 |
| Thu 27 Sep | Quaker Awareness Week -Open Day & Exhibition) | Quakers in Stone are having an open day in the Railway Station Community Centre on Thursday 27 September from 2pm to 9pm. |  |
|
| Sat 03 Jun | FARMERS' MARKET | And still it gets bigger! | |
|
| Tue 09 May | £10m work to start | £10 million pound work to start in barlaston. | |
|
| Thu 04 May | Antony Worrall Thomson | Popular TV celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson has agreed to open this year’s Stone Food and Drink Festival on Thursday 5th October. | |
|
| Thu 04 May | Restore our rail service | Councillors have agreed they will fight on to restore Stone Station to its former glory | |
|
| Thu 04 May | Pensioner slams rubbish collection | Householders on a Stone street are so fed up with their recycling not be collected they are dumping it with their landfill waste. | |
|
| Tue 02 May | Whitebridge Residents Action Group | Good news for the WRAG as they have now had a timetable for the Landscaping / completion of the works. | |
|
| Tue 07 Mar | CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY (1992) PLC | Ceremony marks rebirth of steam age at Consall | |
|
| Mon 06 Mar | Public Could be Banned from Council Meetings | A recent decision by Stone town council to make certain decisions by sub-comittee, from which the public are banned, may be illegal. | |
|
| Tue 14 Feb | Stone Staffordshire In For Council Tax Hike | Stone Residents are being asked to pay an extra £39,000 throughout the coming year. | |
|
| Wed 04 Jan | Murder Shocks Town | The Murder of a local artist in a quite cul-de-sac has left the town in shock. | |
|
| Wed 04 Jan | Stone Station | Good news on the horizon for commuters as talks are underway with Virgin Trains. | |
|
| Wed 04 Jan | Life saving help | Ambulance chiefs have offered to train residents on a Stone estate as first responders due to level crossing delay. | |
|
| Wed 02 Nov | Dominoes in safe hands | Stone Dominoes FC has new Management Team | |
|
| Sun 24 Apr | Alleyne's High School win Stafford Young Enterprise Award! | A Young Enterprise company from Alleyne's High School in Stone won the award for best company at the Stafford Area Y.E. Board Presentations last night. The company also won awards for the best Trade Stand and company presentation. | |
|
| Fri 24 Sep | WORLDS BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING | TAKE PART IN MACMILLANS WORLD BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING | |
|
| Fri 19 Mar | Westover Housing Plans | Planners get the go ahead for 20 more homes in Stone. | |
|
| Fri 19 Mar | Walton Roundabout | Canal lock features in landscape scheme. | |
|
| Fri 19 Mar | Dyslexics' Event | Dyslexic youngsters in Stone have been invited to showcase their creativity | |
|
| Wed 03 Mar | LOTTERY GRANT | 60th Anniversary of D Day | |
|
| Sun 15 Feb | County Council apology for tragffic calming delays | Traffic calming sceme to be given priority after delay | |
|
| Thu 12 Feb | Pirehill Lane cycle lanes | The recently painted cycle lanes in Pirehill Lane, Stone are dangerous and should be removed immediately, according to Town Councillor Richard Stevens.
| |
|
| Sun 04 Jan | More Proposed Housing in Stone | More proposed housing in Stone - Walton residents now have grievances. | |
|
| Mon 10 Nov | Civic Announcements | List of the Mayors appointments for the following 4 weeks | |
|
| Fri 07 Nov | PSV Stone Football | Stone Dominoes Confirmed as the Home ground for PSV Stone. | |
|
| Thu 06 Nov | Stone Flasher | Police urge residents of stone to call police. | |
|
| Thu 06 Nov | Police appeal for witnesses | Police appeal for witnesses of Post Office Robbery. | |
|
| Fri 24 Oct | Stone look towards Italy for Twin | Bagnacavallo has been mentioned in a propsed bid to create the towns first ever twin town | |
|
| Fri 24 Oct | Thieves steal man's winnings | Delight turned to horror as a Stone man was mugged returning to his car with his £7000 winnings. | |
|
| Fri 24 Oct | Yesterday Once More | Following last year's 60's show Stone Little Theatre has moved on a decade for its follow-up autumn production of ‘Yesterday Once More’. | |
|
| Fri 24 Oct | Stone Library Renovation | Renovation work at Stone’s library will not cost as much as previously thought and will be completed in less time, the town council was told last week. | |
|
| Fri 24 Oct | Hopes for hotel | Plans to knock down an old hospital building near Stone to make way for houses has been turned down by the borough council's planning committee following a site visit last week. | |
|
| Thu 14 Aug | Riverbank re-profiling on Stone Meadows | Over the next two weeks work will begin on reshaping the riverbank at Stone Meadows in an effort to improve and encourage wildlife habitation. | |
|
| Thu 07 Aug | Westover Plans Thrown Out | Following a site visit last friday the commitee of councillors have rejected the application. | |
|
| Fri 01 Aug | Vandals Attack Garden | A Stone pensioner has hit out at police for taking almost three days to respond after his house was ransacked by vandals. | |
|
| Fri 01 Aug | Litter Task Force | As the litter problems seems to escalate in the town, stone town council have proposed setting up a ‘litter task force’ – comprising of representatives of local bodies with an interest in combating litter problems. | |
|
| Fri 01 Aug | Youth Service Looks to The Future | Staffordshire Youth Service are galvanising their excellent efforts in youth work provision and looking to the future. | |
|
| Fri 01 Aug | Future of Library Decided | Work on revamping Stone Library is due to start in November this year. Read the full report here. | |
|
| Fri 01 Aug | Stone Receives Development Grant | £500,000 has been allocated to the town to initiate a job creation programme. | |
|
| Fri 01 Aug | Westover Development Plans | Last week members of Stafford Borough Council’s development control committee voted on plans to build 49 homes at Westover, opting instead for a site visit. | |
|
