Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice 115.pdf

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I
can’t believe we
are into March
already and just
around the corner is the most wonderful of
seasons – Spring…
It brings me great joy when the Daffodils start
blooming along the roadsides because I know
better weather should be arriving very soon and
we can all go out and enjoy the fresh air.
However, as I am writing this article the
weather is making the news headlines all over the
world with snow and blizzards in California,
Barcelona and the Balearic Islands!! These
conditions are pretty rare and it wouldn’t surprise
me in the least if when you receive your Voice
colour magazine through the letterbox this
month there is snow in our community!!
As many readers know, I have been involved
in racehorses for over 35 years and the annual
journey to the Cheltenham Festival has always
been one of my loves – second only to the
Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter
Racecourse of course!!
I have been at the Cheltenham Festival in
scorching sunshine and also flurries of snow in
freezing conditions – but no matter what, we
always enjoyed the best of times…
So, as many of us know, weather conditions
are still pretty much the same over the decades –
sometimes March can be hot – and sometimes it
can be cold – it’s not all down to climate change!
I know many local people are really
struggling financially at the moment – and I
mean REALLY struggling… The Voice has
received many contacts from readers telling their
own stories of the massive increase in gas and
electricity bills and the way they have been
treated by the energy suppliers.
It hurts me so much to hear how some folk
are in total despair in their efforts to try to pay
their bills…
What makes me so sick is that one energy
supplier sent a reader a bill for over £1,300 for a
Quarter Period – the year before, during the same
period, the bill was £604!!! And this French-
owned energy supplier told this customer that if
they didn’t pay this bill on time, there would be a
£10 late payment charge!!! So, if someone can’t
pay a bill, more money is then added to the total
– absolute madness and disgusting in my
opinion…
We have all had so much thrown at us over
the past years – Brexit, Covid, Cost of Living
Crisis, etc – but we are resilient and we will
continue to take everything on the chin as a
British nation.
Our main strength is to look after each other,
so let’s all rally together and if we can help anyone
in our community in their hour of need, please
do so – as they will be at the end of their tether…
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The
Voice…
Nigel Titterton
Editor & Publisher
Dear Reader,
Publisher and Editor: Nigel Titterton
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is published by Community Voice
Publications Ltd
Telephone 01538 751629 e-mail uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
The views expressed in this publication are those of our contributors and are not
necessarily those of the publishers, nor indeed their responsibility.
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Community Voice Publications Ltd.
Designed and Produced by noel@sergeantdesign.com
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is wholly independent and
is published at 3 Spode Close, Cheadle, Staffs ST10 1DT
13,000 copies are distributed free to homes and
businesses in Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Rocester, Denstone,
Bramshall, Stramshall, Alton, Oakamoor, Tean, Lower
Tean, Checkley, Leigh, Church Leigh, Crakemarsh,
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& Fulford, Doveridge and Abbots Bromley, Sudbury,
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Local Housing Market Update
by George Brandrick
P
ost-pandemic, the local housing market has
seen house price increases that nobody could
have foreseen. Demand which was suffocated
during Covid surged to incredible heights, with all
homeowners generating large sums of equity in a short
span of time. As we enter quarter one of 2023, the
general picture for the local housing market is one very
much in a transitional phase.
As the nation reacts to inflation, cost of living
increases and mortgage rates rising, we are starting to
observe the housing market in a hangover stage of its
dizzying peak. Just as all of us are now adapting to the
cost of living crisis, the housing market is no different.
Six months ago, I would discuss with homeowners the
high probability of receiving multiple offers in excess
of their asking price; this created the same buying
dilemma, that they would have to offer over the asking
price to get the house they wanted to move to. As the
market shifts more towards a ‘buyers market’, the
conversation flips to having more buying and
negotiation power, but having to be more flexible on
what price they wish to sell for. This creates a situation
whereby asking prices on the whole are in a plateau
stage, while the market reacts to a process of self-
correction.
There are already positive signs from major banks,
offering fixed interest rates at prices of 3.75%, which
seems a sudden rise from 2022, however could be an
early sign that banks predict the interest rate rises
could’ve hit their peak. During these times, it’s
important to always obtain the best advice. If you are
unsure how much to spend on your new home, if you
are unsure what yours might currently be worth, or
simply need reassurance you are making the right
decision, then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Finally, as many readers of this magazine will
remember the great Steve Lavin, who sadly passed
away on 1st February 2023, I would like to pay respects
to a true gent and local character, of which I was so
lucky to know. His regular column in The Voice will be
a huge miss. RIP Lank.
George Brandrick
Associate Director
A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
Cheadle 01538 750081
www.abodemidlands.co.uk

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We are now open
Weekdays 10am-3.30pm
(closed Wednesdays)
Weekends 10am-4pm
We have lunchtime specials on offer
daily. Freshly baked scones and lots of
outdoor seating by the canal waterside -
our water huts are a favourite.
We are excited to announce our new
venture ‘Madam Hettys’ which is above
Hettys serving Afternoon Teas on Thursdays,
Fridays & Saturdays. It’s Alice in Wonderland
themed and we have a nest to sit in as well
as a floating table experience.
Welcoming families, ramblers, cyclists,
dog walkers and canal enthusiasts
Froghall Wharf, Foxt Road,
Churnet Valley ST10 2HJ
Situated 5 minutes from Cheadle &
15 minutes from Ashbourne on the A52
by the canal in Froghall Wharf.

A
n apprentice at digger giant JCB has quite
literally gone back to their roots to
celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
(February 6 to 12).
Nathan Heath is one of 78 JCB apprentices who this week returned
to their old school to plant a commemorative oak tree and talk to
pupils about their education pathway to a prestigious apprenticeship.
Nathan Heath, (20), travelled from the JCB World Headquarters
at Rocester, to visit Sudbury Primary School and plant the tree which
was grown on JCB’s own farming Estate at Wootton at his old Primary
School.
The tree planting ceremonies are part of a series of events to mark
National Apprenticeship Week, including high-profile business talks
and open days. A total of 78 oak trees are being planted by JCB
apprentices right across the UK, as far afield as Stirling in Scotland and
Colwyn Bay in Wales, with each tree marking a year in business for
JCB since it was founded in 1945.
JCB Early Career Talent Manager Neil Fowkes said: “The oak trees
symbolise not only JCB’s proud British heritage but also the
importance of celebrating our apprentices’ educational journeys from
their school roots to the great opportunities that await when branching
out into the world of work.
“Inspiring the next generation of young engineers, machine
builders and business experts is an important part of our apprentices’
training. We want them to be role models to youngsters at their old
schools so every student sees what can be achieved with hard work
and ambition.
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic route into a career, and hearing first
hand from a former pupil is the best way to encourage the next
generation to follow in their footsteps.”
Each oak tree planted by the JCB apprentices will be accompanied
by a commemorative plaque which features a QR code that links
students to the JCB Early Careers website. To find out more about
apprenticeships and careers at JCB visit earlycareers.jcb.com/
JCB apprentice goes back to their roots
to inspire next generation of pupils

7

1st Saturday of the month, 11am
from the Shrewsbury Arms carpark.
Join us for a walk around Kingstone
woods (approx. 45mins-1hour) wellies
are recommended. All welcome.
Voluntary donation to local animal
charities. You don’t have to have a dog
to join us, just come along.
Great opportunity to social both you
and your dog and to pop in for a coffee
or a pint afterwards.
We are open all day Wednesday to
Saturday from 12pm. Sunday 12-6pm
Food served: Weds-Sat 12-2.30pm &
5.30-8.30pm, Sunday 12-4pm
Families, muddy boots and
dogs all welcome.
The Shrewsbury Arms, Uttoxeter
Road, Kingstone, ST14 8QH
To reserve a table please call
01889 500181
www.shrewsburyarmskingstone.co.uk

