Citylife in Lichfield March 2020

3

Welcome to
CITYLIFE
Welcome to CITYLIFE in Lichfield, a monthly magazine
bringing you our pick of the city’s news, events and stories.
Each month CITYLIFE in Lichfield is delivered to 18,000
businesses and homes in Lichfield, Kings Bromley, Fradley,
Alrewas, Hill Ridware, Whittington, Stonnall, Shenstone,
Little Aston, Hammerwich, Burntwood and Longdon,
completely free of charge; bringing you the best that the
city has to offer.
Each issue features heritage stories exploring the rich
history of our area, plus competitions, interviews and the
latest in fashion and style.
Got a story or charity event you want to share with our
readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures
the spirit of the city? We want to hear from you!
Our business is bringing you Lichfield’s city life.
CITYLIFE Contacts
Editor - Kristen Lackajis 07885 380632
kristencitylife@gmail.com
Features - Jono Oates 07785 757201 jonocitylife@gmail.com
Advertising -
Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com
Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Luke Taylor-Burnell 07710 195470 lukecitylife@gmail.com
Production - Helen Smith 07967 154187
helencitylife@gmail.com
Citylife In Lichfield Ltd
PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS
CITYLIFE in Lichfield and CITYLIFE in Rugeley magazines
are not connected to any other publication or publisher, and are
wholly owned by CITYLIFE in Lichfield Ltd.
Citylife In Lichfield
www.citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk
Citylife in Lichfield Ltd does not endorse any business or organisation
appearing in these pages, and the publication of any advertisement,
editorial, event listing or advertising editorial does not constitute an
endorsement by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd.
Your Local Magazine
Inside...
6 Win Fish & Chips
A great prize courtesy of The Strawberry
Cabin
.............................
16 Lichfield's First Lady
Jono Oates recounts the life of Daisy Stuart
Shaw
.............................
22 Five Minutes With...
Lichfield's Town Crier, Ken Knowles, is in the
spotlight
.............................
23 A Taste of Italy
A review of one of the City's best-loved
restaurants
.............................
28 Hidden Spaces
Underground at 10 Market Street
.............................
41 Spring is in the Air
The latest interior trends
From the Editor...
We’re told that March is officially springtime, although it might not
feel like it at the moment! But despite the weather, we can all
celebrate the gift of ‘Mothers’ this month as we treat the special
ladies in our lives on Mothering Sunday (which is 22nd March – in
case you didn’t know!)
To help you choose the perfect gift we’ve got a Mother’s Day Gift
Guide featuring all the fabulous, unique and, above all, local items you
can buy from your favourite retailers in the area.
There’s also a new monthly item which we’re delighted to bring you.
Our ‘Five Minutes With…’ feature chooses an influential or wellknown
Lichfeldian to interview each month to bring you a little
insight into their lives! We kick off this month with Lichfield Town
Crier, Ken Knowles.
As usual, the issue is packed with local news stories, historical
features, reader contributions and competitions for you to enter, so
grab a mug of hot tea, get your slippers on, and have a great read!
Krissy

5

Win Fish & Chips at The Strawberry Cabin
Hints-based eatery, The Strawberry Cabin at Manor Farm, has some
exciting events taking place in March.
If you’re looking for something a little different this year to treat your
mum or a loved one over Mother’s Day weekend, take a look at the
Cabin’s Breakfast with Bubbles menu, available on Saturday 21st March
from 9am - 11am - it’s just too good to miss!
The Strawberry Cabin will also be hosting another Sauce Supper Club
Evening on Tuesday 10th March featuring Caroline Martins from Michelinstarred
London restaurant, Pidgin, which specialises in Brazilian cuisine.
Tickets are available from www.saucesupperclub.co.uk.
To book for any events at The Strawberry Cabin, call 01543 483680
and speak to a member of the Cabin Crew.
For the big event there is also a two or three course menu available
for Mothering Sunday, offering two sittings at 12:30pm or 2:30pm. It’s the
perfect way to celebrate!
We’ve teamed up with The Strawberry Cabin to offer one
lucky winner Fish and Chips for Two. To be in with a chance
of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the following
question correctly:
Which family member has a day dedicated to
them in March?
a) Father
b) Mother
c) Grandparent
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to Strawberry
Cabin Competition at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to
Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by the closing date of
20th March 2020. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
No cash equivalent. Please note you must be 18 or over to enter. All entrants’
information is processed in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations and our
Privacy Policy (available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk). Full t&cs on page 40.
6

7

LOCAL NEWS
Top Photographer to
Visit Arboretum
Lichfield Camera Club is eagerly awaiting the
arrival of internationally famous photographer,
David Noton. The club is re-starting the series
of highly successful lectures which will be held
at the state-of-the-art Aspects Conference
Centre at the National Memorial Arboretum in
Alrewas.
David Noton is widely regarded as one of the
finest travel and landscape photographers
around, having won the BBC Wildlife
Photographer of the Year three times. His
“Chasing the Light” roadshow has played to
packed audiences around the country and uses
the latest high definition projection technology
to stage a full scale "show", with David utilising
satellite imagery to transport you on a trip of a
lifetime.
The show starts at 7:30pm (doors open
6.30pm). Tickets are £15 and available from
www.ticketsource.co.uk/lichfield-camera-club
or by calling 0333 666 3366 (booking fee applies
to phone bookings).
.......................................................................................
Champion Boxer
Drops in to Country
Club!
Branston Golf & Country Club in February to
brief the team on his plans to qualify for the
Tokyo Olympics.
Frazer's next big challenge is the Boxing Road
to Tokyo Olympic Qualifying event at London's
Copper Box Arena on 14th March.
.......................................................................................
Funding for LHCRT
Apprentices
Lichfield's canal trust is appealing for funding to
help its mechanical engineering academy
apprentices.
Four young people are learning engineering
skills while helping to keep Lichfield and
Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust's
workshop facility running.
The Trust, which is run entirely by volunteers,
has been offered some trade-in machines from
Wacker Neuson which will be great experience
for the apprentices to get them up and running,
serviced and then used on the canal
restoration.
But funding is still needed to keep the
workshop going and to keep teaching vital skills
to these youngsters.
Donations can be made on the Lichfield and
Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust Facebook
page.
.......................................................................................
Lichfield’s Notorious
Gang of Four
“The Gang of Four” by local historian, Jono
Oates, dressed in full Georgian costume.
Jono explained that, for Lichfield the key period
was the 19th century, due to being located at
the crossroads of the major coaching routes.
He highlighted the importance to the City of
four famous people, these being Samuel
Johnson; David Garrick; Erasmus Darwin and
Anna Seward.
Club meetings take place at St Matthew’s
Sports Club, Burntwood on the first Tuesday of
every month and new members are always
welcome. For more information, contact Peter
on 07971 113505 or
peter.hitchman44@gmail.com.
.......................................................................................
Get Active with
Walking Cricket
A walking cricket group is on the hunt for more
members to join in at its regular Thursday
sessions.
Men and women aged 50 and over are invited
to join in a slower-paced, indoor format of
cricket at Burntwood Leisure Centre. Running
every Thursday, between 3.30pm and 5pm, the
walking cricket sessions are a great way to
remain involved in the game and meet new
people while staying active.
The sessions are run in partnership with
Staffordshire Cricket and are part of Lichfield
District Council’s Active Lichfield activities to
improve wellbeing.
Sessions cost £2.50 a time and there’s no need
to book ahead. To find out more about Active
Lichfield, visit www.activelichfield.co.uk.
Frazer Clarke spars with Health & Fitness Manager,
Donna Smart (left), and Membership Adviser, George
Wainwright (right)
Burton-born Commonwealth Gold Medal
winner, Frazer Clarke, popped into the gym at
8
At its recent monthly meeting, the City of
Lichfield Probus Club enjoyed a talk entitled