| Fri 28 Mar | Gang Show | Stone Scouts Gang Show, a mix of music, drama, dance and comedy | |
|
| Wed 19 Mar | Stone Welcomes New Florist | Stone High street has a new florist opening on the 19th March Crazy Daisies | |
|
| Wed 19 Mar | Two People Hurt In Accident | Two people were taken to hospital after a pile of wood fell on them at Whitebridge Industrial Estate. | |
|
| Wed 19 Mar | Toys donated to fire-hit nursery | Kam Ghatoray of Kams Toy shop kindly donated toys to Jolly Tots Nursery after fire. | |
|
| Wed 19 Mar | Yesterdays Charity Shop Opens | Yesterdays opens in the high street dupporting your local hospice. | |
|
| Wed 19 Mar | Into Stone Sponsors Local Football Team | Into Stone is always looking for new ways to help the community. | |
|
| Wed 19 Mar | Man Flashes At Woman | Police are trying to track down a flasher in the Stone area | |
|
| Wed 12 Feb | | A Reunion of Pupils at Alleynes from Fifty Years Ago | |
|
| Mon 13 Jan | Stone Old Alleynians FC | Stone Old Alleynians FC would like to make it known that they have moved their venue to Springbank Park Yarnfield. | |
|
| Mon 23 Sep | STONE LIBRARY SURVEY RESULT | The Stone Library “Have Your Say” campaign, organised by Stone Liberal Democrats, has been a massive success. With almost 400 responses received to date, it has been revealed that almost 80% of those who have replied want to keep the lending library in the existing premises or in the town centre. | |
|
| Thu 12 Sep | New Library Opening Hours | Details of the new opening times for Stone Library. | |
|
| Sun 08 Sep | Arsonists active in Stone !!! | Police believe that a spate of fires in Stone are the actions of one group of people. | |
|
| Sun 08 Sep | Library Services - Stone Liberal democrats declare survey a | Stone Liberal Democrats delighted with the number of responses recieved from their Library services survey, declare it a success. | |
|
| Sun 08 Sep | Stone's Silver Bloom | Stone take silver in Britain in Bloom contest. | |
|
| Mon 19 Aug | Stone library service future - Part ????????? | Stone Lib Dems join in the debate on the library service's future. | |
|
| Wed 14 Aug | Young vandals make Robert's life a misery !!! | Young vandals choose an "easy" target and take their taunts too far. | |
|
| Wed 14 Aug | Stone man missing from June !!! | A stone man en route from Stone to Alicante in Spain has disappeared. | |
|
| Wed 07 Aug | OFFAL - It's BLOODY DISGUSTING !!! | Yet another offal spill in town - affects weekend trade. | |
|
| Tue 30 Jul | £250 Reward - Who are the church vandals? | Stone police offer £250 reward to break the wall of silence around St Michael's church vandals. | |
|
| Tue 30 Jul | Stone library proposals - Stone MP adds his voice. | Stone MP Bill Cash has entered into the libray services debate. | |
|
| Tue 30 Jul | Alleyne's technology status bid in jeopardy. | Alleyne's High school's funding crisis may mean delaying applying for technology status. | |
|
| Sun 21 Jul | Stone traders fear substantial rent increase. | High Street traders fear that rumoured hikes in rent will force some closures. | |
|
| Sun 21 Jul | Gigarette gang strike again !!! | Third business in two weeks raide for cigarettes. | |
|
| Wed 17 Jul | 13 Year old schoolboy assaulted by three youths | A 13 year old schoolboy was victim of an unprovoked assault in Stone. | |
|
| Mon 08 Jul | Lease extended on free car park | Wharf Road car park to remain free. | |
|
| Mon 01 Jul | Cancelled train service affects Alleynes Travel Plans | Around 20 Stone Alleynes school pupils who live in Barlaston and used the Central Trains 3.48pm Stafford to Stoke service between Stone and Barlaston, have just found out that the service has been ditched. | |
|
| Mon 01 Jul | Stone car parking charges to be introduced soon. | A Stone councillor declared that all hurdles to the introduction of car parking charges in the town car parks had now been overcome. | |
|
| Mon 01 Jul | Staff threatened in restaurant robbery. | Thieves threaten staff and make off with the takings. | |
|
| Mon 01 Jul | Truants beware !!! | Police and school staff combine forces to reduce truancy levels. | |
|
| Mon 01 Jul | Stone restaurateur's death was suicide. | Coroner returns a verdict of suicide after hearing into the death of Stone restaurateur. | |
|
| Mon 01 Jul | Vandalism Costs rise at Stone parish church. | Costs of repairs due to acts of vandalism is continuing to cause concern at St Michaels. | |
|
| Wed 26 Jun | Stone youth's death recorded as accidental | Tragic death of Stone student overseas was deemed accidental death by County Coroner. | |
|
| Wed 26 Jun | Stone snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Fri 21 Jun | England Come Home Early | England's World Cup dream ended in heartbreak as Sven Goran Eriksson's men lost 2-1 to Brazil in a quarter-final that failed to live up to the pre-match hype. | |
|
| Sat 15 Jun | Police and traders efforts - combating shop crime | Stone police combined with town traders and technology are getting results against store crime. | |
|
| Fri 14 Jun | Traffic calming proposals for main routes in Stone. | More traffic calming measures proposed for all main routes in Stone. | |
|
| Tue 11 Jun | Lib Dems voice anger at Library consultation | The library proposal story is fast becoming a "Bestseller" as the Lib Dems brand the public consultation a sham. | |
|
| Tue 11 Jun | Stone snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Mon 10 Jun | Wet and miserable situation for Stone pensioner. | Water leak in pensioner's home is making her ill and her life a misery. | |
|
| Wed 05 Jun | Library move - On the cards? | Library move - recommended ! | |
|
| Sun 26 May | Stone Snippets | Snippets of The Week. | |
|
| Wed 15 May | NEW MAYOR ELECTED | Results are in from last nights election. The new Town Mayor is John Wakefield. His deputy will be Harry Brunt.
Check back for full story soon. | |
|
| Tue 14 May | Police Notice | Police raise awareness to garage and shed thefts. | |
|
| Mon 13 May | Stone in Bloom | Stone in Bloom - Contractors error raises cause for concern.
