A smoke free future - at last!

Tomorrow heralds a smoke free future - and even though I have failed to collect a bet I feel vindicated. Let me explain. About six or seven years ago I got into a heated debate about the perils of smoking and the dangers of secondary smoke with a pal of mine. We were standing in the smoke filled bar of the Pheasant pub and I put forward an argument that the day would come when it would be illegal to smoke in pubs.

I was rounded on by the all those present. 'They wouldn't dare' - 'It wouldn't work' - 'How would they enforce it?' - 'You're talking rubbish etc.'. And my mate asked me to put my money where my mouth was. So I bet him that within five years it would be illegal to smoke in pubs.

Well, I got the timescale wrong but I think I've won the moral argument. My friend has won his fiver but he's not gloating. He's amazed at how quickly public opinion has changed because at the time we made our wager it was inconceivable that a public ban on smoking would work.

I think it shows that we should never underestimate the speed at which the public mood can change. Just look, for example, at Iraq, global warming and recycling. Anyone in politics should remember this.

And as for the smoking ban - three cheers! I shall go to one of my favourite pubs tomorrow evening and not have to have a shower when I get home. And I also believe that many more non smokers will now visit pubs. Whenever I've suggested to friends that we should go to certain pubs I've often been greeted with the response "Oh no - it's too smokey there." Thank goodness those days are over!

(Oh, I forgot to mention that I am a fervent non smoker! I used to smoke sixty a day but gave up over thirty years ago)

Problems overnight at Walton

Janet and I were just about to leave the house this morning to go down to town when the phone rang. It was Cllr. Jill Hood to tell me that vandals had overturned the flower boxes on the railings in Stafford Road near Walton island. She was willing to put the soil and flowers back in and I offered our help.

When we arrived we were greeted by a really sorry sight. Three of the boxes had been pushed over spilling flowers and soil onto the road. Jill and Janet immediately started to repair the damage and I went to look at something that had caught my eye outside the nearby bus shelter. On close examination the shelter had been damaged by fire and in the gutter were the remains of a melted and totally destroyed four wheeled recycling bin.

A local resident said she'd heard a commotion in the middle of the night but said that this was not unusual at weekends. Another passerby stopped to tell me that he'd seen a car driven by a youth doing 'wheelies' and travelling at a dangerously fast speed around Walton roundabout in the early hours of the morning.

Whilst we were there, Kevin, our very helpful Streetscene operator appeared on his road sweeper and cleared the road and pavement of the soil and then set to work to remove the debris from the arson attack on the bus shelter. I'll be getting in touch with the police today to see what they know about the matters.

It pays to be vigilant

A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from an Oulton Road resident who had been keeping a close watch on the new development on the former Underwoods Garage site. The roof trusses had been placed in position and, on the day he phoned, he had seen six velux style roof windows being fixed into position on the roof elevations facing Oulton Road. He was alarmed because on the plans that he'd inspected there were no roof lights shown in these positions.

I immediately went down to have a look and straight away contacted the planning department. I was soon informed that the plans which had been approved did not provide for roof lights on the road elevation and that an enforcement officer would visit the site the next day. Sure enough, I later received a message that the developer had been informed of the position and - lo and behold- all work has stopped for the last fortnight! Until today when felt, laths and tiles have been put on the roof - but no windows!

So congratulations to the vigilant resident who spotted the problem and to the planning department for taking such swift action!

An effective Estates committee

Councillor Dave Smithwick chaired his first Estates sub committee last night and has set the record for the quickest meeting yet of the new council. All business dealt with within an hour!

We received up dates on various current issues. We have submitted an application for a grant to the Big Lottery for our planned improvements to the Frank Jordan centre and will shortly be submitting an application to the Stone Market Towns Initiative. The Frank Jordan Centre is an old Victorian school building which the Town Council leases from the Borough Council under a long, full repairing lease. The building needs quite a bit of refurbishment and we obtained planning permission a couple of years ago to do a 'refurb' and to carry out several structural alterations and improvements. Time is not on our side so I hope that we receive favourable news on our grant applications soon.

