MORE than 60,000 homes and businesses across the county are now able to access faster fibre broadband thanks to Superfast Staffordshire.
Alrewas (Lichfield), Dapple Heath (Lichfield), Glascote (Tamworth), Hednesford (Cannock Chase), Wheaton Aston (South Staffordshire), Barlaston (Stafford), Wetley Rocks (Staffordshire Moorlands) and Madeley (Newcastle) are among the latest communities to benefit from the multi-million pound roll-out of high-speed fibre broadband, which is part of the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme.
Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader, Mark Winnington, said: “We are continuing at pace with our Superfast Staffordshire programme roll-out and are now two-thirds of the way towards our target of about 90,000 properties.
“The 60,000 mark is another significant milestone as another wave of communities is now able to connect. We know this is making a real difference to thousands of people in Staffordshire – improving opportunities for learning, leisure, employment and access to services.
“For businesses it means the ability to operate from most places in the county, grow and boost the local economy. Superfast Staffordshire is another demonstration of the public sector working with business for effective delivery and is connecting communities in both rural and urban areas.”
Bill Murphy, BT’s managing director of next generation access, said: “Fibre broadband is providing a major boost for households and businesses across Staffordshire and the UK as a whole.
“Whilst today marks another major achievement, we recognise there is still much more to do. BT is committed to rolling out faster broadband as widely and quickly as possible. Working with the government, local authorities and local communities, we are determined to find solutions for even the most challenging areas.”
People can follow the progress of the roll-out via the Superfast Staffordshire website:www.superfaststaffordshire.co.uk and via Twitter @superfaststaffs and on Facebook.
Once an area has ‘gone live’, local people will be able to get download speeds of up to 80 megabits (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps*. It’s an ‘opt in’ service, but because the Openreach network is ‘open’, residents and businesses wanting to upgrade have a choice of fibre broadband providers, with more than 140 companies now operating in the UK.
FINAL options for the preservation and protection of Staffordshire’s countryside parks and green spaces are being proposed for a three month public consultation.
The four ideas for how the estate should be managed in future will be commented on by the county council’s Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee, before the authority’s Cabinet meets later this month to consider approval for the consultation process.
Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Economy, Environment and Transport, said: “We have been completely open from the beginning that the sole intention of this consultation is to protect the countryside estate for future generations and maximise its contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of people of Staffordshire.
“We’re not looking for a one-size-fits-all solution and the proposal makes clear the final solution could be a combination of the four options for the different country parks, picnic areas, various smaller sites and disused railway lines we are responsible for.”
The 12 week consultation will follow months of preliminary talks with interested parties, including the Forestry Commission, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, parish councils and users’ groups, and feedback from the council’s Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee.
The four options proposed for public consultation are:
Maintain council ownership and seek opportunities to increase income from existing sites by working with volunteers, community, third sector and private parties;
Transfer management (not ownership) on a site-by-site basis to local community or voluntary sector groups, such as parish councils;
Establish a partnership of landowners to manage all green spaces in a particular area;
Establish a not-for-profit trading company to run and develop parts of the estate.
Three sites with a combined size of less than one per cent of the countryside estate are being removed from the consultation following the scrutiny process. Options for those three, including the possibility of selling them, will be considered separately at a later date.
Mark Winnington said: “In the spirit of true consultation we initially suggested a range of possible options used in other parts of the country.
“The option to sell land only ever applied to these sites with little amenity value, but the inaccurate suggestion that we were considering selling off far more is preventing a constructive debate about the remaining 99 per cent of the countryside estate.”
He added: “If approved, consultation will begin next month [and I hope people will look at these four options, consider them in the light of how we’re trying to safeguard our common heritage in an affordable manner and take part in the discussion.”
The three sites withdrawn from the process, less than one per cent of the countryside estate, are:
16 hectares at Broad Lane, Essington. No public access but is bounded by two rights of way. Jointly owned with SSDC
Four hectares at Fair Oak, off Walsall Road, Essington. No public access area of woodland and grassland.
