Local Edition

Tales from a Changing City

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:38:00 +0000

Review by Steve Dean

Pics by Julie Gould (click on pics to enlarge)

“The bulldozers came last wayk; thee didna waste any tarme… Now owl aw ar can see from mar back yard is a sea of debris; red, black ‘n’ grey; and th’ tide stretches back as far as thayse tired owd eyes of marne can see. Pretty soon, I suppose, ar’ll bay the eonly one arahnd ‘ere that’s left…”

Having lived in Stoke for twenty years now, I myself have seen much change since I first arrived and Stoke Sounds contributors Danny Hill and photographer Darren Washingtons’ tribute to the changing face of Stoke-on-Trent brought home just how drastic these changes have been.

Darren’s photography captures well the starkness of the devastation wrought on great areas of the city as street after street is flattened in the dubious name of progress and Danny’s acute observations are richly detailed and written with an obvious love for the city of his birth.

I was going to write at some length of the work presented here, but after pondering on the matter for a spell, I though it more apt to leave it to Danny himself.

Much of it written in the old Potteries dialect, here are some of my favourite quotes gleaned from the exhibition walls…

…on relationships and football:

“Shay’s taken everythin way’ve ever had. The bloody lot. The telly, the fridge-frayzer, the microwave, the furniture, washing machayne, even the laight-fittings for God’s sake. Ah should ave sayn it comin. It inna larke shay never warned may. Shay’s been sayin it fer years. Ow thay’st bloody cares abite is thee footbeowl. Repeatin larke a bloody mantra ‘er did. Thee conna ave the best of both worlds. Tak yer pick…

…what am ar supposed ta deow nah?Ah’ve got absolutely nothin’. Shay’s even taken may most prized possession, just ite of spite; an ‘istoric piece of rubble from the owd Victoria ground – thee owd Boothen end thee kneowst? Ar spent two wayks wages biddin’ fer that!”

…on characters:

“Many wondered if Raymond went more than a minute or two with out saying anything at all! Some customers, caught up in his camaraderie, would prompt him playfully from time to time.
Leaning forward. “What about Stanley Matthews? Ever meet him?”
Snorting derisively. “Knew him?We were practically known as blood brothers, my boy.”
“Bruno Brookes? Nick Hancock?”
“There is not one local disc jockey, past or present, that has not met the end of my scissors.”
“Robbie Williams?”
“It is quite well-known around Tunstall and Burslem parts that I inspired at least 3 or 4 of the boy’s records!”

...and on society (this one really has to be written in its entirety):

“That couple next doewer raylly git on mar bloody wick, thee deow. Thee think theer so high n mighty, teowkin' ow posh, larkes - why conna thee teowk normal larke may n our Trev' deow? Professionals, that's what thee call 'emselves, or to give it the full title, young professionals, ow bloody "la-de-da," thee are, thee act as if theer farts dunna stink larke every-bugger elses deow. 'E leowkes larke thee's summat wrong with 'im! N 'er, dunna git me bloody started on 'er; weolkin' dine th' road as bold-as-bloody-brass, larke er's trayin to balance a payle o' beowks on 'er pretty blonde 'ead. Ooh, ah conna bloody stand 'em, ah conna. Ah oewnly went rind theer to say "Ay up, welcome to th' neighbour'ood," but 'er leowked at may larke ah wis bloody-well daft! Well, ah've trayed showin' um 'ospitality - eet's obvious thee onna from rahnd 'ere, ah wis doewin' mar neighbourly bit, thee kneowst, larke eet says in th' Bible - but ah wunna deow eet again! Ah wunna bother! Nah, that's eet as far as ah'm concerned, thee've burned theer bloody bridges!”

“That couple next door seem terribly nice, very welcoming, although me and Richard have only met them just the once, as we were unpacking when we first arrived. Quite frankly, it's been dreadfully arduous adjusting to our new surroundings. My darling Richard, I know, has been under considerable strain adapting to his new job over here; I can see the anxiety in his eyes. He seldom complains. Bless him. Richard is Richard, and during the preciously short few years of our marriage I've tended to notice his behavioural traits, his eccentricities, if you like, and when under pressure, his burdens do serve to force him into his shell, making him appear, to outsiders, anxious and maladroit. Given time, however, I'm sure he will adjust to our new status quo. There is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, I'm sure we'll settle here, eventually. The new house is a dream, I love it, and the area is very agreeable; with lots of amenities and culture around the local area for Richard and I to enjoy. Yes, the more I think of it I'm positively sure we will make a home for ourselves here. That is, however, if we ever learn to interpret exactly what it is our neighbours are actually saying to us…”

Danny and Darren have had a very positive response to their exhibition and there is every sign that some very interesting opportunities may arise for them in the not-too-distant future. With work of this standard, there is no real reason for there not to be.

