Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 88

FREE
Issue 88
14,000 QUALITY MAGAZINES DISTRIBUTED EACH ISSUE - NOW IN OUR 12thYEAR!
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle

2 If you are responding to an advertisement in The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, please let the advertiser know. Thank you for your support.
1 Lanehead Road Etruria
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST1 5PT
01782 266 488
www.supercraftwindows.co.uk
Enhance your conservatory
with a Solid Warm Roof
Visit our showroom in Etruria to see our range of Solid Warm Roofs on display
Why A Solid Warm Roof?
A Solid Warm roof from Supercraft offers the following benefits:
• A comfortable year-round living space
• Incredibly striking custom designs and finishes
• A great investment on your property
• The option to replace the roof only
• FREE no obligation quotation
• Range of payment options available
A Solid Warm Roof from Supercraft will transform your conservatory into a
living space usable all year round. It’s thermal qualities will make your
conservatory energy efficient and create an ambient temperature which will
help you make the most of your space 365 days a year. Our Solid Warm Roof
also comes in a variety of styles and finishes to compliment your home.
We required a new roof on our
conservatory. From our initial inquiry
to completion Supercraft were
exemplary. Sales team, surveyor and
fitting team were polite, efficient and
professional. The workmanship
removing the old roof and installing
the new one was first class. They have
provided an excellent improvement to
our conservatory, considerably
exceeding our original expectations.
We are a returning customer and
would highly recommend Supercraft.
To discover more about what our clients
think, visit
www.supercraftwindows.co.uk/reviews

3Let The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice take your business to 14,000 local homes. To advertise, call 01538 751629 or 07733 466 970.
Publisher and Editor: Nigel Titterton
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is published by Community Voice Publications Ltd
Telephone 01538 751629 e-mail uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
The views expressed in this publication are those of our contributors and are not necessarily those of the
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
14,000 copies are distributed free to homes and businesses in
Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Ashbourne, Rocester, Denstone, Bramshall, Stramshall,
Alton, Oakamoor, Tean, Lower Tean, Checkley, Leigh, Church Leigh,
Crakemarsh, Combridge, Kingsley, Mayfield, Draycott, Cresswell, Saverley
Green & Fulford, Doveridge and Abbots Bromley, Sudbury, Kingstone,
Marchington, Ellastone and Hollington.
Clients are welcome to view the printing matrix.
ADVERTISEMENT SALES AND EDITORIAL
Tel: 01538 751629 or 07733 466 970 Email:
uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
NEXT ISSUE
The next Voice will be out March 14th
News Deadline: March 4th
Advertising Deadline: March 6th
BOOK YOUR ADVERT NOW - Email uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk or
Call 01538 751629
You can also contact us via social media:
@uttoxeter_voice UttoxeterVoice UttoxeterVoice
W
hilst I know the harsh winter weather causes havoc on our roads as
people try to get to work and carry out the usual day-to-day activities,
there is something magical about the wintry scenes in our countryside...
A short stroll out of town – or even a glance out of the windows at home – reveals
the beauty of wintry conditions as the bare trees glisten with a covering of snow on
the branches in the sunshine.
I went for a walk the other day, just after the first snowfall of 2019, and it was
fulfilling to see the children playing with huge smiles on their faces, running around
and throwing snowballs!
I ventured a little further and people were walking their dogs and then letting
them have a run in the fields to let off steam. All good to see but of course always
stay clear of livestock or you will face the wrath of the farmers!
But, there is a big downside to the wintry weather, especially for our elderly folk
in our community who cannot get out and about to get their essentials. So please go
round and have a chat to them and ask if there is anything they need and if so go to
the shops and get it for them – and obviously try to make sure their homes are nice
and warm...
As you know I try not to mention the B word in my articles but Brexit is
everywhere you go now. I said nearly 2 years ago when the Referendum vote was
decided that all our politicians had to come together against the EU machine but
what a mess they have made of it.
It was clear to me back then that the EU hierarchy would not let us leave and
that if we did, it would be the most painful experience for our country.
They soon latched onto the Irish Border situation and made it their own policy...
Now, as time ticks to the March 29th deadline, we are all in a ‘Russian Roulette’
situation – who will be the first to blink?
This is not the way to run a country with the stakes so momentous and I will
assume, as usual, those who will suffer the most will be the people, especially the
vulnerable...
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The Voice colour magazine, the first of
2019.
Nigel Titterton, Editor & Publisher
Dear Reader,

Brand new bathroom showroom
and tile studio - open now!
Kitchen and bedroom showroom coming early 2019
• Tiles, plumbing and heating supplies and much more - all kept in stock or next day delivery!
• FREE, no obligation quotation with FREE 3D images of your room
• Brand new kitchen and bedroom show room now in progress - watch this space!
Opening times: 7:30 - 5:00 Monday to Friday • 8:00 - 2:00 Saturday • Sundays by appointment only
Tel: 01889 560111 | Email: sales@uttoxetertb.co.uk
Unit 2 Matkat Park, Dovefields, Derby Road, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8GA
Brand new website now live!
Visit www.uttoxetertileandbathroom.co.uk for updates, galleries of our latest
work and all the details you need to get started on your renovation projects!
U
ttoxeter Lions have presented 80 High
Visibility Jerkins each to Picknalls and St
Mary’s first schools for their walking bus trips
around the town. Lion President David Scorer said:
“The safety of our children is important to all of us
and Uttoxeter Lions are pleased to be able to help our
local schools. All the money used to buy the jerkins has
been raised locally thanks to the efforts of Uttoxeter
Lions and the generosity of the local community in the
Uttoxeter area. Lions International has a vast youth
programme and is totally committed to helping the
community as well as supporting those in greatest
need, both locally and internationally.”
Anne Tapp said “As headteacher of Picknalls First
School I cannot thank Uttoxeter Lions enough for the
high visibility jerkins which they have donated. These
will ensure all our pupils are safe when they’re out and
about.”
Uttoxeter Lions is also working with Thomas
Alleynes and 2 of the Middle Schools in the town on
community youth programmes as well as operating a
major recycling programme.
Uttoxeter Lions present High Visibility
Jerkins to local First Schools
Uttoxeter Lions President Dave Scorer and Youth Officer Graham Dow with pupils from Picknalls and St Mary’s first schools with their new hi viz jerkins.

Serving Breakfasts and
Homemade Scones & Cakes
Daily Specials
Specialising in Teas, Italian Piacetto Coffee
and home baked scones
Welcoming families, ramblers, cyclists,
dog walkers and canal enthusiasts
Open Tuesday-Friday10am-4pm,
weekends 10am-4.30pm. Closed Mondays
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.
Tel: 01538 266288
You can now stay over at Hetty’s
We now have holiday accommodation
available above the tea shop. It’s called
Tiddlywinks and sleeps 6.
Book through Airbnb
www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/22725271?s=51
• We collect and deliver - free of charge
• Fast and reliable sales, service and emergency repairs
• Fast turnaround • We always use genuine parts -
but can also supply non genuine parts
• Competitive rates • Reliable and friendly service
Expert Garden
Machinery
Servicing and Repairs
01889 591241
Unit 5, North View Farm, Alton Road, Denstone,
Nr Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5DH
www.taylormadelandscapingmachinery.com
parts@taylormadelandscape.co.uk
Everyone
lovesTheVoice
ADVERTISERS!! ENJOY THE
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS...
Superb hard copy A4 colour magazine and the internet!
Your advert goes into a massive 14,000 quality Voice
glossy magazines - plus it goes into our online
magazine for free!
Readers tell us they do not throw The Voice magazine
into the bin but retain it until the next issue arrives
through the letterbox around a month later!
This provides our advertisers with a very long
timescale in the public domain which is terrific value
for money!
Our online magazine can be read page by page oﬀ
Tablets, Mobile Phones and Computers. Go to
uttoxeterandcheadlevoice.co.uk and click on
Back Issues
Email uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk now and
place your advert in the next Uttoxeter & Cheadle
Voice colour magazine - no pre-payment required
which is another huge plus for our advertisers.
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
FREE
Issue 88
15,000 QUALITY MAGAZINES DISTRIBUTED EACH ISSUE - NOW IN OUR 12thYEAR!
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle

Have you been
married recently
or are you
getting married
soon?
Would you like to be part of
our Wedding feature?
Contact Nigel
Email: uttoxetervoice@ hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 01538 751629
Just the perfectday...
T
he Royal Naval Association Uttoxeter & District, invited The Mayor of
Uttoxeter to join them at their Headquarters in The Bank House Hotel to
receive a Cheque.
The Cheque from The R.N.Association was handed to The Mayor by The RNA’s
(Hon) Chairman Mr. David G. Emery MBE towards The Mayor’s designated
Charities.
Following the Presentation The Mayor was requested to announce The Award
of The Shipmate of The Year to Shipmate Ernest Harrison for his continual Support
over the years since The Association commenced in 1983.
On completion of the formalities The Mayor & Consort joined with the members
present in the Traditional Manner (Up Spirits) a tot of Nelsons Blood (Rum).
The Photographer who offered her Services was Miss Isobella Rostron, a Pupil
of Painsley Catholic College, Cheadle where she is studying Photography. The
Association would like to express their sincere thanks to The College for allowing
the use of their equipment on this occasion and also Isobella for her photography
expertise.
The Royal Naval
Association Uttoxeter

