Uttoxeter Blog

Development in Stone Road

2009-06-16T17:11:00.001+01:00

Watch out folks - looks like this one is boiling up - add your cooments below!

Action now please

2009-06-16T06:57:00.002+01:00

Mr Morrison comments (in the Post & Times 12/06/2009) on the state of Trinity Square and its 'trip hazards' and 'tawdry state'. That's a bit rich! What about the trip hazards and tawdry appearance of the rest of the town, in particular around the High Street and Market place following all that expensive cobblestone work that he was so keen about? And where are the promised cigarette butt bins?

And how about a decent town 'notice board' that was promised some 5 years ago, but put onto the back burner pending the developement behind the town hall? Incidently, are we likely to see any progress with that development within the next 5 years, or are we to be left with a desolate scrubland for the foreseeable future? After all, our Town Council, on which Morrison claims to be such an influence, has sold off (at a stupidly low price) both the land at the rear of the town hall - and indeed a part of the town hall itself - apparently with no undertaking as to the timing of any future development!

As to the rest of the town hall's redevelopment - well, our local council continues to bicker and argue while we wait for some positive progress.

And then we have the continuing saga of traffic congestion in the High Street between the library and the old Heath post office; Morrison has, repeatedly, assured us that the County Council will be dealing with this by putting roadside parking restraints (double yellow lines) in place - but we still wait!

A further point - take a look at the union flag that flies above our town hall. Better to fly no flag than the sad and sorry duster like rag that is currently used - time to buy a new flag!

So, a message for you Mr Morrison - assidious as you are in seeking self publicity at every opportunity, anxious as you are to seek to justify your position on town, borough and county councils, it's time to actually fulfil your roles by securing some positive action on the many outstanding issues. Time to actually fulfil your often expressed, but so far sadly lacking, promises to represent Uttoxeter by more than seeking every 'photo-opportunity' and making empty gestures. Let's see some positive action!

Uttoxeter Town Council - doesn't provide any information online at all

2009-05-26T18:46:00.005+01:00

There are 591 town Councils in England - the vast majority have a web page (you can find them here - Index of English Parish Council Pages. I can find out about Tockwith with Wilstrop, Uffculme in Devon and Uffington in Lincolnshire. But Uttoxeter remains without a web presence for its 14,000 citizens.

Some of these councillors (predominantly one) perform, preen and posture, bully and cajole usually in private, with few observers - and even then any information has to be wrung out of them by the likes of the Audit Commitee or the interested few.

It's quite shocking and shameful - there is nowhere in cyberspace where I can find out who my town councillor is, what my council are up to, who turns up to council meetings, the minutes of the full council or any sub commitees, the decisions taken by the council - which impact us all. Why is there no effort to do this? Why do they not consider it of vital importance in a democracy - why are they there at all?

After all its not expensive - in fact it's free. I can find out what dozens of parish councils are doing across the country and across the world but as for Uttoxeter nothing, zilch de nada.

Perhaps for our councillors and clerk that tribute to scrutiny, openess and the apex of the democratic voice which is the glass panel of the left hand side door to the town hall is enough - it is our guardian and watchdog - every citizen can sleep safely knowing that an A5 slip of paper once a month taped to that special place - 'the glass panel of the left hand side door to the town hall' is our window, our forum, our democracy in action.

Here is some information about the responsibilities of councils -

Parish Councils have a variety of responsibilities, powers and duties. All these are laid down in different Acts of Parliament. There are few things that a Parish Council must do, but there are many that a Parish Council may do. However Parish Councils do not have a power of general competence and can only do what they ave been given a specific power to do by statute.

A list of powers and duties is shown below. In addition, in certain situations not covered by one of the specific powers described a council may spend money on any purpose which in its opinion is of direct benefit to its area or to the inhabitants provided that the benefit derived is commensurate with the expenditure involved. The total expenditure by the council under this general power must not in any financial year exceed an amount set by the Local Government Act 2003. It was set to £5 per local government elector in the parish with effect from 1 April 2003, indexed annually inline with the RPI.

The following tables indicates the general powers and responsibilities of a Town or Parish Council in England. This is not an exhaustive list. If you wish to read the Act itself many of them are available to be read on the Internet from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office just perform a search using the name of the Act, e.g.. “Small Holding & Allotments Act 1908″. Acts of Parliament are being repealed and amended all the time so be aware that if you read something in one Act that it has not been added to or deleted since the date of publication.

