Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice issue 61

Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
FREE
New for 2016 - Distribution now increased to 15,000 quality magazines each issue
Covering UTTOXETER & CHEADLE and now Ashbourne -
Plus Alton, Oakamoor, Doveridge, Rocester, Bramshall, Stramshall, Mayfield,
Leigh, Church Leigh, Checkley, Lower Tean, Tean, Draycott in the Moors,
Cresswell, Saverley Green, Fulford and villages in between
Issue 61

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3Let The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice take your business to 13,000 local homes. To advertise, call 01538 751629 or 0776 784 6937.
A warm welcome to the first Voice colour magazine
of 2016, it’s great to be back!
I’m sure I’m not on my own wondering when we can
expect proper winter weather to grind us all to a halt as
usual. I’m sure we used to have the heavy snow and thick
ice in November when I was a nipper, praying that the school would be closed
due to the dodgy central heating boiler packing in!
All the children in my road and surrounding estates would head for
Churchill Road Rec in Cheadle when we received the signal schools were
closed. There was a ‘skating rink’ at the rec which was never used for skating
but usually for football. In the Summer months there could be 20-30 of us
kicking the ball around until a mistimed shot flew over the wire fence and
into Farmer Bert Fower’s fields. When this occurred we all had an indepth
chat between ourselves as to who the unlucky lad was who had to climb the
fence and go onto Mr Fower’s land to retrieve the ball! Why you ask? Because
the first sight of the trilby perched upon Mr Fower’s head coming towards us
with a shotgun filled us all with fear and usually we scarpered – leaving the
poor lad who looked around at us from Mr Fower’s field gobsmacked before
he made his getaway. Great days of course – anyway I digress!
Playing at the rec during the snowy days was marvellous fun, it seemed
like we had the whole world at our feet as we took our packed lunches with
us and created our wonderful camaraderie before embarking on the ‘great
walk’ home through the snow. I now realise that the ‘great walk’ was about
300 yards from the comfort of my home!
But as the many decades have past – I can’t believe I will be 60 this year!
– the wintry conditions seem to have moved into the New Year with the first
two months being the worst.
Now here we are in February 2016 waiting for something to happen – I
even went for a meal at The Parks in Uttoxeter recently wearing just a shirt
and trousers, ridiculous for this time of year.
Obviously by the time this issue of The Voice is distributed there will
probably be two feet of snow and you will wonder what I am talking about.
2016 is a special year for The Voice as it is our ninth since launch day and
to mark this occasion we have decided, due to popular demand, to increase
the distribution and print of the magazine to a massive 15,000 copies, 2,000
extra than in previous years and these will be distributed into the nearby
beautiful town of Ashbourne where residents there can enjoy our wonderful
columnists, features and take note of our fantastic advertisers.
We also have a new presence via Social Media with facebook, twitter, and
a new website where everyone can connect with The Voice for the very latest
updates on adverts and news – we continue to move with the times to provide
you with a wonderful service which I hope you will appreciate.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue
Nigel Titterton
Editor & Publisher
Dear Reader,
Publisher and Editor: Nigel Titterton
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is published by
Community Voice Publications Ltd
Telephone 01538 751629 e-mail uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
The views expressed in this publication are those of our contributors and are not necessarily those of
the publishers, nor indeed their responsibility.
All Rights Reserved. Copyright Community Voice Publications Ltd.
Designed and Produced by noel@sergeantdesign.com
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is wholly independent and is
published at 3 Spode Close, Cheadle, Staffs ST10 1DT.
15,000 copies are distributed free to homes and businesses in
Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Ashbourne, Rocester, Denstone, Bramshall,
Stramshall, Alton, Oakamoor, Tean, Lower Tean, Checkley, Leigh,
Church Leigh, Crakemarsh, Combridge, Kingsley, Mayfield, Ellastone,
Draycott, Cresswell, Saverley Green & Fulford and Doveridge areas.
Clients are welcome to view the printing matrix.
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Email: uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
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The next Voice will be distributed from March 18th 2016
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4 If you are responding to an advertisement in The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, please let the advertiser know. Thank you for your support.

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Oldfields
Hall Middle
School rise
to new
heights
R
ecently Year 5’s at Oldfields Hall Middle
School, Uttoxeter, went on an Outdoor
experience to Laches Wood near
Wolverhampton where they took part in team and
confidence building exercises which stretched and
challenged the pupils to learn new skills, get active
and have fun.
They participated in bushcraft and search and
rescue skills. Cycled on BMX’s through the
wooded areas on wilderness trails. Took leaps of
faith on the Zip wire on the outdoor high rope
course and getting back to nature in the dedicated
bushcraft shelter.
They returned with lasting memories and new
skills from a fantastic week away tired and happy.

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P
roud Tom Ward has been
crowned ‘Top Butchery
Apprentice’ in a nationwide
competition held for Morrisons
employees.
Tom, who works at the local
Cheadle store, was over the moon
after winning his category in the
Mastercraft 2015 event which the
supermarket giants describe as a
competition for the ‘best of the best!’
Tom said “I wanted to be a butchery
apprentice but I never expected to win
Mastercraft. As our Cheadle store is smaller
we prepare meat all day and give customers
advice on different recipes.”
Tom went onto say he was really pleased
to have won his category not only for himself
but for all employees and management at the
Cheadle store.
Gary Mills, Group Retail Director at
Morrisons said: “The work that our
employees produce every day is a real
point of difference for our business.
Even getting to the final of the
Mastercraft competition is a real
achievement given how skilled and
talented so many of our staff are.”
A Morrisons spokesperson
added: “Every day of the year our
staff use their craft skills and
knowledge to serve our customers
better. Recently we celebrated our
best of the best when 49 of our most talented
craft-skilled employees gathered for the final
of Morrisons Mastercraft. A series of tough
challenges put the finalists’ practical skills
and product knowledge to the test.”
For Cheadle’s Tom Ward, the achievement
of scooping Butchery Apprentice at
Morrisons is a fantastic stepping stone to
further his career in the trade and his
colleagues at the local store can be justifiably
proud of his success.
Tom is the pride of
Cheadle as he
scoops top award at
Morrisons...
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2016 resolution to be stronger, braver,
pinker with Race For Life
L
ocal women are being urged to get the New
Year off to a great start by signing up now
to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2016.
The charity is calling on women of all shapes
and sizes to show cancer who’s boss by signing up
to the city centre’s first ever Pretty Muddy 5k at
Central Forest Park on Sunday, July 17.
But if getting down and dirty doesn’t appeal,
then the annual 5k Race for Life 5k will be back
at Trentham Gardens on Tuesday, June 7.
Although many see February as the perfect
opportunity to start a new chapter in terms of
health and fitness, motivation can slip as the cold
weather drags on.
That’s where Race for Life comes in. Women
who sign up now will be creating their own
compelling goal to aim for later in the year, when
the warmer weather makes staying on the sofa less
tempting.
Amy Hall, Cancer Research UK’s Stoke-on-
Trent Event Manager, said: “Signing up to take
part in Race for Life is a great way for women of
all ages to commit to get a little more active.
“Race for Life events are non-competitive.
Taking part is not about being fit or fast and
participants can choose to walk, jog, or run around
the course. The atmosphere is incredibly
supportive.
“Pledging to take part, alongside thousands of
like minded women, can be a great incentive to get
fitter. Planning to raise money for life-saving
research could prove more of a goal to get up and
get moving than the usual New Year’s resolution
to shift the post-Christmas pounds.”
One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed
with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the
good news is more people are surviving the disease
now than ever before. Survival rates have doubled
since the early 1970s.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in
partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only
series of 5k, and Pretty Muddy events which raise
millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer
sooner.
Amy added: “We’re delighted to be able to
bring Pretty Muddy back to Stoke-on-Trent as it’s
a fantastic addition to our Race for Life family of
events.
“We trialled it at Trentham last year and it
received a whole-hearted welcome from the
thousands of women who took part. By moving
the venue to the city centre we’re hoping to make
it even bigger and better this year.
“It has all the fun and camaraderie of our much
loved 5k events but with added obstacles and, of
course, mud. Women can complete the Pretty
Muddy course at their own pace, climbing,
jumping, walking and laughing their way around.
It’s about women of all ages, shapes and sizes
tackling obstacles together.”
Last year, over 6,600 women took part in Race
for Life in Stoke-on-Trent and raised a fantastic
£333,374. This year, organisers hope to see to see
the same level of support from local ladies.
Money raised through Race for Life allows
Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and
scientists to advance research which is helping to
save the lives of men, women and children across
Staffordshire.
“We’re calling on the local brave ladies to
harness their fighting spirit once more and really
show cancer whose boss,” added Amy.
“Race for Life is an amazing way to celebrate
everyone we love who has survived cancer. It’s also
an emotional and moving way to pay tribute to
those dear to us whose lives have been cut short by
the disease.
“Our participants make Race for Life a truly
uplifting, inspiring experience. That’s why we’re
calling on women of all ages to sign up now and
pledge to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, on
the front line against cancer. Together, we can
unleash a powerful fighting spirit to stop cancer in
its tracks.”
To enter Race for Life today visit
www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

