Staffordshire news and blogs Thursday 23 May 2013

Express & Star 23 May

He climbed the ladder to become one of the world’s most senior Rotarians, worked for years to oversee education in Wolverhampton and helped feed thousands struggling to make ends meet during the Second World War.

Lichfield drinkers get a helping hand with new Underground-style pub map

Lichfield Live 23 May

Lichfield drinkers will get a helping hand to the city’s pubs after a new map was created.

Operator confirms Stafford bus services for Bower Day in Lichfield

Lichfield Live 23 May

Extra buses are being laid on to allow more people to visit Lichfield for the Bower.

Lichfield leisure centre secures funding for a £200,000 makeover

Lichfield Live 22 May

Leisure Centre Manager Phil Kelly (far right) with leisure centre staff celebrating outside the current entrance A Lichfield leisure centre is getting a £200,000 makeover.

Video: Daredevil basejumper recovers at home in Lichfield after parachute failed

Birmingham Mail 22 May

The 25-year old from Staffordshire, hurtled 1,000ft towards the ground shouting in terror – as his parachute got twisted during the jump in Lake Garda…

Student firefighters showcase their skills at passing out parade

Lichfield Live 22 May

Student firefighters have shown they have made the grade after taking part in a passing out parade.

Chance for musicians to get involved in Lichfield’s Buskathon event

Lichfield Live 22 May

Local musicians are being invited to tune up for a slot at an event in Lichfield.

Friends of brave Lichfield mum join Race for Life in her memory

Lichfield Live 22 May

Katie Scarborough.

Lichfield school unveils new swimming pool facilities

Lichfield Live 22 May

A Lichfield school is making a splash after work on new swimming pool facilities was completed.

Time running out to buy Burntwood tea dance tickets

Lichfield Live 22 May

Time is running out to book tickets for a Coronation Tea Dance in Burntwood.

£90 fine for driver as Walsall crash puts nurse in wheelchair

Express & Star 22 May

A driver responsible for an car crash which left a nurse so badly injured she will never walk again has been handed a £90 fine.

Half-term fun on offer for youngsters in Lichfield and Burntwood

Lichfield Live 22 May

Lichfield and Burntwood youngsters will be able to stay entertained during the half-term break with a series of activities.

Eight new homes could be built on land behind Lichfield pub

Lichfield Live 21 May

Eight new homes could be built on land behind a Lichfield pub is plans get the go-ahead.

More Lichfield news

Sport »

Keeper required at U13s for next season

Wyrley Juniors FC 22 May

U13 (2013/14 season-Y8 from Sept) Jaguars are looking for an experienced goal keeper to join our talented squad and play in Division 1 of the Lichfield and District Football League.

Coaching Sessions

Lichfield City Cycling Club 22 May

The coaching team have been reviewing the sessions as the season progresses and would like to make riders aware of the following:- The Thursday night Under 10 session has now been split into three sessions to accomodate the large difference…

Coaching opportunities for u23′s and women

Lichfield City Cycling Club 22 May

Dear Lichfield club members, As part of the Go Ride programme we are now able to offer specific coaching to junior boys, women and girls.

Lichfield Nomads fall short at Shugborough

Lichfield Live 22 May

Lichfield Nomads fell just short as they lost by 12 runs against Shugborough CC.

Mixed Football Extension

Staffordshire FA 21 May

The FA has increased the mixed football age group to U15 for the 2013/14 season.

Lichfield RUFC see off Tamworth challenge to lift the Staffordshire Cup

Lichfield Live 21 May

Lichfield ended their season on a high by beating Tamworth 31-16 to lift the Staffordshire Cup.

Seven wicket win keeps Lichfield CC top of the table

Lichfield Live 21 May

Lichfield remain at the top of the Staffordshire Club Cricket Championship with a seven wicket win over Old Wulfrunians.

Seven wicket win keeps Lichfield CC top of the table

Burntwood Live 21 May

Lichfield remain at the top of the Staffordshire Club Cricket Championship with a seven wicket win over Old Wulfrunians.

Lichfield Social A clinch the Lichfield and Walsall District Football League title

Burntwood Live 21 May

Lichfield Social A secured a last day win to clinch the Lichfield and Walsall District Football League Premier Division title.