For more about:
Danny Hill
Darren Washington

Thinking about becoming a midwife?

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:25:00 +0000

Keele University School of Nursing and Midwifery will be holding an open
evening on 23rd September, from 5pm - 8 pm, when prospective applicants
can learn more about career opportunities within healthcare.

The event will be held at the Clinical Education Centre, City General
Hospital, off the A34.

The School is now recruiting for the January 09 and September 09
pre-registration programmes in nursing and operating department
practice.

Please contact 01782 556600 for more information, or visit the
website: www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ns

Kendo Nagasaki back on canvas

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:07:00 +0000

Ever since Sir Peter Blake painted masked wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki’s portrait for the BBC “Masters of the Canvas” Arena television documentary, the Samurai Warrior has been looking for another artist to create a further interpretation of his mysterious image, and this commission has found its way to Burslem-based artist Rob Pointon.

Trained at The Prince's Drawing School in London and with work in the private collection of HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Devonshire, Rob has painted charity portraits of local stars such as Gordon Banks, Nick Hancock and Sam Plank as part of a 48-hour portrait marathon. It was at this event in December 2007, while Rob was painting 90-minute portraits of local people back to back for 2 days and nights, that his work was seen by Atlantis Chronos Goth, Kendo Nagasaki’s mysterious occult priestess, and she felt it merited being brought to the attention of Kendo Nagasaki.

Rob describes himself as “a figurative artist”, and in partnership with Karen Sayle of Big Red Studio (also of Burslem), Rob has developed a technique of animating oil paintings so that they move and evolve on-screen. After Kendo Nagasaki had seen this work, it was agreed that a moving oil-painted portrait of the wrestling star would be produced, and that it would be done at Nagasaki’s remote abandoned country mansion. The mansion’s cellar walls now tell a new story – a unique wall-painted animation of the life-story of Kendo Nagasaki, after which the oil-painted portrait itself comes to life!

The movie of the animation will have its first screening at the the Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke On Trent on Saturday 20th September 2008 as part of the LDN wrestling event which will be televised for Sky TV’s Fight Channel (427). The main event of a packed bill of international wrestling will be Kendo Nagasaki’s long awaited return to the Victoria Hall ring in a tag match which will see Nagasaki and his partner take on LDN Champion Yorghos and Nagasaki’s old enemy from the days of ITV Wrestling, Liverpool’s Robbie Brookside, in a special ladder match.

Tickets are priced at £10 adult (£8 concessions) and can be purchased by calling 0870 060 6649.

When Tunstall had a theatre, by Mervyn Edwards

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Tunstall's first theatre was built on Booth’s Fields – a popular site for circus entertainments - at the junction of Sneyd Street (now Ladywell Road) and Victoria Street (now Harewood Road).

It was originally known as the Burslem and Tunstall Prince of Wales Theatre, though “Burslem” was soon dropped from the title. It was apparently known as the St. James’ Hall in later years, before assuming the name of the Theatre Royal, which name appears on the 1878 Ordnance Survey Map.

It opened in 1865 and was initially successful. The nearest other theatres were in Hanley and Newcastle. The historian Scarratt recalled that Gustavus Vaughan Brooke, the famous tragedian, appeared at the theatre. It eventually declined in popularity and closed around 1880. Possible reasons for this failure are given by William Scarratt: aside from a horse-tram connecting Burslem and Hanley, there was no co-ordinated transport system in the Potteries, so customers had to walk to the venue from neighbouring towns along poorly-made footpaths. Scarratt also hints that Potteries parochialism contributed to the theatre’s downfall: “Tunstall alone could not support one, and the outlying villages were too inert or prejudiced to give any encouragement.”

In 1882, the building was taken over by the Salvation Army as their Northern Potteries Citadel. 1889 saw the building cleaned and partly-rebuilt. Only the four outer walls now remained of the old theatre, and an entirely new, semi-circular gallery was erected, with staircases leading up to it.

The Salvation Army moved to new premises in 1998 and a pottery firm, PK Ceramics, took it over in 1999.

Bankeyfields community site

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:16:00 +0000

The Bankeyfields community website is a brilliant example of a highly localised website helping to connect the community and it has many features that local residents groups might want to follow:

- discussion forum, featuring a great big debate about the roundabout at Goldenhill. Since Stoke is packed with confusing road systems, this is a great taste of Stoke culture!
- regular news updates with an RSS feed so it can be fed to other sites, like this one
- events calendar with space for organising
- reports of problems - hopefully council wardens are keeping an eye on the site.

