Trade Locally Issue 81

Local Business Classified

Alarms, Aerials, Sat,CCTV& Security

Cam-Tec

Blythe Bridge 01782 396619 18

Deks Aerials Blythe Bridge 01782 396511 36

Homeguard Intruder Alarms SOT 01782 397589 13

Attractions & Events

Trentham Gardens Trentham 01782 646646

World of Wedgwood Barlaston 01782 282986

Blythe Bridge Historical Society Blythe Bridge 28 & 29

Building Trades & Allied Services

Allsop Construction Ltd Tean 01538 724773 43

Bliss Bathrooms SOT 01782 626108 7

DJZ - Drives, Fencing,Building Blythe Bridge 01782 393848 14

Dan Heat - Plumbing & Heating SOT 01782 398833 7

Hartley Skip Hire Cheadle 01538 753640 9

Jones & Shuffs Longton 01782 599567 47

LF Home Improvements SOT 01782 692370 27

Magg Group Home Services Penkridge 01785 711088 8

Meir Heath Digger Hire Meir Heath 07368282063 9

PM Driveways Ltd SOT 01782 478354 17

Pegasus Property Meir Park 07970790747 37

Prime Groundworks Ltd Tean 07867277811 13

Russells

Derbyshire 01335 330399 16

S.W. Clarke - Electrician Blythe Bridge 07725415934 26

Unifix Staffordshire 07444884527 23

Car Sales & Servicing

DC Vehicle Repairs Weston Coyney 01782 476785 58

Smart Auto Fix SOT 07973313057 57

Caravan & Camping Sites

Sunny Side Touring Park Cheshire 10270 812520 52

Care Services

Home Care Assist SOT 01782 405096 35

Carpets & Soft Furnishings

Ian Sunderland Carpets & Flooring SOT 07932 668745 25

Cemetery`s & Memorial Gardens

Garden of Remembrance

Longton 01782 326083 54

Charities

Katherine House Hospice Donna Louise 01782 654440

Douglas Macmillan Hospice

Blurton 01782 344300 34

Chimney Sweeps

Swept Away SOT 07368231054 9

Cleaning Services

Stainbusters Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 07961 488893 39

Curtains & Blinds

Chantelle Blinds Longton 01782 599529 36

Hillarys - Stoke SOT 07949024406 38

Domestic Appliances/ Repairs

Merv Bennett - Domestic Appliance Service Blythe Bridge: 01782 394887 18

Paul Morton Forsbrook 07970541642 38

Digger Hire

Meir Heath Digger Hire Meir Heath: 07368282063 9

Drives/Patios/Paving

PM driveways Ltd SOT 01782 478354 17

Prime Groundworks Ltd Tean 07867277811 13

Electrical Goods & Services

Hylands Stone, 01785 812019 HylandsLongton, 01782 342609 60

Estate Agents

Keys Estate Agents Blythe Bridge 01782 399911 24

Fishery

Coole Acres Fishery & Leisure Park Nantwich 07899735052 53

Food & Drink

Denstone Hall Denstone 01889 590050

Funeral Directors

Harry Dawson Longton 01782 313428

Garage Doors

Garolla Roller Shutter Doors SOT 01782 365221 55

Press & Pass - Garage Doors Stone 08000219719 57

Gardening

Ashwood Timber Products Longton 01782 599180 15

C & D Tree Services SOT 07970241085 22

Clee Brothers & Son SOT 01782 970805 22 DB Garden Services SOT 07597589469 17

Draycott Nurseries Draycott 01782 405355 3

Greenthumb

Lawn Treatment Services SOT 01782 824549 19

Lee`s Tree Service SOT 07578182660 11

Straightline Fencing SOT 01782 312679 11 Gas Appliances & Services Dan Heat SOT 01782 398833 7

Local Business Classified

Milward Heating SOT 07799046839 14

S.Gas Services

Blythe Bridge 01782 396297 41

Health and fitness

Total Footcare Blythe Bridge 01782 398910 49

Lawnmower Services

Shingler Mowers SOT 01782 393412

Leaflet Distribution Leaflets Ltd - Blythe Bridge 01782 392355 59

Painters & Decorators

Paul Woolridge SOT 01782 331733 36

Total Decorating SOT 07767732242 45

Pest Control

David Johnson Pest Control SOT 07831458266 18

EPS Pest Control SOT 07368231054

Pets & Accessories

Pawsome Holidays Blythe Bridge 07970 712682 51

Plumbing & Heating

Dan Heat SOT 01782 398833 7

Milward Heating SOT 07799046839 14

Plumbing Plus SOT 07749883998 42

S. Gas Plumbing

Blythe Bridge 01782 396297 41

Stoke Plumbers –SOT 01782 606682 14

W.T Hagan & Son

Hilderstone 07513 975664 13

Pubs and Resturants

Raddle Inn Hollington 01889 507278 51

Roofing

Advanced Roofing Services SOT 01782 624603 43

Homeseal Roofing SOT 01782 692860 37

LF Home Improvements SOT 01782 692370 27 Unifix Staffordshire 07444884527 23

Sales And Marketing

Leaflets Ltd Blythe Bridge 01782 392355 59

Solicitors

Bowcock &Pursaill SOT 01782 200000 42

Windows & Conservatories

Bespoke UPVC SOT 07496183393 6

City Window Services Ltd SOT 01782 256255 12

Cloudy2Clear Windows SOT 07494549507 26

Window Wizard Window & Door Repairs SOT 01782 768982 21

GARDENING

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Many years ago, I drove from Las Vegas across Death Valley to Los Angeles and then on to San Diego. Not only was this a very formative trip (for non-horticultural reasons!) but it also made me realise how very differently people ‘garden’ in other parts of the world. There were no frilly Delphiniums or flouncy Phloxes for these sun-hardened back yards – instead they were full of spiky succulents and silver leafed plants, many of which were native to the area but certainly very alien to me at the time.

