Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, Issue 96

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Issue 96
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Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
From all students and staff at The Uttoxeter Learning Trust
Happy ChristmasThe Uttoxeter Learning Trust is a partnership between Thomas Alleyne’s, Windsor Park, Picknalls,
All Saints (Church Leigh), Hutchinson Memorial, Oldfields Hall and Ryecroft Schools.

3Let The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice take your business to 13,000 local homes. To advertise, call 01538 751629 or 07733 466 970.
C
hristmas is fast approaching so now is the time to get into the festive spirit!
Once again I would like to congratulate organisers of local Christmas events
which have been a great success. We really do have a fantastic community spirit
which I am very proud of.
I urge all of our massive volume of readers to make sure you go to our local shops
and businesses and give them your custom. I know using massive internet companies
to do your shopping might be quick and easy but for the very fabric of our society we
need to retain local traders and there is only one to do so – and that’s spending your
hard-earned cash within our community.
As always at this time of the year, I urge readers to think about others so please
check on your neighbours, especially the elderly in our local area. Perhaps you could
visit them and take a bottle of whisky or sherry, a box of chocolates or something
special? I guarantee the smiling faces of the recipients will make your Christmas...
Of course at this time of year, we also remember the loved ones who are no longer
here with us – perhaps we could stay silent at 12 Noon on Christmas Day, close our
eyes and whisper ‘Merry Christmas’ to those who have left us in 2019 and also in
previous years. The hurt will never, ever go away, but by acknowledging their
memories during Christmas Day, it will make them a very special part of the festivities.
To everyone, everywhere, I wish you all A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy
New Year. I will speak to you in the first Voice colour magazine of 2020, which will be
out on February 6th.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The Voice colour magazine...
Nigel Titterton, Editor & Publisher
Dear Reader,
Publisher and Editor: Nigel Titterton
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is published by Community Voice Publications Ltd
Telephone 01538 751629 e-mail uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.uk
The views expressed in this publication are those of our contributors and are not necessarily those of the
publishers, nor indeed their responsibility. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Community Voice Publications Ltd.
Designed and Produced by noel@sergeantdesign.com
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice is wholly independent and is published at
3 Spode Close, Cheadle, Staffs ST10 1DT
13,000 copies are distributed free to homes and businesses in
Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Rocester, Denstone, Bramshall, Stramshall, Alton,
Oakamoor, Tean, Lower Tean, Checkley, Leigh, Church Leigh, Crakemarsh,
Combridge, Kingsley, Draycott, Cresswell, Saverley Green & Fulford,
Doveridge and Abbots Bromley, Sudbury, Kingstone, Marchington,
Ellastone and Hollington.
Clients are welcome to view the printing matrix.
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S
tudents from Thomas Alleyne’s High School have
been inspired by a visit to CERN, home of the
Large Hadron Collider.
During the visit in October, the students discovered
how CERN is helping to answer some of the most
fundamental questions; how did the Universe begin?
What are the basic building blocks of matter?
Scientific breakthroughs such as the discovery of
the Higgs boson require experimental machines on the
large scale, and the students gained an appreciation of
the technical and engineering challenges that the
multinational experimental collaborations at CERN
face.
Thomas Page, a student from Alleyne’s said, “Our
trip to CERN provided us with simple answers to very
complex questions and a chance to see first hand some
of the equipment and the site of experiments that we
have been studying in lessons.”
The UK has been a member of CERN since the
organisation was founded in 1954. Membership allows
British researchers to take a wide variety of roles that
contribute to CERN’s on-going success; from recently
qualified technicians and university undergraduates
gaining their first taste of working in an international
environment to PhD students analysing experimental
data and experienced engineers and physicists leading
projects or representing their experimental
collaborations. The Thomas Alleyne’s High School
students’ visit was led by a member of the CERN
community who talked from personal experience
about their contribution to CERN’s research
programme.
STFC’s Executive Chair, Professor Mark Thomson,
said “The scale of the science and technology at CERN
is awe-inspiring. There is no doubt that seeing it at first
hand, and meeting the people who work on the
experiments, can influence young people’s future
education and career choices.”
Uttoxeter students hunt for the
Higgs boson at CERN
Everyone at
wishes our Readers and Advertisers
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle

4 If you are responding to an advertisement in The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, please let the advertiser know. Thank you for your support.

Merry
Christmas
to all our customers,
from all staff at Ashbourne
Road Post office.
We offer a wide range of gifts,
greetings cards, and balloons,
and we are here to help with all
your Christmas posting needs.
50 Ashbourne Rd, Cheadle,
Stoke-On-Trent,
Staffordshire ST10 1HQ
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 wish our customers
A Merry Xmas and A
Happy New Year
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
Uttoxeter
& Cheadle
All our Uttoxeter &
Cheadle Voice
advertisers wish all
their Customers
Everyone
lovesTheVoice

Call: 01889 566647
www.opulencebeauty.co.uk
Opulence Beauty Ltd, 31 Market Place, Uttoxeter, ST14 8HF
Ask about our special
party packages to get
you looking great for
the party season.
For that perfect
gift we offer
personalised,
handmade gift
vouchers.
We would like to
wish a very
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
to all our customers.
B
usinesses across the Staffordshire Moorlands are
celebrating after an excellent showing at the
Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food
Awards.
Local winners scooped some of the top prizes
including the awards for Outstanding Contribution to
Tourism, Best Large Visitor Attraction, Best Accessible
and Inclusive Tourism and Best Casual Dining
Restaurant of the Year.
Five businesses in the Moorlands received a total of
nine awards at the ceremony held at the Boat House,
Aston Marina, Stone.
Alton Towers was a big winner on the night taking
home four titles: Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable;
Best Large Hotel of the Year – Cbeebies; Best Large
Visitor Attraction of the Year; and The Graeme
Whitehead Award for the Outstanding Contribution to
Tourism in Staffordshire.
Beechenhill Farm in Ilam won the Best Accessible
and Inclusive Tourism Award with the Best Camping,
Glamping Holiday Park title going to Quarry Walk
Park near Alton.
And catering establishments were also recognised
with the Three Horseshoes Inn and Country Spa near
Leek taking home the Best Casual Dining Restaurant
Award and Denstone Hall winning a brace of awards
for Best Tea Room and Coffee Shop of the Year and
Best Farm Shop and Drink Retailer.
Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council,
Councillor Sybil Ralphs, who also has responsibility for
regeneration, said: “What a fantastic result for
Moorlands businesses! I’d like to add my
congratulations to all those who have won these
prestigious awards.
“The range of businesses represented at these
awards is a real showcase for the diversity of experience
we have to offer – from a big, national theme park to
camping parks and tea rooms.
“I’m delighted for all those who have been
recognised and shortlisted who are really helping to
consolidate the Moorlands on the tourism map. But I’d
also like to recognise all those who work hard day in
day out in tourism and visitor services businesses
across the Moorlands who make the district such a
friendly and welcoming place to live, work and visit.
Well done everyone!”
Pictured above are the winners at the awards
ceremony.
Moorlands businesses take starring
roles at Tourism and Food Awards

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
S
anta’s elves at Rotary now
have dates that Santa will
be making an appearance
in the streets of Uttoxeter
before Christmas (subject to
weather conditions and
volunteer availability). Please
share this post - thank you!
Santa will start at 5pm and
end his tour at around 7pm.
Santa hopes to see lots of you to
say hello and his Elves will be
collecting for charity and good
causes in our area.
Wednesday 11th
Merlin Close
Partridge Drive
Mallard Close
Skylark Close
Greenfinch Close
Ashbrook Close
Severn Close
Chaffinch Drive
Blackbird Close
Heron Drive
Robin Close
Brooklands Close
Thursday 12th
Hawthornden Avenue
Hawthornden Gardens
Pine Walk
Chestnut Drive
Byrds Lane (West)
Lambert Road
Hallam Road
Shipton Drive
Friday 13th
Pennycroft Road (South)
Windsor Road
Moseley Drive
Grange Road
Redfern Road
Pennycroft Road (North)
Lightfoot Road
Copes Way
Saturday 14th
Tesco
Monday 16th
Bentley Rd (North)
Davies Drive
Kimberly Drive
Elmwood Grove
Parva Court
Ashleigh Drive
Marlborough Way
Milverton Drive
Hill Close
Davies Drive
Tuesday 17th
Barleyfields
Morrison Way
Sundew Close
Orchard Close
Daisy Close
Campion Way
Buttercup Close
Drovers Way
Wednesday 18th
Swallow Close
Foxglove Ave
Fennell Close
Sorrell Close
Rosemary Drive
Elder Close
Lilac Close
Hazel Close
Siver Birch Drive
Lark Rise
Bunting Close
Kestrel Close
Curlew Close
Dunnock Close
Oriole Close
Sandpiper Drive
Thursday 19th
Johnson Road
Howitt Close
Park Avenue
Park Street
Harvey Place
Mellor Drive
Slade Fields
Croft Grove
Laurel Grove
Friday 20
Waitrose
Saturday 21
Makers Market
Sunday 22
Tesco
Kingstone (The Shrew 5-7)
Monday 23rd
Ivinson Way
Fraser Drive
Bartley Way
Santa’s visit dates around Uttoxeter

