Here’s our regular Friday Main Edition, including the NSN listing of Upcoming Events in North Staffordshire.
Jerome - the editor.
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Nine year old Shiloh wins creative writing competition created by local youth volunteers
Nine year old Shiloh Kasote has won a city-wide creative writing competition run by Stoke Reads. Based on the theme of journeys through Stoke, the competition encouraged 7-11 year olds to write for pleasure and celebrate the storyteller within them.
Shiloh won first place against over 200 other entrants for her poem ‘My Best Friend and Me’.
She wrote about the wonderful journeys across the city she enjoyed with her best friend and next door neighbour, and the adventures they continued to make after her friend moved away.
Shiloh said: “I really loved writing my poem about my best friend and my city! I love writing and reading. I am proud of myself for having a go!”
More Local News in Brief
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is taking a firmer stance on fly-tipping, recently launching a zero-tolerance campaign against the illegal dumping of rubbish. With the aim of improving the city's cleanliness and curbing the financial burden on taxpayers, the council intends to impose stricter penalties and enhance surveillance measures to deter fly-tippers.
The Enjoy Staffordshire Awards have opened for your nominations, celebrating the county's finest tourism and hospitality businesses. The awards recognise excellence in various categories, including accommodation, attractions, and events. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in 2024, promoting Staffordshire's tourism industry and applauding the hard work and dedication of local businesses. Let’s make sure North Staffs businesses feature!
A new partnership between Staffordshire County Council, NHS Trusts, and community organisations aims to revolutionise mental health and drug/alcohol substance use treatment locally. The ICoN (Integrated Co-occurring Needs pathway) will prioritise early intervention and integrated care, promoting collaboration, prevention, and support networks. The project seeks to transform services to better meet the needs of individuals and their families.
The Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has awarded grants to voluntary sector schemes in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to support young adults with mental health issues. The grants aim to improve mental health services and enhance the well-being of young people locally. North Staffs organisations receiving funding include: Wavemaker, Port Vale F.C., Staffordshire & Cheshire Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and ReCast.
Over 40 firefighters tackled a woodland blaze occurring in Swynnerton Old Park, near Stableford, on Monday evening, 5th June. The fire, which affected an area of woodland 100m by 250m, took many hours to bring under control and extinguish. Fire crews from multiple stations were involved in the operation.
A Keele University researcher is collaborating with advertising company VCCP to launch an AI creative agency called 'faith.' The agency, described as VCCP's ‘Generative AI creative shop’, will provide AI-driven content generation services to VCCP's global clients. As part of the launch, faith is partnering with Keele and Staffordshire Universities for knowledge sharing research and development projects.
In a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, Staffordshire Police have been targeting off-road nuisance bikers in Longton. The initiative aims to address the problem of illegal off-road biking, which has been causing disturbances and posing risks to people. The police are taking strict action and urging the public to report such incidents.
Emmaus North Staffs received the Sustainability Award at the 2023 Potteries Centre Annual Awards recently. Their charity shop, located in the Potteries Centre, has saved around 300 tonnes of waste since its opening in May 2022. The award recognises their efforts in encouraging businesses to donate unwanted goods and adopt recycling practices.
Armed Forces Day in Newcastle
Newcastle is set to celebrate Armed Forces Day with a series of events on Saturday June 24th.
The Tri-Services and Veteran Support Centre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, and Newcastle-under-Lyme BID are organising a civic procession, military display, and various family activities to honor the armed forces.
The day will commence with a civic procession leaving Castle House at 10.45am, and a service at the Cenotaph in Red Lion Square.
The event aims to commemorate currently serving troops, reservists, veterans, cadets, and their families.
The celebration will include a parade, displays, a general market, and family-friendly activities like face-painting and street food.
Upcoming Events
Friday 9 June, 7.30pm - Potteries Folk present Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer, The Cafe, Fenton Town Hall. “A versatile miscellany of self-penned and imaginatively arranged songs with guitar, woodwind, and percussion.” Ticketed.
Saturday 10 June, 2pm to 4pm - Father's day superhero card making, Brampton Museum, Newcastle. “Tell your dad he's your hero by making your own superhero themed Father's Day card. All materials provided, suitable for all ages.” Ticketed.
