Our City Issue 09

OurCityOurCityCOUNCIL PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

ISSUE 9: APRIL 2009

SEE PAGE NINE

Why 14 times world darts champion Phil Taylor isproud to be a sporting ambassador for his home city

PowerPotteries

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PowerPotteries

The

of the

Win a family set ofMOUNTAIN BIKESPAGE THREE

Our City p1 20/3/09 11:01

2 Our City A P R I L 2 0 0 9

HELLO. This time I am writing the column as thedeputy Elected Mayor. I also currently chair theExecutive and Members’ Board (the Cabinet).

I have a clear message for everyone: it isbusiness as usual here in Stoke-on-Trent.

It is all too easy to succumb to the generalfeeling of doom and gloom.

The downturn may be global but its effects arebeing felt right here in Stoke-on-Trent. So let mereassure you that the city council and its partnersare acutely aware of the difficulties faced by thepeople they serve. Almost every home, everyfamily and every citizen will be affected.

But we are determined to leave no stoneunturned as we help people through therecession.

This issue of Our City has information on acitywide commitment to help unemployedpeople back into work. We also have stories aboutreal people who have found new jobs thanks toour Jet centres. We can help in other ways too,with benefit advice and support.

And for anyone who is struggling with debt orfinding it hard to make ends meet, it might be agood idea to call the Citizen’s Advice Bureau(CAB) on 01782 408600 and ask for advice.

Also in this issue is a heart-warming story ofour library service taking books out to thosedisabled or infirm people who can’t travel intotown. And we pay tribute to residents who stoodup for themselves and helped the police securean ASBO against a teenage tearaway.

Our own 14 times world darts champion Phil‘The Power’ Taylor tells us why he’s proud to be aglobal ambassador for the Potteries, and we askfor your ideas on how we can celebrate thecentenary of the six towns of Stoke-on-Trentcoming together.

So it’s clear that, even in the hardest times,there is lots to shout about. And make nomistake, we will come through this recession. Wehave to be ready for that moment right now byinvesting in our future.

We are focused on the fact that we are here tohelp, to improve people’s lives. And above all wemust never lose the pride in our city which makesStoke-on-Trent great.

Pride in our citystrong duringdifficult times

DEPUT Y ELECTED MAYOR

Give us your feedback on thisissue of Our City by [email protected] or write to:FREEPOST Our City– next issue out in June

Mohammed Pervez

A full list of dates and times offull city council meetings andcommittee meetings can befound on our websitewww.stoke.gov.uk/meetingdates

Meeting datesare now online

GRAHAM Moore OBEpoints to the busyconstruction site next to

the Cauldon Campus ofStoke on Trent College and says:“Amid all the gloom of therecession, there is cause foroptimism in this city.”

The man who has made the college akey player in the city’s regenerationdrive during his 12-year tenure asPrincipal, sees the 21st century CareCentre of Vocational Excellence(CoVE) taking shape on the Sheltonskyline as a symbol of better timesahead. The reason for his bullishoutlook lies in the fact that he haschampioned the partnership approachto education and training throughworking with the city council, JobcentrePlus, NHS Stoke on Trent,Staffordshire Police, NorthStaffordshire Chamber of Commerceand Industry, local employers, schoolsand higher education providers.

This teamwork provides more peoplewith the skills and qualifications thatmeet the needs of today’s – andtomorrow’s – jobs market.

“Great strides have been taken,” saidGraham. “School results have beentransformed and since I have been herethe college has been turned from one ofthe worst performing in the country toone of the best. This is largely a resultof the education-led partnershipapproach, with everyone working with ashared vision for the city.”

A good example of the partnership isthe £282 million University Quarterwhich will bring together StaffordshireUniversity, Stoke on Trent College andthe city’s Sixth Form College with newshared facilities in the Shelton areadesigned to encourage people toprogress to university education.

The college has a national reputationfor its high standards of vocationaltraining in areas as diverse as care,construction and logistics. This hasearned it the Training Quality Standardafter a rigorous review of how it workswith employers. So far there have beenjust 55 recipients of the prestigiousaward nationally, and it’s the first timeit has gone to any organisation inStaffordshire.

In September last year the collegeintroduced the Government’s newdiploma to help young people developthe hands-on work-related skills such

as maths, English and computer skills,needed for the real world of work.

“All this shows that an education-ledregeneration is providing the city withthe highly skilled population it needs todrive forward and be in a good positionto take full advantage of the recoverywhen it comes,” said Graham.

“This city deserves the best, which iswhy we are aiming for excellence. Butwe can’t do it by ourselves, which iswhy we are working with the citycouncil’s Building Schools for theFuture programme and why the collegeis sponsoring one of the city’s newacademies – the Park Hall Academythat will replace Mitchell and Edensorhigh schools.”

As well as the Care CoVE – whichwill provide the latest learning facilitiesfor the Caring and Service industriessector and opens in September – otherworld class facilities will transform boththe Cauldon and Burslem campuses inan exciting era of redevelopment.

Graham, who retires at the end ofthis year, said: “During this excitingperiod of development, one thing willnot change – the college will always behere to help everyone, no matter howlittle they may have already achieved, inan environment which will make themfeel welcome. I’m proud of what thecollege has achieved so far, but thereare still plenty of challenges for mysuccessor.

“The college will have an excitingfuture in continuing to play a key rolein the success of this city.”

SETTINGTHE STANDARD...

Stoke on Trent CollegePrincipal Graham Moore

with the prestigious TrainingQuality Standard which

recognises further educationin Stoke-on-Trent as

among the best in the UK.

Education-led regenerationis providing the city with thehighly skilled population itneeds to drive forward andbe in a good position to takefull advantage of therecovery when it comes.

Putting skills in placefor better times ahead

Our City is printed on recycledpaper.When you have finished withthis publication please helpthe environment by passing iton to a friend or put it in yourrecycle blue bag.

COVER PICTURE:Phil Taylor wins the 2009Ladbrokes.com PDC WorldDarts Championship atAlexandra Palace, London

Our City p2 20/3/09 11:40 Page 1

A P R I L 2 0 0 9 Our City 3

Step 1� The greenpaper is published. Thisdraft policy document setsout a number of proposalsand how these might becarried out in principle.

Step 2� The public areinvited to tell the citycouncil, within a set timeperiod, what they thinkabout the green paperproposals

Step 3� All commentsare carefully considered. Areport is prepared,summarising the commentsand assessing whether theycan be used to make betterpolicies.

Step 4� In some cases,your comments will be useddirectly to amend orintroduce new city councilpolicies. In others, they’llhelp the city councilimprove the way it makespolicies over the mid-to-long term.

There are lots of wayspeople can get in touch withtheir comments.

They can write to the citycouncil at the followingaddress: FREEPOST Our City,or using the detachable formon the Sport and PhysicalActivity Green Paper, or [email protected]

They can also send a textmessage on 07786200700 –text GREENPAPER then themessage.

Everyone who returns theforms or who sends backconstructive feedbackeither by email or text willreceive a special prize tohelp them kick start theirbid to lead a healthierlifestyle.

They will also be enteredinto a prize draw.

The winner of the drawwill win a set of bikes for afamily of four.

If you have difficultyreading the green paper orneed the document in largeprint, on audio tape orcomputer disk call 01782236113 or minicom 01782232331.

A step by stepguide totaking part...and winning ahealthy prize

STOKE-on-Trent isproud of its long andsuccessful sporting

heritage – and rightly so.From footballing legend Sir

Stanley Matthews to 14 timesWorld Darts Champion PhilTaylor, from Olympic swimminggold medallist Adrian Moorhouseto 2012 sprint hopeful AlexNelson, there have always beenheroes to cheer on and inspireothers to follow in their footsteps.

Add to that two professionalfootball teams with a passionatefan base, a host of top classleisure facilities and well-organised leagues offeringeverything from cricket to streetgames and it seems the city iswell and truly on the sporting map.

So it came as something of akick in the teeth when a recentsurvey indicated that people inStoke-on-Trent are among theleast active in England. In fact, just15 per cent of adults are takingpart in the recommended amountof physical activity.

That is why a green paper hasbeen published in a bid to boostsport participation and physicalactivity and encourage everyone tohave their say in what needs to bedone to get people exercisingagain.

The Green Paper on Sport andPhysical Activity puts forwardproposals for developing newinitiatives and reinforcing existingprogrammes as well as stimulatingdebate about the subject.

City of Sport

Everyone from householders toamateur sportsmen andsportswomen to communitygroups, clubs and organisations areasked to take part and feedbacktheir thoughts.

The city council hopes that thegreen paper will help everyone tobecome more active so they canenjoy being healthier andultimately make Stoke-on-Trent a‘City of Sport’.

The green paper outlines plansto develop sport and physicalactivity up to 2016.

These include:● Making sure 30 per cent of local peopleaged 16 or over are physically active for atleast 30 minutes, five times a week.● 22 per cent of people take part in sportand active recreation for at least 30 minutes,three times a week● Young people take part in sport andphysical activity to reduce the numbers ofchildren who are obese.

The green paper also sets out what hasbeen achieved so far, including securing £28million in grants for sports in schools. It alsolooks at ways to develop existing programmessuch as Street Games, Energise + and SportUnlimited and looks at initiatives that canhelp raise the profile of sport by involving thecity in the 2012 Olympics.

Before real progress can be made ondelivering the priorities it is really importantthat the city council understands what peoplethink and if they support the proposals putforward in the green paper.

People can comment either via the citycouncil’s website, by emailing or by texting.

The opportunity for feedback is open untilApril 21 2009, after which comments will bereviewed and used to shape a final version ofthe paper.

This will be formally adopted as citycouncil policy and help guide work over thenext few years.

A copy of the green paper can bedownloaded from stoke.gov.uk/sportsgreenpaper

Sir Stan’s sporting spirit toinspire healthier lifestyles

City council wants readers’ views to make population fitter

KEEPFIT FUN...

Rowan Village residentFreda Steele, 83, enjoys agym session with trainerNadine Edwards-Jones.

Below, youngsters enjoyskateboarding at the Central Forest

Park Plaza.

Our City p3 19/3/09 17:51 Page 1


PUPILS at one of Stoke-on-Trent’ssecondary schools will beplaying a major part in its

future development and the waylessons are taught.

Students’ ideas at Haywood EngineeringCollege have helped staff shape improvementand development at the High Lane secondaryschool, and their commitment secured it aplace in the £250million programme toimprove every high school and special schoolin Stoke-on-Trent.

Together with their parents they took part inthe city council’s consultation to make suretheir school featured in the Building Schoolsfor the Future (BSF) programme. Hundredsof people associated with the school wereinvolved in meetings over its future,highlighting it as an important part of thesecondary education service in the north ofStoke-on-Trent.

Now it has unveiled a vision for the futureincluding revamped facilities, bettertechnology and a unique ‘learning tower’packed with the latest information technology.

With 1,060 11-16 year-old pupils, thespecialist engineering college has earned areputation for listening to students’ needsand ideas and making sure they arereflected in everything it does. A 2007Ofsted inspection which listed many‘outstanding features’ was welcome proofof its progress. Head Teacher, DavidDickinson explained: “Our aim now is tobecome outstanding in everything.

Good lesson

“To do that we need to continuetransforming a lot of our learning. As far asthe refurbishment goes, we’ve utilised theplans that we already had and new ideas arebeing developed ready to engage with thedesign and build contractors when they areappointed. When we talk about developing theschool vision, personalising learning andcreative learning, we do involve the students alot in that.

“We have a teaching and learningcommittee, whereas a lot of schools haveschool councils. This involves students lookingat both the teaching and learning aspects,” hesaid. “We consult them on everything really.Pupils sit in and observe lessons and we askthem what they think makes a good lesson. Inthe staffroom we have a poster on what makesa good lesson, and this has been put togetherby the students.

“At the moment they are designing a‘learning tower’ which is quite radical. Onepart of the school, the science area, dates fromthe 1960s and that is where we want to putthis ‘learning tower’ which will house betterICT facilities and improve on what we alreadyhave there. The other part of the school justneeds some general refurbishing.

“As an engineering school we have verygood engineering and technological facilitiesand we want to improve on these.

“The other thing BSF will give us is thechance to improve on our sporting facilities.We are very much interested in looking at asporting curriculum, personalised forindividuals, containing not only team gamesbut also offering things like individualconditioning sports,” said Mr Dickinson.

There are also plans to improve the school’screative arts facilities by bringing togethermusic, arts and drama classes in one area.

With further positive feedback from Ofstedlast November, Mr Dickinson believesHaywood will continue developing and aimhigher over the next three years until it fulfilsall the changes he envisages.

“You can put up a lot of new buildings butit won’t naturally transform a school unlessyou’ve got it right within that school,” he said.“And the Ofsted reports have shown that weare getting it right here. Therefore, thebuildings will simply enhance what we arealready doing. We are well on the way to ourgoals and the building is just the final piece ofthe jigsaw which will make sure these changesare sustained in the years to come.

“Schools are going to look very different inthe future. They are going to be a lot more

personalised. One quote that springs to mindis ‘the only person who is educated is theperson who has learnt how to learn’ and Ithink that’s very true of what we are aiming toachieve here.”

Mr Dickinson also believes that as anengineering college, Haywood can help shapethe future of the city’s industry and reshapeand revitalise the flagging economy.

“We need more engineers in the nation aswell as in local areas and we are constantlytrying to boost that,” he said. “Engineering isalso a way of thinking, which ties in with ourlearning.

“We are also a fully extended school, whichmeans we are connected to a number ofdifferent agencies who specialise in things likesupporting youngsters with social problems,youth workers, drug/alcohol units and so on.”

With its clear spirit of drive and enthusiasmHaywood’s continuing rise looks certain tobecome a major success story for the face ofmodern education – not just locally butnationally. “As far as education goes,Stoke-on-Trent is actually one of the mostdeprived cities in the country,” added MrDickinson. “So what we are achieving here interms of value and progress really isremarkable.” ■

Business asusual forimprovingservices

One quote that springs to mind is‘the only person who is educated isthe person who has learnt how to

learn’ and I think that's very true ofwhat we are aiming to achieve here

H E A D T E AC H E R D AV I D D I C K I N S O N

Pupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for futurePupils at heart of school’splans for future

PupilsTahir Balaal, 15,

Mitchell Price, 12,and Abi Dunn, 14, talkto Head Teacher DavidDickinson about new

plans for HaywoodHigh School.