• Improve your postural awareness, position and effectiveness
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Jo Titterton Dressage / MCF equestrian @mcfequestrian
Lank’s Lore
By Steve ‘Lank’Lavin
Golden Memories from one of Uttoxeter’s Favourite Characters
W
elcome everybody to the 2016 1st edition
of your Voice magazine I hope you all
had a nice Christmas and New Year and
my commiserations to anyone who didn’t with the
loss of a friend or relative to other tragedy during
the proceedings.
I wonder what 2016 has in store for us all. The
town is certainly changing that is for sure, but you
cannot change progress whether it is for the good
or bad.
I am not against new developments as long as
they improve the surroundings of the town in
general but on many occasions developers are only
interested in profit and a lot of local recognisable
buildings have been allowed to fall into disrepair
and replaced with housing projects.
You can argue that social housing is now a
necessity with the shortage of affordable homes
available for young families to get a roof over their
heads, I totally agree but not building them in town
centres and destroying the character of the place.
I think the most deplorable thing I have
witnessed in Uttoxeter’s town centre was when
part of the High Street from the junction with
Bradley Street was demolished to make way for
new flats. This part of High Street prior to this
development used to contain many shops which
were very popular with the general public, The Gas
Showrooms, Wilkinsons Fruiterer’s, Benny’s
Bargain Shop, The Chocolate Cabin, Hulsons Fish
Mongers & Kayjays Electrical Appliance Shop
being a few I can remember in my time, most of
which were superb little family businesses offering
quality goods and where personal service was king.
I know that some of these premises were unsafe
and were shored up for a period of time but I am
sure that they could have been replaced as shops
instead of housing projects especially in the middle
of the main High Street.
Unfortunately though a lot of older premises
were built in the days when the horse and cart was
the mode of transport and nowadays with the
advent of the motor car and numerous other large
delivery vehicles coupled with the volume of traffic
that they have created, the street corner on which
some of them were located on has had to be
demolished to widen the road along with buildings
that could have been used for retailing purposes
going the same way to be used as car parks to cater
for this new trend.
However it is not all doom and gloom. It was a
crying shame when Uttoxeter’s Cattle Market
which was certainly a crown puller for shoppers
into the area had to be closed but I am sure that it
was taken with a heavy heart.
After it closed it stood as an eyesore in the town
centre with decaying buildings and the vermin that
they bring with them.
Fortunately Uttoxeter was very lucky with the
help of the local council and other bodies in
securing a development company to take over the
task of turning this unsightly site into not only
affordable, central social housing, on the fringe of
the trading areas (not on the main trading
thoroughfares) but also a superb new shopping
complex with a much needed new car park.
The same applied to the old Bamfords factory
site which was lying empty and desolate virtually
in the heart of the town.
With thanks to JCB’s legacy a new high class
supermarket has been built and is opening shortly
(I think!) and the rest of the land I believe is to be
used for various projects including leisure areas,
office accommodation and social housing. If JCB’s
track record is anything to go by there are exciting
times to come to the area, so lets not knock them.
Till next time,
LANK
An aerial shot of the new Waitrose store, opening shortly?
Photo courtesy of Nathan Anderson Dixon
The former site showing the old Bamfords Ltd factory which was there
previously during it’s demolition.
New year, new training goals? Why not
focus on improving your performance
in the saddle. My Ride-in-lign training
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Uttoxeter Tile and Bathroom Ltd
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Tel: 01889 560111 Mob: 07929 201128
Email: uttoxetertileandbathroom@hotmail.co.uk
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‘Young at Heart’ was a spin-off from Tean and Checkley OAP Association and was
specifically aimed for that age group.
The title was suggested by George Sanders, a founder member, with Herbert Davis on
piano.
Initially only a small group, over the 22 years it expanded rapidly and it was never short
of people contacting myself to join in the shows which were held in Tean Village Hall (now
The Venue).
It was all about informality and fun with talented people taking part and thoroughly
enjoying every moment – nothing restricted!
Who can forget the ‘Half Monty’ and Maurice Rhodes’ witty sketches? It was so fortunate
to have loyal and hard-working volunteers to
help out with dressing, ticket sales,
refreshments and publicity etc and a sell-out
for the week.
The eldest members were Eve Robinson,
Marge Mason, Arthur Moult and Bill Brant
and they were bordering on their 90’s when
the shows finished!
No show is complete without a compere
and musical director, and the group were
very fortunate to have had Tony Allen and
Barry Lomas for many years. Previously
Herbert, Fr Paul Whieldon and Fred Eyre
were involved. The shows brought lots of
laughter and wonderful happiness to all
those who took part and who watched the
magnicent ‘Young at Heart’ shows over
many years.
A real success story and one to be oh so
proud of...
Margaret McGarry
Happy memories of
‘Young At Heart’
Concert Party
‘I was a regular each year
at the ‘Young at Heart’
shows, and I saw how
popular they were. It was
a highlight in Tean each
November and something
to look forward to. I have
always cared very much
what takes place in Tean
and support most events
and we miss ‘Young at
Heart’ so much.’
Tean’s well known Historian and Author
Ivy Willets-Brunt

Customers with grand designs – and those with smaller plans – can now get free
planning advice from the local council every week.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has introduced a new planning surgery which
will take place in the reception area at Moorlands House on Stockwell Street in Leek
between 9am and 4pm every Wednesday.
Councillor Edwin Wain, cabinet member for planning, development and property, said:
“We are always listening to what our customers and residents want and we are introducing
this new planning surgery in response to requests for better access to our planners and the
planning service.
“It’s a good opportunity
for anyone considering a
building project in the
Moorlands to speak to an
experienced planner about
their proposal and seek
advice on whether they’ll
need planning permission
and, if so, how to apply.
“We hope it will
improve the service for
customers and we’ll be
monitoring this over the
coming months so I’d urge
people to make full use of
these weekly surgeries.”
Advance appointments
are not always necessary
but, to avoid having to
wait, customers are asked
to call the Council’s
Customer Services team on
0345 605 3010 to make an
appointment.
The surgeries
complement the Council’s
existing planning pre-
application process and are
aimed at helping customers
with their building projects
from the ideas stage
through to making a
planning application.
New planning
surgery starts in
the Moorlands
Field Funeral Services
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t: 01538 722665
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Field Funeral Services |37a High Street | Tean
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fieldfuneralservice@hotmail.co.uk
Taekwon-do
We train at The Parkwood Community
Leisure Centre In Cheadle on Tuesday Night
6.00pm to 6.30pm 4yrs to 6yrs
6.30pm to 7.30pm Junior/Beginers Grades
7.30pm to 8.30pm Senior/Advanced Grades
Call John on 07854 806581
www.nctkd.co.uk
WHEEL ‘N’ TYRESLTD
Performance Tyre Centre
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Unit A, Brookhouses Industrial
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01538 755100
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Personal Service and Advice
Ki
tchens by Paul Gabri
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Affordable Kitchens from the
unusual to the straightforward.
Re-vamp your existing kitchen with a choice
of over fifty door designs and a wide choice of
worktops and sinks.
Or simply paint your existing doors
to freshen things up.
Otherwise I can design, supply and fit a
brand new kitchen or supply only.
For free friendly advice call Paul on
01889 562139 or mobile 07990 622125
Visit www.kitchensbypaulgabriel.co.uk
or e-mail paulmgabriel@hotmail.co.uk
The Sewing Patch
Fabric, Patchwork, quilting
and sewing supplies
Fantastic range of 100% Cotton Fabrics
Friendly Workshops and Sit-n-Sew Sessions
Gift Vouchers available • DMC EmbroideryThreads
Strawberry Garden Centre, Bramshall, Uttoxeter ST14 5BE
Tel: 01889 562553
www.sewingpatch.co.uk
NEW OPENING TIMES Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4.30
Closed Sunday and Monday
It’s
easy to
place
an
advert
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Voice
Email:
uttoxetervoice@
hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 01538
751629
Tap into our
massive readership
to attract new
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Ex Navy, Sailor or Marine?
Fancy an evening
swinging the lamp?
Come and join us, The Royal Naval
Association, on the 2nd Wednesday of
each month at the Bankhouse, Uttoxeter
For details call
Dave Emery on 01782 397746 or
Mike Bell on 01889 563897
All Styles of Classes available
Monday to Saturday at our Cheadle Studios
Enquiries for these classes or for any of our classes
to advanced standard at the Cheadle Studios to
01538 754414 or email vjshelley@tiscali.co.uk
www.vivienneshelleystudios.co.uk
Pre-School /
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Preparatory /
Beginners Ballet &
Tap - 10.00am
Primary/ grade 1
ballet & tap - 11.00am
Grade 2 ballet -
12.30pm
Freestyle Disco and
Jazz - 1.15pm
VIVIENNE SHELLEY
DANCE STUDIOS
Quality Local Dance Tuition For All Ages
in Cheadle, Uttoxeter & Blythe Bridge
Saturday Dance Classes
St Mary’s Church Hall, Balance Street, Uttoxeter
I
t’s a new year and a new home for the
Women of Uttoxeter as their regular
meeting on the First Thursday of the
Month – 7.30pm will now be held in the
church of St Mary the Virgin
If you’ve set yourself a New Years
resolution to try something new this year,
why not come along and find out more about
the WI. The Women’s Institute (WI) was
formed in 1915 to revitalise rural
communities and encourage women to
become more involved in producing food
during the First World War. Since then the
organisation’s aims have broadened and the
WI is now the largest voluntary women’s
organisation in the UK.
The Uttoxeter branch, called ‘The Women
Of Uttoxeter’ reformed last year and will
celebrate it’s first birthday at the March
meeting. As well as celebrating the
traditional elements of WI meetings, the
programe of activities is varied, last year it
saw the ladies learn about aromatherapy,
take a self defence class, make wreaths, learn
knickermaking, have a cheese night and make
glass decorations, this year has already
started with a visit from our local PSCO who
advised about community safety and the
programme for this year is set to include car
maintenance, sign language, a crochet class
and a local history walk.
Membership for the year is only £37.50
and as well as the meetings you receive the
WI magazine 10 times a year. There are lots
of other workshops, days out and activities
to get involved with too and it’s a great way
to make new local friends, your first visit is
free so why not pop by and say Hi!
At our February meeting we will be
learning how to make sugarpaste flowers for
cake toppers, (bring along a rolling pin,
board and pot to take your flower home in)
and we’re having a valentines card swap,
bring along a card with a recipe or poem
inside to swap. Let us know if you’re able to
come and we’ll be sure to look out for you,
The WI plays a unique role in providing
women with educational opportunities and
the chance to build new skills, to take part in
a wide variety of activities and to campaign
on issues that matter to them and their
communities.
Whilst the meeting venues might have
changed from the local village hall to local
café, the ethos and reputation of the WI
remains the same, and women join now to
meet new friends, learn new skills and make
a difference on matters that are important to
them now as fellow members did in 1915.
If you would like to find out more about
the Women’s Institute or join us for a meeting
details about the Staffordshire branches can
be found here: sfwi.webs.com or by calling:
01785 22 38 38
The Women of Uttoxeter meet on the first
Thursday of the month at 7.30pm at St Mary
the Virgin Church, Uttoxeter, ST14 8AW, If
you would like to visit or join us or help
support with a talk, workshop, raffle prize or
simply help us by putting up a poster we’d
love to hear from you –
uttoxeterwi@gmail.com
New home for the
Women of Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter Leisure Centre
Awarded Inclusive
Fitness Initiative Status
A
fter a hugely successful first year
following its extensive refurbishment
Uttoxeter Leisure Centre is delighted
to announce the achievement of the
provisional level Inclusive Fitness Initiative
(IFI) Mark. The IFI has been established for
over 10 years and is recognised as a
fundamental tool in addressing inequality in
physical activity, with its aim to provide an
inclusive platform for everyone to be active
together.
Staff at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre believe
that, with this accreditation, more people
with disabilities will have the opportunity to
enjoy the benefits of physical activity
allowing all customers a chance to benefit
from a full body cardiovascular and
resistance-based workout.
Councillor Colin Whittaker, Deputy
Leader for Cultural Services, said: “With their
fantastic fitness instructors and state of the
art Matrix gym equipment Uttoxeter Leisure
Centre are proud to offer a fully inclusive
customer journey from the minute you arrive
to the moment you leave. With accessible
changing rooms, equipment and specialised
training advice the Leisure Centre has an
opportunity available to suit all needs.
“Uttoxeter Leisure Centre understands
that visiting the gym can be a scary
experience for many customers, which is why
they want to ensure the experience is truly
inclusive for all. Everybody’s needs are
different, that’s why they will ensure your
needs are considered from the start. The
highly trained fitness instructors will help you
get the best out of yourself”.
Ring the reception or call and speak to
our friendly staff to book an induction on
01283 508160.