A
bode Estate Agents have recently acquired the
business of Draycott’s in Cheadle. Draycott’s
were established in 2015 and soon became a
solid favourite within the Cheadle area, being owned
and run by local entrepreneur Paul Draycott.
Nathan Anderson-Dixon, Managing Director of
Abode, commented “Having taken the business
forward, Paul decided it was time to focus on other
projects which is when we stepped in. This strengthens
our reach within Staffordshire, and borders two of our
most successful branches in Ashbourne and Uttoxeter”.
Nathan added “Customers can expect the same
great levels of service, backed up by our experienced
and enthusiastic team here at Abode. We have taken
the decision to keep a local office in Cheadle, and will
be introducing additional services such as full sales
progression and Virtual tours at no extra cost to our
clients. At Abode we have embraced technology in
order to improve our marketing and overall customer
experience, we’ve seen many agents step away
completely from the branch model, however we believe
that as well as being open minded to trying other ways
of creating exposure for property, a good quality local
estate agents who offers the right advice and support
for customers is best place within the area they sell and
rent property”.
Victoria Downing, Abode Director, said “We
recognise that we are a people business and by
employing, training and supporting our staff we can
enhance the customer experience and create better
outcomes for our clients. I am excited about the
prospect of taking on this business, re-branding it and
moving forward. Our aim is to achieve market share
within 12 months. By making this acquisition we are
already well placed to achieve this”.
Abode Estate Agents acquire
Draycott’s of Cheadle
Abode Estate Agents Managing Director Nathan Anderson-Dixon

Rocester charity event
A
charity event took place in the Red Lion, Rocester, recently, to raise money
for breast cancer awareness and Macmillan. Money throughout the day was
raised by local people having their hair and beards dyed, heads shaved and
local people busy baking cakes which were sold throughout the day.
Quinton Gregory managed to set up a sponsorship to have his hair dyed for
which he raised over £500.
Raffle tickets were also sold on the day with excellent prizes kindly donated by
local businesses and individuals, the raffle being drawn at a later date.
A total of £1,780.00 was made on the day. Once the raffle had taken place, another
£70 was added, making a grand total of £1,850.
A massive thanks must go to all who took part, (too numerous to mention
everyone by name) but well done all...

Waitrose fundraise for
Paddles Swim School
W
aitrose in Uttoxeter raised a fantastic £242 for Paddles Swim School which
runs swimming lessons for disabled children in Cheadle. The funds came
from their community based scheme.
Anna Lavan, the head coach of Paddles, was thrilled with the funds going to the
Paddles swimming gala which was held last month. Anna (pictured extreme right)
wishes to thank Waitrose and the people of Uttoxeter.

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

I
n Denstone village a
crowd milled around
the car park, in the
dark, seemingly unaware
that it was raining. There
were grand parents and
parents sipping mulled
wine and eating treats
while children excitedly
waved coloured wands. You
might have wondered what
was going on except that all
Denstone residents already
knew that this was a most
important date on the
village calendar, and
especially so this year. For
twenty years now the
village has celebrated an
annual switch-on of the
Christmas lights thanks to
the hard work primarily of
Peter Smith, supported by
the very active and
energetic village hall
committee. Peter, who is a
professional sound and
light technician, is
responsible for the miles of
lights that decorate the
centre of the village, and
not only that but he also
masterminds the sound
and light show that
accompanies the grand
switch-on.
At the appointed hour
of 6 o’clock, David Shooter,
chairman of the Denstone
Players, welcomed
everybody to the event and
introduced the guests of
honour Muriel Parker and
her daughter Jacquie
Brookfield who would be
officially starting the light
and sound spectacular.
They had been invited to
honour the memory of
Muriel’s husband Dennis
Parker MBE who had
recently died. Dennis was a
dedicated community man,
actively involved in many
organisations like the
British Legion, Uttoxeter
Lions and the Denstone
Players, raising thousands
of pounds for them over
the years.
The count-down began,
the lever was pulled and for
a few breathless seconds
nothing happened, but
then the light show began,
made all the prettier as the
moving beams caught the
myriad raindrops. The
Christmas lights lit up, the
crowd cheered and then
moved quickly into the
warmth of the village hall
where hot drinks and eats
were available. The small
children queued to see
Santa in his grotto and the
Uttoxeter brass band
played cheerful festive
tunes.
Thus did the village
celebrate its twentieth
Christmas lights switch-on.
Steph
Call
07751
116918
Dolly
Call
07971
761225
Gillian
Call
07928
556552
Monday
Steph Renew Church, 67 High Street,
Uttoxeter ST14 7JQ - 5.30pm and 7.30pm
Tuesday
Steph Renew Church, 67 High Street,
Uttoxeter ST14 7JQ - 10.00am and 12 noon
Wednesday
Gillian Greatwood Hall, Hollington Road,
Tean ST10 4JY - 5.00pm and 7.00pm
Thursday
Gillian Rocester Village Hall, Rocester
ST14 5JU - 5.00pm and 7.00pm
Saturday
Dolly Wilfred House, Carter Street,
Uttoxeter ST14 8EY - 8.30am and 10.30am
We wish all our members
A Merry Christmas and
A Happy New Year
Denstone Village Switches On for Christmas
Carols in the Castle
Local people are invited to attend an event at Alton Castle
on December 15th at 5pm,‘Carols in the Castle’with The
Cantiamo Chamber Choir. Refreshments are available.
Tickets are £5.00 - booking is essential.
For tickets please contact
events@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk or phone 01538 703224

Uttoxeter Town Hall
The perfect setting for Weddings, Civil Partnerships,
those special occasions and corporate events
Whether you are looking for a venue for a conference, a celebration or the ultimate wedding reception,
our friendly and attentive staff will ensure that your special occasion is memorable.
Contact us on 01889 564085or email: info@uttoxetertowncouncil.org.uk to arrange a viewing or to request a brochure
Visit www.uttoxetertowncouncil.org.uk
Find us on Facebook Uttoxeter Town Council including Town Hall or Instagram Uttoxeter_Town_Council
Uttoxeter Town Council, Town Hall, High Street, Uttoxeter ST14 7HN
Cheadle & District Animal Welfare Society • Reg Charity 1039350
Please help us find
new homes...
Hello my name is Chatterbox. I’m a black cat and as my
name suggests I like to talk. I was taken into care in
September 2019 having been found as a stray. I chose the
home I would like to have stayed in, but because there
were other cats there who didn’t want me around I had
to leave. I’m being very well cared for in the cattery, but
it’s not like having a proper home
Hello my name is Princess.
I’m a black cat and absolutely
gorgeous. I have a beautiful
silky coat and a wonderful temperament. I think I would
prefer to find a home where I’m the only cat as I’ve shared
a home with a cat before and she didn’t like me so it was
a bit awkward. I have been waiting patiently for a new
home since July 2019 when my previous owner decided
she didn’t want me any more. That made me very sad
Hello my name is Ralph and I’m a black cat. I can’t
believe that people don’t want to give a home to a black
cat. What is wrong with a black cat? Well there’s nothing
wrong with me. I’m fabulous. You only have to come to
meet me and you’ll find that out. I need a new home
because I ended up as a stray and had no one to look after
me.
Hello I’m Arthur. I’m 14
years old and lost my home
when my devoted owner moved to a property where they
said I wasn’t welcome. It made me so sad. I paid a visit
to the vets and had all my bad teeth removed and now I
feel so much better. I’ve been waiting since July 2019 for
a kind, gentle person to offer me a home. I hope they
come to get me soon.
If you can offer a home to Arthur, Princess, Ralph or
Chatterbox please ring 01335 390369 or 01889 564045
to make an appointment

Here at James Marfleet Roofing we offer a number of services including:
We wish all our customers A Merry Christmas
and A Happy New Year
Call us today for a free no obligation quotation
Telephone: 01782 901001 • Email: info@jamesmarfleet.co.uk
Re-felt & Batten Soffit & Fascia Re-Roof New Builds
Uttoxeter Rotary Youth
Speaks Competition
1
7 young people from
Windsor Park, Oldfields
Hall, Ryecroft Middle
Schools and Denstone College
recently spoke knowledgeably
and passionately for four
minutes each on a fantastic
array of subjects.
Rotarian Gerry Gear
organised the event and it was
hosted at Windsor Park School.
Judges Rtn Terry Davies,
President Sue Higginbottom (Inner Wheel) and Dave Thomas had a difficult job in
selecting the three winners whilst students, parents, teachers and guests enjoyed
refreshments, cakes and biscuits.
Winners were Luke North in first place, Oakley Plant in second and Seb Kimblin
in third place. Certificates were presented by President Dave Reeves.
Photos by Anita Thomas-Epple

Specialists in decorative
Tarmac driveways and
Tarmac surface areas, small or large
Call for a free quote
07817 221 986
Cavendish Road, Tean, Staffordshire

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!!
CheadleTest 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.
Competition Time
This Christmas we are thrilled to announce Angus MacKinnon are giving
away… a fantastic MINI Cooper (a real one not a remote control one!).
This festive Red & White MINI Cooper comes with incredibly low mileage,
satellite navigation, automatic transmission, climate control and has
been fully prepared, serviced and MOT’d by our service department Elves
so it is now ready to drive away on Christmas Eve.
All YOU need to do is…
• Like our Angus MacKinnon Ltd Facebook page
• Share the post on our Facebook page
• Tag a friend
For every friend tagged, another entry will be submitted so tag as many
friends as you’ve got.
It’s that simple! Competition Closing date is Saturday 21st December 2019.
This competition is open to everyone except staff & family of Angus MacKinnon Ltd. All
that we ask is the winner must be able to collect the Mini from Angus MacKinnon Ltd,
Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8EG on or before Tuesday 24th December 2019. What an
amazing Christmas Gift.
Important terms & conditions – The Mini must be taxed and insured by the lucky winner.
We will transfer ownership to the winner on site.
This stunning MINI Cooper could be on YOUR drive this Christmas day.
What are you waiting for? Start entering!
Derby Road, Uttoxeter, Staffs ST14 8EG
T: 01889 563448
E: sales@angusmackinnon.co.uk
W: www.angusmackinnon.co.uk