Little did I know that this road trip across one of the world’s most arid regions would provide a great reference to me in later years when it came to re-thinking how we can adapt our gardening methods to reflect a changing climate. If we consider that the big four threats in California back then are now reflected in the UK’s droughts, mega floods, wildfires and big freezes, I would say that the time has come to evolve our methods and look at new ways to enjoy our outside spaces. We can no longer struggle on with a puritanical style of English garden which is becoming increasingly hard to create and maintain.

The biggest problem we are currently facing, which undoubtedly will become a more serious issue in the future, is maintaining a regular water supply. Using hosepipes and irrigation systems to keep lawns and flower beds looking tip top will be either too expensive to be practical or simply illegal, so we need to garden in a more “xeri-friendly” way. Xeriscaping is all about managing our gardens and landscapes in a water wise manner and is rightly considered to be one of gardening’s hottest topics right now – particularly among some of the UK’s most significant landowners such as The National Trust. Colourful bedding schemes are now being replaced with less colourful plantings including lavender, grasses, sedums and verbena – all lovely plants that are beneficial to wildlife and which need little or no maintenance.

However, the greatest threat will be to that mainstay of the English garden, the lawn. These water-guzzling green carpets have been our pride and joy for centuries, but because of their high water (and often chemical) requirements and especially their lack of biodiversity, they are now

justifiably under pressure from environmentalists and wildlife groups. Unless you have an unmetered water supply or are canny enough to harvest your own, sprinklers are now an expensive luxury – the alternative is to live with a brown and lifeless carpet for the summer months. Replacing your lawn with a Californian-style eco-friendly wild meadow or a heavily mulched planting zone will save you lots of angst and stress and help to save the planet to boot!

A quick and easy fix would be to plant things which will both survive and thrive in the new extreme conditions we are experiencing. I shudder to think of the number of plants that I have had to condemn to the compost heap this year because they couldn’t cope with the hot dry conditions. As a horticultural professional this hurts because I should have known better, so I sympathise with anyone attempting to read conflicting plant labels which seem to be designed to confuse. For instance, how on earth do you provide a moist but well-drained site? It drives me potty! Where is the drought-resistant plant section in garden centres?

If you want my personal recommendation for a beautiful plant that is also drought resistant, look no further than Origanum ‘Kent Beauty.’ I’ve grown this for many years, and everyone comments on its charming hop-like flowers and grey green foliage, ideally flopping over the edge of a raised bed or planter. If you plant it with a few other little gems such as Agastache, Linaria, Lavender and Sedums then you will have yourself a ‘very xeri’ display that won’t frazzle as soon as a touch of California comes to the UK.

SIGNS OF FLEA INFESTATION

DAVE JOHNSON AT BORDER PEST SOLUTIONS

Itching red spots on the lower parts of the body? Could be signs of a flea infestation

There have been around 1,400 species of fleas identified to date, up to 60 of which can be found in the UK. Ctenocephalides Felis, better known as the cat flea, is cosmopolitan in nature and established widely throughout this country.

It is this species which is most troublesome to property occupiers.

Despite its name, it is also commonly found on dogs. The female can lay up to 1,000 eggs in her lifetime which can hatch in just a few days. Pupae can delay emergence for up to several months until environmental conditions facilitate their survival, larvae can be fully grown within three weeks.

The cat flea can cause a highly irritating bite to some humans. Control of their infestations necessitates treatment from a number of angles simultaneously. Heavily infested premises can require multiple applications before dominance can be achieved.

Late summer, early autumn is usually peak season for fleas.

For treatment and advice on flea control, contact Dave at Border Pest Solutions on 07831 458266

HOME IMPROVEMENTS HOME LIBRARIES

Do you have a nook, a cranny or a boxroom that is too small to use as a regular room? Why not turn it into a home library. Most households accumulate books over the years, whether they are textbooks, holiday reads or gifts. Normally they are jammed randomly onto shelves, stacked on flat surfaces or just piled up in corners. It is much better to have one place to put them all on display so you can find them when you need them and cut down on clutter in the rest of the house. Bookshelves also make an attractive decorative feature in their own right and many people love to read as a leisure pastime.

Books tend to come in a generic range of sizes so that you normally only need two different shelf heights to accommodate your entire collection. The easiest and cheapest way to install shelving is to buy flatpack shelving units from one of the big furniture retailers. They are available in a range of sizes and finishes and most have adjustable shelving. They can

also be positioned side by side or even stacked on top of each other. Another low cost option is to get in a joiner to build shelving using cheaper material like MDF or marine ply which can then be painted. At the top end of the scale there are firms that will build a bespoke library using hardwood timber and a skilled cabinet maker.

If there is space, include some other furniture in your library, perhaps a comfortable armchair for browsing through your books or a desk for working. Some people combine their library with another room such as a dining room or a study. For those lucky enough to have a double height room, the entire height can be utilised using a sliding ladder or even a gallery –your library will enhance the character of the room.