A complete professional service
designed to your requirements
Free Quotations
Showroom at Nettlebank, Sandbach Road,
Burslem, Stoke on Trent ST6 2DR
Telephone 01782 827313
www.graniteworktopsstokeontrent.co.uk
GRANITE &
QUARTZ
WORKTOPS
N E T T L E BA N K
A
JCB graduate engineer is
celebrating two top
award wins and
embarking on a promising new career path with the
world-renowned digger maker.
Sam Titterton, 28, from Uttoxeter, was awarded the
prestigious Lanchester and Bugatti Student Prizes by
Coventry University when he graduated with a BEng
in Mechanical Engineering.
His journey from the welding production line at
JCB to securing a place on the company’s graduate
engineer development programme has been tough but
rewarding.
Sam left school at 18 after studying a BTEC in
Manufacturing and went to work as a welder fabricator
in Uttoxeter, before joining JCB as a welder on the
Loadall production line in 2013.
He said: “I’d always had a keen eye for engineering
but I wasn’t aware of the benefits of education at school
and never seriously thought about studying further. I
wanted to get straight into working as an engineer, but
when I started in Loadall I kept asking ‘why’ a lot. I saw
opportunities here and wanted to make more of myself
and make a difference.”
“I was never unhappy doing my job, but I knew
studying was the only way to further my career, so after
nine months I took the plunge and went to university.
I was 23-years-old and it was tough financially, but I
kept coming back to JCB in my holidays on the
production line, which helped.”
“I received the awards from Coventry University at
my graduation ceremony last month and am really
honoured to have won them. I love my job now, my
managers and mentors are brilliant and while I still ask
‘why’ I am now in a position to answer some of those
questions. I understand so much more and am looking
forward to making a difference in the future.”
The Bugatti Prize was awarded for Sam’s
outstanding dissertation project in designing and
manufacturing a racking system, which the University
now uses in its workshops. The Lanchester Prize was
to recognise Enterprise, Initiative, Creativity and
Invention in a project to redevelop the Lanchester
wheelbarrow and make it relevant to 21st Century use.
Now Sam is keen to share his experiences with the
next generation of engineers. He added: “I am an
ambassador for the company and talk to STEM
students at local schools to encourage them to further
their education. While I don’t regret my choices, I could
have got here a lot quicker if I’d carried on studying
straight after school so I really want to share that
message.”
Sam’s next career step is to work towards Chartered
Engineer status and use his manufacturing experience
to further his career in this sector of the business.
JCB offers a wide range of Early Career options to
school leavers, apprentices, undergraduates and
graduates. Visit https://careers.jcb.com/home for
details.
Graduate celebrates journey from
welder to award-winner

Take a drive out to one of the area’s most beautiful
‘olde worlde’ country inns and restaurants -
and savour a truly delicious experience!
Enjoy wonderful views overlooking Croxden Abbey
and the surrounding countryside.
Open every day, 12-10pm
Pensioners Specials
Monday to Saturday 12-2pm
Main Meal £5.75, 3 Courses £10.00
Sunday Lunches served all day
Take your pick from Beef,Turkey,
Lamb or Chicken
Traditional Cask Ales - Marston’s Pedigree,
Rev. James & Hobgoblin plus guests
Heated smoking area
Mid-Week Evening Specials
Accommodation in superb Log Cabins with
Hot Tubs available. B&B and Self Catering.
See website for further details.
Enjoy a great meal atThe Raddle -
The Perfect Country Inn & Restaurant
Quarry Bank, Hollington, near Alton Towers
Telephone: 01889 507278
www.logcabin.co.uk
Cheadle & District Animal Welfare Society
Charlie and Felix
Hello. My name is Charlie and I’m a tabby and
white Tom, very handsome, quite chunky and 10
years old. I once had a home where I was very
happy and then suddenly my elderly owners
moved away and were unable to take me with
them. I was given to a family where there were
very young children and I just didn’t like it so
they gave me to Cheadle Animal Welfare
Society. I had to be vaccinated, wormed, given
a flea treatment, microchipped and worst of all
neutered, but I’m OK now. I’m living in a
beautiful cattery where I have a heat lamp to
lounge under - I love that - and I’m given
delicious food twice a day. What I miss is
company. I do like to be with people. I don’t
want someone to be fussing me all the time, but
I do like someone to give me affection. I really
hope someone with a nice garden and a cosy
home will adopt me very soon.
Hello. My name is Felix and I’m feeling very sad.
Don’t get me wrong I love my Foster Mum and
Dad and they look after me really well, but no
one wants to give me a home. Other cats come
and go, but I’m always left behind. Why? I’m
black and white, well some people don’t like
black and white cats. I like a fuss, but I’m not
one who likes a fuss all the time, some people are
a bit pushy and expect too much of me too soon.
If someone would give me a home I could show
them what a lovely boy I am. I just need to be
given a chance.
If you would like to meet Charlie, Felix or any
of the other cats in the care of Cheadle Animal
Welfare Society please ring - 01335 390369 or
01889 564045. The cats will look forward to
your call.

WHEEL ‘N’ TYRESLTD
Performance Tyre Centre
WE FIT TYRES ON YOUR DRIVE
PUBLIC • BUSINESS • FARM CALL-OUTS
Unit A, Brookhouses Industrial
Estate, Cheadle ST10 1SR
01538 755100
BATTERIES • BRAKES
EXHAUSTS • TYRES
Personal Service and Advice
Taekwon-do
We train at The Parkwood Community
Leisure Centre In Cheadle on Tuesday Night
6.00pm to 6.30pm 4yrs to 6yrs
6.30pm to 7.30pm Junior/Beginers Grades
7.30pm to 8.30pm Senior/Advanced Grades
Call John on 07854 806581
www.nctkd.co.uk
S
taffordshire Wildlife Trust is bidding to bag
a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help
initiative to priovde free nature based
activities to families in Uttoxeter.
Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to
launch its community-funding scheme, which
sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised
from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to
local community projects.
Three groups in every Tesco region have been
shortlisted to receive the cash award and
shoppers are being invited to head along to their
local Uttoxeter Tesco stores to vote for who they
think should take away the top grant.
The Trust’s project is one of three listed and
would allow the charity to run free family
activities through its Wildlings and Wildfamilies
events so more children have the opportunity to
enjoy, respect and protect wildlife in their area.
Evidence has shown that free play in outdoor
green spaces for children improves their ability to
deal with stress and focus attention as well as
improving social skills.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wildlings and
Wildfamilies sessions give children, aged from six
months to 16 years the chance to play and explore
nature in their local natural spaces.
Katie Shipley, Senior Wildlchild Officer for
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We provide
activities such as mud kitchens, den building and
bug hunting, but the children are free to explore
nature in their own way. Our trained and
experienced staff are there to inspire the young
people with activity ideas and to make sure they
are safe.
“The sessions also give parents and carers the
confidence to play outdoors with their children.
We hope that after attending our sessions they
will be inspired to take their children on more
outdoor adventures.
“We have delivered activities in Bramshall
Road Park in the past and have links with the
friends of group and the local authority. We have
found that families are keen to get take part in
outdoor activities but currently there are limited
outdoor opportunities for toddlers and children
in the local area. We have also found that paying
for activities is sometimes a barrier for families,
especially when there are multiple children. We
would like to give all families the opportunity to
take part in these activities.”
The Trust would deliver weekly Wildlings
activities for toddlers in term time and weekly
Wildfamilies activities for all ages in the school
holidays in summer.
The Trust would also work with the Friends
of Bramshall Road Park volunteer group and use
Bramshall Park and the Go Garden as locations
for the activities.
Alec Brown, Head of Community at Tesco,
said:
“Bags of Help has been a fantastic success and
we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from
customers. It’s such a special scheme because it’s
local people who decide how the money will be
spent in their community. There are some
fantastic projects on the shortlists and we can’t
wait to see these come to life in hundreds of
communities.”
Groundwork’s National Chief Executive,
Graham Duxbury, said:
“Bags of Help continues to enable local
communities up and down Britain to improve the
local spaces and places that matter to them. The
diversity of projects that are being funded shows
that local communities have a passion to create
something great in their area. We are pleased to
be able to be a part of the journey and provide
support and encouragement to help local
communities thrive.”
Staffordshire Wildlife
Trust calls out for votes in
Uttoxeter to bag a share
of Tesco’s bag fund

Special Offer
Business Extra Plan
Call today to get all this for just £39* a month:
• 30Gb of data
• Unlimited calls to UK landlines and UK mobiles
• Unlimited UK texts
• 180 mins and texts from UK to EU
• included
• Free faulty replacement
• Use your allowance to call,
text and browse in EU
• Offer ends 28/2/19
Brookend House, Crakemarsh, Uttoxeter ST14 5BL
Tel 01889 591209
sales@vitalbusiness.co.uk
www.vitalbusiness.co.uk
Sim Only
Unlimited
mins/text
30GB
£25pm
Sim Only
Unlimited
mins/text
20GB
£18pm
4G WiFi
25GB
£10pm
New
iPhone XS
in stock

M
illie Dangerfield, who will be 9 years
old on the 15th of February, is cutting
her long hair on her birthday in her
school assembly at Picknalls Primary School in
Uttoxeter. She is donating her hair to the Little
Princess Trust, this trust uses the hair to make
wigs for any one under the age of 24 who has
been though cancer or an illness.
Millie is also donating all the money
donations to the Moira Fund which was set up
to help those traumatically bereaved by the
murder or manslaughter of a loved one,
www.themoirafund.org.uk
Millie decided to do this as she believes
both charities are very important and wanted
to help in some way.
There is a donate page set up called Millie’s
big hair cut so if you could help support her in
her challenge and give to the Moira Fund Millie
would be very grateful.
Millie
Dangerfield’s
big hair cut

Come and view our fantastic new
Lighting and Electrical display
Anything electrical or lighting - we can supply it!
Delivery Service available covering Staffordshire & Derbyshire
Free Deliveries • Competitive Prices
Opening Times: 7:00 - 5:00 Monday to Friday • 8:30 - 12:00 Saturday • Sundays - Closed
Tel: 01889 565999 • Email: sales@townelectrical.com
Unit 2 Matkat Park, Dovefields, Derby Road, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8GA