Town and Parish Councils

Function	Powers and Duties	Statutory Provisions
Allotments	Duty to provide allotments. Power to improve and adapt land for allotments, and to let grazing rights	Small Holding & Allotments Act 1908, ss. 23, 26, and 42
Baths and washhouses	Power to provide public baths and washhouses	Public Health Act 1936, ss. 221, 222, 223 and 227
Burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoria	Power to acquire and maintain Power to provide Power to agree to maintain monuments and memorials Power to contribute towards expenses of cemeteries	Open Spaces Act 1906, Ss 9 and 10; Local Government Act 1972, s. 214; Parish Councils and Burial Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, s. 1 Local Government Act 1972, s. 214(6)
Bus shelters	Power to provide and maintain shelters	Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1953, s. 4
Bye-laws	Power to make bye-laws in regard to pleasure grounds Cycle parks Baths and washhouses Open spaces and burial grounds Mortuaries and post-mortem rooms	Public Health Act 1875, s. 164 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.57(7) Public Health Act 1936, s.223 Open Spaces Act 1906, s.15 Public Health Act 1936, s.198
Clocks	Power to provide public clocks	Parish Councils Act 1957, s.2
Closed churchyards	Powers as to maintenance	Local Government Act 1972, s.215
Common pastures	Powers in relation to providing common pasture	Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908, s.34
Conference facilities	Power to provide and encourage the use of facilities	Local Government Act 1972, s.144
Community centres	Power to provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or recreational objectives	Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19
Crime prevention	Powers to install and maintain equipment and establish and maintain a scheme for detection or prevention of crime	Local Government and Rating Act 1997, s.31
Drainage	Power to deal with ponds and ditches	Public Health Act 1936, s.260
Entertainment and the arts	Provision of entertainment and support of the arts	Local Government Act 1972, s.145
Gifts	Power to accept	Local Government Act 1972, s.139
Highways	Power to maintain footpaths and bridle-ways Power to light roads and public places Provision of litter bins Powers to provide parking places for bicycles and motor-cycles, and other vehicles Power to enter into agreement as to dedication and widening Power to provide roadside seats and shelters Consent of parish council required for ending maintenance of highway at public expense, or for stopping up or diversion of highway Power to complain to highway authority as to unlawful stopping up or obstruction of highway or unlawful encroachment on roadside wastes Power to provide traffic signs and other objects or devices warning of danger Power to plant trees and lay out grass verges etc. and to maintain them	Highways Act 1980, ss.43,50 Parish Councils Act 1957, s.3; Highways Act 1980, s.301 Litter Act 1983, ss.5,6 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, ss.57,63 Highways Act 1980, ss.30,72 Parish Councils Act 1957, s.1 Highways Act 1980, ss.47,116 Highways Act 1980, s.130 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.72 Highways Act 1980, s.96
Investments	Power to participate in schemes of collective investment	Trustee Investments Act 1961, s.11
Land	Power to acquire by agreement, to appropriate, to dispose of Power to accept gifts of land	Local Government Act 1972, ss.124, 126, 127 Local Government Act 1972, s.139
Litter	Provision of receptacles	Litter Act 1983, ss.5,6
Lotteries	Powers to promote	Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, s.7
Mortuaries and post mortem rooms	Powers to provide mortuaries and post mortem rooms	Public Health Act 1936, s.198
Open spaces	Power to acquire land and maintain	Public Health Act 1875, s.164 Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.9 and 10
Parish documents	Powers to direct as to their custody	Local Government Act 1972, s.226
Telecommunications facilities	Power to pay public telecommunications operators any loss sustained providing telecommunication facilities	Telecommunications Act 1984, s.97
Public buildings and village hall	Power to provide buildings for public meetings and assemblies	Local Government Act 1972, s.133
Public conveniences	Power to provide	Public Health Act 1936, s.87
Town and country planning	Right to be notified of planning applications	Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Sched.1, para. 8
Tourism	Power to encourage visitors and provide conference and other facilities	Local Government Act 1972, s.144
Traffic calming	Powers to contribute financially to traffic calming schemes	Highways Act 1980, s.274A
Transport	Powers in relation to car-sharing schemes, taxi fare concessions and information about transport Powers to make grants for bus services	Local Government and Rating Act 1997, s.26, 28 and 29 Transport Act 1985, s.106A
War memorials	Power to maintain, repair, protect and alter war memorials	War Memorials (Local Authorities’ Powers) Act 1923, s.1; as extended by Local Government Act 1948, s.133
Water supply	Power to utilise well, spring or stream and to provide facilities for obtaining water from them	Public Health Act 1936, s.125

2009-04-21T23:00:00.003+01:00

Some fantastic images from the McDowell Benedetti Architects masterplan for the redevelopment of the JCB 9ha industrial site
to include a new 'town green' public park, a health complex, a 5,000sq m engineering innovation centre, 5,000sq m of retail, and 257 homes.