A
Uttoxeter entrepreneur has been chosen to
support Midland’s business growth at a leading
digital accelerator event for Staffordshire SMEs.
Victoria Prince, of Touchpoints Marketing, based
at Heath House, is one of several experts at the Keele
Gateway two-day fully funded Thriving in the Digital
Age sessions starting in March.
The event, which is exclusively available to
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent SMEs, is designed to
help businesses understand and integrate digital
technologies into their business to drive growth.
Marketing expert Victoria, who has just been voted
Best Marketing Adviser in the UK and Ireland, will
provide a series of talks on how companies can use
marketing more efficiently, homing in on opportunities
to help their business thrive.
The event follows recent Government figures that
show an ongoing decline in enterprise across the
country with double the amount of businesses lost
between 2020 and 2021 compared to the number of
new businesses in the whole decade between 2000 and
2020.
The Government funded events at Keele University
on 23rd and 24th March and 20th and 21st of April,
will allow local businesses to receive free advice and
training from specialists in their field and are designed
to accelerate business growth in the area.
Talking about the sessions Victoria said: “The
Thriving in the Digital Age sessions offer Staffordshire
businesses a real opportunity to gain valuable
knowledge and skills to enhance their business. Now
more than ever it is important that we are helping
business owners to navigate the ever changing and
difficult business market.
“There have been huge changes in the way that
companies not only operate but also in what consumers
expect and need in the current economic climate. It
means that businesses are having to rethink and be
prepared to adapt to new ways of working whether that
is digitally or in how they market their business.
“In the UK 99% of private businesses are SMEs and
if we continue to lead in small business as a nation
programs like this are essential in giving businesses the
skills to navigate the challenges they face.”
The hands-on workshops, run over two two-day
sessions, will cover growing your market digitally to
attract more customers, building a brand using data
and insight and turning digital plans into reality.
With access to digital tools and technologies it is
designed to give SMEs all the information and training
they need to implement the skills into their own
business.
Touchpoints Marketing is a specialist marketing
agency based in Uttoxeter which provides engaging
strategy support and creative monthly marketing
activities.
An entrepreneur herself, Victoria created the UK’s
first energy ball recipe kit, which went from Kickstarter
launch to selling online at the iconic British store
Selfridges in under a year. Developing the idea
alongside her own marketing business, before going on
to sell the growing vegan brand, she also has a decade
of experience in corporate marketing teams having
worked in a variety of multinational firms.
She was recently awarded the best marketing
adviser in the Enterprise Nation Awards 2022 being
singled out for her specialist marketing support to help
businesses realise their ambitious growth plans.
More information is available at
www.touchpointsmarketing.co.uk
Staffordshire businesses receive
marketing advice from one of the
UK’s top advisers
• Local, friendly
tradesman with over 20
years experience fitting
• Carpets & vinyl flooring
• Large choice of samples
brought to your home
for you to view in
comfort
• Floor levelling and
door trimming service
• Personal, hassle-free
service where you only
deal with myself, the
fitter, start to finish
Call or message to
arrange an
appointment
07932 668 745
Voters Require Photo
ID in May Elections
F
or the first time, residents in East Staffordshire will
need to show photographic ID to vote in this year’s
elections. Residents are being urged to make sure
they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an
accepted form of ID. The following is a list of accepted
forms of ID in the UK:
• A UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or
Commonwealth passport
• A UK, EEA, or Commonwealth driver’s license
• Some concessionary travel passes, such as an older
person’s bus pass
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms
of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at www.voter-
authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a
paper form. The full list of accepted ID is available on the
Electoral Commission’s website, along with more
information about the new requirement and details of how
to apply for free ID, at www.electoralcommission.
org.uk/voterID.
Andy O’Brien, Returning Officer at East Staffordshire
Borough Council, said: “With elections taking place in East
Staffordshire on 4 May 2023, it is important that those who
want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID.
It may seem early but checking now means you will be
ready to vote in May. Residents who do not have one of the
accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or
by completing a paper application form and sending it to
East Staffordshire Borough Council’s electoral services
team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or
want to request an application form, contact the electoral
services team on 01283 508376.”
Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this
May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five
minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should
first make sure they are registered to vote.
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling
station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK
Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and
comes into effect for the first time this May.

J
CB’s double-award winning
electric mini excavator has
marked another significant
milestone in its short history – the production of the
1,000th machine.
JCB went into full production with the world’s first
volume-produced all-electric mini excavator in 2019.
Employees at JCB Compact Products in Cheadle,
gathered on the shop floor to cheer the milestone
1,000th 19C-E model off the production line.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “We are
delighted with the success of JCB’s electric mini
excavator, which is proving very popular around the
world, particularly in North America, France and the
UK where there is a growing demand for zero
emissions equipment operating in urban
environments.”
JCB has been at the forefront of the development of
electric technology to meet customers’ demands for
zero-emission products and the company has led the
way with the introduction of a battery-electric solution
for smaller machines.
The 19C-1E is a staggering five times quieter than
its diesel counterpart and can be fully charged in under
two hours and can complete a typical full shift on a
single charge. The model has been a big hit with
companies working inside buildings and in emissions
and noise-sensitive inner-city areas. It is perfect for
working indoors or outdoors, in factories, tunnels or
basements, for digging foundations, or on utility
projects.
In 2019, the 19C-1E scooped one of the automotive
industry’s most prestigious honours when the Royal
Automobile Club presented JCB with the Dewar
Trophy for ‘Outstanding Technical Achievement in the
British Automotive Industry’ for the development of
the machine. The following year, the Royal Academy
of Engineering in the UK announced that the 19C-1E
had won the MacRobert Award, a prize for innovation
that has been presented since 1969 to honour a wide
variety of engineering feats, including the CT scanner
and Rolls-Royce’s Pegasus engine used in the Harrier
jump jet.
Award winning JCB electric mini
celebrates big milestone
Employees at JCB Compact Products celebrate the milestone production of JCB’s 1,000th electric mini excavator.

13

Tynsel Parkes C. E Primary
Academy provides high quality
teaching for children aged 3-
9yrs and our vision is for
everyone to feel valued and be
all they can be whilst
embracing Christian values.
We offer:
• Experienced teachers in all year groups
• Thriving, stimulating & welcoming Early Years
• Flexible nursery hours, up to 30 hours funded places
• Dedicated teaching staff & on site Principal
• Brand new playground facilities
• Onsite wrap around care from 7:30am until
5.30pm
Please contact us for further information or to
arrange a visit and meet our dedicated teaching
staff and see all that our wonderful school can offer.
Principal: Mrs Rachel Chandler
www.tynselparkesacademy.co.uk Tel: 01889 221920
Email: office@tynselparkesacademy.co.uk
School Road, Uttoxeter ST14 7HE
NURSERY AND
RECEPTION
PLACES
AVAILABLE FOR
SEPTEMBER 2023
APPLY NOW!
t: 0800 180 4901
e: kyle.stubbs@zerodrytime.com
w: zerodrytime.com
The UK’s No.1
Dry Carpet,
Upholstery &
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Cleaners
Rotary Club Award for
Mr. Poppy!
T
here was a special guest
at Uttoxeter Rotary
Club’s recent Meal at The
White Hart in Uttoxeter.
Gordon Stubbs was presented
with a “Certificate of
Achievement” by the Club’s
President John Gregory in
recognition of his outstanding
contribution to the annual
Royal British Legion Poppy
appeal in the town.
The President told the Club:
“Gordon served in REME and
saw service in Germany in
1952. He joined the British
Legion in 1955 and is currently
President. He has been
collecting for the Poppy appeal
for 23 years, 22 of them at
Tesco’s Uttoxeter Store”
Over this period he has
collected over £185,000 with
this year’s total at nearly
£11,000, not his best but
remarkable under the current
difficult circumstances.
Rotarian Judith Leedham, the Poppy Appeal Organiser in the town added:
“Gordon is a very familiar and welcomed sight in Tesco’s each November. Both
customers and staff look forward to seeing him and he has made many new friends
through this work. The store’s staff look after him very well and recently presented
him with his own mug labelled “The Poppy Man” which is topped up regularly!”
Gordon’s wife of many years, Angela, died earlier his year but he carried on with
the appeal. In thanking the Club, an emotional Gordon said;
“This award is for all those who have supported me over the years and this one
in particular. Thank you!”

CARLTON UPHOLSTERY
RE-UPHOLSTERY & REPAIRS • EST 1979
Three-Piece Suites • Odd Chairs & Sofas
Headboards • Bedroom Furniture • Re-Springing
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Antique Restoration also Undertaken
For a FREE Estimate call Carlton Upholstery on
01538 756274 or 07976 794811
Carlton Upholstery, 1 Rawle Close, Rectory Fields,
Cheadle, Staffs ST10 1UX
Church Street, Uttoxeter ST14 8AA
Tel 01889 564216
tyreways@uttoxeter.ndo.co.uk
Uttoxeter’s Premier
Tyre Centre
Right service
Right advice
Right choice
Right price
• Tyres
• Exhausts
• Batteries
• Brakes and
Shock Service
• Agricultural Tyres
• Wheel Alignment
Are you an ex Matelot,
Bootneck, Jenny, an Admiral,
Jimmy, Tankey, Bandy, Jack
Dusty, WAFU?
Fancy an evening ‘Swinging the
lamp’ and ‘Swopping dits’
Join us at the Bankhouse Hotel in Uttoxeter
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For details call Dave Emery on 01782 331730
or Mike Bell on 01889 563897
Dan Knight - Tree Surgeon
All aspects of tree and hedge work covered
Call, text or email for a free quote
07857 486906 / danknightarb@gmail.com
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See how
The Voice
can
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01538 751629
or 07733 466 970
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hotmail.co.uk
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Everyone
lovesTheVoice
Teaching‘Internal
Superpowers’at
Windsor Park
Middle School
M
iniMe Mindfulness®
have been working
with Year 6 students
for the last few weeks to help
guide the children to create and
maintain healthy minds in a
fun, innovative and interactive
way.
Teaching children all about
their own internal superpowers
is part of the concept of
MiniMe Mindfulness ®. Our
superpowers include being
aware of our senses, focusing
on our breath and
remembering to breathe when
things feel overwhelming.
Teaching children the skills to
deal with a sometimes
overwhelming world, skills that
all of us need to live happy and
successful lives.
Since the pandemic,
wellbeing and mental health
awareness has been brought
into the spotlight. There is
finally a positive shift and
openness towards getting help
and access to more support.
This is where MiniMe
Mindfulness ® comes in.
Learning the skills to help
yourself can start as young as
three, just like a child learning
to walk and talk. These life
lessons can help a child’s
perception and understanding
of their own mindset.
Ms Bailey, Deputy
Headteacher at Windsor Park had this to say about the sessions so far: “Claire
from MiniMe Mindfulness has been working with our students at Windsor Park Middle School
for several weeks. Her sessions are always engaging, thought provoking and fun! Our students tell us
that they make a real difference, helping them to recognise their emotions and regulate their
responses.
We have noticed how the children have gained confidence and become more self-aware – helping
them to engage in their learning across the school with gusto. Some students who were reluctant to
contribute to class discussions are now brave enough to give it a go and are blossoming as a result.”
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fieldfuneralservice@hotmail.co.uk
Community classes: Monday @Checkley Community Centre,
Tuesday 2 pre-school age classes morning Bishop Rawle in Cheadle,
afternoon Big Top in Uttoxeter, Saturday morning Longton.
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Give us a call on
01538 751629
or 07733 466 970
or Email:
uttoxetervoice@
hotmail.co.uk

