Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issie 117.pdf

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Issue 117
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I
had the great pleasure of attending the
annual Uttoxeter Beer & Cider Festival’s
‘Party on the Pitch’ at my beloved Oldfields
Sports & Social Club recently…
What an absolutely wonderful event this is,
with profits paying for free Prostate Tests for local
men which is such an important and at times an
emotional experience. Prostate cancer is the
biggest killer of men in the over 50’s age group in
the UK.
Organised by the brilliant Uttoxeter Lions
Club, this event has saved many local lives
through the Prostate Cancer Screening
Programme inside Oldfields Club which was held
1 day before ‘Party on the Pitch’ this year.
Uttoxeter Lions President, Terry Adams, told
me that the event gave tests for free because the
NHS doesn’t. He said each one of the tests costs
£22 and they were indebted to sponsors and
visitors to the event without who’s financial
support they would be unable to fund the
prostate screening.
I found the event to be so uplifting – I chatted
to so many wonderful people throughout the
afternoon – these people really are the ‘Salt of the
Earth!’ I have been attending Oldfields Club for
many years and I have been an officer for both
my rugby and football clubs who play their sport
there… They really are good people and many I
can call my friends.
The Voice was proud to sponsor a barrel at
‘Party on the Pitch’ to support the event – I
actually tried a few of the quaintly named Beers
and Ciders, - it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it!!
I take my hat off to Uttoxeter Lions Members
– you guys are undoubtedly one the best clubs in
the UK, raising funds for really important
projects and also for local charities…and, of
course, they distribute Voice colour magazines
too which is hugely appreciated by myself.
Take a bow Gents, you thoroughly deserve it!!
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The
Voice colour magazine.
Kind regards
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.
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is published at 3 Spode Close, Cheadle, Staffs ST10 1DT
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NEXT ISSUE
The next Voice will be out 13th September
News Deadline: 25th August
Advertising Deadline: 1st September
Local Housing Market Update
by George Brandrick
B
eing at the forefront of trying to direct our local
communities house values, I do wish I could sit
here and say the housing market is hunky dory.
In practice, recent upturns in mortgage rates are
now having their effects bear fruit on the housing
market. A recent Rightmove report arrives during a
time of escalating uncertainty in the housing market,
as mortgage rates continue to rise significantly.
This surge in rates not only puts pressure on
affordability but also generates doubts regarding a
family’s decision to move home. Rightmove predicts a
3% annual decrease in asking prices by the end of 2023,
indicating a challenging market ahead. Additionally,
Halifax has observed a year-on-year fall for the first
time since 2012, further highlighting the market’s
downward trend.
The Bank of England data reveals that the number
of mortgages approved for house purchases January-
March was approximately 20% lower than
pre-pandemic levels. Looking ahead the official
mortgaging bodies unanimously agree on two-year
fixed rate mortgage rising from 4.5% to almost 6%, in
line with the Bank of England’s base rate increases.
There will be many readers who will remember the
15% peak of mortgages in the early 90’s, but
unfortunately what has not stayed on a parallel trend
since 2021 is the average house price against interest
rates.
While house prices rose to dizzying heights during
post-pandemic levels, cheap borrowing was welcomed,
but comes with financial repercussions we are now
paying the price for. Despite these challenges in fact,
the number of buyer enquiries made to estate agents
across the UK on average in the last quarter is 6%
higher compared to the same monthly period in pre-
Covid 2019.
However, it’s important to note that the number of
sales agreed in the last two months is 6% lower than
during the corresponding period in 2019, indicating a
potential slowdown in the market.
But here’s the catch-22; all of us are guilty of
complaining at things getting more expensive in life.
What’s happening right now is as property prices find
their new level and decrease to a new norm, it seems
we are more aggrieved at the fact our main asset is
depreciating slightly in value, yet we oversee the fact
that the next home we buy would’ve been more
expensive a year ago.
Long term, the changes to the market will be
welcomed, as the post-pandemic increasing house
pricing trend was not one that could’ve been a
sustainable and progressive way of operating.
In other words, a change was overdue.
Unfortunately, there are circumstances that arise that
force our hand and we have to move home. In these
and even any occasion, a time of professional advice on
all fronts is essential, whether it is to the value of your
home or mortgage advice. Should you need any advice
please do not hesitate to call us.
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.

Join our Team!
CLEANER
This may suit someone as their main job role or secondary employment.
New job opportunity, here at The Grosvenor and Hales Hall Caravan
Park. A further part time position has become available for a Cleaner, to
assist in keeping the standards of cleanliness throughout the business.
12 hours per week contract. With additional hours available.
The applicant would ideally have own transport or can reach our locality
freely at the required times.
The applicant must be motivated, reliable, hardworking, positive, be able
to work as part of a team and unsupervised and be trustworthy and work to
a high standard and take direction. They must have good communication
skills and use their own initiative.
Pension scheme available and staff discount scheme.
The hours required are: Tuesday 7am-10am, Wednesday 4pm-8pm,
Saturday 2pm-7pm
BAR STAFF
If you are a polite, confident, conscientious and enthusiastic individual who
would love to work for a busy and expanding restaurant – this could be the
opportunity for you.
We are looking for full-time and part time members of staff who ideally
have previous experience working behind a bar, however for the right
candidate training will be provided. This role will be a mix of daytime,
evening and weekend shifts. Staff will be taken on as with an initial trial basis
to ensure you have the relevant strengths to work as part of our team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Provide high quality service to customers.
• Adhere to all local and national liquor laws.
• Mix and serve drinks following set standard recipes.
• Greet guests in a timely manner and take orders.
• Process cash and credit card transactions following appropriate
procedures.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment for guests and team.
• Carry out all tasks with attention to detail, cleanliness, and safety.
• Assist with inventory and inventory control. Keeping up to date and
possessing the relevant knowledge of menus and allergies.
• Taking bookings efficiently using the laptop
• Answering the phones confidently and delivering best customer service.
• Replenish bar.
• Knowledgeable about the cellar (ability to change barrels and gas)
• Rotate stock.
FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF
Full and part time. If you are a polite, confident, conscientious and
enthusiastic individual who would love to work for a busy and expanding
restaurant - this could be the opportunity for you.
We are looking for both full and part time members of staff who ideally
have previous experience working within a busy restaurant however for the
right candidate training will be provided. This role will be a mix of weekday,
daytime, evening and weekend shifts.
Staff will be taken on with an initial trial basis to ensure you have the
relevant strengths to work as part of our team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Greeting guests and taking drink and food orders
• Staying attentive to the needs of guests in the dining area
• Delivering food from the kitchen to the guests
• Ensuring the food order is made correctly by kitchen staff and looks
presentable for guests.
• Following health code standards with regards to the handling of food
• Performing shift duties like delivering racks of cups to the service station,
polishing cutlery, upselling cocktails & desserts etc, wiping tables and
removing debris and more
• Keeping up to date and possessing the relevant knowledge of menus and
allergies
• Taking bookings efficiently using the laptop
• Answering the phones confidently and delivering best customer service.
• General cleaning and tidying of restaurant.
• Help setting up for events and private functions
• Setting tables to our high standards
Please contact us for more information or to apply for these positions.
Email: Info@thegrosvenorathaleshall.com Call: 01538 753333
R
ecently, the Alton Cubs were busy planting snowdrops in St. Peter’s
Churchyard at the start of a long term project they are undertaking to improve
the churchyard for wildlife and the public use of the space. After surveying
the churchyards the cubs developed their ideas on how they could improve this area
in the centre of Alton and put up a display board in the church to share their thoughts
with the parishioners.
Their ideas included planting more flowers and fruit in the churchyard to attract
in insects, birds, other animals, and people too, and were very positively received by
the church. Future sessions will see the cubs doing more planting, a moth and bat
survey, and building homes for the bugs, mini-beasts, and hedgehogs that the fruit
and flowers attract in.
Alton Cubs in St
Peter’s Churchyard

7

U
ttoxeter Lions recently took a group from local day care home St Mary’s
Mount to RAF Cosford. The combined group of guests, staff, Lions and
helpers amounted to almost 30 people. The trip had been months in the
planning and with the help of the superb staff at the centre (as Lion Dave Eadie was
heard to comment) the event proved to be a very special day to remember.
In the group was a 101 year old EX RAF engineer Eric who worked on Spitfires
& Mosquito’s during the war, both in Europe and the Far East. Eric and the group
were met on arrival by the Museum’s ground staff who gave Eric a number of
mementos of the visit including a special guide and a Teddy Bear!
The tour through the various hangers and exhibits went very well, with the
various guests enjoys the displays and inactive displays, Eric managed to get involved
in a talk with the restoration team and some Royal Navy cadets who heard first hand
all about the Spitfire display. The Museum Ground crew did a superb job all day and
even organised for Eric to go in the Virtual reality flight of a Spitfire - a stunning
360 degree 11 minutes flight that really must be seen to be believed.
The Day was long but absolutely worth it, with everyone coming back together
at the end for Tea’s and Ice cream, whilst we saw the Cosford Parachute display team
practice for the King Coronation with a jump right outside where we were sitting.
Lion President Terry Adams said at the end of the day ‘ its really pleasing to see
so many happy faces, it really has been a interesting day with great support from the
museum team.’ He further went on to say ‘this is what Lions do best - support the
community to make things happen.’
Anyone wishing to join the Lions or find out more about what they do, can
contact them via Uttoxeter Lions Social media or their website.
Uttoxeter Lions and local group flying high