A WEEK may be a longtime in politics, butwhere delivering strongand improving servicesis concerned, it isbusiness as usual weekafter week.

The arrests of electedmayor Mark Meredithand councillor RogerIbbs will not affect anyof the services thisauthority delivers forthe people ofStoke-on-Trent.

Nor will it have anyimpact on the majorprojects we are currentlyimplementing such asthe regeneration of thecity centre and thefuture governancearrangements of thecity.

Independentwatchdog the AuditCommission has thismonth recognised thatcouncil services are‘improving strongly’ –the third successive yearthe council’s capacity toimprove has increased.

This is a greatachievement and onethat demonstrates toresidents that publicservices are wellmanaged and arehelping to make the citya better place to live andwork and visit.

By Stoke-on-Trent

City Council

Interim Chief Executive

Chris Harman

Our City p4 20/3/09 11:41 Page 1


MANY of us enjoy beingterrified by disaster movies.TV series like Survivors –

about the aftermath of a devastatingvirus that wipes out most of theworld’s population – attract highviewing figures.

Of course they are only fiction. None of thedoomsday scenarios portrayed on screencould ever possibly happen to us.Or could they?

Well, yes they could – and in an officecalled the Civil Contingencies room at theCivic Centre a small team plan for thetime when people in Stoke-on-Trent maybe faced with a potential catastrophe.

Making sure the city is prepared to dealwith emergency situations as diverse asfire, flooding, fuel shortages and pandemicflu is part of the city council’s obligationsunder the Civil Contingencies Act.

Health, Safety and Emergency ManagerPeter Burgess and his team have put plansin place for all the above eventualities – andmany more, such as gritting the roads, dealingwith a terrorist attack and even a nuclearincident.

The team works constantly with a host ofagencies – including NHS Stoke on Trent,Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fireand Rescue Service – to ensure the city canrespond effectively to just about anyemergency while minimising disruption to ourday-to-day activities.

For instance, a recent joint exercise with

NHS Stoke on Trent tested a contingencyplan for a pandemic virus outbreak by makingsure enough medication is in place and thatcare is provided for the most vulnerablepeople.

It also identified how vital services wouldbe kept running in the event of large numbersof NHS and city council workers absent dueto sickness because of the pandemic.

Several procedures are in place forevacuating areas in emergency situations suchas a major fire, suspect package, the discoveryof a second world war bomb or a chemicalleak, and to make sure there is enoughtemporary accommodation in communitycentres and other venues for people forced toleave their homes.

The emergency planning team has evendrawn up a virtual “table top” plan for thecomplete evacuation of the city centre.

Peter’s colleague Bob Coar, Business

Continuity Manager, advises businesses onhow they can continue their day-to-daycommercial activities during an emergency.

Thankfully, none of the doomsday plans forStoke-on-Trent have had to be implemented,but in recent years the emergency team hasbeen on standby for potentially hazardousincidents such as a fire on a train at StokeStation, a leak of chlorine fumes from a hotel

swimming pool and flooding caused byprolonged heavy rain.

Peter Burgess said: “We have to thinkthe unthinkable and prepare for justabout anything so that we can respond inthe most effective way to even the worstpossible scenarios.

“As well as a generic plan for unlikelyemergencies, we also have specific plansin place for the more obvious situationssuch as fire and flooding.”

He added: “We must be one of the fewcity council departments responsible fordelivering a service which everyone hopes

they will never need to use.”● Advice for residents and businesses on

how to prepare for emergency situations isavailable from the city council’s civilcontingencies team by phoning 01782234155.

A NEW system that allowsNHS doctors and nurses toaccess vital patientinformation anywhere in thecountry during anemergency is being pilotedat two GP practices inStoke-on-Trent.

The scheme, calledSummary Care Records, willenable authorised medicalstaff dealing with an urgentsituation anywhere inEngland to view patientrecords that would normallyonly be available at the GPpractice.

It is being introduced forpatients of the Apsley Housesurgeries in Burslem andNorton, and also at DrWoodcock and Partners inHartshill.

A plan to roll it out to therest of the city over the next12 months is also underway,with a long-term aim ofestablishing it nationwide.

NHS bosses havedescribed the system, whichwill list key information suchas allergies, currentprescriptions and previousadverse reactions tomedicines as “potentiallylife-saving”.

Dr Andrew Dent, who isbased at the Hartshillsurgery, said: “The system isvery much in its infancy butthe potential benefits arehuge. ”

New systema ‘lifesaver’

ROCK STAR Robbie Williams’Give it Sum charity islooking out for more worthycauses to help inStoke-on-Trent.

Community groups withan income of less than£150,000 can apply forgrants of up to £30,000, butthey must hurry... the nextdeadline for applications isMay 1 this year.

The charity, managed forRobbie by Comic Relief, hasmade over 260 grants in theNorth Staffordshire areasince it was launched nineyears ago.

It has supported a rangeof projects in the cityincluding youth clubs,residents’ associations andprojects working with olderpeople, refugees and singleparents.

To find out more contactthe local Give it Sum advisoron 01782 720040, check thecomic relief website onwww.comicrelief.com/gis or [email protected]

Give it Sumwants to help

Team plans for every

How do you think emergency planninghelped keep the city on the moveduring the winter’s freezing weather?Write to Freepost Our City or [email protected]

We must be one of the few council departmentsresponsible for delivering a service which everyone

hopes they will never need to use

‘‘’’HEALTH, SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGER PETER BURGESS

MAPPING OUTSTRATEGIES:Peter Burgess, thecity council’sHealth, Safety andEmergencyManager has plansfor all eventualities.

Our City p5 19/3/09 17:53 Page 1


Diddy dignitary createsa very big impression

Would you Adam and Eve it?ANYONE agonising over the big question“Where did we come from?” could doworse than pop down to the PotteriesMuseum and Art Gallery.

On one floor is an exhibition onCharles Darwin, pictured, marking thebicentenary of the great naturalist’s birthand the 150th anniversary of thepublication of his seminal work On theorigin of Species on the theory ofevolution.

Yet in another room are historicartefacts including 16th century BishopJames Usher’s book which confidentlydeclares the day of creation was Sunday23 October 4004 BC. The Making History

exhibition also includes a 10 metre (33ft)long family tree which traces descentfrom Charles II, who died in 1685, back toAdam and Eve, and therefore God.

The Potteries Museum and Art Galleryis a treasure trove, and some excitingfinds among its hugecollection are soon to bemade public. Darwinwould certainly smile atthe fact that, while somemuseums struggle, thosein Stoke-on-Trent showthe fittest survive byoffering visitors such a variety of treats.

G RAEME Drayton’s mission is to give the people ofStoke-on-Trent a stronger

voice on issues of neighbourhoodjustice.

As the Safer City Partnership’s newlyappointed Neighbourhood Crime andJustice Co-ordinator at the city council, he isin charge of a Home Office-backed projectto promote “Justice Seen, Justice Done”.

Stoke is one of 60 local authoritiespioneering a nationwide scheme to make thepublic more aware of the due process of law,and address their concerns about crime andantisocial behaviour at a grass roots level.

Already since he took up his post, Graemehas overseen the appointment of 25Community Crime Fighters who willprovide advice and awareness to thecommunity.

The Community Crime Fighters are beingtrained in greater awareness of the powersand tools available to tackle antisocialbehaviour.

Former Staffordshire Police ChiefInspector Graeme, aged 54, has increasedthe amount of feedback people in thecommunity receive, letting them know theresults of court cases.

In another initiative, local people will beencouraged to attend PACT (Partnershipsand Communities Together) meetings sothat they can give their views on punishmentfor crimes that have happened on theirpatch.

“We want people to submit ideas forschemes that offenders can carry out as partof their Community Payback,” said Graeme.

“The public has a right to expect thatoffenders put right their damage in a highlyvisible manner.”

Graeme’s team within the Safer CityPartnership at Stoke-on-Trent City Councilis working to integrate NeighbourhoodPolicing Units, NeighbourhoodManagement Areas and local criminaljustice agencies at community level.

Team members attend PACT meetings tofeed in information about actions taken, andoutcomes of cases. Leaflets and publicitydrives will raise the profile of successfulapplications for Antisocial Behaviour Orders.

Witness support

“We are adding another dimension andtaking the process a stage further,” saidGraeme, who makes sure the local authorityis also represented at the meetings. “It isimportant that people are aware of sentenceshanded out to criminals who have beenactive in their neighbourhoods.”

Graeme is also looking to increase thesupport available to witnesses attendingcourt to give evidence in antisocialbehaviour cases.

He added: “My new role is an enormouschallenge but I am relishing the task. Myprevious experience in the law and orderfield is useful because of the wide network ofcontacts that I have developed in relevantservice areas and within local communitiesacross the city.”

Where do you want Community Paybackto take place? Write to freepost Our Cityor email [email protected]

VISITORS to the LordMayor’s Parlour in recentweeks may have beensurprised to see a two-foot high knitted woollendoll “seated” in the civicchair of the city’s FirstCitizen.

Of course, to beafforded such pride ofplace, this splendid pieceof craft is no ordinarydoll... but one fashionedto be a mini Lord Mayor,resplendent in a blacktricorn hat with threematching feathers and ablack and gold robe.

The diminutive figure isthe handywork of 77-year-old Ethel Harris,pictured below, of SneydGreen, who has beenmaking dolls to raisemoney for charity for thepast 20 years. Her latestproject was borne out of ameeting with Lord MayorDerek Capey last June atHanley Forest Park wherea prize on a charitytombola stall was one ofEthel’s dolls.

“The Lord Mayor askedme if I would make onefor him to raise money forhis charities,” recalledEthel,“I said I would bedelighted to – and thendecided to make it aspecial Lord Mayorfigure.”

Ethel had a little helpin researching the LordMayor’s civic regaliafrom her daughters, JoyGarner and DebraGratton, who are bothcity councillors.“Theytook somephotographs for me ofthe Lord Mayor’s robeswhich I based mydesign on,” said Ethel.

However, the diddy

dignitary’s days in theParlour will soon benumbered – as it is to beraffled off, with theproceeds going to thisyear Lord Mayor’scharities, the StanleyMatthews Foundation andthe Donna Louise Trust’sTreetops Hospice. Thewinner of the raffle will bepresented with the doll ata ceremony followed bydinner with the LordMayor.“Children visitingthe Parlour have loved themini Lord Mayor and havewanted to bephotographed with him,”said Derek,“I think I’mgoing to miss the littlefella.”

Lord MayorCouncillorDerek Capeywith his“mini me”.

Giving peoplestronger voiceon justice

NeighbourhoodCrime and Justice

Co-ordinator GraemeDrayton, centre, on the

streets of Stoke with PC Rebecca Harris

and PC Dave Ellis.

Our City p6 19/3/09 17:56 Page 1


RETIRED teacherFreda Stephensonstill loves books as

much as she ever did. Herpassion for reading startedwhen she was a young girl,continued throughout hercareer and led to herbecoming a long-standingmember of her locallibrary.

In fact, the only difference nowis that Freda, who is 57, isregistered blind and disabled as aresult of diabetes. It means she ishousebound and unable toborrow books in the traditionalway.

Fortunately, like hundreds ofothers in the city, she is able totake advantage of a free-of-chargelibrary service, which actuallymeans the books are delivereddirectly to her doorstep… and ina format she can still enjoy.

Freda enrolled on theHomelink service which deliversbooks, talking books, CDs andDVDs to 275 residents inStoke-on-Trent.

The service is tailored to peoplejust like Freda who arehousebound and unable to travelto their nearest library. New

customers are asked what theirinterests are and what genre ofbooks they read in order toevaluate their particularrequirements.

Then every six weeks Homelinkdriver Brian Griffiths visitscustomers, at a pre-arranged timeto suit, to deliver new bookstailored to the individual’s needsand interests.

“Homelink is a real gem,” saidFreda. “It’s one the city councilshould be very proud of.”

Lifeline

“Just because I have lost mysight doesn’t mean I have lost mypassion for books. It would be astep too far not to be able to‘read’ and this service makes sureI don’t have to by allowing me toborrow audio books.

“I don’t have any family livingin the area and because of mydisabilities it is impossible totravel to the library myself. So forme Homelink is a real lifeline.”

The former Thistley HoughHigh School teacher was alsoastonished by the number oftalking books available throughthe service.

She said: “I like family andhistorical novels and there is a

real range by authors I amfamiliar with and also ones thatlibrary staff have recommended tome who write in the same genre.

“I love opening my bookconsignment every six weeks toreveal which ones I have beensent – it’s great escapism for me.”

Freda also benefits from thesocial side of the scheme. Sheadded: “Brian, who delivers thebooks, is wonderful too. We havebuilt up a real bond of friendshipand trust and I enjoy his visits. Wetalk about current affairs and thebooks I am reading. It really addsto the service provided.”

Homelink has a broadspectrum of users aseight-year-old Robert Allcockproves. Robert has a muscle-wasting disease, which means heis wheelchair bound, on aventilator and requires around-the-clock care.

Keeping up with the latestbooks to supplement hiseducation was always difficultuntil his family learned about theservice.

Robert’s mum, Barbara, said:“His tutor found out about

Homelink and we contacted thelibrary to see what they could dofor us.

“A lady from the library camealong to find out about hisrequirements, we filled in a formand it was as simple as that.”

Now, every six weeks aselection of books tailored toRobert’s studies is delivered to hishouse in Sandford Hill – alongwith books to fuel his otherpassions of football andmotorcycling.

Invaluable

Barbara added: “Robert needsconstant supervision so it isdifficult for me to pop along tothe library with him – especiallyduring bad weather. So theservice has been particularlyinvaluable during the cold winterwe have had this year.

“It really works for us and Iwould recommended it toanyone.”

■ To qualify for Homelink aperson must live in the city and be

unable to visit their local librarybecause of significant difficulty,for example illness, disability ormobility problems. The servicecan also help out people withtemporary problems like thoserecuperating at home after an

operation.To nominate yourself,a friend or relative for this

service, contact City CentralLibrary on 01782 238407 or yourlocal library.

Caring service delivers books, talking books, CDs and DVDs to broad spectrum of people

Vital link takesour libraries to the home









Homelink driver Brian Griffiths readsa passage from a Dr Who book to

Robert Allcock during a visit to hishome to deliver a selection of

books for the youngster.

Brian shares a joke withretired teacher FredaStephenson when callingto deliver some talkingbooks. Right, Brianunloading books fromhis van.