19
The area’s biggest dealer for:
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Kirk House in Uttoxeter is a successful and well respected not
for profit nursing home which places emphasis on high quality,
personalised and friendly care.
We are looking for an experienced professional to provide
sound advice and business support to oversee the financial
operation of the business.Working alongside the registered
home manager and trustee body, you would develop and
improve controls and offer guidance to the current
administration function.
This would be a flexible part time role (1 or 2 days per week)
and would suit a semi-retired /portfolio career candidate with a
keen interest in care who would become an integral part of a
small settled friendly team. From a strong business/finance
background with first-hand experience we need an organised,
and dependable individual with the ability to guide and make
decisions.
Salary is negotiable according to skills and experience and we
offer flexibility, company pension scheme and a friendly and
supportive working environment.
This role would require DBS clearance specific to the care
setting.
If you feel you may be the person we need please
contact the home manager Stacey Smith by email at
stacey@kirk-house.co.uk or telephone 01889 562628
Part time Finance Controller
A
community lifeline is
celebrating after JCB
stepped in with vital
heating bill support to help see it through the winter.
Rocester Warm Space project based in the village’s
St Michael’s Church opens its doors from Monday to
Thursday every week to give community activity and
friendship groups a place to meet and save on their
home heating.
Now JCB has donated £5,000 to help St Michael’s
with increased heating bills and ensure it can continue
to be a hub for the local community and surrounding
villages through the winter.
Churchwarden Susan Maiden Dalton said: “The
Rocester Warm Space is open every Monday to
Thursday from 9am to 4pm and we serve free hot
drinks and soup throughout the day. People can just
come along and play board games, read newspapers,
do crafts, or just sit and chat with the volunteers who
run the scheme. All of the groups using the church have
increased in size in recent months so there is definitely
a growing need for a space which people can use as an
alternative to heating their own homes. Our heating
bills have now increased by £1,000 a month and we are
so grateful to JCB for helping us to help the local
community in this way.”
JCB employee of 53 years, Ian Roberts, who is also
a churchwarden at St Michael’s, handed over the £5,000
donation on behalf of the company. Former
manufacturing engineer and now a part-time JCB tour
guide Ian said: “The church aims to be at the heart of
the community and, of course, many of those who form
our congregation and use the Warm Space, have
connections with JCB, so it is fantastic that the
company has stepped in to help.”
Groups using the church space include Little Angels
parents and toddlers every Tuesday and Thursday
afternoon, daily pensioners’ gatherings, art and craft
clubs, a new big screen movie each Wednesday
afternoon and The Men’s Shed group, who meet weekly
for making, mending and companionship. Anyone
interested visiting Rocester Warm Space at St Michael’s
Church can contact Susan on 07816 084341.
JCB helps keep the home fires
burning at village church’s hub
Rocester Warm Space gives a warm welcome to JCB’s support. Pictured left to right are Gill Sanbrooke, Monica
McGirr, The Rev. Liz Jones, Margaret Tomson, Audrey Pegg,

21
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Early purchase prices are available until 30th April 2023.
Please visit www.jcbchampionship.co.uk to purchase tickets and for further information
@JCBCH A MPIONSHIP @JCBCH A MPIONSHIP

23
Help for Hibernating
Hedgehogs in Marchington
T
he Rotary Club of Uttoxeter has supported the Hedgehospital in Marchington
with the purchase of new hutches. The Club’s Environment Officer, Anita
Thomas-Epple, reports;
“As a Club we are keen to support local projects to enhance wildlife and the
environment. Earlier in the year we funded a bat conservation programme and now
we are pleased to be able to help with another endangered species.”
Anita has a personal interest in hedgehogs and has made her garden “hedgehog
friendly” with advice from Lisa Wray at Hedgehospital.
Lisa is delighted with the new hutches as she explains;
“These two gorgeous hutches were donated to me by Uttoxeter Rotary Club and
a lovely family from Hoar Cross. They are the last piece of the jigsaw on releasing
hedgehogs. Once a hedgehog has reached release weight they go into a hutch for a
week to acclimatise to the weather and are then released.
At the moment however it is cold here in the West Midlands so all my hedgies
that went into the hutches have gone into hibernation.
Thank you again Uttoxeter Rotary Club and the lovely family in Hoar Cross.”
The Club’s President, John Gregory, visited on a cold morning recently to see the
new installation and commented: “The hutches look wonderful but sadly all the
hedgehogs were sensibly hibernating!”
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J
CB has made a major
breakthrough in proving the
wider appeal of hydrogen
combustion technology by installing one of its super-
efficient hydrogen engines into a 7.5 tonne Mercedes
truck.
The retrofit was completed in just days and one of
the truck’s first test drivers was JCB Chairman Anthony
Bamford, who has been spearheading the company’s
£100 million hydrogen project.
The internal combustion engine used in the truck
is the same as those already powering JCB prototype
construction and agricultural machines.
Lord Bamford said: “This is a giant leap forward for
JCB and the rest of the world because we all have one
goal: to reduce emissions. The hydrogen engine we
have installed in the truck is the same as those already
powering prototype JCB machines, so there is no
reason we should not see hydrogen combustion
engines in vehicles used on the roads in the future,
including cars.”
JCB has already manufactured 50 hydrogen internal
combustion engines in a project involving 150
engineers and they now power prototype JCB backhoe
loader and Loadall telescopic handler machines. The
truck at the centre of the latest project was formerly
diesel-powered and the switch to hydrogen is a
breakthrough which underlines that this form of power
could represent a much quicker way to reach global
carbon dioxide emissions targets.
JCB was the developer of the world’s first working
hydrogen-powered construction and agricultural
machines. Last year JCB revealed another industry first
– a mobile hydrogen refueller which provides a quick
and straightforward way to refuel machines on site.
JCB’s hydrogen internal combustion engines are
manufactured at JCB Power Systems in Derbyshire.
JCB engine breakthrough proves
hydrogen has wider appeal
JCB has installed its hydrogen engine into a 7.5 tonne Mercedes truck

25
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I
n the middle of 2022, the Uttoxeter Lions were approached by St. Mary’s Mount
Daycare to see if assistance would be possible around some work that needed
doing to the Garden area that is used by the Day Guests.
Following a series of activities the revised and refurbished area now has a lovely
new purpose-built raised flower bed, enabling the guests to do some gardening and
a new shed to hold all the garden tools in. The photograph shows the finished bed
along with the newly added Plants, all ready for the summer sun.
The Manager of the Centre, Sheryll Ough, commented that its lovely to have this
area finally finished and ready for the guests to enjoy the weather and quiet space,
its taken a huge amount of work to get to this point, but its all worth it now.
Lions President Terry Adams added that it was great to engage with the
community on projects such as this and help make an area where the residents and
guests can watch the Birds and Insects in a peaceful and tranquil environment.
Anyone wishing to join the Lions to get involved in helping the community can
reach the Lions through their website or social media pages.
Bedding down on
community projects
Live & Local launches
Spring 2023 Season of
live shows in rural
Staffordshire
L
ive & Local announces its new Spring 2023 season of professional
performances in community venues across Staffordshire: enchanting theatre,
captivating, award-winning music and laugh-out-loud comedy. After thirty
years of facilitating surprising shows in surprising places, Live & Local continues to
support local volunteers to bring exciting and awe-inspiring shows for all ages to a
village hall or community venue near you.
Laura Bagley, Programme Administrator at Live & Local said: “With spring just
around the corner and longer evenings beckoning, we at Live and Local are looking
forward to launching our new season’s programme, with exciting shows lined up for
both indoor and outdoor venues.
From music to comedy, story-telling to dance, film to theatre, your county’s
amazing community spaces will be hosting some fantastic shows to banish those
winter blues for good. Check out what’s on, grab a friend and come along to enjoy
some great entertainment on your doorstep!”
Get your comedy-fix from DIY chef George Egg in Set Menu: The Best of George
Egg at Ipstones Memorial Hall on Saturday 1st April or from Naomi Paul in Despite
Everything, Price Still Includes Biscuits, a one-woman comedy-cabaret packed with
original songs, topical stories and Jewish humour at Rolleston Club, Rolleston on
Dove on Sunday 26th March.
Celebrating its 25th birthday and back by popular demand, join Badapple
Theatre for an evening of lively comic theatre, combining original sixties-style songs
and music in Eddie & the Gold Tops. This one-of-a-kind musical hailed as ‘the best
theatre on your doorstep’ (Northern Echo) will be heading to Foxt Village Hall on
Friday 19th May.
There are plenty more events to enjoy this season including the ‘raucous and
eclectic’ (Songlines Magazine) folk music of Bonfire Radicals in Concert, Gypsy-
inspired acoustic chamber jazz from Latchepen in Concert and an evening of high
quality songs from the hugely entertaining Mumbo-Jumbo in No Hit Wonders!
For full listings, visit the Live & Local website liveandlocal.org.uk

