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Fresh funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to benefit more people and nature in Trent Valley
£250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to deliver an exciting new project in the north of the Trent Valley.
Following on from the highly successful Transforming the Trent Valley (TTTV) scheme in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, the Trust is now set to focus attention upstream towards the headwaters of the Trent. This partnership project will allow the charity to expand on some of the inspiring work previously carried out in and around Stoke-on-Trent over the last decade.
The Trust has received a grant of £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, to work with local partners, community groups and others to better understand how people connect with the river and its tributaries, and uncover their concerns and priorities for this important natural feature. This knowledge will inform proposals for future projects and funding bids that will focus on recreating more natural waterways, along with managing pollution and flood risk.
David Cadman, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of Nature Recovery Networks, said: “This project is a really important stepping stone which we hope will bring further long-term funding into a vital landscape. The learning we can gain about the River Trent will help define future projects that will be designed and led by the people who live and work in this area.
“The river has been historically modified with concrete channels and weirs, features which negatively impact both people and wildlife. We are excited about the chance to bring this habitat back for wildlife to thrive.”
The grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable the Trust to lay the foundations for its long-term ambitions to bring real beneficial change to the river for people and wildlife. Supported by the local authorities, Environment Agency and other partners, the Trust will collaborate with local communities to highlight the importance of the River Trent to their local area.
Louise Morris, TTTV Project Manager, said: “The Trent Valley area is one of Staffordshire’s most treasured features. Through this project we hope to make the landscape more accessible to everyone, and encourage communities to learn more about the cultural and natural heritage of the Trent Valley.
“As part of the legacy work of TTTV, the focus will be on engaging communities along the River Trent with their local natural spaces. We’ll work with them to support and develop environmental community action and volunteering opportunities.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: "We are delighted to support Staffordshire Wildlife Trust with £250,000 to protect and enhance the local environment. Stoke-on-Trent is one of our first Heritage Places, where we're working to develop partnerships which unlock possibilities from the heritage on their doorstep. It's inspiring to see the lasting impact schemes such as Transforming the Trent Valley can have on people and wildlife."
For more information about Transforming the Trent Valley’s work visit: www.thetrentvalley.org.uk
Jane Ewing
Arts events to mark the fortieth anniversary of the miners’ strike
Arts and community organisations in North Staffordshire will come together this summer to mark the fortieth anniversary of the miners’ strike of 1984-85.
Organisations involved will include New Vic Borderlines, North Staffs Miners’ Wives Action Group, Banner Theatre, Arts Keele, and the People’s History Association of North Staffordshire.
The program of events will begin with a showing of the 2014 film Pride directed by Matthew Warchus and starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Dominic West. The film tells the story of the link formed between striking miners and the LGBTQ community. The showing at the Medical Institute in Hartshill on 12th April will be followed by a question-and-answer session with Mike Jackson, one of the founders of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
On the 18th May the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery will play host to Arthur Scargill, leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) from 1982 to 2002. Also speaking at the event will be Kate Flannery of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign.
Banner Theatre will stage a performance of ‘Battle Lines’ at Fenton Town Hall on 8th June. Founded in 1973 the company produce ‘innovative issue-based’ theatre productions on themes related to social justice and trades unionism.
In July, at a date yet to be confirmed award winning novelist and short story writer Lisa Blower will present Miner Birds, a performance featuring monologues by three female characters with strong opinions and a determination to be heard, at Keele University.
This will be linked with We are Women, We are Strong, a documentary play created by New Vic Borderlines and North Staffs Miners Wives Action Group, which was set up to support striking miners and went on to play a prominent role in subsequent strikes in the mining industry and to support many other campaigns.
The play will recreate their 1993 occupation of Trentham Colliery, the last deep pit in North Staffordshire.
Commemorations of the strike will end with the second Potteries Chartist Festival, which will take place in Burslem of 18th August.
Adam Colclough
Potteries Artisan to co-host first Dudson Museum Market collaboration
On Saturday, 2nd March 2024, from 11am to 3pm, the Dudson Centre in Stoke-on-Trent hosts the inaugural Dudson Museum Artisan Market, a vibrant collaboration between Potteries Artisan Market and The Dudson Museum.
This unique event, set in the historic Dudson factory site, offers free admission to a diverse showcase of local artistry including artwork, jewellery, ceramics, and more handcrafted treasures.
The Dudson Café and Shop will complement the experience, featuring delicious fare from artisan bakers and exclusive Dudson ceramics. For children, a creative space allows them to paint ceramics.
The day also includes a special presentation by the Arnold Bennett Society and Staffordshire Film Archive, celebrating Arnold Bennett's portrayal of women in honour of International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day.
Explore the iconic Grade II-listed bottle oven and immerse yourself in Stoke-on-Trent's rich pottery heritage.
Plus, an ABBA-themed photobooth adds a fun, musical twist to the day.
While entry is free, donations are welcomed to support the museum and its activities.
Website: The Dudson Museum, Hanley
Faye Angus
Job vacancies at Art UK
Katey Goodwin, Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Community Engagement, Art UK, asked the editor: “We have a new Community Volunteer Manager vacancy we are recruiting for at Art UK, so would it be possible for it to be added on North Staffs News?”
Yes, of course. Here’s the link for readers who may be interested in applying:
Art UK jobs: https://artuk.org/about/jobs
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Email: editor@northstaffs.news
thanks for now,
Jerome, the editor
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