An Eccleshall goalkeeper was the hero of the hour as a string of fine saves steered his school side to a new national hockey title at an Olympic stadium in London.

Eleven-year-old Freddie Nakash kept out three penalties during a tense final at the Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) under-11 boys’ national championships.

Nakash was among a 10-man squad at Stafford Preparatory School (SPS) who travelled to the Lee Valley Stadium where they defied the odds to become the tournament’s first champions.

“To get the opportunity to play at an Olympic stadium was fantastic and I’ve never been prouder than when the players received their medals. The boys showed grit and determination and competed as a unit throughout. It’s an even greater achievement when you consider we play hockey as an after school club once a week and had to take on some big schools where hockey is a named sport for boys,”

said Stafford Prep’s deputy head teacher, Cheryl Martin.

A dozen schools across England took part in the event and after a nervous start a vital draw in their last group match saw the boys safely through to the cup stage. As the tournament wore on they gained momentum, defeating Kenilworth outfit Crackley Hall 1-0. Eccleshall’s Nakash then denied Lingfield Notre Dame (Surrey) with three outstanding saves to take the tie to penalty shuffles, where goals by team mates Matthew Cutler and Thomas Green fired SPS into the final.

In an all action clash for the title against Surrey-based Weston Green School the score remained goalless at full time, forcing SPS into more penalty shuffles. Nakash continued his rich vein of form when he saved all three of his opponents’ shots, while Thomas Green slotted in the winner.

The post School’s hockey starlets bag national crown at Olympic venue appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

The children at First Steps Day Nursery made Chinese dragon masks, flags, and found out what their name looks like in Chinese writing, and as it is the year of the monkey made monkey pictures and masks. Here are some photos of some of their work and the Chinese dragon.

The post Happy Chinese New Year (belated!) appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Did you know that 14 million people visit one of our waterways each year?  So many people want to know more about the nation’s canals and rivers but they don’t always know where to look or find us. You can help to change this.

The Canal & River Trust has a wide variety of visitor attractions and community hotspots. In this area they are Great Haywood Junction and Stone, the original Canal Town.  To better respond to this interest, we are looking to establish a mobile Welcome Station at both these hotspots on busy days over the summer months, to engage with visitors and locals alike.

This is an opportunity to be the ‘face’ of the Canal & River Trust, playing a key role in the enjoyment of the visitor experience and ensuring visitors leave with a greater understanding of the waterways.  It will involve being on hand to talk to visitors, explaining the work that the Canal & River Trust carries out and informing them about the what, where, when and why of the Trent and Mersey canal, the amenities and attractions of the Stone area, and the charity as a whole.

We’re not looking for people who are experts in the nation’s waterways, but for people who are friendly and approachable and know who to ask if they don’t know the immediate answer. You’ll get a full induction and familiarisation to the Trust and you’ll be able to meet other volunteers and employees who can help. Knowledge of the local area is useful but not essential.

The welcome station will be equipped with engaging interactive displays giving an overview of the Trust, and a supply of leaflets and other relevant literature.

The queries that you get can vary from the fascinating to the bizarre and it’s a great way to understand how people feel about the canals and rivers as well as reveal the fantastic facts that give people an insight into their management.

To find out more about how you could get involved, please contact Tom Freeland at the Canal and River Trust on tom.freeland@canalrivertrust..org.uk, or call 01827 252010.  Alternatively, go to our website at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk and check out ‘Volunteering in my area’.

The post New Canal Welcome Station in Stone – volunteers wanted appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Residents dumping nappies or food in their recycling bins are costing tax payers in Stafford Borough thousands of pounds.

The Council has released a picture of a lorry load of recycling that was recently rejected by the processing plant because unwanted rubbish had been put in the blue recycling bins.

Because of nappies and food the 18 tonne pile could not be recycled and had to be sent away to be incinerated – costing thousands of pounds more. The Council stress it is only a small minority of households that are putting the wrong items in the blue bin.

Now residents are being warned their blue bins will not be emptied if they have items that cannot be recycled inside. The message is being sent to every home in the borough with the annual bin calendar very soon.

If the blue bin contains nappies, food, textiles or black bags – it will not be collected. And the bin will only be emptied on the next scheduled blue bin collection if the householder has removed the unwanted items.

Residents are reminded a list of products that can be recycled can be found under the lid of the blue bin or at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling.

The Council has launched a number of initiatives to increase recycling including the popular doorstep challenge where householders can win £60 for being good recyclers. Around 55 per cent of all waste collected from homes is recycled – and the figure has increased year after year.

And the authority was shortlisted for a national title last year because of its innovative approach to increasing recycling.

