026: Good News for Stoke & Staffordshire
026: Good News for Stoke & Staffordshire
Blue plaque for local hero Rita Baines, creating community spirit in Birches Head, celebrating Stoke's centenary year and big wins for Stafford spirits brand…
Good News 🎉
Blue Plaque for Local Hero Rita Baines. Described as, “an ordinary girl from Stoke-on-Trent who just happened to be in the right place at the right time” by her daughter, Trentham girl and World War II pilot Rita Baines, who flew several marks of Spitfire and Seafire planes for the Air Transport Auxiliary, will get a Blue Plaque on a lane in Trentham that also bears her name thanks to Trentham South Residents’ Association. After a stint as an air hostess with British South American Airways, Baines established the Beth Johnson Foundation, which built social housing in 17 locations across the region. The Hartshill charity is now dedicated to improving later life with dementia and bereavement projects. At the plaque unveiling (15/09, 3pm, Rita Baines Lane), Rita’s family will present her life’s achievements and unveil the plaque, while a QR code containing info about her life and contributions will be posted below it.
Photo credit: Trentham South Residents’ Association Creating Community Spirit in Birches Head. Local community group Birches Head Get Growing recently made the news for giving away the organic produce from its three allotment plots. But it’s keen to point out that they’re primarily about growing a community spirit and not just food, says chairperson Paula Rowcliffe. “The fruit and veg are just part of what we do as we have Stay & Play sessions, workshops, friendship groups and anything that promotes community collaboration and cohesion.” It also has a free swap shop community exchange, where residents can pick up toys, food, clothes, books and household items. Look out for scarecrow trails and pumpkin decorating workshops in Autumn.
Celebrating Stoke’s Centenary Year. In 2025, it’ll be a century since Stoke was granted city status for its contributions to the pottery industry by King George V, and this year-long celebration will include a music track celebrating the city’s revival of the Northern Soul scene (Peter Stringfellow was among the DJ’s who played at The Torch) and digital guided walks where ramblers can learn about the city’s connection to ceramics and plants. They are just two of the five projects, covering the themes of music, nature, food, identity and children and families, set to be launched – stay tuned for more updates. Got an event planned for 2025 or feel inspired to create one for the centenary? Email the council!
Cheers! Accolades For Staffs-made Rum and Gin Next time you fancy a tipple, why not support a local business and check out Stafford-based Nelson’s, which recently scooped a double Gold medal for its signature blend rum and a silver medal for its London Dry No.7 Gin at the World Wine & Spirits Trophy. They told The Knot, “Winning the ‘World Trophy Double Gold’ award is an outstanding achievement. We’ve now won around 26 awards for our products and recently scooped the Gold tourism award for our distillery experiences.” Best way to drink the rum? Try it neat without ice, or mix a Dark and Stormy (rum and ginger ale with ice and lime). They recommend trying the gin neat with ice, or mixing up a Gin Bramble with lemon, creme de cassis and Gomme syrup.
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