If you don’t have a room to convert into a library, a wall in a living room will work just as well. Make the most of your books.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLISH ORANGERY

The original orangeries were rather grand must-have accessories to Victorian country homes. A single floor extension, although it might have a double height ceiling, it had more windows than you would usually expect and, most importantly, a glass roof. The idea was that the insulation and heating of a normal room combined with all that sunlight flooding through the ceiling made it possible to grow your very own orange tree.

Today, the orangery is making a comeback, even though you can just buy your oranges from the supermarket. The walls can be constructed from stone or brick to match the rest of the house, although oak frame structures are becoming increasingly popular. Rather than constructing a bespoke glass roof, it’s usual to build skylights into a flat roof, either a large central one or several units. Skylights are available in a wide range of standard sizes which reduces construction costs considerably. In an ideal world, the orangery should be built on a south facing side of the property so that it gets the sunlight all year round. Building on the north facing

side rather defeats the object. Even though using standard size skylights saves money, an orangery tends to cost more to build than a conventional extension because of all the extra glazing. For this reason, they are best employed as rooms that get a lot of use – kitchen dining rooms and open plan living spaces are very popular.

With the light and airiness of a conservatory but none of the disadvantages, orangeries can make truly stunning rooms both inside and out and, because they are effectively a single storey extension, it is relatively easy to get planning permission. Many home-improvement firms that offer windows and conservatories now offer orangeries too, and there are contractors that specialise in building them. However, the most cost-effective option may be to use a regular builder.

Thanks to global warming, it is now possible to grow orange trees outside in England. Even so, building an orangery is one of the best ways to enhance your home.

A HOUSE IN GROSS DISORDER;

1800 TO 1833 (PART30)

The war with France was declared won, and the little General Napoleon was imprisoned on the Isle of Elba in the Mediterranean. Little did people across the country realise that he would rise, yet again to threaten the peace of Europe and Waterloo was yet to be fought.

Although a great sigh of relief was being heard across the country declaring victory, accompanied by much celebration, the reality was but an ‘Armistice’.

It did not extend however to the big House in Dilhorne, for the hostilities between the master Sir Francis Buller Yarde and his recorded amiable wife Elizabeth Lydia (Holliday) had reached its ultimate and final conclusion.

Sir Francis was born in September 1767, the second son of his namesake and father the 1st Baron of Lupton House in Devon. After an education at Winchester College and Corpus Christi College in Oxford, he became the Member of Parliament for Totnes in 1790, at the age of only 22. With only 34 voters within the Borough of the town it was pretty much a done deal and typical of the century when you could buy your way to power.

In the following year in June, (possibly through arrangement) he met and married the only daughter and heir of John Holliday the master of the Dilhorne Estate. Their first child Susan Elizabeth was born in Devon in 1793, whilst Francis Buller was commuting between

his home and representing his constituency in London until 1796.

She must have led a somewhat lonely existence until 1797, when a short line in the Derby Mercury newspaper reports that she gave birth to a son (also named Francis Jnr.) in Dilhorne.

At what point the family chose to move north is uncertain, but it is recorded that her own father was spending far more time than usual in London just prior to his death in 1801.

Thus, we can logically assume they both came to live locally after her husband had ‘retired’ from politics.

During his time in office, Francis is chronicled as being an extremely quiet MP, contributing very little towards policy making and led a somewhat undistinguished time in office throughout the six years he was there. His name however does appear during an Old Baily trial of a David Watkins and James Reene, which involved extortion of 19 guineas from the MP, claiming to profit from a ‘detestable crime!’ committed by the Honourable Member.

With the death of his elder brother in 1782, and then his own father in 1800, being followed shortly afterwards by his father-in-law, he was elevated to the position of the 2nd Baron Lupton and the owner of large estates both in Devon and Dilhorne within a year.

Why the family chose to commute and live in a provincial outdated home, rather than in

the fashionable and elegant Lupton House near Brixham in Devon is difficult to explain, but they did.

Several other children followed, their third child John in 1799 being born in Dilhorne, another son Edward born in Devon in 1800 and finally a daughter Elizabeth in 1802, also in Devon. Whether the marriage was successful or not cannot really be determined. For certain, they did become one of the most influential families in north Staffordshire with the death of John Holliday in 1801. The calm of further children being born to the ‘proud’ parents however was broken yet again with another court case of a similar nature to that previously described, only involving £500 this time.

Concerning a certain Robert Harris at Exeter in 1802, the report can be found in the ‘Bells Weekly Messenger’ which describes the now Sir Francis Buller Yarde brought the case before the magistrates himself, stating a case of blackmail against the defendant. Clearing Buller Yarde’s name on this occasion of ‘infamous crimes’, Harris was found guilty and subsequently transported to Australia for 7 years.

It is clear that a growing rift between the couple must have developed, and intensified over the following decade which resulted in a complete and final breakdown in their marriage. It can only be deduced from logical conjecture what the cause was, but by the year 1813

Francis had separated from his wife and went to live on the Isle of Man.

Almost an exile, Francis assumed the name ‘Butler’ and his next appearance in the historical record follows his arrest in 1817. The allegations once again repeated his predilection for ‘unnatural acts’, as chronicled in the Liverpool Echo, only this time the charges also included his involvement and incitement to commit murder.

The penultimate chapter of this sad tale begins in the early spring of 1817, when a handsome young man called Anthony Simmons, who had travelled to see his sister and brother-in-law Robert Grierson on the Isle of Man. Grierson was by occupation a ‘druggist’ (Pharmacist) and reported surgeon, who through his work was acquainted with ‘Mr’ Francis Butler.