9

LOCAL NEWS
Businesses Urged to
Use Less Plastic
Lizzy Braine from The Kitchen Shop in Lichfield, which
sells lots of plastic alternatives.
With the increasing awareness of the harm it is
doing to the environment, Lichfield District
Council launched its Waste Less Plastic
campaign in September 2019 which highlighted
how to avoid plastic packaging and throwaway
items to its residents.
In the second phase of the campaign, the
council is now urging local businesses to
consider how they can cut down the amount of
plastic produced and to encourage recycling.
Helpful tips include:
• Sell items, such as fruit and vegetables, loose
rather than in packaging
• Encourage customers to bring their own
cups and charge extra for single-use
• Provide paper bags and encourage customers
to use their own
• Offer condiments in bottles and jars
• Use washable plates and cutlery or
biodegradable takeaway items
• Switch to paper straws and only offer them
when requested
The council is also using the initiative to
encourage local businesses to recycle as much
as possible by setting up a recycling collection.
Call the team on 01543 687580 or 687588 or
email waste.strategy@lichfielddc.gov.uk.
More information on how to reduce, reuse
and recycle is available at
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/wasteless.
.......................................................................................
Lichfield Festival
Launches Choir
Competition
10
Lichfield Festival 2017
(image by Redlock Photography)
The search is on! Lichfield Festival has launched
a brand new competition to find the inaugural
Midlands Choir of the Year. The winning vocal
group will receive a cash prize as well as the
chance to perform live at the 40th Lichfield
Festival in 2021.
Open to amateur, adult singing groups, the
Festival is keen to hear from ensembles of all
types and from all musical genres – from gospel
to barbershop, classical to jazz, rock to a
cappella, sacred or secular – and entries are
being encouraged across the Midlands region
from Derbyshire and Herefordshire to
Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Semi-final and final rounds will be held live
during this year’s Festival in July with the final
itself taking place in Lichfield Cathedral.
Choirs need to complete an online application
and send their recorded entry ahead of the
closing date of 31st March. Full details are
available at www.mcoty.org.
.......................................................................................
Repair and Share!
The Repair & Share Café has been running for
around 18 months now and each session results
in repairs to about 15-20 items. This can be
anything from electricals, garden equipment,
clothing, toys, clocks… you name it! There is
fantastic community spirit at each event as
volunteer repairers help people to keep their
much-loved items, reducing the need to take
things to landfill.
The Repair & Share Café runs on the third
Saturday of each month from 2pm-5pm at
Curborough Community Centre, Watery Lane,
Lichfield. Refreshments are served and
attendees are encouraged to chat with others,
share their stories and their skills.
.......................................................................................
Weathering the Storm
Early February saw Storm Ciara batter the
country with destructive, high winds, and
Lichfield Cathedral was no exception! The
mediaeval building saw a section of glass blown
in and other sections in need of further
assessment by a team of steeplejacks. Whilst the
Cathedral remained open, the Nave was closed
off to the public as a safety measure.
A Cathedral has
stood on the site
at Lichfield for
over 1300 years
and has
w i t h s t o o d
storms, wars and
collapse. Now
this ancient
building is facing
a lack of funding
that is seeing
basic and essential repair works being delayed
until funds become available.
Lichfield Cathedral receives no government
funding but relies solely on the generosity of
local businesses and communities, and
voluntary donations from visitors. There is no
entrance fee for visiting the Cathedral, instead a
donation is encouraged to go towards its
upkeep. Please help to keep Lichfield Cathedral
open for generations to come by donating on
your next visit or online at www.lichfieldcathedral.org/donate/.
.......................................................................................
Volunteers Needed for
Historic Prison
New volunteer welcomers are needed for
Lichfield’s historic prison to help greet more
than 5,000 visitors this summer.
There has been a prison on the site since 1548
and visitors can see some of the original cells
and find out about the stories of their former
inmates, such as Edward Wightman, the last man
to be burnt at the stake in England for heresy.
This year is an exciting time to join the team, as
four cells will now be open to the public, and
new sounds and smells have also been added to
help visitors imagine what life would have been
like.
The cells will be open from 10am-4pm each
Saturday from April to October. Volunteering
opportunities can be very flexible. To find out
more contact Penny Taylor on 01543 264 972,
email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk, or pop in to
the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum.

11

LOCAL NEWS
12
Remembering
Kathleen
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday 15th
February for Kathleen Mary Sawyer, who
passed away on 8th January. Over 300 people
attended the service at the Guildhall to
remember Kathleen, and more than £2,000 was
raised for the intensive care unit at Good Hope
Hospital and St. Giles Hospice. The celebration
was led by celebrant Steve Brown and tributes
were given by her husband Chris Sawyer, son
Mark Sawyer, dear friend Sue Riley, and
colleague Gemma Rushton. As Kathleen had
donated her body to medical science there was
no funeral.
.......................................................................................
Probus’ Donation to
Blood Bikes Charity
Past Chairman, Stan Rose, presents a cheque to Roger
and David of Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire
Blood Bikes
Lichfield Beacon Probus Chairman, Stan Rose,
handed over to new Chairman, Brian Harper,
recently after a successful two years in office.
During his time, Stan has fulfilled many exciting
activities, as well as supporting his charity for
the year, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire
Blood Bikes, and raising £300 towards its good
work. Stan presented the charity with a cheque
at the Club’s latest meeting.
There is an impressive collection of speakers
lined up for 2020 along with many social events,
including a London trip and a holiday on the Isle
of Wright. The Club meets on the third Tuesday
of the month at St Matthews Sports and Social
Club, Burntwood, at 2.30pm and new members
are always made very welcome. Further details
available from Malford Harris at 01543 411993
or email lichfieldbeacon@gmail.com.
F2F in Successful
Lottery Bid
Friends 2 Friends (F2F) Lichfield, an informal
support scheme for adults with learning and
other disabilities, has received a lottery grant
for £9,800 to help expand its network and base
to now incorporate Burton following the close
of the town’s statutory services.
F2F trustees developed the bid in response to
requests from disabled people and their carers
who wish to gain skills and confidence to
become more independent. It will also help to
develop peer support inter-dependency rather
than being directed by carers and other nonlearning
disabled people into activities and
unrequested occupations.
This plan has a very high emphasis on healthier
and more active participation, helping to
develop stronger communities and giving
people more fulfilling lives and better life
chances.
.......................................................................................
Local Heritage Site
Needs Volunteers
The Lichfield Waterworks Trust is transforming
Sandfields Pumping Station in Chesterfield Road
into a unique community space which
celebrates the heritage of the building, whilst
providing the city with a new events and arts
venue. As the project is developing and
growing, the Trust now needs more volunteers
to join the existing team.
There are opportunities to get involved in all
areas, from helping with the practical side of
things to supporting with events, marketing and
fundraising activities. Anyone with particular
skills to offer is welcome, but the Trust is also
looking for people with enthusiasm and
commitment.
A volunteer away day is being held on Friday
27th March (09.30am - 2.30pm) for anyone
interested in joining. Contact Robin on
07738939271 or email r.taylor@virgin.net for
more information.
.......................................................................................
Christmas Tree Festival
Winners
Christmas seem may a long time ago but staff at
Lichfield Cathedral were delighted with the
thousands of visitors who flocked to take in the
festive atmosphere, with more than 50
decorated trees lining the aisles.
Of the trees, 21 were decorated by businesses,
19 by charities and 15 by schools for the event,
sponsored by Greenwood Projects in Lichfield.
More than 9,000 people voted for their
favourites in what turned out to be the closest
competition yet.
The winners were: in the business category
Pool House Veterinary Group, Burntwood
Breast Care Group in the charity section and
Lichfield Cathedral School, Longdon, in the
schools section.
......................................................................................
Lichfield Producers’
Market
A Producers’ Market will take place in Lichfield
on the first Sunday of every month, starting on
1st March, between 10am and 4pm.
Working in partnership with Lichfield City
Council, the market will boast a fantastic range
of beautiful stalls, selling wholesome locallyproduced
food and other goods, including an
excellent choice of handmade arts and crafts.

Advertising Feature
Inheritance Tax
What do you really know about Inheritance Tax? How much tax do you want to pay when you die?
Are you married, single, co-habitating, divorced or something else? Do you know this could make a difference to the
amount of tax due when you die?
Do you know what your nil rate band is, or how much it is?
Do you know what the residential nil rate band is, or how much it is? Do you know if you qualify?
Would you be happy to pay Inheritance Tax at 40% on part of your estate? Would you prefer your children,
grandchildren and family to get more of your estate?
I may be able to help you reduce or eliminate your potential inheritance tax liability.
You can visit our office in Shenstone or I
can visit you at home to discuss your
financial needs which may include Pensions,
Investments, Savings, Protection and
Inheritance Tax. The first appointment will
be at my cost and there is no obligation to
proceed any further. Future costs will be
explained and agreed with you before any
work is carried out on your behalf.
As part of the process I will carry out a
full fact find of your circumstances and
discuss with you your priorities, where you
want to be financially in the future and how
I may be able to help you get there.
I am a member of a fourteen strong
Financial Adviser team at Four Oaks
Financial Services and am supported by inhouse
research, client liaison and
administration teams.
As a fully qualified Financial Adviser I
work with private and corporate clients to
help them achieve their financial goals. My
clients are mainly in the Burntwood,
Lichfield, Cannock and the greater
Wolverhampton areas, although I do have
clients much further afield.
At Four Oaks Financial Services we
advise our clients on a range of
investments and are very proud to have
their trust and confidence to do so.
The value of pensions and investments
and the income they produce can fall as
well as rise and you may get back less than
you invested. Estate planning, inheritance
tax planning and long-term care are not
regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority.
Our first meeting will be at my cost and
there is no obligation to proceed further. It
is often said that people deal with people
so please give me a call or drop me an
email, lets have a chat, and we can take it
from there.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Robin Place DipFA, CeLTCI, MLIBF
Financial Adviser
0121 323 2070, 07968 504805
robin@fouroaksfs.com
13