The delighted winners
of The Voice/Uttoxeter
Racecourse Christmas
Jumper Raceday on
December 10th
competition are:
Tina Brewin and
Gordon Sutcliffe.
Both winners will receive
2 tickets each posted to
them by Uttoxeter
Racecourse.
There was a huge entry
for this competition so
many congratulations to
the winners...
A
n isolated
Staffordshire
Moorlands village
has access to life-saving medical kit thanks to a
donation from JCB.
Families in the remote village of Cotton now
have 24-hour access to a community defibrillator
after staff at The Faber Catholic Primary School
approached JCB for help.
With its World Headquarters only a few miles
away from the tiny village, the company pledged
to fund a purpose-built key-pad operated
defibrillator box outside the Cotton Lane school.
Principal Lisa Machin said: “The school
managed to obtain a defibrillator a couple of
years ago but we didn’t have the money to buy the
special box needed to site it outside. Of course,
making it available for everyone to use at any
time is vital, so we approached JCB for help.
“JCB’s generous £500 donation means
members of the community now have 24-hour
access to the defibrillator and we have funds to
keep it well-maintained too.”
JCB Occupational Health Nurse Sarah Ede
officially unveiled the community facility along
with children from the school. She added: “JCB
is delighted to support Faber and the village of
Cotton in this very worthwhile plan. The more
defibrillators there are available to the public -
especially in rural areas - the better. When
cardiac arrests happen every second is vital and
having access to this equipment can quite literally
save lives.”
JCB helps isolated
village to access
lifesaving medical kit
Pictured unveiling the new community defibrillator box are (left to right) Principal Lisa Machin, JCB
Occupational Health Nurse Sarah Ede and pupils Willow Carr (10) and Oscar Lomas (10).
01538 754 277
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T
he Year 3 children at St Giles’ Catholic Primary
School, Cheadle, are redesigning the Key Stage
1 playground. This amazing team of 7 year olds
have undertaken the ambitious (but necessary) task of
updating and redesigning the Key Stage 1 playground
to make it an exciting place for children to learn and to
play. The children used their IT skills to take some
pictures at the start of term to show just why the yard
needed improving and they were absolutely right!
This was in response to the introduction of
‘Curriculum Vehicles’ in September which now drive
our learning. A vehicle does not use a national
curriculum subject as its starting point; it is inspired by
the passion of the class or the teacher. Through the
vehicles, the children will cover all their national
curriculum learning as well as key values which will
prepare our pupils for the future and for the real world
beyond school. The key values promoted through the
vehicle include self-regulated learning; teamwork;
Gospel values and British Values; managing
themselves; managing relationships and contributing
to projects through managing time and resources.
Examples already underway include designing and
making a new chocolate bar to sell and present to
Cadbury’s, developing an audio guide to Pugin’s Gem
(St Giles’ Catholic church in Cheadle), creating a short
film to show at Vue Cinema, curating an art exhibition,
a food drive and a community party.
As part of this process the children have
interviewed the PE lead and head teacher to see what
budget is available, written to school members to
enquire what skills they can offer and carried out a
pupil voice survey among the younger children in
school, as well as creating a fabulous display to share at
Parents’ Evening.
What the children think
Year 1 children (age 5-6) said:
“There’s not much there!”
“There are not many pretty plants.”
“There are holes in the ground!”
The Year 2 children (age 6-7) carried on, saying:
“It’s really boring!”
“We need to get rid of the nettles!”
And the Year 3 children (age 7-8), who have played on
this yard for 3 years now, said:
“We need more things to play with. We’ve only got
things like hopscotch on the ground,”
“The garden was so full of rubbish we couldn’t play in it!”
“The playground has no equipment on it.”
Working hard
As you can see from the photographs, the children
have already been working extremely hard themselves,
clearing out rubbish such as old paving slabs, tree
stumps, broken garden furniture, broken tools and
equipment and lots of nettles, weeds and undergrowth.
Having moved two rickety old sheds out of the way, we
have now uncovered a significant amount of space
which can be developed into extra space for the
children to learn and play in.
The work day itself was a lot of fun as well as being
a great opportunity for the children to develop their
teamwork skills. They did an amazing job working
together to carry the heavier items and used their
excellent problem solving skills to work out how to get
the bulkier things through some very small gaps! To
round off the day we enjoyed lighting a fire & toasting
marshmallows.
Our dream playground!
When it comes to what the children would like the
playground to look like after the work is finished, the
sky really is the limit - their invention and creativity is
inspiring. We have met with several playground
designers (what a fabulous job to have!) and the
children have created their own designs too. We
particularly liked the designs done for us by Martin
Knipe at the Playground Company. His design
included a trim trail for us to climb, balance and be
active on, an accessible gazebo we can use as an
outdoor classroom, a climbing tower, a canopy to keep
our parents dry when they come and collect us at the
end of the day and a quiet area with scope for
gardening – something for everybody!
Can you help?
The children are working really hard and we would
love to reward their energy and enthusiasm with an
exciting playground at the end, but budgets are really
tight. Can you help us in any way at all? Do you have
skills that could be used to help create an amazing
playground? Can you provide any materials to surface
the yard or build play equipment? Or would you be
able to sponsor a part of the design? If so, we would
love to hear from you!
Please contact us at office@st-giles.staffs.sch.uk if
you can help.
It’s Playtime!
Lots of new space

New Winter Ladies’
Day is a big hit!

Gentlemen’s Day
a great success!

Cheadle WI hold their
November meeting
J
anice Hines stepped in at the
last minute as speaker at the
November meeting of Cheadle
WI and what an enjoyable evening
it turned out to be. Janice has
taught herself how to do book
sculptures and paper flower art
from the internet and she shared
her skills with the members. She
now has her own website called
‘Book Art Beauty’ and has many
customers. She has been doing this
for 3 years now and says she is
‘hooked’!
Though one can purchase
patterns from the internet Janice
now does her own patterns for the
book sculptures and will attempt
any requested designs. She also
turns old books into clocks, bags
and even Kindle cases! Janice also
makes paper flowers from the
pages of old books and got members to ‘have a go’ for themselves. By the end of the
demonstration everyone was congratulating themselves on their efforts. ‘Book Art
Beauty’ can also be found on Facebook and Etsy.
Details of County events were posted on the board. Kathryn Kent had laid a wreath
on behalf of Cheadle WI at the recent Remembrance celebrations. Members agreed to
donate to a charity instead of exchanging Christmas cards with one another this year.
Lynne and Janet then provided tea, coffee and cakes and the raffle was drawn before
all headed home after a good evening out.
At the December meeting of the institute members will be putting on their party hats
and getting in festive mood for their Christmas Party. In January they continue
celebrating with a meal at ‘The Ship’.
It’s back to the The Oakley Room at the Guild Hall on Monday 10th February at
7.30pm when Sally Roberts will tell us all about ‘Volunteering at The Cheadle
Community Library’. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For further details
please contact Secretary Pam on 01538 750248
T R E E S & L A N D S C A P E S
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Patios Borders Decking Stonework
Aftercare & Maintenance
Pest Diagnosis & Control
Fells
Conifers
Top Soil
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Email:
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EMERGENCY
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Brian Mellor Life Planning
When was the last time you sat back and really
thought about money? – Your money, the reasons
you are working so hard and what you are trying
to achieve? Do you allow yourself to dream?
• Would you like to choose when to retire and
know if it’s a possibility?
• What plans do you have for your dependants
– how much will they cost?
• Have you dreamt about that luxury holiday
home, car, boat, holiday of a lifetime and
wondered if ever it could be a possibility?
• Can you grow your business enough to allow
you to work less hours?
• Do you have a contingency plan for long term
care or a scenario that forces you out of work?
• Have you sat down and thought what you
really want in life and looked at whether your
dreams can become a reality?
How we can help
Cash-flow Modelling allows you to clearly
identify, define and cost your personal, family,
business and financial objectives, especially those
related to a desired future lifestyle. We can map
your current situation and develop a plan to help
you understand how to realistically achieve your
objectives or adjust your expectations. We can
also test future scenarios to empower your
financial decision making.
By completing an in-depth analysis of your
current financial position we are able to:
• Provide you with a comprehensive
breakdown of your capital assets and
liabilities, with a year by year record of
progress in building up your net worth
• Evaluate the size of emergency fund
appropriate for your needs based on your
lifestyle
• Construct lifelong cash-flow forecasts, with
inflows and outflows, future inflation and
future investment returns
• Determine through forecasts to what extent
there is a danger of you running out of money
• Map when your assets are in excess of your
requirements and show the impact of
increasing personal expenditure or making
gifts to family members to mitigate tax
implications
• Show you the impact of key life events -
including marriage, education fees, house
purchase, business sale, retirement &
inheritance tax - on your cash-flow and
planning
• Identify what would need to happen in the
event of a financial crisis and how to deal with
any cash flow problems
• Evaluate what financial issues would arise in
the event of the premature death of either
spouse, or a need for Long Term Care
• Help clarify your personal tolerance to
investment risk and to develop an investment
strategy suited to your requirements and
goals
• Undertake an analysis of your potential
Inheritance Tax liability, with
recommendations for tax minimisation and
estate planning.
Whilst complex in its evaluation, the
programme simplifies what it may take to
accomplish your life goals and helps you to fully
understand how you could realistically
accomplish some of those things you previously
only dreamt about. For further information view
our video on our website or contact us for the
Video Link.
Brian Mellor Financial Services Limited is
authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority. FCA registration number
540721
We Wish Old and New Clients
Season’s Greetings