In April of that year, Butler (Buller) had invited young Simmons for a meal after which he never returned home until extremely late the next morning. Mrs Grierson complained about his conduct to her husband who remonstrated about this and subsequent similar event directly with ‘Butler’.

It appears Simmons left the Grierson household and returned to ‘Butler’s’ home where he stayed and was provided with lodging, food and clothes to the best that money could buy.

The Grierson family were outraged by the local gossip and potential scandal such an intimate relationship would have upon them all. Unbeknown to them the allegation that followed

suggested that ‘Butler’ had given a brace of pistols to the young man suggesting that it must be ended with the death of Robert.

So, it was on the 19th April, Mr Grierson was shot twice by his young brother-in-law Simmons, both in the arm and stomach whilst the former walked from his workplace. Yet he did not die.

The investigation that followed led by the High Bailiff of the island, uncovered a circle of conspiracy that included Butler, Simmons, a *Rev Godfrey Gilbert Cooper a native of Devon, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, a coffee house keeper Henry Roberts alias Hargreaves from Huddersfield, Alex Robinson a waiter aged 17 who worked for Roberts, and Richard Rimmer, an orphan aged but 13 who worked as a servant boy at the tavern.

They were all incarcerated within the town gaol at Castle Rushen. (Belfast Commercial Chronicle 3rd May 1817).

* b.1770; ed Clare Coll Cambridge BA 1801; Ordained Norwich 1802; MA 1805; Priest 1803-09 Bodiam Sussex; Ewhurst 1803-1824;

Married Elizabeth Pocklington Winthorpe Notts in 1804.

There is a postscript to this case, for Grierson after surviving the attack on his person, had not forgotten the events. Two years later he appeared in court for threatening the life of Sir Francis’ oldest daughter Susan, now the Countess of Morton by sending her two letters. This well documented and nationally reported case (Carlisle Patriot 23rd Jan 1819) also involved extortion, blackmail and with a

threat of assassination plus the intent to provide all the details pursuant to the scandal to the press.

With the musket balls still lodged within his body he stated that the Buller family owed him a debt for injury against her father which he had caused to him and his family.

He was bound over after being held at Clerkenwell gaol for £200 to keep the peace.

*****

So, what happened to Sir Francis Buller, 2nd Baron Lupton, and Master of Dilhorne?

Well, he escaped any form of punishment, fled the Isle of Man and lived in Calais, France for the remainder of his life until 1833 where he breathed his last.

Unreported rumour is that he did not change his lifestyle even to the end.

Portrait of a young man attributed to the famous artist George Romney, who is known to have painted Francis Buller around 1790 aged 22. It took him four years to complete the work alongside a similar one of his wife Eliza. Both works were reported lost during the 20th century.

A fusion of different dance styles, Ceroc is easy to learn, with different classes aimed towards a range of different ability levels – from nervous first timers to dance floor masters. There is no complicated footwork to worry about, and by the end of your first class you will be able to dance a routine of three moves.

Whether you turn up alone, with a partner or in a group, you will get the opportunity to dance with lots of other dancers on the night.

Ceroc teachers are not only friendly, approachable and passionately dedicated to helping you to learn to dance, they also specialise in people with two left feet! Alongside them, you’ll also meet Taxi Dancers, accomplished volunteers who provide friendly help and assistance to beginners.

Ceroc DJs play a range of music to suit all tastes, from 50’s Swing, 60’s Motown, 70’s Disco and 80’s Rock through to current chart favourites, so there will always be music you enjoy. They are also open to requests so let them know your favourite track.

So, if you fancy having a go, there’s no need to book, just turn up at one of Ceroc Addiction’s venues across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands, where you will receive a very warm welcome.

For more information, call 07983 703166, email dance@cerocaddiction.com, find Ceroc Addiction on facebook or visit the national Ceroc website www.ceroc.com.

New members welcome at our local dance and fitness classes.

Monday 7pm to 8pm Dance Fitness – St Frances Church, Meir Heath

Tuesday 10.30am to 11.30am Zumba – Blythe Bridge Village Hall

Tuesday 6.30pm to 7.30pm Zumba – St Frances Church, Meir Heath

Thursday 10.30am to 11.30am Zumba – Blythe Bridge Methodist Church

For further details of any classes call Jo on 07713308667

WHAT’S ON ELITE UTTOXETER

– DARTS MASTERS

UTTOXETER RACECOURSE

Join us for the Uttoxeter Darts Masters evening on Friday 7th October 2022

Back again for 2022, come and witness World champions as they compete in a round robin competition.

Featuring: Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton, John ‘Old Stoneface’ Lowe MBE , Terry ‘The Bull’ Jenkins & Deta ‘The Heart of Darts’ Hedman

The evening will also feature a charity auction and the chance to buy sports memorabilia. VIP tickets will allow you exclusive access to the behind the scenes players' area from 6.15pm (general admission from 7.00pm) along with reserved seating. A full bar service will be available along with hot snacks so come along and see some of the legends of the sport battle it out until the winner is triumphant!

For more information please visit: Uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk

FOXFIELD RAILWAY

Autumn Classic Vehicle Rally & Steam Service

October 2 - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Join us for our ever popular Classic Vehicle Rally at Foxfield this Autumn & the big trains will be on too! Book your preferred train time and spend the rest of your visit enjoying the many classic vehicles of all types, plus the buffet, museum and more. Please note there is an additional £2 per person payable on the gate.