Although the architects of the site have built it themselves using Drupal, all of these tools can be found free or very cheaply online and people can chip in to help whenever they have a bit of time (and of course internet access). It's great to see such an active community site in a corner of Tunstall. It takes a long time and hard work to build up support for websites like these, so hopefully Bankeyfields will provide inspiration to others.

Cobridge Park Mela

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:31:00 +0000

(junction of North Rd and Elder Rd, Cobridge)

on Sun 31st Aug from 12-5pm

The event will be aired by Aap TV Sky Channel 803

Acts booked for the event include:-

* Hussain Brothers Qawwali Group
* Break Dancers
* World Famous African Drummer
* Fashion Show featuring Miss World finalist
* Bhangra Dancers/Dhol Players
* Singers
* British Twaekando Champion
* Pyrotechnics and Firework Display
* Sumo Wrestling, Gladiator Games
* Street Sports
* Bouncy Castles
* Henna Painting
* Face painting
* Balloon Modelling
* Competitions
* Food and Clothes Stalls
* Stalls by various business's, partner agencies etc (any other Businesses or agencies are welcome to book their places now ! )

More information:

Imran Shah

Community link officer

North Staffs British Muslim Welfare Society

01782 769300

Better mental health services

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:26:00 +0000

North Staffs Users Group (NSUG) is the independent charity that works towards improving mental health services in North Staffordshire. NSUG does this by speaking with anyone who has experience of mental ill health, and finding out what they think of the treatment they have received.

By finding out what people think of – and want from – mental health care, the NSUG can help to ensure that the views of people who have had mental health difficulties are considered when future services are being planned. Alternatively, if someone has a specific problem with the treatment they are receiving, they can ask NSUG to help them to resolve it.

As Emma Ford, the Group's Stoke Outreach Worker, says, "We want to hear what people think about anyone who offers mental health services. This could be GPs, Social Workers, Resource Centers, Community Nurses, Harplands Hospital, or even Voluntary Groups. We want to hear the things that people think are good as well as not so good. Also, if someone has refused services or treatment, or has decided not to attend appointments, we'd like to know what put them off. If anyone has any views whatsoever about mental health services in this area we want to hear them!"

So, if you've got anything that you want to tell NSUG about, Emma will be in the Waiting Area of the Greenfield Centre, Tunstall, 11.30-12noon on the first Monday of each month; at Christchurch Social Services Drop-in, High Street, Tunstall, 11-12noon on the last Wednesday of each month; and at the American Clubhouse, Waterloo Road, Cobridge, 11-12noon on the last Thursday of each month. Alternatively you can contact the Emma by telephone on 01782 683043, or email emma@nsug.co.uk

Auditions for Snow White

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:16:00 +0000

First Family Entertainment are holding an audition to find dynamic new young stars to appear in our spectacular Christmas production of ‘Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs’ starring Stoke favourite Jonathan Wilkes as ‘Prince’ who will be joined by TV & stage star Claire Sweeney as ‘Wicked Queen’.

We are looking for two teams of ten girls to make up the Juvenile Chorus and two student dancers for this year’s pantomime.

The audition is taking place on Sunday 7^th September at 3.00pm at The Victoria Hall. The successful children will be chosen solely on dance ability. There is no age restriction though girls must be between 4ft and 5ft. The minimum height for the student dancers needs to be 5ft 4in. Previous dance experience is obviously helpful but not essential. No preparation is required, a routine will be taught by our Dance Co-ordinator on the day. Please wear dance shoes or trainers and comfortable clothing.

The show begins rehearsing 24th November 2008 and runs until 11th January 2009 and participants need to be available for this whole duration in order to audition.

Job advert

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:05:00 +0000

Age Concern North Staffordshire had recently been awarded funding by Stoke on Trent city council to establish a new service for older people requiring support to continue living independently at home.

Home Support Workers Shop and Clean Scheme.
Flexible contracts

Salary £6.17 per hour

We wish to recruit staff as Home Support Workers to work within the city in service users own homes, which will provide a quality service to people over the age of 50years

You will activately be involved in enabling people to remain in their own homes through a package of support. We are looking for people who have had experience in working with older people in a confidential way. Duties to include travelling to people’s homes to carry out general cleaning, ironing and shopping as required.

You must be reliable, honest and have good communication skills.

You will need a positive and flexible approach to work and be willing to cover for colleagues during absence

All appointments will be subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks

For full details and a application pack please send a A4 SAE with stamps to the value of 42p to Jane Mantle Unit 9T Burslem Enterprise Centre Moorland Road Burslem

Stoke on Trent Staffs ST61JQ

For more information please telephone 827923

We welcome applications from all sections of the community

Children and Families Fun Day

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Voluntary Action Children & Families Engagement Team would like to invite you to a
‘Children and Families Fun Day’
Wednesday 6th August 2008 at
John Baskeyfield VC CE Primary School, Westport Road, Burslem
From 10.00am – 3.00pm
Lots of free fun activities will be going on throughout the day
Including magic acts, balloon making, story-telling, face painting,
circus entertainment, music, art and many many more.
We will also be taking this opportunity to discuss the latest
‘Children and Young People’s Plan’
We look forward to seeing you and your family.