Two hectares of land, in a strip adjacent to the A34 at Branston. No public access.
LOCAL pubs are being urged to stock a special beer brewed in honour of a local military mascot.
A new commemorative ale has been launched to celebrate Stg Watchman V, mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment. The Beer called “Sgt Watchman V” is to celebrate the long standing service of a much loved mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment. Local pubs are being asked to stock a small supply of the beer, which is limited to just 2000 bottles.
Watchman was the mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment until it was merged with other regiments in 2007. The ceremony in Tamworth created the Mercian Regiment. Since that time Watchman has continued to carry out civic duties in the name of the Staffordshire Regiment. Most recently the dedication of a new memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The role of Watchman is steeped in tradition, and ever the-popular Staffordshire bull terrier mascot has been representing the men of the Staffordshire Regiment for over 130 years. The tradition goes back to 1882, when The South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to march with Lord Wolseley to the relief of General Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum. Whilst entrained at Cairo their Staffordshire bull terrier “Boxer” leapt from the moving train and was seen lying unconscious next to the tracks and was believed dead.
A few days later while encamped at Assiut awaiting orders, a very thin and bedraggled dog staggered into their camp and collapsed. Boxer has walked over 200 miles along the scorched desert railway track to re-join his regiment, showing the grit and determination of spirit which has always been strong amongst the ranks of the Staffordshire Men.
Since then many dogs have lived alongside the men of the Staffordshire Regiment but it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the Watchman tradition evolved into what it is today.
Danielle Pritchard, curator of the Staffordshire Regiment Museum said: “Mascots are visual symbols for the bodies they represent and perhaps this is something we should see more off.
“The beer is a way for local residents and ‘Staffords’ to raise a glass to our much loved mascot. If anyone wants to stock a small supply of the beer they can get more information from the Staffordshire Regiment Museum by calling 01543 434394 or e-mail [email protected]”
Cllr Robert Pritchard, who led the campaign to get Watchman Freedom of Tamworh said: “They say a dog is a man’s best friend and nothing is truer than for the men of the Staffordshire Regiment and Watchman. I encourage everyone to stock a few bottles of the commemorative beer before they are gone forever.”
WO2 Greg Hedges, Watchman’s Handler said: “We are very humbled by the beer being brewed for Watchman. When we travel across Staffordshire, the Black Country and indeed the country Watchman gets such a warm reception. He is as cherished todays as he has ever been. I very much look forward to having my first taste of this special beer.”
Watchman holds the Freedom of many towns in Staffordshire, including Tamworth.
TAMWORTH people will be offered the chance to shape the future of policing at the most local level in their community by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
They are being invited to join a new Safer Neighbourhood Panel for Tamworth borough which will examine and shape the work of policing, hold the Local Policing Team Commander to account and look at wider criminal justice and community safety issues in their area.
Residents are being asked to send in expressions of interest now ahead of a formal application window in the near future.
The local panels follow the success of the Ethics, Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) which was established as part of an overarching panel in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as part of the PCC’s ambition to make policing in Staffordshire the most open, transparent and ethical in the country.
Mr Ellis said: “This is a real opportunity for Tamworth people to play a part in holding all responsible for policing in their area to account and I’d urge residents to get involved.
“I make no apology for believing that truly local policing, and the public playing a part in influencing that policing is vital.
“You can shape policing at the most local level in your community by joining a Safer Neighbourhood Panel.
“The new spotlight on local policing performance that these panels will bring is invaluable in adding to the rigour I have introduced to overseeing policing.”
Tamworth will be the latest area to get a panel following successful launches in places including Cannock, Newcastle and South Staffordshire. Soon every local policing area in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will have one. Local residents and councillors sit on the panels with magistrates bringing additional expertise. Panels will influence local policing and community safety, scrutinise the work done by police in their area, give feedback to communities and examine the impact of community resolutions and restorative justice.
