In this podcast I take up an invitation to visit a small charity in Fegg Hayes, in North Staffordshire.

The Restoration Shack aims to be ‘a creative space where individuals can thrive and feel valued’.

It was set up by Linda Williams.

“It’s all about heart for me. The essence of it is this, everything we try to do is about quality. We will give of the very best. We use the very best products we can possibly afford. We’ve renovated this place to be the best it can possibly be. Because, when you offer something of quality to people, you respect them, it gives an element of value, they know they are valued enough to go the extra mile.” Linda Williams.

“It’s all about people. The vision is about changed lives,” said Linda.

Find out more about The Restoration Shack, including how you can get involved, by visiting the charity’s Facebook page:

Facebook: The Restoration Shack

The Restoration Shack, 115 Fegg Hayes Road, Fegg Hayes, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 6QR.

Email: linda@restorationshack.co.uk

“I’ve learned how resilient you can be, and how simple life could be. Life is very complex, there’s lots of things you’ve got to do, and people worry about lots of different things. But, if you trim it down, it’s just a matter of getting on with people,” said Chris Parr.

Chris is Director of the Stoke 2000 project, “an art, culture, education and recycling project” in Stoke-on-Trent.

On the 29th March he set off on an epic 2,000 bike ride across Britain, fundraising for MIND, and “helping more people to get creative and make other products from recycled pallet wood. Most importantly, showing that activity and creativity can help with feelings of mental health, isolation and loneliness.”

Chris spoke to North Staffs News editor Jerome on day 28 of his 50 day challenge, a planned rest day in Whitley Bay.

He talks about the challenges he’s experienced so far, the people he’s met, and the places he’s visited.

Find out more about Chris’ Man in Notion challenge, and support him if you can!

Chris’ webpage about the challenge can be viewed here:

https://thestoke2000.co.uk/projects/britain-cycle-tour-recycling-pallets

His fundraising page for MIND Charity can be found here: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/man-in-notion

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SUBSCRIBE to North Staffs News here: https://northstaffsnews.substack.com

WARNING: ADULT CONTENT. The interview contains swearing, and descriptions of abuse and violence.

Jerome chats with Stoke-on-Trent indie author Jo Haywood about KNAVE, her second book.

Jo tells Jerome about her long-standing passion for writing fiction, hints at her fascination with all things paranormal, and she plugs Stoke Indoor Market - where she used to be employed as manager.

Jo has a book signing event at the indoor market on Saturday 1st April, 10am to 12pm.

Find out more about Jo, and order books, on her website:

https://johaywoodauthor.co.uk/welcome

Read more on the North Staffs News website, here: https://northstaffs.news/podcast-knave-with-stoke-on-trent-indie-author-jo-haywood

I set myself a challenge of photographing as many species of bumblebee as I could find in one day.

I trekked through fields, a former golf course, nature reserve and country park in Silverdale, and along a trail into Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.

These are my thoughts and observations recorded along the way.

Can we do more to help our bumblebees? Where are they doing best? How many species did I manage to photograph?

Take a look at the photographs from the day here:

https://jeromew.uk/jeromes-bumblebee-challenge

“My nickname is Birdman. So, I use birds in all of my work. For me, birds can travel the world without thinking of borders, you know? Something I don't have the luxury of.”

Semaan Khawam is artist-in-residence at Allison Lochhead’s ‘Art for Peace’ exhibition, showing at Appetite’s Astley Walk arts space in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

He tells me more about the inspiration for his sculptures and paintings, and why he can never return to the place of his birth, Syria.

More about Appetite's Art for Peace exhibition here: https://www.appetite.org.uk/event/art-for-peace-by-alison-lochhead/

"My interest in Maps in March is looking at the green spaces in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre, and uncovering some of the stories about some of the trees in particular that are around the town centre, and in the parks and along the walkways, to bring out people to just appreciate what's around them," says Su.

Su Hurrell, Ladybird Su, is one of five artists and illustrators commissioned by Appetite to create 'Maps in March'.

"These maps will build on our original town centre map created by Chloe Breeze and explore the specific themes of nature, independent businesses, markets, food and drink outlets and feeling safe within the town centre," says Appetite.

Su was talking to Jerome Whittingham. Jerome has been commissioned by Appetite to report on activities at their Newcastle Common arts space.

Find out more about Appetite's Maps in March project here:

https://www.appetite.org.uk/event/maps-in-march-at-newcastle-common/

SUBSCRIBE  to North Staffs News email bulletin here: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/northstaffsnews

"It turns out with Newcastle-under-Lyme that the market's been one of the main things for the culture of the place," says Kidda.

Kidda Kinsey is one of five artists and illustrators commissioned by Appetite to create 'Maps in March'.

"These maps will build on our original town centre map created by Chloe Breeze and explore the specific themes of nature, independent businesses, markets, food and drink outlets and feeling safe within the town centre," says Appetite.

Kidda was talking to Jerome Whittingham. Jerome has been commissioned by Appetite to report on activities at their Newcastle Common arts space.

Find out more about Appetite's Maps in March project here:

https://www.appetite.org.uk/event/maps-in-march-at-newcastle-common/

SUBSCRIBE to North Staffs News email bulletin here: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/northstaffsnews

Siobhan McAleer, artist and community curator, is the creative force behind The Depository of the Dull. It’s a project delivered jointly by Appetite and the Brampton Museum, and it’s inviting you to ‘bring in your objects and tell us your stories’.

Siobhan said: “The Depository of the Dull was made as a virtual museum in lockdown last year. I invited people to tell us about some everyday objects that they had been looking at while they'd been in their houses. We called it the Depository of the Dull. It's kind of a play on words or a joke, I guess. The thing is,neverything is supposed to look as though it's not very interesting, but then has a really interesting story that goes along with it.

“For this project, the Depository of the Dull, I'm working at Newcastle Common, which is Appetite’s base in the town centre, and alongside the Brampton Museum, and what we're doing is asking people to bring in their everyday objects, with interesting stories associated in some way to Newcastle.”

Listen to Jerome's full chat with Siobhan, ‘Shiv’, in this podcast. She tells us what’s already been offered to the collection, gives examples of the stories attached to some of the items, and explains how we can get involved.

You can also find out more about The Depository of the Dull by visiting Appetite’s website, here: https://www.appetite.org.uk/event/the-depository-of-the-dull-at-newcastle-common/

Get in-touch with Shiv and the Depository of the Dull with details of your deposit at depodsub@gmail.com

Jerome has been commissioned by Appetite to report on activities at their Newcastle Common arts space.