Make sure you are claiming the benefits you are entitled to

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Stoke-on-Trent CAB has joined forces with local MP Joan Walley to urge Stoke-on-Trent residents to get information and advice about their benefits entitlements and act now to get the money they are owed.

As much as £9.9 billion in means tested benefits went unclaimed last year,* affecting as many as 6 million people. Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Working Tax Credit in particular are all currently massively under claimed.

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of Stoke-on-Trent CAB, said:

"Recent increases in essential everyday expenses means many people are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. Yet too many people are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs. Many simply assume they won't qualify and others are daunted by the prospect of making a claim. But claiming can be simple. I am urging anyone who is unsure about their entitlements or who would like help making a claim to visit the Citizens Advice Bureau to get a free confidential benefits check."

And Joan Walley MP urged people to act now or risk losing out.

"It is vital that people don't delay and put in claims now, as new government proposals, due to come into effect in October 2008, will reduce the period people can claim backdated payments from 12 months to three.

"I hope that our benefit take up campaign will encourage as many people to claim and that we can help put money back in the pockets of Stoke-on-Trent as many are struggling with increased day to day costs."

What could you gain?

The average weekly amount of Pension Credit currently going unclaimed is £28.40, enough to make a huge difference for someone living on a low and fixed income and facing rising fuel bills

Those struggling to pay their Council Tax bills could benefit from claiming Council Tax Benefit - the average currently going unclaimed is £12.90 a week.

An adult working 30 hours a week earning the minimum wage could boost their income by up to almost £1,700 a year by claiming Working Tax Credit.

Almost a million people are missing out on £2,280 million of unclaimed Housing Benefit. Around half of working people entitled to housing benefit do not claim.

Where to claim:

You can use the numbers listed below to find out about the various benefits; otherwise your local CAB will ensure you know what you are entitled to and how to claim.

Working Tax Credit 0845 300 3900

Pension Credit 0800 99 1234

Housing Benefit 01782 234567

Council Tax Benefit 01782 234567

Jamaica Aid Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Sunday 3 August 2008 11.30 am in Hanley Park Registration from 11.00 am at the BAND STAND in the centre of the park (£3.00 per person or £4.00 for a family)

Raising money to support:
Santa Cruz Rotary Club to provide ICT equipment to disadvantaged schools
The Douglas Macmillan Hospice

The walk will be launched by The Lord Mayor of Stoke, Councillor Derek Capey

You are invited to walk 2km (once around the park) or 4km (twice around the park) or to set your own target.

For further information, donation or sponsorship forms contact: Sharon Dockery, tel no 01782-747385

Extracts from the press conference with Desmond Tutu

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:50:00 +0000

I just caught the end of the press conference to welcome the Archbishop to Stoke, so here are some extracts:

On violence
The causes are universally known. There is a pattern. I believe it is possible to turn the tide.

On extremism (the BNP)
We live mainly on stereotypes and we forget that one of the worst things was the Holocaust. Because things are not OK at home we look to blame people. My Foundation is saying that you needn’t allow yourself to be hoodwinked.

What can you say to the deprived communities?
The first thing is they don’t deserve to be there. But you will make it.
We were told that we were inferior, and then we produced a Nelson Mandela and everyone went absolutely gaga!

Desmond Tutu's address to Stoke-on-Trent (extracts)

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:43:00 +0000

Desmond Tutu visited Stoke-on-Trent last weekend. The visit was part of a statue unveiling for goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who had inspired peacebuilder Don Mullin in Northern Ireland. In the eighteenth century, from Stoke-on-Trent, Josiah Wedgwood made an important contribution to the anti-slavery movement by including messages on his popular pottery.

It’s the small things, the small things…
Josiah Wedgwood. A medallion… “am I not a Man and a Brother”
What impetus did it have in Stoke?
And the ripples that it sent outwards
Several centuries later
So that Nelson Mandela could walk out of prison.
Isn’t it part of that movement for human liberty
That received a push here so that today we can speak of a free South Africa?
Small things.
Was it so small?
That Stanley Matthews should go from Stoke to Soweto?
It wasn’t just giving those kids an inkling of wizardry.
Yes, that, but maybe, just maybe it was that it touched one little boy or one little girl, making them suddenly get to know… I’m made for something better.
I’m incredible.
I’m created in the image of God and yes, the sky’s the limit.
Maybe…
Gordon Banks standing between two posts, wanting to be the best keeper and that touched the life of one dyslexic kid in Derry.
A little thing.
How could we know?
That touching Don made a contribution, so today we can see Ian Paisley sharing jokes with Martin McGuinness.
And we don’t keep having to pray ‘please God bring peace to Northern Ireland’… just ‘let the miracle continue’.
The little baby in the stable coming to tell us we are family.
No outsiders. All belong. Incredible. George Bush. Bin Laden. Palestinians. Black. White. Rich. Poor. All. Gay, lesbian, so-called “straight”.
God says I have no-one except you.
Help me realise my dream.
Your contribution is indispensable.
You can work to make this a compassionate place.
A caring place.

