LOCAL NEWS Solstice Walk for Good Health Members of the Good Health Club, run by Mary Morris, recently took part <strong>in</strong> the St Giles Solstice Walk <strong>in</strong> order to raise funds for the local hospice. Although St Giles was unable to hold its usual large event this year due to the pandemic, it was encourag<strong>in</strong>g smaller groups of people to take part <strong>in</strong> a 5k walk <strong>in</strong>stead. There were 20 ladies from the group who took part, enjoy<strong>in</strong>g a nice walk with friends, an afternoon tea sponsored by Morrisons, and rais<strong>in</strong>g a total of £1,500 for the cause. The Good Health Club runs a pilates class and organises walks <strong>in</strong> and around <strong>Lichfield</strong> for older people. For more <strong>in</strong>formation, contact Mary on 07921 166598. ....................................................................................... Epic Bike Ride for Four Hospices Fifteen fundrais<strong>in</strong>g cyclists have raised £16,000 to be split between St Giles Hospice and three other charities <strong>in</strong> a challeng<strong>in</strong>g three-day bike ride through the heart of England. The riders all work for Wills & Trusts Wealth Management Group, which organised the trip to support its charitable foundation. Wills & Trusts Chief Operat<strong>in</strong>g Officer, Stuart Payne, from Sutton Coldfield, took part <strong>in</strong> the 210-mile ride and has a personal connection to St Giles Hospice as his father-<strong>in</strong>-law received end-of-life care there. The team’s route took them from the company’s office <strong>in</strong> Ashby-de-la-Zouch to its head office <strong>in</strong> Thame, near Oxford, visit<strong>in</strong>g its other offices along the way on a route through 10 David Batchelor (front left) and Stuart Payne (front right) with members of the team Henley-<strong>in</strong>-Arden, Moreton-<strong>in</strong>-Marsh and W<strong>in</strong>chester. The money raised will be split between St Giles Hospice, Florence Night<strong>in</strong>gale Hospice <strong>in</strong> Aylesbury, Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice <strong>in</strong> Oxford and W<strong>in</strong>chester Hospice, four hospices based near the company’s offices. ....................................................................................... Sw<strong>in</strong>fen Broun Challenge Trophy Bowls Match Andy Hayes and Robert Yardley The Mayor of <strong>Lichfield</strong>, Cllr Robert Yardley led the <strong>Lichfield</strong> City Council team <strong>in</strong> the annual Sw<strong>in</strong>fen Broun Challenge Trophy bowls match aga<strong>in</strong>st the <strong>Lichfield</strong> Museum Bowl<strong>in</strong>g Club on Wednesday 23rd June. Despite the best efforts of the City Council team, the Bowl<strong>in</strong>g Club took the trophy once aga<strong>in</strong> with a score of 127 to 51. Covid restrictions meant the even<strong>in</strong>g was very different to its usual format but overall, everyone was pleased to be able to take part <strong>in</strong> this traditional event. After the match the Mayor, Cllr Robert Yardley handed the trophy to the Club Capta<strong>in</strong>, Andy Hayes, and thanked everyone for tak<strong>in</strong>g part and support<strong>in</strong>g the event. The challenge match has been played s<strong>in</strong>ce 1924 but it was not until 1926 that the trophy was donated by local benefactor, Colonel Sw<strong>in</strong>fen Broun. ....................................................................................... Sports Stars Glimpse New School Hall Five up-and-com<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Lichfield</strong> sports stars were given a sneak glimpse <strong>in</strong>side their school’s stateof-the-art new sports hall as it nears completion. The huge new facility is part of a £4.2million expansion of Nether Stowe <strong>in</strong> St Chad’s Road. Funded by Staffordshire County Council and overseen by Entrust, the expansion has also seen classrooms, science labs and a new reception unveiled at the school, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learn<strong>in</strong>g Partnership (ATLP). F<strong>in</strong>ish<strong>in</strong>g touches are now be<strong>in</strong>g put to the sports hall ahead of its open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the next academic year, so staff decided to satisfy students’ curiosity by choos<strong>in</strong>g five of their outstand<strong>in</strong>g sports stars to take a look around. Contractors Novus began work on the new facilities last year on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and the ATLP. ....................................................................................... Nature Thrives at Festival Gardens <strong>Lichfield</strong> City Council has designated Festival Gardens a nature area to encourage biodiversity and show a different side to public green spaces. Recently, volunteers have been help<strong>in</strong>g with plant<strong>in</strong>g and ma<strong>in</strong>tenance and willow canes are now sprout<strong>in</strong>g to be cut for weav<strong>in</strong>g when larger, plus fruit and berries from trees and shrubs can be picked and enjoyed by anyone pass<strong>in</strong>g through. The long grasses are look<strong>in</strong>g great and pathways have been cut through to make it easier to have a wander. Long grass is a great way to encourage nature and allow it to take its course. Transition <strong>Lichfield</strong> is encourag<strong>in</strong>g everyone to have a run through the long grass and count the bugs and butterflies! Get a photo and share on social media with the hashtag #gowildlichfield and appreciate this wonderful, natural space. Follow and jo<strong>in</strong> the Transition <strong>Lichfield</strong> group on Instagram @transitionlichfield. To Advertise call:- Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
11