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Singing on
Prescription
T
he founder of a charity that is addressing loneliness through songs and
smiles has responded to a report by senior doctors calling for urgent
attention to, ‘the rising phenomenon of loneliness amongst older
people’.
West Country music man Grenville Jones started his daytime fun singing
sessions for older isolated people at four community rooms 9 years ago. The
Golden-Oldies Charity, more fondly referred to as ‘Goldies’ and with Sir Cliff
Richard as patron, now runs over 140 sessions across England and Wales.
Thousands attend the sessions including adults with learning difficulties and
dementia.
In the report published yesterday Professor Keith Willett, Director for
Acute Care NHS England said;
“The consequences of loneliness among lonely people are increasing with
an unremitting demand on health care which will ultimately cripple the NHS.”
Goldies founder Grenville Jones cites regular testimonies from the 40
freelance session leaders who run his charity’s fun sing and smile sessions
across the UK.
“Hardly a day goes by without a call from one of our leaders telling me
that our sessions really are making a difference to lonely lives. Goldies is NOT
a choir, it’s quite simple really, all we do is encourage people who are isolated
to get out, to be with others and to make new friends through singing and
stretching.”
In recent months the charity has developed its work across Essex,
Staffordshire, Yorkshire and under the Goldies Cymru banner many new
sessions have been added in South Wales.
In Cardiff there are now hugely successful Goldies singing sessions held at
five libraries.
In Uttoxeter local pharmacist Tim Haynes puts out information about
Goldies sessions in his town in his prescription bags to the over 60s in his
area.
“The Trustees of our small charity want to increase our work and impact
across the United Kingdom in the months and years ahead and there is a very
simple message to GPs and everyone who is delivering acute care in the NHS.
“Singing should be on prescription.”
www.golden-oldies.org.uk
L
ocal
woman
Laura
Wigg-Bailey, who
lost 68 lbs (that’s
5 stones) in
weight by
attending a
Weight Watchers
meeting in Alton,
is set to open her
own meetings in
Rocester and
Tean.
“I was
referred by my
GP to attend
Weight Watchers
as I had been concerned about the effect
being overweight was having on my general
health. When I was pregnant in 2012 the
hospital insisted that because of being
overweight I should be under a consultant
when the time came to have the baby
meaning a lot of medical intervention which
I didn’t really want. I felt determined that
the next time round I wanted to either be
on the midwives ward or even at home to
give birth. I am now in that healthy weight
range.
After about six weeks of attending
meetings we got a new leader at Alton and
she mentioned she needed helpers so I
offered as I thought it would be interesting
to see how it all works behind the scenes.
My weight loss was going really well
and I felt I completely understood the plan
and was so thrilled after all the years of
trying to lose weight and failing, that I
wanted to help Rachel, my leader, as she
had helped me so
much. I really
enjoyed it and
despite having a
busy life working
at the museum in
Uttoxeter, and
looking after my
3 year old
daughter that
when the
opportunity to
become a leader
came along I
didn’t have any
doubts it was the
right path.” Said
Laura
Weight Watchers helps people change
their attitude towards food for good,
enabling them to maintain a normal lifestyle
which includes eating out and occasional
treats like takeaways. It promotes a way of
eating, moving and wellbeing which enables
members to feel good about themselves and
their weight loss. The Weight Watchers plan
is not a diet and provides members with lots
of ideas for family meals.
“I still eat lots of the same foods as I
used to such as pasta and pesto, for comfort
when it’s cold, and enjoy a few G&Ts at the
weekend. My life has become so much
better now that I’m in control of my weight
but still enjoy mealtimes and socializing
without the fear it’s going to add more
inches to my waistline!” said Laura.
The meetings will take place in Rocester
Village Hall at 6.30pm on Thursdays and at
Great Wood Hall in Tean at 6.30pm on
Tuesdays.
Laura shows the difference

Janet Johnson BSc (Hons) Podiatry SRCh
Chiropodist
Treatments include:
nail cuts, thick nail reduction,
ingrown nail treatments, callus
and corn removal, verrucas, arch
and heal pain, nail surgery
biomechanical assessment
and diabetic assessment.
Based in the Northgate
Doctors Surgery, Carters
Square, every Friday.
Home visits available
£25 per treatment
Mobile: 07951820847
Home: 01889 592855
after 6 pm
janetjohnson1701@
gmail.com
Take a drive out to one of the area’s most beautiful
‘olde worlde’ country inns and restaurants -
and savour a truly delicious experience!
Enjoy wonderful views overlooking Croxden Abbey
and the surrounding countryside.
Open every day, 12-10pm
Pensioners Specials
Monday to Saturday 12-2pm
Main Meal £4.50, 3 Courses £8.00
Sunday Lunches served all day
Take your pick from Beef,Turkey, Lamb,
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Traditional Cask Ales - Marstons Pedigree,
Spitfire, London Pride, Black Sheep
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Mid-Week Evening Specials
Accommodation in superb Log Cabins with
Hot Tubs available. B&B and Self Catering.
See website for further details.
Enjoy a great meal atThe Raddle -
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Quarry Bank, Hollington, near Alton Towers
Telephone: 01889 507278
www.logcabin.co.uk

