My Sponsored Slim ends tomorrow evening (The big weigh in is on Tuesday morning -  watch this space!) so I decided a bit of execise was required today! Walking boots and cagoule on and off over the Plott, down to the canal and along the tow path to Wedgwood.

Many people have spoken to me about the state of the towpath at Meaford but I never realised just how atrocious it is. It is barely passable even in proper walking gear. I’ve walked and ran this towpath for over fifty years and it’s always been a problem - but never as bad as it is now. Thank goodness Stafford Borough Council are hoping to work up a scheme with the developers of the old Meaford Power station site, St. Modwen, and Sustrans to do something about it. This section is the last piece of the jigsaw because the towpaths out of Stone are all reasonably good and the one north of Barlaston is wonderful - all the way to Stoke. So the sooner this project gets the ‘go ahead’ the better.

So, with sodden and muddy trousers, I left the canal at Wedgwood and made my way over the fields to Barlaston where I took a break on a new seat on the Green. Imagine my delight when I read a plaque that the seat was dedicated to Jack Dando, a Parish and Borough Councillor, who died last year. Jack was a stalwart in the Stone Liberal Democrats and a dear friend to us all. I am delighted that a permanent reminder of Jack now graces the Green and enables folk to sit and enjoy a view that hasn’t changed in years and which Jack did so much to protect.

And so it was back over the Downs Banks to home where a hot bath eased some aching limbs! And afterwards I sneaked onto the scales - but you’ll have to wait until Tuesday for that bit of information!

The following applications relate to properties within Stonefield and Christchurch ward. For further details contact the Planning Officer at Stafford Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ or telephone 01785 619337 quoting the application number.

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Application Number: 08/09996/LBC           Type of Application: Listed Building Consent

Date registered: 20 March 2008                 Applicant: Shelagh Hall & Gary Swift

Location:  Former Malt House, Crown Street, Stone

Proposal: Alterations to create two retail units and three duplex apartments.

Case Officer: Miss S Empsall

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Application Number: 08/09968/FUL           Type of Application: Full

Date registered: 26 March 2008                 Applicant: George White

Location:  1 Mount Crescent, Stone

Proposal: Replace existing Kentucky style front door with new Victorian style door with leaded galss panels to be painted white.

Case Officer: Ms T Brown

Four years ago Tim Scott arrived in Stone as the Administrator of the Stone Market Town Initative charged with the responsibility of overseeing the distribution of half a million pounds worth of funding designed to regenerate Stone and the surrounding villages. Tim hails from over the River Dove but immediately adopted Stone and soon became a fervant advocate of the town. His job has been far from easy and he has had to endure quite a lot of criticism. But he has always dealt with everyone with great patience and politeness and has carried out his job with enormous efficiency and diplomacy.

So this week has been a very sad one for those of us who have become good friends of Tim. He retires next Monday so Tim has been taking his farewells in Stone. Of course, Tim’s greatest contribution from my perspective has been his involvement with the Stone Food and Drink Festival. A member from the beginning, Tim’s contribution has been immense and we shall all miss him. So yesterday the Food and Drink Festival Working Group treated Tim to a lunch in Granvilles and today a somewhat larger gathering met in the Swan to wish Tim well in his retirement. A sad time indeed.

Last night’s meeting of the Town Council’s Tourism and Town Promotion sub committee covered a lot of issues. There are numerous events in the pipeline and the meeting received reports on the up to date position on several of them. The Cycle Race in June and the Music Festival in July promise to be fantastic new events in the town this year. Progress reports were presented and I’ve no doubt that we shall see thousands of visitors streaming into town for all the fun.

Another item on the agenda was a proposal to consider festooning the High Street with flags or banners on purpose made flag poles using the existing Christmas tree brackets. Obviously there is a cost involved and the management of such a scheme would require some thought - but it was agreed that the idea be investigated further. I can just imagine what a fantastic sight would be created with fluttering flags flying from above the shops in the High Street. I’m sure the Food and Drink Festival, for one, would be interested in using the brackets to fly F&D flags.

A good, positive meeting! I enjoy working with this committee - it’s got a “roll your sleeves up and let’s do it” attitude under the chairmanship of Cllr. Jill Hood!

Within minutes of writing my last posting I drove down Radford Street and felt like Frankie Howard! As he used to say “Woe, verily woe, and yet another woe!” Having outlined the difficulties facing businesses in Radford Street, I was alarmed to see the windows of the Royal Exchange pub all boarded up.