| |
|
| Sun 12 May | Road Chaos at crossing - But No Safer !!! | Upgrade work at Aston rail crossing - will cause road closure. | |
|
| Mon 06 May | Alleyne's sports pitch bid - needs a LOTTO money | Alleyne's puts in a bid for lottery funding for an all weather sports pitch. | |
|
| Mon 06 May | Stone Snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Mon 29 Apr | Alleyne's seeking Technology School Status | Staff and governors at Alleyne's aiming for Technology School Status | |
|
| Mon 29 Apr | Stone Snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Sun 28 Apr | No Softly Softly approach to library Proposals !!! | Stone resident's allegations infuriate councillors. | |
|
| Sun 28 Apr | Cash challenges Borough over Stone's youth unemployment | Bill Cash, MP accuses Borough councillors of failing Stone's young unemployed. | |
|
| Sun 28 Apr | Tributes to the Queen, to Stone - in Jubilee Year | Stone selected to take part in BBC's Music Live for the Queen's Jubilee. | |
|
| Wed 24 Apr | Delice de France - Stone Delight | Delice de France investment plans to benefit Stone. | |
|
| Wed 24 Apr | Stone Snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Mon 15 Apr | Stone Snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Sun 14 Apr | Locals caught in boy racers speed trap !!! | Police act on Oulton Road residents fears over car speedsters with surprising results!!! | |
|
| Sun 14 Apr | Library plans still rankling local people | Local people are still unhappy with the proposals put forward for Stone Library Services | |
|
| Sun 14 Apr | Lloyds TSB Branch closure - denied. | Rumous of the closure of the LloydsTSB Branch in Stone High Street has been denied. | |
|
| Sun 14 Apr | Consideration for Disabled Drivers Parking Places Please !!! | Able-bodied drivers are illegally parking in the Stafford Street Car Park for Disabled Drivers. | |
|
| Tue 09 Apr | Mayor's date with the BBC - The Weakest Link | Stone Town Mayor on the small screen cut throat quiz show | |
|
| Sun 07 Apr | Councillors act to keep Trent Road Free From Development | Councillors take action to try and prevent Trent Road being considered for future housing development. | |
|
| Sun 07 Apr | Library Plans - Rationale Spelled Out | The rationale behind the plans for Stone's Library Services revealed at Public Meeting. | |
|
| Sun 07 Apr | J D Wetherspoons - The Poste of Stone | J D Wetherspoon's new pub The Poste of Stone opens Monday 8 April | |
|
| Sun 07 Apr | Stone Snippets | Recent snippets from in and around Stone | |
|
| Mon 01 Apr | Stone snippets | Snippets of the week. | |
|
| Sun 31 Mar | Celebrations over Trent Road development decision | Planning applications by Redrow Homes to build on the Trent Road are rejected. | |
|
| Sun 31 Mar | Feelings run high and force a re-think over Library plans | Plans to move the Library to Station Road has met with vocal opposition by library users and options are being considered. | |
|
| Sat 16 Mar | Stone Restaurateur found hanged | Italian restaurateur found hanged | |
|
| Sat 16 Mar | Uncertain future for workers at Fairey Industrial Ceramics | Acquisition of Fairey's parent company by Rolls Royce threatens to end the Stone plant's operation. | |
|
| Sat 16 Mar | Townspeople have their say on Trent Road development applica | Townspeople have their say on the Trent Road building application. | |
|
| Sun 03 Mar | Stone Railway Station overhaul | Stone Railway Station - Refurbishment is back on track. | |
|
| Sat 02 Mar | Police want parents cooperation | Police want parental support to combat teenagers anti-social behaviour in town. | |
|
| Mon 18 Feb | Wildlife hedges its bets on hedgerows | The Stone Group of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is hosting a talk entitled Hedgerows, by Dr
Peter Thomas on Friday 22 February, commencing 7-30 pm at the Frank Jordan Centre,
Lichfield Street, Stone.
| |
|
| Fri 15 Feb | Katherine House Stone Support Group | Katherine House has received a boost of funds of £608 after their appeal for foreign coins. The appeal was launched before christmas and since then coins have been flooding in. | |
|
| Fri 15 Feb | Appeal by Lord Francis Stafford | Lord Francis Stafford who owns the sports ground in Yarnfield has appealed against a decision to refuse permission for the portable changing rooms at the ground. The appeal will be heard by a government inspector at the Civic Centre in April. | |
|
| Fri 15 Feb | Local Business Park Targeted | £10,000 of computer equipment was stolen from Cold Meece Business Park near Yarnfield between 6pm on Friday (8th) and 8.30am on Monday. Anyone with any information should call Stone Police 01785 812401 | |
|
| Fri 01 Feb | On the run for cat charity | Stone Vet Richard Bramley is set to run the London Marathon in April to raise money for the Cats Protection Charity. | |
|
| Mon 28 Jan | Alcohol in Westbridge Park | Cllr Dave Smithwick told the town council's planning and resources committee last week that introducing blanket ban on alcohol in the park was not the answer to the problem of Underage drinking. | |
|
| Mon 28 Jan | Complaints about smell | Town councillors are to write to MP Bill Cash to seek support to try to stop lorries loaded with
offal driving through the centre of Stone or at least have them properly sealed. | |
|
| Mon 21 Jan | Trevor Baylis Talks To Stone Students | Four top speakers, including Trevor Baylis, the inventor of the clock-work radio are visiting St. Dominics Priory School as part of the student's business studies A levels. | |
|
| Mon 14 Jan | Mobility Scheme Setback | Mobility Scheme may be refused due to a recommendation from The Highways Authority that the site is unsuitable for pavement cars due to the narrow footpaths. | |
|
| Mon 14 Jan | Phone mast's potential risk | Parish councillors have expressed concerns over plans to upgrade a mobile phone mast on the Mount Road Industrial Estate. | |
|
| Mon 14 Jan | Stone FM support local businesses | Stone FM made a supporting gesture to local businesses during their recent period on air during November and December. | |
|
| Fri 11 Jan | Civic chiefs look at new library sites | A combined library and centre for services provided by the borough council could be introduced following discussions with the county and town councils. | |
|
| Wed 02 Jan | 1901 census | The 1901 census for England and Wales
is now available on-line at Stone Library. The microcfiche records for Stone and Eccleshall are also available at the library. | |
|
| Tue 18 Dec | Russian Visit | Combating "glue sniffing" in the former Soviet Union | |
|
| Wed 12 Dec | Late Night Shopping | Stone shoppers were plunged into darkness on Thursday as they went about there late night shopping. Bar 40 had no lights but the drinks were still flowing so no one seemed to mind. In true Stone spirit the band played on pictured above. | |
|
| Mon 03 Dec | Alleyne’s in the News | Alleyne’s was highlighted in a Government report as having made consistent increases in grades over the last four years - one of the best in the country.
| |
|
| Thu 29 Nov | Renew your books by e-mail | Stone Library can now be contacted by e-mail for the renewal of books or for the answering of enquiries. The address is stone.library
@staffordshire.gov.uk | |
|
| Mon 12 Nov | Stone Marks Remembrance Day | People of Stone turned out in large numbers to honour those that have given their lives for their country.
A huge crowd observed the 2 minutes silence, which marks the beginning of the armistice on November 11 1918. | |
|
| Wed 07 Nov | Parking Charges Scrapped | Plans to charge for SBC car parks Scrapped | |
|
| Thu 25 Oct | Charity Trek in Himalayas | Charity Trek in Himalayas | |
|
| Fri 12 Oct | Katherine Hospice Clothing Appeal | Katharine House Hospice Charity Shop
in Stone is in desperate need of more
donated items | |
|
| Fri 12 Oct | High Standards at High School | A Stone first school has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for high academic standards, the caring attitude of the staff and the high quality of teaching and learning. | |
|
| Thu 11 Oct | Stone Scoops Best Business Park Prize | The winners of Stafford's best kept business park collected their awards on Friday and for the second year running Stone Business Park came out on top. | |
|
| Sat 15 Sep | Residents fight to save Trent Road. | The fight to save Trent Road and the conservation area has snowballed in Stone after campaigners collected over 1000 signatures for their petition.
