulf last six rt ed as a si ord. together mple idea to enjoy a to bring p n activity strong so eople has bloss cial club omed into with a sh Maria Hu a a re d in dson help terest.

“We have a lot of pe ed found the club .S o of all age s and abil ple - many of them he said: ities who retired coffee an come alo d a game ng to enjo of table te “It is not ya n nis. and abilit competitive and a nyone of y is welco any age me. ” The sessio ns are £2 Village H a n d a re held at all on Fri F day morn noon. ings from ulford 10am to

Village events

are planned in A number of village events ths. mon ing Fulford over the com t Village The judging for the Best Kep y, so efforts to Ma in un beg e hav competition will and beautiful tidy n, keep the village looking clea summer with the ugh thro rity prio a will remain tion scheduled for final judging for the competi Monday 3rd on ced oun ann lts resu July and August. be putting the final Village gardeners will also ns as the garden Ede e littl own r thei touches to ing the last two dur e plac s judging weekend take e.

Jun of weeks ford Photo The closing day for the Ful 15th June, so all entries Competition is on Monday then. must be submitted before den judging and the The results of both the gar ounced and displayed photo competition are ann at Fulfest.

September, with a A race night is planned for day 4th October Sun for led edu sch k village wal en.

Gre starting at 11am on the k will start at 11am In November, another wal dates to be with 1st, day Sun on the Green on tidy up and the ge villa organised for a leaf clearing up.

Gro age Vill ford Ful AGM of the Soup return on December will see Santa and Christmas Fair at 2pm the by d owe foll 4th ay Frid on Saturday 5th. date for another Sunday 6th December is the choir will give a nity mu com the le whi k village wal the following hall ge villa the Christmas concert in .

7pm at er week on Sunday 13th Decemb en will be Gre age Vill the on ols Car The date for as. istm announced closer to Chr

June/July 2015 37

Floating traders return to Stone ROVING CANAL TRADERS

Jenine and Bill de Leie

38 June/July 2015

Barry Teutenberg and Sandra Walsh

R

oving traders selling their handmade goods attracted hundreds of people canal side in Stone recently.

It is estimated that there are now between 500 and 600 trading boats on the canal system, and similar to pop up shops, 'float up' shops are proving to be very popular.

The floating market, organised by The Roving Canal Traders Association, first came to Stone last year and proved such a hit that the boats have returned.

We here at the Stone and Eccleshall Life Magazines took a stroll in the sun at Lime Kiln Lock and met some of the canal folk to hear their stories and discover a very varied array of goods for sale.

These included The Grand Rosette Company (main photo), owned by former Uttoxeter residents Mark Evans and Justina Bendelow, who now live on their boat 'Marmite', producing a huge array of brightly coloured handmade rosettes for all kinds of celebrations and school or sports club events.

Mark told us the pair sell over 1000 rosettes a week and they now see more and more markets of this kind all over the country.

We also came across a home brew boat called 'Areandare’ owned by Barry Teutenberg and Sandra Walsh, who travel the waterways promoting both home and boat brewing of beer, wine and spirits and selling start-up kits and products needed to make your own alcohol.

The pair hail originally from New Zealand they used to come over to England for six month periods to spend time on the canals as there aren't any in their home country.

However the time and expense of travelling back and forth soon mounted up and two years ago they decided to sell up, leave their home behind and now live full time on their canal boat, travelling all over the UK. The 'Witchcraft' boat is owned by Jenine and Bill de Leie, who sell crafts, handmade crocheted porthole covers, necklaces, chutneys and bric a brac.

On board the art boat 'Tonka’, owned by Jan Vallance, we found art, cards, small gifts and souvenirs such as badges and fridge magnets. Jan also paints portraits by commission.

And finally ‘Herebedragons’ is a narrowboat owned by Mike Poole.

Mike sells books, cabin brass and china, medicinal herbs, plants and a range of essential oils, but the star of the show is certainly his little dog Charlie, who attracted a lot of attention from passers by who wanted to say hello.

ROVING CANAL TRADERS

Lock keepers and traders enjoy a chat in the sunshine

Mike Poole with his dog Charlie Photo: Noel Bennett Photography

Jan Vallance

June/July 2015 39

On your marks...

RACE FOR LIFE

T

his July, fundraisers from across the area will be donning their trainers to run, walk, hop or even crawl their way round the grounds of Walton Priory Middle School, all in aid of Cancer Research UK. Last year the sun shone over Stone and crowds of people turned out to cheer on and take part in Race for Life, raising a staggering £3000 for Cancer Research UK. This year's event will be taking place on Sunday 5th July, and parents, staff, children and members of the local community are all invited to take part.