U
ttoxeter Racecourse has appointed Eloise
Quayle as its first ever female Clerk of the
Course after transferring from Royal Windsor.
Eloise steps into shoes which have been filled at the
Staffordshire track for the last nine years by Charlie
Moore who has been promoted to a new central role
within the Arena Racing Company (ARC) which runs
Uttoxeter and 15 other courses across the UK.
Charlie has been a mentor to Eloise who became
the youngest Clerk of the Course in Great Britain when
she took up her post aged just 25 at Windsor last May.
The appointment of Eloise is particularly
encouraging for other women looking to forge a career
in what is still a male dominated sport.
A report commissioned by Women in Racing in the
summer of 2017 found women are under-represented
in the most prominent areas of British horse racing.
She is breaking down barriers in the way Alex
Greaves (first female jockey to ride in the Derby) and
Jennie Pitman (first woman to train a Grand National
winner) have done.
David MacDonald, Executive Director at Uttoxeter
Racecourse said Eloise was a fantastic addition to the
senior team.
“We will, of course, miss Charlie who has been a
pivotal part of the racecourse for nine years, and the
driving force behind the development of our race
programme, particularly over the summer.”
Eloise comes to Uttoxeter with a wealth of
experience in National Hunt racing having previously
worked as Travelling Head Person and Pupil Assistant
to Ben Pauling in Bourton-on-the-Water.
She joined ARC as a trainee in 2017 and served as
Clerk of the Course at Royal Windsor for the 2018
season during which the racecourse was runner-up in
the Flat Racecourse of the Year
category at the RCA
Groundstaff Awards.
Eloise said: “I am really
excited about the opportunity to
move to Uttoxeter. It is a
fantastic racecourse with an
excellent race programme and
really enthusiastic team. The
Midlands Grand National is an
obvious highlight along with
plenty of top-class summer
jump meetings which I’m really
looking forward to getting
involved in.”
For Charlie, who celebrates
30 years as a Clerk of the Course
in 2019, his promotion marks
the end of an enjoyable era at
Uttoxeter but the chance to
tackle some new challenges.
In his new post, Charlie will
be the group’s only Regional
Clerk of the Course and his
duties will include offering
assistance and guidance to the
Clerks across ARC’s 16
racecourses as well as taking a lead in the training and
development of trainees.
He said: “I will be very sorry to leave Uttoxeter. I
have enjoyed nine great years with a fantastic
racecourse team. I am, however, thrilled to be taking
on this new role and am very much looking forward to
the challenge, particularly with the wide variety of
racecourses in the ARC group.”
ARC Racing Director Jon Pullin said: “We are
delighted to appoint Eloise to the role of Clerk of the
Course at Uttoxeter. During her time with ARC, she
has done an excellent job, with a fantastic first season
at Windsor this year. She has big shoes to fill in taking
over from Charlie, but in his role at Regional Clerk
across the group, he will be on hand to offer assistance
and guidance, as he will with all of our other Clerks.”
Eloise takes over the reins from
Racecourse Legend Charlie Moore
Uttoxeter Racecourse Executive Director David MacDonald and his team bid a fond farewell to Charlie Moore at a recent race meeting.
Charlie Moore and Eloise Quayle

Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
WINPremier tickets
to the bet365 Staﬀordshire
Plate Jump Championship
Opener at Uttoxeter
Racecourse on 4th May 2019
Fantastic racing, plus loads of
entertainment for the children
2 sets of 2 tickets to be won
To have a chance of winning this terrific prize just answer
the following question: Who are this year’s sponsors of the
Staﬀordshire Plate at Uttoxeter Racecourse on May 4th?
Answers to be emailed to uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk or
posted to 3 Spode Close, Cheadle, Staffs ST10 1DT, deadline for
entries is March 31st 2019.
Tickets are non-transferrable and must be used on 4th May 2019.
Over 18s Only. 1 entry per household. Should the race meeting be abandoned,
tickets to be transferred to meeting on Sunday 26th May 2019.

Ginny’s Community Corner
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
H
ow do you fancy having some fun in Fole in
February? If the answer to that question is YES,
then I have found just the group for you. They
are a small, but growing group of ladies who meet every
Monday, in term time, between 1pm – 3pm, to enjoy
crafting together in the Fourways Country Store, Fole
Lane, Fole ST14 5EW.
The story about how they formed is the essence of a
true community project. Rachel Bott was driving back
to Uttoxeter after lunch in Tean and saw the sign for
Craft/Gift Shop, which is part of the Fourways complex.
She dropped in to have a look and got chatting to Kerry
Callear, the owner of the complex, they both share a
passion for craft and making gifts that can then be sold
to locals, so that the Shop Local Campaign can
continue.
Kerry Callear offered Rachel the free use of space in
the Craft Shop for a local class to take place and so the
group was born. It just shows what happens when you
actually go to shops and start chatting to people rather
than doing everything on line.
Since March 2018, the craft group have built from 2
members to 6 – 8 members, they decided that everyone
can bring their own crafts to the group and work on
their own projects, but also share their skills with each
other. For instance, Wendy Dyche has taught crochet to
2 members, who were really keen to learn the craft and
card making tips are always being shared.
The ladies are then able to sell their creations in the
shop, if they want too. One of the members, Linda,
commented “I could always sit in my own home and do
my crafting, but this is much more sociable and it
enables me to get to know people I would not otherwise
know”.
The Fourways Country Store is an amazing
complex, that serves a huge range of community needs.
If you want to buy a tool to repair something on the
Farm or have a DIY project at home, then you can get
almost everything in store, they stock a huge range of
Milwaukee tools, some fantastic work wear, gardening
forks and spades, I spotted some fisherman socks,
which looked super warm and if you need the specialist
caravan cleaner, they are the place to go. All of the staff
are extremely knowledgeable and helpful and if they
don’t have what you are looking for, they can source it
for you. The Craft side of the business started when
Kerry noticed that the men who were coming in for
tools, also talked about needing a gift for the
wife/girlfriend and so she thought, why not provide that
service too.
The main gift shop specialises in UK products, and
if she can get things locally, then she will, a great
example is the pottery, is made and sourced from
Portmerion, the Candles and diffusers are made by
Wild Olive in Buxton and the bath bombs originally
from Tean, but are now sourced by a small company in
Bristol (Lolly & Moo).
The idea behind the Store was to create a place for
the locals so they could support each other, whether its
support in maintaining your machinery/garden or by
selling local crafts.
The Craft Group is an extension of that support,
giving 6-8 local women, who would otherwise be at
home isolated, the chance to meet weekly and share
time and skills with each other. This community store
and group are an essential part of Fole and the
surrounding areas.
To join the Craft Group, just turn up, you don’t have
to fill in any forms, there is no fee to join and all you
need is a few pennies to buy yourself a coffee, if you
want one.
They post on a local Facebook page - Handmade in
Uttoxeter, where Rachel reminds people each week
about the group: facebook.com/groups/
201602670403380 (you have to log in to Facebook for
this group, you know me, that is beyond my
capabilities)
To find out if the Fourways Country Shop can
supply you with that missing tool or piece of work wear,
then call them on 01889 507177 or drive out to Fole,
they are open 6 days a week.
Fun in Fole is here to stay, why not join them on a
Monday, between 1-3pm, it’s a great way to start the
week.
Down on the Farm
by Angela Sargent
A
ccording to hubby, “ January’s a foul month and
February’s worse!”, but at least the days are
starting to draw out now and it’s a short month
with Spring the other side.
We are starting to give our in-lamb ewes a small
feed of corn, as the lambs are growing inside, for up
until now she only needed a low plane of nutrition.
Farmers can buy all sorts of concentrates but at an
increased cost. You always have to bear in mind the
potential price when the lambs are sold – it’s wasteful
and costly overfeeding and can cause health and
lambing issues, so a not too lean/ not too fat ewe is best.
The lambing shed needs to be readied soon- minor
repairs to the pens carried out now before they are
needed. We are lambing later incase the weather follows
a similar pattern to last year, when we had a cold, late
and very wet spring- no good to beast nor man!
This winter so far has been very mild and dry and,
following on after a dry summer and autumn, means
the potential for a dry/ hot summer like in 1975/76
seems possible and maybe shortages of grass and
fodder again- who knows? The reservoir levels seem
quite low too.
The hedge we started to lay needs finishing this
month and fencing up before any livestock is turned
out into that particular field. It’s surprising what small
birds you disturb when you root around and evidence
of mice, rabbits etc.
This month sees the national farmland bird count
again- a bit like the RSPB garden bird count, although
it’s usually cold, wet and blowing a gale when I decide
to do ours..
The last of the previous years lambs are running in
a couple of fields and finishing slowly. These are
checked everyday and any concerns addressed as and
when. One or two in particular, love to get right in
amongst the brambles and are painful to handle when
they’re covered in burrs and prickles, with long
bramble stems wrapped round their bodies.
The cattle are still inside and there have been a few
calves born, but the main group won’t calve until May/
June.
We still need to keep an eye on their condition and
letting them into the yard whilst we put fresh bedding
in the shed , means we can look them over properly.
It’s also “Februdairy”, a response to “veganuary” and
a chance to repudiate some of the claims made against
the dairy and farming industry.
For instance, There is a whole world of difference
between the cattle industry in this country and that of
the US feedlot ranch style and have you wondered why
chicken is washed in chlorinated water over there?
Because the processing plant hygiene isn’t up to our
standards!