More Sport

Comment »

Curiouser & Curiouser

Lichfield Lore 21 May

On my work journey from Lichfield to Stafford (and back again!), I used to drive past Wolseley Bridge twice a day, twice a week for two years, always curious about the collection of buildings and machinery opposite The Wolseley Centre and always …

A Marriage Made in Staffordshire…

Simply Staffordshire 20 May

I have just spent a weekend that was one of those unique special times in life when you stand still and observe the beauty in the world.

20/May/2013 – Annual Town Meeting for the Parish of Lichfield

Beacon Street Residents' Association 20 May

Annual Town Meeting for the Parish of Lichfield – Wednesday 22nd May 2013 at 7:30 p.

Blue Sunday

Lichfield Lore 19 May

My second ‘starting off at pub, and exploring the surrounding area’ type walk of the week, but this time with real life swans with just the one neck .

Consider yourself… lucky to get a ticket

BrownhillsBob 15 May

I nearly missed this, as nobody from Brownhills Musical Theatre Company sent me the publicity for their current production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, currently being staged at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

Watering Hole

Lichfield Lore 14 May

On the way home from Tixall (of which more later), I stopped off at Longdon village and called into the Swan With Two Necks for a drink.

The Dunk Cow

Lichfield Lore 13 May

Trying to find a bit more out about the old Dolphin pub in Bore S t, I had a look through the newspaper archives.

That sinking feeling

BrownhillsBob 12 May

I’m sure most of us have heard the tale from tour guides, teachers or those ‘in the know’ that the famous – some would say infamous – statue of Captain Smith in Beacon Park, Lichfield was originally made for Smith’s hometown, Hanley, in the Potteries…

Co-operation

Lichfield Lore 11 May

On the corner of Bore St and Breadmarket St is a building that I’ve never paid much attention to before.

Going off the beaten track

BrownhillsBob 10 May

Earlier in the week, I promised another ride video, I get a lot of feedback on these, particularly via Facebook, and folk seem to like them.

New council roles announced

Cllr Mike Wilcox: Alrewas & Fradley - Conservative 8 May

At yesterday’s Annual Council meeting, Councillor David Leytham was sworn in as the new Chairman of Lichfield District Council and Councillor David S.

Treasure Hunt

Lichfield Lore 5 May

I love finding bits of old pottery in the lanes around Leomansley.

03/May/2013 – County Council Election results from our patch

Beacon Street Residents' Association 3 May

Lichfield City North Lichfield City North – Staffs County elections – 02/May/2013 Candidate Party Votes Percentage
Result Colin Greatorex CON 1,083 34%
Not elected John Maunder UKIP 720 23%
Not elected Paul Ray LIBDEM 242 8%
Not elected Caroline …

A New Home for Simply Headquarters

Simply Staffordshire 1 May

We have been a little quiet over the last few weeks because we have moved offices! I had no idea it would be quite so exhausting and long winded! We have also been busy introducing great new features on our website – something that is ongoing.

More Comment

Features »

Lichfield Garrick ready to welcome the new Ladyboys of Bangkok show

Lichfield Live 23 May

The Ladyboys of Bangkok The Ladyboys of Bangkok are returning to the Lichfield Garrick.

Got any thermoplastic polyethylene mate? (Bike Polo part three)

Lichweeled 23 May

This piece of pipe came my way recently.

Business Meeting

Lichfield Round Table 22 May

We will be getting down to some business, which we have to do once in a while – over a beer or two and some food afterwards.

Box Office Assistant

Lichfield Festival 22 May

Reporting to: Development Managers, Festival Administrator Hours: Avg 2-3 days p/w – flexible, and throughout the Festival – 4-14 July 2013.

Your Chance to Join the Festival Team

Lichfield Festival 22 May

The Festival relies on volunteers to ensure the smooth running of events, and applications are now invited from those wishing to volunteer this year.

Chance for musicians to get involved in Lichfield’s Buskathon event

Lichfield Live 22 May

Local musicians are being invited to tune up for a slot at an event in Lichfield.

Review: My Boy Jack by David Haig @ Lichfield Garrick

Lichfield Live 22 May

Theatre-goers lucky enough to have seen this epoch-making production will be reminiscing about it for years.

Half-term fun on offer for youngsters in Lichfield and Burntwood

Lichfield Live 22 May

Lichfield and Burntwood youngsters will be able to stay entertained during the half-term break with a series of activities.

