Citylife in Lichfield July 2021

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
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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
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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
Production -
Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com
Citylife In Lichfield Ltd
PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS
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Your Local Magazine
Inside...
6 Local News
What's happening in and around the area
.............................
22 Competition Time!
Win tickets to the County Show
.............................
38 The Clock Makers of Lichfield
Jono Oates looks at the history of Stripling &
Sons
.............................
44 Pick Your Own...
Where to pick your own fruit & veg
.............................
50 Tastes of the Season
Simon Smith creates delicious summery salads
From the Editor…
Welcome to another bumper issue of Citylife in Lichfield!
As the city slowly opens back up again, everything is springing to
life, and many previously postponed events are starting to take
place, which is really heart-warming to see.
Summer is now in full swing and, whilst the weather is a little
dubious, there’s still plenty of places to visit, and things to be
seeing and doing, in and around the region to keep you
entertained!
In the July issue, we’ve got some fantastic articles written by
historian, Jono Oates, who delves into the past of a Lichfield
watchmaker, as well as pages of community news, recipes from
Simon Smith, and local interest stories to keep you going.
Krissy

Advertising Feature
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.........................
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5

LOCAL NEWS
Local Voluntary Groups
get Queen’s Award
Seven voluntary groups from across
Staffordshire have been honoured with Her
Majesty the Queen’s Award for Voluntary
Service.
The honour recognises outstanding voluntary
contributions in local communities and has an
equivalent status for voluntary groups as the
MBE has for individuals.
Groups recognised in this year’s awards include:
• Changes Tamworth
• The Fun Club Hub, Burntwood
• Marchington Village Shop
• Spark CIO, Burntwood
• Staffordshire Narrow Gauge Railway,
Amerton, Stafford
• Walk Ministries, Tunstall
• Whittington and Fisherwick Good Neighbour
Scheme
In the coming months, the seven groups will
receive their certificate signed by Her Majesty
The Queen along with an exclusive
commemorative crystal presented by the Lord-
Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson CBE
KStJ who is Her Majesty's representative for
the County.
Representatives from the groups will also
receive an invitation to attend a Royal Garden
Party at Buckingham Palace. To date 105 groups
from Staffordshire have now received this
annual Award since it was created by Her
Majesty in 2002.
For details of all this year’s Award winners and
information on how to nominate a group visit
https://qavs.direct.gov.uk/ where a nomination
form can be completed and submitted online.
Nominations for 2022 need to be submitted by
15th September 2021.
.......................................................................................
Chess Returns with
Outdoor Tournament
No one thinks of chess as an outdoor game
but Lichfield Chess Club has found a way to
avoid Covid restrictions by playing a small
tournament outdoors in the garden of the
club’s fixture secretary, Brian Homewood.
For the past 15 months there has been almost
6
Brian Jones, John Fryer and Mike Hoare
no chess played by Lichfield Club members,
the exceptions being a few matches with other
clubs played on Zoom and some friendly
games for up to six members played in local
pubs.
The outdoor experiment was a success and it
will be followed during the summer by two
more outdoor tournaments. The club’s annual
meeting will also take place outdoors with a
further date pencilled in in case of inclement
weather.
Club officials have been worried that there
may have been a loss of interest, and members,
during the long shutdown, but secretary David
Short who has been contacting everyone
about a potential resumption of club nights in
September, said members can hardly wait to
get started again.
.......................................................................................
Leisure Centre Site
Surveys at
Stychbrook Park
Work started on Monday 7th June to learn
more about the suitability of the ground at
Stychbrook Park for construction of a leisure
centre.
Holes were dug around the park to assess soil
conditions and take groundwater depth
measurements.
A survey also assessed the ecological impact of
the project and identified any valuable or
protected animals, plants or habitats within
Stychbrook Park, along with a search for any
archaeological sites to help understand past
uses of the land.
Traffic surveys on Curborough Road and the
junction with Eastern Avenue were also carried
out to assist with future traffic management
plans.
The information gathered from the site
investigations is being used to inform initial
design planning for the proposed new leisure
centre and secure support for the project from
organisations such as Sport England.
The proposed new leisure centre is intended to
feature a 25-metre swimming pool with a
movable floor to support swimming lessons, a
fitness suite and three group exercise
studios/multi-function rooms. Also intended is a
3G artificial turf football pitch at the rear of the
centre.
.......................................................................................
Garrick Announces
Musical composer
The Lichfield Garrick is excited to announce
that Joel Hall will be joining the Your
Community Musical project as Composer.
Joel will work alongside the participants of the
composition group of Your Community Musical
to build the score and develop the music for the
production. The team will meet with him
fortnightly to work on the project.
He will also be offering a masterclass for those
interesting in learning more about the basics of
composition, getting started with your songs,
how to create music for your characters, as well
as a whole host of other tips and tricks that
participants will be able to use during the bigger
project and beyond.
A composer, lyricist, digital producer and
performer, Joel trained at the University of
Nottingham and Royal Birmingham
Conservatoire. He is also the director of
Stream Park, an interactive digital events
platform partnered with the Mixed Reality Lab
at the University of Nottingham, Live Cinema
UK and Oxfam GB, currently undertaking
funded research through Horizon Digital
Economy and hosting immersive events for
national organisations, recognised theatres, and
communities.
Visit www.lichfieldgarrick.com/communitymusical-masterclasses/
for more information
about Your Community Musical and how to
book onto any masterclasses.

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7

LOCAL NEWS
New Farmers’ Market
in Burntwood
Trust (LHCRT) nominated Chasetown Civil
Engineering for the award as recognition of the
enormous contribution the company has made
to the charity.
.......................................................................................
Johnson’s Willow
Will Live On!
Burntwood Town Council is pleased to
announce that a new farmers’ market will be
starting in Burntwood.
A three-month pilot will see the event take
place at Sankey’s Corner this summer - Sunday
11th July, Sunday 8th August, and Sunday 12th
September from 10 am to 4pm.
A small section of the Cannock Road will be
closed for the market days which will bring a
real sense of vibrancy to the area. The pilot is
being delivered by the Town Council with the
support of Lichfield District Council.
The event organiser is CJ’s Events
Warwickshire Limited which currently runs a
Producers’ Market at Lichfield and an Artisan
Market at Barton Marina.
Sign up to become a trader at
www.cjseventswarwickshire.co.uk and join the
brilliant local businesses promoting and selling
their products and services.
.......................................................................................
LHCRT Helps Business
Win Award
A local engineering company has won a
prestigious award for helping youngsters learn
new skills while contributing to the restoration
of the canal.
Chasetown Civil Engineering received the
Lichfield District Business Contribution to
Communities award in the Support
Staffordshire Volunteer Star Awards.
Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration
8
Noel Sweeney, (front, second right) on a visit to
LHCRT's Fosseway Heath site
The fifth incarnation of an historic tree at
Stowe Pool in Lichfield will be planted later this
year.
Lichfield District Council and the Johnson
Society have been working together to make
sure a significant tree in Lichfield, called
Johnson’s Willow, is regrown as the current tree
reaches the end of its life.
The tree grows to the side of Stowe Pool and
is famous for having been Dr Samuel Johnson’s
favourite tree when he lived in Lichfield in the
18th century. For this reason it is now called
Johnson’s Willow, although in his time it was
known as the Lichfield Willow.
A survey of all Lichfield District Council’s trees
revealed Johnson’s Willow needs to be felled
due to extensive decay.
The tree has already been regrown three times
over the years using cuttings from each version
of Johnson’s Willow. In preparation for the
felling, the council’s community gardeners have
been growing cuttings taken from the fourth
willow in 2018.
Johnson’s Willow is expected to be felled in
mid-August and a cutting will be planted in the
same location in November when the site has
been cleared. This will be protected with a tall
metal cage until the young tree establishes itself.
To find out more about Stowe Pool visit
www.lichfieldhistoricparks.co.uk.
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Lichfield 10k &
Family Fun Run
Entries are now open for the annual Lichfield
10k and Family Fun Run, which will take place
this year on 12th September at King Edward VI
Leisure Centre.
Organised by Lichfield Running Club, this year
marks the 25th anniversary of the event, and all
runners will receive ship timing, a medal and a
t-shirt.
For further information, and to sign up, visit
www.entryhub.co.uk/2021-lichfield-10k-familyfun-run.
.......................................................................................
Partnership is
Commended in
National Awards
Lichfield District emergency shopping scheme
has been recognised in a prestigious national
awards scheme.
Lichfield District Council and Central England
Co-operative’s emergency shopping scheme
has been commended in the coronavirus
category of the Regulatory Excellence Awards
2021, which took place virtually on 10th June.
These are the awards that celebrate
outstanding achievements in supporting
businesses and protecting consumers,
contributing towards fighting coronavirus,
rebuilding the economy, and unleashing
innovation.
The two organisations were praised for their
work supporting vulnerable people who were
isolated and impacted by the coronavirus
pandemic.
The scheme involved delivering emergency
shopping to more than 900 people across
Lichfield District who were self-isolating during
the first wave of Covid-19.
The call centre was managed by Lichfield
District Council, who pulled in staff from other
areas of the council to take the shopping
orders and find out if any other support was
needed. Central England Co-operative then
completed the orders and volunteers and
council workers delivered the shopping.

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9

LOCAL NEWS
Don’t Dump It!
Lichfield District Council is urging local
residents to dispose of their white goods
properly, which means not leaving them out on
the street as this counts as fly-tipping, even if
they are removed by scrap metal dealers.
The warning comes after the council has
noticed a worrying trend of white goods,
especially fridges and freezers, being stripped of
their metal motors and compressors and then
being dumped locally on grass verges and
country lanes.
To combat this, householders should either
dispose of white goods at their local household
recycling centre or pay for a licensed waste
carrier to dispose of them on their behalf.
The council offers a scrap metal service and can
remove white goods, including washing
machines and fridge freezers, for £15.75 for the
first item and £6.50 for a second item.
To book a scrap metal collection, visit
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/bookscrapmetal or call
the Shared Waste Service on 0345 002 0022
(charged at the local rate).To report fly-tipping,
go to www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/report.
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New Cannock Chase
Guide Launched
Tourists, visitors
and residents can
find out how to
get more from
their visit with the
launch of the new
guide for
Cannock Chase.
The guide will act
as a one stop
shop for residents,
tourists and
visitors who want
to find out what
the District has to
offer. It
showcases all the
incredible places
in the District spanning across the three main
town centres: Cannock, Hednesford and
10
Councillor Mike Sutherland
and Mike Thomas, Centre
Manager at McArthurGlen
Designer Outlet Village
Rugeley and the surrounding areas.
It’s packed full of information about things to do
and places to visit, plus there’s also a Heritage
Trail map with walking routes and cycle trails.
The guide will be available to pick up from
various locations including visitor centres, B&Bs
and accommodation providers amongst others.
It is also available online via the website
https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/visitors/wh
at-do/visit-cannock-chase.
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School Extension
Opened by Education
Secretary
Education minister Gavin Williamson officially
opened a £4.2 million state-of-the-art
extension at a Lichfield school – saying it would
benefit ‘generations’ of local youngsters.
Nether Stowe School, in St Chad’s Road,
received the expansion to cope with an
increased demand for school places in the area,
with the front of the school being extended to
provide a new reception, extra classroom
space, science labs and a new sixth form area,
while a new sports hall is also nearing
construction.
And on Friday 11th June the Secretary of State
for Education Gavin Williamson visited to cut
the ribbon and officially open the new block,
before being given a tour of the new facilities at
the school, which is part of the respected
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP).
.......................................................................................
Mayor and Sheriff’s
Charities
Councillor Deborah Baker, former Mayor of
Lichfield, accompanied by Dr Steve Baker and
Dr Daryl Brown, former Sheriff of Lichfield,
have recently presented cheques to
representatives of their three nominated
charities: St. Giles Hospice; Lichfield &
Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust; and
Lichfield Voluntary Transport for the Disabled.
During their two years in office the former
Mayor and Sheriff raised a grand total of
£9,095.12 which was distributed equally
between their chosen charities, all three
charities were delighted to receive a cheque for
£3,031.70.
The former Mayor and Sheriff hosted a variety
of successful charity events throughout their
time in office, including an Indoor Street Party,
Barn Dance, Sheriff at Home, Charity Dinner
Dance, Beer and Skittles Evening and Charity
Sunday Lunch.
Councillor Deborah Baker and Dr Daryl
Brown would like to offer their sincere thanks
to all the local businesses, groups and
individuals who supported their fundraising
activities and for their wonderful generosity
towards three very worthy local charities.
.......................................................................................
New Art Exhibition
at The Hub
The Gallery at
The Hub is
delighted to be
hosting the
work of a
Lichfield artist.
‘Uninhibited’ by
Grace Dooley,
(also known as
Viivakuuva) is
on show until
21st July. Each of
the pieces in
G r a c e ’ s
exhibition is
named after
emotions or experiences that every person
experiences, but many groups in society are
discouraged from discussing. This exhibition
project aims to participate in the fight to end
the stigmatisation of the pain, pleasure, loss,
growth and change that all bodies experience,
but many people in society are often forced to
feel shame for discussing, hence the name of the
exhibition: ‘Uninhibited’.
The Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am-
3pm. All of the artworks are available to buy
from The Hub. Tel: 01543 414749. For details of
all upcoming events at The Hub visit
thehubstmarys.co.uk.

