Citylife in Lichfield May 2023

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
businesses and homes in Lichfield, Kings Bromley, Fradley,
Alrewas, Hill Ridware, Whittington, Stonnall, Shenstone,
Hammerwich, Burntwood and Longdon, completely free
of charge; bringing you the best that the city has to offer.
Each issue features heritage stories exploring the rich
history of our area, plus competitions, interviews and the
latest in fashion and style.
Got a story or charity event you want to share with our
readership? Think you’ve snapped an image that captures
the spirit of the city? We want to hear from you!
Our business is bringing you Lichfield’s city life.
CITYLIFE Contacts
Editor - Kristen Lackajis 07885 380632
kristencitylife@gmail.com
Features - Jono Oates 07785 757201 jonocitylife@gmail.com
Advertising -
Steve Brown 07740 166497 stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com
Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Mike James 07900 982456 mikejamescitylife@gmail.com
Design - Helen Smith 07967 154187 helencitylife@gmail.com
Citylife In Lichfield Ltd
PO Box 7126 LICHFIELD WS14 4JS
CITYLIFE in Lichfield and CITYLIFE in Rugeley and Cannock Chase
magazines are not connected to any other publication or publisher, and
are wholly owned by CITYLIFE in Lichfield Ltd.
Citylife In Lichfield
@citylifelichfield
@lichfieldcity
www.citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk
Citylife in Lichfield Ltd does not endorse any business or organisation
appearing in these pages, and the publication of any advertisement,
editorial, event listing or advertising editorial does not constitute an
endorsement by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd.
Your Local
Community Magazine
Inside...
6 Local News
What’s happening in and around Lichfield.
12 Five Minutes With…
We chat with musician Nick Dewhurst.
22 The Kings’ Coronations
Jono Oates takes us back in time.
28 Wedding Feature
All things bridal!
46 Tastes of the Season
The latest mouth-watering recipes from Simon
Smith.
..................................
Competition Winners!
Congratulations to M Tunnicliffe who is the lucky winner of a granite
chopping board from Just Granite at Pillaton.
Well done!
..................................
The Month of May
• May is believed to have been named after the Greek goddess
of fertility known as Maia. Ovid, the Roman poet, however,
believed that May was named for the maiores (the elderly) and
June for the iuniores (the youth).
• Although May is the fifth month of the year, it was the third
month in early Roman calendars.
• May’s birthstone is the emerald which is emblematic of love
and success.
• An old wives’ tale tells how May was once considered a bad
luck month in which to get married. There is a poem that says
“Marry in May and you’ll rue the day.”
• In the UK, Morris Dancing is seen as a traditional dance during
the month of May, often incorporating maypoles.

5

LOCAL NEWS
6
Youth Council’s
New Logo
Lichfield District Youth Council’s monthly
meeting led to an exciting decision at the end of
March. During the meeting, members of the
youth council finalised their official logo design.
This decision marks a step forward for the
youth council, providing a strong brand identity.
Formed to empower members to grow their
consultation, debating and relationship building
skills, the youth council gives a strong voice to
young people in the Lichfield District area.
The logo provides a positive representation of
Lichfield District Youth Council, and an identity
that everyone involved can share.
......................................................................................
Charity Race is Success
Over 1,100 runners registered for this year's
Cathedral to Castle Run, sponsored by The
Rotary Club, took place on Sunday 16th April
and although the weather conditions are poor,
all those who entered the event looked happy
enough running in the rain!
The run, which is 10 miles in length over roads,
pathways and along canals, starts
in at Beacon Park in Lichfield, goes via the iconic
Cathedral, and ends at Tamworth Castle.
The event costs £27 per member to enter and
after costs, the monies are donated to the
charity funds of the four Rotary Clubs that have
organised the event for some years (two in
Lichfield and two in Tamworth
This year, the winner with the fastest time of
just 57.09 minutes was a local man, Daniel Floyd
(pictured) from Lichfield Running Club.
.......................................................................................
NMA Improves
Accessibility
A new Changing Places Toilet facility has
recently been installed at the National
Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire.
Delivered with grant funding from the
Government’s Changing Places Toilet Fund with
support from Lichfield District Council, in
association with Muscular Dystrophy UK, the
new toilet facility will help improve the visitor
experience for people who require additional
support that is not met by standard accessible
toilets.
Penny Revitt worked with the Arboretum to
ensure that the new facility would offer a
welcoming environment for users in addition to
being a functional space. She previously used to
visit the Arboretum with her son Sam and was
eager to support the delivery of this important
new facility.
Changing Places Toilets provide more room
than a standard accessible toilet and are fitted
with specialist equipment such as an adult-sized
changing bench and a hoist system. The
installation at the Arboretum was completed by
accessibility specialists Astor Bannerman and
sits alongside the site’s existing accessible toilet
facilities.
For more information about accessibility at
NMA, visit www.thenma.org.uk.
.......................................................................................
‘Rising Star’ shortlisted
Lichfield District Council’s environmental
champion is continuing to gain national
recognition after making the shortlist for a
second major ‘Rising Star’ award.
Kristie Charlesworth has been highlighted in
The MJ Achievement Awards 2023 which
acknowledges her outstanding work as the
Council’s Ecology and Climate Change Manager.
This follows the announcement last month that
Kristie has been shortlisted as a ‘Rising Star’ in
the prestigious LGC (Local Government
Chronicle) Awards 2023.
The MJ Awards acknowledge the ‘tremendous
effort of those in Local Government dedicating
themselves to supporting local communities,
facing challenge after challenge, but never giving
up in the face of adversity’.
Kristie, who has worked in Local Government
for just six years, is an expert in environmental
issues, and committed to delivering policies and
initiatives which protect Lichfield District’s
ecology and greenspaces. She enthuses her
team and spearheads work to meet the
Council’s pledges for nature recovery, climate
change, and carbon reduction.
The MJ Awards will be held at a ceremony in
June 2023.
.......................................................................................
Beacon Awards
Now Open!
The inaugural Beacon Awards is gaining steam
as residents across the district are encouraged
to take the spotlight. Open to businesses and
community heroes, the Beacon Awards seek to
recognise those who contribute to making
Lichfield District shine.
The categories are:
• Lichfield Shining Light – District Legacy Award
• Community Hero
• Charity or Social Enterprise of the Year
• Start-up Business of the Year
• Independent Business of the Year
• Customer Service Award
• Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year/Young Businessperson
of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Large Business of the Year
• Small Business of the Year
• Environmental and Sustainable Champion
• Entrepreneur of the Year
Nominations will close on Friday 30th June
2023. Residents can nominate their favourite
business or community hero through the
online entry form at
www2.lichfielddc.gov.uk/beaconawards.

Advertising Feature
Do you need a Financial Adviser?
Have you got cash sitting in the Bank or Building Society earning you very little interest?
Are you concerned about inflation eroding the value of your savings?
What do you know about your pensions and your pension options?
Do you know when you may be able to retire?
As an experienced local Financial Adviser I work with clients at all stages of their life to help them achieve their
financial goals, whatever they may be.
Financial Advice will cost you money, but I aim to show you the benefits and value of good quality professional
Financial Advice. Our first meeting however will be at no cost to you, without any obligation to proceed any further.
If you do decide to proceed then the fees for initial and ongoing advice will be clearly explained and agreed with you
before any further work is done.
You will get a personalised service
that matches your needs, whatever
they may be, as we are all individuals.
I will carry out a full fact find of your
circumstances, fully investigate your
current plans and policies and
discuss with you your priorities. I
will ascertain where you want to be
financially in the future and how I
may be able to help you get there. I
will speak in clear terms and do my
best to try and help you achieve
your goals.
You can find me on the
Independent rating sites Unbiased
and Vouchedfor, via my website -
www.financialadviser.me.uk or the
Four Oaks website –
www.fouroaksfs.com
Give me a call at my office in
Shenstone on 0121 323 2070 or my
mobile 07968 504805.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Robin Place DipFA, CeLTCI, MLIBF
Certified Financial Adviser
robin@fouroaksfs.com
Approver Quilter Financial
Services Limited & Quilter
Mortgage Planning Limited.
10/02/2023
7

LOCAL NEWS
Hindleys Bakery is 130!
Duncan, Alona, Jackie & Tina
Local bakery Hindleys, situated on Tamworth
Street, Lichfield, celebrated its 130th birthday in
April.
On 1st April 1893, Joseph Hindley bought a
bakery in Upper Brook Street, Rugeley. Paying
£10 for Goodwill, £21 for Utensils and £14 for
Stock. In 1928, Joseph’s son took over the
business, followed by his sons Graham and
Keith.
Four generations of the Hindley family have
worked in the business over the last 130 years.
Currently fourth generation, Duncan and Jackie,
are joined by many long-serving employees,
some of whom are the third generation of their
own family to be involved in the bakery.
Based in Rugeley for 114 years the bakery
moved to the Lichfield premises in 2007, in a
restructure that moved away from multiple
shops toward a more sustainable model. The
product range evolved to reflect the changing
market for sourdoughs and speciality bakes but
at the same time, maintains its traditional
favourites.
Looking to the future, Tina Hibbs and Alona
Jackson are taking over the business and making
their own mark on the bakery while keeping to
the traditional values.
......................................................................................
Work Begins
at Leisure Centre
Work has begun on the Multi Use Games Area
(MUGA) at Burntwood Leisure Centre.
Following the World Café Workshop held in
November, Lichfield District Community Safety
Partnership secured funding to improve the
MUGA.
Work started on Monday 17th April 2023 with
new goal posts are currently being erected as
part of the development work. This is the first
stage of improvements which will include
installing basketball hoops and repainting
pitches to make the space more attractive and
useable for people across the community.
Once completed, these will enhance the
current wide range of sports and activities
already available at Burntwood Leisure Centre.
Many improvements have already been
delivered in recent weeks including a new play
area by the entrance and a complete deep clean
and refit of the leisure centre interior.
Residents can find out more about what
Burntwood and Lichfield Friary Grange Leisure
Centres have to offer at
www.activelichfield.co.uk including new and
reduced membership fees, with no joining fees
at this time.
......................................................................................
Food Hygiene
Results Available
Lichfield District Council’s Regulation and
Enforcement team has released the results of
their monthly food hygiene inspections.
All food businesses, including those operating
from home, are subject to inspection by
Lichfield District Council’s environmental
health officers at varying frequencies
determined by the level of risk to public health.
Officers provide advice and guidance to all food
businesses in order to raise standards, and
return visits are made to poorer performing
businesses sooner. Where necessary,
enforcement action is taken.
Residents can check the food hygiene rating of
every business at the Food Standards Agency
website at http://www.ratings.food.gov.uk/.
To Advertise call:-
Steve Brown 07740 166497
stevebrowncitylife@gmail.com
Rebecca Hill 07970 513144
rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Mike James 07900 982456
mikejamescitylife@gmail.com
Job Advert
Treasurer - F2F Charity
A voluntary role ideal for someone who is
completing an accountancy course and needs
to put the theory into practice, or has been in
that role and would like to assist a local
charity. Would suit a retired accountant or
similar.
Friends 2 Friends (F2F) is a member led group,
which has been running for over 10 years, and
supports adults with learning disabilities and
other vulnerable adults. We are a fun and
exciting group who are passionate about
helping members learn the skills needed to be
part of the community in which they live and
to enjoy a fuller life.
We are looking for a new treasurer as our
current treasurer is coming to the end of her
term of office.
Responsibilities:
• Ensure proper records are kept and financial
procedures in place.
• Compile monthly financial report and annual
financial reports.
• Be a bank signatory
• Undertake monthly submissions to Support
Staffordshire, who compile: salary payments,
pensions, PAYE and NI payments.
• Issue & pay invoices
•Receive and verify the transaction
spreadsheet and produce trustee report.
• Attend monthly board meeting via Zoom.
If you would like more information,
contact Ian Wells on 07734 149823 or
ian.wells1967@btinternet.com. Find
out more about F2F at
https://friends2friends.org, or
Facebook page
www.facebook.com/f2flichfield.
8

