Members of 617 Squadron with the Dambusters 2012 poster

The modern-day Dambusters have backed a Stone man’s fundraising mission for Help For Heroes, when he’ll follow the route of the Second World War Dambusters raid by motorcycle.

Members of 617 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth have got behind Simon Dufton’s Dambusters 2012 campaign by taking a series of photos of the Dambusters 2012 poster and one of their Tornado GR4s!

Keen motorcyclist and Help For Heroes supporter Simon has organised the Dambusters 2012 Motorcycle Ride, which will take place on the 16th and 17th May, the 69th anniversary of the infamous 1943 raid.

The ride will follow the route flown by 617 Sqdn Lancaster AJ – J on the raid itself. The team will drop a wreath on to the water of the Mohne Dam in Germany to remember all those who lost their life as a result of the raid and then return via the John Frost Bridge, so famously held by the Paras at Arnhem, the ‘Bridge too Far’. The event will finish, as did the original Dambusters raid, at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

All of the riding will be done at night, just as the Lancaster Bombers had to carry out their raid under the cover of darkness.

Simon said: “It is fantastic to have the full support of 617 Sqdn for our fundraising efforts on behalf of Help For Heroes. They are in the process of deploying to Afghanistan, which is exactly what Help For Heroes is all about. Please, please show your support for what they and all our servicemen and women are doing on our behalf by visiting www.bmycharity.com/dambusters2012 and making your donation today.”

Simon wants to raise £5,000 for Help For Heroes and, as well as individual donations, he’s looking for corporate sponsors. If your business would like to back Dambusters 2012, drop Simon a line at dambusters2012@gmail.com

Traders in Stone have launched an appeal for free parking in the town to attract more people to shop local.

A petition started by Helen Quinton, manager of Francesco’s on the High Street, has been signed by 37 town businesses and, after getting the backing of the town council, will be presented to Stafford Borough Council, which operates Stone’s three pay-and-display car parks.

Helen said that footfall in the town centre during weekdays is “dying out” and that free parking would encourage people to return. The petition calls for free parking from Monday to Thursday, although the town council voted to support a proposal for one or two days.

Helen said: “It’s really important that we don’t discourage people from coming into the town centre. We don’t want more businesses in the High Street to close.”

Stone Town Council currently offers free parking at car parks at Crown Wharf and Northesk Street.

Sailors from HMS Collingwood will be marching through Stone

Around 150 sailors accompanied by military marching band will be parading through the streets of Stone next month.

The servicemen and women from HMS Collingwood will be marching through the town on Saturday 10th March.

Fareham-based HMS Collingwood has a long association with Stone and was granted Freedom of the Borough more than 30 years ago. The original freedom parade took place in Stone in 1979.

The military will start their parade at 10.30am from Westbridge Park, with Staffordshire’s Lord Lieutenant Sir James Hawley, Stone mayor June Price, Stafford mayor Stan Highfield, Commodore Mike Mansergh CBE and other dignitaries taking the salute in the High Street.

The parade will be followed by a service at St Michael’s Church and HMS Collingwood will meet with local army and sea cadets who have been invited to the event by the borough council.

The company will then head to Stafford, where they will parade through the town, ending with the salute being taken in the Market Square.

Commanding Officer Commodore Mansergh said: “HMS Collingwood was honoured to be granted the Freedom of the Borough of Stafford on 31st March 1979 – an honour we are very proud of.

“There has been an upsurge of support for the Armed Forces brought about by the continued presence on operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world, in which the Royal Navy have made a significant contribution. It is therefore a great honour for members of the Royal Navy to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hosting the Olympics by exercising our right to march in Stafford Borough with bayonets fixed and flags flying.”

Stone was originally linked with the Royal Navy through HMS St Vincent, which was named after admiral of the fleet, Earl St Vincent. He was born John Jervis at Meaford Hall near Stone and buried at St Michael’s Church.

