Featured News Archives - Times Echo and Life

August 22, 2019

Hundreds of children take on reading challenge

A NATIONAL reading scheme has proved popular with children in a Moorlands town, with hundreds joining in the fun. The Summer Reading Challenge, organised by the Reading Agency, is an annual countrywide project which invites school children to read a number of books based on a certain topic during the summer holidays. For 2019, a theme of 'Space Chase' has been chosen where youngsters are encouraged to read more on fictional life beyond the earth.

Large quantity of alcohol and cigarettes stolen from store

A CONSIDERABLE amount of alcohol and tobacco has been stolen during a break-in at a shop in the Moorlands. Staffordshire Police have confirmed that burglars broke into Co-op on Uttoxeter Road in Blythe Bridge and that a “large quantity” of these age-restricted items were taken at around 3am yesterday (Tuesday, August 20). The force has stated that the offenders forced entry and “made off from the scene.”

Head shave helps charity smash £1,000 fundraising target

A CHARITY shop employee underwent a head-shave last Wednesday for a cause that helps children who suffer with mental health illness. Aaron Pointer from Uttoxeter’s Barnardo’s branch took to the shaver as part of the charity’s fund-raising season in aid of SOLAR, the specialist service for kids with mental health difficulties. A 'Guess The Bear' competition also ran at the charity shop from July to August with car washes and basic sales also raising money for the cause.

New bus route into the city for Moorlands residents

A NEW bus route through the Moorlands and into Stoke-on-Trent is set to start next month. The service is set to offer residents of towns and villages the chance to travel to the city between school hours. Bus service Stanton's of Stoke will run the circuit which travels through Cheadle, Dilhorne and Blythe Bridge, stopping at Meir, Parkhall Estate and finally Hanley. The service starts on Tuesday, September 3 and will run from Monday to Friday with two routes going outbound and inbound from each of the 12 stops.

Litter pickers movement celebrates anniversary

A GROUP of volunteers who meet monthly to clean the streets of their town celebrated their one-year anniversary on Monday. The Cheadle Moorlands Litter Pickers have been keeping the streets of their town clean for the last 12 months after members were “fed up of seeing a mess on the streets.” Started by Nicola Cooper with mum Christine Broad, the group meets on the first Sunday of every month to collect litter that has been discarded in public spaces such as the high street and town centre.

Bust fuse on level crossing causes commuter disruption

A FAULT with a level crossing in the Moorlands caused a standstill in town traffic when it's barriers remained down for nearly two hours, provoking a back-up of vehicles along the road. On Friday, police were called to divert traffic away from Uttoxeter Road in Blythe Bridge with the barriers blocking any way through from either direction. A spokesperson for the Staffordshire Police told the Times and Echo: “We were called at around 4pm on Friday August 2, to reports that barriers had broken and officers were there directing traffic. “British Transport Police were also asked to attend along with Network Rail.”

Watering holes gain awards

TWO public houses have been recognised for being great real ale venues. The Uttoxeter and District branch of Campaign for Real Ale has recently dished out a number of awards – including one for a 'Rising Star' pub and another which has been named as Pub of the Season for the area. Chairman of the branch, Simon Ardron, said: “In CAMRA we are known for our support for real ale, but real ale needs to be served fresh and the best place for that is a pub, for that reason we also support and recognise the important role pubs play in serving real ale but also the community.

Charity quids in thanks to village nursery

A VILLAGE nursery has raised lots of cash for charity after hosting a community event. A Summer Fair was held at the Children 1st @ Acorns Upper Tean recently to celebrate the company's 30th birthday. All proceeds from the celebration have been donated to Aching Arms as part of the company’s pledge to support 30 good causes throughout its anniversary year.

Fond farewell from former headteacher

A FORMER headteacher has left a Moorlands school after more than two decades as he moves on to pastures new. Mike Prescott has called time on his teaching career after 23 years at Cheadle Primary School. Mr Prescott, who teaches music, told the Times and Echo: “I've been teaching for 41 years and I've taught at five or six different schools.

International recognition for curry chef

THE HEAD chef of an Indian restaurant in the Moorlands has received an accolade for his work in showcasing “the Best of British Curry” in Asia. Muhammad Ali from the Roshni Restaurant on Cheadle Road in Forsbrook was part of a “super curry chef team” which travelled to Kolkata, India, earlier this month as part of the Taste of Britain Curry Festival; an event that offered the best that the Great British curry scene has to offer. The day was organised by UK magazine 'Curry Life' at the five-star RaajKutir Hotel with the much acclaimed Cambridge-born “Michelin Laureate chef” Mark Poynton also showcasing his food at the festival.

Potholes cause concern of potential risk to drivers

A RESIDENT has raised concerns about potholes in his street which, he claims, could be a potential risk to both drivers and cyclists. Andy de Caso, who lives in Friars Close in Cheadle, has written to Staffordshire County councillor Mark Deaville about his concerns over the offending holes along his residential street. Andy said in his correspondences to cllr Deaville: “I believe a number of local residents may have spoken to you about this matter previously, but I now feel that having reported this on a number of occasions, with no resolve, that I need to raise this with you directly.

New village bus service in pipeline

A NEW bus service is set to be available for residents in the Moorlands after several parish councils collaborated to provide more public transport for its constituencies. There is set to be a new bus service three days a week through Draycott-in-the-Moors, Fulford and Forsbrook after the areas' respective parish councils agreed to come together to provide a regular means to get to larger towns for “isolated residents”. It was revealed at Monday's Forsbrook Parish Council meeting that, although contracts are yet to be signed, a new bus service is set to be offered to residents.

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