staffordshire Archives - Times Echo and Life

September 26, 2019

“It’s wonderful to see all their achievements”

A NEW campaign has been launched in search of new foster families in Staffordshire. ‘No Myths, No Ifs, No Buts…’ is the latest campaign by Staffordshire County Council to help find foster families for some of the county’s most vulnerable children. The campaign is being focused on helping to bust some of the commonly held myths which often put people off from fostering.

Food bank appeals for donations

A FOODBANK in East Staffordshire said it is currently low on stock primarily due to a supermarket halting its collection for the local organisation. The Uttoxeter Foodbank run by Renew Church, has provided food and toiletries for “needy-families” in and around the town since 2015. However, the resource said it is currently “running low on certain items” with this “primarily down to ASDA supermarket no longer collecting for our local food bank in their store.”

Great day for town’s Party in the Park

A YEARLY event which celebrates the assets of a community in the Moorlands was hosted on Sunday. Despite the threat of adverse conditions, the weather proved good for the Party in the Park that was held over the weekend on Tean Road recreation ground in Cheadle with many residents enjoying a day of entertainment with neighbours and friends. Live music, competitions and craft stalls created a welcoming atmosphere for those who attended.

Burglar sentenced to prison

A MAN has been jailed after carrying out a spate of burglaries in rural locations of Staffordshire – including one at a house in Uttoxeter. Ross Underwood, aged 34, of Marans Croft in Birmingham, was sentenced when he appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday, June 28. At an earlier hearing, Underwood admitted a burglary at a house in Westward Close, Uttoxeter and another in Gallowstree Lane, Mayfield. He also pleaded guilty to an attempted burglary on Birchalls Close in Leek.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

FREE parking bays in the High Street, a weekend bus service for villages and a drastic revamp of Cheadle’s town centre are among suggestions for a ‘vision statement’ as part of a bid for government funding. Cheadle Town Council’s development services committee met on Monday to debate options which would revitalise the heart of the town. Councillors agreed to seek inspiration from the town’s school pupils and sixth form students, as well as attempt to kick-start a more vibrant night-time economy.

Oompa-lump of cash raised for charity

AN auction of quirky Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride theming, staged by Alton Towers, has attracted thousands of bids and raised over £10,700 for charity. The Oompa-lump sum of cash was raised by Alton Towers Resort as it auctioned off items from its former Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride to make way for its latest attraction, the Alton Towers Dungeon, which opens next month. Both theme park and Roald Dahl fans jumped at the chance to get their hands on some golden memorabilia, raising £10,781, which will now be split between two UK charities.

On-street parking charges are coming to town centre

PROPOSALS to introduce on-street parking in Uttoxeter have been passed by a local authority. We reported in January that Staffordshire County Council was considering possible on-street parking charges in Uttoxeter, as well as in a number of other towns across the county. The authority has now confirmed that those proposals have now been passed, and that there will be a “rolling programme” to instigate the schemes up to 2022.

Cheadle and Uttoxeter schools in top five across county

SCHOOLS in Cheadle and Uttoxeter are among the top five in the county according to latest figures. Painsley Catholic College, Cheadle and Thomas Alleynes High School in Uttoxeter were placed third and fourth respectively in the Staffordshire league tables for secondary schools. Moorside High School at Cellarhead was ranked sixth, with The Cheadle Academy in 14th place.

U-turn on lollipops

SCHOOL crossing patrols have been saved from the axe, after Staffordshire County Council revised its budget proposals before making a final decision next month. The authority will allocate the £1.4million funding required to provide crossing wardens at key points across the county. The council was considering moving to a community funded service as part of measures needed to close a £35m budget shortfall in 2019/20.

Residents’ road fears to be tackled

PLANS are in the pipeline to combat on-going road fears at two notorious stretches of road near Cheadle. Motorists are being warned to drive appropriately to conditions near Freehay crossroads and along the A522 at Kingsley Moor. Villagers in Freehay and Kingsley Moor have called for action to be taken urgently after near-misses and incidents at both locations.

Favourite foodie venues are up for awards

BUSINESSES from the Cheadle and Uttoxeter area are in the running to be named the best in Staffordshire. The Ramblers' Retreat at Alton and Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Cafe have both been shortlisted for the Taste of Staffordshire Good Food Awards 2018. The businesses will discover if they've won their categories at a glittering awards ceremony at Uttoxeter Racecourse later this month.

Council ask for clarity on cuts

CUTS to Staffordshire County Council's budget could push costs for some services onto Cheadle Town Council, members have warned. Councillors in Cheadle have agreed to ask the leader of Staffordshire County Council (SCC) to outline what services they may be expected to fund in the future. At a meeting of the town council's committees on Monday, October 1, Mayor Ian Plant proposed an invitation to Cllr Philip Atkins OBE.

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