What could be more relaxing than a steam train ride through the Staffordshire countryside from the comfort of your own compartment? This 50 minute, return ride from Caverswall Road Station is steeped in history and full of fun.

For more details go to: foxfieldrailway.co.uk

Gandeys Circus Presents “spooktacular!”

18th till 30th October 2022

a very special (trick or) treat for halloween, gandeys circus returns once again with a brand-new actionpacked legendary halloween spooktacular big top show for all the family.

a specially selected international cast of skeletons, vampires, jack o’lanterns and not forgetting circus artistes, have been brought together for this year’s sensational extravaganza. from the thrill acts to the big production numbers gandeys are famous for, it’s all here and you will be on the edge of your seat with excitement, rolling in the aisles with laughter, and hiding under your coats from the spooky thrills.

To book go to: Trentham.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

TIDDLERS at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Meir Heath

Parent, Babies & Toddler Group 01782 393189

We invite you to come along to our Parent and Toddler group (Tiddlers), which is held on Tuesday morning (during term time) 9.30 to 11.00 am at St Francis Church, Meir Heath.

During the morning a variety of activities can take place including story, art and craft, song, actions and these will, at times, be linked to our Christian roots especially at Christmas and Easter.

STOKE ON TRENT SOUTH U3A ACTIVITY LIST AS AT 24/04/2022

Group Activity Day/Time Location

Group Leader Tel. No.

Walking Monday 10.00a.m. - Alternate Mondays Various To be agreed

IT Group Monday 10.00 - 12.00 Alternate Weeks

Joe Neilson 01782 852042

STILL SUSPENDED

Discussion Group Monday 11.30 - 12.45 - Monthly Hanley Library Bob Jones 01785 817743

Line Dancing Monday 1.00 - 3.00 - Weekly Longton Central Hall Linda Woolliscroft 07971 332348

Ukulele Group Monday 1.15 - 3.15 - Weekly Longton Central Hall Barbara Cooke 07864 353467

Indoor Bowls Monday 1.30 - 3.30pm - Weekly Longton Central Hall Dave Darby 01782 317408

Flower Arranging Monday 2.00 - 4.00 - Alternate Weeks St. Albans Centre Blurton Sandra Robson 01785 812730.

Lunch Group Tuesday - 2nd Week of Month Various Maureen Cumming 01782 331797

Local History Tuesday 10.30 - 12.15 - Alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Phil Rowley 07421 734200

Longton Allsorts Tuesday 10.30 - 12.00 - 1st Week of Month Longton Central Hall Val Greatbatch 07881 367509

Beading Tuesday 11.30 - 1.30pm Weekly Red House Joan Crozier 01782 213459 Book Club 1 Tuesday 2.00 - 3.30 - last Week of Month Longton Library Val Towey 01782 322115 Book Club 2 Tuesday 2.00 - 3.30 - 2nd Week of Month Longton Library Christine Voyle-Morgan 01538 756155

Badminton

Tuesday usually 2.00 to 3.00 Weekly Fenton Manor Dave Darby 01782 317408

Tenpin Bowling Tuesday Evenings variable dates. 7pm start. Tenpin Stoke Festival Site Michelle Tittle-Wang 01782 657564 Sewing Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 - 2nd & 4th Weeks STILL SUSPENDED Carol Davies 01782 620323

Art Lovers

Wednesday 10.00-12.00 - Alternate Weeks Blurton Community Centre Lynette Bell 01782 238712

Bridge Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 Weekly

Mexican Train Dominoes

Longton Central Hall John Anderson 07794 175481

Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00 alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Pauline Murray 01782 392817

Table Tennis Wednesday 10.00 - 11.00 alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall Fay Howell 01782 658659

Indoor Kurling Wednesday 10.00-12.00 Alternate Weeks

Outdoor Bowling Wednesday 1.30 - 3.30 pm Weekly

Photography

Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 2nd & 4th Week of Month

Scrabble/Board Games Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 2nd & 4th Week of Month

Open Craft

Longton Central Hall Val Greatbatch 07881 367509

Fenton Bowling Club Dave Darby 01782 317408

Longton Central Hall

Fran Knowles 01782 417799

Longton Central Hall Mike Smith 01782 501318

Thursday 11.30 - 1.30 2nd & 4th Week of Month Red House

Parchment Craft Thursday 11.30 - 1.30 1st & 3rd Week of Month Red House

Joan Crozier 01782 213459

Joan Crozier 01782 213459

Monthly Meeting

Last Thursday in Month 2.00 p.m.

Longton Central Hall - From June Committee Meeting Second Thursday in Month 2.00 p.m. Longton Central Hall

Arts Friday 10.00 - 12.00 - Weekly

Longton Central Hall

Jenny Jepson 07341 398109

Gardening & Nature Lovers Friday - 2nd Friday of Month

Various

Fay Howell 01782 658659 Card Craft Friday 10.00 - 12.00 - Alternate Weeks Longton Central Hall

Joy Till 01782 314703 Family History Friday 2.00 - 4.00 - Alternate Weeks Tollgate

Howell 01782 658659

658659

Lynne Stevenson 01782 395760 Allotment

Frank Siddall 07974 119922 General information ring 01782 395760 (Alan Stevenson - Membership Secretary) PLEASE RING GROUP LEADER BEFORE ATTENDING TO ENSURE GROUP IS MEETING Group Information ring 07881 367509 (Val Greatbatch - Groups' Co-ordinator)

MEDIUM SUDOKU

OPINION

TWENTY REASONS WHY NOT

There is some exciting news from the Greater People’s Republic of Western Britain, colloquially know as Wales. From next year, they are planning to lower the speed limit in a built-up area to 20mph. You can understand why; despite numerous Politburo diktats and a massive investment in speed cameras and sleeping policemen, road fatalities stubbornly remain at the same historic lows that they have been at for the last decade. The only thing that has remotely moved the needle since 2012 was locking the whole damn country down in 2020 and, even then, it didn’t move by much. Clearly, a desperate situation calls for desperate measures.