11

LOCAL NEWS
12
Leisure Centre Project
Bids for £5M
Lichfield District Council has submitted a bid
for £5 million to the government’s Levelling Up
Fund as part of its strategy to fund the
development of Lichfield’s new leisure centre.
The proposed new leisure centre will be built
at Stychbrook Park in Lichfield subject to
obtaining planning permission. Work has been
going on in and around the park in recent
weeks to survey ground conditions around the
park in preparation for the drawing up of
outline plans and public consultation later in the
year.
The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund is designed
to bring government departments together to
support priority local projects by focusing on
the needs of individual places in places where it
can make the biggest difference to everyday life.
Lichfield District Council has already
committed £5 million towards the cost of the
new leisure centre. The new facility centre will
replace the existing Friary Grange Leisure
Centre. Early proposals for the leisure include a
25-metre swimming pool, fitness centre,
community rooms and a 3G football pitch. In
February 2021, a programme of essential
repairs was completed at Friary Grange at a
cost of just over £400,000 to help keep the
centre operational until the new leisure centre
is completed.
The outcome of the Levelling Up fund bid is
expected in the autumn.
.......................................................................................
Staffordshire
Celebrates Armed
Forces Day
Paul Snape holds flag
People from Staffordshire showed their
support for the Armed Forces community, as
the county celebrated Armed Forces Day on
Saturday 26th June.
The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas
lead the nation’s commemorations with a
special outdoor celebration and service, along
with a weekend of family activities and a food
and craft fair.
People were also being encouraged to join the
#saluteourforces campaign by uploading a selfie
of themselves saluting.
Staffordshire County Council flew the Armed
Forces flag from Shire Hall in Stafford over the
commemorative weekend.
.......................................................................................
LHCRT Receives
Cheque from Civic
Leaders
Deborah Baker, husband Steve, and Daryl Brown
with Chris Bull (left) and Bob Williams
Lichfield's Canal Restoration Trust has received
a cheque for more than £3,000 as one of the
nominated charities of the former Mayor of
Lichfield, Cllr Deborah Baker, and the former
Sheriff of Lichfield, Dr Daryl Brown.
Mrs Baker and Dr Brown presented the cheque
for £3,031.70 to Lichfield and Hatherton
Canals Restoration Trust chairperson Chris Bull
and Trust finance director Bob Williams at a
small ceremony at Borrowcop Locks Canal
Park, on the city's Tamworth Road.
.......................................................................................
New Offices for Fast-
Growing Business
Michael Fabricant opened Espace’s new offices
in Burntwood on Friday 25th June which was
also Employee Ownership Day.
Like the John Lewis Partnership, Espace is one
of 730 employee-owned businesses in the UK
and is the only freight and logistics one.
Managing Director, Tony Shally, started the
company 22 years ago and transferred 100% of
the shares into An Employee Ownership Trust,
with the 36 staff members as sole beneficiaries.
An announcement was made at the new office
opening that each employee would receive 15%
of their gross salary as the employee ownership
annual bonus.
.......................................................................................
Cabinet to Discuss
Recycling Options
Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet will debate
the future of recycling collections when they
meet on Tuesday 6th July 2021.
Following extensive work with other
Staffordshire local authorities and waste
disposal contractors, the report recommends
the Joint Waste Service for Lichfield and
Tamworth change how recycling is collected
and disposed of.
The proposed new system would see residents
separate their paper and card from their glass,
cans and plastics, and be provided with an
additional bin or bag. Many other local
authorities use this system, which is shown to
increase recycling rates.
Tamworth Borough Council will consider the
proposals on Thursday 8th July.
To read the full report, go to
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/julycabinet.
June Winners
Congratulations to G Troman
of Fradley who is the winner of
the Just Granite prize, and to L
Palmer of Longdon who won
tickets to see Chloe Hanslip
and Danny Driver at the
Lichfield Festival.
Well done to the winners and
thank you to everyone who
entered!

13

LOCAL NEWS
A Warm Welcome in
Burntwood
Tammy Law and Louise Taylor
A Burntwood bakery feels welcomed by the
local community and businesses since first
opening up shop in December 2020.
Despite not having a background in hospitality
and against a backdrop of the pandemic, Louise
Taylor decided to go for it, opening Mikey Teas
six months ago, and is enjoying being a business
owner.
Although the bakery could remain open over
lockdown, as it offers a takeaway and delivery
service, reduced footfall on the high street did
affect trade and Louise is looking forward to
Mikey Teas first summer as more Covid-19
restrictions are lifted.
Lichfield District Council’s Information Officer,
a role funded by the European Regional
Development Fund, has visited Mikey Teas to
offer advice and distribute #LoveLocal Covidsecure
resources.
To book a visit from Lichfield District Council’s
Information Officer and to order #LoveLocal
resources, such as Covid safety posters and
queue waiting floor stickers, email
economicdevelopment@lichfielddc.gov.uk or
complete a form at
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/lovelocal.
.......................................................................................
Gate Gallop Returns
The Ruff family took part in the Gate Gallop this year
A popular Staffordshire running event
organised each summer by the Peel Road
Runners in aid of St Giles Hospice returned in
June.
The Tamworth Gate Gallop took place on
Sunday 27th June at the Anker Valley Sports
Complex in Amington, Tamworth, following its
cancellation last year due to the Coronavirus
pandemic.
The Tamworth Gate Gallop has been taking
place for more than 25 years and in that time
has raised over £100,000 to help fund the
hospice’s work caring for local people living
with a terminal illness.
The event will featured a fully-marked and
marshalled route, finisher medals, goodie bags,
Unveiling of St Chad Statue
The new statue of St Chad, by Peter Walker, was unveiled by the Bishop of Lichfield at Lichfield
Cathedral on Saturday 26th June. It is the first statue to be unveiled at the Cathedral for more
than 100 years. * Images courtesy of Lichfield Cathedral Photographers
electronic chip timing for 10k and fun run
participants, and event facilities including a
water station, toilets and free parking.
For more information about St Giles Hospice
and the expert care it provides, visit
www.stgileshospice.com.
.......................................................................................
Shakespeare in
Whittington
A new adaptation of
Shakespeare’s most
famous work will be
performed outdoors
near Lichfield in July.
Featuring the cast of
2020's critically
acclaimed Lord of the
Flies, theatre company
Let Me In will present
Mac/Beth in a safe,
s o c i a l l y - d i s t a n c e d
environment in Whittington.
Supporters are encouraged to take along
their own picnics and drinks for the one-act
play. There are toilets on site and some parking,
including disabled parking next to the seating
area.
Mac/Beth will run from Tuesday 20th July to
Saturday 24th July at 8.30pm at Woodhouse
Farm and Garden, Whittington.
Socially-distanced seating will be reserved.
The play is suitable only for 14-year-olds and
above, due to themes of violence and strong
language.
To purchase tickets, please visit
www.letmeinpresents.eventbrite.com.
The statue being
dedicated by the
Bishop of
Lichfield, the Rt
Revd Dr Michael
Ipgrave
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Revd Adrian Dorber
& sculptor Peter Walker
14
The 1st Bishop of Lichfield, St Chad with the
99th Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Dr Michael
Ipgrave (photo by Jan McFarlane)
A close up of the statue

15

Summer In
The City!
...............................
By Ben Winterton
Summer is in full swing, venues are
opening up again and we are delighted
to be back offering valuations and
auction advice in the heart of
Lichfield!
From the start of July, Richard
Winterton Auctioneers returns to
The Hub at St Mary’s in the city
centre, above the library in the Market
Square, and it is going to be fantastic
meeting people once again and
hearing all about their treasures and
trinkets.
I’ll be at The Hub between 10am-
12.30pm on Tuesdays offering advice
on watches, jewellery, silver and
antiques and people can also take the
opportunity to securely drop off
general consignments for auction with
me.
Catching up with the team at The
Hub, executive director Louise
Fleming said: “We are delighted to
have Richard Winterton Auctioneers
back at The Hub as we know a great
many people in the community love
attending the venue to get their
treasure valued!
“Richard has been a wonderful
sponsor and supporter since The Hub
opened and we are grateful he
continues to support our work.
“As we get back into the swing of
things our coffee shop is now open
This British Military Omega
RAF pilot’s watch, dating
back to 1953, sold at
auction recently for £2,000.
and makes a great ‘waiting room’ while you are waiting for Ben to take a
look at your (hopefully) valuable heirlooms.
“We look forward to seeing you soon.”
I couldn’t agree more!
With our streamlined, Covid-secure processes, it’s never been easier
to put your items quickly and efficiently through auction and, as our
results over the past year have shown, demand is stronger than ever.
We’ve introduced new fortnightly Two Day Antiques & Home Sales
online every other Monday and Tuesday, starting at 9.30am each day –
although for July we’re going three on the bounce due to demand!
Two Day Antiques & Home Sales are planned for July 5-6, 12-13 and
19-20, the latter to feature wines and spirits.
Our ‘Day One’ sales feature jewellery, watches, ceramics, toys and
collectables, with Day Two including automobilia, household items and
furniture.
Appointments can now be booked to view auction lots – just call us
on 01543 251081 – and each sale has its own digital catalogue online.
Simply visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk/auction-dates.
We are currently gearing up to auction a spectacular collection of
watches and jewellery on Monday, July 5.
From left: Watch and jewellery specialist Ben Winterton, The Hub
executive director Louise Fleming and auctioneer Richard Winterton.
Watch specialist Ben Winterton will be offering advice at The Hub in
the heart of Lichfield from 10am-12.30pm on Tuesdays.
Rolex watches through the years plus Omega, Hamilton and Jaeger-
LeCoultre timepieces all feature.
And there is some incredibly impressive gem set jewellery, including a
2.20ct square emerald cut single stone diamond ring.
It’s going to be a sale to remember – in fact we’re expecting it to be
one of the highlights of the year for our jewellery department!
What better time to get free professional advice and discover that
hidden gem?
Summer’s in full swing so let’s bring a little more sunshine by shining a
light on your hidden treasures – see you at The Hub!
Starting July 6, Ben Winterton will be at The Hub in Lichfield city
centre between 10am-12.30pm on Tuesdays offering drop-in advice.
Email ben@richardwinterton.co.uk or call 01543 251081.
Free quotations for house clearances, probate services and in-person
valuations at The Lichfield Auction Centre can be booked on 01543
251081 or by email to office@richardwinterton.co.uk – free home visits
for bulky items or large collections are also available to arrange.
Visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk.
16

Lichfield Festival
.........................
We could all do with some light
entertainment just now, so how about
some rib-tickling comedy courtesy of
Lichfield Festival (8th-18th July)?
George Egg mixes great gags with gourmet food (which
you get to taste at the end), newcomer Sam Lake brings
his new show Cake, and Sexy Lamp is Lichfield ex-pat
Katie Arnstein’s award-winning show. There’s stand-up
from the ‘best haircut in comedy’ Tom Ward, and
guaranteed laughs from Justin Moorhouse (star of Peter
Kay’s Phoenix Nights) on the Festival’s last night.
Festivals are a chance to make new discoveries and the
Young Artists’ series features a hand-picked selection of
incredible talent and a variety of instruments which don’t
always get their fair share of the limelight. Festival
Director Damian Thantrey picks out a trombone recital
by Kris Garfitt (Friday 16th July) as a case in point.
“It’s not an instrument I knew much about but I’ve been
doing my homework and really had my eyes – and ears –
opened by the sound and writing. This is definitely my
‘surprise yourself’ recommendation of the Festival,” he
says.
Ionel Manciu (violin), Toby White (cello), Lucy
Humphris (trumpet), The Mithras Trio and National Youth
Jazz Orchestra Quintet are just some of the other
fabulous musicians in the series.
More details available from www.lichfieldfestival.org.
17

Advertising Feature
Lichfield Smiles
Denture Clinic
.........................
Matthew Burnell, an awardwinning
Clinical Dental
Technician (CDT), owns both
Lichfield Smiles and The Dental
Laboratory located in the heart of
Lichfield.
CDTs are registered dental care
professionals and are regulated by the
General Dental Council.
Qualifying over many years of intensive
study, exceeding dental technicians’
training through additional modules in sciences, clinical skills and
customer care, the position of CDT allows patients to get direct
treatment for the construction, repair and fitting of removable
dental appliances.
Whilst dentists and CDTs work independently of each other
they often find themselves working together and will confer on
certain dental treatments when it is in the best interests of the
patient or as part of some treatments, such as the creation of
partial dentures.
The most common patients that Matthew sees and treats are
denture wearers, however CDTs can offer other services, such as
advice on oral health, performing technical and clinical procedures
for removable dental appliances, clinical examinations to search for
oral abnormalities, and they can also refer patients to other health
care professionals where necessary.
Lichfield Smiles opened in 2012 meaning Matthew and the
dedicated team is approaching its 10-year anniversary – to
celebrate, he is pushing his skills and abilities even more to mark
the momentous milestone!
Having had some incredible feedback over the last decade, and
having gained numerous awards along the way from the British
Association of Clinical Dental Technicians (all of which are based
on feedback from patient experiences), Matthew is looking
forward to a bright and exciting future.
Matthew is the Winner of:
• Best Patient Experience - 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019
• Extra Mile Award – 2015 and 2016
• Highly Commended - 2014
After a hard two years, excessive building work following a
devastating flood which essentially ruined the building, and the
Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc, the clinic is once again back
on course and committed to creating your perfect smile.
*In Citylife in Lichfield June issue, Matthew was incorrectly acknowledged as a
dentist, instead of a Clinical Dental Technician.