Councillor Frank Finlay, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said:

“Most residents in the borough use their recycling bins properly and don’t put nappies or food waste in them.

“Unfortunately, a minority are putting items in that can’t be processed and this can cause major problems, sometimes leading to a whole lorry load of recycling being rejected at the depot.

“This is a lose, lose situation. Someone has to foot the bill for the incineration – and we will lose out on the money we get for recycling. This is why we want to make sure we can avoid this cost by recycling correctly.”

The Council is given money depending on the amount of rubbish it recycles and this cash is pumped back into the service – with an increase in one per cent of recycling worth nearly £25,000 to the authority.

Councillor Finlay added:

“The more money coming back to the service means less money needed to run it, and this ultimately keeps the council tax down.”

The post Council issues recycling warning appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Film night at Hilderstone Village Hall is holding on Friday 29 April at 7 pm

The film to be shown is “The Theory Of Everything” starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

Stephen Hawking’s biopic The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne as Professor Hawking, and Felicity Jones as Jane Hawking. It follows the story of Stephen and Jane’s life, from first meeting in Cambridge in 1964, with Stephen’s subsequent academic successes and his increasing disability.

Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Bookings Secretary 07810 332559 or by email hilderstonevhbookings@gmail.com. Bring your own refreshments.

The post Film night at Hilderstone Village Hall – Friday 29 April appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

A ukelele concert in aid of Aston Church will be held at  Aston Village Hall at 7.30 pm on May 7th.

Tickets are £10 and include a glass of wine or soft drink, nibbles and a lucky draw raffle.

For further details call 01785 813475

The post Ukelele Concert – Aston Church – May 7th appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Just a rumour circulating the town at the moment, but our source says it may be happening soon!

Not sure where they plan to open it or build it yet.  Watch this space for more information as we get it.

What do you think? Would you like a Lidl in town?  Comment on our Facebook.

The post Lidl planning to come to Stone? appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Time is running out for dog owners in Stafford Borough to get their pets microchipped before a new law comes into force next month.

But Stafford Borough Council is offering vouchers to 200 people, which will entitle them to have their dogs chipped for free.

In just over three weeks all dogs must be microchipped by law. Owners whose pets aren’t chipped face being served a notice by the Council requiring them to do so. And they could end up with a £500 court fine if they fail to act.

It is hoped the new law coming in on 6 April will mean stray dogs are reunited with their owners more quickly – saving the council a chunk of the annual £15,000 kennel cost bill.

The existing law requires all dogs to have a collar and tag identifying their owner in case they become a stray, but last year almost 200 strays were reported in the borough and only a quarter of these had a collar and tag.

The microchipping vouchers can be redeemed at The Island Veterinary Associates at both their Stafford and Stone clinics. People just need to complete the details on the back of the voucher, make an appointment and take some form of identification to prove they live in Stafford Borough.

Councillor Frank Finlay, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said:

“I would encourage dog owners throughout the borough whose pets aren’t chipped to take advantage of this initiative as well as ensuring all dogs wear a collar and tag.

“This not only makes the reuniting process much easier and less stressful for both owner and animal but it will soon be required by law.”

The Council offered special vouchers entitling owners to have their dogs chipped for free last year.

The vouchers are available to the first 200 people who come forward. To receive one call 01785 619402 or email dogs@staffordbc.gov.uk

The post FREE microchipping to keep dog owners on right side of law appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Friends of Shallowford House are organising a day trip to Liverpool on THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016

They leave during the morning by coach from Stone Crown Street 9.00 am

This is a great opportunity to spend a day in this iconic city, and they hope you will be able to joins them.
With its unique attractions, the largest collection of museums and galleries outside London, culture and heritage are at the very heart of the city.

There are two Cathedrals, and interesting waterfront with the opportunity of a trip across the Mersey . Coach shall leave for home around 5.30 pm.

The price is only £17.50 per person (includes, coach travel with reserved seat) Any queries contact Damian Samuels 01902 342453.

The post Friends of Shallowford House Liverpool day trip – THURSDAY 19 MAY 2016 appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

There will be a talk entitled ‘Tasty Buds, Luscious Leaves and Succulent Shoots’ by Kim and Robert Hurst of the Cottage Herbery, Tenbury Wells. Well with a title like that who cannot be tempted to come along and hear more !

It takes place on Thursday 14th April at Christchurch Centre 7.45pm in Stone ST15 8ZB. As always for our monthly meetings visitors are welcome £1.50 plus refreshments.

Our Annual Plant Sale

Then May 7th at St Michael’s Hall, Lichfield Street Stone is another date not to be missed .

