I shall attach each published news story with a link to the site as well as a pasted version of the news story below. All are in order of most recent first...
I hope you enjoy my stories...
Story Nine: Adult Pantomine Sinderz
Adult panto “Sinderz” rocks Staffordshire University
2 APRIL 2011 1,012 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: Staffordshire University’s drama society has been on a long road to put on their unique adult pantomime “Sinderz”.
Much like every theatre performance, the journey to reach opening night was a long one full of complications.
The performance was nearly cancelled until Justine Wilkinson stepped in as director.
Justine also had to take on the role of the show’s choreographer.
And to make matters worse the lead character left just six days before the performance, causing Justine to take the lead!
“It was very stressful, I have never dreamt of a panto before in my life. I was asleep and I choreographed a little bit while asleep”, Justine said.
“About two days ago there were three good things and about 1,000 bad but I am very proud of everyone there.
“Michael, especially, as there were times I wanted to throw in the towel and quit but they made me stay.”
The drama society collective
The alternative pantomime, based on the classic tale Cinderella, was a big hit with original script written by Scott Bagnall.
Scott, a first year technical student, has written two adult pantomimes in the past, “Aladdin and His Magic C**k” and “Boobs in the Woods”.
He said: “I wrote it from scratch with my dirty imagination as people have said to me.
“I think they have done a tremendous job but without Justine it wouldn’t have been possible. I also write normal pantos, I don’t just do the sick x-rated stuff!”
Michael Redford played cheeky Buttons and was always there to provide a laugh.
He said: “I loved the cheeky chappy character – I went from having sex as a 19-year-old lad to having a barny at two young sisters and my p***s swelling up.
“It was certainly a fun character to play.
“At the interval, I have family here and I still act as the character and not their son, from what they’ve seen tonight, they probably shouldn’t have been here at all!”
The show hits the Stafford Campus on Sunday April 3 at 3pm.
Story Eight: Staffordshire hoard website re-launch
Staffordshire Hoard website re-launched
1 APRIL 2011 904 VIEWS NO COMMENT
The Staffordshire Hoard
By Victoria Walker: The website highlighting the Staffordshire Hoard has had a redesign to help raise the profile of the region.
The site, which includes photographs, video footage and in depth information about the Hoard, is designed to be historic and educational.
The relaunch is in honour of the one-year anniversary of the treasure being saved thanks to the nation raising a spectacular £3.3 million.
Cllr Hazel Lyth, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Interest in the Staffordshire Hoard has been phenomenal since the day it was found, with people from across the globe following this unparalleled treasure.
“This site is now worthy of such a splendid treasure and one that will be an invaluable resource for scholars, professionals, the media and interested people.”
The Hoard’s star items include a helmet cheek piece shown in glorious detail, including information about dimensions, material and what they might have been used for so people can understand the fine detail about individual items.
Lichfield District Council worked on the new site with Stoke City Council and Birmingham City Council, who own the hoard.
Over the next few months photographs will be added to show more of the Anglo-Saxon artefacts found in a field near Lichfield.
The hoard is also set to go on a summer tour this year.
For more details and to visit then new-look site go to www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk
For more details and to visit then new-look site go to www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk
Story Seven: Staffordshire Journalism student runs
for election
for election
Staffordshire Journalism student stands for election
28 MARCH 2011 1,555 VIEWS 5 COMMENTS
By Victoria Walker: A Staffordshire University student has been nominated as a Labour candidate for East Staffordshire Borough Council.
Andrew Bettridge, 20, from Burton-on-Trent, is standing for the ward of Tutbury and Outwoods in East Staffordshire which is seen as a ‘safe’ Conservative area.
“I will give the election my best even if my chances are slim,” said Andrew, who studies Journalism at the College Road campus in Stoke-on-Trent.
“I am candidate for the Labour Party but I am also a candidate for the people of Tutbury and Outwoods and they are the most important people in this election.
“I’m very proud to be nominated, I’ve only been a member for a year and I’m humbled that the party has asked me.