Lichfield
Literature Festival
A fantastic line-up of fiction authors and academic writers are heading for this
year’s Lichfield Literature Festival to entertain and inform book-lovers across
the City through engaging and exciting activities and events. Between 26th-
29th March, celebrate the written word, meet debut and best-selling authors
alike and hear them talk about the books they write - all right here in Lichfield!
Ashley Hickson-Lovence
Amanda Owen - the Yorkshire Shepherdess - is
including the Festival in her sell out national tour and
will be sharing her experiences of farming from her
latest book in the gorgeous setting of Lichfield
Cathedral.
Marking the 200th anniversary of Florence
Nightingale's birth, biographer Mark Bostridge is giving
an insight into her fascinating life; while returning
author Henry Hitchings talks on why Samuel Johnson
still matters today; and historian Nathan Amin shares
his knowledge on The Beaufort family.
Gardening fans can hear Beth Lynch inspire you to
find "a sense of well-being in a green place of one's
own". There is plenty for fiction fans too - not least
'Killer Women', a crime writing panel of fiction authors.
Among debut authors to discover are Ashley
Hickson-Lovence's hard-hitting 'The 392' and Susannah
Stapleton's 'Adventures of Maud West: Lady Detective'.
There is plenty for younger festival-goers too, with a
fairy tale themed creative writing workshop, Lichfield's
very own prize-winning Laura Wood, and a thrilling
chance for families to meet the editor of what is
undoubtedly the most popular non-fiction children's
book of all – The Guinness Book of Records.
The theme for Lichfield Festival this year is art
inspired by art, so the programme features work
inspired by other art forms, including dance and
theatre, as well as the Festival's very first poetry slam
with former Staffordshire poet laureate Emily Galvin.
All sessions are interactive with book readings, a
chance to ask questions and buy signed copies of books.
Tickets for Lichfield Literature 2020 are available:
In person at the Lichfield Cathedral Gift Shop
Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm and Sun 10am-4pm.
Online at www.lichfieldliteraturefestival.org.
Got a story or
charity event you
want to share with
our readership? Think
you’ve snapped an
image that captures
the spirit of the
region? We want to
hear from you!
Contact Citylife at
kristencitylife@gmail.com
14

15

Victoria Hospital in the 1930s
(Photograph courtesy of You're Probably From Lichfield If... Facebook group)
Daisy Stuart Shaw
Lichfield’s First Lady
................................
In November 1919 Daisy Stuart Shaw made history by becoming
the first female councillor of Lichfield City Council, before going
on to become the first female mayor and alderman of the city. Our
resident historian, Jono Oates, looks at the life of Lichfield’s First
Lady and discovers how her political journey started with the help
of the Suffragettes and Votes for Women.
When Daisy Stuart Shaw walked through the ancient doors of the
Lichfield Guildhall in November 1919 to join her first meeting as a
councillor at Lichfield City Council, she must have thought that she was
not only a trail blazer, but also that she was fulfilling the dream of all the
suffragettes who had been fighting for Votes for Women for that last 30
years. Daisy was the first female city councillor but was only able to take
her seat round the council meeting table due to one of the most
significant political acts of the 20th century - The Representation of the
People’s Act 1918 which gave women, and many previously disadvantaged
men, the vote for the first time.
Born Daisy Ramsay in Edinburgh, she married Thomas David Stuart
Shaw, a General Practitioner, and moved from Gloucester to Lichfield in
1905 when her husband took over the surgery practice of Dr Welchman.
Before she married, Daisy had been a nurse in Edinburgh and, following
the move, she became very involved in working with the Victoria Cottage
Hospital which, at that time, was in Sandford Street. In 1914, at the
outbreak of the First World War, Daisy worked as a Voluntary Aid
Detachment (VAD) Red Cross Nurse at Freeford Manor, the estate of
the Dyott family, which had been opened as a military hospital for
soldiers wounded in action.
In February 1918, a few months before the Great War came to an end,
the Government passed the Representation of the People’s Act 1918
which gave women the vote for the first time. The Act was a culmination
of nearly 30 years’ work by the suffrage movement which had
campaigned for voting equality.
In November 1919 Daisy Stuart Shaw became a councillor for the
South Ward in Lichfield, therefore becoming the first female councillor
at Lichfield City Council. The timing of this appointment is critical as,
prior to 1918, Daisy Stuart Shaw could not have become a councillor as
she did not have the vote herself.
Daisy remained as a councillor for over 20 years and took a particular
interest in the rights of women, particularly those who were widowed
or were on low income, the welfare of children, and on housing reform.
In 1927 Daisy became the first female Mayor of Lichfield and took part
in the official reopening of the Clock Tower on The Friary in 1928, after
it had been relocated, brick by brick, from its original location on the
16
Plaque bearing Daisy's name on the Clock Tower
Lichfeld Clock Tower, relocated in
1928 to The Friary
Daisy in her nurse's Uniform
(photograph courtesy of the British
Newspaper Archive)
junction of Bore Street, St John Street and Bird Street.
Both Daisy and Thomas Stuart Shaw were supporters of the Victoria
Cottage Hospital, which had been opened in 1889. By the 1920s it had
become far too small to handle the increasing number of patients and
the Stuart Shaw’s took part in a public fundraising exercise which
allowed the building of a new, purpose built, hospital on land off The
Friary, on the other side of the Bowling Green public house. Thomas also
provided his medical services to the new hospital voluntarily and they
both dedicated many hours of their own time, and funds, which was very
important to a new hospital in the days before the National Health
Service.
In 1938, in recognition of her long service, her dedication to Lichfield
City Council, and for her tireless voluntary work in and around the city,
Daisy was made the first female alderman of Lichfield. An alderman was
an ancient title conferred upon a senior member of the council and was
voted for, and appointed by, other elected members. By the 1970s most
councils had discontinued the title of alderman.
In 1945, after spending nearly 40 years in Lichfield, the Stuart Shaw’s
retired and moved away from their adopted city. The General
Committee of the Victoria Hospital made a presentation to the Stuart
Shaw’s and presented Thomas with a silver salver and Daisy with a
‘handsome lady’s handbag’. Alderman Frank Garratt (of Garratt’s
Bakery) said that Daisy Stuart Shaw had ‘rendered outstanding services
of a public and charitable nature’ and that as the first female councillor,
mayor and alderman of Lichfield, she had ‘made history’.
Daisy passed away in 1955 in Castle Douglas in her native Scotland but
could truly be called The First Lady of Lichfield.
Sources: British Newspaper Archive; Staffordshire’s War: Voices of the First World War by Janet Hunt
*The photograph of Victoria Hospital in the 1930s is one of the many photographs with the
collection compiled by the late Dave Gallagher of the ‘You’re Probably From Lichfield If…’ Facebook
group. Dave provided the photographs and history for the magazine’s very popular Photographs From
the Past column. Dave was a true friend of Citylife in Lichfield and is dearly missed by both us and
by our readers.

17

Winner of City
Jewellers’ Bauble
Competition
...............................
Lesley Archer of Lichfield was delighted
at being informed she was the lucky
winner of our December competition.
The prize was a Les Georgettes bracelet,
kindly provided by City Jewellers of
Lichfield, and entrants were asked to guess
the number of baubles in the store’s Bore
Street shop window. The correct answer
was 912 and Mrs Archer was the closest
out of hundreds of entries with her guess
of 935. Pictured is Lesley receiving her prize
from City Jewellers manager, Adam Hogg.
18
Local Business
Winners Announced
...............................
Thebestof Lichfield has announced the
winner of the Lichfield Business of the
Year 2020 Awards.
Specialist Retailer, The Cheese, Gin & Ale
Barn received 739 reviews during the
campaign, winning the coveted accolade of
Business of the Year in Lichfield 2020.
In second place, with 470 reviews, was
Children’s Activities & Parties company The Cheese, Gin & Ale Barn
aBagOFun and in third position with 383
reviews, Coffee Shops, Cafes & Tea Rooms, The Strawberry Cabin.
The Business of the Year Awards are organised by thebestof, a
marketing organisation committed to raising the profile of local,
independent businesses serving Lichfield and the surrounding areas.
During the campaign, local people were encouraged to show their
support for their favourite local business by leaving a review of the
service they received from the business. The Awards operate at a local
level to recognise and award the Business of the Year in their Town, and
at a national level to recognise the overall UK Business of the Year, the
Top 100 Businesses in the UK and the Business of the Year in each
Business Category.
At a national level, The Cheese, Gin & Ale Barn; aBagOfun and The
Strawberry Cabin all finished in the top five in the UK and won the
Award in their category.
Springtime at Lichfield
Cathedral
...............................
Lichfield
Cathedral
invites the local
community to be part of
their Spring 2020
programme. The season
is a real highlight in the
Christian Year, seeing
Lent, Holy Week &
Easter for the central
thread of the activities.
Whether you are from
a Christian background
or not, Lichfield Cathedral has something to offer everyone: moving
services, messy church, engaging lectures, stunning exhibitions, and a
celebratory VE Day street party.
For families the Cathedral offers regular Children’s Church every Sunday
at 10:30 during term time, monthly Messy Church sessions on Saturdays
and engaging children’s discovery trails. Let’s not forget the Palm Sunday
Procession: a chance to join crowds as they walk from Speakers’ Corner up
to the Cathedral following a real live donkey to remember Jesus’ entry into
Jerusalem, with palm crosses and singing.
During Lent and Holy Week, Lichfield Cathedral will be hosting an art
exhibition of the Stations of the Cross by Rob Floyd, and then Stations of
the Resurrection by Rob Floyd from Easter Sunday until 31 May.
Every Wednesday night during Lent the Cathedral will be hosting lectures
by experts in their fields exploring ‘Challenges to Modern Life:
Opportunities or Threats?’ The lectures explore themes such as Inequality,
Peace and Climate Change.
In May the country will celebrate 75 years since VE Day and Lichfield
Cathedral will be hosting a special street party to mark this special
occasion. Everyone is invited to attend.
Lichfield Cathedral’s theme for 2020 is ‘Fully Alive’, exploring human
creativity, responsibility and dignity. Throughout the year events, services,
exhibitions and lectures will focus on this theme, everyone is invited to join
the Cathedral on this journey of exploration.