9

Have Your Say
This May!
By Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council
As a somewhat regular columnist for this magazine, I have
always been extremely careful to keep my pieces free from
party politics – whilst also very obviously being a (part-time!)
politician and wishing to share what we are attempting to achieve
locally.
However, as I sat in the Council chamber a few nights ago, watching
councillors from across the political spectrum work to improve our
community, I was struck by the importance of local government and the
need to encourage everyone to participate in the upcoming local
elections on Thursday 4th May.
During that Council meeting, I thanked councillors from all parties for
their hard work and dedication to our community over the last four
years. Local government is a rewarding, but highly challenging role that
can take a personal toll on not only the councillors themselves but also
their families and loved ones. As the Reverend that evening prayed for
those councillors who were stepping down and not seeking re-selection,
I semi-jokingly asked that perhaps he reserve the most fervent prayers
for those of us who may make it back in May, as we prepare for another
four years of what can be a pretty brutal endeavour.
Local elections are often overlooked, but in my (perhaps biased view)
they are just as important as national elections. In fact, I think they may
be even more important, as they affect the daily lives of people in our
community in so many ways. District councils in England are responsible
for a range of services, from waste collection to food hygiene
inspections, park maintenance to planning and development (but not
potholes or the NHS I hasten to add!) so the decisions made by those
elected can have a direct impact on our enjoyment of our area.
Lichfield District has a unique set of challenges – the historically
affluent Cathedral city of Lichfield, former industrial communities
around Burntwood and Armitage, suburbs of Birmingham and Tamworth
such as Little Aston and Fazeley, and remote villages bordering
Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Derbyshire all provide opportunities,
challenges and most of all strength to our District. Ensuring that all
110,000 residents across these disparate communities are listened to,
involved (and that their bins are emptied!) is a huge privilege, fraught
with worries.
Each of you reading this will know that the Council doesn’t always get
things right – but I also hope that in some small way, and perhaps
unknowingly, you’ve been the beneficiary of when the council has got it
right. By participating in local elections, you are contributing to a system
that is designed to represent the people - and increase the amount of
times the Council “gets it right”! The more people who vote, the
stronger the mandate of the elected officials.
This helps to ensure that local government is accountable to the
people, and that decisions are made in the best interests of the
community as a whole. In a time that democracy is under threat on the
borders of Europe, it’s worthwhile reflecting on what a wonderful thing
democracy is – a fundamental part of our society, and by participating in
the democratic process, we are contributing to the social health of our
communities and our nation as a whole.
Local elections may not have the glamour of national elections, but
they certainly are no less important. National elections capture the
public imagination, but local elections have a more direct impact on the
lives of the people in our communities. In recent years, however, voter
turnout for local elections has been low, with many people choosing not
to participate in what they may see as a less important event.
So regardless of where you plan to put your cross on May 4th, can I
encourage each of us to get out and vote – and by doing so ensure that
the council we get is the one that is most reflective of the communities’
wishes – and maybe I’ll be back to write another column in June!
Audrey Mason, formerly
of Lichfield, passed away 13th March at
Cherry Holt Care Home, Retford, aged
101. Reunited with Harry. A wonderful
Mum, Grandmother and Auntie. Audrey
was "Chair" of Lichfield Ladies Circle 1958,
and Tangent 1970. Donations to
Scarborough RNLI welcome.
Contact: Hancock Funeral Directors,
Retford. Tel 01777 707503 or Email
hancockfd2020@gmail.com
Family Notices
Readers are now able to place a notice in Citylife in
Lichfield magazine to let others know of an
important event, occasion or celebration that is
taking place. If you would like to place details of any
births, deaths, marriages or other occasions, please
contact Rebecca Hill at
rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com or on telephone
07970 513144.
Notices will consist of a maximum 50 words, plus an
image, at a cost of £24 (inclusive of VAT).
10

11

Five Minutes With…
Nick Dewhurst
The Lichfield Blues &
Jazz Festival is back
this June, and features a
selection of fantastic
artists, all playing at
some great venues
across Lichfield for a
fabulous week of events!
We caught up with Nick
Dewhurst who will be
performing over this
weekend, as well as
being more heavily
involved in the planning
side of the festival.
• Hi Nick, thank
you for agreeing to answer a few questions for us. To
begin with, could you tell us a little bit about yourself.
“Sure, so I’m originally from Lichfield, and I’m a Jazz Trumpeter,
Guitarist, Music Educator, Composer, Arranger, and Promoter too. In
addition to music, I’m a big fan of Formula 1!”
• Can you tell us, in your own words, what it is you do?
“Everyday I’m involved in all sorts of musical activities, which includes
playing gigs, teaching trumpet and guitar, leading ensembles, writing and
arranging music, as well as organising and promoting jazz gigs, including
recently planning the upcoming Lichfield Blues and Jazz Festival!”
• How did you get into the industry?
“I’m going to answer this one with my promoter’s hat on... and say that
I first started putting on gigs whilst I was still at school, when my band at
the time ‘Funktional’ used to play once a month at the King’s Head. After
graduating from the Birmingham Conservatoire, I then started a monthly
jazz night in the Back Room of the George IV pub. This jazz night then
moved to the Cathedral Hotel, and became part of the Lichfield Arts
programme, where you can still find live jazz on the 3rd Wednesday of the
month! For several years now I’ve also been part of the team that puts
on the Lichfield Blues &Jazz Festival, and last year I became the festival’s
new director, taking over from the late, great local legend Brian Pretty.
This year we’ve expanded the festival to be a week-long, with all sorts of
fantastic artists playing at brilliant venues across Lichfield!”
• Can you describe your musical style for us? Has this
changed or evolved at all over time?
“In a word, jazz. Having said that, jazz is a wide-ranging genre, and
depending on the gig, my band will play slightly different sets. So for
instance, my 6-piece band (which is playing on the Friday night of the
Blues & Jazz Festival) will play a set of upbeat jazz, mixed in with funk,
fusion and pop too. Sometimes though I’ll play gigs with a smaller line up,
such as a jazz trio, where we will focus more on jazz standards.”
• Which artists inspire and influence you the most, both
growing up and now?
“I have so many favourite artists, and different artists have inspired me
at different times (for instance my favourite band whilst at school was
Feeder, and I loved the virtuosic rock guitar playing of Joe Satriani), but as
a jazz trumpeter, I’m a big fan of Nicolas Folmer, Till Brönner, Wynton
Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Woody Shaw,
plus many more, and as a guitarist I’m a big fan of Larry Carlton, Robben
Ford, and Mike Walker, plus I love Big Band music and groups such as the
WDR Big Band, the Metropol Orkest, and the Jazz at the Lincoln Center
Orchestra. It’s absolutely worth saying that artists I saw in Lichfield at the
Blues & Jazz Festival when I was younger have also had a huge impact on
me, such as trombonist Dennis Rollins (who I’ve since had the pleasure
of gigging and recording with), guitarist Matt Schofield and the trumpeter
Abram Wilson.”
• What motivates you to create your music?
“I think preparing for a variety of different gigs and projects really
motivates me to create music. For example, on Sunday 11th June, I’ll be
leading the Lichfield Jazz Big Band through its new set of summer music,
as we debut out Sizzlin’ and Swingin’ Summer Special! I’ve no doubt that
in the leadup to this gig I’ll get musical ideas when I least expect them,
and when I do get these ideas I have to capture them right away (by
either writing them down, or recording them into the voice memos app
on my phone). Once I’ve caught the initial idea, I’ll then develop it at a
later stage, which sometimes can be a quick process, or one that takes
much longer.”
• How important do you feel that music as an art form
is to society?
“I think it’s vitally important. Whether it’s learning how to play, playing
in a band or ensemble, listening to music, attending gigs or festivals,
singing along to the radio, hearing music as part of a TV programme or
film, buying and collecting records, there’s so much fun to be had from
music, and I’m only scratching the surface here! Music really can be
enjoyed by everyone in society.”
• And finally, what does the Lichfield Blues & Jazz
Festival mean to you?
“It means a lot to me! I’ve attended the festival as fan of live music, I’ve
played at the festival as an artist, and now to be directing the festival too
is a real honour. I hope the programme this year has something for
everyone, and I look forward to seeing people across the week at all our
wonderful venues!”
Lichfield Blues & Jazz Festival will be held from Sunday 4th - Sunday 11th
June. Featuring a selection of fantastic artists, all playing at iconic venues across
Lichfield. Limited availability, reserve your ticket via the Lichfield Arts website at
www.lichfieldarts.org.uk.
12