I
have been deeply saddened by the recent
passing away of Voice Columnist Steve ‘Lank’
Lavin at the age of 72…
Steve’s ‘Lank’s Lore’ articles were full to the
brim of historic tales of Uttoxeter and its
characters and buildings over many decades. He
wrote from the heart which is my way of writing.
He incorporated emotions such as laughter and
sometimes tears into his columns which our
massive readership loved so dearly.
He always used to ask me, when we met up for
a pint on Sunday Lunchtimes in The Bank House
in Uttoxeter, if I had received comments from
readers regarding his articles. I can see the huge
smile on his face now when I said I had received
fantastic comments from Voice readers… he was
so pleased and he always added ‘To get feedback
from readers makes writing my column so
worthwhile Nige”…
When I launched The Voice colour magazine
16 years ago, my experience in the publication
sector helped me to make vital decisions and the
main one was I wanted the magazine to be written
by members of our community for our
community. So I sat down and decided who would
be ‘characters’ in our area and who would be able
to write tales and connect with our readership.
I went to see ‘Lank’ at his Uttoxeter High Street
printing business. I had never met him before and
I didn’t know where the location of his premises
was. I asked a chap in the High Street where MJ
Lavin Printers was and he took me down a long
alley to the doors and he said ‘Steve will be in here
this morning but you’ll find him in The Vaults Pub
later on!’
I went inside and I was taken to Steve’s office
and I saw a silhouette of a big man in the distance
through a haze of fag smoke!!
I told him about my vision of creating a full
colour glossy magazine for Uttoxeter, Cheadle and
our local villages and he told me I had no chance
of it ever taking off the ground as there were too
many publications in our area.. For all who knew
Steve, this was his usual way of telling people his
views – giving it to you straight!
But, I wouldn’t be deterred, so I asked him that
if I did launch The Voice would he be a Columnist.
He thought about it for a while before telling me
that he would really like to give it a go as he had
many tales to tell – and he always wanted to be
known as a ‘Uttoxeter Character!’
The rest is history of course and ever since
Steve has always told me how proud he was of the
success of The Voice. I got to know him much
more closely over the years, usually with a pint in
our hands! We all used to sit around a table in The
Bank House, putting the world to rights with Steve
occasionally leaving us to go outside for a smoke.
Then he would return and give us his views on all
subjects before launching, with that special
twinkle in his eye, into a few tales of
his own which would end up in great
laughter…
There was a large congregation at
St Mary’s RC Church, Uttoxeter, for
Steve’s funeral with many folk telling
their own stories of their memories
of ‘Lank.’
Gordon Richardson produced a
wonderful Eulogy which touched
on many comedic memories of
Steve. The ‘Jolly Boys Outings’ he
used to organise on a minibus to different parts of
the Black Country where participants marked
pubs out of 10 with great seriousness…
Steve’s life began in Ashbourne before moving
to Uttoxeter with Mum, Dad and Brother Barry,
where he attended St Joseph’s Catholic School,
Uttoxeter and Painsley Catholic School, Cheadle.
He always took a keen interest in printing and he
and his father Mick set up their own business, M.J.
Lavin Printers, in Uttoxeter High Street.
Steve married his lovely wife Jackie in 1977
and they had a beautiful daughter Laura in 1980.
However, tragedy struck in 2018 when Jackie
passed away at the age of 62.
Steve sold his business and continued to be a
consultant until late last year.
Daughter Laura provided Steve with two
wonderful grandchildren, Louis aged 6 and Isla,
three, and he loved to meet up with them to enjoy
quality family time when they visited from their
home in Edinburgh.
Laura said her dad was a local man of the town
and everyone knew him. “My dad could hold
court in a room and always used to tell lots of
stories and had a laugh with everyone. He loved
to do crosswords in The Vaults in his usual seat
with his own personalised Bass pint glass. He was
a good and generous husband to my mother and
they worked well together as a team. He was a
good dad and I never wanted for anything because
of him.”
I feel a great sense of emotion whilst writing
this tribute to my old mate ‘Lank’…
He was a kind and gentle man who loved his
town, He was a great historian for Uttoxeter and
he can never be replaced in social history.
He told me when I launched The Voice 16
years ago that he would write his articles for the
magazine and he really hoped people would call
him a ‘Uttoxeter Character’ as his legacy…
Well Steve, you got your wish mate
– you are a great Character and also
a Uttoxeter Legend.
I, and many other people,
will miss you so much.
R.I.P. My Old Friend…
By Nigel Titterton
The Vaults will now never be complete,
That lovely bloke in his favourite seat.
A big hearted fella a kindly old soul,
Whilst helping others life took its toll.
A skilled master printer and historian of Utch,
For all of the stories we thank you so much.
I guess I’m just saying and speaking for many,
In for a pound or in for a penny.
Raffle tickets he sold plentiful bounty was won,
The seat by the door was a space filled with fun…
Colin Wood RM
Farewell My Old Friend
Uttoxeter will never be the
same without you…
A Tribute to Steve ‘Lank’ Lavin

27
Checkley Community
Christmas Lunch
I
n 2022, the committee at Checkley Community Centre decided to start a
monthly fish and chip lunch. Since then, there have been approx. 45 attendees
each month.
They have been extremely successful and have provided a lot of elderly/ lonely
members of the community with much needed company.
Last year, we launched a Christmas Community Lunch. This was a 3 course meal
with entertainment by local groups. We had a co-op community champion coming
to volunteer. We were overwhelmed with 93 people booking in.
The Tean Community Singers and Tean Ukelele group entertained. Lunch was
provided by Annes Catering and the Co-op in Tean kindly donated a beautiful
hamper for the raffle and crackers for everyone attending.
The Red Lion in Checkley ran our newly refurbished bar for which we have to
thank Tony Bird who has worked tirelessly to completely transform this area of the
Community Centre.
There was a lovely warm and friendly atmosphere and we have received many
compliments and thank yous for putting on this event. Already taking bookings for
next year!
Of course, an event like this needs many willing volunteers and a big thank you
to all those involved.

H
undreds of women are to benefit from faster
access to breast cancer screening following the
delivery of a new state-of-the-art mobile
screening unit in North Staffordshire.
People living in and around Cheadle will be able
attend screening appointments at the mobile unit –
which is one of the largest in the UK – now it is on site
at Cheadle Hospital.
Funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement,
the unit has the latest breast screening technology, with
the ability to be upgraded as technology advances.
The unit is to be shared between sites in Cheadle,
Leek, Kidsgrove, Biddulph and Newcastle-under-Lyme,
with a typical time span of three months at each site.
During that time hundreds of women will be seen by a
team of radiographers and assistant practitioners from
University Hospitals of North Midlands in the
prevention and early detection of breast cancer. The
screening unit is a vital resource, enabling more people
to access the service closer to home and reducing
waiting times.
Women between 50 and 71 years who are registered
with a GP are invited for a routine test every three years
due to the likelihood of developing breast cancer
increasing with age. Women younger than 50 may also
be eligible for screening, if they have been identified as
having a higher risk of developing cancer.
Michelle Ellitt, Superintendent Radiographer, said:
“The routine screening appointments are so important
for the early detection of cancers – the earlier we detect
breast cancer, the better the outcomes are for treatment.
“If we can catch the cancer when it is less
developed, the chances of successful treatment are
really high, so while self-examination is important,
having a mammogram helps us to detect anything that
maybe too small to find yourself.”
She added: “We are delighted to be offering this
service closer to home for our communities in North
Staffordshire and I would urge anyone who is invited
to attend their appointment.”
Anyone concerned about signs of breast cancer
such as a lump, skin dimpling, lump under the armpit
or anything that is unusual should speak to their GP.
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare
facilitated installation of the unit and Midlands
Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) who run
Cheadle Hospital, carried out water testing and ensured
safe site access. MPFT also provide onsite facilities for
screening staff.
The units are built by WH Bence Coachworks of
Bristol who delivered the unit to its location on a large
transport HGV. The unit was lifted by crane into
position at Cheadle Hospital by local company Steve
Foster Cranes.
Mobile Breast Screening Unit
comes to Cheadle
Members of Combined Healthcare Estates Team outside the unit