11
FOOD SERVED
Wednesday to Saturday: 5pm - 8:45pm,
Sunday: 12:00pm - 6:30pm
OFFER
Get 10% off food when you visit,
simply by joining our mailing list -
mention this code: VOICEJUNE23
(Terms: Sign up for our mailing list during your visit and get
10% off food. Excludes drinks. Single use only. 1 per table.
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid until
end of August 2023)
E V E N I N G M E A L S | C E L E B R AT I O N S | S U N D AY L U N C H | P R I VAT E D I N I N G
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01538 754 277
95-97 Tape Street, Cheadle, Staffordshire ST10 1ER
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t: 01538 722665
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gardening, garden clearance,
herbicide spraying and more.
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Qualified Electrician
Free friendly advice
Call 07940 220931
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Contractor
Ear wax
removal service
Tracy Slack, Nurse Practitioner
Home Visits Available
Call 07969 186504
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
every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 1930hrs
For details call Dave Emery on 01782 331730
or Mike Bell on 01889 563897
See how
The Voice
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The 2023 Tax Year has now ended –
meaning your tax return is now due! Get in
touch to file today!
At DTJ we cover a wide range of accountancy services
including business and personal.
So, if you are looking for assistance with your new business venture,
considering a change of accountants or help with your personal tax
affairs, please contact us for a free consultation.
www.dtj-accountancy.co.uk
Email: info@dtj-accountancy.co.uk
Tel: 01538 764026
Scan this code on your smart phone ot tablet for more information
Cedar Tree Rocester is a new childcare
setting which provides high quality Early
Years Education for children aged 1-5.
Based along Rocester High Street, we are
situated within the children’s centre and will
be opening on the 5th June 2023. We will be
providing care Monday-Friday, 7:30 – 5:30 and will be
open 51 weeks of the year.
We are a modern approach to Early Years Education and
we take a holistic approach, focusing on creativity,
imagination, exploration and investigation.
We are currently recruiting staff and
enrolling children - so we would love
to hear from you!
Please email us:
cedartreerocester@gmail.com or
give us a call on 01889 591035
WE’RE HIRING
Members of Cheadle Rotary were delivered a very interesting and
comprehensive talk about the Dambusters’ Raid by Cheadle Rotarian, John
Moult, recently. This was particularly poignant as this year marked the 80th
anniversary.
John’s brilliant talk
about‘The
Dambusters’Raid

15
C
headle Flower Club’s May meeting was held at
the Oakley Room at Cheadle Guild Hall. Sheila,
our Club’s Chairman welcomed everyone to the
meeting for a demonstration by Lorraine Simcox from
Leek. Lorraine’s title for the evening was ‘Floriography’
the language, meaning and symbolic messages of
flowers.
For her first arrangement Lorraine utilised an
aluminium wire base incorporating a row of openings.
The Roses which demonstrate the symbol of love were
placed in the holes and gathered together with sisal
string to create a fan shape. Eucalyptus, which depicts
healing and protection was also added, together with
‘Star of Bethlehem’. Lorraine then produced two similar
arrangements already prepared and tied them together
with a lilac bow creating a stunning combination.
A wonderful wooden teak bowl held the next
display, with Lorraine advising the meaning of teak as
being a ‘power status’. She used Ruscus and ‘Box’ for
the foliage, adding gorgeous red and yellow Tulips
flowing throughout. Lorraine informed us that Tulips
actually originate from Turkey and that Tulip bulbs are
also edible and were eaten in World War Two . A very
pretty Broom was added, with Lorraine advising the
meaning of Broom as ‘humility, neatness and
cleanliness’, this completed a lovely design.
The next arrangement was held in a long slim
container which Lorraine had made using corrugated
cardboard, hidden test tubes were glued within the
centre to hold flowers. Midelino sticks gave height
together with beautiful yellow Freesia. Freesia flowers
depict the meaning of ‘trust and friendship’. Lily of the
Valley was also added to each test tube showing purity.
Lorraine added grass collected from her local wood
providing a lovely feeling of nature to this display.
For her fourth presentation Lorraine used a wicker
basket placed upside down with a wicker circular
wreath on top. Fatsia, Bergenia and Hosta leaves were
added for the foliage with Forsythia stems providing
height. Beautiful sunflowers, purple Phlox, Peonies and
cream Stocks indicating ‘happy and contentment’
produced a wonderful arrangement.
A large silver bowl held the next arrangement
created in the continental style of floral art. Dried stems
of Alliums provided height with white and pink Lilies,
pink Carnations, Alliums and Hosta leaves giving a
wonderful colour combination to the display.
The final arrangement was presented on a large
round container, which held two placements. Lorraine
used large Palm leaves to depict victory along with
added lilac Roses, pink carnations, Phlox, white
Alstroemeria and curled Aspidistra leaves. To complete
this stunning display Lorraine added beautiful pink
Orchids, which are the Chinese symbol of children. A
corsage of orchids finally completed this gorgeous
arrangement.
Club Chairman Sheila gave a vote of thanks to
Lorraine saying she had surpassed herself with
interpretation and inspiration with use of wonderful
colour and arrangement skills, we had all learnt so
much about ‘Floriography’
The arrangements were raffled with many
members and visitors winning the stunning
arrangements.
Our next meeting is on 19th July at 7.30pm at the
Oakley Room, Cheadle Guild Hall, this will be a talk
by Rudyard Flowers. Everyone can be sure of a warm
welcome and is invited to come along, sit back and
enjoy this evening.
For further information please do not hesitate to
contact the Club’s Chairman Sheila Jones on
07974577572 or email sheilajones53@hotmail.com.
Cheadle Flower Club

• 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
Cheadle & District Animal Welfare Society • Reg Charity 1039350
Stevie and Daisy
are waiting
W
hen Stevie arrived in our care in August
2022 it was assumed that he would soon
find a home. He was young, playful and
a really handsome long haired ginger and white cat.
However he is still with us. He almost found a
home in January 2023, but was pipped at the post
by another cat, then he was offered a home which,
sadly was not the right one for Stevie, so he’s still
waiting for that special someone to offer him his
forever home.
Stevie is a lively cat who was born in March
2022 approx. His new home needs to one which is
away from busy traffic and where there are lots of
wide open spaces for him to explore. He will need
to be groomed daily to help him keep his gorgeous
fluffy coat in
order. He is such
a lovely boy,
although he’s not keen on other cats, so he needs to
find a home where he is the only pet. It’s a great
shame that he is having to spend so much time in
the cattery.
Daisy is another cat who is constantly
overlooked and we can’t understand why. She is
black and white and was born in 2020 so she has
all of her life in front of her. She prefers to be the
only cat in the household as she loves attention and
wants it all for herself. She’s not prepared to share.
It is sad that no one seems to want Daisy.
If you would like to come to visit Stevie or
Daisy to see if they would fit in with your family
please ring 01335 390369 or 01889 564045 .

17

A Night at The Movies concert featuring Uttoxeter Town Band and The Heath Belles
raised £1,249 for charity.
Lights, camera, action… cue the music!
Local musicians and singers raised the huge sum for local Melbourne-based
charity, Me & Dee, at their movie night themed concert.
The red carpet was laid out in Uttoxeter for one night only when Uttoxeter Town
Band and The Heath Belles gave audiences a thrilling evening of music and songs
from some of the biggest blockbusters of all time.
With the band taking to the stage in costume as movie characters and the Belles
in their best evening gowns the audience had plenty to enjoy, as long as the presence
of Darth Vader didn’t put them off!
A packed house clapped and tapped along to music from Pirates of the
Caribbean, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Disney and many more. During the evening
the audience were able to meet one of the families helped by Me & Dee and the
founder of the charity, Maria Hanson MBE, spoke to the audience about the work
that she and her volunteers do creating special memories for families experiencing
the worst of times.
MD of Uttoxeter Town Band, Rob Smith, said: “It was a very enjoyable night for
all of us and we are delighted to have raised such an incredible sum of money for
such a great charity”.
Night at the
Movies Concert

19

Windsor Park C.E Middle
School achieves top grade
in latest SIAMS inspection
W
indsor Park C.E Middle
School has achieved the
highest inspection grade in a
newly published Church of England
report. The Uttoxeter school has been
graded as ‘excellent’ following a Statutory
Inspection of Anglican and Methodist
Schools (SIAMS).
Inspectors found that the quality of
church school leadership at all levels is
exceptional and the Christian vision
inspires leaders in their decision-
making.
The report notes that pupils are
provided with rich spiritual and cultural
experiences and supported to develop
their character and moral judgement in
a welcoming, harmonious community.
Meticulously planned collective
worship, inspectors found, reflects the
teachings and practices of the Anglican
tradition and is celebratory and inclusive. Pupils thrive in their learning in religious
education. Enjoying the challenges that their teachers set them, they respond
enthusiastically.
Behaviour is excellent and attendance is good. Pupils, the report adds, thrive
because potential barriers to academic and personal flourishing are removed.
Support for the mental wellbeing of adults and pupils is outstanding in this deeply
caring community which holds awards for excellence in mental health and wellbeing.
Pupils also demonstrate a mature, accurate understanding that reflects their
knowledge of Christianity and a range of world faiths and views.
Lisa Wilbraham-Jones, Headteacher (pictured), Windsor Park C.E Middle School,
said: “We aim to provide a supportive community where pupils thrive and differences
of heritage, faith and experience are embraced.”
She added: “We are pleased that this has been recognised in the latest SIAMS
report and delighted to be graded as ‘excellent’.”

