Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 83

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3Let The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice take your business to 15,000 local homes. To advertise, call 01538 751629 or 07733 466 970.
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
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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, Draycott, Cresswell, Saverley Green & Fulford,
Doveridge and Abbots Bromley, Sudbury, Kingstone, Marchington, Ellastone,
Froghall, Hollington, Marston Montgomery, Meir Park areas.
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W
e can’t complain about the weather this year can we? We have
been basking in the hot sunshine and by all accounts hotels and
B&B’s in the UK have been inundated with bookings which is
great.
Memories keep flooding back to me of the heatwave of 1976 and I am
sure some of our Voice readers will remember that red hot Summer. Our
lawns were brown not green as temperatures soared throughout the days.
I think Van McCoy’s The Hustle song was at Number 1 in the pop charts
and everyone seemed to be so happy.
It’s funny how the sun seems to give you a boost and makes you feel
better isn’t it......
I have been watching The World Cup and it’s been a terrific tournament
so far but I suppose when this issue of The Voice is distributed England
will be back home! The two games they have played so far has shown we
have a good young team but as I am writing this article they play Belgium
soon – a team I think could actually win the competition – we shall see but
good luck to the boys.
I would just like to say what a beautiful country Russia is – the football
coverage has also given an insight into this huge country and I am very
impressed by what they have created.
It was always a thought of mine that Russia was a cold, snow covered
expanse but temperatures have hit the 30 degrees mark during The World
Cup – this has been the best tourism advert Russia could have ever wished
for!
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The Voice colour magazine
Nigel Titterton
Editor & Publisher
Dear Reader,

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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Stramshall Village
Micro Library
T
he residents of Stramshall are enjoying a
new facility in the village, a micro library,
which has been created inside a BT
telephone box, that is located on the village green
along the high street in Stramshall.
Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council adopted the
red telephone box in the village for £1 from BT,
when the decommissioning of telephone boxes
happened and the villagers suggested a micro
library.
Two residents, who wish to remain
anonymous, kindly donated their time and skills
to create shelving for books, and the books are
being donated by all the villagers to share.
The rules of the library are displayed within the
telephone box and include, “you don’t need to be
quiet”, which is unique rule for a library. All the
residents are encouraged to donate books and
borrow books and return them in their own time.
Cllr David Oulsnam and Cllr Tom
Ollerenshaw (pictured choosing a book) who
started the project by painting the telephone box
just after the parish council adopted it and
commented, “We are thrilled that this village
resource has been created by the two residents
who created the shelving and are glad that
residents are enjoying it so much.”
On the white board inside the box, where
residents are encouraged to write
comments/suggestions for the library, a young
resident has written, “Thank You”, which says it all.

A
very successful afternoon was held
recently at Bramshall Village Hall when
80 people arrived to sample various
authentic African dishes all made by the Ladies
of the Uttoxeter Inner Wheel Club. The hall and
tables were attractively decorated with an African
theme, along with a display of African
memorabilia and artifacts. Appropriate African
dress was worn by some!
International Secretary, Fiona Kerby gave a
brief insight into some of the Charities, both
National and International, supported by Inner
Wheel. Some of the overseas charities supported
last year are, Intercare - aid to African Rural
health clinics, Water Aid, International
Aid/Syria - filled shoe boxes, shoes, clothing and bedding. Breadline/South Africa
and Malawi - clothes and bedding. Smalls For All -underwear for African school
girls for protection from rape. School In A Bag -pens, paper, etc, plus water bottle,
dish, plate and cutlery for 3rd world countries but especially Nepal. Police Aid
Convoys - wedding attire. The Butterfly Tree/Zambia- for Malaria prevention and
protection.
President Sue Davies thanked everyone for their support and for making it such
a lively and enjoyable occasion.
The Ladies of The Inner Wheel Club of
Uttoxeter held “A Taste Of Africa”lunch

T
he people of Rocester and Denstone packed Rocester
Community Centre for a Wimbledon Tea Party to raise
funds for St. Michael’s Church.
The Annual Tea Party chooses a different theme each year, so of
course this year’s theme being Wimbledon, the proceedings centred
around Tennis.
On the menu were mouth-watering sandwiches, scrumptious
cakes and scones with of course Strawberries and cream and a pot
of tea or a cup of coffee. A glass of Pimms was on offer as an extra
and when everyone had eaten, it was time for a sing song associated
(where possible) with Wimbledon, Cliff Richard songs amongst
others, for everyone to join in with, and tennis facts and figures
accompanied by fantastic old films of a bygone age throughout
projected onto on a screen at the front of the hall.
This year’s event also gave the parishioners a chance to meet their
new Vicar, the Rev. Liz Jones who was in attendance with her
husband Peter. Liz will also be the Vicar for Croxden and
Hollington, also taking on the additional duties for Denstone which
links in with the other parishes for the first time.
An awful lot of thought had gone into the event which raised a
staggering £1,246, all due to the hard work of the organisers, the
cooks, waitresses and waiters, and kitchen staff, who all worked so
hard. Too many to mention them all by name, but pat yourselves on
the back for a wonderful afternoon, and thanks to everyone who
attended.
Photo’s by courtesy of Bill Woodier
Is that The Voice’s very own columnist Les Humphries dressed as
John McEnroe bottom right photo?
Wimbledon Tea Party
a great success!

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Send your articles, photographs, features, sports reports etc
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Get in touch now via email uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk or
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Uttoxeter
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Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
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Doveridge
Village
Scarecrow
Competition
O
n July 14th and 15th
Doveridge Village will
be holding a new
Scarecrow competition. All
households within the village
have been invited to take part so
hopefully there should be a good
number of entries on show for
viewing and each one hoping to
become the competition winner
or runner up.
In the 2 weeks leading up to
the competition there will be
village maps on sale in the
village shop for £2, on these will
be the voting section to
nominate a scarecrow for
winner. These voting forms need
to be handed into ‘Scarecrow
HQ’ by no later than 4pm on
Sunday 15th July. This will allow
us to count up the votes and see
which scarecrow is the winner,
second and third runners up.
The HQ will be located on the
front lawns of ‘Kirsby’ on Sand
Lane, just opposite the village
hall. At the HQ there will be tea
and biscuits on sale for those
who would like some
refreshment after walking
around the village, these will be
available between 1pm and 5pm
on each of the two days.
Please support our beautiful
village by coming along and
enjoying our efforts with our
scarecrows. Be part of the voting
and have a truly wonderful day.
We look forward to seeing as
many people as possible
enjoying our efforts. You are all
welcome.

KS3 & KS4 Open Evening
Wednesday, October 3rd
An evening to meet students, staff from Thomas Alleyne’s High
School and for you to consider all that the school has on offer.
Sixth Form Information Evening
Thursday, October 11th
An evening to meet students, staff from Thomas Alleyne’s High
School and for you to consider all that the school has on offer.
Thomas Alleyne’s High School, Dove Bank, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8DU
t: 01889 561820 | e: office@tahs.org.uk | w: www.thomasalleynes.uk
In addition to academic success, Thomas Alleyne’s High School is
committed to providing a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities.
This article features some of the highlights of the school year.
In July, students will participate in a World Challenge Expedition to
Vietnam and Laos.
The Under 16 Football team reached the final of the prestigious
Sentinel Cup Final held at Port Vale FC. This was the third time in 4
years that the school’s footballers have reached the final and although
they were defeated by Biddulph High School, they performed very well.
In February, a group of four Year 12 students took the opportunity
to visit the Auschwitz Concentration camp in Poland. Rachel Clemett,
Jess Poole, Adam Burrows and Lydia Grocott were able to visit the
camp with the Holocaust Educational Trust. As part of the programme,
they were required to share their experiences with other students.
6th form students enjoy a wealth of opportunities, which support
them in planning their future intentions. One of these opportunities
involved Year 12 students travelling to Manchester for a UCAS
convention to gather information from over 140 higher education
providers.
At the other end of the age group, Year 9 students had an
opportunity to take part in the BBC’s annual School Report Day. This
was an event during which students worked together to research and
create a news bulletin, which they eventually performed to camera.
A key priority at Thomas Alleyne’s is working with our Middle
Schools. On that theme Year 7 and 8 students, this year worked with
the Alleyne’s business studies department. The work involved
participating in the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge to develop a
new concept for Kidzania in London.
Student leadership is an important part of the philosophy at Thomas
Alleyne’s. In February, the School Council held a meeting at Uttoxeter
Town Hall during which they met Uttoxeter Mayor Alison Trenery and
Borough Councillor Sue Mcgarry. Students learnt about local
democracy and fedback their views on how the town could be
developed to meet the needs of young people.
The experiences described above, combined with high academic
standards mean that Thomas Alleyne’s students are well prepared for
their futures. The school is holding open evenings on 3rd and 11th
October 2018 for prospective Year 9 and 12 students. Parents and
carers are welcome to attend these events and see what the school
has to offer.
Round up of the Year at
Thomas Alleyne’s High School