The images are reproduced from BD the Architects Website at http://www.bdonline.co.uk originally from the great submission by the Architects

Audit Commission draft report on Uttoxeter Town Council

2009-04-13T07:30:00.003+01:00

So at last this long awaited report has arrived, albeit in draft form as yet. The full report will follow when our Town Council pulls it's finger out and answers many outstanding questions.
Despite our jittery council hoping to keep the initial findings to themselves within hours of the report arriving at the town hall it was in the hands of the press!

Among many questions the AC ask is why the accounts for 2007/2008 have still not been submiyyed for audit, more than a year after the end of that fiscal year - "despite many requests"! The AC points out that the balance in the council's coffers has fallen from £133,044 at the end of March 2007 to just £13,000 a year later. And in the past year overdrafts had to be hastily arranged to meet ongoing expenses! Both last year's and this year's budgets appear to take no account of known expenses and the AC comments that the current budget "appears to have been produced by Councillors rather than the Responsible Financial Officer!

The Audit Commission is a body that is there to look after the interests of the taxpayer and electorate; their draft report raises issues about the way our town council has behaved that should concern everyone in Uttoxeter. But what is the response so far? Well Councillor Brookes, 'a senior member of the controlling group on the council' dismisses the report by saying: "What a waste of time and effort - while we will look at the advice, we are not obliged to follow it". What arrogance! What contempt for the electorate!

If and when our council condescends to respond to the concerns raised by the AC then the final report will make interesting reading - but don't hold your breath! One cannot but think that our council hopes that they can keep this under wraps until after the June County Council elections when the ubiquitous Geoff Morrison will be desperate to hang onto his seat: perhaps he would like to comment, before then, on the miserable performance of our town council.

Campaign to Keep the Heritage Centre Open- once its gone its gone for good

2009-03-06T20:52:00.004Z

Once its gone its gone for good.....

Councillor David Brookes - the democratically elected nemesis of culture and history in Uttoxeter is proposing to sell off the Heritage Centre to fill the financial void left by his own daft Tory plans and the alleged maladministration of his incumbent council (awaiting further news about this). This might get Brookes out of his self made hole, but it sacrifices two gems - (1) it destroys the rich heritage of the centre itself, which then goes to pay for retail outlets covering the whole of the ground floor of the 'public space' of (2) the Town Hall, which can then proudly boast its closed shops and to-let signs. You see- the only way they can afford to refurb the Town Hall - is by selling off the Heritage Centre.

How do we hold our councillors to account? Where is the online presence of the council, for scrutiny and debate? Just try searching for council minutes or even a full list of your councillors. Local democracy isn't a mystery - why do these people hide or has the internet not collided with their world yet? Come on people we can do better than this.
Here is the article from the Post & Times where our star councillor and Dairy Farmer talks about the Black Hole of Calcutta!!?
Does he know his history at all? His approach is - as you'll see insensitive, and just a little bit ignorant...Over to you Councillor..the rope is yours...

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/uttoxeter/news/Bring-life-town-hall-black-hole-Calcutta/article-734595-detail/article.html

Councillor David Brookes, chairman of the town hall committee, said: "Having the shops at the back of the building would have been the equivalent of the black hole of Calcutta.

"The current plans do not maximise the potential of the building and we are exploring an alternative scheme with retail entering on to the High Street. We need to bring life and footfall back to the town centre.

"It is a listed building but that shouldn't necessarily be a problem if the architect draws up sympathetic plans."

And town clerk Barry Holland revealed there had already been interest from independent retailers for the two proposed units.

Nigel Senior, economic development manager on Staffordshire County Council, added his support, saying: "The inclusion of further additional retail space at the front of the town hall building will help to give the project a greater high street presence, and therefore be a more attractive proposition to tenants."

The changes would involve extending the windows on the front of the building to create new doorways while retaining the arched entrance.