21

Residents Race Evening
Tuesday 11th July
LIVE IN A ST14 POSTCODE OR
ARE A BUSINESS WITHIN ST14?
COME RACING FOR FREE!
Uttoxeter Racecourse would like to invite all of our
Residents and Businesses to our race evening on Tuesday
11th July 2023. Featuring a packed seven race card, we
hope you will take this opportunity to join us to what will
be a great opportunity for you to get together with
neighbours, family, friends and colleagues.
Residents are able to claim two tickets per household
(excluding children’s tickets which are unlimited) and for
the first-time - businesses within an ST14 postcode are able
to claim 10 free tickets.
To claim your tickets, simply head to the Uttoxeter
Racecourse website at www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk
and enter the promo code “ST14” first and then select
“admission one enclosure resident ticket”. If you are a
business, please email the details of your business and the
address to info@uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk and quote
‘Residents Day Business Offer.
We Look forward to welcoming you.
Brian Barrass
Executive Director

23
The Voice sponsors a race
at Uttoxeter Racecourse
The Voice’s Nigel Titterton (pictured centre) and Uttoxeter friends present
Phil Scott with the winner’s prize after Hollow Run won The Uttoxeter &
Cheadle Voice sponsored race at Uttoxeter Racecourse recently.

Open 6 days a week: Mon-Fri 8.00-17.00, Sat: 8.00-12.00
Telephone 01538 750 737 or book online
www.cheadletestcentre.co.uk
CheadleTest Centre, BrookhouseWay, Brookhouse Ind. Est.,
Cheadle ST10 1SR
Open 6 days a week: Mon-Fri 8.00-17.00, Sat: 8.00-12.00
Telephone 01889 563 838 or book online
www.uttoxetertestcentre.co.uk
UttoxeterTest Centre, Smithfield Rd, Uttoxeter ST14 7JB
• We’re now operating a booking
system, please visit our website or
give us a call
• Free re-tests - free annual
reminders
• Friendly staff - waiting/
viewing area
• If unfortunately your vehicle
fails, take it away to a
repairer of your choice.
S
peed awareness initiatives
in two East Staffordshire
villages are stepping up a
gear thanks to support from JCB.
The digger giant is helping fund solar powered
Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS) on the main routes
through Stubwood and Ellastone villages close to its
World Headquarters at Rocester.
The road safety signs, which use radar to detect and
display a vehicle’s speed, have been installed by
Denstone and Ellastone Parish Councils, each with
£5,000 support from JCB.
JCB Chief Operating Officer Mark Turner said: “As
one of the area’s major employers we are determined to
help make the roads in our local villages as safe as
possible for the community. Irrespective of whether it’s
local people, JCB employees, or drivers going to and
from Alton Towers, speeding in our neighbouring
villages is not acceptable.”
Denstone and Ellastone Parish Council Chairs
Jessica Turner and Robert Watkin said: “Over the years
we have become increasingly worried about motorists
speeding through our villages; for a long time it has felt
like an accident waiting to happen.
“The SIDS signs are a great road safety resource and
are definitely a step in the right direction towards
ensuring drivers slow down and put safety first. We are
very grateful for JCB’s support in helping us tackle the
problem and making our roads safer for everyone.”
Pictured at the new Stubwood SID are (left to
right) Denstone Parish Councillor Edward
Edmonds, JCB Group Communications Director
John Kavanagh and Ellastone and Denstone
Parish Councils’ clerk Julie Sadler.
JCB takes driving seat to support
community road safety campaigns
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Testing Centres
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T
housands of JCB employees toasted the Coronation in
style recently - thanks to a commemorative gift from the
Bamford family.
More than 8,500 special hampers were presented to JCB and
agency employees in the UK to mark the historic event thanks
to an idea from Carole Bamford, wife of JCB Chairman
Anthony Bamford.
Lord Bamford said: “JCB has a long history of
commemorating significant moments in our national history.
The Coronation really was a special occasion to remember, and
I am delighted to be able to mark the event with a gift from our
family to our employees.”
Financial Controller Chet Tanna, who has worked for JCB
for 30 years, said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic gesture from the
Bamford family. I can’t imagine there will be many other
companies marking this historic occasion in such a wonderful
way.”
The special hampers contained two Coronation mugs,
shortbread, mints, and loose leaf tea in commemorative tins –
all designed by renowned artist and illustrator Hugo Guinness.
A massive distribution operation swung into action to ensure
employees had their gifts in time for the celebrations, with the
bulk of the deliveries starting as early as 4am on Friday as
nightshift employees finish work.
The presentation of gifts rounded off a week of Coronation
celebrations at JCB when thousands of employees at plants
across the UK took part in a country-wide street party. JCB
treated employees to a two-course celebration lunch over four
days with classic British cuisine served on traditional street
party trestle tables.
Above right: Lord Bamford joins JCB farms and estates
employees at one of the special Coronation lunches.
Below: Lord Bamford presents the Coronation gifts to
(left to right) Leon Smith, Nichola Riley, Stella Scott and
Chet Tanna.
Right: One of the street style parties for JCB employees.
Bamford family marks Coronation
with gift to 8,500 employees
Coronation 2023

St Thomas’
School, Tean
W
e had a wonderful afternoon
celebrating the Coronation. Each
class did a Royal Variety
Performance which was enjoyed by all. Tea
and cake was served and there were
numerous stalls for the children and their
parents to enjoy including a coconut shy,
hook a duck, crown hunt, tattoos and face
paintings. Monies raised went to school
funds.
Cheadle
The photographs show two of the
Coronation events which were
held in Cheadle.

Rotary Club host
seniors’Coronation
Tea Party
T
he Coronation celebrations
started early for eighty Senior
Citizens when they attended an
afternoon tea-party hosted by Uttoxeter
Rotary Club at the Heath Community
Centre.
Anita Thomas-Epple, the organiser of
the event reports;
“We hold a similar event every year
but the Coronation has given us an
opportunity to put on a special party with
food, drink, music and dancing!”
The afternoon tea included quiches to
the Coronation recipe as well as all the
usual treats. The Rotarians provided
transport for many and joined their guests at the tables, with the singing and,
as the President John Gregory demonstrated, on the dance floor!
John added;
“The afternoon was a great success and really good fun for all of us. I did
not expect to take to the dance floor but enjoyed every minute!”
Volunteers from the Heath Centre joined Rotarians serving tea which only
added to a real sense of community. The event ended with a raffle and a rousing
rendition of the National Anthem before the guests were safely delivered home
to continue the build up to this very special and historic event.
Sudbury Primary
School Celebrate
O
n Friday 5th May, the children at Sudbury Primary School arrived
wearing red, white and blue and dressed ready for the Coronation
celebrations.
The children spent the day taking part in a series of art related activities.
The children worked in their houses rather than classes so Sapphire, Ruby
and Emerald groups of children, aged from 4-11, rotated around the
classrooms. During the day, the children made crowns, sketched their own
King Charles III portraits and created window decorations and magnets to
take home.
Lunch was a Royal tea party, and luckily the weather enabled this to be
outside, with sandwiches, pizza and cupcakes enjoyed. The children had
learned a special song to celebrate the occasion and our PTA had kindly given
each child a T-Towel with the children’s portraits to commemorate the day.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the day and acknowledged that it was
a moment in history. Headteacher, Michelle Hannaford said ‘the children
will look back in years to come and remember this fun day.’

Tean High
Street
St Joseph’s
Coronation Cake
Competition
T
he pupils of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
took part in a Coronation-themed cake competition
and lunch on Friday 5th May.
Included in the judging panel for the cake competition
were President of the Rotary Club, John Gregory and has
wife Jan, along with teacher Katie Hollamby and kitchen
staff member Michelle McHale.
The children produced some fantastic designs. The
judges were on the look-out for excellent use of colour,
interesting and imaginative designs, authenticity and
humour and the cakes and biscuits produced by the
children certainly did not disappoint! The judges were
blown away by the creativity of the children and the
thoughtfulness that had gone
into the baking and decorating.
All the cakes and biscuits
were sold to parents and carers
after the judging was complete
and raised an amazing £321.00 for
the school’s PTFA!
During the event, the children
also dressed up and sang a
coronation song to an amazed
crowd of siblings, parents and
carers.
Above right: These cakes all won
first place in each class.
Right: The overall winner was Erin
Harris from year 6 who used her
creativity to produce these beautifully decorated biscuits.
Below: Here are some children enjoying their picnic lunch.
Below right: Erin is pictured along with her brother, Ethan
Harris, who also won a prize.