GlitzDancewear
& Fancydress
Call into our shop for fabulous Christmas,
Disney and NewYear’s Eve costumes.
Everything you
need for
Christmas New Year
Fancy Dress or the school play.
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 ST10 1NT
01538 754414
www.glitz-fancydress.co.uk
Email: sales@glitz-fancydress.co.uk
ESTATE AGENCY INSURANCE
Partners: P.A. Cope BSc MRICS FNAEA and A.W. Stevenson
Donald Cope & Company
1, Cheadle Shopping Centre, Cheadle,
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST10 1UY
T: 01538 755646
E: enquire@donaldcope.com
W: www.donaldcope.com
Donald Cope & Company
would like to wish all past,
present and future customers
A Very Mey
Christmas and a
Psperous
New Year
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
Church Street, Uttoxeter ST14 8AA
Tel 01889 564216
tyreways@uttoxeter.ndo.co.uk
Uttoxeter’s Premier
Tyre Centre
Right service
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Right price
• Tyres
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• Batteries
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• 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
Mary’s Meals
Founder and
Global CEO
Visits Painsley
F
ounder and Global
Chief Executive of
Mary’s Meals, Magnus
MacFarlane- Barrow, took
time out of his busy
schedule recently to visit
Painsley Catholic College in
Cheadle.
Magnus addressed all
the students at the school
along with representative
students from its feeder
primary schools; St
Filumena’s in Caverswall, St
Giles’ (Cheadle) St Joseph’s
(Uttoxeter), St Thomas’s
(Tean), St Mary’s (Leek) and
The Faber (Cotton).
All of the schools within
the Painsley Catholic
Academy are taking part in
a fundraising campaign that
they have called ‘20:20 for
Mary’. The campaign aims
to motivate each child and
staff member to try to raise
a target of £20 for the Mary’s
Meals charity by February,
and another £20 by the end
of July during 2020.
“The concept of Mary’s
Meals is so very simple and
yet effective, it really
appealed to our students,”
commented Painsley
Catholic College’s Principal,
Mrs. Rachel Waugh. “Mary’s
Meals is about providing
children with a daily meal at
a place of education. This
really resonated with our
students.” During 2014
Painsley raised a staggering
£57,000, something which
founder, Magnus, described
as one of the largest single
donations he has received.
The 20:20 campaign has
already begun with both
secondary and primary
school children busy
running cake sales, fashion
shows, raffles, and
sponsored sports events.
Magnus delivered
assemblies to all the high
school students and
representatives from each of
the primary schools to allow
them to hear real-life stories
about the children this
money will be used to help.
Painsley Catholic
College has so far raised just
under £7,000 for the 20:20
campaign, with totals from
all the primary schools still
to be added.
“Having the chance to
meet Magnus and hear his
stories was just amazing and
we are very grateful to him
for making time for this. His
words have given life to
what the project is all about
and acted as a fantastic
springboard for our next
fundraising drive.”
continued Mrs. Rachel
Waugh.

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 £5.95, 3 Courses £11.00
Sunday Lunches served all day - take your pick
from Beef,Turkey, Lamb or Chicken
Traditional Cask Ales - Marstons Pedigree,
Reverend James, Hobgoblin and Lancaster Bomber.
Heated smoking area
Accommodation in superb Log Cabins available,
B&B and Self Catering.
See website for further details.
Quarry Bank, Hollington, near Alton Towers
Telephone: 01889 507278
www.logcabin.co.uk
Enjoy a great meal atThe Raddle -
The Perfect Country Inn & Restaurant
Book now
for Christmas!Christmas Fayre Menu available throughout
November and December
(Exc. Christmas Day & Boxing Day).
Entertainment licence until 2.00am.
Book a table now to celebrate the festivities
at The Raddle Inn.
Tables are decorated to add to the party atmosphere and we
also offer a minibus service to parties of 8 or more.
Christmas Fayre Menu
4 Courses:Adults £21.95, Childs £13.95
3 Courses:Adults £17.95, Childs £10.95
(Children Under 10 years of age)
3 Course Menu includes either:
Starter, Main and Coffee & Mince Pies
or Main, Dessert and Coffee & Mince Pies
(Pensioners Christmas Fayre - £13.95,
4 courses served Mon-Sat 12-2pm throughout Nov-Dec)
Call The Raddle now to reserve a
table on 01889 507 278
Visit our website www.logcabin.co.uk or
email peter@logcabin.co.uk
Get a 5%
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with this ad
Quote “The Voice”
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Visit us at our office in
Cheadle for all your
legal requirements
Specialists In Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers Of
Attorney, Court Of Protection and Tax Planning
Probate, Wills & Trust - Maureen Dodd and Natalie
Fawcett (free will service available in some cases)
Conveyancing (Commercial) - Andrew Grace
Conveyancing (Residential) - Natalie Fawcettt
Family Law - Rebecca Sykes and Leanne Gwinneth
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence - Andrew Martin and
Jonathan Beresford
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, other appointments
available on request (home visits by arrangement)
Wishing all our clients A Very Peaceful Christmas
and A Prosperous New Year
dicksonsSOLICITORS
68 High Street, Cheadle
(Car parking available at rear)
Also at 32-36 Cheapside, Hanley
01782 262424
www.dicksonssolicitors.co.uk (incorporating Blaggs)

A
erial Ace Photography is a small business
created by two students of the JCB Academy for
the £5 entrepreneur challenge. We aim to
provide a good quality service for the use of businesses
and personal use. Prices may be tailored to the length
of the sessions and may be negotiated.
We are taking part in the £5 challenge because we
would like to discover the business world through
finding out for ourselves the skills we need to overcome
challenges we come up against and to solve problem
that may come against us. This is all to help with getting
an insight into how to tackle problems in the future for
the students like us who will strive to become the next
business leaders of the future.
I have been interested in drone photography as one
of my hobbies for a few years now and I am a registered
pilot with DJI (A professional drone company) for a
while. I follow a set of safety precautions before flight
to ensure the safety of customers and the operators. I
would consider myself to be a good pilot and great
photographer and I will ensure you get the best quality
our service can provide.
Here are some examples of photos I have taken.
If you are interested, you can call or email us and
choose the best time suited to you - 07476 080404 or
18ka052@jcbacademy.org
Aerial Ace PhotographyBy Jack Adderley
PAUL MORTON LTD
All Makes of Domestic
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CHRISTMAS!
J
udith Leedham, Uttoxeter’s truly dedicated Poppy Appeal Co-Ordinator,
presented the Uttoxeter Community Garden Committee with a specially
designed garden bench for the area of reflection in the NEW community garden.
The bench has been made by prisoners during their rehabilitation at HMP
Dovegate prison, and has a been inscribed with ‘ Lest We Forget’.
The Uttoxeter Community Garden is to be designed on part of the grass area
adjoining the Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre. The area will provide community
gardening available for all volunteers.
For any more information about the garden or if you are interested in becoming
a volunteer or would like to donate anything for the project please contact The
Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre for more details.
Presentation of Poppy Bench for
Uttoxeter Community Garden

