Stone mayor Jill Piggott’s blog

Here’s Stone mayor Jill Piggott’s latest blog…

Thursday 3rd October

Stella Windsor, who is the co-ordinator of the Stone Alzheimers support group, invited us to their 7th anniversary at Christ Church Centre. It was a privilege to meet the members and all of the support and volunteers of the group.

The room was filled with happiness and laughter. We were entertained by a lovely singer who sang songs by Connie Francis. It was great to see everyone singing along, we even got up to have a dance to the Shadows melody played on the guitar by her husband. A big thank you from all of the members and myself to Stella and all of the support workers and volunteers – without these people groups like this could not take place.

In the evening the Girl Guiding review meeting took place at Yarnfield Park and it was a pleasure to have been invited. Girl guiding is a regional and worldwide organisation and it was very interesting to hear what the girls get involved in. There are great team leaders in Stone.

Friday 4th October 

At midday I cut into a massive pumpkin in Market Square to open the Stone Food and Drink Festival. The High Street was buzzing with people – it was great to see.

I had my first radio interview with Perry from Radio Stoke and had pictures taken with the school children. Just shows how innocent children are as I got asked by one little girl, ‘Do you have tea with the Queen every day?’ I informed her no I don’t. Then a little boy asked me where David Cameron was! I informed him that he was busy at work.

Richard Stevens and his committee must be commended on a great event that gets thousands of people into Stone. We spent a few hours going around all the stalls in the marquees. I must admit that after tasting many chilli oils my mouth was on fire – but all well worth it.

Saturday 5th October 

Stone Historical Society held an open day at St Michael’s Church. We attended and were welcomed by Cllr Phillip Leason from the society. We were lucky enough to go up the tower to see all over Stone, the views were stunning and the weather was good. It shows what a beautiful place we live in.

In the church there was an interesting exhibition from war uniforms to all different sorts of medals and all in connection with Stone, we then entered the mausoleum. We did not expect to see coffins in the resting place, we thought they would be boxed in. A really interesting event.

Tuesday 8th October

If you were in Stone High Street at 11.45 you would have seen me walking blindfolded up and down the high street with me holding on to a furry lion – it was the Stone Lions yearly blindfold walk. We made our way up to Peter Bowers then down to Adie’s Alley to donate glasses that are no longer needed. Being blindfolded actually gave me a short experience of how people feel when their sight has gone; and all I can say is that it made me feel most vulnerable and disorientated and I had to rely on other people. This was an awareness event on how it is important to have eye check-ups as early detection can help save your sight. We done to all that were involved in the event.

Sunday 20th October

We attended with Stafford Mayor Angela Loughran Eccleshall civic service at Holy Trinity Church. It was a lovely service, readings given by Cllr Gordon Dale and Cllr Graham Garner. At the end of the service we were invited to have a cup of tea with members of the congregation.

We then attended Ashbourne Civic Service which was held at St Oswald’s Church in Ashbourne, it was a lovely drive to Ashbourne through stunning views of the countryside. Mayor & Mayoress Stephen and Sue Bull welcomed us all and we all had photographs taken. Ashbourne town band played us in – it was a great sound, conducted by Canon Geraldine Pond. We were then entertained by songs sung by Norbury schoolchildren and tunes by Ashbourne Town Band.

Tuesday 22nd October

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The Brownies held their AGM in Barlaston and we attended, the guides gave a presentation of how guides may appear in the future. Instead of sitting around a open camp fire and toasting marshmallows, which in health and safety terms can be very dangerous, may it be safer sitting around an artificial iPad fire? The presentations were very well done.

Friday 1st November

Sporting Fit invited us to attend and to judge the children’s guy competition, which was held at St Dominic’s Primary School. The winning guy was to be placed on top of the bonfire at Westbridge Park on Saturday 2nd November.

Sporting Fit is an organisation which helps children from 4 – 16 years get more active, they are running from schools mainly in term holiday times, after-schools clubs and even nurseries to get young children into the active way of life. This must be a good thing for all children. The children were very excited to see us and they even had made stories to go with their guys, wonderful imagination. It was very hard to judge but after speaking to the children and listening to their stories I was able to pick a winner. My vote went to SuperBruv (on the far right of the photo). Well done to all the children that took part and thank you for inviting us.

Saturday 2nd November

We attended Stone Bonfire & Firework Display on Westbridge Park. We were lucky with the weather after it had been raining all day. The clouds moved on and we were left with a great dry evening. There was a great turn out for the event all wearing their wellies (which were a must). It was a great honour to be asked to light the bonfire again this year. After everyone did a countdown the button was pressed and the bonfire lit up. It was good to see the guys which we judged on the Friday on top of the bonfire.

The fireworks were amazing – they danced in the sky along to sc-fi music. Stone town shone in the black sky. We must say a big thank you to Richard Stevens and all of the helpers that make this event every year a success – it’s a great community event and raises lots of money for charities and community groups in Stone.

Friday 8th November

We held my charity games evening at Stone Station and a total of 72 attended. It was a very enjoyable and entertaining evening, Debbie & John Wakefield presented the quiz and very good it was too. Councillor Frank James presented the Irish bingo and this was very entertaining. Mark Johnson created a food hamper for every table, included in the hamper was Scrumptious Ham Hock Terrine Tartlets with Wild Cucumber Pickle, Staffordshire Sausage & Cheese Pop Overs with Caramelised red current relish to name but a few; it was something different but very tasty. All money that was raised is going to my chosen charities – a great evening was had by all. My thanks go to John & Debbie Wakefield, Cllr Frank James, Mark Johnson, Mike (pa) and Jackie, Christine and Claire from the Stone Town Council office and not forgetting everyone that came to support the charities.

Saturday 9th November

Stone Choral Society invited us to their concert at Christ Church of Commemoration and Remembrance. It was a wonderfully entertaining evening, conductor Harriet Johnson led the choir singing songs from Edward German, Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten and more. The music was from the Edwardian period, this reflects the contrast between England before the First World War and the post war; going from people enjoying themselves to realising the horrors of war. Many thanks to Jim Davis who looked after us so well and all the choir – can’t wait to see them again at their Christmas concert.

Sunday 10th November

At 9.50am we attended the Remembrance service at Walton which was very well attended. We then made our way to Stone High Street where we marched up to the Cenotaph where a number of wreaths were laid. Rev Ian Cardinal held the Remembrance service. Stone was filled by men and women and children in all different uniforms and a huge amount of members of the public. It was amazing to see the Stone community come together to remember and thank all servicemen and women. We then proceeded to St Michael’s Church for a moving service. Let us never forget.

Wednesday 13th November

I was asked to attend Christ Church Academy school for a Newsletter photo shoot (this was a first). Holly Smith, a young girl from the school, was also asked to attend as she is going to sing in front of everyone in Stone on Thursday evening followed by the switching on of the Christmas lights. Well, we both looked very festive in Santa hats and tinsel.

Thursday 14th November

The big switch-on in Stone for the Christmas lights. Well done to Holly for giving an amazing performance and all the schools that sang so beautifully. The High Street came alive, there were thousands of people, what a great atmosphere with the fair and all the stalls. Stafford Radio did a great job getting everyone in the festive spirit, and the groups that entertained us; countdown started and the Christmas lights were on – with a little help from Santa, EverYoung, Stafford Radio and myself. Thanks go to all that were involved and not forgetting Cllr Charlotte Hearing and Stone Town Council. It was a great night.