Staffordshire news and blogs Sunday 20 April 2014
News
Tamworth’s newest scout group gets funding boost to go camping 
Tamworth Herald 19 AprTHE newest scout group in Tamworth have been awarded a grant from the Staffordshire County Council's Local Community Fund.
Entries open for Tamworth £1,000 prize drama competition
Tamworth Herald 19 AprENTRIES are now being accepted for a Tamworth drama competition which gives talented young people the chance to win 1,000 to further their dreams to stardom.
Sponsorship needed to help fund a Lichfield “blind driving day”
Lichfield Mercury 19 AprA LICHFIELD driving charity is seeking sponsorship to run a driving event for blind and partially sighted people that will give them the opportunity to drive a motor car.
Police search for missing pregnant 18-year-old who regularly…
Tamworth Herald 19 AprPOLICE say they are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a heavily pregnant woman who has been missing for almost three weeks.
New benches and equipment at Tamworth’s Castle Grounds
Tamworth Herald 19 AprA POPULAR play area in Tamworth's Castle Grounds has now even more to offer children and their parents, following the installation of six new benches and a new piece of play equipment.
Grant will help Barton villagers access students’ archive
Lichfield Mercury 19 AprBARTON students are celebrating a 2,200 grant to fund a computer and software which will enable villagers to access their historical research project.
Triathlete to support “World’s Shortest Tryathlon” in…
Lichfield Mercury 19 AprMIDLANDS' triathlete Ian Dempsey is backing the World's Shortest Tryathlon world record attempt round the UK's Smallest Park next month in aid of the We Love Lichfield Fund.
IN PICTURES: Art project at Tamworth’s Flax Hill Junior Academy
Tamworth Herald 19 AprCAREER KIDS: Driven youngsters from a Tamworth school were given the task of exploring what they want to be when they grow up.
128 calls to police in year before Oakwood jail riot
Express & Star 19 AprPolice were called out to a jail in South Staffordshire more than 120 times in the 12 months leading up to a riot at the prison, it was revealed today.
Volunteers needed to help clean up Tamworth beauty spots
Tamworth Herald 18 AprVOLUNTEERS at Tamworth Local Nature Reserves are hoping that the spring sunshine will tempt more volunteers outside to help them tidy up the town's beauty spots.
Exciting events in 2014 from Tamworth Council
Tamworth Informed 18 AprExciting new events and the return of crowd-pleasing favourites are expected to attract more than 60,000 people to Tamworth during 2014.
Not long now until Tamworth’s St Georges Day event
Tamworth Informed 18 AprThere’s just over a week to go until Tamworth’s spectacular St George’s Day celebrations in the castle and the Castle Grounds – complete with a medieval joust, archery and sword swallower.
Recruitment drive launched for Fire Safety Volunteers
Tamworth Informed 18 AprStaffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched a recruitment drive to boost the number of volunteers it has across the county.
Nine out of 10 parents offered first choice primary school
Tamworth Informed 18 AprNine out of 10 parents in Staffordshire have been offered their first choice primary school, despite rises in pupil numbers putting pressure on school places.
Handsacre man honoured for 40 years of membership of charitable…
Lichfield Mercury 18 AprA HANDSACRE man has been honoured for his 40 years of membership of a social organisation which raises money for local charities.
Should be a good cellar: House complete with mancave for sale
Birmingham Mail 18 AprThe mysterious secret cellar detailed in the floorplan is an intriguing part of a three bedroom property on sale in Kinver, near Stourbridge...
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Blogs
Recruitment drive for Fire Service Volunteers underway
Connect Cannock 19 AprStaffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched a recruitment drive to boost the number of volunteers it has across the county.
Custody Cells Should Not Be Mental Health Places of Safety
Cllr Andrew James: Conservative - Mercian Ward 19 AprResponding to this week’s Care Quality Commission map of health based places of safety, Staffordshire’s PCC Matthew Ellis has said police custody cells are fundamentally the wrong place for people suffering mental health crisis.
Labour Controlled Council Spends Taxpayers Money on Florida Theme Park Trip
Cllr Andrew James: Conservative - Mercian Ward 19 AprNine council bosses are flying to the US to research theme parks in Florida at the cost of £15,441 to local taxpayers.
‘Living symphonies’ coming to Cannock Chase
Connect Cannock 19 AprFrom 26 July – 1 August, there will be an exciting new way to experience Cannock Chase Forest, through Living Symphonies, a sound walk exploring the forest’s “thriving activity of wildlife, plants and atmospheric conditions” ...
Is There Any Lamb In Your Takeaway Lamb Curry or Lamb Kebab?