I know Andy, the licensee, has been studying law at Stafford University and is seeking a new career but I didn’t realise he was leaving quite so soon. I do hope the pub company can quickly find a new tenant. The last thing Radford Street needs is another empty building.

Last week, two events occurred which again highlighted the problems facing traders in Radford Street. For years, shopkeepers and owners of businesses here have tried to keep their heads above water despite doing business on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’, that is, on the far side of the one way system. Cut off from the rest of the town, they have felt that they are often forgotten or ignored when things happen in the rest of town.

A good example was when Radford Street businesses were initially excluded from the MTI Shop Front Improvement Scheme. It was only after some serious behind the scenes lobbying (and a threat to resign from the Board of the MTI) that I was able to get the rules changed to include Radford Street businesses.

At last week’s Town Council Planning meeting, we were asked to comment on an application for change of use to enable a young lady to start up a nail and beauty salon in a shop that has been empty for months. I was staggered when one of my colleagues spoke to object on the grounds that we had enough of those sort of shops already! I took issue with that view stating that we should encourage and support any young person trying to set up a business in the town. Rather another beauty salon than an empty shop. I’m pleased to report all other speakers agreed with me.

And then on Saturday I popped into Mason’s Menswear and was saddened to hear that Les Mason will be closing down in six weeks time. Les is 65 this year and has been thinking of retirement for a while. Although he had hoped to carry on for a while longer he says that it is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet - so sadly Stone will lose another old established business.

I don’t know the answer to Radford Street’s problems. Yes, of course, the bypass should have been built up Margaret Street and across to Northesk Street to join up with Christchurch Way thereby keeping the bottom end of Radford Street in the pedestrianised part of town - but that’s history and will never happen now. So what can be done? I’m sure a marketing campaign might help. If the traders could be persuaded to pool resources it might be possible to raise public awareness of the shops there. And we should all make a point of using Radford Street businesses when we can especially as they are now accessed so easily from the new Christchurch Way car park.

Any other ideas?

The following applications relate to properties within Stonefield and Christchurch ward. For further details contact the Planning Officer at Stafford Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ or telephone 01785 619337 quoting the application number.

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Application Number: 08/09815/COU           Type of Application: Change of Use

Date registered: 17 March 2008                 Applicant: Keith Hawkins

Location:  4A Church Street, Stone

Proposal: Retention of use for office for taxi business.

Case Officer: Mrs K Wilson

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Application Number: 08/09961/FUL           Type of Application: Full

Date registered: 14 March 2008                 Applicant: Mrs L M Howells

Location:  70 Old Road, Stone

Proposal: Conversion of existing outbuildings to dwelling.

Case Officer: Mrs K Wilson

Last night Janet asked if I knew what had been happening at Morrisons filling station yesterday.She had tried to get on to fill up but had been directed away by firemen. The station was closed and a fire tender with flashing blue lights was in attendance.

Well, today, I found out! Whilst in town I met a good friend of mine who shall remain nameless. Earlier in the week he had taken his rather elderly campervan up to the Potteries to have a new petrol tank fitted. Yesterday he popped down to Morrisons to fill it up but when he had put in over sixty pounds worth he thought something must be wrong! Then he realised he was standing in petrol which was gushing out from under his vehicle! It would seem that the garage had failed to properly connect a seal.

Petrol everywhere! Forecourt evacuated. Cars abandoned. Fire brigade called. Emergency procedures activated. Garage closed for four hours. And a very red faced friend. As his son might say - ” Another fine mess you gotten yourself into!”

October may seem a a long way away but there’s a lot to get organised before then. This week seems to have been almost fully occupied with Food and Drink meetings - including a meeting with one of our major sponsors, the Trentham Estate. Again Trentham will be sponsoring the Demonstration Kitchen which will be housed in a large marquee on Westbridge Park, alongside the Gourmet Food Marquee.

We’ve also had meetings with our market manager, graphic designer and a couple of editors of local media outlets. In addition we have ’signed up’ a couple of volunteers who are eager to get involved with us. And last week Jimmy’s Farm, the subject of the BBC2 series signed up to attend the Festival! As you can see, it’s all systems go in the Festival office!