The Town Clerk also gave us a very positive report about our street market. Since introducing our new marquees, we have retained all our previous stallholders and have also attracted four new traders. This is very encouraging but markets change like the weather (probably because of the weather!) so we had best wait until the autumn to guage the long term effect.

On a related issue it was agreed that the whole question of street furniture should be reviewed. We have several seats , cycle racks, bollards and litter bins spread up and down the High Street. We believe that it may be possible to resite some of these to maximise the use of the High Street and to make the seats more user friendly.

Yes, an efficient well chaired and positive meeting.

Three cheers to Clarence!

No more rain since my last posting so, thankfully, the river level has dropped about two feet overnight. Sadly some parts of the Midlands and the north have suffered very badly. The scenes shown on the television news are frightening.

The sight of householders sweeping floodwater out of their homes reminded me of the problems in Cross Street a couple of years ago. The ground floor rooms of the terraced houses there were all flooded and it took months for them to dry out and be redecorated. Earlier this week I received a couple of calls from residents who were alarmed at the height of water in the grids. I contacted the County Council via the Clarence number and am delighted to report that both gulleys were cleared within hours. Indeed, I suspect they even received a second visit the following day.

And when the rains came yesterday there were no problems. Thanks Clarence!

'Crown Meadow hasn't flooded for 20 years'!!!!!!

Only last week was I having a conversation with an old 'hand' who offered the view that we'd seen the last of flooding on Crown Meadow. "It hasn't flooded for twenty years - it must be something do with the course of the river having changed", he said. Well, he spoke too soon!

After today's torrential rain, following the heavy rain of the last few days, the Meadow was well and truly awash tonight. Jan and I went to have a look and took a few photographs.

The River Trent has broken it's banks in several places and the water is a swirling fast flowing brown soup. We drove up to Barlaston and the Meaford meadows were all under water.

I understand that they've had monsoon type rain up stream so there's still a lot of water to come down and if it continues to rain tonight and tomorrow I shudder to think what it will look like.

An IT session I think I understood!

I've never had any formal IT training in my life. Like a lot of people my age, I have picked up what skills I have from experience, magazines and Dummy books. I also confess I hear words and phrases but don't really know what they all mean. For example, I don't think I could explain what the difference is between Internet and intranet although I'd know one from the other when using one.

Well, this afternoon I nodded my head and pretended to look knowledgeable during an IT event at Stafford Borough. I think I followed most of it but have a feeling I'm going to have to spend some time getting used to the systems available to me.

I was impressed by the size of the IT set up. Over four hundred computers and a dozen different systems. But administered by a very small team and on a budget well below those of almost all our neighbouring authorities. And I was also impressed by the level of support on offer to individual councillors. I think I may be taking advantage of it!

A super night out

It's often the case, isn't it? You are asked to support a good cause and you're not too sure what to expect. You turn up wondering whether you'd have been better watching the television. And then you have an absolutely brilliant time!

Well, it was like that last night!

We'd been asked to support Walton Community Centre by going to a 'Quiz Night with Comedian' all for £2.50. We paid our admission and joined a table with some of our friends - and then the fun started!

The very funny comedian was a Black Country artist called Phil Chase who was also a very talented key board player and vocalist. And after we'd opened a bottle of wine we were soon into the swing of it.

We didn't disgrace ourselves in the quiz and we had a totally enjoyable evening. Everyone agreed that we'd do it all over again and I'm sure the Community Centre must have been pleased with a financial success.

Trains - but not the ones we want.

Last night I received an email confirming our worst fears. The Department for Transport have announced that London and Birmingham Railway Ltd (a subsidiary of Govia) has been awarded the new West Midland franchise. The press release states that the franchise will include 'a new semi fast service between London and Crewe serving the Trent Valley'. Although Stone is not specifically mentioned, I assume that this is the service that was mentioned in the franchise bidding document which provides for that service to stop at Stone.

