August Norton Canes 2014 Issue 7 Stone Me! Would you believe it? Eagle-eyed villagers may have noticed that a historic rock, which used to stand in Norton Green Lane, has been removed and there is a wooden seat in its place next to the bus stop. Recent scientific tests have revealed the rock dates back an incredible 300-400 MILLION years. According to Dr Peter Floyd of the North Staffordshire Archaeological Society, the boulder type is believed to be dolerite. It originated from the Ice Age when two ice flows from Scotland and Yorkshire are believed to have collided in South Staffordshire, bringing rocks to the surface. Local councillor Sheila Harding believes many of the smaller ones ended up in village garden rockeries – their owners unaware of their historic significance. The Norton Green Lane rock was originally found in Little Wyrley in a field owned by the late Hamish Wallace of Little Wyrley Hall. Mr Wallace gave permission for the rock to be transported by tractor to Norton Green Lane where it sat from 1999-2014. Local farmer, the late John Benton extracted samples from the rock, then parish councillor Sheila Harding and local historian Roger Knowles arranged for boulder samples to be analysed by the Open University. Local farmer John Bridgen and his nephew Jamie hauled the rock into its present position in the garden at the junction of Walsall Road/ Burntwood Road. An information plaque will be installed in the garden in the near future. ―It looks great,‖ Councillor Harding said. ―It sits against the back wall in a quiet area.‖ A full report about the rock can be viewed at the parish office or ring Sheila for more information on 01543 275013. Norton Canes High School students have been busy creating artwork to commemorate World War I for a village display. The artwork pictured depicts an aerial view of Cannock Chase, concentrating on areas with links to WWI. Roger Knowles October 1999 See report Page 7 24 1 Hi everyone. LOCAL WORSHIP Welcome to edition 7 of the Newsletter. St James The Great I hope you enjoy it – even those who have trouble with the font size! Services: One local resident wrote in to say he enjoys the magazine but struggles with the font Our main service is Mass, celebrated in response To Jesus‘ command to size. I sympathise. I‘m writing this with the spec‘s very firmly sitting on my nose. ‗do this in memory of me‘. We would love to have the font size larger, but as you can probably see it‘s a squash to Sunday: Mass 8am. fit everything in as it is. But just for you, my bespectacled friend – the next bit is in a bigger font! Family Sung Mass 10.30am. (Sunday School is held during the service). Having just written the front page story about the rock I am Weekday Mass on Wednesday 11am and Thursday 7pm. feeling rather guilty about asking my long-suffering partner Rector: Fr. Neil Hibbins 01543278969 email: [email protected] Alex to take various rocks from the garden to the tip. Church Clerk is Mary Carpenter 01543 275296 email: [email protected] Church Wardens: Joyce Bennett 01543 277713, Kim Lloyd 01922 413718 Yes, I‘m also guilty of calling his beloved rockery ‗Stonehenge‘, teasing him mercilessly about the big rocks he Trinity Methodist Church Poplar Street, Norton Canes. WS11 9SG used – and telling him that coach loads of people would be Morning worship Sunday 11am turning up to see the pond and rockery in the back garden! Minister Rev C Parkes 01543 682277 Back to normal font (sorry): It was my pleasure to have attended two great events at Senior Seward: Ian Straughan 01543 276695 Jerome Primary School: the end of year show (see picture in this newsletter) and a ‗Jerome‘s Got Talent‘ event. The kids worked really hard and thoroughly entertained us all. NORTON CANES PARISH COUNCIL 2013 ~ 2014 In the leaver‘s play I had to titter at the joke about Robin Hood being so reliable he could do anything asked of him. Cllr J. Bernard (Chairman) 01543 274427 ‗The Reliant Robin couldn‘t go round corners fast though‘......... Items for Cllr J. Preece (Vice Chairman) 01543 278872 was the reply. Issue 8 Cllr J. Beddows 01543 279991 If you would like anything included in the newsletter email me By Cllr Mrs A. Bernard 01543 274427 September 30 please Cllr Mrs Z. Stretton MBE 01543 276959 [email protected] For distribution Cllr P. Gilbert 01543 276973 Warm wishes Beginning of Cllr Mrs J. Davies 01543 275032 Janet Lee November Cllr J. Bridgen 01543 271679 Ed‘ Cllr J Hampshire 01543 279850 Cllr Mrs M. Hopley 01543 274396 Cllr Mrs S. Harding 01543 275013 Our gardens Cllr R. Knowles 01543 279313 In recognition of the 100-year anniversary of World War 1 the parish council has Cllr R. Horton 01543 270801 Clerk to the Parish Council Mrs L. Florence 