Locked up in Lichfield part five – signing on

Lichweeled 22 May

Snapped this bike locked up outside the jobcentre.

Heath Quartet win top Young Artists award

Lichfield Festival 21 May

The Heath Quartet this week became the first ensemble in 15 years to win the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society’s Young Artists Award.

Buttercream Christening Cake and Cake Bunting

Vintage and Cake 21 May

Hello lovely people who read my blog…

Plenty of entertainment in store as Lichfield gears up for Bower Day 2013

Lichfield Live 21 May

Final preparations are taking place for the Lichfield Bower 2013.

New Lichfield Garrick show turns the spotlight on Tommy Cooper’s life

Lichfield Live 21 May

Damian Williams as Tommy Cooper.

Half term family friendly bike ride in Lichfield

Lichweeled 21 May

I’ve been speaking with a few families and we agreed to arrange a family friendly bike ride one day over the half term holiday next week.

More Features

Business »

Birmingham SMEs dismiss HS2 high speed rail link as ‘waste of money’

Birmingham Post 23 May

A poll of 2,000 small Birmingham businesses revealed two-thirds believe the £33 billion HS2 high-speed rail link is a waste of money.

HS2 plans threaten UK Mail’s Birmingham distribution hub

TheBusinessDesk 22 May

LOGISTICS group UK Mail is holding talks with the Department for Transport regarding the possible relocation of its major distribution facility in Birmingham.

Survey says HS2 will not deliver for small business

Birmingham Post 21 May

Small businesses in Birmingham do not back the HS2 rail link and do not believe it will be a boost to business, according to a new survey.

HS2 compensation still a long way off for some warns legal expert

TheBusinessDesk 20 May

COMPENSATION for Midlands land owners affected by the proposed HS2 high speed rail line could in some cases be more than a decade away, a partner at Stratford-upon-Avon law firm Lodders Solicitors has…

Handsacre youngsters learn about meal times with help from Lichfield firm

Lichfield Live 20 May

Children at a Handsacre nursery have been learning valuable skills as part of an educational programme based around meal times.

Lichfield company shortlisted for national awards

Lichfield Live 20 May

A Lichfield company has been shortlisted for a national award.

Unique Lichfield clothing shop moves online

Lichfield Live 17 May

A unique Lichfield clothing company is moving its business online.

Crowds turn out to catch a first glimpse of Lichfield’s new Debenhams store

Lichfield Live 16 May

Staff and shoppers get ready for the opening of Debenhams in Lichfield.

HS2 must move ahead, say business chiefs following damning report

TheBusinessDesk 16 May

A DAMNING report from the National Audit Office (NAO) suggests the business case for high-speed rail project HS2 has not been made.

More Business

Council »

Friary Grange Leisure Centres summer makeover

Lichfield District Council PR 22 May

Friary Grange Leisure Centre in Lichfield is set get new changing rooms and front entrance thanks to a Sport England grant.

Swinfen Broun sponsors Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park

Lichfield District Council PR 20 May

Lichfield District Council welcomes 1,500 grant from Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust to help stage 2013s Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park.

Chasewater cattle on the move

Lichfield District Council PR 17 May

A small herd of cattle, that have been helping to preserve Chasewater Country Parks valuable heathland habitat, has been moved on to another area of the park this May.

Fill your half term with fun

Lichfield District Council PR 17 May

Visit Lichfield launches new online listings to help families to plan holidays filled with fun days out.

Darnford Park Community Jubilee Woodland work

Lichfield District Council PR 15 May

Lichfield District Council is installing fencing in preparation for thousands of trees to be planted in Darnford Park.

Village Drop-in Session

Lichfield District Council PR 10 May

Partner organisations have joined forces to offer the residents of Armitage with Handsacre advice on how to cope with welfare reform, changes to council and housing benefits and employment advice.

Whitsun half term holiday fun

Lichfield District Council PR 9 May

Lichfield District Council is inviting children and young people to have a half term of fun from 28 May to 2 June 2013.

New council roles announced

Lichfield District Council PR 8 May

The leader of Lichfield District Council welcomes the new chairman and vice chairman and announces changes to the Cabinet.

Lichfield Historic Parks History Walk

Lichfield District Council PR 3 May

Lichfield District Council will be bringing some of Lichfields most colourful history to life on Wednesday 15 May on a History Walk round Minster Pool and Beacon Park.

More Council