So put the dates in your diary - October 3rd, 4th and 5th. It’s going to be bigger and better than before

Last night’s Town Council meeting was, in the main, positive and constructive. Minutes of four sub committee meetings were read and approved. Apart from some minor skirmishes, most issues were disposed of without any major arguements.

However the evening was marred by a display of petulance from Councillor Geoff Collier who, in a moment of pique, lost the plot, grabbed his papers together and stormed out of the Chamber. Geoff had raised the important issue of the future of Stone in Bloom. We have heard rumours but have received no official communication from Stafford Borough Council as to what exactly is happening to ‘In Bloom’ this year. Geoff wanted the Town Council to take it over and almost everyone agreed with him. It was then suggested that we should ask to meet the Borough to find out the facts and I suggested that a small working group should be formed for this purpose, suggesting that the three Town Council representatives on the Stone in Bloom group should form this Working Group. And at that, Cllr. Collier exploded into his bad tempered outburst, all because he wanted to be involved.

And the irony of it all was that after his departure, it was agreed that the working group should be enlarged to include Cllr. Collier - not because anyone felt threatened by his behaviour (although it was most unpleasant) but because he had raised the issue as a Member’s Item.

On the evidence of last night’s performance, Cllr. Collier clearly has a short fuse! What a pity he felt unable to remain in the Chamber in order to engage further in the democratic process called debate.

You will recall that last weekend Jill Hood and I went down to the Youth Centre to create a tile for the Food and Drink Festival and which will be used with many others on the piece of artwork to be placed in Westbridge Park. Yesterday afternoon we went back to find our tile had been fired in a kiln and was ready for painting.

I was so bad at art at school that I wasn’t even allowed to sit for an ‘O’ level - so I thought I’d pulled a bit of a flanker when I arrived to find Jill already seated at the table painting away! I had visions of drinking coffee and having a chat. Wrong! The lads from the Den, Stone’s Youth Cafe, were unable to attend so I was delegated to paint their tile. Thankfully it was a relatively simple design and, although I say it myself, it did look rather good when it was finished!

Of course, I’d not read the written instructions before starting and caused quite a bit of mayhem. I was drinking coffee at the table when I shouldn’t - paint is toxic! And I went and fetched a bottle of paint from the far end of the table - I should have taken my tile and painted it there! But everyone was very understanding and sympathetic!

Yet again there was a super turn out and it was grand to see so many people getting involved. I reckon that there should be upards of two hundred tiles and I am assured every one will be used. And I know which is my favourite! A six year old called Josh who has produced a wonderful tile. When the work is finished have a look at it!

Two or three times a year, the Common Plott trustees organise a Sunday morning community working party. Teams of volunteers set to and carry out maintenance projects such as hedge planting, fence and gate repairs and cutting back weeds and shrubs. Janet and I have been helping out for many years now and we always enjoy these events.

Yesterday was quite an event! PC Andy Whitehall had brought along a dozen or so lads and lasses from his Reel’em In fishing project and there was another dozen or so helpers to help Adrian, the Plott keeper, to tackle some major jobs.

Andy took some of his team off to plant trees in the woodland whilst the rest of us tackled the cutting down of overgrowing trees on the bottom path. Three chain saws were in operation at one time and were having a job to keep up with the speed at which we were clearing the branches away! By the end of the morning two very large areas had been cleared much to Adrian’s delight. The clearings will allow fresh growth and will encourage wildlife, insects and butterflies in the summer.  

There are times when I am simply stuck for words to describe some events in this wonderful town of ours - and last night was a just such an example. Whatever I write here about Stone Revellers’ production of ‘Jesus Christ - Superstar’ will be totally inadequate to convey the magnificence of the show. There are insufficient superlatives to describe the quality, enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism of the entire show.

St Michael’s Church had been transformed into the most amazing stage set - with a cross for the Crucifixion scene that was breathtaking. The lighting and stage effects were superb and the acting and choreography were so professional. The amount of effort and hard work that must have gone into setting up this show defies thinking about!

But if this production proved one thing, it is that Stone desperately needs a proper theatre facility for shows like this. It is not fair to level any criticism about last night’s performance but it needs to be said that the poor sound engineer fought a losing battle against the volume controls, microphone feedback and the church’s acoustics all night. Sadly most of the words sung by the cast were totally inaudible and the audience were bombarded by a wall of sound. Thankfully, we all knew the storyline and the characters in the plot so were able to follow the action, nevertheless!