Westport Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:55:00 +0000

by Alan Mayer

There was no screaming spectacle here,
There was nothing for a thrillseeker,
There were trees and water
There were geese and swans
I felt a quiet joy
As I walked round Westport Lake

No fear
Sky clear
Joggers, children playing
People out walking their dogs
In a moment of contemplation,
I thought, this is available
Everyday,
For free.

Thank you
Stoke-on-Trent council.

Port Vale unveil new strip and sponsor

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:26:00 +0000

by Joe Hadden

Today saw Bill Bratt announce that Harlequin Property will be printed across the face of Port Vale shirts for the next 2 seasons in what he called a “record sponsorship deal” for the club.

Harlequin Properties are a property investment company specialising in 5 star hotels in the Caribbean. The company’s spokesman seemed optimistic that they would take the club to higher levels – on and off the pitch – and seemed happy to be part of the Vale.

As for the players, they will be sporting a brand new black and white striped shirt at Vale Park next season, which sprung an “oooohhh” from the crowd there today. The away kit didn’t manage to put everybody quite in as much awe as the home kit did, but marketing manager Mike Aldridge assured us that both of them are going fast.

Eager to impress, Harlequin’s spokespeople continued to praise the Vale, and explained how Vale Park would be fit for the likes of top-flight football. It seemed as if optimism was in the air, as Bill Bratt went on to say; “We didn’t have a very good season, did we… but no one is going to knock Port Vale down”. He said that Stoke people and Port Vale fans in particular are the “best people in the country”

Its not as if Port Vale is Harlequin’s biggest claim to fame though, they are the largest employer of Caribbean Island St. Vincent after the government, and apparently they are taking the property business by storm. Questioners quickly asked whether Burslem could be the next tourist hotspot and while they weren’t giving anything away yet, they did say they “already had plans” and will be making more announcements over the next few weeks.

Afterwards Lee Sinnott mingled with fans and sponsors, and explained that he is “happy his neighbours are in the premiership” but then questioned how this will affect the Valiant’s success next season. Good? Bad? Only time will tell.

Want to Increase Sales by 34%?

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:51:00 +0000

WANT TO INCREASE SALES BY 34%?

British Food Fortnight

20th September – 5th October 2008

WHAT IS BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT? Running from 20th September to 5th October and now in its seventh year, British Food Fortnight is the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces. Every year, small, medium-sized and major retailers take part, all enjoying the commercial benefits that participation brings. Over a thousand independents, 200 medium-sized retailers and five supermarkets run promotions during the event.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS TAKE PART? Retail promotions during previous British Food Fortnights have proved that the event has a serious impact on sales:

· Retailers taking part increase sales by up to 34% per store as a direct result of the event – an increase that has been sustained two years running.

· 25% increase in footfall in participating outlets during the event.

· In 2007, sales of British food and drink increased by up to £2,000 per store during the Fortnight – a £500 increase on the previous year.

• HOW CAN RETAILERS TAKE PART? Retailers are invited to run British food promotions during the event, to offer tastings and promotions to highlight new products, to encourage producers to come into stores to meet customers and to decorate stores with bunting and British Food Fortnight posters.

In addition to the commercial aspects of the promotion, retailers are also invited to work with their local schools during the Fortnight to help teach children about the pleasures and health benefits of eating fresh, seasonal and regionally-distinct produce. In the build-up to the event, over 30,000 schools in the UK are being given information on incorporating food and cookery activities into their curriculum teaching and they are being advised to seek help from local retailers to achieve this. Retailers wanting to participate can, for example, host a class visit in their shop, offer to give a talk at assembly on how to make healthy snacks, help set up a fresh food tuck shop in their local school, run a competition for children in-store or donate ingredients for school cookery lessons.