B
racing Winter weather did not deter Year 8 students
from Windsor Park Middle School as they set out on
their week away at Standon Bowers Outdoor Education
Centre.
The outdoor educational week enables students to acquire
and develop key skills; communicate better, solve problems,
learn to lead and be part of a team.
Mr W Smith, Head of PE said; “It was an excellent week
away with the students. All faced challenging situations
outside of their comfort zones, but with teamwork, dedication
and ingenuity the students took it all in their stride. The
students were a credit to themselves, their parents and the
school in their outstanding behaviour, maintaining our
excellent relationship with the Centre. I would like to thank
the staff who attended the week, without their time and
support the Department would not be able to facilitate the
trip”.
Climbing, scrambling, BMXing, archery, shelter building,
night walking, rope climbing and balance, along with team
problem solving are to name but a few of the activities the
students experienced during their time away.
Parent, Mrs Martin said; “One of the best journey’s in life
that my Son’s ever been on.”
Windsor Park Middle School
take their education outdoors

Nathan is a local estate agent, with over17 years
of experience in the residential sales and lettings
market.
I
n 2016 ABODE have seen an increase of
around 10% in activity compared to the same
period last year, with many properties selling
under £150,000 which has had a positive knock
on effect across the local marketplace. One of the
main reasons for this is a surge in second home/buy
to let purchasers coming to the market now, before
the proposed increase in stamp duty at the end of
March 2016. How does this work? Well the plans
are to charge an extra 3% for buy to let landlords
and second home buyers from April this year to
mitigate potentially negative impacts on the
housing market as a whole. Basically if you can
afford to buy a second home or investment
property to let, you will pay more tax. I would
imagine that this will have a cooling effect on the
market later on in the year. Buy to let purchasers
are going to become less competitive when
competing with first time buyers, which will mean
that property at the lower end of the market will
probably see less growth and this in turn will again
impact further up chains. However, with the
market picking up and still low interest rates the
actual volume of sales is expected to continue to
be strong. If you are thinking of selling or renting
your property please call ABODE on 01889
567777.
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Have I got news for you
by Uttoxeter’s Gary Hudson, Former BBC Chief News Reporter
Gary Hudson is a member of Uttoxeter Lions
Club, a former BBC Chief News Reporter and a
senior lecturer in Broadcast Journalism at
Staffordshire University.
A new album release – what multi-
million seller Adele is missing
The best-selling album of the year so far is 25
by Adele. It sold 12 million copies within a month
of release, and is credited with boosting CD sales
at the expense of downloads and streaming.
But there’s another CD I want to tell you about,
and it has so much that is missing from Adele’s
effort, so much that she could only dream of, that
I am surprised she hasn’t been in touch to ask
where she went wrong. Perhaps she’s too busy in
meetings with her accountant.
The other album is Hope Street by Temple
Hudson – that’s me and my mate Professor Mick
Temple. It’s for charity and was recorded on a
comparative shoestring.
At this point, everyone who knows me will be
offering a collective sigh:
‘He’s not rattling on about that again, is he?’
‘Is he really using his column in the Voice to
flog his CD.’
Well, yes I am and unashamedly so. Because
most people reading this will not have heard about
the record yet. Unlike Adele’s record company, we
didn’t take out full page adverts in the world’s
press. Nor did we pay for giant posters of ourselves
in New York’s Times Square or on the sides of
trams in Amsterdam.
And I make no apology for this blatant plug,
because we’re not taking a penny from the sales for
ourselves. .
All proceeds to charity
Hope Street by Temple Hudson is what you
might loosely call a vanity project. Mick and I are
a couple of middle-aged guitar-toting show-offs
who enjoy performing our songs to an audience.
We decided it was about time they were recorded
for posterity before we were too decrepit to play
them any more, whether posterity wanted them or
not.
Often we don’t write new songs, we write old
songs – or at least songs that sound like they’ve
been around for years.
‘I remember that one. Who did the original?’
‘We did. About ten minutes ago.’
‘No, I mean who did it first?’
‘We did!’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I should think so. We wrote it. And nobody’s
sued us yet.’
There are nine original songs on Hope Street.
It’s just a fiver, and you can find it on eBay. Or just
ask me for a copy if you see me around. That fiver
goes straight to charity. Within a week of release
we were able to offer three hundred pounds to
Parkinson’s Disease research. Other charities
should benefit in future.
A bit of Americana via Stoke
The critical response has been good too.
Richard Rudin – a former commercial radio DJ
now ploughing a similar academic furrow to me –
wrote that he was greatly enjoying it: ‘It’s a bit of
Americana via Stoke; a touch of Gallagher and
Lyle and the spirit of Joe Brown and His Bruvvers.’
I’d rather he’d compared us to Rory Gallagher
than Gallagher and Lyle, because the dynamic
guitar playing of blues-rock maestro Gareth Powell
features heavily. But all compliments are welcome.
Richard also said we surprised him because his
favourite track was ‘uncomplicated but sensitive’.
I believe it was the sensitivity that was the surprise;
he’d expect us to be simple-minded!
The songs range from 50s rockabilly pastiche –
complete with flying saucer effects –to a cautionary
tale about the use of power tools. In between
there’s probably the world’s first Black Country
zombie song.
So you can see why Adele
should be worried. There are
no Black Country zombies on
25 are there? Not one. No
flying saucers either. And as
for chainsaws, well, she
completely fails to address the
important health and safety
message of Mick’s finest hour
Don’t Argue With A
Chainsaw. Now that’s cutting
edge in more ways than one.
Yes, we have love songs
too, although none are quite
as histrionic as Adele’s
offerings.
Why’s it called Hope
Street – why not?
We chose the name Hope
Street because it’s mentioned
in one of Mick’s songs and it’s optimistic. It’s not
necessarily the Hope Street in Hanley, where there
are music shops we occasionally use, but it is that
one if you want it to be, and the one in Liverpool,
the one in Glasgow, and any others you might
know or that exist only in your imagination.
We had a very enjoyable launch event at the
Cavendish Arms in Doveridge, where we played
most of the tracks on the album. There has also
been great support from musicians I admire, like
Jake Clemons, the saxophone player with Bruce
Springsteen’s E Street Band. Although, to be fair,
when he said it was ‘awesome’, he hadn’t actually
heard it. He liked the idea of doing it for charity.
But a lot of local musicians have listened and
bought the CD. Their comments range from
‘brilliant’ to ‘not my cup of tea – but brilliant’,
which shows they’re at least consistent in not
wishing to offend.
So if you buy the album you’ll be in good
company. And you’ll be helping the fight against
Parkinson’s Disease. So thanks.
Temple Hudson playing at the Hope Street album launch at the
Cavendish Arms in Doveridge (picture: Paul Hirst).
Gary Hudson with Jake Clemons, saxophone
player with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.
Following last year’s highly successful
pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Denstone Players are
busy rehearsing for their next production
‘Cinderella’- to be performed on Thursday 18,
Friday 19th and Saturday 20th February starting
at 7:00 pm with a matinee on Saturday 20th
starting at 2:00 pm at Denstone Village Hall. Gill
Brown is again directing the pantomime which
was written by Sharon Hulm.
Tickets cost £7 and/or £5 for children under
16 and are now available from Denstone Stores
(tel. 01889 590397), Denstone Farm Shop (tel.
01889 590050), by telephoning 01538 722667, or
online at www.denstoneplayers.com
Dave Shooter, Chair of Denstone Players said
‘We were really pleased with the audience reaction
to last year’s production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and
felt it would be a hard act to follow! But with this
year’s production of ‘Cinderella’ I’m confident
we’ll do it. Again the wider community is involved
in the making of scenery, props and costumes and
the cast is a real mix of both old and young,
experienced and new- comer players. It promises
to be a treat for the whole family. Tickets are now
on sale and should be booked to avoid
disappointment!’
Denstone Players News
It’s (nearly)
Panto time
again!
Oh yes it is!