From 9.00 to 2.00pm we will have our annual Plant Sale where you will be able to buy a great range of general garden plants – just the time to buy those plants you need for  the garden and patio, at reasonable prices.

For further information about these events or the club please call01785 812097 or 01785 813067

The post Stone Gardening Club of Stone Chrysanthemum and Dalia Society have a few busy weeks ahead ! appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Dear readers,

My name is Natalie Devaney and I’m standing as an independent candidate for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner in Staffordshire, in the forthcoming elections taking place on the 5th May 2016.
A little about me… Up until July 2015 I worked as a ‘frontline’ police officer serving the people of Staffordshire. I firmly believe to ‘keep party politics out of policing’. I will be the unsung Voice, who will act with Integrity, and ensure Accountability. I am a self funded independent candidate who believes passionately in public service, and I feel compelled to not only stand for the role, but to win it.
The PCC, on being elected, takes an oath of impartiality which states that they will act without fear or favour.
If you would like to know more about me, my campaign or see a copy of my campaign flyer please visit my website at nat4pcc.com/wp/

Thank you for reading

Natalie Devaney

The post Keep party politics out of policing appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

The post Maintenance Supervisor Job at Katharine House Hospice appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Win the opportunity for your school to visit Buckingham Palace by making a special birthday cake for Her Majesty The Queen!

Following the hugely popular Cook for The Queen competition for children that was held for the Diamond Jubilee, the organisers, Love British Food, are inviting schools to join in this summer’s Royal celebrations and commemorate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday by making a Cake for The Queen.

The Queen’s official 90th Birthday is being celebrated on the weekend of the 11th and 12th June 2016.  It begins with a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, followed by Trooping the Colour on Saturday.  The finale takes place on the Sunday when the Mall will be transformed for Britain’s largest ever street party.

Communities across the country will be celebrating this historical occasion in many wonderful ways and schools are invited to join in the national celebrations by holding a fun birthday party, the centre piece of which will be a very special birthday cake for Her Majesty made by the children themselves.  The more delicious, the healthier and the more spectacular the better!

The competition sets a specific challenge: as well as making a cake that is spectacular to look at and is decorated in a manner fit for Royalty, it must be made with healthy ingredients.  The healthier, the fresher and the more local the better.  This is an opportunity to teach children that there are alternatives to sugar!  We want the delicious flavours of the ingredients to sing out in your cakes and for sugar and marg to take a back seat.

Photos of the top five winning cakes will be made into a montage and presented to Her Majesty The Queen as a birthday souvenir and the winning school will be treated to an exclusive trip to Buckingham Palace, during British Food Fortnight (17th September – 2nd October 2016)

How to take part
Taking part is easy.  The competition is open to any group of children of school age and all you have to do is:
1. Adapt a traditional cake recipe using healthy and/or local ingredients or create your own brand new recipe.  Eating healthily doesn’t mean you have to give up all things nice, in fact it is an opportunity to discover new, delicious ingredients to use. For example, did you know…
• Beetroot, courgette and carrots are all examples of vegetables that can be used in cakes?
• White refined sugar can be replaced with honey, fruit syrup or seasonal fruit?
• There are many delicious local butters available to use in place of margarine.
1. Bake and decorate the cake in a manner fit for The Queen.
2. Share and eat the cake – have a Royal Birthday Party for the class or the whole school.  You could make it a fancy dress party with all the children dressing up to commemorate different features of Her Majesty’s reign: The Queen as a child, her wedding, Coronation, overseas tours, her love of horses and her famous corgis.
3. Send us: up to five photos of the cake, of the children making it and your Royal Birthday Party, plus a description of the recipe and ingredients you used and how and why you adapted it.

Who can take part?

The competition is open to any group of children of school age (primary and secondary) in the UK.  The group should have an adult as a co-ordinator / point of contact.

How to Enter
To enter, send your photos and a description of what you did, including your cake recipe to info@lovebritishfood.co.uk by 15th July 2016. Don’t forget your name, your school or group name and a contact telephone number.

Winners will be notified w/c 18th July and the prize tour of Buckingham Palace will take place during British Food Fortnight (September 17th- October 2nd).

For more information about Cake for the Queen visit the Love British Food Website: http://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/british-food-fortnight/cake-for-the-queen

Love British Food’s official sponsor in 2016 is Co-op Food.

The post CAKE FOR THE QUEEN appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

In a massive coup for the region, the legendary Tom Jones is to perform live in concert in Lichfield’s Beacon Park on 12 June.