Recycling vision
A
s Part of an International Recycling Programme by the Lions clubs of the
world, Uttoxeter Lions Club have just installed a Recycling Bin in St Mary’s
Parish Church in Uttoxeter - this bin is for Glasses, Mobile Phones & hearing
aids. These are collected from the various Recycling points by the club and sent to a
central recycling point where they are cleaned, checked and repaired before being
sent onto Africa where they are given free, by African Lions Clubs, to those in need
following a local eye test.
This is a huge international Programme fully paid for end to end by the Lions
Clubs and in the last full year before Covid Lockdown the Uk clubs sent over 300,000
pairs of glasses to Africa. The Uttoxeter Lions Club has numerous recycling points
around Uttoxeter but also, Ashbourne, Denstone and Burton on Trent and since it
joined the program has collected over 22,000 pairs locally.
Lion President Terry Adams commented that it was superb to see these spectacles
having a second lease of life and helping those who would not normally be able to,
to see again.
Should you wish to join the Lions, please contact the club through the website
or social medial and they will be in touch.
Pictured are Reverend Chris Brown of St Mary’s Parish Church and Lion President
Terry Adams.
If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a
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The Raddle Inn is the place for you!
If it’s a hearty meal our homemade cooking can
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our new Pods in the Beer Garden area.
Specials board changes daily
Quarry Bank, Hollington, near Alton Towers
Telephone: 01889 507278
raddleinn.com
Pensioners Menu
Available 12-2pm
Monday To Saturday
3 Courses For £12.00
Or available separately
Starter £3.25,
Main Meal £6.50,
Dessert £3.25

31
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ALSO
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YESS
U
ttoxeter based charity Your Emotional Support
Service (YESS) teamed up with the Uttoxeter
Rotary on a cold, wet December evening to help
Santa visit the people of Uttoxeter.
The Rotary volunteers hold their annual Santa’s Sleigh events each year raising
much needed funds for many good causes, and this year linked with team
members from YESS for one of their nights out around town.
YESS benefited from a percentage of the donations, helping the charity, which
has been established for 11 years and offers FREE mental health and wellbeing
support to people of all ages, to continue its operations across the county.
The Rotary Club
President, John
Gregory, welcomed
Sarah Pritchard from
YESS to the first
meeting of the New
Year and stated “The
work which YESS are
undertaking is
increasingly
important and we are
delighted to join with
them in this way. We
will try and find
further collaborations
during 2023.”
YESS have a
qualified therapy
team who have
already helped thousands of individuals and offer therapy options including one to
one therapy, group work, workshops, art therapy and peer support.
Winter can be a difficult time for many, therefore if you or someone you care
for needs help, please get in touch with YESS.
Like any charity, YESS need your support to continue their work. To get
involved with fundraising, become a business sponsor, or make a donation please
contact them directly to discuss how you can help them to help your local
community. They also want to hear from the local community about the help and
support that is required, as evidencing a need for the services they offer enables
them to attempt to obtain funding to fulfil the needs of your community.

32 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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Cheadle District Animal Welfare Society • Reg Charity 1039350
A year like no other -
Please help Cheadle
Animal Welfare
Society now!!
Benson Darcy Lucy Stevie
C
headle Animal Welfare Society was established in 1968 to help cats and dogs who found
themselves without anyone to care for them and we have always done our best to care for the
animals who were reported to us as being in need of a friend.
2022 started off in much the same way as every other year but as time went on it became more
and more challenging as there were so many animals, particularly cats, who found themselves in homes
where they were either no longer welcome, where they could no longer be looked after properly or
they were simply abandoned. It also became more difficult to find homes for the cats who were taken
in, so space was at a premium. It seemed very much like the NHS, as soon as a bed was vacated there
was another cat waiting to jump into it and the queue for spaces got forever longer.
Cheadle Animal Welfare Society is a very small charity which relies largely on donations to carry
on. We have no premises of our own so we have no maintenance costs and no one receives a salary,
we are all volunteers. Approx 96% of the money raised and donated is used directly on the animals
in our care, mainly cats, and is used to pay for their care at catteries which house just our cats as well
as providing routine and necessary veterinary care.
The current situation, which we are all in at the moment, is very difficult and we, like all other
charities, are finding it very worrying, as the amount received in donations gets forever smaller, but
the demands for our help gets greater. Our Waifs and Strays need as much help as they can get and
we need to try to raise enough money to care for the ones already in our care and the ones who are
likely to come to us in the future. Maybe you can help – we run a 50:50 Club which you can join for
an annual fee of just £12 for each number you choose. One number is drawn at random on the first
Tuesday of each month and the person with the winning number wins a cash prize. In January that
was £119. Available numbers include – 89, 101, 183, 224, 238, 291, 384. 399, 414, 430. Call 01335
390369 if you would like to join.
If everyone would help a little it would mean a lot to the many Waifs and Strays who are in need
of help. More information about ways in which you can help is on our website –
www.cheadleanimalwelfare.org.uk or you can ring 01335 390369 or 01889 564045.
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33
Let The Uttoxeter Cheadle Voice take your business to 13,000 local homes. To advertise, call 01538 751629 or 07733 466 970.

Gillian 07928 556552
Tuesday 9.30am, 11am, 5pm and 6.30pm
Renew Church, High Street,
Uttoxeter ST14 7JQ
Jackie 07896 214458
Wednesday 5pm and 6.30pm
Greatwood Hall, Hollington Road Tean ST10 4JY
Thursday 9.30am
Cheadle New Life Church
37 Tape Street, Cheadle ST10 1BG
Jayne 07939 987829
Saturday 8am and 9.30am
Wilfred House Centre, Carter Street,
Uttoxeter ST14 8EY
The Uttoxeter Lions
2
022 was a busy but very successful
year for the Uttoxeter Lions, who,
with the help and support of the
People of Uttoxeter and the surrounding
villages managed to raise more than
£27,000 for Local good causes, and the
key thing is that every penny that was
donated goes directly to those good
causes, nothing is taken out for
administration or for running of the club.
The Uttoxeter Lions are part of the
Lions Club International organisation
which is the largest voluntary
organisation in the world with a
staggering 1.4 Million members in 220
countries.
Locally the Lions are known for the
recent Bonfire and Fireworks but also the
Lark in the Park and the Christmas Cracker Night. However, less publicised is the
support given to such organisations as Local care homes, Schools, support
organisations for those with mental health issues learning disabilities, local choirs
and bands, Scouts groups and many many more.
Even less well known is that the Lions donate their time to collect for other
organisations as well, the recent Marie Curie and Children in Need being good
examples.
The Lions locally and Nationally collect Glasses, hearing aids and Mobile phones
which are recycled and eventually end up in Africa. in the last full year before Covid
the UK lions sent over 300,000 pairs of glasses to Africa - and all totally funded by
the Lions
Outgoing President Simon Smith said that he was proud to have been able to
assist the club in raising such a large amount and it was very rewarding to see it being
used to support the local community in these times of need. Terry Adams added
that it was clearly appreciated that the Lions don’t take anything out for the running
of the club, so all the funds do truly go to those that need it.
The Uttoxeter Lions are always looking for new members to join this very
rewarding activity, and should any readers be interested , young or old, male or
female, then please get in touch via the Lions website or Facebook pages.
In the photo are outgoing Uttoxeter Lions President Simon Smith handing the Chain
of Office over to the incoming President Terry Adams.