Click Here to Air Your Views | |
|
| Sat 15 Sep | Stone Parking Charges Increase | Car parking charges are set to be introduced in Stone for the first time. The idea is to improve the situation for shoppers.
Click Here To Contribute | |
|
| Fri 07 Sep | Anger Over Tatoo Parlour | Plans for a tattoo parlour to open in Oulton Road look set for the green light, despite neighbour's objections.
| |
|
| Fri 07 Sep | Historic Pub Renovation Plan | Plans to rebuild a Grade II listed pub were due to be considered by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday.
| |
|
| Fri 07 Sep | School Holidays Extended For Lucky Few | 450 lucky pupils at Christchurch Middle School have had an extra week added onto the end of their
summer holidays.
| |
|
| Fri 07 Sep | Meaford Pub Refurbished | Regulars at the George and Dragon at Meaford have been treated to a £21,000 refurbishment of their favourite pub.
| |
|
| Tue 28 Aug | Trent Road Land May Be Developed | Angry Stone residents and environmentalists say it will be a "very real! tragedy" if land off Trent Road is used for development.
Redrow Homes have lodged plans with the borough council to build 34 homes on field land which is crossed by a channel of the River Trent near theA34.
But residents in nearby Newcastle Road and councillors are determined to stop the development, which also proposes the closure of Trent Road.
| |
|
| Fri 24 Aug | Sterling Service | Cashiers, Jan Wilkinson and Margaret MacBryde of Barclays Bank, Stone proudly display their certificate from the British Legion. Margaret said "Every year we take the Poppy Appeal boxes and count up their collections. We have done it for over twenty years. The British Legion presented us with the award in recognition of that. We are all proud to receive it"
Click here for larger picture | |
|
| Thu 23 Aug | Mayor backs McDonalds | Town Mayor Dave Smithwick has come out in support of a McDonald's fast food outlet in Stone despite opposition from people in the town. Teenager Kelly Bond has raised a petition of 400 names in favour of the restaurant. Cllr Farnham is concerned that a McDonalds would detract from the charm of the High Street.
Have YOUR say! | |
|
| Tue 14 Aug | Scouts Bonanza | Former Mayor, Diana Osborne hands over a cheque for £150 to Stone District scouts. Representing Stone District were Matthew Taylor and Anna Langton. Tony Brookes said the money is most welcome and will probably be used to purchase equipment for the Scouts and for training leaders. The Mayor's charities raised over £1,000 in her year of office for local organisations.
Click for larger picture | |
|
| Mon 06 Aug | Shock Speed Results | 83.5% of all traffic on Longton Road Stone travels in excess of the speed limit – and that’s official!
Stone Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Richard Stevens, received the results of a survey last week from the County Council’s Development Services Department. He said “ The results are frightening and confirm residents worst fears.”
Click for more information | |
|
| Mon 30 Jul | Poet's Honour | Stone's unofficial Poet Laureate, Les Bishop was honoured in recognition of his poetry and contribution in Granville's at a small ceremony on Monday. Deputy Mayor Sarah Williams spoke of Mr Bishop's years in the town and said that Stone was a richer place for having him here. Mr Bishop said he was delighted to receive a Town Plate, even more so since Stone means so much to him.
Click for larger picture
Click for Festival poem | |
|
| Sun 29 Jul | Staffs beat Cumberland | Steve Dean, Staffordshire Team Captain and Steven Knox, Cumberland Team Captain at the start of the three day match on Sunday. The Minor Counties match was played at Lichfield Road Cricket Ground.
Click for results | |
|
| Fri 27 Jul | Burma Star Memorial | Veterans attended a memorial service and dedication on the 50th anniversary of the Burma Star. In a solemn ceremony a commemorative plaque was unveiled next to a tree planted in memory of those who fought in the conflict.
Click for larger picture
More pictures
| |
|
| Thu 26 Jul | Council Welcomes Three Crowns Rebuild | Stone Town Council were unanimous in their approval of the plans to rebuild the Three Crowns pub which burnt down months ago. The Councillors were especially happy that much of the roofing will be of thatch, thus retaining the pub's country charm | |
|
| Thu 26 Jul | Council to Fund Xmas Lights | In a change of mind the Council has decided to pay for Xmas lights and features again this year. Quotes are being prepared by MEB for a number of options, and Walton is included in these. Traders were previously being asked to pay for features by their shops but have been reticent in coming forward. Cllr Smithwick said "traders are lagging behind" in their unwillingness. | |
|
| Thu 26 Jul | Jubilee Beacon | Stone will be lighting a beacon in a chain of beacons across the country to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee next year. there are no plans as yet for any other celebrations. But following the success of this year's Festival there are hopes of Town festivities in 2002 | |
|
| Thu 26 Jul | Vandalism Talks | Several Councillors met with Inspector Hallam, Stone Police to discuss the recent spate of vandalism in the walton area, especially after adverse comments in the press that the Police were not tackling the problem. Youths have been congregating by the underpass, intimidating passers-by, pulling coping stones off walls, and throwing cones and safety fencing into the river.
Councillors are calling for common-sense reasoning to tackle the problem and are looking to arrange quarterly meetings with the Police and Walton traders. | |
|
| Thu 26 Jul | Town Supports Cricket | Stafford Borough Council and Stone Town Council are jointly sponsoring the Three Day Minor Counties Cricket match this weekend, when Staffordshire play Cumberland. Hopefully this will put Stone on the map for visiting International teams to play exhibition matches against a Minor Counties Team. In the past Stone has hosted matches with teams from Australia, Pakistan and South Africa. Hopes are high that either the Indian or Sri Lankan team will visit next year. | |
|
| Tue 24 Jul | Canal Competition Winner | K. Preston, of Aston Lodge Park. Stone is the lucky winner of a short break at the Canal Cruising Company, Stone. The Company held an open day on Sunday, 22 July giving people the opportunity to see a working boatyard. Canal Cruising repairs and hires out narrowboats and the dry docks date back 200 years. | |
|
| Sun 22 Jul | Charter Celebrations | Crown Meadow came alive to the sound of lance on shield when knights on horseback entertained crowds of people. Beforehand children took part in a falconry display with birds from Fosters wildlife sanctuary.
Click for larger picture | |
|
| Sat 21 Jul | Town Carnival | Saturday saw the streets of Stone thronged with people. Pipers led the procession through the High Street to St Michaels and St Wulfads. It was a full day of festivities with live music in the evening and a fantastic firework display from the church roof.