Our City p7 20/3/09 09:08 Page 1


ANEW discount cardscheme is encouraging people to visit the host

of popular tourist attractionsright on their doorstep.

Anyone who applies for the freeEnjoy Staffordshire card is entitled toexclusive benefits at museums, pubs,restaurants, hotels and many othertop attractions throughout the cityand beyond.

Scores of organisations and venueshave signed up to the scheme withpromotions including free tickets,two-for-one admission, children gofree and discounts on purchases.

Venues in Stoke-on-Trent that havealready pledged support include FordGreen Hall, the Wedgwood VisitorCentre, Waterworld and Portmeirion,Dudson and Moorcroft.

The scheme is county-wide soincludes other popular attractionssuch as Alton Towers, Drayton ManorTheme Park and The TrenthamEstate.

Sam Hall, Tourism MarketingOfficer for Stoke-on-Trent Tourism,said: “Anyone can apply for the EnjoyStaffordshire card but its main aim isto encourage people who live locallyto enjoy the fantastic attractions thatare right on their doorstep.

“Stoke-on-Trent, and Staffordshireas a whole, has a great deal to offer.People who live locally sometimesdon’t always appreciate what there isand feel they have got to make a longcar journey to visit an attraction orfor a day out.

“This is not the case – as thethousands of tourists who come intothe area prove.

“The organisations that have signedup so far include some of the biggest

names in the area and there areplenty of discounts and offers fromfree tickets to discounts on purchases.

“The promotions are alsocontinually being updated so thatthey cater for as broad a range ofpeople and requirements as possible.”

To apply for an Enjoy Staffordshirecard, or for more details about thepromotions, either telephone 0844 888 1747 or visit the websitewww.enjoystaffordshire.com

ROBERT Wilson thanks his luckystars that he decided to do hisshopping at Stoke Market…because he bagged a brand newcar along with his groceries.

Robert was one of 12 winnerswho had already scooped a £100cash prize as part of acompetition to promote thepopular market.

Each of the lucky dozen werethen also asked to choose a keyand whoever’s fitted the brandnew Chevrolet Matiz walkedaway with the shiny new motor.

The car giveaway formed partof a free family fun day, whichincluded a story time session,arts and crafts, face painting anda competition to win one of 50slow cookers.

The event was organised toraise the profile of Stoke Market– now back in its original sitefollowing completion of the newStoke Local Centre.

Business-aid scheme inline for national awardA CITY council scheme to help businesses grow hasbeen short-listed for a prestigious award.

Build Up North Staffordshire, which helpsconstruction companies benefit from the multi-billionpound regeneration plans for the area, is to find outin April if it is the regional finalist in the ConstructingExcellence 2009 Awards.

The scheme, which works in partnership with theLearning Skills Council, North Staffordshire Chamberof Commerce and Industry and Business Link, is oneof four companies short-listed for the Integration andCollaborative Working award.

It works by matching local companies with tenderopportunities. Tailored business support and advice isalso offered to help businesses improve profitability.

The scheme has contracted more than £1,000,000worth of business since it began in 2007. In total theproject has enrolled 344 suppliers and 32 buyers –and 2,000 people from 85 companies have startedtraining in construction.

For more information or to become a member go towww.buildup-ns.org.uk or telephone 01782 224414 Lord Mayor Councillor Derek Capey congratulates competition winner Robert Wilson

on scooping the prize of a brand new car.

Happy shopper bags a brand new car

Discountsjust theticket forresidents

Discountsjust theticket forresidents

CARRY THE CARD...Museum Assistant Nicky Gane in Tudor dress atFord Green Hall, with the Enjoy Staffordshire card.

CRAZY health and safetymyths like makingconker players weargoggles and banninghanging baskets are thetarget of a newinformation campaign inthe city. City councilInterim Chief ExecutiveChris Harman signed upto the Health And SafetyExecutive’s Sensible Riskcampaign to drawattention to importantissues like avoiding fatalinjuries and accidents atwork.

Chris said: “We want tomake sure that peopledo not see health andsafety as a negative. It’san important part ofhow we all work and livebut we need to approachit sensibly.

“We also want peopleto get a clear picture

about the role of theHealth and SafetyExecutive andunderstand that it is notabout getting rid of allrisks – that’s impossible.It’s about managing riskssensibly.”● Meanwhile, the citycouncil has reduced therate of accidentsinvolving its staff by halfin the last four years.

Since 2004, accidentsacross a range ofdirectorates have beenreduced from up to nineper quarter to less thanfive, with the amount oftime off as a result ofthese accidents reducedtoo.

Reported accidentshave also decreased bynearly 100 in the year2007-2008, from 251 attheir height to 167.

SAFETY PLEDGE: signing the agreement are, left toright, Chris Harman, city council Interim Chief Executive,Dr Janice Dale, HM Principal Inspector of Health andSafety, and Stephen Flanagan, Head Of Operations forHSE Midland Region.

City council signs upto HSE safety drive

Our City p8 20/3/09 09:09 Page 1


PHILIP Douglas Taylor neverfails to hit the target when itcomes to promoting his

home city of Stoke-on-Trent. Infact his passion for the Potteries isknown around the globe – for weare talking about Phil “ThePower” Taylor, 14 times worlddarts champion.

Wherever he throws a set of meanarrows, Phil also uses his considerablecelebrity power and steps up to the oche totell just about everyone he meets aboutwhat a great place Stoke-on-Trent is.

Phil, who indulged in his favourite hobbyby playing darts in pubs throughout thecity before hitting the professional circuit,said: “I have made a lot of good and lastingfriends through playing darts in Stoke-on-Trent during those early days, because thepeople are naturally warm,friendly and genuine.

“Unfortunately a lot ofpeople who have never beenhere think the Potteries is agrimy industrial area and Ilove nothing better than totell them about theregeneration that’s going on,such as the new industries,businesses and houses thatare springing up.”

As well as his brace ofworld titles, Phil hasaccumulated over 75 othertournament wins whichmakes him the mostsuccessful darts player of all time. It’s astunning career that has tested his deadlyaccuracy on dartboards all over the UKand in countries as far apart as Canada,Japan and Australia.

Phil’s amazing talent at throwing dartshas brought him fame and fortune – butone of the world’s most recognisablesporting superstars still lives in NorthStaffordshire with his wife Yvonne andtheir children Lisa, Chris, Kelly andNatalie. And he often throws a few practicearrows with regulars at the Roebuck pub inBurslem, just a dart’s throw away fromPort Vale Football Club – another passionin his life.

Phil, who left school at 16, never forgetshis first job as a £9 a week sheet metalworker with JF Salt and Co in Burslem.

Recently he met up with Stoke-on-Trent’sother famous son Robbie Williams andstayed at the singer’s Los Angeles homewhere the pair from the Potteries reminiscedabout growing up in the city they both loveand support whenever they can.

Phil said: “I am really proud to be anambassador for my city.Wherever I go in theworld the conversation always comes roundto where I’m from. A lot of people ask me toexplain the pottery industry term ‘saggarmaker’s bottom knocker’ (he’s often playeddarts in the Saggar Maker’s pub inBurslem).

“It’s a great way to get talking aboutStoke-on-Trent, and people who have neverbeen to the area are surprised when I tellthem about what’s happening in the city.

“I also tell business people Imeet about how Stoke-on-Trent is conveniently close tomotorways and major airports,and therefore a great place toset up a base for a businessthat depends on the transportnetwork.

“They know I’m rightbecause I have to travel totournaments, exhibitionmatches and othercommitments all over the UK,and nowhere could be morecentral than Stoke-on-Trent.”

However the sportingambassador did lose the

power of speech after a curious encounteron the other side of the world. Whilestrolling through a village market in aremote part of rural China, Phil saw atrader wearing a Port Vale shirt!

He recalled “For once, I was struckdumb with shock – and in any case no-oneelse spoke English so I couldn’t ask himhow he became a fellow supporter!”

● In case you don’t know, a saggarmaker’s bottom knocker used to knock outthe shape of the clay base for the saggarswhich held and protected pottery duringthe kiln-firing process. It’s rated as themost unusual occupation to be featured on

the classic TV panel game What’s My Linein which contestants mimed their job, thenanswered yes or no questions from fourcelebrities who tried to work out what thecontestant did for a living. ■

Phil’s passionand pride forthe Potteries

Phil Taylor is pictured above at BentileeNeighbourhood Centre helping topromote a healthy living community funday with Michelle Fahey, right, and StaceyHeath of the city council’s Jobs Enterpriseand Training Centre.

Right, Phil with the World DartsChampionship trophy in the Roebuckpub, Burslem, where he practices.

Phil joins in the fun withDean and Jessica Harveyat the Bentilee healthyliving day. stoke.gov.uk

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or visit our website at www.stokeeycs.co.uk

‘‘

’’

Peoplehere arenaturally

warm,friendly

andgenuine

Our City p9 20/3/09 09:11 Page 1

CITY residents will soon have a clearer idea ofhow they can get involved in decision makingabout services that affect their quality of lifeand the areas where they live.

Two consultative meetings that broughttogether voluntary sector workers, residents,Stoke-on-Trent City Council staff and strategicpartners to discuss community engagement inthe city have paved the way for a new

Community Engagement Framework.It aims to make sure that the city council and

its partners work together effectively inengaging with communities.

Feedback from the public meetings will helpto shape the framework, which will set outguidelines for all groups and service providerson how to make sure everyone in the city isinformed and listened to.

The framework will be put on the citycouncil’s website as a “live” document that canbe updated and revised, ensuring that it alwaysreflects any changes in the city. Jenny Graham,Sustainable Communities Manager, said:“Community engagement underpinseverything we do in the city and involves awide range of issues as diverse as climatechange, justice and youth engagement.“

STOKE-on-Trent City Councilhas welcomed the AuditCommission’s finding that it is

“improving strongly”.The independent watchdog has given

Stoke-on-Trent City Council the highestpossible rating for its “direction of travel” –the assessment of the city council’s capacity toimprove.

This is the third consecutive year ofimprovement in the “direction of travel”, from“not improving adequately” in 2006 to“improving well” in 2007.

The finding comes in the AuditCommission’s annual ComprehensivePerformance Assessment (CPA) for 2008:

The assessment says:● Significant progress has been made

across all priority areas● Outcomes for vulnerable adults have

improved and are now good● Arrangements for safeguarding

children have been strengthened● GCSE results are the best the city has

ever seen● The number of schools judged as

inadequate has reduced from thirteen toone

● Local people are starting to see the resultsof good investments in regeneration

● Crime levels have gone down by 17 percent

● There are robust plans and good capacityto support future improvements

● Resources are used effectively with value-for-money arrangements significantlyimproved.Stoke-on-Trent Deputy Elected Mayor

Councillor Mohammed Pervez said: “I amproud of all the hard work of our staff,councillors and all the organisations we workwith in providing improved services to thecity’s people.

“This report shows that Stoke-on-TrentCity Council is making life better foreveryone who lives in this city, particularly

older people, forchildren in our

schools and for ourcommunities.”

Chris Harman, City Council Interim ChiefExecutive, said: “It is a great achievement tobe recognised as improving strongly.

“This report shows that we are a well-managed council, with skilled and dedicatedstaff who are making the city a better place tolive and work.

“There is much more to do, of course, andwe will continue our efforts to improveservices, bring in new investment and managethe change to the council’s new politicalsystem.”

Major services assessed in the CPA have allimproved since 2007. Adult social care hasmoved from a score of two (adequate) tothree (good), and use of resources has alsoincreased from two to three.

Children and young people’s services has

remained at two, but has improved within thisband.

Two reports by Ofsted in January 2009 andDecember 2008 showed that services forchildren and young people had improved.

The city council’s overall rating has fallenfrom three stars in 2007 to two stars in 2008because of the way the Audit Commissiondetermines the rating.

Mr Harman said: “The city council’s overallstar rating has fallen due to the way the AuditCommission formula uses the corporateassessment score from 2005.

“Things are different now and it is clearfrom the other scores and the AuditCommission’s report that the city council iswell managed and improving strongly.”

What could Stoke-on-Trent City Council do to improve its services? Write to Freepost OurCity oremail [email protected]

THE ‘Stoke YourFires 2009’

Festival ofAnimation

returns to the cityafter its successful

premiere last year.This year

organisers arehosting a month ofanimation themed events atThe Potteries Museum andArt Gallery in Hanley.

Throughout April visitorswill be able to try their handat animation workshopsusing new technology ortraditional techniques, therewill be a display of modelsand puppets familiar to allages and popular animatedfilms will be screened in theForum Theatre.

A two-day festival, also atThe Potteries Museum andArt Gallery, featuresprofessional animatorstaking part in seminars,lectures and master classesto share and develop theirunderstanding of theindustry.

The festival also includes amajor internationalcompetition with sixcategories open tosubmissions from bothprofessional and localanimators – and the judgesare keen to see more workby local people to show whata vibrant and creative cityStoke-on-Trent is.

● Cutting edge urban art bygraffiti artists includingBanksy, Adam Neate, CandiceTripp, Swoon and Elbowtoeare featured in an exhibitioncalled ‘The Arrival’, Urban Artwhich runs until May 10 atThe Potteries Museum andArt Gallery.

Framework paves way for public to have a say

Queen’s Special by graffitiartist Adam Neate.

Animationand streetart on show


‘improving strongly’‘improving strongly’

‘improving strongly’

‘improving strongly’‘improving strongly’‘improving strongly’‘improving strongly’‘improving strongly’

‘improving strongly’

Inspection showscity council services Inspection showscity council services

GLOBAL STAGE...the visit by Archbishop

Desmond Tutu, pictured at apress conference at the civic

centre, and football legend Pelehelped raise Stoke-on-Trent’s

profile around the world duringa period when, according

to government inspectors,city council services

were “improvingstrongly.”

Our City p10 20/3/09 09:13 Page 1


IN the classic 1961 comedyThe Blood Donor,comedian Tony Hancock

complained to a doctor:“A pint! That’s very nearlyan armful.”

Well, spare a thought for citycouncil postroom courier SteveHassell, who, having donatedan astonishing 67 pints ofblood, has given nearly afootball team full!

Steve, who was caretaker atMeir Community Centre for 32years and now works as acourier at the civic centre,discovered how easy it was togive blood after overcoming hisfear of needles.

“They were holding a blooddonor session in the centre in1975 and one of the nurses toldme it was a piece of cake to givea pint,” he explained. “She wasright – since then I’ve thoughtof the benefits of the blood I’vedonated and hoped that it hashelped improve people’s healthand even save some lives.