35
T
he world’s first digger,
powered by a hydrogen
combustion engine, will
soon be on UK roads and building sites following
recent government approval, helping to decarbonise
the UK’s construction industry.
The UK government has given special dispensation,
under a vehicle special order, that allows JCB, the
British construction equipment manufacturer, to test
and use its world-first hydrogen-powered backhoe
loader on UK roads.
The vehicle special order given by the Transport
Secretary allows JCB to test its new hydrogen-powered
machine on the public highway. This backhoe loader is
the first of its kind and offers a pioneering solution to
help reduce emissions on construction sites.
With 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas
emissions coming from the built environment, it’s vital
the entire construction industry looks to decarbonise
at every stage.
Today (9 February 2023) not only marks a new
direction for reducing emissions but will help grow the
economy, with JCB having already created 150 new
jobs in the Midlands with the promise of hundreds
more as the company’s hydrogen project advances.
These developments also help to equip the country
with the skills and expertise to not only reduce
emissions but provide learning to would-be
apprentices, future-proofing the nation’s skillset.
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Jesse
Norman said:
From cars to construction sites, industry has a vital
role in decarbonising our economy and creating green
jobs and prosperity.
JCB’s investment in greener equipment is a great
example of how industry can make this happen, using
alternative fuels to generate sustainable economic
growth.
JCB’s prototype hydrogen-powered backhoe loader
is an important first step in the construction industry’s
efforts to decarbonise in what is a ‘hard to decarbonise’
sector. Hydrogen combustion machines can play a vital
role in reducing carbon emissions in settings where
other types of clean power may not be the most
practical or efficient.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said:
“Securing the vehicle special order from the
construction sector is an important first step in getting
JCB machines that are powered by hydrogen
combustion engines to and from British building sites
using the public highway. It’s an endorsement that JCB
is on the right path in pursuit of its net zero ambitions.
JCB’s hydrogen-powered backhoe loader is a world
first in our industry, a digger with a purpose-
engineered internal combustion engine that uses
hydrogen gas as the energy source. It’s a real
breakthrough – a zero CO2 fuel providing the power
to drive the pistons in an internal combustion engine,
a technology that’s been around for over 100 years, a
technology that we are all familiar with.
I am delighted that the Decarbonisation Minister
will witness for himself the first drive of a hydrogen-
powered digger on the open road. It’s clear to me that,
following this visit, he’ll appreciate the potential for
hydrogen internal combustion engines to help deliver
net zero targets more quickly, while adding jobs and
contributing wider economic benefits to the
construction sector”.
The pace of JCB’s hydrogen developments showcase
a level of commitment to decarbonisation that is
needed across all sectors of the UK economy.
Hydrogen is just one of the many ways that the UK
government is looking to accelerate decarbonisation.
The recent announcement of second phase of the Tees
Valley Hydrogen Hub builds on previous commitments
to best explore how hydrogen can be utilised as an
alternative fuel, whether that be through the use of
hydrogen fuel cells on road or hydrogen internal
combustion engines for off-road construction
machinery.
The work seen as part of the hub in Tees Valley will
work to address challenges such as providing refuelling
infrastructure at scale and integrating that within a
wider decarbonised energy network.
As hydrogen technologies develop here in the UK,
it’s vital this knowledge helps shape the next generation
of apprentices. During this year’s National
Apprenticeship Week (6 to 12 February 2023),
hydrogen continues to be a source of opportunity for
new skills and jobs to be developed.
JCB’s expanding apprenticeship programme shows
how apprentices can play a part in shaping a net zero
future, building on the recent government
commitment to deliver £300,000 towards the teaching
of hydrogen skills as part of the Tees Valley Hydrogen
Transport hub.
World’s first hydrogen-powered
digger set to drive on UK roads
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman pictured in Rocester, Staffordshire, today with a JCB
backhoe loader powered by a hydrogen combustion engine. The visit came as the Government grants approval for
the machine to be driven on UK roads.
T
he Uttoxeter Knights have been awarded £500
from Taylor Wimpey North Midlands after
being announced as the winner of the
homebuilder’s Community Chest competition.
Residents from across Uttoxeter were invited to
nominate local, worthy recipients for the donation.
After considering all of the entries, the team at Taylor
Wimpey was proud to select the Uttoxeter Knights, a
local group that raises funds for the benefit of Uttoxeter
charitable organisations and good causes, as the
winner.
Taylor Wimpey’s £500 donation will go towards
helping the Uttoxeter Knights secure two more
automated external heart defibrillators (AED’s), adding
to the five AED’s that the group have already funded
around the town and in the surrounding villages.
Established in 2013, the Uttoxeter Knights have also
previously contributed to and held fundraisers to
donate equipment to the Uttoxeter Gateway club, the
local autism support group and have previously held a
Christmas lunch for up to 100 older and
isolated people.
Robert Hunt, Chair of Uttoxeter
Knights, said: “We are delighted to have
been awarded this generous prize from
Taylor Wimpey North Midlands, especially
as we know that a lot of other great causes
were put forward for consideration.
“The Uttoxeter Knights conduct and
take part in fundraisers to help support
local charities and good causes, and this
kind donation will greatly help us to
continue our work at this challenging time.”
Carl Cooke, Sales and Marketing
Director for Taylor Wimpey North
Midlands said: “At Taylor Wimpey, we are
proud to support local causes such as the Uttoxeter
Knights who do such valuable work within the
community. We hope that our donation will help them
to continue to support local good causes.
“We were delighted with the number of
nominations we received from the local community
throughout this competition and would like to thank
everyone who took part.”
Uttoxeter Knights at the Climate Festival
Taylor Wimpey awards local Uttoxeter charity with £500 prize

£140k for more Tean
Road rec improvements
B
etter changing facilities and a refurbished bowling pavilion are amongst a
range of improvement projects set to be completed at Tean Road Recreation
Ground - thanks to funding of £140,000 from Staffordshire Moorlands
District Council.
It follows the delivery of a number of projects at the Cheadle site in recent years
- including new toddler play areas, an improved and extended skate park, a new
multi-use games area and tennis courts - which have proved popular with the
community and encouraged wider use of the recreation ground by young people
and families.
Further improvements were earmarked as the next stage of the project and the
District Council has worked with Cheadle Town Council to agree a plan, and
funding, for:
• Improvements to the changing facilities for football teams using the site
• External and internal refurbishment of the existing bowling pavilion
• Additional car parking spaces and resurfacing works
• Refurbishment of the toilet block
• Provision of a youth shelter in an appropriate location
Councillor Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sports and
Leisure, said: “Moving more is important at every stage of our lives so I’m delighted
that we are investing in a range of improved amenities at Tean Road to create active
outdoor environments and facilities that enable greater levels of activity.
“The projects we’ve already delivered have been a great success and we’ve seen
people making good use of the site as a result. This next phase of improvements will
only increase the attractiveness of the recreation ground to more groups and
individuals, so I’m delighted that we’re able to support the Town Council by
providing this substantial funding.”
S
t Thomas’ Catholic
Primary School in
Tean celebrated
World Book Day in style!
Divergent Drama
Theatre visited the school
to give a production of
The Wizard of Oz and
each class enjoyed a
Workshop.
Happy pupils are
pictured in wonderful,
colourful costumes…
World Book Day
2023 at St Thomas’

37
2023 Annual General Meeting
C
headle Bowling Club held their 2023 Annual General Meeting recently at
The Master Potter, Cheadle. The Chairman commented on and congratulated
all players who, during the preceding year, had performed with great
distinction.
Of the five teams competing, three had become Champions of their respective
leagues. One had reached 3rd position and one battled well to stave off relegation.
In the Uttoxeter Veterans League Division 1, Cheadle BC finished 6th out of nine
from very strong competition.
The Oakhill team were Champions of Division 3, playing 18, winning 14, losing
4, The Thursday Parks team, playing in Division 3, were Champions, playing 20,
winning 17 and losing 3. Saturday Parks League team gained promotion from
Division 2 by playing 18, winning 15 and losing 3. The Saturday Mixed League team
fought to gain 3rd position in Division 2 of that division.
The Chairman congratulated Chris Roberts on his success in becoming the
winner of the Thursday Division 3 Averages Prize.
As for the forthcoming season, the club is in its Centenary Year!! Many
celebrations are planned but they are still in the planning stage.
It was agreed at the AGM that Cheadle Bowling Club will still participate as in
2022 with the same teams and they hope to continue the success of last year, although
promotions normally mean playing against stronger opposition of course.
The club warmly welcome anyone who is interested in playing this season, they
will enjoy a very friendly atmosphere. Further information on how to join is on the
Cheadle Website.
I
n December, CIBC celebrated 25 years of successful bowling. The Club was
formed in 1997 by a group of eager indoor bowlers, meeting in Checkley
Community Centre, several of those members are still stalwarts of the club.
During the years the Club has been able to maintain a strong band of members
who meet each week on a Wednesday afternoon.
To celebrate the Club’s anniversary each member received a commemorative shirt
and a celebration lunch at The Royal Oak in Dilhorne.
A special cake was cut by Mr David Johnson, a founder member and enjoyed by
all present.
Elkes Bowls Club
Open Morning
B
ack in August 2019, several members of the now disbanded Doveridge team made
a visit to Blentarps FC in Sweden where they took part in training sessions, a
tournament and were treated to some amazing Swedish hospitality, including
meatballs, games and a trip to the lake. The parents and players have kept in contact
since them, and one of the Blentarps Players, Scott is a huge Tottenham supporter.
So over the New Year period Scott and his mum Tina, travelled to the UK to watch
Tottenham versus Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, and then despite losing, Scott and
Tina made the journey North to Uttoxeter to reunite with some of the lads and parents
that made the trip back in 2019.
During the 3 day stay in Uttoxeter Scott joined Uttoxeter Juniors under 15’s for an
evening coaching session down on the Astro pitch at Thomas Alleyne’s. The coach Mitch
Stafford put them through their paces after a seasonal break and Scott really enjoyed it
saying they normally train inside in winter in Blentarps so he enjoyed being in the fresh
air and the competitiveness amongst the boys! At the end of the session the team
presented Scott with a Uttoxeter Juniors Football Shirt as a memento of the trip.
Whilst here they also were treated to some of the team’s hospitality and went biking
along the Denstone trail, swimming at Uttoxeter Leisure centre, along with a walk round
Bramshall park.
Scott and his Mum Tina, were then invited to an evening of bowling and fun at
Uttoxeters Cinebowl, where many of the team including many that did not go to
Blentarps joined in and got competitive!
Despite the weather they had a lovely time and really enjoyed experiencing some
Uttoxeter hospitality and plenty of football. They plan to visit in warmer weather next
time, and have said Uttoxeter Juniors are welcome back in Blentarps anytime.
Uttoxeter Juniors under 15’s are currently sitting second in the First Division of the
Stafford league, playing their home games on the pitch at Elkes.
George R, George M and Scott back in Sweden in 2019
Swedish Return Visit to train with
Uttoxeter Juniors Under 15’s
Checkley Indoor Bowls Club
celebrate 25 wonderful years
Cheadle Bowling Club
welcomes new players for
2023 season
E
lkes Bowls Club, of Sunnyside Road, Uttoxeter, ST14 7LU, are keen to attract
new members for the up-coming 2023/24 season. Played before? Never played
before? It doesn’t matter… We will be holding an open morning on Saturday
15th April, 10am -midday.
Come along, bowls and instruction will be provided free of charge. Please wear
flat shoes. We run six teams in various leagues and also have members who play
regularly amongst themselves.
Whether you want competitive bowls or a more social event, bowls is a great way
to spend a few hours, in the fresh air and exercise.
If you are interested, please ring Ron on 07854 762860 or Steve on 07795 110951
to book your place.