Participants can race at their own pace around one lap of the school grounds, before enjoying a fun filled family afternoon, with activities such as hook a

duck and beat the goalie, a raffle full of exciting prizes and refreshments on offer all day.

Entry to the event, which starts at 1pm and finishes at 3pm, is £5 for adults and £1.50 for children, and all runners will receive a medal and a goodie bag when they cross the finish line.

You can pick up an entry

form from Gill at Stone Cancer Research Shop, who has also helped to organise the event, or by calling Julie Freeman at Walton Priory School on 07934174483.

Donations to the cause are very welcome, as are items for the goody bags – so come on Stone, on your marks, get set, go!

quality and

style come together!”

“Where

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37 MILL STREET, STAFFORD, ST16 2AJ TEL: 01785 258648 1 PEPPER STREET, NEWCASTLE-U-LYME, ST5 1PR TEL: 01782 616150 40 June/July 2015

y a d r e p m a p a Win for two at a p S s r e w o T Alton Whether it's for half an hour or half a day, unwind in the luxurious Alton Towers Spa. Spoil yourself with our complete range of personalised spa treatments, from a revitalising facial to a heavenly massage or aromatic body treatment from Germaine de Capuccini. Or let our expert therapists leave you feeling pampered with one of our beauty essentials - including finishing touches from CND Shellac, Fake Bake and bareMinerals make-up.

Your chance to win!

For one lucky reader and a friend we’re offering the chance to enjoy a Summer Sizzler pamper package for free at the Alton Towers Spa! To win, all you need to do is answer the following question correctly:

In which Staffordshire village is the Alton Towers Spa located?

Bring a friend for FREE: Reader offer This summer, Stone and Eccleshall Life readers can enjoy this amazing Summer Sizzler: Bring a Friend for FREE offer at Alton Towers Spa. The offer includes: • Six hours use of the Aqua Relaxation Rooms • A Taste of Germaine facial (25 minutes) • Delicious two course lunch • Pair of Alton Towers Spa flip flops to keep • PLUS your choice of one of the following: Mediterranean Candle Glow Back Massage, Eastern Shells Back Massage or Sleepy Scalp Therapy (25 minutes).

All for only £130 per couple (usually £260!)

Email your answer to admin@timesandecho.co.uk or send a postcard complete with your address and telephone number to 18 Tape Street, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST10 1BD.

Don’t miss out! To book call 0871 702 7043* using quote code SUMMER50.

T&Cs: Competition closes Friday 3rd July. Winner will be contacted by Friday 10th July. Prize valid until 31st August 2015 and must be booked in advance. Subject to availability.

Valid 1.6.15 - 31.8.15. Booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

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www.tittensorchiropodyandpodiatry.co.uk Info@tittensorpodiatryandchiropody.co.uk 42 June/July 2015

Are you experiencing difficulty sleeping?

You are not alone. According to the NHS, one third of the population experiences insomnia, which is not surprising considering the stress, noise and fast pace of modern life.

Switching off our minds in order to gain restful sleep at night can be challenging, so here are some remedies and simple techniques to help you.

Sleep routine First of all it is important to turn off the TV, tablets, computers and mobile phones at least an hour before going to bed.

Run a warm bath and dilute 6-8 drops of pure lavender essential oil in 20ml of milk and pour the mixture into the bath, making sure that you thoroughly stir it into the water.

Relax for 20-30 minutes and listen to some soothing music.

Have a mug of warm milk or soya milk with a teaspoon of honey.

Have a notebook by the side of the bed and write down all the things that are bothering you make sure that you write them all down so that nothing is playing on your mind.

Aromatherapy oils Aromatherapy oils are very beneficial and can help aid relaxation. The most popular is lavender, which is very relaxing.

Try putting a few drops on a tissue by your pillow or dilute with carrier oil and rub on your wrists or temples (avoiding the eye area).

Clary sage is a euphoric and extremely relaxing sedative oil.

Jasmine is a great 'feel good' oil as it works very well for anxiety and stress. Always seek the advice of a qualified aromatherapist and never use the oils neat.

I make a remedy called 'Calming Essence', which contains lavender, clary sage and jasmine in a convenient, easy to use 10ml bottle, with a roller ball for easy application.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

HC GROUP a cut above the rest THE HC Group are excited to announce a fabulous new era for Eccleshall hair dressing.

Their state of the art salon at 39C High Street, Eccleshall will open on Monday 1st June 2015 bringing you the latest styles at the best prices in town.

Salon owner Janet Timmis simply cannot wait to open the doors of her salon to you all, from where you’ll be able to indulge in the latest hair treatment methods and pamper yourself with the look you’ve always wanted.

For that extra special treat, you can even complete your brand new look with a full manicure and gel polish.