This is not the service we were offered when the franchise consultation took place. At that time, the DfT were proposing a Birmingham/Manchester service. That was the service we all wanted and we said so. But then they changed their minds and have given us a Crewe to Euston service that very few people will use.

What was the point of consultation? Why offer us a service between Birmingham and Manchester and then snatch it off us. Why ignore the consultation? And why were we not consulted on the Crewe to Euston service. The whole process of consultation now appears to have been a complete sham.

So we will get the new service in December 2008. Is there any hope of changing minds before then. I hope so and shall muster all the support I can. I fail to see how a Crewe to Euston service will be a commercial proposition from Stone Station - and then what? Service withdrawn through lack of passengers?

Coffee with John Ferrie

This morning I went to see John Ferrie at his home and had a super chat and a cup of coffee with him - when Vera eventually got a kettle to boil (but that's another story!).

John is 'Mr. Stone'. Even though he's been retired for many years he, and Vera, are still heavily involved in so many of the town's activities and organisations. He has taken a keen interest in what I do and I really do appreciate his kindness and friendship.

Some months ago he told me that had been advised to have a triple heart by pass operation. After several delayed appointments he eventually had the operation a few weeks ago. Although the operation was a success he suffered a stroke whilst on the operating table. He's been back home for a couple of weeks and Vera thought that he was now strong enough for visitors.

So I knocked on the door and who immediately answered it? Yes John! Scurrying around as if nothing had happened. He's looking fine and is obviously making a splendid recovery. His only complaint was that the stroke has stopped him winking with his left eye! I'm sure he'll make up for it with his right eye working overtime.

Seriously, we've all been thinking about him and it was great to see that the old John Ferrie is back. I don't think it will be long before we see his familiar figure back in the High Street.

A meeting I never got to!

This afternoon I left home in good time to drive to Stafford for a Borough Council training meeting on the Constitution at 4.30 p.m. I never arrived!

It transpired that the M6 motorway had been blocked by a lorry, which had shed its load, for most of the day and Stafford was gridlocked. I hit the first tail back before Redhill island so thought I'd be clever and go along Beaconside. No chance! I sat for over an hour before reaching the entrance to Stafford General Hospital. I'd already given up all hope of getting to the meeting so accepted my fate of just having to be patient. Eventually I started my journey home by turning along Corporation Street just at the time the meeting would have been finishing.

I just wished I'd taken my car instead of Janet's. Hers doesn't have air conditioning and I was sweltering!

Another positive Town Council meeting.

I am so pleased that we are able to make real progress at Town Council meetings these days. Last night we dealt with quite a lot of business and did so without any bickering or point scoring that had been a trade mark of the old council.

Two of the positives to come out of the meeting were moves to encourage the formation of a Youth Council and to set up an independent group to organise a Music Festival next year. Our Town Council budget is tight but I do hope that when the time arrives we may be able to make some financial contribution to both.

On more mundane matters we also agreed to try and get the 'finger post' direction signs sorted out - at the moment they point all over the place - and to try and persuade the County Council to improve the signs to our car parks. We also agreed to try and get the Joules clock moved so that we could get it working again. It's the only public clock in town and hasn't worked for years.
We had support on every item from the Conservative group and finished all business by 9.10 p.m. We are definitely into new territory!

Happy French Market stallholders

Three or four times a year we have French or Continental markets in Stone. They first came to town two years ago following on from the success of our regular Farmers' Markets. And judging by the happy smiling faces on Saturday I think the latest one was another great hit.

The market lasted for three days - from Thursday to Saturday - and although there was heavy rain on Thursday, Friday and Saturday remained reasonably dry and the crowds were out in force.

Philip, a Frenchman from Normandy, who organises the markets spoke to me at great length in very good english. He is desperate to come back to Stone during the Food and Drink Festival in October and although initially I was dubious about how we could fit a French Market in with our plans, I think we've possibly found a rather interesting solution! We do need to run the idea passed a few people first but if it takes off it will add another ingredient to the Festival.