See how
The Voice
can
publicise
your
business
Give us a call on
01538 751629
or 07733 466 970
or Email:
uttoxetervoice@
hotmail.co.uk
Advert prices start
at only £25 and
can hit over
14,000 homes
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
Field Funeral Services
Ffs
Dedicated to Dignity & PEACE
our family to yours
t: 01538 722665
Independent Family Funeral Directors
Field Funeral Services |37a High Street | Tean
Stoke on Trent | Staffordshire | ST10 4DY
www.facebook.com/fieldfuneralservices
fieldfuneralservice@hotmail.co.uk
PAUL MORTON LTD
All Makes of Domestic
Appliances Repaired
WASHING MACHINES • DISHWASHERS • COOKERS • OVENS ETC
Full range of NEW Appliances Available
Hotpoint Creda Trained Engineer
Prompt Attention and Guaranteed Service
ALL AREAS COVERED - FREE CALL OUT
01889 566353 - 01538 713369
01782 388692 - 07970 541 642
www.paulmortonltd.co.uk
paulmortonlimited@gmail.com
GlitzDancewear
& Fancydress
Everything
you need for Dance
and Fancy Dress
New fantastic costumes
for Children and Adults
arriving now for
World Book Day in March
But hurry to avoid disappointment!
We stock all styles of dancewear,
shoes, bags etc for the experienced
dancer or the complete beginner.
Large selection of Adult &
Childrens Fancydress (to hire or
buy) Wigs & Accessories for that
special party or school production.
28 Bank Street Cheadle
01538 754414
Email: sales@glitz-fancydress.co.uk
Web: www.glitz-fancydress.co.uk
A True Love.
I say that I love you more than once a day,
but I think I can show it more than what I say.
So give me a chance with these words to express my love
as you’re my shining light like the stars above.
Everyday I wake up with you next to me,
and the feeling of belonging is so clear to see
I know that you are there for the good times and the bad,
you’re also there when I’m happy or I’m sad.
I love you more and more each and every day.
As you are there for me in every single way.
I will never leave you and I hope you won’t too.
As the love I have for you and that you have for me is a love
that is so true.
(c) Mathew Chapman 2018
St Mary and
All Saints
Checkley
Christmas
Concert
O
n Friday 7th
December we were
delighted to
welcome “The City of Stoke
Male Voice” to Checkley
this being their first visit
for our Annual Christmas
Concert. The event was
very well supported, and all
enjoyed the Christmas
music in the programme.
The first half was solely for
the Choir, and we were
privileged to hear a
thirteen year old,
Cadence Knight, who
sang two beautiful solos,
this only the second time
she had sang with the
Choir. The second half was
fun, the audience were
encouraged to join in with
most of the Christmas
music, a very successful
evening, the amount raised
was £196.

Open 7 days a week: Mon-Fri 8.00-17.30, Sat/Sun: 8.00-12.00
Telephone 01538 750 737 or book online www.cheadletestcentre.co.uk
We want your car to PASS!!
Cheadle Test Centre, Brookhouse Way, Brookhouse Ind. Est., Cheadle ST10 1SR
Independent M.O.T. Testing in Cheadle
No associated workshop relying on
the failure work to fill it’s ramps
FACT!
• No appointment necessary, or if you
prefer, book online
• Free courtesy cars
• 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.
L
EGO Education invited All Saints CE First School
in Church Leigh to take part in a classroom pilot
of a brand new version of the FIRST LEGO
League programme for younger students using Duplo
bricks. The pilot was being trialled in Mexico, Australia
and the UK and only six schools across the UK had
been chosen. LEGO Education have funded the
activities, provided the kits for the school to use and are
featuring the school as part of a case study for
developing the activity before releasing globally.
LEGO Education offers playful learning experiences
and teaching solutions based on the LEGO system of
bricks, curriculum relevant material, and physical and
digital resources to preschool, elementary, middle
school and after school. In partnership with educators
for more than 35 years, they support teaching in an
inspiring, engaging and effective way. Their educational
solutions enable every student to succeed by
encouraging them to become active, collaborative
learners, build skills for future challenges, and establish
a positive mindset toward learning.
The school was delighted to take part and the
children’s faces when the LEGO arrived were amazing.
The Moon Mission project began with a visit to the
Space Museum in Leicester and then 10 sessions were
delivered in school. During each session, the children
had problems posed and had to explore, create, test and
share their ideas for how to get to the moon, what to
take with them, what jobs they would do when they got
there, how to build a moon base and then take part in a
rescue mission. All of the sessions encouraged and
empowered the children to work as a team and it was
wonderful to see how the program helped to foster well-
rounded, life capabilities including self-confidence,
communication, and leadership. The children thought
and behaved like engineers: developing their ability to
observe, question, gather information, and ask more
questions. The biggest attraction of the programme was
that the children completed this whilst having fun! The
children were given LEGO to take home so they could
complete homework activities with their families
reinforcing the skills and communication they were
gaining in school.
Half way through the project, the school welcomed
two international visitors from LEGO Denmark – Alicia
McIntyre and Steve Mackenzie who wanted to see the
children participating in the project and to learn how it
was progressing as part of the trial.
In the final week of the project, the school held a
LEGO Education celebration event where family
members came along and learnt about and shared what
the children have been doing. This was very well
attended and it was a fitting end to a fantastic project
and it was evident that the children were more
confident, better equipped to face future challenges, and
discovered the joy of learning. We were delighted to be
also joined by Mandy Workman, LEGO Education
Manager who presented the children with certificates
of achievement during the celebration event. Our huge
thanks go to LEGO Education for allowing our children
this wonderful opportunity.
Building blocks for the future...By All Saints CE First School, Church Leigh, Headteacher Andrea Kenny

QUALITY LOCAL MEAT, BEEF,
LAMB, PORK & POULTRY
All meat home killed with complete farm to fork assurance.
Personal & Friendly Service Guaranteed
YOU CAN TRUST
100% BRITISH MEAT
2 Market Street, Uttoxeter
Tel (01889) 565870
Roycroft Farm, Bramshall
Tel (01889) 563353
O
n Friday, September 28, 2018, a 7.5 magnitude
earthquake struck the Indonesian island of
Sulawesi and triggered a tsunami. It caused
immense loss of life and destroyed towns villages and
local roads and telecommunications. Thomas Alleyne’s
students wanted to know how they could help and
approached to support their local Lions club. They
collected £142 which they have passed onto the local
Lions to add to the money collected in Uttoxeter town
centre by Lions members. This voluntary action by the
students will be acknowledged as part of the Young
Leaders in Service award (YLIS), which was launched
by Uttoxeter Lions in the current school term. The
Lions Young Leaders in Service Awards recognise
young people between the ages of 11 and 18 for
community service: The award scheme runs for a
12month period and there are 3 levels of attainment.
The YLIS award is recognised internationally and when
completed is placed in the students’ folder of
achievement.
The Lions have acknowledged the help of the
school by presenting a certificate to the school in
recognition of their fundraising efforts. Uttoxeter
Lions’ President Dave Scorer said
“It’s great to see young people in Uttoxeter showing
they care by giving up their time and money to help
people in dire need on the other side of the world. All
the moneys donated will be channelled through local
Lions Clubs in Indonesia and as well as helping
immediate needs, such as food, water, clothing and
medicine it can help with long-term reconstruction
projects to help victims begin to return to their lives
and regain their independence.”
Uttoxeter Lions set up a collection with the
resulting funds collected being channelled through
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) who have
mobilised donations for this disaster to provide
additional grant funds as Lions on the ground assess
and identify needs. Thanks to the support Lions
provide to LCIF on an ongoing basis, Emergency
Grants are available to provide for basic immediate
needs including. We have learned from experience that
when a disaster victim receives aid quickly, it provides
the strength needed to survive the shock and loss, and
even a little hope for the future.
Superb work by Alleyne’s High
School and Uttoxeter Lions
Uttoxeter Lion President David Scorer, assisted by Lion members Terry Adams and Graham Dow present the
certificate to Thomas Alleyne’s Students Grace Pennell and Maisie Bettany.

I
launched The Voice colour magazine 12 years
ago and throughout this period I have received
some wonderful comments from readers on
my views and memories denoted in my ‘Dear
Reader’ articles which appear on Page 3 in every
issue.
So, I thought I would write some larger articles
in the hope that you will enjoy reading my efforts
on providing you with some sort of satisfaction.
I turned 62 years old last December and
thoughts and memories of my life started popping
into my head. I reminisced to myself and noted the
many wonderful moments I have been so lucky to
have enjoyed.
I was fortunate enough to have fantastic
parents who guided me through my childhood and
teenage years. During the latter period, I wasn’t a
party animal and I didn’t particularly like to go out
every night as I enjoyed my sport and gave 100%
at weekend matches which I now look back on
with the fondest of memories.
There cannot be a more rewarding experience
than to bond with team-mates at a sports club,
compete together, look after each other’s backs and
then go to the pub to celebrate or commiserate...
Wonderful days which I shall write about in the
future.
Music has always been a tremendous part of
my life and after playing the ‘kettle drums’
(Timpani) in Cheadle Youth Orchestra for many
years I got the music bug. My Conductor and
Mentor was one of the most wonderful people I
have met so far in my life, his name was Ken
Lovatt, and he was masterful inspiration to me.
Ken was a teacher at Cheadle High School and
there must be thousands and thousands of children
who will thank him for his musical tuition
throughout decades.
So, whilst I have a great appetite for listening
to music and watching bands strut their stuff at
festivals and concerts, I can classify my level of
music admiration to that of a very normal bloke –
I am probably the most middle of the road of
music listeners I know!
Now, this is where my wife of 38 years, Marcia,
has raised my appreciation of music to a brand new
level – the introduction of worldwide singing
sensation Josh Groban... apparently very few
people I have spoken to locally haven’t even heard
of him – especially at Oldfields Sports Club!
Marcia heard Josh’s voice a few years ago and
she dragged me shouting and kicking to
Birmingham’s Symphony Hall to watch him in
concert. His voice was velvet, he had the looks of a
film star and the hall was packed to the rafters – I
was hooked.
Last November before my 62nd birthday, she
took me to see him in concert again, this time at
the Manchester Arena – he was even better than at
Birmingham and he blew us away...
But this time I was taken to a place emotionally
that I have never been to – somewhere that my
thought process became alarmingly clear which led
to a feeling of wellbeing, hope and fulfilment.
Josh Groban writes his own lyrics to his songs
and one such recording is called ‘Granted.’ His
beautiful words rang around Manchester Arena
and lodged in my brain – it is a song about
pursuing your dreams, hope, inspiration, whatever
your age...
I thought about my family and friends and
then I thought about the teenagers at Cheadle’s
Painsley Catholic College and Thomas Alleyne’s
High School who are set to embark on their lives
after they leave the security of their environments.
Will they be able to achieve their dreams? Will
they meet someone who will love them just as
much as they love them? Will they grasp life and
become what they want to become...
I have included the lyrics to Josh Groban’s song
‘Granted’ in this article – perhaps you can have a
quick read and see what I mean?
Best still, you must go to YouTube and type in
‘Josh Groban ‘Granted’ official lyric video’ and
watch and listen to his voice create emotions which
hopefully will move you...
I urge Head Teachers at Painsley and Alleyne’s
to show 6th Form students this video and ask the
teenagers to comment on the lyrics to see if they
too are inspired just like I was...
Life’s a Rollercoaster -
You’ve just got to ride it...
by Voice Editor Nigel Titterton
‘Granted’ by Josh Groban
Never take a single breath for Granted
Have you ever felt it could all go away if you blink
If you never stop running you won’t fall behind, so you think
And you wonder in your heart if you’re still not who you are, who are you?
Nothing’s as it seems till it all falls apart
If you have a dream go chase it
If you feel hope don’t waste it
If you find love embrace it
And never take a single breath for granted
The story’s yours, go write it
Tomorrow’s undecided
Our days are counted on this planet
Never take a single breath
Take a single breath for granted
Maybe it’s time you bet on yourself
Listen to your heart, just listen to your heart and nobody else
So go find out who you are, only you know who you are, who are you?
‘Cause all you have to lose is your best life yet, so go ahead
And never take a single breath for granted
Tomorrow’s undecided
Never take a single breath
Sometimes the greatest moment we’ll ever know
Are when we’re letting go, so let go
And maybe our brightest days still wait for us
In the unknown
Never take a single breath for granted
If you have a light go find it
So I won’t take a single breath
Songwriters: Josh Groban / Bernie Herms / Toby Gab