Janet told Stone and Eccleshall Life:“All of our friends, both new and old, are welcome to take advantage of HC Group’s incredible introductory offer of 25% discount off the price of their first visit.

“We have a true vision of providing the very best quality, style and glamour to our highly valued customers.

“All of us at HC Group welcome you all to come along and join us at the salon on Monday 1st June to help mark the beginning of our very exciting enterprise.”

HC Hairdressing Eccleshall - the freshest in style, products and prices ready for you now!

To book your appointment please telephone 01785 859459 today to secure your reservation. Customers who present this advertisement will be entitled to a 25% discount.

What’s more, the HC Group currently have an exciting vacancy for a new senior stylist. So, if you share Janet’s passion for hair dressing and would like to join the team then please get in touch by calling 01785 859459 for more details.

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THE BEST WILL DO Come and discover your jewel in the heart of Eccleshall; and see why clients travel from London to visit the HC Group, renowned for their excellent skills and positive and friendly approach to hairdressing and life.

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Contact Janet in complete confidence; Your future starts here… email: janet.timmis@btinternet.com June/July 2015 43

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Birthstones for June: Pearl and Moonstone

W

ild pearls are the only gemstones which come to us direct from nature, perfect and complete and ready to wear. For thousands of years in many cultures of the world, pearls were symbols of great wealth, power and privilege, completely unavailable to most of the population by reason of the great cost of recovery from the ocean.

They are formed by a gland on the creature’s body which produces a form of Calcium Carbonate known as Aragonite, used to coat an intrusive irritant or simply as a response to stress or illness. Many types of sea creatures produce these beautiful items, Oysters, Mussels, the Paua, the Abalone and even the mighty Conch.

They were believed to be the tears of angels, shed for the sins of mankind and preserved in the depths of the sea by the oysters, and also believed to impart qualities of beauty, innocence and purity to the wearer.

Down through the generations, there have been many attempts to copy these beautiful jewels for ordinary people, including carved Mother of Pearl of all colours and finally glass beads coated with the rainbow crystal released by crushing fish scales.

Eventually, in the early 20th century, clever scientists in the Far East found a way to persuade a type of oyster, the “Akoya”, to produce pearls on demand, using methods of farming and culturing.

Thus Cultured Pearls became affordable and available to the general population, causing the collapse of the Middle East Wild Pearl industry.

Later in the 20th century a new form of culturing pearls from the ‘Biwa’ Fresh Water Mussel, together with different farming and culturing methods, have given us Fresh Water Pearls and opened up the amazing variety of beautiful pearls

44 June/July 2015

on offer to us today.

Pearls have a gentle shining beauty which needs special care in our modern perfumed world.

Aragonite is attacked by acids and can lose its shine if sprayed with hairspray and perfume.

Also it is absorbent and will absorb natural skin oils and body lotions, changing the colour from silvery white or light cream to dark cream and yellow. With simple care, these accidents can be avoided: Always put your pearls on AFTER the perfume and hairspray have dried.

Always wipe your pearls with a soft tissue after wearing them.

An ancient alternative birthstone for June, the Moonstone.

This lovely gemstone is a form of Feldspar which shows a floating play of blue light known as “adularescence”, within a translucent body colour ranging from near colourless, through yellow, peach and brown.

A sacred stone in ancient India and beloved of the ancient Romans, it was believed to bring good fortune. Also it was believed to have the power to restore a “lunatic” to his reason if crushed and drunk in a glass of water.

Moonstone also requires a little extra care, simply because there are many elements in our lives which are harder than this gemstone and will scratch and abrade the surface. Two simple rules: Rings and bracelets should be removed for heavy work such as gardening and bricklaying.

Wear rubber gloves for house work, not only is this better for your hands but will also avoid damage to your Moonstones.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

ONE 2 ONE TRAINING TRYREE BODY TRANSFORMATION OURSFTER TA SION NUTRITION SUPPORT SES Join our wellbeing family where you can lose fat, get fit and have fun through a personal training service in a small, community group environment.

A new you is just a call away 0845 686 0444 www.academy4wellbeing.com

W E L L B E I N G PA R K • YA R N F I E L D • N E A R S TO N E 46 June/July 2015

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Look great for Summer With Summer upon us we all want to look and feel our best.

Have you hit a plateau with your fat loss or fitness levels? Are you intimidated or bored of gyms?

Do you need extra motivation and help to achieve your goals?

Here are some reasons why the Academy4Wellbeing may be just what you’re looking for...

your r k o Bo E taste FRE sion or n ses ultatio s Con OW! N

• Proven sustainable fat loss and fitness results.

• No quick fixes or yo-yo dieting.

• Help to eat mindfully and enjoy food.

• Train smarter and harder.

• Have fun and meet friends.