The main argument for lowering the speed limit is that it takes less distance to stop from 20mph than it does from 30mph; the AA calculates the distance at 23m from 30mph compared to 12m from the lower speed. However, this is a bit of an oversimplification. A big chunk of that distance is accounted for by the reaction time between seeing the hazard and hitting the brake pedal. For a typical teenager, assuming they aren’t uploading a video to TikTok at the same time, this is around 0.5 seconds. For the average octogenarian it is over two. You could make a much bigger difference by simply banning old people from driving. Then there’s the car, the weather conditions, the state of the car’s tyres and much more to take into account.

One more thing to think about: in most serious accidents, one of the drivers involved is usually speeding. It doesn’t matter what the speed limit is, it is how fast the car is actually going that counts.

Consider too the dismal reality of trying to drive at 20mph for any length of time. Most modern cars are designed to trundle along at 30mph in 4th gear, but at 20mph they will be in 3rd or even 2nd. This means worse fuel economy, greater carbon emissions and more wear and tear on the car – not very eco-friendly in the midst of a climate emergency. It also requires a lot of concentration to drive at 20mph, too much for most people, and what about if you enter a village from an A road; you will need to slam on the brakes like a Formula 1 driver coming into the pits. It also takes an inordinate length of time to get anywhere

at 20mph, hours of your life frittered away with nothing better to do than count the number of cyclists that overtake you.

Just think of the cost of this plan - replacing road signs, broadcasting public information films, recalibrating speed cameras, building bigger sleeping policemen… Most of all my heart goes out to the long suffering Welsh people. They already have so many crosses to bear –unintelligible place names, a surfeit of sheep, incessant rain, Mark Drakeford as First Minister (although they brought that on themselves, admittedly); even their rugby team isn’t much cop at the moment. With the cost of living crisis, many of them are already having to choose between heating their homes or eating; from next year it will be a toss-up between hypothermia and starvation or a stint in prison for non-payment of speeding fines.

I’ve been doing some research and I can inform you that France, Italy, Germany, Spain and every other European country I can think of has a speed limit of 50kmh, approximately 30mph. The same is true in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Turkey. In South Africa and Japan it is 37mph. So, there you have it; there is a global consensus that a speed limit no lower than 30mph strikes the right balance between safety and being able to get from A to B reasonably quickly. The only other country I could find with a 20mph limit was China and, let’s face it, would you really want to live in China?

There’s an old saying, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The Welsh government should take note.

BOOK REVIEW

A SLOW FIRE BURNING

BY PAULA HAWKINS

If you went into a bookshop between 2015 and 2020, the chances are that the name Paula Hawkins will ring a bell. A Slow Fire Burning is Hawkins’s third novel published under her own name, following her famous debut The Girl on the Train and her less successful follow-up effort Into the Water. Like everyone else, I loved The Girl on the Train: it had an unusual premise, an excellent plot twist and a delightfully unreliable (and often unlikeable) narrator. Unlike most critics, I also rather enjoyed Into the Water, with its witchy undertones and complex family dynamics. When I saw A Slow Fire Burning in an airport bookshop, I was really looking forward to seeing what else Hawkins had to offer.

At the start of the novel, we find ourselves in a somewhat familiar literary situation: a young man has been brutally murdered. There are plenty of suspects: Laura, who was with him the night before and is known locally for her violent temper; his aunt, Carla, who was estranged from him and his mother after a tragic incident in the past, or perhaps her ex-husband, Theo; his neighbour, Miriam, who finds the body and clearly has something to hide… It’s all typical crime fiction fare.

Hawkins’s inspiration for the story’s premise was apparently taken from a similar place to The Girl on the Train: ‘peering into people’s houseboats’ as she walked along a North London canal in lockdown. The suburban, slightly grimy setting certainly has a similar feel to that of Hawkins’s debut, but I can’t help but feel that A Slow Fire Burning lacks much of its dark edge.

Perhaps part of the problem is the constant switching between characters, none of whom are really distinct enough for us to invest in them fully. Miriam and Laura are similar enough that they’re hard to distinguish between in the opening pages. While it is clear (often irritatingly transparent) that Hawkins is trying to use them to discuss women’s differing responses to trauma, their interactions are clunky and unconvincing. Hawkins relies too heavily on crime writing tropes, but without the self-awareness of many other authors. We meet a couple recovering from the traumatic loss of a child a number of years previously, we read about an

assault on two schoolgirls in the 1980s and, most characteristically of Hawkins, we have an unreliable female protagonist. At times it feels like a game of 21st century thriller bingo.

I can tell that Hawkins was trying to say something with this novel - I’m just not quite sure what it is. It feels like the book was supposed to be a comment on the ways that different people react to trauma, but it doesn’t pack any punch, and the attempts at comparison between the three women at the centre of the novel fall flat. This is already well-trodden ground and Hawkins isn’t adding anything new. Ultimately, her greatest transgression in A Slow Fire Burning is that the twist in the tail of the plot is wholly predictable - I think I guessed it within the first 50 pages. In a thriller, you can get away with some pretty major coincidences and I usually chalk it up to poetic license – that’s why Harlan Coben still sells. I even put up with the painful extracts from a novel within the novel, a conceit that has, at least, a long tradition in crime fiction, going back to The Moonstone. Predictability, however, is unforgiveable.

