Latest News Archives - Times Echo and Life

November 19, 2020

Covid-19 cases fall after severe peak in area of the Moorlands

Cases of Covid-19 in Blythe Bridge, Forsbrook and Caverswall are beginning to fall after rocketing to the highest rate in the West Midlands last week. As of the weekend, the rate of infection with coronavirus was at 550 per 100,000 and dropping rapidly.

Recording of council meeting to be kept in archives

A council has agreed to keep a recording of a recent virtual meeting. The motion to keep the recording of Cheadle Town Council’s meeting dated October 19 was agreed by the council at their meeting on Monday (November 16).

Petition for coats to be allowed

Hundreds of people have signed an online petition which is asking a village high school to let students wear coats in classrooms. The call comes as windows are being left open at Blythe Bridge High School and Sixth Form to provide “increased ventilation” during the current battle with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Village school closes following positive cases of Covid-19

A village school in the Moorlands has temporarily closed after cases of positive Covid-19 have been confirmed. Faber Catholic Primary School closed on Monday after a “small number” of members of the school community tested positive for coronavirus.

Community spirit rectifies vandalised display

A community Halloween display was wrecked by vandals last week – but then soon rectified by a kind-hearted community. Great Wood Hall in Tean had been one of many venues and private houses which took part in the Tean Pumpkin Trail over the weekend.

Council recommends refusal of new housing development

A town council has voted to recommend refusal of a planning application to build a further 40 houses on the outskirts of their town. An application has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) for “outline planning permission with all matters reserved for residential development of up to 40 dwellings and associated works” at land South of Thorley Drive in Cheadle.

Staffordshire moves to High Alert for Covid-19 on Saturday

The Government has confirmed that Staffordshire will move to High Alert for Covid-19 from 00:01 on Saturday, October 31. This means it will be illegal for people to meet socially indoors with another household, unless part of a ‘support bubble’. The new rules apply in both homes and public settings such as pubs and restaurants.

Moorlanders urged to ‘Remember at Home’ this November

Residents across the Moorlands are being asked to mark Remembrance Sunday safely from their homes this year as efforts to control the spread of coronavirus continue. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Staffordshire Police, the town councils and local branches of the Royal British Legion have worked together to ensure that, collectively, the district honours the service and sacrifices of our Armed Forces whilst safeguarding our communities.

Community spirit is doing it for the kids

Communities across the nation have been helping to feed youngsters this half term – and this has included the community of Cheadle. Takeaways, supermarkets and community leaders are among those locally who are offering the food to youngsters following an appeal by Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford after the House of Commons voted against proposals to extend free school meals to the half term.

County set to move up to High Alert level for Covid-19

Staffordshire is set to move to High Alert for Covid-19, in a bid to stem the rise of cases across the county. The exact date of when the new measures will come into place has still to be confirmed, but it could be “as soon as this weekend” - according to Staffordshire County Council. The status of the alert will be reviewed in 14 days.

“Nothing is set in stone” states council leader

A community leader has vowed that possible options for major changes in a Moorlands town which have been described in a council report are “not set in stone.” The Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) councillor Sybil Ralphs attended the virtual meeting of Cheadle Town Council on Monday evening after being invited following the SMDC Cabinet’s decision to establishment of a 'Town Centre Delivery Board' and a 'Stakeholder Panel' which are set to work to improve the town of Cheadle.

Castle plans up for council decision

Plans to fund the conservation of a Grade I Listed castle by ploughing revenue from running it as a hotel into essential repairs have stalled. Entrepreneur Robin MacDonald and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council are stuck at an ‘impasse’ after receivers failed to complete a Unilateral Undertaking that would guarantee investment in protecting Caverswall Castle.

Latest News