29
A
JCB Engineer braved
searing heat to run a half
marathon – raising more
than £4,000 to say thank you to hospital staff who saved
his son’s life.
Andrew Johnson, 45, of Alton, pounded the streets
of Stoke-on-Trent at yesterday’s Potters ‘Arf marathon
to raise funds for Manchester Children’s Hospital where
his six-year-old son Charlie was treated after a series of
life-threatening strokes.
And he smashed his original charity target of
£1,500 by raising a stunning £4,200 during a race when
temperatures soared to 27°C.
Andrew finished the course in
2 hours 19 minutes and 8
seconds and son Charlie, wife
Julia and daughter Isabella
were in Hanley to welcome
him over the finish line.
He said: “I have run the
Potters Arf half marathon four
times and this one was by far
the worst I have ever competed
in because it was just so
unbelievably hot. The main
thing is that I have managed to
raise such a large amount of
money for the hospital where
Charlie was treated, and I
would like to thank everyone
who has supported me with the
fundraising.”
Charlie is back at school
after being successfully treated
for Bow Hunter’s Syndrome, a
very rare condition in children
where the neck vertebrae trap
an artery causing blood clots.
As a result, Charlie suffered
five strokes and underwent
treatment at Manchester
Children’s Hospital to fuse the
top two vertebrae in his neck which stops them
trapping the artery and is now living life to the full,
playing football and enjoying swimming lessons.
Senior Development Engineer Andrew works at
JCB’s World Headquarters, Rocester and has set up a
Just Giving page for anyone who wishes to sponsor him
and help raise funds for The Manchester Children’s
Hospital, at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/
charliejohnson22
JCB engineer braves searing heat to
run up £4,200 charity total

T
he unveiling of a new WW1 memorial plaque by former Leader of Checkley
Parish Council Stephen Bell and Councillor Stephanie Akerman took place
in Tean recently. The event was led by Rev. Joe Cant in memory of six soldiers
and a military nursing sister who lost their lives whilst on active service during
WW1. Research by Noel Green and Annette Jinks had identified that their names
should be included on Village of Tean’s War memorial found at Christ Church grave
yard.
Despite the event being held on a week day it was well-supported by Tean
villagers. Noel Green gave an overview of the service details of the six soldiers and
a military nurse whose names are given on the new plaque. Members of the British
Legion lead by the Tean Branch secretary Yvonne Hutchins laid a memorial wreath.
Yvonne also read the stirring WW1 poem ‘The Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon during
the service.
Great Wood school leader Ben Adamson has always been an enthusiastic and
valued supporter of the work of the British Legion. He must therefore have been
proud, as would their parents have been at the excellent way the pupils went about
laying a memorial wreath, reading out the names of all of Tean’s WW1 and WW2
casualties and finally lighting the candles of remembrance.
The service was followed by refreshments served at the church hall. It was
heartening to see the older members of Tean community sharing their memories of
Tean past with younger members of the community over a cup of tea and a cake.
Unveiling of new WW1 memorial plaque

31
L
ocal lad Rob Wilkins recently joined over 2000
young people in the gardens of Buckingham
Palace to celebrate gaining his Duke of
Edinburgh’s Gold Award. The event was hosted by
HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and also
attended by celebrities and inspirational public figures
including Charlotte Hawkins (TV presenter), Andrea
Spendolini-Sirieix (diver), Jessica & Jennifer Gadirova
(Olympic gymnasts) and Vick Hope (DJ).
For Rob, this was the culmination of 3 years of hard
work, that started just before the pandemic. Rob had
to complete 5 sections (Volunteering, Skills, Physical,
Expedition, Residential), some of which involved
regular activity each week for up to 12 months. Rob
started his Skills in December 2019, learning to drive
but the pandemic meant this was halted until
restrictions were lifted later in 2020. During the first
lockdown, Rob started his Physical, undertaking the
“Couch to 5K” programme whilst keeping within the
social distancing rules in place during that difficult
time.
Once the restrictions had been lifted, Rob was able
to resume his driving and pass his driving test. In
January 2021, Rob started volunteering at TURN
Education at Stramshall. TURN Education is a
Community Interest Company (CIC) which operates
as a Care Farm, harnessing the therapeutic nature of
animals to create opportunities for people to learn,
grow and reconnect with themselves and those around
them (turneducation.co.uk/). Rob helped to look after
the animals, feeding, watering and mucking out, and
he continued to support TURN even when he had
completed his year of Volunteering for his DofE Gold.
For his Residential section, Rob spent a week in July
2022 at Glenbrook Outdoors Centre, a residential
centre run by Girlguiding UK which is based in the
Peak District. During the 5 days, he helped to install a
nature trail for Brownies to follow, including cutting
back overgrown weeds, installing notice boards, and
creating a trail.
Rob’s highlight of his DofE Gold was his Canoeing
Expedition along the Caledonian Canal, setting off
from Fort William and paddling along Loch Lochy and
Loch Ness to finish at Inverness. He joined an Open
Expedition organised and delivered by Karos
Adventure, a Uttoxeter-based company run by Rob’s
family (www.karosadventure.com/). Karos Adventure
support over 20 schools and youth organisations in
delivering DofE Expeditions, working with over 1000
young people every year to achieve their Award. Rob,
along with his sister Tara and next-door neighbour,
Charlotte, help support the company by drying out
tents, washing stoves and looking after the equipment
used on the expeditions. Karos Adventure is run by
Steve & Karen, Rob’s parents. Steve is a DofE Gold
Award holder and has been running DofE Expeditions
for over 35 years. Steve & Karen are both proud that
Rob has followed in “his father’s footsteps” by gaining
his DofE Awards.
Rob’s Expedition Assessor wrote: “After a day of
paddling over 25km, with yet another wild camp for
the night’s accommodation, Rob could still be found
with a smile on his face and more in the tank. From
superb knowledge in campcraft to excellent
interpersonal skills, he was appreciated within the
group.”
Rob is a former student at Thomas Alleyne’s High
School and started his DofE journey whilst at the
school, gaining his Bronze and Silver Awards. Rob now
works at Fueled Coffee House in Uttoxeter
(fueledcoffee.co.uk/) and attributes his confidence and
customer service to his experiences in gaining his DofE
Awards.
Further information about the DofE Awards can be
found on the DofE website, www.dofe.org.
Former student at Thomas Alleyne’s
High School at the Palace

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Moorlands
Council
names
leadership
team
T
he Chairman and Vice-
Chairman, Leader and
Cabinet of Staffordshire
Moorlands District Council
have been named following
the elections earlier this
month.
The Council, which is now
controlled by a Labour
minority administration, held
it’s Annual Meeting recently
when Councillor Lyn
Swindlehurst was elected
Chairman of the Council and
Councillor Ian Plant was
chosen as Vice-Chairman.
Councillor Mike Gledhill was
elected Leader of the Council.
Councillor Swindlehurst
said: “I am very proud to have
been elected to this role and
determined to make our
efforts as a Council count.
Together with my Vice-Chair,
we will conduct our work with
a sense of purpose and an
open approach. I’m very much
looking forward to the next
year.”
Her strong interest in the
future of families and children
and the environment are
reflected in the charities she
has chosen to support as
Chairman which she named as
Homestart Staffordshire and
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Following his election as
Leader of the Council,
Councillor Gledhill said: “It is
a privilege to take on the role
of Leader of the District
Council and I pledge that I,
and my Cabinet, will listen,
will work hard and will take
our community forward.
“We want to build on the
many achievements of the
Council as we look to the
future. I’d also like to pay
tribute to the Leaders that I
now follow for their guidance
and advice and hope that we
can all work together for the
good of the Moorlands.”
Councillor Gledhill has
named the Cabinet team who
will work with him:
Councillor Darren Price –
Deputy Leader and Cabinet
member for Regeneration and
Planning
Councillor Chris Wood –
Finance
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst
– Leisure and Tourism
Councillor Nigel Yates –
Climate Change and
Environment
Councillor Bill Cawley –
Communities
Councillor Charlotte Atkins –
Services
Councillor Dave Proudlove –
Cabinet Support Member

33
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P
rince Charles became King on the passing of
his mother Queen Elizabeth the Second on
the 8th September 2022. On Sunday the 14th
May 2023 The Inner Wheel Club of Uttoxeter held
a Coronation Lunch at Kingstone Village Hall to
commemorate this historical occasion.
The village hall had been beautifully decorated
with red, white and blue bunting, flags balloons etc
by the residents of the village. Members of the Inner
Wheel were joined by almost 50 guests to enjoy a
meal provided by Gavin and Steve, the Chefs from
Uttoxeter Golf Club, who with their waitresses did
us proud. Prior to the meal, Canapes made by the
members were served, which proved to be a very
good idea and lots of compliments have been
received about them.
There was lots of laughter and lively chatting, especially during a Royal Quiz
which had been prepared by Graham Kerby. The occasion had been a very successful
one and of course we all raised our glasses to toast His Majesty the King.
Inner Wheel Club host
Coronation Lunch