We're campaigning again!

The elections may only just be over and it will be another four years before the polls open again - but tonight's executive meeting decided upon a timetable for concentrated campaigning - starting in July. No rest for us!

The plan is sound. Most parties only ever campaign in the weeks before an election but we in the Libdems have to work a lot harder to get our message across. So the leaflets are being prepared and delivery dates have been mapped out for the next six months. Anyone want to join us?

An awards ceremony - was it really necessary?

I have some misgivings about an event I attended earlier this evening. Stone Market Town Initiative, an Advantage West Midlands funded organisation, has had half a million pounds to allocate to qualifying projects over the last four years. One of its smaller projects and more succesful has been the Community Chest - a fund of approximately £17,000 available to small local community groups.

For each pound granted the community groups have had to match fund with at least two pounds from their own fund raising. All in all, an admirable scheme. For example, grants towards a new mower for a village hall, a new stage for a local drama group, equipment for a local group teaching young folk to fish - all excellent uses of the funds.

Tonight, in the ballroom of the Crown Hotel, representatives of the various local organisations who successfully bid for funding were invited to a presentation. In fact it turned out to be a photo opportunity hand shake between each representative and Doug Davies, chairman of SMTI and the handing over of a certificate. I'm not sure what the significance of this was. Surely the local groups were more than happy to have received the cheque. Why did they have to be presented with a certificate?

And what was the cost of the event? Hire of the hotel plus a rather expensive looking buffet spread out in the adjacent bar - several hundred pounds worth of anyone's money. Surely a couple more applicants could have been awarded grants with the money spent tonight?

SMTI is already being criticised for being politicised (and Doug Davies's introductory speech was no help - he even finished by stating "well, that's the political bit over") and for wasting money. I'm afraid this event will have only served to stoke those fires.

Yet more training.

Down to Stafford again tonight for more scrutiny committee training - this time for the Standards committee. The Borough Council's legal advisor, Alistair Walsh, took us through a general overview of the committee's remit and explained the basic principles of the new Code of Conduct which will come into operation in the autumn.

I understand that Staford has a fairly good record on complaints against councillors so perhaps we will not be called upon too often to adjudicate. But I am concerned to hear that under the new Code, most complaints will now be determined by this committee - even the more serious cases which hitherto have been sent on to the Standards Board for a decision. I worry that this may be perceived as 'councillors looking after their own'. And, as one very experienced councillor remarked, it's going to be extremely difficult to adjudicate upon an allegation against a friend of many years standing. Impartiality and independence are clearly issues which could be severely tested. We shall see.

Friends of Stone Station

Last night I went down to the Town Council chamber for an Environment sub committee meeting. I'll be reporting in another posting about the main agenda items but one item deserves a separate listing.

It was agreed that the Town Council would encourage and support the formation of an 'at arms length' group, perhaps called Friends of Stone Station', who would 'look after and care for' for station's public areas. This was an idea of mine having seen and heard of many similar schemes around the country. I well remember, a few years ago, a station on the Norfolk coast line which had been adopted by the local Women's Institute and was an absolute delight.

I believe that there are enough people in Stone who would be willing to give a few hours of their time each month to deal with flower beds, weeds graffiti etc. And I believe that the formation of a Friends group would also help to promote the station in readiness for the return of a train service next year.

So I intend to issue a press release and some leaflets to see if we can raise some support. If anyone reading this is interested please call me - 07939 450151

All about TPO's

I'm only on a couple of committees at Stafford Borough and I was told that neither of them meet very often! So I may have been a bit gullible because this morning I attended the first meeting of the Public Appeals committee.

This was to determine an appeal against a Tree Preservation Order made in respect of six trees on a site off Newcastle Road. I had been supplied with a very full set of papers a few days ago which contained all the necessary background information, photographs and a plan. Before the hearing we all got onto a minibus and travelled to the site where we conducted a very thorough inspection of the trees in great detail and from every angle. Then it was back onto the bus and back to Stafford for the hearing.