I am sure that in a proper theatre setting these problems would not exist. Let’s hope that the concept plans for a new community building on Westbridge Park soon see the light of day.

The following applications relate to properties within Stonefield and Christchurch ward. For further details contact the Planning Officer at Stafford Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ or telephone 01785 619337 quoting the application number.

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Application Number: 08/753/FUL           Type of Application: Full

Date registered: 13 March 2008                 Applicant: Mr Kevin Turner

Location:  24 Kings Avenue, Stone

Proposal: Replacement of pre fabricated concrete garage used for storage/workshop with woodenshed for use as storage/workshop.

Case Officer: Ms T Brown

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Application Number: 08/934/FUL           Type of Application: Full

Date registered: 13 March 2008                 Applicant: WS & PR Johnson

Location:  17 The Avenue, Stone

Proposal: Replacement of railings to front boundary.

Case Officer: Ms S Brown

I’ve known for a long time that there are many people who quietly go out on a regular basis and carry out litter picks in their own area. There’s a gentleman who cleans Nannygoat Lane every day and another who keeps Granville Terrace and the footpaths into town clean. I also know of a couple of others who regularly walk over Crown Meadow with a plastic bag which they fill within minutes. I do my little bit in Oulton Road.

But the interesting development has been the knock on effect of the community litter pick a couple of weeks ago. Last night I went to a concert in Hanley and had a lovely conversation with a friend from Airdale Road who wanted to know when the next litter pick was being held. She’d been speaking to a friend who also wanted to get involved. And since that Saturday she’d been out on her own and had collected over five bags of litter on one occasion!

And on Thursday evening I walked to a meeting in Newcastle Road and used the footpath across the railway line off Station Approach. There in the dusk I came across a couple who’d also taken part in the litter pick and had decided to try and clear up this particular path in their own time!

Clearly litter picking is becoming contagious! The combined effect of the work of these unsung heroes is already being noticed. The town is definitely looking tidier. Let’s hope we can encourage even more people to do the same. Copngratulation and keep up the good work!

Stafford and Rural Homes have done a magnificent job on the Priory Estate over the last couple of years and Julie, the kingpin of the whole scheme, willl shortly be moving on to her next project in Stafford. However before she leaves, she arranged a walkabout yesterday so that any outstanding issues could be logged and action authorised.

A handful of councillors (yes - unbeknown to one of my colleagues - part of the estate is in my ward!) and a couple of residents followed Julie around the estate looking for ’snags’ to list on her clipboard. The fact that she was unable to complete one full side of paper must be testament to the brilliant job she’s been doing. A bit of graffiti here, a broken fence panel there, a couple of small painting jobs requiring completion - but nothing very serious. Apart from the ongoing issue of the fence alongside the Cricket Club. Apparantly there is a longstanding dispute as to who is liable for repairs - and whilst the argument goes on, the fence remains an eyesore and, in my mind, a potential danger. Julie has undertaken to try and get the Borough’s legal department on the job as soon as possible.

The whole estate is really looking good now. Stafford and Rural have spent a great deal on refurbishment of the housing stock and the improvement is so obvious. New roofs and windows must surely be making for a more comfortable life for the residents. And new garden fences and tarmac parking spaces certainly improve the outward appearance of the estate as well. Well done S&R and Julie, in particular.

Mike West, a director of the Clifford Project, had invited Jill Hood and me to pop round yesterday morning to inspect the new premises which the project has just opened at Unit 2B on Whitebridge Estate. Initially we wondered wheter it was ‘2B or not 2B’ when we arrived because the units have no obvious numbers affixed for indentification but - after twice asking for directions - we eventually found it!

They’ve only had the unit a month but in that time they’ve worked hard and fitted it out and decorated it throughout. This unit will be used for their ‘Way to Work’ scheme in which youngsters with learning difficulties on leaving school will be be offered help and training to assist them in gaining skills for the employment market. Take a look at their website to see the fantastic work they do.

The new premises are superb. Training rooms, a kitchen, computer room and workshops - all in a bright, clean and secure environment. Jill and I had a hurried tour because of another engagement - but we came away mightily impressed by both the premises and the commitment of Mike, his staff and the volunteers. Congratulations to them all!