34 If you are responding to an advertisement in The Uttoxeter Cheadle Voice, please let the advertiser know. Thank you for your support.
Keeping Children Safe in
Staffordshire with NSPCC
N
SPCC is
looking for
new
volunteers from all
over Staffordshire to be
Speak out. Stay safe.
volunteers. No
experience is required
- just a passion to
make a difference! As a
Speak out. Stay safe.
volunteer, you will visit
primary schools to
deliver safeguarding
workshops. These
workshops will teach
children about the
different types of abuse and how they can speak out and stay safe, helping to
protect children from abuse and neglect.
NSPCC is looking for energetic and enthusiastic people to deliver their
workshops and offer full training and support as you work alongside other
volunteers, helping children to feel empowered and to know where they can access
help if they are ever worried.
Scan the QR code if you are interested in finding out more about volunteering
with NSPCC and attending a virtual Volunteer Information Meeting. In the
meeting, you can:
• Meet with the NSPCC team to ask any
questions you may have
• Learn more about the application process and
the volunteer journey
Alternatively, please contact:
Volunteer Recruitment Team at
VolunteerRecruitment@nspcc.org.uk or
Matt Harding (local Schools Coordinator) at
Matthew.Harding@nspcc.org.uk

35
Let The Uttoxeter Cheadle Voice take your business to local homes. To Advertise email uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk, phone 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
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Cheadle New Life Church
37 Tape Street, Cheadle ST10 1BG
Jayne 07939 987829
Saturday 8am and 9.30am
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Uttoxeter ST14 8EY
The Big Slimming World
Clothes Throw !!
T
he Big Slimming World
Clothes Throw raises
funds by encouraging
members to donate the clothes
they’ve slimmed out of to their
local Cancer Research UK shops.
In April/May the local
Uttoxeter and Tean/Cheadle
Slimming World Groups
collected 80 bags raising an
incredible £2000 for Cancer
Research UK.
Research shows that being overweight has been shown to increase the risk of
developing some types of cancer, although being overweight doesn’t mean that
someone will definitely develop cancer, being overweight makes it more likely that
someone will develop it, than if they are a healthy weight. A person’s exact risk will
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Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight could prevent around 22,800
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The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw 2023 gives members a chance to
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The Slimming World programme, which is based on real and sustainable
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challenges.
So, if you’d love to lose weight this summer and feel fitter and healthier, join us
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To find out more about joining your nearest group, visit
www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call Gillian on 07928 556552.
Or to find out if you could be eligible for 12 weeks FREE call Everyone Health
on 0333 005 0095
Local Business
Wins Franchise
of the Year
M
ay 13th was a huge milestone in the MiniMe Mindfulness® journey. They were
crowned Franchise Of The Year by Club Hub U.K. Creating the MiniMe
Mindfulness®
� Franchise in 2021 was a decision by their Founder, Tessa
Hawes, to bring together heart led leaders to positively impact the mental health of
children all over the world. They are very proud of their explosive entry into the UK
Franchise arena.
To be recognised, and then finalists and now winners of this award is an incredible
achievement in such a short space of time.
MiniMe Mindfulness® - Staffordshire would like to thank all of the schools,
nurseries, and parents for partnering with them and trusting them to work with their
children. It has been a brilliant first year in business.
If you work in a school or nursery and haven’t yet had the benefit of working with
MiniMe Mindfulness® - Staffordshire there is still time before the summer holidays to
book in for a free taster session. To find out for yourselves the impact their mindfulness
and mindset sessions for children aged 3-13 can have in your setting. Contact details
are on the advert attached to this article.
Claire, franchise owner of MiniMe Mindfulness® - Staffordshire attended the
ClubHub Event on Saturday 13th May, in Birmingham and collected the award on
behalf of all franchisees. She is bowled over to have accepted this award, less than a
year after leaving behind her teaching career to pursue a new chapter.
Since the ClubHub Awards in May, Claire has since been awarded Children’s
Wellbeing Business of the Year 2023 at the Midlands Enterprise Awards. A truly
wonderful start to a first year in business.

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37
Midlands Bone Centre recognised
as a Centre of Excellence
M
idlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) is proud
to announce that it’s Midlands Metabolic Bone Centre has been granted
Centre of Excellence status by the Paget’s Association.
The Paget’s Association
is a national UK charity
providing information and
support to all those affected
by Paget’s Disease of Bone.
The Association funds
quality research, raises
awareness and supports
professionals to achieve
excellence in care and
research.
Centre of Excellence
status is awarded to hospital and university departments which demonstrate
excellence in both the treatment of Paget’s disease and research into the condition.
There are currently 12 Centre’s of Excellence across England.
The Midlands Metabolic Bone Centre was selected as a Centre of Excellence
following work undertaken by the Midlands Metabolic Bone team, led by Honorary
Consultant Rheumatologist at MPFT and Reader in Rheumatology at Keele
University, Dr Zoe Paskins. Zoe and her team evidenced the work being undertaken
to maintain and enhance quality care for people with Paget’s, to educate patients,
health professionals and undergraduates on bone diseases such as Paget’s, and to
lead and participate in research studies.
Zoe said: “It’s an honour to receive a Paget’s Association Centre of Excellence
Award, which we received during the Association’s 50th anniversary, in recognition
of the centre’s dedication to the treatment and education of patients with Paget’s
Disease and research of bone disease. The award recognises the continued hard work
of the brilliant bone team and our aims for the future of the service.”
The strong partnership between MPFT and Keele University has contributed to
improving health and care services, including the joint work of MPFT’s
rheumatology clinicians and Keele University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health
Sciences, to improve the understanding and management of common
musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain.
In recognition of the depth of the organisations research and educational
partnerships, MPFT was granted University Hospital status by Keele University in
April, following a rigorous application process, in line with criteria set out by the
University Hospital Association.

I
t was a busy year last year. I started a new job, in
June I got married, recently we have welcomed a
puppy in to the family and soon hopefully a hive of
bees, boosting the family by several thousand
members!
I had been interested in doing a bee keeping course
for some time, but it was talking to the bee keepers at
the South Staffs Bee Keepers Association (SSBKA) stall
at the Stafford show in 2021 that encouraged me to
finally take the plunge. It was not only for the joy of
keeping bees, but also for the honey (especially for
hubby bear!), the propolis (mixed pollen and beeswax)
and the wax; all the wonderful, useful things that they
produce. Indeed I had an eye on the market with an
idea to sell wax for saddles to my horsey compatriots.
My husband and I both signed up to take the taster
course and later the full bee keeping course.
After a lovely honeymoon in L.A. we started the
course in July 2022 ...but I am getting ahead of
myself...it was time to look the part! Time to swap my
usual jodhpurs for a protective bee suit, gauntlets and
hat and veil, and I tell you it took some time to get used
to picking things up in gauntlets.
Right from the start they had us in the hives
handling the bees, identifying their role in the hive, and
of course eating and drinking large quantities of tea and
cake afterwards!
There was a theoretical side to this as well, meaning
I could indulge another of my passions and buy
stationery! So with pen and paper in hand we learnt all
about the devastating disease Varroa and how to
combat it, how to set up a hive and what all the parts
of it were called, as well as the less academic, but very,
very useful hacks and money saving ways of doing
things passed down by generations of bee keepers. One
of the most amazing things was seeing the sculptures
that one of the bee keepers had made out of wax, for
which he had won awards. With all this learning we still
had time to pour over bee keeping catalogues full of
lovely copper tools for cracking open the hives and
smokers to soothe the bees in to a drowsy state before
we handle them.
But the best part was the handling of the bees
themselves. Although there is lots to do with them,
assessing the health of the colony, marking the queen
and so on, it is just lovely to watch them going about
their business. A group of individuals who know
exactly what they need to be doing and doing it with
no rush or fuss, in a way that the busy human world
could learn from.
So where are we now? Well we now have a book
shelf groaning with bee books, we have subscribed to a
magazine and my husband has picked up our first hive.
That is now waiting in our garden shed to be assembled
and sited when our first nucleus, as we Bee Keepers call
it, arrives courtesy of SSBKA. And me? well… I’m still
drinking tea and eating cake and hankering after a
copper smoker… well a Bee Keeping girl can dream!
Bees are in decline because of disease, climate
change, and habitat loss – yet they are essential to
providing our food by pollinating crops. Do all you can
to protect and help bees.
Uttoxeter Nature Recovery
Network News
Bee Keeping Girl by Kate Davies
You don’t need a whole hive: make a home for
solitary bees.
A beekeeper in action
@uttoxeter_voice
search for Uttoxeter Voice
Send your articles, photographs, features, sports reports etc into
The Voice for insertion into our next issue.
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Uttoxeter
Cheadle
Uttoxeter
Cheadle