Click for larger picture | |
|
| Thu 19 Jul | Masons £10,000 for Re-Solv | On Thursday night St Michaels Masonic Lodge opened its doors to the public for the first time in over 100 years. The event was marked also by the presentation of a cheque for £10,000 from the Grand Lodge Charity by John Bedson, Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Staffordshire to Warren Hawksley, Director of Re-Solv. Mr Hawksely thanked the Order, saying, "This generous donation will fund the Re-Solv helpline for six months"
Full Report | |
|
| Wed 18 Jul | Festival Boules | Coche D'Or staged this year's Festival boules competition at their piste on the cricket ground, Lichfield Road. Teams of two fought played a knockout competition to find an eventual winner.
Click for results & larger picture | |
|
| Mon 16 Jul | Splashing Fun | Dean Buckley, aged 15 from Stone negotiates the water in this year's festival steeplechase. All ages took part in the race followed by a dog derby over the same course.
Click for winners
| |
|
| Sun 15 Jul | Women in Water | Winners of the Ladies section of the Festival raft race, Women in Tights in a time of 1 hour and 15 minutes. The race started at Barlaston and finished at Westbridge Park.
Click for larger picture | |
|
| Sun 15 Jul | Festival Raft Race | 25 teams took part in this year's raft which was won by Stone Young Farmers in just over 40 minutes. Competitors were greeted with cheers, flour, eggs and water pistols as they made their way from Barlaston to Westbridge Park.
Click for larger pic | |
|
| Sun 15 Jul | Bugling for Stone | Stone Scouts and Guide Band entertained crowds at Westbridge Park. The Band was celebrating its recent win at the Milton Keynes Band Competition where it came first in its category on 1st July. | |
|
| Sun 15 Jul | Dreieich Visit | Burgermeister Berthold Olschewsky with Borough Mayor, Doug Davis and Stone Town Mayor, David Smithwick saw the start and finish of the Festival Raft Race before a Civic lunch in Stafford and his flight home today.
Click for more info | |
|
| Sun 15 Jul | Winning Duck | Stone Lions Club Chairman, John Hodges holds aloft the winning duck in this year's duck race. In a tense battle for first place 1,000 ducks jostled for position. It was neck and neck at the turn and a dash to the finishing line. Stone Lions are raising money for local causes, the annual duck race is just one of its many activities.
Click for larger pic | |
|
| Sat 14 Jul | Guides Have Fun | Stone Division Guides went to Beaudeert for a fun paked session of activities and competitions | |
|
| Fri 13 Jul | St.Michaels Green Awards | St Michaels First School leads the way in environmental issues. The Stone School scooped awards aplenty at the presentations on Thursday evening including 'Stone in Bloom School Competition Winners". In addition to this the School has also achieved its Green Flag Award. Town Mayor, David Smithwick was on hand to unfurl the Flag in front of pupils staff and parents.
Click for info | |
|
| Fri 13 Jul | Simon Strides Out | Simon Cheadle, aged 18 stopped off in Stone on his 960 mile walk from Lands End to John O Groats. The teenager is raising money for the Dyslexia Institute which has helped him in the past. Simon recently completed A Levels at Stafford Grammar School before starting his walk. He was met in Stone by the Mayor, David Smithwick.
Click for more information | |
|
| Thu 12 Jul | The Plot Opens | The chains and locks finally came off the gates to the Plot yesterday evening after months of closure due to Foot and Mouth restrictions. Dog owners are being asked not to take dogs into fields containing livestock. The Footpaths Officer said that all footpaths around Stone are being opened as the threat of the Disease recedes. | |
|
| Tue 10 Jul | Art in School | Emily Jones age 17 from Eccleshall, shows part of her work at the Alleynes Annual Art Exhibition. Emily created and assemblage of wood and metal inspired by objects she collected. This A level Student is just one of a number of Alleynes pupils exhibiting all this week from 10.00am to 8.00pm at Alleynes High School, Stone , entry is free. | |
|
| Tue 03 Jul | Water Aware | 3rd Stone Brownies received their Water Safety Awards from instructor Duncan Carey. The Award from the Royal Lifesaving Society is given for understanding safety aspects of open water. Mr Carey, instructor said "All the girls demonstrated a real understanding of the possible dangers of water. The RLS is keen that youngsters be aware so that they can enjoy water safely." | |
|
| Tue 03 Jul | Burma Star Blooms | Contractors put the finishing touches to the Burma Star flower display in Stonefield Park. The display will form part of the 50th anniversary commemoration of the conflict. Up to 20,000 plants will go into the Burma Star display. | |
|
| Tue 03 Jul | History in a Bottle | Stephanie Wood and Joanne Garner of 1st Walton Brownies found out more than most about Earl St Vincent. Aiming for their Local History Badge, the Brownie Troop learned about the Seafarer, his exploits, and his triumphs. The bottle is one of a number of gifts presented to Earl St Vincent by the Portuguese Government in thanks for his efforts at Cape Vincent. The bottle of fine Madeira was given to the Earl in 1797 and remained until found in the cellars in Meaford Hall. | |
|
| Mon 02 Jul | Alleynes Improvements | Alleynes swmming pool is to receive £100,000 to pay for refurbishments. Swimmers can expect new lockers in the changing rooms, retiling and reseating in the pool area. Work is due to start in late July. | |
|
| Wed 27 Jun | Wetherspoons to pay up? | As plans for the conversion of the old post office progress, Councillors called for Wetherspoons to contribute in some way to the infrastructure of the town. Cllr Farnham reiterated remarks about parking problems in an already congested town. Cllr Brunt called for a Section 106 to be imposed on Wetherspoons which would force them to make a financial contribution which the Council could use to relieve some parking problems. | |
|
| Wed 27 Jun | Walton at risk | Cllr John Wakefield has called for the Council to be proactive, and for a strategy of co-ordinating resources to curtail vandalism and loutish behaviour in Walton. The Council is to invite local businesses, shopkeepers and the Police in a first round of consultations to identify problems and seek solutions. | |
|
| Wed 27 Jun | Options for Town Library | A surveyor is being brought in to evaluate four locations for the Town Library. These include the building currently housing the Council offices, the Frank Jordan Centre, the existing library and the Wharf development. The options might mean splitting library services over two sites. | |
|
| Wed 27 Jun | Longton Road Too Fast? | Councillors described the A520 Longton Road as dangerous and a risk to people wishing to cross the road. Local residents have complained that traffic travels in excess of the 30mph speed limit. Cllr Smithwick said "Lorries coming into town are doing 50mph and there is a risk that they will take lives". The Council is asking the Police and County Council for action to reduce traffic speed. | |
|
| Mon 25 Jun | Civic Sunday | Stone Town Mayor laid a wreath at the War memorial in Granville Square yesterday on Civic Sunday. Stone Town Band led the procession from Stonefield Park to St Michaels and St Wulfads Parish Church for a special service. | |
|
| Mon 25 Jun | Downsbanks reopens | After months of closure due to the foot and mouth epidemic the National Trust has opened the Downsbanks to walkers. The Trust has taken the opportunity to make repairs to the entrance and driveway to the car park. | |
|
| Mon 25 Jun | Signal 1 in Stone | It is Stone Week on Signal One! Signal Radio is out and about between 10.00am and 2.00pm every day this week being sociable, taking requests and having fun. Mid morning Signal presenter Dave Johnson (centre) with promtions girl, Emma Bowd and engineer, Steve Ball. | |
|
| Mon 25 Jun | StoneFM goes Live | Stuart Haycock presents the afternoon drive show on day one of StoneFM radio. The station beams out to the town and beyond for the next month. Station manager, Martin Shaw said, "StoneFM is competing with Signal Radio, why else would they be in town!" | |