13

Co-Op Spreads
Kindness with
BillyChip
C
entral Co-op recently welcomed BillyChip® into all 250+ Central Co-op
food stores, allowing customers to spread kindness to those in need with
a simple gift.
Making a difference is easy with a BillyChip, as the chips - which are made from a
biodegradable ceramic polymer - cost £2 and can be given to someone sleeping
rough as a way to support them. This £2 goes straight to BillyChip who, through their
foundation, help support other relevant local charities in the Society’s trading area.
The simple act of giving a chip allows someone to redeem the chip for a hot or
cold drink of their choice at any Central Co-op store. Two chips can be redeemed
for a meal deal in-store as well, including a snack, main, and a drink.
Central Co-op celebrated the launch at the Boley Park store in Lichfield, joined by
Claudia Walker, footballer for Birmingham City. Co-Founder, Meg Abernethy-Hope,
also attended the launch to talk about the scheme to customers at Boley Park.
Meg said: “The BillyChip is about giving someone who is sleeping rough compassion,
connection, and choice. We are so proud to be partnering with Central Co-op, a
business we know is built around supporting its community. This is an incredible
partnership and we are beyond excited to see where it will take us in the future.”
Find out more about BillyChip, and the incredible story behind the organisation’s
establishment, at www.billychip.com.
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
14
01543 255776
Private Chapel of Rest 116 Netherstowe,
Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6TS

15

Let’s Go Walkies
By Lauren Hirst
Volunteers are the lifeline of our organisation!
We appreciate every effort volunteers make and it is
important to us that we get the right people into the right
role. In return we offer an induction/training programme
to support you. We are looking for volunteers who can
make a regular commitment; i.e. at least twice per month
depending on what role you chose, ie. dog walking,
photography, fundraising, awareness raising, etc.
You may even make new friends both of the human and
furry kind. You never know where that might lead…
fostering, sponsoring or even adopting a greyhound? The
new love of your life may not just be of the canine variety
but you never know where volunteering may lead…
spring is the season for romance after all. Two of our
volunteers, Jo and Charles Taylor, got married last
December after being brought together through their
mutual love of greyhounds and volunteering with Hall
Green. Of course their greyhounds, Jeff and Power just
had to be the ring bearers on their special day.
Britons are being encouraged to volunteer as part of the King’s Coronation
celebrations through the Big Help Out project. The idea is that volunteering
brings communities together not just for the Coronation Weekend but
beyond.
Greyhound Trust Hall Green has kennels in Shenstone and Hagley and is completely
run by volunteers. Our vision is of a day when all racing greyhounds retire to loving
homes and are treated with compassion and kindness. We help greyhounds make the
transition from kennel to couch to be loved as someone’s pet.
To do this, we need you! Without the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm of our
volunteers, we would not be able to find loving homes for these wonderful dogs.
Charles adopted Power after he came to kennels asking
to see ‘the dog that had been with us the longest.’ Jo
adopted her beloved Charlie from Greyhound Trust
Wolverhampton and when Charlie sadly passed away
adopted Hall Green boy, Jeff. They also got involved
walking the kennel dogs and at awareness raising events.
We always say, adopting one greyhound won’t change
the world but the world will surely change for that one
greyhound. And who knows, your world may change for
the better, too.
To find out more about the work of the Trust, visit
www.greyhoundtrusthallgreen.org.uk or email
hallgreen@greyhoundtrust.org.uk or follow us on
Facebook.
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
16

Your Garden in May
By Byron Lewis
Can you believe we’re already five months into the year? We’ve had
customers asking us for summer bedding plants for weeks now, and
finally it’s about the right time to plant them out. The Garden Centre
is now filling up with lots of traditional favourites. Marigolds, lobelia
and geraniums are great for planting now, and if you've got shadier
spots in the garden, try using fuchsia and impatiens (Busy Lizzy), as
these will thrive both in borders and pots/hanging baskets.
Please take care as it’s still possible we’ll get a late frost… be
prepared to wrap your plants up overnight with some horticultural
fleece. If you’ve got a greenhouse, open the vents and the door
during the day and close up at night to ‘harden off’ your bedding
plants. The frost warning also applies to shrubs like pieris and acers
which can produce lots of tender early growth. This could get
damaged by late frosts so do keep an eye on the weather forecast.
After reports earlier this year of food shortages, many people have
been encouraged to try growing their own for the first time this
year - now is the time to either sow seed or plant out ready
germinated seedlings into the garden. For quick growing crops, try
salad vegetables such as spring onion, radish and beetroot. May is a
great time to set runner bean seeds too - make sure you build your
climbing frame for them before you sow, as they can reach up to 8ft
tall!
One tip when growing vegetables from seed… don’t be tempted to
sow EVERY seed in the packet all at the same time – some seed
packets contain over 500 seeds. No-one needs 500 lettuces in one
go (!), so sow a couple every few weeks for a steady supply of greens
through the summer and into the autumn.
Turning to lawns, it's time to give a weed and feed product to your
lawn. Feeding will help new growth, but if your lawn is thin you can
also re-seed. Use multi-purpose lawn seed, which is generally hard
wearing and mix it with compost, then sprinkle evenly over the thin
area. A word of caution - water the lawn BEFORE sowing, as you can
end up washing all the seed into one area causing thick patches. Also
protect the seed for a few weeks from the birds by getting some
netting over the area.
Let's hope we have a good summer run of weather - it's time to get
gardening!
Byron Lewis runs Lichfield Garden Centre at
Curborough Countryside Centre, Lichfield. Tel: 01543
254306, www.lichfieldgardencentre.co.uk or search for
the centre on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
17

WIN 5 Family Tickets
to Staffs County Show
This year, the Staffordshire County Show will be held on Wednesday 31st
May and Thursday 1st June.
The Show at the County Showground on Weston Road, some four miles
from Stafford, is one of the area’s major events of the summer and is
expected to attract more than 65,000 visitors. A packed Main Ring
programme includes a range of attractions that includes, in addition to
the Monster Trucks, the Young Farmer’s Floats which this year has a
theme of West End Musicals, show jumping, the Grand Parade of
Livestock and the Parade of Hounds. In the Country Pursuits Arena
visitors can watch the birds of prey display, the ferret roadshow, have a
go at fly casting 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, coracle making and drystone walling as well as
view a display of vintage cars and agricultural machinery. However, at the
heart of the Show is livestock with over a thousand cattle, sheep, pigs and
goats and over 1,500 horses and ponies.
There are a number of competitions and shows within the Show
including the Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Competitions, the
Farriery Competition where blacksmiths compete to make the perfect
horseshoe before using it to shoe a horse, the Fur and Feather Show with
a vast array of poultry, waterfowl, cavies (hamsters and guinea pigs) and
rabbits as well as the Bee & Honey Show with its working hive. In
addition the dog show will attract around 2000 dogs representing every
breed of dog in the UK.
Children of all ages are especially well catered for with a children’s farm,
fairground rides and the opportunity to have their picture taken with the
giant tortoises.
Further details about the Show and purchase advance tickets are available
on the website at www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk or follow on
Facebook@staffscountyshow.
We’ve got five family ticket to give away. To enter,
simply answer the question below and send your
details to us.
On which road is the County Showground located?
a) Weston Road. b) Stafford Road. c) Lichfield Road
To enter, send your name, contact details & answer to Staffs Show at
competitioncitylife@gmail.com or to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126,
Lichfield WS14 4JS by closing date of 21st May 2023. One entry per household.
Multiple entries disqualified. No cash equivalent. Entrants 18 or over. All
information in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations & Privacy Policy
(available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk). Full t&cs on page 50.
18

19

A Day Out…
The Emma Bridgewater Factory
By Lucy Stonehouse
Unique, handmade pottery pieces have made a name for
Emma Bridgewater across the country since she founded
her ceramics business in 1985, but did you know that her
company’s primary factory, which is open to the public, is situated
less than an hour from Lichfield in the city of Stoke-On-Trent?
The Emma Bridgewater Factory is a working pottery factory open to
the public seven days a week. From factory tours and pottery painting
workshops to ceramics shopping and afternoon tea, The Emma
Bridgewater Factory offers everything you could need to experience a
day in the life of a potter.
Factory Tours
Follow the journey of a piece of clay through its transformation into a
unique piece of pottery with this factory tour. Over the course of an
hour, you will be guided through the factory meeting each potter - jigger,
jollier, fettler and caster - involved in the production process of a piece
of Emma Bridgewater pottery.
Tours must be booked online on The Emma Bridgewater website at a
rate of £5 per person.
Decorating Studio
Decorate a piece of pottery with your own design to create your very
own, unique ceramic piece in the decorating studio. Simply pick a piece
of pottery to decorate from the selection in the studio and use the
Emma Bridgewater pottery paints provided to add your own unique
design. Staff members will be on hand to demonstrate painting
techniques and to answer any questions that you may have.
A decorating session in the studio lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes and
must be booked online on the Emma Bridgewater website for a price of
£2.95 per person. This fee covers the price of the paint and staff guidance.
Each piece of pottery that you decorate is individually priced, starting
from £7, and can be paid for at the end of the session.
Once you have decorated your piece, it will need be glazed and fired.
Due to the factory’s high production rate, this may take up to two
weeks. You can opt to have your piece posted to your address for £5 or
for free on orders over £40. You can also opt to collect your
piece from the studio at no extra cost.
Café
This quaint, on-site café offers three different dining experiences:
Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.
This café keeps things traditional, cooking all of its breakfasts in a
traditional Aga oven to give diners an authentic experience. Diners may
choose from a Full English, a Vegetarian take on the Full English Breakfast
or a Vegan breakfast of smashed avocado on sourdough toast with
tomato salsa.
For lunch, choose from a range of hot and cold lunches including home
cooked soups, salads and quiches as well as freshly prepared sandwiches.
Finish off with a homemade cake from the café’s much-loved selection.
Or why not try a traditional treat after a day of exploring the factory?
Afternoon tea at the café is the perfect idea. Presented on elegant cake
stands, finger sandwiches and homemade cakes are served with a pot of
tea of your choosing.
Reservations for dining options can be made online.
Factory Shop and Outlet
The factory also houses a shop full of Emma Bridgewater ceramics for
visitors to browse and buy. There is also a factory outlet full of ‘seconds’
where pieces with slight cosmetic imperfections and discontinued lines
can be purchased.
Whether you are a pottery enthusiast, a painting novice
or simply someone looking for an interesting, interactive
day out, The Emma Bridgewater factory is a great
experience for visitors of all ages.
Find out more at www.emmabridgewater.co.uk.
20