The Time is Right for
Classic Watches
..............................................
By Adrian Rathbone
Aclassic watch discovered at a valuation day has recently sold for
£2,100 at auction.
The watch in question is a Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Reverso' wristwatch
dating from the 1930s. The luxury Swiss firm was founded in 1833 by
Antoine LeCoultre in Le Sentier and holds hundreds of patents, not to
mention some of world's smallest and most complicated movements
such as the Atmos.
The Reverso model was introduced in 1931 and the name is inspired
by the Latin 'I turn around'. The idea is that the face is reversible which
enables it to survive the rigours of the Polo match. The design is
sophisticated Art Deco and has become a design icon and is still made
to this day.
The watch was brought into one of the monthly free valuation days by
the owner who had no idea about its age or value. Adrian Rathbone,
Head of Watches at Hansons Auctioneers, oversaw the sale and
comments on the find.
“The market for vintage to modern classic and luxury watches is red
hot at the moment. Buyers all over the world are keen to acquire these
miniature works of art and are prepared to pay astronomical sums for
rare and desirable models. Makes such as Rolex, Tudor, Omega, Cartier,
Blancpain, Longines, Patek Philippe, IWC and of course Jager LeCouttre
are some of the top makers in high demand. Military watches too are
keenly sought after and can be identified
by the broad arrow mark. I particularly
admire the Reverso for its ingenious
mechanism and timeless handsome
looks.”
The watch whipped up an intense
bidding battle when it was offered in Hansons’
specialist Fine Watches auction with it eventually
selling to a collector bidding on the phone for £2,100.
The owner, who nearly gave it to charity, needless to
say was absolutely delighted.
With a marked increase in values for all manner of
luxury watches it is especially to be aware of the
current market values. Find out the value of your
watches, jewellery and silver at one of Hansons’ free
monthly valuation events at Bishton Hall hosted by
TV's Kate Bliss and Adrian Rathbone.
The next event is Thursday 19th March from 10am
to 3pm at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, ST17 OXN.
Kate Bliss
Image by Hansons.
For further information, please phone 01889 358050 or email
enquiries@hansonsbishton.co.uk.
19

Members of the Citylife team with Matt Timlin, leisure centre manager
20
Citylife Teams Up
with Freedom Leisure
............................................
Citylife is delighted to have been named Business of the
Month by Freedom Leisure at Friary Grange Leisure
Centre.
A new initiative for the Lichfield company, the campaign is already up and running across several
other Freedom Leisure sites and aims to promote a new, local business every month, offering
employees special rates on membership deals, guest passes to sample the leisure facilities and
promotional material inside the centre itself.
Working in partnership with Lichfield Council, Freedom Leisure at Friary Grange has a range of
facilities to suit all ages. There is a well-equipped gym featuring the latest cardiovascular machines and
weights; a range of classes from fast-paced and high impact, to more relaxing yoga-based activities;
and there’s a 25-metre pool for members to enjoy everything from a gentle swim, to a more intense
training session.
Freedom Leisure has recently introduced several new classes which are unique to the centre,
including a Box Fit class to really get the blood pumping; a rowing class in a dedicated fitness studio
on one of eight rowing machines; and a Fitball class, which provides strength training to help develop
lean muscle mass.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Freedom Leisure at the Friary Grange Centre, or
you are a local business interested in becoming Business of the Month, you can find out more
information by calling 01543 228229. You can also visit the website at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk.
EXCLUSIVE CITYLIFE OFFER – NO JOINING FEE!
Freedom Leisure at The Friary Grange is waiving the usual joining
fee for all Citylife in Lichfield readers when they sign up to
membership at the leisure centre. Simply quote FREEDOM20 when
applying for membership to get this incredible offer!

21

Five Minutes
With…
Lichfield’s
Town Crier
................................
This month, we had a coffee and a chat with one of Lichfield’s most
recognised local figures, the officially appointed Town Crier, Sword
Bearer & Master of Ceremonies, Ken Knowles.
Q: How long have you been Town Crier?
A: I’ve been doing it for 11 years now, taking over from my predecessor, Lonza
Atkin, in 2009.
Q: How did you get the job?
A: I already knew the former town crier as I had briefly worked with him. On
his retirement, I saw an advert placed by the council and applied. I had to have
a formal interview, which included a proclamation (or shout), which took place
in the Council car park!
Q: What does the role entail?
A: I have to make myself available for 13 days of the year for official duties.
These are events and festivities such as Shrovetide, St George’s Day, Lichfield
Bower and the Sheriff’s Ride.
Q: I understand you
have competed in Town
Crier competitions all
over the world?
A: That’s right! I’ve
participated in many events
in Bermuda, New Zealand,
Australia and Canada. I was
successful two years ago
when I was titled British
Champion by the Loyal
Company of Town Criers.
Q: Can you remember
what your first ever
official proclamation was
as Town Crier?
A: Yes! It was the official
opening of Speaker’s Corner.
Q: Do you know how
loud your voice actually
is?
A: It was recorded as 110
decibels at a competition in
Australia – which they told
me was the second loudest in
the world at that event!
Apparently, the loudest cry
on record is 122 decibels.
Q: What skills do you think make a good Town Crier?
A: I feel that my former career as a teacher, as well as my participation in
amateur dramatics, have helped me to understand how and when to breathe.
Oh, that and the fact that my great great grandfather was a rag and bone man!
J HOWELL &
DAUGHTERS
FUNERAL DIRECTORS LICHFIELD
LICHFIELD’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED INDEPENDENT,
FAMILY RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS.
SECOND GENERATION BUSINESS HERE TO ASSIST YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY.
24 hours a day
We are proud to be Lichfield's longest established family run funeral directors offering a wide range of
choices to suit all requirements. Horse drawn hearse, non religious ceremonies, floral tributes and
memorials are but a few of the services we offer.
Pre-paid funeral plans are also available.
For a truly personal service please call
01543 255776
Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe,
Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS
22

A Taste of Italy!
..............................
Established in 1987, independent restaurant
Pizza by Goli has been delighting the people
of Lichfield with its authentic Italian cuisine
for more than 30 years. We popped in to sample
some firm favourites from the extensive menu.
A friendly ambience greeted us as we stepped into the
bright and airy restaurant, where we were warmly
welcomed and shown to our cosy table for two.
Despite what the name suggests, Pizza by Goli serves
so much more than simply pizza. In fact, the menu is full
of traditional Italian dishes and wines to complement
them, and we had trouble choosing what to have due to
the amount of mouth-watering choices we were faced
with.
We finally selected and began our Italian feast with
starters of Funghi di Carne which consisted of woodland
mushrooms and bacon baked with garlic butter and
served on a bed of mixed leaves; and the more
adventurous Gamberoni Salvatore comprising tiger
prawns with chilli, garlic, tomato and white wine. Both
utterly delicious and completely moreish, we could not
wait until our next course arrived, and we were not
disappointed!
A lighter main of Insalate Guiliana came with sautéed
strips of chicken breast, served with artichokes and sundried
tomatoes on mixed leaves, and was accompanied by
a warm Italian dressing. The chicken was tender and juicy,
with the crisp fresh leaves being the perfect
accompaniment. We’d also chosen a popular dish, the
aptly named Pizza by Goli Special, which was a pizza base
loaded with tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, peppers,
onions, ham, pepperoni, salami and garlic sausage – a true
meat lover’s dream!
To round off what had been a perfect evening, and both
being avid coffee drinkers, we enjoyed the classic Italian
dessert of Tiramisu which was creamy and rich, along with
Gelato Afogato, this being vanilla ice cream literally
‘drowned in espresso’! A taste of Italian heaven! 23

Advertising Feature
Your Garden in
March
By Byron Lewis
March heralds the start of the
gardening year - despite the
dreadful weather we've had so far...
and as the weather (slowly)
improves, there are plenty of jobs to
keep you busy in the garden.
Firstly, it’s time to look at your lawn
and repair any thinning or bare
patches. This can be done quickly by
sowing some fresh seed over the
patches (called overseeding). Before
you apply the seed, rake out any
moss and sprinkle a little fresh compost over the area. Water and allow
to drain, then sow the seed on the patchy areas. You may want to protect
the area from the birds with some string or polythene to give the seeds
a helping hand. If your soil is still sodden after winter, this can be done
later in the month.
Many seeds can be sown in March including flowers and veg too. Why
not try growing your own tomatoes this year? There are plenty of
varieties available from seed – whether you prefer sweet flavoured
cherry tomatoes, through to Italian and traditional types – most
tomatoes are easy to grow. Sow in a seed tray and germinate on a warm
windowsill. Keep them in a heated greenhouse or conservatory.
Depending on variety, some can be grown outdoors in the summer but
do check the seed packet carefully before you buy – alternatively, readygrown
plants are available later this month.
Summer bulbs are now ready to plant. Garden centres will have all the
popular types from scented lilies to dahlias, as well as tuberous begonia
and gladioli. Plant them in March and April for summer colour. Many will
flower for years to come with minimal effort - as the bulbs increase in
size over time, so the display increases too.
As with all bulbs, adding some bonemeal, both when planting and after
flowering, will feed the bulb and help to improve the show.
Finally don't forget Mother's Day is on Sunday 22nd March - why not
treat mum to a houseplant such as hydrangeas, azaleas and jasmine, or
what about a lovely planted arrangement with lots of spring colour?
They last much longer than cut flowers. Otherwise, garden centre gift
vouchers are a great alternative and mean that Mum can buy whatever
she wants for the garden.
Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre at Curborough
Countryside Centre,
Lichfield. Telephone 01543 254306, visit
www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk or follow on Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter.
24

25

The Month in
Pictures
February
We take a look at the events
and activities over the last
month, bringing you a roundup
of the city in pictures...
Lichfield Gamers at the Hub at St Mary's
Lichfield Poetry group at Lichfield Library,
St Mary's
Karen Foster with Nathaniel Hall at his one
man show, Garrick Studio
Lichfield Detective Day at
Quonians Lane
Board Games at the Lichfield Gamers,
Hub at St Mary's
Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Mel Wardle
Woodend, poetry workshop at the
Hub at St Mary's
The Pathway Project team at pop-up shop,
Three Spires Shopping Centre
Christmas Tree Festival winners - Pool
House Veterinary Group
Jigsaw Sale Festival at Erasmus
Darwin House
Peaky Blinders at the
Lichfield Detective Day
26
Images by Jono Oates
www.jonotourism.co.uk
Friends 2 Friends Volunteers with
Lottery Donation
Snapped a picture at a local
event that you'd like to see in
Month in Pics?
Send your photos to
jonocitylife@gmail.com
for consideration.