The superstar performer will draw from his huge repertoire of hits that include It’s Not Unusual, Kiss, Delilah and What’s New Pussycat, as well as tracks from recently released albums, Praise & Blame, Spirit In The Room and Long Lost Suitcase, for which, at the age of 75, Tom has received some of the best reviews of his career.

With a career spanning five decades, the Welsh superstar continues to go from strength to strength, amassing 36 top 40 UK hits, a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the prestigious (UK) Music Industry Trust Award.

The Tom Jones concert in Beacon Park, brought to Lichfield by the city’s own events company tinyCOW, in association with Clockwork and New Wave Pictures, promises an outstanding day of music and entertainment.

Held in a 10,000-person capacity grand marquee, the event will start at noon with a full line-up of artists from the region as well as some of the best new talent in the UK, before Tom and his band take to the stage for a full headline set of some of his best known and loved hits.

tinyCOW’s Lee O’Hanlon said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing Tom Jones to Lichfield as this is a real first for the city. He’s truly a living legend, with an irresistible and exciting show that crosses musical eras and genres and appeals to young and old, male and female, mainstream and cutting edge. Tom has always been about the power of the song, the power of the voice.”

Tickets are on sale now at £55 Standard (inclusive of booking fee and P&P) and £99 for Gold Circle (inclusive of booking fee and P&P) from tinyCOWtickets.co.uk and Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Box Office: 01543 412121

The post Are you a Tom fan? Sir Tom Jones LIVE in Lichfield’s Beacon Park – 12 June appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

6 local supporters will run 26.2 miles in the Virgin Money London Marathon this April for Katharine House Hospice. The hospice would like to say a huge thank you to them for all of their hard work, in both training and fundraising for this iconic marathon.

The Gold Bond runners including Charlotte Beddow, Joe Potts, Joel Haywood, Carl Williams and hospice Fundraiser Lisa Carson, all have fundraising targets of £1,350 which they are all working hard towards.

Charlotte has baked cakes and sold them in Asda Living, Carl is holding a BBQ event at his rugby club, Joel has held a fundraising event at his tattoo parlour and Joe and Lisa have secured a substantial sponsorship deals with a local business. All of this activity, in addition to their sponsorship raised through online and offline sponsorship should raise in excess of £7,000 for the hospice. This will fund the entire hospice services for a whole 24 hours.

Chloe Birchall is also running the marathon in support of the hospice this year having gained a “Good for age” place following a really successful marathon in 2015. Chloe is also working hard to raise valuable funds for the hospice.

If you would like to support any of our runners, please visit www.justgiving.com and search for any of their names. Every penny you donate will make a difference to the hospice, and pay for free care for local people with life limiting illnesses.

Every year the hospice has 5 Gold Bond places for the London Marathon. The 2017 Gold Bond places will be drawn in August this year. Those interested in applying need to contact the Fundraising Team on 01785 270808 or email fundraising@khhospice.org.uk.

Anyone wanting to run for the hospice in any events can get sponsor forms and t-shirts by contacting the Fundraising Team on 01785 270808 or email fundraising@khhospice.org.uk.

The post Runners go the extra miles for Katharine House Hospice appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

“It’s 1964 and the sleepy village of Nether Claybourne (not unlike Oulton) is about to experience it’s first major change for fifty years. This comes initially in the guise of a modern-thinking vicar, Rev Martin Braithwaite who embraces the burgeoning youth culture of the 1960s.

Then Micky Greenaway, the manager of up-and-coming pop group “The Bad Pennies”  takes on the lease of Claybourne Hall, so that he and the band can “get-it-together in the country”. How will the good residents of Claybourne cope when modern life comes crashing in on their rural idyll?

How will Mrs Allenby-Croft, self appointed guardian of traditional values, prevent the village turning into the den of iniquity she fears? How will Nelly Drake persuade her wayward son not to be led further astray by the new arrivals?”

This is a welcome return to Oulton Village Hall for Day-Star Theatre who weave a comic and thought -provoking tale of one small rural community coming to terms with great social change.

The production is on Saturday 23rd April at 8.00 p.m and tickets are available now at £8.50 from Chris Whalley on 01785 813377.

The post A Bad Penny always turns up! – Saturday 23rd April appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

A Stone acrobatic gymnast and her partner made the national final of a competition with a routine which earned the highest score of the day.

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Greensmith won the over-14 girls’ pairs event with Claudia Ballinger, 16, at the West Midlands schools’ acrobatics and tumbling championships in Stoke-on-Trent.

Gymnasts aged between 11 and 19 across the region competed in a range of categories, with the gold and silver medallists booking their slot in the national finals at Fenton Manor Sports Complex on April 30 and May 1.