K
ate Nash, a member of Uttoxeter Rotary Club,
has recently received her MBE awarded in the
New Year’s Honours List. The presentation was
made by The Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.
The Investiture was for Services to the Community
through the Vaccination Centre and Education.
Kate told Uttoxeter Rotary Club members: “It’s not
very often you can get into a taxi and say - Take me to
the Palace please!! It is an absolute privilege and honour
to receive an MBE and I am truly humbled and full of
pride.”
Kate added: “The Princess Royal was delightful, and
we had a lovely conversation. She was genuinely
interested in what I had done to receive the award and
what I was doing now. Three members of my family
also attended the ceremony and we were overwhelmed
with the splendour and history of the Palace and the
astounding artwork and antiques.”
Kate and her husband Howard lead the team
establishing the Vaccination Centre at Pirelli Stadium
and Uttoxeter Racecourse which over the last 30
months has received many awards, locally and
nationally. A team of Rotarians and their spouses from
Uttoxeter have completed over 500 shifts and Past
President, Roy Smith, who worked on both the first and
last shift at Pirelli reports,
“Kate and Howard’s leadership and management in
those early chaotic months was wonderful and
established the centre as a model of good practice.”
Kate has also given support and guidance to many
schools in the area as an advisor and counsellor and is
still involved helping school through these challenging
times.
John Gregory, the Club’s President, added; “The
Rotary moto is “Service before Self” and Kate is a
perfect example of that ambition. We are very proud of
her.”
Rotarian Kate’s day at the Palace
39
C
hildren at a Staffordshire
Moorlands Primary
School were all kitted out
for the school trip of a lifetime thanks to support from
digger giant JCB.
A total of 55 Year 5 students at Cheadle Primary
School embarked on a five-day expedition to Paris
proudly sporting special gear donated by JCB, which
has two factories in the town.
Each child was given JCB hoodies, rain macs, hi-
viz jackets and backpacks as a special uniform for the
journey which took place from June 5th to 9th.
Cheadle Primary School headteacher Debbie
Breeze scooped a £68,000 grant from the Government-
funded Turing Scheme to enable the youngsters to take
the European break which saw them explore the French
capital with a boat trip on the River Seine, climb the
Eiffel Tower and spend a day at Disneyland Paris.
Mrs Breeze said: “Our application for the grant
focused on our relationship with JCB as a global
business, and the support we have had from them has
been phenomenal. Over the past year we have built a
really strong bond; JCB have helped us to build an
outdoor classroom area, the children have visited the
factory and Fastrac production line, and apprentices
have come into school to run STEM projects too.
“Many of our children come from disadvantaged
backgrounds and have never been lucky enough to
travel, but now they are getting a wider perspective on
the world and really understand that JCB’s machines
help build infrastructure right across the globe. They
are using their JCB knowledge in all kinds of school
projects and the trip to France has really helped them
understand the wider world and broaden their
horizons even more.”
JCB Earthmovers Operations Director Paul Wilson
added: “Supporting the community where many of our
employees and their children live is very important to
us – and we certainly hope some of the Cheadle
Primary youngsters will be our employees of the future.
“We are proud to be able to help the school and it’s
a pleasure to do whatever we can to raise the children’s
aspirations and enjoy their education. I am sure the
children will have been fantastic ambassadors for the
town and JCB in their new uniforms on their European
adventure.”
Primary school proved en vogue
with JCB gear for trip of a lifetime
All kitted out on their French trip of a lifetime, Cheadle Primary School Year 5 students proudly show off their
travel uniforms to JCB representatives Plant Quality Manager Adam Pedley and Group Business Director for
Wheeled Loading Shovels and Compaction Ajay Patil (left) and Lead Administrator Natasja Joyce and General
Manager Mark Edwards (right).

Everyone
lovesTheVoice
Ginny’s Community Corner
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
W
hen your children are leaving the house for
school or a visit to their friend, what is the
one thing they take with them, normally
their rucksack/school bag. Imagine if they were having
to leave home in a hurry, full of fear and no time to take
their bag, I know I would be lost, but for a child that
loss is compounded by confusion on why they are
leaving home so quickly. In 2014 the NSPCC provided
a sad fact, 48,000 children in the UK, had to flee their
homes and go to emergency accommodation, most of
them were leaving because of a violent situation.
So now imagine they are in the emergency
accommodation and they are presented with a Buddy
Bag, that has toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear,
plus comforting items such as a book, a photo frame
and a teddy bear. One of the mothers wrote a thank you
post card to Buddy Bag Foundation, “I was so surprised
and really grateful to receive 2 Buddy Bags for my
children, I had hardly anything with me, because we
had to leave so rapidly, it’s a great idea and helped a lot”
So where did the idea of a Buddy Bag come from?
Karen Williams, the founder of Buddy Bag
Foundation was inspired to start the charity after a visit
to Australia where she met the founders of The
Alannah and Madeline Foundation, who provide
Buddy Bags to children in Australian emergency care
system. Karen came back and saw the statistic on the
NSPCC website and decided that Buddy Bags were
needed here too.
Starting very small, the Buddy Bag Foundation has
just packed its 14,700th bag and by the time you read
this article, it will be more. The Bags are packed for a
range of children’s’ ages and are tailored according to
age groups and gender and cater specifically for
children aged 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-16 years old.
But how do you get toiletries, pyjamas, socks etc
into rucksacks, this is where the magic really happens.
Buddy Bags have a brigade of people who spend hours
of their own time in village halls packing up bags to be
distributed to the emergency centres all over the UK.
To find the next fulfilment session visit
buddybagfoundation.co.uk/ and go along and help
out.
Alternatively, if you are a knitter or sewing person,
why not visit their website and find the patterns to
create items for the Buddy Bags, for instance using your
spare material to sew a draw string bag or by knitting a
teddy bear, the website has lots of fact sheets to discover
buddybagfoundation.co.uk/bbf-resource-
centre/#downloads
If you are a business and want to get involved, then
why not get involved with the Buddy Bag Challenge, it
could be a great way to do a team building day, plus it
is a great community and socially responsible
opportunity too. Why not get in touch with the Buddy
Bag Foundation and find out how your company can
get involved. There is a fact sheet on their website:
buddybagfoundation.co.uk/bbf-challenge-box/
Of course, with any charity, they need funding: each
buddy bag provides toiletries, underwear, pyjamas and
a cuddly teddy bear for the child and because every
items costs money, why not have a look at how you can
donate, the website states that £25 supplies a child
entering emergency accommodation with their own
Buddy Bag. 100% of money donated goes to the
charity: buddybagfoundation.co.uk/supporters/
#angels
Each bag also has a postcard in it, so that the Buddy
Bag Foundation receives feedback from the parents and
Children on how important the Buddy Bag was to
them, one boy wrote, “Thank you so much for my
Teddy, because it helped me stop crying when I thought
about my Dad”.
To get in touch and find out how you can help, be
it your time or a financial donation, please visit the
website and find out how -
buddybagfoundation.co.uk/contact/
In a time of trauma, a child needs something to
hold on to, a Buddy Bag has proved to be something
very special to hold on too. So if you can knit, sew, help
to fulfil the bags at one of the events or provide funds,
you will be ensuring that a child is comforted in a time
of need. Thank you in advance for any help you can
give.
Were you in the Class of 1954
at Thomas Alleyne’s School in
Uttoxeter?
A
surviving group of the 1954 intake at
Alleynes School meet at Wetherspoons
in Uttoxeter about 3/4 times a year,
recently on May 16th.
In the picture are Dennis Keates, Bill Sanders,
Ed. Plant (standing), Fred Eyre, Patrick
Macdonald. Other regulars are Peter Rhodes,
David Ellis and Dennis Smith.
This group would be delighted to welcome
other members of the Class of 1954 to join them
now!!
Next meeting in September, date tba.
Contact Patrick Macdonald on
macdonaldp272@gmail.com for more
information.