27

28
Hidden Spaces
Market
Street's
Cellars
By Jono Oates
..................
After discovering the hidden cellars
of ES Jewellery on Tamworth
Street in February’s edition, this
month we go underground at 10 Market
Street, currently Alpha Sports, and
discovers its previous occupants, from a
late 19th century butchers to a 21st
century sports shop.
The cellars at 10 Market Street have a
wonderful vaulted ceiling, built with amazing
craftmanship and as I walked round the
open floor space the signs of its former use
were very easy to spot. But who else
worked in this large and impressive building
on Lichfield’s bustling Market Street?
Number 10 is at the top end of the street,
close to the historic Angel Inn, and one of
the earliest recorded owners of the shop
was an ex-landlady of the inn, Catherine
Wager. In the 1860s Catherine was running
a greengrocer’s business but when she
passed away in 1873 it then became home
to a well-known Lichfield family of butchers,
the Quantrills. Henry Quantrill was a pork
butcher and, in the 1880s was also the
landlord of the Old Crown Inn on Bore
Street. Quantrill later moved to 2 Tamworth
Street, at the entrance to Bakers Lane and
alongside the Old Crown, where it
operated until 1963 and the building was
demolished to make way for the Bakers
Lane redevelopment.
After Quantrills, the shop was owned by
John Humphries, a corn dealer and baker
and, from 1902, his son Francis Humphries
who, like Quantrill, was a pork butcher. In
1899 John Humphries attended the Bakers’
and Confectioners’ competition in London
where he came away with first prize for his
perfect ‘Bath Bun’. In August 1906 Francis
was in trouble with the police as he was
arrested on Bird Street for being drunk and
disorderly and fined five shillings and six old
pence. In the same year the shop became
the Star Supply Stores, a grocers, and in
1921 they promised to give the ‘Highest
Quality at the Lowest Possible Prices’. A
pound weight of good tea was one shilling
and eight pence, a pound of draft bacon was
one shilling and sixpence, and one and a half
pounds of overweight margarine was one
shilling – just 5 pence in today’s money!
In 1930 the shop changed from selling
meat, bread and groceries to a totally
different kind of product – footwear. The
Public Benefit Foot Company was a national
brand with shops all across the country,
operating under this name in the north of
the country and as Lennards in the south.
When the shop opened in October 1930 it
offered real crocodile skin fashion shoes for
the ladies at 21 shillings, and for the men a
high-grade grain leather pair of city-style
shoes. Children were also looked after and
if their parents spent more than four
shillings and 11 pence on a pair, the lucky
child would receive a free box of
Rowntrees’ chocolates!
The shoe theme continued with the
Manfield shoe store opening in 1973 which
was then replaced with Freeman, Hardy and
Willis when it took over the Manfield chain
in 1980. Freeman, Hardy and Willis was a
long-established company, running from
1875 until it went out of business in 1996.
The shop briefly became The Discount
Store in 1983, a clothes store called Sheena
in 1986, and in 1995 it returned to the
footwear theme when it became Alpha
Sports, specialising in sports footwear and running shoes,
as it still is today. In the cellars of the shop, signs of its
former trade as a pork butcher can still be seen. Meat
hooks are sunk into the wooden beams and there is a
large marble sink where, in the days before refrigeration,
the pigs would be covered in coarse salt to preserve the
meat. A small flight of steps, now blocked off, is where the
treated meat would be taken up to the shop to be sold.
Over the years, number 10 Market Street has been
home to several butchers and, in more recent times, a
succession of footwear companies, a theme which is often
repeated in other shops on Lichfield’s streets, where it was
often easier to continue a shop’s trade and layout than
change to something new.
My thanks to Dave and the team at Alpha Sports for
allowing me access to the cellars. Please note that the
cellars are not open for public access.
Sources:
The British Newspaper Archive; Trades of a City by JP Gallagher;
www.publicbenefitbootcompany.co.uk

29

£256
From
£55
£2,250
18ct white gold, diamond and blue zircon
pendant. Available from Allen Brown Jewellery
located at Heart of the Country Shopping
Village, Swinfen, Lichfield -
www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
£20
Silver, 18ct gold and diamond pendant. Available
from Allen Brown Jewellery located at Heart of the
Country Shopping Village, Swinfen, Lichfield -
www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
Perfect Gifts
for Mum
Treat the lady in your life to something
special this Mother’s Day.
£65
Large blankets made to order. Plus large
knitting needles (24mm) priced at £20 a
pair. Available from Jennie B's Wool Shop,
39 Market Street, Lichfield -
www.jenniebhandmade.co.uk
Gift Vouchers for
St.Tropez Spray Tan, Skin
Rejuvenation and a variety
of other treatments.
Available from Erase UK,
1 Tudor Row, Lichfield -
www.erase-uk.co.uk
£50
Pandora ‘Love you Mum’ charm. Made
from polished sterling silver, composed
of a heart shape with infinity wrapping
with cut-out heart details. Available from
ES Jewellery, 1 Tamworth Street, Lichfield
– www.esjewellery.co.uk
£40
Earrings by Victoria Cruz, in silver
with rose gold or gold vermeil
using Swarovski Elements.
Available from City Jewellers of
Lichfield, Bore Street, Lichfield –
www.cityjewellers.co.uk
£19.95
Beautiful pendant by Victoria
Cruz, available in silver with rose
gold or gold vermeil using
Swarovski Elements. Available
from City Jewellers of Lichfield,
Bore Street, Lichfield –
www.cityjewellers.co.uk
Mother’s Day bouquet of flowers.
Available from Secret Garden, 6 Tudor
Row, Lichfield WS13 6HH -
www.secretgardenlichfield.co.uk
£20
£7.99
30
Victoria Cruz ring in silver with
Rose gold or gold Vermeil using
Swarovski Elements. Available
from City Jewellers of Lichfield,
Bore Street, Lichfield –
www.cityjewellers.co.uk
Sterling silver ‘Tree of Life’ pendant
and chain. Available from MW
Jewellery and Repairs, Brewery
Street Shopping Centre, Rugeley.
Nobile handmade
glass hearts. Available
from Gifts from the
H rt, Brewery
Street Shopping
Centre, Rugeley.
A variety of celebrity-inspired
Handbags. Available at Lachmere
Ladies Fashions, 12 Brewery Street,
Rugeley.

£17 From
99p
A wide selection of
Mother's Day cards.
Available from
Keeren’s Kardz,
Brewery Street
Shopping Centre,
Rugeley.
From
£5
Knitting project storage bag.
Available from the Little Wool Shop,
Brewery Street Shopping Centre,
Rugeley.
£20
£60
Personalised giftware,
including mugs, canvasses
and mouse mats. Available
from Not Just Mugs,
Brewery Street Shopping
Centre, Rugeley.
Pandora Family Tree bracelet.
Featuring an openwork clasp design and
sparkling cubic zirconia. Available from
ES Jewellery, 1 Tamworth Street, Lichfield
– www.esjewellery.co.uk
Treat Mum this Mother's Day to a
beautiful Afternoon Tea at The Tudor of
Lichfield, Bore Street, Lichfield.
Original watercolour by Mollie
Edensor (£30 framed). Available
from Lachmere Ladies Fashions,
12 Brewery Street, Rugeley.
£135
£12
One-off, original vintage
1980’s frames. Different styles
available at Lichfield Factory
Specs, 49a Tamworth Street,
Lichfield.
An 8-inch silver-plated rose bowl.
Available from Arthur Price, Britannia
Enterprise Park, Lichfield –
www.arthurprice.co.uk
Treat your Mum to an Afternoon Tea gift
voucher from The George. Includes a pot
of tea or coffee, an assortment of finger
sandwiches, fruit scones with cream and
strawberry jam and a selection of
afternoon tea cakes. Available from The
George Hotel, Bird Street, Lichfield -
www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk
£22
Cherish picture frame in sterling silver.
Available from Arthur Price, Britannia
Enterprise Park, Lichfield –
www.arthurprice.co.uk
Young Chang upright piano in a
beautiful high gloss cabinet. With free
delivery, tuning and a three year
guarantee. Available from Lichfield
Piano Centre, Curborough Craft
Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield –
www.lichfieldpianocentre.co.uk
Treat Mom to some fine luxury
chocolates, novelty chocolates, luxury
biscuit tins or speciality jams and teas.
Available from The Tudor of Lichfield,
Bore Street, Lichfield.
Gift cards to suit all budgets.
Available from Specsavers Lichfield, 43 Market Street, Lichfield.
31