A Slow Fire Burning isn’t a bad book; Paula Hawkins is a good writer and her books always go down like a smooth white wine. Perhaps she’s merely a victim of her own success – I expected something more original because I know she’s already written a brilliant thriller. This felt like just another run-of-the-mill airport book.

FITNESS

CAN YOU BALANCE ON ONE FOOT FOR 10 SECONDS?

Go on, try it… how did you do? Now close your eyes while you do it. Now put your hands on top of your head at the same time. Apparently, the ability to balance on one foot points to a longer life expectancy and is an indicator of the status of your overall health, according to a recent Brazilian study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. However, the study’s findings were not such good news if you are unable to balance for at least 10 seconds – but let’s not dwell on the negative details here; instead, let’s offer you a positive solution, because the good news is you can develop this skill. Practice those

BEAUTY

three little exercises I listed in the first paragraph on a daily basis, along with some other balance routines, to develop proprioception and brain-tomuscle memory synapses, and you will be doing yourself a world of good. It’s well worth taking the time to do these daily balance challenges because you will be improving your own health at the same time.

I have always included some form of balance work in my classes, much to the dismay of some of my clients. I continue this campaign as I know the importance of being able to balance from a practical physiological point of view.

Simply put, if you have good balance, you are less likely to suffer accidents and falls which, if they happen in later life can cause serious injuries, so you could see this skill as a form of damage limitation – literally futureproofing your body.

Now that I have even more evidence, when my clients question why we do these balance drills, I can tell them it’s going to prolong their life - real facts!

One last challenge - stand on one foot, stretch your arms out to the side and lean forward like you’re pretending to fly, hold for at least 10 seconds - but try for 30! Now do the other side…

PRE-HOLIDAY BEAUTY TIPS

Want to get your body beachready for your holiday but don’t know where to start? Here are a few helpful beauty tips to get you looking like a sun-bronzed Goddess.

No. 1

Two weeks before you go, give your hair a colour refresh and trim. This will keep your hair in great condition and prepare it for the ravages of the sun and sea if you’re going somewhere hot. Don’t forget to bring a colour protecting shampoo and conditioner with you to maintain your look.

No. 2

If you’re like me and you have super-pale eyelashes, then you really need to get your eyelashes

tinted too. This will save you time in the morning putting on waterproof mascara before you go to the beach. You could also get your eyebrows waxed and tinted at the same time.

No. 3

Three days before your holiday, go and get a colourful manicure and pedicure, guaranteed to contrast perfectly with your tan. If you want your manicure to last longer, why not get gel nails which are less likely to chip or break.

No. 4

Exfoliate before you go. This allows fresh new skin to catch the sun so you can build a tan more easily. After exfoliating, make sure that you lather your

skin with a rich lotion. No. 5

For all you pale people out there (that’s me again), who don’t enjoy spending too much time in the sun but still want a great tan, a spray tan is the perfect way to go. While self-tanning is a much cheaper option, if you haven’t done it before, it can look patchy and uneven. So, if you want a flawless tan without the amateur appearance, a salon spray tan works wonders.

Here are some beauty essentials which you should always take with you on your travels: sun cream to stop your skin getting damaged, Aloe Vera to help maintain your tan and moisturiser to stop your skin drying out.

TRAVEL

CALABRIA: HEAD TO THE TOE

Calabria is largely overlooked by international tourists, most of whom simply pass through on the train destined for Sicily. However, the so-called toe of Italy attracts hordes of Italians throughout late July and August to its various impressive (and some not-so) resorts. I wanted to see what drew them there.

From the UK, the direct entry point is Lamezia Terme and its small airport. The town itself is built on a hillside and looks quite imposing when approached from the west. On the ground, it has some interesting architecture and historical sites, leading up to the ruins of the Norman-Swabian castle near the city’s highest point. However, the key attraction for me was Luigi Lepore’s Michelin starred restaurant, which wowed me with some fantastic dishes and its exceptionally good value.

Leaving Lamezia for the Tyrrhenian coastline proper, don’t miss the wonderful Tropea. This charming seaside resort is built atop the cliffs rising above a beautiful beach and a small marina. As you’d expect from a town which lends its name to a sweet red onion, food is very important and the town itself has excellent restaurants and gelaterias. Do find a suitable bar near Belvedere Piazza del Cannone to relax with a Campari Spritz to watch the sunset alongside the shadow of the island volcano of Stromboli. For food, aim for Little Italy for a range of excellent Italian dishes. I’d heartily recommend the pasta with shrimp, pistachio pesto and burrata. Alternatively, if plates of local cheeses and meats appeal, head to the Livasi deli showcasing the company’s own produce from their farm in nearby Spilinga, the home of ‘Nduja.