Saturday 10 June - Recast exhibition opens at Airspace Gallery, Hanley. “Celebrating the power of clay and creativity to support drug and alcohol addiction recovery. The exhibition brings together work by 20 individuals.” Free.
Thursday 15 June, 2pm - Fascinating Folk of Newcastle Film Show: Philip Astley and the performing arts, Brampton Museum, Newcastle. “A special archive film show from Ray Johnson looking back at performing arts and father of the modern Circus Philip Astley.” Ticketed.
Saturday 17 June, 11am to 4pm - Astley’s Homecoming, “Roll up, roll up – the circus is in town! Prepare to be amazed as Astley’s Homecoming will be taking over Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre, a day of outdoor circus fun!” Appetite and guest shows. Free.
Saturday 17 June, 10am to 5pm - Secrets of the Museum, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Hanley. “Magic is in the museum as the exhibits come to life! The dolls need help, and Alfie is the only one around! Get ready for cleaning chaos, living dolls and an adventure like no other with Q20 theatre group!” Free shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm.
Saturday 17 June, 7.30pm - Summer Concert with Keele Chapel Singers, Keele University Chapel, “madrigals, folk-songs, and show tunes.” Ticketed, with proceeds to Douglas Macmillan Hospice. Tel. 01782 782608 to book.
Sunday 18 June, 10am to 3pm - Castle Artisan Market, Newcastle, the regular open air market on the stones, “showcasing the best local makers, bakers and creators.”
Sunday 18 June, 1pm to 3.30pm - Father's Day - King or Parliament? Ford Green Hall, Smallthorne ST6 1NG. “Meet a soldier from the English Civil War, handle replica weapons from the period. The surgeon will be on hand to explain some of the grisly treatment of the day!” Admission charges apply.
Monday 19 June to 31 July - Outside the Confines by Kate Jones, exhibition at Chapters cafe, Keele University. “Responding to paintings from the renaissance and Dutch golden age eras, which are ultimately displays of European power, wealth, and beauty, each work pays homage to a person that has played an important role in my personal life.” Free.
Monday 19 to Saturday 24 June - A Play for The Living in a Time of Extinction, New Vic Theatre. “A life-changing journey to confront the urgent ecological disaster that is unfolding around us. Part ritual, part battle cry, and powered entirely by bicycles, this fiercely feminist off-grid production is a moving exploration of what it means to be human in an era of man-made extinction.” Ticketed.
Saturday 24 June, 10.45am to 3pm - Armed Forces Day, including “A Civic procession, military display and a host of family activities.” Procession starts at Castle House, Newcastle town centre. Free.
Saturday 24 June, 7.30pm - Concert with North Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra, Saint John Fisher Catholic College, Newcastle, ST5 2SJ. “Beethoven: Overture - The Consecration of the House; Chopin - Piano Concert No.2; Dvorak - Symphony No.8.” Ticketed.
Saturday 24 June, 7.30pm - Keele Bach Choir, Summer Concert, Keele University Chapel. “Join us for our summer concert which will showcase music inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. With songs old and new, there's something for everyone in this feast of mid-summer music.” Ticketed.
Sunday 25 June, 1pm to 4.30pm - Parade in the Park for Armed Forces Day, Queen’s Park Longton. “Army vehicles, armed forces displays, various stalls, Veterans charities, children’s entertainment.” Penkhull Brass Band too. Free.
Wednesday 28 June, 7pm - Quiz Night, presented by I-N Events and Let’s Cook! Ukraine, St Mark’s Church Hall, Broughton Road, Basford, “half time buffet with Ukrainian flair.” Ticketed. To book, contact Nicola on: 07901 832234.
Thursday 29 June and Friday 30 June - Around the World in 80 Days, The Rep Theatre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke, “A cast of eight played over 125 characters in this imaginative, high-spirited escapade including six trains, five boats, four fights, three dances, two circus acts and an elephant!” Ticketed.
Sunday 9 July, 10am to 3pm - Summer Vegan Festival, “vast variety of 100% vegan goodies will be available, with local sanctuaries, rescues and groups to support.” Newcastle outdoor market.
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thanks for now,
Jerome, the editor
ps - I’m still doing my #30DaysWild nature challenge throughout June, read about my exploits on my own blog, link below.