21

The Kings’
Coronations at Lichfield
By Jono Oates
On Saturday 6th May we will all witness the coronation of our monarch,
King Charles III, at Westminster Abbey, most of us viewing it on our TV
screens. For many of us it will be the first time we have witnessed a
coronation taking place, although a number of Citylife readers will have seen the
film made of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, probably at the Regal Cinema
on Tamworth Street, in June 1953.
In this royal month I’m looking back at the previous coronations of King’s that were
celebrated here in Lichfield, those of Edward VII in 1902, George V in 1911 and George
VI in 1937.
On 22nd January 1901 Queen Victoria, then the longest-serving British monarch,
passed away and she was succeeded by her eldest son, who was crowned as King
Edward VII on 9th August 1902. The original date of the coronation had been 26 June
that same year, but it was delayed after the King suffered from appendicitis, which
developed in to peritonitis, and he was too unwell to attend the ceremony.
Consternation spread throughout the country, as it was feared that the King would die
before his coronation, and the whole country, including Lichfield, held its breath.
On Friday 4th July 1902, the Lichfield Mercury reported that the King did, finally, seem
to be making some positive progress, as the week before they feared that he would not
recover, and they also illustrated the different ways that towns and cities in the local area
had dealt with the arrangements for the delayed coronation. Birmingham and Burtonon-Trent
celebrated the original coronation date in June, with events and entertainment,
not wanting to let-down those residents who had been looking forward to the day for
some time, whereas Lichfield and Rugeley kept their celebrations to a bare minimum.
On the day of the actual coronation, 9th August 1902, Lichfield celebrated in grand
fashion, with a civic procession to the cathedral, where they held a service, and then a
large gathering met on the Market Square to hear a speech from the Deputy Mayor,
Alderman Arthur Lomax, of Lomax Printers on Bird Street. A public luncheon was held
in the Guildhall, where Alderman Lomax provided the toast to the King, which was
greeted by loud cheers and the singing of the National Anthem, accompanied by a brass
band.
After lunch the crowds moved on to the Recreation Grounds in Beacon Park, where
the Staffordshire Imperial Yeomanry Band played, and there were sports races, and a
physical drill exercise by boys from the Lichfield Truant School on Beacon Street. All the
city streets covered their buildings and shops with bunting, garlands, patriotic flags and
Chinese lanterns. A huge firework display took place by Stowe Pool in the evening, and
a ‘fire ship’ was towed out to the middle of the pool, only to keel over and sink rather
unfortunately! A firework finale took place on the Market Square and there was a final
rendition of the National Anthem as fireworks launched into the night sky and the bells
of St Mary’s church peeled before finally, at midnight, the city completed its belated
celebrations for King Edward VII.
When Edward passed away in 1910, Lichfield then celebrated the coronation of King
George V, on 22nd June 1911. At a council meeting in May 1911 Town Clerk Herbert
Russell explained that the cost of the 1902 coronation celebrations to the council had
totalled £419 3 shillings and 9d – the equivalent of £70,000 today. Despite the cost,
Lichfield once again fully celebrated the royal coronation in 1911, with a similar
programme of events to the 1902 coronation, with the public luncheon taking place at
the George Hotel this time, and 1,630 schoolchildren were treated to a Grand
Coronation Tea in their respective schools.
In May 1937 Coronation Medals were awarded to two local postmen, Joseph Elson
from Lichfield, and 84-year-old sub-postmaster Thomas Aston from Shenstone for their
loyal service, in readiness for the coronation of King George VI. The celebrations in
22
Vintage postcard, statue of King Edward VII in the
Museum Gardens
House on Station Road, decorated for Coronation of
Edward VII
Bates Shop, Lower Bore Street, decorated for
Coronation of George V
Lichfield were more muted than in 1902 and 1911,
perhaps due to the concerns over the impending
war. The procession to the cathedral included civics,
but also a noticeably large representation of military
organisations, including the Anti-aircraft Brigade.
In May 2023 the celebrations for the coronation
of King Charles III will not match those of his
forebears, Edward VII, George V and George VI, but
I’m sure lots of Lichfeldians, like me, will be glued to
our televisions and Ipad’s to watch the celebrations
taking place in London, and at Westminster Abbey –
and that you will also be joining me in the Royal
Toast – God Save the King!
Sources: The British Newspaper Archive; .

23

Exploring the Trent
Valley Digitally
By Louise Morris, Landscape
Partnership Manager
Discover more about the beautiful landscape of the Trent Valley,
filled with fascinating history, stunning wildlife and exciting
natural places to visit.
The Transforming the Trent Valley project team has created digital
interpretation to show the challenges we are facing and how you can get
involved with shaping and protecting the landscape for future
generations.
Created with local expertise and our heritage volunteers, it displays the
sites and initiatives we are involved with to help species, habitat and
heritage in the Trent Valley.
The landing page starts with an aerial overview of the whole Trent
Valley. You can view films, history and nature on four locations across the
Trent Valley: Rugeley Power Station, Tucklesholme Nature Reserve,
Burton Washlands, Willington Wetlands. Zooming in on Tucklesholme
Nature Reserve, it showcases the variety of wildlife to be found, including
Kingfishers and Sandmartins and how to identify them. It highlights the
type of habitats needed for wildlife and how a growing network of
volunteers are helping to monitor, survey and record wildlife to support
the restoration of biodiversity.
People of all ages can enjoy the interactive games and learn how to
create a healthy river, explore nature recovery networks and watch river
flooding animations.
There is also the opportunity to journey through time to view the
heritage of the Trent Valley from Pre-history, to Viking, Industrial times and
World War II. It is useful to learn about the importance of each stage and
impact of each era on the landscape and people of the area.
It has been a real team effort; the photographs have been captured by
our excellent photography volunteers and the voice-overs to the films
are read by team members and project volunteers. This digital
interpretation is an interactive way for all to enjoy, to find out more about
the sort of work we do in the Trent Valley and why it is so important. It
will stay on our website when the project ends.
www.thetrentvalley.org.uk/past-and-present
Funding for
LHCRT Phase Two
Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) has
secured a £250,000 grant from Biffa Award; a multi-millionpound
fund that helps to build communities and transform lives
through awarding grants to community and environmental projects
across the UK, as part of the Government's Landfill Communities
Fund.
The project, which was awarded funding under Biffa Award Partnership
Grants natural environment theme, will restore the canal channel from
Darnford Lane to the lift-bridge, providing habitat improvements with
wetland margins and hedgerow corridors.
Phase one of the project under separate grants is already underway but
24
this largest funding from Biffa Award will form Phase two, taking the canal
another step forward in water from Darnford Lane, connecting at a later
stage with Huddlesford Junction on the Coventry Canal.
Whilst LHCRT’s volunteers have been preparing the site, Onsite
Central Limited has been awarded the contract to carry out the work
with Bluetech Waterfront Solutions Ltd overseeing the contract.
The work is scheduled to be completed, with the canal in water, by the
end of the year.

Wildlife Trust
Recognised for Award
This spring, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the
Environment Agency were shortlisted for the
2023 UK River Prize by the River Restoration
Centre, and on Wednesday 19th April they were
crowned as the winners.
This recognition from sector experts reinforces
how remarkable their achievements are. Projects were
varied and included urban river ways, headwaters and
floodplain rivers.
A dedicated team of experts worked together and
designed, installed and tracked the interventions. Many
other partners, landowners and countless volunteers
also contributed. Over 22 kilometres of stream and
river corridors were enhanced through the hundreds Bryony Davison & Hamish Jeffreson
of projects in the Trent river system.
Years of industrial and agricultural development left much of the Trent and connected
waterways badly degraded. The river had been made to run straight, with steep banks,
disconnected from its floodplains. This made the waters inaccessible to wildlife such as
otter, and created inhospitable habitat for many other species. Weirs also prevented fish
passage.
The partnership is using pioneering and innovative approaches to both river
restoration and land management. The work is restoring degraded rivers and floodplains.
It will benefit both nature’s recovery and people in the Staffordshire Trent Valley.
25

Sparkling Auction Result As Sapphires Make £17,800
By Alex Keller, Richard Winterton Auctioneers
They are the kind of vivid blue sapphires whose lustre
has been lusted over for centuries.
Yet these wondrous stones – recently sold at auction
in Lichfield for £17,800 – lay unseen for years and may
even have ended up in the bin!
Relatives and carers visiting the late Margaret Hood
had no idea that each time they crossed the threshold
they were entering a kingdom of hidden treasure.
Most staggering of all, the precious sapphire ring was
tightly wrapped up in a supermarket carrier bag, swathed
in socks and left hanging on a porch hook by the door.
For Peggy – as she preferred to be known – had
squirrelled away a lifetime of possessions, including a
cache of jewellery so splendid it has been dubbed ‘The
Littleover Hoard’ after the Derbyshire village the
grandmother of four called home.
The ring hanging in the porch turned out to be an
unheated certified 4.16ct Burmese sapphire and diamond
sparkler and sold for £11,000 when it went under the
hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers.
Peggy’s treasure also included a pair of early 20th
century sapphire and diamond earrings featuring
unheated certified sapphires totalling 5.60ct – one
Burmese (now Myanmar) and the other from Ceylon (Sri
Lanka) – and a pearl necklace with an emerald and
diamond clasp.
Sold in the same auction as the ring, the earrings made
£6,800 and the necklace was knocked down at a
magnificent £14,500.
Before the auction, Peggy’s children Sue Bird and
Jonathan Hood revealed that they had no idea their
mother possessed such treasures, which they started
discovering following her death in October 2022, just a
month after her 90th birthday.
“She never told us and it was only by chance we found
it all,” said Sue and Jonathan.
“We could easily have thrown some of them away and
never been any the wiser.
“We are just delighted and so happy how the sale went
– it was very exciting.
“Richard was an amazing auctioneer and we couldn’t
have asked for better service.”
Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers jewellery
appraisals, insurance valuations and probate advice by
appointment at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley
Park, and pop-up, drop-in jewellery valuations also take
place on Tuesdays at The Hub at St Mary’s in Lichfield and
Burntwood Library.
Visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk/valuation-events and
to book appointments or to discuss full or partial house
clearances, telephone 01543 251081 or email
office@richardwinterton.co.uk.
The sapphires sold at The Lichfield Auction
Centre for £17,800.
This pearl necklace with emerald and diamond
clasp was also part of ‘The Littleover Hoard’
and sold in the same auction as the sapphires
for £14,500.
Sue Bird and brother Jonathan Hood with their
mum and dad Peggy and John Hood.