“I’ve got to know some ofthe staff who run the bloodservice, and joke that I’monly doing it for the cup oftea and biscuit afterwards!”

NHS Stoke on Trent’sDirector of Public Health GiriRajaratnam paid tribute toSteve’s achievement and urgedmore people to become blood

donors. He said: “Blood isliterally a lifesaver to peoplewho have been in an accidentor need it to survive treatmentsand operations. It can also besplit into its constituent partslike red cells, platelets andplasma to help with thetreatment of conditions fromanaemia to leukaemia.

“It’s a vital part of the NHSand stocks are being constantlyrefreshed to keep up withdemand. Steve should becongratulated for his personalcommitment to giving bloodand I would urge as manypeople as possible in Stoke-on-Trent to follow his example and

visit a blood donor session.“It doesn’t take long, but by

giving up a little time, and apint of blood, you could besaving someone’s life.”

According to the NationalBlood Service, the top uses fordonated blood are:1 General Surgery at 23 percent.2 General Medical with 15 percent.3 Cardiothoracic – heart andchest surgery – with 13 percent.4 A figure of 11 per cent putsOrthopaedics here - that’sanything to do with bones andbone diseases.5 Haematology (blood diseases)with 9 per cent.6 Accident and Emergency with 8 per cent.7 Renal or anything to do withthe kidneys with 6 per cent,along with Neonatal andPaediatrics, which is thetreatment of newborns andchildren.8 Intensive Care with 4 percent.9 Obstetrics and Gynaecology(anything to do with pregnancyand childbirth)weighing in with 3.5per cent.

Other uses accountfor the remaining 7.5per cent.

MUM-of-two Corinne Minshall,pictured, is celebrating afterbecoming Stoke-on-Trent’s first“outstanding” childminder.

Corinne, from Abbey Hulton,was presented with a bouquetof flowers ather home tohonour herachievement.

Corinne, aregisteredchildminder,was judged“outstanding”in a recentOfsted report

She looksafter childrenup to sevenyears old and has close linkswith Kingsland Children’sCentre. She is supported by thecity council’s developmentteam within the early,enhanced and extendedservices. Development OfficerJayne Richards said: “Corinneis a real asset and this is richlydeserved. We’re all very proudof her and are pleased herwork has been recognised.”

Childminder is‘outstanding’

Police praise publicover ASBO success

Courier donates 67lifesaving pints

CUPSTHAT CHEER...blood donor

Steve Hassell, witha cuppa for each ofthe 67 pints he has

donated since1975.

stoke.gov.uk

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Stoke-on-TrentParent Direct can

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most about being aworking parent.

Speak to Stoke-on-TrentParent Direct FREE on:

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Lost your balance?

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or visit our website at www.stokeeycs.co.uk

RESIDENTS have beenpraised for helpingsecure an antisocialbehaviour order (ASBO)in just over four weeksagainst a 15-year-oldtearaway terrorising hiscommunity.

They complained theboy was lighting fires andphysically and verballyabusing people in theBurslem area.

Witnesses who helpedbring the case to courtincluded members of thepublic, city council staff,firefighters and policewho had all been victimsof the teenager’sbehaviour. NowStoke-on-Trent’s SaferCity Partnership, whichbrings together agenciesacross the city toimprove communitysafety, is hailing the caseas an example ofsuccessful partnershipwork. Sergeant RobBateman, who co-ordinated the collectionof evidence withcolleagues from the city

council, said: “Thisindividual was startingfires, intimidatingresidents, causingcriminal damage andshowing an appallingattitude towards hiscommunity and publicservices. With thepublic’s help we movedquickly to secure anASBO. This enabled usto publish his name andphotograph in thecommunity where theantisocial behaviour tookplace, and reassureresidents that if hebreaches his ASBO byoffending again itbecomes a criminaloffence and he faces acustodial sentence.”

The Safer CityPartnership has advisedanyone suffering fromantisocial behaviour tocontact Stoke-on-TrentCity Council’s AntisocialBehaviour helplinenumber on 08005615610, or StaffordshirePolice on0300 123 44 55.

give blood

To find out more about how you canhelp, telephone

0845 7 711 711or visit the websitewww.blood.co.uk tofind places where youcan give blood.

Our City p11 20/3/09 09:16 Page 1

12 Our City A P R I L 2 0 0 9 A P R I L 2 0 0 9 Our City 13

EXHIBITIONS, eventsand even a royal visitare expected to mark

the 100th anniversary ofStoke-on-Trent’s famous sixtowns coming together asone.

Federation of Tunstall, Burslem,Hanley, Stoke, Fenton andLongton in 1910 paved the wayfor the formation of the modernCity of Stoke-on-Trent 15 yearslater. Each had been a countyborough, with its own council,town hall and local services.

It was, then, a unique event inEnglish Local Government, andhas never been repeated. March31 1910, when the new CountyBorough of Stoke-on-Trent cameinto being, has been hailed byexperts as one of the mostimportant days in this proud city’shistory, not only because of itscivic significance, but for thesocial benefits that a united sixtowns brought to residents.

Local historian Fred Hughes,who is writing a book on theanniversary called A CentenaryHistory of Stoke-on-Trent, said:“Federation meant that sixseparate local authorities wouldbenefit from pooling theirresources – such as the supply ofgas and the infant ‘new’ electricity.

“Sewage disposal and watersupply were other services thatwould benefit from a singleadministration.

Progression

“And even the amalgamation ofthe existing tramway under acommon ownership would maketravelling from Tunstall toLongton half the price.

“Stoke-on-Trent’s motto, VisUnita Fortior, which means UnitedStrength is Stronger, could nothave been better proven thanwhen it was introduced in 1910.

“The former colonial state ofNew Hampshire was the firstmodern independent federation toadopt the inspirational motto andto incorporate it into itsconstitutional Great Seal in 1776after discarding the royal seal ofKing George III at the end of theAmerican War of Independence. Itnot only represented freedom forits citizens but unity in its forwardprogression.”

He added: “Did the fathers ofStoke-on-Trent’s federation copythis motto from the fathers of theUnited States of America? Itwould be wonderful if this was thecase.”

Now, almost 100 years later,planning is in motion to makesure everyone in Stoke-on-Trent

has an opportunity to take part incelebrations of the importantmilestone next year. Althoughspecific events have yet to beannounced it is hoped that a royalvisit will take place on March 31 –the date of the actual centenary.

An exciting exhibition is alsobeing planned to take place at thePotteries Museum and Art Gallerylater in the year. It will takeinformation from the so-calledDomesday Survey – carried out in1910 by Chancellor of theExchequer David Lloyd George –which went into meticulous detailon family homes and

circumstances.It is hoped the exhibition will

paint a vivid picture of thedifferences between life in thePotteries in 1910 and 2010.

The city council – which isco-ordinating planning thecelebrations – is asking localpeople for their memories ofStoke-on-Trent over the last100 years, and for ideas onhow the celebrations caninvolve as many parts of thecommunity as possible.

Deputy Elected MayorCouncillor Mohammed Pervezsaid: “We want 2010 to become a

whole year of celebration, withschools, community groups,neighbourhoods and employers allplaying their part in marking 100years since the six towns ofStoke-on-Trent came together.

“We have so much to celebrateand be proud of and we want tosee as many events as possiblereflecting the achievements of ourcity and its people.”

● Do you have any ideas on howour city can celebrate the 100thanniversary of the federation of thesix towns of Stoke-on-Trent? Write toFreepost Our City or [email protected]

PEOPLE who breed domesticanimals, run boarding homes forcats and dogs or keep exotic petsare being urged to make sure theyhave the necessary license. The citycouncil issues licenses to safeguardboth the public and thewelfare of animals.

Many exotic petssuch as venomoussnakes and spiders

and some primates need the ownerto get a license.

Anyone breeding dogs for saleand those looking after cats anddogs on a regular basis – even if it is

at home – must alsoapply.

Full details can befound on the websitestoke.gov.uk/animalhealth

MORE than 250 people havejoined an internet grouplaunched by StaffordshireFire and Rescue Service tohelp boost home safety in thecity.

The forum on the popularsocial-networking siteFacebook encourages peopleto book a free home fire riskcheck for their elderlyrelatives and neighbours.

The initiative is part of theservice’s high profile More ForLess campaign which aims toreduce serious injuries and

deaths in accidental housefires. Head of Risk ReductionIan Sloss said:“Facebook hasa lot of young users, many ofwhom will know elderlypeople, so we areencouraging these people totake action, tell theirgrandparents, relatives orneighbours about the homefire risk check service and getthem booked in.”

The Facebook page can beaccessed at by searching forSTOP Elderly People Dying inFires.

Facebook opened on fire safety

Exotic animal advice online

PUPILS from five primaryschools had the chance togrill some of Stoke-on-Trent’s top civic officialsduring a Question Time styleevent. The children, from St John’s, Oakhill, StokeMinster, Priory and St Teresa’s asked dignitariesincluding the Lord Mayor,Councillor Derek Capey andcity council youth playrepresentatives for moresporting events and playareas.

They asked what wasbeing done to stop the saleof cigarettes to underagechildren, and questioned the panel over wasteland inthe area. Similar events arenow being planned acrossthe area for both primaryand secondary schoolscovering topics such asantisocial behaviour andeconomics.

Question Timeofficials grilled

A £3 million “one stop shop”which brings city councilservices together under oneroof has been hailed as avibrant part of thecommunity.

Stoke Local Service Centreprovides access to housingbenefits, council tax, housingrepairs, blue badgeapplications andenvironmental concerns,alongside a brand newlibrary for the town.

A computerised queuingsystem, digital technologyand a children’s zone makesaccess to all services mucheasier at the newstate-of-the-art site in ChurchStreet.

Since opening in mid-January it has providedbenefits for the localcommunity… and the librarywhich is stocked with 24,000books and 1,000 CDs andDVDs has seen membershipand enquiries risesignificantly.

Local centre abig success

HISTORIC photographs used on thispage were taken around 1910, and are

from the William Blake Collection.William Blake photographed the

landscapes, buildings and peopleof Stoke-on-Trent and itssurrounding areas. The imageshe captured offer a uniquerecord of the Potteries and thelives and activities of itsinhabitants.

In 1998 The Potteries Museumand Art Gallery purchased 1,350

glass plate negatives taken byBlake, followed by another 24 in

2005. The photographs arereproduced courtesy of the Potteries

Museum and Art Gallery.

Hopes of a royal visit as Stoke-on-Trent plans a proud calendar of events to mark the centenary of the Six Towns Federation

Celebrating 100 yearsof unity

Checking and packing potteryin a factory warehouse.

Hundreds of youngsters wait to take a dip in the paddling pool atLongton Park – a far cry from today when they can enjoy a swimin a 21st century facility at Fenton Manor. Our photograph, right,shows Jasmine Mirza, aged 5, of Penkhull, and her two-year-oldbrother Isaac in a half-term pool session.

Children line themuddy road at WharfStreet, Longton – nowBridgwood Street.

A horse-drawn delivery cart on the Broadwayat Meir crossroads... a world away from the

hustle and bustle of today’s busy roundabout,part of the roof of the A50 tunnel.

Photos fromBlake collection

FIVE-year-old Alisha Gill tucks into a healthy fruit kebab as part of a funday to promote healthy lifestyles in Bentilee.

The area’s neighbourhood centre threw open its doors to the publicfor the event attended by Lord Mayor Councillor Derek Capey and 14times world darts champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.

As well as information on quitting smoking, sexual health, healthyliving and blood pressure checks, there were short walks around theestate and a positive parenting play surgery.

The centre’s library offered fun with a Nintendo Wii and story time.There were also healthy treats on the food tasting stall.

FINDOUT MORE...

Information abouthealthy living and

events in Stoke-on-Trent is available online atwww.hpns.nhs.uk, or

telephone HealthPromotion on 01782

298000.

Fruity fun day sends outhealthy living messages

CYCLISTS have celebrated thelaunch of a speedway track inEtruria Park.

It is available to all cyclistswho visit the park, and willhost local group Stoke WhiteRock Cycle Speedway Club'shome fixtures.

The club secured £10,000lottery funding for the trackand were supported by theirlocal councillors’ ward fundand Staffordshire Police.

Speedway tosuccess

Our City p12-13 20/3/09 09:34 Page 1


Trainees David Meesonand Sandra Robertsonpictured at the newRiverside Training andEnterprise Centre, Stoke.

For more information and to find your nearest Children’s Centre,please contact Stoke-on-Trent Parent Direct on freephone

0800 015 1120

stoke.gov.uk

Quality childcareavailable at yourlocal Children’s

Centre

All of the nurseries are:•Ofsted registered

•well equipped

•have fully qualified and experienced staff

•have funded places available for 3 year-olds

•offer freshly cooked healthy meals andcater for special dietary requirements

•have outdoor activity space

LIVING with a learningdisability could havemade it difficult for

local man David Meeson tofind employment.

But thanks to 22 years oftraining and skills developmentdelivered by Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil, David has seen his CVgo from strength to strength.

Regular training at the citycouncil's Hamilton Centre inFenton and more recently its newstate-of-the-art replacement, theRiverside Training and EnterpriseCentre at Stoke, has allowed himto experience a variety of jobs andwork placements.

And now he finds himself at theheart of a city that is betterplaced than ever to boast some ofthe best equal rights andopportunities in the UK.

David said: “The things welearn at the Riverside are so goodfor us.

“Without somewhere like thiswe would just be sitting at homedoing nothing.

“It gives me a real boostcoming here, the experience Igain is invaluable – all my family

are so proud and chuffed aboutwhat I am doing.”

David, 41, has worked in avariety of roles thanks to the skillshe learnt on his city counciltraining courses.

Adults with learning disabilitiesare helped to improve their self –presentation and interview skills,develop their CVs, strengthentheir team working and increasetheir health and safety awareness.

Treated equally

The trainees are then helpedinto work placements in customerservice, hospitality and otherservice industry roles.

The centre boasts a mediasuite, which helps individualscreate personal developmentplans using photographs, films,sign language and interactivewhiteboards.

It also has three conferencingrooms available for hire.

David added: “I have worked ineverything from pot banks tooffices and the catering industry.People with learning disabilitiesdeserve to be treated equally andthe staff at the Riverside are so

good at giving you that push youneed to believe in yourself.”

Sandra Robertson, 46, ofBentilee, started at the HamiltonCentre 26 years ago and she iscurrently carrying out a workplacement at a hairdressers inHeron Cross.