Transition Lichfield
Transition Lichfield is a community group which aims to
help people transition to a more ethical, eco-friendly
lifestyle. An umbrella group, and network facilitator of
several smaller groups with a similar ethos, Transition
Lichfield offers free community workshops, talks and film
showings. Founded in 2017, the group is part of the wider
Transition Network with an approach rooted in values
and principles, ultimately striving for a more sustainable
future.
Transition Lichfield meets on the first Wednesday of every
second month. The next meeting will be held at 8pm on
4th March at the Ultimate Vegan Café (UVC) in City
Parade, Lichfield and will be attended by local councillor,
Ashley Yeates.
For further information, visit
www.transitionlichfield.org.uk.
32

Win a Mother’s Day Bouquet
.........................................
Secret Garden in Tudor Row aims to visualise and
create stylish, on-trend, exquisite floral designs for
any occasion. Offering a multitude of floristy services,
including retail and residential, through to full scale
wedding and event planning, Secret Garden prides
itself on its reputation for unrivalled quality and
innovative design using the most beautiful blooms
and the freshest flowers.
The fully-qualified and friendly team will listen to
your requirements, then using their knowledge of
seasonal flowers, availability, colour combinations and trends will create a tailormade
design just for you.
Say it with flowers this Mother’s Day – visit the shop in Tudor Row, find it online at
www.secretgardenlichfield.co.uk or call on 01543 418710.
We’ve teamed up with Secret Garden to offer one lucky reader the chance to
win a stunning bouquet to present to Mum this Mother’s Day! All you have to
do to be in with a chance of winning is unscramble the letters below to form
the name of a popular flower.
neuhrcmmysaht
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to Bouquet Competition at
competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126,
Lichfield WS14 4JS by the closing date of 19th March 2020. One entry per household. Multiple
entries will be disqualified. No cash equivalent. Please note you must be 18 or over to enter. All
entrants’ information is processed in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations and our Privacy
Policy (available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk). Full t&cs on page 40.
UVC Birthday Offer!
The Ultimate Vegan Café is celebrating its first
birthday on 13th March and, as a thank you to
customers and supporters, owners Ian and
Elisabeth will be giving 20% off main meals
between 10am and 2pm!
Ian commented: “A lot of people told us that we
where mad to open a vegan cafe and that it
wouldn't work, but we never had a doubt in our
minds! We enjoy seeing our now, regular
customers and are so happy when new people
visit us for the first time. But above all we love the
dogs that are brought into the café - it really
means a lot to us!”
Celebrate with UVC on 13th March!
33

The Tradition of
Mothering Sunday
By Charlotte Benton
Whilst we dearly cherish them all year round, Mother’s
Day is often regarded as the one day of the year in which
matriarchal roles are reversed - where Mum’s are served
breakfast in bed and are treated to a day off from their usual
motherhood duties.
This year, Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday 22nd
March. The significance of Mother’s Day serves as a special
day to honour mothers and motherhood, acknowledging
their hard work that encompasses every day of the year.
I bet you are wondering where this celebration originated
from?
Celebrations of motherhood can be traced all the way
back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals
in honour of the mother goddesses, Rhea and Cybele.
However, the early Christian festival, known as Mothering
Sunday, is the clearest modern precedent of what we
celebrate today as Mother’s Day and can be traced back to
the 17th century. The celebration of Mothering Sunday
traditionally fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was
originally seen as a time when the faithful would visit their
‘mother church’, this being the main church in their local
area, for a special service.
Gradually the tradition of Mothering Sunday has shifted
towards a more secular holiday in which children present
their parent with gifts that illustrate a token of their
appreciation, such as chocolates and flowers. Families also
often celebrate by giving mothers a day off from the
everyday activities that the traditional notion of
motherhood entails!
Versions of Mother’s Day are celebrated worldwide, with
traditions varying between countries.
In Thailand, Mother’s Day is always celebrated in August
on the birthday of the country’s current queen, Sirikit; in
Ethiopia, Mother’s Day traditions involve families gathering
together in autumn to sing songs and eat a large feast as part
of a multi-day celebration; whilst in the United States
homage is paid to mothers in May.
Remember to treat your Mum this Mother’s Day to a gift
that will be sure to make her smile! Take a look at our gift
guide on page 30 for great present ideas.
34
The Hope
Adventure
In August this year a UK team of 10 adults,
mostly from Wade Street Church Lichfield, will be
taking 30 Romanian children from orphanages and
poor communities on a holiday camp in the hills
near Raznov in Romania. These children will have
never experienced anything like this before! They
will get the chance to mountain climb, use the
zipwire, explore the local forest, play outdoor
games and enjoy many activities that build
confidence, trust and relationships.
The cost for each child is £200 and will include
all travel costs, food, accommodation, resources
and activities. The aim is to raise funds throughout
the year and the first fundraising event will be a
performance by the Good Company Mixed Choir
at Wade Street Church, Frog Lane on 4th April at
7:30pm. Tickets are priced at £10.
Casa Elim, near Raznov, is a purpose built
children’s holiday camp, providing lodging, food
and activities

Treat your Mother this Mother's Day
Retailers of Fine Luxury Chocolates.
Come and see our exciting range of
Novelty Chocolates, Luxury Biscuit Tins and
Speciality Jams and Teas
35

Tastes of the Season
As it’s Mother’s Day on 22nd March I thought
I’d take you through an easy recipe that you
can prepare for Mum – it’s also a dish that I
teach my pupils how to prepare and cook in
my cookery workshops.
Chicken Mousseline
2 x chicken breasts
6ozs double cream
2 x egg whites
1tsp dried tarragon
6 x chestnut mushrooms
Mother’s Day Treat!
By Simon Smith
Method
Wash and quarter the mushrooms, pop into a
pan with 3ozs of the cream and half the
tarragon simmer for 30 seconds. Allow to
cool.
Put the chicken breasts, egg whites and rest of
the cream into a food processor, season with
salt and pepper and whizz together until you
have a smooth paste. Pipe into and oiled
ramekin dish and form a well in the centre. Put
the mushrooms into the hole and top with a
bit more mousse to seal.
Cook in a pan with water half way up the
ramekin and a lid (bain marie style). This
should take about five minutes. Serve on a
watercress salad. In the picture it is topped
with chicken crackling.
Simon Smith runs a catering business from his
production kitchen in Lichfield, providing bespoke
private dinners plus wedding, corporate and event
catering. Simon also undertakes cookery
demonstrations around the country and with local
businesses such as Arthur Price and Tippers. During
the summer months Simon works for private clients
both on superyachts and in villas in St Tropez and
Europe. If you are looking for catering or a day of
cookery skills go to www.simonsmith-chef.com
*Please take extra care when preparing and
handling hot foodstuffs. Go to www.food.gov.uk for
further details.
My Cookery Workshops
......................................
For those of you wanting to
increase your repertoire and
brush up on your culinary
skills I hold bespoke cookery skills
days.
I include knife skills, butchery,
bread-making, sauces, desserts and
fish cookery in each course. I can
also cover anything you would like to
learn about, either for dinner parties
or family cookery, to make life easier
and more adventurous.
36
The benefit is that you won’t be in
a cookery school with a large group
of strangers but have my undivided
attention, either alone or with up to
two friends. There will be tastings
throughout the session and quite a
lot of food to take home.
As an alternative I do a cookery
demonstration followed by dinner
for parties of eight people. Both of
these make ideal presents.
For more information contact Simon on
07947 646091 or visit www.simonsmithchef.com.

37

Search for School to Star
in Music Video
...............................
Magic Mountain Creative,
a small but mighty team
of creatives and educators
who like to try and do things
a little differently, by
capturing the imagination of
the young and the old and
remain as creative, fun and
forward thinking as possible. It does this through creative services, art based
workshops within schools (music, dance, drama) and a Youtube channel which provides
a wealth of videos and resources on a range of educational topics.
The environment is a very important focus for everyone at the moment and the
company is looking to make a 'Guide to Saving the Planet' song and music video.
Magic Mountain Creative is searching for a Staffordshire-based school to help record
and perform the song and video and star alongside one of the Magic Mountain
characters, Roger Wild. This will involve a visit from the creative team to capture all of
the footage and audio, and best of all, the competition is completely free to enter via
the website!
Schools wishing to take part need to provide a short description of what they
currently do to help the environment and why they think they should win. Magic
Mountain is donating all profits raised from the sale of the song back to the school to
donate to an environmental charity of their choosing.
The closing date for the competition is 30th March 2020 and entries can be
submitted at www.magicmountaincreative.com/competition.
Lichfield Arts in
March
..........................
Nick Dewhurst Band
Top local jazz band the Nick Dewhurst Band will join
forces with The Queen Mary’s Big Band to put on a
great evening of live jazz, featuring a selection of wellknown
tunes and some originals too. As well as
supporting the pro musicians, it’s vital we support young
jazzers, so please come and enjoy what will be a great gig!
A Lichfield Arts Spokesman said: “The Nick Dewhurst
are always a quality act, playing exciting, ground breaking
music with joy, verve and skill. If you add in the students at
Queen Mary’s school, you have a very talented, very big
band. They will be playing a mixture of originals and jazz
standards, so if you would like to hear these talented
players, buy your tickets soon.”
The concert starts at 8pm on Wednesday 18th
March at the Cathedral Hotel, Beacon Street
with doors opening at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12,
and £10.00 for Friends of Lichfield Jazz. For
further information, and to book tickets, visit
www.lichfieldarts.org.uk or phone (01543)
262223. Keep up to date with all of Lichfield
Arts’ by following on Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram and Soundcloud.
38