Weddings
www.therealweddingcollective.com

29

This Year’s Bridal
Trends
By Carrie Hatfield
The Real Wedding Collective
Let's talk about
wedding trends
for 2023. Trends
come and go in every
walk of life, and in
bridal it's no different.
Bridal trends do seem
to go full circle quite
often though, so it's no
surprise that when
something makes a
dramatic reappearance,
it's usually with a
slightly unique twist.
Every year there seems
to be a distinct trend that
stands out and this year is
no different. Here are the
three main trends that
seem to have made a comeback, and have been given a completely
modern twist.
Bows
Bows have always been a staple in bridal, but this year they're bigger
and better than ever before. Adorning dresses from some of the leading
bridal designers, bows aren't just there as a subtle feature - they're bold
and they’re beautiful!
Capes
Capes are not for the faint hearted as they are quite the statement
piece. However, they're also a great alternative if you're not feeling a veil.
Some dresses have the option of having a cape or not, and some have
the option of the cape being detachable. If you’re planning a winter
wedding, they also have the added bonus of providing a little extra
warmth too.
Pearls
There was a time when pearls were reserved for your auntie Agnes...
but today they're BIG in bridal. The fact is, they've always been a delicate
feature within bridal design but designers today are getting braver and
adorning dresses from head-to-toe in these lustrous little orbs. This
gorgeous feature is going nowhere fast, so embrace it!
Carire Hatfield owns and operates The Real Wedding
Collective, a luxury bridal boutique situated on Tamworth
Street, Lichfield. Pop in and take a look at the stunning
collection of dresses, call 01543 256860 to book a one-toone
appointment to try on, or visit
www.therealweddingcollective.com to find out more.
30

31

Jewellery with Life
Emily Jane is passionate about creating her
pieces as much by hand as possible; making
each piece truly unique, just like you. This Heart
Pebble Pendant, made in recycled silver, is
beautiful, delicate and the perfect piece to
accompany your big day! Priced at £55 and
available from www.jewellerywithlife.co.uk or
join the Instagram community at
@emilyjanedesigner
Clare’s Tipsy Treats
For bespoke wedding favours and gifts! Over
25 flavours of gin, vodka, whisky, brandy and
rum to choose from - mix and match! Three
50ml bottle shapes available with bespoke
bottle label and organza bag. Contact Clare
on 07891 785820 or come and have a free
tasting at Lichfield’s Saturday
Market. Email: clarestipsytreats@gmail.com.
City Jewellers
These bestselling Athena Baguette Round
Drops White Gold drop earrings feature
step-cut baguettes and precision-cut round
brilliant stones that brilliantly catch the light
from all angles. A classic for any jewellery
collection. Priced at £269 and available from
City Jewellers, Bore Street, Lichfield.
Needwood Living
This Tall Eternal Happiness Crane Vase,
priced at £150, would make an ideal
wedding gift for the
happy couple on their big day! Available
from Needwood Living.
www.needwoodliving.co.uk
Beautiful dresses, exquisite suits,
stunning jewellery and incredible
flowers, cakes and accessories
which are sure to make your big
day extra special… We’ve got
them all lined up for you.
Allen Brown
Bespoke wedding rings made in the
workshop, with prices available on request.
This photo shows a
pair of platinum gold lined wedding rings
made for a customer using the remodelling
service. Visit
Allen Brown Jewellery, Heart of the
Country Shopping Village, Swinfen, WS14
9QR. Tel: 01543 481
948. www.allenbrownjewellery.co.uk
32
Clive's Wines
Try something a little different on your big
day with Rhubling – a delightfully refreshing
sparkling rhubarb wine from local wine
merchants, Clive’s Wines. Made using the
traditional method to create bubbles,
Rhubling is the perfect fizz to help you
celebrate in style!
Available from Clive’s Wines of Burntwood.
Tel: 07972 269 620.
www.cliveswines.co.uk
The Beauty Sanctuary
Relax and unwind at The Beauty Sanctuary
and feel cared for from the moment you step
through the door. It’s so much more than just
a beauty treatment, it’s an entire experience!
Offering Luxury Facials, Reiki Healing,
Dermalux Phototherapy, Bio Sculpture Gel
Nails, and Lash Lifts and Tints.
Contact The Beauty Sanctuary in Tamworth
on 07886 416917.
@thebeautysanctuarytamworth
L’uomo
This handmade Barnes & Moore
leather belt, made in England by artisans, is
the perfect groom’s accessory for the big
day. Available from L’uomo Menswear, 39c
Tamworth Street, Lichfield.
Tel: 01543 898972. Mobile: 07751 239264.
Email: luomolichfield@gmail.com.

Weddings
www.therealweddingcollective.com
Tel: 01543 898972 Mobile: 07751 239264
39c Tamworth Street, Lichfield WS13 6JW
Email: luomolichfield@gmail.com
33

Weddings
www.therealweddingcollective.com
34

Weddings
35

36

37

Weddings
Arthur Price
Highgrove 6-person, 42-piece box set of
cutlery. Created from high-quality 18/10
stainless steel with elegant soft curves. The
set’s beautiful teardrop design is modern,
balanced and stylish. Corrosion resistant,
dishwasher safe and comes with a 50-year
guarantee. Available from Arthur Price
Factory Shop, Britannia Way, Lichfield.
ES Jewellery
Let the bells ring for the happy couple! The
Pandora Two-tone Wedding Bells Double
Dangle Charm is a celebration of a new
milestone in your love story. Wear it on
your favourite Pandora bracelet or charm
holder as a memento of your special day
and a celebration of all the new memories
you'll make together. Priced at £55 and
available from ES Jewellery, Tamworth Street,
Lichfield. www.esjewellery.co.uk
City Jewellers
Stunning and simplistic with a feminine
twist. This classic Hazel Four Prong Round
Pendant and Necklace, by Carat London, is
set in 9K white gold with a round brilliant
cut. Wear this to add a touch of sparkle to
your big day. Priced at £279 and available
from City Jewellers, Bore Street, Lichfield.
Needwood Living
A set of four beautiful matt black base
glasses will really make a statement and
are perfect as a wedding gift. Priced at
£36.50 for the set and available from
Needwood Living.
www.needwoodliving.co.uk
Loverock Travel
If you're looking to get married abroad,
want a Stag/Hen Do with a difference, or a
totally unique Honeymoon, Loverock Travel
provides a personal, bespoke and friendly
service. Independent ABTA/ATOL protected
travel agent, Alison, works directly with
travel suppliers to find you the best luxury
destinations at the best prices, with lots of
added perks, to ensure your trip is truly
one of a kind! Contact Alison on 07980
110025 and start your journey today!
38
Willow & Bell
Willow & Bell is a quaint little deli situated in
Tudor Row. Specialising in fine foods and hampers,
you can find the perfect gift the happy couple on
their special day. The shop has a wide range of
cheeses, chutneys, crackers and drinks to treat a
loved one. Come and see us at 2 Tudor Row,
Lichfield. Telephone: 01543 322939. Follow Will
and Bell Lichfield on social media!.
Handmade By Natski
Unwind, relax your mind and sooth away the
stresses from your day. Weighted eye masks are
great for meditation/sleep. Made with Beautiful silk
from the Liberty of London fabric range, these
masks are filled with lavender and flax seeds. Many
more available at www.handmadebynatski.com.
Mercia Spirits Lab
Mercia Spirits Lab offers fantastic gin or whisky
tasting events and workshops where you can even
make your own unique spirit! There’s also a range
of Gift Hampers available, with prices ranging from
£25-£60. Visit Mercia Whisky, Bishton Hall,
Wolseley Bridge, or www.merciawhisky.co.