Cllr Andrew James: Conservative - Mercian Ward 18 AprTakeaway owners are to face a new testing programme, after a watchdog found nearly a third of lamb takeaways it checked contained a different meat.
Get Set for St George’s Day Extravaganza
Cllr Andrew James: Conservative - Mercian Ward 18 AprSt George’s Day – Tamworth Castle Grounds Excitement is growing for this year’s spectacular St George’s Day celebrations in Tamworth Castle and the Castle Grounds, complete with a medieval joust, archery and sword swallower.
Adult School Disco Charity Night In aid of Balls To Cancer
Female Imagination 17 AprBolehall Swifts Football Club are a football club based in Tamworth, Staffordshire...
Trust Announces Further Review of Day Care Services and Car Parking at Sir Robert Peel Hospital
Cllr Andrew James: Conservative - Mercian Ward 17 AprSir Robert Peel Hospital At last Thursday’s Tamworth Borough Council meeting of the Healthier and Safer scrutiny committee, the Chief Executive of Burton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust announced a further review of the day care theatre and surgical ...
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Blogs
Crick Wharf.
Narrowboat Oakfield 19 AprIt feels very much like Spring now it has turned warmer and the fields are full of lambs with their mothers and Cowslips are everywhere.
Easter Eve – Apr 19
Vic the Vicar 19 AprPassiontide Easter Eve Psalm 142 I cry aloud to the Lord; to the Lord I make my supplication.
How cool it is when Church works
Vic the Vicar 19 AprAnd that was exactly wheat it did yesterday when the Christians of Tamworth came together in the town centre to witness the passion of Jesus, the Christ, and make a statement of their love of Jesus, the Son of the Living God as, once again, Good ...
April 18th – Between Harlaston and Clifton Campville,…
365 days of biking 18 AprApril 18th - Between Harlaston and Clifton Campville, there’s a small, Catholic hamlet called Haunton.
April 18th – A great long ride today, on a warm, wonderful…
365 days of biking 18 AprApril 18th - A great long ride today, on a warm, wonderful spring day.
GLOSSY IBIS at Middleton Lakes RSPB…. eventually!
Archie's British Birding Blog Deluxe 18 AprBluebells at Middleton Wood.
I Like To Suck The End Real Slow …
Female Imagination 18 AprI like to suck the end real slow and watch the white begin to flow.
Away we go.
Narrowboat Oakfield 18 AprWe had a very pleasant sunny cruise along to join a long queue of boats at Watford Locks.
Trial To Match Cancer Treatment To Patients’ Genes
Female Imagination 18 AprSome patients with advanced lung cancer are set to be included in a trial in which tailor-made treatment will be matched to the specific genetic profile of their disease.
Traditional St George’s Court returning to the Lichfield Guildhall
Lichfield Live 18 AprThe Ale Tasters at St George’s Court Lichfield’s traditional St George’s Court will be returning later this month.
Lichfield Arts hoping to round off spring season with a bang
Lichfield Live 18 AprThe Lichfield Arts spring season of concerts is set to finish with a bang.
Great preserver
Staffordshire Daily Photo 18 Aprjar upon jar of 'colours' used in the pottery industry from a hundred years ago.
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Sport
Rangers FC reject and former Tamworth youth named in Scottish…
Tamworth Herald 19 AprFormer Tamworth striker Kane Hemmings has been named in the Scottish Championship team of the year.
Curborough Friday Timings
Lichfield City Cycling Club 19 AprMick Davies has been working on the development of his chip timing system and has been testing it at the Curborough sessions on Fridays for the past few weeks.
Retros reign over Kings to extend lead at top of the pile
Tamworth Herald 19 AprTYC Retros extended their lead at the top of Tamworth Table Tennis Division One with a commanding 9-1 win over Rugby Kings.
Hereford United closer to relegation as Kerry wins it for Lambs
Tamworth Herald 18 AprTamworth 1 Hereford United 0 Tamworth secured a 1-0 win over Hereford to send the Bulls a step closer to relegation.
Tamworth v Hereford United
BBC Sport 18 AprPreview followed by live coverage of Friday's Conference Premier game between Tamworth and Hereford United.
Chasetown FC face Rainworth Miners Welfare test
Lichfield Live 18 AprChasetown FC’s penultimate home league game will see them face another mid-table battle.
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Business
Agreement over new Business Improvement District in Lichfield
Lichfield Live 15 AprAn improved city centre could be on the way after an agreement was reached to create a Business Improvement District in Lichfield.