• Amazing indoor and outdoor training facilities.

• Highly qualified and eminent sport, health and exercise sciences team.

• Body composition analysis and nutrition support.

• No long contracts. Work month to month.

• Tailored Bootcamp and One2One packages, personal to YOUR fitness levels, budget and time commitments.

What a success story for Phil!

Phil Latham tentatively came to try a FREE taster Bootcamp class in January 2015. It was a recommendation from a friend who had already got amazing results with Daniel at the Academy4Wellbeing.

He was worried about his health after seeing his lifestyle nurse who told him he had high total cholesterol at 6.6 and was overfat at 220lbs especially around his mid section.

BEFORE

AFTER

Like everyone, initially he had a little trepidation and worry about what to expect - would he fit in and keep up with the rest of the group at the bootcamps. So a plan was put into place of one session a week. Phil soon realised that “Daniel was brilliant at tailoring exercise to my needs and was so caring and supportive - he made sessions so much fun.” In five months Phil has now lost over three stone, and kept it off! With a loss of over 6% body fat and increased muscle mass, Phil now has a faster metabolism meaning he finds it much easier to keep weight off. His total cholesterol is now down to 4.5 and his lifestyle nurse can’t quite believe how he has managed to do it.

He is happier and less self conscious and now exercises three times a week with the Academy4Wellbeing. His story is so typical of many of our clients.

Why not come and try a FREE taster session and you may be our next success story.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us now and start your journey to a healthier you!

0845 686 0444 www.academy4wellbeing.com daniel@academy4wellbeing.com June/July 2015 47

Find your gardening inspiration HOMES AND GARDENS

H

omes in the picturesque floral market town of Eccleshall will be opening their garden gates to the public this June.

On the 13th and 14th of the month, Eccleshall Open Gardens will see more than eight properties open up for visitors to look around.

All the featured gardens in the event, which is coordinated by The Ecclian Society, will be in the centre of the town and in easy walking distance of each other.

Visitors are advised to pick up a programme from outside the High Street's library beforehand, to read a description of each garden and discover their locations.

Home made teas and lunch time soups will be available from Ashcroft, where you will also be able to sit out under a large glass canopy in the one acre garden, enjoy the stunning surroundings and purchase interesting plants.

The Open Gardens weekend is also a fabulous opportunity to visit the historic Eccleshall Holy Trinity Church, which dates back to 1086.

Programmes will be available between 9.30am and 4pm on either day, and the gardens will be welcoming guests between 10am and 4pm.

Meanwhile the Stone Gardening Club have enjoyed a superb monthly meeting at the Dorothy Clive Gardens and are looking forward to a series of interesting upcoming events.

The group explored the early spring colours of the famous gardens, followed by tea and cakes on

48 June/July 2015

the terrace of the tearoom.

The club also enjoyed a talk from Marcus Chilton-Jones, entitled 'Bugs, Beasties and Fungus.'

Meetings take place at Christchurch Centre Hall, just off Christchurch Way on the second Thursday of each month, 7.45pm.

The next meetings will be taking place on June 11th, when the group will be enjoying a Small Vegetable Garden, G&J Wagstaffe, National Vegetable Society and July 9th, when they will delight in Japanese Gardens.

HOMES AND GARDENS

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HOMES AND GARDENS

Prepare your garden for su

50 June/July 2015

HOMES AND GARDENS

summer in 3 simple steps Unpredictable as the British summertime may be, the optimist in all of us means making sure our gardens are ready to host a barbecue at the drop of a hat really is a must at this time of the year.

Here are a few simple tips to make sure that when the summer sun does decide to make an appearance, all you need to do is light up the barbie!

1. Give your garden a good clean As we move into summer, gardens can become full of debris and your footpaths and lawns will contain unwanted weeds so now is the time to get rid of them.

Get your hands dirty and use a rake and a stiff brush to clear the area. Once you have raked, you will be able to see the areas that need de-weeding.

2. Kill the weeds Weeds are every gardener’s worst nightmare. To do the job properly you need the right tool for the job. Small handled tools like trowels are perfect for dealing with most common weeds, and won’t cost much at all.

For bigger weeds with deeper roots, try using a hoe to dig up the weed and cultivate the soil before the weed gets a chance to grow.

3. Borders Gardens look better when they are well kept. A sharp

line between the lawn and the plant or flower areas enhances the look of the garden.

In order to achieve this use an edger tool or a halfmooned spade to dig shallow troughs along the length of the garden.

To keep straight lines simply attach a piece of string to wooden pegs and hammer them into the lawn. If you want to add that extra touch of class to your flowerbeds you can install permanent edging along the borderlines with timber, stone or brick.

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Soak away stress in HOMES AND GARDENS

G

entle streams of warm water are the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life.