Ginny’s Community Corner
by Ginny Gibson of Uttoxeter
L
ast year my Christmas article featured a singing
group, because Christmas and singing goes
together like cheese and crackers, (apologies to
vegans) but this year I am focusing on giving, because
Christmas and giving are inseparable.
What does giving mean, if you ask Google, which I
love to do, it tells me the adjective definition is
“providing care, support, love” while the verb definition
is “freely transfer the possession of something to
someone”. There are in fact 7 definitions of the word
give/giving, but I will focus on the first two definitions.
The charity that I want to write about gives care,
support and love to wild animals and it needs you to
give possessions/things to them. It’s called the British
Wildlife Rescue Centre (BWRC).
They need to be given your blankets, towels, old
newspapers, shredded paper plus mealworms, wild
bird seed and cat food in order to be able to care for the
injured wild animals that are brought to them by
residents in the area.
Do you have some old towels/blankets in your
airing cupboard that are just taking up space, but could
in fact keep an animal warm through their recovery
back to health? Do you shred your confidential
paperwork (long stipes, not short or
cross cut)? They need this shredded
paper, as it is used as bedding for
hedgehogs to hide in, while they
are being looked after. Do you
read the paper every day and
just recycle it into the blue
recycle bag? Why not instead
take them to the centre, they use
it to line the cages of the birds.
They also need small knitted hats,
these are used by hedgehogs and
birds as nests, to keep them warm, are
you a craft group that could knit a few and
send them to the centre? Food is also essential, could
you donate cat food/wild bird seed and meal worms to
the centre? I went onto Amazon after my visit and
ordered some cat food to be delivered to the centre
because I fell in love with all the hedgehogs that needed
some cat food. They have an Amazon wish list where
they list items that they are most in need of. Details are
on their website.
Are you a community group that needs an
educational visit or talk? One of the ways you can give
to the centre is by booking a talk. The British Wildlife
Rescue Centre gives talks to Primary Schools, Scouts,
Brownies and other social and extra-curricular groups
in the local area. Does your WI Group want them to
visit? Do your children want to learn about wildlife?
They provide unique workshops and interactive talks
which includes an introduction to The British Wildlife
Rescue Centre and the work that they do regarding the
rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife. The talk
covers steps such as what the individual can do to care
for wildlife in their own garden with an opportunity to
meet some of the rescued animals. There is a charge for
these courses and the funds are ploughed back
into the centre.
They started in 1991, originally based at
Amerton Farm, but have now moved to
Wildlife Barn, London Road, Weston, Nr
Stafford, ST18 0JS – telephone number
01889 271308, www.thebwrc.com or find
them on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/thebwrc Their charity
number is 1171813.
They run entirely from donations and
take in approx. 2,000 animals a year, which
include, swans, owls, deer, blackbirds, hedgehogs,
mice, geese, gulls, pigeons, in fact any kind of wildlife
that has been injured and needs nursing back to full
health so they can be released back into the wild. They
are the only hospital facility in Staffordshire that cares
for all British Wildlife and they need your support.
They currently have 10 volunteers who give up their
free time to help look after the animals in the hospital
which involves weighing and cleaning out hedgehogs
and hand feeding lots of orphaned baby birds and
animals throughout the summer. They also assist with
vital fundraising and help to look after the centres
resident animals.
Volunteers are always needed and recently they
have discussed the need for a dedicated fund-raising
volunteer, do you have the skills to raise funds by
applying for grants? If so, they would love to hear from
you. It costs £1,400 a week to run the centre and funds
are running low due to the move.
The barn that they work from is very new to them,
they have been kindly given the use of the barn by a
long term volunteer, they are still moving in and need
a retired carpenter to help them put up shelves for the
cages they use to house the animals while they are with
them in the hospital. Are you recently retired carpenter
and want to help?
Are you a local business that wants to adopt a local
charity for the next couple of years, if so, please contact
them and have a discussion about how that could work
for you and them?
So this Christmas, why not find a different way of
giving from how you have given before, instead of
buying a Christmas present for your loved one, you
could instead make a donation to the centre or adopt a
hedgehog at the centre and let your loved one know
they have helped save the life of a wild animal, that’s
quite a special gift for anyone to receive or book one of
their educational courses, so others can find out about
the work they do. Alternatively give your time to them
and if you are like me, time is an invaluable gift to give
to anyone.
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
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See how
The Voice
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your business
Give us a call on
01538 751629
or 07733 466 970
or Email:
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hotmail.co.uk

Povey’s People
by Radio Stoke’s Owd Grandad Piggott
‘If ar adner sayn it with me own
eyes, ard never o’ believed it!’, said
Club Paper Jack on night in
Tummy Dawkins’s pub.
‘Eh?’ ventured Owd Grandad
Piggott.
‘Ar was in Whalley Wembleys
un a woman come in the shop an’
bought a bottle o’ waiter... Bought
it ar tell thee ‘ expostulated Jack
‘Paid money fer it...
‘Ar much?,’ queried Owd
Grandad Piggott.
‘Thray an’ a tanner!... Thray un
bloody six fer a bottle o’ nowt but
waiter... ah tell thee thees nowt ser funny as folk...’
‘It’s special waiter inner it?’ said Owd grandad
Piggott. ‘Its from a place cowd Malvern un its s’posed
ter ‘ave special properties,
‘What - lark it mecks thee bunny jump?’
‘Summatt lark that’.
‘It’s ow bunkum!’ spat Club paper Jack. ‘Just a road
o’ gerrin’ money its o’ folks ‘’As it got a label on it as says
its come from Malvern? As it buggery... ah tell thee -
theel bay puttin’ fresh air in bottles next an’ swearin’
blind as it comes fum Blackpiw...’ Owd Grandad
Piggott’s brain cogs were working overtime.
‘Soo if way got some pop bottles un filled ‘em up
with ordin’ry tap waiter, nobody ud know it adner come
from Malvern’.
‘Ow could thee... ow waiter tastes the same dunner
it?’
‘Ar- Ar Spose so... way could pur a bit o’ laxative in
it fer pep it up a bit….’
So a plan was hatched. They went round to Tummy
Dawkins’s pub and relieved him of two dozen empty
pop bottles which they took round to Owd Grandad
Piggott’s house, roughly swilled them out and filled
them with tap water, then Club Paper Jack added the
‘magic’ ingredient which consisted of a white powder
which Owd Grandad Piggott had had off the doctor to
open his bowels. When the powder came into contact
with the water, it fizzed violently and
emitted what sounded like a burp which
seemed to please Club Paper Jack.
‘That’s put some thrutch intiw it!’ he
grunted in satisfaction, It looks lark
Malvern waiter nar!’ What Malvern
water looked like, Club Paper Jack had
no idea, but it certainly looked
impressive.
‘Let’s try it ite on Perce Lockett’
suggested Owd Grandad Piggott. So they
prepared a bottle and Ciub Paper Jack
put in an extra dollop of white powder
for good measure and they took it round
to Perce Lockett.
‘Worrizzit?’ growled Perce suspiciously. He had
previous experience of Owd Grandad Piggott’s
nefarious activities and they weren’t pleasant ones.
‘Its Malvern waiter Perce’, said Club Paper Jack. ‘It
comes from a spring in the Malvern ‘ills an’ its got
special emzynes in it... its thray an’ a tanner a bottle in
‘ilda Aspinall’s, way’re sellin’ it fer two bob a chuck’.
‘What’s special abite it?’ growled Perce.
‘It mecks thee bunny jump!’ said Jack. Perce
regarded him narrowly.
His bunny hadn’t jumped for a number of years and
he regarded Club Paper Jack with deep suspicion.
‘Does it?’
‘Oh ar... they ex Arthur Milligton!’ This amazing
side effect of Malvern water had come into Jack’s head
in a flash but caused Perce Lockett to dig into his
pocket and produce a two shilling piece which he
handed grudgingly to Owd Grandad Piggott.
‘If they’t pullin’ mar plonker, ar’ll ‘ave the p’lice on
thee’, he snarled. With some trepidation, Owd Grandad
Piggott and Cluh Paper Jack, dizzy with success,
repaired to Owd Grandad’s back kitchen and began
producing in ernest, They even went into Hilda
Aspinall’s and offered it to her for one and sixpence a
bottle.
Tummy Dawkins meanwhile was rigging up a
security system to try and catch whoever was stealing
his empty pop bottles.
It hit the fan in mid week when Perce Lockett was
suddenly taken short in the bookies and Lizzie went on
the warpath. She marched round next door to Owd
Grandad Piggotts and all but dragged him outside
when he answered the door.
‘What was in that theer stuff as yer sowd ‘im two
dees ago?’ she bellowed.
‘Eh? What? Why, what at on abite?’
‘Ahll tell thee what arm on abite’, yelled Lizzie,
‘What ever was in that bottle went through ‘im lark a
ferrari, ...ays spent the last
forty eight ‘ours on the piggin’ khazi...’
The Malvern water spring dried up.
Each month Radio Stoke’s Owd Grandad Piggott (Alan Povey) will write a unique insight into our local life and its
many characters. His infectious, humorous slant on people provides a different and unusual mix which hopefully
will bring a warm smile to the faces of our readers.
This month: Malvern Waiter
So a plan was
hatched. They
went round to
Tummy
Dawkins’s pub
and relieved him
of two dozen
empty pop
bottles...
R
ecently I told you about a wonderful gentleman
who is now a centenarian or, as I mistakenly
described him when my Mrs. Malaprop
tendencies kicked in, a centurion! This marvellous man,
at a somewhat younger age, demonstrated the fortitude
and courage of a Roman leader as he experienced and
survived the horror of the Second World War. This week
I watched an excellent film called ‘The Keeper’ and I
highly recommend it.
This is a true story about Bert Trautmann, a name
that many of you football fans may recognise. The film
is an account of the life of a German PoW in Scotland
and how he overcomes hostility and positive hatred to
play in goal for Manchester City. Trautmann was
honoured here and in his native land for his work in
promoting Anglo-German relations. This gifted
sportsman is the epitome of an erstwhile enemy being
seen simply as a person. Albeit a very talented one. I am
informed that Trautmann was the idol of the late, great
Gordon Banks who modelled his goalkeeping technique
on his sporting hero. Over his hundred years, my dear
friend, and indeed Bert Trautmann, bore witness to a
long list of innovations and inventions.
A recent programme on Radio 4 featured what were
the most important influences on Society throughout the
last ten decades. You may be surprised to learn that the
humble bicycle is considered to have been the most
influential of all due to its impact upon daily lives.
Originally, it had been associated with the middle classes
only but as bicycles became more affordable it enabled
the working classes to seek work further afield and
allowed leisure activities to develop.
During the working week a bike could transfer
workers to their places of employment and, when not
working, people were able to cycle away from urban
environments into the countryside to enjoy some leisure
time. Cycling and football continue to feature as the top
leisure activities. I am sure that many little ones will be
hoping for a bike or a football shirt from Father
Christmas. As I conclude my final musings of 2019, I
wonder if I can guess the question in your mind.
What have I asked Father Christmas to bring me? I
have requested two autobiographies this year. Both
combine my love of reading and my love of music. My
first request is ‘Me’ by Elton John and the second is ‘Face
It’ by Debbie Harry.
I also love a good mystery and there is an element of
mystery within both tomes… how did Sir Elton survive
all the experiences of his 72 years and how does Debbie
Harry still look so good at 74? And of course I could also
ask my favourite centenarian the same questions! Merry
Christmas!
My Monthly Musings
by Cecily Cowans of Cheadle
Owd Grandad Piggott
Go to the new website
www.owdgrandadpiggott.co.uk
and download tracks from the original
Owd Grandad Piggott LP record which
was recorded live by Alan Povey in
The George and Dragon pub in Long-
ton in 1977 and sold over 6,000 copies
in North Staffordshire inside 6 months.