19

Hospice Celebrates
Cycle Spring Success
...................................
Cyclists from across Staffordshire
used their pedal power to make
Sunday 23rd May Cycle Spring in aid of
St Giles Hospice a fundraising event to
remember.
Keen supporters signed up for this
year’s ride, which was the first organised
charity event the hospice has been able to
run in more than a year due to the Covid-
19 pandemic.
Riders setting off on Cycle Spring
Previous Cycle Spring rides set off from
Chasewater, but this year’s event started and finished at St Giles Hospice in
Whittington for the first time ever and featured Covid-compliant measures, including
staggered starting times, to ensure the safety of all riders.
Starting at 7.30am, 430 riders in socially-distanced groups of up to six people set
off to enjoy one of three new routes of varying difficulty through the beautiful
Staffordshire countryside.
Organisers hope the 2021 event will hit a record Cycle Spring fundraising total,
with more than £20,000 pledged so far this year to help fund hospice care.
Cycling events run by St Giles Hospice have raised more than £250,000 since they
were first launched in 2013.
For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides,
please visit www.stgileshospice.com
20
Advertising Feature
All Aboard
The Buxton Spa
Express
.........................
As a regular reader of CityLife it can’t have escaped
your notice that Lichfield based Transport for
Britain is running a special charter train from
Lichfield to the beautiful Georgian Spa town of Buxton on
18th July. With the date fast approaching there is now
limited time to get your tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
Organised to promote the reopening of the line between
Lichfield, Alrewas and Burton the train will be making history as
the first service direct from Lichfield to Buxton. For those keen
walkers amongst you the train will be stopping at Edale as it
winds its way through the Peak National Park. The train will also
be the first passenger service from Lichfield to use the line
since it closed following the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.
On reaching Buxton Spa passengers will have several hours
to take in the sights and explore. Visit the Crescent, walk
around the Pavilion Gardens or take the Wonders of the Peak
bus tour and learn about the towns rich history dating back to
Roman times.
Tickets are available through www.eventbrite.co.uk or you
can visit the website at www.arboretumline.uk/charterservice.

Advertising Feature
Day Aesthetics
............................................
If beauty comes from within, just the
gentlest helping hand can often enhance the
best of what we already have within us. From
the fine lines and wrinkles that sometimes
stand between us and our more confident
selves, to long-standing skin complaints in
need of resolution, there are many reasons to
seek out an aesthetics practitioner.
But what to look for? In a world of so many
‘frozen-faced’ cosmetically enhanced
celebrities, finding a reputable, knowledgeable
practitioner to have confidence in is key such
as a practitioner who not only hails from a
medical background but is passionate about
skin health and achieving natural results, never
overtreated or over-filled. Less is more, after
all.
now taking advantage of our microneedling
treatment to combat male pattern baldness. The
commonality between Day Aesthetics customers
perhaps is less when they walk into clinic and
more when they walk back out. We want
everyone to leave us feeling rejuvenated and
confident. The biggest compliment is when a
client says: 'No-one can pinpoint what I’ve had done.
They just say how well I look!’”
Nestled in the heart of Lichfield, Day
Aesthetics has a proven track record for
more than just delivering excellent results,
providing each and every client with a
dedicated service that’s professional, discreet
and friendly. A sentiment which seems to have
resonated with Day Aesthetics’ customer
base, sufficiently so that they’ve been voted
Lichfield’s most trusted aesthetics clinic
2020/2021 in Global Excellence Awards, with
a steadfast ‘Excellent’ 5* rating on Trustpilot.
Led by Lichfield native, Amie Day, an
Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner with some 22
years clinical experience and member of The
Royal College of Nursing and British
Association of Cosmetic Nurses, Day
Aesthetics is a fully certified and insured
aesthetics clinic, using only the safest and
most effective premium products from leading
pharmaceutical providers.
“Embarking on cosmetic treatment is no
small decision and we understand that
wholeheartedly. It’s incredibly important to us
that our clients are listened to, that their
needs and expectations are at the forefront of
the treatments we offer, and that all treatment
options are discussed in a thorough, relaxed
way so that our clients can make informed
choices with confidence, knowing they’re in
the very best hands at Day Aesthetics.”
So, is there a typical customer seeking out
the treatments on offer? “Not at all,” says
Amie. “Our clients are from all walks of life.
We’re actually seeing many more gentlemen
21

Win VIP Tickets to the
Staffs County Show
The Staffordshire County Show will be held on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th August.
Despite the change of date, the event will have all the attractions visitors expect from one
of the County’s premier events. The Show offers something for visitors of all ages.
A packed Main Ring programme includes a range of attractions from the breath-taking
Bolddog Lings to show jumping and the Grand Parade of Livestock. In the Country Pursuits
Arena visitors can watch the birds of prey display, the ferret roadshow or sit back and learn
all about pigs with the Hogg Show. Around the Showground there will be demonstrations
of traditional rural crafts such as thatching and drystone walling. However, at the heart of
the Show is livestock with over 1,000 cattle, sheep, pigs and goats and over 1,500 horses
and ponies.
There are a number of competitions and shows, including the Sheep Shearing Competition,
Farriery Competition, the Fur and Feather Show and the Bees and Honey Show with its
working hive. Children of all ages are especially well catered for with a children’s farm, an
exotic animal display, donkey rides and fairground rides. Shopaholics will be able to browse
over four hundred trade stands selling everything from cars to hot tubs. In addition there
is a food hall with a further fifty stands selling a range of mouth-watering local produce.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk.
We’ve got a pair of VIP tickets to give away, including free admission to the
show with access to the Member’s Pavilion and a two-course lunch with a
glass of wine. To enter, simply answer the question below and send your
details to us!
On which road is the County Showground located?
a) Western Road
b) Stafford Road
c) Lichfield Road
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to The Staffordshire County Show
Competition, at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by the competition closing date of
9th August. One entry per household. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Winners will not be offered a 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 66.
Royal Visit for New Era
............................
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited New Era
Domestic Abuse Service for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-
Trent to see the valuable support provided to local adults
and children affected by domestic abuse, including across Lichfield,
Cannock and Rugeley.
The Princess Royal was visiting New Era’s
Staffordshire hub in her capacity as Patron
and President of Victim Support, who provide
the victim services part of the New Era
service. The Princess Royal also spoke to
clients and front-line staff about how the
pandemic has impacted them.
Over the past year, New Era has
successfully adapted many of its services to
ensure adults, children and young people
could continue to get the help they needed
from its specialist advisors, either online,
face-to-face, on a one-to-one basis and through group work, despite
successive lockdowns.
During the 30 months from 1st October 2018 and 31st March 2021,
New Era received more than 14,000 referrals and enquiries to its victim
services, and over 900 referrals and enquiries to its perpetrator services.
HRH The Princess Royal also heard how New Era was prepared for a
possible increase in enquiries during the UEFA Euro 2020 football
tournament; traditionally, domestic abuse support services like New Era
often see a rise in referrals during such
football competitions, caused by the
coercive and controlling behaviour of an
abuser and triggers such as alcohol misuse
or unfavourable results.
New Era’s confidential helpline for
victims of domestic abuse is 0300 303 3778.
Alternatively, a live webchat can be accessed
day or night via New Era’s website at
www.new-era.uk. New Era’s confidential
helpline for people who want support to
change their abusive behaviour is 01785 601
690 (Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm).
22
Emma Tennant of New Era Domestic Abuse Service
welcomes HRH The Princess Royal

23

Summer Sundaes
........................................
Heavy Beat Brass Band
Whimsy May
Charlie Barnes
On Sundays throughout the summer holidays, The Hub at St
Mary’s is rolling out the grass, unfolding the deckchairs and
cracking open the cold drinks on Lichfield’s Market Square,
to meet you and show you what the Hub is all about.
The Coffee Shop and Bar will be setting up shop outdoors and there's
a fabulous line up of entertainment with music, family fun, dance, theatre,
cabaret and Shakespeare for you to enjoy.
Kicking off with Cabaret Familia, a variety show suitable for all the family,
spectators can expect song and dance, circus, magic and more! There’s two
dance pieces specially for children; ‘The Bull and The Moon’ from Spin Arts
and ‘Whimsy’, created for young imaginations; and the younger generation
can also get hands on with Van Gough inspired art, pottery, a teddy bears’
Picnic and family archery, all courtesy of Lichfield’s Nurture Network.
There’ll be Maths Madness with Kyle D. Evans and lots of very surprising
visitors dropping in throughout the summer!
Music wise there’s lots of great artists lined up and raring to go: big, loud
and brassy, Heavy Beat Brass Band remix pop and funk music with the
sound of New Orleans – foot tapping guaranteed! - while HUM Gospel
Choir’s soulful vocals will have your hairs standing on end with their
unique style covering all genres of music. Lichfield singer/songwriter and
touring member of Bastille, Charlie Barnes, performs his original
alternative pop and Hub Associate Company ‘Let me In’ bring together
Lichfield’s finest up and coming musicians and spoken word artists. Awardwinning
Walsall Operatic Society will also be dropping by with some of
your favourite musical theatre numbers.
Black Country based ME Dance company will be taking us on a journey
with ’Chain Stories’ a contemporary dance piece following the route
taken by the chains manufactured in the Black Country – their beginning
in the earth, the people they met and the places they travelled to.
Each Summer Sundae session will be rounded off by ‘Jazz in the Square’
or ‘Shakespeare in the Square’. Midland jazzers Elliot Drew, Tom Lindsay
and Nick Dewhurst will all be appearing with swinging jazz standards,
funky tunes, and original and well-known songs.
The Shakespeare comes from ‘Bard in the Yard’ with actors who have
credits from the RSC, National Theatre, BBC and more. Launched as a
response to the theatre closures in the past year, Bard in the Yard will be
doing Shakespeare in their own very unique way with ‘King Leonardo’ and
‘The Scottish Play’.
For all Summer Sundaes information, including full details of each event,
visit the website at www.thehubstmarys.co.uk.
24

25

Experience Cricket
Like Never Before
.........................
This summer, The
Hundred – a
brand-new 100-
ball cricket competition
– is coming to
Birmingham’s Edgbaston
Stadium for four
unmissable home
fixtures, action-packed
with fantastic sport, live
entertainment and show-stopping moments for the whole family.
The region’s newest sports team, Birmingham Phoenix, are competing
in the inaugural season of The Hundred, with Edgbaston Stadium hosting
four matchdays, featuring both men’s and women’s games back-to-back.
The first home matchday takes place on Friday 23rd July when
Birmingham Phoenix take on London Spirit, with the women’s team
getting underway at 3pm and the men’s team at 6:30pm. On Sunday 1st
August, both teams play Trent Rockets, followed by matches against Oval
Invincibles on Wednesday 4th August, and Welsh Fire on Monday 9th
August.
Packed with excitement for families, friends and sport-lovers alike, The
Hundred is a fun-filled event making cricket more accessible than ever
before by changing up the fan experience. The Hundred brings a shorter,
fast-paced and simplified game to engage a wider audience, alongside
extra entertainment and affordable tickets.
The Hundred will see sport and entertainment collide on a scale
never seen before as world-class cricket and a strong line-up of live
music fuse to create one of the must-see events of the summer.
Tickets start from just £12 for adults; £5 for under 16s, and under 6s
go free. For more information and to book tickets visit
www.thehundred.com.
Advertising Feature
Something Old,
Something New
.........................
An ever-popular service offered
by Allen Brown Jewellery is the
remodelling service, where the
studio can transform your older pieces
of jewellery into something you can
wear and enjoy, remodelled to a new
design to suit your taste.
Allen Brown is helping many customers
take existing family heirloom pieces and
aid in carrying the sentiment forward to
the next generation. By carefully separating existing pieces, the team can
transform their metals and stones into new individually designed pieces.
It is a good way of recycling material and reusing whilst keeping all the
sentiment of the old pieces.
Often it’s hard to visualise what can be done with old pieces of
jewellery and Allen and the team have lots of before and after examples
to show what is possible and will happily guide you along the process. In
addition, the upstairs viewing gallery also provides customers with the
chance to view first-hand pieces of jewellery being created in the onsite
workshop.
From the customer initially walking in the door to the collection of
the final item, the whole process typically takes between 6-8 weeks, with
the first half of this time being for the design and drawing stage and the
following dedicated to the creation of a new piece, depending on the
work involved.
You can rely on the talented jewellery designers at Allen Brown to
create unusual and unique items to your requirements with attention to
detail along with a truly personal service.
If you have some jewellery that you would like remodelling, visit
Allen Brown Jewellery, Heart of the Country, Swinfen, Lichfield,
WS14 9QR or call 01543 481948.
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
26

Now open 7 days
a week
27

Visit Lichfield Celebrates
English Tourism Week
...........................................
To celebrate English Tourism Week, Visit Lichfield invited two followed by a visit to the picturesque Fradley Junction on Tuesday 25th
local MPs to visitor attractions across Lichfield District. May.
English Tourism Week, organised by Visit England, ran from 22nd to
31st May 2021. The annual celebration highlights the importance, value
and vast contribution tourism makes to the UK economy.
To show they are ‘here for tourism’, the MP for Lichfield, Michael
Fabricant, and the MP for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, got a closer
look at some of the district’s unique visitor attractions.
At the first trip of the week Michael Fabricant was joined by
Councillor Iain Eadie for a race round the tracks at Midland Karting,
At Fradley Junction, Michael was joined by James Dennison from
Canal and River Trust, Christine Bull from Lichfield & Hatherton Canal
Restoration Trust, and Julie Arnold from Staffordshire Waterways. They
took a ride on a narrow boat provided by Streethay Wharf and talked
about the importance of the canals for our tourism industry and the
hard work by volunteers to restore more canal routes in the area.
For attractions, events, tours, where to eat and shop and much more
go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk and to download a Visit Lichfield short
breaks brochure go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk/download.
Michael Fabricant at
Midland Karting
James Dennison, Canal and River Trust, and
Michael Fabricant
Iain Eadie, Michael Fabricant and Garry Mitchell
at Midland Karting
Cllr Doug Pullen, Christopher
Pincher MP, William Bryan Managing
Diretor of Drayton Manor Park
28
Chistopher Pincher MP, and Cllr Doug Pullen -
Meerkat enclosure
Fradley Junction six

