As we move into the New Year, it is time to look back and reflect on 2021. It has certainly been another extraordinary year with the Covid pandemic affecting all our lives. I am so proud how people in the Moorlands have coped with the many restrictions and difficulties that we have all had to face.
I continue to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel and with our fantastic vaccine rollout, we are certainly in a different position to this time last year.
But even with the restrictions, I have been honoured to attend many local events, some even in person although many, including some school visits and meetings had to be online. There were some great highlights – the Leek Christmas Lights event, the service of remembrance at St Edwards Church and the Monument, the launch of We Love the Moorlands and some really great Leek Town matches. I was pleased to visit some schools and local businesses such as reopening of the Post Office in Caverswall, local artist, Robin Wight in Oakamoor, the brand new Tawny Hotel in Consall, Alton Towers, the Stafford Arms in Bagnall and Churnet Sound Radio in Biddulph just to mention a few.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students who have produced artwork for my office window displays. Horton Lodge provided the Remembrance display, Woodhouse Academy the Christmas artwork and St Mary’s in Leek will be providing some artwork for the New Year on their railways project.
This ties in really well with the good news that we have received the funding for the feasibility study into the reopening of the Leek – Stoke line and I was pleased to chair the first meeting of the Board recently.
I wish everyone in Staffordshire Moorlands a very Happy New Year!