“The fact that it’s a “safe” Tory area where I’m standing makes me even more determined to win.
“I know I’m young, but I hope the voters see me as someone who wants to fight for their community and make a difference in people’s lives. I want this to make me stand out.”
Ruth Smeeth, last year’s candidate for Burton, said: “I am delighted Andrew has decided to become our candidate in the local election.
“He is an excellent candidate who will take the fight against the Tory led cuts directly into his community and I look forward to seeing him as an elected member in May.”
Story Six: International Women's day feature
Staffordshire celebrates 100 years of International Women’s Day
8 MARCH 2011 1,105 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: Women from Staffordshire and around the world are celebrating the 100th year of International Women’s Day.
The day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women past, present and future.
The tradition, which began 100 years ago, has been celebrated on March 8 since 1913 in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany and has continued to spread worldwide.
From 1911 the achievements and developments that women have made to society and equality are staggering, and all over the world they are celebrated.
Each year people get together and honour the women who made change happen and think how to solve the inequalities that still exist.
The theme for this year is equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.
To celebrate, Ruth Lloyd-Williams is hosting a ladies only charity luncheon at The Moat House Hotel, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent with all money raised going towards the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice.
The meal costs £28 each and a drinks reception, 2-course lunch, goody bags and a complimentary copy of the “100 years-100 Women” book.
Two guest speakers will be at the luncheon, Karen McQuade – Founder and Director of UK Foodhalls, the largest provider of quality, British-produced school meals in the UK and Mandy Mitten – Managing Director of Mitten Clarke Limited, Winner of the national Accountancy Age Awards in November 2010.
The “100 years -100 women” book consists of inspirational stories of women from around the world, from all walks of life.
The stories had to be summed up in no more than 300 words and it could be about anyone from a celebrity to your own mum.
In 2011, there are so many more doors open to women but they are still battling for fair treatment.
Burton and Uttoxeter Labour Party will celebrate the historic day, but they hope to highlight the brutal cuts being made to women all over the UK by the coalition government.
Former Labour parliamentary candidate for Burton, Ruth Smeeth said: “When you analyse the savage cuts, it is women, ethnic minorities and the most vulnerable in our society that our being aggressively targeted.
“It is important we mark this day, but it is imperative that we expose the Tory led government for the reckless and ideological cuts they are making which will have a devastating effect on our communities. The Labour Party is standing up against these appalling reforms.”
Labour Candidate for Stretton Ward, Shelagh McKiernan said: “Women will face the brunt of public sector cuts with two thirds of the job losses expected to fall on them. We cannot allow this to happen.”
Women are expected to account for two thirds of the 500,000 casualties that will come from public sector job cuts.
They also fall short when it comes to the long arm of the law. Eleven per cent of the 20,000 offenders of the Staffordshire and West Midlands (SWM) Probation Trust are women. Working with both women and men, the SWM faces problems due to the statistics from the coalition government. Women offenders have been convicted of more minor crimes compared to men.
Women who receive short-term jail sentences find it hard on their family life.
Joy Doal, of the Anawim Women’s Centre in Birmingham, says: “There are 18,000 children whose mothers are in prison. Only five per cent of those children stay in their own home while their mothers are in jail.”
SWM does everything it can to ensure that women offenders stay out of prison.
Staff at Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Probation have designed a women’s compliance workbook and provides cognitive behavioural techniques to help them make better choices in their lives.
Staffordshire Probation Sevice Officer Katy Daughton says the workbook is very effective: “I completed the Women’s Compliance Workbook with a female offender, who gave very positive feedback.
“The offender said she’d learnt about prioritising her probation appointments and is even turning up early for appointments. She said setting short- and long-term goals provided her with a focus in her life.”
“The offender said she’d learnt about prioritising her probation appointments and is even turning up early for appointments. She said setting short- and long-term goals provided her with a focus in her life.”