The first retail unit, on the right hand side as people approach the building from the High Street, will extend from the front to the back, covering 1,500sq ft with 500sq ft storage.

A second unit, on the left side, will have a floor space of 650sq ft.

The combined yearly rent for the two shops is expected to bring cash-strapped Uttoxeter Town Council around £65,000 – £35,000 more than if they remain at the rear of the building.

Plans to divide the main hall remain in place with the upstairs being available for hire and the ground floor housing a customer service centre and the relocated heritage centre.

A new tenant for the Carter Street premises, a restored 17th century timber framed building, will then be sought.

Mr Brookes said: "In this economic climate it is not feasible to keep the heritage centre where it is now. It would be best if we sold the building but that decision is one the whole council would make."

The town clerk has already met ESBC planning officer, Joanne Roebuck, to discuss the alterations. Before a revised application is submitted, the full council would have to vote on the updated plans.

But Mr Holland is confident it won't be too long before work gets under way.

He said: "I would expect builders to move in by late summer."

History of the town of Uttoxeter By Francis Redfern

2009-02-24T22:55:00.003Z

Francis Redfern's History of the town of Uttoxeter . The Full Text of this fantastic book is available online having been digitised by Google as part of its Google Books programme - I've reproduced the contents here, but see and search the full text here

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=O68HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=titlepage&dq=uttoxeter&lr=#PPP10,M1

CONTENTS.

Chapter I.

Introductory Remarks—Natural Scenery—Interesting Geologi-
cal Notice—Etymology of Uttoxeter.

Chapter II.

The Celtic, Romano-British, and Anglo-Saxon perie.1 ,

Chapter III.

Doomsday Survey of Uttoxeter—Its Feudal Tenure, &«.

Chapter IV.

Uttoxeter during the Civil War, and Rebellion—Dr. Samuel

Johnson's Penance—Peace of 1802—Royal Visits—BirtU

of W. J. Fox, Esq.—Peace Rejoicings.

Chapter V.

Lord Shrewsbury's Peerage—Trial for Alton Estates—Festiyi-

ties at Uttoxeter on Lord Shrewsbury taking possession

of Alton Towers.

Chapter VI.

History of Uttoxeter Church — Early period of a Church in

Uttoxeter—Instance of Martyrdom in Uttoxeter, &e.—

Altar-tombs—Church Inscriptions—Cemetery.

Chapter VII.

History of Dissent in Uttoxeter—Quakers—Catholics—Inde-

C dents—Wesleyan Methodists—Primitives—Plymouth
thern.

Chapter VIII.

Distinguished Persons :—Thomas Alleyn—Dr. Lightfoot—Sir
Syiuon Degge—Lord Gardner—Mary Howitt—Samuel
Bsntley—Captain Astle—Edward Rudyard, &c.

Chapter IX.

Extent of Uttoxeter—Its quaint appearance—Noted Buildings

of Antiquity—Court Leet—I' ires which have happened—

Population since 1662—Persons noted for their longevity.

Chapter X.

Ancient Families :—The Mynors—The Degges—Flayers—Nor-

mans—The Lightfoot Family—The Milwards.

Chapter XL

Ancient Customs—Sacred Wells—Omens and Superstitions—

Sports and Pastimes—Civil Usages.

Chapter XII.

Antiquity of Uttoxeter Markets—Curious particulars of butter

pots—Trial about tolls, &c.—Manufactures and trade—

Printers and Books—Tradesmen's tokens.

Chapter XIII.

Libraries—Mechanics' Institute—Town Hall.

Chapter XIV.

Public Schools—Alleyne's Grammar School—Alleyne's will,

&c.—National School—New Day School.

Chapter XV.

Uttoxeter Charities.

Chapter XVI.

Notices Of Places In The Neighbourhood Of

Uttoxeter.

Loxley—Stramshall—Leigh—Feelde—Chartley Castle--Abbotts

Bromley— Ely thfield—Woodford—Woodlands—March-

ington—Houndhill—Draycott—Newborough—Handbury

— Faulde — Tutbury — Sudbury — Poveridge — West

Broughton — Marston — Somersall — Eaton—Norbury—

Alton—Tean—Croxden—Checkley—Toot Hill and Beam-

hurst—Rocester—Uenston—Crakemarsh—Blount's Hall

Kingston—Needwood Forest.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

(The whole of the Illustrations are by Mr. Llewellyun Jewitt, I'.S. A.)