This was a very professional affair with the Borough's 'treeman' putting the case for the Order and the site owner's expert arguing against it. When we had heard all the evidence, the 'witnesses' left the room and we pondered the issues.

I was so impressed by the way in which we reached a decision. Well chaired and well advised by the legal advisor, the committee reached a decision to confirm the TPO's in a most structured and thoughtful way. I've always wondered how magistrates and juries reach decisions behind their closed doors! Well, for the first time, I was involved in a similar process and it was reassuring to witness how well it was done.

A Busy Start to the Week

Three meetings a day may become the norm in future so today was a good rehearsal! This morning I started with a Food and Drink Festival meeting. One of the many successes of last year's Festival was the Manger a Trois dining event - a three course meal with a difference with each course in a different restaurant! We've already been asked for tickets, so it was time to sit down with the restaurant owners and start to sort out the details for this year. A very good turnout and a lot of ideas. Everyone is up for it again this year and it looks as if there will be an even bigger choice of events to choose from!

Then this evening I went down to Stafford for a Development Control training session. It didn't sound very inviting but, in fact, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The presentation was given by an outside trainer who was extremely articulate and who gave a Powerpoint presentation exactly as they should be given.- as an aide to the presentation not as a script. I had intended to 'duck out' before the end in order to get to my next meeting in Stone but I was so interested I stayed to the end and texted my apologies to my next meeting.

So I arrived rather late for the meeting of Stone's Independent Voice. After the Town Council elections, several of the group, mainly candidates who were unsuccessful, made it clear that they wished to remain in touch and to work together for the benefit of the town. So tonight they agreed to form an association, to meet on a regular basis, to promote and support issues for the benefit of the town and to hold social events. I think it is wonderful that the whole group wish to keep together. It really does endorse the basis upon which we fought the election - all willing to put aside our political allegiances and to work together for the benefit of the town. They are a great group of people with so much enthusiasm - I've never seen anything like this before.
And then it was off to the Vine for a well deserved pint and - thanks to Nicki- a couple of bowls of chips!

A brilliant end to Festival!

We have two festivals in Stone - our Food and Drink Festival is always in October and the long established Stone Festival is always in June. A lot of people think that both are organised by the same people but this is not so! So I was being congratulated today by several people for arranging a splendid carnival parade through the town. I quickly put them right and explained that the Stone Festival is organised by a Festival committee (of which I am not a member) and that all the congratulations are due to John Sayer and his hard working team.

Yes, today's parade was wonderful! The sun was shining and all the kids -and adults- were really enjoying themselves. They'd set out from ABB's car park at the top of town and 'processed' through the High Street to Westbridge Park. The town was packed and It's a long time since I saw so many people on the park. Fairground rides, donkey rides, 'It's a Knock Out' competitions and a stunt man demonstration - plus charity stalls!

Yes, a great end to Festival fortnight. Well done, John.

My first hate mail

On opening my post this morning I came across a letter which had been redirected to me from Stafford Borough. Over the last week there has been a lot of publicity concerning an application for planning permission to erect a flagpole to fly a skull and crossbones 'Jolly Roger' flag. The Town Council were unanimous in stating that it was thought to be 'un-neighbourly' and the Council's comments were duly relayed to the planners at Stafford.

One local newspaper, The Newsletter, reported the item a couple of weeks ago and my name was mentioned in the article. And that, I thought, was that! Not so!

Earlier this week I received a torrent of calls from the media - other newspapers both local and national, radio and television - all wanting me to further comment on the story. it seems the Daily Mail had reported the story and used my name - even though I've never spoken to that paper. I declined to make any further comments and again assumed that would be the end of it! Oh no!

The letter received today was written by a gentleman (?) from London who was vitriolic in his criticism of me. Obviously his views are based on the Daily Mail report and he clearly has a serious prejudice against people living north of London judging by his references to whippets, flat caps and black pudding!

Oh well, as the saying has it, "you can't please everybody all of the time"!