Sinking into a hot tub promotes well-being and has health benefits including easing back pains, relaxing muscles and helping deeper sleep.

At Yarlet Bank, near Stone, Malibu Hot Tubs offers a wide range of hot tubs ideal for a range of uses - whether you’re planning to party with friends, reap the benefits of hydrotherapy - or both!

With 15 years experience, owner Franklin Hill has created a warm and welcoming showroom, displaying a range of quality hot tubs from top brands including Jacuzzi, Spa Crest, Vision and Costal.

Malibu Hot Tubs is an approved Jacuzzi Superstore and recently won Jacuzzi’s Most Innovative Showroom award.

The business has recently expanded with a

new showroom opened in Knutsford.

Both stores offer the very best in luxury living, with lifestyle home products including eco-friendly furniture from Pacific Green, garden buildings and children’s play equipment from Cedar Tree creating a homely, welcoming environment in-store - something which can be recreated at home with hot tub lodges and allweather outdoor televisions to complement your hot tub environment.

Taking pride in quality and service, Franklin explains what sets Malibu Hot Tubs apart from the competition: “Our award-winning showroom is very user-friendly and the Knutsford store is very much to the same high standard.

“We ensure everyone has a warm welcome to our showrooms, which are inviting and cosy, but with plenty of space to display our wide range of quality products.”

The addition of a hot tub to your home can

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have added health benefits.

Franklin said: “A hot tub can give you a feeling of well-being.

“The Jacuzzi hot tubs are designed to offer health benefits, offering the best, most innovative hydrotherapy systems available.”

Hot tubs can also be a fantastic place for a party - and Malibu Hot Tubs can even supply fireworks for a spectacular hot tub party showcase.

And, in addition to offering a full installation service, Malibu Hot Tubs have now teamed up with Lawn Perfection to provide a sales and installation service for artifical grass.

Whether you are looking for a surface to blend into your garden, but work in synergy with your hot tub - or simply want to guarantee a perfect lawn all year round, Lawn Perfection has a range of artifical grasses now on display at Malibu Hot Tubs.

HOMES AND GARDENS

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June/July 2015 53

HOMES AND GARDENS

Accessorise your home for summer

To add a chilled out, summer feel to your home why not try these simple and cost effective tricks to help spread a little seasonal sunshine.

Coastal accessories - Hurricane lamps instantly conjure up memories of boat holidays and seaside living. Add one to your living room for a quick coastal makeover. They make great vases or candle holders.

Feeling fruity - Create a bright display by adding colourful fruits of the season to a stylish fruit stand. This will help add the perfect summer touch to your kitchen surface or table top.

Rustic kitchenware - Make a refreshing summer statement by displaying botanicals and other accessories in rustic enamel kitchenware.

The rustic enamel alongside freshly cut flowers or candles will create a lovely, country chic look.

A seasonal display - See-through glass cubes or jars make for unique, personalised home decor accents. Create seasonal displays by using them to display accessories, collectibles and keepsakes such as seashells or beach pebbles.

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June/July 2015 55

COMMUNITY DEFIBRILLATOR

Staff and villagers team up to fund life-saving equipment

S

taff at a village inn have teamed up with their local community to fund a life-saving defibrillator for Sandon.

The team at the Dog and Doublet Inn joined forces with regulars in the village of Sandon to raise enough cash to fund the equipment, which will be available for use by the whole community in an emergency.

Part of The Lewis Partnership, a company training course, inspired the team at The Dog and Doublet to source a defibrillator for the village.

Marianne Conheeney, Operations Manager at the Inn explained: “It was quite a few months ago when some of the team attended a first aid course provided by The Lewis Partnership as part of an ongoing training programme.

“Everyone on the course was inspired by a demonstration of a defibrillator and we all felt this was something we should try to offer to the communities in which we work.

The Dog & Doublet joined forces with local company AED donate to set up a crowdfunder campaign to assist in the fundraising “At The Dog and Doublet we held a raffle

56 June/July 2015

offering meals for four people as prizes and raised £200 towards the cost of the kit.

“The defibrillator will be located in a position to ensure it is kept safe but also available for anyone who needs it in an emergency.

“We provide accommodation at The Dog and Doublet, so the defibrillator is definitely an asset to us as our first aiders will have it on hand if one of our guests should ever need it.”

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be used by anyone in an emergency as it uses measurement of heart rhythms to detect whether a shock needs to be applied and instructions are easy to follow.

In the case of a cardiac arrest, using the AED within three minutes increases survival rates by 70 per cent.

Marianne added:“Sandon is a lovely, close-knit community and we are very much a part of that.

“We like to get involved locally and the defibrillator is certainly something we wanted to offer the local community, as it is reassuring to know that this life-saving piece of equipment is nearby and accessible to villagers and visitors alike."