I
t has been a very busy
time here at Thomas
Alleynes Sixth Form.
From UCAS University
deadlines to Year 13 mock
exams; it has been quite a
stressful time for many of the
students as they work towards
achieving their grades to
achieve their Future
Intentions.
Despite this, there have
been some inspirational
moments, such as the visit
from Paralympian and
motivational speaker, Andy
Grant who gave a speech to
the Year 12 students about his
extraordinary story. Andy was
in the Royal Marines in the
Green Beret. During his active
service for 5 months into a
tour of Afghanistan, Andy was
blown up which led to his leg
being amputated 18 months later. Although, he turned
his life around and became the world’s fastest single leg
amputee by running 10km in 37:17. His story inspired
many of the Year 12 students, showing how you can
overcome any obstacle if you believe you are strong
enough. We are hoping to welcome Andy back to
TAHS to speak with and inspire other year groups too.
The Year 13 students also had a visitor, Adam, a
drug worker from T3 Drug & Alcohol Advisory Unit,
who gave us information on substance abuse with
where to seek advice and help to any students who need
it. T3 is a free and confidential service
for young people up to 18 years old in
Staffordshire and it is available for anyone suffering
with drug misuse or advice around substances. In
addition, staff from Talk the Talk gave some Year 13
students the opportunity to gain skills and confidence
with public speaking. Not only will this be helpful to
students who want to go into a public-facing career, but
also for those students who want to go to university or
apprenticeships and have interviews for their positions.
Even though we have had many things going on
within the Sixth Form, students and Charity
Representatives have been involved with the Lions Club
in Uttoxeter. Thirty-four pairs of unwanted glasses have
been donated to our community, which will go to those
in need, as organised, by one of our Sixth Form
Leaders, Mrs Bell.
We are looking forward to what the New Year will
bring, including our year 13 mock examination results
(fingers crossed) and of course, even more applications
to join our thriving Sixth Form Community. In
addition, the Sixth Form has some exciting news to
share with our local community in the next edition!
Finally, on behalf of the Sixth Form students and staff
we would like to wish all readers a very happy and safe
2019.
Thomas Alleyne’s Sixth Form updateWritten by Eleanor Lawrence Year 13 student
Eleanor Lawrence – Year 13 student
studying A-Levels in Biology, History
and Geography
Andy Grant speaking to Year 12
Alton Handbell Ringers
hold successful Concert
T
he Alton Handbell Ringers would like to thank everyone who supported their
Christmas concert. A total of £1,231 profit was raised for the Donna Louise
Hospice for children and young people.
The evening was a great success. The handbell team were joined by the Heath
Belles whose lively performance of 40’s songs had everyone’s feet tapping.
The pie and peas supper was followed by the usual puddings and then Julie, the
representative from Donna Louise, gave us a very well presented talk about the
hospice and the latest project to help young adults.
The second half of the evening was filled with carols and seasonal music from
the choir and handbells, finishing with the whole audience joining with us to sing
Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
A
local group recently benefited from a donation by Councillor Ivor Lucas,
from his SMDC Community Initiative Fund. Messy Church based in
Whiston is held on the fourth Sunday of the month. Councillor Lucas is seen
presenting the cheque to Joy Prince, Messy Church Co-Ordinator. Also pictured are
leaders and children who attend the group.
Councillor’s
donation to
local group

T
he arrival of racehorse syndication many years
ago opened up a brand new chapter for racing
enthusiasts. It meant that a group of similar-
minded people could join together and be owners of
a racehorse and enjoy the wonderful, exciting sport
of horse racing.
Local trainer Barry Leavy, who won the prestigious
Midlands Summer National in 2001 with Stewart’s Pride,
owned by local man Stewart Riley, has been successful for
many years by creating syndicates and now you have a
fantastic opportunity to join his new venture.
There will be 10 owners in the new racehorse and the
costs are obviously split into 10% Shares.
One-off purchase price of £1,000 or alternative lease
option available and then £150 per month - a fantastic deal!
The Leavy Family offer top class personal service and your
horse will be stabled in Saverley Green amongst 100 acres of
beautiful countryside.
The superb benefits of being a part of this racing
syndicate include watching your horse work on the gallops,
owners badges when your horse runs, stable visits and your
10% share of all prize money won.
Barry commented: “We want to attract 10 like-minded
racing enthusiasts who want to enjoy watching their
racehorse run and be part of our stables family. I have a small,
dedicated and friendly team of staff and we will make sure
we do everything we possibly can to make your experience
of being an owner pleasurable with wonderful memories.
“I will be delighted to receive calls from interested people
about our new racehorse syndicate and to show them
around our stables. Just give me a ring...”
What better way to start a New Year – join Barry Leavy’s
racehorse syndicate now and make your dream of owning a
share come true...
J.E. COATES
BUILDING & JOINERY
Proud to be an Owner and
associated with Leavy Racing
for the last 9 years
Looking forward to many
more years of success
• All types of building and joinery
• Over 20 years experience
• Extensions • Roofing
• Quality fitted kitchens and bathrooms
• Bespoke orangeries and Conservatories
E: jimeddcoates@yahoo.com
T: 01538 752232
M: 07970 660715
nigelkirby@icloud.com@nigekirby
M 07592 651108
www.nigelkirbyphotography.com
New Year -
in a Raceho
Local racehorse trainer Barry Leavy

DJC LETTINGS.co.uk
The Perfect Choice for
Landlords and Tenants
Our ongoing success
means we require more
properties to let.
01538 752232 / 07866 558376
www.djclettings.co.uk
deborah@djclettings.co.uk
We would like to thank
The Leavy Racing Team for
their dedication, hard work
and success and look forward to working
with them for many more years.
Enjoy Owner Benefits of racehorse syndication including Owners Badges at
The Races when your horse runs, stable visits, watch your horse work on the
gallops and receive a share of prize money won.
10% share
One off purchase price £1000 or
alternative Lease option available
£150 per month
• Local trainer Barry Leavy has over 30 years experience in the racing
industry.
• Excellent facilities including a 5.5 furlong all-weather gallop and good
schooling facilities - all set in 100 acres in Saverley Green.
• Enjoy the thrills of racehorse ownership without the normal high costs
associated with being a sole owner!
For more details call Barry on 07540 806 915
or email: lauraleavy@hotmail.co.uk
Why not arrange a Stable Visit with Barry now - what are you waiting for?
A new year - a new exciting dream can come true!
Make your dream of
owning a share in a
racehorse come true!
Join local trainer Barry
Leavy’s new syndicate now!
New Dream. Own a Share
orse with a Local Trainer!
Local Trainer Barry Leavy enjoyed a great New Year’s Eve raceday at Uttoxeter Racecourse recently when Helamis (main photo) came 3rd in a handicap hurdle and Georgian
Firebird (inset photo) was 2nd in the opening race. Photographs by Nigel Kirby

New year,
new role
Brian Mellor Financial Services Ltd, has welcomed a new Financial
Planner to their offices in Stockwell Street, Leek.
Anthea Kenyon has joined the Practice and is looking forward
to meeting and working with clients in the local area, both old and
new.
Anthea joins the already strong team of five qualified advisers,
and brings with her a wealth of experience from her time in the
industry over the last 20 years. Over this time Anthea has been
advising clients, for the former Britannia Building Society, Axa
Wealth and also St. James’s Place. She has now chosen to come back
to work in Leek and help the Brian Mellor team to look after their
growing client base.
Anthea will be providing holistic advice to clients, including
retirement and investment planning, to help them achieve their
goals and objectives. She is an Associate member of the Society of
Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), which means that she is accredited
as an expert in later life advice, this includes care fees planning to
help elderly clients and their families find solutions, whilst
recognising their wish to leave an inheritance.
If would like to get in touch for an initial chat then please
contact her is 01538 371288.
Showroom Representative, Andrea, outside the Uttoxeter showroom
T
arget Windows, based in Stoke-on-Trent, are celebrating their 25th year of business at their
Uttoxeter showroom. Established in 1983, Target Windows opened their first showroom on
Radford Street, Stone and soon relocated to a larger unit on The Fillybrooks. They expanded
into Uttoxeter with their second showroom on Smithfield Road in 1994.
Company Director, Guy Basnett, said: “We’re really proud to have been part of the Uttoxeter
community for twenty-five years. We’re looking forward to launching new products throughout 2019
and helping people improve their homes.”
Showroom Representative, Andrea Rose, who has worked at the Uttoxeter showroom for eighteen
months, says she enjoys the variety of her role at Target Windows. She said: “It’s a family-run local
company that is a pleasure to work for. I like to think I’m helping people achieve their dream home.”
The company marked 35 years of business last year with a celebration event at their Stone
showroom where they hosted a raffle in aid of the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
For more information visit www.targetwindows.co.uk or call 01782 398021.
Staffordshire-based window
company celebrates 25 years
in Uttoxeter
CARLTON
UPHOLSTERY
RE-UPHOLSTERY & REPAIRS • EST 1979
Three-Piece Suites • Odd Chairs & Sofas
Headboards • Bedroom Furniture • Re-Springing
Replacement Seat • Foam Cushions/Fibre
Repairs to Upholstery
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

