Rotary Biddulph is grateful for the on-going support of the Biddulph Methodist Church and the Victoria Centre.

Over the last few years, the Victoria Centre has opened its doors to the Rotary Club to enable it to hold their annual ‘Youth Speaks’ event at the Centre, when children from Biddulph schools take part in a public speaking competition as part of a National Rotary Youth Speaks Competition.

The Victoria Centre also hosted, for the first time this year, the annual Rotary Acorn Award ceremony. This event recognises the achievements of the youth of Biddulph in accepting nominations for those who are deemed to be deserving of public recognition for their individual, or team, achievements during the previous year. This prestigious award ceremony is held annually in May each year and following the success of this year’s ceremony, will again be held at the Victoria Centre in 2016.

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James Bateman school is now a collection point for ‘Foodbank’ in Biddulph.

Biddulph Churches Together, with other partners, coordinate the Food distribution points at  English Martyr’s RC Church in Church Road, Biddulph and at St John’s Church, Knypersley.

Details and opening times can be found at stokeontrent.foodbank.org.uk

Two new schemes starting this month are offering grants from £2,500 upwards to help small businesses, farmers and community groups in parts of Staffordshire Moorlands to develop and grow.

The Staffordshire LEADER Rural Grants Scheme, which has a total budget of £2.24 million, is managed by Staffordshire County Council and covers the rural south of the Moorlands.

A total of £1.7 million is available from the Peak LEADER Rural Grants Scheme, managed by Derbyshire County Council, which covers northern and western part of the Moorlands including all of Leek town centre, Froghall, Kingsley, Biddulph Moor, Oakamoor, Cotton and all sites within the National Park boundary.

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A team of 17 officers, from Staffordshire Police, has celebrated the successful completion of a 530 mile charity bicycle ride, from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower, by announcing that they have smashed their fundraising target.

Riders from the ‘Tower to Tower 500’ team (TT500) told guests at their ‘Wrap Party’, held at the Victoria On The Square public house, in Hanley, on Wednesday 7th October 2015, that they had raised an incredible £30,688 from their 6-day challenge. And now the cash will be used to fund places on Caudwell Children’s annual ‘Destination Dreams’ holiday. The fully supported family trip to Disney World, in Florida, is arranged to give 25 children with life threatening illnesses a ‘Dream’ holiday. [Read more…]

A blueprint for Biddulph’s new £1.175 million joint fire, ambulance and community facility was showcased in the village on November 4.

Residents were invited to attend one of two drop-in sessions at the community fire station on Princess Street. The events were an opportunity for the community to have an informal chat to members of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service who are based in locally. An on-duty paramedic also called in throughout the day and the project team were available to answer visitors’ questions about the development. Community feedback will be used to help decide which services will operate from the new facility in the future. [Read more…]

Biddulph in Bloom were awarded A Silver Gilt in the National in Bloom competition.

We were proud of this Award as we had very prestigious towns and even Durham City in our Large Town Category! The judges were impressed with our community participation praising the many groups who had lovely projects including Ox Hey School, The Greenway Moor WI Ladies Garden, and the Lady Gardeners at Moorlands Court. Brown Lees Community Association and Biddulph Moor Community Association and others were also praised. Biddulph in Bloom is quite unique in that our entry is entirely under taken by volunteers. Helen and Alan Robert also recieved an Award for their long standing voluntary work with Biddulph in Bloom. We wish to thank all the volunteers and our sponsors and the many members of the Community who support our aims and aspirations.

The tireless work of the amazing Biddulph in Bloom team has again been rewarded as Biddulph were named winners of the best large town category in the Heart of England region of Britain in Bloom and were again presented with a Gold Award.

The Biddulph in Bloom team, led by the indefatigable councillor Hilda Sheldon MBE, also won the Chairman’s Memorial Trophy for the best floral display. The judges commented on the outstanding displays in Biddulph saying: “The difference that Hilda and her group of dedicated volunteers make to Biddulph becomes apparent as soon as you enter the town. Traffic islands, well maintained and planted, surrounded by colourful barriers and baskets would leave many local authority displays in the shade.” [Read more…]

Biddulph residents are being encouraged to get involved in the development of the town’s Neighbourhood Plan. The Neighbourhood Plan gives residents and local groups their say on what is needed and is suitable for them in their area. There is support available to help put them together and a series of workshops have been arranged for people wanting to get involved. Sessions for Biddulph North, Gillow Heath and Knypersley will take place throughout October. A combined meeting for the Gillow Heath and Biddulph North areas will be at 7pm on Tuesday, 27th October, at St Lawrence’s Church. More information is available by calling 01782 297845 or emailing biddulph@ staffordshire.gov.uk

Plans for new allotments in Springfield Road have been met with a mixed response. Biddulph Town Council Allotments Committee have submitted an application for 31 new allotments with access path and landscaping on vacant land in Springfield Road to satisfy a pressing need for gardening space. The Town Council currrent has two allotments sites – one in Moorland Road and one off Park Lane – which are in great demand and are currently full with long waiting lists. But the plans have been met with a mixed response. [Read more…]