The Stafford Grammar School students, who train with Stafford Gymnastics Club, performed a two minute routine of tumbles, balances, dance and floor work to music which was marked 8.8 out of 10 to place them top of the leaderboard and gave them the highest score of all the competitors in the events programme.

The post High scoring gymnasts book nationals slot appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

There’s a new social meeting taking place in Stone, the CAMEO club (come and meet each other).

The aim of the group is to provide an opportunity for people in the local community to come together for a social afternoon. It will be taking place at the Lamb pub in Walton on Thursday afternoons 2 till 4pm hosted by St. Johns. Everyone is welcome,Tea,Coffee and Cakes are available.

The post Introducing the CAMEO Club (Come And Meet Each Other) appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

On 5th February, a group of eighteen friends enjoyed an informal lunch at the Oak Leaf Tea Room at Oak Tree Farm in Hilderstone, where they received a warm welcome. As volunteers in the Women’s Section  of the Stone branch of the Royal British Legion the ladies had gathered to celebrate 25 years of the Section’s time in Stone.
Also attending that day were three out of the five original founder members:- the present Women’s Section Chairman Jennie Cumming, with President – Councillor Joyce Farnham MBE, and Treasurer Olive Munden.  They were joined by their highly regarded Secretary Ann Sproston.  Many happy memories were recalled during the afternoon. A special cake topped with an iced replica of the Women’s Section badge was provided by one of the talented members. Past fundraising events were remembered with pleasure, and the final results of those occasions mentioned with pride, including last year’s amazing £31,000+ raised for the Poppy Appeal during the Remembrance period in November.
Not only did the representative group on 5th February enjoy each other’s company they also spoke of the loyalty of all the other women in the 40-strong Stone branch group who, as volunteers, always gave unstintingly of their time and effort, throughout every year – sometimes in all sorts of weather conditions when attending outdoor events! Also other local people and groups often joined in, giving tremendous support and friendship during fund raising times, and this was a source of great pleasure for the Stone ladies. During the afternoon they enjoyed a flower quiz which was in recognition of the famous British Legion poppy.

The Women’s Section will hold their next monthly meeting on April 5th at 2pm, in their new venue of Stone Fire Station’s meeting room.

In February, the Women’s Section of the Stone branch of the RBL celebrated 25 years since they reformed in 1991.  Eighteen of the 40-strong membership were able to attend an informal lunch at the Oak Tree Farm’s Oak Leaf Café where the staff gave them all a warm welcome. Included in their number were three of the original founder members. Many of the ladies of the Women’s Section have been friends over the years and reminisced about events which have taken place during that time. They were proud to acknowledge that in 2015 (as in previous years) fund raising for the Royal British Legion continued throughout the year. For the annual Poppy Appeal at the time of Remembrance in November, with support of many people and groups in the Stone area, over £31,000 was raised due to the generosity of local people.

The next meeting of the Women’s Section will be in April when future events will be discussed.

The post LADIES OF THE STONE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.

Staffordshire’s leading nature conservation charity is appealing for nature lovers to become part of their 2016 Peregrine Watch scheme.

As part of ‘Peregrine Watch’, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is inviting local people to join their wardens to look out for the bird on the Roaches this spring.

As well as recording sightings, volunteers act as a point of contact with visitors at the nature reserve near Leek and pass on information on how to best not disturb them.

This year’s Peregrine Watch begins on Friday 18th March and both of last year’s breeding pair have already been spotted during the past few weeks.

Last year’s Peregrine Watch was a huge success, and thanks to the work of the volunteers, over 5000 people visited to see the rare bird of prey. Three chicks also fledged, making a total of 15 chicks fledged since 2007.

Jon Rowe, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Roaches Warden, said:

“We are very lucky to have a breeding pair of peregrines at the Roaches. We are looking for volunteers to help us minimise disturbance to the birds and ensure they have the best chance of breeding.
Volunteers can commit whatever time they can to the watch rota, and no expert knowledge is required. They will be allocated to a watch area and equipped with telescopes and the necessary information.”

Designated a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Roaches, Part of the Peak District National Park, consists of important habitats including blanket bog and upland moorland and is also home to many other specialist breeding and wintering birds such as curlew, red grouse and tree pipit.  On May 1 2013, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust began its 125-year lease of the Roaches, a magnificent 975 acre landscape on the edge of the Peak District National Park.

For more information on getting involved with Peregrine Watch, email Jon Rowe

j.rowe@staffs-wildlife.org.uk or call 07891 918446.

The post Trust’s 2016 Peregrine Watch set to get underway appeared first on The Stone and Eccleshall Gazette.