Are You Experienced?

Europe’s finest Jimi Hendrix tribute act will be kick-starting this year’s Stone Music and Arts Festival at the launch party at the Crown Hotel.

The launch party – featuring Are You Experienced? and Stone’s very own Fabulous Blueshounds – takes place at the Crown Hotel ballroom on Friday 13th July from 8pm before the big festival weekend on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th.

You can find out more about Are You Experienced? and see some videos of the band in action here.

Tickets cost just £5 and are available from festival organisers Phil Mitchell on 07981 303811 and Tony Hollinshead on 07508 805560. Alternatively, email Al Lee on twocheeseburgers@mac.com

This year’s festival is being headlined by tribute bands Slyde and Re-Take That and the whole weekend is packed with music and entertainment, the huge majority not costing a penny for local people. There are just two ticketed events this year, the launch party and a classical event. There’s lots more information over at the official website.

Stone 1st X1 just missed out in what was a gripping finish to their fixture against Longton.

Longton won the toss and chose to bowl and openers Dawson and Luke Cheadle soon perished, leaving the hosts on 16 for 2. Pressure bowling from Longton’s Craig Barker, who finished with 6 for 50, never let the batsmen take control.

Richard Harvey with 30 and David Womble 19 were the only two to reach double figures, with Stone ending their innings on a below par 104 all out. Womble then struck with the ball taking 4 for 46 proving that it was a difficult day for batting

It was not until the 48th over that Longton reached the winning post, losing 7 wickets in the challenge

Stone drop to 5th in the table with Longton climbing to 3rd. This week Richard Harvey’s men travel to Knypersley.

Here’s the rest of last weekend’s action…

On-fire Podmore leads the way to victory against Crewe

At Swynnerton it was better fortunes for Stone, with Neil Podmore’s Stone SP 1st X1 easing past visitors Crewe.

Stone batted first and despite the loss of two early wickets, Jason Revill 63 and Dan Lunn 35, put on 92 for the 3rd wicket to build a solid platform. A flurry of wickets, including the skipper running out the key wicket of Adrian Butters meant the home side limped to 152.

In reply, Podmore with 5 wickets for 7 runs never allowed Crewe to get going, who were eventually dismissed for 72.

Adam Pursell with 3 and Andrew Winfield with 2 also chipped in with wickets

Stone SP now sit 4th in the table and look forward to a trip to newly promoted Church Eaton this Saturday.

Four for Slee as Stone 2nd X1 ease past Newcastle and Hartshill

The Stone 2nd X1, division 1B side continued their great start to the season with a visit to Newcastle and Hartshill. Captain Oliver Perry won the toss and put their hosts into bat. Veterans Paul Minshall 3 for 31 and Andy Slee 4 for 6 did the damage and the home side were dismissed for 86. Stone crossed the line for the loss of 4 wickets, with Dylan Davies top scoring with 47.

Now 3rd in the table, the side welcome Knypersley to Lichfield Road on Saturday.

Runs for Chandler at Crewe

Tom Chandler with 60 runs helped Stone SP 2nd X1 to victory against Crewe.

Crewe batted first and were restricted to 143, Chris Lindop pick of the bowlers with 3 for 32.Derek Price, Ashley Jones and Hylton Bennett chipped in with 2 victims each. Declan Wardell (28) and Gareth Jones (36) led the reply with a solid opening partnership. Then Chandler seized victory and a 5 wicket win.

The side welcome Church Eaton to Swynnerton Park on Saturday.

Talbot Shield Success for Stone SP 2nd X1

On Sunday, Stone SP 2nd X1 travelled to Wedgwood in the first round of the Talbot Shield. Stone batted first and reached a competitive 165. Leading the way with the bat were youngsters Matt Hubbart with 35, Nathan Bennett 21 and Declan Wardell 16.

When Stone took to the field it was the older generation that took the plaudits. Jan Osgathorpe 4 for 8 and Hylton Bennett 5 for 9, blasted through the Wedgwood defence. The home side were all out for 67.

Stone now progress to meet Barlaston in the next round on 27th May.

Stone crash out of national knockout

On Sunday, Stone travelled to Wolverhampton in the second round of the KingFisher National Club Championship.

The hosts asked Richard Harvey and his side to bat. Openers Luke Cheadle (22) and James Dawson (63) saw Stone off to a great start and runs continued to flow as captain Richard Harvey helped himself to 80.

Some late runs from Phil Cheadle (29) helped Stone reach 236 for 7 off their 45 overs. This looked to be a good total – but not good enough for the Wolverhampton batsmen

Some average Stone bowling was put to the sword and the score was on 102 before the first wicket fell.

A not-out 103 from Staffordshire’s Aaron Jeavons ensured victory for Wolverhampton in the 43rd over.