Plan Of Uttoxeter, From " Lightfoot's Survey."

Lord Gardner's House.

Birth-p'lace Op Maby Howitt.

Samuel Bentley's House.

Uttoxeter Church.

Uttoxeter Old Church, Now Taken Down.

Altar Tombs, Uttoxeter Church.

Remains Found At Sudbury.

Portrait Of Thomas Allen.

Norman Pitcher, With Arms Of Ferrars.

Seal Of Robert De Ferrars.

Ancient Butter-pots.

Traders' Token, William Cartwrigut.

, Eobekt Gilbert.

, William Lathrop.

, Jeffrey Power.

, William Wakelin.

The White Bear Inn.
Dr. Johnson And Captain Astlz.
Autograph Of Samuel Bentlky.
Celtic Cinerary Urn, Toot Hill.
Roman Urn, Toot Hill.

Vessel, High Wood .

Checkley, " Danish Monuments."
Checkley Font.
Kingston Old Church.
Roce8ter, Incised Slab.
Rocester " Frame Yard." , Spear Head.

TORljUE, FROM NEEDWOOD FOREST.
TISSINGTON—THE " HALL WELL."

TISS1NGTON— THE " TOWN WKLL."

ANCIENT HUNTING HORN.

1871-2008 JCB

2008-12-10T19:47:00.002Z

End of a production era for company

From The Express and Star
http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/12/09/end-of-a-production-era-for-company/

The curtain has fallen on almost 140 years of manufacturing history in Uttoxeter with the final machine made at JCB’s Heavy Products factory rolling off the production line.

The site on the edge of the town has been linked to manufacturing since 1871 when the agricultural machinery makers Bamfords Ltd opened for business.

Bamfords Ltd went into liquidation in 1980 and in 1989 JCB bought the site in Pinfold Street and began production of its famous machines.

Last week the last JCB machine to be made there – a 26 tonne JS260 tracked excavator – was produced. The manufacture of tracked and wheeled excavators is now being transferred to the new purpose-built £40 million JCB Heavy Products factory next to the A50 in Uttoxeter.

JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford said: “This is the end of an era because my family has been linked to this site since the 19th century when Bamfords Ltd started manufacturing agricultural machinery.

“But this is also the start of a new and exciting era not only for JCB’s excavator business but also for Uttoxeter because the relocation offers the opportunity to redevelop and enhance an important area of the town.”

Among those joining Sir Anthony and employees to mark the event were Colin Bond and his wife Delia , of Uttoxeter, who both worked for Bamfords Ltd.

Mrs Bond was an office clerk and Mr Bond a machinist. Both eventually left to work for JCB. Mrs Bond retired as company archivist three years ago but her husband still works for the company after 39 years.

Labour call to halt 'illegal' land deal - News - Burton Mail

2008-09-15T13:40:00.000+01:00

More revelations in the Burton Mail -

Tory candidate Andrew Grithis has laid in with what appears to be ungentlemanly comments about two councillors who have resigned the tory whip over the debacle

Labour call to halt 'illegal' land deal - News - Burton Mail

Meanwhile over in Burton...Council is criticised over wind farm cash - News - Uttoxeter Advertiser

2008-09-11T19:27:00.001+01:00

Council is criticised over wind farm cash - News - Uttoxeter Advertiser: "Council is criticised over wind farm cash
by KEITH BULL
COUNCIL bosses have defended using thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to employ outside consultants to evaluate a planning application for a wind farm in the ward represented by the authority's leader.

East Staffordshire Borough Council has already set aside £5,000 as a 'contingency' against plans to build a wind farm at Bagots Park, near Abbots Bromley."

LAND ROW ROCKS TORIES - News - Burton Mail

2008-09-11T19:07:00.000+01:00

From the Burton Mail today

Are the Tories on a collision greater than that taking place at the Large Hadron Collider

LAND ROW ROCKS TORIES - News - Burton Mail: "BURTON Town Hall's ruling Conservative group was today embroiled in a 'possibly illegal' land sale row.

News - Uttoxeter town hall Controversy erupted after a Government watchdog completed a probe into the sale of publicly owned land in Uttoxeter town centre.

The Audit Commission declared that an 'unofficial agreement' between Uttoxeter Town Council and developer Taylor Wimpey 'could be illegal'."