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Uttoxeter group
seeks new‘Knights’
T
he Knights 4 Uttoxeter, a group which works to raise money for the benefit
of individuals, families and small community groups in and around the town,
is seeking new members.
Since the group was established in 2013 the Knights have donated over £28,000
locally, in the form of grants or other aid. Recent examples include the provision of
four chairs for the use of senior citizens attending Balance Street Health Centre,
laptops and laser printer for the YeSS (Youth Emotional Support Service)
organisation in Carter Street and a karaoke machine for the Uttoxeter Gateway Club
plus equipment for St Lawrence Church in Bramshall.
In addition the Knights have provided five heart defibrillators around the town
and contributed to the provision of three others.
Chairman Rupert Hill said: “First and foremost we are a social club and our aim
is to enjoy and have fun in all that we do, both in our socialising and in our
fundraising.
“We are currently aiming to boost our funds through a prize draw with a prize
of a bicycle to be chosen by the winner. Tickets are available from Uttoxeter Cycles
or Bradley House Club or any Knights member.
“Quite apart from donating equipment, we are also involved in a number of
practical initiatives. For example, we organise a Christmas market at the time of the
switch-on of the Christmas lights and we provide a Christmas meal for over 100
local senior citizens.
“Potential new members – men or women – are very welcome to join us at one
our meetings to find out more about us. We meet at Bradley House at 8 o’clock on
the third Monday of each month.”
Balance Street Health Centre Assistant Practice Manager Claire Henman with two of
the chairs donated by the Knights for use by older people
Cheadle U3A Art Club
Summer Exhibition
S
aturday 14 July 2018, Cheadle Guild Hall, 10.00am - 4.00pm. Free entry,
everybody welcome. Come along and meet the artists. Work for sale, Raffle,
Refreshments. For further information contact Viv Cowie 07718585279.

Just the
perfect day...
J
on and I met back in 2011 at a quiz night at
the Master Potter in Cheadle. We were set up
by two mutual friends and who would have
known that 7 years later we would be getting our
happily ever after. After 3 years we were blessed
with our little girl, Poppy-May. Another 2 years
after that, back in 2016, Jon finally popped the
question in Liverpool.
I’d always imagined having all our friends and
family present on our special day and for it to be
full of personal touches. I spent the next 2 years
making as much as I could for our wedding; from
the invites, to all the table decorations. I have
always enjoyed making crafts and was so excited
and full of ideas on how I wanted our day to look.
Most days I would come home and show Jon all
the new ideas I wanted to try, Pinterest became
my best friend.
Finally after all the planning and counting
down the days we arrived at the big day, 18th
May, our wedding day. The weather was perfect,
everyone was buzzing with excitement and
looking forward to the day ahead. As is tradition,
I spent the night before at my parents’ house with
our daughter and was joined the next morning
by my close friend and Maid of Honour Caroline
Taylor and Sister-in-law to be, Stephanie Cope.
While we enjoyed some bubbles we were
pampered and preened by Hair Dresser Sophie
Bentley and Make-up Artist Rachael Cahalin.
Meanwhile Jon, with his Groomsmen,
Brother, Robert Cope and Brother-in-law to be,
Alastair May along with his Best Man Gavin Elks,
got suited and booted at our home in Uttoxeter.
With the help of a little Dutch courage, in the
form of a few nips of Whiskey, they were ready
for the day.
Our theme was vintage with yellow and
white. Our lovely bridesmaids wore soft, yellow,
multiway dresses, while our flower girl had a
yellow and white flower dress with added
sparkles from Aisle of Brides, in Newcastle. My
dress was a Sophia Tolli Ivory, fit and flare gown,
and I had chosen to have a matching cathedral
veil. My little splash of colour (and something
new and blue) came in the form of my Irregular
Choice Vintage White Blue wedding shoes.
My bridesmaids and I travelled in style
courtesy of a vintage campervan provided by
Dubs with Love and arrived at The Boat House,
Aston Marina with plenty of time to spare. In
fact, we were so early that some of our guests
were still arriving. When Jon found out we were
already at the venue, he later told me he felt
relieved I was there, but also nervous as the
realisation started to set in.
I had decided to keep the song I was walking
down the aisle to a secret from Jon, with only our
wedding party knowing a few days before. Then
at 2pm, to the sound of ‘A Thousand Years Part
2’ by Christina Perri ft. Steve Kazee, the wedding
party made its way down the aisle. First my Maid
of Honour and Jon’s Brother, followed by my
Brother and Jon’s Sister. Our daughter then led
the way for me to follow with my Dad. I
remember shaking with excitement and nerves,
Bride - Kat May, of Uttoxeter
Groom - Jon Cope, of Uttoxeter
Brides Parent’s - Sara and Steven May
Grooms Parent’s - Alison and Philip Cope
Best Man - Gavin Elks
Groomsmen - Robert Cope and Alastair May
Maid of Honour - Caroline Taylor
Bridesmaid - Stephanie Cope
Flower Girl - Poppy-May Cope
Photographer - Alan Fernihough Images and TOAST Photography

waiting for the right part of the song for me to make my way down the aisle, I couldn’t
wait for the moment that Jon saw me. As soon as the song started, and he realised
that it was the one that his bride to be would be walking down the aisle to, Jon,
standing at the top of our outdoor ceremony with his best man at his side, watched
as one by one the wedding party walked towards him. It was our daughter that set
him off crying first, and he was not the only one. I do not think there was a dry eye
in the house as she walked up that aisle with her little sign saying “daddy wait till
you see mummy”.
I was determined not to cry, though in those few seconds walking towards Jon,
I knew that if I was to look at him I wouldn’t be able to hold the tears back. We had
decided to write our own promises to add that personal touch to the ceremony. Jon’s
were heartfelt and touching and I surprised him with some fun promises about
stealing his side of the bed and trying to let him do things in his own time. Despite
my best efforts, I only made it half way through my promises before the tears started.
After we were announced as Mr and Mrs Cope, we made our way back down
the aisle to ‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher’ by Jackie Wilson. We treated our
guests to a perfect, summer indulgence of ice cream courtesy of Vitalianos. We also
arranged some garden games which the children, young and old, loved.
Keeping with the vintage theme, our wedding breakfast consisted of Afternoon
tea, followed by an outside BBQ later in the evening. Slightly out of tradition, I had
asked Jon’s dad, Philip Cope, to also say a few words. He didn’t let us down and was
the only one brave enough to take the mick out of me. He gave us some wise words
of advice from Ladybird books; How it works: The Wife and How it works: The
Husband.
We had a sweetie table, which no one could resist and our gorgeous wedding
cake was made by our good friend Megan Franklin. I had decided I really wanted
our cake to be Battenburg. As I simply can’t resist it, Jon and I both knew that I wasn’t
sharing that cake with anybody, so we also had lemon flavoured cupcakes for our
guests, on display on homemade log slice cake stands. It was all simply perfect and
just how we imagined.
For some extra fun and games, Jon and I hired a photo booth and, courtesy of
Let’s Celebrate, we now have a lovely, fun filled photo album to look back on in years
to come.
Jon and I will both admit that we were not looking forward to our first dance.
While we had been practising a few moves in the weeks leading up to the wedding,
neither of us like to be the centre of attention. We managed to throw in a couple of
spins to our song, ‘All of me’ by John Legend, before everyone else joined us on the
dance floor.
We danced the night away to the in house DJ, Andy Banner, before leaving under
the arched arms of our family and friends to start our life as Mr and Mrs Cope. We
continued our celebrations with a perfect mini-moon in Santorini, and will be
travelling to the Maldives in January for our Honeymoon proper.
The whole day was captured to perfection by Alan Fernihough Images, and we
have loved looking through all the photos captured on the day.

Just the perfectday...