Rosanna Moseley from Aston Marina, front centre, with fellow finalists Ruby Rainey (Keele Hall), Charlotte Cork (Burton & South Derbyshire College), Ryan Shilton (Swinfen Hall Hotel), Sam Smith (Fifth on Fourth Restaurant) and Clarissa Darby (Alton Towers Hotel)

A Stone chef has been named as runner-up in the Taste of Staffordshire Young Chef of Tomorrow competition which celebrates the culinary expertise of the county’s very best young chefs.

Rosanna Moseley from Aston Marina was just pipped to the post by Ruby Rainey from Keele Hall, who scooped the title for the second year running.

Matthew Warburton from Rouge Recruitment, Stafford, won the coveted 2012 Master Chef award.

The winners were chosen after a challenging two-hour ‘cook-off’ at Stafford College during the day, which saw 12 finalists, six contestants in each category, prepare a three-course meal costing under £20 and using seasonal Staffordshire ingredients.

Chairman of judges and group executive chef for The Lewis Partnership, Matt Davies, said: “This year we received more entries than we have ever had in our history, and the calibre was so high that even selecting our finalists was difficult. This makes Matthew and Ruby’s awards even more impressive and they should both be very proud of their achievement.”

Stone student firefighters will be showing off their skills on Friday to celebrate a £2,000 donation.

Staffordshire County Councillors have donated £2,000 to the scheme and to show their appreciation the student firefighters will be showing off their skills at a special event on 18th May at Stone fire station.

The families of the student firefighters will be joined by Cllr Philip Jones, Cllr Ian Parry and Cllr Len Bloomer, chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority.

Cllr Bloomer said: “My colleagues and I are delighted to be able to help fund the student firefighter scheme which is a really exciting programme. As part of the programme the young people have developed their skills in leadership, teamwork and discipline, preparing them for life in the real world.”

On the day, 15 student firefighters will take part in two demonstrations for attendees to the event. Nine of these students will also be receiving their certificates after successfully completing a BTEC Level 2 Award in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community, in partnership with Stafford College.

Station manager Andy Kinsman said: “We are very proud to be engaging with the young people of the borough and celebrating their achievements. The student firefighter scheme is a fantastic experience which brings out the best in the students involved.

“The event will show the councillors who have contributed to the scheme how their donation will benefit the student firefighters and will also give the students a chance to show off their new skills to their families, local councillors and members of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.”

Brad from Lymestone Brewery will be pulling pints in his own pub soon

Stone the Crows! The first Lymestone Brewery boozer will be open soon after owners Brad and Viv were granted a premises licence for a historic pub site in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

‘Lymestone Vaults’ will be based at the former Wine Vaults on Newcastle High Street, which was sold at auction by Enterprise Inns last year. New owner Butters John Bee has taken on the front of the building and will be letting the rest of the building to Lymestone as a pub now the premises licence has been granted by Newcastle Borough Council.

Because the rest of the building has been rearranged, with toilets repositioned and a new lounge area brought into use, it has the same square footage as when it was previously used as a pub.

Final stage negotiations can now begin with the landlord and an opening date can be set.

Brad said: “We’ll be offering the five core Lymestone ales, as well as a monthly special, and other microbrewed beers from other Staffordshire breweries. There’ll also be high-quality continental beers and proper cider, as well as hot food.

“Many pubs are struggling at the moment but it’s wrong to assume that the whole sector is on its knees. A section of the market – as Titanic have shown – is thriving. I hope that by offering a choice of quality products that can’t be bought in supermarkets that we can make a real success of it.

“I’ve always had the ambition to open a Lymestone pub and we’ve put a lot of hard work to get to this stage. In time, I really want to have three Lymestone pubs, one in Newcastle, one in Stafford and one in Stone, obviously.”

Brad and Viv live in Newcastle and brew in Stone – hence the ‘Lymestone’ name. Find out lots more about the brewery at www.lymestonebrewery.co.uk 

Alleyne’s High School hold their annual plant and shrub sale on Saturday 26th May.

A range of quality plants for all green-fingered Stone folk will be available at the school in Oulton Road between 9.30am and 1pm.

Call 01785 354205 or 01785 354234 for more information.

Individuals and teams are needed for a fundraiser with a difference at Yarnfield in June. Participants will be running a mile, which is pretty standard.

But in this charity challenge they’ll be running up and down stairs!

The Cancer Research UK Stair Mile takes place at Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre on Sunday 24th June at 10.30am and there are a number of charity challenges for those taking part:

• Stair Mile: A mile walking up and down stairs (includes the flat bits at the top, bottom and middle) – 33 laps of the circuit
• Mile of Stairs: This involves a mile of actual stairs (where the flat bits don’t count) – 70 laps of the circuit
• Team triathlon event (five members to a team)
• Rowing Mile
• Cycling Mile

The last two challenges are on the Yarnfield Park rowing and cycling machines.