I’ve been a member of the North Staffs Rail Promotion Group for several years now and there can be no doubt that much of the credit for the return of a stoppping service at Stone Station later this year is due to the hard work of this group. Last night’s meeting in Stone Station was a good example of the type of work they do.

We heard that stations on the Crewe - Stoke - Derby line would all soon have electronic passenger information boards; that representations were being made to include a late service into Stoke and that the Department of Transport had indicated that there were no plans to re-open Barlaston station. There are several members who know the rail industry inside out and it is fascinating (and reassuring) to hear arguments based on facts which are not widely available. I’m sure that the Department will soon be receiving further arguments on the latter two issues!

The meeting was also very useful because I was able to announce my intention to try to launch a ‘Friends of Stone Station’ group and to announce that the first meeting would be held in Stone Station on Wednesday 23rd April at 7.30 pm. The news was received with much enthusiasm and offers of help. I came away confident that the formation of a  ‘Friends’ group would be a positive step forward in promoting the station and the new service.

I think we are very fortunate in Stone to have a dedicated Anti Social Behaviour group sponsored by the Borough Council but drawing upon the input  of, amongst others,  the police, Connexions, the Alcohol and Drug Advisory service, the Town Council and the Youth Service. I’ve attended several meetings and have always been interested to see how effective inter agency co-operation can be.

This afternoon’s meeting was not so well attended as most but nevertheless progress was made on several fronts. It was very gratifying to hear compliments being made about how well Stone is regarded in the County for it’s various actions in relation to the young people of the town. I think ventures like the fishing initiative, Reel’em In and the boxing training programme, the Right Stuff are being viewed with interest. And the imminent opening of the youth cafe, the Den, is yet another innovative project which is attracting attention.

For too long the youth of this town have been complaining of being bored because there is nothing to do. Now that they are responding positively to these various projects and are actually taking positive roles in these schemes, I think we should be proud of them. The more I meet and talk to these young folk the more I realise what potential they possess.

The Tory controlled Borough Council is skint and are doing anything and everything to save money. I’ve already mentioned the fiasco of the appointment of the new Chief Executive and the increase in car parking charges in Stone. Add to the equation the increase in burial and cremation charges - and don’t forget that the new Blue Bin collection scheme was the cheapest option on offer. And just when you think you are coming to terms with all that, a Tory councillor ‘lets the cat out of the bag’ by admitting that the Tory group have already agreed to close the toilets in Station Road. Yes! Geof Collier probably spoke out of turn when he informed us of this fact at the last Estates Sub Committee!

Which all goes to explain why the Town Council had been approached by the Borough to see whether we would be interested in taking over the management of the toilets. The Sub Committeee was unanimous in agreeing that the Station Road toilets must be kept open. With the increase in visitors to the town resulting from our extra markets and events now taking place we were all agreed that closing the toilets would be a retrograde step.

However the financial implications need to be studied in some detail before any final decisions can me made. But everyone was agreed that if we do take over responsibility, the toilets will need to be refurbished and maintained to a much better standard than exists at present.

Whilst I was in town this morning, I was stopped by a gentleman who  said he just wanted to thank me and congratulate me about this website! He told me that he looked at it everyday because in his words “I can learn more about what’s going on in town than I can from all the local papers put together.”

 Wow! What a criticism of our local newspapers!

The following applications relate to properties within Stonefield and Christchurch ward. For further details contact the Planning Officer at Stafford Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ or telephone 01785 619337 quoting the application number.

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Application Number: 08/09881/COU           Type of Application: Change of Use

Date registered: 5 March 2008                 Applicant: Miss Stacey Davidson

Location:  6 Radford Street, Stone

Proposal: Change of use of the building from a category A1 retail unit to accommodate a nail and beauty salon.

Case Officer: Ms T Brown

As part of the public art project being sponsored by Groundworks, the canal tow path contractors, invitations have gone out most Stone schools, churches and voluntary bodies to each produce a tile. Which is why this morning Jill Hood and I, wearing our Food and Drink Festival hats, went along to the Youth Centre to make a tile depicting the logo. When I arrived I was amazed to find dozens of children and their parents plus repreentatives of local groups all busy transferring their designs to tracing paper and then onto soft clay tiles.

Some of the designs were wonderful! Several of the youngsters had drawn canal pictures, others had drawn local landmarks and one six year old had designed a tile solely depicting our Farmers’ Market. His mother explained that he just loves the Farmers’ Markets each month - and I thought we only appealed to the more mature customer!

