I was delighted to see such a good turnout for the Civic Parade and Church Service this morning. The wind was blowing a gale but the rain stayed away, thank goodness.

Councillor Mark Green, our new Town Mayor, led the Parade from Stonefield Park through town to St. Michaels Church where he read one of the lessons. It was only later that I discovered that he’ d forgotten his reading glasses and had recited the reading mostly from memory! Well done, Mr. Mayor!

Our Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Jill Hood, had also managed to be in two places at once! Deputising for Mark, she’d officially started the 10K road race down at St.Michael’s First School and then dashed back into town to join the Parade at the top of the High Street. I’m sure she’d modestly say that, as Administrator of the Food and Drink Festival,  she’s used to multi-tasking!

A few days ago, I was talking to someone in the town who made a comment that I always seeemed to be dashing around the town and wondered how far I walked each day. I’d never thought much about but mentioned it to Janet. Mistake! She went to Hanley yesterday and whilst shopping bought me a pedometer!

So I can tell you that yesterday I walked seven and a half miles! Impressed? Well I have to admit it was not a typical day -  a litter pick in the morning, a crown green bowling competition in the evening and a walk to  the Station for a party at night. No wonder I’m feeling shattered this morning! 

The weather this morning was pretty miserable but still a couple of dozen volunteers and young folk turned up at ten o’clock in the Market Square to take part in another P.C Andy Whitehall litter pick.

I was part of a team that first did the top half of the Priory Estate and then went over to the Ministry estate. I am delighted to report that most areas are looking very neat and tidy - the blackspots appear to be alleyways and footpaths off the beaten track.

In total, I think the morning’s work filled about fifty bags so it was all worth while. And afterwards some rather damp and cold ‘pickers’ were treated to a complimetary hot drink by Custodio in the Lounge. Thanks, Cus - I needed that! And well done Andy - again!

Today there was a very festive feel to the town with ladies dressed to the nines and flaunting the most wonderful millinery creations  (- hats to you and me!). And all in aid of charity.

The Ladies section of Stone British Legion put on a town centre event to coincide with Ladies Day at Ascot. So there was a window dressing competition, a best hat competition, a tombola and, tonight, I understand a Duck Race was to be held at the Star.

And under the marquee Tony Panter had rigged up a very large TV set so that ‘the punters’ could watch the race itself. A great idea and one, I’m sure, that will be repeated.

I’m fairly used to public speaking. I’ve addressed magistrates, arbitrators, Tribunals, judges, political hustings,  public meetings, etc. etc.  - but today was a rather unnerving first experience. Speaking to two hundred ladies and not another man in sight!

Many months ago I was asked if I would be willing to give a talk about Stone Food and Drink Festival to the Barlaston branch of the Douglas Macmillan Hospice charity. I immediately accepted. I don’t need to be asked twice to talk to anybody about our Food and Drink Festival! And the added bonus was that it was in Barlaston where I spent a very enjoyable time as a young man in my teens and twenties - Barlaston in the swinging sixties was a good place to be!

And so it was that at lunchtime I ate lunch in a large marquee surrounded by so many familiar faces. And then ’singing for my supper’ by talking about the Festival. It seemed to go down all right and if I was able to persuade a few of them to come down to Stone in October then it was all worth while.

No, not the Skylark but Brindley’s Floating Restaurant! Yesterday, to celebrate our birthdays, Janet and I booked the entire boat for family and friends and went off for a lunchtime cruise. We all met at Westbridge Park and headed south, eventually turning back just short of Sandon.

No one had been on the boat before so there was immediatley a novelty value and when the meal was served everyone was so impressed. Good weather, good food, good wine and good company - all the ingredients for a perfect day!

We had almost a dozen Stone guests on board who had heard of Brindleys but never been on it before. Without exception, they all bemoaned the fact that they had ignored what was on the doorstep and that they will certainly be booking trips in future!

Thanks to Geof, Heather, Richard, Taggy and Chloe for a great trip.

This year, the Food and Drink Festival will be promoting many talented local chefs and we are being very ably assisted in putting our programme together by Paul Gilmore of Restaurant Gilmore over in Bramshall near Uttoxeter. Today, Jill Hood, Adam Jones, Pam Graham and I went over to see Paul to review progress.