Rocky Road
I
was invited to a friend’s birthday party. She has two children and really wanted
me to bake a cake. I know myself that I have to be in the mood for baking, or my
cakes just do not seem to be the same.
I have to admit that I really did not feel like making a cake, so I decided on Rocky
Road. They are always so delicious and children absolutely love them, and so quick
and easy to make. Best of all no baking!! I just was not in the mood.
Ingredients: Makes 24 bars
250g dark chocolate
150g milk chocolate
175g butter
4 tbsp golden syrup
200g crushed Rich Tea biscuits
150g red glace cherries
150g brazil nuts
125g mini marshmallows
1 bag maltesers
1 crunchie crushed
Icing sugar to decorate (I also used edible glitter)
Break up the chocolate and put into a heavy based pan along with the butter and
syrup, and melt over a gentle heat. When melted add the crushed biscuits, broken
nuts, cherries, mini marshmallows, maltesers and crushed crunchie. Mix everything
carefully, coating everything with the chocolate mixture.
Tip into a foil tray (236mm x 296mm), smoothing the top. It will look quite
bumpy.
Refrigerate until firm enough to cut, which will take a couple of hours. Then
turn the block of rocky road out of the foil ready to be cut. With the long side in
front of you, cut into 6 slices down and 4 across, so you will have 24 squares.
Dust with icing sugar and optional edible glitter, and et voila just right for a party.
Karen’s Cake Corner
by Karen Hill
My love of Life, Lorries and Coaches
by John Willmore, of Cheadle
His series continues from previous Voice
magazines...
As mentioned previously, breaking down on the M6
is not a good place to be, especially when you have your
wife with you who was heavily pregnant with Mark, our
first child!!
We managed to limp onto the grass verge just off
the Junction 21, fully loaded with gravel for Kenkast
Concrete Garages at Astley Green in Lancashire.
This was a regular run every day so I knew it like
the back of my hand but here we were, sat on a grass
verge at the side of a very busy M6!
So with it being evening, we needed to get home to
Rudyard as the lorry would be dealt with later.
Thumbing at the side of the southbound slip road soon
got us a lift and the lorry that stopped was
Birmingham-bound with sheet steel on its bed.
Interestingly, I noticed after starting off that the
lorry had no headboard to stop the flat steel sliding
forward and I had visions of being sliced in half along
with my wife and the baby she was carrying if the
brakes were applied suddenly – it was extremely
frightening!!!
It is not realised that these drivers were doing this
on a daily basis and not long after this I saw an accident
which killed the driver when the load came forward…
This being sheet steel, the steel was oiled I think to
stop it rusting which would make matters worse…
Chains were fitted but only to one side.
On investigation, the Commer lorry’s crankshaft
had broken so a reconditioned engine was fitted. This
also cured the air locking problem that had happened
so many times with the old engine. It was thought after
that the camshaft lobe was worn and when more power
was required the lift pump could not supply enough
fuel to attain this, even though both the injection pump
and lift pump had been renewed and all fuel lines had
also been changed.
It had not cured the air locking with the old engine
installed, this had caused me to have a light foot on the
accelerator, so not progressing as much as I had with
the Albion at Lymers which had been a very willing
workhorse.
After living at Rudyard for a time, it was decided to
move on as my wife wanted to live in Cheadle – which
I will talk about in my next article…

39
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Open 6 days a week: Mon-Fri 8.00-17.00, Sat: 8.00-12.00
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• If unfortunately your vehicle
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Parogon Group
pledges support
to Dougie Mac
H
ugely popular restaurant chain, Parogon Group, has
announced that Dougie Mac Hospice will be its charity
partner for the next two years.
The successful group, which has nine restaurants across
Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire within a 23 mile radius of
Dougie Mac’s hospice in Blurton, asked its 500 team members to
choose a Charity Partner who they wanted to support. Dougie Mac
was the clear winner and now Parogon has pledged to raise £50,000
for the local hospice, with each of the group’s restaurants, including
The Wayfarer, The Swan with Two Necks and The Boars Head,
going head to head to see which venue can raise the most money.
Richard Colclough at Parogon said, ‘Legacy is a Parogon core
value and we’re determined to have a positive impact on our local
communities, beyond our business life. Giving back to an amazing
charity like Dougie Mac and helping support those in need is a
privilege that we’re very delighted to embrace. This pledge will take
our donations well through the £100,000 barrier and it’s great to
be continuing our long standing relationship with Dougie Mac.’
Dougie Mac, which is celebrating 50 years of care in 2023,
supports children, young adults and adults facing life-limiting
illnesses across North Staffordshire. The hospice cares for more
than 3,500 local people each year, supporting patients in the own
homes and at its two hospice sites in Blurton and Trentham.
Donna Adams, Head of Fundraising at Dougie Mac, said,
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Parogon’s staff chose Dougie Mac to
be their charity partner and we’re really looking forward to working
with them over the next couple of years on lots of exciting
fundraising initiatives.
“It costs more than £17million each year to be able to offer our
wide range of care and support services to local people facing a life-
limiting illness. What’s more, 75% of this huge amount comes from
the generosity of the local community which is why the support of
the local business community is so important to us. Partnerships
like this are vital in enabling us do what we do and we’re so grateful
to everyone at Parogon for their support.”

41
Ginny’s Community Corner
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
T
here is something quite wonderful about
walking into a cosy room that is filled with the
warmth of chatting and laughing, add to that a
hot meal and you have the recipe for a perfect occasion.
If you like that idea too, then you will be pleased
to know that every Tuesday between 10am -3pm that
is what you will find at the Community Room,
Uttoxeter Methodist Church, High Street, Uttoxeter
(next door to the chip shop).
I arrived just as lunch was being served, fish and
chips, with peas and Victoria sponge for pudding.
Everyone pays a donation of £2 for the meal and it is
cooked on site, so it is fresh every week.
I joined Margaret, Doreen, Margaret and Cath at
one of 5 tables and we sat and chatted about why this
group, the Warm Spaces/Friendship Group had
become so important to them. Margaret said that since
it started in December she has found that is helps to
save on the heating in her home. They all agreed that it
gets you out of the house and breaks up the day and
they love being in the company of other people chatting
about their week and what they have been up too.
Nice company was a comment that Gwen made
from another table, someone else said, we share tips on
how to get our bills down too. Recently a lady from the
CAB had arrived just as a friend of someone else and
told them all about the discount that the water
company gives if you are of a “certain age” and live on
your own, they are thrilled with the savings and would
never have known if they were sitting in their house on
their own.
Julie Green and some volunteers, who started the
Warm Initiative element of the Friendship group in
December 2022, told me the club itself has been going
for over 40 years and is the only original “widows”
group still going following the collapse of the National
Association of Widows 7 years ago. The name was
changed to Friendship Group and we have never
looked back.
She went on to say, “The first week of the Warm
Initiative we had 3 or 4 people and we share sandwiches
together, now we have over 23 people coming, and we
shop at Iceland to provide the cooked lunch. The
Manager in Iceland knows the group is on a tight
budget and suggests the bargains so that they can feed
everyone. “Julie would like to thank all the staff in
Iceland for their support, especially the manager,
Prince.
Some of the women mentioned a poem that had
been written about the original Friendship group and
asked that I include it, they feel it describes exactly what
the aims for the original group were and this has just
grown to form the group I was visiting that day. The
poem title is “Put an end to loneliness” and I hope after
you read it, that you will leave your home and join them
on Tuesdays, it is a very friendly, supportive and
inclusive group who just love to chat and eat good food
together!.
Put an end to loneliness the Uttoxeter way.
Meeting up with friends day by day
Sharing fun together, tea and coffee too
The only thing that’s missing really is You.
Time spent out on outings,
Holidays as well.
We’ve even been called
The “Uttoxeter Belles”
Noted for our friendships
Noise and humour too.
Coffee mornings can sometimes
Seem like being at the zoo!
Advice and paperwork aplenty
Donations to charity abound
If there’s a really good cause,
Money will be found
Our monthly meeting is the best
It’s content is very varied.
Crafts, talks, games and music.
With chocolate for birthdays (if they are diaried)
The friendship group is seven years old.
A miracle in itself.
Through lock down, went to coffee and cake
Making sure we weren’t left on the shelf.
Seeing people learn to live again is our aim
Overcoming loneliness, especially widowhood, is
our game.
Open to everyone, young and old,
Making sure no one is left out in the cold.
Our numbers are good,
But we could take a few more.
So put your best foot forward
And open that door!
Come and join us!!!
Join our group now! email Julie on
juliegreen2655@gmail.com
A
n inevitable accompaniment to the passing
years is the loss of loved ones and the loss of
those who we have never met yet who were still
able to have a considerable influence on our lives. Over
recent months, three well known people have died who
were influential in their individual field and touched
the lives of many, myself included. I cannot imagine
that the three of whom I write would have ever been in
the same room or even been included in the same
sentence. I am talking about Vivienne Westwood,
Joseph Ratzinger and Edson Arantes de Nascimento.
None of them were born into money but all died having
reached the pinnacle of their chosen paths in life. All
three have a considerable amount in common.
Vivienne Westwood came from a working class
background but overcame many obstacles and a great
deal of controversy to become a world renowned
designer. I am exactly the right age to remember the
rise and fall of punk. Never a great fan of the Sex Pistols
and the other groups who emerged in the late 1970s, I
did pogo and leap around to the music in my student
days. Vivienne Westwood created the fashions and,
love or loath them, they were unforgettable. Later, Ms.
Westwood (the name that she took when she married
her first husband) gathered accolades for her beautiful,
tailored clothes. Many of these were worn by friends
who gathered at her Memorial Service.
Joseph Ratzinger was born in Germany but became
famous across the world when he became Pope
Benedict XVI in 2005. Here was a character in sharp
contrast to his predecessor Jean Paul II, who was much
loved for his modern approach, having been elected at
the age of 58, which is young in the history of papacy.
A controversial figure in many ways, Benedict was
conservative in his faith and in his views, unwilling to
advocate the changes that many think are needed
within the Catholic Church. Whatever your opinion
may be of the late Pontiff, he refused to bow down to
pressure and adhered fully to his principles. Benedict
caused yet more controversy when he became the first
Pope to retire.
Edson Arantes de Nascimento is known to all as
Pelé. Even those who have no interest whatsoever in
football know the name, given to him as a nickname
when at school. This Brazilian superstar was born into
abject poverty but talent and determination led him to
be known as the greatest footballer in the world. Again
controversial, Pelé married three times and had several
children within, and outside of, these unions. He was a
true ambassador for his sport and rose to be Minister
of Sports within his native country.
Three very different people who rose to fame in
very different ways, each leaving a unique mark in their
respective worlds and in our world as a whole. I love
the idea that they have met again in another world and
are comparing notes. I am convinced that none of them
would do anything differently if they had their time
over again.
My Monthly Musings
by Cecily Cowans of Cheadle