Cheadle
and
District
Choral
Society
C
headle and District
Choral Society is
getting into festive
mood as they practice for
their annual Christmas
concert, “Christmas is
Coming” under the baton
of conductor David
Windsor, accompanied by
Rahna Windsor.
Again the chorus will
be supported by the
delightful school choir
from the Bishop Rawle
School.
With some seasonal
numbers from the chorus
and some popular carols
for the audience to join in
with you can be sure of a
great evening of musical
entertainment at Cheadle
Methodist Church on
Wednesday 11th
December starting at
7.30pm.
Tickets priced at £6 for
adults and £3 for children
are available from Donald
Cope Estate agents or from
society members. You are
advised to purchase a
ticket beforehand as the
concert was over-
subscribed last year and
sadly some people had to
be turned away due to lack
of space.
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Down on the Farm
by Angela Sargent
From Rocester Garage to
Air Ministry Cheadle...
by Bill Woodier, formerly of Rocester, now living in Cheadle
Part 5
A
s well as running Rocester Garage, the
family ran the village Newsagents selling &
delivering newspapers & magazines. I can
remember the daily delivery, which was by the first
Trent bus of the day from Ashbourne, it arrived at
6-20, via Denstone & on to Uttoxeter. That meant
turning around at the bottom of Church Lane, it
would pull up right outside our house & drop the
bundle(s) of Newspapers on the cobbles at the front
of the house. It was usually a conductress on the
bus as most of the male conductors, except for a
few elderly gentlemen, had been “called up” to fight
the war.
We took the newsagents on when Bob Wood
gave it up, probably due to his war work & his
eldest son Graham, the only child old enough to
take on the business, being away in the RAF.
Running the Newsagents was quite an arduous
task, bearing in mind we delivered to Denstone,
Stubwood & Marston Montgomery as well as
Rocester. Florrie used to deliver all Marstons
newspapers to Marston Post office each morning,
before school, for locals to collect their newspapers
from there.
Due to my Dad’s ill health, at around the end of
the war, the business was sold to Tom Harrison.
Another wartime venture involving Tom was
the hiring out of a room on the upper floor of the
Coach House. He had deliveries of tea in plywood
boxes, referred to as tea-chests. He, often assisted by
Florrie, would decant the tea into paper bags – as tea
was rationed at that time, I’m not sure whether this was
a “black market” operation?
On top of all the above the family were caretakers
at both the Infant School at the top of Church Lane &
the Council School on Ashbourne road.
Initially the Infant School caretaker was my
Grandad Hart. He lived just a few yards away from our
house, but on the opposite side of the road, however,
with his death in 1943, my parents looked after both
schools until the end of the war saw younger men
return to the village and by the end of 1946, when
my Dad died, Bert & Lily Henshaw had taken over
both schools.
Another fund raiser was the sale of apples &
damsons, this went on well into my teenage years.
We used to keep the apples in one of the two Tin
Baths I remember from my childhood, in the
‘Parlour’, along with a set of weighing scales & a
selection of weights. Apples from the orchard,
damsons from the trees at the bottom of our
garden. The most reliable apple crop was from a
Bramley apple tree, the damson crop varied
considerably depending on what the weather had
been like in the spring of that year.
Like many other families at that time we kept
hens & raised cockerels at the bottom of our
garden. This provided an almost constant supply of
eggs & an occasional chicken dinner.
When my Dad died, I was just a few days short
of my eighth birthday & obviously not able to run
the Garage. Luckily my Dad had a friend in Shelton,
in the Potteries, who ran a cycle shop & whose son
was soon to come out of the army. That was Eric
Jones ex REME so he knew about cars & engines.
Since the entrance to the Mediterranean was
controlled by the Germans & Italians, members of
the British 8th Army were shipped to Durban &
other ports in South Africa, en-route to North
Africa. The most memorable battle there being at
El Alamein. After the defeat of German & Axis forces
in North Africa, the 8th Army sailed to Sicily where
they soon gained a foothold to begin the long &
difficult Italian campaign, most notable for Eric was
witnessing the battle for Monte Casino.
Eric ran the Garage for several years & also married
my sister Lilian.
Eric on right, photo taken in Durban
“The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree”
Robert Frost
D
ecember already and after such a wet couple of
months, please let it be dry! All over the
country, farmers have struggled to harvest
maize and potato crops, to work and resow fields and
some still have seed corn and fertiliser in store, with
the financial impact that that carries.
Machinary has been stuck axle deep in sludge filled
fields, whilst river side pasture has been swamped.
The ground that our farm sits on is heavy red clay
and became too wet too soon for us to plough and sow
seed for next years crops - we only managed 5 acres –
this means if we use the seed corn we had bought in
preparation (‘winter’ seed variety) for using in spring
then germination may well be reduced - so do we write
it off and carry the cost and buy more in spring (when
demand will be higher, therefore more expensive) or
do we take a chance and use it?
And if it’s a late spring and too wet to get on our
land very early, what then?
Whilst brexit uncertainty continues, we are having
an election - so what do our prospective MPs think of
food? They give lip service to maintaining our high
standards to win votes, but do they mean it when it
comes to forming trade deals? So why want high
standards over here if you’re not bothered about the
standards of what you bring in? Government could
end up pricing our own industry and workforce out of
the market completely, with unrealistic demands.
This year we’ve not seen as many Lapwings or
Skylarks, which usually nest on our fields - and only
two partridge chicks (which we only saw for a few days)
- we grow a cover crop to provide food and habitat for
such birds and animals all year round. But we have seen
many more predators both in the sky (such as
Buzzards/Sparrowhawks) and on the ground
(Stoat/foxes/badgers).
Marketing our lambs continues and Ted has an
increase in his workload at this time of year - fetching
them in for us to weigh and check weekly before taking
them back and then bringing those in we have kept to
one side when we want to load up.
Consequently he is always pretty well mucked up
and, although I make him wait to be let in, he always
manages to shake in the kitchen - the paintwork and
furniture has what resembles a Pollock - style look
about them, as do our clothes if we’re too near him
when he does!
Pip, on the other hand, hates wet and rain and
sometimes we almost have to drag her outside, except
she has discovered the joy of a low flying pheasant
chase and loves to zigzag across the field whilst chasing
one then another, no matter how splashy!
Merry Christmas from the farm.

Lank’s Lore
By Steve ‘Lank’ Lavin
Golden Memories from one of Uttoxeter’s Favourite Characters
W
ell that’s another year nearly over with,
where has the time gone I wonder. It doesn’t
seem 2 minutes since Nigel approached me
to write a column in his wonderful community
magazine but believe it or not, I can’t, it is over 10 years
ago!
Christmas will soon be upon us where some of us
will meet our friends and relatives who we have not
seen seen since the occasion last year due to them living
in foreign countries and can only afford to travel once
a year for this annual get together.
I personally will be glad when it is all over and can
get back into my usual routine without having to
endure the endless commercialism of the occasion.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone with my view
and do realise that the majority of people look forward
to this occasion and good luck to you all. It’s just that
Christmas always reminds me of friends and family
who have passed away and will not be around to share
this occasion with me.
I am, I suppose lucky in a lot of respects that I still
have members of my family available to share it with,
that I suppose will take a lot of some of my ill feelings
away. It is the people who have been left with nothing
that I feel sorry for and for them it can be a very lonely
occasion.
Anyway, enough of the boring talk. One event that
I do look forward to though is the meeting of the
Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt in Uttoxeter
Market place over this festive period.
It is generally very well attended and is enjoyed
both by the supporters and anti hunt brigade alike,
everyone is allowed to show their support or vent their
anger on the proceedings, regardless, but lets not forget
after all it is a legal activity and no laws are being
broken..
The origins of this well known and prestigious pack
of hounds can be traced back to the 18th century.
The Meynell and South Staffordshire are privileged
to have one of the most varied, interesting and
challenging grass counties in the whole of England.
The hunting country spreads across a large part of
Derbyshire and Staffordshire; from the north of
Ashbourne down to Lichfield in the south, across to
Derby in the east and Cannock Chase to the west.The
Autumn hunting season starts in September depending
on harvest, when young hounds are introduced to
hunting life by their more experienced friends. During
this period both horses and hounds are being prepared
for the opening of the season in late October. The
hounds hunt two days a week; Tuesday and Saturday.
At all times the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt
intends to hunt within the law, performing legal
activities permitted within the restrictions of the
Hunting Act 2004.
The Joint Masters and all who hunt are deeply
grateful to everyone who allows them to cross their
land, enabling them to enjoy the thrill of trying to
follow hounds in one of the most demanding and
exciting hunting counties in England.
You can tell that I am really pro for this type of sport
but I can see the point of anyone that isn’t and they of
course are entitled to their own opinion.
Let’s be fair if all these old traditions were banned
what would be left of our British heritage which in
most cases is greatly admired all over the world.
It made me laugh the other week when I read in the
local press a letter to the editor from a very irate lady
who was certainly really anti fox hunting, when she
stated that the whole occasion should be banned due
to the safety factor that the riders participated in an
alcoholic drink prior to setting off on horseback to
commence their days activities and riding a horse when
they had consumed alcohol was a danger to the
spectators.
Give me strength, I don’t think a swig of the
traditional stirrup cup prior to their hunt is likely to
cause even the seldom imbiber into a raving drunken
accident causing horse rider! Still as I have said, each
and everyone to their own views
All I can say is to the people who practice these old
British traditions should carry on doing so regardless
of personal consequences and the opinion of others
and good look to you all for doing so.
If all possibilities of injury were brought into the
equation nothing would ever take place.
Some people moaned about the cruelty to the
horses during the Grand National but the owner of a
racehorse costing 1,000’s of £’s no more wants to see his
horse injured in any way the same as the complainers
do, but he still takes the risk of entering it to keep up
this fantastic tradition.
There are many more instances of wanting to ban
certain traditional sports and pastimes which I will not
go into on this occasion and unfortunately you will
never stop the do gooders in this world of ours.
Anyway that is my final spouting of the year and
may I wish all the readers of my column and all the
people who have assisted me in supplying photographs
both for my column and the Good Old Days page a
very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I
hope to be offering my services again next year and
again thank you all for your support.
Till next time,
Lank
I took this photograph at last year’s meeting and was amused at the anti hunt brigades banner, even though it is a very serious subject to some people it shows that the anti
hunt brigade have still got a good sense of humour!