41
John’s Jottings
by John Smith of Tean
Being a Copper’s Son…
M
y father was born in 1916 in Ackworth, West
Yorkshire. The son of a foreman bricklayer
employed by the local council. One brother,
two sisters.
The standard hard life for families of that time and
made worse when their father died when he was in his
early teens.
By notoriety, my grandad was a tough old boy.
Uncle Dick was employed by him as an apprentice
bricklayer and produced his first chimney with some
pride. Grandad William took one look and put his boot
through the structure.
‘Not good enough’
My Dad, having tried the building trade, eventually
joined the police force in the West Riding of Yorkshire
and, on being transferred on his first appointment,
arrived as a trainee constable in Rawmarsh,
Rotherham. There he met my mum, Lily.
He was well trained in his first role.
‘There’s a fight being reported outside the Parkgate
Arms, Sergeant!’
The Sergeant indicated they should proceed to
address the issue and then held up his hand to prevent
the enthusiastic junior running ahead.
‘Listen lad, walk slowly. By the time we get there
they’ll have knocked each other to bits. No point in us
getting involved.’
The family moved around the area – first to Halifax,
then Sheffield, Pontefract, Huddersfield, Barnsley.
My Dad had a particular approach to any family
move. He’d hammer the nails in for the curtain pelmet
and then seek out the best pub option – usually run by
an ex-policeman as many were. Mum was left to do the
rest. The way of the world at that time…..
In his last post – now promoted to Sergeant – he
was the typical old-style copper. He contacted a friend
from his local.
‘Joe, I’ve your Malcolm in our cells again. Being a
bit of an idiot in the village – too much beer.’
‘Aye Bert, I’ll pick him up’
Malcolm duly received the large clip around the ear
from his father and was taken home. No charges, no
issues.
He caught me as well – trespassing and climbing an
apple tree. I got grief from that.
Ultimately the pressure of running the station
became too much. Inspector Bennett – a good friend
died suddenly – and Dad was left for several months
without support or adequate resource.
He was taken away from us for some time. I didn’t
realise the stress he had faced. Four weeks in a
convalescent home in Harrogate. I remember his words
as he disappeared on that day. I was ten years old.
‘You are now the man of the family whilst I’m away.
Look after Mum.’
On reflection I had a wonderful childhood. Caring
parents, albeit my Dad was a hard old sod at times.
Discipline was key. I never considered it inappropriate.
However, being the coppers son and the passing my
11+ and going to Grammar school created its own
issues. Many of the local lads – shall we call them thugs
– took exception to my background.
Never told to the old fella – seriously he would have
confronted them and bluntly they would not have
enjoyed the experience.
As our life moved on – many of you will understand
the teenage relationships – I moved to my bedroom
and spent several years there as a growing adult.
Inevitably we fell out – different cultures and times.
Always resolved.
I wandered off to college in Salford. I recall Mum
and Dad dropping me at Huddersfield train station – I
believe he had a tear in his eye – I know I did.
Like most prodigal sons I returned regularly over
that time. Always sent back with a tinned chicken and
some of Mum’s fresh bread – it lasted one night……..
I graduated from college – better than I hoped - and
for a few months lived on some state benefits until I
found a post with Littlewoods Mail Order in Oldham.
Subsequently transferred to a new warehouse in
Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield (pronounced Slowett as
I soon discovered). I moved back to my Mum and
Dad’s home. I don’t think they planned my return but
suffered me for over a year or so.
At no time did Herbert or Lily object to my re-
occupation.
It was within six months – now finding myself in a
job at the new Lyons Bakery site in the next village –
that I found Patricia.
I introduced her to my family and they all fell in
love with her. I suspect my sisters wondered how the
hell I’d captured such a gorgeous girl!
It was only when we married and moved to our first
house that I learned from my sisters that the old fella
was ready to tell me to bu**er off anyway!
When he retired from the police force he found a
role as an ‘Enquiry Officer’ with the Gas Board.
Basically a debt collector for overdue accounts. My God
he was clever!
His day involved leaving at 7 in the morning,
returning at 11 to organise his horse bets, to the pub
for an hour. Return home for his ‘dinner’ and then bed
for an hour. Back out at 4ish and then home for tea. Out
for a few beers at 8. Bed by 11.
‘Best job I’ve ever had Johnnie. If I’d known about
this I’d have never joined the bloody police.’
He was good at his job – smart at working out when
people were home and when they would pay.
Mum and Dad moved from our family home to a
smaller bungalow in the village. Strange going there
after they had left my ‘home’ but they lived
comfortably.
From being a fourteen sessions a week man – never
heavy but two pints at lunch and three in the evening
– he stopped drinking. It was a complete shock. Where
was the man who dressed in a full suit and tie for every
pub visit – always green clothes for some reason? He
must have been the smartest man in the village.
However Dad continued to enjoy his Sunday
lunchtime beer and proceeded to direct me to his
various old haunts when we were able to have time
together. We talked a lot about life on those Sundays –
he opened up far more, if not a lot about his life. I
found out a little about his wartime experience but, like
most of his time, not much was revealed.
I learnt he had involvement in the Dunkirk
evacuation and some of his time with prisoners of war
in Wales but little else – a reluctance to tell any more.
We met little over the next few years after our
family moved to the south. The odd and too infrequent
telephone calls.
Herbert Smith passed away suddenly in November
1998, just two weeks after their 60th wedding
anniversary with all of our family in attendance. His
last conversation was with our son, Greg to bless him
on his seventeenth birthday some two day earlier.
His death was the way he would have planned it –
sudden and unexpected.
A lovely man who educated me on morality,
honesty and conduct. Miss him to this day.
I
am not a huge fan of Elvis Costello but I love one
of his songs ‘A Good Year for the Roses’ due to its
slightly melancholic, nostalgic and sentimental
lyrics and melody. The song reminds me very much of
the Irish songs of my childhood.
My mother could never listen to ‘Danny Boy’
without shedding a tear. I must point out that my
mother was not what is termed ‘a plastic Paddy’ as her
father was born in County Kerry. It is too early yet to
know if 2023 will be a good year for roses but, as I walk
around Cheadle with one of my four legged best friends
or indeed with my two legged best friend, it is quite a
year for poppies. We have white poppies growing in the
garden of our house on the hill but in recent weeks I
have seen poppies of many hues from deep red through
to gold to pale pink.
In Lichfield on Saturday I saw a display of pale
yellow poppies. These beautiful flowers, along with
bluebells and, ofcourse, daffodils, rank as my favourite
flowers. They are esthetically pleasing but have a far
more practical function, being a haven for bees. As I
walked past many stunning gardens last week with the
older of our dogs, the Elvis Costello song was in my
head and brought to mind so many of the songs of my
childhood and schooldays. These include Irish tunes
such as ‘When Irish Eyes are Smiling’ and ‘If you’re
Irish, Step into the Parlour’ as well as many songs by
Stephen Foster, who wrote many of them in the 1850s.
Why tiny children in Welsh Primary school in the
mid 60s were singing ‘Camptown Races’ I really don’t
know but can only assume that our Music teacher, Mr.
Hennessey (Irish ofcourse!) had been a fan. I now
realise that I have given you an ear worm as you look
at other people’s gardens or maybe your own as you will
not be able to get at least one of the tunes mentioned
in this month1s musings, or ramblings, out of your
head.
Enjoy all the flowers! Doo dah, doo dah!
My Monthly Musings
by Cecily Cowans of Cheadle