A
yoy there Mateys! Shiver me timbers – it’s
Panto time again in Cheadle – OH YES IT
IS!!!
Fun, laughter and mayhem will once again be
flowing through the Staffordshire Moorlands, as
C.A.T.S. (Cheadle Amateur Theatrical Society)
presents its annual Pantomime.
This year, C.A.T.S. will be performing the
swashbuckling adventure ‘Treasure Island,’ written
by Rick Hermolle and Ian Wood and directed by
Rick Hermolle. Ian is best known for his portrayal
of the Dame in pantomime, but has decided for
this production to hang up his frock and wipe off
his make-up and use his expertise from starring in
many C.A.T.S. pantomimes to co-write the script.
Rick is more used to designing and making the
scenery and working hard backstage at
productions. However, he has shown his talent for
his writing of C.A.T.S. awarding winning play
‘Letters from the Front, ‘which was recently
performed at the Cheadle Remembers events and
which won many awards at the One Act Play
Festival in 2015.
Extremely loosely based on the famous novel,
widow Edna Hawkins (Jason Greenwood) and her
son Jim (Megan Hermolle) run the Admiral
Benbow Inn in Cheadle-on-Sea, but are
encountering very hard times. Jim dreams of an
adventure on the high seas, but little does he know
what is in store for him when two mysterious
strangers turn up at the Admiral Benbow.
They find themselves sailing aboard the
Hispaniola with Long John Silver (Dan Ede Smith)
and Blind Pew, the navigator (Andrew Farrington)
in search of the hidden booty, buried on a remote
island somewhere in the South Seas, nowhere near
Cheadle-on-Sea! Joining them on board to ensure
chaos arises are Squire Trelawny (Chris
Hammersley,) his feisty daughter Elizabeth (Jess
Leake,) Dr Livesley (Sam Stephens,) and many
other crazy characters. Arrrrrrr!!
Mayhem soon erupts on board with pirates,
shipwrecks, cannibals, hidden treasure…. and a
little bit of cooking all included, so anything can
happen! The ultra violet scene will be more
spectacular than ever and hopefully with gather
lots of ‘oohs and aahs’ as well as roars of laughter!
Treasure Island promises to deliver plenty of
comedy, slapstick, singing, dancing, a surprise or
two and of course plenty of audience participation.
Rick says “I’m really excited to be bringing
‘Treasure Island to Cheadle this year. It will be a
mixture of the traditional with a modern twist.”
For all you landlubbers out there, why not
enter into the fun by coming along in your pirate
outfits to join the swashbuckling adventure with
us? Once again C.A.T.S. will be aiming to win an
award for the Front of House. C.A.T.S. prides itself
for encouraging the audience to enter into the
atmosphere of the production the moment they
walk into the front of house area. Pauline Keates,
FOH Manager is keeping tight-lipped what she has
in store, but as usual it will be spectacular and fun.
‘Treasure Island’ will be performed at The
Cheadle Community Theatre, The Cheadle
Academy, Station Road, Cheadle, from Wednesday
17th to Saturday 20th February. Ships Ahoy at
7.00pm.
Come on Me Hearties. Join in the adventure on
the high seas for an entertaining family night out
at an affordable price. Buy your tickets now.
Tickets are priced at £8 adults, £6 concessions. and
are available from Xtra Clean, Crafty Urchins and
NuSyte Opticians (all in the High Street, Cheadle)
and from Cheadle and Tean Times. They are also
available online at C.A.T.S. website at
www.cheadle-cats.org.uk (booking fee applies,) or
from C.A.T.S. secretary Jenny Price on 01538
751173. See you there!
Set sail for a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas to...
Treasure Island
C.A.T.S. performing at home in
One Act Play Festival
C.A.T.S. Youth winners for ‘Letters from the Front’ in 2015.
L-R Louis Beardmore, Chloe Cheadle, Emily Bosworth,
Rick Hermolle, Jess Buckley.
T
his year Cheadle is fortunate to be
hosting the Stoke-on-Trent One Act
Play Festival. Usually held at the
Mitchell Arts Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, this
year the festival is being held at the Cheadle
Community Theatre, The Cheadle Academy,
Station Road.
C.A.T.S. will be performing two plays at
the festival. C.A.T.S. Youth, who actors are
all under the age of 21, will perform ‘The
Hive’ written by Martha Hermolle and
directed by her sister Miriam Hermolle.
Martha describes the play as “a dystopic sci-
fi story about two young people struggling
under a futuristic dictorial regime. The play
features, Chloe Cheadle, George Bowyer,
Emily Bosworth, Daisy Coombes and Elsie
May Gilbert.
Martha and Miriam hope that ‘The Hive
will be equally as or more successful than last
year’s C.A.T.S. Youth entry, ‘Letters from the
Front’ which was co -written by their father
Rick and Martha. The play received
nominations in all the categories eligible and
won two trophies; one for Best Youth
Performance and the second for Best Actress
under 21 to Jess Buckley.
C.A.T.S. second entry is ‘Among Those
Present,’ written by Aubrey Feist and directed
by Marge Stanley. Marge has been a recipient
of the Best Director award at previous
festivals. The play is a spooky, tense mystery
set in the 1940’s high society. It features, Dan
Ede Smith, Andrew Farrington, Marcus
Haywood, Jess Leake, Marcus Haywood,
Kayleigh Sims and Sam Stephens. Both Marj
and Dan have won accolades for their acting
in the festival in recent years.
The Stoke-on-Trent One Act Festival
takes place from the 7th to 12th March 2016.
‘The Hive’ will be performed on Wednesday
9th March and ‘Among Those Present’ on
Thursday 10th March.
Don’t miss a fantastic opportunity to
come along and support C.A.T.S. Many other
one act plays will be performed by other local
amateur drama societies during the week,
with the results being announced on the
Saturday night. The winning play and runner
up will go forward to the next round in
Burton-on-Trent in April.
Tickets will be on sale soon. For further
details visits C.A.T.S. website cheadle-
cats.or.uk or go to the festival website
www.allenglandtheatrefestival.co.uk

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J
CB has celebrated the production of its
100,000th mini excavator – with the promise
of more innovative machines to come as the
company builds on its position as an industry
leader.
JCB’s first mini excavator – an 801 model
weighing in at 1.4 tonnes – rolled off the
production line in 1989 when just over 450
machines were made. By 1992 there were four
models in the range and annual production rates
had risen to 1,000 units.
The company celebrated production of its
100,000th compact excavator – a 10-tonne
100C-1. It is one of 22 models in today’s range
which spans from one to 10 tonnes. All are
manufactured at the JCB Compact Products
factory in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
The global mini excavator sector is one of the
most competitive areas of the global construction
equipment market and is worth an estimated £4
billion annually. More than 20 major
manufacturers challenge for a slice of this valuable
business and with almost 200,000 mini excavators
sold around the world every year, it is the biggest
single part of the annual 700,000-unit
construction equipment market.
JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “JCB has
an innovative, powerful and robust range of mini
excavators which keep growing in popularity.
From being a challenger in the market 25 years
ago, JCB is now firmly established as an industry
leader, setting trends for design innovation and
manufacturing excellence.
“To have produced 100,000 compact
excavators really is something for the whole JCB
team to celebrate and with more additions to the
range due this year we can look forward to more
growth in this important sector of the market.”
JCB has been rising to the growing opportunity
presented by the mini excavator sector in recent
years with a £15 million investment in
manufacturing technology and new product
development. This has seen the launch in the last
two years of brand new models including the 65R-
1, 67C-1, 85Z-1, 86C-1, 90Z-1 and 100C-1
models which compete in the six, eight, nine and
10 tonne weight categories respectively.
JCB’s mini excavators were first manufactured
at the company’s plant Rugeley, Staffordshire,
before production switched to JCB Compact
Products in 1999 to cater for rapid expansion of
the range.
The company has won two Queen’s Awards for
International Trade for huge increases in exports
in 1994 and 2007. JCB Compact Products
employs more than 350 at its site in Leek Road.
Big milestone celebrated as
100,000th JCB Mini Digger produced
JCB Compact Products MD Buta Atwal; JCB Compact Products General Manager Ian Gillott;
Assembly Technician Paul Mellor; Paint Sprayer Dave Thacker; Maintenance Fitter Mark Bentley;
Fitter Gary Ratcliffe and welder Melvin Sims.

I
remember in the 1950’s – probably 1955
or 56, my younger pals had seen a
billboard outside The Elite Cinema
advertising the film ‘The Man from Laramie’.
I had never been to this cinema before so
with a bit of persuading from my pals we all
went down there.
The theme song for this film was top of
the charts sung by Jimmy Young – everyone
was singing it. And from then on it was en
every week trip to this cinema just down the
road in Uttoxeter, or Uttcheter as we called it!
Films to follow on were Carousel, Seven
Brides For Seven Brothers, South Pacific,
High Noon to name a few.
If at sometime it got a bit noisy inside The
Elita Cinema, the film would be stopped, the
manager would come down the aisle shining
a torch in people’s faces – there would be
total silence!
These were the days of no videos, DVDs,
not many had a television set, no off licences
– so the cinema was always full of folk.
When the film had ended and hundreds
spilled out of The Elite doors, people who
came out surnames like Hudson, Chatfield,
Ufton, Crutchley, Lovatt, Blackshaw, Barrett
Statham, Greensmith to name but a few.
We’d go down in our 1956 fashions –
pony tail, poppet beads, duster coats or white
poodle wool jackets – three tiered skirts with
many underskirts which had been stiffened by
rinsing in sugar water so that they stuck out
like crinolines!
Painted high heeled shoes, stckings with
seams and a butterfly motive on the side of
the heel, clutch handbags, lace gloves. Make-
up applied would be pam stick, crème puff
powder, baby pink lipstick!
I remember using my first eye shadow,
mascara and eye liner. The mascara came in a
little box with a brush, you had to dampen
the brush with a quick dab under the tap – or
most girls would spit on the block, it wasn’t
waterproof though! If a ‘weepie’ film had
been on at The Elite you’d see folk with black
running down their cheeks, kiss curls would
be secured with sugar water or a spray of
pompadour lacquer. Then to round it all off,
a good twizzle of the eyebrow pencil on some
part of the face to mimic a ‘beauty spot!’
Some of the conservative fellas would
wear a smart suit, collar and tie, leather
gloves and more often than not have an
overcoat folded neatly over their arms.
The ones who went for the fashion of the
day would wear drainpipe trousers, knee
length velvet collared jackets with shoulder
pads, suede shoes with thick crepe soles and
their hairstyles would be an Elvis or Tony
Curtis one, quaffed at the front, well
brylcreamed and combined into a D.A.
(Ducks Anatomy!) at
the back.
They
kept a
comb sticking out of the top pocket and were
forever using it – using the shop windows as
a mirror! Teddy Boys style this fashion was
called!
Teddy Boys in parts of England were
supposed to attract trouble but the Uttoxeter
lads never did! They showed the girls respect
and courtesy – I remember all Uttoxeter folk
being sociable.
My days spent down there with my pals
have always been remembered as being the
happiest days of my life.
On one occasion, remembering our
fashions, I would be about 16 years of age,
going down to Uttoxeter in a pair of Italian
shoes which caused a stir – they were
backless, like a wooden clog, seethrough
plastic straps over the top, and a high stiletto
steel heel, you could certainly hear me
coming!
If, after the picture show, our Tean bus
was not due we would pop into The Vine to
say hello to Ben and his wife, or go for a
quick lemonade at The Old Star. Somewhere
near here I thinkwas another cinema but we
never went into this one – we were too busy
enjoying ourselves in The Elite!
I hope that my memories of the good old
days in Uttcheter and its lovely people have
brought some happy ones back to you
too...
Best wishes from a Tean Lass, now
aged 70 years old!
MemoriesofdearoldUttcheter...
The Old Star, far left, and The Vine,
bottom, years ago with the Elite Cinema
below.
Photographs kindly supplied by Steve
‘Lank’ Lavin of Uttoxeter.