39

The Month in
Pictures
We take a look at the events and
activities over the last month, bringing
you a round-up of the city in
pictures...
Easter Saturday Churches Together
procession, outside the Samuel Johnson
Birthplace
Dedication of bench for Ken Knowles, late
Town Crier, Monk's Walk Garden
Jack Gascoigne and Meg Abernethy-Hope
launch the BillyChip scheme at the Co-op
store on Boley Park, Lichfield
Unveiling of blue plaque for Francis Barber, Cruck House
Lichfield Festival Team, Literature Festival,
Hub at St Mary's
Palm Sunday procession
Presentaion of charity cheques, with Des Coleman, ITV weatherman,
Rat Pack event St Matthew's Club, Burntwood
Cathedral to Tamworth Castle 10 mile
road race
Now under District Council control, the
new Penni Uni Cafe at Burntwood
Leisure Centre opened.
I Grew Up 80s Exhibition launch, Hub at St Mary's
Start of the Lichfield Sheriff's Darwin Walk, Beacon Park
40

41

Lichfield’s Lost Pubs
Three Royal Oaks!
By Jono Oates
As we celebrate the Royal Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May, I
thought it was only appropriate to choose a Royal theme for my regular Lost
Pubs feature, and this pub name not only has a royal connection, but there have
been three Lichfield pubs with the same name over the centuries – the Royal Oak.
Royal Oak number one was at Sandyway on the Walsall Road, more-or-less opposite the
Three Tuns Inn. The inn dated back to the early 1800s and, along with the Three Tuns across
the road, it provided a stopping-off point for wagons and horse-drawn coaches before they
began the long, steep climb up Pipehill towards Burntwood.
In June 1818 an inquest was held at the Oak into the death of a frail old man, name
unknown, who had passed away at the inn in tragic circumstances. The old man, together with
a man called Jones, had been driving some pigs towards the market on Lichfield Market
Square when they stopped off for refreshments. Both men drank six tankards of ale, ate
chunks of bread and cheese, and then offered the pigs to the landlord of the inn, John Saddler,
at a price well under the going rate. Saddler was suspicious, suspecting the pigs had been
stolen, and the two men were detained. Both men escaped and the old man hid under a
nearby hedge but, when he was discovered, he was breathing very heavily and passed away a
few minutes later. At the inquest the magistrate ruled that the old man had died ‘of a visitation
of God’. Jones was captured and sent to prison, where he committed suicide the following
day.
John Saddler was the landlord of the Oak for over 20 years but he too met a grisly end in
a horse and cart accident in November 1845. Saddler was returning to Lichfield from Bilston
and his attention was distracted by a book that he was reading, allowing the reins to drop
from his hands. The horse became startled by a passing steam train and, in his panic, Saddler
pulled on the wrong rein and the horse stumbled in to a ditch, trapping Saddler under the
overturned cart. The landlord suffered severe bruises and two broken ribs and although he
received immediate medical attention, he passed away a few days later.
In the late 1860s a ‘new’ Royal Oak opened further up the hill on the Walsall Road at
Pipehill, set into a small outcrop of rocks. The first landlord listed was Charles Small in 1868
and although the inn was further out of town it was still a popular drinking house. George
Hedges was yet another landlord who fell for the ‘Put that Light Out…!’ WW2 blackout
crime in July 1940 when PC Davenport saw a bright light shining out of a window at the Oak.
Although George protested that he had put blackout material on the window, the constable
claimed that he could see the light from ’two miles away’ and Hedges was consequently fined
the sum of £1.
By the start of the 1960s the Oak, which was one of the few ‘beer-only’ pubs left in the
country, was in a very poor state of repair and the pub’s owners, Bank’s Brewery of
Wolverhampton, decided to close the inn in April 1966. On the last night regular customer
78-year-old William Hyde of The Bungalow on Pipehill, who had been born in the Oak, asked
the last hosts, Helen and Harry Wright, if he could pour his last pint from the barrel himself.
The Oak was later demolished, leaving only a few stones to indicate where it had once stood,
and meaning that both Walsall Road Royal Oaks had disappeared.
The third Royal Oak Inn was at 30 Sandford Street and stood next to the Old Brewery,
which once belonged to Sydney Oldham, and was later owned by the Davenport’s Brewery.
The inn could trace its history back to the end of the 18th century and in 1793 the landlord
was William Beresford.
Landlord George Littler was offering a ‘white boar for service, suitable for gilts (a female
pig that has not yet had piglets), at 4 shillings a time’ from the Royal Oak in June 1920. The
last landlord was Thomas Grocutt and in June 1926 the Oak was closed after the owners,
the Lichfield Brewery Company, could not afford to keep it running.
At one point three Royal Oaks were operating in Lichfield but today all three of them have
fallen into the unwanted category of Lichfield’s Lost Pubs.
Sources: The British Newspaper Archive; Lichfield Pubs by Neil Coley, The Old Pubs of Lichfield by
John Shaw.
42
The Royal Oak at Pipehill
Royal Oak, Sandford Street, before demolition
Royal Oak on Sandford Street

Property of
the Month
...........................
Ashby Road, Woodville, DE11.
Offers Over £475,000
3 Bedroom Cottage
CHARMING TRADITIONAL THREE BEDROOM COTTAGE SET
IN APPROX. 1/3 ACRE PLOT WITH POTENTIAL TO
EXTEND/IMPROVE. Having views across open fields to the front and
being set back from the road behind electric gates, this pretty
cottage would make the perfect family home. The detached double
garage could easily be converted into a Granny Annex or Home
office and the cottage itself could be extended to make a substantial
residence.
The accommodation briefly comprises: Entrance hall, sitting room,
separate dining room, family room, kitchen with walk in pantry,
conservatory, and utility room with shower. On the first floor there
are three double bedrooms, ensuite bathroom to the master
bedroom and family bathroom. There is a large driveway entered via
electric gates with parking for several cars, detached double garage,
rear courtyard with outside WC and large private gardens to the
front.
The property is located on the Ashby Road very close to the
hamlet of Boundary in South Derbyshire situated between the
towns of Swadlincote and Ashby-de-la-zouch. It is west of the village
of Smisby and forms part of the county border with Leicestershire,
hence it's name. Woodville high street is a short distance away which
has a small shopping area as well as restaurants and takeaways and
there are several good primary & junior schools just over 1 mile
away.
On the market with Rebecca
Adams The Staffordshire
Prestige Property Expert:
01283 268269
43

A Black
& White History
By Lesley Smith,
Curator of Tutbury Castle
Afirst impression of Lichfield seems to
be that it is a Georgian city, not only
because of the swathes of Georgian
buildings (both red brick and stone), but also
because of her connections with the people
from that most creative period in English
history.
Directly linked with Lichfield can be found
names such as Dr Samuel Johnson, David
Garrick, Anna Seward (known as the Swan of
Lichfield) and members of the Lunar Society,
such as Erasmus Darwin. He was a polymath
who lived in the boundaries of the Cathedral. Erasmus Darwin in my
view is unfairly overshadowed by his grandson, Charles Darwin, despite
Erasmus producing some outstanding and forward-thinking work from
medicine to surgery, to botany and creative writings. You can visit his
house and see an exhibition of his life presented beautifully, so do take
the chance to have a look if you have not visited before.
However, the history of Lichfield does not begin with the Georgians,
and many traces of the earlier city are still visible. Apart from the
Cathedral, Guildhall and the Close itself, there is an outstanding halftimbered
jewel that cannot be left out of any guide to the city, which
currently functions as a glamorous tearoom - The Tudor of Lichfield can
be discovered on Bore Street, a few doors down from the Guildhall.
It is startling when you see it for the first time as you turn the corner
from the marketplace, and I have heard visitors cry out “look at that
building!” Other than a few areas, such as Stratford upon Avon, it is
becoming increasingly rare to see such an extraordinary three-storey
property, dating back to the first decade of the 1500s and although
added to now and again, it is still very early at its core. The date at the
top of the building tells us that it was built in 1509, the very year King
Henry VIII came to the throne and snatched the abandoned Katherine
of Aragon from her misery by marrying her. Later, he would add to it by
divorcing her!
The dramas which will have unfolded in front of the building are
remarkable. The King’s Great Matter (his divorce from Katherine)
triggered the Reformation, and with it the Dissolution of the
Monasteries. This would have directly impacted on Lichfield, with the
Franciscan friary being closed in 1538. Henry VIII also stopped the holy
pilgrimages which would have been a rich income stream to the whole
area with the Cathedral at the core. It must have felt like the end of the
world for England as it was undoubtedly the greatest social, religious
and legal upheaval of the past 1,000 years. The ‘Tudor’ saw this, and the
smoke which poured from the marketplace when lawbreakers were
burned at the stake there.
Elizabeth I would have ridden by in 1575, when she and a vast number
of individuals in her retinue (and two bears) stayed in the Close for a
week, moving round and speaking to the clergy, worthies and the public
too. Her Majesty knew the value of good public relations with her
people.
The seventeenth century wasn’t a lot quieter, with siege after siege as
44
opposing sides laid waste to various parts of the city, including burning
the Cathedral. What dramas were played out in Dam Street can still be
seen on plaques. This period of Civil War saw the ‘Tudor’ become more
than just a house, as it was turned into a prison, firstly for captured
Royalists (Lichfield stood for the King) who found themselves chained
up in the cellar of the building, and rings believed to have been used for
this are still in place. Then the tables turned and it was the turn of the
Parliamentarians to be chained up in the cellar. This game of deadly pingpong
was going on across the nation and in the end the King himself
had to surrender and was later executed. Prince Rupert and King
Charles were also at Tutbury Castle and there was a great siege here
too and at just seventeen miles distance between the Royalist
strongholds, the roads would have been full of messengers. It was the
loss of these two places, and with them the control of the heart of
England, that convinced the King that the war was lost and that he had
no choice but to surrender.
All the great Georgians mentioned earlier in this article would have
known the building well, especial Dr Johnson, born at the end of the
road facing the building. The Georgian period put Lichfield back firmly
on the map as fashionable, having links with so many leading Georgians.
Not exactly Bath, but a destination for the rich and curious to visit all
the same.
Moving on to the 20th century, those same cellars provided air raid
shelter for up to 77 persons in WWII. Ironically, that means from an
earlier prison came forth a place of safety.
It was the offices of a coal merchant once and a milliners as well as
an antique shop but, for much of its early life, a residence. Now it is in
the fourth generation of the Burns-Mace family and cared for
wonderfully, having won a European Heritage Award for a clever
restoration project. I have lived in a large half-timbered property and
know the commitment and determined effort it takes to care for such
a place is not an easy task.
So the next time you see the ‘Tudor’, think of the panelling and beams,
the “hide” on the top floor and the sheer beauty of the place, which is
like a time capsule for us all. A remarkable piece of living history that
has acted like a backdrop to some of the most important dramas the
nation has ever seen - and the tea is pretty good too!
Image by Jono Oates