Chocolate and Raspberry Vegan Cake
L
ast Christmas my son’s girlfriend came to stay
with us and she is vegan. I wanted to have a really
indulgent chocolate cake that everyone could
share.
I have to say this cake is so delicious and no one had
a clue it was vegan. It is really moist, but light, and also
very simple to make.
For the cake you will need -
350ml almond milk
2tsp cider vinegar
250g caster sugar
150 ml sunflower oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
225g plain flour
75g cocoa powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
For the icing you will need -
200g vegan dark chocolate 70% cocoa solids
75ml almond milk
50g coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
Fresh raspberries for the filling and to decorate, and
of course my edible glitter!
1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and grease and line 3 x
18cm sandwich tins.
2. Pour the almond milk into a large jug and add the
vinegar.
Whisk to combine - the mixture will
thicken and curdle - leave to stand
for a couple of minutes, then stir in
the caster sugar, oil and vanilla
extract.
3. Sieve the flour and cocoa powder
into a large mixing bowl and add the
bicarbonate of soda, baking powder
and salt.
Gradually mix the wet ingredients,
whisking all the time, until you have
a smooth batter. Pour into your
prepared tins, and bake immediately
to create the best rise in the oven.
4. Bake for approximately 25-30
minutes or until risen and springy to
the touch. Leave to cool in the tins
for 10 minutes then turn out gently
onto wire racks to cool completely.
5. To make the icing, place the
chopped chocolate, almond milk,
coconut oil and vanilla extract into
a saucepan. Heat very gently,
stirring all the time, until melted. Use a balloon
whisk to help the mixture emulsify, then transfer to
a jug and set aside for approx. 15 minutes before
using.
6. To assemble your cake, place the bottom layer on
your cake stand and spread with some of the icing
and sprinkle over a few raspberries. Repeat the
process with the next layer, finishing with the final
layer of sponge. Spread the remaining icing on the
top of the cake and finish with fresh raspberries,
sprinkled with edible glitter to finish the festive
look!
My family absolutely loved this cake, it is so rich
and moist and you really dont miss any of the usual
ingredients. It is very indulgent and perfect for a
special occasion.
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by Karen Hill
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Remembrance Day - Uttoxeter, Ch

eadle, Tean, Denstone & Kingsley

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

Photo Credits - 1: Sue Waterfall, Uttoxeter. 2: ?? 3: Alan Fernihough, Uttoxeter. 4: Robin Allen, Uttoxeter. 5: Mick Smith, Rocester. 6: Margaret Groves, Uttoxeter.
6
4
5

Let The Voice Be With You
by Les Humphries of Rocester
W
ell readers, not allowed to mention anything
about what’s happening in the you know
what, which I’m sure we are all excited about
- not! Instead let’s see what’s happening after all the
excitement has cooled down, and we can look forward
to Christmas. But first I must mention how generous
people have been by contributing to the Royal British
Legion Poppy Appeal. I sold my usual quota around the
JCB Offices, and as always most of them dug deep,
filling my tins and making all the walking around 4
floors worthwhile. Many thanks to you all.
As Standard Bearer for the Denstone Branch, I
paraded with my fellow Legionnaire’s at All Saints
Church, Denstone (see picture of some of us in the
doorway prior to the service). We had our usual good
turnout in the congregation who paraded with us
around to the War Memorial after the Service, for the
wreath laying and Last Post. As the Denstone Service
takes place an hour earlier than Rocester, myself and
Rachel Hayes, our lovely trumpeter, then moved down
to St. Michaels, Rocester, for their service where we
performed again.
As we share a Vicar with Denstone, we did a switch
on last year, with lay reader Sue Hutchinson
performing the Service in Denstone. The Rev. Liz Jones
handled the Rocester end, where the Last Post is played
at the Lych Gate which many people don’t realise is also
Rocester’s War Memorial. I read out a poem during the
Service at Rocester about my path to the Legion which
people have told me they enjoyed, and being self
indulgent I would like to share that with you now:
My Path to The Legion
It was always a soldier I wanted to be,
Even as a child at my mothers knee.
My Dad was a soldier, and he’d been to War,
I never even saw him until I was four!
He was wounded at Dunkirk, healed, and then given
leave,
It was during this time that I was conceived!
As a baby - he’d held me, then away he was sent,
To fight Rommel in the desert, that’s where he went.
His brother meanwhile, in the jungle he’d fought,
He suffered cruel treatment - by the Japanese he’d
been caught!
We lived with my Nan - Grandfather as well,
He’d been in the Great War, and survived living hell!
My Dad was a regular, before War broke out,
And when peace was declared, they again shipped
him out.
This time to Germany, British Army on the Rhine,
Mum and me quickly followed, me still four at the
time.
I was given a uniform by the Military Police,
Who took me as their mascot around in their jeep.
Twas exciting for me, I went everywhere,
The only trouble was that they taught me to swear!
When Mum had then bourne my sister and brother,
We spent all our childhood in some camp or other.
Never setting down roots - moving on - town to
town,
We saw lots of places as we moved around.
Changing schools did not help, you’d no time to
settle,
New classmates, new teachers, you’d to be on your
mettle.
Although I learned plenty, whilst sitting in class,
I just couldn’t wait to get up off my - bottom!
A journalist one teacher had said I should be,
But I thought - ‘How ghastly’ that’s just not for me!
So the first chance I got, I went and signed on,
And at fifteen years old, I’d upped and I’d gone!
But one thing I forgot - silly young fool,
As a ‘Boy Soldier’ - you still went to school!
Combine spit and polish, with training and drill,
Sport and hobbies, plus eating, a whole day is filled.
To civilians I suppose - discipline seems severe,
You must react in an instant when danger is near.
And if you should dare to give some back chat,
A whole week of jankers soon took care of that!
All those who’ve been there know it’s horses for
courses,
The best mates in the World are those in the forces.
And then at eighteen - I was classed as a man,
I got posted abroad to where it began!
To see the whole World was my inclination,
British Army on the Rhine was my destination.
I saw France and Holland, Belgium, Germany too,
We were very much respected - twas before the EU!
Then without warning, cut down in me prime,
Nine months in Hospital - pretty rough time!
But I had some great nursing, and that pulled me
through,
The medics in Germany, wonderful crew.
Flown back to England - more time in bed,
It could have been worse - I could have been dead!
But my long term illness had taken my verve,
So the Army decided I weren’t fit to serve.
Now being a civvy, I ended up here,
Which is where I’ve resided for many a Year,
A couple of chaps said “Come join the Legion.”
So I did, and was back among pals in the region.
I became Standard Bearer, and still am today,
Parading our flag on Remembrance day.
I’m in Denstone Branch as you may have deduced,
Sadly over the Years our numbers reduced.
So we took on some ladies - they’ve got more drive,
Thank goodness we did - they’ve kept us alive.
So I come to the end, before I go, a slight pause,
Thanks to all who’ve supported such a worthwhile
cause!
Well that’s the poem folks, thanks for reading it. My
good lady Sandra also wrote a short piece for Facebook
which is also included in this magazine which was all
her own work and came from the heart about her Mam
(my mother in law) who was a lovely lady with a sharp
wit and brilliant sense of humour. A Wartime soldier
herself, she suffered from deafness in later life due to
the noise of the anti aircraft guns she served with in
London. Please read Sandra’s piece, it’s only short, but
it’s a gem.
To finish here are some dates for your diary of a few
Christmas events for St. Michael’s Rocester, starting on
the 8th of December with the Christmas Tree Festival
1pm to 3pm then into Church for the Christingle
Service. The Carol Service takes place at 4pm on the
15th and is a candlelight service.
Christmas Eve will see the ever more popular
Nativity Walk setting off from Rocester Village Hall at
4pm through the Village to St. Michael’s, where lots of
fun things take place both outside and inside church.
Great for all the Family and support gets more and
more each year. Then at 11.30 the Midnight
Communion takes place and puts everyone in the
mood for Christmas Day, when at 10am there is a
Christmas Communion Service then home for your
turkey and sprouts.
Have a lovely Christmas everyone TTFN until
February Les... - I wonder who will be in power then?
My Mam
by Sandra Humphries
O
n 13th November it would have been my
Mam’s 101st birthday. When WW2 broke
out, she was working in Dulwich Near
London. My Grandad, fearful for her safety, wrote
to her asking for her to return home, which was a
small village near Conwy in North Wales.
She did, but on her way back unbeknown to her
Dad, she enlisted in the A.T.S, who duly posted her
back to - London.
My Mam was only 5’1 and 1/2” tall - always
reminding people not to forget the 1/2”! Although
small in stature, she was a force to be reckoned with,
her Dad said when she informed him that she had
enlisted, he was more concerned for the welfare of
her brother, and that if Hitler had any sense, he
would turn and run if he saw my Mam advancing
towards him.
During her time in the A.T.S, they trained her
on the largest anti-aircraft gun the British Army
had, and she could spot any aircraft by it’s silhouette
(still could till the day she died aged 84), but also
had the knack of being able to tell if it was one of
our aircraft or the enemies, simply by the sound of
its engines before coming into view, (with her co-
workers always asking “is it one of ours?”)
This is only a small snippet of her life, but we are
so proud of what she achieved.