Councillor Stephen Doyle, Tamworth Borough Council Cabinet member for Communities and Public Health, said: “The new Safer Neighbourhood Panel gives Tamworth residents a perfect opportunity to get involved and have their say on how their neighbourhoods are policed, as well as raising issues of concern.
“It will help to make Tamworth an even safer place to live, work and visit – and I would encourage residents to join in and make their voices heard.”
Volunteers for Safer Neighbourhood Panel roles must be aged over 18, but otherwise the PCC is interested in attracting people from all walks of life irrespective of age, disability and ethnic background. Expenses will be paid.
People can register their interest now by emailing [email protected]
To find out more about volunteering opportunities visit http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/volunteer/
WARWICKSHIRE police are appealing for information as part of an investigation into a rape which occurred in Nuneaton in May.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday 16 May 2015, when the victim became separated from her friends in Fever nightclub on Newdegate Street.
It is not known where or precisely when between 3.30am and 8am, the rape occurred.
Police are particularly keen to speak to a man who was seen in the area at the time as he may hold vital information in regards to the incident. He is described as white, tall and of slim build. On the night of the incident he was wearing a blue shirt and beige trousers.
Detective Sergeant Carl Buckley said: “Over the past few months a thorough investigation has been carried out into this rape, with a number of lines of enquiry being pursued.
We are now urging anyone who may have information about the incident to come forward. Please contact police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 101 of 16 May.
Alternatively contact the independent charity crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting the website.”
TAMWORTH’S FREE fireworks spectacular returns to the Castle Grounds on Saturday November 7 for another breathtaking event not to be missed.
Since its return eight years ago, the magical extravaganza has become a firm family favourite on the Tamworth events calendar and continues to grow each year, drawing more and more visitors from across the country.
In 2014 it attracted record crowds of 28,000 people – a rise of 8,000 on the previous year.
Despite its huge success, Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team is committed to making it bigger and better all the time.
The whole family can enjoy an evening of fun and entertainment, starting at 6pm and including fire performers, face painting, a sparkler zone, family activities, food stalls and the fair.
The climax of the event will of course be the impressive 20-minute pyrotechnic display set to music, which will light up the sky from 8pm.
Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Rob Pritchard, said: “It’s incredible how popular this event has become and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this year. We are proud to be able to put on such a fantastic free event that can be enjoyed by thousands upon thousands of people. It now draws visitors from all over the country.”
“We are lucky in Tamworth to have the resources and facilities to host such an event and I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the show. As always we would advise people to get there early because it is very popular.”
The Tamworth fireworks spectacular is sponsored by Ankerside Shopping Centre.
Another date for the diary is the switching on of the Christmas lights, which follows hot on the heels of the fireworks spectacular on November 22nd.
St Editha’s Square will once again become the centre of festive cheer in another annual event which draws thousands of people.
BIRMINGHAM Comedy Festival and The Glee Club are pleased to announce Josh Pugh as recipient of the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2015.
Standing in front of an enthusiastic Glee Club audience on Friday night (2 October 2015), Josh was presented with his award by BBCWM’s Daz Hale.
Describing his win as “validation”, Josh said: “It spurs you on to do the next thing … to do 10-20 minutes, longer shows.”
Performing for just 18 months, Nuneaton-born Josh Pugh lives in Atherstone and works in Coventry. His winning performance saw him discuss X-Factor, parties, namedropping, sporting achievements, bottled beer, the butterfly effect, and the films of Liam Neeson.
Judges were impressed by Josh’s confidence, originality and unpredictability.
Five other acts were also nominated for the title: Brummie Thomas Rackham, Tamworth’s Michael Dryburgh, University of Birmingham graduate Jo D’Arcy, Rugby-born Lucy Thompson and Wolverhampton’s Jack Kirwan, who took to the stage as quirky character Gary Powndland.
The acts were selected by a team of established comedy professionals including Jo Enright (Job Lot, Life Is Short, Rough Works), James Cook (mac Birmingham comedy course tutor, comedian, broadcaster), Alex Jackson (The Glee Club booker) and Maureen Younger (MY Comedy, comedian).