Rediscovering the joy of walks

STAFFORD BOROUGH WALKING FESTIVAL

5000 local people put on their walking shoes in May to celebrate the joys of getting out and about in the fresh Staffordshire air.

The week long Stafford Borough Walking Festival, which ran from Saturday 2nd May to Sunday 10th May, was once again a huge success and despite the cold, drizzly Great British weather, thousands of people took up the opportunity to rediscover our great outdoors.

This year the festival, which was organised

by Stafford Borough Council along with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Trentham Monkey Forest and Trentham Estate, coincided with two national walking events - the 80th Anniversary of the Ramblers and the Living Streets Walking Month.

Around Stone and Eccleshall there were plenty of free events on offer, including Hixon

Bluebells - a quintessential Spring tour of the local bluebell woods, a guided walk to Shallowford House, a self guided tour of the Sugnall Walled Gardens and a special Stone walk taking in the beauty of the town canals.

These events ran alongside an exciting family treasure hunt in nearby Stafford town centre and picnics at the Trentham Monkey Forest, as well as several quirky walks.

These included a fairy and pixie walk in Victoria Park, where children dressed up and looked for hidden fairies, nursery children at Stafford castle hunting for gold coins, and the Stafford ghost walk.

Art exhibition offers creative tips

T

o grab your chance to buy a unique piece of design this June, why not head down to Oulton Watercolour Society's art exhibition, taking place on Saturday, 6th June.

Entrance is free and Oulton Village Hall's doors will open at 10am and will close at 4.30pm.

All the pictures exhibited are for sale, along with hand crafted cards, there will be refreshments and a raffle and club members will be giving demonstrations and answering questions relating to the paintings and painting classes.

A spokesperson for the group told the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines: “The object of the

exhibition is to not only to showcase our work but to enable us to raise funds to cover the rising costs of hiring Oulton Village Hall, our weekly classes and annual exhibitions.

“We have been told by a number of visitors that attend our exhibitions that we should call the group 'The Friendly Water Colour Society' as we all get along so well with each other!

“We are always on the lookout for new members, whether they be experienced or complete novices.”

The cost to join the club is £40 per term and meetings take place on Thursday evenings – everyone is welcome!

June/July 2015 57

20 is plenty for Bishop Lonsdale CLASS CHAT

S

afety savvy Eccleshall youngsters have been learning how to stay out of danger on the local roads.

Bishop Lonsdale Primary School is proudly taking part in '20 is Plenty' - a high profile Staffordshire County Council campaign to help keep local school children safe.

The 199 pupils at the school, all aged between three and eleven, will benefit from the scheme, which has seen huge success in the county over the last five years.

It encourages drivers to reduce their speed to a maximum of 20mph outside schools during the busy periods when pupils arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon.

Deputy headteacher Clare Hill told the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines that their involvement in the campaign has sparked a special set of exciting lessons for the youngsters, all aimed at making sure that pupils understand the importance of staying safe on the roads.

“Road safety is incredibly important to us,” she explained. “The school is situated just past a blind bend, the road has high hedges and drivers

58 June/July 2015

unfamiliar with the area do not know we are just around the corner.

“Traffic approaches far too quickly, but fortunately we have only ever had near misses.

“To compliment the 20 is Plenty scheme, the Fire Service have been into the school to talk to the children about the importance of seatbelts and bike helmets, we've had bikeability lessons, and there has been plenty of support from local police, who check for speeding and safe parking at drop off and pick up times.

“We have also put bright '20 is plenty' stickers into the kids' reading diaries, to remind parents to slow down around schools.

“The children have really taken it all on board, they all live in and around Eccleshall and use the local roads so they're pleased to learn how to stay safe when out and about.”

Speed Indication Devices (SIDs) which display the speed of a vehicle as it passes by are used to urge drivers to slow down.

The 20 is Plenty signs have now been positioned just before the bad bend outside Bishop Lonsdale, helping to increase safety for the school children.

CLASS CHAT

June/July 2015 59

Market volatility is a fact of life

INVESTMENT MATTERS

O

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

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

Short term volatility is not something that should concern most investors for several reasons; not least of which is that losses and gains are only notional until the investment has been actually realised. For most people, having to wait a little longer than hoped for to get a better return is likely to be no more than an inconvenience. Only those with a fixed date on which money has to be accessed (such as an impending retirement date) are likely to be affected and they can manage the situation by moving money gradually into less volatile assets.

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

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

Stuart D Bryant is a fee-based Certified Financial Planner, specialising in personal lifestyle planning and investment planning.