Town in Crisis - Fall Outs - Financial Mismangement or Reckless Bravado!iasco

2008-09-07T13:44:00.004+01:00

Just as the town faces mass unemployment with the two biggest employers JCB and Fox's threatening hundreds, possibly thousands of job losses, the Tories are playing a very strange game. They are falling out with each other in an increasingly messy spat over incompetence, recklessness and financial mismangement.Never a happy bunch, it's getting increasingly dirty. The Burton Mail yesterday reports that Kathy Graham - former Mayor and Town Ward Councillor has quit the ruling Tory group and will now represent as an independent. She has quit over the actions of Geoff Morrison, Howard Grigg, David Brookes and Malcolm Barrett. Councillor Graham says that this 'Gang of Four' had behaved 'disgracefully' "by failing to keep others informed of alternatives to a proposed £115,000 deal with a developer." The Gang have been accused of being less than open over the sale of the Town Hall.

The Town Hall is subject to an 'unofficial agreement' of sale to Taylor Wimpey.
But critiscisms have been levelled that the sale is grossly underpriced and that all is not what it seems with the sale.

Councillor Graham feels she has been bullied and cajoled to support the Taylor Wimpey deal. Her colleagues have resorted to less than gentlemanly comments.

As Ali Choudry writes in his blog the council appear to be either reckless or incompetent "This is a serious and systematic case of financial mismanagement." he writes

"A quarter of the town councillors - councillors Barrett, Geoff Morrison and David Brookes - are also borough councillors holding important portfolios, as they are part of the Tory controlling group. We are nervous, suspicious and uneasy that the Tories' shambolic and inept financial management at Uttoxeter Town Council might lead to a similar financial calamity at the borough council.

What is going on?

Saving our heritage requires action, not just words | Art & architecture | guardian.co.uk

2008-06-17T13:14:00.001+01:00

New Heritage at Risk Register launched next month - which buildings, features, landscapes would you list from Uttoxeter and the surrounding areas?

Saving our heritage requires action, not just words. The new Heritage at Risk register, to be launched next month by English Heritage, is one of the first visible signs of years of anguished government and private debate

Source: Saving our heritage requires action, not just words | Art & architecture | guardian.co.uk

A Downturn = record profits and job losses

2008-06-04T11:22:00.003+01:00

Downturn = A negative change in the economy, such as from expansion to recession or
Downturn = record profits and job losses

BREAKING NEWS: JCB WARNS OF SQUEEZE DESPITE RECORD RESULTS
www.thisisthesentinel.co.uk - Stoke-on-Trent,England,UK
... the impact of the credit crunch and soaring commodity prices when it announced up to 90 jobs would go at its plants in Cheadle, Uttoxeter and Rugeley. ...
See all stories on this topic

JCB announces record profits for 2007
Materials Handling World Magazine - Leeds,England,UK
... with the construction of the £40 million JCB Heavy Products factory in Uttoxeter; the new £7 million JCB Attachments factory in Uttoxeter, a £36 million ...

Pugin - God's Architect and his first church

2007-10-22T12:41:00.000+01:00

"IN THE SUMMER OF 1852 A 40-year-old man was in a secure room in Bethlem Hospital for the Insane; he recognised no one, not even his wife; his head had been shaved, and he had become what was described as “very dirty in his habits”. This was the man who, six months before, had designed the clock tower now known as Big Ben. His name was Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin."

In 1839 Pugin finished his first Church - St Marys- in Uttoxeter. Not a masterpiece and now very much altered, with the addition of aisles, a narthex and changes to the chancel in 1879. His stunning west rose window and the sedilia remain. It is not a patch on his 'gem'- St Giles in Cheadle - which he started just a year later.
By the time he was 21 Pugin had been widowed, bankrupted and shipwrecked. He had built 22 churches, 3 cathedrals, a monastery and half a dozen grand houses before the age of 30. Pugin wanted to create a fantastic medieval world of his imagination - in stark contrast to the industrial revolution which raged around him.
He died, aged 40, incarcerated in an asylum - a wild psychotic, driven mad by syphilis.

Clone Town Britain - a rebellion

2007-10-08T20:35:00.000+01:00

Clone-town Britain faces a rebellion on the high street

The Work Foundation think-tank have discovered a growing backlash against uniform housing estates and unimaginative architecture which are destroying the unique features of our towns. In , "Distinctiveness and Cities – Beyond 'Find and Replace' Economic Development" the think tank reports that people are beginning to realise that local identity matters.