Baby Sensory
by Laura Johnson
What is Baby Sensory?
A sensory environment rich in sights, sounds,
smells, tastes and textures promotes brain growth,
increases the capacity for intellectual development,
and forms the foundation for all future learning.”
Dr. Lin Day
M
y name is Laura Johnson and I run Baby
Sensory classes in Cheadle, Leek and
Newcastle under Lyme. I am very
passionate about our classes and how they can help
to stimulate, develop and provide early precious
memories in a baby’s first year.
Each month I will be writing about how
amazing babies are and giving you an insight into
how rapidly they learn and develop. This
instalment starts at the very beginning, in fact even
before then, did you know babies have already
learnt so much even before they are born?
Modern day ultrasound techniques tell us that
babies can pick up sounds and vibrations whist in
the womb. Just as a post natal baby will turn their
heads when they hear a sound, a pre natal baby
will do just that in the womb. Patterns of sounds
are also recognised in the womb. Hearing a
familiar tune that was heard in the womb can be
settling for a fretful baby, as can a parent’s voice.
Research also shows us that some music is more
attractive to babies, classical music especially that
of Bach and Mozart has a rhythm similar to a
mother’s voice and can penetrate the womb more
easily than pop music. Lights flickering through the
wall of the uterus can create an amazing light show
for babies in the womb and the amniotic fluid
surrounding baby helps to introduce their taste
buds to sour, bitter and sweet tastes.
These early experiences help to lay the
foundation for further learning during the first
vital year and beyond.
After birth, babies learn more during their first
year than at any other time in their lives. Their
brain almost doubles in size as trillions of tiny
pathways make connections between different
parts of the brain. Every minute 250,000 brain
cells are formed up until the age of 7 months when
the formation is complete and the brain holds up
to 200 billion brain cells.
It is during this first year that the brain develops
the foundations for future learning both in toddler
hood, at school and beyond. Every new experience
may that be a taste or smell, the development of a
relationship, the introduction of a new texture or
a different type of music all help to increase
intelligence, creativity, language and problem
solving to name a few.
It is this amazing level of growth and
development that we help to nurture at Baby
Sensory. All of our activities are carefully planned
and backed by over 35 years of research by Baby
Sensory founder Dr Lin Day. Lin has written
numerous articles about pre and post-natal
development and is one of the UK’s leading
childcare experts.
In all of our classes we provide ideas for play,
massage, tummy time, movement, visual
development and music in simple practical ways
that can be repeated at home. Everything we do
has a reason behind it, from the length and
structure of class to the way we sit in our sensory
area. We have an exploratory play area for our
babies to have a rest between activities and our
parents and helpers to socialise and swop
experiences. Even the mats that we sit on are set
out to maximise your babies experience so they can
focus on objects more clearly.
This year Baby Sensory is 10 years old. We
have grown so much just like our babies and hope
to continue to do so. Baby Sensory classes can be
found in U.S.A., Russia, Dubai, Australia to name
a few and up to 250,000 babies attend classes right
now in the UK alone. Why not join them and join
in the fun.
Baby Sensory is moving to Cheadle Cricket
Club on 23rd February and classes are launching
at the new venue from this date.
@uttoxeter_voice
Send your articles, photographs, features, sports reports
etc into The Voice for insertion into our next issue.
The Voice is here to publicise what’s happening in our
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uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk or by social media
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle

My Monthly Musings
by Cecily Cowans of Cheadle
B
y the time you read this, January will be
behind us. I always think that January is
such a long month but this one seems to have
passed quite quickly. It was a sad month, losing, in
my opinion, one of the best British artists and one
of my favourite actors. I have loved the music of
David Bowie since I was a teenager and if you have
never seen Alan Rickman in ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’,
I thoroughly recommend it but keep a box of
tissues to hand.
The good thing about February is that March
follows it, the hour changes, the evenings lengthen
and Spring is on the way. As much as we may like
to look forward, many of us enjoy reminiscing
about the past. In my opinion, nothing can conjure
up a memory as well as a piece of music is able to
do. Just hearing the introduction to a song or a
theme tune or a classical refrain can transport us
back to a place in our past. Many of you will be
familiar with the Radio 4 programme ‘Desert
Island Discs’. Each week the guest is asked to
choose 8 tunes as well as a book and a luxury in
order to make the island a more pleasant place to
be. I have listened to this programme for years,
remembering Arthur Scargill asking for the
painting of the Mona Lisa as his luxury and, more
recently, Stephen Fry choosing the theme from ‘The
Archers’ as one of his eight discs. Good friends of
mine in Birmingham began their own version of
this over a year ago and I copied this idea and
introduced it to a group of friends in Cheadle. We
meet regularly and the host of the evening presents
her choice of music, book and luxury, as well as
drinks and nibbles. As well as this being a very
pleasant evening, it is a fascinating peep into each
person’s past.
We have listened to all genres of music, from
classical and opera through reggae and folk to
military and the most modern to date…Pharrell
Williams’ ‘Happy’. What is chosen reminds the
chooser of parents, childhood, first jobs, college
and university years, holidays and so much more.
The range of books has been interesting and often
surprising. Luxuries have varied from the
practical…a pillow and a hot water bottle to the
unimaginable… Picasso’s Guernica. My luxury
was an endless supply of paper and pencils (so that
I can muse on my island) but the paper has to be
impregnated with insect repellent as the insects of
anywhere hot start to eat me as I step off the plane.
As for my book, I asked for the complete works of
P.G. Wodehouse.
I love Jeeves and Wooster and the silly tales of
‘Blanding Castle’ would make me laugh even if I
was alone. And the opening notes of ‘Space Oddity’
will transport me back to being 13 again!
Let The Voice Be With You
by Les Humphries of Rocester
W
ell readers, a belated Happy New Year,
and I hope you all had a lovely
Christmas and got everything you
wished for.
I had a real chuckle in December whilst
chatting to ‘Santa’, who told me that my two year
old great grandson Morgan, when asked what he
would like for Christmas, replied “Broccoli!”.
Then, following a smashing family Christmas, we
had a brilliant start to 2016, when on the 13th of
January Morgans’ new baby sister Bella April
Margaret came into the World, weighing in at 7Lb
- 7ozs to join him and his big brother Harley.
Congratulations to Mum Emma and Father
Jonathan (Jonty).
Before Christmas I watched an inspiring
programme on tv featuring a disabled ex-
paratrooper called Ben Parkinson who hails from
Doncaster, and despite horrific injuries, managed
to canoe down the Yukon River. Originally a
strapping teenager of 6’ - 4” , ten years ago in
Afganistan, from a roadside bomb explosion, he
lost both legs from the thigh down, suffered a
broken back and severe brain damage, leaving him
barely alive, so he was flown home to die. But with
some brilliant medical attention, the love and
support of his devoted mother and stepfather, plus
guts and determination, Ben defied all the odds to
not only walk and talk again, which was thought
to be impossible. He even carried the Olympic
Torch for a few yards in 2012.
Although his speech is slow and slurred which
he says makes people think he’s an idiot, Ben has
retained a fabulous sense of humour and an
amazing philosophy on his life. When asked if he
regretted going on what was ironically to be his
last patrol before coming home, his reply was *No,
because if it had not been me it would have been
one of my mates!”. There is just no answer to that,
and it made me feel really ashamed at being such a
whimp when I complain of a bad back or aching
leg. Ben you are some man!
Talking of tv there was not too much to
enthuse about in the Christmas schedules was
there? We did have Downtons’ swansong of
course, and the reliable Mrs. Browns Boys, but
much of the rest was pretty dire. The so called Film
Channels seem to have 50 films or so in their
libraries which they keep showing over and over
again, and with all the other repeats we know all
the plots and jokes. We now have ex footballers
selling houses and cooks trying to persuade next
door neighbours to be friends, where will it end I
wonder?
There were a series of programmes looking
back on past programmes shown in the 60’s and
70’s, many of which are now considered not to be
PC . Maybe they weren’t, but they were good
entertainment, exciting or just bloody funny. I
wonder what in 20 years time people will think
when they look back at todays offerings with
ghastly programmes full of hopefuls who can’t
sing, being judged by a bunch of has beens with
enormous ego’s - X Factor. Pop Idol, The Voice ,(
not to be confused with this fine magazine). Then
there’s Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother and I’m
a celebrity get me out of here. I wonder if these
programmes will be reviewed with the same
disbelief by future generations who will wonder if
people actually enjoyed them?
The Churnet Valley Male Voice Choir
performed their first gig of 2016 on Friday the
22nd of January at Staffords old ‘Top of the World
Night Club, which now goes under the exotic
name of Couture & Noir-et-Blank. The concert
was in aid of The Donna Louise Trust, and the
choir were part of full bill of singers and musicians,
all organised by member of the Bass section Clive
Barks, who did not sing with the choir on the night
as he is soloist in his own right, and performed his
own selection of solo’s and duets. The Churnet
Valley Choir closed the show, and our final
rendition of ‘When the Saints go Marching in’
brought the house down.We were then joined for
the Finale by the rest of the cast plus the audience
for a stirring rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ to end a great
night of song, which included a superb buffet
during the interval.
I would like to add that we were conducted by
our Musical Director Janet Downing, despite being
very frail following her recent long illness, but
being the trouper she is, bravely overcame her pain
to conduct us - well done boss! At time of writing
I don’t know how much was raised on the night,
but full marks to everyone involved for their help
in putting it all together.
Whilst at time of writing Gill Browne is licking
the Denstone Players huge cast into shape ready to
perform their Pantomime Cinderella on the 18th,
19th and 20th of February 7:30 start + Matinee on
20th. Tickets still available from the Denstone
Shop.
There is a grand mixture of both mature and
young actors. As a member of the chorus, I am
performing one particular song with three lovely
ladies who have wonderful voices, and are
showing a lot of patience as I groan through my
bit - badly but it will be a lot of fun so if you fancy
a night out come along.
One of the Denstone Players stalwarts over the
years has been Dennis Parker, also a member of the
Lions he has been involved in hundreds of fund
raising events over the years, not to mention his
membership of the Denstone Branch of the British
Legion for whom he has organised the poppy
distribution for a number of years.At 85 his
contribution to the community has finally been
recognised with the announcement in the New
Years Honours List that he has been awarded the
British Empire Medal.
I am sure that all in the Uttoxeter and Denstone
areas and beyond would like to join me in offering
our congratulations to an icon of the community -
as we say in the Legion “Well done old chap!”.
T T F N Les...