T R E E S & L A N D S C A P E S
ALL ASPECTS
OF TREEWORK
UNDERTAKEN
Fully NPTC Qualified
RFS cert arb
Reductions
Thins
Crown Raising
Inspections
Surveys
All aspects of gardening & landscaping also undertaken:
Lawns Garden Paths Ponds Fencing
Patios Borders Decking Stonework
Aftercare & Maintenance
Pest Diagnosis & Control
Fells
Conifers
Top Soil
Landscaping Services
Logs Available
From the smallest hedge to the largest tree,
tree surgery that doesn’t cost the Earth!
Fully Licensed Sprayer | Fully Insured
EXPERT ADVICE
FROM PASSIONATE
PROFESSIONALS
Call Rob: 01538 361 432
or 07900 995 139
Printed by SO Marketing - 01538 750 538 - www.somarketing.comAll work to BS3998 standard
EXPERT ADVICE
FROM PASSIONATE
PROFESSIONALS
All work to
BS3998 standard
Call Rob on 01782 551169
or 07900 995139
Email:
newlifetreesandlandscapes@gmail.com
EMERGENCY
CALL-OUTS
ALSO
AVAILABLE
World-leading JCB Cabs factory
project forges ahead
Construction work on the new £50 million JCB Cab Systems factory is forging ahead as it targets a summer opening.
T
he shell of the 350,000 sq
ft plant next to JCB Heavy
Products and the World
Parts Centre at Uttoxeter is on course to be completed
slightly ahead of schedule ready for high-tech
production line facilities to be installed from March
onwards.
The investment, one of the biggest in the company’s
history, will create the most advanced and productive
cab facility in the world with a computer controlled
production line, fully-automated painting facility and
robotic welding.
The new site will accommodate 400 employees,
who will relocate from Rugeley.
JCB Cab Systems’ General Manager David Carver
said: “We are delighted with progress on the new site.
A strong team focus on the delivery timeline and
favourable weather means completion of the
infrastructure and main building is ahead of schedule.
“Our focus is on building a plant that supports the
company’s global growth plans and enables us to work
far more efficiently.
“A weld automation facility destined for the new
factory is currently being trialled at Rugeley. In
addition, a computer-controlled production line, fully-
automated painting process, and other high-tech
features will ensure we have the most advanced cab
facility in the world.
“A phased programme of moving production to the
new site will be implemented from July onwards.”

T
he Globe Foundation has been
awarded £5,000 through the
Tampon Tax Fund, to support
women and girls to build skills and
confidence, improve their health and
wellbeing, and build social networks.
Just one of us will use more than
11,000 disposable chemically-bleached
sanitary products in a lifetime. There is a
lot of attention in the media about single
use plastics, chemicals within products
and the general cost of single use female
items. Through their community work,
Globe are finding that women are
struggling to source eco-friendly hygiene,
skin care and baby products. The Globe
team are regularly asked for advice on
natural and plastic free alternatives,
particularly from new mums.
Thanks to the grant funding provided
by Staffordshire Community
Foundation, Globe will be delivering
subsidised workshops based on two
themes; ‘Natural hygiene, skin and
feminine care’ and ‘Natural approaches
for new mums’. The workshops will run
throughout the Spring, with the first
session scheduled for the 5 April, where
attendees can view and try some of the
products firsthand, building their
confidence in using new sustainable
alternatives.
The workshops, to be held at Globe’s
Eco Centre in Uttoxeter, will provide a
relaxed and informal setting to help
educate and support the women in our
community to learn about new eco
products and methods that can improve
wellbeing, are cost effective long-term
and are more environmentally friendly
than most mainstream methods.
To find out more and to book tickets
to the first workshop, please visit
globefoundation.org.uk/events
Funding awarded for
eco-friendly female
workshops
St Michael’s Rocester Donkey Walk
Photographs by Bill Woodier

Directed by Rebekah Joy Snow
Written by Ian Wood
Wednesday 20th
February 2019 - Saturday
23rd
February 2019
At the Cheadle Community Theatre
7pm start doors open 6:30pm
Tickets available from the following retailers:
• Xtra Dry Cleaners
• Crafty Urchins
• The Cheadle and Tean Times offices
£10 adults (Age 12+ - 65)
£8 concessions
Tickets are also available online at our website www.cheadle-
cats.org.uk
It’s Panto Time -
oh yes it is!
I
f January is making you feel gloomy and you want something to cheer you up,
look no further than CATS’ annual pantomime, Dick Whittington. This familiar
tale of one man and his cat is coming to Cheadle Community Theatre between
Wednesday, February 20, and Saturday, February 23. Boasting a cast of more than
30 actors, with at least half being children, the show promises to be a treat for all the
family.
Group spokesman Sammy Hughes-Johnson said: “We start getting ready for the
pantomime immediately after our autumn play, which is always in October half term.
“But at the same time we are rehearsing for a one-act play competition that we
always compete in, which takes place in March, so we can have three directors all
working with the group at the same time!”
The Cheadle Amateur Theatrical Society pantomime has long been a favourite
in Cheadle’s calendar, with the group being a longstanding feature in the town,
starting life as the Carlos Players back in the 1930s. Art historian Sammy added:
“The oldest members of our cast are in their 80s while children start with us aged
eight or nine so all ages are represented.
“There are 20 principal actors in the pantomime, who are always played by adults,
but most of the other parts are played by children.”
Sammy’s interest in acting was sparked at school, where she says she was inspired
by a ‘fantastic drama department’.
“I’d never found an outlet for it, but then a friend invited me to go along to CATS
and four years later here I am!” she laughed. “It’s a great thing to be involved in. We
see children grow in confidence, and we have several children who are not
neurotypical, and to see them blossom and develop is wonderful.”
As always, Dick Whittington promises to be a performance not to be missed, so
don’t miss out, get your tickets now! Tickets are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions,
available from The Cheadle Times and Echo office, Crafty Urchins or Xtra Clean on
Cheadle High Street, by calling Stephen on 07494 808299 or by visiting www.cheadle-
cats.org.uk/
Cheadle Flower Club
Demonstration by Anita Wright
Cheadle Mayor Cllr Ian Plant with his Consort and wife Kath attended the Cheadle Flower Club Demonstration by Anita Wright.

T
he future plans are to continue our fundraising
in the Sixth Form. Year 13 (who have led it) will
step back and focus on their upcoming exams
and Year 12 have been passed the baton so to speak and
will set another ambitious target - it really brings the
College together and is highly aspirational for the
younger years. We voted and agreed that DMH is who
we wish to continue to fundraise for. We have plans to
host events like quiz nights, bingo nights and raffles, as
well as our choir. We were on the radio on Saturday
morning talking to BBC Radio Stoke and they have
asked if the choir will come into the studio and perform
some songs, which I was shocked about! Students are
delighted and really looking forward to it as it will raise
the profile of their fundraising still further! Students
have started work on their ‘Valentines set list’ and will
be going out performing at local supermarkets during
that week - Tesco, Meir and Longton and Morrisons,
Cheadle all confirmed so far. The supermarkets love
having them. Tesco, Meir deserves a special mention
really as they have been so supportive and always
accommodate them.
As for me, well I cannot believe that we have raised
such a phenomenal amount of money in such a short
period of time. I knew our students were set on it and
ambitious but wow! In ten years of teaching I have
never seen anything quite like it and feel proud and
privileged to be able to facilitate it. At the Sixth Form
we concentrate on developing the whole individual and
this is a perfect example. Our students are a credit to
our Sixth Form and the wider community. It really is
incredible what they have achieved. Not only that, but
many of our Sixth Form parents have been heavily
involved and can often be found holding a bucket after
work - they too are super proud of their children’s
efforts.
Most impressive was their work over the Christmas
period where they raised £3,500 from December 21st-
24th and on Christmas Eve they sang for nearly 6 hours
non-stop at Tesco, Meir and Morrison’s, Cheadle. They
were determined to reach their target on Christmas Eve,
despite the fact that their pledge lasts until February
14th. The choir is not about being able to sing, it is
about participation and community effort. Our Year 11
who are joining the Sixth Form are very much looking
forward to being part of this amazing feat.
Yes - £13,000 is amazing isn’t it?!By Laura Allsopp, Head of Cheadle Sixth Form
Fundraising for Dougie Mac:
“We’re delighted that students at Cheadle Sixth Form have made such a fantastic pledge. It is an enormous
contribution to the care we’re able to provide at the Dougie Mac.”
Louise Eagle, Head of Volunteer Resources at Dougie Mac
“Many people have been personally touched by the work of Dougie Mac. I feel that it is only right to give
something back. The fundraising we are doing is enjoyed by the whole Sixth Form and provides us with a
great sense of achievement.”
Connie Halliwell, Year 13
“As the Dougie Mac is a charity close to a number of local people’s hearts, when it was mentioned that there
could be a possibility to get involved in some fundraising, it seemed too good of an opportunity to pass upon.
Not only is it an amazing organisation to support, the process of fundraising itself has given everyone at the
Sixth Form, parents and staff included, a huge sense of pride and achievement, having been able to take part
in something so productive, something which we all hope to continue into the future.”
Alfie Walford, Year 13
“Fundraising for the Dougie Mac is a great way to give something back to, and strengthen our bond with the
local community. It gives everyone in college a huge sense of purpose and ambition, bringing the college closer
together. Whilst achieving something that will have a high impact on people’s lives in our local area. For me
personally, it’s been a great way to do something good and raise money for charity and to raise the profile of
the school. This shows that there are a lot of good pupils at Cheadle Academy, who want to do something
good and help others.”
Jack Hammond, Year 13
New Year, New You!
2019 could be the start of an
exciting journey…
but for who?
A
re you looking for new skills, a new challenge? Do you
want to be more involved in your community? Feel like
giving something back? Then read on… Uttoxeter Girlguiding provides opportunities,
experiences and a safe space for girls between the ages of 5 and 18, to develop their skills. The
memories and strengths girls take away from their time in Guiding are priceless, often shaping their
futures and contributing to them achieving their ambitions in life.
Empowering girls through Girlguiding can only be achieved through a network of volunteers –
women of all ages and all backgrounds (men too!) who offer their time and enthusiasm to Girlguiding,
be it a night a week or once a school term.
No matter what your role in life is, you have something to offer!
Our division is made up of people from all walks of life, from Mortgage Advisors to Gardeners,
Full Time Mums to Retirees, Engineers, Hairdressers and everything in between! 2019 will see the
implementation of an exciting new program throughout the four age groups in Guiding, so now is
the perfect time to join us.
Could you help a Rainbow (5-7) become an Environmental Detective, or a Brownie (7-10) research
her family tree? Maybe you could help a Guide (11-14) develop their DIY skills or help a Ranger (14-
18) budget for university? Maybe you are technically minded. Perhaps a bit creative, sporty, or
adventurous. Whatever your interest, skill or hobby, or maybe you just want to come along, have some
fun and make some friends, then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Why not take the first step to find out more by registering your interest at www.girlguiding.org.uk.
Alternatively, if you would like to chat informally about what Girlguiding could offer you, call or text
Mrs Chris James, Division Commissioner on 07946 907764.