Wildlife Charity
Calendar Competition
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has launched a competition to find 13 stunning
images from across the county for its 2024 calendar, which will go on sale
later this year.
The competition follows the success of previous calendar competitions organised by
the Trust, which saw hundreds of high quality entries submitted.
Photographers can pick out any photographs they have already taken, check for
wildlife in their gardens, or head out into the countryside across the county and start
snapping. Images which capture all the seasons are required for the calendar.
From bugs to birds, and gardens to nature reserves, the Trust hopes to receive a
variety of images of the special species and places of Staffordshire.
The 13 best entries will feature in the 2024 calendar and winners will receive a copy.
The overall winner, will be picked by the talented UK wildlife photographer Kevin
Morgans, and their image will feature on the calendar’s cover. They will also receive a
camera bag worth £300 from Lowepro, kindly gifted by them in sponsorship of the
competition.
The closing date for entries is Wednesday 7th June 2023 and the 13 winners will be
announced at the end of June. They’ll be invited to an event at The Wolseley Centre
near Rugeley where Kevin Morgans will reveal the overall winner and present them
with their prize. The winning photographs, and other highly commended images will
also be on exhibition at the Centre for visitors to enjoy.
Photographers can submit up to three landscape-oriented photos, which must have
been taken in Staffordshire. Full terms and conditions apply and can be found online.
To enter the competition and to see full terms and conditions, visit www.staffswildlife.org.uk/2024-staffordshire-wildlife-trust-calendar-competition.
Female stonechat (Ben Hall)
Radford Meadows Nature Reserve (Christine Harding)
45

Tastes of the Season
By Simon Smith
I would like to start by
congratulating Tom Shepherd on his
amazing performance on Great
British Menu. Not only on reaching
the final but every stage leading up
to it. I’m sure his star will shine
brightly for many years to come
(and also, great Bananaman outfit!)
This time of year brings us three of
my favourite ingredients, which
fortunately sit very well on a plate together. Those are spring lamb,
Jersey Royal potatoes and English asparagus.
It has to be noted that, whilst the lamb comes in at a premium
price, it is very well worth it as it has a sweeter taste and is very
lean. Ingredients like this are best kept simple so as not to confuse
the flavour and just appreciate the main ingredient. The prime cuts,
which come from the backwards, are always more expensive and
require less cooking as they can be pan fried, roast or grilled. The
neck and shoulder cuts need longer cooking to tenderise them
and are commonly found in stews and mince.
I know that offal is a contentious issue and doesn’t appeal to
everyone but cooked quickly and served pink it tastes wonderful,
not great for the cholesterol level though! A lot of people were
put off liver when it was served as a school meal and always tough
as old boots as well as greasy, but these days not to be found
anywhere near a school! Kidneys, on the other hand, were a
favourite starter when I had Thrales and always graced the
Georgian breakfast table. I have done a quick kidney recipe for the
‘oldies’ to bring back memories.
When buying your English asparagus, it’s well worth a trip to New
Farm as they also have a wide selection of berries and currants
when in season and it will be a lot cheaper and fresher than you
will get in a supermarket. Not just for boiling, asparagus is also
very nice when gently fried in some butter as it brings out the
nutty flavour. You can also skewer five heads together with a
cocktail stick and pop them on the BBQ.
Whilst black pepper, hollandaise sauce and lemon juice always go
well, the more adventurous could maybe try some crumbled
goat’s cheese.
My recipes are always for four people and designed to be
relatively easy rather than complicated restaurant dishes.
Rack of Lamb with Asparagus, Jersey Royals and
Mint Ragout
4 x 3 bone rack of lamb
12 x heads asparagus
12 x fresh mint leaves (either garden or apple mint)
12 x cherry tomatoes
12 x cooked Jersey Royal
potatoes
6ozs cooked peas
1 x bunch chives
½ pt lamb gravy
Method
Pre heat the oven to
180°C. Snap the asparagus
stalks in half and discard
the bottom stalk (or keep to make soup). Drop into boiling water
for two minutes, remove and drop into cold water. Cut the cherry
tomatoes in half. Cut the potatoes in half. Roughly chop the mint.
Season the racks of lamb with salt and pepper, seal in a hot pan
and cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes depending on how you
like it cooked. Bring the gravy to a simmer and drop in the
asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes, peas and mint to heat up. When the
lamb is cooked, dip the back in the chopped chives and place on
the ragout. This sauce will work equally well with lamb steaks,
roast leg of lamb or a boned saddle.
Devilled Lamb
Kidneys
12 x lamb kidneys
12 x chestnut mushrooms
1 x chilli (seeds removed)
¼ pt double cream
1/4pt lamb gravy
Method
Quarter the lamb kidneys
and remove the gristle.
Quarter the mushrooms
and wash in cold water.
Finely chop the chilli. Put
the mushrooms, and as
much chilli to suit your taste, in a pan with the double cream,
lightly season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer, reduce
by half and add the gravy. Bring to the simmer again. In a separate
pan add some olive oil and preheat. When hot add the kidneys,
season and stir for a minute until cooked pink. Add to the sauce,
stir and served immediately. Serve on toasted sourdough or
brioche - and then remember to take your statins!
Simon Smith is available to cater for dinner parties, BBQs, buffets
and corporate catering events, and can be reached on email:
simonsmith57@icloud.com. Alternatively, visit www.simonsmithchef.com
for further information.

Lichfield Festival 6 - 16 July
Everything you need to know for 2023
Lichfield Festival’s summer programme
promises a host of fabulous artists and
exciting performances taking place in fantastic
venues across the city. A melting pot of worldclass
entertainment and creativity, you’ll be able
to enjoy over 50 events with music of all kinds,
from folk to classical, jazz to gospel and
chamber to world music. There’s also the
addition of lively theatre, cabaret and comedy
alongside literary, community and family events.
• Artists include Kate Rusby, Nitin Sawhney CBE,
Melissa Errico, BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
Rachel Podger, Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber,
Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Jessica Walker, The
Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Tibetan Monks of the Tashi
Lhunpo Monastery, Bobby Seagull, Tracy Borman
• London Community Gospel Choir (stars of
ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent) will be giving the opening
concert
• Free Festival fireworks in Beacon Park are back
this year with an explosive finale on 15 July
• New Associate Artists for 2023-2025: Brodsky
Quartet, violinist and vocalist Lizzie Ball, pianist
James Pearson
• Mini-season ‘It’s a Drag’
a star-studded line-up including multi-awardwinning
performing artist, composer and producer
Nitin Sawhney CBE, and the ‘first lady of folk’,
singer-songwriter Kate Rusby. The summer
programme is rich with interesting and eclectic
performances of all kinds including al fresco Romeo
and Juliet by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Bach by
candlelight by Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber will
close the Festival this year.
To plan your Festival visits you can access the
programme online at www.lichfieldfestival.org or
pick up a paper copy - available at many shops and
venues across the city. Lichfield Cathedral, The Hub
at St Mary’s, Lichfield Garrick, Lichfield Library,
Waterstones and many other public places will have
copies.
If you’re a fan of Lichfield Festival there are also
lots of ways to get involved, either by joining as a
Lichfield Festival Friend, becoming a Young Critic or
volunteering. The Festival website has information
on how you can become part of the Festival
community.
Tickets and details from www.lichfieldfestival.org
Festival Box Office 01543 306271 (call-back
service) or email boxoffice@lichfieldfestival.org
London Community Gospel Choir
Tibetan Monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Melissa Errico 4
Lichfield Cathedral forms a stunning backdrop for
47

The Mousetrap - Celebrating 70 Years!
By Jono Oates
In November 1952 the first West End performance of the
Mousetrap play, by Agatha Christie, took place at the
Ambassadors Theatre in London. Although the play’s creator
thought that the show might only run for 8 months, she clearly
underestimated the power of her own production, as it is still going
strong today, 70 years later!
The show later moved across to the nearby St Martin’s Theatre, where
performances are still taking place, but the play is now out on a national
tour of provincial theatres, including the Garrick Theatre, to celebrate its
incredible 70-year-old history.
The Mousetrap is such a prestigious and acclaimed play that there was
no surprise to see that its week-long performances at the Garrick,
including the Saturday matinee, were sold out, just too good an
opportunity to miss out on for the Lichfield and beyond theatregoers.
The Mousetrap is not only quintessentially Christie but also
quintessentially British, and if you are a lover of Poirot and Miss Marple
then you will know exactly what to expect. The key elements are all in
place and are all typical Christie techniques. The play takes place in a
remote former countryside stately home, now turned into a guest house
by the owners, Mollie and Giles Ralston. Their hotel, Monkswell Manor in
Berkshire, is very grand but the Ralston’s struggle to keep the large
manor house going on their own. A snowstorm descends across the
district and soon the manor becomes cut off from the outside world. As
their first guests trudge in across the snowy and icy landscape, and news
of a murder that has taken place in London that same day filters in
through the radio, it becomes clear that not everyone is as they seem…
and that there may well be a murderer amongst them. When a police
sergeant arrives with a warning that a murder may be about to take place
in the manor itself, events take a dangerous course, and soon everyone
becomes a potential murder victim… or the murderer!
There are, of course, lots of twist-and-turns, red herrings and
revelations, typical of a Christie play, and with a wonderful set of
characters, all with their own eccentricities and mannerisms, The
Mousetrap rattles along at a great pace. It’s also very good fun, with lots
of witty one-liners, comedy accents and even a bit of slapstick, which is
quite surprising and unexpected for Christie, and it is said to be her finest
comedy-play.
The experienced cast were all in good form and it must be a pleasure
to be taking part in such an iconic play and bringing it to audiences
outside of the capital. Todd Carty and Gwyneth Strong are two of the
best-known actors in the play, Todd having starred in Eastenders for many
years, as well as in The Bill, although slightly older readers might
remember him as Tucker, a young boy in Phil Redmond’s Grange Hill TV
series. Gwyneth has also appeared in Eastenders but, of course, is best
remembered as Rodney’s Cassandra in the wonderful Fools and Horses.
The rest of the cast are all very impressive too, especially Elliot Clay as
the irrepressible, annoying and curiously-named Christopher Wren, a
wannabe architect (with that name he had to be!) who has great fun
racing round the stage and camping everything up in fine style!
The stage set is very impressive, replicating a 1950s stately home, and
the look and feel of the costumes, the ornaments, including the old-style
radio set, and the furniture ooze post-war British style.
The absolute bottom-line of The Mousetrap is, of course, the ‘reveal’ at
the end – the classic whodunnit. Ever since the play started in the early
1950s, audiences have been told to keep the identity of the murderer a
secret… and I’m not about to break that particular theatre tradition!
If you haven’t seen The Mousetrap, you may have to travel down to
London to see it… or wait until 2033 when they may embark on the 80th
anniversary tour!
*cast photo credit Matt Crockett
48

