Stone mayor’s latest guest blog post

Here’s Stone mayor Jill Piggott’s latest guest blog post for the site. Another very busy month for our mayor!

Friday 23rd August

We attended the Stone Fire Cadets last training evening at Stone Fire Station, as work is due to start on the new fire station it has been decided by officers that the cadet Thursday training evening has to stop for 18 months.After speaking to all of the cadets it seems a big shame that this training has to stop for a long time, most of the cadets are looking forward to joining the fire service for their career. There are talks going on now within the service to try and arrange dates for the cadets to carry on, as I believe when training stops it is hard to get it up and running again.

Saturday 31st August

We held a charity bag packing at Morrisons in Stone, we were there from 10 am – 4pm it was great to meet so many people and they were all very generous. We made £372.96 which is a great amount and my thanks go to Morrisons, Jackie, Chris and her sister, Cllr Margaret Goodall, Cllr Sue Shaw, Cliff and my sister for helping on the day, and everyone who contributed on the day. This money will go into the Mayors charity fund so at the end of the Mayroal year it will be split in to 3 for the charities I have chosen to support which are: Kathryn House – Stone Stroke Club – Oak Tree Farm.

Friday 6th September

We attended the Stone Band meeting at the scout hut on Westbridge Park, various items discussed one was about the ventilation that is needed in the upper room; this is where the uniforms are kept. Because of the lack of ventilation the uniforms are going mouldy, they are getting a quote for a dehumidifier to be installed. They thanked Stone Council for the grant they had received £500, this will be used to house their trailer that has to be moved from the back of the Frank Jordan Centre. When the meeting ended we stayed to listen to the band practicing, which was great to hear.

Saturday 14th September

We had the pleasure to be invited to attend the open day at Oaktree Farm, Stafford Mayor Angela Loughran and myself opened the open day and we were presented with a lovely bunch of flowers picked from their flower garden.

There was a lot to see we were taken all around the farm from the pottery shop through to the green houses, I spoke to one of the team members who works on the outside gardening services, he informed me that he had had all the training on the gardening machinery and really enjoys working on people’s gardens. There are 62 members that attend the project throughout the week, the maximum days they each attend is 2 and work within the different teams.

It was a must to go and stroke the rabbits and goats, there is a new addition to the team a baby tortoise which I had to have a hold of. This is a must for a visit.

We attended the Chrysanthemum & Dahlia flower show at Walton community centre, we were shown around by George Whitehurst; all the flowers were stunning. Walking around the show George gave me information of the different flowers and the best on how to grow and show them, you can not just sow a seed and leave it it takes dedication and a lot of time to grow them. I was asked to present the awards to all the winners, well done to all. I was presented with a beautiful basket of flowers, thank you to all the committee for a lovely afternoon.

Samaritans celebrated their 50 years of listening, a music evening was held at Stafford Gatehouse. We had an amazing time all the acts were local and very entertaining, bands were the Deacons, High House , singer Cheryl York, Stafford poet Audrey Jackson and dancers DAPPA. Roger Titley & friends all gave great performances. MP Jeremy Lefroy gave a special performance on his oboe and very good it was too. All money raised all goes into the fund to keep the Samaritans listening for local people.

Sunday 15th September

Battle of Britain service was held in Stafford, the weather stayed dry but very windy. We marched to St Mary’s Church following behind Stafford Mayor Angela Loughran; after a lovely service we marched to SBC cenotaph and laid wreaths then marched to Staffordshire County cenotaph to lay another wreath; all in memory of the fallen.

Stone Lions held their Rededication service at St Michael’s Church. Rev Ian Cardinal gave a lovely service. Dave Handley President gave an insight into the activities they get involved in and some of the groups they help, one is Trinity Skills part of their new video was shown which in itself is a great achievement. Lions came from all over and all dedicated themselves for another year, to provide a service to help in the community. The Club helps individuals and groups in and around Stone, organises fun fund raising activities and helps make people’s lives fuller.

Thursday 19th September

I attended Stafford & Rural Homes AGM with Stafford Mayor Angela Loughran, Karen Armitage Chief Executive with her team gave a informative and enjoyable meeting. Including information and video of the apprenticeships – Housing Wox – Working with customers. The meeting was well attended by customers, board members and staff. At the end of the meeting we were shown around different stalls that showed some of the services that are available, from Housing Choices (tenancies) to Customer Participation. This meeting was unique event for me as this is where I work, it just shows you that even though you have knowledge of something you can always learn something new.

Monday 23rd September

We attended Dr Johnson’s birthday celebration at Uttoxeter, we met at the town hall then marched to the market square. The guest speaker the Chairman of the Dr. Johnson Society, Mr Peter Barrett. Samuel Johnson, often referred to as Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer.

Born: September 18, 1709, Lichfield

Died: December 13, 1784, London.

Follower by Mayor Hugh Montgomery and Peter Barrett laying a wreath, it was a lovely celebration and very informative.

Tuesday 24th September

I attended Trinity Skills Macmillan Coffee Morning at Mayfield House, there was a hive of activity all the students were busy making coffee and serving cakes plus holding different activities to raise money for Macmillan. I was lucky enough to have a guided tour of the house by one of the students, and it is a wonderful place everyone was very happy.

The Women’s British Leigion held an auction at Sandon Hall, the evening started off with Lady Jane Harrowby introduced the guest speaker and auctioneer Clive Hillier it was interesting to hear what his job entails. Clive then gave valuations to everyone that took items, an auction then was held all proceeds go to their fund. Thank you to all that were involved it was a lovely evening.

Wednesday 25th September

MS -UK celebrated their 10th anniversary we were invited to attend their buffet lunch at the Wayfarerer. We were welcomed by Liz, Mike and Helen, organisers of the group, the group offers exercise sessions, Physiotherapy,social and fundraising events. All the team and supporters are very active in fund raising whether it is bag packing or jumping out of an airplane, here is to their next ten years.

Saturday 28th September

Little Stoke Cricket club asked if I would attend and present the Stone Festival Trophy to the under nines team, the club was full with children and proud parents/grandparents. It was a great pleasure to present the trophy, after the presentation the team was treated to a BBQ. The boys and girls that attend the club really enjoy the sport, thanks must go to all who support and help whether it is training, coaching, maintenance of the pitches or watching the teams play.

Sunday 29th September

Cheadle Mayor Cllr Ian Plant and Mayoress Kath Plant invited us to attend their Civic Service, the service was held at St Giles The Abbot Church in Cheadle. Rev Robert Ellis gave a lovely service in a beautiful church, hymns were sung with the sun shinning through the painted glass windows; the Mayor gave his act of declaration for his coming year. And all wished him and the Mayoress well.