DRESSAGE • EVENTING
REHABILITATION • LIVERY
Contact 07796 175 128 • email mcfequestrian@outlook.com • visit www.mcfequestrian.co.uk
Jo Titterton Dressage / MCF equestrian • @mcfequestrian
Marsh Cottage Farm, Uttoxeter Road, Draycott, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST11 9NR
• MCF Equestrian is set in the heart of Staffordshire Moorlands
offering a range of bespoke services to suit every need
• Part, Full, Competition, Training, Holiday and Rehabilitation Livery
• Experienced friendly staff
• First class facilities with large stables, excellent arena surface, hot
wash box, solarium, equissage & full range of magnetic therapy, extra
large horse walker
• Fantastic team of professionals, including ACPAT physio, remedial
farrier & SMS saddle fitter
• All aspects of rehabilitation from box rest, ground work to full ridden
training
• PSG dressage rider & instructor, event rider & retrainer of racehorses
• Competitive prices to suit the rehabilitation programme
• Rider alignment biochemics programme to ensure a straight rider to
help horses training
CONTACT US
NOW TO
DISCUSS YOUR
REQUIREMENTS
U
ttoxeter Lions have pledged their support for
award winning local choir The Heath Chorus.
The all-female group with over fifty members,
well known for delivering performances packed with
songs from a breath-taking variety of genres have
raised thousands of pounds for local charities over the
years, were presented with promotional banners to use
at their events.
Helen Clayton founder and musical director said,
“We are very proud to be supported in this way by such
a fantastic local organisation. I am a great admirer of
the work they do locally and Chorus have from the very
early days enjoyed singing at Cracker Night.”
The Heath Chorus have recently returned from the
prestigious North Wales Choral Festival, held in
Llandudno, where they competed with choirs from
across the UK and Ireland. And this year, with just a
single point separating them from the eventual
winners, gained second place in the final of their
category. This follows on from their performance at the
festival last year which saw The Heath Chorus win the
accolade for ‘Most Entertaining Choir’.
2018 has also seen The Heath Chorus win the
coveted Joe Botham Trophy after singing a diverse
repertoire of technically-challenging music at the
Newcastle under Lyme Music Festival, an event which
attracts choirs from across the region.
Helen Clayton continued, “After our sell out
‘Leading Ladies’ charity concert in the 1907 Suite at
Uttoxeter Race Course back in the summer, we are
planning a musical tour to Yorkshire this Summer. Our
tour will include performances at Temple Newsam in
Leeds and RHS Harlow Carr. Any local business
interested in supporting the choir as they ‘fly the flag’
for Uttoxeter and Staffordshire at these premier
attractions are invited to contact the choir for
sponsorship opportunities.”
Please visit www.theheathchorus.co.uk
The Heath Chorus - Uttoxeter choir’s
singing success recognised by the Lions!

Lank’s Lore
By Steve ‘Lank’ Lavin
Golden Memories from one of Uttoxeter’s Favourite Characters
W
ell I hope you all had a merry Christmas and
are having a good New Year up to now and
off we go for another season of this
wonderful colour magazine.
It is frightening really how time passes us by so
quickly and how things are changing very fast at the
blink of an eye.
Uttoxeter like many other places has certainly seen
some changes over the last few years.
The High Street and shopping areas once a very
busy environment are now reduced to just a a handful
of shops which the retail experts blame on the internet
shopping revolution and has caused a lot of them to
throw their hand in and call it a day and go along the
same lines as their competitors.
The Uttoxeter Cattle Market has gone and the
produce market looks like going the same way with just
a few stalls remaining compared with the hustle and
bustle of them just a few years ago.
How the powers that be have allowed this to happen
is beyond me when markets in similar towns are still
thriving, there is still a call for markets I’m sure, the
monthly Makers Market which has emerged just
recently is a typical example with it drawing a large
attendance of shoppers from near and far.
The loss of Uttoxeter’s oldest local newspaper The
Uttoxeter Advertiser to me was devastating I could not
believe it when my local newsagent told me just before
Christmas that the edition I had just brought was to be
the last one. Over 100 years of history down the pan
without as much as a nod or a wink from the
proprietors. What a great shame. I had bought that
paper all my life and it was a weekly treat to find out
every week what had being going on in the locality. It’s
contents may now be available “On-Line” but to me I
prefer to have a printed version which I can muse over
and tear things out of to keep to reminisce on in future
years, you cant do that with an “On-Line’ version can
you?
One thing that has amazed me over the last few
months is the loss of a vast amount of green belt land
to housing developments throughout the surrounding
area.
Over the Christmas period the family and I decided
to travel out to Bramshall for a meal at the village pub
which a friend of ours had recommended which I can
say was a very good recommendation as the pub has
had a total revamp with a new owner and is well worth
a visit with its fine food, good beers and ambience.
It is quite a while since I have travelled from
Uttoxeter to the village and was amazed at all the
housing projects that have emerged since my last visit.
Bramshall now has virtually become part of
Uttoxeter with most of the fields in-between have
disappeared and are being built on. God knows what
the Bramshall road will be like for traffic when all these
have been sold and the occupants who will have to own
a car to live there and get about I would have thought.
With it not actually having the benefit of a regular
bus service (up to now that is) but saying that Uttoxeter
is a much larger area and buses are being taken off all
the time there, they will be forced into driving into
Uttoxeter Town Centre anyway causing more
congestion on what is chiefly a B country road which I
would have thought is not intended for large volumes
of traffic.
With all these new housing developments I wonder
sometimes how the town is going to cope with the new
residents demands.
Their children will require schooling, our schools
are already bursting at the seams without a new influx
of new pupils on the horizon.
The dental practices appear to be always very busy
with appointments for certain services needing to be
made many months in advance.
We are very lucky though in the area although we
have not got our own hospital we do have half or dozen
or so a very short distance from us at our disposal for
real emergencies together with an excellent paramedic
and ambulance service. These coupled with two very
fine doctors practices who appear to cater for the towns
needs quite admirably compared to towns the same size
I would imagine the needs of newcomers to the town
will be well catered for.
Shopping for supplies? Ok we are losing a lot of our
local shops and markets but Uttoxeter like a lot of
towns of a similar size can boast of many supermarkets
where nowadays you can purchase almost all of your
needs.
Eating out facilities? No shortage here, a couple of
hotels offering decent English cuisine coupled with a
few pubs offering similar and plenty of Indian
restaurants to chose from along with a decent Chinese,
Italian and Thai Restaurant.
Take-a-ways. Uttoxeter must have more per square
yard than anywhere in the country, but I will not harp
on about these again.
Entertainment? Uttoxeter compared to other towns
of a similar size has quite a good choice.
We have a Cinema, showing all the latest films, a
Ten Pin Bowling Alley, an Ice Skating Rink, a
Nightclub, an excellent working class type club with
very competitive drink prices offering on odd
occasions entertainment together with a concert room
which is readily available for hire for social events, a
few reasonable pubs, the list goes on.
Not forgetting of course Uttoxeter Racecourse
which over the last few years with it’s vast
improvements by the new owners has put Uttoxeter on
the map for its excellent horse racing facilities which
bring a tremendous amount of trade to the town with
its’s influx of thousands of visitors.
I’ll tell you something, if the local council see this
article they will have me write the next town guide for
them, don’t you think!
Even though Uttoxeter has got all these fine
facilities it is still half the size of New York Cemetery
and most of the time twice as dead!
I am afraid that even with all its facilities on offer
coupled with its laid back appeal compared with larger
towns and cities hustle and bustle and its friendly locals
Uttoxeter is becoming very quickly a commuter town.
To verify this point a few weeks ago a friend of mine
was out walking his dog at the local recreation ground
when he met a lady doing likewise. He got into
conversation with her enquiring as to her being a
stranger to the area as locals do the ins and outs of her
reasons for being here.
She replied that she worked for a high profile
company in Derby and Uttoxeter was not only in easy
commuting distance from her workplace but offered a
better choice in competitively priced housing as
opposed as to where she originated from. When asked
by my friend what she thought about Uttoxeter town
centre she replied that she had only lived here for 6
months and had not got round to visiting it yet!
Enough said don’t you think.
Till next time, Lank
President Sue and members of the
Inner Wheel Club of Uttoxeter
Invite you to their
Spring into
Spring Quiz
To be held on Friday 15th March 2019
in Kingstone Village Hall, at 7.00 pm
Teams of four £40 which includes
a 2 course home made supper
Please bring your own drinks and glasses
Pre-booking is required, call
Sally Herbert on 07966 282210 or email
sallypmh@btinternet.com
All profits to Inner Wheel Charities