Alan’s Football Autobiography
by Alan Beaman, a local sporting legend
M
ichael O’Neill arriving as Stoke manager is a
brave choice, untried at Championship level,
he has always come over as a genuine guy at
international level so let’s hope he can turn the club
around.
He will have seen all the players around the British
Leagues so his knowledge is vast and he also knows the
international scene. Supporters at Stoke will back him
- they deserve some winning vibes to boost their
confidence in the club.
Leicester are doing a great job under Brendan
Rodgers, playing fast, attacking football which is so
good to watch. Chilwell looks an excellent wingback,
constantly raiding down the left side and providing
assists for Vardy who is having a superb season. I rate
him so highly and the way he plays the game, running
at players, also putting himself about, is exactly what
supporters love to see. Maddison is also developing into
a top player. I wonder if Maguire feels he made the
right decision now Rodgers has worked his magic,
maybe the salary is softening the blow.
Arsenal are struggling to improve under Emrey, he’s
not solved the defensive frailties, the Xhaka situation
was embarrassing for a top club -when a player
disrespects the club in the way he did, the decision
should have been instant, your captain takes the stick
sometimes and he has to show leadership qualities for
the club and manager. Is that a clear sign of the times....
When the club and manager are stuttering what to
do, he’s being paid enough to handle the pressure, his
discipline on the pitch is shocking and a very poor
example for younger players at the club. Can you
imagine Vieira and Adams putting up with his antics
at the club...
Stability has arrived at the Vale which I am really
pleased about - many happy years for me at the club.
Recently speaking to Mick Ede who tells me its a much
happier place to work now, great to to see Mick doing
well up at the Vale, I have a lot of respect for the Ede
guys, they all did great for me back in the day.
It’s great to look back with ex players sometimes,
the memories make you wonder where the desire and
energy came from and how a group of people
collectively make the difference.
Now for a look at the dreaded VAR, it looks like the
Premier League has made every effort to complicate
VAR, to the point where it’s having a negative effect on
the game. It’s taking too long to make a decision, the
referee isn’t going to the screen to check himself
enough.The rule of a clear and obvious mistake is not
being observed, some of the offside checks should not
go to VAR, they can’t decide because it’s a few
millimetres they are checking. Then we have the crowd
cheering a goal until VAR decide to check the decision
and it’s so close it’s taking several minutes which is
spoiling the entertainment.
The rule of clear and obvious is being ignored to
the detriment of the game and the referee should make
the decision at the screen a lot more, and keep the panel
out of the decision making. I personally would drop the
system for a while to improve it, or let the referee get
back to his job and trust him, the game is all about
mistakes by everyone involved, the goal line camera is
perfect, the rest is farcical at times- the indecision
factor and waiting is making it all look unprofessional.
Lewis Hamilton’s dominance of F1 has been World
class for years and it’s about time the press gave him the
coverage he deserves, the best British sportsman over
the last few years by a mile. I love watching him, his
desire to be the best is an example to all sportsmen in
the UK. We have to be honest and ask does Racism
come into the factor with Lewis - I think so at times
and we should all bombard the British snobbery press
so he has his true recognition of a World class brilliant
driver
I finish this article after just watching Liverpool
versus Man City, the perfect example with a refused
penalty appeal, for handball by Trent Alexander
Arnold, it was decided by VAR to be no penalty, the
panel on Sky could not fully agree, proving there always
will be decisions people will disagree about no mater
how many times it’s looked at. Liverpool looked more
ruthless than City who defended poorly most of the
game. Liverpool were more direct, stretching Man City,
so there dominance at Anfield continues - they will
take some stopping now.
S
ome great racing took place at the North
Midlands Championships for 35 Cheadle
swimmers over 2 weekends recently. For some it
was their first open meet.
The Cheadle swimmers did not disappoint with
many taking a full haul of medals and trophies.
Club captain Harriet Bebbington (15 years) got 14
golds, top 15 year old girl, best female over all age
groups, also winning the senior skins and bagging
herself £100 prize money. Club captain Charlie Stokes
(15 years) 1 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze. Kaynan Barfoot (10
years) 6 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze and runner up best 10
year old boy. Finn Spooner (9 years) his first ever open
meet 1 bronze,1 silver and 3rd best 9 yr old boy.
Leighton Downings 4 bronze and 3 county times.
Lauren Bull (14 years) 2 gold,1 silver,1 bronze. Katie
Reily(14 years) 1 bronze. Oliver Stokes (12 years) 2
silver 1 gold. Francesca Armit (9 yrs) 1 bronze. Brogan
Milward (10 years) 7pbs, 5 county times. Emma
Masterson (14 years) achieved 2 county times and a
staggering 12 pbs. Rebecca Haynes (12 years) 7pbs and
1 county time, Lara Barr(11 years) 9 pbs Chloe
Brindley (10 years) 6pbs, Millie Downings (12 years) 8
pbs, Lily Clark (16 years) 2 pbs.
Head coach Andrew Stone was very pleased with
the achievements and said it was a great start to the
season.
Cheadle swimmers at The North
Midlands Championships

Each month Uttoxeter’s best known character Roy ‘Razzer’
Astbury will compile his very own ‘All-Time
Local Football Team’ which in his opinion is
the very best of players past and present.
‘Razzer’ will create a team in each issue
of The Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice which
he believes incorporates all the
ingredients of a football outfit which
could be unbeatable!
He will be delving into his
thoughts to remember all the
terrific players in years gone by
whilst selecting those who are
exceptional in our present
day.
It should be a
fantastic talking point
in our community
and no doubt you
all will have your
views on
‘Razzer’s Hall
of Fame
team.
BRIAN UFTON
Uttoxeter Boys Club
A really confident and
talented player, Brian was
always in the thick of the
action.
TONY BLOOD
Uttoxeter Police
Stylish defender who could
also mix it with the best.
ERIC BROWN
Uttoxeter Boys Club
Top notch defender who
could play in any back four
position.
EDDIE BELL
Uttoxeter Grammar School
Eddie was an excellent player who
liked to overlap down the wing.
RON WHIELDON
Cheadle Old Boys
A really classy footballer
who had tremendous
vision. Great passer of the
ball and a real competitor.
Great bloke too.
MALCOLM
WHISTON
St Joseph’s School
Tricky player who could
turn opposition players
inside out due to his
tremendous skills.
SAMMY SMITH
Cheadle Old Boys
Sammy was a terrific player who had talent
to burn. He had the look of a George Best
although his hair was long and blond! He
could have made a professional footballer,
he was so good. Tremendous bloke too –
and so was his dad!
ALAN CHAPMAN
Uttoxeter Boys School
Alan possessed great
passing abilities and he also
got his fair share of goals.
KEN WAIN
Bamfords
Brilliant player who was one of the
best in his era. A really great person
both on and off the field.
STAN FOSTER
A superb goalscorer, Stan used to
bag plenty of goals and always
gave defenders a really hard time.
RON COATES
Brilliant keeper who was one of the best in the area.
We have inserted one football club each
player has performed for.
Obviously, many have played for several
clubs in their careers.
All-time local soccer Hall of Fame Team
by Roy ‘Razzer’ Astbury
T. G. Sargeant Butchers choose
Jack Conlon as Man of the Match
Make sure you
get your Sports
Club publicised
in The Voice!
Send in your news, club, sport articles
and photographs to
THE VOICE COLOUR MAGAZINE
and let our huge readership see what
success you are enjoying!
Email: uttoxetervoice@hotmail.co.ukJack Sargeant, of Match Sponsors T. G. Sargeant Butchers of Uttoxeter and Bramshall, selected brilliant
Jack Conlon as Man of the Match against Veseyans. Uttoxeter beat the league leaders 26-7.

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, Issue 96

Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, Issue 96

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Uttoxeter & Cheadle Voice, Issue 96