Advertising Feature
RVT Gardening &
Groundcare
RVT
Gardening &
Groundcare
offers a
complete range
of horticultural
equipment for
all households
and
professionals. It
offers a complete range of walk-behind mowers
from Hayter, ride-on mowers from John Deere, and
robotic mowers from Stihl. The company can also
provide John Deere compact tractors and utility
vehicles, Grillo groundcare machinery and the full
range of Stihl powered garden machinery including
chainsaws, leafblowers and strimmers to name just a
few.
There are four depots, with the closest to Lichfield
being the Sudbury branch where horticultural expert
Mick Reeves is on hand to help customers find the
right equipment to suit their requirements. Contact
Mick on 01283 821345 or 07736 693158 or email
mickreeves@reavalleytractors.com. Alternatively, visit
RVT at Ashacres Industrial Estate, Draycott in the
Clay, Sudbury, Derby DE6 5GX. There's also a
dedicated Facebook page – just search for
@RVTGardeningandGroundcare.
29

Feel Good
Campaign Launches
.......................................
People are being encouraged to sign up to a new campaign to help keep
themselves happy, healthy and feeling good.
The ‘Do It to Feel Good’ email campaign is being delivered by Staffordshire County
Council in conjunction with Everyone Health Staffordshire. It aims to remind people of
the importance of looking after their mental health and the positive impact that making
small changes can have on a person’s wellbeing.
Dropping into people’s inbox each week is a motivational email with practical tips
based on ‘The Five Ways to Wellbeing’ - a series of actions proven to improve wellbeing
in everyday life. People will also receive details about services and local organisations
across Staffordshire that offer support.
Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care
at Staffordshire County Council said: “Now, more than ever, it’s important for us all to
be more mindful of our mental wellbeing, to help us to live a happier and healthier life.
Abigail Robertson EHS
“We have all felt the impact of the last eighteen months on our health, and as we start
to emerge from the Covid-19 restrictions, many may start to feel the pressures of daily
life creeping in again.
“When you sign up to our free campaign, you’ll receive a weekly email with simple and
practical steps that you can take each and every day, to help you to feel good and nurture
your mental wellbeing. It’s sometimes the simple things that can make a difference. So,
do it to feel good.”
Abigail Robertson, Nutritionist with Everyone Health Staffordshire runs a number of
activities and said: “The baking group is a wonderful opportunity to bring people
together who love baking and socialising. We’ve had so much fun sharing ideas, recipes
and having a good old natter about foods past, present and future.
Johnny McMahon
“The group have really gotten to know each other and it’s become a really friendly
place for people to come together. Over the past few months we’ve made all sorts of
treats including flapjacks, lemon drizzle cakes, fruit muffins, chocolate brownies and mini
cheesecakes just to name a few.”
Zoe Williams, also from Everyone Health Staffordshire, runs various activities,
including the book club. Zoe said: “Joining the book club has given our clients the
opportunity to talk to new people and discuss all sorts of books during a time when
meeting people has been extremely difficult. I have watched those taking part grow in
confidence and start to really enjoy people’s company again, which is great.”
Karen has joined both the virtual baking and reading groups to help her to connect
with others and improve her wellbeing. Talking about her experiences she said: “Initially
I was feeling apprehensive about it all but joining the groups has been a really enjoyable
experience.
“The groups have benefitted me socially, as without them I wouldn’t have had anyone
else to talk to - apart from my husband! My life has changed now and I know that I need
to join in with more social groups in the future. The telephone groups have given me the
courage and the confidence I need to join in with face-to-face groups once these are
back up and running.”
People can sign up to the ‘Do It to Feel Good’ campaign at
https://bit.ly/DoItToFeelGood.
Zoe Williams EHS resize
30

31

Theatre is Back...
OUTDOORS!
............................
Lichfield Garrick is set to take advantage of the summer heat
and bring audiences outdoors to Lichfield’s historic parks,
where they can watch outdoor theatre productions in the
glorious sunshine!
The exciting new programme of shows gets underway next month
with a performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest by celebrated theatre
company, The Pantaloons, on Thursday 29th July. This premier
performance will be held at Stowe Fields, with the stunning Lichfield
Cathedral as the backdrop.
The Pantaloons safely and successfully staged 70 socially distanced
open-air performances in the summer of 2020 and are ready to perform
once again, so get set for a voyage to an enchanted island full of
adventure, romance, magic, and monsters in Lichfield!
Shows continue into August as the magic and adventures move to
Beacon Park on Sunday 8th August. Families will laugh until their tummies
hurt as Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Funky Pigs join Karate
Granny on their afternoon adventures... but watch out for that
cantankerous Mr Wolf who is always on the lookout for his next meal!
Shakespeare’s popular comedy of love and intrigue, magic and mayhem, is
brought to life by family favourites, Quantum Theatre, in their wonderfully
funny and exuberant production of the Shakespeare classic.
Audiences are invited to relax on their own seats or picnic blankets
and watch the wonderfully funny tale of magical fancy unfold, as real life
becomes unexpectedly tangled with the supernatural.
These open spaces have plenty of space for families to bring picnic
blankets or chairs and settle themselves in their own areas, safely and
socially distanced from others for the performance.
Entrance is by ticket only and these must be purchased in advance from
the Garrick box office or online. There will be no ticket sales on the day.
The show will go on, rain or shine, and theatregoers are advised to
dress accordingly. Gates open 45 minutes prior to the performance and
audiences are invited to bring their own seating and picnics but are asked
not to bring any glass items or gazebos. There is a short walk across the
grass to the performance area which may be restrictive for pushchairs
and wheelchairs.
Ticket numbers for the Open-Air Theatre shows are limited in
accordance with social distancing requirements and are on sale now,
priced at £14 for adults and £12 for under 16s.
You can purchase tickets online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by
calling the Box Office on 01543 412121.
This picturesque setting invites families to
watch classic children’s characters being
brought to life with a fabulous modern twist,
packed with songs and fun for all the family.
The fun continues in Beacon Park as Kick
in The Head Productions perform their riproaring
barrel of fun, Three Men in a Boat,
with Giles Shenton (Old Herbaceous
himself!) playing the part of Jerome K
Jerome.
Jerome recounts the hilarious story of his
boating holiday along the magnificent River
Thames with his two companions and
Montmorency the dog. Come and join in the
fun as Giles expertly takes the helm and
pilots you through the much-loved and
ridiculous tale of men behaving badly!
There will be another helping of open-air
theatre on Sunday 22nd August in Beacon
Park, which will provide the perfect setting
for The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin
Bunny.
Beatrix Potter’s classic characters will be
brought to life by Quantum Theatre in a
magical and enchanting production for the
whole family, complete with live music.
The line-up of shows will conclude on the
evening of 22nd August, as an outdoor
production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
32

Not Just Travel
By Gemma Standish
My passion has always been travel and after years
of being an Area Manager I decided it was time for
me to set up my own business and start doing what
I love by helping customers find their dream
holidays, however big or small!
Travel is not as simple as it once was - the
booking process alone can take hours and people
want that extra security. Luckily for me - we are
now in the era of the travel consultant, where one
phone call will connect you with someone who will
take all the stress away. You have my direct mobile
number and I am here to not only search for your
holiday but to answer questions, ask for that room
you heard about on Tripadvisor, and check you had
the perfect trip when you return!
I work with all the suppliers you know and all the
trade-only suppliers. It doesn't cost you any more to
go through me, I get paid directly from the supplier,
so in most cases, I am either the same price or
better than what you find online with the difference
of a personal/VIP service for free.
I have been lucky to visit some amazing places and
love to find that perfect place for my clients. It's
these experiences that clients find invaluable, I feel
my passion and my personal service are what
encourages people to book multiple trips with me.
Not only do I want to make your trip perfect but
also your experience in booking with me!
33

Swim House artist impression
Zinzan Brooke, Abbie Wood and Neil Morten launch Swim House Lichfield
Olympian and All Blacks Legend
Back New Swimming Centre
.....................................................
Anew concept in community swimming will be launched in
Lichfield when a former retail unit is transformed to house
a 25-metre pool as part of a push to get the UK fit after
the Covid pandemic.
All Blacks rugby legend Zinzan Brooke and Team GB Olympics
swimmer Abbie Wood have got behind plans to turn the empty store
at Lichfield Retail Park, on Eastern Avenue, into Swim House, the first
in a series of openings planned to take place nationwide.
The plans, being shaped by community interest company Swim
House Lichfield CIC, will see the former Carpetright premises become
home to a three-lane pool for swimming lessons and leisure.
Up to 13 new jobs are expected to be created with the opening of
the centre, which will be used for a mix of formal swimming lessons,
leisure classes and community uses.
The Swim House will boast a dry training facility, rehab pool, physio
access and a cafe space. A baby pool, a viewing gallery and Covid-safe
changing rooms are among the other features of the centre, which
Swim House Leisure expect to be the first of dozens to be established
across the UK.
Taking time out of her training schedule ahead of travelling to Tokyo
with Team GB for the Olympic Games in August, Abbie joined All Black
star Zinzan at the launch event for Swim House Lichfield on 23rd June.
Abbie said: “It is exciting to see the Swim House concept taking
shape. It appeals to me as Swim House offers a positive environment
where young swimmers can learn so I was pleased to visit to see the
plans are heading in the right direction.
“A year of swimming has been disrupted due to Covid, with many
young people missing the chance to learn. Hopefully, Swim House can
get people back in the pool and enjoying swimming.”
Fellow Swim House ambassador Zinzan Brooke played for the All
Blacks between 1987 and 1997, playing 58 tests and 42 matches. He
scored 195 points and is considered one of the best All Black number
eights.
Zinzan said the concept of Swim House fitted the need for increased
levels of participation in swimming. He said: “The idea of Swim House
changing the use of a building to get people swimming appeals to me
as a former international rugby player as I want to see barriers to
participation in sport removed to get people fitter and healthier.
“I’m aware of reports suggesting as many as 30 per cent of children
in the UK do not know how to swim, which means lives are at risk. I
wanted to give my time to help realise this project because our towns
and cities are going to change due to Covid, so we need sporting uses
to be at the forefront. Lichfield is going to be the first of what we hope
will be a reinvention of spaces across the UK.”
Director Neil Morten, who lives in Lichfield, says the project has
already generated interest from families ahead of its opening, planned
for September, with more than 1000 people registering expressions of
interest in advance.
Neil said: “The opening of the Swim House is the first of its kind
nationwide. We will be providing top-class coaching for all levels of
ability, from helping with a baby’s first experience, to learning to swim
and advancing elite athletes.
“We have been overwhelmed by the interest from the local
community already, even though we are still waiting to open the doors
to the public.
“The facility will provide primary school water time every week,
benefiting residents and local schools. We are finding that local
businesses and organisations see this project as an excellent addition
to the city and are delighted to be involved.
“The proposal will deliver access to pool time for young people,
while also helping, we hope, elite athletes on their journey to gold.”
Work is expected to start shortly to prepare the facilities. Lichfield
District Council approved a planning application for the change of
usage in January.
34

Sniffing Out Treasures with the "Truffle Pig" of Rare Books
When asked how he unearths so many hidden treasures for
auction, book specialist Jim Spencer says: "I'm like a trained
sniffer dog or truffle pig. I plough through every old box of bits, get
to the back of every shelf, check the corners of every dusty drawer,
until something emerges like a speck of gold. Then I go down the
rabbit hole of research, hoping to bring it to life for collectors."
In the last few weeks alone, Jim has made numerous exciting
discoveries. In a box of old books, he found a small order of service for a
funeral - that of Sir John Everett Millais PRA (1829-1896), painter and
founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. "Just think of St
Paul's Cathedral on 20 August 1896," said Jim. "Someone clutching this
little book, watching the pallbearers, among them Sir Henry Irving and
William Holman Hunt, it's spine-tingling history."
He loves scrapbooks and always checks every page. In a scrapbook
album compiled by WP Granville, electrical engineer, he spotted two
autographed letters signed by Sir George Simpson, meteorologist for
Captain Scott's Antarctic Terra Nova Expedition, 1910-1913, as well as
two photographs of Simpson conducting experiments with a balloon
during the expedition. "This is really important," said Jim. "Collectors will
be scrapping over this one - no pun intended!" The scrapbook is guided
at £1,000-2,000, but Jim suspects a bidding battle will see it race away for
more. "I read Cherry-Garrard's Worst Journey in the World a few years
ago, and it's remarkable what these people went through. This is a little
slice of that expedition."
Jim discovered a single leaf printed in 1484 by William Caxton - the
By Charles Hanson
........................
person who introduced printing in
England. "This is from Disticha de
moribus, and it's a tangible piece of
our printing history." This single leaf
of text is guided at £300-500.
Jim has a soft spot for the comedic
or bizarre and was pleased to dig
out a small manuscript book
recording the theatrical exploits of
John Cole (1792-1848), disastrous
bookseller, publisher and antiquary.
"Cole was an eccentric character
who seemed to avoid success
A letter and photographs depicting
Simpson conducting experiments
whenever possible. This curious book records in meticulous detail the
series of completely mundane events leading to Cole performing a
soliloquy on stage in Northampton. Why he thought it necessary to
devote an entire book to the history of this insignificant performance is
anyone's guess - but I love him for it."
Jim is always keen to hear about antiquarian books, modern firsts,
manuscripts, maps, prints and ephemera. He offers free valuations by
appointment every Monday at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, and catalogues
a quarterly specialist Library Auction. For more information, or to arrange
a free valuation, please contact Jim Spencer, Associate Director and Head
of Books & Works on Paper, Hansons Auctioneers at
jspencer@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 07807 563 472.
35