The judging panel for the night consisted of Steve Bennett, from influential comedy website Chortle, BBCWM presenter Daz Hale, The Glee Clubs’ founder Mark Tughan, and Dave Freak, from Birmingham Comedy Festival.
A spokesperson for the festival said: “The judging panel were blown away by the level of professionalism of all the acts making the selection process tough, but Josh’s performance was particularly impressive and we look forward to seeing how his career develops over the coming years.”
A collaboration between the festival and the multi-award-winning Glee Club, the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award aims to recognise, and support, emerging comedic talent from Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands. The event was sponsored by Fosters.
Birmingham Comedy Festival 2015 kicked off on Friday 2 October with a run of sell-out shows, and continues at venues across the city until Sunday 11 October. For full listings and more information, see: www.bhamcomfest.co.uk
A SOCIAL media campaign calling for an end to modern slavery is due to finish on Sunday 18 October and needs your support in order to reach as many people as possible.
Modern slavery can take many forms including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery.
The campaign in which people pledge support to end modern slavery using their Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr accounts has been launched in order to raise awareness of this often hidden crime. Thunderclap is the first-ever crowdspeaking platform that helps people to be heard by saying a single message at the same time. Participants of the campaign will automatically send a message of support for the campaign on 18 October in an online flash mob by all saying end “#ModernSlavery” at the same time.
Modern slavery victims can be men, women and children but it is most common amongst the vulnerable, and within minority or socially excluded groups. Approximately two-thirds of victims are women, and a third are men. Every fourth victim of modern slavery is a child.
There were 1,746 potential victims of trafficking identified in the UK in 2013. This represents a 47% increase on 2012 referrals but these are just the victims we know about. Slavery’s hidden nature means actual numbers are likely to be much higher.
The campaign is leading up to a conference which is being held on the 10 December in Stafford. The conference is aimed at professionals and local businesses and will be held at the Staffordshire County Showground between 9.30am and 1.30pm. Speakers include Kevin Hyland, the UK’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive of Gangmasters Licensing Authority, and Gary Booth from national charity Hope for Justice.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold said: “Modern day slavery is still happening across the UK and Staffordshire is not exempt. It is estimated 29.8 million people around the world are currently affected and it is an issue which we all need to face.
“Our aim with the conference is to make local businesses aware of what classifies as modern day slavery so they have the information to detect any illegal activity.
“This online campaign will help to raise awareness of modern slavery and create a call to end it completely.
“We need you to support this campaign as our voices are louder when we speak together.”
To support our online campaign visit this webpage and click support http://thndr.it/1JeDqqg
THE Spooks & Sparklers campaign is set to spread the Halloween and Bonfire Night safety message this year.
A campaign to encourage responsible and safe behaviour over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period is being launched by the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership.
The Tamworth Community Safety Partnership – made up of Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Tamworth Borough Council Community Wardens, Housing and Staffordshire County Council - have teamed up to launch Spooks & Sparklers to spread the ‘NO 2 ASB’ message over the Halloween and Firework night period.
The campaign will seek to reassure residents, reduce anti-social behaviour, and educate young people and their parents in a fun and interactive way.
The focus of the campaign will be the highly-visible Spooks & Sparklers car, kindly sponsored by Chambers Hyundai and liveried by Positive Design. The car will be used by the Community Safety Partnership from Monday October 12, visiting schools at various times of the day and undertaking evening patrols until Sunday November 8.
Partners will talk to children in primary schools about safe trick or treating and firework safety, while at high schools they will discuss the dangers of setting off fireworks, buying fireworks illegally and reminding students about the Flames Aren’t Games message.
The evening patrols will focus on areas which have experienced issues with ASB to educate and inform young people about keeping safe while out trick or treating and being aware of who they may scare by their actions, as well as information on firework safety and details of the activities available.
Partners will also be delivering information, including No Trick or Treat leaflets, details on how to report concerns and other safety information to the borough’s sheltered housing schemes and other areas where the partners feel vulnerable residents may benefit from the initiative.