|
| Fri 15 Jun | Aimee cooks up a winner | Thirteen year old Aimee Harrison scooped young chef of the year in a Rotary Club competition for Staffordshire and Shropshire secondary schools. The St Dominics pupil came first in her age group by preparing a meal of tray-baked salmon, anchovies and olives in under 45 minutes and for less than £5. Aimee said "I really enjoyed part in the competition because I like cooking both at hoome and at school." She won a limited edition piece of Wedgwood and a family ticket to Alton Towers. | |
|
| Fri 15 Jun | Going Direct | Local employment agency Direct Recruitment is expanding fast. From its main office in Stone, Direct Recruitment has now opened another office in Telford. Manager, Karen Seiles said, "We are building on our succes in Stone. We are now able to offer employers and job seekers greater choice and flexibilty". The Stone based company has a database of potential employees and offers manual, driving, office and executive jobs. | |
|
| Fri 08 Jun | Bill Cash Wins Stone | Bill Cash (Conservative) of Bridgnorth, Shropshire retained his Stone seat with a majority of 6,036 (3%).
Election results
Cash (Con) 22,395(49%)
Palfreyman(Lab) 16,359(35%)
McKeown(Lib Dem) 6,888(15%)
At 66% the turnout in the constituency was greater than the National Average (57%) | |
|
| Fri 08 Jun | Wakefield County Council Win | John Wakefield stays in place on the County Council representing Stone Urban Council.
Urban Election results
Wakefield (Lab) 3755
Jones (Con) 2719
Stevens (LibDem) 1153
Rural Election Results
Parry (Con) 3047
Hulse (Lab) 1682
Russell (LibDem) 1649 | |
|
| Fri 08 Jun | In the Picture | Barry Oakley, Committee Member of oulton Watercolour Society points out the finer aspects of his painting. The exhibition this weekend at Oulton Village Hall had over 120 paintings by 40 of the society artists. Meeting every Thursday the Society prides itself on having artists of all standards in its ranks. | |
|
| Fri 08 Jun | Elspeth stays aware | Elspeth Larkin, Homeopath will be on hand during Homeopathy Awareness Week, aimed at raising awareness of Homeopathy. Elspeth gives a free talk at the ISHTA Centre at 7.30pm on 20th June and will be answering questions at Boots on 15th June from 11.30 till 2.00pm so that people can learn more about Homeopathy for home use. | |
|
| Thu 31 May | Francesco Beauty Salon Opens | Stone's premier hairdressing salon Francesco's officially opened their new Beauty salon on Wednesday evening. Mayoress Sara Williams cut the ribbon with Mayor Dave Smithwick, Mayor's consort Mandy Jones, Salon Director, Helen Quinton and a crowd of well wishing clients and staff looking on. The salon provides a range of beauty therapies using top French cosmetics and is staffed by highly qualified Beauty therapist, Joanne Sinclair. | |
|
| Thu 31 May | Councillors to hand out parking tickets | In an effort to stop illegal parking in disabled spaces on Council owned car parks Councillors may be patrolling and giving out parking tickets to motorists parked illegally. Costs are incurred for wardens patrolling, these could be avoided if councillors patrolled. Cllr Wakefield said "Disabled people should be able to park in designated disabled parking spaces" and that she would write tickets herself if necessary. Cllr Sinnott said he would rather have car parking charges on town parking to pay for wardens and foresaw charges being in place by 2003. | |
|
| Thu 31 May | Traders pay for Christmas lights | The Town Council is moving to reduce the amount spent on Xmas lights by asking traders to pay for light features outside their businesses. The Council would take on the costs of power points and safety considerations, but traders would pay for their own display saving council tax payers over £3,000 in 2001. | |
|
| Thu 31 May | No CCTV for Walton | Councillors are to consider other ways of providing security monitoring in Walton having decided that estimates to provide CCTV are too high. Cllr Beecham said that gangs of youths were hanging around the underpass at night and there was "no policing in that area" and that in the mornings the underpass "looked like Beirut". But Cllr Sinnott said there was no money for CCTV as it was proposed. Cllr Wakefield said that the new policing system was "letting us down with the Police response time". | |
|
| Thu 31 May | Council rethinks Trust grant | Stone Heritage and Leisure Trust have asked Stone Town Council for £750 towards a public consultation just weeks after their request for £1,500 was refused. The Trust has reduced the proposed facility on Westbridge Park , with the loss of a football stadium, houses and retail outlets. The Council agreed to establish criteria by which they might approve a grant to the Trust. Cllr Roy Osborne called the grant a "worthwhile expenditure to know the answer". But Cllr P.Sinnott felt that if the Trust was "going to fund the scheme it should fund the consultation" | |
|
| Fri 25 May | Stonefield take on Council | Town Mayor, Dave Smithwick captained the Town Council Team in the Annual Bowls Match on Thursday. Stonefield Park Bowling Club Captain, John Lamb led his team to victory in an evening of well contested games. After the match both teams went to the Talbot Inn for well earned refreshments. | |
|
| Fri 18 May | Excellence begins at home | Staff at Roseneath residential home are celebrating after winning an award for excellence. The Charter Mark was awarded to this County Council home giving the staff much deserved recognition. The Head of the Home, Tracy Handley said "The staff are delighted." | |
|
| Wed 16 May | Wetherspoon to convert old post office | The pub giant announced work is to start in June and will cost £1m. The company stated that it intended to retain the historic appearance of the building. Up to 30 jobs are expected to be created. This is just one of 110 pubs that the giant aims to open this year. Town Mayor, Dave Smithwick said "I welcome any development if it is right for Stone". But Cllr Farnham still complains that parking facilities are inadequate and that other pubs will lose trade. | |
|
| Thu 10 May | Mayor Diana bows out | Town Mayor, Diana Osborne hands over the mantle of office next week after a year as Mayor. Diana raised the profile of the Town Council and Stone by attending many events during her office. The Mayor's charities, Stone and District Stroke Society, Stone Rehabilitation Centre and local youth organisations receive over £1,000 between them. The new Mayor is likely to be Dave Smithwick. The swearing in is on 16th May (see What's on) | |
|
| Wed 09 May | Water Baby? | Canal Cruising Co. owner Karen Wyatt dashed to Weston on Saturday morning after a phone call from an anxious couple who had taken out one of her narrowboats the day before. At 10.00 a.m. Saturday the husband called to say his wife was in labour. Karen drove over to them and rang for an ambulance. The baby was born at 11.30am. Karen said "It all happened so quickly. We were so thrilled to help" Latest report: Mother and baby doing well. | |
|
| Thu 03 May | Grant for
St.Dominics | Good news for St.Dominics Church after the Staffordshire Environmental Fund donated £30,000 towards repairs and redevelopment at the Church. Plans are in hand to improve the access and toilet facitilies for disabled people and to restore areas of the church as well as convert the porch as an area for informal meeting place. | |
|
| Thu 03 May | Questions for Cash | Stone missed out on the £43 million earmarked by John Prescott in the Governments regeneration programme for market towns. The criteria by which towns are judged seem to be a mystery to local MP Bill Cash despite the huge sums involved. The Town Council is up in arms about Stone being left out, especially when tourism in the town has been hit by foot and mouth and the fact that Uttoxeter is receiving part of the money. | |
|
| Fri 20 Apr | Canal Re-Opens | The canals are open again after being closed due to foot and mouth. Karen Wyatt at the Canal Cruising Company in Stone said "The first customers of the season are travelling down towards Burton on Trent. It is wonderful to see the canals back up and running."