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Uttoxeter
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John’s Jottings
by John Smith of Tean
H
aving started writing late in life, I have
published three novels – a fictional trilogy
based on my grandfather’s life (‘The
Prendergast Novels’ John D Smith on Amazon). I’m
now trying my hand at short stories – some fictional,
some life-based. I hope you enjoy.
Bracelet
She moved her bracelet – around and around.
Thomas had declared his love when he presented it
to her some thirty years ago. She had laughed when he
produced the gift.
‘Not engraved then?’
‘Aye, that would have cost more. I’ll sort it later.’
He never did get around to it….a standing joke
between the two of them.
‘If only he could see me now’ she thought standing
before her bedroom mirror. ‘I may be in my fifties but still
looking ok… well passable…’
The first invitation for a meal since he had gone.
She had hesitated when he asked, but eventually
accepted his invitation.
She moved to her bedroom and laid out her clothes
– ‘classy woman…stay classy.’
God knows why she had agreed to meet him. A
man she had met briefly at a friends party. Handsome,
in his early fifties she believed. An entertaining
character.
Now what! He had declared he would be there to
collect her at 7pm… it was now one hour earlier.
She dressed carefully and sprayed on her favourite
perfume…Thomas’s favourite too.
Hesitating for a moment. Perhaps she should call
him now and declare she was unwell… unable to
attend?
‘Stop it girl! You’re well able to handle this situation
for God’s sake…’
Eventually she sat deep in thought, albeit prepared
and comfortable with her style. The knock at the door
shook her back from her trance.
She opened the door to find him. Dressed in a
beautiful grey suit, white shirt and matching tie. His
well-groomed beard and bright blue eyes completed
the image.
He drove to the restaurant. She held her glimpses
to one side as he talked briefly about his life and
business. She heard little, more focused on her
concerns about the night.
The ambience was perfect. The night also. He was
the ideal partner for that evening. They were relaxed in
each other’s company and she was comfortable with his
relaxed and appropriate attitude.
He – at the end of the evening - leant over and
grasped her hand gently.
‘Listen to me briefly.’
She raised her head expecting some sort of further
invitation.
‘Tonight is what Thomas asked me to do. To make
you feel happy. To ensure you knew he loved you.’
She looked at him with some discomfort.
‘How do you know my Thomas?’
He kissed her hand and stood.
‘He knew you would be his forever.’
She looked at him – totally puzzled.
He held her and clutched the bracelet.
‘Who are you?’
Just a good friend… just a good friend.’
He bowed and slipped his hand away leaving her a
slip of paper.
She sat alone at her table before opening the note.
‘My love… you will always be my love. This man is
here at my request. I promised you so much. Here is a
night we should have enjoyed. Please just reflect and be
happy.’
She felt to her wrist and gasped – her bracelet had
gone…
***
‘You know nothing about him…and he’s stolen from
you’
She looked at her sister and sought to reply.
‘You’re right. I don’t know anything about this man,
but he seems to know something about Thomas. It’s odd.’
‘Have you reported it to the police?’
She shook her head.
‘Pointless. They’ll do little about an item of that value.
I just have to accept my stupidity.’
‘Insurance’
None. I don’t believe I have anything worth the cost.’
Her sister waved her hand dismissively.
‘Better put it down to experience then. But please
avoid him and any other strangers in the future.’
She nodded and turned to her private thoughts.
‘He was a good looking man though…’
***
It was some weeks later – close to Christmas - as
she sat with her coffee in a local high street store. She
was lost in her own thoughts when he slid into the seat
at her table carrying two coffees.
‘How dare you join me? You stole my bracelet!’
He smiled and grasped her hand. She pulled away
and stood to leave.
‘Please sit down and let me explain?’
She reluctantly returned to her chair.
He placed his finger against her lips quietening any
further protest.
‘Thomas asked me to ensure you were happy in your
future life…’
She slammed her hand to the table prompting a
number of people to turn and stare.
He placed his hand gently on her arm and pressed
her back to her seat.
‘How the hell did you know my husband? I’ve never
met you before and he never mentioned any
acquaintance?’
He laughed quietly.
‘We knew each other for many years. Some thirty
years ago I worked as a jeweller and he entered my shop
looking for an item for his wife. I was able to offer him
your bracelet at a reasonable price. He had limited funds
but his story convinced me to sell to him. We – over time
– became good friends.’
She shook her head in confusion.
‘He’s never mentioned you. And you stole my precious
bangle!’
The man looked in her eyes retaining an enigmatic
smile.
‘I did not steal – I borrowed…’
He reached to his pocket and withdrew a small
velvet bag.
‘Here it is… returned with my regrets for taking this
away. You will understand shortly.’
She opened the bag and turned the bracelet in her
hands.
‘Please read the inscription…’
She held it and gazed at the words.
‘To my beautiful lady… at last…’
She sat in bewilderment.
‘I’m totally confused… lost.’
The man reached over and placed the bracelet on
her wrist.
‘I was new to my business and left my family
connections to launch my own business. I was young and
arrogant and chose not to invite my contacts to assist. I
completely under-priced this item. It is Cartier – very
good quality gold and – in my view could be worth
around £5000. Thomas had the bracelet valued
elsewhere and returned to my business. He was
embarrassed by the little money he paid and offered to
return it to me.’
She looked at him in shock.
‘Cartier… and he was willing to lose any value…?’
‘An honest man. He knew I was only starting my
business and felt guilty about the purchase. At the time
– whilst I was annoyed with myself – I declined his offer.
However I appreciated his integrity and, as a
consequence, we established a good friendship.’
He continued.
‘When he knew he was ill, he returned to my shop
and had a request. Could I engrave the bracelet? He was
aware that he had promised this to you. In respect to the
man and his earlier honesty I chose to do so. Before he
could deliver it to me for the tribute, his life ended. He
contacted me some weeks before his death – knowing his
end was near – to ask that I ensure that I carried out his
request and that you received this.’
She shook her head.
‘You could have kept this knowing the value?’
He stood and reached to kiss her hand.
‘Never… the integrity of your husband guaranteed I
would do as he requested. He was my friend and your
guardian. Please accept this as his final gift to you.’
He took her hand once more, then turned and left.
She turned the bracelet in her hands over and over.
As she replaced it to the velvet bag she found a small
business card.
‘Sebastian Garrard, Bond Street, London.’

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice 115.pdf

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice 115.pdf

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Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice 115.pdf