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Lank’s Lore
By Steve ‘Lank’ Lavin
Golden Memories from one of Uttoxeter’s Favourite Characters
T
here is nothing more aggravating or annoying
especially nowadays in this high pressure fast
paced world we live in as the losing of ones
possessions this story following is a typical example.
A few weeks ago a female relative of mine visited
her local hairdressing salon for her regular hair do,
which any female will tell you is on most occasions not
a two minute affair but a half a day excercise where not
only do they have the full monty treatment done on
their hair but also discuss the goings on in the area or
in other words have a rate good gossip.
After such an occasion my relative paid her dues,
said her thank you’s and bid the salon goodbye and
made her way out to travel back home.
She had travelled to the salon by her husbands car
which she had parked close by to the salon.
On reaching the vehicle she reached into her coat
pocket to retrieve the car keys to get into it and to her
amazement there were no keys to be found. What the
heck have I done with them, were her first thoughts,
did I put them in my coat pocket or did I put them in
my handbag?
A thorough search of her handbag ensued, again no
keys to be found. Did I leave them in the ignition by
mistake? After peering through the vehicles window,
alas no keys to be found and the vehicle was securely
locked.
I must have dropped them somewhere en-route
either to or from the salon she deduced.
She firstly rang the hair salon enquiring as to
whether or not they had found a set of car keys to
receive a negative answer.
She then decided to trace her route back from the
salon scouring every inch of the pavement and
roadside where she possible could have inadvertently
dropped them, again not receiving a positive result. On
arriving at the salon she called in on the off chance the
keys had turned up, but alas no keys had been found.
Discussing this problem with the hair salon
manageress she was advised to visit the local police
station which was close by on the off chance that
someone had found them and handed them in.
After enquiring at the police station and again
receiving nothing in her favour she thanked the officers
for their kind attention left her details with them and
booked a taxi back home to ponder her next move.
Whilst sitting at home wondering what step to take
next, but mainly thinking of a way in which to suppress
her husbands reaction to the situation when he came
in from work her mobile phone rang.
“Is that Mrs .... I am speaking to”, “yes it is” my
relative replied”I think I may have your coat here, is it
navy blue in colour with 4 buttons at the front and a
wide belt with a Marks & Sparks Label inside it” “Yes it
is” she replied, “Is the one you left the salon in identical
to it” she enquired I am afraid it is” she replied “It
appears you have picked up my coat by mistake, I did
not realise myself until I found a bunch of car keys in
the pocket knowing full well that they they were not
mine.”
My relative apologised most profusely for her error
and the lady knowing after enquiring at the hair salon
where she lived told her that she would come straight
round and do a swap with her and apart from a little
bit of aggravation no real, harm had been done.
My relative told me that the lady when she called
round to settle the matter she was very nice and they
had a right good laugh about it over a cuppa saying it
was one of the most unusual things that had happened
to her for ages. They did both agree though the chances
of two females from the same town purchasing the
same attire from the same shop and using the same
hairdressing was a bit unusual but very possible as this
case had proved and in future they would in future
both check their coat pockets before venturing forth
in them!
Till next time, all the best,
Lank
A Tribute to
Jackie Lavin...
By Nigel Titterton
I
t was devastating to hear
the very sad news recently
that Jackie Lavin had
passed away at the age of 62.
Of course Jackie is Voice
columnist Steve ‘Lank’ Lavin’s
wife and she was an inspiration
in helping to write his articles
for many years.
Jackie was an effervescent
person whose infectious smile
lit up a room and when I
chatted to her on numerous
occasions I always came away
with a feelgood factor, that was
a truly wonderful gift she had.
Jackie assisted Steve in
Lavin’s Print Shop in Uttoxeter
High Street for over 40 years
and together they built up a
successful business which
boasted a top class reputation
in our area.
When I launched The
Voice colour magazine 11 years
ago, I was lucky to receive unbelievable support from Steve and Jackie and also from
Jackie’s sister Beryl Holley and her husband Bernard when they ran Oldfields Sports
Club.
I became a good friend with the families and I can’t thank them enough for their
friendship and help.
Steve’s column in The Voice reflected the Uttoxeter community and Jackie’s input
was immense.
Although Jackie had suffered health issues over the past few years, when I heard
she had died, I felt like I had been hit by a sledgehammer.
She will be very sadly missed by many local people and on behalf of The Voice I
would like to send our deepest condolences to Steve and his family at this sad time.
The Funeral Service for Jackie Lavin takes place on Thursday, July 5th, at St.
Mary's Parish Church, Uttoxeter, at 1.30p.m.
Uttoxeter Civic Parade

H A N L E Y
A B L E W O R L D
430 Leek Road, Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3HU
Tel: (01782) 205901
hanley@ableworld.co.uk
At Joiners Square Roundabout
B U R T O N
A B L E W O R L D
Second Avenue, Centrum One Hundred
Burton-upon-Trent, DE14 2WF
Tel: (01283) 546867
info@ableworldburton.co.uk
Close to Morrisons Supermarket
Further details on all our stores can be found on: www.ableworld.co.uk

JCB Student designs new logo
for Croxden Parish Council
C
roxden Parish Council are delighted to be able to have a new Council logo,
courtesy of a student at The JCB Academy in Rocester. The Parish Council
ran a competition at the end of 2017 and invited students from local schools
and colleges to submit a design that reflected the natural surrounding that encompass
the parish of Croxden and the winner was chosen at a Parish Council meeting by a
vote by all of the Councillors.
The winning design was created by Indy Mynett, a year 10 student at The JCB
Academy. Mrs Stanway, a tutor at The JCB Academy, who encouraged the students
to enter, met with Mrs Marion Kent, the Chair of Croxden Parish Council, to hand
over the ownership of the logo which will now be used on all Council official
documents.
Mrs Marion Kent said, “We are extremely grateful to Indy Mynett, who visited
the whole of the Parish in order to be able to design a logo that reflects the natural
surroundings within the Parish and the Councillors were really impressed with the
simple depiction that he created.”
Sophie Stanway was delighted that Indy was able to use his graphic design skills
to be able to enter the local competition, she explained, “Students are encouraged to
enter competitions which gives them invaluable experience of what it will be like in
the commercial world.”
The Parish Council Chair, Mrs Marion Kent met with Indy and Mrs Stanway at
The JCB Academy to thank them for their support of this local community project.
A
Cheadle businessman has
lost a massive 5st 9lbs so he
can climb Snowdon for
Dementia UK. Karl Swash has
worked tirelessly to lose weight to
take on this challenge for one of the
most important charities in Britain.
Karl, of Meir, explains why and
how his Snowdon climb was
instigated: “On 4th August 2018 I
will be taking part in a climb up
Mount Snowdon in order to raise as
much money as possible for a
charity very close to many...
In 2013 I was part of a team of
everyday people who took part in
The 3 Peaks Challenge, climbing the
3 tallest mountains in England,
Scotland and Wales in under 24
hours. Unfortunately, as much as i
wanted to join the walkers, I was
unable to and agreed to be the
designated driver, ensuring the
team got from A-B-C in time to
smash the challenge with enough
time for a brew at the end.
After years of battling with
being severely overweight, and
following numerous ‘diets’, 23st 7lbs
being my peak, confidence was
something I had never thought I
would ever experience again.
That was until 27th June 2017,
when I discovered ‘The Cambridge
Weight Plan’ - and since that day my life has become
not only happier but so much healthier.
To this day I am 5st 9lbs lighter and weighing 17st
12lb and this is all thanks to my fantastic consultant
Sophie Durose at Cheadle’s Cambridge Weight Plan
rooms inside Shapemaster in Allen Street. There have
been some ups and downs along the way and plenty of
occasions I have wanted to throw in the towel and give
up, but I have always managed to
get back on track thanks to Sophie
and my very supportive family.
I never thought I would see the
day that I stepped into a Gym but I
did... and now here I am, not quite
3 Peaks Challenge ready but
training to climb Snowdon, with my
first big target of 16st being my
checkpoint by the climb date.
So I thought what better way to
boost my motivation to reach my
target weight and the top of
Snowdon than to try and raise as
much money possible for charity
along the way. My chosen charity is
‘Dementia UK’.
Dementia is a global concern
with 850,000 people in the UK
believed to be living with this
diagnosis, causing life changing
effects to not only the diagnosed but
also their loved ones. We lost our
beloved nan to this disease after
years of suffering and some of my
mountain climbing team currently
have family members still suffering
the devastating effects of dementia
today and this charity is very close
to our hearts.
So whilst pushing myself to
reach this target I would be
immensely grateful for any sponsors
or donations to boost me along the
way and raise as much money as possible for a much
deserved cause.
Thankyou in advance for any support towards this.
I am already so grateful to have come this far!”
Karl’s Snowdon climb for Dementia UK
Karl, before and after The Cambridge Weight Plan

About Smart
Gas Training &
Assessment
Centre
After many
productive and
enjoyable years
managing and
delivering within
the plumbing and
gas faculty at a
local college,
Uttoxeter/
Ashbourne locals
John and Patrick have now embarked on a new and
successful venture. Their company specialises in gas
and plumbing training.
Smart Gas Training & Assessment Centre is a
newly-established independent training provider
based on the Runway Business Park Ashbourne,
conveniently located near to the Plumb centre and
Runway café. The organisation specialises in the
training and assessment of gas engineers and
qualified plumbers and is looking to further expand
on their training offer within this sector.
Weekend Assessments
and Plumbing courses for
local schools is proving
a’Smart’move
They are a small, friendly and
professional team who can
deliver weekend training and
assessments. John Grocott says:’
The flexibility of weekend
assessments has proved to be a
very popular decision with
engineers, as this doesn’t
interfere with their day to day
roles, and as former Gas
Engineers ourselves, we both
understand the importance of
offering an alternative to the
normal Monday to Friday
training days. We have been
extremely busy since our
opening, and our client base has
extended way past the Midlands.
We have now developed a
Plumbing & Heating course to deliver to the local
schools, which is proving extremely popular’.
For more information please contact us on
01335 300560 or visit our website at
www.smartgastraining.co.uk
New plumbing/gas training
and assessment centre
opened in Ashbourne
Directors John Grocott and Patrick O’Sullivan
www.thecrowninnderbyshire.co.uk | 01889 591 430
Riggs Lane, Marston Montgomery Ashbourne DE6 2FF
Open: Monday - Sunday 11am - 11pm
RESTAURANT | PUB | ROOMS | SPECIAL EVENTS
Quiz Nights | Music Nights | Food Served Daily | Afternoon Teas
MORE THAN JUST A PUB
Crown Inn
Guest Review Awards 2016.
Booking.com
9.1out of 10
New salon open
in Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter stylists Laura and Nikki -
with a combined experience of 12 years.
We also cut men’s hair as well!
New clients 15% oﬀ ﬁrst appointment
when you quote ‘The Voice’ when
booking.
Call 01889 565845
Opening times: Tueday 9-3, Wednesday and
Thursday 9-5:30, Friday 9-7, Saturday 8-3
11 Market Place Uttoxeter ST14 8HY
A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E A T U R E