She said: “I do different thingsat Riverside than I did at theHamilton Centre. I feel it is anew start for me.

“My family are really happythat I’m doing something toimprove myself.

“I don’t know what I would dowithout the help I receive at theRiverside.”

Adults referred to the Riversidecentre have their needs assessedand enter a 16-week Smart Startprogramme to learn work skillsand put those skills into practiceon work placements.

At the end of the course, staffwork with the trainees to supportthem into paid or voluntaryemployment.

The Riverside Centre inCampbell Road, Stoke wasofficially opened by Stoke Citychairman Peter Coates, and LordMayor Councillor Derek Capey.

Delivering trainingthat changes lives

Our City p14 20/3/09 10:30 Page 1


ONE Lucky reader will become the proudowner of a painting by big selling local artistSid Kirkham – widely known as the Potteries’answer to LS Lowry – in this great Our Cityreaders’ competition.

Sid, who only took up painting professionallyat the age of 60, is famous for his highlycollectable watercolours depicting nostalgicurban landscapes of his native NorthStaffordshire.

There is a great demand for the works whichcapture scenes that are fast vanishing such asold bottle kilns, factories and other vistas fromStoke-on-Trent’s industrial past.

Sid turned to art at the age of 60 when hewas made redundant from his job as a tyrebuyer, and an exhibition of his remarkable workis currently being held at The Artbay Gallery,Old Bank Chambers, Christchurch Street,Fenton.

You can enter our competition for the chanceto win your own Kirkham – The Potters’ Glow,one of only 20 exclusive limited edition fine artprints. Printed on high quality, archival mattpaper, the work is double mounted and readyfor framing.

The painting is 18 inches by 12 inches, andthe mounted size is 24 inches by 18 inches.

Simply answer the following question – the

answer can be found in this issue of Our City:

What was the date in 1910 when the SixTowns of Stoke-on-Trent came together in thehistoric Federation?

Send your answer to FREEPOST Our City or

email: [email protected] and include yourname, address and a daytime telephonenumber. Entries should be sent no later thanFriday, May 1.

The Editor’s decision is final and the winnerswill be announced in the next issue of Our City.

DOZENS of pupils from 33 schoolsacross the city were given a first-hand insight into democracy inaction when they took part in aspecial conference at the King’s Hall.

Students from primary and secondaryschools were given a tour of the city councilchamber in Stoke Town Hall, met Lord

Mayor, Councillor Derek Capey and tookpart in a question and answers session withsenior officers and politicians. Many who tookpart are involved in their school councils, andit is hoped the day helped give them anunderstanding of representation and debate.

Event organiser – city council CitizenshipOfficer, Tracy Ellis, said: “We want thestudents to get first hand knowledge of

understanding democracy and what it meansfor local people. It will show them howdecisions are made and hopefully inspirethem to take an active part in theircommunities.”

A panel of officers and councillors quizzedduring the afternoon included Director ofChildren and Young People’s Services GedRowney.

Pupils enjoyFaith2Face

Win a stylish print by the ‘Potteries Lowry’

Pupils grill decision makers in big debate STOKE-on-Trentschoolchildren focused onfaith as part of a project tobring together citycommunities. The citycouncil and The SaltboxChristian Centre held theFaith2Face event to helpyoungsters explore views onfaith through music, drama,and workshops.

Work startson new parkMACHINES have rolled intoaction to transform a historicStoke-on-Trent site into avibrant new country park.

The former ChatterleyWhitfield colliery is to beturned into a heritagecountry park with a viewingplatform, nature gardens,walkway and a meanderingriver.

The transformations are allpart of the NorthStaffordshire RegenerationPartnership’s (NSRP) multi-billion vision for the region.

Earthworks have started tocreate a more accessiblelandscape for the park.

The work is expected totake 18 months and will befollowed by plans to replantshrubs and flowers, redirect astream which currently flowsthrough the site to make itmore accessible, put inwalkways, bridges and pathsand improve the access.

The park is due to becompleted in autumn 2010.The project is being fundedby the Homes andCommunities Agencythrough the NationalCoalfields Programme.

POLICE in the cityare stepping-uppatrols to curb the

amount of bogus callersoperating in the city.

Often the most vulnerableresidents, such as elderly orinfirm people, can be tricked bypeople posing as officials fromthe city council or other bodies.

Having conned their way into aperson’s home, the cowardlycrooks often steal whatever theycan, leaving a trail of distress andworry.

In 2008 there were 44 bogusofficial incidents and sixdistraction burglaries in theStoke-on-Trent division ofStaffordshire Police.

Now officers will be givingresidents simple crime preventionadvice while out on patrol toreduce a traditional surge in theamount of bogus incidentsassociated with the Spring.

Stoke-on-Trent division CrimeReduction Officer, PC NeilRussell, said: “When we find an

area is becoming a hotspot forthis type of activity we will alsobe increasing the amount ofuniformed and non-uniformedpatrols and using other tactics.”

Residents are beingencouraged to follow this advice:

● STOP: If you are notexpecting anybody and theydon’t have an appointment –don’t let them in.

● CHAIN: Use your door chainor bar before opening the door.

● CHECK: Ask to see ID anddouble check this.

If you are in any doubt dial 999 immediately.

Anyone with informationregarding bogus officialincidents should callStaffordshire Police on 0300123 44 55.

Tell us what else can bedone to make our citysafer. Write to Freepost Our City or [email protected]

Extra police patrols to clampdown on bogus caller threat

DON’TCALL HERE...

Hartshill residentLeonard Tams, 89,sends out a clear

message to boguscallers, with PC

Neil Russell.

RUNNERS are being urged tolace-up their trainers for aseries of races around someof Stoke-on-Trent’s finestgreen spaces.

The City Parks Grand Prix2009 will see hundreds ofcompetitors working up asweat in four city parks.

Starting at Longton Park onMay 12, the races vary from5km for senior runners, 3kmfor under 17’s and 2km forUnder 15’s. The grand prixmoves onto Tunstall Park onJune 9, Fenton on July 14 andHanley on August 18.

Further information isavailable on 01782 330853,e-mailing [email protected] or loggingonto www.cityparksgrandprix.co.uk

Races run inthe parks

Our City p15 20/3/09 10:25 Page 1

Finding your way back to workMany people might not know about the widerange of help on offer at Jobcentre Plus whenthey are looking for a job.

Benefit claimIf you have been made redundant, the first step isto register a benefit claim. To do this, you shouldphone Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 66 88. Thecall will take about 40 minutes. An operator willask for information including your nationalinsurance number, rent or mortgage, pastemployment, and other income or savings. If youlive with a partner or have children, you will beasked about them.

Initial appointmentAt the jobcentre you will meet with a financialassessor who will advise how much benefit youare entitled to. After checking the information youhave provided, they will advise how much benefityou are entitled to. If you are claiming Jobseeker’s

Allowance, you will have a one-to-one interviewwith a personal adviser to draw up a personalisedjob search plan and sign a Jobseeker'sAgreement. They will find out what type of job youare looking for and what skills you have.You willneed to attend the jobcentre now every two weeksfor your fortnightly job search review.

Looking for work• Online on the Jobcentre Plus website there is a

page called ‘Finding your way back to Work’which includes a Jobkit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/outofworkhelplookingforwork

• Call 0845 6060 234 to speak to an adviserabout current vacancies.

Financial supportWorried about paying your mortgage, you may beentitled to help, visit www.direct.gov.ukTo see what benefits you may qualify for visitwwww.direct.gov.uk/benefitsadviser

Out of work – helplooking for work


MARTIN and Bradley havetransformed their livesthanks to a caring and

innovative approach to children’sservices in Stoke-on-Trent.

The two boys, who are 15 and 12, usedto live in private care and are the first toadmit they had trouble with theirbehaviour, school and making friends.

But now they are living in one of thesmall group homes set up by the citycouncil to provide looked-after care foryoung people – and things have totallychanged.

Each home is designed to offer twoyoung people with a family environment,with constant support from a small teamof dedicated staff who provide focused,individual care.

Martin said: “Before coming here I hadbeen in trouble for my behaviour and Ididn’t listen to anyone.

“I was given whatever I wanted to eat, somuch so that my weight ballooned to 21stones nine pounds.

“I moved here nine months ago and Ihave been given more healthy eatingoptions, have been going to the gym andenjoy swimming.

“My weight has already fallen by morethan four stones. I feel like part of a familyhere, I am settled and feel involved in whatis going on.”

“I never used to go to school either butover the last nine months things haveimproved.

“I have won awards for attendance,behaviour and achievement. I am to takemy GCSEs in a few months, and know Iwill get the support from staff here to helpme through them.”

The innovative scheme has been praisedby Ofsted inspectors as part of their latestJoint Area Review (JAR) of all servicesdelivered for young people in the city.

Outstanding

The first small group home – The Close,which opened in 2006 – was given nationalrecognition for providing outstandingservices at consecutive inspections.

And of the eight homes, two are judgedby Ofsted to be ‘outstanding’, with theother six judged as ‘good’.

Bradley moved into the home eightmonths ago. He said: “I was in private carebefore and went to a residential school.The home had eight kids in it – far toomany – and they used to steal things.

“I stayed in my room 24/7 because Iwanted my own space.

“Since coming here my attitude haschanged a lot.

“My communication with people hasimproved.

“I am having more contact with my

parents and being here has helped meunderstand things better.”

The glowing praise heaped on the smallgroup home scheme is one of manyhighlights in the JAR report that statedthat “significant and rapid progress” hadbeen made by all the children servicesdelivered in partnership by Stoke-on-TrentCity Council, NHS Stoke on Trent,Staffordshire Police and other agencies.

And importantly, in the light of casessuch as the Baby P tragedy, thesafeguarding of children had improved

from the last review published in February2006 and was now meeting Governmentexpectations.

Deputy Elected Mayor, CouncillorMohammed Pervez, said: “This is thesecond Ofsted endorsement in two monthsof the positive way services for ourchildren and young people in the city areimproving. The report shows that there isstrong management and a clear focus toensuring these key services continue toimprove, and we are pleased by theprogress being made.”

Progress pays offfor city youngsters

Martin and Bradley

pictured at home inBlurton with Senior

Residential care workers Mark Jackson

and LyndseyWiltshaw.

Our City p16 20/3/09 10:15 Page 1

PEOPLE with weight problems,diabetes or heart disease canlook forward to a fitter future

thanks to a successful new ‘lifestylemakeover’ scheme which has beenlaunched across Stoke-on-Trent.

The Lifestyle Support programme, whichaims to improve overall physical and mentalwell-being, is part of the government’s HealthTrainer initiative and was first rolled out inthe north and east of the city in August lastyear.

Patients are referred to the programme bytheir GPs and are then assigned to a lifestylecoach who draws up a bespoke plan to meettheir health needs.

The second phase of the initiative, whichcovers the west and central areas, began inJanuary and the third – taking in the southand other areas – is scheduled to begin in July.

Lifestyle Support Service Manager MarionBeloe said: “Essentially, this is a programmewhereby there are certain criteria that peoplehave to fit and it’s mainly to do withprevention.

“For example, trying to prevent peoplegetting heart disease or those already withheart disease getting worse etc.

“If someone goes to their GP and they havegot a BMI (body mass index) of greater than25 or they are identified as being at risk ofcardio-vascular disease, are diabetic, pre-diabetic or have established heart disease, thenthey can be referred to the Lifestyle Supportprogramme.

“We do a lifestyle review with eachindividual and look at their diet, what kind ofexercise – if any – they take, and if they smokeor drink alcohol.”

Health action plan

She added: “Then we do a ‘snapshot’ ofwhat they did in the last week. We don’t tellthe patients what to do. Instead, we ask themwhich areas they think they need to work onand they are then assigned to a lifestyle coachwho will help them develop a health actionplan.

“We have got four activities commissionedby NHS Stoke on Trent and each patient gets

20 weeks free physical activity, which could begoing to the gym or swimming.

“We have also started our own walkinggroups.

“Also, they can get 12 weeks worth of freeWeightWatchers classes and there are cookand eat sessions so people can learn how tomake more healthy meals.

“Positive thinking sessions are alsoimportant as they help with confidence andself esteem.

“Some people feel low about themselves sothey comfort eat and put on weight, whileothers put on weight and then feel bad aboutthemselves. It’s like a chicken and eggsituation.”

Lifestyle champion Dr Ruth Chambers, aGP based at Furlong Medical Centre inTunstall, added: “The Lifestyle Supportprogramme should make a real difference tothe health of local people in Stoke-on-Trent.

“As GPs we really welcome the opportunityfor our patients with diabetes or heart diseaseto be able to talk to lifestyle coaches and getfree WeightWatchers vouchers and free accessto leisure activities like swimming and walkinggroups.

“Better still, we’ve got the chance to findpeople with a high risk of heart disease andhelp them to change their lifestyle before theirbad habits trigger them to actually developheart problems.”

The programme has already transformedthe lives of a large number of people in thecity, and it is hoped that by the end of thesummer all 55 GP practices will be involved inthe initiative.

One patient said: “All I needed really was abit of a kick up the backside to get me going.

“Now I’ve got my parents encouraging andsupporting me to eat healthily and I’vepersuaded my friend to come along to thegym with me.”

New depotcreates jobs

STATE-of-the-art facilitiesto provide one of the UK’smost advanced fire enginemaintenance facilities arebeing built at TrenthamLakes.

The £3millionengineering depot willmaintain the fleet ofaround 208 vehicles whichcover the whole ofStaffordshire.

About 20 staff will movefrom Hanley Fire Stationwhich is being rebuilt aspart of a multi-millionpound developmentprogramme.

Under a special traininginitiative, two apprenticeswill be taken on to createjobs at the centre, whichmay even outsource itsservices to other forces.

Julian Hilditch, Stoke-on-Trent Area Commander,said: “It’s great news thatthe maintenance centre willremain in Stoke-on-Trent.

“It means we arepreserving and evencreating jobs in the city.

“The new location isideal as it has good roadlinks, which is important asit will serve the wholecounty.”

All fire service vehicles,such as fire engines andbrigade vehicles will bemaintained at the depot.

Work will start soon onthe new centre, which isexpected to open by theend of the year.

Preservingheritage

CRANES and diggers will rollinto action this week to startplanting 10 metrehigh trees along the citygateway.

The work is part of multi-million pound improvementplans for Potteries Way withnew lighting columns, imagepanels and shrubbery allplanned.