MAGAZINE
DISTRIBUTORS
WANTED
Earn extra money
delivering magazines in
Lichfield. Would suit a
retired person.
Must be over 16
Call Marie
07548 682576
..................................
We also offer leaflet
distribution for your comapny.
Call Rebecca 07970 513114
for more information
and prices
39

Lichfield Developer Helps
Raise Money for Charity
.................................
McCarthy and Stone’s team in Lichfield has
helped to raise an incredible £200,000
through its year-long fundraising partnership with
national reading charity Coram Beanstalk,
achieving twice the target it set itself for the year.
In 2019, McCarthy and Stone announced it had
chosen Coram Beanstalk as its charity partner to
help improve the outcomes of children who
struggle with reading, while promoting the
wellbeing benefits of intergenerational
volunteering among its nationwide communities.
Originally setting itself a target of £100,000, all
those at the Scott Place Retirement Living PLUS
development in Lichfield have helped double the
amount it expected to raise following a great
response from its employees, residents and partners.
(l-r) John Tonkiss, Chief Executive
Officer at McCarthy & Stone and Ginny
Lunn, Managing Director of Coram
Beanstalk
Coram Beanstalk recruits, trains and supports volunteers to provide one-to-one
support to children aged three – 13 years old who have fallen behind with their
reading levels and confidence. One in four children across the UK leave primary school
without the skills to read, while 5.1 million adults are functionally illiterate. The support
Coram Beanstalk volunteers provide significantly improves the outcomes for children
across the UK by transforming reading abilities, enjoyment and confidence.
For more information about McCarthy and Stone visit
www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/retirement-properties-for-sale/scott-place-lichfield/. To
find out more about the partnership and how residents and supporters got involved
please go to www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/mccarthystone.
February's Competition Winner
Congratulations to Mr R Ashley who won Afternoon Tea for Two at The
Strawberry Cabin - congratulations!
Work to Bus Station Underway
Work kicked off in January to improve a site off
Birmingham Road in Lichfield. It includes demolishing
the former police station and bus station buildings,
creating extra coach parking, refreshing the bus station,
installing temporary toilets, landscaping the area and
moving the bus station long-stay car park. So far the contractor, The Coleman Group,
has started preparing the former police station for demolition this month.
To find out more about the short-term improvement project and to keep up to date on
the phases of the work, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/brsimprovements.
Local Folk Group
Needs New Faces
.........................
In 2009, Lichfield Arts commissioned a workshop to
introduce the folk genre to the young people in the
local area which resulted in the first ever performance of
Wildfire Folk.
Ten years on, they have released four EP CDs and are
playing to audiences around the country at festivals,
church services and fundraising events. With regular
performances in and around Lichfield, they now have
quite a following.
The group, due to its youthful nature, has regenerated
itself on many occasions as band members leave for
university and new members join, but through all the
changes, the same fun vibrant and funky style has always
remained at the heart of this unique group. It’s folk music,
but not as you know it and recent compilations created
by the group have included samples from Lady Gaga, Dr
Who and even James Bond!
Band members regularly receive top class tuition at
weekly rehearsals and also get the chance to perform and
grow in confidence as part of a fantastic music group.
Wildfire Folk is on the look-out for new band
members aged between 10-25, so if you can play any
instrument from grade 2 or equivalent standard (no
certificates needed), then this band could be for you.
Rehearsals are every Thursday evening in school term
time, from 6pm till 8pm, at Wade Street Church Hall, Frog
lane, Lichfield.
You can find more information at
www.wildfirefolk.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
40
Competition and Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
1.Entrants’ details will be held and processed in line with Citylife in Lichfield Ltd’s
Privacy Policy, which in turn adheres to GDPR Data Protection legislation. For a
copy of our Privacy Policy please email josscitylife@gmail.com
2.By entering the prize draw/competition, you agree to the terms and conditions
stated.
3.The closing date is stated on each individual prize draw or competition.
4.Entrants’ details will be securely held by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd in accordance
with our Privacy Policy. Details will be held only until the closing date of the
competition. After this date entrants’ details will be securely destroyed/deleted.
Winners’ contact details will be securely stored only until the winner has been
informed of their win/prize. After this details will be securely deleted/destroyed.
5.Entrants’ details will never be shared with any third party. The only exception to
this is the name (and if the prize is to be posted) address of Competition/Prize
Draw winners that will be communicated to the competition partner to allow
winners to securely claim their prize, after which all details will be securely
destroyed. The initial and surname of winners will be printed in our magazines –
no other details will be published.
6.By entering the competition/prize draw, entrants agree to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd
using or publishing materials provided by the entrants (but not address or contact
details apart from initial and surname) in any of their publications and online.
7.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any breach of copyright or
breach of any other legislation entailed by entrants in their creation or submission
of materials.
8.Only one entry per prize draw/competition, per reader.
9.Except in the case of cash prizes, no cash equivalent will be offered and the
prize is non-transferable.
10.All prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers' terms and
conditions.
11.No purchase necessary.
12.Prize draws and competitions are only open to UK residents aged 18 years or
over (unless otherwise stated).
13.Competitions and prize draws may not be entered by any employee of
individual associated with any employee, agent or third party of Citylife in Lichfield
Ltd.
14.Winners will be selected at random in the case of applicable prize draws and
competitions, or by an independent judge in the case of photographic/art
competitions from all entries received.
15.Winners will be notified by Citylife in Lichfield up to 28 days after the closing
date of the competition/prize draw by the contact details provided by the entrant.
16.A list of the surnames and county of residence of the winners will be available
by writing to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd no earlier than six weeks after the competition
closing date.
17.When the prize draw/competition winner has been selected, this decision is
final and no correspondence will be entered into.
18.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for the prize being lost,
damaged or delayed in transit. When the prize is provided by a third party, Citylife
in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any change to the prize, or for the
quality of the prize provided.
19.Competitions may be amended or withdrawn at any time.
20.By entering the competition or prize draw, you agree to having your name,
(photograph, where stated) and city or county of residence published in any of
Citylife in Lichfield’s publications and online.
21.Unless otherwise stated, the promoter is Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126,
Lichfield, WS14 4JS.
22. Citylife in Lichfield Ltd do not express any warranty or endorsement of any
competition prize, information, service or product provided in connection with a
competition by printing or otherwise publicising any competition.
23.To the full extent of the law, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd shall not be liable for any
loss, claim, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind
incurred as a result of entering this prize draw or competition.
24.By submitting photos, text or artworks as part of competition/prize draw entries
you agree that you own these photos text or artworks, that it is your original work
to which you own all rights to distribute, and that your entry is accurate, moral and
legal.

Advertising Feature
Spring is in
the Air…
........................
Just because it’s still chilly outside that doesn’t mean it has to be wintery
on the inside too! In fact, spring technically begins on 20th March – what
better excuse do you need to throw the windows wide open and let the
air flow through; give your house a spring clean from top to bottom; and
treat yourself to a new interior trend? Take a look at the hottest local
retailers and see what they’ve got to offer in our Spring Interior Guide!
Feel the Heat
This beautiful Dru Global 70XT BF gas fire
is priced from £2,100 (plus VAT). Fire
surround not included. Available from The
Fire Place, 5 Stafford Road, Lichfield –
www.thefireplacelichfield.co.uk
Colour of the Month
As the only stockist of Farrow & Ball
paint in Lichfield, you’re sure to find
something amongst the extensive
range of colours and finishes
available. Shown here is the ‘colour
of the month’- De Nimes No299.
Available from Decor Supplies, Unit
23 Britannia Way, Lichfield –
www.decorsupplies.co.uk
41

Interiors
42

Interiors
Win a Granite Chopping Board
in the Colour of Your Choice!
Just Granite Ltd, established in 2002, is a family-run business
with a combined experience of more than 60 years in the natural
stone industry, and it specialises in providing granite, quartz and
solid surface worktops to both the commercial and domestic
market.
Using the latest technology, making it unrivalled in the local
area, the firm operates from its head office in Penkridge and
works with a wide range of luxury kitchen manufacturers within
a 60-mile radius.
Just Granite takes great pride in offering its customers full
support, from the initial quotation right through to installation,
with all products being covered under a guarantee and offering
additional maintenance packages where suitable.
We’ve got a bespoke
Granite chopping board
(in the colour of your
choice) to give away! To
be in with a chance of
winning this magnificent
prize, simply answer the
following question correctly:
Where is the Just Granite head office based?
a) Rugeley
b) Penkridge
c) Cannock
With the largest variety of natural stones in the Midlands, the
solid slabs are kept on-site and are available for viewing from
9am-5pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am-12.30pm on Saturday.
Located at The Stone Works, Pillaton Hall Farm, Penkridge, ST19
5RZ.
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to Just Granite
Competition at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in
Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by the closing date of 23rd
March 2020. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. No
cash equivalent. Please note you must be 18 or over to enter. All entrants’
information is processed in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations and
our Privacy Policy (available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk). Full t&cs on page 40.
43