To enter as an individual or as a team and get a sponsorship form, call Richard Mitchell on 01785 284947 or 07870 874796.

The Cancer Research 3 Mile Triathlon Trophy will be presented at the end of the event to the winning team with the shortest team time for the Rowing and Cycling Miles undertaken after a Stair Mile (the Stair Mile is not timed).

As well as all the stair climbing there will also be a plant and craft sale with cakes, biscuits and much-needed refreshments!

Some places are now available at a popular cubs’ group in Stone after a number of members left to join the Scouts.

1st Stone Cubs meet on Tuesday evenings in school term time between 6.30pm and 8pm at the pumphouse on Westbridge Park. The group is for boys and girls between eight and 10-and-a-half, although children can join from seven-and-a-half if their parents think they’re ready.

Cub leader Michelle Scott said: “The most important thing is that we have lots of fun! we work towards badges including cooking, crafts, games and outdoor skills. We also go on a summer camp each year with trips out, swimming, karting, climbing, and a youth hostel trip in the winter. Previous places have been Stratford and Cadbury World, Chester, Legoland and more. We also take part in two parades a year. Being a Cub Scout is a wonderful thing for a young person. They learn so much and, as I said earlier, have lots of fun!”

Subs are £4 a week and include badges and all equipment used. Call Michelle on 07870 862270 or Maxine Saunders on 07814 602258 for more information and to get your little one signed up!

Members of The Sock Tree Company after the awards night

A group of business-minded students from Alleyne’s High School beat teams from 49 other schools to be named the best Staffordshire company in this year’s Young Enterprise challenge.

The Sock Tree Company now go forward to the West Midlands final at Birmingham University next month, following in the footsteps of Versaleaf from Alleyne’s, who made it all the way to the national finals last year.

Some of Sock Tree's colourful products

Sock Tree held off a strong challenge from One Green Bottle from Wolstanton High School at the county finals evening held at Staffordshire University’s film studios in Stafford.

This year 50 schools from Staffordshire took part in the Young Enterprise Company programme, which enables young people (typically between 16 and 18) to set up a company and trade with the public before liquidating their company at the end of the academic year.

Just four of the teams made it through local qualifying competitions to the County Finals, with Qualitea, the company from The De Ferrers Academy, Burton, and Simply Vintage from Landau Forte Sixth Form Academy in Tamworth also taking part.

Each of the teams had to write a company report, set up a trade stand and be interviewed by the judges, who were drawn from the commercial and public sector, before giving a presentation summarising their results and experiences. What was particularly daunting for the students this year was that the presentations were streamed live over the internet.

The Sock Tree Company produce fun creative animals from socks – and in recent weeks the company has diversified into a range of different products, all on the same theme. One Green Bottle also has an innovative product – a bottle clock, utilising recycled beer bottles from the Titanic and Lymestone breweries. Qualitea produced a novel product – mugs incorporating a biscuit holder, and Simply Vintage were selling vintage clothing with a modern twist.

In addition to the main award Sock Tree were also judged to have given the best presentation during the evening, and won the Financial Management and Sales and Marketing Awards. One Green Bottle won both the Production and Innovation Awards.

The Link Teacher Award (which is based on submissions by the young people) was presented to Adam Reynolds (Wolstanton High School) for his dedication to the team. The Business Advisor Award went to Jo Clay (from Pertemps) who worked with Qualitea.

All photos by Joshua Cope.

Sock Tree members get a grilling from the judges

Council bosses are urging residents to get in place early when the Olympic Torch passes through the borough later this month – and not to get caught up in traffic as lots of roads are closed.

The iconic flame will be travelling through Gnosall, Haughton and Stafford on its 14-mile route on Wednesday 30th May.

As well as the torch relay, the borough council has arranged a circus parade, with acrobats, jugglers and stilt walkers being joined by dance and community groups and school children, to warm up the crowds before the torchbearers arrive.

But residents, visitors and businesses are being advised to be prepared for disruption with roads on and around the route being closed between 4pm and 6.30pm on the day.

Adam Hill, head of leisure and culture at Stafford Borough Council, is urging people to get in early so they don‘t miss out on the historic event.

He said: “Such an exceptional event calls for exceptional circumstances and I hope everyone will realise there may be disruption to their normal day to day routine- and make alternative arrangements to minimise this. If you don’t want to see the torch then don’t travel to and from Stafford, or the two villages on route between those times. We want this day to be about celebration not frustration.”

For further advice on the torch relay and road closures, visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/2012 or keep up to date on Twitter by following the #staffstorch2012 hashtag. You can also find advice on parking deliveries and collections, public transport, getting your staff in to work and much more at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/2012

Click here to see the Olympic torchbearers from Stone, and here to read the story of 15-year-old torchbearer Ollie Moreton.