What’s On
Promote your event in our What’s On guide and reach over
16,000 homes and businesses for only £20 for businesses and £10
for charities. Entries must be 50 words maximum. To book contact
Rebecca Hill 07970 513144 rebeccahillcitylife@gmail.com
Please clearly mark your email ‘What’s On Lichfield'.
Saturday 6th May
Beacon Park Tribute Festival
An epic one-day Tribute Festival this May Bank
Holiday Weekend!
Venue: Beacon Park, Lichfield
Time: 12-11pm
Price: Varies
To book tickets, visit
https://ontick.co.uk/event/beacon-park-tributefestival.
Sunday 7th May
Bloom
An ideal introduction
to theatre for babies
and very young
children, Bloom is a
multi-sensory, gentle
adventure into nature
with puppetry,
followed by a stay and
play. Ideal for 0-3-
year-olds and their
grown-ups, this lovely
production comes from Tiny Light Theatre,
Wild Boor Ideas and Tiny Ideas Festival and is
directed by Katy Costigan from Filskit Theatre.
The show will last approximately 60 minutes
which includes the stay and play.
Venue: The Hub at St Marys
Time: 10.30am and 12.30pm
Price: Tickets: £12 per ticket (book four or
more and save 25%). Tickets available online at
www.thehubstmarys.co.uk or from The Hub.
Wednesday 10th May
Lichfield u3a
On the second Wednesday of each month we
hold our monthly meetings with a speaker.
Everyone is very welcome.
Venue: Lichfield Guildhall
Time: 2pm
If you'd like to attend, please book your place
by emailing lichfieldu3a@gmail.com or leaving
a message on 07510 634476.
Friday 12th May
Soultown
Enjoy a delicious three-course meal, live
entertainment from two-piece tribute act,
Soultown.
Soultown's VJK and Glenny have been
performing for many years. Their repertoire
consists of songs such as Red Light Spells
Danger, Get Ready, Higher & Higher, Love Train,
More Than A Number and many more soul
and motown classics.
Venue: The George Hotel, Bird Street
Time: 7pm arrival | 7:30 start
Price: £38 per person
Saturday 13th May
Birthplace Writers Group
Free session on the second Saturday of every
month. Beginners and current writers are
welcome to this friendly adult group to
nurture their writing aspirations in an inspiring
venue.
Venue: The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Just drop in call 01543 264 972, email
sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk or visit the
Museum.
Saturday 13th & 27th May
Birthplace Bookworms!
Our fortnightly reading club for 7–11-yearolds!
Read along and enjoy themed craft
activities.
Venue: The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Time: 10:30am-11:40am
Price: £3.50 per child. Discounts available for
family groups.
Booking is required. Visit
www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk to book
online, call 01543 264 972 or email
sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk.
Monday 15th & 22nd May
Birthplace Writing Café
A relaxed course welcoming participants of all
levels to create stories, poems, and scripts at
your own pace.
Venue: The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Price: £4.50 per person.
Visit www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk for
course dates and more details.
Saturday 20th May
Lichfield Sinfonia
Lichfield Sinfonia is delighted to be returning
to Lichfield Cathedral for a Spring Concert.
The soloist for this concert will be prize
winning pianist, Victor Lim, and he will play the
ever-popular Grieg Piano Concerto. The
orchestra will also play Brahms’ Academic
Festival Overture, and the Adagio from
Khachaturian’s Spartacus ballet, amongst
others. It will also perform The Three Spires
Suite, which is very fitting considering the
concert’s location!
Venue: Lichfield Cathedral
Time: 7.30pm
Price: Tickets are £18, and £5 for children.
More information, and booking details, at
www.ticketsource.co.uk/lichfieldsinfonia.
Monday 29th May
Lichfield Bower
The Lichfield Bower is back! This year, with the
new role of Bower King being held
posthumously by Chris Richards. The Court of
Arraye and procession will take place in the
town centre, with Beacon Park hosting the
funfair and activities throughout the day.
For further information, visit
www.ticketsource.co.uk.
Tues 1st, Weds 7th, Sat 10th June
Sandfields Pumping Station Talks
Join Jono Oates,
Dr Simon
Briercliffe and
Lichfield
Waterworks
Trust members
in a series of
talks centred
around the late
1800s in
celebration of the 150th anniversary of the
Cornish beam engine which is preserved at the
station.
Venue: Sandfields Pumping Station
Time: Various
Prices and ticket info available in Events
Section at www.lichfieldwaterworkstrust.co.uk
Saturday 17th June
Thrift Fest
Come and join us to learn, try out and enjoy
many aspects of sustainability! Repair Cafe
session as usual plus clothes swap, fix your
bike, make your own cleaning products, learn
about growing your own veg and composting,
thrifty recipes for tasty treats, upcycling
random items, revamping your clothes, zero
waste food buying, learn about traditional
crafts, get to know your sewing machine, using
tools and seed swap!
Venue: Curborough Community Centre,
Reynolds Close, WS13 7NY.
Time: 2-5pm
Email lichfieldshare@gmail.com for more
information.
49

CLASSIFIED
50
MAGAZINE
DISTRIBUTORS
WANTED
Earn extra money delivering
Citylife magazines. Must be over
16 and reliable,
call Rebecca
07970 513144
Competition and Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
1.Entrants’ details will be held and processed in line with Citylife in Lichfield Ltd’s Privacy
Policy, which in turn adheres to GDPR Data Protection legislation. For a copy of our
Privacy Policy please email kristencitylife@gmail.com
2.By entering the prize draw/competition, you agree to the terms and conditions stated.
3.The closing date is stated on each individual prize draw or competition.
4.Entrants’ details will be securely held by Citylife in Lichfield Ltd in accordance with our
Privacy Policy. Details will be held only until the closing date of the competition. After this
date entrants’ details will be securely destroyed/deleted. Winners’ contact details will be
securely stored only until the winner has been informed of their win/prize. After this details
will be securely deleted/destroyed.
5.Entrants’ details will never be shared with any third party. The only exception to this is
the name (and if the prize is to be posted) address of Competition/Prize Draw winners
that will be communicated to the competition partner to allow winners to securely claim
their prize, after which all details will be securely destroyed. The initial and surname of
winners will be printed in our magazines – no other details will be published.
6.By entering the competition/prize draw, entrants agree to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd using
or publishing materials provided by the entrants (but not address or contact details apart
from initial and surname) in any of their publications and online.
7.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for any breach of copyright or breach of
any other legislation entailed by entrants in their creation or submission of materials.
8.Only one entry per prize draw/competition, per reader.
9.Except in the case of cash prizes, no cash equivalent will be offered and the prize is
non-transferable.
10.All prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers' terms and conditions.
11.No purchase necessary.
12.Prize draws and competitions are only open to UK residents aged 18 years or over
(unless otherwise stated).
13.Competitions and prize draws may not be entered by any employee of individual
associated with any employee, agent or third party of Citylife in Lichfield Ltd.
14.Winners will be selected at random in the case of applicable prize draws and
competitions, or by an independent judge in the case of photographic/art competitions
from all entries received.
15.Winners will be notified by Citylife in Lichfield up to 28 days after the closing date of
the competition/prize draw by the contact details provided by the entrant. Winners have
28 days to respond if contact cannot be made initially. If no response is forthcoming after
28 days, Citylife in Lichfield reserves the right to redraw the competition and select a new
winner.
16.A list of the surnames and county of residence of the winners will be available by
writing to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd no earlier than six weeks after the competition closing
date.
17.When the prize draw/competition winner has been selected, this decision is final and
no correspondence will be entered into.
18.Citylife in Lichfield Ltd accepts no responsibility for the prize being lost, damaged or
delayed in transit. When the prize is provided by a third party, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd
accepts no responsibility for any change to the prize, or for the quality of the prize
provided.
19.Competitions may be amended or withdrawn at any time.
20.By entering the competition or prize draw, you agree to having your name,
(photograph, where stated) and city or county of residence published in any of Citylife in
Lichfield’s publications and online.
21.Unless otherwise stated, the promoter is Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126,
Lichfield, WS14 4JS.
22. Citylife in Lichfield Ltd do not express any warranty or endorsement of any
competition prize, information, service or product provided in connection with a
competition by printing or otherwise publicising any competition.
23.To the full extent of the law, Citylife in Lichfield Ltd shall not be liable for any loss,
claim, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind incurred as a
result of entering this prize draw or competition.
24.By submitting photos, text or artworks as part of competition/prize draw entries you
agree that you own these photos text or artworks, that it is your original work to which you
own all rights to distribute, and that your entry is accurate, moral and legal.

Here at Just Granite Ltd, we pride ourselves on being the experts for any worktop needs you may have.
Be it a beautiful bespoke and unique kitchen worktop, a bar, bathroom or even a barbecue area, we have
an extensive in-house range ready to be chosen by you! We stock a varied range, in a variety of materials,
such as our own competitively priced quartz, granite, marble and porcelain, as well as all the top brands
from around the world.
There really is no reason to go anywhere else!
Win a Granite Chopping Board
If you require our services please do not hesitate
to call us on 01785 711096 or email your quote
request to stef@justgranite.ltd.uk
With the largest variety of natural stones in the Midlands, the
solid slabs are kept on-site and are available for a virtual viewing
from 9am-5pm on Monday to Friday. Located at The Stone
Works, Pillaton Hall Farm, Penkridge, ST19 5RZ.
We’ve got a bespoke Chopping Board (in the
colour of your choice) to give away! To be in
with a chance of winning this magnificent prize,
simply answer the following question correctly:
Where does the supply
of granite come from?
a) Spain
b) Italy
c) Germany
To enter, just send your name, contact details and answer to Just
Granite Competition at competitioncitylife@gmail.com or post your
entry to Citylife in Lichfield Ltd, PO Box 7126, Lichfield WS14 4JS by
the closing date of 26th June 2023 One entry per household.
Multiple entries will be disqualified. No cash equivalent. Please note
you must be 18 or over to enter. All entrants’ information is
processed in line with GDPR Data Protection Regulations and our
Privacy Policy (available at citylifeinlichfieldltd.co.uk).
Full t&cs on page 50.
51