What can you do to help Ukranians affected by the Russian invasion?
There are a number of practical steps you can take to provide support, as
LIKE millions of people around the world, you have probably been watching the events unfolding in Ukraine with growing concern.
Russia’s invasion of its neighbour last week has sparked the biggest conflict Europe has seen since the Second World War, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing their country.
While the UK, the EU and the United States have imposed crippling sanctions on Russia, while providing Ukraine with arms and aid, ordinary people can feel helpless in the face of such major global events.
But there are a number of practical things North Staffordshire residents can do to help those in need.
DONATE
There are a number of reputable charities and organisations which are appealing for donations to fund aid efforts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries:
UN REFUGEE AGENCY
The UNHCR is working to ensure that Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes are sheltered and safe.
■ https://donate.unrefugees.org. uk/ukraine-emergency/~mydonation
RED CROSS
The Red Cross says that donations will help pay for things such as food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter for those affected by the war. https://donate.redcross.org.uk/ appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal
WITH UKRAINE
The Embassy of Ukraine in the UK has set up a special fund to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine’s civilian population. https://withukraine.org/
UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/ donate-now-to-protect-children-inukraine
DEMONSTRATIONS OF SUPPORT
The Ukrainian Institute London has suggested a number of ways in which ordinary people can show their support.
These include writing to your MP ‘urging them to support Ukraine and push for more sanctions.’ The institute has drafted a template email for this purpose: https://docs. google.com/document/d/10tbvcv M5EWGHVRWNDKJZBCXDNOVEPPX k8p8b6i4b2dc/edit
The institute also suggests joining a local demonstration, or organising one yourself if none are happening in your area.
KEEP INFORMED
The Ukrainian Institute recommends The Kyiv Independent and The New Voice of Ukraine as reliable English-language sources of information in Ukraine.
During times of war it is more important that people check that they are not spreading false information, as has already happened in Ukraine on several occasions. Make sure that anything you share on social media has come from a reputable source.
Full Fact has issued advice on how to check whether videos from Ukraine are what they seem to be: https://fullfact.org/blog/2022/feb/ how-to-fact-check-ukraine-videos/
THE Historical Society met on February 24 2022, in the Memorial Hall extension for a talk given by Kath Walton on the subject of Leek Changes.
Mrs Walton began her slide show and talk with probably the most contentious change in Leek in recent times – the removal of the roundabout.
This of course is now the traffic lights and communal area. Has this been a change for the better?
Most members of the society certainly didn’t think so.
The very centre of the town is probably the market place. Leek was granted a market charter in 1208 and the sale of goods has been a weekly occurrence since then.
Mrs Walton showed the group a slide of the market in 1885. This had buildings that we still recognise today, such as the Foxlowe and the Red Lion. In fact the scene remains thankfully much the same today. One change however was the removal of buildings at the top which allowed the road to be widened in the 1960s.
West’s shop was a casualty which subsequently became Bradley’s outfitters.
The usage of the market places buildings has changed even if the structures haven’t.
The Fowlowe was a grand house owned by the Cruso family, which had extensive gardens at the back that stretched down into Brough Park.
This then changed into a hospital for the war wounded during the First World War; afterwards it became The Leek Trades and Labour Club. Today we know it as the arts centre.
At the opposite end of the market place another iconic building is now used by the Yorkshire Trading shop. This however was originally the Black’s Head pub and most people in the town will recall that it was Woolworth’s for decades.
This structure was built by William Sugden (a famous Leek architect) and the lovely facade can still be glimpsed above the shop.
Maybe the biggest change in Leek was the removal of the buildings in Church Street.
As I previously mentioned, this was done in the 1960s to widen the road due to many large lorries getting stuck.
Four public houses were knocked down and a blacksmiths workshop. Today a car park sits in their place.
Our speaker produced a photograph of the former buildings and in the distance there was further change as Goodwin and Tatton’s mill has disappeared.
This was replaced by the 1960s Tax Office which is now the Co-op.
The main shopping street in the town has also seen many changes over time. Derby Street sports a vast amount of shops banks and cafes. It’s vista has remained recognisable however there have also been alterations during its history.