WHERE CAN WE GET MORE INFORMATION? All the resources retailers need to take part are on the event's website www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk which is a one-stop-shop of advice not just for the Fortnight but on everything retailers need to make British food a commercial success in their stores: advice on sourcing, supplier contacts, sales promotion case studies, advice on promoting your business in the media including regional media contacts and press release templates and what's in season when charts. All editions of the event's 'Britain's Regional Food & Drink' series of publications for retailers are downloadable from the site: 'Advice for Retailers & Caterers'; 'Retail & Catering Case Studies'; and 'The Basics'. Plus: ideas for working with schools, inspiring examples of retailers already doing so and recipe cards for children.

A 'Hot Tips on maximising sales' guide is available with an A3 'Love British Food!' poster to display in your shop. To order your copy email info@britishfoodfortnight.co.uk, Tel: 020 7840 9292 or download from www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk.

WHO IS BEHIND IT? British Food Fortnight is sponsored by Budgens, ARAMARK and the Department of Health's 5 A DAY Just Eat More (fruit & veg) programme and features the British Food Fortnight 'Cook for Life' Challenge sponsored by Kenwood. It is supported by over 40 organisations led by Brakes, Compass Group, Country Markets, Mitchells & Butlers, National Farmers' Union, National Trust, Sodexo and Tenant Farmers Association.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? Promotions run by the independent and medium-sized retail sector during the Fortnight have been particularly successful. Commenting on the sales increases he has enjoyed in previous years, Les Rutherford, Store Manager of Budgens, Keyworth in Nottinghamshire, says: "Sales of the lines we feature during British Food Fortnight go up by hundreds of percent." Londis Store Manager in Bow, Malcolm Bodell, reports similar success: "I would recommend any retailer to get involved with British Food Fortnight. It creates so much awareness for the store."

Organiser of the event, Alexia Robinson, adds: "When I started British Food Fortnight seven years ago I asked retailers to take part, not for charitable reasons (I was not banging the 'support the farmer' drum), but because they would increase sales by doing so. The event has proven this year on year: British food, properly promoted in-store, sells and it sells well. With the attraction of the 34% sales increases that the event generates, I expect even more retailers to take part this autumn."

W: www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk.

Joan Walley MP backs credit union

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:47:00 +0000

Joan Walley MP is urging people to pledge their support for setting up a credit union in North Staffordshire. Credit unions are co-operatives which offer loans at very low interest rates, often to people who are unable to receive loans from high street banks. A recent report by Experian Ltd ranked Stoke-on-Trent first in a league table of financial exclusion and loan sharks actively target those who are unable to get credit.

Loan sharks often charge interest as high as 1000%. A credit union has long been talked about as a solution to decreasing levels of financial exclusion and the final stages are being completed to the application to the Financial Services Authority. However, in order to receive approval the application must have at least 700 people pledging their support. The pledge doesn't bind anybody to further actions and the form can be downloaded from www.nscu.co.uk.

Ms Walley said "setting up a credit union is vital in helping some of the poorest people in our city. Loan sharks prey on such people and inevitably leave them worse off than before. A credit union is a non-profit making company whose aim is to help those in financial difficulty. I fully support a credit union in North Staffordshire and I urge people to pledge their support"

New online issue

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:04:00 +0000

There are limits to what a small team can physically do and so it is with regret that we've had to put off the printing of the issue of Local Edition due out today.

However, we have got plenty of material online to make up, so please visit www.localedition.org.uk to have a browse around some of this:
- News of Stoke City and Port Vale, plus news and updates from local communities
- response to the Governance Commission's findings on politics in Stoke-on-Trent. Get involved in reviving the political life of our city.
- check out all of Rob Pointon's portrait marathon images with several new famous faces. You can also bid on his pieces before the auction on 28 June: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24584779@N03/sets/72157604095380860/
- plus on Stoke Sounds: more music reviews & photos showcasing the very best talent - and there's a lot of it! www.stokesounds.co.uk.

On Twitter? Subscribe to our newsfeed at www.twitter.com/localedition - also available at the website. If you have any news, updates or articles, please send them over.

The next issue is out on June 13 and you can now book your advertising online: http://tinyurl.com/4paknz. It will help us to plan ahead if you can book in advance any requirements you have over the next few months.

Current projects:

- The Stoke Sounds team is preparing to put on a launch party on 2 August. Casually dubbed "Glastonbury, but without the mud", we have a stunning soundscape in the park shaping up.
- June sees Local Edition's first birthday and we're celebrating with an exhibition at the Burslem School of Art. Please put 18 June in your diaries for the celebration party, full plans and invitations to be sent out soon
- Social Media CIC has pledged to play its part in reviving local politics, following the report by the Governance Commission. Local Edition was started to improve communication and information in Northern Stoke and it can provide a bridge amongst communities and the groups and organisations working in the area.
- We have launched a social networking site, www.socialmedia.org.uk, which gives individuals and community groups a space to connect and organise on the internet. Like Facebook, but without the mud.
- We're working hard on plans and fundraising proposals for the second year of Local Edition. The paper needs to gain support from the widest possible range of funders to build its capacity, so if you can help, please get in touch.
- Local Edition & Stoke Sounds photographer Simon Bamford will be trekking the mountains of Nepal to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Care: please support him if you would like to at http://www.justgiving.com/yetis

