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Work of art
from odds and ends A North Staffordshire gardener has made a special effort in an attempt to help his community win a prestigious gardening competition.John Kinsey, of Miles Green, near Newcastle, has turned old gates and pieces of wood into a striking garden feature for his neighbourhood in a bid for Britain in Bloom glory.Mr Kinsey, who is unemployed, has created a work of floral art down the road from his own garden so that his neighbours can also enjoy the fruits of his labours.And members of the Miles Green 2000 committee have helped him complete his work. 26/07/00 |
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Prettiest
village takes new blooms challenge Audley's hanging baskets and flower tubs have won the Britain in Bloom Heart of England competition every year since the Friends of Audley first entered in 1997.And last year they topped their green achievements by beating off rival Canadian village Elora and winning the World in Bloom prize.Secretary of Friends of Audley, Eric Browning, said: ``We can't really do any better than winning the World in Bloom competition, but we certainly hope to be successful again.''Having won the World in Bloom competition, the village is now barred from entering again until 2003. 03/07/00 |
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Gangs turn
village into a æno-goÆ zone Gangs of drunken youngsters - some as young as 10 - have turned parts of a village into a no-go area for the elderly on Friday nights.In the latest incident, a 50-strong gang brought traffic to a standstill as they congregated outside the Butcher's Arms in Audley's main street.Members of Friends of Audley are now launching a petition to ban drinking on the streets of the village.Butcher's Arms licensee, Karl Harrison, was pushed and threatened as he tried to move the gang on last Friday night. 24/07/00 |
| 15 |
Beauty comes
before winning Weeds and litter have been banished from a village as volunteers prepare for a double round of judging in the Britain in Bloom contest.In Scot Hay the committee raised almost £1,000 from the local community towards plants and equipment.In Bloom chairman Paul Malpas said: ``They helped clear land near the cricket club where we have created a wild flower meadow and have helped keep the streets clean.``On the environmental side we have planted the wild seeds donated by Newcastle Borough Council to help some of our native plants re-establish themselves. 13/07/00 |
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The flower of
young artistic talent More than 800 schoolchildren from Newcastle took part in a painting competition called My Town in Bloom. The children, aged between four and 16, had to draw their impressions of how Newcastle would best look when it takes part in the Britain in Bloom competition.The art competition judges - Jane Lancaster, former headteacher of St John's Primary School, Keele, and Sue Lewis from Newcastle's HSBC Bank - selected 76 of the best.But the winning painting was by 13-year-old Heidi Rhodes, who attends Sir Thomas Boughey High School in Halmerend. 20/04/00 |
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Green army
puts in 80 new trees Hilda Sheldon is set to receive an MBE from the Queen this summer for nine years of preening the town's gardens and streets.Since Hilda planted the first daffodil bulbs, the town's success has grown and grown reaching a peak last year when Biddulph came second in the regional Britain in Bloom competition.Hilda's green-fingered team have already sprung into action in preparation for summer and have started decorating the town with flowers and trees.If anyone would like to help Hilda Sheldon's Biddulph in Bloom team, they should call into Brammer's Shoe Shop in Station Road. 18/04/00 |
| 27 |
No
Title Sir,- We are all appreciative of the interest the Government is showing towards the Health Service, in particular the emphasis on reducing waiting lists. The politicians should ensure the hospitals have the staff and facilities before making promises to patients and instructing the hospitals to reduce the waiting times. It is true Government funding is coming into the health service, but the funds for extra staff take time to filter down to shopfloor level. Sir, - I address this letter to the human being who destroyed the swan family at the Ford Green Nature Reserve. 29/07/00 |
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Ban street
drinking - villagers A parish council is to launch a fresh bid to ban alcohol on village streets as part of a campaign to combat gangs of drunken youngsters.Audley Parish Council shel-ved plans to press ahead with the restriction earlier this year after advice from police.Members of the Friends of Audley are now launching a petition to ban drinking on village streets.Doris Williams, vice chairman of Audley Parish Council, says the introduction of new byelaws banning the consumption of alcohol will be on the agenda at the next meeting in August. 25/07/00 |
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Vandals strike
on judging day Vandals went on the rampage in a village only hours before Britain in Bloom judges were due to arrive today.And they also daubed a memorial stone - which was the focal point of the village bid for glory in the competition - with paint.It was discovered by members of the village association today shortly before judges were set to tour the village at 10am.But it was too late to tackle the blue and red paint which had been used on the memorial stone, which relates to Sir Thomas Boughey High School in the village. 24/07/00 |