Ginny’s Community Corner
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
M
y favourite day of the year is 1st January,
it is a day when I am really happy, why,
cos the New Year is stretching out in
front of me and the possibilities seem endless. I
suppose that is why so many people make New
Year resolutions on that day, they, like me, see a
full year and get excited about what is coming.
I don’t make resolutions, I found I always just
broke them within days of the big declaration, so
instead I like to review the previous year and tweet
bits in my life that I feel need to change in the
coming year.
If like me you have decided to change
something in 2016, I would like to politely suggest
you try going to Stramshall Village Hall, Vicarage
Drive, Stramshall, ST14 5DL on a Wednesdays
between 2pm – 4pm. There you will find a
wonderful, fun group of people all playing Short
Mat Indoor Bowls.
Cedric Bygrave, was my contact for the session,
he took me round and introduced me to all the
players of the team that were there that day.
Meanwhile other people were busy with the mats
that need to be laid out, the bowls collected, the
score board set to zero, the bag to pick the teams
was being handed round and the game started.
Normally you have 3 or 4 people on each team;
each player takes it in turn to roll their bowl down
the length of the mat, aiming for the white jack ball
at the other end. Sounds easy doesn’t it, well on the
two goes that I had, I soon discovered that it is
actually very very skilful, as you need to judge how
hard to roll it and all I can say is that Stramshall
Village Hall was lucky there was someone at the
end of the mat to stop mine, the phrase, heavy
handed springs to mind.
The game is won when at the end of everyone
rolling their bowl down the mat, you count up how
of each teams bowls gets closest to the jack ball.
And then you start again from the other end up the
mat the other way. You normally play 7 ends and
that is the finish of the match.
At Stramshall, they play for 45 minutes and
then have coffee/tea and biscuits at half time and
then play for another 45 minutes.
During the tea break there was a great
discussion about the recent news about petrol
prices going down and everyone is in agreement
that it’s a good idea, and then a discussion about
the A50 expansion, then finishing off with
discussions about holidays that are being taken
that year and who wants to go where and when.
It was a really nice feeling to be part of it and just
spend some time, doing some exercise and having
a discussion about what was happening in the
world, locally and personally.
While they were playing I spoke to Margaret
and Stewart who have been coming for 3 years and
they really love it, they said, “it helps to keep you
fit in a gentle way, it has improved our balance and
hand/eye coordination and the company is really
enjoyable too.”
Joyce and Lorna Ford explained that the club
had been going for 23yrs, started by their brother,
Arthur Gilbert when they all moved from London
up to Staffordshire and he wanted to become part
of the community and thought that Short Mat
Indoor Bowls was something they should all try
and that the village would benefit from. As it turns
out he was right, as 23 yrs. later they are still
meeting each week and thoroughly enjoying
themselves.
As with any club, they always want new people
to join and on the week that I turned up, so did
three other new people, all wanting to try their
hand at the game. One was experienced and it
showed, the others were beginners like me and like
me it would take some practise to understand the
bias of the bowls and the weight so that when
rolling it down the mat it didn’t shoot off the end,
not that theirs did, that was only mine, obviously!
My guide for the afternoon, Cedric, explained
that anyone can join; all it costs is £2 per week and
the subs pay for the rent of the hall and tea/coffee
and biscuits. Half way through the year they total
up the subs and if there is money in the kitty, then
they organise a lunch trip out, last year they went
on two lunches and have a great time eating lovely
food at The Robin Hood, Bramshall and the Dog
and Partridge in Marchington.
If you want to get involved and start something
new for 2016 then contact Cedric on 01889
569860 and if you live in Uttoxeter and need a lift
to Stramshall, that can be arrange. However you
can just turn up on Wednesday at 1.50 to start the
game at 2pm.
Why not have a go, you will receive a very
warm welcome from a really nice bunch of people,
you will get some exercise, gain new skills and
confidence, meet new people that will become
friends and put the world to rights over a nice cup
of tea in the break.
Auction House has extended its lead as the
UK’s number one auctioneer by selling a record
3,260 lots in 2015 – over 1,000 more (1,031) than
their nearest rival.
In a year of contrasting fortunes in the auctions
sector, the award winning auctioneer - which has
a branch in Staffordshire - was one of only a few
of the big players to show a marked increase in
sales, with a 6.6% rise year on year, and ending
2015 having raised £430m.
Commenting on a record 12 months, Director
Danny Mayer said: “This is a standout
performance, demonstrating clear market
leadership and a genuine preference for selling
auction lots through regional auction rooms,
which are more accessible to local buyers. Local
auctions are also helping to attract more sellers to
our method of sale, and the number of buyers that
we draw into our salerooms is growing too.
“What’s more, our records show that better
prices are being delivered – sometimes exceeding
those of estate agents in the area, who have tried
but failed to sell the same properties only a matter
of weeks previously.”
The number of lots sold by Auction House last
year was an impressive 46% ahead of its biggest
competitor. In particular, its growth in commercial
and mixed use properties has advanced
significantly, with 772 lots sold last year, up from
605 the year before.
Danny Mayer added: “2016 is getting off to a
buoyant start as well. Sellers with surplus stock -
including many landlords - are in a hurry to sell
their assets prior to the 3% Stamp Duty Surcharge
coming into effect on 1 April. This desire to sell
speedily is complimented by a similar rush by
investors to purchase before the surcharge is
triggered.
“Auction rooms will likely be at their busiest
during the month of February. There is only a short
window of opportunity before the additional tax
burden is upon us, so I confidently expect Q1 sales
to be especially strong.”
Auction House sells over 1,000 lots more
than nearest rival in 2015