Ladies’Night

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2 Market Street, Uttoxeter
Tel (01889) 565870
Roycroft Farm, Bramshall
Tel (01889) 563353
Uttoxeter Town Hall is an enchanting Grade
II Listed Building providing the perfect
setting for Weddings and Civil Partnerships.
The Ballroom situated on the ground floor
and the Alan Dean Suite on the first floor
are both licensed for Civil Ceremonies.
There is lift access to the first floor.
Please contact us to arrange a viewing and to
find out how we can help you make your
special occasion memorable.
Uttoxeter Town Council, Town Hall,
High Street, Uttoxeter ST14 7HN
Tel: 01889 564085
Email: info@uttoxetertowncouncil.org.uk
Visit: www.uttoxetertowncouncil.org.uk
THE IDEAL
VENUE
FOR YOUR
SPECIAL
DAY

L
ocal Scout and
Explorer groups are
gearing up for a
summer of adventures and enjoyment after a JCB
donation helped them to buy a new minibus.
The Rocester-based company donated £500
towards Stramshall Scout Group and Uttoxeter
District Explorer Unit’s £4,500 target, ensuring
the minibus is now on the road over the summer
months.
The scout group, which has an 18-strong
Beaver colony, 25 Cubs and 28 Scouts, is already
making great use of their new transport with
regular outings, trips to activities and camping
expeditions. Meanwhile the Explorers have
numerous camping trips and outdoor adventures
planned.
Stramshall Scout Group Chairperson, Sue
Williams-Jones, said: “All the young people have
worked tirelessly to raise money for the minibus,
taking part in bag-packing at local supermarkets,
collecting charity tokens and many other
fundraising activities. This means they all feel a
keen and proud sense of ownership of the new
minibus.
“Many of the youngsters have connections
with JCB through family and friends and are all
grateful to the company for the donation. The
minibus will definitely be put to great use for
years to come.”
Pictured are Stramshall Scouts, Cubs and Beavers celebrating JCB’s donation next to their newly
purchased minibus outside Stramshall Village Hall, Stramshall.
JCB honours Scout
promise of £500 donation
Baby Buddies
I
t is a year now since Baby Buddies, a free weekly get together
for expectant and new parents was started at Uttoxeter
Methodist Church and the group has gone from strength to
strength. Each week between 1 pm and 3 pm on a Tuesday, parents
and babies are welcome to come along. The group is friendly and
there is always a cuppa, delicious homemade cakes and time to chat
and make new friends.
The group was started when church members recognised the
importance of somewhere for new parents to meet others. There
are a number of toddler groups in the town but Baby Buddies is an
afternoon group which allows a safe and calm environment for new
babies and their parents along with expectant parents who may
have started their maternity leave and are looking to make friends.
One mum, who has been coming along to the group with her
daughter for nearly a year, has described the group as a life line for
her as a new mum.Everyone is welcome. More details can be found
by contacting us through our Facebook page (Baby Buddies).

We sell:
• Starter kits
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• CBD health products
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for £19 including liquid
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aping Product
s
Purveyors of Premium
3 Bradley Street, Uttoxeter
(next door to Town Barber and
Heidi’s Kitchen)
Tel: 01889 226182
www.steameliquids.co.uk

Summer Pimm’s Trifle
L
ast weekend, my family from Cornwall all came to
stay. There were fifteen of us, so I cooked a feast. I
actually cooked a turkey with Italian sausage and
ciabatta stuffing, covered with pancetta. It was delicious,
and I decided to finish the meal with a Summery trifle.
What better than Pimm’s!
You can make this trifle very easily, by using a shop
bought Madeira Cake and Custard, although I have given
the ingredients and methods for making both of these
yourself.
Madeira Cake -
110g unsalted butter
110g caster sugar
2 tbsp golden syrup
2 large freerange eggs
175g self raising flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Custard -
300ml whole milk
300ml double cream
1 vanilla pod, split in half and seeds scraped out
6 egg yolks
3 tbsp caster sugar
1 tbsp cornflour
5 sheets gelatine
260ml Pimm’s
300ml lemonade
50g caster sugar
juice of 1 large orange
500g strawberries, plus an extra handful,
sliced to serve
600ml double cream
200ml mascarpone
4 tbsp icing sugar
3 heaped tbsp of orange or lemon curd (whichever you
prefer)
grated zest of 1 lemon
mint leaves to serve
Firstly make your madeira cake. Preheat your oven to
180˚C and line and grease a loaf tin.
Cream together the butter and sugar until light and
creamy. Next add the golden syrup and the eggs, one at a
time, beating until you have a smooth batter. Sift in the
flour and baking powder and fold into the mixture.
Finally add the vanilla. Bake in the oven for approx 40-
45 minutes until risen and golden brown. Allow to cool
slightly in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack.
When your cake is completely cool, you will need 250g to
cut into thin slices to line the bottom of your trifle bowl.
Put the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water and
leave to soften for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, gently heat
200ml of the Pimm’s with the lemonade, caster sugar and
orange juice over a medium heat, until the sugar has
melted and the mixture is just about to boil. Squeeze the
water from the gelatine, add the sheets to the Pimm’s
mixture and stir until melted.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and put into the fridge
for approx. 2 hours, until the jelly is nearly set. Cut the
cake into thin slices and line the bottom of your bowl.
Pour over the remaining Pimm’s and leave to soak for a
few minutes. Quarter the strawberries and scatter over
the top.
Take your cooled jelly from the fridge and pour it over
the strawberries and sponge. Return to the fridge to allow
the jelly to firm up.
Meanwhile, now make your custard. Put the cream
and milk into a pan with the vanilla pod and seeds and
heat gently. Bring to just below a simmer, do not allow to
boil. Beat the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour together in
a large bowl. Remove the vanilla pod and pour the milk
on to the egg and sugar mixture, stirring all the time. Turn
the heat down to medium/low and pour the custard back
into the pan, stirring slowly and continuously. Cook until
it coats the back of a wooden spoon. When nice and thick,
decant into a bowl to cool, covering the bowl with
clingfilm to prevent a skin forming. Leave to cool.
Pour the cooled custard over the jelly, then whip the
cream, mascarpone and icing sugar in a bowl until it
forms soft peaks. Gently swirl the lemon or orange curd
and lemon zest into the cream then spoon onto the
custard.
Finally, decorate the trifle with the sliced strawberries
and a few sprigs of mint. Chill until ready to serve.
Everyone enjoyed the trifle so much, they have asked me
to make it at Christmas!
Karen’s Cake Corner
by Karen Hill
Ginny’s Community Corner
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
I
was shopping the other day, thinking about who to
feature in this month’s article and was offered a blue
token to put in the Bags of Help box in the Tesco
store and realised that I have not featured Tesco and
the Community Team that is based at Uttoxeter store.
Just recently the community team provided water,
bananas and snacks for children’s race that the
Uttoxeter Running club held, which really helped make
event a success. www.facebook.com/uttoxeterfestival
ofrunning/
They also run a scheme that donates surplus food
to community groups and the first donation went to
ROAR, based at Renew Church, the food supported the
toddler group and some of the elderly connected to the
ROAR scheme. The initiative is called Community
Food Connection and for more information go to
fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/fareshare-go-support/,
it’s a great initiative with over 2000 Tesco stores give
their surplus food to local charities through FareShare.
The website states, “In order to receive food, your
organisation needs to be equipped to receive, store,
prepare and serve food safely. You will be visited by one
of the FareShare Go team to make sure that you use the
food in accordance with relevant safety and handling
guidelines.”
Then of course they run the Tesco Bags of Help
scheme, which is “a local community grant scheme
where the money raised by the sale of carrier bags is
used to fund thousands of local projects in
communities right across the UK”. Bi-monthly 3
projects are featured in Uttoxeter Stores and customers
then vote for each project with the blue token, which I
was given on my recent visit.
The process is very simple,
your group or organisation
completes an application form,
ensuring you have a project in
mind, with an organisational
bank account, various
organisation management
documents and the application
form is then assessed by the
colleagues that work within the
Uttoxeter stores. Bi-monthly 3
projects details are put in store
for customers to vote for with
the blue chips. After voting is
concluded Tesco then awards
either £1000, £2000 or £4000,
the project with the most votes
get the £4000. Recently Croxden
Parish Council applied to the
scheme and were successful in
obtaining £2000 to buy a
Defibrillator which is now installed outside Croxden
Abbey, our local historic monument. To apply go to
the website that administrates the scheme and complete
the application form. www.groundwork.org.uk/sites/
tescocommunityscheme
Julie Mayer, the manager of Uttoxeter Store
commented, “We are happy to be part of the
community of Uttoxeter and feel that Tesco offers a
range of ways to support the groups and residents of
this vibrant town.” Julie is supported by Jannette James
and Sue Brown at Tesco and would be happy to hear
from any group wanting input from Tesco.
To get in touch with the Tesco Community Team
either email uttoxeter@communityattesco.co.uk or visit
the Facebook page @TescoUttoxCommunity or call
07739 476587
Go in store today and get your blue chip, you will
be amazed what good will come out of your vote and
how the community is helped.

