The Joule's clock is back in the High Street

The old Joule’s clock is back in Stone High Street – and a special Valentine’s switch-on will be held next month to celebrate.

The clock, which originally hung outside the Joule’s headquarters on the High Street, now sits proudly on a specially made post at the top of the High Street which will also have seating installed around it early next week.

The timepiece, which includes some of the features from the original Joules Brewery Clock, was presented to the town in 1987 by Bass Brewery. It was removed for repairs four years ago but was never put back – until now.

The hands of the clock are currently stuck at 12 but it will be working again after an official switch-on at 7pm on Valentine’s Day – and Stone Town Council is inviting those who are thinking of popping the question on the 14th February to do it at the official switch-on.

Town councillor Tom Jackson, the chairman of the estates sub-committee, said he was delighted to see the clock, which was erected on Thursday 26th January, back in the High Street.

He said: “I think it looks fantastic and it’s just wonderful to have this piece of Stone’s brewing history back where it should be. It’s a wonderful mark of the town’s brewing heritage. We’re hoping to invite old Joule’s employees in Stone to the switching-on ceremony, and we’re really hoping that some local couples will be popping the question.”

Richard Stevens has written about the return of the Joule’s clock on his blog here.

The headteacher of Alleyne’s High School says the school league tables that were published on Thursday show the improvements that are being made at the school.

The league tables show that 59% of students in 2011 achieved 5+ A*-C grades at A-C, including English and maths. In 2008, that figure was 50%.

Headteacher Karen Lockett said: “We’re delighted with the improvements the school has made. The staff have worked hard to improve the attainment of all students and I’m particularly pleased that the performance tables reflect the progress that all groups of students have made.”

You can have a look at all the statistics on the Department for Education website.

Slade tribute band Slyde will be playing at Stone Music and Arts Festival

Slade tribute Slyde and Take That tribute Re-Take That have been revealed as the headline bands for this year’s Stone Music and Arts Festival.

The festival is again being sponsored by Wedgwood and gets under way on Monday 9th July, with the weekend of 14th and 15th July seeing the two tribute bands playing in the town.

Re-Take That

They will be supported by other music and performance acts over the weekend and there will also be arts and crafts displays and live music at local venues during the week.

Steve Brookes, Stone Music and Arts Festival chairman, said: “This will be our fourth music festival in Stone and with the support of Wedgwood it’s going to be the best yet.

“As volunteers we know all too well that organising the festival is hard work but our reward is to see thousands of happy faces singing (and sometimes dancing) along to the musicians we put on the stages. Our headline acts this year are unashamedly populist because we really want to bring everyone together to celebrate in music all that’s good about Stone and our part of Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

“Wedgwood’s support is vital to our success, but once again we are appealing to other local traders and townsfolk to come forward with both financial and physical help now and on the day to ensure that the festival is a huge success.

“We’ll be inviting our growing group of Friends of the Festival to once again support us and we’ll be talking to local business people and asking them to do something. It’s Stone’s music and arts festival, so let everyone in the town join is in making it an event to be proud of.”

Find out more and get involved at the music festival website.

Chris and his award with Dr Charles Freeman, chairman of the college corporation

A talented Stone student who is hoping to study at Oxford scooped a top award at a college’s “Oscars” night.

English student Chris Smith was among students honoured at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College’s annual prize presentation ceremony.

Leaders from industry, commerce and the education sector attended the ceremony at the college in Leek Road, Stoke.

A total of 20 prizes were awarded to students aged between 16 and 18 some of whom have shone academically, some who have triumphed over adversity or have made extraordinary contributions to college life.

Awarding Chris the Mary Bishop Prize for English, his tutors paid tribute to his hard work and his mastery of the English language.

They said: “Chris has worked admirably throughout his time here at college. Chris joined the college once the first term was already underway and so he initially had to deal with the hurdle of first catching up before he could even keep up! But it did not take him long to master the literary texts, their contexts and their contents. He did this with aplomb.

“One teacher, at least, appreciated having someone in the room who would understand the dry humour which was occasionally on offer. Chris was often the only one who got it; the rest of the class must have thought Chris’ occasional private chuckles were either the sign of some impending insanity or a pointer to a deep and rich inner life of glee.

“And so, with the urbane sophistication of a young Ustinov and the honed turn of phrase of an aspiring Wilde, Chris mastered his studies and approached his recent Oxford entrance exam with maturity, tenacity and talent.

“Whatever the next steps for Chris, we are certain that he will proceed with a quiet humour and intelligent perceptivity to the foibles and follies of modern life, his own included. Well done Chris.”

The awards presentation evening celebrates the achievements of current students, while a further awards event in May will celebrate the success of former students.

Another person has been fined for not clearing up after their dog on Westbridge Park.

The 46-year-old man from the Newcastle Road area of town has been slapped with a £75 fine after he didn’t clean up after his black Labrador – just behind the goal posts of the football pitch at the end nearest to the canal.

