Stone’s pubs, independent businesses and community groups give residents plenty of opportunities to meet in person. But increasingly, the first point of contact for an activity, event or shared interest is likely to be online.
From discovering what’s happening locally to keeping in touch with people who share a hobby, digital tools offer different ways to participate in activities both within Stone and further afield.
They can also make it easier to stay involved when work, family commitments or other circumstances make attending something in person difficult.
More ways to take part from home
Finding an event no longer means spotting a poster in a shop window or hearing about it from a friend.
Local websites, social media pages and online event listings allow residents to see what’s coming up, find booking information and share details with others. A Little Bit of Stone’s weekly What’s On Guide is one way to find out about activities across the town and surrounding villages.
Some activities can also be enjoyed without leaving home. Live streams and recorded talks allow people to follow events remotely, while online workshops and interest groups provide opportunities to learn something new.
Music is another example. Streaming services give listeners access to artists from around the world, while online music communities allow people to discover new releases and discuss their favourite performers.
Gaming has developed its own online communities, with multiplayer games, shared experiences and live commentary allowing people to interact across different locations.
Other forms of entertainment have developed digital alternatives to their traditional venues. For adults, online gambling is one example. Services such as MrQ online casino provide access to casino games remotely, rather than requiring a visit to a physical casino.
Unlike many other digital pastimes, however, gambling involves financial risk and is subject to age restrictions. It is not suitable for everyone, and online access does not remove the potential for harm.
Local businesses and creative communities
For someone running a small business in Stone, being online can be a practical way to reach customers and connect with other business owners.
A maker might use Instagram to show their latest work, for instance, while a freelancer could use online groups to find professional contacts or arrange a meeting.
That does not necessarily replace the value of meeting face to face.
Stone has established business networking opportunities, including NetworkIN’s Team Stone group, which meets at Crown Wharf on alternate Wednesday mornings. The meetings bring together local business owners and professionals.
Digital communication can help people maintain those connections between meetings, share opportunities and organise future activities.
For artists, craftspeople and other independent creators, an online presence also means their work can reach people beyond the immediate area.
Can technology add something to a pub quiz?
A pub quiz remains a familiar part of a night out, and digital technology offers organisers some alternatives to the traditional pen and paper approach.
Quiz software can allow participants to answer questions on their phones, display results on a screen and keep track of scores automatically.
These systems offer a different way to run the classic pub quiz format , although they will not necessarily suit every venue or every group of players.
There is also the option to extend a quiz beyond the pub itself. Online quizzes can bring together friends who live in different places, with participants joining from their own homes.
For Stone’s pubs and social groups, digital formats provide another option alongside traditional quizzes and other established activities.
Exploring Stone’s history online
Digital resources can also help residents discover more about the place they live.
Stone has a rich history , with its canal, brewing heritage and town centre providing plenty of subjects for anyone interested in how the area has changed.
Online archives make some of that history accessible without a trip to a library or museum.
Historic England’s online collection, for example, includes aerial photographs of Newcastle Street and its surroundings in 1927, along with an image of Stone’s former gas works from 1938.
Staffordshire’s archives service also provides access to online resources, including Staffordshire Past Track, which allows people to explore historical material from across the county.
These resources can add another dimension to a walk around Stone, helping residents compare familiar streets and buildings with photographs and records from earlier generations.
They also offer a way for people who have moved away to reconnect with places they remember.
Keeping the local connection
Digital activities do not have to compete with the social life already taking place in Stone.
A social media post might introduce somebody to a group they subsequently join in person. An online discussion about local history could prompt a visit to a familiar landmark, while a business contact made online might lead to a meeting in a town centre café.
For residents who cannot regularly attend events, online options can provide ways to remain involved.
Whether it is finding out what’s happening this weekend, joining an online group or exploring old photographs of the town, the internet gives people more ways to follow their interests and keep in touch.
The pubs, venues and community spaces remain part of Stone’s social life. Digital tools offer other ways to discover and connect with them.
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