Sporting success at St Thomas’s School
T
ean’s St Thomas’s School
girls and boys teams
came first when they
took part in the CADSSA Cross
County at Oakamoor. Year 5-6
football team also won the
CADSSA Football A
Tournament.
The Tean school also
celebrated their CADSSA years
5-6 team who won the cricket
event at Oakamoor Cricket
Ground.
Top row, left: CADSSA Boys
Cross Country
Top row, right: CADSSA Girls
Cross Country
Bottom row, left: CADSSA
Years 5-6 Cricket
Bottom row, right: CADSSA
Years 5-6 Football A Team

By Steve Shields
P
arty on the Pitch, the re-branded Beer &
Cider Festival, on Friday and Saturday 8th
and 9th June turned out to be an
overwhelming success. With the attendance
slowly declining for the thirteenth event the
organising group decided to bite the bullet and
go for a full show on the Friday night together
with a Gin & Prosecco bar and it was a sell out.
Acoustic Anarchy began Friday’s
entertainment with the duo’s unique style of
guitar and percussion followed by Marc Hockley
the Robbie Williams tribute performer who did a
two hour show towards the end of which he
progressed to the well known dance hits and he
filled the floor.
With a bigger female audience the gin and
prosecco proved very popular and I was a little
concerned that with tow extra ciders making
twelve in total there may be some left over. I
needn’t have worried it sold out as usual on the
Saturday. There were 24 Real Ales which were all
in perfect condition and we received many
compliments on the range.
Saturday’s mix started in grand style with the
very popular local singer/guitarist Jason Callear,
with Sean Prior on bass. Play It Again Sam the four
piece rock band followed with a lively set
including many sixties hits. The Beer Festival
would not be complete without the headline act
Upfront who soon had the crowd on their feet.
Profits from the Beer Festival go to fund the
Prostate Cancer Screenings the Lions have to
thank of principal sponsor RBA Wealth
Management and the 30 barrel sponsors whose
contributions help to keep prices to a reasonable
level and help the bottom line. Also thanks go to
former Voice correspondent Gary Hudson for
again bringing in such great entertainment and
Kelly Edwards for the idea and hard work in
setting up the Gin & Prosecco Bar. And not least
to Oldfields Sports & Social Club, Uttoxeter Rugby
Club and my Lion colleagues who have worked
tirelessly over much more than the two days.
The accounts have to be finalised but I can
confidently say we should be able to stage a
Prostate Cancer Screening in 2019.
Party on the Pitch

422 Sandon Road, Meir Heath, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 7LH
Telephone: 01782 39 22 11
Email: info@platinumpropertymam.co.uk www.platinumpropertymam.co.uk
SALES • LETTINGS • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Let The Sun Shine
On Your Property
This Summer
A
team of JCB runners
stepped up to an
emotional challenge and
raised £3,000 by completing this week’s Cancer
Research UK Race for Life, at Trentham Gardens.
Friends and colleagues of PA Sue Redding, 61, who
lost her battle against cancer just six months after
retiring in September 2017, donned her favourite
colour of purple and ran the 5K course to raise funds
in her memory.
The band of 34 runners, including Sue’s sister Jackie
Redding, were determined to celebrate the life of the
avid fundraiser from Stafford, who began the Team
JCB Race for Life tradition in 2009 when she was first
diagnosed with breast cancer.
The JCB runners have become firm favourites at
the Trentham Gardens event – always choosing a JCB
team theme such as the JCBees, Tigger Diggers, Smurf-
movers and Hydraulic Rams.
Over the years their fundraising has exceeded
£60,000 and donations made following Sue’s death were
used to fund an additional breast-screening scanner at
The Royal Stoke Hospital.
Organiser Sarah Williams, a purchasing manager
at JCB, said: “It was a fantastic evening, but of course,
very emotional as it was our first time without Sue.
However, it was great that we could share this special
night with Sue’s sister and her partner Allen Betteley.
We’ve already topped the £3,000 mark and the
donations are still coming in. I know Sue would have
been so proud.”
To support the JCB runners in Sue’s memory you
can donate via fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/
in-memory-of-sue-redding
JCB runners raise more than £3,000
in memory of colleague
The JCB Race for Life team wear purple with pride before setting off on the Trentham 5K course.

Cheadle Carnival Soapbox Challenge 2018
S
corching hot weather once again greeted the
second Cheadle Carnival Soapbox Challenge!
Families flocked to the make-shift Glebe Road
racetrack to see wonderful and creative ‘vehicles’ battle
it out for the fastest time of the day.
The Soapbox Challenge once again drew the crowds
who enjoyed the sunshine and the wacky costumes of
the competitors certainly raised lots of smiles.
Tim Cliffe, Cheadle Carnival Chairman, said the
crowds created a really good atmosphere with everyone
looking like they had a brilliant time.
Tim also thanked Steve Doig who supplied the
railings and The Huntsman for the bar and everyone
else who supported the event.
Everything is now in place for a much anticipated
Cheadle Carnival 2018 with the 3-day event taking part
on Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of July –
make sure you go along and support it...
Go to the carnival website for more details –
www.cheadlecarnival.co.uk

The Lovely Little Town of Uttoxeter
Alleyne’s High School missing painting -
a lost historical link with the old school
By Jim Foley
T
he black and white photocopy above is of a
watercolour circa 1840 of the original Alleyne’s
Boys’ Grammar School in Bridge Street
Uttoxeter then known as Schoolhouse Lane. The
original disappeared some years ago gone without
trace. Below is a photo of a watercolour painting that
was hanging in the head teacher’s office at Alleyne’s in
2016 when I was invited to Alleyne’s by head teacher
Mrs J Rudge. I had been hoping to see the original but
after looking at it I knew that it was a recent
watercolour because of the brightness of the colours.
I would have expected the colours to have faded a
bit after 170 odd years. A faded copy of a newspaper
article on the back of the painting confirmed that this
was not the original. The wording on the bottom left
of the original ‘The Grammar School in Uttoxeter of
Thomas Allen MD Priest’ does not appear on the copy
nor does the school logo with three talbots. The ‘sun’
in the photo of the painting below is the reflection of
the flash on my camera but you can see that the
painting is not the original.
School’s search for missing painting
Twenty three years ago in 1994 Peter Davies, the
then head teacher of Alleyne’s, put an appeal in the
Uttoxeter Post and Times asking for information about
the missing picture. He believed that the painting had
been done by headmaster Rev. John Kinder back in the
1840s or by his successor Rev W W Harvey. Having
seen some of the paintings done by John Kinder I think
it was more likely to have been
painted by him or even his sister.
At the time of my visit to Alleyne’s
I took a quick photo of a
newspaper article on the back of
the painting in the head’s office
which unfortunately is blurred. It
reported that the painting used to
hang in the school’s Trinity Hall
but it had not been seen since and
once again the photo is blurred so
it could be 1984. What ever the
year, it’s been missing for a long
time and should be returned to its
rightful owners Alleyne’s High
School, Uttoxeter. Someone
seemed to think it had been stored
during redecorating and forgotten
about. So it could be stored
somewhere maybe even in the
school waiting for someone to find
it again. It may even have been
taken away to store in someone’s
house so it may well be hanging
on a wall in someone’s house or
office and they are not aware of its
heritage or its true home. It could
be forgotten in someone’s attic or
a cupboard. Maybe it’s already
been sold at some auction house
somewhere. Keep an eye out for it
on e-bay or on auction sites. It
would be great to see the old
watercolour back where it belongs
Alleyne’s its true home. What a
great occasion that would be and
cause for an official unveiling of
the old school painting.
Mike Davey who taught at
Alleyne’s for 32 years supplied the
following information. “The stone
was unveiled on 11th June 1958 as
part of the Quarter-centenary (400
years) celebrations of the founding of
Uttoxeter Grammar School in 1588. The
lettering on the stone was designed by Mr
E G Beetham (Art Master at the School)
and reads - “Here stood from 1588 to
1859 The Free Grammar School of
Uttoxeter - Founded by Thomas Alleyne,
Priest - Nisi Dominus Frustra (Without
God all is in vain)”.
“The stone was set in to the wall of
Bamford’s factory and was lost when the
building was demolished for the building
of the Gateway/Somerfield supermarket
which is now The Original Factory Shop.
A pupil told me the demolition was
taking place and despite rushing down
there at breaktime I was too late to save it
- the foreman just said “Sorry mate, its
gone off to the landfill” and so off went a
part of Uttoxeter’s past!!”
The site on the left in Bridge Street
was where the original Alleyne’s
Grammar School was situated for 200
years between 1658 and 1859 when it
moved to Dove Bank. Photo Tony J
Smith.
W G Torrance in The History of
Alleyne’s Grammar School 1658-1958
commented on the painting which was
then (1958) hanging in the school hall.
Unveiling a plaque in Bridge Street Uttoxeter in 1958 to mark the site of the
original Alleyne’s Boys’ Grammar School on the occasion of the 400th
anniversary of the founding of the school in 1558. A new school was built on
Dove Bank and the school moved there in 1859. The plaque and the
building are long gone. Photo: Neil Deaville.
The site on the left in Bridge Street was where the original Alleyne’s
Grammar School was situated for 200 years between 1658 and 1859 when it
moved to Dove Bank. Photo: Tony J Smith.
Photo:Alleyne’sHighSchoolPhoto:Torrance’sHistoryofAlleyne’s