Planned protest turns into celebration!

Tonight a protest meeting had been planned to take place at the Shell service station at Walton to protest against the proposed mobile phone mast that had been planned to be erected there. But, because the plans were rejected by Stafford Borough Council on Wednesday, the protest turned into a jubilant victory celebration! Dozens of local residents supported Town Councillor Jill Hood's call for a good turn out and took part in a photo call for the Newsletter photographer.

Congratulations again to the campaign organisers for a great victory. As I was leaving a local resdent told me that a sale of his house had recently fallen through when his proposed purchaser had discovered the plans to erect the mast. Perhaps now he will be able to do the deal.

Stone in Bloom meeting

I have been puzzled for some time about how Stone in Bloom is organised and tonight I had my first opportunity, as a Town Council representative, to see what went at their meetings. Very interesting indeed! In attendance were some well known faces who all clearly have a great amount of enthusiasm for the competition and for the appearance of the town.

A great deal of discussion took place about the judging route and the several important points of interest along the route. Ideas were mooted about how the appearance of town could be further improved and I'm in no doubt that Stone will give the competition its best shot.

But I do have a sense of unease about some apparent apathy on certain issues. For example, when I raised a question about the state of the roundabouts on the A34, I was greeted with the response that 'we've discussed this every year for ages but got nowhere'. When I pressed the point we were informed that Stafford's roundabout are cut 8 times a year but Stone's are only cut 3 times. When I asked why, I was told that "it was something to do with the A34 once having been a trunk road". What sort of answer was that?

When I suggested that the Chairman of Stone in Bloom (a paid employee of Stafford Borough Council) should contact the County Council and demand that Stone should be treated in the same way as Stafford, she announced that she wasn't able "to do any council bashing". Oh dear!

And to rub salt in the wound, she then proceeded to hand out a leaflet just published by the Borough Council entitled 'Park Life - a guide to Parks, Play Areas and Open Spaces in Stafford Borough' - which describes Stonefield Park as being "in a pleasant area of Stone near to the precinct"!!!!!! So watch out for visitors asking their way to the "precinct"! Who writes this rubbish? Probably the same person who drew the map of Stone in the same leaflet! I defy anyone to make any sense of it - the town centre barely exists but we been given some new roads! Take a look at a road which appears to go north from The Coppice!

And Stafford wonder why we get so brassed off with the way Stone is treated.

Shell mast plans thrown out!

Tonight Stafford Borough Council's Development Control committee refused an application for planning permission to erect a 15 metre mobile telephone mast on the Shell service station in Walton. This is a great victory for all those who have campaigned so hard over recent weeks.

Town Councillors Jill Hood, Mark Green and I went down to Stafford to hear the decision being announced and left the room absolutely elated! Jill was quoted in the press last week as willing to lie down in the road to prevent this mast ever being built. Thank goodness she will not have to carry out her threat!

A protest meeting had been arranged for this coming Friday at the service station but I now understand that the meeting will now go ahead as a celebration event. Meet at 6.30 and come and smile for the cameras!

Well done everyone!

Three meetings today!

Oh dear! Three meetings today - each generating different emotions. First I went, with Jill Hood, to Trentham to give a presentation to ta meeting of Stafford Tourism Bureau about the Food and Drink Festival. Did I rant on a few days ago about the blinkered attitude of Stafford? Well sure enough there was ample evidence of it again at this meeting. Jill and I drove back to Stone seething. We are coming to the view that if Stone is ever going to be promoted properly we will have to do it ourselves.

My second meeting was a training session down at Stafford Borough for the Environment and Health Scrutiny Committees to which I've been appointed. Very interesting indeed. I'm sure I'm going to find the work of these committees very fulfilling.

And finally back to Stone for the first meeting of our new Tourism and Town Promotion sub committee. Most of the items on the agenda were there at my request so at times it appeared as if it were a Richard Stevens sub committee! However we covered alot of ground and I think we can honestly state that we've 'hit the ground running'. There were quite a few housekeeping issues but the major decision was to support and encourage a Stone Music Festival. Steve Brookes will be taking this under his wing and I'm sure this is the beginning of something very exciting.

