Apr 1, 2022

PHOTO STORY: A free lunch.

North Staffs News

PHOTO STORY: Appetite's Lunch Club.

This week, in his day job, Jerome attended Appetite’s creative Lunch Club for people relatively new to Newcastle-under-Lyme, people finding refuge here actually.

Appetite is an Arts Council England funded creative people and places project in North Staffordshire. In fact, from today (1st April) Appetite holds ‘National Portfolio Organisation’ status, receiving multi-year funding to bring creative and cultural access to as many local people as possible.

The lunch club is an example of artistic engagement that Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England, hopes is ‘an invitation to change lives’.

Here are some of Jerome’s (@photomoments) photographs and observations:

The activity this week was to be creative with clay.

Various techniques for making pots were on display, including 'pinch pots'.

Building the walls of a bowl using rolled-out spirals of clay.

Intricate work on a plaque by one participant.

A decorated vase. The tube around which the vase was shaped has taken on an artistic vibe too.

The floral detail on this vase was created by a participant who had never worked with clay before. Incredible.

At one point in the session conversation turned to snakes ‘back home’. Apparently snakes like to hide in desktop computer towers, the whirring fans provide cooling not just for the motherboard!

Mesmerising eyes of a clay snake. Yikes!

Maybe this participant was more interested in the lunch than the clay-making activity?

A spinach bake, and conversation around the lunch table.

The regular participants at Appetite’s Lunch Club have enjoyed trying various arts, including drawing, painting, collage-making, and more.

Landscape and portrait painter Ian Mood, Appetite’s artist in residence, summed up the achievements of the group, saying ‘so much creativity and friendship in these sessions’.

Creating friendship as well as objects in clay.

Find out more about Appetite by visiting their website: www.appetite.org.uk

All photographs © Jerome Whittingham @photomoments. Jerome has been commissioned to report on all activities at Appetite’s Newcastle Common arts space. www.photomoments.news

New season at Apedale Valley Light Railway

Apedale Valley Light Railway. Photo: Jerome Whittingham @photomoments.

Simon Lomax, Trustee at Apedale Valley Light Railway, got in touch to remind us that their new season of steam and activities starts this weekend.

The editor loves a visit to this great local venue!

Simon said: “Just a quick reminder - this coming weekend - April 2nd & 3rd - is the opening of our 2022 season. We will be running trains from 11.30am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays until October.

"For the 2022 season, we will be increasing the number of steam days too. We will now use one of our steam locomotives on every Saturday (from April 9th), Bank Holidays, and some Sundays.”

Find out all the details you need, and plan some trips with kids of any age, by visiting the website:

Apedale Valley Light Railway | Operated by the Moseley Railway Trust

Come and enjoy a train Ride at Apedale! Come and enjoy a train ride at Apedale! The volunteers of the Moseley Railway Trust look forward to welcoming you to the Apedale Valley Light Railway. The railway is built to a narrow gauge – just 24 inches (610mm) between the rails. Historic steam and diesel

avlr.org.uk

In Other Reads:

A little round-up of news that hit the editor’s inbox this week:

The Addams Family - Regent Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent - The Reviews Hub

Still time to catch this, runs till Saturday 2nd. Here’s a write-up by local theatre reviewer Mel Osborne.

www.thereviewshub.com

Council backs £60m urban quarter | Midlands Property News | Insider Media

Landmark plans for a £60m urban quarter next to Stoke-on-Trent’s train station - which are expected to create hundreds of jobs - have been backed by the council.

www.insidermedia.com

1,700 jobs take a step closer as major logistics scheme approved | TheBusinessDesk.com

Listed regeneration firm gets green light for major project in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

www.thebusinessdesk.com

Public Service Broadcasting Keele Tickets, KeeleSU (Keele University Students' Union), 07 Oct 2022 – Songkick

Public Service Broadcasting, one of the editor’s favourite bands, announced concert at KeeleSU (Keele University Students’ Union) in Keele on 07 Oct 2022.

www.songkick.com

Five walks to save the world – how 'psychogeography' can help you confront the climate crisis

Staffordshire University lecturer Philippa Holloway writes: “A walk can gift you fresh eyes to see otherwise forgotten or ignored aspects of your local area.”

theconversation.com

About North Staffs News

We’re a friendly email news bulletin for North Staffordshire. Constructive and solutions-focused, we share news-in-brief of positive things happening locally.

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