It is also the first of manyimprovements for the citycentre as part of the NorthStaffordshire RegenerationPartnership's (NSRP) £1.5billion transformationalplans.

The works are designed toremove around 160 poorquality trees that are notgrowing properly orpotentially dangerous andreplace them with new semi-mature trees.

Instant beech hedgerowswill also be planted toprovide extra screening atthe back of houses andbusinesses.

Dinner remembers DougA CHARITY dinner in memory of former Lord MayorDoug Brown will raise money to provide support forpeople with Motor Neurone Disease and their carers.

Doug, pictured with his wife Joyce, was the onlyperson to serve two terms as Lord Mayor (1983-84 and1997-98), and founded the popular Ladsandads soccercentres. He died from the disease in 2002.

The event at the King’s Hall in Stoke, organised bythe Forresters Friendly Society, included a tribute toDoug from TV comedian Nick Hancock, as well asentertainment from a Tom Jones tribute singer.

YOU’LLNEVER WALK

ALONE...Lifestyle coach Ann

William, centre, leadspeople on the Lifestyle

Support Programme at oneof the regular walking

groups at CentralForest Park.


Lifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness driveLifestyle makeovers inspirepopular fitness drive

Our City p17 20/3/09 10:01 Page 1


RETAIL ManagerParminder SinghTakhar really

enjoys keeping fit afterswapping work-outs at thegym for rides on his bike.

The busy 49-year-old fromTrentham much prefers towind down and exercise bypushing pedals rather thanpounding a treadmill.

And Parminder isparticularly pleased that helives in Stoke-on-Trent becauseit is designated a “CyclingCity” by the Government –with £4.8 million of fundinguntil 2011 to provide andimprove cycling facilities. Oneof his regular cycle runs isalong the side of the Trent andMersey Canal, which runs nearhis home, with rides toBarlaston in one direction andthe Middleport canal basin inthe other. He also enjoys thecity’s cycle routes and in thesummer hits the road with bikerides as far as Lichfield.

Parminder caught thecycling bug three yearsago and bought a roadbike. Last year he alsobecame the proud ownerof a state-of-the-artmountain bike which hewon in an Our Cityreaders’ competition byanswering a questionabout the Tour of Britaincycle race that passedthrough Stoke-on-Trentin 2008.

He said: “I muchprefer cycling to the airconditionedenvironment of a gym.

“I enjoy the fresh airand the ever-changingviews as well as thefeeling of freedom.Youdon’t have to cycle far inthis area to find lovely scenery.

“For me, cycling is not justgood all-round physical exercise– it is also mentally relaxingand refreshing and I wouldrecommend it to anyone.”

Parminder, who cycles an

average of 50 miles a weekduring the summer months,added: “My wife and daughtersometimes cycle with me and Isee a lot of parents with theirchildren on bikes on the canalpath and cycle routes.

“In these times when there

are so many interruptions tofamily life it’s nice to seefamilies out together enjoyingthemselves.”

● Tell us your cycling stories.Write to Freepost Our City oremail [email protected]

REPORTS of antisocial behaviour inStoke-on-Trent have been reducedthanks to a police scheme which usesthree dedicated marked cars to clampdown on the problem.

Every night, neighbourhood andresponse officers travel to antisocialbehaviour hotspots in the high-profilevehicles and talk to people.

They also visit people living inareas where trouble has flared in thepast and respond to calls aboutnuisance behaviour from the public.

The dedicated patrols, which arebased at Longton, Tunstall andHanley, have led to a reduction in theamount of antisocial behaviour callsbeing logged by Staffordshire Policein recent months.

Chief Inspector Wayne Jones said:“This is not a blue light responseteam but one that is dedicated toconsistently fighting antisocialbehaviour.

“We have found by regularlytargeting areas where it is a problemand working with local residents thepatrols have had a big effect – whichis borne out by the large drop inreported incidents.

“The teams are also able to divertto other areas when calls are receivedand are more knowledgeable aboutspecific problems they mightencounter.

“The scheme has been successful andwe are going to continue operating itthroughout Stoke-on-Trent as long as itis having the same effect.”

Patrols reducenuisance reports

A TEACHER from the West Africancountry of Gambia took in a StokeCity game during a three-week trip tothe Potteries funded by localschoolchildren.

Christian Gohoho spent threeweeks in the city as a guest of EatonPark Primary School in Bucknall.

Head Teacher Lynne Bradbury said:“This was such a golden opportunityfor our young people to be given afirst hand insight into an entirelydifferent culture.

“Christian’s visit was a wonderfulexperience for the whole school, andwe thank everyone who has sharedthe vision and supported this work.”

● Our picture shows Christianduring his visit to the school.

Out of Africa tothe Potteries

STOKE-on-Trent has been designated aCycling City by the Government inrecognition of the good work carried outto date and the great potential forencouraging more people to cycle moreoften.

The £4.8 million of new money hasbeen provided up to 2011 to make a startin improving cycle facilities across the cityand making it easier for people to cycle.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council will beworking with many partners to make this a

reality includingCyclingEngland,Sustrans, BritishWaterways, thehealthauthorities,local cyclegroups, clubsand shops andlocalcommunitygroups.

The aim is tocreate a cyclinglegacy for thenext 30 yearswhich will helpto make Stoke-on-Trent agreat place tolive.

This year,

new cycle routes are beingconstructed in Tunstall, Trentham,Blurton, Longton and Fenton withcycle parking being provided atschools, leisure centres and otherpublic buildings.

Next year over £1.5 million will bespent on new routes and cycleparking facilities across the city.

Also, the city council will beproviding cyclists’ training andarranging a programme of rides andevents for everyone to enjoy.

Finding your way around

Local people are also lucky thatthey can enjoy the health, fitnessand leisure benefits of cyclingwithout ever going on a road. Thecity council has produced a cyclemap and guide to make it eveneasier for people to find their wayaround the area. A free copy of thismap is provided with this issue ofOur City.● Extra copies of the mapare available from localcentres, all city libraries,tourist informationcentres and cycle shops.Alternatively, you canrequest a free copy bycalling 01782 232066, findout more by visitingstoke.gov.uk/cycling or [email protected]

Cycling legacy will create a great place to live

Riding out forfreedom andfresh air









£4.8million encourages whole city to get ‘on its bike’

Keen cyclistParminder

Singh Takhar onthe canal towpathnear his home in

Trentham.

Seven-year-old

Angela Barrattenjoys a Cyclingwith Confidenceevent at Fenton

Manor SportsComplex.

Our City p18 19/3/09 17:50 Page 1


DELIGHTED SelinaMirza is on the firststep to the career

she has always wantedthanks to a new initiativewhich is successfullyreducing unemploymentthroughout the city.

After two years of fruitless job-seeking, the former BusinessAdministration student enrolledon the Jobs Enterprise andTraining (Jet) project to boost herchances of finding work.

The Jet project offers supportand guidance to those who havenot worked for more than 12months and links them with jobopportunities – just the kind ofhelping hand Selina needed.

She was soon learning newliteracy and numeracy skills,taking part in confidence boostingsessions and given help in puttingtogether a CV.

Her skills and education werethen cross-linked with potentialjobs and several weeks later shewas offered a work placementwith Stoke-on-Trent City Councilas a business administrator.

“It’s a great start,” said Selina.

“Hopefully I can impress andturn this into a full time position.Whatever the case, it is a firstrung on the ladder towards thecareer I want.

“After leaving college I spenttwo years unsuccessfully lookingfor work. Everywhere I wentemployers were saying theyneeded people with experience –but without a break how could Igain experience?”

Jobs and opportunities

“Jet really works because ithelps to build confidence and setsyou achievable goals and putstogether a polished CV.

“The team then look to matchyour skills and aspirations withjobs and opportunities that areavailable.

“It’s really worked for me and Ihave recommended it to friendswho are in a similarpredicament.”

The multi million Jet projectwas officially launched inFebruary to help remove barriersand improve skills levels in thecity so residents can benefit fromthe area’s regeneration.

There are Jet centres across

North Staffordshire in Burslem,Bentilee, Knutton and Blurton aswell as outreach locations acrossthe area.

The centres aim to get 3,500people back into work over thenext three years and tackle theproblem of low skills and lack ofqualifications,which aremajor barriersfor peoplefindingemployment.

DeputyElected Mayor,CouncillorMohammedPervez, said:“We arestarting aregenerationprogrammewhich willtransform thecity.

“There aregoing to bethousands ofnew jobsavailable as webuild shoppingfacilities,

transport links, new businessesand homes.

“It is vital that these jobs go tolocal people and that this citybenefits from the change.”

● For more information on Jetcentres call 0800 731 8587 oremail [email protected].

A FIREFIGHTER from Stoke-on-Trent hasbeen training his counterparts in Pakistanto be better equipped to deal with roadtraffic accidents.

Maj Ullah, who is usually based inHanley, visited various parts of Punjabdonating cutting equipment and teachingthe fire service best practice.

Mr Ullah and Stoke on Trent CollegeSupport Manager Ramsdam Mohameddelivered a training package devised bystudent firefighters at Shelton.

The pair managed to educate dozens offirefighters, members of the community

and held workshops at colleges anduniversities to promote firefighting as acareer.

Maj said:“The trip was a huge successand very rewarding.

“The trip also allowed us to identifyfurther areas where we can assist thePunjab Emergency Rescue Service in thefuture because we are determined thatthis won’t be just a one off visit.”

Following the trip, Maj and Ramsdamwere presented with a plaque by thePunjab Emergency Rescue Servicethanking them for their help.

City firefighter trains counterparts inPakistan to deal with road accidents

Chef strivesfor UK title

Walk to health

PUPILS and staff at a schoolare celebrating after theirchef won a place at the finalof a national competition.

Clair Jones who works atSutherland Primary Schooldefeated six other chefs totake a place in the final of theSchool Chef of the Yearcompetition, held inLiverpool. Clair’s menuincluded pork and apricottreats served with pasta andjuicy plums on a puff pastrystar.

She was presented with acrystal glass bowl, a chequefor £100 and a certificate.

SelinaMirza atwork in

the CivicCentre.

The Furniture Mine is North Staffordshire’s andSouth Cheshire’s original

furniture re-use service. Wehave been providing good

quality second handfurniture to those who need

it for the past 17 years.

We are unique andoriginal because:

• All the furniture we collect is made available to the less well off members of our local community.

• The majority of our furniture is given away free to low income families.

• We only sell furniture to those on benefits and low income

• We believe in supporting the local economy through creating jobs and a local purchasing policy. Our money is not spent outside your area supporting national campaigns.

If you have furnitureand/or electrical items to donateplease call us on:

01782 846111(3 lines)

Monday to Friday9am-4pm

A ground-breaking scheme tohelp people with coronaryheart disease and diabetesget fit and active is beingrolled out across the city aftera successful pilot.

People taking part in theWellness Pedometer initiativerun by NHS Stoke on Trent aregiven a web-enabledpedometer to track howmany steps they're takingand then monitor theirprogress on-line.

Our City p19 19/3/09 17:51 Page 1


CAN you cook up atasty meal from foodthat is left over?

If so, why not share yourrecipe with Our Cityreaders – and help thenational Love Food HateWaste campaign supportedby Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil.

Your tips on how to turn wastefood into a feast will be publishedin the magazine as part of thedrive to help households savemoney – and the environment –by cutting back on throwing awayfood that would otherwise beburied in landfill sites.

Stoke on Trent College chefDave Moss has come up with aspecial recipe for tasty mexicanbeef fajitas using up any left overroast beef from the sunday lunch.

All you need for four portionsis 400g of topside beef, a clove ofcrushed garlic, a jalapeno pepper,50ml of oil, 40ml of dry sherry,one teaspoon of chilli flakes, atablespoon of ground cumin, fourflour tortillas, 100g of gratedcheese, 100g of tomatoes,skinned, seeded and chopped and100g of shredded iceberg lettuce.

● To make a delicious meal, firstpurée the garlic, jalapenos,chilli flakes, cumin and sherryuntil smooth.

● Then add the beef, cut intostrips, and marinate for 24hours.

● Drain the beef and sauté in theoil for 2-3 minutes.

● Add the marinade and simmerfor a few minutes until thecooked beef is warmedthrough.

● Serve in the tortillas with thecheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Dave said: “There are lots ofgreat meals that can be rustled upfrom leftovers, like bubble andsqueak, or even a tasty trifle.

“It’s easy to do, saves moneyand cuts out waste.”

Since WRAP (Waste andResources Action Programme)launched Love Food Hate Wastetwo years ago, 1.8 million more

households in the UK have saved£296 million a year by reducingthe amount of food thrown awayby 137,000 tonnes.

This prevents 600,000 tonnesof greenhouse gases being emitted– the equivalent carbon impact oftaking 100,000 return flights to

Australia out of the skies.This summer the city council

will be promoting Love FoodHate Waste with a number ofevents such as road shows, sowatch out for details.

In the meantime a visit to thewww.lovefoodhatewaste.com

website will serve up a great menuof helpful suggestions, such as howto cook the right quantities of food.

Send your own left-over recipesuggestions to:FREEPOST Our City or [email protected]

Care accommodation scoops top national awardA STOKE-on-Trent housing association receiveda prestigious accolade for its transformation ofa long-stay residential home intoaccommodation for people leaving hospitalcare.

The National Home Improvement Council(NHIC) presented Brighter Futures with theSpecial Needs Facilities Award for work at 23Hillcrest Street in Hanley. The £450,000 facilitywas remodelled to make people feel more

valued and safer after Brighter Futures agreedplans with the city council.

Judges from the NHIC said: “A thoroughlycomprehensive project which has provided anew dimension to an existing building byrearranging virtually every aspect of theinterior to provide very special facilities forvery special people.”

As part of the redevelopment, living areasare accessible from their own front door, a

kitchen has been transformed into a moderncafé and the building has also beenrefurbished outside and the grounds openedup and landscaped.

Residents have now started to move into theHillcrest Street facility – which has 26 singlerooms. They are helped to reintegrate into thecommunity and offered resettlement supportto move into their own flat, one day with theirown tenancy.

Hunt is on for Our City’stastiest leftover meals

Park projectgoes green

Big clean uppays off

PUPILS from 10 schools inStoke-on-Trent are doingtheir bit to reduce climatechange in a project at acountry park.

The Natural ConnectionsGreen Schools project, run inconjunction with NaturalEngland, saw the childrenproduce leaflets promotingwalks from the four housingestates that adjoin the park.