Another efficient Bonfire meeting

Two years ago I was asked if I would join the Bonfire and Fireworks Committee and act as 'understudy' to the then Chairman, John Ferrie, who was anxious to stand down after twenty odd years of service. I must have done alright because at the last AGM I was elected Chairman and John moved down to Vice Chairman.

Sadly tonight I did not have John at my side. A couple of weeks ago John underwent a triple heart bypass operation and suffered a stroke in the process. He's now home, thank goodness, but will need a few more weeks to regain his strength. We all wish him well and look forward to seeing him back in action soon.

It is a great testament to John that tonight's meeting was the epitome of efficiency - a style developed by John over the years. Each representative has a specific area of responsibility and knows their jobs backwards. It's a delight to be part of such a amazing group. And yes, this year's bonfire and firework display will be even better that last year!

So put the date - Saturday 3rd November - in your diaries now!

Stone is totally ignored again

I am furious. For years the 'old hands' have warned me about the passport controls at the top of Yarlett Bank - the dividing line between Stafford and the other side of the world. They say that the powers that be in Stafford, whether Borough Council or County Council, believe that life only exists in the county town and that the towns and villages beyond are good for collecting council tax but should be otherwise ignored. Many of these views stem from a deep seated feeling that Stone UDC was 'shafted' when local government was reorganised in the 1970's.

To begin with I listened to their comments with good grace but I am now firmly coming round to the view that they are right. I could ( and over the next few postings probably will) make mention of several examples of Stone being treated unfairly but for the moment let me rant about a leaflet which I picked up this morning in the Library issued by the County Council and entitled "A Canal County".

Stone is, of course, the canal town of the Staffordshire. Josiah Wedgwood and James Brindley signed the contract for the building of the Trent and Mersey canal right here in our beautiful Crown Hotel. We have the oldest canal hire boat company in the country. We have another boat building yard. We have a canal side pub even older than the canal itself. And we have a Town Centre one minutes walk from the tow path with scores of pubs and restaurants waiting to greet our canal visitors. And over 30,000 visitors pass through Stone each year on the canal.
And yet the County Council's leaflet makes no mention whatsoever of Stone! Oh yes, it claims the dubious attractions of Stafford town centre are "as short walk from the canal" and that Lichfield, likewise, is a walkable tourist attraction from the canal! Numerous other places to visit are mentioned - though many are miles from a canal. But no mention of Stone!
No wonder we get angry.

This leaflet must have cost thousands to produce and will no doubt be circulated around the region's Tourist Offices and elsewhere. But Stone is going to be penalised because some buffoon in an office in Stafford isn't fit to be employed in the job he (or she) is doing.

I am going to write to the County Council demanding that the person who produced this outrageous leaflet be sent to Stone for a day. I'll offer to provide transport here and back. Clearly the person has no idea where Stone is and I would not want them to get lost. And when they are here I'll arrange for a comprehensive inspection of our canal and show them the importance of the canal to the town's economy.
And, in the meantime, I'm demanding that the leaflet be withdrawn until it has been rewritten

A scorching Farmers' Market

What a change in the weather! After a fairly miserable week, today the sun shone brilliantly all day for our monthly Farmers' Market. Held on the first Saturday of the month, we always seem to have good weather. I was talking to several stall holders today and they struggled to remember a market when it had rained. Long may our good fortune continue!

Our first Farmers' Market took place during the 2005 Food and Drink Festival and they have now become a firm fixture ever since. We now regularly attract around forty stallholders and the town is heaving with visitors all day.

Whilst initially some of our High Street shopkeepers expressed some reservations about holding regular markets, they are now delighted with the extra footfall that the markets attract. And we hear many stories that the new shoppers who come in to town for the Farmers' Markets keep coming back on 'normal' Saturdays.

A success story that the Food and Drink Festival working group are very proud of!