Between Tropea and Lamezia, Pizzo, a slightly untidy town, is redeemed by the Piazza della Repubblica, which comes alive in the evenings as locals and tourists alike flock to the neighbouring gelaterias Belvedere and Dante to sample the local delicacy, Tartufo di Pizzo. A rich chocolate ganache generously wrapped in hazelnut and chocolate gelato and coated in cocoa powder is intense enough on its own. If you want to do as the locals do, make it an affogato by pouring a shot of espresso over it. More down to earth is the family resort of Soverato on Calabria’s Ionian coast. I was thoroughly impressed with the never-ending beach from the Baia di Soverato around to Marina di Davoli and beyond. This bustling town seems to be where Italians

congregate for family holidays, and you’ll see various generations dining and promenading together. There are beach bars, restaurants and some small clubs both in the centre and along the lungomare. For the best laid-back nightlife, head for Via Chiarello, where T-Bone Soverato offers outstanding steaks for those who need a break from pizza and pasta, and the Popeye cocktail bar for a Negroni. Lab Lounge is also excellent for food and drinks. Although the rail network in Calabria is very cheap and efficient, hiring a car is recommended to explore. Don’t miss the hilltop town of Gerace, about 75 kilometres south of Soverato. This absolute gem, formerly a Roman garrison with a colourful history too lengthy to detail here, is almost criminal in its lack of tourists. You can drive through the town, but I’d recommend parking the car in the upper car park, then strolling down past the Cathedral (the largest in Calabria) to the Piazza Del Tocco. There, you can indulge in a delicious granita in various flavours. The views towards the coast below and to the Aspromonte National Park above are breathtaking. With so much to see and so little time, I will return to further explore this region’s treasures. On the list for next time are the Pollino National park near the regional boundary with Basilicata, the seaside town of Scilla near the Straits of Messina, and the vineyards around Ciro which produce their impressive red wines from the Greek Gaglioppo grape (I consumed enough of the product to confidently recommend them). Will you beat me to it?

Garden of Remembrance Limited

Garden of Remembrance

Spring Garden Road, Longton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. ST3 2QN

Spring Garden Road, Longton,

E: gardenofremembrance@hotmail.co.uk Telephone Number: 01782 326083 www.gardenofremembranceltd

The Garden of Remembrance Limited is a Unique Independently owned cemetery, established in 2005.

We pride ourselves in delivering the best possible service, and our core policies are of paramount importance to us.

The cemetery sits on the edge of the potteries in Staffordshire and is set in a very quiet and tranquil location, enabling you to visit your loved ones in peace.

The cemetery is monitored 24/7 and open 365 days a year.

CLASSIC CARS

LOTUS EXCEL

Lotus is the kind of iconic British car manufacturer that struggles on through the decades, occasionally flirting with bankruptcy and producing works of inspired genius along the way. Lotus will forever be associated with Formula 1, winning seven world championships between 1963 and 1978, and their early models were lightweight, track focussed sportscars – these days they are fetching stratospheric prices. In the mid-1970s Lotus underwent a change of direction, embracing the wedge-shaped styling of the era and producing the wonderful Esprit and a brace of 2+2s, the fastback Elite and its Coupé sister, the Eclat.

By 1980, Lotus was on the brink, producing less than 400 cars per year and deeply in the red. Salvation came in the form of Toyota who traded funding and a supply of parts for Lotus’ engineering expertise. The result was the Excel, the last car produced by Lotus under independent ownership.

The Excel was based on the Eclat but with heavily modified underpinnings and suspension and a restyled body. It stuck with the sloping nose and pop-up headlights of its predecessor and relied on parts from a range of other manufacturers; for example, the rear lights came from the Rover SD1. Despite this, it really is a nice-looking car with good proportions and a low-slung stance. The front end is reminiscent of a Ferrari 348. The interior is of its time – the chunky dash is littered with dials while fake wood and ruched leather abound. Even so, the driving position is unsurpassed – you sit low to the road with the short throw gearstick and small steering wheel perfectly to hand.

As with practically every Lotus ever made, the Excel has a fibreglass body attached to a lightweight rigid monocoque. This has the advantage of not rusting while keeping the kerb weight down to just over 1100kg. Power comes from Lotus’ long serving 2.2 litre all alloy engine which has a fantastic rorty exhaust note and revs eagerly all the way up to the 7000rpm redline. In 1985 a high compression version was introduced which bumped the power output up to 180bhp, good enough for a 0-60 time of 7 seconds and a top whack of 130mph. The 5-speed gearbox provided by Toyota is slick changing and

precise as a rifle bolt. Throw in Lotus’ genius for suspension design and you have all the ingredients for a superb driver’s car. The steering is pinpoint accurate and feels alive in your hands, and this is the kind of car you can steer on the throttle. Tempting though the Excel is, there are a few things to be aware of before you buy one. Rust isn’t usually an issue, but the paintwork is prone to cracks and glazing, and respraying fibreglass is an expensive business. In the interests of saving weight (and money), Lotus didn’t fit a lot of soundproofing, so the Excel is decidedly noisy at motorway speeds. However, retro fitting sound insulation is easy and inexpensive. The electrics can also be somewhat dodgy, usually as a result of loose or rusty earth connections. A competent auto electrician can generally fix any niggles for minimal cost. That is pretty much it – compared to an old Alfa Romeo, Lotus ownership is a bed of roses.

The thing you need to understand about the Excel is that, in ten years of production, just over 2000 were made. Compare that to its closest rival, the Porsche 944; during a similar lifespan 161,000 were produced. There are now just 400 Lotus Excels left in the UK and only a quarter of those are still on the road, yet, despite this rarity, despite all its many attributes, the Excel is as cheap as chips. A tatty, high mileage example can be picked up for just £6k, while a tidy car with modest mileage will cost you £13,000. Lotus Elites from the same era change hands for over 60 grand. That has got to be worth a punt.