LOCAL NEWS The District is Bloom<strong>in</strong>g! <strong>Cannock</strong> <strong>Chase</strong> District is celebrat<strong>in</strong>g six Brita<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> Bloom awards across its parks <strong>and</strong> open spaces. Brita<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> Bloom is Brita<strong>in</strong>'s nationwide garden<strong>in</strong>g competition <strong>and</strong> a tool for build<strong>in</strong>g communities <strong>and</strong> tackl<strong>in</strong>g local issues together. Gold awards were given to <strong>Cannock</strong> <strong>and</strong> Hednesford Park, Elmore Park won silver, <strong>Cannock</strong> Stadium <strong>and</strong> Ravenhill won silver gilt <strong>and</strong> Heath Hayes Park won a bronze award. The Brita<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> Bloom criteria changed for <strong>2022</strong> to encourage entries to have a positive impact on the environment. Marks are awarded for identify<strong>in</strong>g local environmental issues <strong>and</strong> ways <strong>in</strong> which the issues are targeted us<strong>in</strong>g plants. Judg<strong>in</strong>g criteria is divided <strong>in</strong>to 40% for horticulture, 30% for environment <strong>and</strong> 30% for community <strong>in</strong>volvement. The award ceremony took place on 22nd September <strong>and</strong> was attended by Lynn Harley-Biggs, President of The Friends of <strong>Cannock</strong> Stadium Park (pictured), <strong>and</strong> the Futures group from South Staffordshire College, <strong>Cannock</strong> Campus (pictured), which has been <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> a wide range of tasks <strong>in</strong> the local parks. 8 Potato Comp W<strong>in</strong>ner Dur<strong>in</strong>g National Allotment Week <strong>in</strong> August, St Barbara’s House, sheltered hous<strong>in</strong>g scheme <strong>in</strong> <strong>Rugeley</strong>, celebrated with its annual potato grow<strong>in</strong>g competition. Each tenant had their own pot to grow potatos <strong>and</strong> paid a pound each week, with the person with the heaviest crop be<strong>in</strong>g the w<strong>in</strong>ner. Wolseley Garden Centre donated the compost for the potatos <strong>and</strong> Plant Manager, Jack Paterson, <strong>and</strong> Team Member, Clare Wood, came along to judge <strong>and</strong> weigh the potatos. The w<strong>in</strong>ner was 81 year old Charlie Keay (pictured), who has lived at St Barbara’s House for the last three years. He is go<strong>in</strong>g to put his w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong>to the social funds to help pay towards enterta<strong>in</strong>ment this Christmas. ........................................................... Annual Christmas Toy Appeal The <strong>Rugeley</strong> & District Lions’ Annual Toy Appeal is operat<strong>in</strong>g from 15th <strong>November</strong> to 16th <strong>December</strong> <strong>and</strong> sees the organisation collect<strong>in</strong>g new <strong>and</strong> unused toys to give to children who would otherwise go without at Christmas. Last year the generous folk of <strong>Rugeley</strong> donated 2,000 toys! As usual, toys must be new or unused. Drop off po<strong>in</strong>ts are Tesco <strong>Rugeley</strong>, Morrisons <strong>Rugeley</strong>, Gymophobics <strong>Rugeley</strong>, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Rugeley</strong> Community Church. Family Notices From October, readers will be able to place a notice <strong>in</strong> <strong>Citylife</strong> magaz<strong>in</strong>e to let others know of an important event, occasion or celebration that is tak<strong>in</strong>g place. If you would like to place details of any births, deaths, marriages or other occasions, please contact Rebecca Hill at rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com 07970 513144 or kristencitylife@gmail.com 07885 380632. Notices will consist of a maximum 50 words, plus an image, at a cost of £25 (<strong>in</strong>clusive of VAT).
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