Staffordshire news and blogs Friday 24 May 2013

Lichfield Live 24 May

Plans to increase the number of days land near Lichfield and Burntwood can be used to host car boot sales have been rejected.

Chance for residents to see proposed HS2 changes at Lichfield consultation event

Lichfield Live 24 May

A graphic mock-up of the HS2 line People living in and around Lichfield will get the chance to view the latest plans for HS2 at an event at the Guildhall.

Lichfield passengers invited to hop aboard classic bus for free travel

Lichfield Live 23 May

The Central Buses classic Routemaster A classic bus will be operating free trips between Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield to promote a new service.

Call for volunteers to help make the Lichfield Festival a success

Lichfield Live 23 May

People are being given the chance to play a part in the Lichfield Festival’s success.

Lichfield to London rail route sees passenger numbers rise by a quarter

Lichfield Live 23 May

The route between Lichfield and London has become one of the fastest growing in the UK.

Black Star Aikido to open new club in Fradley

Lichfield Live 23 May

A new Aikido group is launching in Fradley.

Alrewas woman hoping her new career path has a bright future

Lichfield Live 23 May

Susan Ward An Alrewas businesswoman has shown she’s a bright spark – by retraining as an electrician.

Wolverhamton rotary legend receives blue plaque honour

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.

Staffordshire wind turbine set to be built despite protests

Express & Star 23 May

A towering wind turbine will be built in Staffordshire after a government-appointed inspector overturned a decision by councillors to reject the scheme, it emerged today.

I thought world had ended after horrific smash

Express & Star 23 May

A nurse who will never walk again after a horror crash today told how the fateful night has changed her life forever.

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.

More Lichfield news

Sport »

CHAMPIONS!!!

Staffordshire FA 24 May

The County Under 18 Team completed their Midland Youth Football Championship Programme in style last night at Pelsall Villa FC with a comprehensive 4 – 0 victory over Northamptonshire to secure the Championship for the second time in three…

Cheese Evening

Burntwood Rugby Club 23 May

This Friday, an After Work Cheese Evening will be held at the Club.

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP FINAL – LEICESTER TIGERS VS NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Burntwood Rugby Club 23 May

LIVE on the BIG SCREEN @ The Club, this Saturday 25th May.

WELL DONE FIRST AIDERS!

Burntwood Rugby Club 23 May

A new batch of First Aiders have been ‘certified’.

Black Star Aikido to open new club in Fradley

Lichfield Live 23 May

A new Aikido group is launching in Fradley.

Tesfa Robinson lands two awards as Chasetown FC celebrate their season

Lichfield Live 23 May

Tesfa Robinson was a double winner as Chasetown FC handed out their end of season awards.

Tesfa Robinson lands two awards as Chasetown FC celebrate their season

Burntwood Live 23 May

Tesfa Robinson was a double winner as Chasetown FC handed out their end of season awards.

Benteke: “If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won’t necessarily accept that.”

Birmingham Mail 23 May

Aston Villa face fight to keep Christian Benteke as striker hints at exit…

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.

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 »

All seasons in one ride – Lichfield to Sutton Park

Lichweeled 24 May

Yesterday we cycled to and through Sutton Park.

Lichfield Cathedral joins forces with the Lichfield Festival

Lichfield Cathederal 23 May

Lichfield Cathedral are delighted to be working together again with the 2013 Lichfield Festival.

Call for volunteers to help make the Lichfield Festival a success

Lichfield Live 23 May

People are being given the chance to play a part in the Lichfield Festival’s success.

The Flying Insects to perform at Lichfield pub

Lichfield Live 23 May

The Flying Insects The Feathers Inn will welcome The Flying Insects for their latest live music night.

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.

More Features

Business »

HS2 needed sooner rather than later to sustain West Midlands GDP say leaders

TheBusinessDesk 23 May

MAJOR investment projects such as the HS2 high speed rail link offer the biggest hope of boosting the West Midlands GDP, business leaders in the region have said.

Alrewas woman hoping her new career path has a bright future

Lichfield Live 23 May

Susan Ward An Alrewas businesswoman has shown she’s a bright spark – by retraining as an electrician.

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.

More Business

Council »

Christian Fields spring clean

Lichfield District Council PR 23 May

Volunteers needed to help at a nettle slashing and site spring clean challenge on Monday 3 June from 10.30am to 3pm.

Cycle ride to the National Memorial Arboretum

Lichfield District Council PR 23 May

Everyone is invited to get on their bike and join a free cycle ride on Sunday 2 June 2013.

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.