John Whittaker - a community stalwart
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
R
ecently I took part in a discussion about
Community and we got round to Parish
Councils, not the Church Parish Council,
but the elected Councillors who form the first tier
of local government. The Councillors who sit on
the Parish Councils are elected at the same time as
the General Election and then spend 4 years, or
until the next election, voluntarily looking after the
parishioners needs, whether that is pot holes, litter,
speed watch, planning, allotments, footpaths, bus
shelters or playing fields. They are the first link
between you and me and how things get done in
the various parishes around the UK. There are
9000 Parish and Town Councils in the UK, so they
make up a large representative body of local
government.
Here in Uttoxeter, we have the Uttoxeter Town
Council and Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council. The
Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council has 9 Councillors
who look after a large rural area around the Town,
it’s a sort of kidney shaped parish, we 3 villages,
Stramshall, Bramshall and Willslock and the
Hamlet of Spath.
At the Elections in May last year, one of the
Councillors, John Whittaker, who has given 46
years of service to the local community, retired
from Parish Council works and as a result, was
awarded the Freedom of the Parish by the
Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council. The Freedom of
the Parish is awarded in recognition of exceptional
contribution or service to the community over a
prolonged period of time to a person of distinction.
So I thought for this article, you would like to
know more about John Whittaker, and how he has
contributed to the Community we live in.
John Whittaker started his work with the Parish
Council and District Council when just 29 years
old, he was a member of the Young Farmers
Association and on becoming Chair of the Young
Farmers, was influenced by Rev Oswald Ede, the
vicar of Marchington and Norman Capewell, a
Parish Councillor of Kingstone and seeing the good
works they did for the area, he decided to put
himself forward as Councillor because he believed
he could make a difference. He was elected in 1969
for both Uttoxeter District Council to represent
Stramshall and also Uttoxeter Rural Parish
Council.
During his time on the Uttoxeter Rural Parish
Council he worked with his fellow Councillors to
create the Playing Fields at Stramshall, the field
used to be the sewage bed for the village and when
the village was connected to the main drainage
system in 1970 for £25 per household, the Parish
Council decided to ensure that the village had a
playing field and took over the running and
maintenance of the site, so the children of the
village had a play area and a football pitch.
Together with other Councillors he also
successfully petitioned East Staffordshire Borough
Council to install a footpath in Stramshall and
Spath that linked the villages with Uttoxeter Town.
He also ensured that a footpath was installed to
link Bramshall Village to Uttoxeter Town, before
this, pedestrians were
walking at the side of the
road, so when these paths
were created both villages
were safer places for
parishioners.
Between 1989 and
2001 John Whittaker was
elected to the East
Staffordshire Borough
Council and he was part of
a team who ensured that
when development of the
housing in Bramshall took
place, a planning gain of a
village hall was included in
the scheme by the developers. The Loxley and
Bramshall Parish Hall was finished in June 1997
and was opened by John Whittaker’s mother, Mrs
Alice Whittaker and the Lord Mayor of East
Staffordshire Borough Council, Chris Cornell and
is still run by the community for the community
today.
Stramshall Village Hall was also created in John
Whittaker’s time, the Rural District Council sold
the Old Vicarage site to the Rural Council and it
included a block of land. It was decided to build
bungalows for the elderly of the village and this is
now Vicarage Drive, Stramshall. They also built
alongside the bungalows, a new village hall to
ensure that the community had a place to meet and
create a village atmosphere; this was opened by
Robert Ball of the County Council in 1979.
John Whittaker and the Parish Councillors
worked with the Bramshall Action Group and Sir
Ivan Lawrence to ensure that a planning
application to create a large land fill site in
Bramshall was not passed; one of the results of this
was that East Staffordshire Borough Council had
to rethink its waste management and the recycling
programme was introduced. We have three bins for
waste, green waste and plastic as a result of this
new scheme that the ESBC developed.
The Stramshall Action Group also worked with
John Whittaker and Parish Councillors who fought
a planning application to develop a 24 acres site
on the end of Stramshall and Spath, the successful
denial of this application ensure the village identity
would not be lost and would create a clear
boundary from Uttoxeter Town and the new local
plan that has just been passed ensures that the
village and hamlet of Stramshall and Spath are
kept intact.
When John Whittaker started his career in
public service the Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council
the minutes of the meetings were one page, today
they are five pages, due to the active nature of the
Councillors to ensure their parishioners are well
represented.
John commented that the main work of any
councillor is to ensure that parishioners’ voices are
heard. His philosophy is that it is a privilege to give
back to a community that has given him so much
and he believes that helping others is an honour
that he has enjoyed for the last 46 years.
On speaking to a number of parishioners about
Mr John Whittaker the main comments attributed
to him are that he is an extremely nice, dedicated,
down to earth, generous, funny man, who has
given freely to the parish and made a huge
difference in his time as a Councillor and Mayor
of Uttoxeter Town Council.
If you want to see all of the things that go on in
our local Parish Councils and perhaps get involved
at the next elections, then visit their websites.
Uttoxeter Town Council
www.uttoxetertowncouncil.org.uk
Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council
www.uttoxeterruralparishcouncil.org.uk
Checkley and Tean Parish Council
www.checkleyparishcouncil.co.uk
Cheadle Town Council
www.cheadlestaffordshire.co.uk/Council
Rocester Parish Council
www.rocester.net/information/parishcouncil
Kingstone Parish Council
www.kingstone-pc.org.uk
Above: Mr John Whittaker was presented with
the Freedom of the Parish due to his retirement in
May 2015 after 46 years as a District, Borough
and Parish Councillor, also being Mayor of
Uttoxeter Town Council for a year.
Left: On 21st November 2015 the Uttoxeter
Rural Parish Council planted an Oak tree on
Stocks Lane in Bramshall, Uttoxeter, to celebrate
the Freedom of the Parish being awarded to Mr
John Whittaker by the Parish Council. A
presentation took place in Loxley and Bramshall
Parish Hall. After the tree planting, of the
Freedom of the Parish Scroll was made along
with tea and coffee and cakes. The Chairman of
the Parish Council, Cllr Philip Smith was joined
by Andrew Griffiths MP, Mayor David Leese of
East Staffordshire Borough Council, Mayor
Martin Blencowe, Uttoxeter Town Council,
Deputy Mayor Noyes, Uttoxeter Town Council
and Cllr Colin Whittaker, East Staffordshire
Borough Council, plus The Parish Councillors
and friends and family of Mr Whittaker.

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W
hat a wonderful evening was enjoyed
by all at Cheadle Flower’s Club Golden
Anniversary event.
A capacity audience was welcomed to the
prestigious event by Chairman Sheila Jones.
Among the guests were the NAFAS Area
President, Chairman and Secretary and the Town
Mayor, Stephen Ellis (who often pops into the
club).
She gave out notices of interest and thanked
everyone for coming to what she hoped would be
a memorable evening.
Sheila then introduced Diane Lucas, former
Chairman of the Club for the past fifteen years
and Diane proceeded to work her way through
the alphabet as a way of incorporating favourite
flowers and well- known personalities who had
been connected with the club over the past fifty
years.
Starting with A for “advertising” she thanked
the local papers for their support over the years
and many early reports and photos were on show
at the back of the hall serving as reminders of
our “history”
She went on through the letters as far as “D”
– when she explained that we had had many
demonstrators over the years and some
wonderful arrangements made. In true tradition
the arrangements formed the raffle at our
demonstrations, which meant that lucky
recipients took them home with pride.
Demonstrators can be expensive and
sometimes members of the club take on the role
and show the club what they can do !! Diane
then introduced Stella Heritage who was going to
produce an arrangement on the theme of
“Reflections” on our past floral history.
Stella used gold roses, chrysanthemums and
spray carnations on a square gold platter. Fatsia
leaves and skimmia, together with begonia leaves
and gypsophila
completed the
arrangement and the
addition of a gold
framed rectangular
mirror - the reflection
- was enhanced with
the number fifty in
gold letters – reflected
in the mirror.
Diane thanked
Stella and the
arrangement joined
many others made by
members of the club
beforehand to be part
of the evening’s raffle.
Many other
memories were
invoked as Diane’s
alphabet contained
details of visits we
had made as a Club, and the way we had taken
part in Cheadle Festival – the “old” one – and the
new Arts Festival.
Under “G” came – gifts we have made for
hospitals and care homes in the area, Here
Dorothy Plimmer had made, in true “Blue Peter”
style a wonderful “Golden Anniversary” display
complete with champagne and glasses filled with
gold roses, this was most impressive. Cynthia
Wood brought along a basket similar to those we
have given to hospitals
A friend of the Club, Ann Smith from Weston
Coyney Flower Club, did a wonderful
arrangement in a “contorted” car tyre – most
impressive and thought-provoking. She used
pink/purple roses and spray carnations, and
foliage. A pink arrangement to complement the
Victorian outfit she wore !!
Club Chairman Sheila did an arrangement to
show the contrast between flower arranging
today and in Constance Spry’s day – we have
come a long way !!Sheila paid tribute though to
the work of Constance Spry and spoke of the
books of her life and work.
When Diane reached the letter “R” it was
time to replenish the bubbly, and the delicious
buffet. Poems, jokes and a song from Cynthia
Brassington and her “Prim-Roses” entitled “In an
English Country Garden” gave tuneful members
a chance to sing Cynthia’s great words to the
song. Cynthia had made up the words and
accompanied us on the ukulele. This all added to
an evening full of flowers, fun and friendship
which we will all remember for a long time.
Cheadle Flower Club’s Golden Anniversary
You can now read The Voice at
www.uttoxeterandcheadlevoice.co.uk
You can now view recent issues of The Voice online, as well as being able to
download them.
Make comments and send us images - be a part of the community.
Place your advert via our new website - it’s so easy - just email
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Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice issue 61

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice issue 61

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Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice issue 61