The Dog and Partridge Inn no longer survives. This is now a card shop and the grand residence of William Sugden has disappeared from view at ground level, but still remains visible if you look up above the facade at Boots the chemists.
Gaunt House, further down the street, has been divided into three shops (Delia Metcalf’s being one of them).
Goldstraw’s the jeweller was a fixture for years but this used to be The Maypole Grocers. On the opposite side of the street was Hartley’s Fruit shop and Granada TV rental shop.
These have been changed, revealing the old Home and Colonial shop front and a charity shop next door.
Of course one lovely Georgian building that still remains intact is the former Challinor and Shaw’s solicitors office which is now Tinsdill’s Solicitors. This dates from the 1760s and it still has a quintessential door and fan light along with the stately proportions of the period.
The bottom end of Derby Street has seen both good and bad changes. Getliffe’s Yard has been transformed from a once run down unsavoury area to a lovely covered shopping arcade.
The original yard contained lodging houses and three brothels.
Many itinerant travellers stayed in the yard and one of the doss houses had a rope you could sleep hanging over if you had a pittance.
The current Leek United offices were rebuilt from what used to be a Co-op shop and subsequently the Duke of York public house.
Then to carry on the theme, the handsome public baths were demolished to be replaced by the Britannia Building Society (now the Co-op Bank).
The creation of High Street was also a huge change as the Globe Public house was completely cleared to put the road in.
Field House became ‘The Nash’ (the National Reserve Club) after being originally a large family home for the Field family and the cinema is now a car park and flats.
Fortunately, one of Leek’s most picturesque streets still survives without too much change. St Edward Street still retains its grand houses, Samuel Lucas lived at what is now the Leek Dental Practice, the Wardles silk makers resided at the current Bowcock and Pursaills solicitors building after moving up the street.
The great William Morris stayed with the Wardles family to learn the art of silk dying.
The change of St Edward Street’s name is probably the most surprising alteration as it was formally Spout Street.
Mrs Walton added many further changes in the town from the demolition of housing stock all the way down Mill Street to the replacement of the cattle market in Haywood Street with the Smithfield Centre.
This also included the loss of a number of fine houses from Ball Haye Hall to Highfield Hall.
The next meeting of the Historical Society will be on March 31 for a talk by Danny Wells on the subject of Joseph Paxton.
Entrance is £3 for members and £3.50 for non-members on the door.
MEMBERS of Cheddleton WI were welcomed to the Annual Meeting by president Mal, who began by picking up a sunflower – the national flower of Ukraine, and expressing sympathy and solidarity, particularly to the women and children in these difficult times. Members were glad to join her in this.
The new programme, starting in May, is in preparation, and members were urged to speak up about any activities they wished to see included.
Mary drew attention to our notice board, which included a woven hanging showing a bunch of violets – a suffragette motif – to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. Notices included details of County events: Walking Netball, Crochet, a Science Day, Homes and Gardens Day, a Dabble Day, and the County Show.
Members were invited to read more details on the laptop, and sign the list to have details emails to them.
There were also details of the Leek Show, and an invitation to join Rudyard WI at their forthcoming celebrations.
The Annual Meeting was fairly short, as members voted to re-elect the present committee en bloc, and the reports only covered September to February.
Mal was thanked for keeping everyone in touch during the lockdown with her monthly cards and notes.
Secretary Mary reminded members we had enjoyed a social evening, made fabric Christmas trees, had a birthday party, a Christmas dinner, a talk on embroidery and guitar entertainment.
The venue had also been changed to St. Andrew’s.
She thanked everyone for their enthusiasm and contributions of all kinds, and looked forward to a happy and fun filled year.
Treasurer Doreen presented the Financial Report, showing a satisfactory balance.
A pie and pea supper followed, provided by Carol, followed by trifle and lemon drizzle cake from Mal, and tea or coffee.
All very delicious, and much appreciated by everyone!
The bring and buy stall and a raffle with lots of prizes, chat and laughter completed an enjoyable evening.