‘Model T’ of BSA guns reborn for modern era
Birmingham Post 11 AprA Tamworth gun shop is set to launch a 21st century prototype of the “Model T Ford of the firearms world” – in conjunction with world-famous BSA.
HS2 compensation package details announced
TheBusinessDesk 9 AprCOMPENSATION packages for homeowners and businesses whose lives will be disrupted by the HS2 high-speed rail scheme have been announced.
More firms being won over by HS2 claims Greater Birmingham Chamber
TheBusinessDesk 8 AprAN increasing number of businesses in Greater Birmingham think that the HS2 rail link between Birmingham and London will have a positive impact, according to a new survey.
Improvements to Burntwood shopping centre are completed
Lichfield Live 8 AprBusiness owners are celebrating improvements to a Burntwood shopping area.
Drayton Manor recruits 200 staff for new season
TheBusinessDesk 7 AprTAMWORTH-based Drayton Manor Theme Park has recruited more than 200 staff for its 2014 season.
New micropub set for Lichfield following leasing deal
TheBusinessDesk 7 AprA FORMER shop unit in Lichfield has undergone extensive refurbishment to open as a new micropub a move which reinforces the increasing popularity of the city, commercial property agents have s...
Cannock | Lichfield | South Staffs | Tamworth
Staffordshire at Westminster »
Business of the House | Commons debates
TWFY: Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative) Tamworth 10 AprAs this is export week, will the Leader of the House grant time to discuss the value of local export drives such as the one that I am organising in Tamworth with UK Trade Investment, and the help that local retail banks can provide in sponsoring...
Public Houses | Business, Innovation and Skills | Written Answers
TWFY: Aidan Burley MP (Conservative) Cannock 9 AprTo ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what timetable he has adopted for the introduction of a Statutory Code and Adjudicator in the public house sector.
Pupils: Per Capita Costs | Education | Written Answers
TWFY: Gavin Williamson MP (Conservative) South Staffordshire 7 AprTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) total and (b) average funding per head is under the basic funding formula for pupils in Somerset in 2014-15.
Business of the House | Commons debates
TWFY: Mchael Fabricant MP (Conservative) Lichfield 3 AprYou, Mr Speaker, will know that the Government Whips Office normally operates like a well-oiled machine, yet on this occasion it appears that the Whips believe that there is no interest in HS2 and Second Reading can be held on just one day...
Business of the House | Commons debates
TWFY: Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative) Tamworth 3 AprMay I associate myself with calls for a second day to debate the HS2 Bill on Second Reading? May I also ask the Leader of the House for a debate on university technical colleges, which are a tremendous way for young people to gain the industry...
Energy Markets (Competition) | Energy and Climate Change | Commons debates
TWFY: Christopher Pincher MP (Conservative) Tamworth 3 AprThere is already a cash gap between what the big six are planning to spend on infrastructure and the amount that needs to be spent.
Planning Permission: Staffordshire | Communities and Local Government | Written Answers
TWFY: Gavin Williamson MP (Conservative) South Staffordshire 3 AprTo ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning appeals resulted in local authority decisions being overturned by the planning inspector in South Staffordshire in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and...
More Staffordshire at Westminster
- 33102 & 2944, Basford Curve
on flickr 11 Apr 14
TKH 2944 ‘Hotspur’ running in after restoration on the Churnet Valley Railway. 11th April 2014.
UK news
- Spying on teacher: CCTV in classrooms 'on the rise'
- Build to Rent scheme falls far short of target
- Ed Miliband lacks ‘courage’, says former minister
- BBC2 at 50: The 50 facts you might not know
- Record Store Day 2014: The spin is still in
- Wheat rust: The fungal disease that threatens to destroy the world crop
- Mixed message: Ed Miliband’s new aide David Axelrod made ads for major US power firm
- A child’s eye view of adoption
- Nuclear body rebuked over redacted report
- Court closures spark fears of ‘justice deserts’ in rural areas
International news
- Korean divers remove first bodies from ferry
- Ukraine offers Easter truce in the east
- Syrian activists allege new gas attack
- Prominent Pakistani journalist shot
- Everest avalanche death toll rises to 13
- Dozens killed in series of blasts in Iraq
- Two killed in Bahrain car blast
- Attack on S Sudan UN base may be 'war crime'
- French journalists kidnapped in Syria freed
- Iran says reactor dispute 'virtually solved'
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Police Dog Buster gifted to Staffordshire and Shropshire Hospitals 
Connect Cannock 19 AprPatients and National Heath Service (NHS) staff are set to benefit from a new drugs search dog provided and trained by Staffordshire Police.