T
he Globe Foundation and the
Rotary Club have joined forces to
coordinate a town-wide litter
pick of Uttoxeter for this year’s Great
British Spring Clean.
The Uttoxeter Spring Clean will take
place on 24th March, with the aim of
attracting 100 volunteers to take part in
the litter picking event, which would be
the largest clean up ever held in
Uttoxeter. The litter pick will then be
followed by a community picnic to
celebrate the efforts of all involved.
Kate Copeland, Director of The
Globe Foundation, commented: “We are
thrilled to be working with the Rotary
Club on this event. Litter is a widespread
problem and we are hoping that this
huge effort to clear the town, will help
deter people from littering in future.
“For instance, the most common
item of litter we find is cigarette butts,
whilst small, they are toxic and help to
poison our local waterways and wildlife
but through the mass litter pick we will
help remove lot of pollutants from our
streets, making it cleaner and safer for
the families and residents of the town.”
Last year, Globe had a team of 42
local volunteers that collected an
amazing 27 bags of litter. Since then, a
monthly litter pick has been established
with residents and community groups
helping to clear the streets of the well-
known market town.
President of Uttoxeter Rotary, Anita
Thomas-Epple commented “As
President my focus this year is
sustainability and reducing the amount
of waste, especially single-use plastic, in
our communities. My husband and I
often collect litter and discarded waste
on walks and I so wanted to involve
Rotary and the wider community on a
large litter pick this spring.
“It is fantastic to collaborate with
Kate and The Globe Foundation who
already have been doing great work in
Uttoxeter to clean up our streets and
parks. We hope the people of Uttoxeter
will join us on the 24th to make a huge
contribution to the Great British Spring
Clean.”
The Uttoxeter Spring Clean is part of
the national movement, the Great
British Spring Clean, run by
environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy
and the Daily Mail. The spring clean
brings together individuals, community
organisations, businesses and councils to
make a difference to the environment on
our doorstep and in 2018 around
370,000 #LitterHeroes collected more
than 630,000 bags of rubbish.
Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive
Allison Ogden-Newton said: “The Great
British Spring Clean is an opportunity
for the millions of people who care
about the environment on their
doorstep to do something positive that
will make a visible difference.
“We are delighted that The Globe
Foundation and Rotary Club are
supporting this year’s campaign and
would like to thank them for their
support.
“Without groups like this across the
country giving the campaign their
backing, our volunteers would not be
able to do the incredible job they do.”
To find out more about the Uttoxeter
Spring Clean or to register yourself
and/or your organisation or community
group team, please visit
www.globefoundation.org.uk/gbsc
Plans announced for 100-person litter
pick as part of the UK’s biggest mass-
action environmental campaign

W
ell readers, a belated Happy New Year to you
all. Following a super family Christmas get
together, (for the first time without
grandson Owen who was jumping off cliffs and things
in New Zealand), yours truly had a pretty duff New
Year.
Our boiler packed in and combined with a rotten
virus that continued for a couple of weeks into 2019
which laid me low, and saw me miss Tours, Panto
Rehearsals and Uttoxeter Rugby Club’s victory over
Cleobury Mortimer at Oldfields, followed by their
narrow loss at Eccleshall the following week, when they
gained a losing bonus point. The seconds meanwhile
kept the flag flying with a draw and a victory on the
same week-ends. Thankfully I
have now pulled round, but
passed it on to Sandra, generous
to a fault, that’s me!
But back to rugby. Let us
hope that the town are able to
keep a more settled side as the
season progresses, so far it has
been impossible to build a team
of regulars. Injuries are always a
factor and so is availability. I
well remember in one match
years ago I said to a very close
friend of mine, now deceased,
as we walked back towards the
changing room following a
match, “I thought your lady was
due to have her baby today?” to
which his reply was “Well I can’t
have it for her can I!”. Now
that’s commitment. But that sort
of sporting dedication is gone
forever.
Whilst I was unable to get
out and about, the TV was red hot. I watched all kinds
of stuff, most of it repeats, some of it good, some not
so good. As you know I get really annoyed with young
people keep saying ‘like’ all the time, well even the posh
people in old British Movies had bad habits, ‘like’ using
an ‘E’ instead of an ‘A’ “Don’t turn your beck on him,
he’s med !”. John Mills was guilty of this over poshness.
In the mornings we have ex-footballers selling houses
(Andy Murray get onto your agent mate, homes under
the hammer could be beckoning), then numerous
appearances on A Question of Sport, Match of the Day,
Soccer Saturday etc;
Incidentally, I have also found out over past months
that I have 3 times as many Randolph Scott westerns
in my collection, than Movies for men, 5 Spike, and
Talking Pictures TV put together - I do love a bow
legged picture.
Television is also showing a lot of programmes
about recruits joining the Army. One of them about
the Para’s whose training is tough, but the other making
a big deal of Junior Soldiers of 16 and 17. As a former
‘Boy Soldier’ myself, the difference nowadays to my day
is, you can wimp out if you don’t like it, that includes
the Para’s. In the 50’s, once you signed on that dotted
line as a regular you were in for at least 6 years.
These recruits families all arrive with them, and
there are floods of tears. But there were no young
ladies involved then, they had their own branch of the
Service called the Women’s Royal Army Corps
(WRAC). When I went on my 15th Birthday, my Dad
saw me off at the Railway Station at 6am and off I went.
No mobile phones in those days, you had made your
bed, and now you had to lie on it, and were on your
own. But we were the War Baby generation, VE Day
had only been 11 years before, we had been forced to
grow up more quickly, although I was very baby faced
in those days.
The picture shows me as a fresh faced 15 year old
displaying my Regimental
number, you never forget it
(from that point on I
became Humphries 107)
The photo was taken on
my second day in the Army
in 1956, the only creases
are on the print, unlike the
wrinkled chap you see in
the flesh today! Where
today’s Junior Soldiers have
carpets on the floor and
hoovers. We had metal
lockers, wooden floors a
broom and a ‘bumper’. I’m
sure all you old soldiers,
including National
Servicemen out there will
have ‘fond’ memories of
‘bumpers’. But the
important thing is, it will
teach these youngsters
more discipline than our
schools are able to
administer these days through no fault of their own.
Of course TV is also full of Brexit. The crux of the
matter is none of them can agree to the best course of
action. We expect leadership from our politicians, not
all pulling in different directions and weakening our
position with the rest of the World. We don’t want yet
another General Election or Referendum for goodness
sake, so get pulling together now. It reminds me of the
story of a politician who was cleaning out a cupboard
in his office, when he came across a brass lamp. He
decided to clean it up, but when he rubbed it a Genie
appeared in a puff of smoke, and offered to grant him
two wishes. “I wish to be transported to a desert Island,
surrounded by beautiful women” said the politician.
There was a flash and lo and behold there he was on a
desert Island surrounded by a bevvy of beauties. “What
is your second wish oh master?” said the Genie. “I
never want to have to work again” said the politician.
There was another flash and he found himself back in
his office. Sounds like a Pantomime doesn’t it? If you
watch the politicians performing in the House it’s just
like a ruddy Pantomime isn’t it?
Speaking of which, as life carries on for the rest of
us, the Denstone Players are well underway with
rehearsals for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,
which takes place in Denstone Village Hall on
Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd of
February at 7pm. Matinee 2pm on the 23rd. Tickets are
priced at £8:00 for adults and £5:00 for Children (under
16). If you haven’t already got yours hurry along to
Denstone Farm Shop or get on line before they have all
gone. Gill Brown our director and choreographer takes
no prisoners at rehearsals and along with musical
director Terry Davies, they put in a full shift on a
Sunday Night as we are put through our paces.
As regular readers know the Churnet Valley Male
Voice Choir are no more, and once we have our final
get together for a meal with our wives in the Spring as
a kind of ‘last supper’, all further get together’s will be
reunions. Some of the lads already meet at The
Huntsman in Cheadle for a drink on a Tuesday
Evening. The Huntsman has been our favourite
watering hole over the years, and they have been very
good to us. We had our Christmas drink there in
December, and I composed a short rhyme as a sort of
memorial to many happy years of singing in great
company. It went as follows:-
I thought that I needed to make up a rhyme, now that
the choir have had to call time
We’ve entertained people for a number of years, some
songs were happy, some reduced them to tears
Singing Beatles and Queen songs in English, and
Maori, with a spot of Welsh dieu
But as numbers dwindled - people having enough - due
to age and infirmity, it just got too tough
So all of our singers, plus Janet and John*, at a meeting
decided we couldn’t go on
In these days of pop music - Boy Bands and Rap, young
people prefer it, though most of it’s crap!
Our singing encompassed a wide range of styles, and
our audiences left, faces all wreathed in smiles
Sinatra to sixties were easy for us, we just went out on
stage, and then sung with no fuss
Then after we’d finished, and lifted the rafters, when
folk wanted more - we had Trilogy for afters
But now it’s no more, though not singing again, I’m
sure that we’ll meet in the pub - now and then
Because breaking up - we couldn’t resist, there’s nothing
to stop us coming here to get p.....d!
So enjoy it tonight - despite this bad rhyme, eat, drink,
and be merry - and have a good time
Now it’s farewell my friends, and without any ire - I give
you a toast - CHURNET VALLEY MALE VOICE
CHOIR
*Our Musical Director & Accompanist
Rocester poet Matthew Chapman’s monthly
offering can be found elsewhere in this publication and
I do not profess to be in the same league, but that’s it
from me for the present
TTFN Les...
Let The Voice Be With You
by Les Humphries of Rocester
@uttoxeter_voice
search for Uttoxeter Voice
search for 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

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 88

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 88

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 88

Similar to Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 88 (20)

More from Noel Sergeant

More from Noel Sergeant (11)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (8)

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice Issue 88