We have so many fantastic places in the Moorlands and I am hoping that I will be able to feature many of them in my A year of Reasons to visit the Moorlands initiative.
It was therefore great to meet representatives from the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust recently and talk about the opportunities for improved use of our waterways across the Moorlands.
One project that is now making progress is the plan to improve the canal basin in Leek. This project links very closely with the reopening of the Leek to Stoke railway line and could bring real benefits to the Barnfields area of the town and of course the wider Moorlands. There is a long way to go, but after nearly 20 years of work on this, it is great to see some progress.
I was also delighted to pop into the Nicholson Institute Gallery to see an exhibition that four artists who attended Leek School of Art and Crafts are holding. The exhibition is to mark 50 years since leaving the School and it was fascinating to see the artists’ unique styles on display.
Finally, with less than a month to go to the Coronation, over £3 million of National Lottery funding has been awarded to communities across the UK so they can come together in celebration. The funding has been made available, with an emphasis on events and activities that bring people together and have a positive and lasting impact on community engagement.
I was therefore pleased to learn that Biddulph Ladies Afternoon Club has been awarded £500 to celebrate the Coronation by The National Lottery Community Fund and that the funding will be used to host a celebration lunch for more senior ladies to mark the Coronation. The project aims to bring people together and build friendships.