Abstract Theme in Final Competition
...................................................................
Lichfield Camera Club has just held the final merit competition of included “Splash Around” by Ann Wright.
the year. All meetings have been held online to ensure that “Emirates, London” was by Tim Wayne.
members could continue to improve their photography and enter Sandra Morgan created an abstract floral effect with “Lily Mandala”
competitions.
and ”Symphony in Paint” was by Liz Thomas.
Abstract photography aims not to convey anything ‘concrete’ or ‘real’ Although the club’s season has now ended, members will be leading
(though subject matter is often based on real objects). The
the Lichfield Festival’s “City Photo Walk” on 14th July. Photographers of
photographer must rely on other aspects of composition such as all abilities will be given help and advice to improve their composition
colour and structure.
skills during a two-hour walk around the city’s more photogenic
The “Abstract” theme allowed members to demonstrate their locations.
creativity and generated a range of remarkable images The Advanced For more information visit: lichfieldfestival.org.
Section was won by
Richard Moore with
“Disappearing Circles.”
Other images from the
Advanced Section included
“Bluebells” by Sue
Freeman.
“Psychedelic Bubble
Film” by Darron Matthews.
“Sunrise” by Anne
Anderson.
“Behind the Yellow
Door” by Joe Anderson.
The Beginners/
Intermediate section was
won by Debra Dingley
with “Forks.” Other images
in the Beginners/
Intermediate section
The Advanced Section was won
by Richard Moore with
“Disappearing Circles”
Other images from the Advanced Section
included “Bluebells” by Sue Freeman.
“Psychedelic Bubble Film” by
Darron Matthews
Sunrise by Anne Anderson
“Behind the Yellow Door” by Joe Anderson
The Beginners/ Intermediate section
was won by Debra Dingley with “Forks”
Other images in the The Beginners/
Intermediate section included “Splash Around”
by Ann Wright
36
“Emirates, London” was by Tim Wayne
“Symphony in Paint” was by Liz Thomas

Before and After...
..........................
Rugeley's iconic cooling towers came down on Sunday
6th June, changing the landscape of the town forever.
Local resident, Simon Wilberforce, sent us these before
and after images of the power station site.
Advertising Feature
Rose House Pottery
....................................
Born in Edinburgh in 1949, Andrew Matheson owns and runs
Rosehouse Pottery, a unique pottery studio and gallery which is
nestled in the heart of Lichfield city centre.
Having graduated from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Andrew specialises in
stoneware and porcelain pieces hand-thrown with a variety of distinctive glazes
and has been producing pieces from locally sourced materials since 1981.
As a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) Andrew has
work in both public and private collections. He also plays a central role in both
the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) having being treasurer since
1987, and the Midland Potters' Association (MPA) where he is currently vice
chairman (former chairman).
Exhibiting in galleries across the United Kingdom, Andrew also undertakes
commissions from his Lichfield-based
workshop and visitors are always very
welcome to watch his classic skills
pottery production.
He also manages a gallery space
above his workshop, exhibiting work
from other potters.
Find out more about Andrew on the
website
at
www.andrewmatheson.co.uk or visit
Rosehouse Pottery at 13 Tamworth
Street, Lichfield.
37

Pocket Watch movement by Thomas
Stripling Snr, circa 1770s
Graves of the Stripling Family, south side
of Lichfield Cathedral
Fusee Pocket Watch by Thomas Jnr and
William Stripling, circa 1830s
The Clock Makers
of Lichfield
By Jono Oates
............................
On the south side of Lichfield Cathedral close to the
newly-erected statue of St Chad lie 12 gravestones
dedicated to the memory of a noted Lichfeldian family –
Thomas Stripling and Sons, noted clock and watch makers in the
18th and early 19th century. For nearly 80 years their watches
and clocks were sold throughout the country and they were
renowned for their high quality and style.
Thomas was born in Lichfield in 1742 and he married Hannah Hunt
in July 1763, aged 21, when he was described as a watchmaker. Thomas
and Helen had two children, Thomas Jnr born in 1765 and William in
1767. During the next 10 years, Thomas Snr was responsible for
producing many watches and clocks, including long case clocks, but he
died, aged just 32, in 1775 leaving his widow and two young sons.
Thomas Jnr and William were both sent to be apprentices to learn
their late father’s trade under James Hartwell at Uttoxeter with
Thomas studying for four years and William for seven. When they had
completed their apprentices both brothers formed a partnership
making clocks and watches, just as their father had done although until
1822 William had another trade, selling fine chinaware, glassware and
fancy ornaments, selling all his stock in December of that year to start
another concern, presumably to enter into partnership with his
brother. The second generation of watchmakers were just as successful
as their father and in May 1810 Mr William Inns of Towcester was
offering a reward of half-a-guinea for a Stripling of Lichfield silver watch
that he had lost on route to Stony Stratford.
Thomas Jnr was very well-known, and respected, in the city and he
became the Senior Bailiff (Mayor) of Lichfield in 1829. The partnership
between the two brothers was dissolved in December 1842, William
passed away in 1843 and his older brother Thomas died in 1848.
William and his wife, Frances, had four children, including a daughter
Fanny, born in 1802, who married Lichfield surgeon John Whateley in
1834. When John died a few years later Fanny ran a goldsmith and
silversmith business as well as a fine china and glassware business from
numbers 16 and 18 Bird Street (now Damn Fine Café and Ivison the
Florist respectively). She traded as Whateley, Son and Hodson.
Thomas Jnr and his wife Elizabeth had four daughters, Ann, Harriet,
Charlotte and Emma. In 1841 they were all living on Beacon Street;
Thomas was then aged 75, his wife was 65, the four daughters were all
in their thirties and forties and all single. By 1851 both of the parents
had died and the head of the household was now Ann who was
described on the census that year as being a ‘Proprietor of Houses and
Dividends.’ In 1861 the three remaining younger sisters were all living
in Cheltenham, and 10 years later, in 1871, they had moved to the
fashionable area of Marylebone, London. However, when her two
sisters passed away Charlotte Stripling returned to the family home at
3 Beacon Street in 1881, aged 80. In May of that year Charlotte herself
passed away, and was a very wealthy person as her father’s estate of
property and money had been split between the four sisters and, as
her siblings had all passed away, she had inherited the entire estate.
The Lichfield Mercury issued an obituary for Charlotte, written by a
journalist who had known the Stripling sisters for over 30 years, stating
that the Lord had called her up to the Heavenly Temple after a ‘life of
close walking with God’. He said that all of the sisters had been very
generous with their financial donations to deserving causes. Charlotte
had donated £10,000 (a huge amount of money in those days) to the
building of a new wing at the Wolverhampton Orphan Asylum and had
also financed the building of a Girls’ School on Beacon Street. The
journalist claimed that her death would leave a blank hole in Lichfield
and that there would be none to replace her. The final words of his
homage were ‘Good Charlotte Stripling – an honoured and faithful
servant of the Lord, full of years, of faith, of hope, of charity.’
With the passing of Charlotte Stripling, and Fanny Whateley a few
years later in 1894, the period of Stripling watch makers, goldsmiths
and silversmiths came to an end and the male family line ran out. Their
watches and clocks continue to fetch good prices online and at
auctions and I feel very honoured to have two of their watches in my
collection, one movement-only watch by Thomas Stripling Snr, and a
complete pocket watch by Thomas Jnr and William, the name Stripling
and the word Lichfield is etched on both watch movements.
The respect in which the Stripling family name was held during their
time in Lichfield, both for their expertise as clock and watch makers
and for their benevolence in charitable donations, is clearly evident as
the family gravestones are placed very close to the south side of
Lichfield Cathedral, quite an honour for a family who were neither
landed gentry, nor members of the clergy.
Sources: The British Newspaper Archive; Blog by Brian Loomes,
www.brianloomes.com/collecting/stripling; www.ancestry.com;
www.findmypast.co.uk
38

Advertising Feature
Andrew Downing Booth
Estate Agents
.............................................
Opening up just six weeks before an unprecedented
pandemic was not the start that Andrew Downing-
Booth estate agents had when opening their doors
just 16 months ago, but that was just the challenge that they
faced. Since then, the business has gone from strength to
strength having agreed sales on a number of properties that
other agents have failed to sell, and become one of the
busiest local agencies in Lichfield. With the right blend of
good old fashioned values of putting the customer first,
alongside contemporary marketing, they have taken the
market by a storm and many local homeowners have
chosen them as the company to be trusted with the sale of
their most valuable asset.
Director Andrew Downing-Booth said: "I'm very proud of how
quickly we have grown as a business. To know that so many
people have entrusted us to sell their home when we were
unheard of before the pandemic is extremely rewarding, as is
seeing how happy our clients are on moving day, with the service
that they have received throughout the process. I set the
business up with a vision to provide the best service we can, and
I genuinely feel that we care more than others about getting our
clients moved."
Andrew is so confident that his clients will be happy with the
service that he offers and the quality of the photography and
property descriptions provided, that he doesn't tie his clients in
to a minimum contract length.
If you are interested in finding out more, or to get a free
marketing appraisal on your property, give the team a call
on 01543 396677, or drop them an email at
lichfield@andrewdowningbooth.co.uk
39

Volunteer Star
Awards
Lichfield & District
............................
Sadly in 2020 the Volunteer Star Awards events were cancelled due
to Covid and government restrictions.
Rather than cancel for a second year running, the decision was taken to
go virtual this year instead and the Support Staffordshire Volunteer Star
Awards 2021 took place on 10th June.
It’s really important to recognise the wonderful work that volunteers do
in the community, something which is perhaps more important than ever
in these current times.
Business Contribution to Communities
WINNER: Chasetown Civil Engineering Ltd
Commendation: Central England Co-operative
Personal Achievement Award
WINNER: Jonno Quinn - MHA Communities South Staffordshire
Commendation: Sarah Stanley - community volunteer
Commendation: Molly Cutler - Fun Club Hub
New Volunteer Team of the Year
WINNER: Burntwood Be a Friend
Commendation: Liberty Jamboree Trainee Youth Workers
Commendation: Helping Each Other Lichfield and surrounding areas
Volunteering Support for Young People
WINNER: Phoenix Volunteers at St Giles
Commendation: Fun Club Hub Team
Commendation: Ellie Davison - Midday Mayhem at Spark
Commendation: Sebbie Hall - Liberty Jamboree
Volunteer of the Year
WINNER: Linda Hood - Spark-Burntwood, Burntwood be a Friend,
Pathway and Cannock and District Foodbank.
Commendation: Andrew Hardisty - Gartmore Riding School RDA
Commendation: Ian Rose - MHA Communities South Staffordshire
Lifetime Achievement
WINNER: Kathie Peat - MHA Communities South Staffordshire &
Arthritis Care
Commendation: Gillian Eggleshaw - MHA Communities South
Staffordshire
Commendation: Sheila Murphy - St Anne's C of E Church, Chasetown.
Sponsors
Clayton Thermal Processes Ltd was the Event Sponsor and Sponsor of
the 'Lifetime Achievement' Award
'Young Volunteer of the Year' Award
Sponsored by Richard Winterton Auctioneers Ltd. An award sponsor for
the second year running.
'Volunteering Team of the Year' Award
Sponsored by Bromford. An award sponsor for the second year running.
'Business Contribution to Communities' Award
Sponsored by Lichfield BID. An award sponsor for the second year
running.
'Volunteering Support for Young People' Award
Sponsored by Whitemoor Lakes
'Personal Achievement' Award
Sponsored by The Tudor of Lichfield
'New Volunteer Team of the Year'
Sponsored by Police Mutual Foundation
'Trustee of the Year'
Sponsored by Staffordshire County Council
'Volunteering Support for the Over 65's'
Sponsored by Lichfield District Council
Volunteering Support for the Over 65's
WINNER: Hannah Montgomery - Re-Engage, Lichfield (formally
Contact the Elderly).
Commendation: MHA Communities South Staffordshire
Volunteer Team of the Year
WINNER: Kendall and Wall Charitable Trust Volunteers
Commendation: Elford Hall Garden Project Volunteer Team
Commendation: Burntwood be a Friend Foodbank Team
Trustee of the Year
WINNER: John Palmer - Whittington Village Hall Management
Committee
Commendation: James Flintham - Lichfield Re:Cycle and Curborough
Community Association
Young Volunteer of the Year
WINNER: Josh Allen - Fun Club Hub.
Commendation: Holly Clark - Saxon Hill Craft Barn
Commendation: Liam Smythe - Friends2friends
40

Whats on
July
........................
Free Countryside Course
Free countryside course with animals,
plants and creativity for people recovering
from mental ill health. Courses are for
Staffordshire residents. Support with
transport available. No prior knowledge
required but must be willing to commit to
27 hours of the course. For more
information contact Carol on 07814
237211/email: umra.cic@gmail.com
........................
The BitterSuite
Beer Festival
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th August
12pm-10pm (Sunday 9pm)
Join us in our large beer garden for our
retro-themed Beer Festival (1960s through
to the 1990s).
A prize every day for the best outfit!
• Over 20 real ales and 8 ciders
• Wood fired pizza by Biddulph’s Pizzeria
• Traditional pub snacks
Live music from local bands
Friday - Punch the Air
Saturday - The Legacy
41