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Can you identify the faces and locations?
See Page 50 for some of the names to the faces.
URGENTLY REQUIRED
If you have any photos that you think may be of interest to our
readers of this page please feel free to drop them in to Lavins
printers in High Street, Uttoxeter who will scan them while you
wait and let you have them straight back or email them in jpg
format to them at:
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Please describe the people or event featured and approx year
when the picture was taken along with your name and location
so that we can give you the recognition for supplying them.
Thank you.
1
2
3
The good old days

Photo Credits - 1: Adrian Wood. 2: Glenys Hedges, Uttoxeter. 3: Tim Whitehead, Uttoxeter. 4: Margaret McGarry (Nee Plant), Tean. 5: Anne Hunt, Uttoxeter.
6&7: Nigel Titterton, Cheadle.
5
6 7
4

Four Years
by Bill Woodier, formerly of Rocester, now living in Cheadle
We flew out to Malta on a proper transport aircraft of the time, a Handley Paige Hastings.
The Blackburn Beverley
I’m in the middle on the top left photo, taken at the Blue Grotto,
about to be hit on the head by Paddy. He ended up with the worst
sunburn I’ve ever seen. No Sun Cream in those days & If you
reported sick with sunburn, you were “charged” – self-inflicted
injury!
How this article came to be published in
“The Voice”.
One of the DVD’s I produced in 2017, aimed at
members of “Rocester Through the Years” Facebook
group, contained a short section called”1959”, one of
the Four Years covered in this article. This was seen by
Les Humphries. Speaking to Les shortly after, he said
he would like to do an article based on my RAF days,
for inclusion in his column in The Voice.
I set about putting my recollections into words and
added photos. The result was then sent to Les. Les liked
what he read & spoke to the Editor of the Voice with a
view to publishing the complete article in instalments.
I
hadn’t been on the squadron many weeks when
several of 207 Sqn’s Valiants & support team, went
on a 6-week detachment to Malta’s RAF Luqa
airfield, this is now Malta’s commercial airport but in
1959 was a combined military & civilian airfield.
Much of the flying was carried out at night so we
were able to take advantage of both Sea & Sun. We
often walked from Luqa to the Blue Grotto for
swimming, this now a must-see, for tourists visiting
Malta.
Bus fares on Malta were very cheap so we visited
many other spots on the Island for swimming,
including Paradise Bay, Mellieha, St Pauls, St Julians,
Sliema & Military Bay. It was perhaps as well that we
were working many evenings otherwise we would have
had permanent hangovers; the booze was so cheap.
Straight Street, or “the Gut” as it was called was the
centre for drinking and associated pastimes??
My time in Malta was mostly relaxed & carefree,
there were however a couple of moments when I was
apprehensive. We, being visitors to Luqa, had to guard
our own aircraft, the aircraft were parked on the
opposite side of the airfield to the Terminal area, close
to the perimeter fence. One of us to each aircraft, each
armed with a “pick handle” & sharing a walkie-talkie
to contact help should it be needed. The aircraft I was
guarding was closest to the fence, six-foot-high chain
link, which you could obviously see through. The
apprehension came, just as dawn was breaking, when
this guy comes walking along the other side of the fence
carrying a shotgun! It was only later that I learned of
the Maltese passion for shooting! The second moment
came as I was walking between bus stop & cinema in
Sliema, to meet a young Maltese lady, when marching
towards me, was a group carrying “British Go Home”
& similar banners!
One of the things which we loved on these
detachments, was that “rank” almost completely
disappeared.
Just prior to the Malta detachment, came
promotion to Corporal.
The flight back to Marham was long & tedious. We
were in a Blackburn Beverley heavy transport aircraft
cruising speed 170mph. Luckily, we had a refuelling
stop at Orange in the South of France.
It was a remarkable aircraft in that it could take off
from rough terrain in 790 yards fully loaded and land
in 310 yards. I shall never forget the look of amazement
on the faces of the Aussies at RAAF Butterworth when
they watched one of these take off.