| |
|
| Fri 20 Apr | £500,000 for libraries | Now is your chance to say how you would like to see the £500,000 that is allocated to Staffordshire libraries. A working group set up by Stone Town Council will be asking local people where they would like to see the money spent to improve the Town library. Councillors are keen to retain a town centre position. But what about you?
| |
|
| Fri 20 Apr | Centre Plea | Walton Community Centre could close for lack of a caretaker. The committee is appealing for volunteers to help with the running of the centre, which provides a focal point for the community. The centre is used for toddler groups, youth activities, pensioner groups and other clubs in the town. President and managing director of Walton Community Association, Stan Goodall said they welcomed all local volunteers. Email editor@into-stone.co.uk if you would like to help. | |
|
| Fri 20 Apr | Gym owner drug sentence | Gym owner, John Betts was given 140 hours of community service and costs by magistrates after police found Ecstasy and amphetamines at his home and his gym. Betts said the tablets were for his own use, though he had not taken any. He now says that he wants nothing more to do with drugs. | |
|
| Thu 19 Apr | Car smashes into shop | An estimated £25,000 of damage was caused by a car crashing into Toddy Woodgate's on Tuesday.
A Nissan Primera came round Granville Square and hit the front of the shop. Fortunately the shop was closed for Easter so nobody was in the shop and nobody was hurt.
Owner, Alan Povey, said he was "gutted" | |
|
| Wed 18 Apr | Mayor Launches into-Stone website | Diana Osborne, Mayor of Stone, launches the into-Stone website at the Town Library. Ian Stanier, Editor, shows the Mayor how the site keeps people up to date with events, news, local information and town businesses
Mrs Osborne said,"Stone is a great place, this website keeps people in touch with what is happening in the town, and shows what an interesting place Stone is to live in and visit"
| |
|
| Wed 04 Apr | Foot and Mouth Reaches Stone | With 44 confirmed cases of foot and mouth disease in Staffs, the disease reached Stone when it was confirmed at Manor farm, Darlaston. The national total stands at 990 cases. Over a million animals have been slaughtered, or are identified for slaughter.
Click for updated list of confirmed cases to 9th April | |
|
| Mon 02 Apr | Staffordshire farms in firebreak cull | Slaughter of animals at farms around Leigh, Bramshall and Milwich starts today by order off the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. The firebreak is to slow the spread of foot and mouth disease. Over 840 farms in the UK are infected with the disease.
MAFF states "We plan to destroy all susceptible animals on farms neighbouring those with confirmed infections within 48 hours"
Click or updated list of infected farms. | |
|
| Thu 29 Mar | Foot and Mouth Cancels Staffs County Show | For the first time since WW2 the County Show has been cancelled. Organisers took the decision based on the disease still having a grip on farms. A major attraction of the show is the farm animals, but with livestock movement restrictions hardly any animals would be on show, and farmers would probably stay away too. Farmers are now waiting for the decision about whether a mass vaccination programme will take place.
Click for updated list of infected farms. | |
|
| Wed 28 Mar | Vale record after 73 years | Port Vale equaled the club record of 5 away wins and gone 6 games without conceding for the first time since 1928 last night with a 1-0 win over Notts County. But it took Steve Brooker until the 86th minute to score the winning goal after some great saves from the County keeper. Manager Horton looks set to be named Manager of the Month once again. Port Vale play Bristol City on Saturday
| |
|
| Mon 26 Mar | Teenager Robbed at Knifepoint | Last Friday at 9.05pm a 16 year old teenager was robbed of £150 at knifepoint as he used the cashpoint at Safeway Supermarket. Two youths, one described as 6ft white, slim, with light brown stubble, long ace and chin, the other described as 16 to 17 years old, slim to medium build, wearing a dark scarf, dark baseball cap and clothing.
Anyone with information should contact Stone Police on 01785 812401 | |
|
| Mon 26 Mar | Foot and Mouth
more animals slaughtered than in 1967 | Foot and mouth outbreaks reach 612; in Cumbria the mass burial of 200,000 sheep
carcasses begins at Great Orton airfield. The Army is looking for another site to dispose of cattle. Whilst sheep are to be slaughtered in a two-mile radius of an outbreak it is still not clear if cattle are included, or whether this strategy will be extended from Cumbria and South-West Scotland.