Governance Commission: initial response

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Fri, 30 May 2008 07:52:00 +0000

Social Media CIC, publisher of social enterprise newspaper Local Edition, and HAVOC, a community group based in Burslem, have welcomed the findings of the Governance Commission and pledged to play their part in reviving local democracy. They will submit their own responses to the City Council on what they can offer to help bridge the divisions identified by the Commission, who collected evidence from local people and groups and identified serious failings in local governance.

HAVOC spokesman Hugh Irvine said: "So-called "leaders" decry apathy, but they are currently so far removed from their electorate that they do not realise that the people are far from apathetic, even after the Schools débacle, the Dimensions fiasco, and the "Hole-in-the-Wall" U-turn. All of these sagas were preventable. However, the Council leadership carried on in their "we are right and everybody else is wrong" mode, and made bad decisions. All they had to do was talk, and listen, to the common man before announcing their decisions."

Editor of Local Edition Clare-Marie White said: "The findings of the Commission echoed with what we hear working within the communities of Northern Stoke-on-Trent. While all of us will have our own views on the proposals and will be involved in the discussions over the summer, I think the most important thing is to help create the new structures to enable everyone to get involved at whatever level they want to, so they're no longer left out by political leaders and not stuck in this negative cycle. The City Council have a very clear message now and must take whatever steps are necessary to improve community engagement."

Any groups, individuals etc are welcome if they wish to add their names to the statement or adapt it for their own use. Social Media CIC has also launched a social networking website (www.socialmedia.org.uk) which gives community groups and individuals free space to communicate and connect with each other online.

We endorse the findings of the Governance Commission presented to John
Healy, Local Government Minister in May 2008.

We will do what we can to help engage people in our networks in the debate that must now follow. We will take our place as a partner organisation to help revive political involvement and reconnect people with decision-makers, whether elected or otherwise.

We demand that the City Council act immediately to do everything necessary to re-engage all of Stoke-on-Trent's communities in its work at every single level, but most especially between political leaders and communities, in order to rebuild the trust that has been lost.

We pledge to support the closing statement of the Governance Commission:
"The full potential of Stoke-on-Trent's future will
only be realised by the shared commitment of
every citizen supporting visionary leadership
by the elected Council"

Supported by the following organisations:
Social Media CIC. Recommendations
Haywood Area Voice of the Community (HAVOC). Response.

Background:
Social Media CIC is a social enterprise operating in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. It publishes Local Edition, a free newspaper that seeks to improve information and communication in Northern Stoke-on-Trent. Social Media's recommendations:
http://socialmediauk.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/recommendations-for-the-council-to-rebuild-engagement-from-social-media-cic/
HAVOC is a community group working to give a voice to communities in the Haywood area of Stoke-on-Trent. It has run two successful campaigns to prevent the closure of Haywood High School and Dimensions and has recently been invited to join the council's Overview & Scrutiny Committee. HAVOC's response: http://www.havocinstoke.org.uk/governancecommission.html

Rob's portrait marathon - bid now!

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:04:00 +0000

Rob Pointon's Portrait Marathon seems to have no end, with new additions still being added. And with a month to go, whose to say he won't get that illustrious subject, Robbie Williams? (here's hoping the powers of Google get that message passed on).

You can now view all the paintings at the fantastic Flickr set and also get your bids in now by following this link. Everything raised is going to good causes: 80% to Meningitis Research and 20% to the Burslem Arts group and Rob is hoping to raise thousands of pounds at the auction on 28 June at the Potteries Museum in Hanley.

5000 target close

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:38:00 +0000

by Anthony Munday

PORT Vale fans were closing in on the 5,000 season ticket target needed to trigger vastly reduced prices as Friday’s deadline approached.

It promised to be a close call and I really hope they pulled it off to provide everyone involved with the club a massive boost.

Manager Lee Sinnott will be desperate to get as many supporters as possible on board next season and he is already well on the way to rebuilding his team.

Sinnott and his coaching staff had clearly done much leg work before the end of last term as Middlesbrough striker Steve Thompson and utility players Anthony Griffith and Rob Taylor, from Doncaster and Nuneaton respectively, arrived in double quick time.

Wycombe defender Sam Stockley followed soon afterwards and Sinnott also believed he had bagged Brentford’s Craig Pead, only for him to a renege on a pre-contract agreement.

Another midfielder and probably two more defenders are now needed to complete what will inevitably be a much trimmer squad on what we all know will be a smaller budget.