01543 276812 planted poppies on the Millennium garden. (between 10am-2pm) This has been made possible thanks to the support of Dobbies 'herewegrow' Useful contacts for district and county matters scheme which provided the seeds free of charge. You will see the various garden areas in the village, which are Residents may wish to keep a note of local councillors’ contact numbers if they have any Cannock Chase District or Staffordshire County Council matters to discuss. now blooming with plants and flowers. The district councillors are: Cllr Mrs Zaphne Stretton on 01543 276959 Many of these are kindly donate by Mr and Mrs Gerry Kean Cllr Mike Holder on 01543 279475 of Stag Crescent who provide us with plants for our garden areas each year. Cllr John Preece on 01543 278872 County councillor: Diane Todd on 01543 278778 2 23 Norton Canes Fun Day Residents flocked to the village‘s third annual Fun Day – and the weather was kind. There were numerous stalls and children enjoyed a day of entertainment. The event began with a small carnival procession (thanks to Hawkins Logistics who provided the trailer and driver). Norton Canes RVS – Darby and Joan Club Norton Canes Neighbourhood Essington Silhouettes Marching Band and Cannock Chase Drum Corps provided music For over 50s Network along the route. Every Wednesday from 1.30pm - 3.45pm The Library Some children turned up in fancy dress. Tuesday September 2. At Norton Canes Community Centre The event was organised by Norton Canes Parish Council and the Community Centre. 9.30am-12noon Come along and enjoy live entertainment Information, advice and A parish council spokesperson said: ―We are grateful to the band and Drum Corps for Bingo and parties for special occasions updates on local projects. their support. Well done to those who attended in fancy dress, but it was disappointing Help and advice from not many more were involved. We also arrange outings and holidays voluntary organisations ―Many thanks to all the helpers and marshals. Without their support we would not be Cllr Zaphne Stretton MBE and the committee Call 01543 500404 for info. able to organise this event.‖ look forward to welcoming new members and There was an Inter-school football tournament on the day with various age group teams anyone prepared to give ‘a helping hand’ taking part. World War I Ring 01543 276959 for information Organisers said the tournament was ‗a great success‘. Commemorative Event Norton Canes Primary school were overall winners. The victorious team was presented Community Centre with the Inter-School Shield for 2014. August 3 A parish council spokesperson added: ―Many thanks to Ryan Horton, Sally and Rachel Activity invite 3pm - 5pm from the primary schools for organising the teams.‖ Two friendly clubs take place each week at Exhibition by Norton Canes (See pictures on our back page). Norton Canes Library. Historical Society Rolling Newsreel Civic Service – an invitation to you There’s a Knit ‘n’ Natter with fun and chatter every Tuesday from 2pm-4pm. Book and pictures produced by Norton Canes Parish Council chairman Cllr John Bernard will be holding his Admission is free. Norton High School students on Civic Service on Sunday September 7 at Trinity Methodist Church, 3pm. display This will be followed by refreshments at Norton Canes Community Centre. Or join the Card Club on Thursdays, from All residents are welcome to attend. 1pm-3pm. The charge is £1 (not inclusive of Short Service World War I food and other materials). refreshments Norton Canes Library – implications British Legion attending You may have read in the local press recently that Staffordshire County Council is WWI music by Peter Howard proposing changes to how library services will be delivered in the future. This will have implications for Norton Canes Library. A Norton Canes Parish Council spokesperson said: ―We are actively involved with the Housing Drop-in Sessions county council to ensure the best possible service is available for our community.‖ Suggestions by the county have included using volunteers to man library services. Do you need help and advice on housing issues? *The Newsletter will keep you updated when we have more information about Do you want to move, downsize – or need to move due to medical developments. problems? Drop-in advice sessions are held at Norton Canes Library fortnightly on Thursdays from 9am-1pm. Cannock Chase Housing invites you drop into one of the sessions where you will be The Parish Notice board outside the Co-op contains information which is offered advice and assistance. updated regularly on Parish matters. You can also find information on the parish Or you can ring housing assistant Lorraine Thiselton on 01543 464768.