Advertising Feature
Down on
the Farm!
.......................
Based in Burntwood, situated on the edge of
Cannock Chase amidst the stunning
Staffordshire countryside, lies family-run
Bradshaw Brothers Traditional Butchers, Farm
Shop and Café.
A veritable haven, offering peace, tranquillity and a
quality shopping and dining experience, Bradshaw’s (as
it’s affectionately known) certainly has something for
everyone.
With its own on-site butcher, Bradshaw’s stocks a
wide range of meat of the finest quality. You’ll find
everything from joints of beef and lamb for a Sunday
roast, barbecue favourites such as sausages, burgers
and kebabs, and homemade treats like scotch egg and
pork pie. Plus the friendly butcher and his team are
always on hand to give advice on how to prepare and
cook your purchases.
A well-stocked farm shop sells locally sourced
delights, including fresh eggs, bread, cakes, biscuits, and
a range of delicious chutneys and sauces. There’s also a
vast selection of wines, beers and spirits from
distilleries and producers in the area, making it the
ideal place to pick up a unique gift for a loved one.
The recently extended café has always been a firm
favourite locally for a delicious breakfast, and the menu
proffers everything from a simple sandwich to a belly
busting Full English which features Bradshaw’s own
meat products as the stars of the show! However, the
café also offers a selection of Sunday roasts with all the
trimmings, plus Afternoon Tea should you want to
make your visit more of a special occasion.
Whilst you’re enjoying your food, you also get the
opportunity to gaze across the farmland, take in the
views, and watch some of the many animals that live
there too as part of the new Burntwood Alpaca and
Animal Experience centre. From pigs to peacocks,
emus to wallabies, and ducks to goats, a trip to
Bradshaw’s is a fun day out that the whole family can
enjoy!
Find out more at www.bradshawbros.co.uk, or
visit Bradshaw Brothers Farm Shop and Café,
Ironstone Road, Burntwood. Tel: 01543 279437.
42

All Creatures
Great & Small!
By Kristen Lackajis
.......................
It’s not everyday you meet an alpaca… in fact, I’d
never got up close and personal with this animal
before in my life, but after just a few minutes of
time spent with them I realised what beautiful,
curious and funny animals they really are!
Of course, interacting with these magnificent creatures
is all part of a day’s work for Sally and the team at
Burntwood Alpaca and Animal Experience centre, based
at Bradshaw Brothers Farm in Burntwood. And it’s not
just about alpacas either, as the name suggests, there are
many more animals to meet and greet.
On arrival, I was taken through the new purpose-built
cabin which acts as the waiting area prior to the animals
meet and greet, and also boasts a range of beautiful and
unique gifts made from the wool of their very own alpaca
herd. Beautifully soft, and I’m told very warm, alpaca socks
are particularly in demand with walkers due to their
moisture-wicking properties.
Here, I could also acquire bags of animal feed to help
me tempt the animals to come my way, not that I needed
any sort of bribe, as I found out!
A dedicated walkway takes you through the myriad of
pens and animals runs where guests get the chance to
admire, feed and pet the beautiful and well-cared for
inhabitants. Amongst the residents are two pigs, several
goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, ponies, emus, all of which
were very friendly and just as eager to come and say hello
to me as I was to them! I couldn’t say the same for the
four wallabies however as they kept a wary distance, but
they were fascinating to just sit and observe as they went
about their business.
There is also a large aviary housing a variety of different,
exotic birds, as well as two owls and a pair of peacocks!
But the stars of the show had to be the alpacas who
just love to be fed and stroked. And the experience with
these wonderful ‘camelids’ doesn’t have to end there… As
the name suggests, Burntwood Alpaca and Animal
Experience offers the chance to do so much than simply
watch from a distance. Offering alpaca walks, the centre
provides guests with the opportunity to get hands-on
with their very own dedicated alpaca, which can be
walked round the vast fields adjoining the farm, groomed
and enjoy a little TLC! This 90-minute experience can also
be followed with an afternoon tea in the Bedouin-style
bell tent to make it an even more spectacular event.
Private parties and groups can also be catered for,
including children’s animal experience parties and also
toddler groups (where the smaller children get to meet
baby animals such as ducklings, bunnies and guinea pigs).
Combine your animal experience with a bite to eat in
the on-site café and a mosey round the farm shop, and
you’ve got yourself the perfect day out for all the family!
Visit www.bradshowbros.co.uk to find out more
and to book your experience, or pop along and say
hello at Bleak House Farm, Ironstone Road,
Burntwood, WS7 1YL. Tel: 01543 279437.
43

Pick Your Own…
By Kelly Johnson
............................
Summer is here and the local farms have opened for fruit picking. Where
will you go to this year and what fruit will you be choosing?
SmallHouseBigTrips has got three local favourites and we wanted to
share them with you:
Essington Fruit Farm
Bognop Road, Essington, Wolverhampton, WV11 2AZ
A lovely 50-acre family-run farm with a variety of PYO fruits and a huge on site
farm shop.
Fruits available: Strawberries (June/July), raspberries (June/July), blueberries (late
July), rhubarb (June/July), plums (Late July/August), damsons (August), runner beans
(August/September), sweetcorn (August), courgettes (July), marrows (July),
pumpkins (October), squash (October).
For more details: www.essingtonfarm.co.uk
Canalside Farm
Mill Lane, Great Haywood, Staffordshire, ST18 0RQ
A family-run farm for the past 36 years with a farm shop and cafe on site.
Fruits available: Strawberries (June - Sept), raspberries (July/August) and
blackberries (Late July - Sept).
For more details: www.canalsidefarm.co.uk
Manor Farm Fruits
Manor Farm, Watling Street, Hints, Tamworth, B78 3DF
One of Staffordshire’s longest established soft fruit growers, Manor Farm Fruits
has been owned and run by the Clarke family for the last three generations.
Fruits available: Strawberries (June/July), blackberries (July), gooseberries
(June/July).
For more details: www.manorfarmfruits.co.uk
Do you have any favourites? Get in touch with SmallHouseBigTrips on Instagram
@smallhousebigtrips, Facebook @Smallhousebigtrips1 or Twitter @mummytrips
and let us know your favourites. We would love you to share your best fruit
picking pictures with us too, using the hashtag #CityLifeFruitPicking.
44

45

Independents’
Day UK 2021
............................
Lichfield District retailers and shoppers
are being encouraged to get involved
with this year’s Independents’ Day
weekend on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th
July.
Independents' Day UK is a campaign that
independent retailers can use to promote their
businesses online and in their communities.
Lichfield District Council is encouraging local
businesses to take part in the campaign and shoppers are being asked
to show some love for the independent retailers in their communities.
To celebrate, businesses across Lichfield District are being invited to
run a Visit Lichfield special offer for the weekend of Independents’ Day,
on 3rd and 4th July and beyond. This is where retailers, hospitality
venues and attractions offer savings for Visit Lichfield card holders,
which is a free card that simply needs to be shown at participating
businesses.
Shoppers are also being offered free Visit Lichfield cotton bags on
Saturday 3rd July. To claim a shopping bag, simply spend £5 or more at a
local independent store in Lichfield District on Saturday 3rd July and
bring your receipt to either the
Visit Lichfield stall on Lichfield’s
Market Square between 10am
and 3pm or Burntwood Library
from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to
4pm. This offer is available while
stocks last and is limited to one
bag per person.
For more information about
Independents’ Day, go to
www.independentsdayuk.org.
To apply for a free Visit Lichfield Card and find out what special offers
are running, go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk/specialoffers.
Shine On!
.........................
Working from his
base at The Deer
Park Farm, Oliver
at Igloo Total Car Care is an
expert at bringing cars back
to life. Whether it’s a family
car that needs a quick spruce
up, or your pride and joy
classic vehicle that need returning to showroom
condition, Oliver and the experienced team offer a
range of polishes and paint protection packages, as well
as undertaking total interior disasters, all using local
sourced products!
A simple valet will get your car looking clean, shiny and
smelling fresh; a more detailed valet sees your car returned
to near-showroom conditions; whilst a correctional valent
utilises a range of specialist tools that polish your paintwork
far beyond factory standards, for a completely flawless paint
job.
Not only does Oliver offer valeting services, he also
stocks and sells a range of car care products which have
been tried and tested over many years and are guaranteed
to keep your car in tip-top showroom condition!
Find out more, or book your appointment, at
www.igloototalcarcare.co.uk.
Email: hello@igloototalcarcare.co.uk. Tel: 07932 332219.
46
Advertising Feature

A Taste
of Nature
By Kristen Lackajis
............................
Nestled deep within the rolling Staffordshire countryside,
situated down a winding tree-lined lane, lies a hidden gem
in the form of The Deer Park Farm.
Formerly part of the Hoar Cross Hall estate, The Deer Park occupies
an enviable position with far reaching views of The National Forest, with
the land having been sympathetically farmed by the Prince family for four
generations. It is no wonder that the family decided to create their own
little hideaway, inspired by, and very much rooted in, the nature that
surrounds them.
The converted barn which dominates the Park houses a farm shop
which stocks a wide range of local produce from nearby artisan
suppliers. There’s fresh bread available and in-house master butcher,
Russell’s of Shenstone, provides meat of the finest quality.
Upstairs, a variety of bespoke gifts and crafts are available to purchase,
as well as a photographer’s studio, designer lingerie unit and a country
clothing outlet.
Then there’s the Linhay Restaurant. Beautifully appointed and
tastefully decorated in a classic country-style, with a modern twist, the
atmosphere is laid back and relaxing, and the staff friendly and attentive.
Outside, a paved terrace offers guests the chance to dine ‘alfresco’ and
enjoy staggering views of the surrounding farmland and woodland. It was
here that we chose to sample the
lunchtime menu so we ordered a glass
of English ‘fizz’ and had a look what was
on offer.
Amongst the many delights were
several stand-out items featuring meat
from Russell’s, which we decided we
just had to try. I chose the Grass Fed
British Flat Iron Steak with Deer Park
Salad, which was accompanied by stout
and cheddar sourdough with dripping
butter. Served medium rare, the steak
was plentiful, lean and cooked to
perfection - delightfully pink on the
inside, it literally melted in the mouth.
The salad was crisp and fresh and I have
to say, having never tasted it before, I’m
now a huge advocate of dripping butter!
What a taste sensation!
My guest opted for The Deer Park Hot
Dog, featuring a Russell’s lightly smoked
spiced sausage on an onion bridge roll
courtesy of The Loaf Bakery. Served with
mustard, ketchup, creamy mayo, crispy
onions and garlic and thyme chips, this
was a very grown-up take on the classic
‘hotdog and fries’ and was declared
utterly delicious! Needless to say, we didn’t leave much on our plates!
If you’re looking for somewhere to while away the hours, enjoy the
local countryside, eat quality food, and do a spot of shopping, you’ll find
The Deer Park is the perfect destination for you. Visit The Deer Park at
Maker Lane, Hoar Cross, DE13 8QR or find out more on the website at
www.deerpark.farm.
47

A City of
Flavours
When it comes to dining
out, Lichfield really does
have it all. There’s a huge
range of different cuisines and
cooking styles to choose from, such
as Thai, Mexican, Italian, Chinese,
Mediterranean, French, Asian,
English… and everything in
between that you could possibly
want. There’s also a varied range of
restaurant vibes in the city, with
chilled out dining, quick and easy
fast food, or something more along
the fine dining experience –
whichever you prefer, you’re still
spoilt for choice!
With pubs and restaurants open
once again and able to serve meals
both inside and out, we’ve put
together just some of our favourites
over the next few pages to whet
your appetite!

Bureau Pineapple
Rockstar
........................
A fabulous cocktail from The Bureau on Market Street,
made using Rockstar Pineapple Grenade, as seen recently
on Dragon's Den! This is a gorgeous, summery drink
which will transport you straight to the Caribbean Sea!
Ingredients
25ml Rockstar Pineapple Grenade
25ml Passoa
12.5ml Grenadine
50 ml Pineapple Juice
Lemonade
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with
ice, put in all the
ingredients apart from
the lemonade, and shake
until the outside of the
shaker feels cold. Pour
into a mason jar, top up
with lemonade and
garnish with a
strawberry and fresh
pineapple.
Enjoy!
49

Tastes of the Season
By Simon Smith
Salad for the Soul!
Mid-summer should be the time of sunshine
and salads but who knows what the weather
will be doing this month!
A salad can be so much more than a
collection of leaves with a tomato and
cucumber on top. Any vegetable that can be
served hot can also be served cold and give
such vibrant colours to a plate. The joy of a
salad is that it can be prepared in advance so
won’t restrict you to a specific eating time.
They are also healthy clean foods packed full
of nutrients.
If you are using green veg for a salad such as
green beans, broccoli or asparagus you should
boil a pan of water and drop the veg in there
until cooked but still with a bit of crunch and
then drop into a bowl of iced water to stop
them cooking. This will make sure they stay a
beautiful green rather than grey and they look
so much nicer. Mixed with other foods, such
as mangoes, heritage tomatoes, roast
sweetcorn, carrot ribbons, and nuts, these
plates will look fabulous on the table.
Salad dressings are on every shelf in
abundance but my favourite is an easy one to
make and can be used as a ‘mother sauce’
which will take other ingredients.
Two parts mayonnaise to one part chicken
stock made with a Knorr stock cube, finely
diced red onion, squeeze of lemon juice, finely
diced garlic (optional), chopped chive, mix
together in a bowl. This will give you a lovely
creamy dressing. If you prefer it thinner add
more chicken stock. You can then change the
basic sauce by adding honey and mustard or
avocado purée or blue cheese.
I quite often use a filo pastry tartlet to serve
a salad in. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
Celsius. Melt some butter. Lay one sheet of
filo on the work surface, brush with butter all
over, lay another sheet on top and brush again
with butter, repeat for a third time. You can
cut into eight equal squares. Grease tartlet
moulds and press the filo squares in. Cook in
the oven for 5-6 minutes but keep an eye on
it as they burn very quickly. These will keep in
an airtight container for a week or so. If you
dress a salad in these do it at the last minute
so they don’t go soggy.
When I’m using eggs in a salad I will always
use Burford Brown’s as the have a deep
yellow yolk which give a great lift to a Niçoise
salad for example.
King Prawn, Mango and
Avocado Salad
600gms cooked king prawns
2 x avocados
1 x ripe mango
1 x pack mixed cherry tomatoes
1 x clove garlic
1 x lemon
2 tbsp fresh basil
2 tbps fresh coriander
Cut the avocado in half, remove the stone and
cut into cubes of about 1cm. Peel the mango
and cut into cubes of about 1 cm. Peel and
crush the garlic. Mix together in a bowl and
zest the lemon over the top then squeeze the
juice in. Fold in the king prawns and tear the
basil and coriander over the top.
Roast Vegetable Salad
1 x celeriac
1 x cauliflower
1 x butternut squash
4 x carrots
2 x sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
I know these quantities are too much for a
salad for four people but you would have to
buy these ingredients like this. Any excess can
be used to make soup or served as
vegetables.
Peel and cut the celeriac into half inch cubes.
Cut the cauliflower into fleurettes. Peel and
cut the butternut squash into half inch cubes.
Peel and cut the carrots into similar size
chunks. Take the rosemary leaves off the
stalks. Mix all the ingredients together in a
roasting tray with some sea salt and olive oil.
Roast in a preheated oven at 180 degrees
Celsius for approximately 25 minutes, turning
quite often so the veg cooks evenly.
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.
**Please take extra care as bones may be in the fish.