When HMS St Vincent was closed down in 1969 it was decided that HMS Collingwood, a large naval training establishment of 1500 men and women based in Fareham, near Portsmouth, would take over this affiliation.

The granting of Freedom is a ceremonial occasion to mark the partnership between the Armed Forces and civilians in a local community. HMS Collingwood last exercised the right in 1997.

The VCO Big Band will be performing in Stone in March in a concert organised by Stone Lions.

The band – who celebrate their 30th anniversary this year – will be playing live at St Dominic’s Priory School on Saturday 24th March at 7pm. There’s a licensed bar and you can take your own food along!

The VCO Big Band have over 20 members, with saxophones, trombones, trumpets, rhythm and percussion and guest vocalists creating that classic big band sound.

Tickets cost £8 and are available from Home and Colour on the High Street or from Mark or Kristan Green on 01785 811446.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents in Stone to “Ban the Pan”.

This warning comes ahead of National Chip Week, which begins on 20th February, and the fire service is encouraging people to cook with caution.

Station manager Brian Griffiths said: “We urge people to use deep fat fryers as opposed to chip pans because they are much safer due to the fact that they are thermostatically controlled, which means that they can’t overheat.

“We attend numerous fires caused by people putting their chip pans on then falling asleep, or getting distracted for one reason or another.”

Of the 229 cooking fires across the county in 2011, over a quarter were caused by chip pans, with 15 people injured in these blazes.

More information and safety tips here.

Elsie and Mike Smith with town mayor June Price

The historic Joule’s clock that is finally back in Stone High Street was officially switched on on Valentine’s night.

Mayor June Price flicks the switch

Town mayor Cllr June Price did the honours, with former Joule’s workers and Mike Smith, who originally installed the clock in the early 1970s, in attendance. Dan Hallam, who designed the stand on which the clock now sits, was also at the switch-on ceremony.

Also there was Elsie Smith, the final employee to leave Joule’s brewery when it was closed by new owners Bass Charington in October 1974.

The clock is illuminated in the famous Joule’s colours of red and green.

Click here to read Stone Historical Society chairman Philip Leason’s post on the history of the clock.

All photos by Joshua Cope

Dan Hallam who designed the new stand for the clock

Family animated film Puss In Boots is being shown on the big screen in Stone on Sunday 19th February.

Dreamworks Animation’s hit film starring the sword-fighting cat who featured in the Shrek movies is being screened at St Dominic’s Social Centre in Station Road at 4pm, with tickets costing £4.50.

Tickets are available from All Seasons and Bags Of Beautiful Gifts in the town centre, although a few may be available on the door on the day. Refreshments will be available.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks to everyone who sent in a message to their loved one. Here they are…

To John,
Wow! I wonder how many more we’ve clocked up since our first kiss in 1975? I reckon 999,900. How about we make it up to a million this Valenitne? Yum! I really appreciate you my Johnny, my hero, my heart, my soul, my love, my life xxx
From Aly

To Hattie,
Lots of love on Valentine’s day. I cherish you with all of my heart xxxxx
From Jamie

To Ben,
Our first Valentines as a married couple – the first of many! Love you loads xxxxx
From Alison

To Fluffy,
Love you x Miaoow
From Tigger

To my beautiful Adele,
Thank you for all the laughs, smiles and good times together.
You make me feel safe, warm and fluffy!
All my love always
Kris xxx

Dearest Val,
Will you be my valentine???? No? Whadya mean no?!
Mr Green

To Claire, the sweetest lady in the world,
I’m so happy to be spending the rest of my life with you. Looking forward to our weekend away! xxx
From Al

To James,
You make my life complete, every single day not just Valentine’s Day. Thankyou so much for everything xxxx
From Lucy

To my amazing man,
Love you always xxx
From Jules

To Dee,
Roses are red, violets are blue, there’s no innocent way to say what I’m going to do!!!
From John x

To Jim,
You’re the light of my life. Love you forever xxxxx
Georgina

To Afia,
I’ll always be the one who looks at you,
And sees you in a fond and loving light;
I’ll always know that you’re the one for me,
Because when we’re together, life is right.
You’ll always be my love–my hero, too,
The person I can count on constantly.
You satisfy me like no other could;
I’m ecstatic that it’s you who makes us “We.”
I’m always thankful for the day we met;
I love you, and I’m happy you are mine.
I’ll always feel this joy, this bliss, this peace,
If you’ll be my love forever, Valentine.

