NSN: Keele's cherry tree collection grows. Poets, where are you?
North Staffs News & events in brief
Japanese Embassy adds to Keele’s cherry tree collection on visit
Officials from Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom have planted a cherry tree within the grounds of Keele University – adding to the campus’s nationally-renowned collection of flowering cherries.
Minister Yasuyuki Okazaki, and Third Secretary Yui Morimoto, planted the tree, known as Prunus ‘Fragrant Cloud’ due to its scent, in the University’s Memorial Garden during a visit to Keele, which included meetings with staff and a guest lecture to students.
Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: “It was fantastic to welcome officials from Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom to our campus, to show them our stunning collection of flowering cherries and tell them about all the fantastic research and work taking place at Keele to transform lives locally, nationally and internationally.
“For many years now, we have been proudly welcoming Japanese students to our University. This tree planting is a symbol of our ongoing friendship and study links with Japan.”
If you’ve never been to explore the National Flowering Cherry Tree Collection at Keele it’s well worth a stroll around campus, probably not one for hay fever sufferers (like the editor) though.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday 25 April, 10.45am - Walking Connects, “join us at the Dudson Centre for a short walk through Central Forest Park. The walk will cover 1.5 miles, has some slight uphill gradients, and will take approximately 45 mins, followed by a short talk at the Dudson Museum.
Wednesday 26 April, 6.30pm - Nick Moore, Discovering the Creativity Within, an evening with artist Nick Moore, learning more of his influences from the Potteries. Wedgwood, Barlaston. Ticketed.
Friday 28 April, 10am to noon - New Vic Theatre and Appetite are inviting local people to a ‘public conversation’ at Porthill Cricket Club, to tell them their stories as part of a project called Punjab to the Potteries, “inspire a new play about swapping South Asia for North Staffs.”
Friday 28 April, 10.30am to 4.30pm - Coronation of King Charles III Indoor Street Party at the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre, Burslem, “a fun-filled day, discover new designs, win Moorcroft pottery, enjoy a buffet lunch and more.” Ticketed.
Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May - City Nature Challenge. Can we get Staffordshire wildlife sightings trending on the global leader board? Get the app, get spotting, get recording.
Saturday 29 April - Funtopia at Lyme Valley, Newcastle, “high energy inflatables, role play areas, shows and competitions, character meet and greets, giant games, huge water fights, a tasty food court and more!” For under 10s. Autism friendly session 10.30am to 11.30am, then for all under 10s afterwards. Ticketed.
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 April - Lymelight Music Festival, Ironmarket and Guildhall stages, Newcastle town centre, “local up and coming artists provide a weekend of free, live music.” A Newcastle BID event.
Tuesday 2 May to 5 May, 10am to 3pm - Coronation activities at the Dudson Museum, Hanley. Coronation colouring sheets & a royal wordsearch in the bottle oven, a free Royal Pottery Hunt, ‘Spot the Royals’ & a fun royal quiz. Royal crafty activities too.
Monday 8 May, 11am to 3pm - King’s Coronation Park Party, free event in Hanley Park. Live music, circus skills, magic shows, sports, crafts, entertainers.
Tuesday 9 May, 10.30am - Home Education Wildskills at Biddulph Grange, inviting children and parents to “connect with the outside world and learn a range of new skills.” A Staffordshire Wildlife Trust event, following the Forest School ethos. Booking essential.
Get listed! Send us a simple sentence and link to details. editor@northstaffs.news
Poets, where are you?
The editor took a couple of visiting friends from Hull to B Arts ‘Climate Cafe’ in Stoke on Saturday morning. An enjoyable and inspiring event.
It was Earth Day, and one of the activities was ‘creative writing’, composing a poem using this nature-themed prompt.
The editor’s friends sat down, thought, and penned a couple of neat poems.
The editor sat down, thought, and cheated with chatGPT.
Here’s what the much-lauded bot came up with, based on that prompt…
Nature's Artistry, by chatGPT
A circle in the ripples of a tranquil pond, Where a stone was gently skipped and gone. A crescent moon, glowing in the night sky, Silver arc casting shadows, soaring high.
A hexagon of honeycomb, so sweet, Crafted by bees with care, complete. A spiral seashell, whorls in perfect grace, Curled chambers holding secrets in their place.
A star-shaped flower, petals reaching wide, Bright hues painted on nature's canvas, worldwide. A heart-shaped leaf, symbol of love so pure, Nature's artistry, forever to endure.
In nature's shapes, a beauty to behold, A symphony of forms, a story untold. A masterful design, a wondrous display, Nature’s artwork, in shapes that never fade away.
A little bit naff, a little bit twee, isn’t it?!
So, poets, where are you?
We’d welcome your submissions. We’re willing to include a poem here, maybe even in every edition. And, we’ll link back to your website or social media account.
In particular, we’d like to share poems inspired in some way by North Staffordshire, or something very topical in the news.
We’re also working on a podcast idea, if any of you would like to add to a recording.
The editor has experience of supporting some of the UK’s most popular performance and published poets, through previous media work in Hull. Do get in touch if you’d like to chat with him about this opportunity.
As ever, you can email Jerome at editor@northstaffs.news
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