A number of activities for young people will also be running during the campaign. The £5,000 funding will provide activities for 13 to 21-year olds across the Borough (or 25 if a person has a disability). The activities are:
West African drumming workshops with Joliba West African Drumming School. Learn some real West African music with real West African drums and instruments. Sessions take place at the District Activity Centre in Deltic, Glascote on Monday October 5th, Monday October 12th, Tuesday October 20th, Tuesday October 27th, Tuesday November 17th and Thursday November 26th. The sessions run for two hours from 6.30pm and places can be booked by calling 07840941393.
Graffiti art with Birmingham-based graffitiartist.com. Create a piece of graffiti art to keep on a baseball cap, bag or canvas. Sessions are held at the District Activity Centre in Deltic on Thursday October 8th Wednesday October 14th, Monday October 19th, Wednesday October 28th, Monday November 2nd, Wednesday November 11th, Monday November 16th and Wednesday November 25th. All sessions start at 6.30pm and run for two hours. Places can be booked at [email protected]
Boxing sessions at the Corner Post Education Centre in Orchard Street, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from October 12th to November 12th. Sessions for 13 to 16-year-olds start at 6.30pm for an hour. Sessions for 17 to 21-year-olds start at 7.30pm. Places can be booked on 01827 314111.
All partners will be in St Editha’s Square on Tuesday October 27, where they will be speaking to parents and youngsters, and handing out ‘Be Aware Who You Scare wristbands and leaflets. The Spooks & Sparklers car will also be on display.
This year’s campaign will also use the hashtag #spooksandsparklers to help spread the message through social media and the Community Safety Partnership is asking people to use Twitter to say where and when they have spotted the Spooks & Sparklers car.
The campaign builds on the success of last year’s Pumpkin Patrols, which were credited with helping to reduce ASB and increase safety awareness. It also aims to create awareness of the Community Safety Partnership, with partners working together to protect their local communities from crime and anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Stephen Doyle, Cabinet member for Community Development, said:
“Incidents of anti-social behaviour and the fear of anti-social behaviour always increase over the Halloween period, closely followed by bonfire and firework celebrations.
“This new, highly visible Spooks & Sparklers initiative aims to reduce the number of incidents of ASB during this period, offer reassurance to the public, educate younger children as to what is right and wrong and help to keep all sections of the community safe during this time.”
Chief Inspector Steve Smith, commander of Tamworth Local Policing Team (LPT), said:
“Both Halloween and Bonfire Night can be busy periods for everyone, in particular the emergency services.
“This campaign is a great opportunity for all partners to work together and offer early education to young people, through advice and activities, about their actions and serves to keep our communities safe and reassured.
“For those who go out ‘trick or treating’, or have firework displays, the message must be safety first.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who has worked hard to bring this campaign together and I have no doubt this will be a great success.”
THOUSANDS of bikers rode to pay their respects to the armed forces at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas on Saturday.
About 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from the UK and overseas took part in annual charity event which is now in its 8th year, with a large number travelling from the Drayton Manor meeting point.
A service for remembrance was held along with a Tiger Moth flypast with all funds being raised for the National Memorial Arboretum.
Riders and passengers gathered at the memorial, which is engraved with the names of more than 16,000 service men and women killed since the end of the Second World War.
Major General Lamont Kirkland patron of the Ride to the Wall said:
“It is a service of remembrance with this unique twist conducted by bikers, for bikers.
“But most importantly we are now attracting the families and the loved ones - fathers and son, brothers and sisters - of the servicemen whose names are on these walls.”
The 2015 Ride to the Wall (RTTW) was the 8th year of the event, which started in 2008. For the 2008 event it was anticipated that 200 people would be attending, on the day this turned out to be 2,000.
Since the first year and up until this year, the supporters of Ride to the Wall have managed to raise almost £320,000 towards the upkeep of the National Memorial Arboretum which is expanding on a daily basis, and these much needed funds are greatly received and appreciated.
There were performances from the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team - the White Helmets.