51

Lichfield
Cathedral
By The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane
............................
As we begin to look ahead to recovering
our freedom from the Covid pandemic as
a result of the success of the mass
vaccination programme, we’re aware, as never
before, of the importance of science.
Some people think that science and religion don’t
go together, but many scientists are people of faith.
Lichfield Cathedral made headline news across the
world when we opened our doors as a mass
vaccination clinic in the spring, supporting the work
of our brilliant NHS. And now we’re opening our doors again for a summer
of science, creativity and spirituality.
Come and walk around a large Laboratory - with free family activities
during the summer holidays and October half term.
Be amazed by The Great Exhibition as in light and sound we explore the
wonders of our world through the eyes of scientists. Learn about pioneering
scientists you may never have heard of before but whose work has shaped
the world around us in our free exhibition, Pioneers in Science.
We are also marking the end of five years’ work with our artist-inresidence,
Peter Walker, who has created the sound and light exhibitions and
Luxmuralis by Peter Walker
the magnificent bronze statue of St Chad, the Cathedral’s patron saint and
first Bishop of Lichfield, which now greets you as you come to the Cathedral via Dam Street.
In September there will be a Retrospective exhibition showcasing his work over the past five years. And as always,
you’ll find too at our Cathedral a space to remember and to reflect – especially on the events of the past 18 months.
You are always welcome at Lichfield Cathedral. See our website lichfield-cathedral.org for further details.
Call for Cornish
Coast Walkers
............................
St Giles Hospice is looking for energetic fundraisers with a
passion for the great British outdoors to take part in a Cornish
Coastal Challenge this summer.
The weekend trek, taking place between 10th and 12th September, will
follow the dramatic coastline of North Cornwall where the spectacular
landscapes feature rugged cliffs, hidden coves and old fishing villages
forming a beautiful backdrop to the blue sea.
The coastal challenge, run in partnership with the company Discover
Adventure, is suitable for walkers of all abilities and is open to anyone
aged 18 and over.
Starting at Trevose Head, west of Padstow, Cornish Coastal Challenge
trekkers will walk for 22 hilly miles to St Agnes Head – a challenging
distance considering the terrain. The group will pass the distinctive beach
stacks of Bedruthan Steps, as well as old reminders of Cornwall’s mining
heritage, while Poldark fans will recognise some key filming locations such
as Holywell Bay, with the much-filmed Gull Rocks visible offshore.
Participants pay an £80 registration fee for the event and pledge to
Charity walkers enjoying the Cornish Coastal Challenge
raise a minimum sponsorship of £600 for St Giles Hospice, which will
fund care for patients and their families living with a terminal illness.
Everyone taking part will receive food and accommodation, transfers
within the trek, Discover Adventure leaders and drivers throughout the
challenge.
As a member of #TeamStGiles, walkers will also get an exclusive St
Giles T-shirt, a bespoke St Giles Hospice fundraising pack, a dedicated
member of the hospice fundraising team to assist them with training and
fundraising and a supportive community and team to engage with ahead
of the event and during the challenge.
For further information about the Cornish Coastal Challenge or to sign
up visit www.stgileshospice.com/cornishchallenge.
52

National Miners’
Memorial Update
.........................
The National Miners’
Memorial being built at the
National Memorial Arboretum
(NMA) is now well under way
once again!
Mike and Trish Mellor, and
Len and Jackie Prince of Chase
Arts for Public Spaces
(CHAPS), visit the NMA
regularly to keep up with
progress and hold regular site
meetings with Andy Ansell and
Paul Johnson of the NMA;
Mark Walker of A Walker &
Sons, who are building the
Derbyshire Stone memorial,
and artist Andy DeComyn,
responsible for the 25 bronze
plaques which will be fixed to
the memorial. It is expected
that the memorial will be
completed in July.
It is important that, once
completed, the memorial
receives a fitting service of
dedication which, Covid
guidelines permitting, allows all
those who wish to attend to
be present. To that end CHAPS
is now in the process of raising
the funds to enable them to
hold a suitable dedication
service which will include a
Brass Band and a Male Voice
Choir.
(l-r) Artist Andy DeComyn with
stonemason Mark Walker, and Mike
Mellor and Len Prince of CHAPS
Pin badge
Print No 2, Mother and
Daughter
Funds are being raised through the sale of commemorative pins
which are £5 each and limited edition prints at £25 each. The
prints are from the drawings used by artist Andy DeComyn to
make the bronze plaques and were completed by his wife
Francesca. There are just 25 prints of each drawing, each one
signed and numbered by the artist; they come complete with a
pale grey mount and a leaflet with information about the drawing
and the memorial, finished size is 8” x 10” so that they fit into a
standard frame.
You can find out more about CHAPS and the National Miners’
Memorial at www.chaseartsforpublicspaces.co.uk or
www.facebook.com/ChaseArtsForPublicSpaces.
For more information or to order pins or prints email
info@chaseartsforpublicspaces.co.uk or phone 07583 655199.
53

Armed Forces
Day at
Arboretum
............................
Saturday 26th June marked Armed Forces Day and is a chance
for everyone to show their support for the men and women
who make up the armed forces community, from current serving
troops to veterans.
The National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas held a special tribute
weekend of celebrations, which included a live broadcast ceremony for
those who could not attend, a fantastic flypast from The Red Arrows,
as well as a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.
There were also lots of activities for visitors and children, including
assault courses, a climbing wall and a food and craft fair.
54
Images: National Memorial Arboretum

55

Eric Wood co-founded the Trust in 1988
Lichfield Canal
Trust AGM
............................
Lichfield's Canal Trust celebrated the 90th birthday of its
president and co-founder at its 31st annual general meeting.
The virtual meeting watched a 20-minute YouTube video, produced
by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) website
manager Paul Marshall, on Eric Wood's vision for the restoration of
two long-abandoned branches of the Wyrley and Essington Canal.
Having taken early retirement from the teaching profession in 1985,
Eric's dream was to re-establish the link between the northern
sections of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, the Coventry Canal in
the east and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in the west.
Eric was inspired to take on what he described as 'a bit of a
challenge' when he realised a small body of water connecting to the
Coventry Canal and used by Lichfield Cruising Club was actually the
final portion of the W&E extension, which had been abandoned in
1954.
With boating friends Brian Kingshott and Nick Grazebrook, Eric set
up the Trust in 1988 and became its first chairman.
The video retraced the early years of the Trust and included the
unveiling earlier this year at Fosseway Heath of a sign at Lock 18, one
of the Trust's first excavation sites, which has now been renamed
Wood Lock 18 in Eric's honour.
Eric's son Robert then made a surprise presentation to his father of
a painting by Stuart Sampson of Eric's narrowboat.
Earlier the AGM was addressed by engineering director Peter Buck,
who said 2020 had been a year of challenges caused by Covid, with
work party cancellations and restrictions on corporate groups,
Waterway Recovery Group camps, and college students affecting
restoration activities.
But the Trust's volunteers always rise to challenges, he said, and
skeleton teams had continued to work throughout the year to
maintain and keep safe the restored section of the nature trails, the
Heritage Towpath Trail, together with keyworks necessary for the longterm
stability of the work sites.
The local community had flocked in droves to exercise along the
open sections of the Lichfield Canal, notably at Fosseway Heath,
Borrowcop Locks, Gallows Reach and Summerhill. With the lifting of
some of the Covid restrictions in June, volunteers had made great
strides in the canal restoration work.
At Gallows Reach and Tamworth Road, the formation of the canal
channel exposed the towpath wall, allowing volunteers to restore the
wall and towpath.
At Fosseway Heath and Falkland Road, a great deal was achieved
with the construction of two towpaths, one each side of the channel,
together with new walls on each side.
Meanwhile, work off-site has been ongoing, protecting the next
sections of the restoration from development involving rogue
installation of service utilities on designated canal land and securing the
route of the canal.
On the St John's Grange development, between London Road and
the Birmingham Road railway line, Persimmon Homes and Amey have
been beavering away on a section of the new bypass which includes
several key elements of the Lichfield Canal, sandwiched between the
bypass and the housing development.
Much time has been spent in discussions to protect the Trust's
requirements for the canal and this has resulted in securing the
heritage lock 23 for restoration by the Trust in the near future with the
installation of a substantial wall between the canal and the bypass.
Trust financial director Bob Williams reported that in a difficult year
for fundraising, an appeal to pay for steel piling had raised £25,000
since its launch in April 2020, with donations from all over the world.
Trust chairperson Chris Bull said that given the very strange year
that 2020 turned out to be, the Trust had weathered the storm rather
well, conducting virtual meetings, and she looked forward very much
to getting back to normal and holding an in-person AGM next year.
Links to the video of the annual general meeting and the tribute to
Eric Wood can be found at
https://lhcrt.org.uk/news/news_Jun06_2021.html.
56

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
57

A Landscape Vision for the
Future of the Washlands
By Victoria Bunter
.........................
The Washlands is an extensive piece of natural land that follows the
river through to the heart of Burton-upon-Trent. Recently, a new
shared Landscape Vision has been launched for the Washlands,
headed by East Staffordshire Borough Council and in partnership with
the Environment Agency, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and other public
and private sector partners.
Transforming the Trent Valley is excited to announce that a range of habitat
enhancements have now been designed though our Living Floodplains project
which will make this vision into a reality.
The vision, informed by consultation with key stakeholders and the local
community, addresses how to best balance the regular flooding of the area
with the need for public access and recreation, whilst promoting nature
conservation and a more environmentally sustainable approach to green space
management.
This work will be completed in two phases over 2021 and 2022. Phase 1 is
the delivery of projects within the central part of the Burton Washlands,
primarily on East Staffordshire Borough Council Landholding. These are a mix
of wetland, river, grassland and woodland enhancements. Some of the
highlights include:
• Creating wildlife ponds in areas where stagnant water collects after
flooding. These ponds will have diverse vegetation and will support a host of
aquatic wildlife. Deepening the pools will also have the effect of collecting
water improving access across the floodplains during wetter periods.
• Addressing water flow in vegetated channels such as the Silverway. We will
look to lower the nettle-covered banks encouraging a more species rich
aquatic flora during periods of high flow, whilst maintaining flow during drier
seasons, ensuring water flow in the channel year-round.
• Reprofiling strategic
sections of the riverbanks by
changing the slope. This will
replicate how the river
would have looked before it
was artificially modified. By
doing this we will create new
habitats by varying the width
of the river, exposing gravels,
and creating areas of
shallower water. These new
Water standing on fields for long periods
after flooding.
habitats will support young fish and aquatic insects in the shallows as
well as invertebrates specifically associated with exposed river
gravels.
• Bringing in local wildflowers to the meadow areas supporting
pollinators and bringing attractive colour to the fields outside of the
amenity areas.
We would like to thank the various user groups of Burton
Washlands who have provided important local knowledge on the
project area and fed into the design phase for this project. This will
be a fantastic example of creating a landscape which can provide
both support for wildlife and enjoyment for people in the same
space.
We would like to thank our funders and partners including the
Environment Agency, National Lottery Heritage Fund and East
Staffordshire Borough Council.
‘The Washlands Vision’ sets out the landscape scale proposals for
the area and can be viewed at www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/washlandsproject.
Unused meadow areas which would benefit
from wildflower introduction.
Nettle banks alongside the Silverway.
Riverbanks that would benefit from reprofiling
to create a shallower beach profile.
58