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

Tel: (01782) 712233

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

60 June/July 2015

Two local charities receive a Onlyofuse qualified share £7,500 fundraising pot

LEGAL MATTERS Legal Matters

professionals for wills G and probate

rindeys Community, which is the charity initiative of Grindeys Solicitors, has organised thigh throbbing cycle rides, boozy beer tours and lavish ladies nights all to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and the Peter Pan Nursery (Children with Special Needs).

Each year the staff at Grindeys choose some local charities and then commit to raise as much money and support the charities in any way they can. This PEOPLE are often surprised to find anyone year’s fundraising target was £6,000 andthat so the can set in business providing will writing and team are up delighted to report that they have exceeded probate services -with even if total they have no their own expectations a final of £7,531.97. qualifications and no insurance toscheme protectthey their Through the DMH ‘Bag It Bring It’ clients something have alsoifdonated a totalgoes of 93wrong. bags full of unwanted hasinled thousands casesacross of people being itemsThis to sell thetoDMH retailof shops the city. overcharged, or havingyear willsGrindeys drawn up that are not For the forthcoming have once legallychosen watertight. again to support the Dougie Mac plus two Services Board (LSB) conducted other The local,Legal well deserving charities Animal Lifelinean extensive investigation intoand theWellbeing. problem and has and Changes Mental Health They have kicked fundraising recommended thatoff this will year’s writing and estate activity with a creative baking The administration servicescake should face contest. strict regulation to challenge to createfrom a Madsloppy Hatter themed cake or protect was consumers and fraudulent savoury snack (pictured). The entries were judged by practitioners. representatives the charities andwill then the and The LSB from proposals would see writing cakes were sold to the 200 strong“reserved team at Grindeys administration services become activities”.

Solicitors.

This means they will be regulated in the same way as The other committee are now such busy as planning the many legal services conveyancing and fundraising litigation. events* for the forthcoming charity year (1st April 2015 – 31st March 2016)by and ideas who, in The move has been welcomed solicitors include race night, an ‘It’s Knockout contrasta to other will and writers, haveato be highly qualified and abide by a strict code imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The Law Society is backing the LSB proposals on regulation but has also decided to set up its own accreditation scheme for will writing and probate services to give consumers extra confidence.

Society chief executive Des Hudson said “such a scheme can demonstrate that skills, quality assurance and appropriate service standards” are being met by accredited providers.

Competition’ alongside the regular dress down days and ‘bring a bag to work’ scheme.

It is four years since Grindeys Community was formed and in that time it has raised in excess of £20,000 for local charities. Janine Webb, a Mr Hudson said Committee that solicitors offered “greater Grindeys Community member levels of competence” as appetite well as at“an in-depth commented, “There is a huge Grindeys to understanding what can be complexour area and a engage with theofcommunity anda support local professional commitment to acting solely in the charities.

Each year the fundraising ideas getinterests more of our clients”. adventurous and creative and with the plans we It’s2015 hoped that tostricter regulation and the have for we hope smash last year’s target.” accreditation scheme will be introduced next year.

In are the interested meantime in if you would to about learn more *If you finding outlike more about writing a Will, Grindeys hosting a free Grindeys Community and theare fundraising listseminar please email be added on thecommunity@grindeys.com 14th November at the Stone to House Hotel,onto Stone. the list.

Formailing more information visit www.grindeys.co.uk/newsT: 01782 846 441 Julie Snow on 01782 840 205 to and-events or contact E: info@grindeys.com reserve your free place.

W:www.grindeys.co.uk

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WRITING YOUR WILL JOIN GRINDEYS AT THEIR FREE SEMINAR ON THE 14th NOVEMBER AT THE STONE HOUSE HOTEL. For more information visit www.grindeys.co.uk/news-and-events October/November 2012 61 45 June/July 2015

Stone detective turns crime writer LOCAL AUTHOR

I

nspired by real life events, a former Stone detective has now turned his hand to crime writing, penning gripping novels based in and around the town.

Following his retirement from the police force in 1993, 65 year old John Pye's thoughts quickly turned to accomplishing a long held ambition of his; to write a book.

Two of his novels, Field of Lies and Cathedral of Lies, are currently available to read on Kindle, through Amazon, and both are set in a rather familiar location – Stone.

John, who lives in Newcastle with his wife Gladys, spoke to the Stone and Eccleshall Life magazines about his work. “I’ve always been interested in writing, but of course while I was working there was never much time. Now I've retired, I have completed four books, but crime thrillers like Field of Lies and Cathedral of Lies are the type of work I really enjoy.

“Both stories seem to be going down very well with readers.

“A huge amount of work goes into writing a novel. My first, Cathedral of Lies, took me five years and evolved from an unusual idea into a complex tale of murder mystery and corruption, for which I also took inspiration from a genuine unsolved crime going back decades.”

