STAFFORDSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

2019 is a very significant year for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Not only has the new-look Wolseley Centre HQ and brand new Kingfisher Café, near Rugeley, been officially opened by the

Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Mr Ian Dudson but the Trust also celebrates its 50th year of protecting and enhancing the wildlife and wild places of Staffordshire.

Keeping in step with the landmark celebrations the

Leek local Group of S.W.T. has organised a new season of indoor, winter talks covering a wide range of topics by outstanding speakers including such names as Keith Offord, Nick Martin and Michael Leach.

The talks will provide something of interest to all – Re-wilding the Peak District; Magical Merlins; The Western Isles; The River; Poles Apart; Bardsey, the Island in the Tides, above.

Two talks with a real difference include a talk in December jointly presented by Roaches Warden, Jon Rowe and Historian Alan Weeks of Swythamley Historical Society entitled “Gun Moor – Past, Present and Future” which it is hoped will appeal to a wide range of audience.

In February 2020 there will be a talk entitled “From Little Acorns” by Michael Taylor who has been filmed by the BBC programme ‘Inside Out’ extracting wood from woodlands using horse loggers and making various items using traditional methods.

He describes wildlife encounters, the use of volunteer workforce and sourcing locally produced sustainable products.

The Leek Group are delighted to be joint beneficiaries of the proceeds from a charity concert by the Phoenix Singers, Leek to be held on Saturday September 21, 2019 at All Saints Church, Leek at 7.30pm.

This concert “Songs for All Seasons” will be the perfect introduction to the joys of choral music.

The concert includes arrangements of Shakespeare songs, traditional songs from England, Wales and Ireland and songs from Arnold Bennett shows which will take the audience on a trip around the country and the seasons.

Bringing popular tunes to the audience as they sing Finlandia by Sibelius and Mad Dogs and Englishmen by Noel Coward as well as old favourites “Danny Boy” and “Sumer is acumen in” the choir will ensure a great evening of music for all.

Tickets (£10 & £2 for U18s) are available from Picture Book, Leek Post Office and choir members.

Tickets will also be available at the group’s first meeting on Tuesday September 10 when 16-year-old Westwood College student Harvey Tweats presents his talk on the Peak District. Harvey was joint winner of the best debater at the Trusts Youth Environmental Summit in May.

All are welcome to attend our events, you do not need to be a member.

For further details of our events contact Tel: 01538 300264 or visit our website at leekonline.co.uk