Let The Voice Be With You
by Les Humphries of Rocester
Hello again readers, how the months seem to fly by
these days!
It’s a strange old world we live in isn’t it? As the Brexit
arguments roll on without getting anywhere, thanks to
the anti lobby (yawn), what’s left of our rail system
continues to be in disarray, and law and order in our
cities seems to be breaking down.
Meanwhile across the pond, Donald Trump kicks his
allies up the backside putting up trade barriers, slapping
the Arabs in the face by backing Israel. At the same time
becoming bosom pals with his former arch enemy Kim
Jong-un, who only a few months ago he was referring to
as Little Rocket Man! But he may yet pull off what Bush
and Obama failed to achieve in four terms of office
between them, by getting rid of North Korean Nuclear
Armourments and bringing peace to the region. Like
him or loathe him, he ruthlessly does what he wants to
do like a businessman. Just imagine if he’d been the man
to take US into Brexit! He’d have sacked all of his
opponents, abolished the House of Lords, pulled us out
of Europe and then told THEM what we wanted. Perhaps
we would be better in the UK if WE had a businessman
in charge like Lord Bamford for instance?
I love reading Lanks Lore in ‘The Voice’ because he
always shoots from the hip! In the previous issue he was
rightly onto the case of the possible closure of Uttoxeter’s
public toilets in Bradley Street. What a debacle that has
become, from award winners to shutters down. Unlike
Lank though, I do think the Council ought to make a
charge. Many places have charged 20p for some years,
and it seems to work quite well in other places. They
either have someone in a booth at the door to whom you
pay your remittance, or as in some cases, a slot on the
outer door which takes 20 pence pieces (a standard
charge it appears) and allows you entry, no-one seems to
object, and it’s better than having no bogs at all, it would
also help to pay for an attendant to keep them clean.
If you read my column regularly you will know I
enjoy a good moan! In a recent issue I wrote about my
adverse reaction to having my meals in a Restaurant or
Pub, served on a lump of wood or slate. Well another
thing is overkill. When you just want a cheese and pickle
sandwich or something, they serve it with a plateful of
rabbit food you don’t want. My wife Sandra and I recently
had an early start and decided to have a light breakfast
out. I ordered poached eggs on toast, quite a simple little
snack I thought, But when it arrived, although thankfully
served on a plate, it was accompanied be a clump of
swamp weed, with slices of tomato and cucumber.
In one establishment we ordered a shared platter on
which you got an appetising variety to dip in to, and no
swamp weed! But, you’ve guessed it, served on a what
appeared to be part of a butchers block with great cuts
all over it as if a pig had been slaughtered on it at some
time past. Still you can’t have everything. If you like
Indian Food you might try the Pancea in Rocester it’s
family run, the foods great, and they always serve it on
plates! We went there recently for Grandson Owens 21st
and had a lovely evening with the family.
By the time this issue goes to press the Churnet
Valley Male Voice Choir will have held their Concert in
Temple Street Methodist Church, and be preparing for
their next one on Saturday the 4th of August at Fenton.
Rehearsals as always are held in the Bishop Rawle School,
Cheadle at 7;30pm on alternate Tuesdays during the
Summer months. The next rehearsal will be on July the
10th should any would be singers like to come along and
have a go.
The Denstone Players will also have presented their
two nights only Variety Show in the Village Hall, and
rehearsals are underway for Improbable Fiction, a
comedy play directed by Terry Davies, and will be
performed on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of November in
Denstone Village Hall. It seems a long way off, but once
rehearsals begin it soon creeps up on you! After that
rehearsals will begin for next years Pantomime, ‘Snow
White & The Seven Dwarfs. We in the Denstone Players
are certainly the most prolific performers in the district.
you can follow us on www.denstoneplayers.com or
www.facebook.com/ denstoneplayers or on twitter;
@denstoneplayer these will give all the latest news and
gossip regarding future productions etc;
Uttoxeter Rugby Club have welcomed their new
coach for the 2018/19 Season, New Zealander Nigel Hall
who will now be taking the training sessions at Oldfields.
Everyone at the Club is looking forward to having a great
season under Nigel and new Club Captain Jake Batista
Cabrera, who by following in the footsteps of his father
Jason as Club Captain, will make it the first time in
Uttoxeter RFC’s 36 year history that a father and son have
skippered the club, congratulations Jake. We at the Club
also remember Jake’s grandfather George Harper who
was a stalwart of the club in his latter years, and a much
missed friend of mine. We have a great committee this
year, and there is a real buzz around the place. Let’s carry
that onto the field and start how we mean to carry on,
remember, it starts on the training field lads, give Nigel
Hall and new Director of Rugby Simon Francis all the
support they deserve.
Meanwhile, have a lovely Summer, and if you have an
appointment anywhere and need the car, make sure you
give yourselves an extra half hour, particularly at week-
ends because the dreaded cyclists, who ride in pairs or
packs are out in force already, they never use the cycle
paths where they are provided, and you always seem to
be behind them on a bend or a hill!
TTFN Les...
Down on the Farm
by Angela Sargent
J
uly already and with it comes lots more work on the
farm as all of a sudden, it seems, there is more silage
to make ( and haylage too) and if the weather holds
hay making begins – meadow hay needs three good days
and seed hay needs four or five for a heavy crop, being
turned to dry before rowing up and baling.
Shearing the sheep will be continuing, as some will
have been shorn in May and the following weeks. Not
only is it a means of income from selling the fleece but
it is also a welfare issue- heavy fleeces make sheep
unwieldy and if they get on their backs, they cannot
easily right themselves and can die if not turned the right
way up!
Dirty, sweaty wool also provides a nursery to flies
and resulting maggots can cause irritation and suffering
if not treated.
Crops are ripening in the fields and the yellow Oil
seed rape flowers have disappeared now as the seeds
form, before harvesting begins.
Neonicatinoids have been banned - these work by
turning the whole plant into a poison for insects, but
unfortunately, against beneficial insects as well as the
pests.
However, the useable pesticides are potentially worse
for animals and birds.
Pollinators ( Bees, wasps, hover flies,beetles,
Butterflies and moths and some mammals, lizards etc)
are necessary for 80% of crops and wild flowers. These
transfer pollen from one plant to another and mean
fertilisation can take place, leading to the formation of
seeds and, therefore, the continuation of the species and
the farming crop.
Farmers can plant pollen and nectar seed mixes in
odd corners of fields to help provide food for pollinators,
as many things can have a detrimental effect on them.
Extreme weather or the wrong sort at the wrong time
can mean the right food isn’t available when a particular
pollinator is around and Loss of brownfield sites,
planting trees on what was once meadow, house
building, tidiness of gardens and verges all have an
adverse effect on pollinating insects etc, as do long
distances between areas of pollen rich plants.
But,it is summer, the wild flowers are blooming
along the field margins.
The vetches with their winding tendrils are
flowering, purples and pinks, the creamy clouds of
Meadowsweet wave in the breeze and the Hedge parsley
and Chervil dance alongside the hedges. Self heal and
Bugles glow bright blue against the green of the grass,
while the Loosestrife and Willowherbs stand tall.
The calves are growing, benefitting from the luscious
grass and the recent warm weather and scurry away
when we get too close to them, their tails poking straight
up.
On hot dry days you may see a wriggle out of the
corner of your eye as a grass snake hurries away or come
across an Adder basking on a warm stone.
Grass snakes lay eggs, whereas Adders give birth to
live young, but both eat small animals, frogs etc.
Or you might spot a Slow worm, which eats slugs
and worms. He’s really a legless lizard and quite
harmless.
Denstone Players
D
enstone Players’ next production is ‘A
Variety Show for Two Nights Only!’ to be
performed at Denstone Village Hall on
Friday 29th and Saturday 30th June.
Chairman Dave Shooter at the group’s AGM in
May said ‘This show promises to be a ‘something
for everyone’ evening of drama, dance, gymnastics,
music and comedy. Players’ stalwart Dave Brown
has written an innovative and dramatic one act play
entitled ‘You Are Here’ which will be directed by
Gill Brown and features performances from the
youngest to oldest of current members. Les
Humphries has written and directed a hilarious
comedy sketch and there are many music,
gymnastic and dance acts for our two audiences to
enjoy.’
Tickets costing £8 for adults and £5 for children
are available from Denstone Hall Farm Shop; online
at www.denstoneplayers.com or from tel. 01538
722667.

Midsummer
Nights Dream
Owd Grandad Piggott
Go to the new website
www.owdgrandadpiggott.co.uk
and download tracks from the original
Owd Grandad Piggott LP record which
was recorded live by Alan Povey in
The George and Dragon pub in Long-
ton in 1977 and sold over 6,000 copies
in North Staffordshire inside 6 months.
Povey’s People
by Radio Stoke’s Owd Grandad Piggott
L
ongton knit ‘n natter was a
group of ladies formed at
Longton Darby & Joan
where the members did just that.
Grandma Piggott was a member as
was Lizzie Lockett, Big Ivy
Mellenship and a dozen or so more
and it has to be said that the main
topic of conversation was the
shortcomings of their menfolk.
Grandma Piggott was known as
‘The Oracle’ as no one in the group
had a problem that she either got or
had had at sometime and she was
held in high regard. Owd Grandad
Piggott had a variety of ailments for
which he had his own names. One
such ailment he had recently
contracted, he referred to as
‘lungrot’. To normal people, it was referred to as
C.O.P.D.
‘Dunner know what’s up with me’, he moaned to me
one night in the pub.
‘It’s all the filthy fags you get through!’ I told him.
‘You should have bin born with a chimney on your
head...’
‘It’s incurable!’ he told me. ‘Ahve got one o’ theyse
inhaler things what yer squirt dine yer throat but it
dunner seym do me any good… ar cow it a fuster.
Grandma Piggott however found a better way of using
it. One night he was snoring and wheezing like a
demented porker so Grandma Piggott picked it up,
went round to his side of the bed and gently placed it
into his ear and pressed the top.
‘FUST!!’
It was like a bomb had gone off in his ear. He
emitted a wild bellow and exploded from the bed
clutching his ear and Grandma Piggott was trying not
to laugh congratulating herself for discovering a new
weapon for her armoury.
‘What the bloody hell was that??’ he
yelled.
‘You were having a bad dream!’ she
chortled. Soon after that, he complained
about having ‘stoppage o’ the bowels’ and a
lady at knit ‘n natter said to her quietly.
‘Ah’ve got thum thtuff ah’ll bring yer’.
The next week, she turned up with ‘thum
thtuff’ which took the form of a bottle of
dark urine coloured liquid which Grandma
Piggott surreptitiously slipped into her
handbag and gave him a dose of it when she
got home. For a period of two hours, Owd
Grandad Piggott suffered some stomach
discomfort, then ‘thum thtuff’ went
through him like a Ferrari and caused him
to sit on the toilet for the next half hour.
The next piece of valuable advice to
come from knit ‘n natter group created
mayhem. Owd Grandad Piggott had broken his top set
of teeth and he was yelling blue murder that the left
hand side of his face had collapsed.
‘Ugh - ugh - ugh - mumfff mum…’, he was
spluttering wildly and swinging his arms about.
Grandma Piggott lost her temper.
‘Stop it!!’ she shouted. ‘Listen to me! One of the
ladies at knit ‘n natter did the same thing and you can
get a repair kit at the chemist… Go down to Boots and
get one instead of standing there shouting and yelling
and cursing…’
Without further ado, he stumped off to Boots
Chemists and came back with a box of something that
claimed to be a sure fire way of repairing false teeth. He
cleared a space at the end of the table and set his stall
out. It consisted mainly of a tube of adhesive, a smaller
tube of hardener, and a guide of what to do. He spent
the next half hour quietly cursing and getting covered
in the stuff and eventually gave a grunt of satisfaction.
‘It’s done’, he growled. ‘Listen they - dunner touch
this. Them teyth an got set… They touch ‘em an’ ar’ll
lamp thee up th’ear’ole’.
‘Thank you dear for telling me how to mend my
teeth’, said Grandma Piggott sarcastically. ‘I wouldn’t
touch your filthy teeth with a barge pole.’
Three hours later, according to the leaflet, his teeth
would now be set so he went to pick them up - but they
didn’t want to be picked up!. Despite a valiant effort and
a lot of cursing and swearing, his teeth flatly refused to
part company with the table. He tried running hot water
on them, he tried tapping them with a hammer, but
nothing worked. His teeth were firmly glued to the
dining room table. He fetched Perce Lockett round,
Club Paper Jack tried prising them off with a knife, all
to no avail.
‘They an’ thee daft ideas’, flared Owd Grandad
Piggott.
‘Oh its my fault now is it?’ shouted Grandma
Piggott, ‘Nothing to do with the fact that you’ve got the
stuff all over the place. You’ve got more on the table than
you’ve got on your teeth you stupid old twerp.’ Falling
out however didn’t solve the problem.
‘Well, ar conner walk rind with a table stickin’ ite o’
the side o’ me chops con ar??’ yapped Owd Grandad
Piggott. ‘Ar’ll shift ‘em! Arm goin’ borrer Perce Lockett’s
blowlamp!’ Before Grandma Piggott could complain, he
was off round Perce Lockett’s, came back with his
blowlamp and cranked it up There was a fierce roar and
a horrible smell of burned plastic as he played the flame
on to his teeth, then Grandma Piggott gave a scream as
the adhesive caught fire.
‘Me table!!’ she shrieked. ‘Look at me table… oh
dear God!...’ He hit the teeth with the poker nd they
parted company with the table and clattered into the
hearth accompanied by another scream from his wife.
As they lay smoking in the hearth, he fetched a kettle
full of water from the kitchen and poured it over them.
When they had cooled, he picked them up and slid
them back in.
If his teeth tasted half as bad as they smelled, Owd
Grandad Piggott had a very nasty taste in his mouth for
about the next month and they had melted and buckled
somewhat but to him, the damaged teeth were better
than no teeth at all. At the next meeting of Longton knit
and natter group, Grandma Piggott had plenty to moan
about. The dining table bore an ugly black scar for the
rest of time. But that was life!
Each month Radio Stoke’s Owd Grandad Piggott (Alan Povey) will write a unique insight into our local life and its
many characters. His infectious, humorous slant on people provides a different and unusual mix which hopefully
will bring a warm smile to the faces of our readers.
This month: Longton knit‘n natter
Owd Grandad
Piggott had
broken his
top set of
teeth and he
was yelling
blue murder
that the left
hand side of
his face had
collapsed.
B
uilding on their fantastic success in the All
England Theatre Festival and at the annual
NSDA gala awards, Cheadle Amateur Theatrical
Society are breaking new ground with their next
summer performance.
When a Man Knows, Marge Stanley’s one-act play
entry into the AETF starring Dan Ede-Smith and
Becky Snow reached the national semi finals at the
Swan Theatre, Worcester. At the NSDA Gala night,
CATS received nominations in many categories, and
awards included Dan’s certificate of achievement for his
gymnastic antics in No Sex Please we’re British and
Victoria Wood’s adjudicator’s award for all her work
bringing Goldilocks to life.
For our next production, CATS are moving into the
open air. We are presenting William Shakespeare’s A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, in the round, at Hales Hall
Caravan Park, from the 1st to the 3rd of August. We’re
very excited about this since as far as we know CATS
have never attempted Shakespeare and never
performed in the round. Dan Ede Smith’s rehearsals
are well under way and tickets, available from the usual
outlets and from www.cheadle-cats.org.uk are expected
to sell very quickly.