The man, who did not have any bags to collect the dog poo, was given a fixed penalty notice. He told borough council enforcement officers he had not seen the dog foul on the field and had previously used bags to clean up the dog’s mess earlier on his walk.

A woman from Stone was also given a fixed penalty notice for the same offence last week – more details here.

Stafford Borough Council launched a crackdown on owners who did not clear up after their dogs following an increase in information from local people this month.

There are dedicated web pages at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/dogs for more information on dog fouling. To report incidents email info@staffordbc.gov.uk or ring 01785 619000.

Do you know this person?

He’s wanted by police in connection with the theft of food, valued at £3.18, from Filleybrooks Service Station, on the junction of the A34 and Newcastle Road, on 12th November last year.

Any information to Sgt 4427 Darren Burney at Stafford Police on 101 ext 4059.

Some of the babies take time out at the anniversary party!

Hosting a party for 50 babies and their parents would not be most people’s cup of tea. However, for mum-of-two Freya Sema it was the perfect way to celebrate business success.

Two years ago Freya launched ‘expecting’ antenatal classes to offer advice for people in the Stone and Stafford areas. Since then Freya, aged 33, who also practises midwifery at Stafford Hospital, has provided advice about labour, birth and early parenthood to the mums and dads of 107 babies.

Freya with Zoe and Dom Dawes and their baby Fletcher

And earlier this month, 50 babies and their parents attended a second anniversary party with Freya.

Jon Cook from Stone was at the party with wife Lisa and their son Matthew. He said: “It was brilliant to meet up with so many new parents from Stone and nearby at the party. We found the ‘expecting’ classes incredibly useful, especially the chance to meet other expectant parents.”

Freya said: “There are normally six to eight babies at each reunion. Having 50 children was been incredibly special and I’m thrilled that their parents found the expecting course so beneficial. I really believe that good, realistic antenatal advice can positively affect the birthing experience.”

Jackie Allen

The mayor of Stone’s secretary has a pressing engagement of her own later this year – the 2012 Virgin London Marathon! And she’s hoping people in the town will help her reach her fundraising total of £2012.

Jackie Allen from Stone Town Council will be running the marathon on Sunday 22nd April in aid of Team PB – Prostate and Breast Cancer.

Jackie said: “These charities are very close to my heart and I would really love to raise a significant amount of money for it. Team PB’s goal is to raise £1 million to support people living with prostate and breast cancer, their families and friends. Training is very much under way! I know times are tough at the moment, but every little bit really does help.”

Jackie will be collecting donations in the entrance foyer of Morrisons on Saturday 11th February. Alternatively, you can sponsor Jackie at www.virginmoneygiving.com/JackieAllen 

The Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care have been chosen as the joint official charity for the 2012 marathon. Prostate and breast cancer are the most common cancers in men and women in the UK. So the chances are you know someone who’s been affected by these life-threatening diseases.

You may also know about the emotional upheaval a diagnosis brings to every family affected, the debilitating long-term side effects of treatment and living with a constant fear about the cancer returning. The expert information and support from The Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care is there from day one.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s hidden gems across the county will be in the spotlight at the Stone group’s next talk in the town.

The Trust’s Scott Petrek will be talking about “Secret Staffordshire” at the Frank Jordan Community Centre in Lichfield Street at 7.30pm on Friday 27th January.

The talk is open to Trust members and non-members alike. Admission, which includes light refreshments, is £2.50 for adults and 50p for children.

The Stone group holds monthly talks at the Frank Jordan Centre. Mail samsmewing.swt@gmail.com for more information.

A middle-aged woman from Stone has been fined for letting her dogs foul on Westbridge Park.

The woman was given a £75 fixed penalty notice after she didn’t clear up the mess – the first fine to be issued following a new year crackdown by Stafford Borough Council.

The council started evening and dawn patrols last week after an increase in calls in January from residents about people not cleaning up after their pets. The council praised ‘responsible’ owners who have been supplying details of the times and places their selfish counterparts are letting dogs foul.

The offence happened near a footpath at Westbridge Park when the woman was seen letting two dogs out of her car. She did not clean up after them and a council enforcement officer issued her with a fine.

The woman, who has not been named by the council but is from the Valley Road estate, was said to be ‘furious’, claiming she normally cleaned up after her dogs.

Moments earlier an elderly man escaped a fine after being challenged by a fellow dog owner who handed him a bag to clean up the mess near to the park’s football pitch.

Councillor Frank Finlay, cabinet member for environment and health, said he hoped this would send a warning to other irresponsible dog owners. He added: “It’s no use complaining when you get fined. All you have to do is pick up and bag the mess and put it in a bin – any rubbish bin. People are rightly disgusted when you don’t clear up after your dog – especially in such a public area as a park.”

Visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/dogs for more information on dog fouling. And to report incidents, email info@staffordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619000.