Interiors
The Pembroke
This beautiful multifuel and gas stove is just one of many on
display at Rugeley Fireplaces, 41 Albion Street, Rugeley –
www.rugeleyfireplaces.net
Go Roman!
Growing in popularity, Roman blinds can enhance
your interior design with elegant, sophisticatedlooking
window treatments. Available from Haywoods
Blinds, 3 Cannock Road, Burntwood –
www.haywoodsblinds.co.uk
Innovative Blinds
Made up of a combination of sheer and opaque
textured fabric, Allusion® blinds offer a unique
shading solution for the home, providing subtle light
diffusion with a view or privacy and security when
closed. Prices start from £136. Available from
Haywoods Blinds, 3 Cannock Road, Burntwood –
www.haywoodsblinds.co.uk
Fine and Dandy!
These Dandy washable mats, from
the Warren range, are perfect to
line your hallway. Prices start from
£23. Available from Tatlow Carpets,
Unit 4 Europa Way, Britannia
Enterprise Park, Lichfield –
www.tatlowcarpets.co.uk
44

Interiors
Make a Statement
The Bassington off-white
enamel stove, pictured here
with limestone surround and
tapestry hearth, is a fantastic
addition to any traditional
property looking for a modern
twist with its interior design.
This is just one of the new
displays on show at The Fire
Place Lichfield, 5 Stafford Road,
Lichfield -
www.thefireplacelichfield.co.uk
Pine Pedestal Table & Seagrass Dining Chairs
Make a statement in the dining room or kitchen
with this gorgeous ensemble. Table price: £379.
Dining Chair price: £129.99 each. Available from
Paul Martyn Furniture, Heart of the Country
Village, Swinfen, Lichfield –
www.paulmartynfurniture.co.uk
45

Interiors
Wet Room Shower
The showroom collection
features wet room panel
options, which can be fitted
to low level shower trays or
straight to the floor to
create a true wet room.
Price: £275.00. Available
from Tippers, Power Station
Road, Rugeley –
www.tippers.com
New for 2020
Grand Botanicals is a new range for
2020 and features a fresh, spring design
which is perfect for Roman blinds or
curtains. Fabric priced at £30 per metre.
Available from Interior Choice, Lichfield
– www.interiorchoice.net
The Kirk Armchair
Available in a choice of fabrics and
colours. Price: £599. Available from
Paul Martyn Furniture, Heart of the
Country Village, Swinfen, Lichfield –
www.paulmartynfurniture.co.uk
Instinct Espanda
Stylish and versatile, this 500mm
Freestanding Vanity Unit is also
available in a wall-mounted
option. Price: £523.23. Available
from Tippers, Power Station
Road, Rugeley –
www.tippers.com
Splash of Colour
This Helix design will bring colour to
any window. Prices start from £120
for complete Roman blinds. Excluding
fitting. Available from Interior Choice,
Lichfield – www.interiorchoice.net
Eastern Promise
The Bali Collection offers a taste of
the Far East with prices starting
from £25 per metre. Available from
Interior Choice, Lichfield –
www.interiorchoice.net
46

Interiors
Mosaic Marvel
This classic stone mosaic tiling (in the delectable shade of
Midnight) is very on-trend for your bathroom or wet room.
Available from Just Bathrooms & Panels, Phoenix House,
Market Street, Rugeley – www.justpanels.co.uk.
Less Mess
ProPlas Tile provides a
stylish and cost effective
alternative to tiling,
minus the cost, fussy
fitting, mess and
maintenance! Smoked
Grey Proplas is available
from Just Bathrooms &
Panels, Phoenix House,
Market Street, Rugeley –
www.justpanels.co.uk.
47

Interiors
20% Off!
There’s currently 20% off Emma Shipley Wallpaper and Fabric
both in-store and online. Pictured is the Kruger wallpaper in
navy, with matching bed sets too! Available from Decor Supplies,
Unit 23 Britannia Way, Lichfield – www.decorsupplies.co.uk
Natural Material
Ulster’s ‘Open Spaces’
range of carpet is made
from 100% New Zealand
wool and comes in multiwidth
and a variety of
different colours. Priced
from £39.95 per sq/m.
Available from Tatlow
Carpets, Unit 4 Europa
Way, Britannia Enterprise
Park, Lichfield –
www.tatlowcarpets.co.uk
48

Promote your event in our What’s On guide and reach over 18,000 homes and businesses for
only £15 for businesses and £5 for charities. Entries must be 50 words maximum. To book
contact Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com (businesses who are
already advertising in the relevant issue may place additional what’s on listings free-of-charge).
Please clearly mark your email ‘What’s On Lichfield'.
Sunday 1st March
Wedding Fair
Come along and meet a wide range of
expert local suppliers who will inspire
you with some lovely ideas to make
your wedding day dreams come true.
Venue: The George Hotel
Time: 11am-3pm
Free Entry
Tuesday 10th March
John Louis Petit by Philip Modiano
Following up the article on the 19th
century Lichfield artist John Louis
Petit in December’s issue, Philip
Modiano will give a talk which will
cover what is being done to recover
Petit’s reputation, and then focus on
Petit's trips to France, the art he
produced there and the inspiration he
found for his books.
Venue: St Michael’s Church
Time: 2.30pm
Wednesday 11th March
Lichfield U3A
The History of Alrewas by speaker,
Lynne Ingram.
Venue: Wade Street Church (change of
venue – access from Frog Lane).
Time: 2pm
Saturday 14th March
Dr D’s Science Club
Celebrating National Science Week
with “Meet the Scientists” and try
some experiments. For children aged
7-11years.
Venue: Erasmus Darwin House
Time: 11am - 4pm
Free entry
Sunday 15th March
Afternoon Tea with Bert & Mary
Join Mary Poppins and Bert for an
Afternoon Tea that is practically
perfect in every way!
Venue: The George Hotel
Adults: £22 | Children: £15
Tuesday 17th March
Lichfield Beacon Probus Club
The Humanimal Trust - a talk by the
charity which seeks to encourage
doctors and researchers to share
medical progress between humans and
animals.
Venue: St Matthew’s Sports & Social
Club, Burntwood
Time: 2.30pm
Potential members who would like to
come along should please contact the
secretary on 07799 412274 or by
email lichfieldbeacon@gmail.com.
Thursday 19th March
Lichfield Civic Society
The Mysteries History by speaker,
Hugh Ashton. All about Lichfield
Mystery plays.
Venue: The Lichfield Room, Wade
Street Church Community Hall, Frog
Lane.
Time: 7.45pm
Price: Visitors are welcome - £3
payable at door. Members and
students free.
Saturday 21st March
World Poetry Day
Readings from the Lichfield Poets in
the Samuel Johnson Birthplace
Museum’s inspiring period setting.
Venue: The Samuel Johnson Birthplace
Museum
Time: 3:00-3:30pm
Free event. To book call 01543 264
972, email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk
or visit
www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk.
Sunday 22nd March
Mother’s Day at The George Hotel
Celebrate Mother's Day at The
George Hotel by dining in our carvery
restaurant for a traditional three
course lunch or join us for Afternoon
Tea in The Garrick Suite.
From just £17 per person
Sunday 22nd March
Mother’s Day at the Orangery
Claire from Myrtle, Fox and Maude
will guide you through her workshop
to create a beautiful individual floral
table arrangement followed by a
cream tea with a glass of prosecco.
Venue: The Orangery, Ingestre.
Time: From 2pm.
Price: £50 per person (plus booking
fee)
For more information, and to book,
visit www.ingestreorangery.co.uk.
Wednesday 25th March 2020
Stonnall Conservation Society
Gardens of the Historic Houses
Association (Midlands)
We look forward to welcoming Andy
Smyth who will take us on an
illustrated tour of some of the less
well known gardens of privately
owned property in the Midlands. It
shows the diverse range of styles that
may be experienced in the region.
Venue: Stonnall Youth &
Community Centre, Main
Street, Stonnall WS9 9EE.
Time: 7.30pm
Wednesday 8th April
Lichfield U3A
Painting with Light by
speaker, Richard Stone.
Venue: Wade Street
Church (change of venue –
access from Frog Lane).
Time: 2pm
Saturday 11th April
Live Music
Venue: Lea Hall Social Club,
Sandy Lane, Rugeley, WS15
2LB. Time: 7pm - 11pm
For tickets call Julia 07877 033815 in
aid of the Rugeley Cat Society.
Thursday 16th April
The Chairman’s Annual Luncheon
There is a country and western theme
this year.
The City of Lichfield Probus Club
meets on the first Tuesday. There is an
optional lunch is at 12.30 pm followed
by a talk at 2.30 pm.
Venue: St Matthew’s Sport and Social
Club, Burntwood.
Time: 12 noon for 12.30pm.
For more details please call 07971
113505 or e-mail
peter.hitchman44@gmail.com.
Words Alive!
The Samuel Johnson Birthplace
Museum
Every Saturday, 10:30am – 11:45pm
A weekly club for 8-12 year olds who
love words! Read, write, create, act
and illustrate in the Samuel Johnson
Birthplace Museum’s historic birth
room. Try your first session free!
£3.00 per session, £2.00 for siblings.
49

50

51