It's certainly no surprise he found his inspiration from his long and successful career.

John continued: “I joined Staffordshire Police in 1967 as a cadet. I served as a PC in Stoke, did

several years in the drugs squad and was eventually transferred to Stone CID as a Detective Sergeant, where I was involved with several high profile investigations, including numerous murder cases.

“I was promoted to Detective Inspector before I retired, so I have had plenty of experience to draw on for the books.”

In both narratives, the town's name has been slightly changed, to 'Little Stoneleigh,' but John says the setting is very much Stone.

In fact, real life places are visited in both stories; observant readers will be able to spot Granville’s, Stone Police Station and other notable locations, some of which have undergone subtle name changes.

The story is also to some degree inspired by some real life events here in Staffordshire, experienced by John himself during his career.

He said: “There are numerous characters, some are lovable whilst others are most definitely not and there’s a mixture of both good and bad cops - as there were in real life.”

His artwork for his newest book, Field of Lies, was created by John's artist friend Mark O’Leary.

The story, the second in a series following the work of DI Doug Taylor, sees the detective attempt to unravel a growing mystery surrounding the supposed suicide of a local man, when Detective Constable Geoff Deakin raises the alarm that all is not what it seems.

So are there any plans for a third in the series?

“Well a lot of people who had read Field of Lies have already been shouting at me through Facebook to do another,” John said. “I would love to receive a phone call one day soon, from one of the big publishing houses showing an interest in my books. Some thoughts for a third novel have already come to mind....but don’t tell the wife!”

Both Field of Lies and Cathedral of Lies are available to buy on Amazon for just £1.99.

62 June/July 2015

Stone and Eccleshall Life Magazines

Motoring Guide

June/July 2015 63

MOTORING

64 June/July 2015

MOTORING

Less metal, more fun with Aygo’s x-wave open top option

H

ow do you make driving a Toyota Aygo even more fun? One sure-fire way is to provide some classic open-top enjoyment with a new retractable x-wave canvas roof.

Looking ahead to longer, warmer days, Toyota has launched the x-wave as an option on the fivedoor Aygo x-pression model. Finished in black, the roof is factory fitted and is full length, ensuring that anyone travelling in the rear seats also gets to enjoy some of the wind-in-the-hair experience.

The roof is electrically operated, using a simple switch next to the map light control in the headlining.

Specifying the x-wave adds even more appeal to the Aygo x-pression, which also features 15inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, the x-touch multimedia system with DAB and Bluetooth, reversing camera and air conditioning.

Gloss black elements in the bodywork and the cabin help the small car make a big style statement, contrasting with White Flash, Electro Grey, Silver Splash, Red Pop and Deep Blue Buzz paint options.

The x-wave roof, price ÂŁ895 (including VAT), can also be ordered together with the x-tra convenience pack, and with all other options and customisation features available for x-pression, apart from the roof decals.

June/July 2015 65

Dynamic design with top quality technology MOTORING

B

lending Mazda's striking 'KODO-Soul of Motion' design philosophy with its unique SKYACTIV technology, the all-new Mazda2 features the signature 'wing' front grille and predatory headlamp styling that form the latest Mazda family ‘look’, together with a dynamic, muscular, cab-rearward design, which incorporates a longer wheelbase to maximise interior space.

Powered by Mazda's 1.5-litre 90ps SKYACTIV G petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the special Sports Launch Edition model is generously equipped. Outside, there are 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing front wipers, rear parking sensors and free-of-charge Metallic/Mica/Pearlescent paint in a choice of four colours. Inside, it comes with the MZD Connect system featuring a 7-inch colour touchscreen, a rotary Multimedia Commander, DAB radio and a satellite navigation system.

Across the range, the all-new Mazda2 sets new standards in the B-segment for infotainment, incar connectivity, specification levels and available safety technology - including, from 90ps SE-L

66 June/July 2015

petrol and 105ps SE-L diesel models - lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), which automatically applies the brakes if the system detects an imminent frontal impact. Additionally, the optional Active Driving Display with head-up technology, which is available as part of the safety pack on 115ps Sport Nav, projects the most important real-time driving data directly into the driver's forward field of view.

Depending on model, available equipment includes: smart keyless entry, climate control airconditioning, a 7-inch colour touch-screen, a rotary Multimedia Commander infotainment control, MZD Connect, DAB radio (for the first time in Mazda2), and a satellite navigation system with three years of free map updates.

Customers can select their all-new Mazda2 from five regular grades – SE, SE-L, SE-L Nav, Sport and Sport Nav – or choose the Sports Launch Edition while limited stocks last. On-theroad prices range from £11,995 to £17,395 over the 16-model line-up that features four 90ps petrol models with a six-speed automatic transmission.