Jill and I (well, it was actually all Jill!) created our tile which will now be fired and brought back next week for painting prior to its final firing. Then I do hope that all the tiles will be affixed to a suitable piece of artwork - not the proposed seat which I and many others consider inappropriate, unoriginal and downright ugly. But that’s another battle!

Last night Janet and I went up to Alleynes School having volunteered to help to supervise a ‘gig’ organized by the young people helping to set up the Den, the new youth cafe. The evening was to raise funds for the Den and consisted of six bands playing in the main hall.

Well, I’ve never heard such a racket! Janet and I were asked to marshall the fire door near to the stage entrance so there was no escape! From seven until ten thirty we were bombarded by a throbbing assault on our ear drums! I am told that six different bands took to the stage but I could tell no difference! The some monotonous drum beat and bass lines!

But the kids absolutely loved it! About 150 teenagers spent the whole evening thrashing around (oops, sorry - dancing!) and the whole lot ended with what appeared to be a mass brawl! All apparently normal at such events and good humoured - and no-one injured!

Oh, I am really getting old!! And last night I felt it! However, everyone else enjoyed it and it was a great success with almost £300 raised for the Den. But next time I’m asked to help out at a ‘gig’ I might have a prior engagement!

Today the final surface was being rolled flat on the tow path above Star Lock and I guess that the barriers will be removed later today. There is still a small stretch of work to be done below the Star but we are not far away from the whole scheme being completed.

Thanks to funding from Stone Market Town Initiative and British Waterways, the tow path from Workhouse Bridge to the end of Westbridge Park will be smooth tarmac, new moorings will be available alongside Westbridge Park and disabled access created into the park. A new winding point will also allow craft to turn below the lock thereby saving many thousands of gallons of water.

The only outstanding item will be the installation of signage. Following a meeting earlier in the week when the details for Information  Boards and Direction Signs were agreed, I am confident all signs will be in place well before the boating season starts in a couple of months time.

I’m sure the completed project will be much admired by townsfolk and visitors alike and will encourage more visitors to stay longer in the town.

Yesterday’s Newsletter carried a front page story that Staffordshire County Council had announced that the proposed one way system along Northesk Street has been abandoned. The plans were part of the Stonefield Traffic Management Scheme and were opposed on the grounds that they would , in fact, create a rat run and exacerbate the problem rather than resolve it.

This is fantastic news for the neighbours who have battled hard for what seems an eternity to prevent the scheme being put into operation. I and my colleagues in Stone’s Independent Voice on the Town Council were very much involved in the campaign and it was very gratifying to read one resident expressing his thanks to us in the article. Local politicians are often taking the flack for all manner of problems - it’s very nice to receive a word of thanks now and then!

So Northesk Street escapes but the rest of the scheme appears to be going ahead. Whilst there will be some benefit for the residents of Tunley Street, Kings Avenue and Victor Street, I do wonder why Mount Avenue is considered appropriate for traffic calming. I’m not convinced that speed humps are the answer there. Time will tell

Eagerly, at 4.30 pm yesterday, I was first in the queue to see the display of the concept plans for a new community building on Westbridge Park. In fact I was too early and asked to wait outside while the exhibition was set up!

The presentation was by Hulme Upright and Manning, architects from Stoke-on-Trent, who have been commisioned by the Stone Market Town Iniatative to carry out a feasability study. Consulation took place some weeks ago and today we were able to look at a design concept and drawings.

Essentially, the proposed scheme would provide a 275 seater theatre in a two storey building on the site of the existing tennis courts next to the sports centre. The seating in the auditorium would be moveable to create a large flat floored hall. Another single storey series of buildings would form a sweeping arc on the Stafford Road frontage and would include provision for new Scout and Guide Huts. The two buildings would be joined by a glass covered atrium and roof.

I am quite impressed. But concepts are fine and the devil, as always, will be in the detail. But before I get too excited, I want to hear from someone with the answer to two fundamental questions - Who is going to pay to build it and how will it pay for itself, once built?

I’ve attended many funerals at Stafford Crematorium and, like most people, have often wondered what exactly happens ‘behind the curtain’. Well, today I was able to find out. Borough councillors were given the opportunity of a guided tour and very interesting it was, too.