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Personal Service and Advice
W
hen rereading my musings of the past
few months to ensure that I am not
repeating myself, I realised that you
might think that I am being paid an advertising
fee by the BBC as I have often referred to and
recommended certain programmes on Radio 4.
While I am not reimbursed for references to ‘The
Archers’ amongst others, I would like to draw
your attention to ‘Soul Music’. This is not, as you
may think, thirty minutes of Sam Cooke, Marvin
Gaye and their fellow soulful artistes but features
music that is deemed good for the soul as well as
background information about the composer and
the singers who have interpreted their work.
A recent edition featured the 1967 hit ‘A
Whiter Shade of Pale’ by Procol Harum and a
lengthy discussion about the lyrics. You may not
agree but I think that it is a beautiful song, the
introduction being very loosely based on Bach’s
Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, better known
as ‘Air on the G String’. The words however are
something else. I love words and phrases and I
like my songs to make sense. It is therefore
unusual for me to rate this one so highly as it
makes no sense at all! One of the best the lyrics
of all time, in my humble opinion, is ‘…my
hucklebury friend…’ This comes from the classic
‘Moon River’ written in 1960 by Henry Mancini
and Johnny Mercer, which has been interpreted
by singers as diverse in terms of vocal talent as
Andy Williams and Audrey Hepburn and it was
the latter who attempted to sing the original in
the film ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. It was Danny
Williams who took ‘Moon River’ to the top of the
charts but I believe that his brother Andy (not
really but I need to check occasionally that you
are still awake) who sang the definitive version.
To me, that phrase conjures up an image of two
small boys, thick as thieves, spending days
building dams in rivers and making rope swings
to get from one side of said river to the other,
during a long, hot, sunny Summer with
something to eat and drink but no adult
interference apart from an instruction to be
home no later than a certain time.
This all takes place in the deep South of the
USA but could equally apply to my childhood or,
I’m sure, to yours. I cannot really remember ‘A
Whiter Shade of Pale’ being released and
certainly not the release of ‘Moon River’ but I do
recall setting off the to spend the whole day with
my own hucklebury friends, maybe on bikes or
just on foot, armed with a sandwich, knowing
that we all had to be back by 5.00.
Different times today. I must finish musing
and reminiscing now as it’s time to take my
canine huckleberry friend for a walk. I assure you
that we shall not be skipping the light fandango
or turning cartwheels!
My Monthly
Musings
by Cecily Cowans of Cheadle
The Women of Uttoxeter WI
T
he ladies of The Women of Uttoxeter WI
were entertained by Diamond Teese
Burlesque, who perform and run classes
in burlesque dancing. We were told about the
history and origins of burlesque, and shown
costumes and pieces of clothing used in
performances.
We were shown different ways to remove a
stocking and a glove, which were practised with
some amusement! Many members were keen to
ask questions about burlesque. This was
followed by tea and cakes, while the Diamond
Teese ladies judged our best decorated bra
competition. This was not an easy task as many
ladies had decorated bras very imaginatively.
The evening concluded with the presentation
of prizes and the drawing of our raffle.

D
Day the 6th of June is a
date which sticks in the
mind, being the date the
Allies landed on the beaches of
Normandy in 1945 ready to attack
the enemy.
Seventy three years on - the
6th of June 2018, although less
dramatic, was the date in a packed Oldfields Club in
Uttoxeter that members and players of Uttoxeter Rugby
Football Club gathered to meet their new coach Nigel
Hall who is poised ready to prepare them to attack the
new season.
One could feel the buzz of anticipation around the
room as the New Zealander, although a man of few
words (he prefers action on the training ground!) laid
out his rules for the coming season, alongside new
Director of Rugby Simon Francis.
It is the start of a new era for the Club, now in it’s
thirty sixth year, and is a most exciting development for
Rugby in Uttoxeter for not only is Nigel a RFU Level 3
coach, so is Simon, which means that the town side
now boasts two Level 3 coaches in their ranks.
New Zealander Nigel started his top level rugby
career with Otago before moving to the UK where he
played for Nottingham, Leicester Tigers and Newport
Gwent Dragons, before injury forced him to hang up
his boots as a player.
During Nigel’s Meet and Greet evening at
Uttoxeter Rugby Club on June 6th, he oversaw the lads
training and he officially took over full pre-season
training on June 26th. Hopefully Nigel will get good
support from the players with well attended training
sessions, so that the club can get off to a good start in
the League.
The club’s new Sports Therapist is Antonio Narcisi
who has joined from Longton RFC, meaning Uttoxeter
will be better able to take care of both the conditioning
and injuries of players in a more professional way on
match days. New Club Captain Jake Batista Cabrera
follows in the footsteps of his father Jason, a former
Club Captain, which is a first in the Club’s history, and
his grandfather George Harper who was a club stalwart.
Add to these President Paul Bain, Chairman Nigel
Titterton, who are both brimming with enthusiasm,
and a strong committee and Uttoxeter Rugby Club have
a pretty formidable team. New players will be warmly
welcomed to join Uttoxeter Rugby Club this season.
Just come to training on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
7pm and join Nigel Hall, Si Francis and the players for
an exciting new era at Uttoxeter Rugby Club.
As in all organisations Uttoxeter Rugby Club needs
sponsorship, and although we already have some great
support we can never have too many sponsors to help
the club to go forward. Any local business who would
like to take an advertising board around the pitch (£500
for whole year) can contact President Paul Bain on
07976 461775 or Chairman Nigel Titterton on 07733
466 970 - these are exciting times at the club and your
support will be greatly appreciated!
Uttoxeter have two squad warm up games arranged
pre-season, note I say squad rather than 1st Team, as
that will be the key word under Nigel Hall and Si
Francis, not to segregate the club into two different
squads. The first of these is to be played at Long Eaton
on Thursday August 16th, the second at Leek on Friday
August the 31st. The first League game in the Season
proper is at Oldfields on Saturday the 8th of September
against Cannock.
Exciting new era begins
at Uttoxeter Rugby Club
By Les Humphries
Uttoxeter Rugby Club Chairman Nigel Titterton welcomes new
Head Coach Nigel Hall.
Nigel Hall meets the players.
New Zealander Head Coach Nigel Hall is pictured adjacent to the advertising boards - local businesses
can sponsor a board for £500 per year in support of Uttoxeter Rugby Club.
New Director of Rugby Simon Francis, Head Coach Nigel Hall and
new Uttoxeter Rugby Club Captain Jake Batista Cabrera.
Nigel in his
playing days,
for Newport
Gwent
Dragons.

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 83

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 83

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Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 83