Click for full list of confirmed outbreaks in Staffs | |
|
| Sun 25 Mar | 25 March
19 Cases of Foot and Mouth in Staffs | The total confirmed cases of foot and mouth disease reaches 19 in Staffordshire, and 606 cases in the UK. More of the country is affected than in 1967, and the larger herds means the scale of operations is much bigger. Early unconfirmed reports indicate outbreaks at Eccleshall and Stafford. | |
|
| Fri 23 Mar | 22 March
Foot and Mouth - two more cases in Staffs | Foot and Mouth was confirmed at two more Staffordshire farms as the national total reaches 480. Locally, at Boulton's, Crossing farm, Bramshall and at Bowdler's, Burnhill Green, Wolverhampton. Another case is suspected but yet to be confirmed. | |
|
| Thu 22 Mar | Foot and Mouth reaches 12 Cases in Staffs | Two more cases of foot and mouth bring the total number of cases to 12. The latest outbreaks confirmed on 21st March are at Duroses, Elms Farm, Leigh with 50 cattle, 251 sheep and 2 pigs,and Proffitts, Leys House, Gnosall with 4 cattle and 350 sheep. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 410 in the UK. | |
|
| Wed 21 Mar | Port Vale 0
Lincoln City 0 | Port Vale secured their place in the LDV Final on Tuesday evening when they drew nil all with Lincoln. Vale go through on aggregate and now meet Brentord at Cardiff | |
|
| Sun 18 Mar | Foot and Mouth
Staffs Cases 8 & 9 | The disease has hit two farms in the Uttoxeter area. A farm at Bramshall of 91 cattle and 123 sheep, and a farm at Uttoxeter of 170 cattle. Both cases were confirmed on 17th March at the farms owned by Sargeant (Bramshall) and Ede (Uttoxeter). | |
|
| Thu 15 Mar | Lincoln City 0
Port Vale 2 | Port Vale beat Lincoln City on Wednesday evening after a tough first half. Smith put the ball to Bridge-Wilkinson from a free kick, who blasted the ball into the top corner. Five minutes from time Naylor scored for the first time away from his home ground. Vale are expecting Lincoln to come back with a vengeance for the second leg. | |
|
| Thu 15 Mar | Foot and Mouth
7 cases in Staffs | Two more outbreaks of foot and mouth at Grange Farm, Marston and Park Hall Farm High Offley bring the total cases of the disease to seven in Staffordshire. The outbreak means destruction of 41 cattle at Grange Farm and 200 Cattle at Park Hall Farm. As the outbreaks spread, areas of countryside are closed to the public, and farmers count the cost to their livelihod and daily lives.
| |
|
| Sun 11 Mar | Foot and Mouth - Case 3 in Staffordshire | Foot and mouth disease has broken out at a farm of approximately 100 cattle near Milwich, Staffordshire just 3 miles away from the first. MAFF Officials confirmed this on 9th March but said at this time they could not say if the disease had come from the outbreak near Leigh where over 400 cattle have been slaughtered.
| |
|
| Thu 08 Mar | Cash on Crossings | MP Bill Cash voiced his concerns over the level crossings in and around Stone to the Transport Minister. Mr Cash said that there were major safety concerns which needed urgent action. The MP outlined the situation at each crossing and called for money to make safety improvements.
| |
|
| Thu 08 Mar | Stone Hockey March On | Stone Hockey Club moved a step closer to their premier return with a 3-1 win over Redditch. Both sides on ten men, Stone dominated the second half with goals from Cameron, Allchin and Topley. Stone play West Bromwich this Saturday.
| |
|
| Tue 06 Mar | Port Vale 2 Stoke City 1 | Port Vale knocked Stoke City out of the LDV Trophy on Monday night with a penalty golden goal from Mark Bridge-Wilkinson following a hand ball from Nicky Mohan. Vale went into the lead in the second half with a goal from Michael Cummins, Mohan equalised with five minutes of normal time left. Vale now meet Third Division Lincoln. | |
|
| Mon 05 Mar | Town Crossings | County Councillor, John Wakefield said that local pressure on Railtrack to do more than a minimum of improvements to the town crossings seemed to be paying off. Mr Wakefield said that Railtrack were reconsidering the use of CCTV and that Church Street and Aston Lodge crossings were of concern to Railtrack. Safety considerations at the crossings mean that the Railways Inspector seems likely to come down in favour of better and safer solutions. Mr Wakefield said, “We are very optimistic” | |
|
| Fri 02 Mar | Foot and Mouth in Staffordshire | Confirmed outbreak at Bramshall, Staffs. Foot and Mouth looms as a threat over Stafordshire farmers, farms close themselves off rom the outside world, walkers hang up their boots until the outbreak is over. | |
|
| Thu 01 Mar | Crossings Row | County Councillor John Wakefield revealed in his report that Railtrack were in effect choosing to "do nothing" to improve the level crossings around Stone. Draft proposals from Railtrack would be the upgrading by using CCTV. Level crossings at Aston-by-Stone, Church Lane, Meaford and Barlaston would hardly change. | |
|
| Thu 01 Mar | Sticking it to them |
Stone Hockey Club first team moved further ahead in their bid for their West Midlands One title when they beat local rivals Stafford 3-2. Trailing 1-0 into the second half Stone dominated with two goals from Richard Allkin and a penalty goal from Steve Hulme. Stone seconds did not enjoy the same success however and lost to Walsall 4-3. | |
|
| Thu 22 Feb | Half a Million on the Books | Stone Library has been allocated £500,000 to turn it from its present small and understocked location in the Market Square into a facility for the 21st century. No plans have been made on how to spend the money, Olivia Spencer, Deputy county librarian said that all viable options would be considered.However, Jim Muir, cultural and recreational services leader pointed out that the budget only contained £50,000 to be spent on repairing the roof.
| |
|
| Thu 22 Feb | Pool Improvement at a Stroke | Alleyne's swimming pool is set to receive £29,000 from the Borough Council in next year's budget. The money will be spent on refurbishing the changing rooms, which have been criticised over the last weeks as "appalling". The pool is used by schoolchildren as part of their school physical education and for the general public at other times.
| |
|
| Mon 12 Feb | Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society Blossoms | Gardeners turned out in force for the Society's special talk by experts Frank Taylor and Ian Greenhalgh from Cheshire. The club organises events and talks throughout the year. To join the Society or for details on future meetings call Helen Harrison on 01785 812097 | |
|
| Tue 09 Jan | Sleep Teaches Dancing | Wayne Sleep is running dance workshop at the Stagecraft Performing Arts School. 160 children will take part on March 25th, learning dance skills in ballet and musical theatre. Elaine Bird, Stagecraft Principal said, "This is a great opportunity for our pupils." | |
|
| Mon 08 Jan | Dramatic Boost for Alleyne's | Alleyne's High School has just completed a £30,000 refurbishment of the school's theatre. The refit was the Millenium Challenge of the School PTFA, which has been co-ordinating fundraising efforts for over twelve months. These efforts achieved 21,000, a further £9,000 coming from Central Government. | |
|
| Mon 08 Jan | Christ Church - New Meeting Centre Opens | Reverend Terence Johnson is inviting all his church members to a belated New Year's party on the 13th January to celebrate. Building work is now complete on the Centre, after church members raising over £100,000. The Bishop of Stafford will perform a service of dedication on the 25th February. | |
|
 | |  |