Towns which have embraced their idiosyncrasies (and Uttoxeter has some) have realised economic advantages. The report states that towns must innovate themselves using their own distinctive qualities.

"Distinctiveness becomes a conscious, explicit strategy of redevelopment."

Councillors/planners/developers - pay heed

Uttoxeter MAYFEST

2007-04-11T14:57:00.000+01:00

Bank Holiday Monday - May 7th 2007

Celebrate at the Uttoxeter May Festival - meet the Green Man, see traditional maypole dancing, folk bands and a strett arts and crafts market, food stalls and more

For details ring 07999 807 067
or 01889 569867

Visit http://www.uttoxetermayfest.moonfruit.com/

Planning Disaster

2007-02-06T19:26:00.001Z

Barking Mad - planning disaster

2007-02-06T19:02:00.001Z

The Civic Trust has joined the RSPB, CPRE, Friends of the Earth,
Woodlands Trust, Ramblers Association, Wildlife Trust, Transport 2000
and the RTPI to form a coalition to campaign against the
recommendations of the Barker Review. A website http://www.planningdisaster.co.uk/

has been launched to allow the public to email their concern to Gordon Brown or their local MP.

January 2007 - The Barker Review of Land Use Planning was commissioned
by the Treasury as a review of the UK's planning system, primarily
focusing on the link between planning and economic growth. The Civic
Trust has greeted many of the recommendations with great concern, as
the majority of these focus on reforming the planning system for the
benefit of businesses and developers. This may have implications for
the protection of the built and natural environments and for local
communities. To read more about the Review and the Civic Trust's views,
please click here.

Barker Review of Land Use Planning: Final Report - Recommendations
- On
  5 December 2006 the Barker Review issued this final report. The
  Government is interested to hear your views. Comments should be sent no
  later than 5 March 2007.

UTTOXETER BEER FESTIVAL

2007-01-23T22:29:00.001Z

Date: 2nd June 2007

tickets@uttoxeterbeerfestival.org.uk

A lighter and brighter town -mixed pallet -greys,greens and mottled pink?

2007-01-03T22:48:00.000Z

From the Advertiser

EXACTLY a year ago plans for the new-look Uttoxeter High Street were unveiled.

Today, the work has almost finished, the town has been transformed and now scheme bosses have thanked Uttoxeter shoppers and traders for their support during a year of disruption.

The £1.6 million revamp has been in the pipeline for two years. In autumn last year, residents had the chance to vote on the colour and quality of the street materials to be used. The final decision was to use a mixed pallet of greys, greens, yellows and mottled pink

The colour scheme was aimed at creating a lighter and brighter look to the town and funded by Staffordshire County Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Uttoxeter Plus.

Materials used include granite flagstones and kerbs, seats and paving. The plans aimed to achieve a harmonious mix of the traditional and modern, anchored firmly through quality design and carefully crafted features.

Worth noting that when ESBC councillors come a knocking at your door don't let them take all the credit for this coalition of councils
Now wouldn't it be nice if they could work together more..............

New Uttoxeter Housing as seen from the air

2006-11-21T19:12:00.000Z

New Uttoxeter Housing as seen from the air - planners cleverly spell out to Burton just where the town actually is for the next Mayoral fly over

2006-11-12T16:09:00.000Z

Johnson's Penance for only visiting the Town once..

Recruitment for Tesco expansion

2006-10-28T14:11:00.001+01:00

Taylor Woodrow are advertising for a quantity surveyor for the new build on the Tesco store: complete with extra floors - TW has the contract for just about everything in town - new conservatory, garden sheds..

Senior Quantity Surveyor
Involved in the major expansion of Tesco stores (including the creation of
additional floors), you will enjoy involvement in a new project
approximately every nine months. If you prefer, the vast majority of
these projects can be close to home, giving you an excellent work/life
balance as well as considerable responsibility and challenge.
£32-47,500 + Car Allowance (Where will they park?)

Cattle market - Why are we waiting?

2006-10-11T13:12:00.000+01:00

Still no start by Taylor Woodrow on Uttoxeter's supposed £20 million-plus town centre redevelopment schemes
No explanation from Taylor Woodrow -no explanation from any of the local councillors
Taylor Woodrow were named as the company to regenerate the town in 2004, building due to start October 2005..... As taxpayers we are investing a considerable amount who is accountable who will explain?