Etruscan Square Development Set to Transform Hanley
Plus a campaign to unite Stoke is launched, funding boost for Staffs walking and cycling routes, new vodcast for centenary and Unsung Hero awards issued…
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🏡 Hanley’s Transformation is Coming. The multi-million-pound Etruscan Square project next to Hanley bus station has moved a step closer to completion as Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Limited (GKRL) has been granted preferred bidder status. GKRL, which has worked on similar projects in Rochdale, Halifax and Telford, is set to create affordable residential housing plus leisure and commercial opportunities. The developer is set to carry out surveys and investigations later this year, with construction to deliver new homes targeted to commence in 2027. The plans for Etruscan Square key into the wider city centre masterplan, which will see the rejuvenation of Hanley as a place to live, work, shop and visit.
The Etruscan Square development is just the boost that Hanley needs…
Hate Won’t Win: One Stoke-on-Trent Launched. A major community campaign aimed at bringing together all communities following the scenes of public disorder last August, One Stoke-on-Trent is a year-long campaign that unites leaders from the council, police, fire services, NHS, schools and colleges, local football teams, the media, plus faith and voluntary sectors. Backed by £600,000 of funding, community groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000. The campaign will include an engagement exercise to explore what more needs to be done to make Stoke-on-Trent a place where everyone feels welcome.
🚶♀️🚲 Funding Boost for Staffs Walking and Cycling Routes. New pedestrian and cycling projects in Staffordshire are poised to get off the ground following a £2.3 million funding boost from the Active Travel England funding package. The fund aims to increase walking and cycling through new routes and lanes across the county along with improved crossings and junctions. It will also provide children’s cycle safety training. Better infrastructure will support more walk to school journeys for children and parents to improve health and air quality.
Playwright Deb McAndrew (left) is the first guest on the vodcast 📹 New Vodcast Celebrates Centenary. Stoke-on-Trent City Council, University of Staffordshire, and Cross Rhythms City Radio have launched a vodcast,‘Stoke-on-Trent 100 - Voices of the Centenary’, that will spotlight the heritage, culture and people who’ve shaped the city in the past century. The vodcast, available on YouTube, will see guests including playwright Deb McAndrew share their Stoke connections. It will also include segments such as Cop owd ‘o That, where interviewees bring in an item that represents the city’s significance in their lives.
Getting crafty with Creative Cheadle. Pic: Creative Cheadle/Facebook
🦸♀️ Unsung Heroes Get Their Dues. Eight community groups from Newcastle and the Staffordshire Moorlands have received an Unsung Hero award from the chairman of Staffs County Council, Phil Hewitt. Those singled out were Biddulph Moor Evergreen Club; Baldwins Gate and Whitmore Active Living Group; Creative Cheadle; Tean Youth Club; Jude Powell for Bradwell Dingle; Jeff Finney for Porthill Dingle; Jeanette McGlynn for Porthill Litter Pickers, and Elaine Rice, for her work with local Rainbows and Girl Guides among other initiatives.
👩🎓 More Support for Apprentices. Good news for college leavers: Stone-based firm Capula which specialises in electrical control systems and digital solutions, is taking on more than 60 new apprentices over the next three years. People and quality director Steve Tellwright said the company has already increased its workforce by 30 per cent over the last year.
Really Good News 🎉 Your favourite news from the last week
🚖 Castle Classics is Back: Knotters were keen to find out about this great retro car show in Newcastle, where you can also pick up vintage clothes and vinyl
🧑🦰 Sustainable Outdoor Wear Brand Makes Waves: another popular story was on inclusive outdoor clothing brand Ryde, whose founder Larnia is from Kidsgrove
📅 The Knot Life: did you know you can list your events for free at The Knot Life? More and more readers are doing it - get yours on too!
Unsung Heroes ⬇️
🏃♀️ Dave Juggins. The 75 year old gold medal duathlete can run a 5km in 21 minutes.
👗 Anya Parker James. Read about the designer that built a fashion career here.
👨🎨 Ian Parker: Mouth painter Ian has illustrated a kid’s book and is a full-time artist.
👩⚕️ Ruth Chambers: The retired GP won an OBE for improving health outcomes.
🥨 Good Vibes Only: A Word from Helen, Writer at The Knot
Being a big kid at heart, I was over the moon when I heard that the UK’s biggest mobile fair, Funderworld, was set to arrive in Hanley 13/02, which happened to be my birthday. I screamed much louder than my kids when our car got an extra big push on the Waltzers, nearly lost my mind on the Crazy Cage as the G-force pinned me back (and my fingers got frozen) and briefly admired the views over Hanley prior to the exhilarating drops on Freefall. The fair will be in situ until 23/02 from 12pm-9pm daily and at £20 for unlimited riding, it’s great value considering most funfairs charge around £5 a pop (I managed four rides, but my kids did at least 10!).
Some doomsayers on social media were grumbling that the site would no doubt be overcrowded and packed with unsavoury types, but that was far from my experience. The site was staffed by several security guards, one of whom queried if this was my bag when I momentarily placed it down. And after 7.30pm, it was pretty relaxed.
Ignore the cynics and get those tickets booked to Funderworld. Perhaps you’ll be brave enough to ride the Airmaxx, an inverted frisbee ride that reaches heights of 48m and speeds of 65mph. Check out the video here to see this hair-raiser in all its white knuckle glory. See you in the queue…
Weekly Weather (Stoke-on-Trent):
Mon ⛅️ 5° (-1°) Tue ☀️ 6° (0°) Wed ☁️ 6° (0°) Thu ☁️ 5° (0°) Fri ☁️ 5° (0°)
Sat ⛅️ 5° (-1°) Sun ⛅️ 4° (-2°).
Sunrise 17/02 ☀️07:22 Sunset 17/02 🌅 17:24
