Mayor’s monthly blog – July/August

Duck races, fashion shows, the return of a piece of Stone’s Medieval history, celebrations for Trinity Skills for Life’s 10th anniversary, the opening of St Dominic’s Hall’s new community garden – and lots more! Another busy month for Stone town mayor Jill Piggott and husband Cliff. Here’s the mayor’s latest blog post for A Little Bit of Stone…

Saturday 13th July

I was asked to start the Lions duck race at the bridge over the River Trent at Westbridge. I did this and 1,100 yellow plastic ducks were tipped into the Trent. We followed them along the river and one duck was first into the net and scooped first prize – all money raised is for local charities so well done to all that took part.

In the afternoon we attended Lichfield Mayoress Eileen Awty and Sherifs Cllr Terry Thomas afternoon tea at the Guildhall. It was a very pleasant afternoon, though a bit warm. We were entertained by a Stafford band they played all types of music from the shows. All money raised goes to both the Mayor and Sheriff’s charities.

Tuesday 16th July

We were invited to the Brownies fashion show at Summerfield Court and thoroughly enjoyed their show. There were residents, parents and grandparents who attended and all had a great time. I was even lucky enough to win a prize in their raffle! The money they raised is going into their fund as they have a big birthday celebration next year and are funding a trip away. Well done to all that took part and all the leaders and helpers.

Friday 19th July

We were invited to attend the Royal British Legion Women’s gala evening at Oulton Village Hall. It was a lovely evening. We were entertained by singing and poetry reading. We were very well looked after with cold drinks always topped up, there was a beautiful buffet laid on and all that attended had a great evening. Money was raised for the cause by entry tickets and a raffle.

Wednesday 24th July

We attended St Michael’s Church to celebrate the homecoming of the Medieval Priory seal. It was a very historical service – we learned all about the seal and how for Stone it is important to stay here. Many people attended including the Worshipful Mayor of Stafford Anglea Loughran. It was a lovely service and a great moment for Stone. Our thanks go to all the historical committee in retaining this seal in Stone for all to see.

Saturday 27th July

Uttoxeter Mayor Hugh Montgomery invited us to his civic evening song at St Mary’s Church followed by a charity dinner. We were piped into the church by a Scottish piper and we enjoyed a lovely evening song service. We then went on to the town hall where we had a lovely dinner followed by a raffle, where all the money raised goes to the Mayor’s charities. A great night was had by all, with great conversations at the tables.

Sunday 28th July

Chairman of Cannock Chase Council Cllr Doris Grice held her civic service at St Chad’s Church in Cannock. The service was a breath of fresh air in a beautiful church, followed by an afternoon tea at the Civic Centre. We were shown a 3D tapestry which is situated at the civic centre – it is amazing and a lot of hours has been spent creating it. It is worth a visit to have a look.

Tuesday 30th July

Trinity Skills invited Cliff and myself to their progressive achievements award evening at St Dominic’s School. What a truly wonderful evening! It was a pleasure to hear what the students have achieved over the past year. The achievements ranged from excelling in their work placements – learning to live independently – to one student finding the confidence to board the 101 bus on her own. This may seem a simple thing for anyone to do but this took courage and determination and well done to her.

I was asked to give out shields and cups to students that have excelled beyond their expectations and this was a great honour.

Trinity Skills are also celebrating their 10th anniversary, so students, parents and staff gave their special moments from the past decade. Very emotional and inspiring.

Wednesday 31st July

We were invited to attend Stone Stroke Club at Little Stoke Cricket Club. We had a chat and a cup of tea with the group; I even joined in with their exercise class. It was lovely to meet everyone. Stella Winsor is very passionate of the stroke club and helps all that attend – they were happy to know they are one of the charities that we will be raising money for this year.

We attended Trinity Skills workshop where they were celebrating their 10th anniversary and they also held a craft fayre where I brought some cards which the students had made. Their skills come alive here and they make wonderful items which are sold very quickly; all money raised goes into their fund.

The next event was afternoon tea at the Upper House at Barlaston with the Stafford Mayor Angela Loughran. It was a very well attended and the afternoon tea was beautiful – just a shame about the weather. The Upper House is a lovely building, the surroundings are outstanding; well worth a visit.

A raffle was held and all money raised goes to the Stafford Mayors charities.

Sunday 4th August

We were invited to attend mass at St Dominic’s Church by Father Doyle,. This was a first for us and it was very enjoyable. We then headed over to St Dominic’s Hall where we met the Stafford Mayor Angela Lohgran. We both cut the ribbon and officially opened the new community garden there. This was followed by Angela unveiling the plague. Stafford Borough Council funded the project and the garden is a more friendly environment for everyone of Stone to enjoy. Well done to the committee and all involved for their hard work, my personal thanks go to Cllr Harry Brunt for the warm welcome we received on the day and for the historical information.

Monday 5th August

The ATC ( Air Training Cadets) held their AGM at Walton Community Centre and we were invited to attend. After the meeting we talked to all the cadets who were training in first aid and they informed us of all the activities they attend and what awards they had gained and hoping to gain. This group of cadets are a truly inspiring to the community of Stone and we should be all supportive of them, which I am sure we all are. They have just had a mini bus donated to them, which will enable them to get to more activities on their own merit. They are hoping to attract more cadets and will be putting on different events around Stone in the near future. They are also hoping to have a stall at the farmers’ market soon to do a recruitment drive.

They thanked Stone Town Council for the generous grant they have been awarded and they have all offered to help me in any fundraising for the Mayor’s charities, which I thanked them all for.

Tuesday 6th August

Trinity Skills held a music evening at Priory Hall titled “Thank you for the music”. The evening was wonderful – they sang, acted and signed language to all the songs, this brought all the songs to life they all must be commended on their truly amazing evening.

The staff and volunteers got involved singing and dancing to “It’s raining men” – the students thought this was a great achievement for them!

There was a little 6 year old boy who was copying the students to sign, he had never done this before and the staff were that impressed with him they raised him on to the stage, where he stole the show.

This evening was a round up of their celebrations of their 10 years. They have produced a music CD which is available from Trinity Skills for £12. We have purchased one – if you can too, please support them as all the money raised will go to their fund to help all the students.

I wished them all well for the future as Stone need this group to carry on the great work.

Saturday 17th August

Stone fire station held a charity car wash for their local charities and the Town Mayor’s charities – myself, Cllr Mike Williamson and Jackie went along from 11am – 3 pm and helped to wash cars. All money raised will go to the local charities. The weather was kind but not many cars turned up, we had a great few hours and even had a tour around the station and engines.

They are all looking forward to the new fire station and work shall start very soon. We all need to support our local fire service and cadets as they do amazing community work. I would like to say a personal thank you to all that attended whether it was to have your car washed or got involved.

Sunday 18th August

We attended the Burma Star Memorial service, which was held in Stonefield park, with Reverend Steven Cook leading the service. There were a number of dignatarires that attended: the Worshipful Mayor of Stafford Angela Loughran, The High Sheriff Suzy Lillingstone, Staffordshire Deputy Lieutenant Barry Smith, Vice President of the Burma Star Association Mr Walford Hughes, Lady Jane Harrowby just to name a few. We laid wreaths and remembered the fallen.

The buglar sounded the last post and the national anthem was played and a two-minute silence was held; then the buglar played the Reveille and the standards were raised. It was a very lovely service, these men should never be forgotten.

My thanks go to the organisers Cllr Joyce Farnham, Cllr Harry Brunt, The Ladies Section of the British Legion, the Parade Marshall Mr David Cumming and everyone else that was involved.