Story Five: Thorntons Mechanical
Robot chocolatier
Robot chocolatier
Thorntons in Hanley unveils robot chocolatier
22 FEBRUARY 2011 1,164 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: Thorntons celebrated their 100th birthday in Hanley when they unveiled a fund-raising robotic chocolatier!
Chocolate in a box
Bemused shoppers had the chance to bring him to life by donating money and receiving a chocolaty treat for their generosity.
Every penny raised will go towards the NSPCC.
The ‘robot’ was only in Hanley for a day before continuing on its 25-stop tour of the UK.
Neil Weaver, manager of the Hanley store, said: “We want to raise £100,000 as it’s a nice figure to tie into our centenary anniversary.
“Our mechanical chocolatier is in a box and will stand completely still until a passing chocoholic puts some coins into the money box.
“The chocolatier will then release a chocolate and proceed to entertain passers-by, mixing ingredients with chocolaty facts.”
One passerby was so impressed she donated £5 towards the cause.
Julie, 35, said: “The NSPCC need the money – I think it’s ace, so robotic. We don’t mind because we get plenty of money anyway.”
Tina Hayes, fundraising manager for the NSPCC in Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted Thorntons has chosen to donate the money raised from their live chocolatier statue to the NSPCC.
“I can’t think of a better excuse to enjoy indulging in chocolate!
“The money raised will go towards helping the most vulnerable children in the UK and we are so grateful to Thorntons for their continuing fundraising efforts.”
Story Four: Disabled golf lessons
Disabled golf sessions held at Stafford school
20 FEBRUARY 2011 972 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: A Stafford school is staging a three-day disabled golfing session for youngsters.
The scheme, run by Stafford Borough Council and Sir Graham Balfour High School, caters for children between eight and 16 who have impairments, learning difficulties or are wheelchair users.
Cath Fenn, sports development officer for Stafford Borough Council, said: “They’re getting one to one specialist golf coaching from a qualified instructor, it went really well yesterday and the kids really enjoyed it. Hopefully, they got a lot out of it.
“We try to do as much as we can to provide widened access to sporting opportunities to give disabled participants the chance to try things they don’t normally and also we’re doing it one to one. They can get a more focused, specialist coaching that might meet their needs a bit more than group sessions.”
Sessions cover basics of the game and offer one to one sessions covering fun drills and games provided by qualified coaches.
It runs February 21 to 23 between 10am and 1pm each day .
For more information contact the Sports Development Team, 01785 619565.
For more information contact the Sports Development Team, 01785 619565.
Story Three: Driving delays in Stoke-on-Trent
Drivers face delays on major Stoke-on-Trent routes
8 FEBRUARY 2011 1,025 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: Motorists in Stoke-on-Trent are being warned of roadworks likely to cause major delays on four city routes.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council will begin road maintenance to improve safety over the next two weeks.
Resurfacing works will take place from tomorrow (February 9) for five weekday evenings from 6.30pm.
High Lane will be closed between Hamil Road and Smallthorne roundabout. Traffic flow will remain normal during the day.
Oxford Road between Fegg Hayes Road and Biddulph Road will be closed on Sunday (February 13) while maintenance is taking place.
From February 14, Bucknall New Road between Keelings Road and The Potteries Way will be closed for six weekdays after 6.30pm while works take place. Outside of these hours traffic flow should be normal.
Trentham Road between Belgrave Road and the A50 will be closed for two evenings after 6.30pm on Monday, February 21. The roads will be closed during work hours.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “Road works happen all the time and that’s taken into account by all emergency services and we respond as we see fit.”
Cllr Brian Ward, cabinet member for housing, planning and transportation, said: “These works are part of our planned programme of maintenance to ensure our roads are safe for motorists and that traffic can flow.
“Where possible we have ensured work will take place outside of rush hours and on Sundays. We ask that motorists have patience while the works take place, and allow more time for their journeys of look for alternative routes.”
For further information about road maintenance call 01782 232169.
For further information about road maintenance call 01782 232169.