I don’t need Valentine’s Day
to remember how much I love you,
or how much I want to give you
everything you need,
everything you want,
and delightful things
you haven’t even thought of,
because you give so much to me.

I don’t need Valentine’s Day
to remind me to strive always
to create for you
surpassing happiness and satisfaction,
just as you have done for me.
I don’t need Valentine’s Day,
but it gives me a reason
to open my heart to you,
to tell you loving things
I think in my head
but forget to say out loud.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweetheart;
You mean everything to me.

From Rex

Rob Mincher, left, as Max Bialystock and Mark Norris as Leo Bloom

It’ll be Springtime For Hitler in Stone as The Producers, Mel Brooks’ classic musical comedy, is staged in the town in March.

Stone Revellers are heading for New York at the end of the 1950s in the 12-time Tony award-winning stage version of the hit movie. Max Bialystock (played by Rob Mincher) was once the king of Broadway. Now, however, all of his shows close on opening night. Things turn around when he’s visited by the neurotic accountant Leo Bloom (Mark Norris), who proposes a scheme where a producer can make money on a show that is a total flop.

They produce a riotous musical called Springtime For Hitler, written by an escaped Nazi Franz Liebken (David Wild). With the insanely flamboyant Roger De Bris (John Wright) directing and as their lead ‘actress’ the Swedish bombshell Ulla (whose surname has over 15 syllables), played by Tracey Brough, the critics are bound to slate it. Aren’t they..?

Wednesday 28th to Saturday 31st March, all performances at 7.30pm
St Michael’s Hall Lichfield Street Stone
Tickets £9 and £8 are available from Home and Colour Centre, High Street, Stone. Telephone 01785 817307
Booking tickets early is recommended following the success of Stone Revellers’ previous shows.

Alex and Melissa are heading for the prestigious Mountview Academy

Two aspiring actresses from Stone have been offered places at a leading performing arts school that boasts Dame Judi Dench as its president.

Seventeen-year-old Alex Mellor and Melissa Potts, 19, both former pupils at Stone’s Rooftop Studios, have been offered places at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, one of the UK’s leading drama school.

However, the girls are as yet to make their final decision as to whether to accept their places, as both have been recalled for second auditions at the equally prestigious Guildford School of Acting. A combination of hard work, determination and sheer talent has paid off for the pair who, following rigorous audition processes, are now set for places in what are regarded the ‘Oxbridge’ of performing arts schools.

Melissa said: ”Words cannot describe how we are feeling right now – all the hard work over so many years has paid off and, to date, we have achieved all our goals. We know there will be more hard work to come if we are to achieve our ultimate dreams but we are prepared for it and cannot wait to get started on the next stage of our careers!”

Elaine Bird, principle at Rooftop Studios where both girls undertook their formative training in dance, drama and musical theatre, said: “We’re immensely proud of Melissa and Alex – they’ve both been with us since they were very small and we’ve been privileged to share their journey and watch them blossom into the confident, professional performers they are today.”

Alex and Melissa will make their swansong performance as Rooftop Studios’ alumni in the school’s forthcoming ‘Headliners’ production next month, where they will join other pupils in a showcase performance of dance, drama and musical theatre at The Mitchell Arts Centre in Stoke.

For those looking to follow in the girls’ footprints, Rooftop Studios teaches a broad performing arts curriculum for youngsters from three to 18 via its three schools – Stagecraft Dance School, Little Luvvies and Pop School & Stage Academy (PSSA). Visit www.rooftopstudios.co.uk, call Elaine on 01785 761233 or email elaine@rooftopstudios.co.uk