LOGGERHEADS AND DISTRICT BEFRIENDERS – a NEW LOCAL SERVICE FOR YOU

At 10 am Monday 1st September many had gathered in the Loggerheads Community Information Shop to see the launch of the Loggerheads and District Befrienders. Guests included, County Councillor – Frank Chapman, who had donated money from the Local Members Initiative Scheme, Darren Evans and Sandra Daniels of Social Services who are going to fund the scheme for at least three years in order to get it established.
Others invited were representatives from the doctor surgeries that serve the Loggerheads Parish Council area – Ashley, Madeley, Market Drayton, the Luncheon Club, the Loggerheads First Responders, clergy from the various churches, Ed Martin Chair of the Parish Council and the local Police.
Eric Pemberton spoke about his role in getting the scheme going. Kathleen Pemberton the founder talked about a lady she had met when delivering the Parish Plan who had convinced her that there was a need in the area. She went on to thank all the people involved who were helping to get this scheme on the way, Eric for his contacts, Frances Kerr who had joined the partnership with her representing the Loggerheads First Responder and all the volunteers who had come forward to become befrienders.
Kathleen hoped that everyone present would pass on the befrienders information to individuals they come across who they felt would appreciate a befriender, noting that all befrienders were volunteers and would be CRB checked.

If you feel lonely or isolated as a result of illness, disability or lack of transport:
Please contact the befrienders on; 01630 674365
(If it is the answer machine, leave your name and number and Kathleen or Frances will get back to you)

Loggerheads Community Sport Spirit – and a new Goalie wanted

Loggerheads Football Club and Ashley and Loggerheads First Responders took part in The Potteries Half Marathon this year. The Football Club pledged a percentage of their sponsorship to the Responders, as they believe it to be a very worthy cause, especially as they are all volunteers and not funded by the public sector.
Indeed earlier this year, the Responders came out to the home pitch at Burntwood, Loggerheads and dealt with a player's broken kneecap before the Emergency services attended. Good work folks.
In the photo, as the cheque is handed over in front of The Loggerheads Hotel:
Back row left to right are:- Responders, Sarah Speller, Val Kennett, Janet Taylor, with The Chairman, Mark Pepper and Loggerheads F.C. Chairman, Keith Farrell, with vice-chairman Peter Grimes.
Front row:- Responder Mary Worman and footballer Nathan Farrell.


Loggerheads F.C currently runs two adult teams and we are desperately trying to find an experienced Goalkeeper for one team.
Additionally, we would love to hear from anyone in the area who has young children and would like to start their own football team under the Loggerheads 'umbrella', we would lend all our experience to assist them.
Should you need any more information about the club:
Please phone Keith on 01630 620550

Have you ever thought of trying Octopush (Underwater Hockey)?

It’s held at Newcastle Jubilee Baths, every Saturday from 6.00 – 7.30pm, new players and beginners (adults and juniors) always welcome.

Equipment
• To begin with all you need to bring is your swimwear and old socks; we can help you out with all other equipment until you are sure you like the game.
To play the game of Octopush or Underwater Hockey you need a mask, snorkel, fins (flippers), protective glove, a small stick and a lead puck.

The Game
• Whilst holding your breath the stick is used to push or flick the puck along the bottom of the pool. At each end of the pool is a goal (gully). The object of the game is work as a team and to eventually flick the puck into the opposition team's goal.
• A team is made up of six players in the pool at any one time.
• Each team is identified by the colour of their hats and sticks.

Learning to Play
• If you've snorkelled before you can easily learn to play and eventually swim like a fish underwater. If not we'll teach you.

You do not have to be very fit to play and you don't have to be able to hold your breath a long time as it is a team sport and each player only needs to spend minimal time on the bottom of the swimming pool.

For further information, please contact Phil on 01782 750756
www.gbuwh.co.uk

SURGERIES
Monday from 11am to 1pm
Mon 6 Oct - Adult and Community Learning Team
Mon13 Oct - Local Community Police Officer
Mon 20 Oct - Brian Tomkins—NUL Borough Councillor
Mon 27 Oct – David Loades – Loggerheads Parish Councillor

The Information Service is manned by Volunteers trained to deal with ALL your enquiries for information regarding Community Services and facilities, trading standards, Highway and Welfare matters.

All sorts of useful information for locals and newcomers alike!

Folly Wood under renewed threat of sand and gravel extraction plans

Blore Heath and Folly Wood Action Group
www.purefolly.co.uk

You may be aware that the Blore Heath and Folly Wood Action Group was instrumental in defeating proposals to develop these sites for sand and gravel extraction back in 1992/3. Although the Blore Heath site was protected from further development, largely because of its proximity to the Blore Heath battlefield site, Folly Wood remained under threat and the Action Group has kept watch in order to gain early warning of any fresh plans that were submitted.
Staffordshire County Council has revealed plans by a developer to include Folly Wood in the County’s Minerals Core Strategy for a quarry to extract 2.5 million tons of sand and gravel over the next 12 to 15 years.
Consultation with the public and other interested parties will take place between late September and November 2008 and a decision will be made Summer 2009.
The successful campaign fought in 1992/3 resulted in the proposal being rejected by the Inspector at a Public Enquiry principally on the grounds of unsuitable access, hazardous traffic conditions and the fact that Folly Wood was in a Special Landscape Area. The Action Group will be making the case that these conditions can only have worsened in the intervening years and that there are additional health related concerns about noise, dust and possible water pollution.
It is likely that concerned residents may again be raising fears of increased traffic on the A53 and local B roads, and despoilation of the natural environment by starting up unsustainable and unwarranted quarrying operations for such minimal quantities of aggregate. The drive for more road construction flies in the face of the need to reduce CO2 emissions from increased traffic. Ample opportunities exist to fulfil the County’s obligations by prolonging existing workings or opening larger sites.
We would like to keep you informed of the progress of the campaign, build a broad base of support and enlist help with time, expertise and finance. In order to minimise costs it would preferable to communicate electronically so we have set up a web forum at www.purefolly.co.uk, or you can email us info@purefolly.co.uk