They took on tree planting,bird box building, woodlandmanagement, clean-upevents and workshops.

Volunteer Dave Simcocksaid:“During the course ofthe rest of the school year wewill be helping the schools invarious projects such asestablishing wildlife areas inthe school grounds,monitoring and reducingenergy consumption andrecycling. The project willculminate in an event atParkhall Country Park on andaround World EnvironmentDay on June 5.”

● Ron Needham, aged 85,who has completed morethan a quarter of a century asa volunteer warden at ParkHall, is retiring at the end ofMarch.

ENVIRONMENTAL improvementorganisation Groundwork hasbeen creating a better qualityof life for residents inStoke-on-Trent by sprucing-upstreets, alleyways and greenspaces. It works in partnershipwith the city council to supportyoung and unemployed peopleby getting them involved increating safer and strongercommunities.

Over the past few weeks agroup of volunteers have beenfocusing on improving theappearance of Fenton,Trentham, Stoke, Trent Vale,Hartshill and Blurton.● To find out more aboutGroundwork phone 01782829900.

RoadworkscommenceWORK has started onresurfacing Etruria Road,between the A500 and theFestival Park entrance.

The route, used by around60,000 vehicles a day, willbenefit from a completeoverhaul. Works, whichshould be completed by theend of April, will be carriedout during the evening tominimise disruption.

Stokeon Trent

College chef DaveMoss tucks into a

delicious beef fajitamade from the

leftover roast.

Our City p20 19/3/09 17:54 Page 1


HARD-hitting boxingsessions backed bythe city council are

having a big impact onyoung people in Fenton.

Local councillors Mick Bell,Derek Capey and Paul Shottonallocated some of their wardbudgets to pay for sessions in thegym for young people who mayhave been involved in antisocialbehaviour or excluded fromschool.

Scott, who claimed the titlewith a dramatic ninth roundstoppage victory over MartinGethin last December, hasalready done lots of work withyoung people in Fenton.

He said introducing them tothe discipline of sport andtraining gave many young peoplea real sense of purpose, and

boxing was a great way ofreleasing tension.

Young people attending thegym sessions learn about boxingposture and are given help withtheir fitness and strength.

Scott said: “We get lads cominghere who might smoke a bit andlike a drink, and we let them geton with it. If they enjoy theirboxing and want to give it a gothey’ll soon cut down.

“You can’t exert yourself in aboxing ring if you’re smoking 20a day!

“We find some young peoplewho might have been involved introuble or excluded from schoolrespond well to training and

culture in the gym.They are alwaysbeing told not todo this, and notto do that. We

tell them to hit that bag as hardas you can, and they love it.”

The gym, which offers amateurtraining but also has its ownstable of pro fighters, is based in aformer pottery building atBrocksford Street, Fenton.

Steve Appleton, South WesternArea Implementation TeamOfficer, said police and schoolswere being involved to helpidentify individuals who wouldbenefit from the sessions.

He said: “The partnership withImpact Boxing is a superb exampleof how support for a scheme at theheart of the community can have areal impact on issues like antisocialbehaviour.

“The ward budget is there tooffer support to schemes like this,and throughout the city this moneyis making a significant difference inmany communities.”

Lock up your lawnmowers! Police issuepublic warning on Spring garden crimePOLICE in Stoke-on-Trent are urgingresidents to make sure their gardens,sheds and garages are locked-upsecurely to prevent theft and burglarythis spring.

Research shows around £400-£500worth of property – includinglawnmowers, strimmers and gardentools – is commonly kept outside ofhomes in the area.

Residents often buy new equipmentin spring to prepare for a summer in thegarden.

PC Neil Russell, Crime Reduction

Officer for Stoke-on-Trent division, said:“As people do more work in the garden,tools are not put away safely or are keptin unsecured sheds.

“We are asking people to considerfitting their house alarm to cover theiroutbuildings. Stand-alone alarms thatare battery powered could also be usedinstead. You could also consider markingyour tools with a bright colour so theyare unsaleable if stolen.”

For more information about keepingyour property safe this spring log-on to:www.staffordshire.police.uk

Public urged to helphonour sports heroes

Boxing a knockoutwith teenagers

English lightweight champion Scott Lawton pictured training at the Impact Boxing gym with Josh Wall,and Liam Berrisford.

STOKE-ON-TRENT City Councilhas once again teamed up withThe Sentinel to honour ouramateur sporting stars.

Nominations are now openfor the Stoke-on-Trent SportsPersonality of the Year awards,which highlight theoutstanding achievements ofindividuals and teams linkedwith the city.

A gala dinner will take placeat the Moat House Hotel onJune 2 to honour those whoimpress the panel of judges.

To qualify, candidates for the12 award categories musteither live, work, go to schoolor be affiliated to a club withinStoke-on-Trent City Council’sboundaries.

There is also a SentinelEditor’s award, which throwsthe competition open tosportsmen and women from allover North Staffordshire andSouth Cheshire.

To nominate, either contactThe Sentinel’s sportsdesk on(01782) 602548 or email yournominations to [email protected] – and includeyour own name and number.

The closing date for makingnominations is April 10.

The winners will beannounced at a the celebritygala awards dinner.

Categories include:

INSPIRATIONAL ACHIEVER: Thisaward is given to a performerwho has overcome adversity inany area of their life and gone onto achieve sporting success.

TOM BRENNAN SERVICE TOSPORT: This accolade will begiven in recognition for longservice to a particular sport orsports club in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

COACH OF THE YEAR: This gongis for those who have investedtime, effort and energy in anindividual or team.

SPORT IN THE COMMUNITY:

Individuals, teams or groups who

have striven to bring

communities together through

sport are recognised in this

category.

JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL: This

section is for athletes from any

sport under the age of 18, who

have achieved success in the

past year. Able-bodied athletes

only.

JUNIOR TEAM: This section is

open to teams who have

achieved success over the past

year and whose members are

under the age of 18.

SENIOR INDIVIDUAL: This

category is open to athletes from

any sport over the age of 18, who

have achieved success in the

past year. Able-bodied athletes

only.

SENIOR TEAM: This award will

be presented to a team who

have achieved success over the

past year and whose members

are predominantly over the age

of 18.

INDIVIDUAL WITH A LEARNING

DISABILITY: An open-age award

for athletes with a learning

disability, who have achieved

success in the past year.

INDIVIDUAL WITH A PHYSICAL

DISABILITY: This open-age

award will be presented to an

athlete with a physical disability,

who has achieved success in the

past year.

OVERALL WINNERS: Awarded to

the outstanding sportsman and

sportswoman of the year.

EDITOR’S AWARD: An award

open to individuals who live,

work, study or are affiliated to a

club or organisation within TheSentinel’s circulation area

(including Staffs Moorlands,

Newcastle and South Cheshire).

A judging panel will then go

through the votes, draw up a

shortlist and decide on the

winners.

Thursday 28, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2009 • Time: 10am–6pm

This attractive and vibrant market is guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds!!!Delicious food on offer includes Parma ham and salami, a selection ofcheeses, olives and olive oil, Italian sweets and ice cream, nuts and dried

fruits, bread and cake, plus much more!

There are also stalls selling traditional Muranoglass and fashion jewellery.

www.stoke.gov.uk

Thursday 28, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2009 • Time: 10am–6pm

This attractive and vibrant market is guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds!!!Delicious food on offer includes Parma ham and salami, a selection ofcheeses, olives and olive oil, Italian sweets and ice cream, nuts and dried

fruits, bread and cake, plus much more!

There are also stalls selling traditional Muranoglass and fashion jewellery.

www.stoke.gov.uk

Our City p21 19/3/09 17:55 Page 1


BucknallNeighbourhoodNPU commander – Inspector 3283

Steve JonesBucknall Police Post, Ruxley Road,Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 9BG.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected] officers are based at Bucknall.

SGT 3615 Paul ClarkeSGT 3415 Dave Lowe

ABBEY HULTON

PC 4837 Dylan MorreyPCSO 16295 Steve Cowan

BENTILEE

PC 4755 Craig ShieldsPCSO 16226 Rachel KnightPCSO 6612 Andrew Meakin

BERRYHILL & EATON PARK

PC 4953 Angela BroadhurstPCSO 8983 Rob Guthrie

BUCKNALL AND TOWNSEND

PC 975 Nathan AmesPCSO 16417 Razwana Nasheen

JOINER’S SQUARE

PC 0970 Paul SajdakPCSO 16232 Andy AlcockPCSO 8893 Lucy Stevenson

MILTON, BADDELEY GREEN WEST AND NORTON HEIGHTS

PC 0865 Clare Bowker

SMALLTHORNE

PC 3911 Keiron EdridgePCSO 6613 Matthew LockettPCSO 16231 Carl Radford

SNEYD GREEN

PC 4837 Sarah GriffithsPCSO 8980 Charlotte Barker

NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION TEAM

PC 0735 Jo PowellPC 0998 Peter UnderwoodPC 5078 Scott Turner

LongtonNeighbourhoodNPU commander – Inspector 0892

Asha Kaur Longton Police Station, SutherlandRoad, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent,ST3 1HH.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected] officers are based at Longton PoliceStation.

Sgt 3890 Ian JonesSgt 3862 Tony Godwin

DRESDEN, FLORENCE,LIGHTWOOD & NORMACOT

PC 5274 James IbbsPC 5169 Toni SunderlandPCSO 6433 George BouldPCSO 16240 Leanne Sherratt

LIGHTWOOD, MEIR PARK & MEIR SOUTH

PC 4090 Russ ElliotPC 4725 Wayne FlowersPC 4603 Niel DayPCSO 6500 Mark SimonPCSO 16635 Emma Richards

LONGTON NORTH & LONGTON TOWN

PC 3287 Frank Flannigan

MEIR HAY & SAXONFIELDS

PC 0733 Donna TalbotPC 4991 Steven MeighPCSO 6603 Gemma Price

MEIR PARK, MEIR NORTH & WESTONCOYNEY

PC 5094 Adam RushtonPCSO 8892 Andrew SpoonerPCSO 16224 Zoe Garside


PC 4021 Andy Edwards

PC 0971 Paul NixonPC 4838 Gareth WhitfieldPC 4106 Paul Massey

StokeNeighbourhoodNPU commander – Inspector 3734

Christopher HarringtonStoke Police Station, Boothen Road,Stoke–on–Trent, ST4 4AH.Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected] officers are based at Stoke PoliceStation.

Sgt 0583 Jo Blandford Sgt 4653 Phil EatonSgt 3851 Dave Fenton

BASFORD, CLIFF VALE, HARTSHILL WEST & HOSPITAL

PC 4685 Steve Wilson

BLURTON, NEWSTEAD & HOLLYBUSH

PC 4822 Sean WoodwardPC 5107 Simon StonePCSO 16234 Stephen SherrattPCSO 6607 Philip McGlynn

BOOTHEN & TOWN CENTRE

PC 4433 Andy BirchenallPC 4941 Craig FlahertyPCSO 8825 Karen Billings

FEN PARK

PC 0905 Robert MountfordPCSO 8827 Scott Holland

FENTON, HERON CROSS & MOUNT PLEASANT

PC 4129 Scott BradburyPC 4475 Ivor OwensPC 4959 Kerrie MayerPCSO 6443 Rachel MountfordPCSO 16229 Wendy Rodgers

HANFORD & TRENTHAM

PC 4034 Malcolm FordPC 540 Nerine ForrestPCSO 6609 Penny Carr

HARTSHILL EAST & PENKHULL

PC 5133 Scott GidmanPCSO 8958 Paul Muller

TRENT VALE

PC 4964 Andrea OakesPCSO 16634 Charlotte Bryan


PC 5050 Roy BarberPC 0762 Becky HarrisPC 4382 Dave Ellis

TunstallNeighbourhoodNPU commander – Inspector 3573

Mark HardernTunstall Police Station, Scotia Road,Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6BG.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected] officers are based at Tunstall PoliceStation.

SGT 5100 Rob BatemanSGT 4594 Marcus Ferns

BALL GREEN & NORTON

PC 4383 Andy BaddeleyPC 877 Claire CrankPCSO 16238 Masmino John

BRADELEY, BURSLEM PARK & SMALLTHORNE

PC 3822 Rob ThomasPC 5086 Craig Carpenter PCSO 16235 Sarah WoodPCSO 16233 Hannah Mayer

BRINDLEY FORD, OXFORD,PACKMOOR & TURNHURST

PC 0944 Jaime IsaacsPCSO 8986 Andrew Wootton

CHELL HEATH

PC 4904 John SwinnertonPCSO 6616 Sally Wright

FEGG HAYES & GREAT CHELL

PC 4969 Sam BrayPCSO 6513 Sara Bowen

GOLDENHILL & SANDYFORD

PC 4733 Glyn Talbot PCSO 8953 Michael Frost

STANFIELDS & MILL HILL

PC 5055 Dan Marsh

TUNSTALL

PC 4835 Adam Edwards PC 5158 Amanda WhitfieldPCSO 8954 Richard Farrar


PC 4233 Dave O’DonnellPC 3755 Paul HarrisPC 4858 Simon PricePC 3930 Steve Farmer

Burslem and City CentreNeighbourhoodsBURSLEMNPU commander

Inspector 4465Martin BreretonBurslem Police Station, JacksonStreet, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent,ST6 1AF.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected]

Sgt 4602 Paul Clarke Sgt 3840 John Hazeldine

BIRCHES HEAD

PC 0848 Ruth BarlowPCSO 8979 Michelle ChadwickPCSO 16225 Adrian HemmingsPCSO 8984 Rebecca Simon

BURSLEM AND SNEYD GREEN WEST

PC 0896 Tracy AdamsPC 0966 Adam SyredPCSO 8957 Justine Marsh

CENTRAL FOREST PARK

PC 0805 Kate Beardmore PC 0806 Amanda WhitePCSO 8987 Liz OldPCSO 8831 Katie Sullivan

ETRURIA AND SHELTON NORTH

PC 4632 Andy ManderPC 4389 Guy WainPCSO 8995 Lucy Slater PCSO 16230 Vicki Smith

LONGPORT AND MIDDLEPORT

PC 4368 Andy GrahamPC 0772 Sam EdwardsPCSO 6628 Tich NyamayaroPCSO 8832 Adam van de Sande

NORTHWOOD

PC 3829 Ian MartinPCSO 9045 Sue Wall

SHELTON SOUTH

PC 4139 Dave Marshall PCSO 16299 Katie BrickleyPCSO 6484 Lisa Donachie

STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY

PC 4483 Keith Emery


SGT 4336 Craig BurtonPC 5106 Gareth CheethamPC 5056 Andy PerceyPC 5137 Adrian Firth

CITY CENTRENPU commander

Inspector 3509 Shaun KerriganHanley Police Station, Bethesda St,Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DR.