The loss of the ultra-consistent George Pilkington, who is still considering his options, and last season’s player of the year Paul Harsley, who has decamped to Chesterfield, are clearly disappointing.

But no-one could really argue with the release of Dave Mulligan, Joe Cardle, Robin Hulbert, Adam Eckersley or the paid-off Craig Rocastle.

I was a touch surprised to see Jason Talbot also shown the door, leaving Vale without a recognised left-back, but Sinnott has had to make some tough decisions ahead of a campaign during which he will either sink or swim.

The vast majority of the blame for relegation was heaped on Martin Foyle, and rightly so after he blotted his previous good work with some abysmal signings, but Sinnott knows and accepts he will be judged from day one of the new season.

He is relishing the tough challenge and that is most certainly what he faces. Nothing less than a top six finish will be deemed acceptable to most supporters, but we all know that won’t be easy to achieve.

Stoke City: Pulis treads carefully

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:36:00 +0000

by Anthony Munday

IT’S a case of deja vu at Stoke City with fans clamouring for new signings and manager Tony Pulis refusing to be rushed.

What some supporters view as the manager’s over cautious approach in the transfer market has previously provided his detractors with much ammunition.

But Pulis’ prudence helped Stoke back into the top flight and there is no way he will be influenced, and rightly so, by those who expected a flood of new recruits by now.

Value for money remains a huge priority despite the riches of the Premiership and Pulis and his backroom team will examine all the pros and cons of every target before a deal is done.

No manager can be right in his judgement every time and most Stoke fans would point to the out of condition Jon Parkin as Pulis’ worst signing so far.

But he makes far less mistakes than most and will do his utmost to prise as much money as possible out of chairman Peter Coates to bring in the quality Stoke will need.

Interestingly, Pulis said some months before the end of last season that he was monitoring several foreign players who he would consider if the Potters won promotion.

Foreigners, and particularly those still to prove their credentials in England, have not often proved to be Pulis’ cup of tea, but he recognises he must unearth some gems to help what will be a very difficult cause.

The prices of most British players good enough to cut the mustard are likely to prove prohibitive and Pulis has been casting the net far and wide for some time.

One player we can expect to sign shortly is Jamaican centre-back Rudolph Austin, who Pulis wanted to recruit at Christmas only for international red tape to scupper his chance.

I understand the Stoke coaching staff were incredibly impressed with the international team mate of Ricardo Fuller when he trained with the club and Austin’s signature is little more than a formality.

Notice: Ian Taylor (Tinky)

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:31:00 +0000

John and Liz Taylor and their family wish to express their sincere thanks to all Ian's friends who attended the funeral service and all those who have expressed their sympathy and have supported the family through this sad time.

They also wish to thank Tudor-Davies Funeral Services for their care with the funeral arrangements, Rev. Ashley Cooper for the funeral service and his words of comfort and all the staff and patrons of the Leopard Hotel and the Queens Head, Burslem, for their support and the wonderful catering.

Thank you, and God Bless You All

Exhibition: Susan Law-Webb

noreply@blogger.com (Clare) — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:48:00 +0000

Exhibition review by Steve Dean

I’m sure one of the first things that struck all those who paid a visit to Susan Law-Webb’s exhibition at the Art Waves gallery in Nile Street last week would have been the sheer variety of her work. From charcoal on paper to oil on canvas, there was much to keep a visitor entertained. A most genial person, Sue received her fine art BA with honours from Reading University and thence spent 18 years as a farmer’s wife before becoming an art teacher.

One-woman shows and exhibitions of her work have been held regularly throughout the last four decades and she has enjoyed numerous commissions. Beginning her career painting landscapes, this fine display ably demonstrated where she is at, so to speak, right now. Her father was a classical scholar, leading to Sue becoming learned as such herself, pursuing a study of Greek and Celtic myths. This is handsomely reflected in her charcoal and handmade paper drawings; which include mainly scenes from the Greek myths. Venus and Neptune; Acis and Galatea; Leda and the Swan, amongst others, can all be found here.

There are are also works in glass cases, monoprints, watercolours of scenes in France and a most intriquingly charming mixed media (paper, oil paint and modrock) representation of a scene in Marseilles. As she says herself, a certain narrative content is evident in all her work and her pictures are a most eclectic mix; featuring elements as diverse as three-dimensional marionette puppets actually sitting in the painting to quasi-Picasso-ish self portraits to Aboriginal symbolism.

At the opening night, Sue also proved herself to be a talented poetess; reciting two poems taken from her small book of verse, ‘The Invisible Monkey’; receiving a very warm ovation from the appreciative guests and visitors. Susan Law-Webb can be contacted on 01782 746918.