Advertising Feature
Elite Academy of
Performing Arts
Elite Academy of Performing Arts is
delighted to open its doors as a dance
teacher training college. Since lockdown the
Academy has gone international, taking its
students' online training to a professional
level. The next stage is a full-time course
along with its own music specially developed
and designed for dance teachers! The course
is run by IDTA examiners, Donna Wilcox
and Michelle Upton.
Contact
elitedanceteachertraining@gmail.com for
further information.
High Sheriff’s Tour
of the Trent Valley
................................
Throughout June and July 2021, James Friend, the High Sheriff
of Staffordshire, will be touring along the River Trent as it
flows through the county. Supported by Transforming the
Trent Valley (TTTV), a National Lottery Heritage Fund landscape
partnership scheme headed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the
High Sheriff will walk, cycle and paddle the Trent raising money for
The Community Foundation.
The High Sheriff and his family have already walked the first stage
from the headwaters on Biddulph Moor. The tour kicked off in earnest
on Thursday 24th June starting at Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-
Trent where Staffordshire Wildlife Trust have carried out a major river
enhancement work as part of the ERDF SUNRISE project to improve
the diversity and habitat of the river channel.
The High Sheriff and the Transforming the Trent Valley team then
cycled from Stoke-on-Trent to Wolseley Bridge with the 22-mile cycle
ride concluding at the Wolseley Centre, head office for Staffordshire
Wildlife Trust.
James Friend, High Sheriff of Staffordshire, at the Trent Head
Well on Biddulph Moor
Further stages of the tour will take place over the coming weeks
including a walk along the canal through Rugeley to Kings Bromley and
walking the Trent Valley Way into Burton. The tour will incorporate
stops and diversions to key project locations within the TTTV
landscape, including a tour of the Riverside Park at the former Rugeley
Power Station site, a visit to our river island restoration project at
Cherry Holme and concluding with a Celebration Event on the Burton
Washlands on Saturday 31st July.
Visit www.thetrentvalley.org.uk/high_sheriff_tour.php to stay up to
date with the tour, or follow it on Twitter @thetrentvalley.
59

60
The Festival of Britain
in Lichfield
70th Anniversary
By Jono Oates
............................
Seventy years ago the whole of the country celebrated the
Festival of Britain and Lichfield certainly played its part, with
many events and exhibitions held throughout the summer of
1951.
The Festival of Britain had been the brainchild of Labour MP Herbert
Morrison, as a commemoration of the centennial of the Great Exhibition
of 1851, held at London’s Crystal Palace, and it became a major
celebration of Britain and its many achievements, designed to help reinvigorate
the economy of Britain after the ravages of World War Two.
London was the central location of the festival events but many towns
and cities across the country chose to celebrate in their own way,
including Lichfield.
Lichfield Round Table held a meeting in June 1950 to discuss the
following years’ festival and discussed a plan to have a large number of
flower arrangements placed around the city, the Mayor of Lichfield,
Councillor Arthur Handford, addressed the Lichfield Greenhill Bower
Committee in November 1950 stating that he hoped that the Bower
would take a very active part in the 1951 celebrations.
By April 1951 arrangements were well on way, with an exhibition
planned by the Lichfield Chamber of Trade and Commerce, including an
‘exciting’ demonstration of Nylon-making, a reasonably new product at
that time, by a local manufacturing firm. A scheme was also submitted by
the Midland Electricity Board for flood-lighting and strip lighting to be set
around several of the city’s attractions, throughout May to September.
Flood-lighting illuminations were proposed for the West Front of the
cathedral and the central spire; the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
and the Clock Tower on the Friary while strip-lighting was proposed for
Minster Pool, the Friary Rose Gardens and the Museum Gardens.
One of the earliest events of the summer was on Sunday 17th June
when over 500 police officers from around the county took part in a
parade round the city by the Staffs County Police Force, led by the Chief
Constable Colonel GWR Hearn which finished at Lichfield Cathedral
where they were greeted by Bishop Edward Sydney Woods.
A Festival of Britain Lawn Tennis Tournament took place from 9th to
16th June at the Recreation Grounds at Beacon Park with tournaments
for singles, doubles and mixed doubles, and large crowds gathered daily
to watch the qualifying rounds and finals.
Lichfield Cathedral hosted an exhibition of literary treasures in the
Lady Chapel during the first fortnight of July 1951, including the 8th
century St Chad’s gospel, which at that time was not generally on public
display. The treasures were considered to be priceless, and plain-clothed
police officers patrolled the exhibition while it was on display.
More than 2,000 spectators watched the Pageant-Fair ‘Lichfield
Through the Ages’ on Saturday 7th July in the grounds of the former
Friary School, where over 500 children from schools all over the city put
on four scenes: the ‘Story of St Chad’; the ‘Bower in Early Times’; ‘The
Friars in Lichfield’; and ‘The Message of the Spires’.
The Friary School was also the setting of the starting point of a
procession, held on Sunday 15th July, of nearly 1,500 people including
representatives from 40 local authorities across the whole of
Staffordshire who then walked to the cathedral, and was led by the
marching band of the 16-5th Lancers.
Lichfield Bower image courtesy of the St Mary’s Photographic Collection
St Chad's Youth Club Greenhill
Bower float 1951
Festival of Britain stamped
letter, posted May 1951 from
RAF Lichfield
Edward Sydney Woods,
Bishop of Lichfield
An exhibition of historical artifacts, including items from the
Letocetum Roman Site and Museum at Wall, was held at the council
chamber of Lichfield Rural Council on St John Street. The exhibition,
titled Lichfield Countryside, was opened by Major Richard Dyott of
Freeford Manor and guests included the Sheriff of Lichfield, John S Tayler
of the men’s outfitters on Bore Street, and Henry Callender, the Town
Clerk of Lichfield.
Festival events continued throughout the summer and autumn,
including an impressive fireworks display in the Recreation Grounds,
Beacon Park, on Friday 21st September and an ‘Old Tyme Fayre’ held at
the Friary School on Friday 24th August and organised by the Lichfield
Women’s Institute. At the AGM of the Lichfield and District Domestic
Rabbit and Poultry Keepers’ Association, held in November 1951 at the
Bridge Tavern on St John Street, Chairman GA Gee told the group that
the group’s biggest contribution had been at the Festival of Britain event
in September at the Guildhall, where over 70 pens of rabbits and 50
plates of eggs were on display.
The Festival of Britain events in Lichfield in 1951 were incredibly
popular and many thousands of visitors, and locals, came to the city to
help celebrate the best of Britain. In the New Year’s Honours list of 1952
Town Clerk Henry Callender was awarded the MBE for his services to
the Lichfield events and the gardens at the Friary, originally called the
Rose Gardens, were renamed as the Festival Gardens in honour of the
celebrations.
Sources: The British Newspaper Archives; Lichfield City Council website.

61

62
The Day the Steam
Ran Out
By Jono Oates
............................
On Sunday 6th June 2021 at 11.15am the skyline around
Rugeley was changed forever, as the four cooling towers of
the Rugeley Power Station were reduced to a pile of rubble
in just a few seconds, ending a 60-year tenure as one of the most
iconic, and historic, images of Rugeley.
Construction of the power station, a joint venture between the
Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) and the National Coal
Board, started in 1956 with full production expected within five years,
and the building cost was an estimated £30,000,000. The first station
became known as Power Station A and had five cooling towers,
generating power via the supply of coal from the nearby Lea Hall Colliery,
and used the first, and only, dry tower in the country, aiming to eliminate
water loss. It was followed by the Rugeley B Station in 1972.
Work on the new station was disrupted several times by accidents
involving the construction workers. In April 1959 scaffolder Francis
Duggan fell a staggering 210 foot inside one of the cooling towers and,
amazingly, despite the height of his fall, Francis survived, sustaining two
broken ankles and a broken spine, and received treatment at Stoke
Mandeville Hospital. A few months later, in September of the same year,
fellow scaffolder Kenneth Glover fell 30 foot and also survived.
In December 1958 the Lichfield Mercury reported that the power
station would have the biggest cooling tower in the world and that the
towers were so large that you could even fit Lichfield Cathedral into
them! The site employed a large number of staff and construction
workers and on 31st May June 1959 thieves broke in to the site in the
early hours of the morning. They ransacked every office and succeeded
in stealing a safe from the one of the offices, containing £500 in cash.
Rugeley A was officially opened on 1st October 1963 by Lord Robens,
Chairman of the National Coal Board, and Sir Christopher Hinton, the
first Chairman of the CEGB. Lord Robens said he believed that the
power station would have a huge impact on the national and local
economy, and that he believed that production at the Lea Hall Colliery
would increase from the current 1.5 million tons of coal a year to two
million tons. The following weekend hundreds of people attended an
Open Day at the station, and the climax of the day was a dance in the
evening when the newly-crowned Electricity Queen was announced as
18-year-old Mrs Kathleen Morgan, wife of an electrician at the plant.
Production at the station almost came to a complete halt in October
1966 when a cracked 12-inch water main pipe, 30-foot underground at
Queensway, meant that water supplies to the station, Lea Hall Colliery
and many houses in the area were severely disrupted. Supplies of water
were only maintained by fleets of county and auxiliary fire engines who
pumped water from a ‘borrow’ pit to the A Station.
The station continued to be a popular visitor attraction and in 1970
over 2,000 people visited it, shown round by trained guides, many of
them were the wives or girlfriends of workers at the station. The station
also had many football, and sporting, teams and Rugeley Power Station
football team destroyed rivals Houghton 10-0 at home as they went top
of the Mid Staffs Division League Three in December 1974. Houghton
must have been fed up of playing the station as they were also despatched
5-1 in the reverse away fixture two months later!
The generosity of the workers at the station was shown in October
1982 when they raised funds to provide a specially designed intensive
care bed, suitable for both the X-ray department and the operating
theatre, costing £1,830. The bed was put to use immediately after the
handing-over ceremony at the Staffordshire General Infirmary and it was
later transferred to the Stafford District General Hospital which had just
recently opened.
In September 1986 the CEGB declared an Open House event on
twenty of its power stations around the country, including Rugeley.
Nearly 17,000 visitors came to join in ‘behind the scenes’ tours at the A
and B plants, when they were told that each cooling tower cooled 7,000
million gallons of water every year and that between them Rugeley A and
B were capable of producing 1,500 megawatts of electricity – enough to
power electricity for 1.5 million people.
The Rugeley A station was closed in 1995 and in September of that
year hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the final two, of the
original five, cooling towers be demolished by a controlled explosion,
mirroring the demolition of June this year. The explosion had to be
carefully managed due to the close proximity of major overhead power
lines, the closest of which was just 20 feet away.
The closure of the Rugeley B power station was announced in
February 2016 and it closed on 8 June 2016. Over the last five years
various buildings and towers on the site have been demolished,
culminating in the demolition of the remaining four cooling towers on 6
June this year.
For the last 60 years local and visitors alike have known when they
were approaching the town by spotting the cooling towers as they
dominated the skyline from every direction. Plans are now in hand to
develop the site but, whatever is built there, it will not have the same
majestic, dominating and, at times brooding, presence of the grand old
towers of Rugeley A and B.
Sources:
The British Newspaper Archive
Courtesy of ENGIE

63

Pawfect Pets
..............................
We had an overwhelming response to our
call for the area's Cutest Pets - here are
just a few of them! Send your pet pics to
us at petscitylife@gmail.com and see if your furry or
feathered friend features in next month's
compilation!
David is the owner of four-year-old
Bengal, Oscar
This is 15-year-old Sooty, owned by Chris and
Lorraine. In this photo, Sotty was at a talk
given by a Bletchley Park engineer on the
Enigma Code Breaking Machine, before
lockdown, of course!
64
Make a Fast Friend and Adopt a Greyhound
By Lauren Hirst
...................................................................
The summer holidays are approaching and you
might be thinking about adopting a dog. You may
even have a certain breed in mind like we did
years ago when we went to a rescue centre looking for
a terrier but then actually came home with a greyhound!
At Greyhound Trust Hall Green we are getting enquiries
from people who stumbled across greyhounds as pets. It
goes something like this: let’s get a puppy… puppies are
expensive and there are some disreputable breeders out
there…let’s research getting a rescue dog… but so little
is known about their background… research some
more…oh look, greyhounds could suit our lifestyle.”
Greyhound Trust Hall Green has two homing kennels, one
in Shenstone and a second in Hagley with 40 ex-racing
greyhounds looking for their forever homes. We take in dogs
from all over the country and Ireland, once they finish their
careers. Years ago we were called the Retired Greyhound
Trust but the charity changed its name as so many people
thought the dogs in our care were older. Greyhounds can
take “early retirement” from two years of age or less if they
just aren’t interested in chasing that bunny, and most are
retired by the time they are 4 or 5; so lots of years of love
to give their new owners.
There are dozens of good reasons to adopt a greyhound
but here are a few which surprises people: greyhounds are
gentle, sweet natured dogs. They are adaptable preferring a
quiet life with two short walks a day but many also enjoy an
active lifestyle too with longer hikes. They are laid back and
affectionate but their quirky nature will have you in fits of
laughter. Their short coat makes grooming easy and quite
often are tolerated by people with allergies. They do need
love and patience while learning about the big wide world outside of kennel life but they make the transition amazingly well all things considered.
We actively encourage “meet the breed” visits to our kennels for those who haven’t met greyhounds before and many potential adopters volunteer
first to find out more about them before adopting. Our kennels are open every day by appointment. To find out more about greyhounds looking for
homes, and also about volunteering, visit our website at www.greyhoundtrusthallgreen.org.uk or phone 0121 426 4810.
Next time you are looking to add a canine companion to your family, think about a greyhound. We’ve never regretted out decision all those years
ago and have had eight greyhounds since Jasper “the terrier imposter.”

Twins Luke and Leia are always causing
mischief together!
The lovey Teddy!
K9 ACRES LTD
A rural safe haven for your dog! K9 acres is a large
purpose-built secure dog field facility, based in
Longdon, available for private individual hire. With
two dedicated fields, 'Country' and 'Meadow',
there’s no better way for your four-legged friend to
enjoy the countryside!
To find out more, or to book, visit
www.k9acres.co.uk or call 07968 550006.
Grace and Munchkin are owned by
Mikey and Clare.
Pippa looks dashing in her hat!
Ginger the Guinea Pig
(photo taken by Emily)
Otto
Georgie Beagle is owned by Dominique
Mr Kong is owned by Jack
(he's so fluffy!)
65

Holiday Cottage
Woolacombe, North Devon
Details/Pictures:-
www.leesideholidays.com
johns@leeside.myzen.co.uk
Tel: 0121 353 6613
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