The ‘crem’ is about to undergo a major refurbishment to lift it out of its 1960’s decor and to improve the facilities for the bereaved. The work is to be carried out over the next few months in a phased timing designed to ensure no disruption to services.

The ‘working parts’ were extremely interesting and surprisingly clinical and clean. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I came away very impressed with the procedures. Open Days are held each year so if any member of the public wishes to ‘do the tour’, look out for the advertisement.

This afternoon I took a trailer load of garden waste up to the Household Recycling Centre in Opal Way where I was assisted by the usual gang of very helpful and polite assistants. Our brown wheelie bin was already full as Jan has spent the last few days in the garden clearing up ready for the Spring.

After the lads had helped us to unload, they handed us a leaflet setting out new opening times with effect from 31st March. The major change is that the site will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (not Wednesdays and Thursdays as now). However on the days that Stone is closed I note that the Stafford site in St. Albans Road will be open.

And throughout the summer (i.e. until the end of British Summer Time) on the days when the site is open, the opening hours will be from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Janet had not seen the site before and was extremely impressed. She has been saving our empty Tetrapacs (fruit juice cartons) and was delighted to find a recycling bin solely for them! I can see more trips are in store!

Last night, after a meeting of Stone’s Independent Voice members in the Station, we called into The Talbot which had just re-opened following a major refurbishment. And what a transformation! Obviously Enterprise Inns have invested heavily on the refurb. Open plan, bright and comfortable with four handpulls - the pub is hardly recognisable! In recent years Enterprise have gained few friends with their pubs seeming to change hands with regular monotony. A couple of months ago at least four pubs in this ward had “To Let”signs fixed outside. So it is very reassuring that the company has recognised the potential of the Talbot and spent some money on it. With the Station Community Centre, just down the road,  being a regular venue for many of our meetings I anticipate several return visits!

But on a very personal level, why do modern pubs have to be so noisy? Blaring background music, a massive flat screen television with a football commentary and a jangling fruit machine all combined to ensure that this old man missed most of the conversation at our table! I am obviously about to join the ‘One Foot in the Grave’ fan club!

I am very curious. I have looked at the management corner of this site to discover that February set a few records! Since I started the site in mid Novemeber, I’ve written over 100 postings. The site has received over 7500 hits with over 2800 of them during the month of February!

So obviously some people are interested in the comings and goings of a rather busy local politician! Sorry, I won’t bore you with any more statistics in future!

The following applications relate to properties within Stonefield and Christchurch ward. For further details contact the Planning Officer at Stafford Borough Council, 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford ST16 3AQ or telephone 01785 619337 quoting the application number.

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No planning applications in Stonefield and Christchurch ward were submitted during this week.

Following the success of last week’s community litter pick, a handful of town councillors decided to do another litter pick today to clean up the Wharf car park. The town council rents this car park from British Waterways and it’s been a bit of a disgrace for a while now. Cleaning up areas of the town last week has only highlighted the need to ‘get our own house in order’!

So this morning, Jan and I joined Mark and Kristan Green, Jill and Steve Hood and Karen Wyatt from the boatyard. Between us we collected over twenty bags of litter from around the perimeter and, by gosh, the difference was noticeable.

I’m a bit worried that litter picking might be addictive! Mark Green now wants to attack the area around the A34 and the entrance to the Whitebridge estate next week - and I jumped at the chance to join in! Do you think I should get out more often?!

It’s been our proud boast that we’ve never had a wet Farmers’ Market. That reputation is just about intact after today but only just! It wasn’t rain that caused today’s problems but the wind.

I arrived in town just after 6.30 am to be greeted by an empty High Street. No marquees being erected and one trader setting up a makeshift stall under the overhang of the old Job Centre office. The wind was blowing a gale and the marquee company were not prepared to risk the marquees.

So a rather tense couple of hours ensued with me trying to pacify  traders who were somewhat aggrieved to find no cover or tables. However the true British spirit came to rescue and soon the street was filling up with stallholders erecting makeshift stalls and covers with others selling from the back of their vehicles. Not our usual attractive row of market stalls but a market nevertheless! And our sympathetic residents and visitors didn’t utter one word of complaint! In fact one was heard to say that it was a display of the Dunkirk spirit!

And as the traders left in the afternoon there were smiles on their faces - one even admitted to having had his best day’s trading ever! It’s an ill wind …..!!!!!!