Tel. 0300 123 [email protected] 4151 Brevic Jones Sgt 4777 Jon Ward Sgt 4425 Phil White

CITY CENTRE

PC 4528 Darren BelfordPC 0817 Kerry GrantPC 0726 Claire HarrisonPC 0400 Diane HoylePC 4644 Rob KelsallPC 4511 Richard LongmorePC 4634 Lee RobinsonPC 5410 Steve SmithPC 0564 Lisa TrevorPC 4149 Jason HowellPCSO 16293 Mel BartholemewPCSO 8516 Andrea BolamPCSO 8955 Chris HillPCSO 8457 Simon Holmes

ETURIA ROAD CORRIDOR& FESTIVAL PARK

PC 4871 Lucas HackneyPC 0605 Nicola Humphries PC 4452 Roger Poole PC 4133 Craig RussellPC 5208 Andy SherrattPC 5445 Greg HillPC 837 Sharon RibbansPCSO 16227 Daniel Nettleton PCSO 8830 Chris Stone

Special constablesAll NPUs are supported by a team ofspecial constables.

ABBEY HULTON 01782 427900

BENTILEE 01782 231300

BLURTON 01782 227770

BURSLEM 01782 425700

WHITFIELD VALLEY 01782 425720

FENTON 01782 743100

HANFORD 01782 421000

HANLEY 01782 202422

LONGTON 01782 425530

MEIR 01782 425676

NORTON 01782 534599

PACKMOOR 01782 794600

SMALLTHORNE 01782 425755

STOKE 01782 425220

TRENT VALE 01782 425260

TUNSTALL 01782 425800

For more information andadvice on health issues pleasecall NHS Direct on

0845 46 47or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk

IT’S easy to get in touch with a local beat bobby or Police CommunitySupport Officer (PCSO) via their digital airwave radios. All officers haveindividual collar numbers which are either four or five digits long. Forofficers with four digit numbers dial 0300 123 2345 then enter ‘0’followed by the four digit collar number of the officer you need to speakto. No ‘0’ is needed for officers with five digit collar numbers. If the officeris on duty, their radio rings like a mobile phone and you will beconnected. If they are off duty or dealing with victims, witnesses oroffenders, your call goes through to the officer’s individual voicemail box.Remember, in an emergency, dial 999.

CONTACT NUMBERSPolicePolice

HEALTH CENTRESYourYour Fire & Rescue contact numbers S-O-T AREACOMMANDAREA COMMANDER

Julian Hilditch

01785 898890

ASSISTANT AREA

COMMANDER

– LONGTON

Glynn Luznyj

01785 898693

ASSISTANT AREA

COMMANDER

– HANLEY

Helen Harrison

01785 898595

ASSISTANT AREA

COMMANDER

– BURSLEM

Andy Kinsman

01785 898576

HEAD OF

STOKE ON TRENT

RISK REDUCTION

Kelvin Knapper

01785 898882

ADMINISTRATION

MANAGER

Paula Goodwin

01785 898895

COMMUNITY

SAFETY

ENFORCEMENT

OFFICERS

Will Gascoigne

01785 898884

Chris Thompson

01785 898883

Dave Gallimore

01785 898885

Guy Volpe

01785 898977

RISK REDUCTION

OFFICERS

Donna Broadhead

01785 898904

Jim Taaffe

01785 898976

Maj Ullah

01785 898948

Rehana Iqbal

01785 898891

Neil Cheshire

01785 898498

Tracey Cresswell

Longton

01785 898951

Ed Case

Burslem

01785 898887

Mick Warillow

Hanley

01785 898902

Pete Hall

Safer City

Partnership Officer

07967573263

Our City p22/23 19/3/09 17:57 Page 1

Berryhill and Hanley East

RITA DALE (City Independents)(01782) 267451 07778 [email protected]

ADRIAN KNAPPER(Lab) 07714 334453/07825 [email protected]

JOHN DAVIS(City Independents)(01782) 26412607786 [email protected]

Abbey Green

ELLIE WALKER(BNP)(01782) 39787007917 [email protected]

ALBY WALKER(BNP)(01782) 39787007917 [email protected]

MELANIE BADDELEY(BNP)(01782) 76361507979 508837melanie.baddeley@ stoke.gov.uk

Bentilee and Townsend

STEVEN BATKIN(BNP) (01782) [email protected]

PHILLIP SANDLAND (BNP)(01782) [email protected]

DAVID MARFLEET (BNP)(01782) 876661 07745 [email protected]

Blurton

ROY NAYLOR(City Independents) (01782) 31397507833 183922roy.naylor@ stoke.gov.uk

DEREK HALL (City Independents)(01782) 25871507837 [email protected]

BRIAN WARD(City Independents)(01782) 312670 07814 [email protected]

Burslem North

JEAN EDWARDS (Lab)(01782) 816171jean.edwards@ stoke.gov.uk

DAVID CONWAY (Lab)(01782) 790922david.conway@ stoke.gov.uk

JOY GARNER (Lab)(01782) 768846 07986 [email protected]

Burslem South

JAVID IQBAL NAJMI (Lab)07846 [email protected]

DEBRA GRATTON (Lab)07825 [email protected]

MOHAMMED PERVEZ(Lab)07919 917632 07825 [email protected]

Chell and Packmoor

ANN JAMES (City Independents)(01782) [email protected]

PETER KENT-BAGULEY (Potteries Alliance)07773 [email protected]

JANINE BRIDGES(City Independents)(01782) 85184207989 [email protected]

East Valley

HAZEL LYTH(Conservative &Independent Alliance)07825 [email protected]

GEOFF KNIGHT (Potteries Alliance)(01782) [email protected]

JOANNE POWELL-BECKETT (Cons &Independent Alliance)07913 [email protected]

Hanley West and Shelton

ZULFIQAR ALI (Lib Dem)07838 [email protected]

ALAN JOYNSON (Non-aligned Group)(01782) [email protected]

MOHAMMAD IQBAL (Lab) (01782) 26689307792 [email protected]

Hartshill and Penkhull

IAN MITCHELL(City Independents) (01782) 31435307885 [email protected]

RANDOLPH CONTEH(City Independents) (01782) [email protected]

BARBARA BEESTON (City Independents) (01782) 61207207729 [email protected]

Fenton

MICK BELL(City Independents) (01782) [email protected]

DEREK CAPEY(City Independents)(01782) 319949 07752 [email protected]

PAUL SHOTTON(Lab)(01782) 845323paul.shotton@ stoke.gov.uk

Longton North

MARK DAVIS (Lab)07813 [email protected]

TOM REYNOLDS(Lab)(01782) 34229507783 [email protected]

DENVER TOLLEY(Lab)(01782) 316815 07799 [email protected]

Longton South

BAGH ALI(Lab)(01782) 34324607973 [email protected]

JOAN BELL (Lab)(01782) 31899807757 708703 or 07825732 [email protected]

MICHAEL BARNES(Lab)(01782) 87006507877 [email protected]

Meir Park and Sandon

CLIVE BRIAN (Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) [email protected]

JOHN BURGESS(BNP)(01782) 39439707889 [email protected]

MARGARET PYATT (City Independents)(01782) [email protected]

Northwood and Birches Head

DAVE SUTTON(Lib Dem)(01782) 54299807512 [email protected]

JEAN BOWERS (Lib Dem)(01782) 26261307712 [email protected]

KIERAN CLARKE (Lib Dem)(01782) 78801007886 [email protected]

Norton and Bradeley

ALAN RIGBY(City Independents) (01782) 542364 07790 [email protected]

MICK SALIH(Non-aligned Group)(01782) 53354207977 [email protected]

SHEILA MATTHEWS(Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) [email protected]

Stoke and Trent Vale

GAVIN WEBB ((LibDem -Libertarian)07949 026660gavin.webb@ stoke.gov.uk

PAUL BILLINGTON(Lib Dem)(01782) 413225 07743 [email protected]

PAULINE JOYNSON(Non-aligned Group)(01782) 41368307813 [email protected]

Trentham and Hanford

TERENCE FOLLOWS(City Independents) (01782) [email protected]

ROGER IBBS(Conservative &Independent Alliance)07824 [email protected]

ROSS IRVING(Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 335982 07900 [email protected]

Tunstall

MEGAN RYAN(Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 86676107903 [email protected]

MOHAMMED MATLOOB(Lab)(01782) 57765807811 [email protected]

LEE WANGER(Conservative &Independent Alliance)07971 [email protected]

Weston and Meir North

MICHAEL COLEMAN (BNP)(01782) 31169707926 [email protected]

JOHN DANIELS (Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 39678007885 [email protected]

ANTHONY SIMMONDS(BNP)(01782) 334919 07855 [email protected]

COUNCILLORSYourYourA P R I L 2 0 0 9 Our City 23

Our City p22/23 20/3/09 12:48 Page 2


Our City is published by a partnership of Stoke-on-TrentCity Council, NHS Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire Police andStaffordshire Fire and Rescue.

Contact us by mail at FREEPOST Our City or by email at [email protected] or telephone 01782 236703

YOUNG dads from Meir have formed their ownfootball group to keep fit and boost their confidence.

The fathers, whose children attend the CrescentChildren’s Centre, meet to train and play matches atthe Willfield Fitness Centre sports hall in Bentileeevery Thursday night. They have even arrangedgames against dads from the Treehouse Children’sCentre, in Bentilee, and have issued a challenge toother teams throughout the Potteries.

The city council’s Closing the Gap officer DerekHerbert, said there were many benefits of gettingtogether to play soccer. He said: “The dads say theyfeel confident and can’t wait for Thursday evening.One of them has even decided to stop smoking.”

Derek is in talks with the children’s centre andneighbouring primary school to start Saturdaymorning coaching sessions for boys and girls in Meir.

STOKE-on-Trent is tohost an action packedcity centre cycle race,

which will see elite ridersreturning to city streetsfollowing last years successfulTour of Britain stage finish.

SweetSpot, organisers of theTour of Britain, are working inpartnership with Stoke-on-TrentCity Council to bring the TourSeries to the city.

Taking place throughout lateMay and June, rounds of the TourSeries will be held on Tuesdayand Thursday evenings as aculmination of a festival ofcycling-based activities and racesthat will create a carnivalatmosphere at each of the chosenvenues.

The race will come to the cityon June 16 and will be televisedby ITV, who will broadcast anhour-long highlights show thenext evening.

The event falls in the middle ofNational Bike Week and variousevents will be happeningthroughout the week.

The Tour Series will see tenteams of five riders fight it out inten towns and cities.

Activities in Stoke-on-Trentwill take place throughout theday, with the race starting at 7pm.The riders will race for an hourand then a further five laps.

Tour Series Technical Director,Mike Bennett said: “Followingthe success of the Tour of Britainin Stoke-on-Trent last September,

we are delighted to be bringingThe Tour Series to the city thisJune.

“We had fantastic, veryenthusiastic crowds at the stagefinish, and I am sure we will seemore of the same for the TourSeries.

“The racing will be actionpacked, with plenty of thrills andspills to entertain everyone whocomes out to see some of thecountry’s top cyclists competing.”

Stoke-on-Trent is now a“cycling city” and further supportfor the race has come fromCycling England, who has backedthe city’s involvement in thispioneering criterium race night.

Excitement

Paul Robeson, BikeabilityManager for Cycling England,said: “Cycling England is pleasedto support the Tour Series.Through our two mainprogrammes, Bikeability andCycling Towns, our aim is to getmore people cycling, more safely,more often.

“Where these things all cometogether the potential is greatest.

“The British Olympic heroes,nurtured by British Cycling, haveraised interest in cycling.

“The excitement and glamourof professional town and citycentre racing will help to inspireyoung cyclists, not just to race,but to do their Bikeability andride bikes to schools.”

Deputy Elected Mayor,

Councillor Mohammed Pervez,said: “We are delighted to workwith SweetSpot and be one of thefirst cities in the country to host aTour Series race.

“We will once again see topcyclists racing through our citiesand, with the race happening in

National Bike Week as well, wewill have an action packed, funfilled day for the whole city toenjoy.”● See the next issue of Our Cityfor further details of the day andfor National Bike Week’sitinerary.

POPULAR city council sportscoach Mark Latham hasscooped the Street GamesVolunteer of the Year Awardfor his contribution to thecommunity and work withsocially excludedyoungsters.

Mark, 23, who works in theSports Developmentdepartment as a ProgrammeChampion, landed theaccolade at the Closing theGap Volunteer AwardsEvening – and was alsopresented with hisCommunity SportsLeadership Award (CSLA)Level 2 certificate.

Since gaining the honour,the former Port Vale FootballClub steward and Stoke onTrent College Sports Sciencestudent has gone on torepresent the volunteersorganisation nationally onthe set of the ITV soapCoronation Street – where heinterviewed actor AlanHalsall who plays TyroneDobbs.

He also attended theLabour Party Conference inManchester where heinterviewed ex-800metreCommonwealth bronzemedallist Diane Modahl,former England footballcaptain Bryan Robson andseveral MPs.

Mark scoopsUK award

Rogue traderwarning

ON THE BALL: Young dad Christopher Moss and his father Raymond, who helps coachthe Crescent Children’s Centre dads’ team.

Soccer dads in line up to coach youngsters

City to host top televisedtown centre cycle race

EdvalBoasson-

Hagen crosses the line to win

the Tour of Britainstage which finished

in Stoke-on-Trentlast year.

RESIDENTS have beenwarned to be extra vigilantas rogue traders are usingplastic sacks to appeal forbogus donations.

Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil’s Licensing Serviceshas received concerned callsfrom across the city sayingthat flyers and plastic sacksposted through letterboxesare making bogus appeals.

It’s claimed the itemscollected may be sold on fora profit.

School serves afair trade lunchSTUDENTS at St Peter’s HighSchool served Lord MayorCouncillor Derek Capey witha fair trade lunch to showtheir commitment tosupporting small foodproducers around the world.

Would you like to form a dads’ soccer team?Contact the city council sports developmentteam on 01782 235001, write to FreepostOurCity or email [email protected]

Our City p24 19/3/09 17:58 Page 1

Our City Issue 09

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Transcript of Our City Issue 09