Paul really has been hard at work! He has recruited several chefs to give demonstrations and has also come up with some very interesting and novel ideas for demonstrations over the three day Festival.

I can’t disclose too many details until we have ‘dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s’ but I hope the Festival website will be up and running in the next few weeks where you’ll be able to see the programme.

In the meantime, make sure you are in Stone from October 3rd to the 5th!

Yesterday was Janet’s birthday so we decided to eat out last night. After much umming and ahhing we chose to go to the Wayfarer Inn on the A34. We hadn’t been since it was taken over by Joseph, son of Geof from the Holly Bush at Salt, so we were not quite sure what to expect. We use the Hollybush quite regularly and have never had a poor meal there - so would the Wayfarer live up to the same high standard?

The answer is an emphatic ‘Yes’. We were greeted by a very polite and pleasant member of staff. After choosing our meals we were shown to a very comfortable corner table (did we really look like a couple out for a romantic evening?) and were then treated to a superb meal. The menu is very similar to the one at The Hollybush and cooked to the same high standard. I had my usual mixed grill (all protein - it was a ‘red’ day on my diet!) and it was wonderful. But Janet, to my surprise, ordered a sirloin steak. And she ate the lot. She complimented it as being tender, lean, full of flavour and perfectly cooked. My wife is not too easily pleased in the steak department so her compliments to the chef were quite an accolade!

On the basis of our two meals last night, I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending the Wayfarer. There’s no need to travel to Salt now!

I had a Victor Meldrew moment this morning!

A very succesful Stone Festival ended yesterday and today - lo and behold - Stafford Borough Council’s Streetscene department are starting to put up the hanging baskets!

Words fail me!

I knew yesterday was going to be special - but it exceeded all my expectations for a number of reasons!

Fantastic weather!

You’ve all read my proud boasts before that we’ve never had rain on a Farmers’ Market in Stone and it certainly didn’t rain yesterday! Blue skies and hot sunshine all day set the backdrop for a marvellous day!

Best Farmers’ Market ever!

Forty one stalls and a carnival atmosphere. Murphy’s Marbles playing in the square and the Carnival Parade passing around Christchurch Way on its way to Westbridge Park. No complaints from anyone - other than one trader who was moaning that he’d sold out and would have brought more stock had he known how good it was going to be!

Birthday specials!

And because it was my 65th birthday, I was allowed to have a day off the diet. So shortly after nine o’clock I was joined by Janet and several friends for a full fried English breakfast at an outside table at the Lounge. Two sausages, double bacon rashers, black pudding, hash browns, egg, tomato, mushrooms baked beans and fried bread - heaven!

And much to my embarrassment, later in the morning Kevin from Murphy’s Marbles called me over. I thought he wanted a quiet word about something but - no! - he immediately struck up with a round of “Happy Birthday” sung by everyone in the Market Square and the High Street. I think I blushed!

Successful end to Festival!

In the afternoon the Parade arrived in Westbridge Park to begin an afternoon of fun and frolics! And judging by the huge crowd it is obvious that holding the Farmers Market on the same day didn’t detract from the Festival’s success. In fact, it has been suggested the Market probably brought even more people into town.

Up, up and away!

And at four o’clock I joined Sue Mason for her sponsored helicopter ride. Sue had been inspired by my sponsored slim and had asked me to help her organise a sponsored helicopter ride. Sue has MS and had never flown due to her fear of flying. So we arranged sponsorship forms and today she did it! A wonderful trip with fantastic views over Stone raised over £350 for the Stone MS Society. Sue’s secret is safe with me, so when I am asked, the answer will always be ” She loved it”! She was very brave but I din’t think she’ll be repeating the experience! Fantastic, Sue - well done!

Party through the night!

So when it was all over it was back home, a quick shower and then - let the party begin! Yes, I seem to have a crowd of good friends who know how to enjoy themselves! Apologies to the neighbours! It was such a beautiful warm and calm night that we ended up on the patio until well into the small hours.

What a wonderful day!