Story Two: Cannock son killed in
car smash:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2011/02/01/parents-tribute-to-cannock-son-killed-in-a449-smash/
car smash:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2011/02/01/parents-tribute-to-cannock-son-killed-in-a449-smash/
Parents’ tribute to Cannock son killed in A449 smash
1 FEBRUARY 2011 1,740 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: The parents of a Staffordshire crash victim today paid tribute to their beloved son.
Paul Woodcroft, enjoying life at 30.
Paul Woodcroft died when his vehicle smashed into a tree on the A449 at Coven, near Cannock.
Denise and Derek Woodcroft, parents of the 30-year-old, struggled to find the words to express their loss.
They said: “To put into words how we feel is very difficult.”We are stunned by what has happened and struggling to accept that Paul is gone.
“His death has hit all of us hard, Paul will be greatly missed by all that knew him.”
The accident happened not long after Paul’s 30th birthday.
He was a software consultant and lived on Norton East Road, Cannock. He enjoyed anything to do with computers.
His parents added: “Paul could be adventurous and had recently taken part in sky diving and bungee jumping.
“He has always been very healthy, never having been sick or had to go to the doctor.”
Also involved in the collision was a 22-year-old man who was taken to hospital with minor injuries and concussion.
The incident took place on the A449, on the Stafford road, on the southbound carriageway, 200 yards south of the Double Islands, Brewood.
The car involved was a silver grey Honda s2000.
Police closed the road for three hours while they carried out their investigations.
Police are appealing for witnesses and urge anyone who saw what happened to contact them. The incident happened at about 10:55pm on Saturday January, 29. Call on 0300 123 4455 and quote reference 937.
Story One: Circus of Horrors:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2011/02/01/circus-of-horrors-revisits-stoke-on-trent/
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2011/02/01/circus-of-horrors-revisits-stoke-on-trent/
Circus of Horrors revisits Stoke-on-Trent
1 FEBRUARY 2011 1,401 VIEWS NO COMMENT
By Victoria Walker: The Circus of Horrors inflicted fear and anticipation when they brought their new show to Stoke-on-Trent.
Circus of Horrors cast
The alternative rock and roll circus brought their latest installment ‘The four Chapters of Hell’ for their 15-year anniversary show. Debuting in 1995 at Glastonbury, the circus began a reign that is still going strong.
Dr John Haze, the undead ringmaster for Circus of Horrors, summed up the show which is wowing audiences at the Victoria Hall in Hanley.
He said: “We try and encompass bizarre, beautiful acts, set to rock music and done with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek.”
The show tells the story of his four previous incarnations, with the final section acting as a dedication to their late artistic director Pierrot Bidon.
Dr Haze said: “He was an inspiration to all of us with Circus Archaos.”
The show includes the art of sword swallowing, some “tasteful nudity”, a bow-and-arrow-firing contortionist and death defying stunts mixed with beautiful acts that compare to that of Cirque du Soleil.
Claire Foster, a student at Staffordshire University, went to the 2008 showing of The Asylum.
She said: “I saw them at Oakengates Theatre, Telford. I thought it was excellent and appealed to the darker aspects of peoples’ natures. It’s still popular because tastes are becoming much more varied.”
Fellow student Kayleigh Tresson, who saw the show in 2009, added: “I thought the story was pretty naff but the acts were amazing.”
Adam Dyer, a local shop assistant, saw the new show. He said: “It’s nice to see something different, the stunts were incredible. The acoustics were terrible though, the lyrics were drowned out by the bass at times.”
Ticket sales have increased 12% against last year, with 1,350 people at their London Indigo2 gig.
The circus has already got plans for its new show The Ventriloquist.
Dr Haze said: “It’s about an evil ventriloquist dummy, who will go on and tell people to do bad things, it will fit in well.”
Freaks in Feathers makes a comeback in December at Norwich Playhouse, book now on 01603 598598.
I hope you enjoyed seeing my progress through this module, I got a first in this module :)