Tropical Mousse Cake
I
t’s that time of the year, once again,
when I have to be a bit more careful
with what I am eating. So this time I
have made a low fat Tropical Mousse
Cake. Not quite the same as my
indulgent chocolate cakes, but delicious
all the same, and actually very light and
refreshing to eat.
You will need -
Juice of 1 lime
100 ml water
8 sheets of leaf gelatine
2 x 500g tubs of Mullerlight Greek
Style Coconut with a hint of Vanilla
Yoghurt
3 large ripe Mangoes, (2 chopped and 1
thinly sliced)
2 passion fruit
For the sponge base -
4 large free range eggs separated
6 level tbsp sweetener
80g plain flour
Zest of 1 lime
2 level tbsp Coconut oil, melted
4 tbsp water
To decorate -
1 Kiwi fruit
Pineapple thinly sliced
Strawberries
Firstly preheat your oven to 160°C
Fan. Line the base of a 23cm diameter
springform tin with baking paper. Beat
together the egg yolks with half of the
sweetener until pale and creamy, then
mix in the sieved flour, lime zest, melted
coconut oil and 4 tbsp water.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg
whites until they form soft peaks and
then add the remaining sweetener. Beat
until smooth and glossy. Add one third
of the egg white mix to the flour mixture
and stir until well combined. Gently
fold in the remaining egg white mix.
Spread into the tin and bake for 10-12
minutes until springy. Leave to cool in
your tin.
Lift out your sponge, then spray the
sides of the cake tin with low calorie
cooking spray. Press a large sheet of
cling film into the tin to smoothly line
the base and sides. Return the sponge
to the cake tin.
Soak the gelatine in cold water for
approximately 5 minutes until soft.
Meanwhile heat the lime juice with
100ml water, not letting it boil. Remove
from the heat, squeeze the excess water
from the gelatine leafs and add to the
pan, stirring until dissolved.
Blend together the chopped mango
and yoghurt until smooth, then add the
passion fruit. Add the gelatine mixture
and mix until all combined. Pour your
mixture onto the sponge and chill for
approximately 4 hours, until set.
Lift the cake from the tin and discard
the cling film. To decorate I have used
thinly sliced mango, curling to make
roses, along with sliced kiwi fruit,
pineapple, passion fruit, and
strawberries. You can use any fruit you
desire.
This Mousse Cake serves a generous
twelve. It really does feel like a treat and
is low fat. It tastes really fresh and fruity,
and is delicious served with greek
yoghurt.
Karen’s Cake Corner
by Karen Hill
Down on the Farm
by Angela Sargent
W
ith the coming of July comes shearing the
mature sheep, if not already done. We used
contractors and would spend the day before
setting up for them. Clearing a space for them to hang
their shearing equipment, making a pen to hold the
sheep with a smaller handling pen to save chasing them
round .
Then we would bring them all up in their different
groups to the paddocks surrounding the yard ( some
undercover if it looked like there might be showers
overnight.
Sheep can’t be sheared when the fleece is wet as the
wool will spoil in the wool sack, apart from water and
electricity not mixing particularly well.
During the day we would be busy catching the sheep
and passing them to the shearer, the other picking bits
off the fleece that detracted from the value( the daggings’
– the dirty, clumpy wool from the back end-will already
have been clipped off.
After shearing the lambs bleat as they try to recognise
their mothers and it takes a few moments for them to get
to know who is who again, but then they’re all turned
back out into the fields while the next lot are brought In
and the process carries on again.
Hay making this month, we need a good five days to
make good hay- sunshine consistently and turning
everyday to make sure all the grass is dried In the sun.
We used to use the hay for the lambs or the ewes as they
were giving birth. It just seemed finer and more handy
for them. If possible there will still be some silage made
just to top up those winter reserves for the cattle.
But now midsummer and the harvest will be starting.
The crops will ripen in the long sunny days and turn
from green to gold and the farmer will be out checking
the moisture content of the seed. Too hard and it won’t
be easily used, too soft it won’t keep as well.
Combines will roll and will go on from dawn till dusk
if the weather allows, but once it starts to get dewy then
they’ll have to stop. Usually around 10:00 o’clock or so at
night, but on the odd days there isn’t a dew machinery
can carry on through the night.
The soft fruit harvest will be well in to swing now and
home grown produce is at it’s best - the strawberries, the
raspberries, the currents, gooseberries all taste better in
the right season and, of course, after harvesting the crop
then the aftermath has to be cleared or used or bailed
and the ground prepared ready for the next crop in the
next season.
There will be very heavy, very large machinery and
loads on the country lanes, moving from field to farm
and from field to field, often slow moving, they can be a
hazard so take care if you’re driving round, but it is your
food that they’re carrying.
Show season is well under way, with many exhibiting
their finer animals and produce. Although many shows
have had to become more commercial to fund
themselves, there are still one or two where farming
activities are still the main component. It’s a great way to
socialise and the camaraderie can help counter the
isolation many in the farming community live with on a
daily basis.
Markets are very busy as the lamb crop matures and
cattle are finished and traffic to and from them increases.
There are many regulations regarding the transport
of animals, including the vehicle and the driver. Tests are
taken to ensure the both the vehicle and animal are
handled safely and these are policed regularly.
Many butterflies can be spotted this month, along
hedges and by shady woods. Red Admirals, Peacocks,
Painted ladies and Tortoiseshells flit around feeding off
wild flowers, thistles, trees and their favoured plants as
they breed.

43
@uttoxeter_voice
Send your articles, photographs, features, sports reports etc
into The Voice for insertion into our next issue.
The Voice is here to publicise what’s happening in our
community
Get in touch now via email uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk or
by social media
Uttoxeter
Cheadle
Uttoxeter
Cheadle
From the Mash Tun
by Graham Shenton
Thoughts of a‘Casual Brewer’
F
or those who do not know me a quick
introduction. I am ‘a local’, born and bred in
Uttoxeter I attended Thomas Alleyne’s where my
main claim to fame was that I was joint top goal-scorer
for the Under 15 football team one year. The other joint
top scorer was Paul Esplin who could and should have
been a pro. So, I am quite proud of that. I was a very
average footballer but very quick. I have appeared in
Roy Astbury’s team once, but it was a couple of months
after he confided in me that he was struggling to come
up with players for his various teams. Scraping the
bottom of the barrel or in my case the Tun. So, no that
did not fill me with pride. So, if you have appeared in
Roy’s side on numerous occasions then you are there
on merit. If you have appeared just the once, as I have,
then I wouldn’t go dining out on it!
I now consider myself to be a ‘Casual Brewer’. I
retired 5 and a bit years ago and looked around for
worthwhile things to do. I now assist at the Uttoxeter
Brewing Company (UBC) once or twice a week. I do
not get paid. Instead, I am rewarded with beer ‘samples’
where my opinions are greatly valued (that bit is in case
anyone from HMRC is reading this). If you see me
about town and ask me anything about brewing beer, I
will suggest that I am the wrong person to ask. If you
catch me in a pub however, I am likely to start making
things up.
Now a quick explanation of the title. The Mash Tun
is where the first stage of the beer brewing process takes
place. Hot Water, at 75-80 degrees Centigrade (liquor)
is blended with various malted barleys in the Mash
Tun. The ‘Wort’ is then strained off (after about an
hour) into the ‘kettle’ where it is then boiled for about
an hour before hops are added. It is then transferred to
the Fermenter and cooled where yeast is added. It
‘ferments’ for about a week before being transferred to
casks and bottles. And that’s about all you need to know
(for now).
I perform various tasks at the brewery including
‘digging’ the spent grain out of the Mash Tun. At this
point the nature of the grain has changed dramatically
as all the flavour, colour and most importantly sugar,
is now in the Wort. Once dug out the spent grain is fed
to local cattle (who don’t seem to care that they have
missed out on all the good stuff). Just another reason
for buying you beef from T G Sargeant and Sons.
I have recently become an active member of
CAMRA (CAMpaign for Real Ale). Ultimately
CAMRA have 2 very basic aims. Firstly’ to promote
Real Ale and secondly to preserve the Pubs that sell the
Ale. As far as I am concerned the former is a major
success. We now have more Ales than we can shake a
stick at. However, the latter is still a major issue with
thousands of pubs closing nationally and locally we
have lost the Bulls Head at Marchington very recently.
Well worth Campaigning for support for your local.
Tim Martin (if you have not heard of him, you are
indeed fortunate!) would argue that this is due to the
favourable application of duty on supermarkets
compared to pubs. For the only time in his life, he
might be correct!
For 40 years I drank Bass and little else, and you
cannot drink Bass and be a member of CAMRA
(private joke). However about 10 years ago I discovered
IPA and now drink all sorts of ales. My horizons
broadened I started to become actively involved with
the local branch of CAMRA about a year ago. The
bottom line is that I have met some great people and
on a regular basis we have a good time.
As Uttoxeter is not actually blessed with a great
number of Real Ale outlets we arrange trips to other
locations. In March we visited Lichfield, last month we
went to Leek, in July its Buxton’s turn and later in the
year we take in Tamworth and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
For details of future trips why not pop into The Night
Inn or the UBC tap house at the top of the White Hart
yard for further information.
My love of Life, Lorries and Coaches
by John Willmore, of Cheadle
His series continues from previous Voice
magazines...
A
fter working in the garage again for a while, it
became obvious that I was missing our first
child growing up as I used to go to work at 6am
and often be still there until late evening…
So, Mark, my son, only saw me possibly on Sunday
afternoons which was not ideal, especially for my wife
who was in effect bringing him up on her own.
Rescue came my way though from a local company,
BS Hire, at Freehay, Mr Ray Brookes who offered me
a post driving lorries for him and his partner Mr Bill
Shakeshaft.
This job would involve me helping to maintain the
vehicles as required and involved me running out of
Kevin Quarries again to the Birmingham area, most of
the time delivering stone or tarmac to the then being
built N.E.C. Exhibition Centre.
Whenever I go back there to visit, memories come
flooding back…
BS ran a varied fleet but the lorry I drove was an
A.E.C. Mercury which I loved. Part of the job was
taking sand from Douglas Quarry at Barton-under-
Needwood back to Hulland Gravel at Freehay for the
Douglas Concrete Batching Plant there – talk about
taking coals to Newcastle.
My father by this time had been offered
work for Croxden Gravel, driving a coach
they had purchased from Bostocks Coaches
at Congleton. The coach was used to pick up
office staff in the morning anfd night and
other duties involved with the administration
side of things.
Dad loved this work but after some years
his health let him down. He had done well as
after the Battle of Arnhem he had been put
in Whittingham Barracks Hospital where he
was informed that his heart had suffered so
bad he would only live six months!!
He managed to work until his late 70’s but
he seemed to me to suffer a lot of ill health,
often going to work in severe pain…
But my dad’s smile would light up the
World, I loved him so much…
He sadly passed away in 1984 after he lost
so much weight he was a shadow of his
former self. The doctors in later years found
out that he had suffered from a then little
known condition…
I will tell readers of what happened next
in my life in the next issue of The Voice…

The good old days
URGENTLY
REQUIRED
If you have any photos that you think
may be of interest to our readers of this
page, please feel free to post to
The Voice, 3 Spode Close, Cheadle
ST10 1DT, or email
uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
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.
Can you identify the faces and locations?
See Page 50 for some of the names to the faces.
1
2

5
Photo Credits: 1, 3, 4 5: The Voice. 2: Chris Turner.
4
3
45

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issie 117.pdf

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issie 117.pdf

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Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issie 117.pdf